Malbete (Lore)

Malbete was a powerful sorcerer from Montpellier in the Kingdom of Betony. He had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, which caused great ambition and greater madness.

Legend of Malbete
Malbete was born in the city of Montpellier a few years after the Betony Rebellion. He was always interested in the ways of the arcane and sought to be the best and brightest of his peers. He earned top marks in every class, and was known to be an inquisitive student who always questioned everything. His curiosity led him to a position of the Royal House of Montpellier at the age of 31.

Malbete was finally pleased that he had access to a wide variety of books and tomes to read from as he served as an advisor to the Lord of Montpellier. He competed heavily for the attention of his Lord amongst his fellow advisors. After several years, Malbete had absorbed every aspect of the books of the arcane available to him. Yet he craved more.

Eventually he turned to his Lord and requested more. Malbete, believing he had his Lord wrapped around his finger, was distraught when his Lord said no. Malbete implored that the books and tomes were of the upmost importance in order to bring stability to the realm. The Lord of Montpellier reminded him that his purpose was to improve magics used throughout Montpellier, not to utilize new ones.

Angry, Malbete turned to Dark Magic for answers. He got far, but did not possess the strength to continue. The Dark Magic depleted his lifeforce. Malbete got in contact with a coven of witches deep within the forest nearby the city. He demanded the strength to learn all he could about Dark Magic. The witches required 2 things for the potion: his blood and his soul. Malbete was hell-bent on crossing the barrier and gave both freely. The witches handed him a potion. The fluid looked dark and shadowy with hints of purple and green throughout. They instructed Malbete to drink the potion when the moon is at its highest.

Malbete returned to his laboratory and looked at the fluid. With the potion in his hand, he had the ability to transpire humanity; to know everything; to gain power. He tore off the cork of the potion and drank the liquid deeply. Within a few minutes, he began to tremble in agony. The guards rushed into Malbete's laboratory and witnessed him transform into a bear. He had asked for the strength, and he got what he asked for. Malbete's mind became corrupted by the knowledge he now possessed. His anger resurfaced a hundred-fold and ransacked the castle. Utilizing his newly-founded knowledge and strength, he destroyed the city of Montpellier and caused the extinction of Montpellier's Royal Bloodline. He roamed the destroyed city and its grounds for many years before he was finally slain by a traveling knight known as Alastair. Even in death, legend has it that Malbete's spirit is able to possess any bear.

Legacy
Because of Malbete's story, it was considered brave and fearful to don a bear insignia on a coat of arms. The legend also served as a reminder to avoid all bears you may come across--because you may not know which will contain the Spirit of Malbete.