Destruction - Damnation
“Years have past and yet I still recall it with utter clarity...” a deep, monotone voice says, echoing softly against a swirling darkness. “Since I was but a babe I had practiced to fight - to lead...” the voice continued as a somber, grey light illuminated the gloomy figure of a man clad in black furs and leathers. “But... how can anything prepare you for such raw power - such complete destruction.” The man’s voice dropped as the glow revealed a crown clad in deep raven’s hair paired with a somber, grey gaze and a visage scarred in despair.
“The Park simply fell and gave way as the terrible beast raked it’s massive claws, bellowing in rage...” A large slash ran its way through the man’s lips, undulating and twisting around as it carved therein a ghoulish, permanent smile. “I can still remember the screams of terror - the haplessness of the Guards and great men which resided within...” he stated as he slowly lowered himself into an old, dilapidated wooden chair, riddled with cracks and creaks as if a mass of terror were cursed upon it.
“My wife and my... my son...” the man stuttered as he slowly slunk over, resting his elbows wearily upon his knees. “My partner and one true heir...” he lamented as he came to lift his gloved hands to his forehead, folding them over one another and interlacing his fingers as he rested his head against them. “Winds like that of a hurricane marked the wayside as the trees groaned and cracked - fire, white and hot as a volcano engulfed all, leaving not a trace as all fell beneath his mighty strength...”
The man turned silent, his soft, steady breaths filling the hazy landscape as he tried to push back the memories. “Betrayed from within by the cultists - the foolish Guardsman had no idea what was truly happening...” he continued, finally breaking the short silence. “The Alliance was powerless against the unknown and undiscovered... But that did not stop me from vengeance...”
A strained, leather stretch emanates from his gloves as his grip slowly tightened. “My love... my future - my legacy, all torn from me, and so, in turn... I took everything from them...” he said as he lifted his head from his grip, his lips slowly spreading into a sadistic grin, made ever more horrific as the scars spread from ear to ear.
“I didn’t kill them... at first - no, no, first came the torture...” he chuckled as his lips parted, giving way to his toothy smile. “In the beginning it was merely for information, but soon their pleas and screams became music to my ears...” The man exhaled a harsh, ragged sigh as a deep hunger filled his gaze. “Not all would talk, however, so instead they were put on display - impaled upon pikes as a foretelling of what awaits the next...”
His smile slowly began to fade as he leaned backward into his seat, draping an arm over the armrest as the opposite drew itself awkwardly over his thigh. “Rumors soon began to spread, many claiming me mad - others wishing to revolt and rebel, release the Earldom from the grips of a ruler thirsty for blood...” he relented as he absentmindedly drew his thumb about the length of his forefinger. “But they could not understand - none could truly understand... My sister... My dear sweet Oly - Not even she could grasp it...”
“And so, for the sake of my people, of House Halstark - of my legacy, I must suppress such inclinations - I shall seek to gain a firm foothold in this world, that I might stay the hand of destruction and damnation... For when destruction roots itself in the minds of the unassured - damnation shall come to all...”
Lord Rhaelus Halstark’s introduction. I plan on playing him as kind of Lawful/Evil, however he views himself as potentially working for the greater good - figuring that the ends justify the means.
Let me know what you guys think!
@lady-olyviane
