Kthell
The being known as Kthell has never had much luck. It - or she as it’s become fond of saying - was summoned to this plane long ago when she was but a mere speck of energy compared to her kin. The circle of Antikathri (Sidereal) conjurers knew the dangers of such creatures and were prepared for her arrival. Her writhing, mewling form of astral shadow could do nothing but strain against their readied wards as they bound her for study and servitude. Humiliated, Kthell found a leather collar around her neck that compelled her to obey her new masters. Anger and hatred flared.
Over the years, the conjurers had her take many forms. A humanoid servant, sometimes male or female or somewhere in-between. A beast of burden. A fly, if she acted particularly nasty. No matter what form she took, the collar kept her magic and body bound.
But like all magic, she could feel the enchantments begin to fade. Barely, but it was enough to feel something akin to hope. Blissful vengeance became a goal. Though she was unsure how long the binding would hold, she knew it would one day fail and she would be free.
Eventually the Antikathri became arrogant. Or stupid. Kthell was merely a trial and, after years of research, the elves moved forward to attempt a higher summoning. Bound as a slender black cat, Kthell viewed them from a far pew and laughed as their wards failed. She eagerly watched as tendrils of astral shadow broke their wards and ripped the elves howling into the void. And then she frowned when her cousin vanished, unable to manifest. She yowled as she scratched at the bloodied runes of the ritual circle, begging for her kin to return her home. Nothing came of it.
Trapped on this world, Kthell awaits the day the binding finally fades and allows her to walk freely to either wreak havoc or return to her kin. Perhaps a smattering of both.
Over the years, the conjurers had her take many forms. A humanoid servant, sometimes male or female or somewhere in-between. A beast of burden. A fly, if she acted particularly nasty. No matter what form she took, the collar kept her magic and body bound.
But like all magic, she could feel the enchantments begin to fade. Barely, but it was enough to feel something akin to hope. Blissful vengeance became a goal. Though she was unsure how long the binding would hold, she knew it would one day fail and she would be free.
Eventually the Antikathri became arrogant. Or stupid. Kthell was merely a trial and, after years of research, the elves moved forward to attempt a higher summoning. Bound as a slender black cat, Kthell viewed them from a far pew and laughed as their wards failed. She eagerly watched as tendrils of astral shadow broke their wards and ripped the elves howling into the void. And then she frowned when her cousin vanished, unable to manifest. She yowled as she scratched at the bloodied runes of the ritual circle, begging for her kin to return her home. Nothing came of it.
Trapped on this world, Kthell awaits the day the binding finally fades and allows her to walk freely to either wreak havoc or return to her kin. Perhaps a smattering of both.
Appearance
The binding of her leather collar gives Kthell a benevolent appearance – she’s a typical slender black cat with large golden eyes. Those with a knack for magic would absolutely sense the bindings at work, however, and understand there is something more to her.
Her body takes on a more eldritch appearance during spellplay. At first, her eyes will simply glow a deep amber gold. As she strengthens her spells, her body will darken and swallow light to appear as a cat-shaped block of pure shadow, while additional eyes sprout across her forehead. Various symbols will also being to show across her form, as if fighting to keep her magic contained with a slowly swelling, glitching body.
Her body takes on a more eldritch appearance during spellplay. At first, her eyes will simply glow a deep amber gold. As she strengthens her spells, her body will darken and swallow light to appear as a cat-shaped block of pure shadow, while additional eyes sprout across her forehead. Various symbols will also being to show across her form, as if fighting to keep her magic contained with a slowly swelling, glitching body.
Picture courtesy of OneHandPrinting (Etsy)
Skills and Abilities
Kthell will never reach her full potential while bound.
That is not to say she is weak, as she has slowly pushed and crossed the boundaries of the Antikathri enchantments over the years. Astral magic is innate to her and her spells typically take on a void-like shadow appearance with glittering lights akin to stars.
She can speak and her mouth moves accordingly.
That is not to say she is weak, as she has slowly pushed and crossed the boundaries of the Antikathri enchantments over the years. Astral magic is innate to her and her spells typically take on a void-like shadow appearance with glittering lights akin to stars.
She can speak and her mouth moves accordingly.
Personality
When Kthell was finally free of the elves, she rampaged. She destroyed the cloister of her masters, murdered the survivors, and was a tempest of rage across the nearby countryside. There were many bloodthirsty years spent hunting mortals, and there were all manner of whispers warning travelers of a black shadow.
Her rage eventually dulled and she began to wander the world. First to absorb enough magic to shatter her collar, then to also experience what there was to offer. See wonders. And though she'd never admit it, Kthell grew incredibly lonely.
Now, smug and eerily cheerful, she actively interacts with the populace.
She has little patience for elves, especially those of the Antikathri variety, and tends to grow cruel and hostile with little provocation. Others are used as stepping stones for her goals, though she often makes pacts and bargains with mortals to create mutually beneficial contracts.
Her rage eventually dulled and she began to wander the world. First to absorb enough magic to shatter her collar, then to also experience what there was to offer. See wonders. And though she'd never admit it, Kthell grew incredibly lonely.
Now, smug and eerily cheerful, she actively interacts with the populace.
She has little patience for elves, especially those of the Antikathri variety, and tends to grow cruel and hostile with little provocation. Others are used as stepping stones for her goals, though she often makes pacts and bargains with mortals to create mutually beneficial contracts.
Lore
Name
Kthell is a slave's name given to her by the Antikathri conjurers that summoned her to this plane. She expects it is some elven simplification of her true name, but is unsure - her name is lost to her. She holds onto the hope that her name is simply tied into her bindings and that once they break, she'll know it once again. There is a fear that it has been forgotten.
Regardless, 'Kthell' means nothing to her and many have called her a number of things throughout her travels.
Regardless, 'Kthell' means nothing to her and many have called her a number of things throughout her travels.