Realms Personalities : Mourngrym Amcathra, "Lord of Shadowdale"
By Mike Boozer (Web)
Born in Waterdeep to a noble house, Mourngrym Amcathra grew up with almost everything he needed. He had several friends, and, while still a child, he started learning the ins and outs of the city. However, this wasn't enough for him: Mourngrym wished to feel useful, and he had a need to make his way on his own. As a result, he started training in various martial arts in his early adolescence. Also during these years, he came to the attention of Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun. Due to an incident where Mourngrym assisted an associate of Khelben's, the Chosen of Mystra made sure to watch the young man. Khelben noted Mourngrym's ability to remain diplomatic in the face of adversity and his skill at arms when words failed to resolve a situation.
The very process of assisting others made Mourngrym realize his growing interests in local issues, and he eventually allied himself with the local Harpers. After a time, Khelben himself requested that Mourngrym join Doust Sulwood, who was Lord of Shadowdale, in Sulwood's adventuring endeavors.
Mourngrym's initial reasons for joining up with Doust included lending aid to Doust in whatever capacity was needed and increasing his personal holdings while doing so, with the former of the two being more important to both parties. With his skill at combat, Mourngrym joined Doust's adventuring group, which were known as the Knights of Myth Drannor, and he served Doust well in a variety of skirmishes and tough situations. He so impressed the Lord of Shadowdale that when Doust decided to step down from his role in 1353 DR, Doust asked Mourngrym to take over. With Khelben's encouragement, Mourngrym accepted, thereby gaining both the title Lord of Shadowdale and the Pendant of Ashaba, which is the symbol of office for the Lord of Shadowdale.
While acting as Lord of Shadowdale, Mourngrym met an intriguing woman who was acting as the diplomatic envoy from Cormyr. Her name was Shaerl Rowanmantle, and while her actions initially kept them apart, her death while saving him from the fiends of Myth Drannor affected Mourngrym deeply. After destroying the foul beings that killed her, he sought to have Shaerl resurrected. In 1355 DR he married her, and they welcomed their first son Scotti into the world in 1358 DR.
Some of the more recent conflicts Mourngrym has dealt with include a battle between the forces of the Dalelands and Lyran the Pretender (1357 DR) and a larger conflict between the forces of Zhentil Keep and the Dales (led by Bane in 1358 DR). Ongoing skirmishes with various foes and possible incursions from below keep the current Lord of Shadowdale on his toes.
Mourngrym stays physically fit, and his brown hair and moustache are both neatly trimmed. He is a very shrewd man, and his abilities in the diplomatic arena both show caution and a great care for those he leads. He hopes to see his son Scotti take up the mantle of Lord of Shadowdale, but there are some reservations regarding hereditary leadership in Shadowdale.
Mourngrym Amcathra: Male human Ftr8; CR 8; Medium humanoid; HD 8d10+16; hp 60; Init +2; Spd 20 ft.; AC 19, touch 12, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +8; Grp +12; Atk +15 melee (1d8+9/19-20, +1 longsword) or +11 ranged (1d8/x3, masterwork composite longbow); Full Atk +15/+10 melee (1d8+9/19-20, +1 longsword) or +11/+6 ranged (1d8/x3, masterwork composite longbow); AL NG; SV Fort +8, Ref +4, Will +3; Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 12.
Skills and Feats: Decipher Script +2, Diplomacy +8, Knowledge (geography) +3, Listen +3, Ride +12, Sense Motive +6, Survival +3; Blind-Fight, Cleave, Dodge, Great Cleave, Greater Weapon Focus (longsword), Mobility, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (longsword), Weapon Specialization (longsword).
Languages: Common, Elven.
Possessions: +1 mithral chainmail armor, +1 longsword, amulet of natural armor +1, Pendant of Ashaba, masterwork composite longbow, 20 arrows.
Pendant of Ashaba: The Pendant of Ashaba was made by the water wizard Ashaba, who wore it while acting as the first Lord of Shadowdale. The actual pendant is a silver crescent moon with the horns pointed upward. It hangs from a silver chain created by the witch Sylune during Aumry's reign. This magic item serves as the symbol of office for the Lord of Shadowdale, and each new Lord of Shadowdale receives it when taking on the mantle of this office. Two of its known powers include the following:
- Upon command, the pendant will say in the voice of Ashaba (via a magic mouth effect), "The bearer of this token be the one and true lord of Shadowdale."
- The pendant can also detect the presence of overwhelming good, evil, law, and chaos. When wearing the pendant, the user immediately can detect the presence of an overwhelming evil, good, lawful, or chaotic aura in a creature within 30 feet three times per day. (It's possible that a creature could possess more than one of these auras; if so, the wearer detects all auras.) Refer to the detect evil spell in the Player's Handbook to determine a creature's aura power; anything less than overwhelming is not detected by the wearer of the pendant.
Faint divination; CL 5th; Craft Wondrous Item, detect chaos, detect evil, detect good, detect law, magic mouth, permanency; Price 18,800 gp.