Belzamour

Belzamour is a Homunculus, created by Katia Schlosser and purchased by the mad Wizard Traven to serve as his Dread Familiar.

Background

After Traven returned from his studies in Souragne and settled down in Lamordia, he keenly felt the need for a laboratory assistant to help him with the practical aspects of his work. As he was disenchanted with the idea of taking on an apprentice after his conflict with Arcael, natural animals seemed both too willful and too limited, and most advanced familiars too possessed of their own will and schemes, Traven felt an artificial lifeform crafted solely for the purpose of being his slave would serve him best.

Through correspondence, Traven made contact with Katia Schlosser, who was known to engage in the crafting of such items. He introduced himself to Katia by letter and communicated his needs, offering appropriate payment. Possibly, Traven was too rude in his missive. Possibly he let slip too much of his interests. Maybe Katia Schlosser, who was after all Tanar'ri and a persona of the Devoratrix better known as the Red Haunt, simply had mischief on her mind. Regardless, Katia investigated Traven further before she got to work, and the homunculus she eventually shipped to him in a box - the deliveryman meeting his end in Traven's dungeon - was everything he had asked for, but also much more.

Current Sketch

Belzamour bonded with her master through the familiar ritual effortlessly, and has proven intelligent and capable at 'her' tasks. Traven was surprised to find the homunculus had improved intelligence, possessed a voice, and looked like a flawless miniature succubus instead of the usual lumpen miniature gargoyle. None of this concerned him.

What did trouble Traven, was that soon after Belzamour's arrival, he would start to hear a child singing, talking or even laughing in his cold lair. No amount of searching has ever helped him find this intruder, none of his wards or Goblyn soldiers have managed to catch her. Some nights, Traven thinks it possible that his daughter's soul is calling out to him. Other nights, he fears he is losing his mind - being unaware that he is already insane.

The Truth

The voice Traven hears belongs, of course, to Belzamour. It is as close to the voice of Traven's lost child as Katia Schlosser could make her creation's second voice be. The homunculus mimics her master's child not to hurt him, but in response to his feelings of grief and loneliness; she is intelligent, but has no proper understanding of human emotions - Katia did not give it to her. One day, if both familiar and master are very unfortunate, Belzamour may decide to try and alleviate his pain by approaching him in her second form: a miniature version of his daughter, with the wings and halo of an angel. If that ever happens, Belzamour will surely perish, and the mind of Traven will surely break. Currently, Traven keeps his familiar very busy in the laboratory, and the work seems to be helping him, but if that ever changes...