Malyk (demipower)

Malyk was an aspect of Talos created in the wake of the Time of Troubles of 1358 DR to take advantage of areas of wild magic, created after Mystra's death at the hands of Helm. Originally a drow lich, the Dark Mage represented wild and evil magic viewed as mysterious and threatening to authority, and embodied rebellion and chaos. He was particularly associated with the rebellion prompted by an uncovered wild mage given no recourse but to openly attack, and the chaos that then ensued.

Description
It was thought by some that Malyk sometimes manifested in the form of the hooded apparitions known as wizshades. The incorporeal creatures were created when a spellcaster was caught in their own magical backlash, and since the Dark Mage's appearance had appeared with increasing frequency in the Underdark.

Realm
Malyk's realm was located in Pandemonium.

Relationships
Lolth obviously resented drow mages being drawn away from her service by Malyk and, knowing that many harbored rebellious thoughts anyway, decided to grant those living in Menzoberranzan new and powerful arcane spells in an attempt to keep them loyal.

Malyk, attempting to elevate himself at the expense of the Seldarine, had chosen the nearly-forogtten goddess Alathrien Druanna, a goddess of conjuration and runic magic, as his first target. Unbeknownst to him, the Faerunian god of necromancy Velsharoon had done the same, with neither aware that they sought the same quarry. Their efforts had always failed however, only suceeding in rousing the Seldarine and their further protection of the Rune Mistress. He had also likely paid unwelcomed attention to the elven god Darahl Firecloak, who had been trying to sway more neutral-aligned members of Underdark races to his service and whose even-styled approach to magic conflicted with his own.

Worshipers
Malyk had no priests per se; instead, he granted a few divine spells to the wild mages who followed him. Most of his worshipers were drawn from young drow spellcasters who had been experimenting with wild magic. Though wild mages of other races did take up his cause, the vast majority were beings usually found in the Underdark. Though his cult was mysterious and mostly unknown, they were believed to be working towards the destabilization of Lolth-controlled settlements.

Malyk's worshipers were also thought to have gained control of the powerful artifact known as the Guardian's Tear. They tried to use it to overthrow the Conclave of Sshamath, who had branded wild mages as terrorists.

Male drow and even some female drow of low position made sacrifices in secret to attract Malyk's attention.

History
Malyk was a drow lich of increasing power who lived in the Underdark beneath the Dalelands. During the Time of Troubles―after Mystra's death but before Midnight's apotheosis―he came across a powerful area of wild magic beneath Castle Crag. Somehow, he managed to steal a part of Mystra's divine essence from the zone.

Tempus, upon learning of Malyk's actions descended into the Underdark and destroyed the lich, hoping to take some of Mystra's power for himself. Unfortunately for him it seems Ao decided to grant Talos that power instead. However, no one save the new Mystra would ever know that was the case.

The Second Sundering
Malyk managed to return to life during the event known as the Second Sundering in the 1480s DR. After this event, it seems that Malyk got free from service to Talos, becoming an independent deity.

Rumors & Legends
Malyk and Zinzerena were in some ways reflections of each other; each for example was a god of arcane magic, but while Malyk was the patron of wild magic, Zinzerena was the goddess of illusionists and allowed for magical study. Interpretations of ancient legends suggested that the two were either lovers or siblings.