Azowyr

(a.k.a. Shadow)

Azowyr is an aspect of Zalikar and is the embodiment of shadow. He is considered a physical aspect and he exists within Azowyr's Plane. He is literal, visible darkness and shadow—a lack of visible light, photons or general electromagnetic radiation. This is how most envision or understand darkness. His plane connects to the physical world through existing shadows, making this one of the most interconnected elemental planes. Despite being a physical aspect, shadow magic is almost entirely visual and utilitarian.

Azowyr Manifestations are somewhat rare after Zalikar took his revenge on those he originally gifted. Most who possess Azowyr's blessings as a Racial Magic are centered in and near the Tenebrous Chain or are nobility of the Kingdom of Accia. These casters also tend to develop one or more personality quirks or tendencies of Azowyr himself as a side effect of their connection to him. Shadow magic affords casters invisibility, intimidation, unique mobility and even invulnerability in some cases.

Racial Manifestation

by Lee Stepp

During the Era of Legends, the Erlithmanil gifted many lifeforms with their magic. Millions of years later, every lifeform on Emynea possesses two of these blessings. As these abilities are passed down from parent to child genetically, they came to call these gifts Racial Magic. These are named by the aspect a caster is connected to and by how they can use it, how they manifest their connection. The known manifestations of Azowyr include:

Manifestations

Manipulation

Able to manipulate, reshape and control shadows present in their environment. They can also see in the dark, even total darkness.

Aura

Able to summon or generate temporary shadows, pulling them directly from Azowyr's Plane. These are magic shadows which block natural light, only dispelled by light magic. The caster can also see in the dark, even total darkness.

Movement

Able to walk on, step on, swim through or move using dark enough shadows regardless of gravity or lack of physical surfaces. Shadows can act as a solid foothold for them. They can also breifly turn their body into shadow, travel along exiting shadows and reform elsewhere, even fitting through the tiniest of cracks. However, they can be injured or even killed by bright lights in this state and are capable of being restrained using shadow magic, shadows solid to their touch.

Slip

Anything that touches their body when this ability is active will cause their flesh to transform into shadow, most matter passing right through harmlessly. This isn't something they do consciously, automatically shifting only the parts of them being interacted with and quickly reverting back once this contact ends.

Eye

Able to see in even complete darkness and can switch to seeing all shadows in their environment, regardless of barriers. This sight relies on the perceived lack of light rather than light bouncing off of objects as ordinary eyes do. The darker it is, the better they see, capable of perceiving anything cloaked in shadow around them.

Sense

Able to feel their environment using shadows, feel anything interacting with these shadows and sense shadows in their environment despite barriers. However, shadows can physically touch and even restrain them.

Skin

Can produce shadows from their skin and expand this effect around themselves into different shapes and they can alter the way light and shadow interacts with their skin. With practice, they can learn to become invisible, gathering and snuffing out light which touches them and would ordinarily bounce off of them. Alternately, they allow the light to pass through them or simply cloak themselves in shadow in an already dark environment. However, shadow magic can physically touch and even restrain them.

Diet

Can consume or absorb shadows to replenish magic energy, heal or for sustenance. Some are also able to absorb their aspect in unconventional ways, not necessarily requiring eating it, and they will absorb spells of their aspect on contact.

Will

Can produce shadows which amplify the magic of others upon contact or can extend this effect into shadows already present. Targets will feel magic welling up within them and their abilities will be amplified

Breath

Able to exhale a cloud or mist of magical shadows which block natural light, only dispelled by light magic. They can also dispel these shadows with their breath.

Sleep

They are able to induce a special kind of sleep for themselves or another, inducing a state of hibernation by surrounding or engulfing targets in a shadowy cocoon. This has a regenerative effect on the one hibernating, useful for healing. They can keep a target in this state so long as their environment remains dark. The caster can dispell this effect whenever they want but if left alone, they will remain in this state until a light shines on them.

Shield

Immune to any negative effects of impediments caused by natural or magical shadows. They can see in the dark but are also unaffected by shadow magic of any kind.

Vision

Able to enter a meditative state in which the caster can explore and peek through portals of Azowyr's Plane. This can work over long distances and is useful for spying.

