Ambr Onixia
Description
Such a strange, exotic, and terrible beauty that Ambr presents! The woman's youthful fairness defies mere pedestrian words, but the eyes still ache to define what they view. Black within black and darkness within darkness sum Ambr up with shallow prose, but the dream-like enchantress encompasses so much more. A black silk cloak of little décor, trimmed only with white fox fur, normally enfolds and conceals most of her shapely form. The cowl is often tugged over her features, permitting a glimpse only of long tresses that shine like platinum in the light. Within the hood, though shadow casts over her face, blood-red eyes gleam.
Should the cloak be parted, Ambr is revealed to wear little: a black shift clings to her slender waist and drapes down to her sandaled feet. But the sides of the shift are slit, revealing long and shapely legs; a sheathed dagger is strapped to either limb. Her skin is bared up to just under the curve of her breasts. A simple top is clasped to her chest. Both garments are black and silk, similar in fact to the cloak. Flowing elvish script is embroidered along the edges of the shift, identifying her relatively high birth in drow society in House Aleval. A cord serves as a belt and attached to that belt are pouches and a short sword sheathed in dark leather and forged in dark iron, appearing like a larger version of the stiletto-like blades on her legs. A dark leather pack is typically hoisted over her shoulders, carrying her other worldly possessions.
But most attention lingers on Ambr's divine beauty. Her skin, from head to toe, is smooth and jet-black -- a slightly lighter tone than her garments. High cheekbones, swept back ears, slanted eyes, and a haughty tilt of the chin indicates her elvish heritage. But the demonic eyes are as beguiling as they are frightening. Combined with a sinuous and hypnotic grace, it seems impossible to refuse Ambr's wishes. Worse, her speech tickles the senses with its soft and sweet eloquence. But the wise might realize her words are as poisonous as the serpent, Salith, hiding in the inner pocket of the drow's cloak. The wise would recognize the evil heart of this cruel enchantress. Still, the dawn of recognition cannot stop the dusk of enthrallment. Beauty is still beauty…even when it murders.
History
Ambr was born in the under-realm of Lilithan 152 years ago. She had the good fortune of being reared in the Onixia Clan of House Aleval. This family long ago established their name as one of the drow's greatest producers of mages in all of Cael. From youth, Ambr was instilled with a sense of purpose, with a will and dedication to her talents that would serve her well throughout her decades. She picked up all the ways of their dark society, from the bloody worship of Sivarnatta to the preparation for war through various combat routines that involved the close encounters of their underworld, cavernous home. Ambr studied hard, too, developing a general array of knowledge that she would deepen in time, and proved her intelligence through rigorous examinations. Among her fellow young elves, Ambr remained popular and respected. She commanded the allegiance of her peers readily, already possessing a mind whose shrewdness and intellect surpassed what most humans or even other elves knew. By her adolescence, Ambr knew she would inherit her family tradition and be accepted into the Lilus Magica, the drow academy for wizardry.
But what Ambr didn't expect was a full scholarship to the highest level of apprenticeship: the High Circle of Wizards. In Lilithan, an archmage represented every school of magic known to Cael. Though drow were as long-lived as other elves, even the archmages would retire eventually. Thus, it was a tradition to train an acolyte; Ambr had the immense honor of being chosen by Tazizt Phar, the Enchanter. It was entirely possible that Tazizt recognized Ambr's exceptional intelligence or perhaps he sought her for her more womanly assets. Ambr was quite willing to barter them for such a prestigious position and the Art of Enchantment suited her more than any other, even though it was the least respectable school among the drow (who preferred to nurture magics they could one day wield against the overworlder elves, and those ancient foes were highly resistant to enchantments!). From Tazizt, Ambr learned how Enchantment could nevertheless be employed to mislead, confuse, and ultimately control her enemies.
Though the drow society tried to indoctrinate Ambr into another willing slave of Lolth with repeated "their enemies", the thoughtful young elf looked beyond society for her own ambitions. Still, she was content to study and learn under Tazizt. She proved to be an astute student, discarding the schools of Necromancy and Abjuration as her mentor instructed. Due to an ancient oath between the Necromancer and Enchanter of the High Circle, Necromancy was forbidden to Enchanters and vice versa. As for Abjuration: Ambr was taught that Abjuration was for those unable to manipulate others into shielding her, and thus a point of weakness in her specialty.
For all those years, Ambr never dawdled. Though Tazizt warned that she had plenty of time and should not take things so seriously, Ambr felt a growing urgency. War was coming to her country and not even the drow could avoid it. What was coming seemed bigger than anything else before. Ambr remained dedicated to her studies and training, excelling in grace and power and surpassing all expectations, and impressing even her family elders. Even when she manipulated and seduced her fellow apprentices to the High Circle, learning how to control even them through cajoling of favors and just her winsome company. Yes, Ambr became something of a notorious young mage in Lilithan, and some dared to think so far ahead that she might even lead the High Circle someday. Of course, first she had to submit to the High Examination of Sivarnatta; failure would cast her out from society forever and curse her to become a mere drider.
Unfortunately, Lilithan suddenly came under attack one day: mind flayers! Many drow defenders fell. In the course of such chaos, all the apprentices of the High Circle vanished. Ambr was inexplicably the only one who did not; perhaps she just got lucky, or maybe it was because she became a coward and hid away from the battle. She heard rumor that this assault came due to the drow's refusal to aid the armies of darkness that amassed in her homeland. Whatever the reason, she was now the sole apprentice. This was not acceptable to the High Circle!
Despite the risk to their race's secrecy, Ambr was ordered to leave Lilithan and venture to the painfully bright overlands of Cael. She was commanded to seek out the fate of her peers and test her mettle against the dangers of the world. Ambr was not permitted to return home until she avenged the injury inflicted upon her people. While vengeance stirred Ambr's black heart, ambition and pride pushed her forward, too. She would not be known as a coward, nor would she become one of Sivarnatta’s lapdog lackeys. Ambr would surpass them all and become the greatest enchantress to ever live.
Personality
At first, Ambr appears graceful, mysterious, exotic, and genteel. All of that remains true even when her darker side becomes more evident. She's always courteous yet elusive, silver-tongued yet genuine-seeming. Her charm is irresistible, serving her manipulative behavior quite well. Ambr is cruel and domineering, but she is far more calculating and persuasive than bullying or forceful. All of these qualities detail an exceptional drow mystic well. What sets Ambr apart is her independent and ambitious zeal that contrasts with a quiet irreverence. She honors the gods of magic and respects Sivarnatta above all, but she worships no one. Ambr refuses to worship…when she can be worshipped! Yet it’s that very essential drive that makes her a prime candidate for the priesthood, little does she know.
Goals
Ambr will begin multi-classing as a Cleric and pursue that and the Wizard class alongside. However, the prestige class of Mystic Theurge does not fit her. Instead, she may take on the third class of Assassin or Archmage.
Character Sheet