Emerick Hardenloss
(a.k.a. Mergigoth)
Emerick Hardenloss was an outcast Hekrosian in his childhood, born into an otherwise sociable, aristocratic family. Gifted with academic success, his parents struggled to find private tutors who could stimulate him, and he often mastered their curricula as quickly as they could provide them, and he often berated their efforts. Bored with worldly studies, he turned to the occult for intellectual rigor, stealing books from judicial libraries and reserves, (even though his family could easily afford to purchase or copy them, he often would not want to be inconvenienced to ask).
His fascination with demonology was matched only with his interest in arcane wizardry, much to the distaste of his overbearing family. Happy to be rid of him, they sent him off at the age of 13 to study at The Occult Academy of Xagolae . He struggled to gain acceptance as a child, but the Orc guards finally granted him entrance when he started leaving animal sacrifices at their doorsteps (not for the Orcs, but rather the demons the school studied). He was given a hearing, where he demonstrated a lackluster knowledge of the school's primary topics, but his passion, persistence, and young age drew the attention of the dark Archmage Darius Korr, who took him as his personal apprentice.
Hardenloss followed the guidance of Korr until the age of 25, when he fled Korr and Xagolae against his master's will and returned to live an secluded life in the Hekros Isles. This is where he was eventually captured by the Heroes of Celunia in the Labyrinth of Volendac after he spent some time kidnapping residents of Celunia in order to possess them and raise an infernal army against Korr.
Physical Description
Apparel & Accessories
When fleeing his abusive relationship with his master and mentor Darius Korr, he stole one of Korr's original magical artifacts, Reckonclaw, a two-bladed sword with the ability to alight the blades in a sinister eldritch flame.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
From the ages of 13 to 27 Hardenloss studied under the guidance of Korr, and mastered the schools of evocation and conjuration. In just his first few years he took on an imp familiar and mastered the Abyssal language, with the intention of summoning more powerful demons. Korr often attempted to curb his ambition into servitude, insisting that a student could only be half as powerful as his master. If the student wanted to grow more powerful, he must first ensure that his master grows twice as powerful.
Often Korr would pull Emerick from his studies to run missions. These included hunting down relics, tomes, or assassinating rival wizards who threatened his goals, which were always kept secret to Emerick. With the promise of greater power or advanced lessons, Emerick's thirst for knowledge and power knew no bounds. He eventually began raiding villages for sacrifices to appease greater demons.
Education
Studied demonology, conjuration, and evocation at The Occult Academy of Xagolae under Archmage Darius Korr.
Mental Trauma
As Korr's demands grew ever greater, whenever Emerick would fail a mission, he was typically disciplined by either lashings or brandings. Eventually Emerick grew tired of being subordinate and felt as though his master was holding him back. He expressed his desires to end his apprenticeship to Korr, and his demands were met with violence and rage. Korr cast a spell on Emerick that paralyzed his body and wracked his mind with a dizzying sense of distress. He forced unto Emerick vivid mental images of demons, giant insects, or the victims he had slain devouring his body, not just the sights but the smells and the pain as well. He kept Emerick in that stasis for one month before finally dismissing the curse. Emerick continued to serve Korr for two more years, before finally escaping at the age of 25 while his master was distracted by a ritual in which he was summoning a greater devil, on the Winter solstice of 438 ME.
Current Location
Species
Year of Birth
413 ME
Birthplace
Hekros
Children
Gender
Male
Aligned Organization
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