Lord Tomas Connallson. LE male human Crusader 12.
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The Connallson family was started ten generations ago by a man named Connall, a simple peasant who, according to legend (and the Connallson family's historians) took up arms in his country's time of need, leading his people to incredible victories against a rival aggressor nation. When the war ended, Connall was granted a title of nobility and a generous fief for his heroism.
Tomas Connallson is a hard man. Standing just over six feet tall, he is well-muscled and keeps his hair conservatively short. He has deep, brooding eyes and his left has an involuntary twitch. He has a strong, commanding voice that brings a drill sergeant to mind and his dark hair is only just starting to show flecks of gray that betray his fifty years. He believes strongly in a hard day's work for a hard day's pay, and, under that philosophy, works his peasants nearly to death. Taxes in his territory stand at roughly 80%. He excuses this to himself by saying that if the peasants didn't like it, they could rise up and further themselves like his ancestor did. The fact that he makes this impossible does not register in his mind.
Connallson is also quite a strong racist. As a devotee of Zarus (Races of Destiny 19). Thus, he believes that humans are the ultimate race, and that inferior races are in need of human guidance...and human masters. He will barely tolerate speaking to a non-human, and he believes that half-humans are the worst abomination in existence.
He can be a reasonable person, though. If a non-human shows talent, aptitude, and valor, he may grudgingly reevaluate his position on them. If they are respectful and courteous, he may just take a liking to them. Connallson believes in family first, and his wife and daughter are what he lives his life for. He also enjoys throwing extravagant parties, where his fellow nobility, vassal lords, and any adventurers who have impressed him are treated to his generosity. If he likes a human adventurer enough, he may just attempt to set them up with his daughter.
Connallson can be incorporated into the campaign in a number of ways. He may be a patron, or the PCs' patron may introduce them to him. If they have been adventuring near his realm, he may have been impressed by their deeds and thrown a ball in their honor. He may take a liking to a particular PC, and enjoys philosophical discussions (he's more likely to pick good and lawful people over chaotic ones. He holds deep respect for the followers of Heironeous and Pelor.)
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Melusine is an ancient evil, having existed for centuries. The reason he hasn't been smote yet is simple: he enjoys the protection of the Wee-Jas' clergy. He resides below their grandest crypt-cathedral, acting as a historian and librarian. While the junior staff are terrified of him, the church elders know that he is an incredible repository of information because he is old enough to have seen many events first-hand.
In life, Melusine was a rather boring person. He stood at 5'3", and spent his days cloistered in a temple, reading and studying. Because of this, his eyesight went bad prematurely and he needed glasses. His complexion grew pasty, he developed a plethora of allergies, and felt uncomfortable outside. He had ambition, however, and quickly became known as a rising star among the Wee Jas faithful. Once he had acquired sufficient power (late in life), he took his own life in an unspeakable ceremony designed to bind his soul to his favorite holy symbol. He had achieved lichdom. The world was his.
Lichdom was not, however, what he had anticipated. He lost his drive. He no longer wanted to explore ancient ruins with the excessive hired muscle to protect him. He just wanted to sit and pore over his books. He had eternity, and so decided to read them all.
Today, Melusine is a shell. His flesh is dead and hangs loosely from his body. His eyes have rotted away, leaving pale green flames dancing in their place. He has lost nearly all of his hair, with only a few stray hairs standing haphazardly on their own. His altered physiology has had another impact: it's cold. Always. Forever. He tries to keep away the chill by bundling up in heavy cloaks and robes, but he is destined to never feel the comfortable warmth of life again. If caught unawares, he can be seen rubbing his arms and muttering, "So cold...it's cold..." He no longer has a sense of touch, but rather a blunt mechanical sensation. He no longer wears glasses because lichdom more than replaced what eyesight he had lost in life.
In personality, Melusine is curmudgeonly, selfish, irritable, stubborn, contrary, and more than a little out-of-touch. These had been described as his weaknesses in life, but lichdom has only magnified them. He considers the books "his" and refuses to allow anyone entry to the library without the express permission of the temple's Ruby Master. He was Lawful Neutral leaning towards evil in life, but the ceremony of lichdom cemented him firmly to evil, and his outlook has been permanently twisted as a result of his undead state.
If the PCs manage to get on his good side, however, he treats them as favored grandchildren. He is very knowledgeable and has a broad array of spellcasting ability, so he makes a very good sage to come to with questions or mysteries.
Melusine is content to spend the rest of his days in the library below the temple. Eventually, after he feels he has learned all he can, he plans to take his own life and go to meet the Witch Goddess. If a PC decides to destroy him, however, he will put up as good a fight as he is able. The main ramification will be that the PCs have now angered the church of Wee Jas. This is no undead cult. They are organized, disciplined, and everywhere. Worse yet, they have a lot of social influence. Unless the PCs find a way to make amends, their lives could get very miserable.
Originally Posted by Count Dravda
Re: An Acceptable Evil
5e D&D Mythos Classes