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Arkon the Lich King
Arkon is a Lich who currently rules over the Kingdom of Athina. He's an ancient figure, hated by many but loved by certain cultists and madmen. His spirit is beginning to fade, which has driven him to be more aggressive in an attempt to prolong his life by proving himself to his mysterious patron.
(This guy's a villain for a possible RP. I tried to make him strong enough to face a party of heroes without being OP. But if I failed in either regard, let me know.)
Appearance
Once a human, Arkon gave up his mortality long ago to become a lich. His body has long since decomposed into that of a skeleton. He stands at about 6’4 in height with many scars covering his skeletal body. He wears a gold signet ring on his right hand.
The only sign of life in his body are his glowing blue eyes.
Midnight Shroud - He wears a long black cloak, enchanted, some would say cursed. The fabric resembles black flames in appearance and provides far greater protection than simple cloth. Many normal weapons will be deflected aside or stopped by this cloak. While spells will be weakened if not stopped by it.
The Black Tree – A gift from Arkon’s patron. He carries a long black staff made of a strange wood, the top of the staff resembles a tree, as the wood splits into several different branches. Buried under these branches is a glowing blue sphere, which is Arkon’s phylactery. This staff is as strong as steel and difficult to break.
The only sign of life in his body are his glowing blue eyes.
Midnight Shroud - He wears a long black cloak, enchanted, some would say cursed. The fabric resembles black flames in appearance and provides far greater protection than simple cloth. Many normal weapons will be deflected aside or stopped by this cloak. While spells will be weakened if not stopped by it.
The Black Tree – A gift from Arkon’s patron. He carries a long black staff made of a strange wood, the top of the staff resembles a tree, as the wood splits into several different branches. Buried under these branches is a glowing blue sphere, which is Arkon’s phylactery. This staff is as strong as steel and difficult to break.
Skills and Abilities
Arkon’s great power is bound by his service to his patron. He must continuously make offerings to him. Be that by killing others, finding him rare treasures, or performing tasks for him. If Arkon ever fails to do something his patron commands, he’ll lose his powers instantly, and his soul will be forfeit.
Undead Command – Arkon’s staff allows him to command the undead as he wills. Although a few especially strong-willed or magically gifted may be able to resist his control. He doesn’t suppress the personality of the undead he controls, but they’re forced to obey his commands as he gives them. He’s either revered or hated by them for this power.
Necromancy – Arkon knows how to make other undead, however the price for doing so is high enough that he only does it under extreme circumstances. Usually, only when he finds someone unique enough to pay the price for it.
Divine Magic – Arkon has access to two different types of divine magic: wards, and evocations. The wards are self-explanatory, he’s able to raise barriers of magic to protect himself from incoming attacks and block spells. He also knows how to place wards on the ground which, if stepped on, will cause the earth to grab the trespasser by the legs and trap them in place.
His evocations give him the ability to manipulate the earth, be that rock or wood. He uses this for combat. He can also use it to bend and twist his staff into different shapes. Or (depending on where he is) to cause roots to spring up and seize his foes.
Staff Fighting – While not his preferred method of combat, Arkon has learned how to fight well with his staff so that he’s not easily defeated in close-quarters combat.
Undead Command – Arkon’s staff allows him to command the undead as he wills. Although a few especially strong-willed or magically gifted may be able to resist his control. He doesn’t suppress the personality of the undead he controls, but they’re forced to obey his commands as he gives them. He’s either revered or hated by them for this power.
Necromancy – Arkon knows how to make other undead, however the price for doing so is high enough that he only does it under extreme circumstances. Usually, only when he finds someone unique enough to pay the price for it.
Divine Magic – Arkon has access to two different types of divine magic: wards, and evocations. The wards are self-explanatory, he’s able to raise barriers of magic to protect himself from incoming attacks and block spells. He also knows how to place wards on the ground which, if stepped on, will cause the earth to grab the trespasser by the legs and trap them in place.
His evocations give him the ability to manipulate the earth, be that rock or wood. He uses this for combat. He can also use it to bend and twist his staff into different shapes. Or (depending on where he is) to cause roots to spring up and seize his foes.
Staff Fighting – While not his preferred method of combat, Arkon has learned how to fight well with his staff so that he’s not easily defeated in close-quarters combat.
