Belial
Athanas
You needed someone to blame, so you cast it on me.
Belial
| Life's innate cruelty puts even the most abhorrent tyrant to shame Belial |
Nickname(s) -
Knife-Ears
The forest's loon
The Millhaven butcher
Age -
132
Gender -
Male
Being / Race-
Mortal/Half-Elf
Alignment:
Tries to remain neutral despite his demons pushing him towards neutral evil
Height / Weight -
6"3/170 lbs
Home -
Esstermead-At least, until people catch on and kick him right out
Occupation -
Royal Guard
Likes -
-Understanding
-Displays of affection
-A good adrenaline high
-Alcohol
-Cards
Dislikes -
-The Lawful(The dont like him)
-The voices
-Himself
-Most Astrians(exceptions exist, of course, but mostly he views them as beings with more power than sense)
-Elves(Been kicked to the curb one time too many by them)
-The Beast Within
Almost akin to a barbarian, Belial has learned to almost "weaponize" his tortured mind, entering a state of battle trance which makes him a terrifying melee opponent.
Experienced Outlaw
He has fought with countless weapons, and can hold his own in hand-to-hand. He might not be as breathtakingly skilled as some other warriors, but he is still decent enough
Old Warband Leader
Accursed from birth and branded for well over a century now, Belial understands the methods, motivations, and tactics of bandits and other such outlaws-He was one for a long while. He can employ them in return as needed.
Spellsword
He is rather adept at combining magic with martial prowess to overcome foes-while his knowledge of wizardry isn't nearly as great as most dedicated spellcasters, he can find ways around this.
The Damned
Constant experimentation with Blood Magic and potent drugs has given him considerable insight onto the properties and capabilities granted by these methods, and amplified by the curse. While very dangerous to himself, he doesn't particularly care, as his life isn't of much value to anyone
Personality -
Psychotic. Problem child. Murderer. Outcast. All these words are true when one talks about Belial. His affliction, coupled with his many issues make him highly suspicious to others, and their mistrust is not entirely unjustified. For while he is not actively malicious, often he is overcome by fits of rage or mania, which have unforeseen consequences. He is highly pessimistic, believing life to be unfair and needlessly cruel, and that hope is a fool's errand if one is not in an advantageous position. That being said, underneath this ravaged exterior lies a fragile heart, and he still has a sliver of good in him. Why else would he try to redeem himself? Of course, it's pretty hard to see when he's cackling irrationally while throwing bolts around.
Bio -
Belial was born to a elven mother and human father. The product of an illicit love affair, Belial was never welcome in this world. The Mother stayed for all of a year before she decided that she could not bear to look upon her bastard son, leaving the father alone and devastated. He, much to his credit, continued taking care of the boy. However, the sudden burden as well as the loss of his love had greatly weighed down on him. The pointy ears of Belial were an eternal reminder of what he'd lost, and he could barely get himself to look at the child, instead seeking to drown his sorrows in alcohol.
Growing up, Belial tried his best to be decent despite the constant adversity. From as early as twelve years of age, he had gained some petty employment helping the farmers with the fields. Of course, his pointed ears and slightly odd visage meant that he was never really accepted by them-but it helped bring bread on the table, so it wasn't too much of a problem.
His father's health continued to deteriorate, until one day, when Belial was but fifteen years old, he collapsed on the ground, his sickly body finally giving out. However, even in his last moments, he offered Belial no comfort-He loudly and strongly cursed the child for coming into the world, for forcing him to slave away to provide for it, for separating him from the love of his life. His last words were not the soothing guidance one would expect. They were vitriol, viciously rubbed into a wound that could never truly heal.
Belial however was determined to not give up. He devoted what time he had available into becoming more skilled with blade and spell, seeking information from wherever he could get it. He was going to deny fate it's twisted amusement in watching him suffer. Like in the stories, he would fight and ultimately find his place in the world.
He was surprisingly talented in his pursuits, and soon he was good enough a combatant to seek employ as a caravan guard at first, then a mercenary, then an honor guard-all the while managing to amass some rudimentary fortune. However he could never truly fit in. Everyone gave him cross looks, or fear. Even the kinder amongst them had this unease that they tried really hard to hide, never truly succeeding. The constant rejection grinded him, and every day it was a little harder to get out of bed. Still he did it. Like the stories, you just need to work hard and it'll pay off.
