Maelok
| Maelok | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| ||
| Race | Gatorman | |
| Gender | Male | |
| Weapons | N/A | |
| Birth | Unknown | |
Physical Characteristics
With his festering hide and dead eyes Maelok the Dreadbound is not just a terrifying monster to the enemies of the Blindwater Congregation, but also a fearsome warning to its own congregants.[1]
History
Maelok was once a powerful and respected bokor among the gatorman tribes of the Bloodsmeath Marsh. He was revered for his wise and fearsome counsel and led his people in defence of their home on many occasions. Calaban the Grave Walker was Maelok's chief rival: Maelok the superior in necromantic power, Calaban possessed of broader influence, although their tribes rarely clashed in open conflict.[1]
When he hears tales of Barnabas’ efforts to unite the gatormen beneath his rule and lead them toward carnage, Maelok knows he must oppose Barnabas with all his power. As Maelok prepares to make his move, he is unexpectedly approached by Calaban. Calaban persuades Maelok to put aside their rivalry to defeat Barnabas, clearly the greater threat. Maelok accepts and begins invoking a ritual to summon powerful spirits of the dead to assail their foe.[1]
Calaban reveals his treachery in the midst of this rite, siphoning its great power for himself. Even channelling the power of the ceremony, Calaban barely manages to defeat and kill Maelok. Standing triumphantly over Maelok's corpse, Calaban immediately captures Maelok’s soul and binds it to him, then used his power to animate the corpse.[1]
Despite Maelok's defeat, his home village continues to refuse joining the Blindwater Congregation. Deciding to use Maelok as an instrument to warn others of the consequences of defying Barnabas, Calaban unleashes Maelok on his village, compelling him to massacre them to a man. Maelok can do nothing but watch in anguish as he tears through old friends and neighbours, the people whom he used to guide. He becomes convinced he is now Calaban's slave, bound forever.[1]
Barnabas later orders Maelok and Wrong Eye to fulfil his contract with the trollkin to ambush an incoming army of skorne. After the skorne are defeated, Wrong Eye suggests to Maelok there's no magic that can't be undone. Long after Wrong Eye's departure, his words continue to ring in Maelok's mind: find the loose thread and pull.[1]
For months Maelok mentally gnaws at the weakening bonds that compel him to do Calaban's bidding. However, Maelok remains bound to Calaban, and his is a tenuous and untested freedom. Prior to the battle that would lead to Barnabas' ascension, Calaban reveals to Maelok a bone totem - the same kind as the one who bound his spirit - to be used against Barnabas. For all his scheming, Calaban is oblivious to the hatred directed at him from his old enemy.[2]
As expected by Calaban, Barnabas eventually falls in battle against the farrow chieftain Lord Carver. As he prepares to collect and bind Barnabas' spirit, he finds in his satchel not the bone totem - only a bunch of river rocks. Barnabas completes his ascension, while Calaban completely fails to suspect Maelok, knowing he was incapable of such an act.[2]
Personality
Maelok barely remembers his former life and takes little notice of the slaughter he wreaks. When he is not directly serving Calaban he sits idle, his eyes dimmed. His few remaining emotions involve his new master, whom he hates beyond words and can only dream to consume.[1]
