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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11827 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Aug 2006 : 02:47:06
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Any holes in this? Lemme know if I missed any canon links.
Ythazz had been part of the original uprising in Mulhorand in -1087 DR by the Theurgist Adept Thayd (put to death -1081). That uprising had been about the god-kings controlling the studies of the wizards of the Mulhorandi Empire. Thayd was killed, but Ythazz was one of the few surviving conspirators who fled. A few years later the Orcgate opened, which threw Mulhorand into yet another conflict (whether Ythazz had something to do with the Orcgate opening is doubtful due to his relative power at the time, however there are rumors that escaped “Thaydists” were involved in the opening of the Orcgates).
After the Orcgate wars, the country of Narfell formed when refugee mercenaries from the orcgate wars returned home. The Narfellians were similar in belief to the followers of Thayd that magical research should be allowed to take its own course. While many of the Narfellians turned to the arts of conjuration and consorting with planar allies for their powers, others turned to the black arts of necromancy. This proved the perfect environment for the young lich, Ythazz, and he gathered a group of like minded spellcasters amongst the Nars. Ythazz was able to secure a small realm for himself along the coast of what is modern day Thesk, from which he trained apprentices in the arts of magical warfare to face off against their enemies in nearby Raumathar. The next few centuries passed in relative peace, with Ythazz spending much time researching and experimenting upon captured subjects to see what new monstrosities he could make. After a time, as with all megalomaniacs, he began to think he was undefeatable, and he convinced his fellow Narfellians that the path to greatness lay in seizing the weakened empires of Mulhorand and Unther.
So, the Nars formed a fleet of ships with the intention of sailing down and capturing the coast of Mulhorand and Unther and from there launching attacks upon the newly formed Raumathari city of Kensten. Unfortunately, the Nars had overestimated the combined power of the elder empires, and the fleet of Narfell never even made landfall. Ythazz was destroyed by the priests of Osiris in a fierce spellbattle aboard his own capital ship. The lich’s phylactery sank below the waves, where it was captured by a powerful sahuagin priest. Without his spellbooks, Ythazz was incapable of challenging the sahuagin to recover his soul’s repository. As a result the sahuagin put the lich into service to his tribe creating magic items that they could use or trade to surface worlders. In return, Ythazz was given access to select spells to study that had been recovered from surface world raids. Over time, however, Ythazz was secretly able to gather an intact spellbook, and using it he was able to find and reclaim his phylactery and escape.
Almost half a century had passed before Ythazz had once again returned to the surface world. He returned to Narfell, only to find that one of his enemy’s apprentices, an upstart named Mellifleur, had laid claim to his tower and all of his possessions. What was worse was that Ythazz recognized that this apprentice’s power rivaled his own, especially without access to the centuries of compiled research which he had left behind for security. So, Ythazz set about rebuilding once again, performing raids against both the Raumathari battlemages and Narfellian Demonbinders in order to recover items of art and books of lore.
Despite being a lich, Ythazz was not a master of necromancy, so he never understood the accident that occurred to Mellifleur a century later. However, being a lich, he quickly understood that one of his former compatriots had suddenly ascended into godhood when he discovered that Mellifleur had become the Lord of Liches. Ythazz, already having disdane for the gods because of his time with Thayd, was repulsed by this idea even further because he had held Mellifleur in contempt. The lord of Liches success galled Ythazz, and he spent the next two centuries and vast sums of money trying to uncover the mysteries behind the ritual. Yet for all his efforts, he found himself none the wiser as to what had been the lynchpin to Mellifleur’s ascension. Perhaps with more time, he might have been able to understand it, but time was not on his side. Karsus’ Folly changed the way magic worked throughout the entire world, and Ythazz found his body destroyed in a conflagration of suddenly released magics. Ythazz found himself entrapped in his own phylactery, and he could not escape.
