WotW: A Knot of Thorns The First Parchment (Inactive)

Game Master Xzaral

Avrandes was born to Talingarde aristocrats, a scion of the ruling order. He remembers that he was a dutiful and obedient child those years ago, for Avrandes has a knack for remembering everything. His marks ranked high among his peers and his tutors sang his praises to his wealthy socialite parents. When they were home.

But it would have been just as well if his neglectful progenitors had spent more time away from home. On a night pregnant with destiny, it was learned by his father Morgen that his mother, Sabree, had lain with the host of a distant party - an infrequent lover in the ealry years of their marriage. The offending gentleman challenged Morgen to a duel of swords and killed him easily. Sabree rushed home by carriage to grieve for her husband and plan her response. She packed sufficient clothing and food and delivered her son to a remote church. Before leaving the young boy behind, she told Avrandes he belonged to the man who had killed his father, revealing that he was not simply sprung from the seed of a sinful affair, but that his father was not human. Some plan awaited Avrandes is his father ever found him. The boy was confused, but promised through stinging tears that he would not draw the attention of the devil that searched for him.

Through careful channels, Avrandes later learned that his mother's estate had burned, with her in it, within a week of her return.No longer an orphan in name only, the boy learned to survive, to bully the weak and to curry favor with those physically stronger than himself. The life of an orphan in a stern church chafed against him, who knew he was meant for higher station, and who despised the priests and monks when they turned a hand against him, shouting their scriptures about impetuous youth while denying love to those who neeed it most.

In those days, Avrandes ceased to believe in love. His mother had soiled her bed with another man - some fiendish pariah at that. Her father had placed his pride ahead of his duty to his wife and child, his mother had forsaken him. Her lover had murdered her. And the church tat pretended o shepherd its flock could not be bothered to hug a child or remember their birth days. The hard life that found Avrandes Ghael became a cloak around him. Others looked at his shabby features and assumed his loneliness was the reason for his sullen darkness. In truth, Avrandes turned his thoughts inward and taught himself to hate quietly. Even politely. He later learned it was a gift from his anonymous patron.

As a youth, Ghael took to piracy off the coasts of his forsaken homeland. Avrandes is not an uncommon name in Talingarde, but he never revealed his surname, remembering his promise to avoid prominence and resist the urge to avenge his unworthy parents and the life he should have had.

A year ago, Avrandes had worked his way into the trust of Tyras Redblade, a fearsome captain and uninhibited privateer. Putting into port with a sizable bag of gold, the teenage orphan-turned-pirate outfitted his personal supplies and sought the services of a simple brothel. There he met Anne, who it seemed had been whoring for only a few weeks and was the secret (or wanton) craving of every man who had met her. She remarked openly that she fancied the attention of Avrandes, who bought her instantly and followed her to claim his prize. Over the week, he found himself drawn to her, willing to use his remaining gold to purchase her freedom and allow her attentions to mend his cynical soul.

It was then that he realized there was no escape from the devil that murdered his parents. Anne revealed herself during their play as Annekeshorn, a ranking devil tasked with punishing the enemies of her lord and seducing those he intended to serve him. After ten years, his father, a contract devil called Mariustos, had chosen this moment to offer him power and companionship in exchange for his obedience. His erinyes lover played him perfectly, claiming she had developed real feelings for him while watching him over the last years. She offered him a chance to remain at her side while he heralded the coming of Asmodeus' church into the proud and hypocritical lands of Talingarde. Avrandes was torn between the chance to reunite love, and the opportunity to spit in Mariustos' eye before running again. He chose neither.

