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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12074 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 20:48:47
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Appearance: Flarik has an athletic build, and his body has many tattoos strategically placed. He wears a suit of blindingly bright full plate over which he wears his red surcoat, held at the waist by a thick black belt with the symbol of the red knight portrayed in gold on the buckle. His face has a thick, bushy brown beard and moustache; matched only by the baldness of his shaved head. A bisected black & white shield decorated with the leaping red & gold flames of Thay in the center, a rampant red stallion over the white side, and a golden crystal ball on the black side hangs from his left arm. A band of shimmering golden magic with crimson runes upon it crosses his chest.
Still, despite his intimidating look, Flarik is nothing if not a jovial personality. His laughter is loud and cheeful, as well as being contagious. His actions are generous and utterly unselfish. While he doesn’t have the manners of genteel nobility, he has his own kind of personal honor behind everything he does.
HISTORY
Flarik Calroegen was born in the city of Surthay to a slim vixen trained in the arts of Thayvian magic. His father was a Chessentan mercenary whom his mother had favored for his spectacular build, “a fine young buck”, as she used to put it. Flarik had a rather normal youth for a child born of Thayvian nobility. He learned to read and write at a young age, oversaw the slaves at work in the fields, and learned the history of his great country. However, he enjoyed the time with his father most of all, riding through the countryside, and hearing tales of great warriors of Thesk and Rashemen and the lost empire of Raumathar and its War Wizards. His father noted his special interest in the old stories of Raumathar, and as a present for being accepted into the school of divination, he bought him a storybook relating the old tales of the armored war wizards leading soldiers against the wicked demonbinders of Narfell. Flarik enjoyed the stories of raw courage and honor found among these ancient war wizards. However, his mother constantly told him that such stories were “nothing but foolishness, and will get you killed”.
He enjoyed his years at the academy of Surthay, with its libraries. He found further collections about the battle sorcery of the ancient empires, and began an in-depth study into its history and forms. However, this study only left him yearning for more information than had ever been collected by the mages of the college of divination.
It was five years later that their household was assaulted by a Theskan sorceress, who hurled a magic disruption spell at Flarik’s father. A sudden bewilderment seemed to come across his father’s face, a realization of the cruel trick his “loving wife” had played upon him all these years. His father found himself no longer under her spell of enchantment, recognizing the young woman who had come to his aid as his young sister, whom he had not seen for nearly 15 years. Flarik’s father suddenly turned upon his mother, but he and his sister were still no match for Thayan wizardry. Torn between his father and mother, Flarik decided to follow his heart. Flarik repeatedly hurled spikes of magical energy at his mother, tears pouring down his cheeks until she dropped to the floor dead, his father’s sword piercing her spine.
His father and aunt made preparations to flee to the countryside of Thesk, but, despite the love of his father, Flarik was not yet ready to leave his newfound friends at the academy of divination magics. So, he continued his studies for the next 2 years, mastering the third circle of power before he was approached by members of the factions of Imperialists and Researchers, each of which were clamoring for him to join their party. He decided that, rather than get involved in such internal politics, he would rather go and discover more about himself. Under the pretense that he would work as an open agent for Thayan mercantile interests (at this time, enclaves still not being around, his job focused around protecting the marketable produce sold in nearby countries), Flarik arranged to have some time away from his homeland to explore surrounding cities. He travelled to his father’s home in the Theskan city of Two-Stars, and began his studies into ancient Raumathic history once again. He sought out ruins, talked to bards, and learned of folkslore from the old-wive’s that he met. He occasionally submitted his articles to the academy in Surthay, though noone even seemed to take notice of his efforts, other than the occasional cackle behind his back. It was nearly six years later that he finally came upon the discovery that he had waited so long to find.
He had learned, by talking to the spirits of the dead, that an ancient crypt of the war-wizards was in the ruins near the borders of Narfell. He found the grave site, but after opening the gates with a spell, he was assaulted by an invisible crypt guardian who attacked Flarik with fury. He fought it with his magic, but its talons drove deep into his flesh until he finally passed out from the agony. When he finally came to, he found a young Rashemi warrior tending his wounds. Flarik watched as the youth traced arcane sigils upon a strip of oak bark then placed them upon his wounded belly. The Thayan was surprised to find to find that he had finally found someone who actually practiced the magic of the Rus, an immigrant people who joined the Rashemi of the Raumathar Empire late in its life.
