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Shaydroverllyx Shade By Eric Jwo Few know the existence of the wyrm called Shaydroverllyx (Venerable shadow dragon male, mysterious demeanor). Those who have sighted this elusive dragon have simply equated the dragon with the shadow dragon present at the fantastic battle at tthe would-be ascention to godhood of Malystryx's. However, Shade, as he is called, is completely different from the shadow dragon that opposes Malys. Since shadow dragons are extremely rare on Krynn, it is not surpirsing that many people discount the existence of another seperate shadow dragon. Legends have also been passed down. Tales of a wyrm of shadows dwelling among the lava drenched mountainsides of Sanction have been passed down from peasant to peasant since the dawning of the Fifth Age. Some say that this must have been the large shadow dragon threatening Malystryx the Red. Others say that it was a new type of chaos creature, one composed of a shadow wight and a fire dragon. Many, however, dismiss this legend as simply a rumor by gossips. However, Shade does indeed exist. This venerable shadow dragon is elusive to the point of paranoia. He is nearly three hundred feet in length, and has a wingspan of nearly four hundred feet. His body is nearly translucent, and he looks like a mass of shadows. Shade's face is shadowy, and is lit only by his large, white, luminous eyes. While many do not know of the wyrm, he is the leader of the most influencial and clandestine organization on Krynn. Shade is the leader of the Obsidian Order. Shade is said to have high regard for mortal life, which is curious of a dragon of any hue. However, he is highly intelligent, and will sacrifice lives if necessary. Shade is very honorable, and expects all he deals with to be the same. However, this often leads to trouble, and Shade's anger can be very great. Overall though, Shade appears to be very genial, which is also strange for a dragon. Always willing to converse on any magical topic, Shade is, perhaps, the foremost authority on magic on Krynn. However, he did not originate from Krynn. During the end of the fiery Chaos War, Shade entered Krynn through a magical gate linking Krynnspace with the demiplane of shadows. Curious, Shade decided to investigate the new world before him. Shade arrived in the lava drenched city of Sanction, where he prowled among the Lords of Doom. He encountered the peasants living on the side of the mountain, who would later on tell of the great shadow dragon to their descendants. However, the Second Cataclysm changed Shade's plans. With the leaving of the gods, Krynnspce was cut off from the rest of the Multiverse. Bereft of his powerful magic, Shade was trapped on Krynn. Magic was Shade's lifeblood, and the shadow dragon immediantly persued any way to regain his former magical might. Deciding that he needed a lair, Shade burrowed deep within the Lords of Doom, and carved himself out a deep cavern hundreds of feet beneath the earth to serve as his lair. This crude lair would later serve him well and be renamed the Dwelling. For the first few years, Shade travelled secretly across Ansalon to search for ways tto regain his magic. It was during this time that the Dragon Purge began. The great Dragons from the East began to flood Ansalon like plague, and the titanic wyrms battled each other ferociously for domination. Shade ignored all of this, as he was already a massive wyrm in his own right, and simply continued to search for his answers. On one such foray, Shade was attacked by a vengeful green dragon on the outskirts of Qualinesti. They fought a titanic battle, and both were seen cartwheeling across the sky in a thundering ball of bloody talons and fangs, but in the end, Shade ended the fighting with a sharp bite to the other dragon's neck. Shade detested the grim absorbing ritual of the Great Dragons, but did it anyways to increase his powers. He hurriedly flew towards his lair in Sanction. However, Shade was attacked again, and again until he was nearly dead from the exhaustive battles. Two reds, a white, and a brass dragon all lay dead by Shade's own hand. However, Shade was horribly hurt, and retreated to his lair deep beneath the Lords of Doom. While he was healing from his greivious wounds, Shade remained active. Digging deep within himself, Shade kindled the spark of magic left in his breast. He fanned the sparks into a roaring flame, and discovered the ssecret of sorcery. Ecstatic over his discovery, Shade still discovered that the new magic was fragile. The wyrm realized that he needed help to unlock the secrets of sorcery. He reached out and secretly contacted former sorcerers to help him in his quest for magic. His first real recruit was one Jonas Whalis. This former red robe was bitter and distraught over his loss of magic, and he was willing to do anything to regain his former power. Jonas and Shade worked together, forming an almost symbiotic relationship. Eventually, the two magical genuises came up with a