The devil who fathered him offered him a taste of the power available if he would simply accept the role chosen for him. Avrandes gained some power over wind and waves - a remarkable resource for hardened pirates. He made Redblade's ship faster, opposing vessels slower. He summoned sea creatures to harass survivors and cull early surrenders. His reputation grew quickly. Talingarde increased their measures to capture and punish pirates, sending an entire flett to attempt to pin Redblade's ships and force them into a dangerous cove called Direwater. Redblade and two officers were killed, leaving a desperate Avrandes to lead his remaining crew onto an island known as the Drake. He divided his men and spoils and fled into the island with his magical gifts and the vessel through which Mariustos provided those gifts - a raven Annekeshorn called Indigo. Over three weeks, Avrandes camped, ran and set ambushes using his powers, growing stronger in the process, but still badly outnumbered. He was ultimately captured and transported to Banderscar Prison. On the shipride back, two men wounded in the pursuit succumbed to their injuries and were discarded overboard. The soldiers who held him executed Indigo in response.

Now Avrandes Ghael finds himself in the hardest environment yet. It is said prisoners kill one another openly at Branderscar and the soldiers who guard it are satified to let jsutice happen however it does. On his last day with Indigo, he felt communion with his mysterious patron, but he has no other tools. He seeks now a way to escape execution and bide his time between survival, and full surrender to the designs of the devils who beckon him - an unwanted father and an untrustworthy lover.

Thought I'd try my hand at the Foible thing, since I really want my boy to be well-rounded. If I get lucky, maybe we'll use these:

Strength 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Dexterity 8
Constitution 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Intelligence 18
Wisdom 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Charisma 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Ehhh....no thanks!

I was thinking that the 'Black Blood' Curse was somehow linked to a deal that Jethryk's ancestor made with a devil, and his family had been tainted by the waters of the River Styx, so his (unknowing) pact with Asmodeus further damned his soul, and tied him closer to Hell.

How does that sound?

Scorn wasent killed because the hunter did not know she was there (I imagine her mother was able to hide her before being killed)

The monks would have been of a middle of the row L/N bent (Basically while they do there best to observe the laws of the land they have there own code of honour which at points clashes with said law (Scorn challenging her parents murderer to combat would have been perfectly acceptable to her order for example)

Scorn and her parents would have just been travelers in the area (part of the reason they were killed could be a case of them being mistaken for some other creature since they are not indiginous to the area.)

Also since Scorn was very young at the time A lot of what happend afterwards is influenced by what she Vagely remembers happening (For instance she is convinced the man she killed was the hunter but that may not actually be the case)

The character was created for Mark Sweetman's campaign, but he decided to go with new people and I was in 2 of his other campaigns, so was not considered.

Here are the Focus/Foible rolls to see if they are better than the 25 point buy this is made on.

Str:8
Dex:1d10 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Con: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Int: 18
Wis: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Chr: 1d10 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Still getting the rest of the submission stuff done.

Bostarg Halvardonwine
LE Gnome Bard (Demagogue)
Str: 17-2=15; Dex: 17; Con: 8+2=10; Int: 10; Wis: 15; Cha: 18+2=20
Alternate Racial Traits: Gift of Tongues, Magical Linguist
Traits: Zealot (Gnomes of Golarion - +1 to Knowledge Religion), Fraud
Skills: (6 +2 Bonus +1 Favored Class) Bluff, Disguise, Intimidate, Knowledge (Local and Nobility), Linguistics, Perform (Oratory), Profession (Lawyer), Sense Motive.
Feats: Spellsong, Deceitful
Spells: 0th: daze, ghost sound, mage hand, prestidigitation; 1st: disguise self, fumbletongue

Profile would be constructed quickly if selected.

Bostarg was born into a loving home as part of a small gnomish community in Matharyn. His parents were both employed at a nearby alchemical workhouse, which was owned by a human businessman who had made his fortune selling dyes and other goods in trade. His childhood was happy and fulfilling… though he has no memory of it now. His world and path were irrevocably changed on one fateful day when he was almost of age.

There was an accident at the workhouse… an explosion when chemicals were mixed where they should not have been. His father was killed quickly, body destroyed by the spray of acid and fires resulting from volatile chemicals being released. His mother fared only marginally better, body mostly unharmed but her lungs, throat and eyes rotted by the chemical fumes. Bostarg was nearby when the explosion occurred, and arrived at the workhouse to catch his mother collapsing in his arms – blood trailing down her face from what was left of her eyes. Something that could not be repaired broke within him that day.

