Class: 26th level Human Mage (Necromancer-Lich)

Alignment: Neutral Evil

Occupation: Sumbral, like most liches, is reclusive. He no longer cares for money, except to increase his power by accumulating treasure and purchasing the books necessary for the Operational Costs (see Complete Wizards Handbook) of maintaining his library. His usual method for obtaining magical tomes and devices is by personal creation or by stealing them from the original owner (several Dragons have something against Sumbral). He lives in the top of his keep, leaving it to fall into a state of decay as he researches the arcane.

Objective: One thing Sumbral does care for is power and its accumulation. His only contacts with the outer world are his raids on places of magical knowledge (usually the city of Tackerdale) and his connections with the Scaronian religion. He is also interested in increasing his minions, and he will sometimes arrange assaults purely for the purpose of obtaining prisonors for his his medical experimentation and rasing the resulting dead from the battle to add to his 'collection' of undead lackeys.

Motive: Sumbral has a great desire for power and understanding. His only saving grace is his desire to understand the purpose behind society and human/demi-human behaviour. He may even take prisonors to observe their behaviour in captivity before killing them and adding them to his ranks of undead. He is believed to also perform hideous medical experiments on people.

Dominant Trait 1: Inquisitive

Dominant Trait 2: Immoral

Contradictory Trait: Proud

Attitudes and Behaviours: Sumbral treats everyone as a scientist would treat a laboratory animal. He observes and controls without concern for the ethical implications of his work. He is interested, however, by the one thing that seperates the human/demi-human from "...the various species of stock that infest the land". The mind. He believes that in order to receive intelligence one must know exactly what it is both physically and metaphysically. His research during and after his transmogrification into lichdom included the physiological aspects of the mind. HIs favourite game is to open holes in the skulls of various species and then watch the resultant behaviour of the trephinated individual.

He is tolerant towards other mages, as well as the priests of various religions, especially the Scaronian Priesthood. He thinks that magic is something that should be fully researched and explored, both in relation to wizardly and priestly magicks. Before, and long into, Sumbral's life as a lich, he had many apprentices. He is now hesitant to accept mages into his care after a group of "pathetic worms" ran away with one of his spellbooks. He is in no hurry to retrieve it at the moment and virtually has all of his unlife to undertake such a task. When encountered, he may have an apprentice in the black arts (15%) but virtually all of Sumbrals apprentices become Quasimancers (see Van Richten's Guide to the Lich), as this form of minion is more of a benefit to him than a troublesome apprentice.

Sumbral has connections to the priests of Scaron, exactly why such a relationship would exist is unknown, but it is believed to be due to Sumbral's past involvement with the black religion. The alliance of evil priesthood and powerful lich is a formidable one, and another way for Sumbral to obtain the power and reputation he craves.

Tastes and Preferences: Sumbral is a lich of reserved nature and strangely dignified tastes. He no longer knows hunger or thirst, his only feats being the consumption of a human/demi-human heart every century to maintin his decaying body. He reads frequently, but also entertains himself by performing various medical experiments on live prisnors (some would say medical mutilation). He has a taste for stories of the outside world, and has the priests of Scaron reveal all they know of the affairs of men when they visit.

Surroundings: Sumbral dwells in Castle Marrovic, a vast fortress built near the summit of the "Mountain of Skulls" - Mount Festain. A long, dark history surrounds Castle Marrovic which is closely intertwined with the history of Sumbral. Originally constructed for Baron Marrovic, cousin to the king and soldier of great reputation, it fell into the hands of his son, Danzibar, after his death. Danzibar, although maintaining a respectable reputation, was found to have connections with the arising Scaronian religion. This went unnoticed for a long period of time, as the religion was not the evil one it has become today. In those days, the Scaronian religion was a religion based upon the philosophy of neutrality, and was therefore accepted. Castle Marrovic became the seat of power not only for the Baron but for the worshippers of Scaron. Scaron soon began to demonstrate his true nature, however, and several worshippers devoted to the darker tenets of the religion began receiving greater power within the church's hierachy. Danzibar soon discovered that he was not a favourite with Scaron, after he began to experience frightening visions and maddening nightmares in which the avatar of Scaron appeared beside him and performed sadistic acts of violence and bloodshed. He was seen talking to mid-air and going into fits of uncontrollable rage, which finally lead to his disappearance.