Flarik carefully concealed his Thayan heritage for fear of scaring the youth away, using illusions to cover the tattoo upon his forehead. The youth, Thorgeir Borgarson, and Flarik soon found that they had similar interests. Thorgeir had always been interested in the higher magics, but the witches of Rashemen had adamantly refused to teach him it unless he chose the life of a vremyonni. So, in return for Thorgeir’s aid in rediscovering the lost arts of the war wizards, Flarik shared his knowledge of the art.
The Raumathari wizards were reknowned for their interests in elemental magics and the elemental planes, and many of the red wizards explorations into fire magic had their foundations in earlier Raumatharan studies in the city of Kensten (modern day Bezantur). However, their primary focus was not just fire magic, for it was during the orcgate wars that the people who founded Raumathar discovered the secrets of iron and eventually steel. This, combined with the rugged landscape in which they chose to live, led the Raumatharan wizards to favor earth and air elementalism. The Raumathari battlemages, as they came to be known, often used this knowledge to learn how to cast spells in harsh conditions, including when silenced or when magically entrapped. Others turned their knowledge of iron magics to the secrets of casting while inhibited by armor and enchanting armor so that it is more conducive to the flows magic.
It was these secrets which Flarik sought out as he began his trek into the endless waste to study what remnants he could find of the Raumatharan civilization. Flarik and Thorgeir headed first to the village of Beacon Cairn, a city lying on the outskirts of Rashemen. Much to Flarik’s surprise, they met a fey spirit known as a telthor while they were attempting to study the magical beacon. This spirit being was the transformed essence of a Raumathari wizard who had died leaving a dangerous magical portal key in the ruins beneath the city of Almorel which held ties to open a portal to the elemental plane of air within the ruins of Shaundalar in Ashanath. The portal key was imbued with the ability to explain its function to whomever grasped it, and apparently the telthor, Magnior, had arisen from his long sleep when someone had uncovered it. It had also been imbued with the ability to dominate the individual holding it and compel them to open the gate. Flarik and Thorgeir managed to track down the dwarf who had found the item, but they were too late to prevent him from opening the portal to the plane of air. Luckily, there weren’t waiting hordes seeking to cross the portal, so they managed to recover the portal key and bring it back to Magnior the telthor. Magnior cast a spell on the key, but he still needed Flarik to bring the key to where it was forged so that it could be broken and thus close the gate. Thus found Flarik and Thorgeir headed into the wild wastes again to seek out the lost capital of Winterkeep. After an arduous journey, Flarik, Thorgeir, and the dwarf were able to destroy the portal key. In gratitude, Thorgeir offered to direct the dwarf, a skilled armorer, in making a fine set of feycrafted armor, which Thorgeir enchanted and continues to wear to this day.
With his newfound discoveries buoying him up, Flarik decided it was time to return to Surthay and claim his red robes from the sneering academy heads. It was at this time that he finally revealed his true allegiance to Thorgeir. At first the youth was alarmed that his friend of the past year was a Thayan wizard, but his own curiosity and eagerness to learn more of magic won him over, and he followed Flarik to his homeland.
Flarik soon found himself in the old political debates from both the researchers and imperialists, both of whom once again proclaimed that he must choose a side. Flarik steadfastly refused, instead taking on a select few apprentices to whom he would begin teaching the special nature of his magic. He met with a large measure of success, taking on warriors who had not the background to get themselves into the magical academies.
Within five years, he had a group of over a half-dozen students. Most notable were Sleyvas, a former bounty hunter, and Targuth Agneh, a mercenary formerly in the watch of Bezantur. It was also at this time that Flarik discovered Thorgeir’s delving into dark arts and making pacts with beings of the lower planes. Thorgeir left to seek another teacher in Surthay, and Flarik swore to kill him before allowing him to pass on their secrets.
However, it was at that time that the Salamander War began, and Flarik led his students to Southern Thay in an attempt to close off the planar rift before the flaming creatures could do too much damage to his homeland. His standard became a rallying point for a contingent of Bezantur cavalry, as well as a large force of centaurs and minotaurs, much to the chagrin of the Imperialist faction. But, even he was being worn down by attrition, and he called back to Bezantur for reinforcements that he might break through to the heart of the problem. But, the imperialists were not amused with Flarik’s success, and instead gave his reinforcements to a rival red wizard, Aznar Thrul.
As a result, Flarik was slowly pushed back, until finally his camp was overtaken. But, on the night that he was to die, he was visited by a man and woman. The man and woman were sent by a futuristic version of Flarik’s student, Sleyvas, to rescue him rather than let him die. During an assault on Flarik’s pavilion, they created a portal in the air. Upon stepping through the portal, Flarik found himself more than a decade into the future, his remaining students now his equals in magic use. But, his hatred of the Imperialist party, and Aznar Thrul in particular, has not yet been abated.