His mother survived for months as an invalid, half-alive and half-dead, needing constant support before she passed to the Boneyard. The merchant that owned the workhouse escaped any punishment, a loophole in the city laws allowing him to blame Bostarg’s father for the accident. He continued to build his empire as Bostarg was forced to liquidate all of his family’s possessions to support and care for her mother before she passed. In his despair Bostarg turned his obsession to the law, reading as much as he could to see if there was a means to make the merchant pay for what happened to his parents.

It was during this time of darkness, that Bostarg stumbled upon a light to lead him to vengeance. When searching for an old volume of city law within the basement of a minor courthouse, he found a tome that managed to survive the purge. The book was a copy of The Word of Mephistopheles detailing the means of worshipping the Lord of the Eighth… but more importantly a treatise on infernal contracting. Bostarg was able to smuggle the book out of the courthouse and spent a solid weekend reading it from cover to cover, engrossed beyond earthly desires and seeing a path to his revenge.

He spent a decade honing his craft in relative secret. The Word taught him the subtleties of deceitful speech, and he found within him a reservoir of power welling and growing. He learnt to disguise his form as that of another, and was able to instill power within his words that rendered others fumbling over their retorts. He continued his study of law, both mundane and that within his new bible – further delving into his mastery of twisting words and obfuscating truths within flowery phrase. Only when he thought himself truly ready for his revenge did he act.

The merchant had moved on from trading in dye and owned a large textile mill on the outskirts of Matharyn. Bostarg applied for a job as a desk clerk, working in the records department – and was successful. He worked dutifully at his job, performing his work to a reasonable standard; while at the same time gaining access to all of the contracts and financial books for the mill. After a few weeks, Bostarg put the second aspect of his plan into action.

Using his ability to alter his looks, he masqueraded as a Halfling worker during the lunch breaks at the mill. He gradually built up discontent among the workers over their working conditions, lack of support if they are injured, inflexible hours and the like. Although there was some resistance at first, Bostarg’s words were honeyed and enticing while his opponents were leaden and stilted. A critical mass was built up, though Bostarg was careful to allow sentiment to naturally spill over. A strike was called and mediation between the parties planned. Through further machinations, Bostarg was able to ensure that he was the clerk who was called upon to draft up the new agreements.

It was then that the threads were drawn tight and the tapestry started to take form. Using Mephistopheles Word as his guide, Bostarg crafted a document that would satisfy neither party. To an uneducated eye the contract was equitable and fair, though in reality it was anything but. Tithes were taken at each step for health funds, and legal support and other un-needed and useless purposes – leaving the worker actually worse off than when he started. Similarly the mill owner was forced to increase his apparent wages and was also subjected to fines and penalties whenever workers were requested to perform overtime or work outside of their area of employ.

Bostarg then sat back and enjoyed the show as the mill unraveled around him. Profitability fled with speed while the workers also suddenly found themselves unable to even put food on the table. All the while the gold was being funneled through a series of convoluted processes and into an account to which only Bostarg had access. Tempers began to get frayed and fights became increasingly common on the shop floor. Tensions built up until Bostarg himself provided the tinder.

Appearing once more as the Halfling, he spun a tale of lament and anger. How his family had perished due to the mill owner’s indifference and how he should be made to pay. Whipped into a frenzy the mob descended upon the mill owner’s office, locking him within and burning it and the mill itself to the ground. Several of the mob were also killed when the city watch came to disperse them. Revenge was sweet and he was now fat off of the mechants own wealth. Drunk with power, he began to buy himself a new life… if not for a single flaw.

The merchant had lodged a copy of the contract with the local temple of Abadar. They had no reason to read it through before, but the fire and death prompted a cleric to seek it out. Their eyes more able to discern that which was amiss, their suspicion fell quickly upon Bostarg – as it was his seal upon the contract. Try as he might when the inquisitors came knocking, his honeyed words fell upon ears insensate to their charms and he was tried and found most guilty of his fraud. An example was to be made, due to the deaths involved, and Bostarg was condemned to a life at hard labor in the salt mines.

