Enoch the Vague

Enoch by G McDermott.

**Enoch the Vague** is a svirfneblin illusionist wizard, played by Liz Drake. Enoch was one of the protagonists of Flustered in the Faewild, and appears as an NPC in The Last Resort at Murkendraw Bog.

## Biography

At first a mystery, Enoch the Vague appeared to be a successful illusionist and magician, lost in the Faewild. He joined with the rest of the party to find Tecia in Dusk Falls, for the price of returning him to the Material Plane.

However, through the events of Flustered in the Faewild, Enoch revealed that his real name was Mungenoch Withers, and that he had been banished to the Faewild by a wizard, presumably from the same group of people who mocked his name, accent and outfit. Arriving in the Faewild, he had adopted a new name, a new outfit (his suit and monocle) and a posh, affected accent - but he became comfortable enough with the party to reveal his traditional garb (a crushed purple robe and pointy wizard's hat) and Underdark (Australian) accent.

After the events of Flustered in the Faewild, Enoch reappears in The Last Resort at Murkendraw Bog, where he is found working at the hag college at the Murkendraw Bog resort.

## **Backstory**

Mungenoch lived in a small Underdark village called Underford. An inquisitive mind, and a clever clogs, Mungenoch knew from a young age that he was destined for greatness. Within the murky darkness of his cavernous home, Mungenoch delighted in the beautiful things; the luminous crystal clusters that sat in the walls, the luminescent moss, and the frilly mushrooms that glowed bright reds and greens when brushed past. Inspired by these pretty things, Mungenoch set about brightening up the place a little bit.

Every day, he practiced the cantrips he knew. Proudly wearing his crushed velvet purple robe and pointed hat, decorated in silver stars (the ceremonial garb of the Underford gnomes) Mungenoch created sparks and glowing lights. He even managed to create illusions accompanied by smoke and whizzing sounds. Adored by his entire village, he became known as The Magnificent and Marvellous Magician, Mungenoch. He was so famous, he was even invited to perform at elite underdark social gatherings and formal ceremonies.

Mungenoch was visiting some of the darkest tunnels on the edge of town, drawn here by reports from worried villagers, of noises and screeches echoing throughout the tunnel network. Being a proficient caster of cantrips, Mungenoch knew he’d at least be able to create an illusion to scare whatever it was away. As he reached the border of the village, he saw a crumbling and exposed pocket in the rock of the Underford cavern. He saw a terrible sight. An aftermath of a skirmish between some larger surface folk and 5 Ankhegs. There were 3 surface folk, and the Ankhegs, but none of them were moving.

Curious, (having never really seen anyone from the above ground) Mungenoch timidly looked closer. The big folk had fascinating objects and clothing, the likes of which he’d never seen. One of them had a helmet, peppered with lots of little gems, which glowed faintly in the darkness. The other had a sword, which was taller than Enoch, and wider too. It shone silver and was etched with runes that coalesced and churned like embers of a fire. But the object that caught Enoch's eye was a book, bound in red leather, with silver Common on the front. It read 'Vague spells for vague minds’  Within were spells, real, written spells. Mungenoch poured over the pages. But there were only 6 spells within this otherwise empty spellbook, which he mastered very quickly. Surely, somewhere in the ‘above’ there would be more spells for him to learn. There would be lots of new people too. They surely needed to witness the delightful magic of The Magnificent and Marvellous Magician, Mungenoch, just like the adoring villagers of Underford. So, confidently, Mungenoch decided to show off his magic to the big folk and be adored in the above world too. He combed his long beard, put on his velvet robe, his pointy velvet hat with the stars on, and ventured forth. Following the tunnels near the edge of town, he eventually emerged in a misty forest near a small town called Daggerford. His eyes eventually got used to the bright surroundings. And he began. Any passer by on the High Road would be given the full performance. The sparks, the coloured smoke the illusions.

But he was jeered at. And called names. The surface dwellers, especially the ones with the most money cared not for his ceremonial garb, his long beard which reached his toes or his pointed hat. He was laughed at ceaselessly. Those who cared to stop saw him as a mere jester, not a magician. Mungenoch ripped off his robe and crumpled up his stupid pointy hat and shoved them into the bottom of his backpack. It was time for a change. He shaved off his beard, and wore his hair greased back like the Noble Lords he’d seen. He found his new magicians outfit hanging up on a washing line outside a quiet little cottage. It looked like it was once a child’s cream suit, but had since been dyed a wine red, possibly by accident. He also located a monocle, and a top hat on a sleeping man outside a tavern. A fine outfit, befitting a fine wizard thought Mungenoch… no. not Mungenoch.. His new name would be Enoch. Enoch the Vague.

His first performance as Enoch was a success, a few jeers here and there, but they died down as soon as his magic began. He started doing close up hypnosis with the more critical of audience members. One look into Enoch’s eyes and they would be dazzled, to a resounding cheer from the audience. After this he travelled up and down the High Road, performing to passers-by. Rich merchants and wealthy lords were his favourite. Despite things getting better, coin was still hard to come by. Although rich, the Noble Lords rarely paid for his magical talents, so Enoch began to use his magic to make sure he got his money. After all, he was a fantastic wizard.

He’d use his Unseen Servant to fetch coin purses, or to avert gazes with something distracting while he’d make himself invisible and rifle through bags. Rarely was he caught, and if he was, a quick hypnotic gaze or a Sleep spell would stun them for long enough to allow his escape. But using his magic in this way was risky, after all, all sorts of folk make their way down the High Road. One afternoon, an old man festooned in rich fabrics shuffled his way past Enoch. Enoch began his routine, the colours and lights began. The old man, weary from the road stopped a while, and rested upon his cane and watched. Enoch saw the coin purse at the old man’s waist, the gold stitched into his garments and the jewels that adorned his rings. Enoch gave his performance everything he had. The final flurry of magic ended in a flourish. But, to Enoch’s despair, the old man simply raised an eyebrow, shrugged and began to shuffle off.

With a regretful grimace, Enoch sprinted up to the old man and looked into his eyes, hoping his hypnotic gaze would give him enough time to collect the payment his performance deserved. He stared into the old man’s misty eyes, and he saw a wide smile spread across the lines of the old man’s face.

“You wield some magic, my lad and proclaim it to be the best in the land. But it is nothing more than a smattering of cheap tricks. You know not of the meaning of magic, nor the nature of your own power. You lie about your magic, and you have even forsaken your own name. I think this should help you remember your true self”

The old man rested one hand on his cane, a metal rod, with a forked end. He uttered a strange set of words Enoch had never heard before, and with surprising deftness, traced a magic sign in the air. Before Enoch could react, the old man placed an arthritic finger on his forehead and the world around him melted away. Enoch was surrounded by a strange orange and peach light and every colour became saturated. He was not on the High Road anymore. He wasn’t in Faerun anymore. Where was he?

Time moved differently here, it could have been weeks, months, maybe a years before Enoch realised where he was. He had landed in the Feywild.

## In-game characteristics

Enoch is currently level 8, and his favourite spell is grease. Few of his spells do damage, often focusing on debuffing and illusions.

## Trivia

* Enoch wields a "magic wand" - a stick he has painted with traditional black and white markings of a magician's wand.
* Enoch co-authored Never Give Anybody Your Real Name, a guide to the Faewild.

## Media

Enoch the Vague from the poster for Flustered in the Faewild.Enoch the Vague headshot from the poster for Flustered in the Faewild.Enoch the Vague miniature by Hero Forge from Flustered in the Faewild.