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A play by post 5E DnD campaign created and played by fans of The Adventure Zone.
 
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  To learn a sacred calling.

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Ezythyr Coalthane

Ezythyr Coalthane


Posts : 193
Join date : 2016-12-02
Age : 37
Location : Michigan

Character sheet
Name: Ezythyr Coalthane
Hit Points:
Hit PointsCurrentCurrentTotalTotal
Hit PointsHit Points3838
Temporary Hit PointsTemporary Hit Points14

Inspiration: No

 To learn a sacred calling. Empty
PostSubject: To learn a sacred calling.    To learn a sacred calling. I_icon_minitimeMon Dec 05, 2016 6:18 pm

Necromancy. Perhaps the most foul and despised of the magical schools. Used by those who seek power at any cost, it means the exploitation of the deceased and the despair of the living.

But not all who use necromancy do it out of avarice.

The Coalthanes, a noble clan of dwarves, are one such group. They take it upon themselves to entomb their kingdom's dead, treating the bodies and laying them to rest, protected from desecration. They are also keepers of the Oath. Taken by the most devout paladins and the most loyal soldiers, it is a vow to serve their people even past death.

Coalthane nobles trained in the mystic arts take upon themselves to learn necromancy, the very tool of their enemies, in order to use it against them. They strike down their enemies and then bind the spirits of their ancestors into the bones and flesh of fallen corpses, allowing them to serve again. But they must take care. Once the dwarven spirit inhabits a corpse, it must be wary of the corpse's original soul. Once the magic of the necromancer fades, the dwarven spirit is weakened and their undead thralls may become hostile.

---

"So stay vigilant, Ezythyr." Gilbur Coalthane concluded.

"Aye, father." Ezythyr swelled with pride. He had finally come of age and would learn the art of necromancy. Seventy-five years was a long time to wait to serve your family as you were meant to. He had endured the generic training in arms and armor, and when he showed mystical talent, learning the basic cantrips and spells. Now he was finally about to be taught his true potential. He practically buzzed with excitement.

Gilbur stared at him.

Ezythyr stared back.

"So...when are ye leavin'?" Gilbur asked.

"What?" Ezythyr was startled. "Leavin' where?"

His father laughed. "Boy, think! Is there any other necromancers here? Yer the first since you're Uncle Bilbur! And he died! There's no one here to teach ya!"

"Oh. Aye. I jes thought..."

"Ye weren't thinkin', that's the long o' it." Gilbur puffed on his pipe. "Aye, yer uncle was right powerful. Raised all kinds o' creatures. I remember when he put our grand mammy in a ghoul. She gave him hell for it!" Gilbur laughed again. "Anyways, ye'll learn it. It's in yer bones. Might be ye just need to pull it out o' yerself. But I think it's best ye see the world anyway." A exhaled a cloud of sweet smoke. "We'll be fine here, lad. There hasnae been a war since..." Here he hesitated, creasing his brow. "A...while? Seems like so long ago. Cannae remember in any case." He shrugged and stood up, grabbing his old axe off the wall. "In any case, take this. Ye know how to use it well enough." He handed the weapon to the young dwarf, and then headed to a chest, pulling out a chain shirt. "And take this too. Can't have ye dyin' and leavin' us without a necromancer altogether."

"Right." Ezythyr was still shocked. Just a few minutes ago he expected to be studying some dark grimoire in the comfort of his family's library. Now he was about to head out into the world and 'discover the power within himself.' "Shit." He muttered.

"I won't be completely cuttin' ye off, boy." A pouch dropped into Ezythyr's lap. "This here is yer ring, confirming ye to be of the Coalthane blood. And papers to prove it further."

Ezythyr's dark mood lightened somewhat. Perhaps this wouldn't be all bad. A chance to see the world, stay with some friends, and maybe even have a bit of adventure. Maybe even find a long lost relic! Or stop a death cult! Or stop a peasant rebellion!

"Right, father! I'll be off first thing in the mornin'!"