Danzibar's wife was a priestess of the religion, and their only child was a girl. Danzibar's daughter then beacme the third ruler of Castle Marrovic and its territories after her fathers disappearance. The actual location of Danzibar's remains is still unknown to this day (Year being 1051 after the cataclysm).

It was within this generation that Sumbral was first known to appear. This is now 57 years after the first stone of the castle was laid (namely, 64 A.C., the first stone being placed by magical means in 7 A.C.). Sumbral was part of an adventuring party that included two clerics of Scaron and an elven mage/thief of some reputation as a spellfilcher. They were sent on numerous missions in the name of the Baroness to recover various magical items that she may of heard of thanks to the tales of bards. Whether or not it is due to the collection of these devices within Castle Marrovic that caused a revolt against the Baroness in the year 67 A.C. is unclear. Although the result of the conflict may have had some bearing on the motive. The Baroness was victorious, and immediately ordered that the Scaronian belief be expeled from the borders of her land and that several key members be publicly hung, disembowelled or drawn-and-quartered.

Sumbral became the court advisor and the spellfilcher disappeared, only to reappear in Tackerdale as the rumoured leader of a small group of annoying thieves (the 'Lighteninghands').

The Baroness never had children and on her deathbed gave the land to Sumbral, who had earned her trust. Sumbral's rule was, and has been to this day (some 76 years after his appointment to office) a dismal and disturbing one. The city of Tackerdale is the closest settlement to Castle Marrovic and is plagued by nighttime visitations of the walking dead. The townspeople thank their gods that Sumbral is as reclusive and distant as he is, although they are occasionally reminded of the darklords presence.

Castle Marrovic is a construction of fantastic size, and apprentices of Sumbral that have managed to escape say that he has extensively modeled the surrounding mountain both inside and out so as to create a truly formidable lair. He has also filled the castle with all manner of creature in order to ensure that he is not disturbed in his research.

History: Sumbral has a history surrounded in mystery. It is believed that he was born in the town of Bluestaff, to a woman of some notoriety as a professional thief amongst the townsfolk. The father was a brialliant bard rumored to have died at the hands of some town-guardsmen after a tavern brawl that got way out of hand. The mother, Alisia, was as beautiful as she was bold (a true bard wouldn't settle for anything less!) and relied on a local elementalist by the name of Rastrumin to bring Sumbral up in the ways of magic.

Sumbral was a devoted apprentice from the beginning, and showed a hunger for knowledge the likes Rastrumin had never seen before. Rastrumin encouraged Sumbral's passion to learn, even though its intensity filled him with fear. Sumbral was content to learn under Rastrumin for a time but became frustrated by his teachers devotion to a single form of magical power (earth). When his mother died, Sumbral (then 18) became bitter, and turned his studies toward necromancy. It is believed that Sumbral began such research in a vain hope to revive his mother. When he was unsuccessful, he blamed Rastrumin's petty devotion to the elementalist 'theory', and the resulting lack of text pertaining to necromantic lore. His insistence on the notion that Rastrumin was a blind man who refused to open his eyes to the full extent of magical knowledge that existed eventually saw him rejecting the elementalist theory that his mentor lived by (Notes on the Elementalistscan be found on pages 9-10 of the TOME OF MAGIC). This caused some tension between Rastrumin and Sumbral, and initiated what was to become a feud between the two. Sumbral disappeared four nights after his 19th birthday with a great deal of Rastrumin's personal research in his possession. The various lessons taught to him by his mother on the stealthy art of the thief meant that Sumbral could survive on his own. But it was still fortunate that he joined up with an eleven spellfilcher by the name of Landril Firefist.

