Hearts of Darkness: Way of the Wicked

Game Master Celeador

Thanks for the feedback.

I've never seen Bard and Alchemist mixed together before, either. I'm nervous but think it could work, but would of course consider GM or other PC feedback and can make the concept work with pure pursuit of one of those classes, augmenting either the music or alchemy with purchased items/magic and roleplay.

I also gave a long look at using arcane bomber for a pure wizard build, and simply roleplaying the performance. It lacks the skill points, but if it's a preferred embodiment, I can be swayed.

I've seen folks play skalds (fighter/bard) or rage-chemists (barbarian/alchemist) with good success without a prestige class. I suspect it would work in a similar way where essentially bard is just used to further boost the alchemist's core attacks. Ultimately, Kaynen is not about "DPR", but about having the right tool for the right time - not just for himself, but for his team and the battle-du-jour.

With an intent to be a co-orchestrator of overthrowing the establishment, he would be focused on arming with appropriate tools. With a handful of spontaneous casters already selected, Kaynen would certainly embrace the fact that he can look ahead to hints of the day's challenges and adjust his "spells" accordingly. He would absolutely be taking the Infusion to pass out infusions of shield, cure light/moderate, restoration, energy resistance, darkvision, gaseous form, fly, etc.

With regards to the personalities, I don't imagine it to be something common - he's not crazy (yet?). And as the bright chap he is, I doubt he'd ever behave in such a way when in the presence of others (which will be most of the time). If anything, I see it more being handled with internal dialogue he may have with himself contemplating his song selection or upcoming combat tactics.

Thanks for the consideration and pouring over the walls of text all of us have written this week...

Six Important Things about the Character
1. Arash was raised in secret by one of the bishops of Mitra’s clergy, Bishop Buram Landrhew. Bishop Buram had him raised as a secret “inquisitor”, whose goal was to strike at evil in the very heart of the country without raising suspicion. Arash’s seclusion allowed Buram to tightly control Arash’s development as a person and to easily manipulate Arash’s worldview.
2. The tales of Arash’s parentage are that he was born to a devil-worshipping mother and a cambion father who had aided the hidden cell of Asmodean worshippers. He was taken by the Bishop when he was but a child and secreted away from the inquisitors so that he might have a chance at redemption.
3. Arash was trained by Moran, an archer with an unorthodox approach, but one that worked well. As Arash was trained in the bow, Moran also provided lessons in stealth, traps, and more esoteric ways of killing and manipulating others. He took to the lessons well, but the more spiritual pieces have evaded him for the time being.
4. After being confined for so long, Arash longed for the outdoors. He kept to himself outside, but occasionally had close calls with others. On a few instances, he was spotted by hunters, trappers, and others that travelled in the wilds. He ambushed them, determined to keep his existence a secret and praying that Mitra would forgive this as all other things would eventually be.
5. Arash wanted to know more about his past, so that he could hunt down his father, who had supposedly escaped. He investigated it from time to time, but during the reports he read over for another mission, he came across something overlooked in the archives. One of the inquisitors had looked into a report of a mother who had given birth to a fiendish child, but the child had disappeared before the inquisitor could arrive. This occurred in the town that Bishop Buram, then just a Father, served and the vague reports of the baby seemed similar to that of Arash. He was intrigued, but thought nothing of it until recently.
6. He truly believed that what he was doing was striking down opponents of the faith, but in reality it was those that prevented Bishop Buram’s rise in the ranks of the clergy. Even when pursuing the king, he had been convinced that the king was corrupted, much like Markadian III had been.
7. This came crashing down around him when he was taken. He’s spent the time since going over the events of his life again and again. Everything has been a lie. The salvation he sought has been ripped from his grasp, his own actions taking it further from him. In this state, he’ll probably lash out at things that remind him of what was done to him, but eventually he’ll stabilize and channel that hatred and rage into a new goal.

Four Goals:
1. Short Term: Arash wants to see Bishop Buram, Moran, and the others in Buram’s employ die slowly for what they did to him
2. Long Term: Arash will want to find a new purpose, particularly salvation through something. That salvation doesn’t need to be a removal of his “sins” but rather a justification of his life and actions. It is likely that the Church of Asmodeus will provide that for him, but another faith, such as Norgorber or even a cause may lend him that.
3. Long Term: Find out the truth surrounding his mother and father. The seed of doubt was sown long ago, but now it has taken root and he wishes to find out more about his parentage.
4. Long Term: Arash wants a last name. He long ago thought about using Bishop Buram’s, but that was too dangerous. Now, it is a reviled thing to him. He wants a last name that shows his purpose and carries meaning. It is important that he earn it rather than simply decide on one.

