DM-Nastics #77: All Your Avatar, Are Belong To Us

Aaaaawesome. I think I'm going to go at this with one of the gods the guys highlighted in an episode, Boccob. And, I think this avatar will have some serious tie ins with the D&D lore for magic and changes in how it can be used throughout the ages. I've been reading lore about gods of magic and the Spellplague recently. Fun stuff. Enough dilly dallying.

1) The avatars of Boccob are always chosen for to create any life form would require Boccob be interested in interfering with the mortal plane, which he is not. The choosing of one such avatar is extremely rare, usually happening in times of great trouble, during which either the side of good or evil threatens to tip the great balance. Boccob, usually uncaring and distant, considers the virtues of the most powerful magic users alive at the time. Chief among the virtues he is in search for is a sense of perspective, the ability to see the validity of any point of view, a pre-existing command of magic, a drive for knowledge, and a zealous desire to protect knowledge from those who find it to threaten their arguments. Rarely, Boccob chooses an avatar with no previous command of magic, usually an unparalleled scholar in some other field.

2) The goals of an avatar of Boccob are usually determinate on the situation at the time. Each avatar is naturally instilled with the desire to complete the 4 core missions, A) preserve knowledge in a time of trouble, B) protect magical essences that power our multiverse, C) research rare or unique magical occurrences, and D) maintain the delicate balance of good and evil within the multiverse. Usually a avatar is chosen to complete a very specific goal related to one of these four overarching tenants. Most avatars chosen have both the desire and knowledge of how to complete these tasks before being chosen, for Boccob cheeses them based on these traits. Usually, when chosen, an avatar is in a unique position to achieve a specific goal related to these overarching tenants such as finding and protecting a powerful and unique magical item that is under threat of being destroyed, usually by taking it to Boccob's plane for preservation.

3) Avatars of Boccob are as powerful as they are rare. Boccob's preeminent knowledge of magic allows him to instill already powerful mages with an understanding of spells not practiced for centuries, or not yet created. When Boccob chooses to elevate a wizard or mage, this person's magical ability rivals that of the lesser gods, gaining access to epic spells that are usually forbidden to be used by mortals. Those without preexisting magical abilities are granted comprehensive knowledge. These avatars are said to have such complete and unerring understanding of all events of the past that, while they cannot see the future (or distant events in the present), can predict it to near 100% accuracy and see how their own actions might affect the future. These avatars function to manipulate events in uncanny ways, walking the world almost totally unnoticed, but influencing it in incomprehensible ways.

4) Likely the least well known and most successful avatar of Boccob was Al-su Obnin, the name given to the unknown force which intentionally caused the downfall of Cult of Purity. The Cult of Purity had swept across the nations of the world, destroying religious and magical texts and items which offended their belief that only through reliance on physical forces could people remain pure. For centuries it was assumed the cult turned in on itself due to infighting, resulting in the murder of all of its leadership on the same night the temple burned to the ground on the other side of the city. It was not until Mo-dun Bogi was chosen as an avatar of Boccob that he received the knowledge of what truly happened. The actual cause of the fire had been a single candle placed on a window sill a few hours before a rabbit knocked over a can of oil and a farmer dumped his dirty laundry, thick with manure, on the ground. The farmer's having been too tired to wash after a night of drinking, the rabbit being chased by a small boy, the candle being left by a forgetful servant. All of these were the results of actions taken by one person almost 6 months in advance, a chosen of Boccob that could see how his or her actions would ripple through time and bring about the desired effect. The name of this person has never been revealed, but they are often called Al-su Obnin, or, roughly translated, The Unknown Force.

5) The avatars of Boccob have immense power, but are no more immortal than any other person. The great wizards that are chosen by Boccob can be defeated in much the same way as a normal wizard. Those with the true knowledge of the past, however, are nearly impossible to kill, being aware of any threat years before it comes. Most die of natural causes.


edit: I know Boccob is official WOTC, but just couldn't resist. Way too excited about him these days.