Sumbral and Firefist made their way to the town of Bardale, from which they were chased by the local mage guild after borrowing various magical works they had no right to. The pair made their way to Tackerdale where they became involved with the Scaronian movement.

They befriended two of the younger priests, and made a name for themselves as an adventuring party with a talent for tasks of a magical nature. The Baroness soon became interested in acquiring various magical items that she had received word of. She contacted this group, and sent them to recoever a ring of spell turning from a mage on the outskirts of Tackerdale. The mission was in fact a test of the groups abilities, and the mage in possession of the ring was notified of the groups intentions by the Baroness and advised to prepare suitable traps for the group to overcome. The Baroness had prepared the perfect test of the groups abilities. However, Sumbral and his party retrieved the ring easily. It was at this point that Baroness Marrovic decided that the party was worth her attention. She began sending them on taks of greater and greater challenges in search of items far and wide. This went on for some time before things started to get nasty.

Sumbral began killing innocent people in his quest for magical trinkets, the Baroness' magical items were no longer being obtained through stealth but by force. This was almost primarily due to Sumbral and his sudden transformation from amicable magic-user to megalomaniacal necromancer. He began ignoring his companions completely, and instead focused his attention on acquiring a position within the Baroness' office. He couldn't have chosen a better time. The party was disbanded due to the division between the members. The two priests of Scaron remained in touch with Sumbral, but returned to their calling. Landril Firefist packed his bags and fled, his relationship with Sumbral and the priests had turned sour after they revealed a great secret to him. News had got around that a revolt was about to take place against the Baroness, the catalyst being the dark Scaronian religion.

Sumbral was divided between the Baroness and the black religion he had become so involved with. He signed a pact two nights before the siege that saw him achieving possession of Castle Marrovic through one of the most daring frauds in recorded history. The siege took place, and yes, the Scaronian religion were at the front of the attacking force, but several key memebers actually went into hiding under the castle itself. Sumbral then played his role by informing the Baroness of exactly where and when each attack was going to take place, so that she could defend herself. The priests of Scaron (except for those high priests and remaining followers hidden by Sumbral beneath the castle) were defeated. They withdrew, their ranks halved, and were soon in the Baroness' custody. Strangely enough, the Baroness showed mercy toward the treligion by allowing some to survive punishment. However, she decreed that the religion would never again set foot inside Castle Marrovic or its territories. The remaining priests fled, giving the impression that the religion as a whole had been defeated and expeled. However, the Scaronian religion still existed beneath the castle, and had achieved what they saw as a purification of their ranks. Those the religion had seen as weak had gone into battle and were defeated, leaving the more powerful strain safely hidden beneath the Baroness' own feet. The religion was perhaps more powerful than it had ever been...and they still had a correspondent within the Baroness' court - Sumbral.

Sumbral's appointment to court advisorwas another victory for the dark power, which was again beginning to grow. Those that had been expeled from the Baroness' territory traveled to the Lyvanian Mountains and constructed what is today the seat of the religions power - the mountain fortress of Karworfgar.

The whole battle had seen the religion gain greater power while maintaining a facade of defeat to the rest of the population. They now had two bases from which to spread their influence - Karworfgar, their mountain fortress, and Castle Marrovic and its court of 'puppets'.

Sumbral had achieved one of his ultimate goals - power. And yet, like a true villian, it was not enough. He had gained stature both within the Scaronian religion and the Marrovic Territories, and yet he desired more. The Baroness soon became ill, which was actually due to Sumbral, and he was right there by her side. Upon her deathbed, the Baroness gave her castle, territory and title to Sumbral. All his hard work had paid off.