Two Secrets, One Known and One Unknown:
1. Arash deeply believed in the power of Mitra and salvation brought by faith in him. He followed the twisted doctrine that Bishop Buram taught him. This now shames him that he believed in such a lie.
2. Although his father was indeed a cambion, his mother was far from a devil-worshipper. She was a faithful Mitran and young woman, Lucasta Torvine, who was seduced by a passing dark stranger, the cambion Theribus Vordeth. Theribus had been working as a mercenary at the time in Talingarde, using magic to keep his identity secret.

Five People that are tied to Arash, Three Friends and Two Enemies:
1. Rana Edelvin: A young human girl that worked in the church that Arash was kept at. She was Arash’s handler and surrogate mother. He wants to hate her for everything, but can’t bring himself to. Little known to him and to Bishop Buram, she is a follower of Asmodeus who has been whispering in the bishop’s ear and provoking him to further atrocities.
2. Tunivel Sorish: Tunivel is a scoundrel and information broker that has helped Arash in the past in accomplishing the missions that were given to him. He seems to be only interested in coin, but seems to have taken a liking to the naïve tiefling.
3. Theribus Vordeth: A cambion who fathered Arash and then left. Whether or not he knows about Arash, he seems to have little interest in the tiefling he created.
4. Cardinal Buram Landrhew: The bishop that raised Arash, used him as a tool to rise in power, and then discarded him when it was convenient. His activities were close to being discovered, but in a twist of fate and a cunning maneuver, Bishop Buram managed to elevate himself and implicate a few of his opponents by sacrificing a pawn and forging some documents.
5. Moran: The harsh instructor of Arash. The tiefling has little love for the man, but seeks to apply his lessons as best he can. Arash suspects he had a hand to play in all of it beyond molding the tiefling as a tool, but Arash is not sure how much of one.

Four Mannerisms:
1. Arash is extremely uncomfortable being away from his weapon. It holds significance to him, including a feeling of safety and power, but also, he feels incomplete when he is separated from his bow. The weapon he wielded previously reminds him too much of the shattered delusions he believed in before, so he will seek to find a new one.
2. Arash stares at people in a manner that leaves them feeling a bit uncomfortable. If asked, most people say that it reminds them of being watched by a predator.
3. He hates the indoors and will often seek to be outside rather than stay inside. Nature appeals to him and outside lets him feel free. These feelings will deepen after he escapes.
4. Arash has had to lie numerous times about unusual things about him, even though he tries to avoid social encounters with others. This has led him to embracing the well-known silver-tongue of tieflings. He does this mostly to avoid problems and to try and compensate for his utter lack of socialization otherwise.

"The bow and you are one. Think not of it as a tool, but as an extension of yourself." Moran examined Arash’s form, nodding slightly and mumbling to himself all while adjusting Arash’s posture with slight pushes and slaps.

"What does that mean, teacher? I don’t understand it." Arash asked, careful to keep his eyes straight, focused on the target. Avoiding a beating was almost as important as learning the lessons taught. His volatile teacher ensured that he learned quickly or earned a new scar to remind the boy.

"You will, Arash, or you will suffer, but this is a lesson best grasped over time." He looked once more at the boy, giving a final examination. “Perfect form… Now release. Let the arrow take flight and follow it. Never let it leave your sight.”

The arrow flew straight, striking the target perfectly, nearly a hundred feet from where student and teacher stood. He followed the arrow the entire time in its flight, letting his arms sink as the arrow flew. Yes, Arash thought, that’s sure to please. He turned to look at his master, but found Moran staring at the target, a frown on his face.

Moran lashed out at Arash, striking the boy in the face. "When did I say let your weapon fall?! Always be ready for the next shot! Learning new lessons is no excuse to forget the old!" Moran sighed and shook his head, "You may never be ready to receive the grace of Mitra, Arash, so foolish are you. Your heritage will never be forgiven." Moran smirked slightly, just out of sight of his young pupil.

