Montblanc
Contents
Summary
Montblanc the Bamboozler is a gnome who enjoys books and drinking. He is an accomplished wizard that specializes in Illusion magic. He is one three characters that made it through the entire campaign from start to finish. He has quite the penchant for nicknames often giving them out even if the recipient doesn't want it. Personality wise Montblanc could best be described as an egomaniac with a napoleon complex. He thought himself to be bigger than life or harm this is apparent by his 13 AC. He was incredibly annoying to everyone as he got in everyone's way and made a big fuss. Otherwise he was an easy going individual that was prone to fits of anger when something really pissed him off which was mostly a result of interactions with Verdis. He was a caring individual who would have gladly sacrificed himself for the needs of his friends which he considered everyone to be. His friendly disposition often allowed him to trust others, sometimes to easily.
Appearance
He is tall for a gnome standing about 3'5" and is very stout. He has a healthy looking body though it has gained quite a few scars on his olive skin from his adventures. His most prominent scar is a pair of bite marks on his arm from when Verdis bit him in Hail. His black hair is in an almost constant mess from the simple lack of maintenance. His short robes match his Green eyes because he believes that is the color of illusion magic. He wears the witches hat he got from the witch of hail and treasures the gift greatly. He carries two large staves on his back that are much too tall for him.
Back story
Orphaned at a young age Montblanc never learned his proper family name but was adopted by a kind old Elven couple who ran an orphanage. He grew up in this loving environment and grew to love the world as well as jokes. He developed a sense of racial pride early on in his life. When he was young he was assisted by a nameless mage with great power who saved the life of his human adopted sister, Samantha. At the age of 23 he joined a Naltronian Mage College and studied Illusion magic there. He fell in love with a beauty half elf named Megan. She was tragically killed by a kobold misusing his magical power. His best friend who gave him his handle of Bamboozler was named Barry Ashleaf. the two were good friends till Barry descended into madness and the dark arts. It was because of these two events Montblanc would sacrifice himself easily to those he cared for.
After graduating and becoming a full fledged Illusionist. Montblanc wrote and published a largely unsuccessful novel called "The adventures of Kettle Pots." He never gave up his dream of writing on started to write other books. He joined a merchant caravan and met many new people who would become his friends and comrades in arms.
Verdis Campaign
Montblanc like everyone else started out as protection for a trade caravan that moved into the town of Rosewood. Montblanc helped with the defeat of the Kamrican which turned out to be an experiment. He then moved onto Hail and fought the ghosts of the city which turned out to be experiments of their own. He discovered the shard of Brailheim and kept it to himself till it was stolen from him by Verdis. Things eventually escalated to the battle at Barrier Hold where he played an important part in killing Verdis again as well as stopping the fighting between the two cities. They then tracked Verdis down to the island where Montblanc and the others went into Verdis's prison. He fought his way through and escaped to fight Verdis and his followers. He was the one who caste the final spell against Verdis disintegrating him making sure nothing was left. A fun fact, Montblanc on three occasions fell under Verdis's command of hatred and proceeded to attempt to destroy everything he could.
Montblanc also two decisions that affected the council of mages. The first was the lift on the ban of Necromancy, he believed it was a school that did have merit if used responsibly. The second was the ban on magical travel which stopped magical teleports. Montblanc also spread the story of the party wherever he could as he knew it would help him sell books. During the adventure Montblanc would write chapters in a book he called "the Idiots Guide to Highway Robbery" but it is unknown if he actually did publish that book. Montblanc is also one of the few people that still does not know what is under Nyle's druid Grove.
Items and Magic
Montblanc was an interesting wizard because he used his spells to harm many people as well as create lots of fun. His illusions were primarily used as a supplement magic to make things more fun and as a warning to other people. One thing he liked to do was march into towns with an illusionary dance line of women behind him all doing the thriller dance. He also used Major Image to create giant likenesses of himself to talk to the entire town of Barrier Hold. He also liked to create illusions of himself and run around to confuse his enemies. As far as evocations go he preferred the spells, resilient sphere, chain lighting and cone of cold. Montblanc however didnt believe in using defensive magic because he knew he could prevail over any force that is why he banned Abjuration. Since Necromancy was also a non protected school at the time he saw no reason to learn it so he abandoned learning Necromancy as well.
