Good vs Evil

[overbringer]

I'm going to basically just copy/paste Avshar's setting, and then update this post as people offer suggestions.

In a distant land, two kingdoms warred: Videssos and Makuran. They were very different lands, but both honorable and civilized nations. About a generation ago, however, Makuran was invaded and conquered by the barbarian nomad hordes known as Yezd. Makuran now struggles under their new overlords, who have their sights set on Videssos. The most feared general of Yezd is the Wizard-Prince Avshar, who has led Yezd's armies in victory after victory, first against Makuran, and now against Videssos in stinging raids.

The last few months have been quiet, however. Avshar has not been seen along the borders. Rather, he has been seen in Videssos's capital itself, acting as an emissary for prisoner exchanges, arguments over who owns towns on the border, and other such business. He has so far minded his manners enough that he has not forfeited diplomatic immunity, but the Videssian officers and troops are just waiting for an excuse, especially since Avshar saw fit to bring his retinue of "aids", as unsavory a lot as ever there were who are causing no end of complaints amongst the citizens.

With open war on the horizon and an ambassador who's very presence is an open insult, tensions are at the breaking point. The only question is who will snap first.

Comments

[mad_poet]

Alhazred is Avshar's left hand man, third in command of operations. He's a demon and a loyal servant to Skotos summoned into the world to help spread darkness. I figure that he was summoned about when Avshar led his armies against Makuran, but has made appearance on Earth across history. Although he largely works in the shadows, there are several rumors among the surviving veterans of Makuran connected to Alhazred: some recall having to slay former comrades now fighting for Yezd who they're certain were killed, some remember fighting mad warriors, unbelievably strong but stripped of all humanity, and some remember seeing metallic insects scavenge the battlefield when the fighting died down.

In the shadows, Alhazred is in charge of tactics and R&D. He's fairly intelligent, completely amoral, but also slightly indifferent to what's going on around him. His primary interest is to toy around with and mangle the human bodies he can get his claws on in the name of research. He's magically-inclined and has a wealth of arcane and divine knowledge he uses toward cruel ends, bolstering Avshar's forces, turning good people into demons, and generally being terrible.

Alhazred will probably stay in the shadows and use proxies to appear in his stead mostly, but he'll appear from time to time to test out a new experiment or such. He's capable of fighting, though he prefers strategy and doesn't get his hands dirty. He can use magic and summon insect familiars, Bastis and Esparanza, that project an eldritch shield around him while attacking with energy beams. Of course, he also has a "true form" that he's saving for a final battle.

PLOT HOOKS:
-Maybe someone knows a person or IS a person who was turned into a demon by Alhazred.
-A moral rival to match wits against
-Someone who might be familiar with demonology to know Alhazred
-Maybe someone whose home or town was attacked by the guy and wants to seek revenge
-If he's allowed to have a laboratory or such, that ought to be wrecked

[charmbuster]

So he's probably going to remind Mimete A LOT of her old boss. JSYK.

[mad_poet]

I haven't gotten to watching Sailor Moon yet, so there isn't much I can say about Professor Tomoe's personality. But yes, he's VERY enthusiastic about what he does.

[charmbuster]

This is a pretty good example.

[mad_poet]

Yeah he'd be pretty excited over not having kissed a girl either

[have_hat_will_travel]

Idea: Pidonus was someone who was turned by Alhazred. All her horrible nature is basically what he 'taught' her.

[mad_poet]

There's a chance that her old memories may resurface if given a decent kickstart. Alhazred will make sure they stay buried, of course, but the brainwashing isn't absolute, heh.

[have_hat_will_travel]

Logically, something would need to trigger the memories for that to occur... Still, it's a possible thing!