Description: Human male(civilized)
Role: Assassin
True Name: Akron Derelor
Aliases: Mordrath Blackhand, Ebon Shadowblade, Maldros
Kasmir
Demeanor: Mysterious (7 Moons)
Nature: Crafty (6 Moons)
Reputation: Champion
(Quests 10, Hand 5)
Social Status: Guildsman
(Wealth 5)
Agility: 9X
Reason: 8B (64)
Dexterity: 7C
Perception: 6A
Endurance: 7D
Spirit: 4C
Strength: 6C
Presence: 5C
Melee Weapon: Bloodthirst, a dagger of renown (+6)
Missile Weapon: Light crossbow (+3)
Armor: Padded silk of distinction (-3)
Shield: None
"Call me Ebon. It suits me. Contrary to popular belief, I was
not always the heartless killer I appear to be. Born Akron Derelor of
the less-than-hospitable city of Sanction, it was my tenth year of
life-gift when my family was slaughtered by a crazed pyromancer. Funny,
I thought magic left with the gods. I later learned that the murderer
killed my family on a whim; my whole life was destroyed by chance.
Driven by rage, I hunted down the vile magic-user to a camp deep in the
Khalkists, where I slit his wretched throat. For a few moments I was
angry; he slipped away peacefully in his sleep and escaped my wrath when
he should have suffered for his crime. But then I realized the great
pleasure I took in his death, hungered for more. At ten years of age,
Akron Derelor became an assassin.
"While I was rifling through the mage's pack for steel, I found
instead some crumpled documents written in a strange language, all
stamped with a similar mark: an obsidian orb. Though I didn't know it at
the time, the dead sorcerer was actually a shadowmage for the Obsidian
Order. Yes, you heard me right. The Obsidian Order.
"Returning triumphant to Sanction, I lived through adolescence as
a common thief, filching valuables from the city's residents. When I
eventually accumulated enough steel and bought the necessary tools, I
took on the alias of Maldros Kasmir and hired myself out as an assassin.
Years later, I was confronted by Hogan Blight for a ‘business proposition'.
Though Blight despised assassins, he ‘employed' me to murder one of his
most influential political opponents. When the job was done skillfully,
Hogan kept me on as his personal ‘assistant', and I was paid handsomely
for my services. However, once Blight's position as Governor was
unchallenged, I had outlived my usefulness. Having seen how he dealt
with his former enemies, I assumed it was only a matter of time until he
did me in. I decided to leave Sanction as soon as possible, to the
realms of the north and south, before things became uncomfortable for me.
"My last night in the Magma River Inn, however, proved to be one
of luck. As I was studying the unusual papers I had taken from my first
victim, I was suddenly attacked by a sorcerer in black robes. Though the
stranger's spells were powerful, my deft hands proved decisive; he would
work magic no more. While I was searching him, believing him a toady of
Hogan Blight's, I discovered a peculiar pair of glasses and a tatoo of an
obsidian orb. Sound familiar? Surprisingly, wearing the glasses, I
found I could read the documents I had been carrying for ten years!
"From what I read of the Obsidian Order, I was able to find that
it was a covert group of sorcerers with hazy intents. Motivated, I left
Sanction in pursuit of the mages I blamed for my family's death. I spent
years traveling, taking jobs as an assassin while gaining experience,
changing aliases(and alliances) when necessary, all the while learning
more and more about the Obsidian Order(mostly from the more unfortunate
members of the organization). I knew they were watching me. They still
are, if they're smart.
"At one point, I even fought Bast, the Cat Lord, who had been
allowed by Chaos to remain with his feline subjects. Having found me a
worthy opponent, the demigod presented me with a panther companion named
Dusk, who has served loyally me ever since.
"Just a few months before that huge red dragon Malystryx ended
the Dragon Purge, I acquired my new attire from the Shadow Sorcerer
himself, who told me the jet black garb is magical in nature. He even
taught me a thing or two about sorcery, and now I can turn myself
invisible, if you can believe that. It was then that I assumed the alias
of Ebon Shadowblade, which is more suited to my tastes.
"I now know a lot more about the Obsidian Order than I should,
and I've been constantly hounded by them. I'm still a mercenary killer,
but now I've got a new objective: find and destroy the primary base of
the Obsidian Order. Let them send their minions, their mages and
warriors. Let them sit in their dusty, underground lairs, shivering in
fear. Ebon Shadowblade is coming, and he's out for blood. I'm not a one
to be trifled with."
