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| Volume I, Number 1 | April/May 1999 |
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Zalek by Darren Goddard 12th Level Human Priest/Necromancer Strength 7 Dexterity 18 Constitution 19 Intelligence 20 Wisdom 14 Charisma 4 AC -2 THACO 17 (Base) Hit Points 56 Alignment Neutral evil Special Attacks See below Special Defenses See below Magic Resistance Nil Height: 5'3" Weapon Proficiencies: Scourge, Wrist Razor, and Sling Non-weapon Proficiencies: Spell-craft, Reading/Writing Akalan (Dambrath), Alzhedo (Calimshan), Auld Wyrmish, Halruan, Human - Mulhorandi (Old Empires), Human - Tethyrian Common, Ancient History, Anatomy - Necromancy, Necrology - Necromancy, Netherworld Knowledge - Necromancy, Mage-craft, Undead lore, Venom Handling, Broad-based NWP: Monster Lore. Special Attacks: Special Special Defenses: Special Appearance: Zalek is working towards Lichdom and almost looks the part. He is gaunt to the point of Emaciated, his skin clings tightly to his bones, his ribs poke from his chest the skin stretched tight looking as though the bones may burst through at any moment. His cheeks are sunken and his lips are drawn tightly over his teeth. Zalek is bald and strange runes are branded on the skin of his skull and forehead. He is long of limb but short in the torso giving him a spindly appearance that adds to the general gauntness of his appearance. Zalek prefers to dress in loincloth and leather sandals. He usually leans upon a heavy shod staff and his 'pet' draco-faerie lich is never far from his side. Background: Zalek was born in Luthcheq in Chessenta in the year 1185 DR. The 7th son of the then ruler of Luthcheq, Lord Mergart, he was instantly mistrusted and somewhat reviled from birth. In Luthcheq it is considered an ill omen to have anything to do with the number seven as it is considered a wizard's number. Zalek spent a miserable youth being bullied and heckled constantly by his brothers and ignored by his parents. His basic needs were looked after by a Nanny who hated him, she considered it a stain on her honor to have to deal with the small child and she beat Zalek for doing the smallest wrong. Zalek found solace in books; he is a veracious reader and would often disappear for hours in the grand library reading and learning, this suited everyone fine as Zalek was out of sight out of mind. During his 13th year Zalek discovered a hidden drawer in a desk in the library inside was a small dark book, covered in some sort of animal skin it was emblazoned with a grinning skull biting down on a lightning bolt. Zalek could not help himself and set about trying to decipher the work, after many hours of study and suffering from an aching head, dizzy spells and a bleeding nose Zalek suddenly made sense of the word written in the Libram, the Libram of Ineffable Damnation. Zalek realized that he had a magic book in his hand and his heart had been set afire by what he had read. Initially he was scared, scared enough that he thought of burning the book before he read any further, then he figured "why, they already believe me to have some sorcerous taint I may as well fulfil my destiny". Zalek learned all he could from the Libram before it disappeared just as he read the last page. He practiced all that he had read in secret but had no more information or tutors to teach him more of magic. Zalek spent his teens cultivating a network of informants and under ground contacts that could provide him with the magical information he could need. It was 1210 DR when Zarek's world changed for what he thought at the time was the worse but ended up being for the best. He was betrayed by one of his contacts and was sure it was certain death, but the family kept it quite, covered it up, branded him a traitor and cast a Bane spell upon him, exiling him from the country on pain of death. Zarek wandered the Realms eventually ending up in Thay were he apprenticed on to the Necromancer Sathooth Suth, proving a more than capable student and learning to quickly for Sathooth's liking he was one day set upon by agents hired by Sathooth. Zarek slaughtered the would be assassin's and then killed his master. He lived on in Sathooth's home, learning what he could from the spell books and tomes that Sathooth had in his library. By 1235 DR, The Year of the Black Horde, Zarek has been affected by a very virulent disease, rare amongst most people but more common amongst Necromancer's. "Lichpox" as it was called hastened the aging process tremendously in so much that one could age 100 years in one week, bringing with it terrible pains as joints swell and twist and teeth become brittle with age the Lichpox is usually fatal. Zalek used every trick he could think of casting spells, brewing potions and unguents, herbal remedies and dark rites but all to no avail, his bodily quickly becoming ancient and starting to fail him, his mind remaining that of a 50 year old watching himself die. As he lay on his deathbed the last of his breath slipping from his lips he was visited by the Avatar of Myrkul and a bargain was struck. He would dedicate his life to working to further Myrkul's cause and in return Myrkul would cure him of the Lichpox. Zalek was quick to agree to the bargain and Myrkul removed the disease and disappeared with a final word to Zalek that he would send a messenger with commands. Zalek was cured but was still a young man's mind in an old man's body, Myrkul's cure had not reversed the effects of the disease and further more Myrkul had slowed down Zalek's aging process so that he now aged 1 year for every ten that passed. Zalek embraced the teaching of Myrkul and joined his clergy, training his mind in both wizard magic and priest magic and joining a small sect of monks to help keep him physically fit he was soon rising in the ranks of the church. He served Myrkul faithfully for almost 120 years never seeming to age but always appearing as an old infirm man. During the Times of Trouble Zalek worked his god's bidding, raising armies of Undead that ravaged the countryside, he was counted amongst the most reviled people in the area around Sembia. After the death of his god, his power waning and his armies being routed he fled Sembia. Wandering aimlessly across the realms devastated by the loss of his god and his body again beginning to age at it's normal pace he turned his thoughts to the ultimate Undead, he turned his thoughts to becoming a Lich. He spent the next 10 years prolonging death with magic and potions and preparing himself to ascend to Lichdom. His research led him to the Erlkazar area and eventually to a meeting with a new god looking for a High Priest; Velsharoon had just ascended to the pantheon and was starting to establish his church in Faerun. Velsharoon spoke to Zalek of Lichdom, of the Twisted Rune and of his plans. Zalek leapt at the opportunity to work with Velsharoon and as a reward Velsharoon re-cast the spell that slowed down Zalek's aging process enabling Zalek to complete his research and do the necessary preparations for his ascension. Zalek established the Morgue, a temple to Velsharoon, high in the High Peaks and soon had a small but effective group of subservient working for him. Zalek is drawing close to completing the dark rites necessary for Lichdom and is currently concentrating all his powers on his ascension. This has led to some power play between factions of his 'flock' as Zalek is locked away performing the necessary rites. Velsharoon and Zalek plan's is a simple one. Zalek will attempt to join the Twisted Rune and work his way up to becoming one of the ruling Council. Velsharoon wants to be able to subtly maneuvered the Twisted Rune to his own hidden agenda. |
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