Background and Personality:
Vexilar the Vile, as his enemies call him, is a 60-year-old Amphizian wizard with grand ambitions and an even grander ego. He sees himself as a mortal embodiment of Nyarlathotep, embracing the role of a manipulator and mastermind within the city-state of Seregon. He’s not just a powerful wizard but a political schemer, holding the position of Regent in the Seregon Assembly. Vexilar operates within the shadows of the city’s fractured government, using his wealth, influence, and mastery of the arcane to further his dark ambitions. While he indulges in the moniker "Vile," he insists it’s only the label of those too blind to understand the necessity of his actions. After all, in his view, madness is not tentacles or insanity, but repeating the same actions and expecting different results.
Philosophy and Motivation:
Vexilar believes Seregon is fighting a losing battle against the zombie apocalypse, one that has plagued the world for 120 years. To him, the city’s reliance on traditional methods—adventurers, the Seregon Serum, and the current gods—is a fool’s errand. He holds the strong opinion that the solution lies not in clinging to outdated institutions, but in turning to the very forces of chaos and eldritch power that others fear.Vexilar advocates for “fighting fire with fire” and sees the city's problems as solvable through deeper and more dangerous pacts with the Great Old Ones. He dismisses adventurers as pawns thrown into the wind by a desperate government, believing that real power lies in controlling the unseen forces beneath the surface. Through the cults of the Old Ones, he sees a path to true strength and survival. Vexilar believes that by furthering the agendas of eldritch beings like Dagon, Nyarlathotep, Hastur, and even Cthulhu, he can gain weapons powerful enough to defeat the plague and reshape Seregon in his image.
Role in Seregon:
Vexilar's influence extends into several Old One cults spread throughout the city. He is not their leader but rather a shadowy benefactor who pulls strings behind the scenes to consolidate power. He aligns himself with the Cult of the Bloody Tongue (Nyarlathotep's followers) but has connections to the Cult of Dagon, the Cult of the Golden Ones (devotees of Hastur), and rumors suggest he has even dabbled in dealings with the elusive Cult of Cthulhu. Through these cults, Vexilar manipulates events in the city, often undermining the government’s efforts to control the zombie apocalypse. He sees the chaos as an opportunity to reshape Seregon and believes that the city’s salvation lies in embracing eldritch power and technology rather than resisting it.Opposition to Ambergris the Wizard:
Vexilar’s greatest rival is Ambergris, a wizard who works behind the scenes in Seregon’s politics, pulling strings to maintain order and stability. Ambergris, who does not seem to age, represents everything Vexilar despises: an adherence to old institutions, gods, and methods that have proven ineffective for over a century. To Vexilar, Ambergris is a symbol of stagnation, someone who refuses to adapt to the desperate reality of the world. Their enmity is palpable, with Vexilar seeking to undermine Ambergris at every turn in the Assembly and beyond.He occasionally provides assistance to the Sovereigns of Seregon.
Appearance and Presence:
Vexilar dresses with a flamboyance that betrays his darker nature. His flowing, elaborate robes are adorned with arcane symbols and embroidered with rich colors—deep purples, blacks, and golds. He carries a staff topped with a strange, ever-shifting gemstone that seems to reflect the madness of the cosmos. His hair, silver streaked with dark strands, is slicked back, and his piercing green eyes are often shadowed by an expression of deep contemplation. Though outwardly charismatic, there’s always an air of cold calculation about him.Always at his side is his trusted bodyguard, Marceline, a deadly and imposing warrior who shares her master’s taste for stylish attire. Sasha is known for her brutal efficiency in dealing with Vexilar’s enemies, protecting him with an unwavering loyalty. She is never far from Vexilar’s side, and some even whisper that she has been enhanced by some eldritch ritual, perhaps not entirely human anymore.
Faction and Influence:
Vexilar leads an influential faction within The Assembly, composed of individuals who see the apocalypse as an opportunity for radical change. These allies share his belief that the old ways have failed and that the city must embrace the power of the Great Old Ones. His wealth and influence allow him to bankroll expeditions, cult activities, and covert operations to strengthen his hand. His faction quietly works to undermine the Iron Guard, Order of the Dawn, and other traditionalist elements within the city, spreading discord while promoting his dark vision for Seregon's future.Quotes from Vexilar the Vile:
“Madness? You misunderstand. Madness is trusting the same gods, the same institutions, and the same men who have failed for 120 years. The Great Old Ones offer something far more real—power.”
“Ambergris? Hah! He’s a relic of a bygone era, clinging to his immortal game. The future of Seregon does not lie in the hands of men who refuse to change. It lies with those willing to wield true power.”
“Adventurers? You’d throw peasants into the wind and call it strategy. No, Seregon needs more than that. We need weapons, and the Great Old Ones and The Walraven Consortiumare eager to provide.”
In Summary: Vexilar the Vile is a cunning and dangerous wizard who has risen to prominence by advocating for dark, eldritch solutions to Seregon’s crisis. As a political manipulator and cult mastermind, he seeks to embrace the very forces that threaten to unravel the world, believing that only by allying with the Great Old Ones can Seregon be saved. His rivalry with Ambergris and his growing influence in the Assembly make him a central figure in the city’s unfolding drama—one that could determine the future of Seregon, for better or for much worse.