"Good lad! Don't forget to take something impressive to wear! A good axe and sturdy chain are the finest cloth and scepter to us dwarves, but the other races tend toward the silky and shimmery." The old dwarf made a face of disgust.

Ezythyr started off to pack and hesitated. He turned back to his father. "Perhaps...a small purse to see me on me way?"

Gilbur laughed again. "Right'o, lad!" He unclipped the pouch at his belt and tossed it to his son. "Don't spend it all on ale!" He made another face. "Especially the human ale. Water, the lot o' it."

"Right, father! I'll be home and a master necromancer before ye know it!" He ran off down the hall.

Gilbur's smile faded, then disappeared into a frown. "Good lad." He sat down, puffed on his pipe, and slowly became lost in his thoughts.
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Ezythyr Coalthane

Ezythyr Coalthane


Posts : 193
Join date : 2016-12-02
Age : 37
Location : Michigan

Character sheet
Name: Ezythyr Coalthane
Hit Points:
Hit PointsCurrentCurrentTotalTotal
Hit PointsHit Points3838
Temporary Hit PointsTemporary Hit Points14

Inspiration: No

 To learn a sacred calling. Empty
PostSubject: Re: To learn a sacred calling.    To learn a sacred calling. I_icon_minitimeSat Dec 10, 2016 2:39 pm

A little more on Ezythyr's temperament and training.

Ezythyr has been training for his position his whole life. Learning how to wield dwarven weapons and wear dwarven armor were staples for any young dwarf, but once he showed magical aptitude, he learned it all over again in conjunction with his magic. He's been trained in History, Diplomacy, Anatomy and Medicine. He learned ancient arcane lore and a few basic spells and cantrips from tutors hired in from the outside. Unfortunately, he's been a little over-trained in the basics, and doesn't know much about the real world.

When he first showed magical aptitude, he was contacted by the spirit of a dead relative. His great grandfather's cousin, Kidrin Shattershield. Kidrin hasn't taken a liking to the boy. Understanding that he's supposed to be able to place him a body, in order to serve, he's unfortunately been waiting a long time. About fifty years, in fact. So Kidrin has taken it upon himself to push Ezythyr into taking action. Although Ezythyr doesn't always listen, he does sometimes see the wisdom in his guardian spirit's advice. From what he's read of his uncle's notes, he will eventually be in contact with more and more spirits. He's not exactly looking forward to that.

Ezythyr has spent a lot of time with his uncle's notes. But they do little to describe how to cast magic, and are more of an interesting journal chronicling the old necromancer's life. There's a lot Ezythyr doesn't understand, and a frustrating amount that he just can't read as well.

A few things that Ezythyr has learned is how to manifest Kidrin's energy in useful ways. He can allow Kidrin to manipulate and handle objects in the physical world, as long as they are simple and light enough. He can focus Kidrin's energy into a single chilling punch against his enemies as well. Kidrin can also temporarily possess Ezythyr's weapon, giving it a ghostly flame and adding his fiery temper to the attack.

Basically I'm reflavoring some of his spells to be more necromantic. Mage Hand and Green-Flame Blade specifically. I'm also going to reflavor some spells to be more dwarven, like Chill Touch manifesting as a ghostly dwarven gauntlet, instead of a clawed hand.

Ezythyr has a typical dwarven spellbook. Bound in iron, inscribed with dwarven runes, and heavy parchment pages. Very hardy.

But, as for Ezythyr's personality, I'll be playing up his naivety. He's not sure about the world. He doesn't know much about how the world works. He has a very cavalier attitude about death (Thank you, Mark!) and killing. To him, someone dying isn't a big deal, as they can obviously still interact with the world. Obvious, at least, to him.

Eventually he might learn some lessons and become a little more grounded, but for now, I like playing him as a level one character. Too often I make a character who is set and I know exactly how they should act and behave. But Ezythyr is a blank slate. I can build his personality as he gains experience, both literally and figuratively.

The downside to this is that right now, Ezythyr is pretty rough. I don't know how to write for him. So I hope you guys bear with me in figuring out who Ezythyr is. I truly made a character on a neat concept, instead of as a set person. Which might work out pretty nicely.
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