Blackwolf the Dragonmaster

Duke of Talisker

"New York City's Unofficial Wizard"
Philosopher of the Internet
Lord High Mage of the Hard Drive
Champion and Conqueror of Thaumaturgic Technology

DESCRIPTION: Human male 18th-Level Mage; 10th-Level Bard.

AGE: 4897 (or thereabouts).

HEIGHT: 6'1".

WEIGHT: 160 lbs.

EYES: Blue.

HAIR: White, with flowing beard of approx. 8" in length.

PENMANSHIP: Left-handed.

ALIGNMENT: Lawful Good.

THAC0: 6.

NO. OF ATTACKS: 1.

STR11, DEX12, CON14, INT18, WIS17, CHA13.

SPELLS: Blackwolf's repertoire principally consists of the traditional combinations of offensive, protective, and defensive spells. A typical list of such spells, including certain modifications made by him, would encompass the following: 1st --- charm person, comprehend languages, detect magic, hold portal, protection from evil, burning hands, hypnotism, identify, shield, remove fear, aid and speak with animals; 2nd --- hypnotic pattern, levitate, mirror image, detect evil; 3rd --- lightning bolt, hold person, plant growth, summon insects, clairvoyance, gust of wind; 4th --- charm dragon, dimensional door, cure serious wounds, lower water, produce fire, detect scrying, remove curse; 5th --- passwall, teleport, wall of force, dispel evil; 6th --- disintegrate, legend lore, telekinesis, heal; 7th --- limited wish, power word stun, teleport without error, vanish, charm plants, reverse gravity, time stop.

WEAPONS OF PROFICIENCY: dagger; dart; quarterstaff; long sword; short sword.

NON-WEAPON PROFICIENCIES: Even before the events that led him to settle down amongst the Mortals of New York City, Blackwolf's primary non-weapon proficiency was that of reading/writing; eventually, he mastered the fine art and science of, among other things, ancient history (Celtic/Scottish/Gaelic); spellcraft; etiquette; local history (Abbeyleix); and weather sense. Since settling in the Big Apple, the Dragonmaster has somewhat extended his vast repertoire of non-weapon proficiencies to include: storytelling; disguise; riding, land-based (horse); musical instrument (lute); singing; computer programming; recent local history (New York City, County and State); endurance; iconography; languages, modern and ancient (an indefinite amount); animal handling and training (dragon); and weekend adventuring (hiking, cooking, photography, etc.).

EQUIPMENT: Blackwolf's Dark Chambers contain a wide assortment of equipment, both Magical and Mundane, from an endless library of universes. The huge, heavy, voluminous tome permanently chained to the floor of the Mage's hovel (55 lbs., 6700 pages) is his Diary of Magecraft. Here, with quill in hand, Blackwolf often records for posterity the detailed instructions of the various spells and incantations he has mastered over the aeons; the Diary's text may also include the Dragonmaster's many tales and chronicles of his visits to certain dimensions and/or points in Mortal history (specifically, that of the Terran solar system and its environs). Various other spellbooks and related literature may also be ensconsed within Blackwolf's vast archives. These, along with assorted other items, may be usually kept on a shelf, in a chest or in some sort of pocket dimension [several of the latter are rumored to be scattered all about his Dark Chambers].

During his outdoor travels, Blackwolf limits his equipment to the few items he keeps in his own, custom-designed [by his own hand] belt-pocket. Until recently, these items principally consisted of his official "business card," which identified him as Unofficial Mage and Sorcerer-in-Residence to the Mortalfolk of the City, County and State of New York; his powerful DialStar, which, to the average unsuspecting Mortal resembled a typical wristwatch --- but in truth was a device developed for use in journeys back through time, or simply to cast the Dragonmaster's familiar time stop spell; and the device for instant image capture, known in the Mortals' tongue as a "camera". With this latter device, Blackwolf had the power to freeze in time any image of the moment that tickles his fancy. And, from time to time, should a given situation arise which deeply touches his inner soul, Blackwolf always carries his handkerchief in his belt-pocket..... just in case he needs to blow his nose a good sniffle or two.

MAGICAL ITEMS: Currently, Blackwolf's most recently obtained magical item is his DragonStar pendant, which renews his power to deflect any force-spell cast by any and all evil Necromancers. Though constantly worn round his neck, the pendant is usually obscured by the Dragonmaster's long, flowing white beard. And as per the traditions of his fellow Magic-users, Blackwolf always wields the customary wooden staff borne by most Mages of his experience and expertise. It easily functions as a wand, a divining rod, or as a standard walking stick. Also worn around Blackwolf's neck is a large key-chain pendant, at the end of which can be found the key that unlocks his Diary of Magecraft; he alone can command the incantation which unlocks the Diary.