Nearly a millennia passed before his phylactery was recovered by Chessentan adventurers who didn’t recognize it for what it truly was. Selling the phylactery as an art object, the phylactery came into the hands of a southern necromancer by the name of Velsharoon. The necromancer recognized the “art object” for its true nature, and he sought to unlock its mysteries, eventually succeeding. Ythazz found himself free and indebted to Velsharoon. In gratitude, he offered to teach Velsharoon lost mysteries of the art, and in return the necromancer would educate Ythazz in the more modern magical advances as well as the changes in the world.
While he had been entrapped, the world had changed much. The mystical empire of Netheril had fallen, and from its ashes Halruaa had been born in the untamed lands of the south. The great realms of Narfell and Raumathar had mutually fallen, and the empire of Mulhorand had seen a resurgence with the recovery of Raumathari lands. Ythazz found that Mystra had changed the way magic worked following Karsus’ Folly, and thus many of his great secrets were lost to time. Ythazz felt a need to discover and test the thresholds of the art; and he found a kindred spirit within Velsharoon.
The two great mages formed a secret society of like minded researchers who would test the dark arts, gathering to their banner those Halruaan and Mulan mages who chafed under the strictures of their society. They sought the power of their Netherese ancestors, for they would be masters of the world again. Calling themselves “red wizards”, whether for their focus on blood, war, or just boldness, is unknown now. What is known is that they performed experimental atrocities that sickened their fellow Halruaan elders when they discovered them. There were minor scuffles that occurred, but the final straw culminated in 827 DR when Omm Hlandrar brought the fight to Velsharoon in fierce spellbattle above the plains of the Shaar. The battle ended in a draw, but Ythazz and Velsharoon decided it was best to move to more secure surroundings.
The two archmages, along with the remainder of their red wizards, moved to the Priador, a section of Mulhorand which had previously been held variously by Narfellians and Raumatharans. Needless to say, it was a portion of the empire bubbling with rebellion. Ythazz and Velsharoon formed alliances with several new Mulan allies such as the conjurer Jorgmacdon Odesseiron and the Patriarch of the Tam Family. Working from the shadows, through their lesser red wizards, they slowly gathered disaffected Mulan mages from throughout the old empires. Velsharoon worked his way into the government by seizing the body of a young Osirian priest, working as a spy from within.
It was in 922 DR that Ythazz and his red wizards truly began to work against the Mulhorandi, staging an uprising in the Priador’s capital city of Delhumide. 2002 years after the death of Thayd, Ythazz had finally raised up enough power to strike against the church of Mulhorand with the help of his fellow red wizards. The war was quick, ended in the battle of Thazalhar when the red wizard Jorgmacdon did what the Narfellian conjurers had failed to do, summoning and controlling the demon lord Eltab. The red wizards named the country Thay in honor of the long dead "hero" of old and declared that they would not be led by the gods, but by the art of man.
Of course, Ythazz had been prepared for the assault and the destruction. He was not at all prepared for the rebuilding and consolidation required afterwards. Initially, peace ruled as each mage setup their own demesne amongst the conquered land. But this calm was soon replaced by occasional magical assaults, as each mage sought to eliminate their rivals. Ythazz recognized that order must be attained, and he joined with his fellow archmages to strike out against those who would stand against combined rule. He also recognized that his former comrade Velsharoon was now set to usurp his throne from him, and that Velsharoon had gathered his own allies. But, Ythazz’s allies proved to strong and Velsharoon was eventually forced to leave Thay as a consequence of rising up against his fellow red wizards. In the end, Ythazz and his fellows won out, and the council of Zulkirs was formed.
Having won out against the God-Kings, Ythazz turned once again to his researches. Eventually, he discovered the secret to attaining a higher level of lichdom, transforming himself into a demilich. However, in his time spent researching, Ythazz had committed a grievous error. He had quit watching his underlings.
