Apophis

Biodata

Background / History

Guardian of Tyr’s Tomb

Apophis led the Tyr Clan, whose ancestors had remained behind to guard Keeper Tyr’s tomb. He preserved the clan’s oral account of Loken’s betrayal and Tyr’s sacrifice against Zakajz and Kith’ix. Initially, he rejected Jarod Shadowsong’s claim that evil threatened the site and warned against disturbing the sacred tomb 23.

Jarod’s blessed map revealed shadow energy gathering beneath Tyr’s Fall while Tyr’s protective power faded. Faced with evidence that the danger could destroy his homeland, Apophis agreed to enter the tomb. He overcame his followers’ objections by insisting that their generation must not leave the threat to its descendants, then volunteered to lead an elite squad personally 23 24.

Battle Against Zakajz

Apophis and Jarod jointly led the Vrykul–elven force into the underwater tomb. Against the Faceless Ones, Apophis alternated between engaging a high-ranking enemy and clearing lesser foes. He rescued an elven soldier, devastated clustered enemies with Bladestorm, and blocked a killing blow aimed at Jarod 25 26.

When Zakajz revived, Apophis rejected his demand for submission and charged in Tyr’s name. He later coordinated the allied spellcasters to knock Zakajz down and organized a withdrawal. After Jarod fell unconscious, Apophis and the returning troops attacked to keep the creature from killing him 27 28.

Zakajz eventually overwhelmed the army, leaving Apophis too injured to defend himself. Jarod awakened after receiving Tyr’s remaining power and rescued him. Following Zakajz’s defeat, Tyr thanked Apophis’s people and released them from their guardianship before fading away. The survivors escaped the collapsing tomb 29 30.

Bringing Magic to the Clan

Although their ancestral duty had ended, Apophis chose to keep his people in their homeland. Impressed by the allied casters, he asked Jarod to teach the Vrykul magic or elemental powers, hoping to improve their survival and defeat powerful enemies. King Snyder approved conditional instruction 30 31.

Apophis chose mage training because his people’s faith already belonged to Tyr rather than the elements. He arranged aptitude testing for children aged six to ten and offered supplies as tuition. Jarod also proposed agricultural assistance in exchange for a local map. The old chief sharply rebuked Apophis for committing scarce supplies without consultation, but accepted the arrangement after hearing about the farms and pastures 32.

Every tested child showed magical aptitude: three awakened Arcane magic, seven fire, and ten frost. Over the next ten years, the apprentices completed their training, while Eternal Elf Druids, Shamans, and hunters helped secure the clan’s food supply. Its village developed into a walled town 34 35.

Expansion and Division

When Jarod’s expedition departed, Apophis presented carts of herbs, delicacies, and pelts accumulated as thanks for the elves’ help. Jarod gave him a communication stone. After the fleet sailed, Apophis ordered the outpost sealed, declaring that his brother would return 36.

The clan subsequently expanded through warfare until Apophis had unified the surrounding region. His military strength and role in introducing mages gave him absolute authority, but the warriors and mages increasingly resented one another. Despite the farms’ surplus, he continued organizing hunts as exercise for warriors and practice for spellcasters 36 47 48.

Twenty years after their parting, Apophis contacted Jarod and met him in a forest. He concealed the extent to which accumulated battle injuries and administrative burdens had ruined his health. Privately, he questioned whether introducing mages had been right, even as he took pride in the territory he had conquered 48.

Retirement and Return to Tyr’s Tomb

Unable even to swing a weapon, Apophis entrusted the clan to his nephew Leo and Leo’s wife, Lilith. Their standing among warriors and mages made them his chosen successors; he charged them above all with preventing the clan from falling apart. In a public ceremony, he gave Leo his sword and Lilith his jeweled crown 49.

Apophis then left a letter for the couple and departed alone for Tyr’s Tomb. He regarded the battle there as his life’s most glorious deed, in contrast to the many later wars he considered devoid of glory. Seeking redemption and a return to his original ideals, he buried Jarod’s communication stone, settled beneath a large tree, and fell into a deep sleep while awaiting his end 49.

