Thurkaervaeri

## Exarch of the Black Hand

Thurkaervaeri was the chosen Exarch of Bane, the Black Hand.

It was summoned to the Prime Material Plane by the Legion of the Black Hand.

## History

Said to be formed from the breath of Bane that fueled his first rallying battlecry, Thurkaervaeri is an incorporeal being that traditionally resides near exclusively within the Outer Plane of Acheron. There, it stirred the spirit of war into the endless battles that raged across the plane between goblinoids and orcs, revelling in the infinite conflict. Many followers of the Black Hand believe that in times requiring great strength the Exarch briefly grants a fraction of its power to the faithful - its own power minor compared to Bane itself - imbuing them with resilience and strength near unparalleled.

Following acquisition of Wayfinder Stones by the Legion of the Black Hand, a ritual was performed in the heart of the goblinoid stronghold of Fort Zruldralbar that allowed the Exarch to transfer their entire consciousness in the Prime Material Plane. In doing so, the ritual consumed the body of the adult blue dragon Meyznokrinth, as well as the lifeforce of several dozen goblins, hobgoblins and ogres, but forged a physical form for the Exarch.

#### The Summoning Ritual

*Bound in chain, wreathed in steel. Released from chain, beast of teal.*

*Bringer of order, source of power. Soil quakes before him, every foe cower.*

*Sear with lightning, forge with thunder. Rend flesh from scale, let spirit sunder.*

*Blessed in conquest, don plate anew. Being of iron, his desires pursue.*

*From Acheron march, soul touched aflame. Into matter material, the war reclaim.*

*Offering up life this mortal willing. Rebirth with spirit of Exarch, prophecy fulfilling.*

## Description

*"The entirety of the being's form shimmers like polished plate, radiant and unburnished, each and every scale reflective and shimmering like a mirror backed with steel. Between them a warmth like embers of a forge glow, giving further light to the form that shifts with a forceful grace - each and every step, each and every wing beat resonant and betraying of strength and power. A beast of iron and flesh, perfectly unified, a monstrosity shaped by the Master of Order and Control for one singular purpose - the fulfilment of his heirarchy of dominion over the weak, whether they cower on his Plane of Existence or another"*

Thurkaervaeri proved a formidable foe to the near dozen of adventurers present at time of the ritual's completion. With truesight it scoured the battlefield, loosing breath weapons of weakening miasma and pure force alike. After taking several serious wounds, the Exarch retreated - its location then unknown.

Following the credence of its master, it showed a particular disdain for Ronan as a follower of Tohmos. Despite the efforts of Aenarion and the firbolg in escaping the Exarch did so with Forgemaster's Might in its possession.

## Rydoon and the Labyrinthe

Upon a visit to the city of Rydoon, it was discovered through Bren's *Witch's Sight* that Thurkaervaeri has in truth taken the form of Nikolaos, utilising their ability to possess, control and repurpose the forms of those around him for their own purposes. Thurkaervaeri appears to have some level of control of the form they take when doing so, taking the exact appearance of Nikolaos at Fort Zruldralbar, and by contrast taking the martial essence of Alkestis at the Labyrinthe to create a towering warrior wreathed in radiant flame.

While in the city of Rydoon, Thurkaervaeri utilised growing fears about the stability of Rydoon's borders to find support sufficient to enact the opening of another gate to Acheron, siphoning the latent chaos of The Labyrinthe to rend a tear through the planes of existence. During a duel with Ronan for control of Forgemaster's Might, it showed near unparalleled martial prowess, later defending themselves against two dozen foes in a single sweeping strike of Fading Vision, killing many and rendering much of the majority remaining unconscious. Nonetheless, suffering a war of attrition, their form was finally sundered by Delver's Deep, the axe of Fonteyne Howell - although the killing blow came to slow to prevent the destruction of Forgemaster's Might.