Onyx the Invincible

Onyx the Invincible, or Onyx, Blood of Placidor, was a male dwarf fighter/rogue adventurer who hailed from Eartheart in the Great Rift and lived in Waterdeep in the late 1350s DR.

Personality
He was a wild exception to the classic image of a dour dwarf looking to the past. Onyx the Invincible was hot-tempered and bad-tempered, rowdy and impulsive by nature, brimming over with energy to act, to perform great deeds, and grab some gold and fight evil creatures bigger than himself along the way. He had little interest in the ancient history, instead wanting to forge his own reputation for the future, to be known as a dwarven hero himself. However, he was still young in his early adventuring days, barely 35, so his dwarven elders viewed his ways as "the mad passions of youth". They expected he would achieve either greatness or an early and reckless demise.

As a descendent of Placidor, Onyx had the right to call himself "Blood of Placidor". However, rebellious by nature, he refused to go by the traditional dwarven name. Instead, he named himself "the Invincible", a challenge to any who would test it.

Onyx enjoyed battle, but he had a soft spot, buried deep, deep inside. He claimed to have no liking for elves.

History
Onyx descended from Placidor, a hero of the Battle of Twelvesuns. He was born in Eartheart in the Great Rift, one of the last great dwarven realms, around 1322 DR.

As a young dwarf, he set out to become an adventurer, and early on fell in with a centaur named Timoth Eyesbright.

In the Year of the Prince, 1357 DR, Onyx was traveling with his centaur friend Timoth Eyesbright when they came across an elven maid being kidnapped by chasme. Looking for battle, Onyx joined Timoth in battling the winged creatures, and together they rescued Cybriana. Grudgingly, Onyx accompanied Timoth in escorting Cybriana to Waterdeep. There, they helped Cybriana search for the paladin Priam Agrivar, finally arriving at the Selûne's Smile tavern. The proprietress Luna introduced them to Vajra Valmeyjar, who led them to Priam—the drunken beggar outside, whom they rescued from thugs.

Onyx believed that the famed smith Jogaoh, a dwarf whose forge it was said could create works of magic, could help restore strength to Priam's arms. However, Onyx doubted it would be any good against Priam's continuing drunkenness and self-pity, but Cybriana had faith in him. Together, the heroes journeyed into the wilderness to seek Jogaoh. On the way, they were lured into a trap and attacked by a dustdigger—in truth a pet of Jogaoh named Ulala. Jogaoh also doubted Priam, yet upon hearing his tale, he agreed to help, provided the companions retrieved something from atop nearby Stoner's Needle. Onyx saw Priam as a burden, and thought killing him would be kinder—for the rest of them. After battling ghoul warriors in the night, of which Onyx slew many, Vajra, Priam, and Jogaoh ascended the rocky tower. Reaching the summit, Jogaoh revealed he too was a victim of Imgig Zu and restored Priam's strength with enchanted gauntlets, then took a basilisk-guarded gem that restored the dwarf to his true form, that of a fire elemental. The basilisk awoke and attacked Vajra and Priam, but was slain by Vajra as Priam stood frozen in fear. Ashamed, still a drunk, and thanks to Onyx's words, Priam left. Shortly after, bounty seekers of Manshaka ambushed the group, Onyx was grabbed, and they were captured.

Regaining his courage, Priam intercepted the bounty seekers, and launched an ambush. Onyx throttled the lead bounty seeker with his chain, then stole the key to their manacles. The companions fought their way free, overpowered the bounty seekers, and left them tied up in a net dangling from a tree, before continuing on their way.

Reclamation Wars of Tethyr
Onyx played an important role in the civil war in Tethyr. Upon the recommendation of Khelben Arunsun, Onyx, with his companions Vajra and Timoth, joined the army of Haedrak Rhindaun III in 1368 DR.

During the Second Siege of Myratma, King Haedrak sent Onyx on a mission of sabotage within the city of Myratma. He, along with Vajra, Perendra Raslemtar, and Ondul Jarduth, was teleported into the slave pens of the city. The group of four freed the slaves and began causing havoc in the city. It was Onyx who came up with the idea of clogging the city's wells with animal corpses to help end the siege.

Possessions
Onyx carried a battleaxe, a dagger, and a blowgun that he used in battle with steel-tipped darts. He wore leather armor.

Abilities
In battle, Onyx and Timoth made a unique fighting combination, with the dwarf often riding on the centaur's back. The pair both benefited from the arrangement, with Onyx given swiftness, maneuverability and height, often using his blow-darts on the hoof, while Timoth had a trusted ally protecting his back and flanks.

Relationships
Onyx and Timoth were an odd pair, but fast friends. Onyx didn't understand Timoth's unwavering optimism, while Timoth thought Onyx was only so gruff to avoid being nice to folk bigger than him.

Onyx's soft spot was revealed around 1370 DR when he attended a ball at Faerntarn in Darromar and met a dwarven woman named Kiira Ghalmrin. The two fell fast in love; however, she was engaged to another. Her father, Arduke Obar Ghalmrin vehemently opposed their relationship. Onyx had himself transferred from Darromar to newly defected Riatavin to avoid the pain of being in the presence of one forbidden to him. It was not known what became of their relationship.

Appearances

 * Advanced Dungeons & Dragons comic series
 * ''War in Tethyr