Even at this, a wry smile crossed his lips – for none had made the connection between himself and the firebrand Halfling that precipitated the fire and death. The feckless authorities thought him nothing but a greedy embezzler, but he was more than that. He was an artist. Nonetheless, his path was now to Branderscar and the smell of his own flesh burning…

1) Tell me who you are
A gnomish bard that worships Mephistopheles, one of Asmodeus’ arch-dukes. He came to evil through childhood tragedy and a burning drive for revenge. The evil is typified through his complete disregard for the lives of the workers and willingness to have them starve and die if only to serve out his vengeance.

2) What crime did you commit, and how did you get caught?
The crime of which he was convicted was Fraud; and he was caught as he was not fully able to control the threads of fate. A copy of a contract that implicated him was not accounted for in a fire that claimed all else. It was this that brought him low.

3) What do you look like?
Bostarg is a male Gnome of average height and build, the slightness belying a hidden strength and agility. Black hair is slicked back upon his scalp and a goatee sits upon his chin. His dress is relatively reserved for a gnome, favoring dark and well-tailored clothes though with a splash of colour from his accessories. A red handkerchief here, a silver belt buckle there. His hands are not calloused, but are stained with ink by many days spent at the quill.
Despite his figure not being imposing, there is a certain magnetic oiliness to his countenance. As he speaks his words take meaning beyond simply syllables and his fingers dance to illustrate whatever point he is making. Questions asked are rarely directly answered, and are often turned back on the asker to elucidate information they had no intent to share.

4) Why do you want revenge against Talingarde?
Bostarg’s initial thrust was against the mill owner that in his eyes was responsible for his parent’s death. However while carrying out that revenge, he fell into the worship of Mephistopheles – becoming a fast disciple. He would be wholeheartedly in support of toppling the current benign government to replace it with an autocratic system in support of Asmodeus where law was god - and he would be writing it.

5) Anything else you feel like saying.
His worship is of Mephistopheles, but that arch-duke is a very willing subordinate to Asmodeus, so there shouldn’t be any conflict there.
Bostarg is built to be a non-combat monster – where he is most effective twisting words and public sentiment. He’ll still hold his own in combat as a supporting role – but is happy to leave that aspect to the other party members. From what I can ken of the AP – he will have many opportunities to indulge in a little public mayhem.

If both are selected, we can work something out.

I see that you wish to not have a deity. As stated under character creation, at some point all characters will have to join an alliance and swear to Asmodeus. How do you envision your character will react to this?

Based on what I read, it seems you are currently involved with a devil already, and are struggling against it. As stated under character creation, at some point all characters will have to join an alliance and swear to Asmodeus. How do you envision your character will react to this?

1) Tell me who you are. Race/class at a minimum, but more is always better. How you came about the path of evil helps.

Mostly in my background. Xrezth was a good human witch tending to healing the injured in her small village far from the center of the realm. Then, her familiar was murdered by the jealous betrothed of the local lord's eldest son. This sent her down a dark path of vengeance and pain. Eventually she found Doloras, Whore Queen and the Lady of Pain. This brought her new focus eventually losing much of her care for others, instead focusing on her vengeance and the pain she could cause to those who had allowed her familiar to be murdered.

2) What crime did you commit, and how did you get caught?
Eventually, Xrezth created a plan. She charmed the b#$%^ who had crushed her familiar and then concocted a fake duel, except Xrezth had a wicked serrated blade which she stuck into the "friend" she had created. Xrezth then just stood and basked in the sweet vengeance as the noble duchess' blood leaked away.

3) What do you look like?
With pale skin and nearly black hair. Xrezth stands out from the crowd. She is of slightly above average height. Her face rarely displays any emotion any longer as she cares little for others, only her familiar, Treasure, and her service to her queen, Deloras, bring her any satisfaction. And even this would be difficult to discern.

4) Why do you want revenge against Talingarde?
They do not care. They allowed her familiar to be killed, and when she sought relief for this was laughed out of town. It is clear to Xrezth that those in control of Talingarde only care about those in charge of Talingarde. Xrezth plans on making sure that these self-centered righteous fools learn that there is a lot more to the world. A lesson that will be very painful.