Arash righted himself and with grim determination he nocked another arrow. I am a faithful believer. I will one day be worthy. Focus. Concentrate. Follow the arrow. Remember your lessons. I will be ready. I will serve. My place in the light will be secured.

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The king sat in this throne surrounded by shining kinghts. The palace itself was a testament to the glory of Mitra, and the opulence of the aristocracy. Arash kept his eyes low, not out of shame, but a distaste for the décor around him. It reminded him so of his tainted heritage. His tail lashed back and forth wildly, his frustration evident. How was I caught? Arash asked himself. I followed the plan outlined by Moran. The king stood up from his throne and stepped forward a couple of steps.

"Did you think you could take my family and I here in the palace, devil spawn?" Markadian shook his head. "Fortunately, I was forewarned about your plan."

Forewarned? Arash raised his head to meet the boots of the king. Who? Moran, Tunivel, Rana, and maybe a few others knew the plan, but... He kept his eyes low as he swept his gaze about the room. "Looking for your co-conspirators? They’re being rounded up as we speak." Arash lowered his eyes to the floor again, confused and searching for possibilities. It was all he had now. He had failed and the tainted king had him. He would never see Mitra’s glory.

Markadian’s boots appeared in front of him. "Lift him up. I wish to look him in the eye as I tell him his fate." Arash felt the cold, sharp metal of the knights’ gauntlets as they roughly lifted him to his feet. I will at least deny him this. He kept his gaze at the king’s feet. "Lift his head! Make him look at me!" More metal, enclosing grasping fingers, was on his head and his face now. They forced him to look the king in the face.

"There, spawn of evil. You now know the face of the man who orders your execution. You will die for your sins, for they are many. Extortion, kidnapping, and murder, but the most recent is high treason. You will die for all of these, and I wish that you had multiple lives so that I could take them all, but for the charge of high treason you will be drawn and quartered. May the pain give you clarity of the magnitude of your damnation as you die." The king gestured to the guards, looking away from Arash. "Take him away. I wish him to taint this room no longer."

The only clarity that I need is th- The thought died in his head as the guards spun him about and he saw Bishop Buram. Why is father here? The guards pulled him on, taking the bishop and the king out of his sight. The king spoke as Arash was being dragged from the chamber. "Bishop Buram Landrhew, I thank you for your aid in this matter. It was fortunate that your men discovered this plot in time."

The world became muted for Arash. Assistance? But father was the one that I aided. I... He... We... destroyed evil. He set me on the road to redemption... right? I...

The bishop’s words broke through his malign reverie, "Of course, my king. I am only too glad to serve. It was through the guidance of Mitra that I and my men were able to discover that foul creature’s plans before they could come any closer to fruition. His punishment is just."

Pain flooded Arash’s world, drowning out everything else. The palace was filled his screams, unholy rage given voice for moments before the knights dragging him gagged the tiefling. He raged and sobbed as he was thrown in the wagon. Death. Death to them all. It was all he had left.

Arash
Tiefling Ranger 1
LE Medium Outsider (native)
Init +4; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +6
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DEFENSE
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AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 10 (+4 Dex)
hp 12 (1d10+2)
Resistances cold 5, electricity 5, fire 5
Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +2
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OFFENSE
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee Unarmed +3 (1d3+2)
Special Attacks favored enemy (humanoid[human]) +2
Spell-Like Abilities darkness (1/day)
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STATISTICS
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Str 14, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 8
Base Atk +1; [b]CMB +3; [b]CMD 17
[b]Feats Point Blank Shot
Traits Convincing Liar (Bluff), High Treason
Trained Skills Bluff +7, Climb +6, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +5, Knowledge (nature) +5, Perception +6, Stealth +10, Survival +6, Swim +6
Untrained Skills Acrobatics +4, Appraise +1, Diplomacy -1, Disguise -1, Escape Artist +4, Heal +2, Intimidate -1, Ride +4, Sense Motive +2
Languages Common, Halfling, Infernal
SQ prehensile tail, track, wild empathy +0
Gear None
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RACIAL ABILITIES
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+2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, -2 Charisma
Type Outsider (Native)
Darkvision 60 ft.
Fiendish Resistance
Skilled
Spell-Like Ability: Darkness (1/day)
Prehensile Tail

