Skellum
| Skellum | |
|---|---|
|
Cybariss Master Skellum | |
| Information | |
| Species | Human |
| Birth, Life & Death | |
| Birthplace | Cabal City, Otaria, Dominaria |
| Lifetime | Rift Era |
| Death | 4305 AR |
| Sources | |
| Chainer's Torment | |
Skellum was an old dementia master in the employ of the Cabal on Dominaria. His secret name was Cybariss.[1][2]
Description
Skellum was a small, neat man, elegant in his manner and graceful in his movements. He was dressed in form-fitting snakeskin dyed midnight black and wore a waterproof cape with a bright red collar and black fur lining. His head was completely concealed by a bell-shaped hat made of grayish paper stretched tight between stiff wire ribs. The hat hung loosely from a hook that sprouted up from a wire rig attached to his shoulders. There were gaps between every second panel that allowed him to see, but each gap was only a few inches wide. One of the gaps was positioned directly in front of his face. He had clear blue eyes, an elegant beard, and a neat mustache. Beside him stood the huge black dog Azza, whose head was as big as a pony's. The dog's shoulder reached Skellum's elbow, and she outweighed him. Her eyes glowed dusky red in the shadow of her brow.[3]
History
Skellum was highly skilled at dementia casting, but his relatively slow casting speed meant that he rarely fought in the pits, instead serving as a trainer for young casters. Skellum was infamous for wearing a silly hat, which obscured part of his face and could be spun around at high speed. Doing this allowed Skellum to enter his dementia space whilst confusing his opponents.
Skellum's academy for dementia casters was the main institute for training the Cabal's elite pit-fighters. The most famous (and last) graduate of the academy was Chainer, whom Skellum trained not simply to be another pit caster, but rather to be a full-fledged dementist, someone with the skill and magic power to create a whole tournament's worth of dementia horrors to entertain the crowds. Few ever attained this status, but Skellum was confident that Chainer had the potential to do so if he was given enough training. During the Battle for the Mirari, Skellum was frustrated by the interference of the Cabal Patriarch, who pressed for Chainer to progress faster than Skellum thought was wise. However, Skellum remained confident that the Patriarch knew what he was doing.
Unfortunately for Skellum, the Patriarch believed the main restraint on Chainer's progress was Skellum. He organised for the old dementist to be put into a pit fight against an Order crusat squad led by Major Teroh and commanded Skellum and his team-mate Braids to throw the match. Skellum recognised that he was being sent to die and so channelled his experience in the fight to Chainer, so that he could witness his master's death. As he expected, Skellum struggled to summon creatures fast enough and was badly injured by an Order Justicar. He attempted to forfeit the match, but Teroh ignored him, instead allowing a troop of wolf-monkey mandrills controlled by the Order's druid ally to savage Skellum to death.
Story appearances
| Title | Author | Publishing date | Set | Setting (plane) | Featuring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chainer's Torment | Scott McGough | January 2002 | Torment | Dominaria | Chainer, Teroh, Baankis, Callda, Reseda, Roup, Skellum, Azza, Deidre, Virot Maglan, Llawan, Aboshan (mentioned) Rillu Veza, Pianna (mentioned), Cateran, Laquatus, Turg, Kamahl, Kirtar, Sengir (mentioned), Seton, Minat, Jeska, Balthor Rockfist, Louche, Olsham, Fulla, Bretath (mentioned), Devon, Burke, Gobal, Yewma, Kuberr, Nibahn, Fleer, Capau |
References
- ↑ Scott McGough (2002). Chainer's Torment. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Will McDermott (June 03, 2002). "Caught in the Mirari's Wake, Part 3". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Scott McGough (2002) - Chainer's Torment, Wizards of the Coast.