Symeon Nikonis
Description
The black-robed wizard looks every bit the part of the old, foreboding dark warlock. He stands proudly at just over six feet, a jumbling tumble of thick wool fabric and a long, scraggly iron-gray beard. Flecks of black still shine in that messy mane. Though Symeon is rarely found without a musty tome in hand, his eyes contain a hard glitter. Knowledge is his life. Its accrual is all that matters. You are either an obstacle to that path or assistance. Either way, the dark-eyed old man doesn’t seem to have much time for you. Get out of the way or be levitated out of the way.
History
Symeon Nikonis was born almost 70 years ago, but he was robbed of most of that lifetime. He was born in the town of Abrasia in Verdentia to a lumberjack father but demonstrated from an early age an aptitude for magic. He understood intuitively arcane language, and metaphysics with highly advanced cognitive talent. He was accepted into the Royal Arcane Academy of Verdentia in the capital, Mentia. There he studied diligently for several years with other apprentices. Though he was always head of the class, he remained so quietly modest that he never made any of his fellow apprentices jealous.
However, Symeon nursed a quiet, insatiable lust for greater and greater knowledge. He began to snoop in the masters’ libraries. Their secrets were kept under lock and key (among other security measures) but higher, more advanced knowledge was located there. He proved to the masters only that he was impatient, and they began to watch him for signs of greater greed and treachery. Indeed, one master deliberately set the young Symeon up. A magic wand was “accidentally” left out in the apprentices’ studies precisely when Symeon came across it. Driven by his curiosity, he took the wand up in fascination. It vanished from his hand and he was teleported into a prison cell. There he was placed in a state of suspended animation, but the suspension was flawed. He continued to age. But the masters did not care, considering him too much of a nosy nuisance.
Fifty years later, the curse wore off. Symeon was let out of suspended animation, surprising the academy with his spooky sanity. Nevertheless, they invited to let him transfer out of the academy – many of the old masters had passed away, but it might prove happier for the old man nevertheless. Symeon agreed, wanting only to study as if nothing had ever happened and he were still a healthy young man. But he had not forgotten what they did. Before his departure for the small town of Wicker, Symeon grabbed a frightening metal bottle on the way out of the academy.
Personality
This wizard’s primary purpose in life has not changed: the acquisition of arcane and esoteric knowledge. He thrives on such discovery, fulfilling his insatiable lust for knowledge. But since the punishment, Symeon turns his focus especially on magics of longevity. He was denied life for decades, and will not rest until he recovers the life stolen from him by that unjustly lengthy imprisonment.
Goals
Symeon will master the wizard class until at least 12th-level at which time he take up the archmage prestige class before continuing his original profession.
Character Sheet