Step

Can enter and exit Azowyr's Plane via portals and travel the plane freely. Portals are shadows present in the physical world large enough to fit through, the time it takes to pass through shorter the darker the shadow is. Those with this manifestation share in the abilities of Eye and Movement manifestations, capable of seeing in the dark and using shadows as a solid foothold. They are able to bring another with them into the plane while maintaining contact or trap others inside. However, shadow magic can actually physically touch them and they are vulnerable to the whims of Azowyr when inside his domain.

Form

Can convert parts of their body into shadow or has shadows incorporated into their magic form, such as wings or cloaks of shadow. However, shadow magic can actually physically touch them. Anything that alters or dispels these shadows will translate into lost flesh when they convert back into flesh, such as from magical light or fire.

Body

Can convert their entire body into shadows, maintaining their human shape or abandoning this entirely. They can merge with and travel along other shadows in their environment before reforming elsewhere, slipping through even the smallest of spaces. Possessing abilties of Eye, Aura and Movement manifestations, this is considered the ultimate expression of Azowyr's magic!

This is the simplified explanation of these abilities. See Physical Manifestations for more details, limits and functions. Zalikar can wield all of these abilities and some others.

Divine Domains

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Physical Description

General Physical Condition

by Lee Stepp

Azowyr consists entirely out of shadow. There are varying degrees of darkness in his plane but Azowyr is completely oblique. The plane warps about his presence and shadows swirl and dance at his gesture. He will at times emit light from his eyes, whether for intimidation or dramatic effect. He will also shrink or grow to massive size for this same effect.

by Lee Stepp

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Facial Features

by Lee Stepp

Azowyr's face is ordinarily nothing but oblique shadow but he does have the ability to take on a fleshier form. It very much resembles Zalikar's actual face and shadows resembling smoke billow about him.

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Special Abilities

Azowyr is the physical and mental embodiment of shadows. They are all a part of him, an extension of him and his power. He can freely manipulate and utilize shadows as if commanding his own limbs. However, without a physical body he is unable to enter and fully affect the physical world. While he has total control over his plane, there is only so much he can affect in the physical world and he cannot leave his plane. He can reach through strong portals and bend shadows to some extent. Despite this, he can still view the world through windows and portals and all shadow magic still pulls from him as their source.

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Mental characteristics

Intellectual Characteristics

by Lee Stepp

Aspects are pieces of the whole mind of their element and so Azowyr embodies a piece of Zalikar's mind. Azowyr can be reclusive and solitary, naturally introverted and withdrawn and more comfortable watching from a distance. He is also quite contrary, defiant and naturally doesn't conform to social norms or societal expectations. He in fact revels in going against them. He will often react to criticism or rejection with his own anger or defiance almost automatically. He is very good at concealing his intentions or nature, slow to share his true self with others. He can be hard to read or relate to, conciliatory behind his a silent and mysterious facade.

When choosing to blend in or not be noticed, he can be easy to overlook as he doesn't draw attention to himself. He can be muted in personality, deadpan even. On the opposite of this, he is ordinarily extremely theatrical and melodramatic, putting on a show and demanding a certain level of respect, awe and reverence. This is always in a very dark or angsty fashion, reveling in playing into the reviled and feared persona everyone has come to expect—his inner contrarian put on full display. He has a good eye for the hidden nature of others or even society itself. He sees past the smoky mirror, cloak and dagger and mass illusion masking what is really happening. He is also very adaptive, assimilating into whatever setting he finds himself in.

He is prone to solitude and reclusion but actually grows quite lonely, drawn to similar souls. When in the presence of such rare individuals, he is a soothing and welcoming ally. He is accepting, understanding and doesn't judge based on appearances or who someone is expected to be. He shields one from the cruel, harsh and loud outside world and offers safe harbor. However, he can also be extremely resentful and hateful, becoming too protective and pushing the outside world away.

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Social

Family Ties

Despite his proclaimed hatred for Sylthari, Zalikar's daughter, he still finds himself watching her and her descendants while confined to his plane. He does so almost as if watching a drama. He is particularly taken with watching Tia Minx, Mina Minx one of Sylthari's blood, even before her transformation into a shape shifter. He sees a lot of himself in her, growing quite attached to her and wishing to see her grow out of her mother's shadow. He feels she has lived her life too suppressed and stifled. He tries to foster her inner contrarian and dramatic flair.

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