Hiems Arietis

Biography
Early Life

From the moment Hiems entered the world, a foreboding shroud cast its ominous shadow over the realm of Shroudsfort. The noble lord, Wilhelm, was inexplicably drawn to this dark cloud, believing it held the key to his godlike aspirations. Determined to harness its power, he made a fateful decision that would shape Hiems' destiny. At a tender age of two, Hiems was entrusted to the temple, where an ancient ritual infused him with the shroud's malevolence. Unlike his father, Hiems was not chosen; he was forged, branded, and honed into the ultimate weapon for his father's world-altering mission.

Thus began Hiems' life as an instrument of death and destruction. However, the insidious influence of the shroud took its toll on him, ravaging his visage and body with its corrupting darkness. To conceal his affliction, Hiems donned a mask and gloves, earning him the moniker "The Leper."

Career

With each swing of his blade, Hiems etched a trail of blood and chaos, leaving the symbols of the shroud seared in the wake of his carnage. News of this masked menace spread like wildfire, reaching even the capital, where survivors whispered tales of the southern lands of Saafir and the enigmatic figure at its heart.

As Hiems carved his way through adversaries, his father's connection to the shroud grew stronger, rewarding him with lordship over Shroudsfort and a position within the imperial government of Valreach. Embracing his newfound authority, Hiems conducted frequent blood-soaked rituals to appease the shroud. He even bore witness to the notorious Kinslayer ritual, where Wilhelm sacrificed his own kin in the name of their malevolent ally. Hiems' unquenchable thirst for blood and unwavering loyalty to his father and the shroud caught the attention of the imperial government, leading to his appointment as the RSM of the Imperial army's southern regiment stationed in Saafir.

His tainted soul precluded any emotional attachment, rendering his countenance as lifeless as a corpse beneath the mask, his swordsmanship rivaling the most formidable warriors of the realm. One fateful morning, Wilhelm bestowed upon Hiems a mission: to hunt down and eliminate a high-ranking strategist from the esteemed Moreau house. Though not of noble birth, this warrior possessed cunning and skill that made him a formidable foe. Hiems learned that the target was accompanied by ten skilled militiamen, setting the stage for a deadly encounter on the roads of Vionir.

Peering over the cliff's edge, Hiems surveyed his adversaries, analyzing their movements with practiced precision. The odds may have been against him, but such circumstances were familiar territory for the relentless killer. As he rode closer to the appointed bridge, Hiems prepared for the confrontation. Suspicion clouded the minds of the escorting soldiers, their hands instinctively reaching for their blades as they dismounted to face Hiems head-on.

With an impassive demeanor, Hiems unsheathed his blade, and within seconds, the first two men fell before him, their bodies bearing meticulously crafted wounds. Fear gripped the remaining soldiers as Hiems lunged at them, slashing and clashing with a potent mix of fury and dark delight. One by one, they succumbed to his lethal mastery. The primary target, now weaponless and exhausted, lunged at Hiems in a last-ditch effort. The masked assassin deftly parried each strike, toying with his helpless prey. When the target's strength waned, he fell to the ground, weaponless and at Hiems' mercy. With a swift, decisive strike, Hiems ended his opponent's plea with a cold blade across the throat. Sheathing his sword, he remounted his steed, blood remnants adorning his attire, as he rode back to his father, yet another victorious mission to report.