Ythazz still doesn’t know who sent the golem to entrap his skull within the globe of arandur with its magic-sucking interior. Nor did he know where they transported to afterwards until recently, when the welds on the exterior of the arandur globe began to finally crack. Unfortunately, he finds himself in an area of dead magic, surrounded by numerous constructs, and enclosed within an arandur globe that is attached to a metallic clamp to the floor. Except for a few spells which he has magically “scribed” within the gems replacing his teeth, he is also without his spells. His original phylactery has been destroyed, leaving him with only the soul gems comprising his demi-lich body. However, he is not without hope. The foulness of his presence draws undead to his general area. Most are destroyed for drawing too near. However, some are intelligent enough that they have gleaned some idea of what awaits ahead. Working as his servants, they seek someone who can help them free “the dark one” from his prison, and Ythazz waits for the day that they succeed.
Ythazz Buvarr, Male Human, Mulan Wiz17/RedWiz10: CR 35; Medium Undead ; HD 17d12(Wizard) , 10d12(Red Wizard) ; hp 182; Init +3; Spd 0; AC:25 (Flatfooted:24 Touch:16); Atk +12/7 base melee, +17/12 base ranged; SA: Fear Aura (Su) (DC , Paralyzing Touch (Su) , Trap the soul (Su) ,
Spell-like Abilities Planar Ally, Greater 2/day, Death Knell 27 At Will , Summon Monster I-IX At Will , Alter Self At Will , Telekinesis At Will , Dispel Magic, Greater At Will , Weird At Will , Enervation At Will , Create Undead At Will , Create Greater Undead At Will , Astral Projection At Will , Harm At Will ; SQ: Darkvision (Ex): 60 ft., Immunity: Death Effects (Ex), Immunity: Energy Drain (Ex), Immunity: Ability Drain (Ex), Immunity: Critical hits (Ex), Immunity: Stun (Ex), Immunity: Fortitude Save-Based Attacks (Ex), Immunity: Paralysis (Ex), Immunity: Reincarnate (Ex), Immunity: Raise Dead (Ex), Immunity: Sleep Effects (Ex), Immunity: Poison (Ex), Resistance: Turn (Ex): +4, Immunity: Death from Massive Damage (Ex), Damage Reduction (Su): 15/Bludgeoning and Magic, Immunity: Ability Damage (Physical Scores), Immunity: Polymorph (Ex), Racial Traits: Undead, Immunity: Cold (Ex), Immunity: Nonlethal Damage (Ex), Immunity: Electricity (Ex), Immunity: Disease (Ex), Immunity: Mind-Affecting Attacks (Ex), Resistance: Sonic (Ex): 20, Immunity: Magic (Ex), Cannot be raised; resurrection works if willing, Immunity: Ability Damage (Ex), Resistance: Acid (Ex): 20, Immunity: Subdual damage, Resistance: Fire (Ex): 20, Phylactery Transference (Su), Perfect Automatic Still Spell (Ex), Immunity: Necromancy (Ex), Negative Energy Heals (Ex), Turn resistance (Ex) +20; AL CE; SV Fort +10, Ref +13, Will +22; STR 6, DEX 16, CON --, INT 47, WIS 25, CHA 39.
