Thenoda

Thenoda is an archmage and a member of the Circle of Eight.

Appearance
Thenoda is a medium-sized woman of unknown origin whose face is shrouded by an illusory gray haze at all times. This illusion cannot be dispelled unless she retires from her position in the Circle of Eight.

Personality
Thenoda comes across as calm and collected. She seems to be something of a spokesperson for the Circle of Eight during meetings, although this may or may not be an official position.

Background
Thenoda is a powerful mage who rose through the ranks of Atemcester's wizards to become a member of the Circle of Eight. Upon ascending to the Circle, Thenoda consented to remain anonymous and have her face hidden with illusion magic as long as she served as an archmage. Her true name is unknown. Initially, she was known by her title and preferred school of magic. However, this was deemed cumbersome by many and, upon the discovery of a tablet in ruins from the late Vrinian Empire, the archmagi decided to adopt the names of ancient wizards for their seats. She selected the name Thenoda for her seat. Before the Pog Champions arrived in Atemcester, the Circle held a vote on whether or not to entrust the Bands of the Archmagi to them. The vote was marginally in favor of allowing the adventurers to take the Abyssal Crest, pending the results of a test of ability administered by the Crest's current guardian, Esbat. It is unknown how Thenoda voted on this motion.

Atemcester Arc
Thenoda was present for the party's initial meeting with the Circle of Eight. She told them that the Circle had been aware of their journey from the start. She had been expecting them since Port Valor, and the recent demonic attack on Raven Rock strengthened the Circle's resolve to protect the Bands of the Archmagi. Upon the party's return to the material plane with the Crest, Paisodos advised his colleagues to keep the Bands' transfer secret, and Thenoda assured him that Rendor, the receptionist who guided the party to the meeting, had agreed to a mind wipe. When Ashara revealed her knowledge of the Vrinian Empire, Thenoda was the one who questioned how she was aware of this ancient civilization that the Circle had only recently discovered. She took great interest in Ashara's background and knowledge and, while she admitted it would require a vote from the Circle, was amenable to Ashara's proposition of returning to Atemcester as a research consultant on matters relating to the Vrinian Empire. Thenoda speculated that the Draconic Conflagration destroyed any information about the warforged, which is how the Circle was unaware of their Vrinian enslavement when they adopted their new names from Vrinian mages. The next day, when Ashara returned to the Circle Tower to tell the archmagi more about the Vrinian Empire and fully translate the tablet they discovered, Thenoda responded to Ashara's accusation that Paisodos was secretly an ancient slaver pretending to not be able to read the tablet himself by suggesting that Paisodos look into a name change. She seemed to imply that this type of gaffe is typical of Paisodos. Thenoda also defended Rendor's unwillingness to give Ashara the teleportation sigil for Malino're for free, but said that they may be able to give Ashara a specific sigil if she truly needs one, subject to a certain amount of bureaucracy.

Goals
Thenoda's wider goals are unknown to the Pog Champions. However, she has said she wants the Bands of the Archmagi to be protected against agents of the Burning Knight.

Abilities
Thenoda is an extremely powerful wizard, and one of the contemporary masters of her craft. Her preferred school of magic is unknown to the Pog Champions, however, and they have not seen her cast any of her spells.

Quotes

 * Quote 1

Trivia

 * While Thenoda's preferred school of magic is unknown, her comments about the Circle following the journeys of the Pog Champions since the devastation of Port Valor and self-assurance possibly indicate that she may be the Archmage of Divination.