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Velsharoon (pronounced: /ˈvɛlʃɑːrnVEL-shah-roon[2]), also known as Mellifleur,[note 1] was the Faerunian demigod of necromancy, the patron of liches and those that explored undeath. Arrogant and obsessed, the Archmage of Necromancy continued his experiments on the living and the dead as a god, paying no heed to the lesser lives lost in the name of his research and encouraging his disciples to do the same.[2][3][7]

Description[]

Velsharoon appeared as a gaunt, sallow-skinned man 10 feet (3 meters) in height, his deathly cold flesh stretched thin over his bones, and whose thin and graying hair flowed across his back in a snarl. He dressed in purple, worm-ridden, moth-eaten robes, with a tarnished silver crown on his head. His eyes were pitch black pits with tiny green flames moving malevolently within.[3]

Manifestations[]

Velsharoon's favored manifestation was a burning skull, wreathed in red, pale blue or blue-green flames. He was fond of using various gemstones to denote his favor or presence of hues including black, purple, maroon, rust-red, gray, and a bright and unnatural green reminiscent of green slimes. The sudden appearance of a bloodrose was said to herald him.[3]

Personality[]

As a god, Velsharoon was canny, yet extremely vain and selfish, concerned overmuch with revenge and experimenting on both living and dead. This was not a great change from the mortal he was.[3]

Possessions[]

In his humanoid form, Velsharoon wielded the Skull Staff of the Necromancer.[3]

Divine Realm[]

Velsharoon had his divine realm called Death's Embrace on Mungoth, the third mount of Gehenna in the Great Wheel cosmology.[3] In the World Tree cosmology it lay on the magical plane of Dweomerheart, far underground beneath Azuth and The Eye. In appearance a moldy tomb, Death's Embrace was a repository of all necromantic knowledge.[8]

Relationships[]

Although he nominally served Azuth (and through him, Mystra), Velsharoon re-established a secret alliance with Talos and a flirtatious relationship with Shar.[2]

He became an ally of Kiaransalee,[9] and a foe of Jergal,[10][11] Sehanine Moonbow[12] and Urogalan.[13]

After the Second Sundering, Velsharoon was believed to think little of Myrkul, considering him a do-nothing has-been, with Myrkul returning a symmetrical sentiment for the grasping upstart.[14]

The Church[]

Main article: Church of Velsharoon
Velsharoon

The unholy symbol of Velsharoon.

History[]

As a Red Wizard of Thay, Velsharoon fought a spell-battle to a draw against Omm Hlandrar of Halruaa in the skies over the Shaar in the Year of the Sacrificed Fortune, 827 DR.[15][note 2]

Once, Velsharoon had sought the position of Zulkir of Necromancy, but he feuded with several other Red Wizards, including his chief rival, Szass Tam, who saw him driven out of Thay.[3][2][7] Thereafter, he was known as a renegade wizard of Thay, and one of the most powerful archmages in the Realms by the mid–14th century DR. At that time, he was known to be a foe to Omm Hlandrar, Halder of Delzimmer, Elminster, the Simbul,[16][3][17] and Mempter.[18] The former four had challenged Velsharoon in his wicked plots. In turn, the arch-necromancer worked to acquire enough power to destroy those who'd opposed him.[16][3][17]

In the Plains of Purple Dust, he had discovered a process to achieve demigodhood through a potion which called for the blood of adventurers.[16][3][17] In the late 1350s DR, those archmages who'd opposed him feared for their safety and for the safety and stability of the Realms.[16][17] The infamy of his actions had traveled so far, that he was heard of in the Moonshaes even. The process had been devised by the god Talos, who needed a new demigod.[17] This culminated with his lichdom and then ascension in the year 1368 DR.[3][19] As a god, he was granted Cyric's portfolio over necromancy;[20] sages speculated this was to counterbalance Kelemvor's dislike for the undead.[3] His fame grew in divinity, becoming known to Khelben Arunsun.[21]

However, his service to Talos required him to expend his divine energy far too quickly, and he soon turned his allegiance to Azuth.[22] He later made a secret alliance of convenience with Talos, using his servants' undead servants to spread chaos and destruction; he was not liked by either of his masters, because of this.[3] He also began flirting with Shar.[2] He ultimately lost his divine realm to the Spellplague in 1385 DR.[23]

He was destroyed by the Simbul in 1425 DR, leaving behind his charred body, which was watched in Aglarond since.[1] However, his cult was still alive and had access to divine spells within Mulmaster after the Second Sundering, indicating he may have been restored by Ao during the event.[24]

Rumors[]

His influence was felt in the 1090 DR, in the place that would later become the Battle of Bones, where a floating, flame-wreathed skull was seen during the last skirmish in the war, though he wouldn't become a divinity until later. Whether the symbol foretold his ascension or was adopted upon his embrace was not known.[3][25]

The Simbul was said to have sacrificed herself to destroy the god's corpse in the Astral Plane.[26]

Trivia[]