Six Important Things About Zerubbabel
1. Zerubbabel has long been a secret follower of Asmodeus, who has already promised much to her in her auguries with the dead when she was capable of casting them.
2. Her true interest, however, lies in the creation and control of the undead. It is an unhealthy obsession for her, and she has defiled many graveyards, and even killed some to comprehend the transfer of soul energy in the death process.
3. Zerubbabel used to wear a long flowing black and red gown when she was a part of the noble community. She still finds these colors interesting, with Black representing the mysteries of death and Red representing blood and life force.
4. Zerubbabel's father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather were all Brothers of the Gryphon, but before that her family had been noble knights of the Order of Nine Stars. Although this order practiced publicly, there were some secrets that were never shown to the uninitiated.
5. Zerubbabel was raised as a noble, but continually found herself drawn to a macabre and perhaps even scientific understanding of the nature of the soul, the forces of positive and negative energy, and their effects on people. She set up a 'laboratory' of sorts, which turned out mainly to be a torture chamber to slowly kill victims or attempt to bring dead flesh back to 'life'.
6. Zerubbabel is surprisingly beautiful, but does not seem to realize it as beauty has never seemed that important to her.
7. Zerubbabel is haunted (oracle's curse) by those whose graves she has defiled, and by those she has personally killed. She is often plagued by 'nightmares', but she finds these more fascinating than frightening. The hauntings are just one more manifestation of negative energy to observe and catalog.

Four Goals
1. Zerubbabel wants to raise and control an undead corpse for as long as she possibly can. It is as much a mental challenge for her as a ploy for power. Her inquisitive mind wants to know the secrets of negative energy.
2. She wants revenge against her father, who disinherited her upon her arrest. Whether she simply wants to kill him slowly or have his corpse serve her for all eternity (or both), she does not know.
3. Zerubbabel wants to know the source of her oracular powers. While she has been devoted to Asmodeus for a long time, she had her powers for even longer. Particularly why her touch can both heal and kill.
4. Long Term: She wants revenge against the Sacred Brotherhood of the Gryphon, and wishes to see them all dead or in servitude to Asmodeus (or herself as corpses).

Two Secrets, One Known, and One Unknown
1. When playing in her room as a child, Zerubbabel once accidentally conjured two beings of negative and positive energy and brought them together, creating a small explosion. She knows she can still do it, but has never told anyone of this particular event, or dared to demonstrate it.
2. The Order of Nine Stars, the sacred order of knights her ancestors once belonged to, secretly worshipped the Nine Powers of Hell, holding human sacrifices and secret rites in the basement of the Athanost manor estate. This area has been sealed for some time, but it was during one of these ancient rites when a prophesy was given for the birth of a female child who would hold life and death in her hands.

Four People Tied to Zerubbabel, Two Friends and Two Enemies
1. Enemy: Zerubbabel's father, Lord Avaston Athanost, is an upstanding member of the Sacred Brotherhood of the Gryphon, who before Zerubbabel's arrest was nearing a position of some authority and power in the Order. Zerubbabel's arrest brought enough shame on the family, however, that Lord Avaston was set down a few notches in the social order. Her mother committed suicide after being shunned by all her former friends, bringing more censure and gossip on the family. Lord Avaston has disinherited Zerubbabel, cutting her off from her secret torture chambers and shrine to Asmodeus deep in the family's crypt.
2. Enemy: Captain Drythel. Once her intended, this upstanding gentleman secretly followed her into her family's crypt one night and observed her killing a servant. He attempted to report this to the authorities, but was never able to figure out the maze of secret passages that protected her chamber, and thus was never able to prove his claim. Captain Drythel was called back to the military before he could pursue events further, but he has sworn to Mitra to unveil and defeat her darkness.
3. Friend: The necromancer Valiant Kaderis, has served as Zerubbabel's tutor for as long as she can remember, as he was employed by the family to teach her basic education. Since she has discovered her powers, he is attempting to help her understand them, and has been her primary source for knowledge of spellcraft and books of history and religion (usually dark and forbidden ones), that give her some idea of what her powers mean and where they come from, but not all.
4. Friend: A ghost of the former Bernard Hayl, a cleric of Mitra, had somehow become trapped in the Athanost crypts. Zerubbabel released it, for as much her own purposes as for his. Bernard Hayl is not entirely evil, but recognizes something very strange in the woman who released him. He visits from time to time to check on her progress, generally preferring to remain invisible. Since her incarceration in Branderscar, the ghost has been unable to penetrate the magical defenses of the building. The ghost's motives are something of a mystery.