Game Information
As an assassin, Ebon enjoys a trump bonus whenever he attempts to
gain or avoid surprise or when he attacks with his favored weapons, the
dagger, stilleto, and light crossbow. However, no Presence action he
attempts may ever be trump, and when attempting such an action involving
heroes or characters with nature scores of 4 or less, he also faces a -2
action penalty. Furthermore, once per quest, he must draw a card from
the Fate Deck to determine whether he will be stalked by an agent or
agents of his enemies. A white aura gaurantees he is safe for the
moment; a red aura means he is not confronted but finds a clue stating he
will be attacked next quest; a black aura decrees that he will face his
enemies in the current quest.
Ebon is skilled in the school of spectramancy, though he only
uses it in dire situations. He has exceptional senses of sight and
hearing. In addition, he can command his panther familiar to do actions,
using his own Hand of Fate.
-Dusk, a panther. Animal. Co 7, Ph 16, In 3, Es 3, Dmg +7, Def -2, also pounce and rake.
As the Shadow Sorcerer said, Ebon's gloomy attire is indeed magical. When in the shadows, he appears to be nearly invisible. Ebon must then attempt an easy Reason (Perception) action to remain shrouded in shadows, in which case all attack actions against him face a -3 penalty. Once he leaves the shady area or is revealed by bright light, the effect ends immediately.
Appearance
A secretive man, Ebon appears to be slightly shorter than six
feet tall, with a muscular yet lean body. He covers himself with a
thick, jet black robe that conceals up to his wrists and knees, while a
black belt ties the fabric around his waist. The robe forms a hood over
his head, while his face is masked by black cloth, revealing only his
eyes. Black leather gloves adorn his arms, while his legs and feet are
covered by loose black silk, to muffle his steps. Obviously, this
attire allows him to blend in with the shadows with an almost
supernatural quality. Few have ever seen the face behind this dark
shroud, but they say his countenance is just as sinister. His trim black
hair and black eyes blend in with his dark complexion, making him look
almost native Ergothian.
Dusk is just as shadowy as his master, though the golden eyes and
ivory teeth and claws help to differentiate the panther from the
darkness. His smooth, sable fur ripples over the tight muscles of his
body. On the feline's right shoulder, a pearly imprint of a cat with its
fanged mouth open in a roar sits, the sign of Bast, the Cat Lord. This
tatoo glows in the dark.
General Outlook
Ebon believes that emotion of any kind is debilitating,
especially for one in the business of killing. He trusts only himself
and his familiar, and feels that mercy is a weakness of lesser men. He's
just as likely to save an ally as to stab the same ally in the back when
he is paid. Of the Dragon Overlords, Ebon Shadowblade does not care what
they do, as long as they do not stand in his way. If paid the right
price, he would join a crusade against them, but would also fight for
them for the same steel. Secretly, however, Ebon favors the weak and
hapless, for he too was once as unfortunate. He admires strength, both
physical and mental, but scorns stupidity and ignorance. Above all, he
hates the Obsidian Order.
Allies and Enemies
Ironically, Ebon considers his allies even more dangerous than
his enemies. His only true ally is Dusk, but he also considers Bast a
friend of sorts. Hogan Blight, Obsidian Order, and countless others
continue to hunt him down, and would pay fortunes to have his head set
upon a pole.
Special Relationships Besides Dusk, with whom he can communicate telepathically, Ebon has no other close confidants.
Hidden Agenda
He seeks to ultimately destroy the Obsidian Order, no matter what
the cost. Though his reason seems to be petty, years of hardship have
magnified Ebon's feeling of hatred to an astounding degree. Clearly, the
Order had better be on its toes from now on.
Other Secrets
Unbeknownst to himself, Ebon has attracted more than the
attention of the Obsidian Order. Malystryx herself watches him from her
desolate peak. Though his antics amuse her, she wonders how she could
bring this roguish human under her claws. He could certainly prove to be
an efficient servant.
Personal Goals
Other than the extermination of the shadowmages, Ebon just wants
to become filthy rich, though he would still kill just for the pleasure
of it.
Creator: talon115@juno.com