“The Bringer of Anguish, the Flame of Despair, the King of the Seven Sins,
he shall come of shadow to walk the earth, conquering the fear of man. On the ashes of
torment the beast shall feast, and until the sun rises the beast shall so devour.”
- Excerpt from the Prophecy of Aezhlamon
Race: Archdaemon
Name: The daemon has as many names as there are words to describe terror, but he is known most commonly as Aezhlamon.
From Then to Now: Aezhlamon ventured from the plains of the damned to the world of man, the first daemon to accomplish this feat, sacrificing most of his power and his immortality in the process. Yet the depth of an archdaemon’s power is like an enormous complex of tunnels, and as long as there is darkness to find, it goes on forever. When he first came to man’s world, his first deed was to blot out the sun. There had been no light where he had come from. The Time of Night began. For hundreds of years he ruled supreme as people kneeled and died at his feet. Yet the sun could not be held forever. It shone again, and as the night grew short, his powers began to vain. Fearing his doom, he surrendered himself to the shadows underground, where he lingered until he faded from memory, book and dream. Millennia passed, and the ages passed him by. But the Prince of Dismay would stand again, he vowed. If the sun could not be held, he would play another game. If the sun would not adapt to him, it would have to be other way. He sacrificed more of his power, to be able to walk beneath it like men did. The bargain held, and the sun was from then on free of his fear. Yet he found his own despair when he discovered the price of this trade. But a shadow remained of the darkness that had been his might. There would be no reign this time, he would rule but himself. He cursed the world he had come to so long ago, regretting his choice for ever leaving the safety of his homeland. Yet he would make his shadow stretch, he vowed, he would make the world pay for his loss.
Appearance: Great wings he once bore, spanning across a thousand yards in width, blowing up sandstorms as he took to the sky. A dark being of strength he had been, as tall as the tower of a church. Yet now but a speck remains. He appears now as a man hooded and cloaked in black, with pale-gray skin and sunken eyes.
Body: Aezhlamon’s body is frail, but only by an archdaemon’s standards. It is a hollow mask, with no innards like men. Its head can be ripped off without consequense, though at its center rests a black ball, flickering like the candle of a flame, representing the last of his strength. If this was to perish, he would blow to dust in the wind.
Abilities
Shadow Form. There is no better defense than the dark of night.
Aezhlamon can abandon his corporeal body and embrace his shadow form instead. While in this state he cannot interact or be interacted with by the physical world. This is not possible if a light is shining directly on him. He must be where there is shadow or darkness to utilize this ability.
Darkblade. Murder incarnate, it is the weapon of the Lord of Strife. When it leaves its sheath, the world weeps for the dead to come.
This is a weapon of fire he can summon at need and shape to his will. The blade appears to be of pure fire, but is as solid and sharp as the best steel. When he’s reshaping it though, it behaves like normal fire and can be cut through.
Dreadhounds.
Wild and red-eyed, they are the ever loyal beasts of the archdaemons. Any who hear their growls are wise to cower.
They are his minions of old, and from the shadows he can summon them at need. Light weaken them.
Mark of Death. In the realm of night it is the archdaemon who is judge, jury and law.
To use this ability, Aezhlamon must have his thumb on the victim’s forehead and voice a set of words. If he succeeds to place the mark, he will drain the life-force of the victim.
Whisper of Torment. When the daemons shriek, there is time for fear, but if you hear their whispers, say your last prayer.
This ability can only be used if Aezhlamon is whispering into the victim’s ear. It makes the victim feel unbearable pain for a prolonged time.