Description
The squat ebony-skinned dark dwarf here could pass as a shrunken iron golem
from afar. He seems strangely armored and dipped in a thick coat of oil.
Upon closer inspection, though, it appears his skin is riveted with what
looks like a random assortment of flattened metal plates of different sizes
and dimensions, the skin around the rivets yellowed in bruising and dying
flesh. A rectangle of rivets and iron crosses his cracked face diagonally
over the bridge of his smashed nose. Another riveted steel triangle is sewn
and nailed to his right shoulder, the actual armor he wears cut crudely to
fit it. Small iron squares are riveted across his right forearm in a random,
sparse pattern.
His frame is slightly bent under the weight of the miscellaneous riveted
body plates, yet a yellowed grin is still split across his face, like a
slash of rotting egg yolk, and his back molars seem to have been replaced
with crude iron spikes. A long, black greasy beard is entangled with various
iron studs that emerge like strange pillars in a burned forest. His entire
body glistens with dark oil, as if he just emerged from some unfathomable
machinery.
Role
The Temple
Added Tue Jul 18 08:21:59 2023 at level 20:
Bred and raised brutally by an Underdark temple dedicated to the conjuring of
demonic forces and the mixing of that blood with others, Zjarf knew only pain
and obedience in his formative years. Every year, in a break between torture
and pointless labor, a ritual was conducted where Zjarf and the other
'potentials' (as the priests called them) were strapped down and a piece of
iron were riveted into their bones. The priests believed that this would help
attune the souls to the demonic forces that they intended to pour into their
'potentials', creating a breed of demonic super soldier. Each year, a bit of
metal was sewn and riveted into the potentials, and the screams echoed
throughout the Underdark.
It was as Zjarf passed into manhood when his pinnacle ritual was conducted. He
and three others were ritually covered in a viscous ooze as the priests
chanted to dark forces. Long iron cables were attached painstakingly to their
accumulated patches of iron.
As the ritual reached its zenith, Zjarf felt a humming through his body as an
indescribable color crackled up the cables, then every muscle in his body went
taut. Distorted demonic voices thrummed through his ears, whispering promises
and threats. The chanting of the priests crescended with these voices, in
praise and supplication.
But something went wrong. An explosion rocked through the carefully prepared
chamber, and the cavernous ceiling came down, burying the priests, and their
potentials along with them.
But Zjarf survived. An emptiness had replaced the pain he had felt throughout
his life. A hunger. An envy for what could have been. And now a freedom to
take what should have been.
A Missive to the Chasm
Added Wed Jul 19 13:47:48 2023 at level 25:
Greetins to the Chasm! I be Zjarf Filthpuddle, bred and raised in a dark,
wonderful-like temple o' the Underdark. Priests been shapin' my body since
infancy, preparin' me mortal body fer the acceptance of a powerful demon.
Staplin', sewin', and rivetin' the unholy iron plates to my quiverin' flesh,
to keep that dark spirit in there.
But lo! A mistake were made, and the Temple crashed down upon us just as they
were performin' the pinnacle ritual fer me. I woke from the wicked slumber o'
acceptance to a near burial o' rock. So I wormed my way out, and plotted to be
doin' what the priests 'pparently couldn't. It ain't right that my rightful
place as a vessel of evil were taken, but I will wrench it back!
Now I been on the surface fer a wee bit, and even found a Lord to be
followin'. The Goblin King be smilin' a wrathful smile 'pon me, and I will use
the bit o' power he given me to serve a Chasm that be worthy of me. I be
layin' my blade and prayers down upon the Nightwalker's non-existent knees,
fer the use of yer kind - so long as I be benefitin' as well. Hopefully with a
bit o' demonic influence, eh?
Zjarf Filthpuddle, Half Finished Vessel o' Demons
Zjarf Provides Tribute
Added Wed Jul 26 13:13:54 2023 at level 30:
Zjarf had felt the call of Chasm, and spoke with the Chancellor on his
joining. She demanded he learn the history of both friends and foes, get to
know them deeply. And to hunt after the truth of the Shadow Plane.
Per her instructions, he began to weave alliances and rivalries with equal
abandon. In the forests of Thera, he was beaten back by the druids, yet he did
not falter. The Fortress sent hunting parties after him, but bided his time,
using the so-called laws of the world to his advantage when he could, and
striking when one of them inevitably fell behind from their eager pursuit.
Between battles he entered the Lyceum, and found a poor scattering of clues
about the Shadow Plane. But they were clues, and he noted each meticulously in
blood upon parchment made of elfin skin.
The Light had been blessed by the gods, and jealously protected their riches.
Why had they been chosen? They were hypocrites, one and all. Taking
everything, and leaving the scraps for shunned folks like Zjarf to fight over.