COMBAT/TACTICS: Like most Mages, Blackwolf prefers to use his powers for defensive and/or largely educational purposes. However, his status as Dragonmaster permits him, if need be, to wield certain of his spells against evil dragons in each of the three major branches in the Hexagon of Balance: lawful evil, unlawful evil and neutral evil. For obvious reasons, Blackwolf constantly strives to keep his powers a secret from New York's Mortals (save those whom he genuinely trusts), choosing instead to "illuminate the young and young-in-heart of the City; and to rejuvenate their sense of wonder."

ALLIES/COMPANIONS: Master Washington of the Eastern Realm, his Mortal-born alter ego/apprentice; Sir Clisto Seversword, Knight of the Holy Blade of York; Ian MacTavish, of the Clan IronWolf; Ryleh, Wandering Hedgewizard, formerly of the Shire of Harrison; Merdwin the Mediocre, Mage of the Far Hills, of the Shire of Schenectady; Thor, Barbarian warlord King, whose redoubt lies in the realm called Hawley, Pennsylvania; Master Thoth, channeler and chronicler of the Realm of the Nular-in, whose own dominion lies in the ancient Realm of Queens; the poltergeist of Fergus MacAndrich Lochinvar Gordon, late of the Shire of Port Washington; and the seven sorcerers known as the Grand High Istari. In addition, as per his name and rank, Blackwolf is allied with the various Dragons of the Multiverse which are aligned with either lawful, unlawful or neutral goodness; and accordingly can assume mastery over them all should the situation be rendered necessary.

FOES/ENEMIES: Those who would disallow usage of the Imagination; various and sundry Necromancers and other evil magicians; and, simply, all evildoers in general.

APPEARANCE: At 6'1", 160 lbs., Blackwolf appears as a heavily-bearded, blue-eyed man of weathered visage, possessed of a gentle, gruff tone, and dressed in robes of nondescript attire and black sandals. His kindly smile reflects his ever-positive philosophy and his unchanging belief in the miracle of the Imagination, along with his unique knack for seeing the Greater Multiverse from a childlike perspective.

PERSONALITY: Never petty or harsh, not even with his own enemies or detractors, Blackwolf is always on the watch for those who, like himself, are standard-bearers for the causes of kindness within the heart, and dignity toward and respect for all living beings. Since he is a Mage, he firmly appreciates the sacred Code of Honor upheld by all Masters of Good Magic from time immemorial: namely, that a Mage always lives up to his promises. While he himself has willingly admitted that he does not necessarily stick to such principles (even though he tries!), he does make an effort to instill those values into the minds of all he meets. Small wonder, then, that manners and the proper maintenance thereof rank among the Dragonmaster's favorite subjects! In a human sense, as noted earlier, Blackwolf will often reveal his more human side; indeed, he is quite capable, if need be, of shedding a tear or two (at least, once in a while!). Blackwolf also enjoys history, the sciences, alchemy, and other Mortal aptitudes. These have permitted him over the aeons to hone his skills both as a teller of tales and as a Magic-user. As a long-standing patron d'artes, the Dragonmaster has often found his most special joy in the making of music. Sometimes, armed only with his trusty lute, he will sing a favorite song for the birds and other creatures dwelling in and around Central Park (regardless of one or two of the pigeons singing off-key on occasion!). In his opinion, the more songs one has in one's heart, the better!

LOCALES FREQUENTED: Other than his present home base, the plane of the space-time continuum commonly referred to as simply "the Mortals' Realm," Blackwolf's travels have taken him to various dimensia throughout the unchanging seas of the Multiverse. During his New York adventures, however, his primary locales are those of the Shire of Sterling; and the small but burgeoning Realm of the Cloisters, the latter being regarded by his fellow Magic-users as epicenter for the domain called Northern Manhattan. As for his Dark Chambers, the Dragonmaster's location for his beloved hovel remains a secret to but a chosen few, principally those amongst his aforelisted allies.