solution. If a gate could be opened between Krynn and the demiplane of shadows, then the magic would drift through the portal, and in a process similar to diffusion, the magic would permeate Krynn. Coupled with his newfound sorcerous powers, Shade believed this to be an excellent idea. Shade and Jonas began to recruit more and more sorcerers. All of them were transported to Shade's lair deep within the Lords of Doom. This area was soon renamed the Dwelling. Shade kept his gathering of sorcerers a secret, because he feared the now emerging Dragon Overlords would notice and destroy him. In 9 SC, Jonas Whalis discovered a way to enchant magicl items permanently. Shade was facing the problem of storing the magical energy needed to open a gate to his home plane, and Jonas solved it. Using a piece of obsidian, Jonas was able to enchant a dagger permanently, with Shade's help. Since Shade was a conduit for magic, the process worked. Immediantly, Shade ordered all of his mages to research this process and to create more magical items. Inspired, Shade named his new Order of mages the Obsidian Order. In 17 SC, Shade began to release his agents to the worls. Secretly, his shadowmages, as they were called, spread across Ansalon to observe the people of Krynn. Shade wanted to take political control of some nations in order to get better access to magical items and magical writings. The Order also began to sell off some of its magical items in order to raise money for further experiments. However, several shadowmages were killed in an ambush. Saddened by this loss, Shade decided that his Order needed more than just sorcerers. While the shadowmages were the important backbone of the Order, people needed to protect the shadowmages. And some things needed to be done that the studious mages just couldn't do. So, Shade started the Outer rim of the Order, and began to recruit potential members. In 22 SC, there were several hundred mages living in the Dwelling, and Shade decided to expand his lair. In conjunction with the powers of his gathered sorcerers, Shade carved a mighty underground fortress beneath the Lords of Doom, and even into the underground tunnels beneath Sanction. This led to a short conflict with the shadowpeople living in the tunnels, but the awesome powers of the sorcerers drove the elusive folk back. Shade rarely leaves the Dwelling. His whole life is the Order, and he rarely takes a sabbatical. However, the ever-seeing Herald has remarked on the doings of the powerful shadow dragon. As Shade is not from Krynn, the Herald has no idea who the shadow dragon is, and is very flustered on the matter. However, he has commented that "the sheer magical power of this wyrm is unbelievable. While not the greatest wyrm in size, he must surely be the most powerful in magic. The fact that I do not know who or what this dragon is, frankly, scares me." However, Shade is very paranoid. In his early days upon Krynn, a itinerant Knight of Solamnia ambushed him near his lair. Evidently, the knight was wielding a magical sword, as the blade bit down deep and hard into Shade's flesh. In agonizing pain, Shade had no choice but to retreat back into the recesses of his lair. The foolish knight followed him in, when Shade promptly ended his life. This encounter, however, has given Shade a healthy dose of paranoia. He trusts no one unless they have proven themselves. The only person who he trusts explicitly is Jonas, who has been by his side for many years. Of course, Shade is also wary of inducting new members into the Order. In recent times, Shade has ordered that only young men and woman should be inducted, as their minds are easier to mold. One time, when Shade was meeting with a new member, the sorcerer turned out to a powerful sorcerer. The foolish human hated all dragons, and launched a powerful fireball at Shade. Thankfully, Shade always cast illusions of himself when meeting with lower-ranking members. He had appeared as a snarling green dragon. The fireball burst right onto the illusion, but did the Shade no harm. As the sorcerer reeled from the shock, Shade dove down and clamped his jaws around the sorcerers body. Shade is a lot more careful about new members now. Today, Shade and his Order are at their peak in power. Shade wants to act now, while the Order is strong. The Order has many members, and many of the members have infiltrated governments and important organizations. The Obsidian Order is ready to strike, and nothing may be able to stop it. By opening a gateway to the demiplane of shadows, Shade hopes to raise Krynn to its former level of magic, and beyond. He hasn't really planned farther than that, as magic is his life. However, Shade will succeed at any cost, even if it means sacrificing some lives. Shade's Lair Shatdroverllyx makes his lair deep within the Dwelling, which lies several hundred feet beneath the lava drenched sides of the Lords of Doom. The Dwelling is huge, almost as large as the city of Sanction itself. The Dwelling even extends beneath the city