Weaknesses
Conventional weapons can still hurt Arkon, but they’re less effective due to the protection of the Midnight Shroud, still, they’ll hurt Arkon if he’s struck by one. That said, to kill Arkon permanently, you’d have to free his phylactery from his staff and break it, which might be difficult to do with conventional weapons.
Phylactery – His soul is contained within a glowing blue sphere he keeps hidden away in his staff. If destroyed, his soul will be released and he’ll die permanently.
Divine Magic - Other forms of divine magic are effective against Arkon, as long as the deity granting the power is opposed to his own patron. It’s also one of the best ways to disrupt his influence over the undead.
Fire and Acid – Like many other undead, fire and acid are especially painful to Arkon, he loathes them both and tries to avoid fighting foes with command over them.
Enchanted Weapons – Enchanted weapons are more effective at penetrating the Midnight Shroud and causing pain to Arkon. They’re also capable of being used to break his staff, given enough time.
Phylactery – His soul is contained within a glowing blue sphere he keeps hidden away in his staff. If destroyed, his soul will be released and he’ll die permanently.
Divine Magic - Other forms of divine magic are effective against Arkon, as long as the deity granting the power is opposed to his own patron. It’s also one of the best ways to disrupt his influence over the undead.
Fire and Acid – Like many other undead, fire and acid are especially painful to Arkon, he loathes them both and tries to avoid fighting foes with command over them.
Enchanted Weapons – Enchanted weapons are more effective at penetrating the Midnight Shroud and causing pain to Arkon. They’re also capable of being used to break his staff, given enough time.
Personality
Arkon’s charismatic and eloquently spoken despite his foreboding appearance. He knows how to persuade others to join forces with him and to fight for him, which is part of the reason he’s maintained power in his kingdom for so long. He speaks boldly, but cryptically about certain details for the sake of stirring up fervor.
He’s a malevolent being who seeks to increase his own power and the influence of his patron, with the ultimate goal of conquering all Arethil and bringing down any nation who he believes stands on the side of good. He despises them, irrationally so, and will stop at nothing to destroy them all to make way for a new order. His main weakness is his selfishness, which will sometimes prevent him from acting effectively.
He's deeply loyal to his patron, whoever that might be. Why he’s so vague on who they are is a mystery, but it serves the practical purpose of drawing support from every manner of cult, who all believe their own god/s are supporting Arkon. He uses this to garner greater support for his cause. He fears his impending death and seeks to avoid it at all costs.
He’s a malevolent being who seeks to increase his own power and the influence of his patron, with the ultimate goal of conquering all Arethil and bringing down any nation who he believes stands on the side of good. He despises them, irrationally so, and will stop at nothing to destroy them all to make way for a new order. His main weakness is his selfishness, which will sometimes prevent him from acting effectively.
He's deeply loyal to his patron, whoever that might be. Why he’s so vague on who they are is a mystery, but it serves the practical purpose of drawing support from every manner of cult, who all believe their own god/s are supporting Arkon. He uses this to garner greater support for his cause. He fears his impending death and seeks to avoid it at all costs.
Patron
Arkon's the servant of a powerful patron who granted him his divine magic and taught him how to turn himself into a lich. That said, nobody quite knows who it is, in part because Arkon avoids saying anything specific about them. This is partially because it helps him gather support from various different cults, without alienating others.
Everyone has different theories on who Arkon's patron is. Followers of the Annunaki Pantheon theorize that he’s a Priest of the Three.
Followers of Celestialism believe that he’s a corrupted servant of the Dark Ones.
The Messengers believe he’s demonically inspired.
Followers of the Trinity of Light believe he’s a Priest of the Trinity of Darkness.
Whoever his patron is, some things are clear. They are a wholly malevolent force, who cares less for their own glory and more for causing death and destruction. They have a deep desire to corrupt or destroy good things, whatever form they take.
Everyone has different theories on who Arkon's patron is. Followers of the Annunaki Pantheon theorize that he’s a Priest of the Three.
Followers of Celestialism believe that he’s a corrupted servant of the Dark Ones.
The Messengers believe he’s demonically inspired.
Followers of the Trinity of Light believe he’s a Priest of the Trinity of Darkness.
Whoever his patron is, some things are clear. They are a wholly malevolent force, who cares less for their own glory and more for causing death and destruction. They have a deep desire to corrupt or destroy good things, whatever form they take.