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The Sorceress Talisman (Tali)
Statistics Tali is an Arch Mage of the Order of the White Dragon, the highest and most powerful Order of White Sorcerers in the world. "Arch Mage" means she's one of the most powerful sorcerers in her Order, making her one of the most powerful sorcerers in the world. She specializes in talismans, magical items that either magnify her own magic, or do something on their own. They might change their shape to be weapons, or they might provide protection, or find things, or something else independent of Tali's magic. Most of them are in the form of jewelry, which is what Tali prefers. She has others that don't lend themselves to being set into rings, bracelets, necklaces, headpieces, earrings, etc. She usually keeps those tucked into her boots, or in a pouch that she wears on her hip. So to the casual observer she just looks like a woman who wears an unusual amount of jewelry. Kind of like Elizabeth Taylor with less makeup and fewer husbands. Tali is also a talented fighter, being especially skilled with swords and pole arm weapons, as well as with empty hands techniques. She frequently surprises Flint with her ability to kick butt the old fashioned way. She actually prefers to fight without magic, since White magic doesn't really lend itself well to attacks in most circumstances, one notable exception being the undead, which can't be destroyed by mundane means. Another notable exception would be other sorcerers, who are likely to, at the very least, protect themselves with magic against mundane attacks. It's just more efficient to fight non-magical opponents without magic and magical opponents with magic. Tali chooses her "weapon" on a case-by-case basis. Her weakness, however, is that she's still learning to manage her energy when using her newest and most powerful talisman, Soul Crystal. For now, when fighting the undead, Tali uses Soul Crystal as a magic-amplifier and mundane sword at the same time, which is very draining, since Soul Crystal draws its power from its user's life force. There's a reason why she's chosen to do something as dangerous as using an incredibly powerful talisman like Soul Crystal before actually mastering it, but if we told you, we'd have to kill you because it's a great, big spoiler. ^_^ On a more personal level, Tali has a rather cynical outlook on life, and her humor usually has a touch of sarcasm or irony. The only reason she lets Flint tag along is because his fighting ability allows her to concentrate completely on finding talismans. In other words, he's useful. When he becomes a liability, she figures she'll ditch him. The Hero Flint Steele
Statistics Flint claims to be the son of a Pell City Guard (policeman) who was framed for corruption and hanged as a scapegoat when Flint was 10 years old. Flint's mother died soon after. Flint vowed revenge and apparently got it, becoming a master swordsman in the process. He also claims to have studied under the world's premier sword master, Darren Callumus. "Claims" being the operative term, here. Flint is a braggart, especially when there's a chance, however slight, his tall tales might get him laid. He also loves playing the hero, or at least being perceived as one (again, especially if it might get him laid), so he spends his time wandering around the countryside looking for opportunities to rescue fair maidens, who will hopefully sleep with him. Or hot broads who are no longer maidens and are willing to reward him with nights of bliss and a few pints of ale. When not rescuing damsels in distress, Flint hires himself out as a mercenary, usually to law enforcement agencies in honor of his late father. So he says. Tali's never sure what to believe when Flint starts talking about Flint. She's not even sure if "Flint Steele" is his real name since it's too conveniently appropriate a name for a swordsman. Another little "doubtful" detail about Flint is his codpiece. It's hard leather, so it serves a legitimate purpose, but it's…well…Tali believes it to be unnaturally large. Not that she's planning to test her theory, or anything, it's just...obnoxious. Flint, of course, insists it's all him under there, but what have we been saying all along about Flint's veracity? While not a stupid man, Flint often comes across as incredibly shallow, clueless and single-minded. Like he's completely missing the point of whatever situation he's in. Truth is, he's not missing the point, he just has his own set of priorities…like checking out Tali's curves, for instance, or looking heroic and studly when fighting in the presence of attractive women. Meeting Tali has launched him on a mission to bed her, since she refuses to be impressed by anything he says or does. Flint does so love a challenge. The Necromancer Darkmoon
Statistics AGE: Unknown, looks mid-30-ish Darkmoon is an Arch Mage of the Order of the Red Dragon, specializing in Necromancy. He is, in fact, the most powerful necromancer in the world and the Red Dragon's most evil, powerful and feared sorcerer. The Order of the Red Dragon being Dark Magic's answer to the Order of the White Dragon. Darkmoon is in fact a legend, even amongst mundane folk (non-magic users) who use his name to keep misbehaving children in line. Most people's initial reaction upon seeing him is favorable, since he's quite a beautiful man with a regal bearing and rich, silky voice. But one look into his eyes reveals the hard, cold evil in the mind behind them. Those eyes have been known to paralyze the bravest warriors in abject terror. He's also Tali's arch rival for the Elder Star, though the two of them have never met, and Tali's not so sure she could hold her own against him when they do meet. As a necromancer, his most powerful magic is in the manipulation of souls and soulless bodies. He creates his zombies by stealing the souls of his victims and using those souls to control the victims' bodies. Those are his most powerful undead, since they can't be unmade unless one can get to their souls (since they're technically still "alive".) His weaker undead are simply animated corpses whose souls have already passed on to the afterlife. These are the kind Tali and Flint encounter most often, since Darkmoon doesn't really have to be very near to manipulate them. The ones he controls through their souls are little more complicated and harder to spot. Darkmoon doesn't have to be close to their bodies manipulate them, just close to their souls. However, he can't be as far away as he can with the soulless undead. Also, it takes more power to control a soul, especially a soul that didn't have much or any darkness or evil in it to begin with. Darkmoon tries to work with evil souls as often as possible, since those are easier for him to control. How he captures a soul is what makes him so terrifying. While he does have to be able to see the victim or victims, he doesn't have to be seen by them or be within their reach. He doesn't have to touch them at all. He just casts a spell, and the soul is sucked into its own little crystal bead for storage. The soul beads hang in long strands around his neck and waist but are hidden under his cloak. He wears the most powerful souls in rings on his hands. These are usually the souls of powerful sorcerers whose bodies he destroyed in order to have all of their power for his own use, rather than having to channel it toward animating their bodies. Tali's weapon Soul Crystal is able to send a disembodied soul to the afterlife or return it to its body (which is harder, actually), but since she hasn't mastered it yet, it's not much use or protection against Darkmoon. Yet.
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Elder Star logo and page elements created by Gigi (Jessica Probst) ©2002