Malakar, The Relentless

History

Eons ago, on a long lost and forgotten planet in the most ancient region of space, a scholar and explorer known as Malakar had garnered the reputation for his insatiable curiosity about the mysteries of the cosmos. During his travels and studies, he happened upon ancient texts that referenced a powerful artifact known only as the Obsidian Relic and its connection with a powerful being worshipped as a god called Noxarath. The texts hinted at its existence and the power it supposedly held. The more Malakar learned of the relic, the more obsessed he became in finding it.
Driven by a desire to harness the relic’s power, Malakar embarked on a relentless quest across the galaxy. He delved into forbidden knowledge, visited desolate planets, and confronted numerous dangers, all in pursuit of The Obsidian Relic.
As Malakar drew closer to the relic, his obsession began to consume him. He became increasingly ruthless, willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to achieve his goal. His once noble intentions were twisted by the dark influence of the relic, transforming him into a feared and relentless seeker.
Malakar’s quest brought him into conflict with various factions, including guardians of the relic and rival seekers. His cunning and determination allowed him to overcome many obstacles, but each victory further eroded his humanity. His encounters with one being, however, left him battered and scarred. sought to end Malakar’s destructive quest. Their battle raged across the cosmos, with planets and stars caught in the crossfire. Despite Celestior’s overwhelming power, Malakar’s relentless drive and mastery of dark magic allowed him to escape, though not without sustaining significant injuries:

1. Celestial Burns: Celestior’s divine energy inflicted severe burns on Malakar. These burns glowed with a faint, celestial light, a constant reminder of the god’s power. The burns were resistant to conventional healing methods, causing Malakar persistent pain and weakness.
2. Fractured Bones: The sheer force of Celestior’s attacks shattered several of Malakar’s bones. His left arm and several ribs were broken, making movement agonizingly difficult. Despite his injuries, Malakar’s determination drove him to continue his quest, albeit at a slower pace.
3. Mental Scars: The encounter left deep psychological scars. Facing a being of such immense power shook Malakar’s confidence, planting seeds of doubt and fear. Nightmares of the battle haunted his sleep, and the mental strain made it harder for him to focus on his goals.
4. Energy Drain: Celestior’s attacks drained a significant portion of Malakar’s dark energy. This left him weakened and vulnerable, forcing him to seek out sources of dark power to replenish his strength. The energy drain also made it harder for him to control the relic, increasing the risk of its corruptive influence.
5. Symbolic Mark: As a final act of defiance, Celestior marked Malakar with a celestial symbol on his chest. This mark served as both a warning to others and a beacon for Celestior to track Malakar’s movements. The mark also had a protective aspect, making it harder for Malakar to fully succumb to the relic’s corruption.

Malakar's injuries forced him to design and build, with the help of his allies, the Shadowplate of Noxarath; a set of armor that would allow him to slowly heal himself from his battle with Celestior and give him powers and mobility to continue his search. Malakar scoured the galaxy for rare and powerful materials. He collected fragments of black holes, shards of cursed meteors, and the essence of dark matter. Each component was infused with the malevolent energy of Noxarath. Using ancient, forbidden rituals, Malakar bound these materials together. He performed these rituals in places of great darkness, such as the heart of a dying star or the depths of a black hole, to ensure the armor was imbued with the maximum amount of dark energy. Malakar used radiation collected from locations The Obsidian Relic had been to infuse the armor with additional power. This process was dangerous, as the relic’s energy was volatile and difficult to control. However, Malakar’s mastery of dark magic allowed him to channel this energy into the armor, enhancing its capabilities:

• Regenerative Healing: The armor has powerful regenerative properties, allowing Malakar to heal from even the most grievous wounds. The dark energy within the armor accelerates his natural healing process, mending bones and tissues at an extraordinary rate.
• Energy Absorption: The Shadowplate can absorb various forms of energy, including light, heat, and magical attacks. This absorbed energy can be redirected to strengthen Malakar or unleashed in devastating counterattacks.
• Shadow Manipulation: The armor grants Malakar the ability to manipulate shadows, allowing him to blend into darkness, create shadow constructs, and teleport short distances through the shadows. This makes him incredibly elusive and difficult to track.
• Enhanced Strength and Durability: The armor significantly enhances Malakar’s physical strength and durability. It provides formidable protection against physical and magical attacks, making him a nearly unstoppable force in battle.
• Mind Shielding: The armor includes protective enchantments that shield Malakar’s mind from external influences and psychic attacks. This helps him resist the corruptive influence of The Obsidian Relic and other malevolent forces.