Skills: Bluff +44, Concentration +30, Craft (Alchemy) +31, Craft (Calligraphy) +26, Craft (Gemcutting) +21, Craft (Poisonmaking) +23, Craft (Siege Engine) +21, Decipher Script +38, Disguise +19, Gather Information +19, Hide +34, Intimidate +46, Knowledge (Arcana) +48, Knowledge (Dragonkind) +23, Knowledge (Dreams) +19, Knowledge (Forbidden Lore) +23, Knowledge (Geography) +19, Knowledge (History) +38, Knowledge (Illithid Lore) +19, Knowledge (Local - Aglarond) +19, Knowledge (Local - Amn) +19, Knowledge (Local - Anauroch) +19, Knowledge (Local - Calimshan) +19, Knowledge (Local - Chessenta) +19, Knowledge (Local - Cormyr) +19, Knowledge (Local - Damara) +19, Knowledge (Local - Dragon Coast) +19, Knowledge (Local - Elf, Drow) +19, Knowledge (Local - Elf, Moon) +19, Knowledge (Local - Elf, Star) +19, Knowledge (Local - Elf, Sun) +19, Knowledge (Local - Gnoll) +19, Knowledge (Local - Great Dale) +19, Knowledge (Local - Great Glacier) +19, Knowledge (Local - Halruaa) +28, Knowledge (Local - High Forest) +19, Knowledge (Local - Hordelands) +19, Knowledge (Local - Impiltur) +19, Knowledge (Local - Moonsea) +19, Knowledge (Local - Mulhorand) +23, Knowledge (Local - Narfell) +28, Knowledge (Local - Nelanther Isles) +19, Knowledge (Local - Orc) +19, Knowledge (Local - Rashemen) +19, Knowledge (Local - Sembia) +19, Knowledge (Local - Tethyr) +19, Knowledge (Local - Thay) +28, Knowledge (Local - The North) +19, Knowledge (Local - The Sharr) +19, Knowledge (Local - Thesk) +19, Knowledge (Local - Underdark) +24, Knowledge (Local - Unther) +19, Knowledge (Local - Vaasa) +19, Knowledge (Local - Vihon Reach) +19, Knowledge (Local - Waterdeep) +19, Knowledge (Local - Western Heartlands) +19, Knowledge (Local - Wizards` Reach) +19, Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) +19, Knowledge (Psionics) +19, Knowledge (Religion) +28, Knowledge (Tactics) +23, Knowledge (The Planes) +28, Knowledge (War) +19, Listen +35, Move Silently +34, Profession (Apothecary) +8, Profession (Astrologer) +8, Profession (Bookkeeper) +8, Profession (Herbalist) +8, Profession (Lawyer) +8, Profession (Mortician) +8, Profession (Sailor) +8, Profession (Scribe) +8, Profession (Siege Engineer) +8, Profession (Tanner) +8, Profession (Torturer) +8, Search +46, Sense Motive +35, Speak Language +6, Spellcraft +90, Spot +35, Use Magic Device +24.
Feats: Automatic Quicken Spell, Automatic Still Spell, Black Lore of Moil, Blinding Speed, Corpsecrafter, Craft Wondrous Item, Destruction Retribution, Enervate Spell, Epic Spellcasting, Eschew Materials, Fell Animate, Improved Metamagic, Improved Spell Capacity: Wizard (10th), Scribe Scroll, Silent Spell, Spell Focus: Evocation, Spell Focus: Necromancy, Tattoo Focus, Tenacious Magic (ELH version), Widen Spell.
Spells Prepared (Wiz 4/9/9/8/8/8/8/7/7/7/4): .
Possessions:
Magic: Wondrous: Headband of Intellect +6 (36,000 gp); Wondrous: Cloak of Charisma +6 (36,000 gp); Wondrous: Boots of Dexterity +6 (36,000 gp); Ring: Protection +5 (50,000 gp); Ring: Spell-Battle (67,600 gp); Rod: Metamagic, Silent, Greater (24,500 gp); Wondrous: Dyrr`s Impervious Vestment (123,000 gp); Wondrous: Boots of Teleportation (49,000 gp); Wondrous: Bracers of spellcraft (+20 enhancement to spellcraft) (40,000 gp); Wondrous: Gloves of spellcraft (+20 competence to spellcraft) (40,000 gp); Wondrous: Brooch of power (5th) (25,000 gp); Wondrous: Darkskull (60,000 gp); Wondrous: Dimensional Shackles (28,000 gp); Wondrous: Ethereal Tapestry (47,520 gp); Wondrous: Gem of Seeing (75,000 gp); Wondrous: Scarf of Spellcatching (belt) (18,000 gp); Wondrous: Shackles of Silence (12,000 gp).
