Garrett Hunt was always a shy boy, the only child born to the Hunt family, an upper middle class merchant family from Talingarde. The family's primary business was the importation of spices and silks, though they did dabble in antique bottled ships as a hobby. Garrett was afforded the finest clothes and pampered by his servants and nannies as a child. Upon reaching school age, he was sent to the finest educational institutions in the kingdom, along with the children of other prominent families. Unfortunately, genetics were not kind to Garrett and he inherited his grandfather's short stature, maxing out at 5'2". In school, he was teased and bullied mercilessly due to his height. Skinny and wimpy, he never fought back and became the academy's whipping boy.
On one occasion, the primary bullies, Justin and Joshua Everwinter (commonly known as the Everwinter boys) set Garrett's hair on fire during a school session, partially burning his face. This unfortunate incident earned Garrett the reviled nickname he would be known forever more during his school days: Ash. No academic nor disciplinary action was ever taken against the boys, as their family was very wealthy and their uncle was a member of the Royal Guard in Talingarde. Despite the bullying, Garrett did his best to bear the humiliation in order to make his parents proud. He hoped one day to follow in their mercantile footsteps.
Unfortunately, one day, during his last year of the academy (equivalent to senior year), on his way home from school, Garrett saw his house on fire. He frantically tried to rush inside to check on his parents but the flames were too hot and he fell to his knees in despair. After the flames were put out, the bodies of his parents were found inside and several of the family's antique bottled ships were missing. With his remaining fortune, Garrett vowed to bring his family's killers to justice and spent almost every cent hiring forensic investigators as well as information brokers to learn the truth. What he learned shocked him: the Everwinter brothers had hired some thieves to break into his house to steal the ships when the family was away. The local guards in the upscale neighborhood were bribed to leave their posts as well. Unfortunately, Garrett's parents returned early and interrupted the burglary. The thieves fearing discovery killed them, took the valuables, and staged a fire to hide the evidence of the murders. The Everwinter brothers had shared quite a profit of gold off the fencing of the stolen goods.
Incensed, Garrett took his findings to the Chief Magistrate in Talingarde, who filed formal charges against the boys. However, given the family's wealth and political connections, witnesses refused to testify or disappeared and in Court, in front of Garrett, Judge Alton dismissed the charges for lack of evidence. The Everwinter brothers smirked as they passed by Garrett, "Sorry for your loss, Ash." Garrett lost it and began screaming at the Judge, prosecutor, and all present calling them corrupt and susceptible to bribes. That earned him 3 days in jail.
Homeless, virtually penniless, and with no future, Garrett walked into a local tavern, hoping to dull the pain with alcohol. It was here that he met a shadowy figure who promised him revenge against the establishment of Talingarde if he would come listen to a sermon. He did so, having nothing else to lose but his miserable life. The orator was a charismatic priest of Asmodeus and Garrett fell under his spell immediately and felt his calling. Talingarde had to fall: the justice system, the guards, the wealthy, and even the monarchy for his vengeance to be complete! Under the priest's guidance, he spent every free hour perfecting and honing his body, strength, and speed, learning how to fight different unarmed styles, all for the service of Asmodeus.
Upon training his skills for a year, Garrett escaped one night from the church and infiltrated the Everwinter residence under the cover of magic in disguise as a servant. He started a fire in the west wing of the house to distract the guards, while he cornered the Everwinter brothers in the east wing. He revealed himself as Ash and attacked them. He kicked Justin out the second floor window. He then began to pound on Joshua, screaming his parents' names, as his fists broke ribs, nose, and bone on each hit. Seeing only one blow was necessary, Ash crushed Joshua's skull. The guards eventually found and captured Ash as he tried to escape.
Unfortunately for Ash, Justin survived his 2-story fall and testified against him during the murder trial. Knowing that the Everwinter family would again buy the Judge to ensure a guilty verdict, Ash raised little defense and just smirked at Judge Alton, as he declared the sentence of death by beheading. Ash was last heard saying, "Judge Alton, you are on my list. You have not seen the last of me. None of you have...this is only the beginning!" Ash now awaits his fate in Branderscar prison, praying to Asmodeus to allow his vengeance to continue until Talingarde is covered in flames!
Immediate goals:
1. Escape prison and death sentence
2. Kill remaining Everwinter son
3. Kill Judge Alton
4. Continue advancing as monk
