Characteristic

Cost

END

Cost

0

6

3

2

2

2

15

2

3

The blood red sun peered through the veil of crimson clouds barely over the North Sea. It enticed one to stare at it, but to do so would still result in blindness. Instead, Wendell James, the Ghost Chaser, turned his head to the side slightly and looked at the more soothing mauve clouds. The Voice had promised a transference of new knowledge this morn. Knowledge that would help the receiver in his quest. To Wendell James, it brought him hope of finally ending his ongoing quest to stop Donegal Mist.

Three dark tendrils lanced out of the space hidden by the brightness of the sun. As they approached, they wavered their tips at his mouth and temples for a brief moment and then engulfed his head.

Black Skull, the Spell Stealer pulled his net back through the hole in the dimensional seal and examined his catch. Eight spells, only two of which were unknown to him. But, of the two, one was that which he fished for. He had once thought that the Exorcism of Rulogastona, his rival long ago when he was still alive, was a useless spell. But now Black Skull had different enemies, the chief of which was the god-witch Hecate. Hecate, who imprisoned him here in a dimension barren of life.

The rock upon which he sat was hard, but he had gotten accustomed to it over the past decade - just as he had become accustomed to the tomb which he occupied for nearly three millennia until some fool treasure hunters opened it. Patience was a virtue when one was unliving. With his staff, Black Skull tapped on a hollow rock. A rock field arose from its bed and melded together. Steadily, it lumbered toward him and then stopped. This dimension was barren of life, but it did have spirits that flitted here and there. The origin of the spirits were unknown to him, he was never much into scholarly pursuits or philosophy. But he did know a spell that bound spirit to rock, and that had come in handy here.

"Rociadaemon," Black Skull called to the living rock, "the penultimate piece of the puzzle has come to me. Did I not tell you that all you have to do is find the right part of the lake and put out the right bait?"

The grinding-screeching speech of the rock-tethered spirit was jarring to the ear, but the only way it could communicate. Perhaps, the Spell Stealer would have to find a spell that allowed rock to speak at some point, but he had become accustomed to it if not comfortable with it.

"Yes," he spoke to his chief servant, "now we just need to wait until Hecate casts a dimension spell again and weakens the span. Then you can beat her senseless as you wish. Patience, my pet. That trout will bite, it's just a matter of time."

Sarn Daggar was born to a poor family of fisherfolk. But he was ambitious and talented, although a bit lazy. Through deceit and manipulation, he went from house servant to an advisor to the King of the Scythians. After learning magic, he turned on the King and Royal Family seeking the crown for himself. He was slain by a hundred arrows and buried in an unmarked tomb.

The mage had ensorcerled himself with a magical infusion spell which kept his spirit bound to his body forever. When a team of archeologists uncovered his tomb in 1996, they perished quickly and the lich was free to once again attempt to conquer. He quickly discovered the expanse of the world and the tremendous loss of knowledge of magic worldwide as well as a lack of mages. That put him in a position of advantage and he intends to conquer the world.

In addition to his plethora of spells, Pi-Hinook's Binding has rendered Sarn Daggar unliving. In the vernacular of the arcane, he is a lich. As such, Black Skull is highly resistant to most things physical and energy that would harm a normal person.

Black Skull appears to be a walking, talking skeleton in fine ancient clothing. A black silk cloak that comes down to his knee bone completes his garb. In one of his hands, he typically holds a staff; once his symbol of office as King of Scythia, it does not seem to hold any powers.