Appearance

• In his prime: Slightly taller and stronger than the other Vrykul Jarod encountered 23.
• In his thirties: Visibly marked by the passing years, having shed his youthful immaturity during a decade of leadership 36.
• After fifty: Gray-haired and wrinkled, with a bent back, diminished muscles, and a noticeably weaker voice. Jarod sensed that his vitality was close to failing 48.

Personality

Apophis initially embodies directness, courage, and responsibility. He believes a chief must personally face danger rather than send others in his place. His concern for future generations outweighs his reluctance to violate the tomb’s sanctity. He also states that his people never discriminated against their smaller, frailer members 23 24.

Generous and proud, he insists that friendship should involve mutual giving rather than endless dependence. This principle drives both his offer to supply the elves and his refusal of an unnecessary escort. His enthusiasm can nevertheless outrun his judgment: he commits resources without consulting the elders and initially dismisses warnings about future conflict between warriors and mages 32 34 35.

Power gradually makes him ambitious and conquest-minded. He remains blunt rather than politically subtle, but comes to recognize the value of the old chief’s lessons and passes them to his successors. His final return to Tyr’s Tomb reflects regret over his later wars and a desire to recover the honorable warrior he had once been 48 49.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship and Physical Strength

• Smashes a table with a single punch and cuts lesser Faceless Ones apart with his blade 24 26.
• Deflects magical energy balls with his weapon while fighting alongside Jarod 25.
• Protects Jarod by intercepting a high-ranking Faceless One’s killing blow 26.
• Passes his full repertoire of warrior skills to Leo 48.
• Eventually loses the strength to wield a weapon because of declining health 49.

Bladestorm

• Spins at high speed with his weapon, shredding nearby Faceless Ones 26.
• Draws enemies around himself before unleashing the technique against the surrounding group 26.

Battlefield Command

• Rallies reluctant warriors and personally leads the clan’s elite contingent into Tyr’s Tomb 24.
• Directs coordinated spellcasting against Zakajz and manages the troops’ retreat 28.
• Uses frost mages to immobilize fleeing prey so warriors can finish the hunt 47.

Reinforcement Spell

• Casts a reinforcement spell on the burial chamber’s doors during the attempted withdrawal 28.
• The reinforced doors still crack under Zakajz’s shadow beam 28.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Enchanted sword — A gift from Jarod, given a simple enchantment by an accompanying Shaman. Apophis uses the weapon to protect the returning apprentices from a wild beast. It later becomes a symbol of chiefly authority and passes to Leo 34 49.
• Jeweled crown — Created at his followers’ suggestion to commemorate his conquests. He gives it to Lilith during the succession ceremony 49.
• Communication stone — Jarod’s farewell gift, allowing the two to speak across continents. Its connection also enables Jarod to locate Apophis for teleportation. Apophis ultimately buries it at Tyr’s Tomb 36 48 49.

Relationships

• Jarod Shadowsong — Comrade and close friend whom Apophis calls “brother.” They save one another during the tomb expedition, cooperate for ten years, and reunite after twenty years apart 26 29 35 36 48.
• Keeper Tyr — Revered guardian whose tomb Apophis’s ancestors protected. Tyr personally thanks the clan after Zakajz’s final defeat 23 30.
• The old chief — Predecessor, adviser, and stern disciplinarian. He chose Apophis for his integrity and fairness, but repeatedly challenged his shortsighted decisions 24 32 35.
• Leo — Nephew, warrior pupil, and successor. Apophis has no children and teaches Leo everything he knows of warrior combat 48 49.
• Lilith — Niece-in-law, the clan’s strongest mage, and joint successor with Leo. Apophis passes political lessons to both and entrusts them with reconciling the clan’s rival classes 48 49.
• King Snyder — Authorizes magical instruction and sends specialists to help establish the clan’s farms and pastures 31 35.

Notable Quotes

“We cannot leave any hidden threat for our descendants. It’s reviving in our generation, so we must kill him.” 24

“My brother, we should both be giving, not have you constantly helping us while we accept it all as though it were only natural.” 34

“The clan has grown immensely powerful under me. What you need to do is keep it from falling apart.” 49