Morrigaine McClancey
Morrigaine McClancey is a 148 yr old Teifling, she was born from two Teifling lovers. When Morrigaine was (9) a vicious sickness spread through her village taking her parents with it, through the chaos her grandmother came to raise her and heal her parents. However in the time her grandmother had stayed, her parents became lifeless and more zombied creatures.
With most of the town now deserted from the sickness, Morrigaine and her grandmother had more free run of the homestead and town. Her grandmother began to run things and Morrigaine began to question.
When Morrigaine was (12) she finally had enough evidence to confront her grandmother on knowing her parents were undead at this point. However this confrontation only got her locked in the cellar and homeschooling necromancy by her grandmother, against her will.
By the time she was (19) a snow storm froze the locks ato the cellar and Morrigaine was able to escape and never look back at her house of horrors. vowing to come back and free her parents from the hold of her grandmother.
Okay, so you've read Morrigaine McClancey's tragic past, but what does that mean for playing her or introducing her into your D&D campaign? Crafting a character with such a dark origin story opens up so many possibilities, and I wanted to share some thoughts on how to bring her to life beyond just her history. First off, let’s talk about her class and alignment. Given her forced education in necromancy, a Wizard (School of Necromancy) or a Warlock (Undying or Hexblade patron) would fit perfectly. A Necromancy Wizard would lean into her learned abilities, perhaps showing a conflicted mastery over death magic she once despised. A Warlock could represent a pact made in desperation during her escape, or even a tie to the spectral energy of her zombified parents or her controlling grandmother's lingering influence. You could even consider a Shadow Sorcerer, tapping into the inherent darkness of her upbringing. As for alignment, while her story has dark elements, her desire to free her parents and escape her grandmother suggests she's not inherently evil. Perhaps Chaotic Good or Chaotic Neutral, driven by personal freedom and a desire to right past wrongs, even if her methods are unconventional. When playing Morrigaine, consider her personality. She's been through immense trauma. How does that manifest? Is she withdrawn and cynical, or does she have a burning, quiet rage? Does she trust easily, or is she constantly wary of manipulation? Her experience being locked away might make her value freedom above all else, and she might be fiercely protective of others who are oppressed. Her forced necromancy could be a source of shame, or a pragmatic tool she uses, always with a heavy heart. For Dungeon Masters looking to incorporate Morrigaine McClancey as an NPC, she offers incredible depth. She could be a mysterious figure encountered in a desolate area, perhaps still searching for a way to break her parents free. She might be a reluctant ally, offering her knowledge of necromancy to help the party combat a greater evil, or even a formidable antagonist if her quest for revenge against her grandmother has consumed her. Imagine a scenario where the party stumbles upon her, a lone Tiefling surrounded by a few undead guardians – not mindless zombies, but perhaps the remnants of her attempts to communicate with or understand her parents. Her ultimate goal to 'free her parents from the hold of her grandmother' is a fantastic long-term quest hook. Does 'freeing' them mean finding a cure, putting them to rest, or permanently stopping her grandmother? This quest could lead the party through forgotten crypts, ancient libraries for forbidden lore, or even into direct confrontation with her powerful, twisted grandmother. Tips for creating compelling tragic backstories like Morrigaine's: Give them agency: Even in tragedy, highlight moments where the character makes choices, or is forced into circumstances that shape them. Morrigaine's escape was her agency. Define their current drive: How does the backstory impact their present goals and personality? Morrigaine's past directly fuels her future actions. Avoid 'woe is me' for its own sake: The tragedy should serve a purpose in shaping a complex character, not just be a list of bad things that happened. Morrigaine's necromancy isn't just dark; it's a tool and a scar. Introduce clear antagonists/goals: Her grandmother and her parents' state provide clear objectives. Ultimately, Morrigaine McClancey is a character ripe with dramatic potential, perfect for exploring themes of trauma, family, forbidden magic, and redemption within the rich tapestry of Dungeons & Dragons.
