Tenebourus
Mourner's Ring
Unknown
Alive
"Back so soon, Shade?" -Tenebourus
Devil
Lawful Evil
Description
Tenebourous appears as a handsome horned devil with an obsidian black hide and veins of deep red coursing across his body. His eyes radiate an eerie, cold blue flame that seems to pierce through the very soul. Massive, twisted horns encircle his head, tipped with silver and crackling with dark energy.
Large, jagged-edged wings extend from Tenebourous' back, casting an ominous glow. His long tail ends in a dark metal barb intricately etched with runes that seem to writhe and shift as if alive. Custom-forged, blackened armor adorns his frame, each piece inscribed with runes of torment and suffering. In his hands, Tenebourous wields a dark metal fork decorated with infernal symbols. Shadows cling to him as if drawn by some unseen force, and an aura of dread surrounds him, a constant reminder of the dark power he wields and the dire consequences of those who dare to strike a bargain with him.Biography
The origins of Tenebourous are shrouded in secrecy and myth, with countless tales and legends surrounding his existence. Some say he was once a mortal who struck a bargain with an arch demon, while others claim he is a primal embodiment of the shadows themselves. Whatever his true origins may be, Tenebourous has persisted through the ages, forging cryptic contracts with mortals who dare to seek his boons.
With a keen understanding of the desires and fears drive mortals, Tenebourous offers them seemingly benevolent deals, only to exact a terrible price in the end. Those who enter into contracts with him often find themselves granted great power or protection, but with a hidden catch that ultimately serves to further Tenebourous' goals. As the centuries passed, Tenebourous continues to weave his intricate web of alliances and agreements, slowly amassing power and influence as he manipulated the lives of mortals to suit his purposes. A knight granted victory in battle here, A king granted a noble heir there. Sometimes the price exacted immediately, and others paid in the future willingly or not. It seemed for eons that Tenebourus' wit and cunning would serve him unending, until a group of adventurers would catch his eye. He would offer the knight a trade. in exchange for taking on all of the pain and suffering the knight may endure, he would have the man serve him for 20,000 years after his death. What Tenebourus didn't mention is that although he would take away the pain, the damage would remain. The knight fell to his injuries after the very next battle. When Tenebourus appeared to take the soul he was promised the mage of the party noticed him, and for the first time in his life Tenebourus felt uneasy. Met with rage as intense as the world star, Tenebours was forced into a trinket where he would spend the rest of his days, Reliant on hapless passerby's to sign the contract of the ring to survive. The ring became known as the Mourners Ring, for it would claim the life of those who wore it after they were assured victory in battle. it exchanged many hands until it was lost in a war with the fey.Relationships
Asmodeus
Asmodeus is king of the devils and cousin of Tenebourus. He is one of two beings to ever outplay Tenebourus. Asmodeus took the throne after beating Tenebourus in three challenges, one of might, one of wit, and one of knowledge. Tenebourus is never to return to the nine hells.Gus
A womans voice saying "Gus, what do you see?" were the haunting words that echoed in Tenebourous' ears just before he was sealed within the confines of the ring. The mage, Gus, remains a constant presence in Tenebourous' thoughts and dreams. Tenebourous yearns for the day when he will break free and exact his revenge upon the descendants of Gus. In the depths of his mind, he envisions the moment of liberation, relishing the opportunity to unleash the accumulated suffering and torment he has amassed over countless millennia onto those connected to his nemesis. The mere thought of retribution against Gus and all who stand in his way fuels Tenebourous' desire for freedom and fuels his malevolent dreams.Phobozar
Phobozar, the brother of Tenebourous, possesses dominion over and lives on fear where Tenebourous holds dominion over and lives on suffering. Their differing domains and approaches create a fundamental rift between them. Phobozar views the act of making deals as a futile endeavor, believing it to be far easier to simply take what he needs through force, intimidation, mutilation, and decimation. He sees little value in the subtleties of manipulation and negotiation that Tenebourous relishes. On the other hand, Tenebourous finds enjoyment in the intricate nuances of manipulation. He revels in the art of striking deals, exploiting mortal desires to his advantage. Unlike his brother, Tenebourous sees the potential for greater power and influence through the delicate dance of manipulation, as it allows him to shape destinies and extract a more profound toll from those who dare to engage with him.Victims
Tenebourus leaves a trail of broken lives and shattered families in his wake, as the mortals who enter into contracts with him and lack the convictuion to see their quest complete often dont live long enough to regret their decision. These unfortunate souls, blinded by their desires and the promise of power, eventually discover the true cost of their bargain. Stripped of their souls and forced to face the consequences of their actions, their corpses falling right as they accomplish their goal, leaving friends and family behind. Once trapped in the ring and unable to make verbal contracts, many more would be heros parrished on the battle field even before reaching their goals, yet another thing Tenebourus holds against Gus.Notable Appearances
Tenebourus first appeared when Matanza lifted the curse on Slender's ring. He appeared and killed the bard immediately, causing Jadeth to run off and collect the rest of the party and prepare for a fight. The fight ended with Tenebourus returning to his ring prison, and the problem was solved for the moment.
The morkoth, Thalazar, freed Tenebourus from his ring again, and he proceeded to engage the party in combat once more. As his health lowered, he pinned Jadeth against the wall and promised to slay the Godslayer heiress for what her uncle had done. Jadeth warned Tenebourus that Alastor was no friend of hers, and Shade offered his soul in exchange for some power. Tenebourus took the deal with Shade, and plotted his ring trap revenge on Argos.