![[LucianMargasterPathfinder-v1.webp]] # Lucian Margaster _Human Archmage | [[House Margaster]] | [[Neverwinter]]_ ## Summary Sociopathic archmage of [[Neverwinter]] and member of [[Dagult Neverember]]'s [[Sapphire Council]]. He tried to claim the [[Wave Echo Cave|Forge of Spells]] using [[Ianaro Albreck]] as his agent, and was formerly engaged to [[Nathaly Kormallis]] in what was plainly an abusive, controlling relationship. %% ## Now He arranged [[Aldous Redmaine]]'s murder, and with the marshal dead he was the ranking [[Neverwinter]] authority in the North — free to eulogize the man he killed and attach Neverwinter's name to the victory. He offered [[Wade]] [[Neverwinter]]'s Sapphire Shield and an invitation south to [[Dagult Neverember]], denied ever trying to have him killed, and let Wade see that he means to kill them anyway. Then he boarded the [[Sapphire Sovereign]] with [[Ianaro Albreck]] and left [[Bryn Shander]] behind the [[Crimson Terror]] on the same heading, flying Neverwinter's relief colors. The [[The Never Guard|Never Guard]] order against the [[Cinderborn]] still stands. He also answers to [[Szass Tam]]. His orders there are to kill the heroes and bring [[Petra]] to Thay alive, and his payment is the secret of lichdom. He does not know [[Valindra Shadowmantle]] has been sent north behind him to see that he delivers and takes nothing for himself. Still pursuing immortality out of terror of death. **Whether he ever gets inside [[Old Skull Tor]] is the heroes' to decide.** It turns on how they choose to deal with the ship behind them. His brief is the party and [[Petra]]; the mountain is only where they happen to be going. **And his window is closing.** Making a new lich needs a loose soul, and once the machine ignites there will not be any (see [[Soulmonger Machine — Rules]]). A man who has organised his whole life around not dying is walking toward the moment it stops being possible. Neither he nor [[Szass Tam|Tam]], who is selling it, knows the offer expires (S90). ## Appearance Piercing blue eyes, perfectly coiffed golden hair, impeccable robes hung with subtle magical trinkets. A smooth, cultured voice edged with condescension. ## Personality Arrogant, manipulative, consumed by ambition, with a dangerous habit of underestimating opponents. Beneath the confidence he is terrified of death, which drives his hunt for lichdom. ## Quote _"You mistake my patience for weakness. I've dissected minds far cleverer than yours."_ ## Connections **[[Nathaly Kormallis]]** — former betrothed; the relationship was abusive and controlling. **[[Ianaro Albreck]]** — agent he used to reach for the [[Wave Echo Cave|Forge of Spells]]. **[[Dagult Neverember]]** — followed him north to [[Neverwinter]]; serves on his [[Sapphire Council]]. **[[Szass Tam]]** — his other patron. Kill the [[Cinderborn]], deliver [[Petra]] alive, be paid in lichdom. **[[Valindra Shadowmantle]]** — sent north behind him as a minder. He doesn't know. **[[Reese]]** — took his childhood friend [[Ianaro Albreck|Ianaro]] as an apprentice and pointed him at Reese. ## Background Born into [[House Margaster]] of [[Waterdeep]], known for magical prowess and rumored ties to dark powers. His pursuit of forbidden knowledge brought him to the [[Red Wizards]] and what he believed was a mutually beneficial arrangement, and he followed [[Dagult Neverember]] north as Dagult consolidated power in [[Neverwinter]]. ## Stats [[Archmage]] - **Intelligence 21.** Spell attack +9; spell save DC 17. - **Spellcasting overrides:** remove *Lightning Bolt* and *Cone of Cold* from the [[Archmage]] spell list. - **2/Day Each:** *Fly*, *Hold Monster*. - **1/Day Each:** *Otiluke's Resilient Sphere*, *Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting*, *Mind Blank*, *Scrying*, *Soul Cage*, *Teleport*. - **Capture doctrine:** Lucian uses *Otiluke's Resilient Sphere* on [[Petra]] so the [[The Never Guard|Never Guard]] can carry her away, then uses *Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting* against clustered enemies. He never includes Petra in a damaging spell or Arcane Burst. ![[Archmage]] %%