Azowyr

Domain Element Azowyr is an aspect of Zalikar and is the embodiment of shadow, how the average person envisions and understands darkness. He is considered a physical aspect and exists within Azowyr's Plane. He is literal, visible darkness and shadow—a lack of visible light, photons or electromagnetic radiation. Azowyr's plane connects to the physical world through existing shadows, making this one of the most interconnected elemental planes. Despite being a one of Zalikar's only two physical aspects, shadow magic is almost entirely visual and utilitarian with little physical influence.

Kaithur During the Era of Legends, the Erlithmanil gifted residents of Emynea with their magic. Over time, every lifeform on Emynea came to inherit two of these blessings. Passed down from parent to child genetically, they came to call these gifts Kaithur. Kaithur are named by the aspect a caster is connected to and by how they can use it--how they manifest their connection. Shadow kaithur are somewhat rare after Zalikar's Vengeance, slaughtering those he originally blessed which had betrayed him. Most who possess Azowyr's blessings reside in or near the Tenebrous Chain or are nobility of the Kingdom of Accia. These casters also 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. Known Manifestations 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. Manipulation Aura Able to control, reshape, intensify, weaken and bend shadows present in their environment.They can also see in the dark! Able to summon or generate temporary shadows, fading once they cease their casting. The caster can also see in the dark. Movement Slip Able to walk on or move through shadows freely, regardless of normal physics. Darkness can act as a solid foothold if enough is present or if dark enough. They can also breifly transform into shadow, travel along other shadows and reform elsewhere. However, they are especially vulnerable to light magic in this form. Anything that touches their body when this ability is active will cause their flesh to transform into shadow, most matter passing right through harmlessly. However, they are vulnerable to energy magics such as light, fire and electricity. This transformation isn't something they do consciously, automatically changing only the parts of them being interacted with and quickly reverting back once this contact ends. Eye Sense Able to see in the dark, the darker the better their vision. They can also see shadows regardless of barriers and can see anything interacting with these shadows. These casters are able to feel their environment using shadows, feel anything interacting with these shadows and sense them in their environment despite barriers. Skin Diet Casters can produce shadows from their skin and expand these into different shapes--armor, spikes, wings, cloaks, bubbles. They can conceal their appearance with obtuse shadows and aren't visible in dark environments! Truly skilled casters can even become invisible, either letting light pass through their body without reflecting any light or extinguish any light which touches them! They can also see in the dark. These casters can consume or absorb shadows to replenish magic energy, to 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 Sleep Those with 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. Casters are able to induce a special kind of sleep for themselves or other targets which induces a state of hibernation by surrounding or engulfing targets in darkness. This has a regenerative effect on the one hibernating, useful for healing. They can keep a target in this state so long as the shadows envelop them. The caster can dispell this effect whenever they want but if left alone, they will remain in this state until light is shined on those sleeping! Breath Shield Able to exhale a fog of magical shadow or can inhale shadows, expelling gloom and darkness. This magical darkness blots out all natural light, palls of shadow only dispelled by light or fire magic. Those with Azowyr's Shield are completely immune to any negative effects or impediments caused by natural or magical shadows. They can also see in the dark. Imprint Ear These casters can place an imprint on a given number of targets, marking or unmarking them with a magical tattoo via touch. The caster can then sense those marked over any distance! Azowyr's Imprint makes use of the many shadows, Azowyr's minions, which reside in the plane to find and track targets. These shadows pursue the target and can guide the caster to those marked. Peculiar among ear manifestations, Azowyr's Ear allows a caster to hear sounds in the vicinity of targeted shadows! They can also hear the whispers of Azowyr's shades, his minions, which may provide unique information if motivate to do so. This ability is especially useful for eavesdropping and spying! Vision Step Casters can enter a meditative state in which they can explore and peek through portals of Azowyr's Plane. This can work over long distances and is useful for spying, this plane one of the most interconnected with the physical world. Can enter and exit Azowyr's Plane and travel it freely. Portals are shadows present in the physical world large enough to fit through. Very few humans possess this ability, believed to have died out. 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. Form Body Can convert parts of their body into shadow or has this aspect 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, such as light or fire magic, will translate into lost flesh when they convert back. Can convert their entire body into shadow, 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 ability is considered the ultimate expression of shadow magic!

Appearance 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--the very weather of his plane is tied to his emotions. He will sometimes emit light from his eyes for intimidation or dramatic effect, even growing to collosal proportions or shrinking down to human size at his whim. 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.

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, he is unable to enter and fully affect the physical world so long as Zalikar lacks a body. While he has total control over his plane, there is only so much he can affect in the physical world. He can reach through strong portals, bend shadows to some extent and peek through the windows and portals of his plane. Despite this, he still acts as the source of all shadow magic. Azowyr's greatest resource is the many shades populating Azowyr's Plane, the literal shadows and dark selves of every living organisms in Emynea! These are his loyal subjects and servants, earning him the moniker King of Shadows. These shades observe the outside world, spying on persons of interest and gathering endless intel on the goings on of the world. They are a valuable sources of information, filling in the gaps in his brother Irkath's knowledge. In fact, he often trades his intel for Irkath's cryptic but invaluable guidance. But perhaps what Azowyr is most infamous for is the trials he holds in his shadow court for those trespassing into his domain, all manner of horrific tales frightening children into behaving lest the Shadow King abduct them!

Personality 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 or guiding underlings from a distance. He is also quite contrary, defiant and naturally doesn't conform to social norms which often makes him seem aloof if not creepy. He in fact revels in going against society expecations! He will often react to criticism or rejection with his own bitter anger or defiance but is actually very good at concealing his intentions or nature when necessary, slow to share his true self. He can be hard to read or relate to, conciliatory behind his silent and mysterious facade. When choosing to blend in or not be noticed, Azowyr can be easy to overlook as he doesn't draw attention to himself. He can be muted in personality, deadpan even. But when making a conspicuous appearance, he becomes 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! Azowyr 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, validating 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.