HISTORY: Padraig of Abbeyleix, son of Saemus, was the only child of that warrior's bloodline, his mother having died in childbirth. As a boy, Padraig had always considered his father to be a hero; indeed, the vast majority of Saemus' moral characteristics would serve him immensely when, in his later years as Blackwolf, he would pass these same qualities on to his own son, the Mage and Sorcerer, Master Yen Sid. But it was during his youth --- specifically, his teenage years --- that Padraig of Abbeyleix underwent his most important education: namely, when he served in the Court of Lord Treadloach, Ard Rhi, or High King, of all Abbeyleix. At the age of 14, young Padraig was press-ganged into service as an apprentice caretaker in the High King's Court. The following year, his father Saemus gave him his first sword --- no doubt intending that his son should serve Lord Treadloach where it truly mattered: upon the field of battle!

By his eighteenth year, however, it became apparent to Padraig that he had little taste for killing, and so, he willingly chose to remain a caretaker to the Ard Rhi's Court. Four years later, he had added the title of Squire to those responsibilities, maintaining them even after his father Saemus had been (ironically) killed in battle. Nonetheless, the fearless Padraig remained determined to serve his High King --- to the death, if need be. Deeply moved by this youngster's profound loyalty, Lord Treadloach "adopted" young Padraig as his own, and granted him his own living quarters in the Royal Palace. It was by this time that Padraig had begun to develop his prowess as a chronicler/historian, keeping a secret journal of his adventures and accomplishments to that point. That journal would eventually form the basis for the early chapters of Blackwolf's Diary of Magecraft.

As Caretaker and High Squire, young Padraig was primarily responsible for the the palace's upkeep. In his additional duties of Steward to the kitchen Help, Padraig oversaw those serfs and young boys who, like himself, had been press-ganged into toiling for the Ard Rhi's service. In his quieter moments, he took to practicing the lute, and was often invited to play at several of Lord Treadloach's banquets. By age 24, he was the oldest-serving Squire in the region's entire history.

MEDIA APPEARANCES: The following media (films, television, radio and books) have recently been blessed with the appearance and/or participation of the Dragonmaster: Anything Goes!, weekly radio readings (Irwin Gonshak, producer/supervisor); Thoth, live-action documentary short subject (Amateur Rabbit, Inc. production; Sarah Kernochan, producer); Late Night with Conan O'Brien, television talk show (Broadway Video in association with NBC Studios; Lorne Michaels and Jeff Ross, executive producers); Leaf Pile, local-origination variety show (Jeff Leibowitz, producer-editor); The Adventures of Thor the Barbarian, local-origination variety show (Barbarian Enterprises, production company); Unscrewed with Martin Sargent, television talk show (G4); The Nerd Show, unsold television pilot; Totally Obsessed, documentary series (VH1); The Best of Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog (compilation DVD; Lions Gate Home Entertainment); Attack of the Show (in concluding portion of interview with Triumph; G4).

ANNUAL EVENTS FREQUENTED: Blackwolf has made regular commitments to the New York Renaissance Faire Sterling Forest, Tuxedo Park, NY; the Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival, in the Twin Kingdoms of Washington-upon-the-Heights and the Inner Wood; and the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade. It is at Sterling Forest in particular that the Dragonmaster has expressed a particular loyalty to Her Majesty, Elizabeth I, Queen of all England.

MOTIVATIONS/GOALS: Having scribbled over four millennia's worth of tall tales, magic potions, and other interesting items in his Diary of Magecraft, Blackwolf now seems content to hold fast to maintaining his duties as Unofficial Mage and Sorcerer-in-Residence of the City, County and State of New York. In this specific function, Blackwolf, having resolved never to cast his spells publicly, save in the most extreme and/or dire of circumstances, now devotes himself to instilling the wisdom and wonder of the Terran children within the spirits of those whom he encounters each day; and also to remind Mortals of just how much unconditional positive regard the Humanoids of every known star-system are truly capable of. Indeed, it can be said of Blackwolf that his ultimate philosophy is best summed up in the Dragonmaster's own words:

"There are those who would declare the days of Magic to be over. Never trust them. I, for one, would rather that those glorious days endure. Besides, now that I'm travelling from dimension to dimension within the confines of the Mortals' Realm, well --- when all is said and done, I just think, by thunder, that I'm simply having far too much fun!"

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Electric Pirates Entertainment, Inc./EPE Holdings, Inc., Attention: Richard Washington, Founder and Chairman, Suite # 14-E, 15948 Harlem River Drive, New York, NY 10039-1012 USA; E-mail: electric_pirates@hotmail.com or blackbeardian@yahoo.com.

The Dragonmaster's Dossier is under construction; check back again frequently, as I build up the saga of my many adventures both within and beyond the Realms of the Aether!

A magician's wand is all ye lack; click yon mouse and haste ye back!
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