High Priest over the Holy Order of the Sun, Ishmael has offered his life in continual servitude to the Sun God Malekith. Spreading his holy word across The Sands of Serrakhan and beyond, the High Priest is instrumental to the faith of the Sun which is paramount within the Serrakhan Sultanate. Close allies with high ranking members of the Serrakhan Sultanate, the High Priest has widespread influence across the land.
High Priest Ishmael, once known as Vorath Blood-Rune, was a powerful Mythar mage during the Second Age under the Mytharil Empire. His mastery over arcane arts was unparalleled, but his thirst for immortality led him down a dark and forbidden path. Vorath delved into necromancy, developing vile mummification rituals to preserve his life at the cost of countless others. Hundreds perished as he experimented on them, refining his dark arts to achieve eternal life.
Vorath's practices were eventually uncovered by his own people, leading to his condemnation and imprisonment. Deemed a threat to the sanctity of life and the empire, he was sealed away beneath the cliffs under the former Sun Elven city of Itela. His tomb was a testament to his dark legacy, a place meant to contain his malevolence for all eternity.
Centuries later, during Malekith's usurpation of Avatar Lumina, the Avatar of the Sun, Vorath was freed from his imprisonment. Malekith, recognizing the necromancer's potential, enlisted him to solidify his power over the Serrakhan Sultanate. Renamed High Priest Ishmael, he played a crucial role in Malekith's schemes. Ishmael harnessed the Ebony Amulet from the heart of The Great Serpent, enslaving the wise and noble Sphynx to serve as eternal sultans under Malekith's command.
As High Priest, Ishmael affirmed Malekith's dominion, continuing his dark rituals to ensure the longevity of their rule. His necromantic prowess and unwavering loyalty to Malekith made him an indispensable tool in maintaining the Sultanate's power and control.
The Sunsations adventuring group, upon learning of Ishmael's dark deeds and his role in the curse plaguing Zahra Al-Hakim, sought him out in the Tomb of the Suns Eclipse. Here, Ishmael was attempting to fulfill the prophecy of the Sun's Eclipse, a dark omen that foretold the reunification of Valekith and Malekith as a Revenant Titan, thus restoring their combined power.
In a fierce battle within the tomb's ancient halls, the Sunsations confronted Ishmael. Despite his formidable necromantic abilities and the protection of ancient curses, they managed to defeat him. Destroying his heart phylactery within a golden sarcophagus, they put an end to his dark reign and prevented the prophecy from coming to fruition.
High Priest Ishmael, or Vorath Blood-Rune, remains a figure of dark legend. His name is synonymous with necromantic horror and the profound corruption that once plagued the Serrakhan Sultanate. The tale of his rise, fall, and ultimate defeat serves as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in the pursuit of forbidden knowledge and the unquenchable thirst for immortality.