Four Mannerisms
1. Zerubbabel was raised as a noble, but does not really act like one, except she is very aware of those who are impolite and will comment on it regularly.
2. She has a strange scientific mannerism towards both life and death, not precisely cold, but not warm either. To her, the living and the dead are just different types of energies that she can use.
3. Zerubbabel frequently turns and looks behind her with strange looks, as though hearing screams or the whispers of those whose spirits she has angered.
4. The lady has a fiendish appetite for inflicting pain on the living when she is forced to defend herself, and she strikes with expert precision at the most tender and vital spots.

"Guilty! Execution by Hanging." The verdict and sentence was passed down quickly, with hardly a breath between them. Zerubbabel screamed hellfire, but the heavily armed soldiers quickly grabbed her arms. A sudden wind blew through the room, forcing the door open and the scrolls on the judge's desk to the floor. Zerubbabel's scream faded into a chuckle.

The charges were true, she had been caught in the act. Not her, personally. But she had been there, directing the dislodging of more flesh from its entombment. The servants she had brought with her pointed to her when the guards came upon them. She had little patience for such disloyalty and with a few steps and a brief moment, had slipped her stiletto into the sensitive skin at the back of his neck. Death came almost instantly. She watched for a while as the soul energy departed the body, but the guards seized her quickly enough, disturbing her view of that pristine energy. "Witch!" They screamed at her. "You're in enough trouble already." Zerubbabel shrugged and nodded slightly, the whole affair mattered little to her. A cackling voice and a whisper inside her head so faint she could barely hear it, interrupted the guard, and she had to change her focus once again. The guards simply shook their heads and dragged her on, eventually throwing her in a closed carriage, and sealing the doors behind her.

She eventually felt a presence in the seat across from her. A subtle combination of negative energy and positive energy that rippled through the air. "You really should have been more careful, you know." The soft, slightly echoing voice regarded her with a curiosity. "Now, I'm not sure at all what will happen to you."

"Fools. They really don't understand, do they? I'm on the verge of discovering something great. Something tremendous. And they have to stop my work." Zerubbabel felt another pressure on the wrist of her hand, heat and a tingling sensation that resembled pain. "Stop that, you." The pressure stopped immediately.

She felt the ghost across from her sigh. "They're still angry with you." Zerubbabel nodded but said nothing more, preferring to lean back and close her eyes rather than attempt to look at any mundane thing. The ghost might have been interesting to look at, but Bernard rarely granted her that opportunity. She sensed fear in him, seemingly at what she could do or would do with the curious powers she had never taken for granted, though the more she though of it, the more it seemed they were.

Zerubbabel Athanost
Female human oracle of bones* 1
LE medium humanoid (human)
Init +2; Senses Perception +0
Defenses
AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10 (+2 Dex)
hp 10 hp
Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +2
Offense
Oracle Spells Known (CL 1st, Concentration +4)
1st (4/day) - cure light wounds, inflict light wounds, ray of sickening
0 (at will) - bleed, read magic, stabilize, virtue
Statistics
Str Con Dex Int Wis Cha
10 12 14 16 10 16
Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 12
Feats Extra Revalation, Extra Revelation
Skills Bluff +7, Disguise +7, Heal +4, Intimidate +7, Knowledge (religion) +7, Sense Motive +4, Stealth +6, Spellcraft +7
Feats and Special Abilities
Armor of Bones (Su) Zerubbabel can conjure an armor of bones that grants her a +4 armor bonus. This armor can be used for 1 hour per day per oracle level.
Bleeding Wounds (Su) Whenever a creature takes wounds from Zerubbabel's spells or effects that cause negative energy damage, it begins to bleed, taking 1 point of damage each round. This damage can be stopped by a DC 15 Heal skill check, or by any effect that heals damage.
Grave Robbery (Trait) As a necromancer and cultist, Zerubbabel was found guilty of the crime of grave robbery. Her specific knowledge of flesh and living tissue grants her a +1 trait bonus to confirm critical hits.
Killer (Trait) Zerubbabel has murdered in the past, for the purpose of raising up the undead. As a result of particular skill in wielding a weapon. She deals additional damage equal to the weapon's critical modifier on a successful critical hit.
Oracle's Curse (Ex) Zerubbabel is haunted by the spirits of those whose graves she has disturbed, causing minor mishaps and strange occurences (such as unexpected breezes, small objects moving on their own, and faint noises). Retrieving a stored item from her gear requires a standard action, unless it would normally take longer. Any item she drops lands 10 feet away in a random direction. She has mage hand and ghost sound in her list of spells known.
Raise the Dead (Su) Once per day, Zerubbabel can summon a single skeleton or zombie to serve her, it remains for a number of rounds equal to her Charisma bonus.

