Warlock Omnimach mal Adintar
This story happened during one of the last Shaab's invasions. Swordsman Garteem Belandar was part of a squad that set up camp in the Kmeer Mountains, ordered to intercept any remnants of the Abyss army. Two short hawk cries from above interrupted a game of Ikarim dice that Garteem and his companions were playing. The signal meant that someone was approaching the camp. Soon, the warriors saw a lonely traveler who quickly moved in their direction.
At first, everyone was curious about the identity of a stranger who dared to wander such a dangerous place alone. But the closer he came, the more concerned and uneasy the soldiers became. The wanderer had a sinister look: his clothes were covered with strange symbols and menacing spikes. Attached to his belt was a tome that suggested magical powers, and in his right hand the stranger held an oddly-shaped staff that glowed with an eerie light. But the most disturbing thing about him was his eyes: red and unblinking, they were a frightful sight to behold.
The stranger approached, ignoring the soldiers' demands to stop and identify himself. He continued confidently, his terrifying eyes fixed on the road ahead. The warriors looked to their commander, decurion Thaudal. Finally, the officer made a quick hand gesture, signaling the order. Four bow strings screeched and arrows hurtled towards the stranger. Not one of them ever reached the target. The mysterious warlock simply extended an open hand, and the arrows broke into splinters in mid-air.
Thaudal drew his sword and was about to order his men to attack, but the enigmatical pilgrim was faster. The stranger pointed his glowing staff at the warriors, and a scarlet flash illumined the camp. Belandar saw his decurion hurled forcefully to the ground by an unseen force. Others suffered the same fate. Not a single soldier remained on his feet. Tents were torn from their pegs and flung around the camp like dollhouses. Some powerful force pinned the warriors to the ground, preventing them from making even a single move. Powerless and defenseless, they awaited their doom.
But the wizard had no intention of attacking. He passed through the camp, carefully stepping over the paralyzed bodies. When he reached the far end of the narrow, the traveler turned around and dispelled his magic with a wave of the glowing staff. The invisible shackles were gone, and the discouraged soldiers rose from the ground, shaking mud off their armor and exchanging confused glances. Decurion grabbed a feather and a flask of ink and started scribbling a message, but was startled by three hawk cries – a signal meaning that the enemy was approaching the camp. Four warlock Defilers with a group of lesser Abyss spawns hurried along the same path that the mysterious wizard walked just a couple of minutes ago.
Thaudal ordered his warriors to prepare for battle, understanding that it was but a desperate gesture. His squad stood no chance against four dark mages. Suddenly, there was a familiar clap of wings from the sky that filled the warriors' hearts with hope. Six Dragons hovered above the narrow, ready to provide support to the Imperial soldiers. Realizing that the odds had changed, Shaab's forces stopped their approach – but it was too late. One of the Dragons emitted a piercing war cry, and all six winged creatures plunged downward, intent on cleansing Tartu of the foul invaders. Luck smiled on inhabitants of Adan that day. Soon, cheerful cries were heard in the camp, echoing through the nearby mountains.
The second time that Garteem Belander saw the mysterious wizard was a month later, under entirely different circumstances. Garteem was on his last day of civilian leave which he spent wandering around the neighborhood. Passing the Winery Crossroads, he saw a group of wizards surrounding some merchant. Interested to find out what was happening, Garteem came closer, only to be shocked when he saw that the merchant was none other that the strange warlock he had met under less fortunate circumstances in the Kmeer Mountains. The crowd seemed unconcerned with the wizard's unusual appearance. In fact, trade was on the uptick.
Recognizing an acquaintance of his among the happy clients, Garteem approached with the intention of learning more about the mysterious merchant.
"Good day to you, Maldisur! Tell me, who is this strange warlock from whom you've just bought a potion?"
"Ah, Garteem, good day to you too!" answered the mage, smiling. "He does look funny, doesn't he? His name's Omnimach mal Adintar, and only a few wizards can match his knowledge of magic. The goods he's selling will help us in the war against Shaab, let me tell you."
"But don't you think that this Omnimach himself looks like an inhabitant of the Abyss?" asked Garteem, telling Maldisur the story of his first encounter with the warlock. The mage listened to the story with great interest.
"I think you have no reason to suspect him of anything, Garteem. Look how many wizards are gathered here, all very sensitive to magical energies. Do you really think we wouldn't feel the taint of Blight? And why would a Shaab spy help us in the first place?"
"Beats me. But there's something weird about him. Look at his eyes, for instance. No one in Adan has such eyes!"
"His eyes are extraordinary indeed. But don't let appearances cloud your judgment. You see, mal Adintar is being closely watched. If he were a spy, we would already know about it. Now excuse me, but I have to go." Maldisur hesitated, looking at a dent in Garteem's breastplate that had been acquired during a battle with some Hammerers near the Pond of Tribulation. "Take my advice. Fix that armor as soon as you can. It seems that when the full moon comes, an army of Shaab will follow."
Garteem gaped at Maldisur.
"A bold prophecy, my friend."
The wizard turned his eyes to Omnimach.
"I really have to go, Garteem! I'll see you again!" Maldisur bowed his head lightly and hurried away to attend to other matters.
The conversation with Maldisur didn't dispel Garteem's suspicions. He turned to look at the mysterious warlock once again. Omnimach mal Adintar interrupted a conversation with a client for a moment and returned the gaze. Belandar suddenly felt very uncomfortable. The swordsman turned away from the warlock and hurried into the tavern where he was staying. It was true that the warlock's eyes showed no evil intentions. But the soldier felt even more strongly that Omnimach was, in some way, connected to the Abyss.