"Never before had I encountered a being so steeped in evil as to be my equal. It quickly became apparent that, despite my initial plans, I would have to dispose of the Dark Emissary before marching on Nagarythe, lest he dispose of me first."
- —From the recollections of Malek the Depraved[2a]
A Dark Emissary of Albion, a former Truthsayer who has become a servant of the Dark Master Be'lakor.
Dark Emissaries are those Truthsayers of Albion who have been corrupted by the Daemon Prince of Chaos Undivided, Be'lakor, who they call their "Dark Master."
Albion was the site of a major conflict between many factions of the Known World in the early years of the 26th century IC who were invited to intervene in a conflict between the island's traditional caste of magical caretakers, the Truthsayers, and the Dark Emissaries of Be'lakor. The first Daemon Prince hoped to use the power of Albion's Ogham Stones to end his curse of incorporeality and regain his ability to take physical form so that he might pursue his campaign of vengeance against the greater Chaos Gods.[1a]
Role[]
A Dark Emissary with a Fenbeast.
There are many dark powers in the mortal world. Most act openly and on the field of battle. War is their tool of conquest and the bodies of the slain is the currency with which their power is bought. Yet more dangerous, perhaps, are those agents of darkness who work behind the scenes, and of these, none are so practised as the Dark Emissary of Albion.[2a]
Legends of Dark Emissaries have abounded as long as there has been a language to convey the tales. They are traditionally portrayed as harbingers of doom who appear before lords on the eve of battle, offering service in exchange for petty tokens or trinkets. Yet in the battle's wake the Dark Emissary does not depart, but is retained by a ruler who grows to depend on the wizened creature's sorceries and advice.[2a]
As the lord's reliance upon the Dark Emissary grows, so does his own character grow ever crueller and his ambitions broader. Without warning, when the lord needs aid the most, the Dark Emissary will disappear, leaving his victim to suffer the consequences of his hubris. Who can say what the Dark Emissary's motive was? Did it seek to torment anarchy for its own sake, or does it work to a wider plan? None know the answer.[2a]
Despite this reputation, or perhaps because of it, there is no shortage of wizards determined to bind a Dark Emissary to their will. Alas, whilst the Dark Emissary's magical nature means that it can be bound into reluctant service, no enchantment can still its deceits. Even shackled by sorcery, a Dark Emissary will always work to its own goals, all the while seeming to do the bidding of its erstwhile master.[2a]
Notable Dark Emissary Spells[]
In addition to their use of magic that draws upon the Grey Wind of Magic Ulgu and the Purple Wind of Magic Shyish, Dark Emissaries are known to use the following spells of their own:
- Betrayal in Death - Under the effect of this curse, enemy warriors who were mortally wounded are transformed into ghastly animated bodies and turn to attack their comrades.[1a]
- Bolt of Dark Light - The Dark Emissary conjures the powers of the Dark Master and unleashes a deadly ray of pure dark energy.[1a]
- Coils of the Serpent - A writhing form snakes its way from the outstretched hands of the Dark Emissary and wraps its coils around a single enemy warrior, crushing the life out of his body.[1a]
- Curse of the Dark Master - The heart of the enemy is grasped by icy tentacles of fear and doubt, that saps their strength and their will to fight.[1a]
- Fog of Death - A mysterious fog rises from the ground, shrouding the entire battlefield. All fighting stops for a short time, while friend and foe alike are lost in the haze and sinister screams fill the air.[1a]
- Nightmare - The perverse arts of the Dark Emissary creates the illusion of the enemy's worst fears in front of their very eyes.[1a]
Wargear[]
- The Spiral of Oblivion - The Dark Emissary's amulet siphons life force from the air itself to sustain its bearer. The Spiral of Oblivion is a symbol of the Dark Master and a feared sign of damnation. Few enemies dare look upon it.[1a][2a]
- Staff of Darkness - The Staff of Darkness strengthens the Dark Emissary's connection to the magical energies of death and destruction.[2a]
Notable Dark Emissaries[]
- Kheciss - Kheciss is the greatest of the Dark Emissaries of Albion, and served as the "First Emissary" to the Dark Master himself while Be'lakor was still present on that misty isle.
Miniatures[]
