#Mordoc SeLanmere

[tsrmarina]

Sketched down DnD vampiredom ✍️🩸

Mordoc SeLanmere the Pale Knight, White Prince • Strahd von Zarovich the First Vampire • Astarion Ancunín the Pale Elf, Vampire Ascendant

[waluigisgaybf]

LMAO I WAS RIGHT THERE WAS A VAMPIRE IN DARK ALLIANCE. HES ONE OF THE MAIN VILLAINS LMAO.

My ass did NOT see it in there but apparently theres a bust of him with his name on a plaque in Cazadors castle/mansion so thats cool lmao

[bimonchipmunk]

A Speculation post for an early 2000's game (Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance III)

"The vampire's gambit has failed, Giver-of-Eternity...

Baldur's Gate still stands strong.

And what of Mordoc, priest?

Utterly destroyed, o mighty pharaoh, in an attempt to hold the tower.

His failure cannot be allowed to hamper my sacred mission.

We will leave Mulhorand and see to the matter ourselves.

Raise the tomb soldiers and prepare my sun barge.

As my god-king demands..."

- Cliffhanger ending scene of Dark Alliance II

Speculation for this old game follows under the read more. Whilst I am very, very far from an expert on the Forgotten Realms lore, I have tried to piece it together for love of this old video game that will likely never see a new one.

Location

It is specifically stated that these characters are in Mulhorand. Approximately 2300 miles away from the city of Baldur's Gate on land. It's quite a distance away from Baldur's Gate, however the usage of a sun barge as mentioned in the dialogue, would reduce this. This could mean travelling through the Celestial Sea until reaching the Sword Coast and Baldur's Gate via boat.

Additionally, the use of the Shadow Gates featured in the game could allow travel. As per the Dark Alliance II intro, these Shadow Gates are potentially still in place despite the destruction of the tower.

The Dark Alliance series takes place around 1374 DR and context will be taken based upon this date.

Antagonists

The Pharaoh (Horustep III?)

What is this characters "sacred mission"? As per the ending of Dark Alliance 2, it is confirmed that this character is a Pharaoh of Mulhorand. Based upon the date of the game, it is likely that this character is the last Pharaoh of the Mulhorand empire, Horustep III (Reign 1357 DR - 1385 DR). The time period means that he has not yet been through the events of the Spellplague.

The Pharaoh's are traditionally incarnations of the God: Horus-Re. The Pharaoh is the ruler of the Mulhorand empire. Horustep III was affected by the event known as the "Time of Troubles". Horustep III lost his divine incarnation when Ao reunited the God's physical manifestations with their divine essence. The Pharaoh feared the reaction that his people would have upon discovering that he was no longer an avatar of Horus-Re.

I think that this could be a motivation for allying with Mordoc Selanmere. Through turning the city of Baldur's Gate into the undead, the Onyx heart absorbed a vast amount of life force (40,000 dead). Could this have been intented to provide Horustep III with souls in a bid to restore his power? Mordoc is an excellent alchemist and could have the means to do so.

It is very likely Mordoc would keep this power for himself, it would not be the first time he has betrayed someone. He took the tower for himself whilst posing as Eldrith the Betrayer's servant.

The Vizier (Kalarzim?)

Described as a priest, I can't gather much about this character. Priests appear to have high ranking within Mulhorand society. The wiki mentions a vizier by the name of "Kalarzim" who could fit this character. I could see him fitting a secondary antagonist role much like Xanhast held in the second game.

Conclusion

The cliffhanger ending leaves much to wonder about what direction the third game would have taken. There has been great emphasis on the elemental planes throughout the game. Whilst the Onyx Tower appears to have been destroyed for good with the destruction of the Onyx Heart, perhaps the third entry could have more of a focus on deities and their planes?

The tower's life force appears to be the main motivation that I can gather through the content in the second game. However, there doesn't appear to be much conflict between the lands of Baldur's Gate and Mulhorand for a potential invasion. Would the game have still taken place within the iconic city of Baldur's Gate? It is a mystery.

Feel free to add any thoughts on here!