Flarik Calroegen, Male Human Ftr1/Wiz6/SpSwrd1/Raumathari Battlemage4/RedWiz7: CR 19; Medium Humanoid ; HD 1d10+3(Fighter) , 6d4+18(Wizard) , 1d8+3(Spellsword) , 4d4+12(Raumathari Battlemage) , 7d4+21(Red Wizard) ; hp 112; Init +3; Spd 30; AC:33 (Flatfooted:30 Touch:17); Atk +15/10/5 base melee, +14/9/4 base ranged; +16/11/6 (1d10+5, +1 Adamantine Sword, bastard); +16/11/6 (1d10+5, +1 Iron, Cold Sword, bastard); AL LN; SV Fort +16, Ref +14, Will +20; STR 18 (14), DEX 16 (12), CON 16 (14), INT 24 (20), WIS 10, CHA 12.
Skills: Bluff +23, Climb +6, Concentration +25, Craft (Armorsmithing) +9, Craft (Calligraphy) +7, Craft (Papermaking) +9, Decipher Script +9, Intimidate +7, Jump +7, Knowledge (Arcana) +29, Knowledge (Dragonkind) +12, Knowledge (History) +13, Knowledge (Local - Aglarond) +8, Knowledge (Local - Damara) +8, Knowledge (Local - Impiltur) +8, Knowledge (Local - Narfell) +10, Knowledge (Local - Rashemen) +11, Knowledge (Local - Thay) +9, Knowledge (The Planes) +12, Knowledge (War) +9, Ride +7, Speak Language +2, Spellcraft +31, Swim +4.
Feats: Armor Proficiency: heavy, Armor Proficiency: light, Armor Proficiency: medium, Combat Casting, Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Craft Wondrous Item, Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Sword, bastard, Insightful Reflexes, Lightning Reflexes, Scribe Scroll, Shield Proficiency, Shielded Casting, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Spell Focus: Evocation, Spellcasting Prodigy, Tattoo Focus, Tower Shield Proficiency.
Spells Prepared (Wiz 4/6/6/6/5/5/5/4/3/2): .
Possessions:
Weapons: +1 Iron, Cold Sword, bastard: Dancing (52,370 gp); +1 Adamantine Sword, bastard: Sure Striking, Spell Storing (21,335 gp).
Armor: +3 feycrafted Mithral Full plate: Death Ward, Everbright, Twilight (46,650 gp).
Shields: +3 feycrafted Mithral Shield, heavy steel: Fortification, Moderate (75%) (37,170 gp).
Magic: Ring: Protection +2 (8,000 gp); Wondrous: Amulet of Health +2 (4,000 gp); Wondrous: Cloak of Resistance +4 (16,000 gp); Wondrous: Boots of Striding and Springing (5,500 gp); Wondrous: Headband of Intellect +4 (16,000 gp); Wondrous: Vestment of Natural Armor +2 (8,000 gp); Wondrous: Belt of Giant Strength +4 (16,000 gp); Wondrous: Gloves of Dexterity +4 (16,000 gp).
Tactics: Ok, haven't developed his tactics for 3E yet. Basically, he fights with sword and shield, then lets his sword dance and fight beside him while he draws his focus sword and casts spells/fights beside the dancing weapon. With his shielded casting he doesn't provoke attacks of opportunity.
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12074 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 20:51:18
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Sorry, meant to write this at the top. I've redone him with some changes that have happened in 3E in mind. Any canon lore flaws in his history?
Phillip |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Asgetrion
Master of Realmslore
Finland
1564 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jul 2006 : 22:43:49
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Um, you can be both a Raumathari battlemage and a Red Wizard?  |
"What am I doing today? Ask me tomorrow - I can be sure of giving you the right answer then."
-- Askarran of Selgaunt, Master Sage, speaking to a curious merchant, Year of the Helm |
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Chosen of Moradin
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1120 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jul 2006 : 15:36:18
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Interesting.... weird, strange, look like a protagonist of the Twilight Zone series... but interesting, and possible (give the fact that he is the unique of this type in all Toril)...
I don´t like only of the part that involved time travel. But, anyway, I don´t like anything that involved time travel.  |
Dwarf, DM, husband, and proud of this! :P
twitter: @yuripeixoto
Facebook: yuri.peixoto |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12074 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2006 : 13:59:01
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<<Interesting.... weird, strange, look like a protagonist of the Twilight Zone series... but <<interesting, and possible (give the fact that he is the unique of this type in all Toril)...
<<I don´t like only of the part that involved time travel. But, anyway, I don´t like anything <<that involved time travel.
