Black Mage

"We became aware one day, each under different circumstances. It was the same with me. I just woke up one day... and there was a human body lying next to me. His body was covered in blood. It scared me... I didn't know what it meant. I ran as fast as I could. When I looked around, I was far away from the front line. There were many others like me, and we decided to escape together." --Black Mage No. 288

Created, rather than born, Black Mages are autonomous magical constructs designed as particularly dangerous shock troopers for use during wartime. Those who have fought against them have two distinctive features burned into their minds; emotion-less yellow eyes staring out of a dark void, and an infamous steepled hat that never leaves their heads.

Manufactured with Magic

Raw magic not only suffuses, but composes the majority of their form. The rest of the body is composed of a dark mist taken directly from the Plane of Shadowfell, which gives them their shadowy appearance.

Once the two elements are drawn together, they are placed into an eldritch device that dispenses large, misshapen eggs. The eggs rapidly incubate their forms, when hatched, are then permanently bound into a humanoid shape with a mass-produced set of mundane dark blue robes and a tan hat.

Despite being made of such intangible material, Black Mages are as living and breathing as any other humanoid is apt to be. Their pitch black skin is tangible, soft as a pillow, cold to the touch, and exudes a small amount of ebony mist. When struck, their skin large amounts of shadowy mist rather than any sort of blood or fluid.

Created to Kill

Black Mages were built with only one purpose; to the slay enemies of their masters, to whom they are nothing more than mindless dolls. These dolls, however, are exceedingly effective at their job. The magical energy that composes their bodies allows them to cast a barrage of deadly arcane spells with virtually no training. Few things are as fearsome as an army of magi who have no fear and no self-preservation.

They use their innate magic to slay with unquestioning obedience as they are largely incapable of free thought or even basic speech. They do however know one word upon creation. A word which they use every opportunity they have; "KILL!"

Suddenly Self-Aware

A strange thing occurs among Black Mages that survive the front lines of war for long enough. They suddenly, with purpose or explanation, become sentient. Dazed and confused, they are cognizant of a wide array of emotions for the first time. This process is not at all gradual, as most liken it to suddenly waking up from a nightmare. With free will and no purpose, the self-aware mages band together and desert their battlefields to seek peace and quiet.

Most self-aware black mages go through a short-lived crisis with their newfound individuality. Odd yet intentional quirks, colorful new additions to their robes, and unrealistic goals are but a few the methods used to fabricate their identities.

Timid and Gentle

Perhaps because of their knowing participation in terrible acts of violence and destruction, most sentient Black Mages are strongly opposed to such behaviors. The quiet mages would rather eck out a peaceful existence as kindly neighbors to their former foes than commit any more acts of violence.