TACTICS: Ythazz normally heavily uses his metamagic feats, but note that due to his improved metamagic feat the number of levels that he has to raise his spells is reduced. He employs the members of his circle to add empower and/or heighten to his spells, to increase their dmg or their save DC’s. In addition, he employs his widen on area effect spells to destroy large numbers of lesser enemies, often employing fell animate to instantly turn the fallen into zombies to serve him. Note also, any undead he creates with his magic have the benefits of his corpsecrafter and destruction retribution feats applied to him (and he often employs such fodder as close support so that when they are destroyed their negative energy explosion actually heals him). Finally, Ythazz will often employ his Black Lore of Moil and enervate spell feats together with empower and maximize and heighten from his circle to create exceptionally powerful effects for use against exceptionally dangerous enemies.
Phillip aka Sleyvas
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11827 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2006 : 03:13:04
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| whoops, make that, they still haven't found his phylactery <g>. Otherwise why did I spend all that time thinking about magic items for him <g>. And of course, if they found his phylactery they would destroy him in the dead magic area. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 24 Aug 2006 : 03:21:22
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I like it Phillip. I've only skimmed it as I don't want to be unconsciously mirroring your stuff if I end up finishing writing the history of the East, but no problems jump out. Good job.
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11827 Posts |
Posted - 26 Aug 2006 : 14:45:29
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Man, its been a while since I've designed an epic-level character it feels really good to number crunch some of this. I was so torn here because I wanted to give the character contagious paralysis from Libris Mortis. With his charisma as buff as it is from the demilich template (and I had him take a +5 inherent bonus to char and int, as I figured a character of this level would have taken the xp loss for a wish.), his save DC for his permanent paralysis touch would be 37. Granted, his attack bonus sucks royally (which upon looking, it looks like e-tools messed something up, as I know he had str 10 not 6.... hmmm, and the int and char actually look like they're down 1 each... darn e-tools), but the occasional true strike makes up for that. "Most" folks wouldn't be able to succeed on that save DC, and then anyone who tries to free them... pop, same thing (unless they can cast touch spells at range somehow).
If it were any other demi-lich (of which I'd bet there's at least 5 or 6 more in the realms, though this is the only one I can think of other than the one I believe was in some comic book), I'd have definitely chosen the contagious paralysis. However, him starting red wizard late says to me he was interested in metamagics, and the epic improve metamagic requires 4 metamagic feats (doesn't sound like much, but....). However, the first time he blasts out a black lore of moil-enhanced (9d6 for 17th lvl spell), enervated (50% extra dmg to living), maximized (max base dmg), empowered (50% extra dmg) meteor swarm (24d6) that's been heightened to 17th lvl to have a save DC of 41 doing 216 +9d6 dmg or 288 +9d6 to living (+8d6 more if you target all the meteors.. typically not a smart move, but).... I'm thinking even with evasion it'll grab their attention. Once he can cast 12th lvl spells (or if he were to acquire a greater metamagic rod of widening), throwing widen on that and not concentrating on putting all 4 in one spot... having 4 80 foot radius spheres each doing 72 + 9d6 dmg (avg dmg 113), and I'm seeing whole battalions of 500-700 ELITE Mulhorandi troops falling in one fell swoop (or Rashemi or sahuagin).
When I started out with this, I figured, ah 20th lvl character, 30th lvl character... not much difference. I have to say that the extra levels gave me some extra feats, but for the most part, I'd stay with the original surmise I could do most of this at 20th level. The extra levels gave a LOT more money to play with, but most of the items don't really play into these abilities (they're defensive or utilitarian... and the ones that give a DC bonus would probably be getting carried by a 20th lvl character anyway). Defensively, however it makes me really look at that demi-lich template again and go... damn, that's nice. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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The first red wizard