and into the secret tunnels lying their since before the War of the Lance. His lair is one of the four quadrants of the Dwelling, and is referred to simply as "the Lair." The Lair is actually a maze of unkept tunnels and huge caverns. Sahde likes to roam in these caverns, all of which can easily allow his massive body to enter. His main cavern is nearly a thousand feet wide and five hundred feet high. A vast pile of his personal treasure lies heaped and strewn about carelessly. Magical artifacts from other planes as well as from Krynn lie among Shade's personal treasure pile. Shade enjoys rolling around in his wealth and feeling the sensation of gemstones and coins rolling off of his skin. There are also several laboratories thar Shade works in. These are specially stocked caverns with everything that Shade needs to research sorcery. He even possesses a massive library with countless tomes on both sorcery and High Sorcery. His collection rivals any other collection on Krynn, and it is all owned by Shade. He sometimes allows trusted members to enter his Lair and research or flip through his countless tomes. Shade himself had a large "couch" made of silk and satin made for him to recline in while soaking up magical knowledge. However, Shade usually uses his magic to change into a humanoid body when reading in his library. Any creatures that previously lived in the caverns that now make up the Dwelling are gone. All have been wiped out by the shadowmages as they expanded their headquarters. Several captured deepspawn, however, do provide an adequate food source for both Shade and his shadowmages. Regular forays are sent into the wilderness above the Dwelling for food, and food is also bought and magically transported to the Dwelling on a regular basis. Several jot springs run through the Dwelling, providing all within with hot running water. A particularly ingenius sorcerer weaved the networks of hot water to supply nearly every room with hot baths. These water currents also power various magically-enhanced machines. Shade himself has a large steaming pool that he may bathe in whenever he feels like it. A seperate, cooled stream provides him with water to slake his thirst. Several earth elementals also patrol the Lair. Animated by Shade, these creatures are actually infused into the very floors, ceilings and walls of the Lair. Should an inturder force his or her way into the Dwelling, the earth elementals will form themselves from the earth of the walls, ceiling and floor to stop the intruder. Up to a dozen elementals can be summoned in this manner in one instance. The heat from the Lords of Doom does not enter the caverns. The magical compostion of the very walls protects the inhabitants of the Dwelling. This same magical substance also makes it nearly impossible for anyone to magically enter the Dwelling. Normal entrances are secretly hidden doors that reveal long winding dteps that lead hundreds of feet into the earth. Shadowmages always guard these entrances, and prevent intruders from entering. Shadowmages, and Shade have the power to enter the Dwelling through magical means. Also, At the top of one of the Lords of Doom, there is a large open gap in the mountainside. Accessable only by air, Shade uses this to access his lair when he wants to. This entrance is also protected with various traps, both magical and mundane. The entrance is also concealed with a permanent illusion. The mountainside looks completely normal to the wandering eye. Shade's Domain Shade actually has no domain. Or rather, his domain is larger than any other dragon's on Krynn. The Obsidian Order has subtle control over many parts of Ansalon, as well as over many important groups of Ansalon. These controlled areas are being controlled with the upmost secrecy, and so none know of it. However Shade does not consider these areas his "domain." However, if one means what areas will Shade defend with his life, then the answer is the Dwelling. Should any intruder attack or invade the Dwelling, Shade will surely fly into a rage age launch his full arsenal of magic at him or her. However, Shade is extremely intelligent and cunning, and will probably use all of her tricks and traps to her full advantage. The Deeds of Shaydroverllyx Shade is devoted to two things. First, he wants to study and further the use of sorcery. This new magic intrigues him, and Shade wants to delve into its deepest secrets. He has yet to uncover all of its secrets, but Shade believes that the rder is coming close. The second thing is to restore to himself and Krynn the power of High Sorcery. With both magicks at his command, Shade believes that he will become the most powerful creature on Krynn. This isn't, however, what truly interests him. Shade simply lives for magic, and would do anything to increase his powers simply for the magic. The recent progress of the Order has boosted his confidence. The Obsidian Order is close to accomplishing both objectives. The Order know has the might and the magical power to open a