5) Anything else you feel like saying.
If there is anything that is needed to make this character fit better into the campaign, please let me know. I believe that she will be quite capable working with other's having the same goals. Furthermore, as a NE, she will be able to circumvent the rules when necessary to assure that Delora's will, and that of the overlord Asmodeus, will be successfully imposed upon this land.

Ghael will certainly give into it, but it's a story to be told. You've many chances to rope me into it. Succumb after getting my butt kicked when I need the help, give in because I think I really can't live without Anne and she gets into trouble (real or fabricated), or taste the power that grows. At some point, we can have drama over whether he consigns himself over to his father for eternity if you like. The reasons for a conflicted character to give in and fall are many. Not choosing one (but kowing that he will one day fall) makes Avrandes very flexible.

If you are asking me to choose one avenue for you to develop, I think I would choose the girl. Whether she is promised to me for all time in an actual relationship, or whether she screws me over, I think tying Ghael's beliefs about love to his downfall (and uprising) tells the most interesting story.

Lucian Storm, Human Antipaladin
25 pt buy (16 Str, 12 Dex, 14 Con, 10 Int, 8 Wis, 18 Cha); Traits: Attempted Murder, Birthmark; Feats: Toughness, Shield Focus; Skills:Intimidate, Linguistics (Infernal), Spellcraft

Attempted murder, sister cast Hold Person on me

Muscular human, attractive, with black hair and green eyes; face and arms covered with Infernal writings and runes

Vengeance (see background)

Though evil, Lucian does not believe in the senseless slaughter of women and children. Though the enemy, he will not let harm come to his sister Lucia. He thinks she is confused. Frequent poster, currently running 4 PbPs. I left the history open so you can fit in your NPCs, if the story warrants it. I was influenced by the Star Wars movies, comic books, movies, and other sources and apologize if it was too long. Enjoyed writing it.