During one of his travels he was approached by a truly odd spectacle. An Orc. The poor thing seemed insane and unhinged beyond salvation. It seemed to be leading a warband made up of many races-outcasts, every last one of them, like himself. With trembling hands, it offered a locket to Belial, promising him that the power contained within would allow him to finally show the world his true self. Belial at first refused, calling the Orc "weak" for allowing life to twist him into this hateful caricature. The Orc merely smiled sadly, for he realized he was not ready. And he challenged Belial to do better. The Astrian was one of the most powerful Astrians. Surely, if his theory was true, with this power he could alter his fate, as he said. Tempted by this proposition, Belial accepted the Locket, and formed a bond with the Astrian within-Ronath, the Anathema.
The powers gained were indeed considerable, and very soon, Belial had enlisted in the Elven military, climbing the ranks with astounding speed. Yet, once more, no matter how high he went, no matter how large a sum of wealth he had, he never could accepted. Such was his skill and determination, however, that he was assigned as personal guard of an elven princess, whose beauty was famed. Much to his surprise, although at first cold and distant, she quickly began warming up to him, and before long they were friends, with him being entrusted many important duties. Even many of the other courtiers that were close to the princess seemed to be treating him a little bit more nicely. Belial had finally found what he was looking for. In a delightful twist of fate, it began seeming as if though she might even have romantic feelings for him! He was overjoyed, for he too was in love with her.
One day, she came to him with tearful eyes and a shaking voice. Between sobs, she explained to him how a certain nobleman was intending to have her killed as part of his scheme to usurp the throne. She had no tangible proof, no one to turn to-Except her dear friend Belial. She even tearfully admitted her love to him, much to his elation, but claimed that due to the horrible nobleman's machinations they could not be together. Belial vowed to keep his friend safe, at any and all costs. And not two days had passed when he attacked the nobleman and his retinue, supported by mercenaries which he paid himself. It was a hard fight, but he ultimately came out on top. He returned, weary and battered, to the love of his life, and announced that the deed was done. The nobleman was dead, and now they could finally be together.
She threw her head back and laughed, for he was truly stupid to have been deceived so easily. Not for a single moment did she care about him, she said. And her courtiers, had it not been for her advice, would have been of the same opinion. But she saw in him a poweful tool, with a powerful Astrian. She knew that he could be made to do whatever she wanted if she just pretended to give him what he so desperately lacked. The Nobleman was no scheming villain, but a good man who was about to reveal a scheme of her own-He would do no such thing from beyond the grave. And no matter what he said, no one would believe Belial-his word was worthless when put up against the word of a loved and beautiful princess. She laughed, and he heard the Anathema laugh with her-He had been deluding himself into believing into stories. That he could alter his fate, that he could be anything but an outsider to the World. With guards fast approaching, his mind broke, and he attacked the only thing he had ever loved.
She was expecting it, of course, and her own Astrian was ready-But she had underestimated him. She hesitated to trigger the full power of her Astrian, and thus, could not fight back when Belial channeled the Anathema-damning her to his own fate. He then began fighting his way out of the castle, and despite his rage and full power Astrian, he would've been overwhelmed-if a certain warband had not picked this exact moment to attack the castle. While a suicidal attack through and through, it allowed Belial to escape.
His mind ravaged by the Astrian's price and his morale utterly annihilated, Belial went on to become a monster much worse than any of his tormentors had ever imagined, gathering other outcasts and forming a horrific group. He is particularly infamous for the total and sadistic slaughter of the entire populace of Millhaven, a small town in Rudoras-an act so horrible, many believe that demons were it's orchestrators.
It was unknown what caused it, but in a rare moment of clarity, Belial realized the full extent of his actions and fell into a deep depression over what had happened. Resolving to have at least done one good act in his life before he died. He abandoned his group and passed the Anathema over to another outsider, saying the same words that were uttered to him, feeding the vicious cycle.
He roamed the lands for several dozen years, not really sure where he was going, or what he was doing, until, in a stroke of luck, he was accepted to become a royal guard by prince Thomas himself. While a good man, Belial has much doubt about the future, as always-His destroyed mind and curse hang overhead like a sword of Damocles, itching for a chance to show everyone the true extent of this Damaged individual.
Anything Else -
"I tried to fight fate-and became a much worse monster than I ever would've been if I had just accepted it."
"Do you hear them too? Like an infernal chorus. He revels in it"
"What does it matter if I die? Has the world not had enough of me? What more could I possible offer?"
"In time, you'll hate me, try as you might. Such is the curse."
"There is no hope in this hell-You killed it long ago"
Masked appearance:
Cursed appearance(rarely seen, usually when under massive strain):
Theme:
