geeman
03-12-2003, 07:14 AM
Here`s a new (slightly tongue in cheek) awnshegh. While it was obviously
inspired by the discussion of the T2000 as a viable BR character I like to
pack in a lot of additional, speculative material into these kinds of
things, so there is actually some stuff in here that might be useful in a
campaign even without the awnshegh. There`s a couple of hints in the
background regarding some past topics discussed in this forum that I`ve
found entertaining. Hopefully you guys will too.
The Mercury Man
No one knows the origin of the being called the Mercury Man and he has
shown no inclination to tell his tale. It is not even known if the Mercury
Man is, in fact, a man. His amorphous body and ability to take on any
humanoid appearance has led to considerable speculation as to what his
actual physical form may be. Many believe that he is an elf, for his first
recorded appearance was in that form as he emerged from the forested lands
of the Sielwode, and he does seem to favor a thin-featured, elf-like
countenance even as a human. Others doubt that he has any true elven
heritage, for what little information that has been leaked from the
secretive elves of the Sielwode indicates that he slew many of them as he
crossed that land. Not surprisingly, no elven people claim him as one of
their own.
Some say that the Mercury Man is not an awnsheghlien at all. He is an
agent of Azrai`s ghost, the Cold Rider, sent from the Shadow World to wreak
havoc upon the lands of light. Others point out the similarities of his
metallic body to that of the construct Ghurdelli and speculate that his
origins lie in infernal planes even further afield than the Shadow
World. The Gessarin College of Bards believe that the Mercury Man`s
appearance is the beginning stages of a prophetic poem being
fulfilled. The poem was written shortly after the death of Michael Roele
by the founder of the Gessarin College and Keeper of the Imperial Records,
Stenobus Rall. [Note: The meter is thrown off somewhat in translation from
Andu to English, but the rhyming scheme has remained miraculously intact....]
The Gorgon slew the noble Roele
And threw his body down
But the Black Prince lost his mighty soul
Which passed into the ground
The blood of kings has slept for years
Through agony and strife
Soon shall end this time of tears
When he returns to life
All those who know of what will come
Will have much cause to sing
For as a boy called Sara`s son
There shall return a king.
Once more will have the Iron Throne
An emperor to bear
For in the very earth was sown
His royal derriere
[Sorry, I couldn`t resist.... The last line should be really "The blood of
Roele so fair")
His cause will cross all of Anuire
The lands again unite
He`ll claim his place as Roele`s heir
For that is his birthright.
But ere his rule can ever start
Before he takes his place
He must escape one with no heart,
Nor eyes, nor ears, nor face
The boy must pass a trial by pain
And conquer all his fears
Or the soul of Roele will sleep again
For another thousand years
Whatever the truth of the Mercury Man`s origin it is clear that he is a
ruthless and single minded killer that feels no remorse nor pity.
It is recorded that the Mercury Man crossed into Medoere in 1483MR
where he slew many soldiers and civilians alike. Those killings, however,
seemed incidental to his purpose, for after killing a young priestess of
Haelyn in the province of Byrnnor he disappeared. None know what form he
took to evade capture, but he went unnoticed until witnesses in Gulfport
town of Clear Shores (Osoerde) reported seeing a man who appeared to be the
local constable suddenly "come alive with blades that sprouted from his
very hands" quickly murdering a young boy and his mother while they were at
work repairing fishing nets. When authorities went in force to the home of
the constable to place him under arrest they found his body there along
with the rest of his family, viciously killed. It appeared that they had
been killed several hours before.
The whereabouts of the Mercury Man are presently unknown.
OK, so all we need now are stats.... My plan was to duplicate the T2000`s
abilities for the most part, so he`d have a vicious unarmed attack, a power
like Alter Self, damage reduction and/or some sort of
regeneration. Anything else?
Gary
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inspired by the discussion of the T2000 as a viable BR character I like to
pack in a lot of additional, speculative material into these kinds of
things, so there is actually some stuff in here that might be useful in a
campaign even without the awnshegh. There`s a couple of hints in the
background regarding some past topics discussed in this forum that I`ve
found entertaining. Hopefully you guys will too.
The Mercury Man
No one knows the origin of the being called the Mercury Man and he has
shown no inclination to tell his tale. It is not even known if the Mercury
Man is, in fact, a man. His amorphous body and ability to take on any
humanoid appearance has led to considerable speculation as to what his
actual physical form may be. Many believe that he is an elf, for his first
recorded appearance was in that form as he emerged from the forested lands
of the Sielwode, and he does seem to favor a thin-featured, elf-like
countenance even as a human. Others doubt that he has any true elven
heritage, for what little information that has been leaked from the
secretive elves of the Sielwode indicates that he slew many of them as he
crossed that land. Not surprisingly, no elven people claim him as one of
their own.
Some say that the Mercury Man is not an awnsheghlien at all. He is an
agent of Azrai`s ghost, the Cold Rider, sent from the Shadow World to wreak
havoc upon the lands of light. Others point out the similarities of his
metallic body to that of the construct Ghurdelli and speculate that his
origins lie in infernal planes even further afield than the Shadow
World. The Gessarin College of Bards believe that the Mercury Man`s
appearance is the beginning stages of a prophetic poem being
fulfilled. The poem was written shortly after the death of Michael Roele
by the founder of the Gessarin College and Keeper of the Imperial Records,
Stenobus Rall. [Note: The meter is thrown off somewhat in translation from
Andu to English, but the rhyming scheme has remained miraculously intact....]
The Gorgon slew the noble Roele
And threw his body down
But the Black Prince lost his mighty soul
Which passed into the ground
The blood of kings has slept for years
Through agony and strife
Soon shall end this time of tears
When he returns to life
All those who know of what will come
Will have much cause to sing
For as a boy called Sara`s son
There shall return a king.
Once more will have the Iron Throne
An emperor to bear
For in the very earth was sown
His royal derriere
[Sorry, I couldn`t resist.... The last line should be really "The blood of
Roele so fair")
His cause will cross all of Anuire
The lands again unite
He`ll claim his place as Roele`s heir
For that is his birthright.
But ere his rule can ever start
Before he takes his place
He must escape one with no heart,
Nor eyes, nor ears, nor face
The boy must pass a trial by pain
And conquer all his fears
Or the soul of Roele will sleep again
For another thousand years
Whatever the truth of the Mercury Man`s origin it is clear that he is a
ruthless and single minded killer that feels no remorse nor pity.
It is recorded that the Mercury Man crossed into Medoere in 1483MR
where he slew many soldiers and civilians alike. Those killings, however,
seemed incidental to his purpose, for after killing a young priestess of
Haelyn in the province of Byrnnor he disappeared. None know what form he
took to evade capture, but he went unnoticed until witnesses in Gulfport
town of Clear Shores (Osoerde) reported seeing a man who appeared to be the
local constable suddenly "come alive with blades that sprouted from his
very hands" quickly murdering a young boy and his mother while they were at
work repairing fishing nets. When authorities went in force to the home of
the constable to place him under arrest they found his body there along
with the rest of his family, viciously killed. It appeared that they had
been killed several hours before.
The whereabouts of the Mercury Man are presently unknown.
OK, so all we need now are stats.... My plan was to duplicate the T2000`s
abilities for the most part, so he`d have a vicious unarmed attack, a power
like Alter Self, damage reduction and/or some sort of
regeneration. Anything else?
Gary
************************************************** **************************
The Birthright Homepage: http://www.birthright.net
Birthright-l Archives: http://oracle.wizards.com/archives/birthright-l.html
To unsubscribe, send email to LISTSERV@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM
with UNSUB BIRTHRIGHT-L in the body of the message.