In the year 4693 in the later stages of the Asmodean purges Inquistor Baldan Valdane lead a raid upon an underground Asmodean Cult calling themselves The Brotherhood of the Beseeching Eye. Three dozen cultists were put to torture and burnt at the stake, but, perhaps reminded of his own children Baldan spared the life of a fair haired toddler with the group judging him too young to have understood the vile faith of his parents and blameless in their crimes. Valdane deposited the child with The Blessed Order of St. Macarius at their monastery.

Hardan was named for two of Mitra's lesser know Saints and raised with love and affection by the kindly priests and their servants alongside many other orphans. He was a sunny and likeable child, quick to laugh, and make friends. He cared deeply for his fellows, and began to help out in the Church hospice at five years old, working diligently, and brightening the patients days with his youthful exuberance and earnest concern. Whenever a patient he had bonded with died he would weep for days, never able to reconcile a laughing living friend with the cold dead thing that had taken their place.

His best friend was a shy little girl named Seraphine, a willowy ephemeral girl who did not speak for six months after arriving at the monastery aged seven. Hardan took her silence as a challenge and proceeded to fill it, following her about telling her silly made up stories until she smiled, then laughed, and finally spoke. The two were rarely parted after that, always together always holding hands.

Hardan took to to the religious teaching of Mitra, a promising student who embodied the virtues of compassion and love. As he matured he was made aide to Cardinal Julius Arnetti, a pious, but ambitious man who saw great potential in the bright handsome youth and sought to polish him for high office.

But unbeknown to his friends and teachers Hardan had come to have a terrible fear of his own mortality. Nightmares haunted his sleep, he saw the faces of patients and friends turn suddenly cold their flesh withering away to show brittle bone. He began to see snatches of his life from before the Church, his mother and father, bloody corpses, lying still on the floor in a spreading pool of crimson gore, and then just as the horror threatened to overwhelm him an angel would come soothing his woes even as her perfection crumbled and she deteriorated into a skeletal form that held him close and told him everything would be alright, he need never die, all he needed to do was serve and she would teach him mastery over death.

Life continued on as normal, working in the hospice, taking lessons, working for Cardinal Arnetti and attending services, but more and more Hardan's faith was become a hollow lie. Mitra's followers had taken his parents from him, but they had also shown him great compassion. he was torn, was the three aspected god really worthy of his devotion? Could he hate The Fire Undying and worship The Beneficent Sun? So in his head he began to replace The Fire Undying and The Shining Lord with the name of his angel - Mahathallah.

In 4710 a plague spread through the nearby village of Nestle, and many of the victims were brought into the monastery's hospice for treatment. The priests who could heal diseases were left exhausted and their magics had to be saved for those closest to death to preserve as many lives as possible. Seraphine, working beside Hardan as ever in the hospice caught the plague. Hardan terrified of loosing her tended her and begged the priests to remove her affliction, but their magics had been expended for the day. Hardan stayed by her bedside, telling her silly tales, and as she drifted off he begged her to stay with him forever, asked her to marry him as he clutched her burning hand,

"Oh Hardan, I love you, of course I will marry you, but don't be afraid if Mitra takes me, you are the best man I know you will never be alone. I promise..."

She fell into a fitful sleep then, and after a time he awoke kneeling by her bedside to find her gone. In her place was a beautiful cold thing, Mitra had taken his Seraphine. Broken he wept, and vowed in his heart that Mitra would pay for taking his love when they had done nothing but serve.