Yes, I had had him studying Raumatharan histories back in 2nd edition (and I kind of wonder if this character isn't where the term Raumathari Battlemage came about, as I don't recall whether I got it from somewhere or just started using it). Granted, I'm only so/so in favor of the prestige class Raumathari battlemage as being what I always envisioned (there would have been something to do with armor and elementalism if I'd wrote it up), but I can see where the once a day silent and still spell add-ons could prove useful in mage-duels.
I also always had a favoritism for Flarik because he's not the storybook red wizard. He's simply a patriot for his country, and he favors the common folk. Granted, does he believe slavery is ok? Sure, so long as you take care of the slaves. Does he believe in the idea of a magocracy? Of course, because they are the intelligencia of the population... who better to lead? Is he in favor of those red wizards who consort with demons? HELLS NO! That's Narfellian work and being a proper historian of Raumathar he doesn't want to see his own country follow that path.
As to the time travel part, well I had always written up Flarik as "the mentor who was killed" for Sleyvas, and one day I decided that I wanted him back alive. Granted, Sleyvas could have gotten himself beholden to a temple and had the man resurrected (in game terms this would have worked, but Sleyvas isn't big on owing gods.... and if you ever read some of his history you'll understand he has a semi-complex love/hate relationship with Shar). In the end, I decided that none of Sleyvas' divinations would actually confirm Flarik's death and that Sleyvas figured out from that that Flarik hadn't died, but neither did he exist in the recent past. He then studied more into time travel and determined that he couldn't go back himself (I really like the "not doubling your lifeline" part in chronomancy, and I'd even go so far as to remove that 9th lvl spell that finally lets you do it), so he got someone else to do it. Along the way, he figured a way to convince his past self that his wife had been slain as well, for he wanted to save her as well, but he knew that if he changed his own history there would be a chance that he would create a paradox and thereby never have become a mage powerful enough to have sent the person back. Granted, I did all this in story form. To actually run a campaign where magical time travel is possible, I'd put some very stringent requirements that I glossed over in the story (i.e. it should be a wizardry that say costs TONS of XP and Cash, have odd material components that are hard to acquire that come from the time you wish to visit, and thereby would only be used by the desperate and not the person who goes back every Tuesday to kill the father of his current enemy). In the end, I see Sleyvas as being THAT desperate (after all, he attempted to mur.... nevermind, if you want to read the story, let me know and I'll post it).
Phillip aka Sleyvas
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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ShadowJack
Senior Scribe
USA
350 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2006 : 14:59:29
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| What can I say? Brilliant! I have been interested in the Raumathari Battlemage and even started a character that will eventually take that class. His fore-fathers have continued the tradition of the Battlemages as part of their family heritage which they pass on to their children. They have done this since the time of ancient Raumathyr. Of course parts of the tradition/training have been lost... The general legends and practices have been maintained, enough to start a young conjurer on a journey of discovery... I have not developed this backstory to the level you have. Enjoyed reading it. Gret work. |
ShadowJack |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
12074 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2006 : 15:10:57
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<<What can I say? Brilliant! I have been interested in the Raumathari Battlemage and even <<started a character that will eventually take that class. His fore-fathers have continued <<the tradition of the Battlemages as part of their family heritage which they pass on to <<their children. They have done this since the time of ancient Raumathyr. Of course parts of <<the tradition/training have been lost... The general legends and practices have been <<maintained, enough to start a young conjurer on a journey of discovery... I have not <<developed this backstory to the level you have. Enjoyed reading it. Gret work.
Thanks. Ah, a Raumathic conjurer, a perfect delver into the Raumathic mysteries that stemmed from ancient Imaskar. Be careful of the portals you discover <g>. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Chosen of Moradin
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1120 Posts |
Posted - 22 Jul 2006 : 15:18:12
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Yes, I want to read the story!
As I have said, I find it weird... but interesting! It´s very well developed, and written. I don´t like of the time travel part only for personal taste, but the overall history is very good.
I have two players that delve a little in this matters: one is a neutral red wizard in my Waterdeep campaign. His behaviou respecting Thay, slavery and other matters are very similar with Flarik viewpoint. He is becoming, gradually, an agent of Azuth, for her pure love of the Art, and her neutral and balanced attitude.
And in my upcoming campaign in the Unapprocheable East, one of the players will roleplay and rashemi aasimar fighter/warmage/raumathari battlemage. I´m creating a very little secret cabal of old raumathari descendants that mantain alive their ancient misteryes and customs. |
Dwarf, DM, husband, and proud of this! :P
twitter: @yuripeixoto
Facebook: yuri.peixoto |
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A Thayan history of the Raumathari red wizard