Lucian and his fraternal twin sister Lucia were born in the border village of Stormrise, each bearing a strange birthmark. Their parents died at a young age (due to disease) and the children were passed to the care of Father Grayson, local priest the Church of Sarenrae. Father Grayson notice the boy developed a magnetic presence and strength at a young age, while the girl demonstrated great wisdom beyond her years and a knack for religious studies. Seeing so much promise in the children, at ages 10, Father Grayson sponsored them for a trip to the capital and the Cathedral. There, the children were trained, Lucian in the ways of a holy warrior (paladin) and Lucia as a cleric. They both excelled at their fields of study with Lucia progressing more quickly, though both traveled back and forth to Stormrise, where they maintained many close friendships. Their devotion to Sarenrae was apparent and they quickly became promotional symbols of the empire to inspire the masses and especially the youth. Then, at age 18, the border conflict began with the (orcish/goblinoids..whatever fits better) and the village of Stormrise was in danger. Lucian volunteered to serve in the force sent to defend his home village, and though his superiors felt he was weak-willed and unprepared for the horrors of battle due to his inexperience, his stubbornness would not be swayed and he was allowed to go. The regional commander of the empire's forces, Captain Montrose gave Lucian's unit (20 men including him) the following orders: defend the village till the rise of dawn, when Sarenrae's fury would be upon the enemy in the form of massive reinforcements. The forces were needed in other border conflicts but they would be there at dawn. Lucian swore he would not let the village fall. Through the night, the force of 20 men and the villagers held off the enemy, mainly inspired by the charismatic magnetism of the golden warrior, as they called Lucian Storm. Though many died that night, Lucian's force held them off and upon the rise of the sun the next morning, Lucian and his men rejoiced that their enemy would soon fall before their swords. Unfortunately, the reinforcements did not arrive, and as the joy disappeared and turned to frustration and anger, the enemy sensed weakness and eventually mounted a new attack and overwhelmed the forces. Lucian saw his fellow soldiers and the villagers killed and their homes burned and the women raped. He saw such horrors that day, as he tried to hold on, waiting for reinforcement, but as he had to continually retreat and give up the village for lost, he began to lose hope. Eventually, the enemy cornered the last of the soldiers and Father Grayson on the bridge and Lucian saw his father figure die in front of him, beheaded by the enemy. His arms tired of battle and he was severely wounded, yet he still held out hope for reinforcements. As the enemy closed in on him, one of them bull rushed him off the bridge and he fell four stories to the river bank below. His body broken on the rocks, Lucian knew he was dying. As the rays of sunlight caressed him, Lucian prayed to Sarenrae to save his life so he would seek vengeance in her name. But no response came. For the first time, Lucian felt fear and in that instant, feeling betrayed by his goddess and his kingdom, he cursed Sarenrae and fell from her graces. As the last moments of breath were slipping from his body, he heard a voice promising him salvation if he accepted a new patron: Asmodeus! Caring only for himself and not the sanctity of his soul, Lucian accepted and he rose with life. Eventually, he walked all the way to an encampment of the empire's forces, where he collapsed. A week later, when he recovered, he learned that reinforcements had never been sent to Stormrise. The military, under Captain Montrose, had decided that Stormrise had no military value and its loss was "acceptable" and the forces were better relocated to defend another village with a significant timber industry and resources critical to the empire. Lucian was outraged and despite his sister by his side and her pleas for him to seek Sarenrae again, he would not listen. Lucia noticed the change in her brother, as he was cold and distant. Two weeks later, with Lucian still in the hospital, the empire's forces were successful in driving the humanoid threat away. To celebrate, the empire held a ceremony where Lucian was honored for his heroism as the sole survivor of Stormrise and Captain Montrose was honored for his exemplary military tactics. Lucian could not stand the awards and praise heaped on the man who had sacrificed a unit of men and his home village, so during the ceremony, he used the ceremonial sword given to him to attack Captain Montrose and curse the empire for its lies and betrayal! Captain Montrose was wounded by the young man's first strike but was about to dispatch the warrior, when Infernal runes appeared on Lucian's face and arms, shocking all present! Realizing he was no match for the Captain, Lucian tried to escape in the confusion and would have likely done so had not his body suddenly been paralyzed. When he scanned the room, he saw his sister Lucia's face filled with tears and shock, her magic holding him in place! Thinking her weak, Lucian just looked with disgust at her. He was easily captured and sentenced to death by beheading for his crime of attempted murder on the Captain Montrose. He awaits his fate in prison, as he reads daily the runes on his forehead: "From the light, shall come one to lead all into darkness..." Lucian waits and watches, eager for his prophecy to come true..

No immediate questions come to mind. Just letting you know I have reviewed your submission. It's possible something may still come up as I review.

That's fine. I'm basing submissions more on fluff than crunch. The Mechanics are nice so I can see where you want to take the character from that perspective, but we can iron those out in detail if selected.

Submission looks good. If I do come up with something during the selection process, I'll let you know.

Not too late yet! This question may come out sounding strange (I had a hard time wording it for some reason), but here goes. You state you do not believe in the senseless slaughter of woman and children. How would that go towards the slaughter of same for the cause of Asmodeus? More specifically, if ordered to facilitate such a slaughter in order to forward Asmodeus's cause?

1d100 ⇒ 83
1d100 ⇒ 70
1d100 ⇒ 43

Crime: Sedition Punishment: Beheading

Vladimir was born to a once noble family whose fall from grace came upon the dawning of the shining lord and the outlawing of devil worship.

His family once had high hopes for him as his conception was overseen with a dark ritual with the intentions of breeding a fiendish prince to take the reigns of the noble house as even before their tragic fall more recent events had turned over many bad years and they had been struggling financially.

Upon his houses fall from grace Vladimir swore off Asmodeus and all forms of reverence for evil deities along with turning on his former siblings and various many other family members. The act spared his head the bloc and allowed him further ability to scavenge the financial remains of his noble house at the price of the blood of his own kin.