As soon as Sumbral came to power, the Scaronian religion came out of the woodwork. They now held rituals out in the open, free from a life living under the castle. The people of the Marrovic Territories became afraid, and Sumbral knew it. He knew that he was not likely to survive long in office, but could not let go of the power and status he had achieved, and so he fell back on the one thing that could help him - his magic. Throughout the whole affair, Sumbral's power as a mage had grown to an amazing level. His whole life had been a study of the arcane. His time with the adventuring party, 'recovering' magical items and tomes meant that he always had a great deal of material with which to continue his research. And becoming master of Castle Marrovic meant that hewas now the owner of all the magical knowledge he had spent most of his life collecting for the Baroness. This collection of knowledge allowed him to perform a task that would grant him the power he had achieved for an eternity, and immunity to the impending assault on his status and position, while preserving the fear that he commanded within the community. He would undergo the transformation into a lich.

He approached those members of the Scaronian religion dwelling benaetah the castle and informed them of his plan. No doubt, most of them reacted with revulsion, but the rest agreed with the proposition. It meant that their position of power within Castle Marrovic would also be maintained for years, even centuries, to come. It would also please their mystifying deity - Scaron, lord of chaos.

Imagine the confusion felt amongst a society which is lead by a lich and a religion which is based upon confusion and mischief! The fear created would insure that the community in question was obedient and easily manipulated according to the designs of its ruler.

So on the night of the next full moon, the deed was done. Sumbral drank the potion necessary for the transformation and was immediately included among the ranks of the undead. He kept his phylactery hidden, however, from the religion he was so closely associated with, still afraid of betrayal.

Sadly, although they did not openly say so, many priests decided to leave for Karworfgar due to Sumbrals lichly existence. Power was transformed from Castle Marrovic to Karworfgar, and the mountain fortress remains the religions capital to this day. Sumbral recognised this but did not see it as a betrayal, but a sign of fear (and indeed it was!) amongst the members of the religion, and therefore his power over it. He was disappointed by their lack of faith, however, and began work on his own army of obedient lackeys. Over the next five years, Sumbral began to create an army of undead the likes of which had rarely been seen. His first minions were taken from the staff of the castle. The guards, soldiers, lords and ladies, and even commoners of the castle began to disappear one by one, reappearing days later as things of death and decay. Those lucky enough to escape the castle before they joined the unearhtly existence of their comrades often told terrifying tales of screams in the night and walking dead...most of them eventually went mad, plagued by nightmares of the most evil and haunting kind.

Nothing could be done to topple the evil lord from his position of power. The king, dwelling far to the southwest, could not spare the troops, fearing the fantastic carnage that would result from a battle with the lich and his minions. So today, in the year 1051, Sumbral the lich is estimated at 109 years old. He still lives within Castle Marrovic, but has lost a good portion of his power over the Marrovic Territories due to the king's decree in the year 1025 to form councils within each major city, instead of having Barons rule over major territories. Sumbral sees this as a small defeat as he still maintains power over the people...fear.

In summary, Sunbral has lead a life of betrayal and greed. He betrayed his mentor, he betrayed his friends, he betrayed the Baroness and the family Marrovic, and, worst of all, he betrayed humanity by his transformation into lichdom.

Network: Sumbral's main connection is with the Scaronian religion. The priests of Scaron still have a base of operations underneath Castle Marrovic, and the occasional band of priests can be found transferring backward and forward between the castle and Karworfgar to the northwest.

Sumbral is very reclusive, and yet his inquistive nature means that he maintains contact with the religion, usually through a group of three delegates who visit the upper levels of Castle Marrovic on a four month basis. These delegates usually take prisnors of the religion to the lich for use in his medical experimentation.

Sumbral is also believed to have a contact within the Tackerdale mage guild. He also maintains a rivalry of sorts with his old 'friend' Landril Firefist and the "Lighteninghands". This group of spellfilchers are known to detest the lich, as he has occasionally gotten hold of various items that they were after themselves.

Sumbral's undead minions are his only acquaintances on a day-to-day basis. As well as the various other creatures that stalk the passages of Castle Marrovic.

