Jingleshod

Jingleshod, nicknamed the Iron Axeman, was the tragic servant and nearly immortal adversery of the wizard Wulgreth of Ascalhorn. He served as Wulgreth's man-at-arms in life during the 9 century DR and his eternal stalker in undeath during the centuries that followed.

Description
From a distance, Jingleshod appeared as a knight of the Realms, albeit in rust-stained armor. Upon closer examination however, his form resembled that of animated armor, with skin formed of interlinking plates of iron. His visage was that of a soulless skeleton, with two vein-streaked eyes that were black as coal.

Personality
Jingleshod's unfortunate demeanor was a direct result of his tortured existence. As he roamed his woods, the Iron Axeman remained aloof and disconnected from others, save for when he saw opporunity to end it all, when he reacted with outbursts of desperation and obsession. He reamained suspicious of others that claimed they could release him from his curse, fearful of and threatened by the inevitbility of being tricked once again.

Possessions
He always carried with him a massive axe, a weapon that was too unwieldy for most mortal men.

Abilities
Jingleshod was all-but indestructible while the undead Wulgreth remained on Toril. His iron-formed body could reform itself as if he were mere pieces of metallic clay being combined together.

Activities
"I've never been beyond the Pale Ring, but no need to worry. Jingleshod will find us."

- Takari Moonsnow to Malik el Sami.

As of the late 14 century DR, Jingleshod spent his entire existence roaming around the Dire Wood searching for some means to destroy Wulgreth and finally achieve peace.

History
Jingleshod accompanied Wulgreth as the pair left Ascalhorn in the. The ever-loyal companionturned on his master after years of service, finally realizing the mage had gone too far when he planned to raise an army of undead from Karse and turn them loose on the demons that overran Hellgate Keep. Jingleshod swung a killing blow of his axe just as Wulgreth finished casting an epic spell, releasing a massive amount of arcane energy at once. This blast transformed the area of the High Forest into what later came to be known as the Dire Wood, a patch of petrified trees that became overrun with undead.

Wulgreth did not truly die by Jingleshod's hand that day however, but emerged from the blast as a lich. The undead mage hunted Jingleshod down and tortuted him until death.

Undeath
"There is a boon I would ask for my help, elf. Will you give it?"

- Jingleshod.

Just as his master, Jingleshod arose as an undead monstrosity, cursed by his failure to slay Wulgreth. He remained trapped within the blighted wood he helped form, unable to undo his how existence until the lich Wulgreth was destroyed.

In the, Jingleshod encountered the Evereskan tomb guardian Galaeron Nihmedu, along with his companions Vala Thorsdotter, Melegaunt Tanthul, and Malik el Sami, as the group passed through the Dire Wood. After assessing Galaeron's character, Jingleshod offered him a bargain: he would guide the elf and his allies to the Karsestone in exchange for their help in destroying Wulgrath.

Jingelshod and his companions traveled for some distance and eventually arrived at a black pyramid set atop the Karsus Butte, the petrified remains of the ascended arcanist after which it was named. After venturing within, they destroyed a demilich hoping it to be the remains of Wulgreth. Unfortunately they were mistaken, as the undead remains were merely those of an ancient sharn imprisoned within. After spending some time investigating the pyramid's inner chambers by magical means, Galaeron and Melegaunt came to the conclusion they could find no clues as to Wulgreth's whereabouts nor his phylactery.

Just as Jingelshod resigned their efforts to failure, the lich Wulgrenth ambushed them just as they entered the chamber with the Karsestone. A fierce battle broke out and eventually Galaeron cleaved the lich's skull in half. At Jingleshod's direction, they gathered its remains and began the search for his phylactery. After staying overnight within the black pyramid and having no luck with their search, it gradually dawned on nearly all the members of the group the Karsestone itself was Wulgreth's phylactery. Cursed by Mystra to always speak the truth, Malik inadvertently shared this revelation out loud, triggering Jingleshod's paranoia and rage.

Believing they wanted to steal the Karsestone with no intent of helping destroy Wulgreth, Jingleshod attacked them all and nearly killed Vala. Galaeron drew upon the whole magic that permeated the Karsestone and shot a beam of gold energy, blasting the Iron Axeman in half. That was not enough to stop Jingleshod, as his top half clung on to Galaeron as both they and the Karsestone shot out of Karsus' remains into the pool below. Jingleshod's two halves reformed just as the Karsestone ascended into the skies and a mountain descended in its place. Jingleshod's ultimate fate was unknown however, as it was believed that Wulgreth's undead remains were already reforming within the stone corpse of Karse.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * The Summoning