Vladimir is a liar and over the course of the next 15 years of his life he restructured his assets and harbored the storm. All the while he masqueraded as a philanthropist accumulating followers and power. In time he began to hold secret meetings where he would discuss politics often critical of the government among like-minded individuals that over the years began to morph from mere anti-establishment political discussions to outright plans for revolution and with it the resurgence of the worship of Asmodeus and evil gods outlawed by the current establishment.

Over time his secret cult like cabal grew splintering off into terrorist cells dedicated to causing chaos among his competitors increasing his businesses profits and spreading outright violence against the government masquerading about as a fight for religious freedom. (Someone's planning on taking leadership at level 7 :P)

Eventually he was implicated and his assets where seized and his ambitions as an aspiring noble where crushed a second time in his life. Furious at his trial he showed his true colours and promised to burn this insipid country to the ground with hell-fire as a new land under the banner of his dark lord would rise from the ashes like a great fiendish phoenix for the grievance of twice damning what is rightfully his.... birthright and a universally natural calling to hold great power and influence.

Words that would unfortunately fall on deaf ears none expecting the true hell he had promised them all....

Vladimir carries himself with the pomp and regal befit for a noble. He stands unusually tall at 5'11'' and has long white hair, gaunt features, an pale complexion with a dark gray ashen undertone, piercing bright blue eyes, and is considered by most quite handsome.

His infernal heritage is noticeable by his small vestigial horns that his long hair usually obscures. Even so he's fond of tri-cornered hats to hide that particular curiosity even further. His nails naturally grow in at sharp points and an odd natural odor of sulfur that persists about him usually obscured with cologne. He has a birth-mark that resembles three eyes the infernal symbol of the arch-devil Barbatos the gate-keeper of hell upon his back. Vladimir also seems to never cast a shadow.

Vladimir's inhuman charm would get him far in life, however his charms are also matched by his arrogance. He values decorum and politeness highly and applies it amusingly in situations that obviously don't call for it often apologizing for any inconvenience before killing someone.

He doesn't view himself as evil (even though he is), but rather strong in contrast to others weakness. He isn't stupidly cruel, but rather harsh and uncaring of those around him often finding nothing ill-morality in exploiting others vulnerabilities or misfortunes for his own gain.

In an ironic contrast any misfortune that befalls himself he views as a twisting of the natural order of the universe (which obviously should revolve around him) and a heretical perversion of reality that is manipulated by the weak and undeserving.

He thinks of himself as a political prisoner and claims to be an innocent philanthropist magically dominated to spill a confession and set up by his competitors. He worships Asmodeus as well as other arch-devils and holds reverence for other evil deities and outsiders he views as strong and powerful in contrast to the weakness of good deities displayed by their pitiful tenants of compassion and mercy, but prefers to keep that a secret shared only among his closest allies.

Vladimir can function as a great party talker, but is primarily an arcane blaster character in combat who prefers to stay out of the front lines due to being squishy spamming daze or acid splash.

Vladimir is uniquely suited for a prison break out due to his ability to grow claws as a free action giving him offensive capability in melee without needing a weapon. As well as a full range of spells available to him without the pesky need for material components.

His trait allows him to buff with Mage Armor increasing it's duration for 3hrs at it's first casting. At later levels he'll be able to combine his natural attacks from his claws with touch of fatigue to fatigue opponents who get to close to him in melee.

Primarily he'll be blasting with ranged spells (acid splash/daze) or ending fights quickly with color spray and stabbing those with his claws if anyone gets too close to him.

As a sorcerer he's relatively powerful and has ample opportunity to cause arcane havoc with little to no resources, which should be nice given our position.

The issue of the slaughter of women and children was thrown in the character description more as a way to distinguish himself from chaotic evil, in that he doesn't believe in the arbitrary killing for the lust and pleasure of it. In his mind, he would rationalize that if the killing of women and children was necessary to to further some goal of Asmodeus, he would obey because that is not senseless, it would be evil with intent and purpose, though it would still feel uncomfortable to him as he was raised as a warrior and he wants to see the deaths of his enemies on the battlefield, but his loyalty to his god is unquestioned and he would act in accordance to his orders. Hope my answer wasn't too confusing. LOL..