Yara
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"'Then came Yara, versed in dark knowledge handed down through the days of barbarism, since before Atlantis sank. First he sat at my feet and learned wisdom. But he was not satisfied with what I taught him, for it was white magic, and he wished evil lore, to enslave kings and glut a fiendish ambition. I would teach him none of the black secrets I had gained, through no wish of mine, through the eons. But his wisdom was deeper than I had guessed; with guile gotten among the dusky tombs of dark Stygia, he trapped me into divulging a secret I had not intended to bare; and turning my own power upon me, he enslaved me. (...) No more was I a god to kindly jungle-folk -- I was slave to a devil in human form.'" -- Robert E. Howard: "The Tower of the Elephant"
Physical Appearance: Yara is a tall, gaunt old man. His eyes are cold and cruel when the sorcerer is awake; dilated and far-staring when he is intoxicated with the fumes of the yellow lotus. He dresses in silken robes and his voice is like the hiss of a cobra.
Background: Although Yara is well-versed in arcane lore and magical spells, it is the magical jewel known as the Heart of the Elephant which is his true source of power.
Yara had traveled far and wide, learning black and forbidden magic, when he came upon a yellow-skinned people worshipping an elephant-headed being in the jungles of Khitai. Through trickery and magic he turned this godling, Yag-Kosha, into his slave and brought him back to Zamora in chains of steel and sorcery.
It is said that Yag-Kosha built Yara's tower in a single night, and that the Heart of the Elephant keeps Yara immortal -- he is already over 300 years old.
Role-Playing Notes: Yara is driven by a fiendish ambition. He is feared by all in Arenjun; even the king of Zamora fears him greatly.
Yara, the wizard of the Elephant's Tower
Male Zamoran Wiz10
Hit Dice: 10d4+20 (50 hp)
Initiative: +6 (+2 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative)
Speed: 30 ft.
AC: 12 (+2 Dex)
Attacks: Dagger +5
Damage: Dagger 1d4
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Spells
Special Qualities: Spellbound supernatural servant (Yag-Kosha)
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +10 (+12)
Abilities: Str 11, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 19, Wis 16, Cha 15
Skills: Bluff +8, Concentration +15, Knowledge (arcana) + 17, Knowledge (religion) + 17, Move Silently +5, Scry +17, Spellcraft +17, Speak Language (Zamoran, Shemitish, Kothian, Kambujan)
Feats: Combat Casting, Extend Spell, Heighten Spell, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Spell Focus (Enchantment), Spell Penetration
Climate/Terrain: The Tower of the Elephant, Arenjun, Zamora
Organization: Unique
Challenge Rating: 10
Treasure: Special
Alignment: n/a
Advancement: By character class
Spells prepared (4 5 5 4 4 2; base DC 14 + spell level): Daze*, Mage Hand, Ray of Frost, Resistance; Cause Fear, Charm Person*, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Shield; Detect Thoughts, Ghoul Touch, Levitate, Spectral Hand, Web; Dispel Magic, Hold Person, Lightning Bolt (x2); Dimension Door, Polymorph Other, Scrying, Stoneskin; Dominate Person*, Wall of Force.
* DC +2 due to Spell Focus (Enchantment).
Equipment: Extensive resources (gold, gems, lesser magical items such as scrolls and potions), in addition to many monstrous servants (dire lions, giant spiders) and common soldiers.
Notes: Yara has captured the supernatural being Yag-Kosha, and uses this magical slave to perform far more powerful sorcery than he is capable of himself.