There was a ring belonging to Empress Shoon V of the late 3rd century DR known as the Dual Ring of Velsharoon's Bindings.[27][28] His relationship to the ring is unknown.[note 3]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. Mellifleur, later known as, was a multi-sphere lesser deity of liches first described in Monster Mythology. Velsharoon took his name as an alias, but their relationship is unclear, as they shared some similarities but also differed in many details.
  2. Although Velsharoon is stated to be a Red Wizard, the Red Wizards are not known to have been established until the next century. It is possible the Red Wizards were founded earlier, this is actually a precursor organization, or that Velsharoon became a Red Wizard later and this is a retrospective application of the term.
  3. Apart from the name, it is unknown how Velsharoon is linked to the ring and who or what is under bindings. It is possible the ring was associated with Velsharoon after Shoon V's ownership of it.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 88. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Eric L. Boyd, Erik Mona (May 2002). Faiths and Pantheons. Edited by Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 110–111. ISBN 0-7869-2759-3.
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 76–79. ISBN 978-0786906574.
  4. Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 235. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
  5. Hal Maclean (September 2004). “Seven Deadly Domains”. In Matthew Sernett ed. Dragon #323 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 65.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 77. ISBN 978-0786906574.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Sean K. Reynolds, Duane Maxwell, Angel McCoy (August 2001). Magic of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 7–8. ISBN 0-7869-1964-7.
  8. Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 152. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.
  9. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 23. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  10. Eric L. Boyd (June 1996). “Forgotten Deities: Jergal”. In Scott Douglas ed. Polyhedron #120 (TSR, Inc.), p. 6.
  11. Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 30. ISBN 978-0786906574.
  12. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 125. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  13. Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 175. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  14. Ed Greenwood (2020-04-05). Velsharoon and Myrkul (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Retrieved on 2020-04-05. [this tweet]
  15. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 105. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Ed Greenwood (September 1990). “The Everwinking Eye: A Closer Look at Maskyr's Eye”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #55 (TSR, Inc.), p. 25.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 Ed Greenwood (1991). Halls of the High King. (TSR, Inc), p. 64.
  18. James Tillman (March 1994). “A Fool's Errand: The Viper Comes To Ravens Bluff”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #93 (TSR, Inc.), p. 19.
  19. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 149. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  20. Template:Cite web/The Churches and Thieves of Selgaunt
  21. Sean K. Reynolds, Duane Maxwell, Angel McCoy (August 2001). Magic of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 2. ISBN 0-7869-1964-7.
  22. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 151. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  23. Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 159. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
  24. Shawn Merwin (2015-04-01). City of Danger (DDEX2-1) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Elemental Evil (Wizards of the Coast), p. 4.
  25. Donald J. Bingle (April 1995). “The Battle of Bones”. In Elizabeth T. Danforth ed. Elminster's Ecologies Appendix I (TSR, Inc), p. 14. ISBN 0-7869-0115-2.
  26. Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, Robert J. Schwalb (September 2008). Forgotten Realms Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7869-4929-8.
  27. Steven E. Schend (October 1998). Calimport. (TSR, Inc), p. 91. ISBN 0-7869-1238-3.
  28. Richard Baker, James Wyatt (March 2004). Player's Guide to Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 122. ISBN 0-7869-3134-5.

Further Reading[]

Connections[]

The Faerûnian Pantheon
Major Deities
AzuthBaneBhaalChaunteaCyricGondHelmIlmaterKelemvorKossuthLathanderLoviatarMaskMielikkiMyrkulMystra (Midnight) • OghmaSelûneSharShaundakulSilvanusSuneTalosTempusTormTymoraTyrUmberleeWaukeen
Other Members
AkadiAurilBeshabaDeneirEldathFinder WyvernspurGaragosGargauthGerronGrumbarGwaeron WindstromHoarIstishiaIyachtu XvimJergalLliiraLurueMalarMililNobanionThe Red KnightSavrasSharessShialliaSiamorpheTalonaTiamatUbtaoUlutiuValkurVelsharoon

Deities of the Post–Second Sundering Era
Ao the Overgod
Faerûnian Pantheon
Akadi | Amaunator | Asmodeus | Auril | Azuth | Bane | Beshaba | Bhaal | Chauntea | Cyric | Deneir | Eldath | Gond | Grumbar | Gwaeron | Helm | Hoar | Ilmater | Istishia | Jergal | Kelemvor | Kossuth | Lathander | Leira | Lliira | Loviatar | Malar | Mask | Mielikki | Milil | Myrkul | Mystra | Oghma | Red Knight | Savras | Selûne | Shar | Silvanus | Sune | Talona | Talos | Tempus | Torm | Tymora | Tyr | Umberlee | Valkur | Waukeen
The Morndinsamman
Abbathor | Berronar Truesilver | Clangeddin Silverbeard | Deep Duerra | Dugmaren Brightmantle | Dumathoin | Gorm Gulthyn | Haela Brightaxe | Laduguer | Marthammor Duin | Moradin | Sharindlar | Vergadain
The Seldarine
Aerdrie Faenya | Angharradh | Corellon | Deep Sashelas | Erevan | Fenmarel Mestarine | Hanali Celanil | Labelas Enoreth | Rillifane Rallathil | Sehanine Moonbow | Shevarash | Solonor Thelandira
The Dark Seldarine
Eilistraee | Kiaransalee | Lolth | Selvetarm | Vhaeraun
Yondalla's Children
Arvoreen | Brandobaris | Cyrrollalee | Sheela Peryroyl | Urogalan | Yondalla
Lords of the Golden Hills
Baervan Wildwanderer | Baravar Cloakshadow | Callarduran Smoothhands | Flandal Steelskin | Gaerdal Ironhand | Garl Glittergold | Nebelun | Segojan Earthcaller | Urdlen
Orc Pantheon
Bahgtru | Gruumsh | Ilneval | Luthic | Shargaas | Yurtrus
Mulhorandi pantheon
Anhur | Bast | Geb | Hathor | Horus | Isis | Nephthys | Osiris | Re | Sebek | Set | Thoth
Other gods of Faerûn
Bahamut | Enlil | Finder Wyvernspur | Ghaunadaur | Gilgeam | Lurue | Moander | Nobanion | Raven Queen | Tiamat



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