He only possessed three real magic items during the course of the campaign. The first item was the shard of Brailheim that he found in the mansion in hail. He loved that item as he knew it would grow him the city he always wanted. When it was taken from him he was very sad and wanted revenge against Verdis. The second item he received was the Thorn Staff from the hall of weapons. He used it only a few times but mostly liked it because it looked cool. The third item was the magical staff Creedis that spoke to its wielder, its previous owner Micky died in Barrier Hold and Montblanc took his staff as his memory of him. He greatly enjoyed having the staff not only because of its magical effects but because it was as narcissistic as Montblanc was.
After Verdis
With Verdis Defeated Montblanc went back to his passion of writing. He published his second book "The Taming of the Snake" which was a recounted story of his adventure from start to finish. He gave everyone their proper dues in his story, thanking them all for the great adventure. Since he enjoyed being in the village of Rosewood so much he decided to move there permanently and stay with Mak and Nile. He then published several more books both on magical theory pertaining to Illusion magics. He eventually settled down and started a family, with a gnome named Merlina, they went on to have 4 children named Brent, Ovak, Loric, and Nyle.
Relations with other Characters
Soveliss - When Soveliss joined the group, Montblanc was like will all people initially trusting and intrigued by this new character that was associating with the party. After he found out what Solveliss was really, he really was intrigued by him. To Montblanc Soveliss was a dear companion that he enjoyed being around. He even on occasion offered the vampire his own blood when Soveliss was in desperate need. It was quite enjoyable to see him rise up and become a celestial creature but was very sad to see him leave, however it was not unexpected.
Brent - The relationship between Brent and Montblanc was an odd one to say at the best. Montblanc admired Brent for his Can-do attitude and his massive strength. He referred to Brent as "Dimples" because of the toothy smile the giant had. He like to ride on Brent's back and braid his hair when he could. He enjoyed being around the simple creature because it offered a counterpoint to his own intelligence. Brent was also one of the only people Montblanc would listen too just because he trusted in Brent's keen observations and the ability to make everyone shut up. He understood Brent's desire to stay behind and raise a family and was happy for him.
Ovak - The one initially called pots because she moved around like clanking pots. This nickname was later changed to Scarecrow because she acted like a scarecrow, no brains. The two of them had a love hate relationship because they annoyed each other to no end. Montblanc thought she depended to much on divine intervention and could do things for herself. He did enjoy her determination and willingness to get things done. The crowning achievement of their relationship was when Montblanc used a dream spell to give her a sex dream about the two of them. Since then the two of them have learned to understand each other to small extent.
Nyle - The beloved druid of the party, Nyle held a special place in Montblanc's heart. he treated her as a friend and as a little sister looking after her and taking care of her. He greatly enjoyed her company and likes being in her grove. He calls her leafy because she is very much like a leaf, just plain awesome. He also gave her owl a nickname because she refused to tell anyone its real name so it became, Wingsly. Montblanc just simple adored being around her and her bubbly personality as it reminded him of himself.
Loric - The Psion who you couldn't keep down. Montblanc enjoyed his company arguably the most because he found a kindred spirit in Lorek of his vast want and desire. Lorek was honest to a certain degree and what he was honest about was usually the thing that made him an asshole to everyone. Montblanc looked to him for being the one true link of sanity in this party even when his sanity was called into question. He called him Micky because his ears were big like mouse's. He was extremely angry when Loric was killed and took up his mantle as being the smart one in the party. Montblanc carries Creedis with him as his token to the memory of Loric.
Cyrus - The short lived companionship with Cyrus was one that Montblanc does regret. He thought Cyrus to be distant and unapproachable then he found out what he really was and that explained everything. Montblanc wanted to get to know Cyrus but the adventure and personal feelings kept the two from developing anything more than just comrades. He called him Scales after he found out that he was an Othar.
Ivelios - The clever and sneaky Ilvelios was a person Montblanc thought was intriguing because of his infinite resourcefulness. His approach to the party is what brought Montblanc to believe he is a nice guy, also it helped that he stroked Montblanc's ego. Montblanc liked Ivelios's eye for strategy and his vast number of skills. Montblanc considered Ivelios his secret weapon because he always knew that there was something up his sleeve.
Mak - Mak is the kindly old gentlemen that lives in Rosewood. He is Montblanc's supplier of alcohol and a damn good one at that as well. Montblanc enjoys the old man's company and his spirits. Montblanc gave him much money for his home brews and started a Bar with him. After the campaign ended he lived with Mak for a short time before his own house could be built.