gateway. Currently, Shade just needs a plan of how to open the gateway. His mages are still searching the ancient texts for an answer, but Shade knows that he's close. Shade's Magic Shade is a very potent magic-user. He discovered sorcery long before Palin Majere and the LAst Conclave did. None know how many schools of sorcery Shade knows, but his knowledge is surely immense. Observers have noted that Shade does know the schools of Geomany, Enchantment, and Spectramancy. Shade surely knows of more, but there has been no conclusive evidence yet. Shade has unleashed some very effective spells over the years. These are listed below: Gathering Shadows School: Spectramancy Invocation: 1 minute Range: Personal Duration: 15 minutes Area: Large house Effect: Irritating Difficulty/Cost: 14 (higher if resisted) This spell is especially effective when combined with Shade's own shadow-like powers. This makes the casters body appear to be a swirling cloud of dark shadows. The spell lasts for up to 15 minutes, although the caster may will it to end. The spell can be resisted, and if successful, then the casters true nature is revealed, and the spell is wasted. The resulting shadows are large and billowing, filling up a large house or cavern nicely. The shadows may also be made inconspicuous. This allows the caster to remain unseen while observing. This form of the spell causes the resulting shadows to appear ordinary in every way. Shade often uses this spell when he wants to greet potential members. This form is meant to frighten them a little, as well as conceal his own identity. At every public meeting within the Obsidian Order, Shade always uses this spell to cloak his true nature. Although Shade no longer makes frequent forays beyond the Dwelling, this spell served him well just after the Second Cataclysm when the shadow dragon began searching for ways back home. Nightshade School: Spectramancy Invocation: Instant Range: Melee Duration: 15 minutes Area: Individual Effect: Irritating Difficulty/Cost: 12 (higher if resisted) This spell is often used by Shade when being confronted by a potential threat. This spell casts a thin, wispy shadowy figure, resembling a shade, a few feet from the caster. The Nightshade has glowing red eyes and speaks in a rasping voice. Anything that the caster says will also be said by the Nightshade. The caster may also direct the limited motions of the Nightshade until the spell expires, when the Nightshade fades from sight. Shade often employed this spell during the early years of the Obsidian Order. In order to recruit the sorcerers who would help him, Shade needed to be extra careful not to reveal himself. Therefore, this spell was perfect. It relayed his message, and if the sorcerer became hostile, he wouldn't be hurt. Permanency School: Enchantment Invocation: 30 minutes Range: Personal Duration: Permanent Area: Individual Effect: Troublesome Difficulty/Cost: 20 This spell bypasses the rules for Permancy presented in Heroes of Sorcery. This spell allows a caster to permanently imbue an item with magical powers. The catch is, that the item needs a piece of obsidian to hold the magical energy. Heroes are discouraged from useing this spell. However, when this spell is cast, no one loses any magic points due to permanence as detailed in Heroes of Sorcery. If the obsidian portion of the item is destroyed, however, then the item forever loses its magical powers. Shade and Jonas developed this magical spell which would propel the Obsidian Order into a new era. The fact that this spell required a piece of obsidian was what gave the Order its name. Every novice who wishes to move up in rank must come up with an idea for an original magical item. Shade assists with this spell, and creates it. So far, hundreds of these magical items lie in the Armory deep within the Dwelling of the Obsidian Order. Shade's Fate Shade's fate is decidedly uncertain. He and his order of powerful sorcerers are a force to be reckoned with. It seems unlikely that they will be discovered anytime soon, and even if they are, the Obsidian Order is perhaps, a deadlier enemy than the Dragon Overlords could ever be. Then agains, many sorcerers would whole-heartedly agree with the Order's goals, if not their tactics. If the Dragon Overlord's were to turn their attention to this emerging power in their midsts, then perhaps a titanic battle would decide Shade's fate. However, this venerable shadow dragon has many tricks up his sleeve. More likely, Shade will go through with his plans to accomplish the Mission. By securing his magical energy, he will undoubtedly come up with some scheme or another that will help him. And with his legions of sorcerers and even nations under his subtle control, who will be able to stop him? As Brael Loresmith, the Silver Sage (as the Keeper of the Word of much renown is known as), has remarked on the subject, "we should not fear the dragon with open flames and jaws to our thoats as much as the wyrm waiting in the gathering shadows, to stab us in the back."