Years passed and he learned from his new Mistress insinuating himself at the heart of Mitra's Church. He fed news gleaned from the Cardinal's correspondence to the followers of Mahathallah and Asmodeus, helping them evade the Inquisition and strike at Talingarde's weaknesses.

Finally his angel came to him in another dream, holding him in her embrace as she asked,

"You would do anything for me would you not Hardan Vorbis?"

"Anything Mistress."

"Then I need you to serve a man named Mikhail Halancoun. Restore him to his rightful seat in the name of Asmodeus."

"As you will Mistress. Where do I seek this man?"

"You must be consigned to the Branderscar Prison my child."

"I will not fail you Mistress."

The next day he issued letters in the Cardinals name, expertly recreating the familiar signature and using the man's own seal. he requested Sir Balin of Karfield and his men to put Arldin Abbey to the torch, claiming certain that they were followers of Asmodeus - his Mistress assured him the place would reek of evil. Then he issued documents transferring five hundred thousand gold pieces of the monastery's yearly budget into commissioning a huge statue of the beautiful angelic herald "Hallah" and commanding that the building begin in earnest to be completed within six months.

Arldin Abbey burned with many of Mitra's most faithful trapped inside. Nothing happened for three weeks. Hardan, almost ready to take up a blade and try to murder some poor fool, was hugely relieved when the lumbering beast of bureaucracy finally discovered his deeds. He was tried swiftly, protesting his innocence all the while, and finally hauled off to the Branderscar to await a life of hard labor in the salt mines.

There waiting for him was the man he was destined to serve and see elevated to greatness...

1. Hardan's greatest fear is being alone, he has seen too many people he cared about abandon him to death. So now he seeks mastery over it so nobody he loves can ever leave him again.
2. Hardan's love for Seraphine one bright and beautiful has become twisted, he wants to rip her from Mitra's grasp and have her by his side again forever. He would dearly love to retrieve her body and animate it to be his corpse companion, working on restoring her sentience.
3. Hardan is a caring man too sensitive to others plights and quick to invest in people. These traits remain and he would still find the idea of killing anyone he knew deeply disturbing. While he does not believe Asmodeus would truly be any better a god for Talingarde he believes in his Mistress's compassion and loathes Mitra's hypocrisy.
4. Hardan's connection with Mahathallah is deeply personal, he loves her as Mother and Mistress and identifies with her. She fled Pharasma's service to join Asmodeus after the goddess of death showed her a vision of her own death, and so shares Hardan's terror of death and desire to master it.
5. Hardan hates Inquisitors of Mitra with a passion and would gladly go out of his way to cause one pain. He would love to reanimate such men and turn them against their precious Mitra!

1. Restore Seraphine to his side, and find a way to live forever together in the service of Mahathallah.
2. Serve Mahathallah's will and see Mikhail Halancoun take the throne of Talingarde and place the Asmodean faith in its rightful primacy.
3. Kill and reanimate any Inquisitor of Mitra he can.

1. Hardan is not aware, but his parents were actually devout priests of Mitra who had been captured by The Brotherhood of the Beseeching Eye and sacrificed. Hardan himself was going to be sacrificed to Mahathallah.
2. Cardinal Arnetti never believed Hardan responsible for the letters, and is still unable to believe the caring young man could casually order the slaughter of innocents. He is endeavoring to exert his influence to help his former acolyte.
3. The Plague that killed Seraphine was engineered by Mahathallah seeking to tip Hardan over the edge and into her service.

1. Seraphine: His deceased love is buried in the graveyard at the Monastery of St. Macarius.
2. Cardinal Julius Arnetti: This powerful man has no spell casting abilities, but is a consummate politician, and still somehow a good man. He believes in Hardan's innocence and would help him redeem himself if possible. He is highly ambitious and wishes to become High Cardinal. In his late thirties he is one of the youngest Cardinals in history.
3. Sir Balin of Karfeld: Knows that Hardan was responsible for him slaughtering dozens of pure followers of Mitra and has been pressing for him to be tortured to see what caused the Abbey to reek of evil. His efforts have been countered by Cardinal Arnetti.

1. Hardan likes to touch people as he speaks with them, resting a hand upon a shoulder or arm in an unobtrusive way.
2. Hardan is scared of the dark, he keeps a candle burning while he sleeps if possible.
3. Hardan does not like committing acts of physical violence, or even seeing them performed.