When he fulfilled his potential, he would wrench it back from their coveting
grip, he swore it, his teeth gritted and eyes slitted. Skreenak had spoken to
him, demanding he bring the skulls of five lightwalkers. As his axe cleaved
through his fifth Lightwalking victim's skull, the paladin Lasuira, Zjarf felt
the thrill of victory and success. He would pray to find out what more tribute
he could provide to the Bloodmaw.
A Summary of the Characters
Added Thu Aug 3 09:41:37 2023 at level 39:
Zjarf has been granted the Demonspawn path! This has manifested as a
handmaiden of Lloth who takes over his body whenever he uses one of the
demonic aspects. Here are some bullet points on both Zjarf and Her (she will
not give her name, knowing the power of true names - Zjarf simply refers to
her as She, or Her, or "that bitch demon")
Zjarf is:
- Rather jolly for the most part, although quite slow.
- Talks in sometimes inscrutable "duergar slang"
- Unknowledgeable about many things, but in particular magic, which he calls
"witchery" (although he is fascinated by it)
- Eager to be helpful to his allies.
"She" is:
- Arrogant and condescending, expectant to be served by nearly everyone.
- Dismissive of Zjarf and duergar in general.
- Knowledgeable in magic, the Plane of Shadow, and the Chasm.
- Speaks in "thees", and "thys" and such, although mostly just for effect.
- Uses drow slang (thanks Lyceum!)
- Extremely self-centered.
I (the player) have setup some relationships of Zjarf, notably with members of
the Spire, so that "She" can betray them at different points, to add flavor
and a separation between the characters.
PK Wins
Jul 18, 2023|Lv 20|Velkyn Oloth|Lortharlien vs 1: [20] Zjarf (100%, slash)
Jul 19, 2023|Lv 25|Galadon|Greldoc vs 2: [25] Jaqusa (91%, chaotic blast), [25] Zjarf (8%)
Jul 21, 2023|Lv 26|Eaststride Road|Tarbryn vs 2: [26] Zjarf (26%, punch), [26] Jaqusa (73%)
Jul 23, 2023|Lv 29|The Grove|Valkymer vs 3: [30] Victareia (10%), [29] Zjarf (21%), [38] Suluskqva (68%, burning, weeping sores)
Jul 25, 2023|Lv 30|The Seaport of Hamsah Mu'tazz|Baxagaran vs 2: [35] Avontica (45%), [30] Zjarf (54%, fatigue)
Jul 26, 2023|Lv 30|Aldevari|Lasuira vs 2: [30] Zjarf (24%), [35] Vethi (75%, slash)
Aug 1, 2023 |Lv 37|Forest Road|Neythillorim vs 2: [37] Zjarf (70%, poison), [34] Bokrahr (29%)
Aug 1, 2023 |Lv 37|Domain of Eternal Night|Raus vs 2: [38] Vethi (60%, oppressive heat), [37] Zjarf (39%)
Aug 3, 2023 |Lv 39|Outskirts of Galadon|Croder vs 1: [39] Zjarf (100%, claw)
Aug 4, 2023 |Lv 39|East Sumner's Road|Zicdorgle vs 3: [39] Zjarf (24%), [34] Brijon (40%), [38] Joren (35%, wrath)
Aug 5, 2023 |Lv 39|The Tahril Mountains|Raus vs 1: [39] Zjarf (100%, torments)
Aug 5, 2023 |Lv 39|Domain of Eternal Night|Raus vs 1: [39] Zjarf (100%, fatigue)
Aug 5, 2023 |Lv 39|The Tahril Mountains|Raus vs 1: [39] Zjarf (100%, torments)
Aug 5, 2023 |Lv 39|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Raus vs 1: [39] Zjarf (100%, poison)
Aug 6, 2023 |Lv 40|The Dwarf Forest|Calleston vs 1: [40] Zjarf (100%, sting)
Aug 7, 2023 |Lv 40|The Outlander Refuge|Nhriblespock vs 2: [40] Zjarf (31%, slash), [37] Raheess (68%)
Aug 8, 2023 |Lv 40|Mausoleum|Erevein vs 2: [40] Sanari (28%), [40] Zjarf (71%, claw)
Aug 9, 2023 |Lv 40|Mausoleum|Karisye vs 1: [40] Zjarf (100%, claw)
Aug 10, 2023|Lv 40|Fortress of Light|Gaelisar vs 2: [36] Jaqusa (0%, ), [40] Zjarf (100%) *Assassinated*
Aug 12, 2023|Lv 41|Fortress of Light|Golthaan vs 1: [41] Zjarf (100%, slice)
Aug 14, 2023|Lv 41|West Sumner's Road|Gaelisar vs 2: [36] Kareloth (53%, pierce), [41] Zjarf (46%)
Aug 15, 2023|Lv 42|Outskirts of Galadon|Jaqusa vs 2: [42] Zjarf (11%), [44] Niecco (88%, slash)
Aug 15, 2023|Lv 42|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Drade vs 2: [42] Zjarf (42%), [41] Raheess (57%, divine power)