Games - Jon Irenicus

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	Games - Jon Irenicus

Jonoleth Irenicus is a fictional character in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, a Dungeons & Dragons
computer role-playing game set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting. Irenicus is voiced by David Warner.

Character

Irenicus at first appears to be a simple villain with a keen interest in torture. He is seen torturing the player character with powerful magics at the very beginning of Shadows of Amn. However, minutes into the game he reveals that his apparent motive for said torture is to unlock his victim's latent power, thereby benefitting them in the long run. His lair seems to confirm the view of him being a strange character, on one hand, grossly harmed creatures that lie deformed in containers emphasize the evil in him. On the other, his obsession with a woman he'd previously maintained a relationship with reveals a much more human side to him. Indeed, it becomes apparent later in the game that Irenicus's embarking on his dark path came about partly from love. His overly possessive nature eventually became too much for his partner to bear, and unable to let go, Irenicus turned to pursuit of power and revenge, which in turn led to him becoming utterly evil in nature, a true villain. However, not only love was responsible for his downfall. Irenicus was already a powerful spellcaster, and the power he sought was the power of the gods themselves, trying to enter the elven pantheon. So he was punished for his lust for power by being stripped of what made him an elf. No longer being able to feel with the same intensity as before, he became bitter, obcessed about his downfall, and embarked on a mission where it was hard to tell if his objective was that of gaining power or satisfying his revenge.

At the start of the game, Irenicus appears to be a human, although later dialogue reveals that both he and his sister, Bodhi, are exiled elves. The elves of Suldanessellar refer to him as 'the Exile', and it turns out his lost love is the elven Queen Ellesime. He is a highly arrogant, and an incredibly powerful wizard. He does, for example, cause a huge explosion within the city of Athkatla, and eliminate several Cowled Wizards that were sent to arrest him thereafter, before eventually surrendering by choice rather than continue his violent actions.

Appearance, Name and Powers

Irenicus is, at first, not readily identifiable as an elf, due mainly to his lack of that race's pointed ears and unblemished physical appearance. He is unusually well-muscled for a mage of traditional high fantasy, and his body shows the ravages of time as a result of being disconnected from the life-force and immortality of the elven people. Irenicus' face is deeply veined and invariably bears a cold, disdainful expression.

Irenicus' elven ears appear to have been surgically removed and replaced with a form-fitting skullcap that covers the rear half of his head. The exact purpose of this skullcap is unknown, though it (possibly in conjunction with Irenicus' armor) presumably serves some sort of life-support function. This is especially likely in light of the self-imposed vampirism used by Bodhi (Irenicus' likewise-exiled "sister", though whether this is in blood or merely name remains unclear) to sustain her own existence. It is also possible that Irenicus' bodily modifications allow him to augment or better focus his considerable magic power.

Irenicus' magic is, like Irenicus himself, elven in origin. The extent of Irenicus' power is so great that he may rank among the most powerful wizards in all of Faerun, possibly rivaling even Elminster. In combat, Irenicus is decisive and overwhelmingly potent, usually eliminating opponents with only a single spell at a time. Irenicus is clearly able to cast spells of the ninth level or even beyond, and often disintegrates or detonates enemies in an instant. Had he decided to engage the full force of the Cowled Wizards outside his home in Waukeen's Promenade, he might have lasted an impressive amount of time against them, though he probably would have fallen in the end.

Joneleth is Irenicus' elven name, and Jon Irenicus is later revealed to mean "Jon the Shattered One." The name "Irenicus" was born out of Joneleth's hatred, self-pity, and desire for revenge on Queen Ellesime, and the people of Suldanesslar, for his exile. Irenicus is an ultimately unsympathetic character who (like Melissan in Throne of Bhaal) seeks to claim divine power to which he has no right. This hubris is in contrast to the motivations of Bhaalspawn individuals such as Sarevok and the Player-Character, who can at least pursue Bhaal's power under the excuse of heredity.

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