Telemont Tanthul

The Netherese Arcanist known as High Prince Telamont Tanthul (NE male shade Wiz20/Acm5/Sha10) is one of the most powerful mages now in Faerun. He was known once, thousands of years ago, as Lord Shadow. One of the few remaining citizens of Netheril who survived the destruction of the empire, he rules the Shadovars with absolute authority. When he considers the time to be right, Telamont plans to reveal to the Shadovars the fact that he is the Lord Shadow of legend, inspiring them to victory.

Well over two millennia old, Telamont preserves his life by means of powerful magic, such as wish spells. This process has been made easier by virtue of the fact that he is no longer human, but rather an outsider. The natural life span of a shade is many times longer that that of an ordinary human. However, Telamont acknowledges reluctantly that as his outsider body begins to fail, stronger measures are required to keep him alive. He has not yet decided on the best means of continuing his existence, but the Shadovars return to Faerun offers a wealth of possibilities, including transformation into an undead creature.

Telamont has taken great pains to preserve what he believed were the best elements of Netherese society and merge them with the characteristics necessary for survival on the hostile Plane of Shadow. The result is a society bound by formality and regimentation, in which even the most mundane aspects of daily life have some level of ritual bound up in their execution. In this fashion order is maintained, but more important, so is continuity of culture from century to century. As the final arbiter of all that transpires in the City of Shade, in many ways Telemont is the city. His subjects view him as the living embodiment of all their customs, beliefs, and values. And that is exactly how Telemont sees himself as well.

Those who meet the High Prince encounter someone who has has millennia to practice keeping his true thoughts and feelings in check. Telamont is as difficult to read as he is to bluff. Even his sons rarely know what their father is truly thinking behind his impenetrable mask of glacial calm. Despite his inexpressive exterior, Telamont's mind is always in motion. At heart the High Prince is an autocrat. His determination to lead his city stems from a strong inner conviction that no other individual could possibly be as successful at it as he considers himself to be. Still tall and robust despite his age, the High Prince cuts an imposing figure whether seated on his floating throne or presiding over ceremonies in the streets of the city. Whenever he appears in public, the High Prince prefers to wear the traditional dark armor of the Netherese Imperium, with its dragon-winged overmantle, stylized vambraces, and flowing, dark purple robes. The High Prince's personal sigil is a stylized lionesque creature, with dragonlike or batlike wings rampant, in black silhouette on a blood red field.