Wearing The Shadowplate of Noxarath has made Malakar even more formidable. However, the armor’s dark energy constantly tests his willpower, requiring him to maintain a delicate balance between harnessing its power and succumbing to its corruption.
While the armor is extremely powerful, it does have some weaknesses that could be exploited to defeat Malakar:

• Light-Based Attacks: The armor is particularly vulnerable to intense, pure light. Celestial or holy light can penetrate its defenses, causing significant damage and disrupting its regenerative properties. This makes beings like Celestior or Astralyra especially dangerous opponents.
• Energy Overload: While the armor can absorb energy, there is a limit to how much it can handle. Overloading the armor with excessive energy can cause it to destabilize, leading to potential malfunctions or even catastrophic failure.
• Psychic Vulnerability: Despite its mind-shielding enchantments, the armor is not impervious to powerful psychic attacks. Strong telepaths or entities with formidable mental powers can breach its defenses, potentially overwhelming Malakar’s mind.
• Corruption Risk: The dark energy within the armor constantly tests Malakar’s willpower. Prolonged use increases the risk of corruption, making it harder for him to resist the malevolent influence of Noxarath. This internal struggle can weaken his resolve and effectiveness in battle.
• Dimensional Instability: The armor’s shadow manipulation abilities can sometimes create instability in the fabric of space-time. This can lead to unintended consequences, such as opening rifts to dangerous dimensions or attracting unwanted cosmic entities.

Appearance: The Shadowplate of Noxarath is a suit of armor that exudes an aura of darkness and power. It is crafted from a combination of blackened metals and dark matter, giving it a sleek, almost liquid appearance. The armor is adorned with intricate, glowing runes that pulse with a faint, eerie light, constantly shifting and changing as if alive. The surface of the armor seems to absorb light, creating an unsettling void-like effect.
Helmet: The helmet is designed to resemble the visage of a fearsome, otherworldly creature. It has a smooth, featureless faceplate that reflects no light, with two glowing voids where the eyes should be. These voids allow Malakar to see through the darkness, granting him enhanced vision in low-light conditions. The helmet also features a series of sharp, angular ridges that give it a menacing, predatory look.
Chestplate: The chestplate is the most heavily fortified part of the armor, designed to protect Malakar’s vital organs. It is adorned with the celestial symbol left by Celestior, which glows with a faint, celestial light. This symbol serves as both a protective charm and a reminder of Malakar’s encounter with the space god. The chestplate also houses the core of the armor’s regenerative properties, with dark energy conduits running through it to facilitate rapid healing.
Gauntlets: The gauntlets are equipped with sharp, claw-like extensions that can be used in close combat. They are also capable of channeling absorbed energy into powerful blasts or protective shields. The fingers of the gauntlets are articulated with precision, allowing Malakar to perform intricate rituals and manipulate objects with ease.
Pauldrons: The pauldrons are large and imposing, designed to protect Malakar’s shoulders and upper arms. They are adorned with spikes and dark runes, enhancing their intimidating appearance. The pauldrons also contain hidden compartments that can release bursts of dark energy, creating a defensive barrier or offensive shockwave.
Greaves and Boots: The greaves and boots are designed for both protection and mobility. They are reinforced with dark matter, making them incredibly durable yet surprisingly lightweight. The boots feature retractable spikes that can be used for climbing or anchoring Malakar in place during intense battles. The greaves are inscribed with runes that enhance Malakar’s speed and agility, allowing him to move with supernatural swiftness.
Cloak: Attached to the back of the armor is a flowing cloak made of shadowy, ethereal material. The cloak can shift and change shape, allowing Malakar to blend into the darkness or create decoys to confuse his enemies. It also serves as an additional layer of protection, capable of absorbing and dissipating energy attacks.