Wolfgang Scheunacht

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Wolfgang Scheunacht is a powerful Bright Wizard who has fallen to the

temptations of Chaos. However, thanks to his intelligence and subtlety, no one
suspects his corruption.[1a]
Wolfgang has learned through various contacts of the discovery of a
powerful Chaos artefact in Middenheim and knows that those he follows are
involved. He is at first aware that it has been destroyed, and so he has travelled to
Middenheim to find it. Once Wolfgang has such an artefact, he plans to perform the
ritual The Transfiguration of Resplendent Glory, which will destroy the artefact and
grant him great power.[1a]
On learning that the characters are looking for a particular Chaos artefact and the
means to destroy it, he can hardly believe his luck. At an appropriate moment, he
offers the services of his ritual. If taken up on this, the artefact is destroyed, but
they have released a potent new Chaos power on the world, been severely
weakened, and probably driven insane by the experience.[1a][1b]
If people in the Bright College are contacted, the curious might realise that
something is wrong during the ritual. In that case, they can disrupt it, which
destroys Wolfgang but leaves an even more powerful artefact still in need of
destruction.[1b]
Wolfgang is a powerful master wizard on the verge of becoming a wizard lord. He
is also a secret follower of Chaos but far more subtle and patient than most. He
does not think of himself as a Chaos cultist, as he is not a member of a cult. When
he is ready, he intends to lead a cult, but for now, associating with other followers
of Chaos would risk discovery.[1b]
As a result of his care and patience, no one suspects his affiliation with Chaos.
Although he knows Chaos magic, he has used it less than a dozen times in his life,
and he is almost equally sparing with his use of Dark Magic to boost his Bright
magic. Thus, he has avoided sustaining any obvious or even subtle Chaos marks.
With his discovery of The Transfiguration of Resplendent Glory, Wolfgang is almost
ready to openly move into the service of Chaos.[1c]
Wolfgang is a middle-aged man of average height and weight. He is clean-shaven,
and keeps his head completely shaved as well. He wears red and orange robes
signifying his College and a golden key as a pendant. He is happy to let people
believe that the key is magical even though it is perfectly mundane.[1c]
As a powerful wizard, he has a strong tendency to treat most people as inferiors.
Powerful nobles and other wizards are the main exceptions. In truth, he regards his
peers as beneath his contempt, with the possible exceptions of a few of the most
powerful wizards who are enemies to be killed. However, he is practised at hiding
this and making it seem like nothing more than normal arrogance. He wants to give
the impression that he sees people as potentially useful servants or even allies
with abilities he lacks. He is almost always polite but always assumes that he is in
a position of authority. When he praises their abilities, the praise is slightly
condescending as if their abilities are almost nothing compared to his, which is, in
fact, probably true.[1c][1d]
If people do uncover evidence that he is working for the dark powers and confront
him with it, he is briefly unnerved before improvising an explanation. While his
memory is good, it is not perfect, and accusers may be able to catch him in an
error in his explanation by raising the issue again later in a subtle way; he is a
powerful wizard and thus will not tolerate being questioned.[1d]
Magic Items
 Gloves of Jarfreit: These elegant leather gloves were created a little over a
century ago for the personal champion of a wizard in the northern Empire. The first
wearer, the eponymous Jarfreit, was an excellent warrior and was never defeated on
account of their ability to increase his willpower. His successor, Magnus, relied too
much on the power of the gloves and was defeated by an assassin who also killed
his master and stole the gloves. Wolfgang recovered them fairly early in his career.
[1c]
 Amulet of Say-K'thar: The amulet's power can be consumed to grant the
successful casting of a single spell, even if it would normally be impossible for the
caster, after which the amulet shatters. Apparently made of spun glass in many
colours, the Amulet of Say-K’thar is supernaturally resistant to all damage. It was
crafted by an Elven High Mage many centuries ago, and it has had countless
owners. Legends say that over a dozen of these amulets were created, but most
have had their final power used and were thus destroyed. Wolfgang took his from
a Chaos wizard he killed 10 years ago, and he will use the amulet to guarantee that
success when casting The Transfiguration of Resplendent Glory.[1c]