Erasmus Halvani IV's page

A number of conflicting stories are told of the forging of the legendary sword Contrition. Some say it was forged in parallel by a human and a ghost. Others say its creator died before he could finish it, and continued to work on it from beyond the grave. It is regarded, among those who study magical items, as the first ghost touch weapon, and the model after which all modern such weapons are patterned. However it came to be, some things are known with absolute certainty. Firstly, that Contrition existed side by side on the material and ethereal planes. Secondly, that it was the treasured heirloom and symbol of House Halvani for centuries. Thirdly, that it was completely shattered by a lucky blow from a Thrune-bound devil in the Chelaxian Civil War.
For any other sword, that would be the end of its legacy. But Contrition, unique as it was, remained. Its hilt was recovered, and returned to the now-disgraced house of Halvani, where it was passed down once more, and once again, until at last it met the hand of Erasmus Halvani IV. Young Erasmus was born, by chance, with a unique connection to the ethereal plane; because of this, his hand awakened the memory of the blade from the aether.

Erasmus became one with Contrition, and from then on could call upon its memory at any time, forming it anew from strands of aether pulled into the material plane. Armed with the echo of his ancestral sword, Erasmus set out into the world to make a name for himself, and restore the honor of his house.

Erasmus is haughty and presumptuous, and puts no consideration for the needs of others into his decisions. However, he believes in being honorable in all ways, which can come across as a sense of morality to those who aren't paying attention. While he considers himself a follower of Iomedae, he is not a religious man. He knows enough to pay lip service to the Prince of Hell, and to keep his head down when inquisitors go by, but quietly supports the notion that Cheliax belongs to Aroden's heir.

Erasmus is a towering giant of a man, standing at six foot ten and weighing over three hundred pounds. It is obvious at first glance that he could easily shrug off the blows of lesser men, even before he dons his armor. In addition, he is impeccably well-groomed, such that a common man would likely mistake him for a proper noble, which he very much encourages.