Although Sumbral himself does not communicate frequently with them, the Brandorian Alliance is also known to have connections with the Scaronian religion, as well as the Illithian Society. The Brandorian Alliance are a group of bards, fighter and thieves of various races dwelling near Karworfgar under leadership of the warlord Brandor. The Illithian Society is a very small unit of psionicists based in Solaron who are believed to be lead by two or more Psionic Illithids (Mind Flayers), who maintain contact with their fifteen (number of followers in the year 1051) followers by telepathy. They may occasionally make use of their psychoportative abilities to travel to the surface.

Appearance: The current appearance of Sumbral the lich has been revealed by one of the four apprentices in around 60 years to escape before the transformation into Quasimancer.

Sumbral's head has probably undergone the greatest decay, with large fragments of facial tissue almost completely rotted away. The face is now a grimacing skull from which glowing red eyes stare ominously. Remnants of hair have grown long and grey, hanging lifeless upon the skull. The rest of the tissue is basically thin and drawn with a sickly grey hue.

Sumbral moves with a hunched posture, and at a calm and controlled pace. His movements may give the false impression that his body is as lifeless as it appears, yet like most liches, this is not the case. In order to perform the somatic components of spell-casting, great deal of dexterity is required, and Sumbral possesses the same amount of dexterity that he did in life. He also retains the various proficiencies he acquired as a mortal.

STR 10
DEX 16
CON 17
INT 19
WIS 9
CHR 12

Movement: Base Rate - 6

Non-Weapon Proficiencies:

1. Etiquette
2. Riding, Land-based
3. Swimming
4&5. Astrology
6&7. Herbalism
8. Navigation
9. Reading/Writing
10. Religion
11. Spellcraft
12. Ancient History

Sumbral has learned many things throughout his lifetime. His first lesson in life was to become his directive - magic. He was taught how to read and write by his mentor, Rastrumin, so he could read the text in relation to the philosophy and use of magic. Sumbral's hobby, however, was astrology. He spent many a night researching the various star signs and how they related to e persons own personal horoscope. His knowledge of the stars gave him the power to navigate by their nighttime brilliance. His mother, before she died, taught him how to swim, a talent strengthened by his years as an adventurer. He rode a horse in those years of his life too, fleeing Rastrumin with Landril Firefist and the others. The final lessons in life came with his introduction to Castle Marrovic. His dealings with the Baroness meant that he was well versed in the manner in which he addressed her court and in deciphering the various coat-of-arms her guests carried. His knowledge of the various religions was developed through his acquaintance with the Scaronian faith and the various bards that entertained the Baroness while stopping at the castle.

Sumbral's final talent was in herbalism, one that was researched in his years adventuring, and fully applied during his conversion into lichdom as he gathered the various ingredients necessary for the brewing of the potion of transformation.

Weapon Proficiencies:

1. Staff
2. Dagger
3. Dart
4. Knife (Jewel Encrusted Knife)

Magical Items: Ring of Regeneration, Staff of Striking, Amulet of Proof Against Detection and Location (around neck on a gold chain), Wand of Magic Missiles, Scroll of Protection Against Fire, Ring of Spell Storing - Ground Fog, Corpse Whisper, Eyes of the Undead, Rain of Terror (Steaming Blood, Toads or Spiders - DM's choice) and Acid Bolts (First four spells from 'Forbidden Lore - Nova Arcanum' pgs 21-24; Last spell from Dragon Magazine no. 200, pg. 24), scroll of five spells levels 1-8 - Prismatic Wall, Monster Summoning VI, Teleport Without Error, Strahd's Malefic Meld and Summon Lycanthrope (First three spells from Players Handbook, Fourth Spell from 'Forbidden Lore - Nova Arcanum' pg. 25, fifth spell from Tome of Magic).

Languages: Common, Elf, Dwarf, Gnome, Gnoll, Kobold, Neogi and Goblin.