Samael returned from his "vacation" today and, surprising no one, he has brought along a new toy. A human. A pretty one, but one nonetheless. That should not trouble me. He's wasted his time with humans before. But this one... I'm not certain what it is, but their interactions unsettle me. Watching them, I feel as though some great disaster looms over the Court. I couldn't begin to speculate on why.

— From the journal of Isis Asther


Overview

A close-up of Cain Amortus.

In an environment known to fixate exclusively on power, it is rare to find a truly prominent or influential person who evidences no power whatsoever.

That is, no physical power.

Because if there is any person in Incaendium who embodies the concept of "soft power," it is Cain Amortus - the mortal man without power or lineage who stood for centuries at the top of Demon society as the korut vavine and consort of Samael Asther, and the seemingly inconquerable champion of the Blood Game.

Perhaps such things turns in fortune cannot sustain themselves.

Perhaps these things must inevitably crash.

Even so, while Cain has long since retired from court politics, his presence remains felt to this day.

History & Status

Gabriel's Notebook

A lot of things have surprised me about this place. It's funny - you'd think that you know everything about the world a book takes place in, but you never really do. Anyway, a lot of things have surprised me, but Cain maybe surprised me the most out of everyone. ...everyone except Mastema. Because I didn't know he existed.

Anyway, in the novel Cain was barely around - he was just Samael's ex and to be honest I didn't even really wonder why they broke up? Why would I care, its just backstory. But it isn't just backstory really, and it's weird seeing how much of the Crimson Court actually runs through and around Cain.

That would probably be annoying, except it's Cain! That's the thing, he's really hard to get tired of. He's quiet, and kind, and supportive and he's taught me more about this place than anyone else has, even the servants that were supposed to "acclimate" me. He's a great guy...

But he's also a little intimidating. Probably only to me, since I'm the only one who can't beat him in a fight. But I just mean the way he looks at people, it's like he's seeing through their brain to the back of their skull in the most metaphorical way. And he can be really icy when he wants to be.

But also... even though he's like that... I can't help but like him maybe more than anyone else here. Maybe I can relate to him. After all, he's a human from some other "world" too.

Gabriel

Cain Amortus was not born to greatness.

Penniless and parentless, Cain largely raised himself on the streets without the support of friends or family. Indeed, Cain did not (does not) even know his own family name... though in time he would be given one: "Amortus," a pseudo-portmanteau of the Common words for "love" and "mortal." A gift from the demon king who chose him. This was but an early step in the relationship that would make, break and define Cain's world.

The story of his fall from grace is somewhat mysterious, its cause presumably known only to Samael himself. It is also as yet unfinished... because, despite their multi-century separation, there remains a great deal of complicated feelings between Lord Asther and his dark star.

But before Cain's story could be shaped by the Demon Lord's clawed hands, it would have to begin.

Living in The Dregs

Cain grew up in The Dregs district in Atria, the largest city-state in Gaean. It is unclear whether his parents abandoned him or passed away - he has no memory of them either way - but it is known that Cain grew up without family. His earliest years were spent in a barely functioning orphanage, but by ten years old, even that support had disappeared as the orphanage was burned down in an act of arson that devastated several blocks of the district.

From that point forward, Cain was largely on his own. He survived by hiring himself out for various errands and miscellaneous services with the daily aim to earn enough money to rent an innroom for one more night. Often he did. Sometimes he was only able to afford a spot on the floor of the common room. Either way, it was better to be off the streets than not.

Living as he did, Cain encountered a great deal of tumult and violence. Ultimately, he was able to develop a strong survival skillset, mostly focused on navigating the dangers of the people around him: the aristocrats who bullied the poor for sport, or the fellow desperate and destitute who would descend on a soft target if given half a chance. He learned to recognize the feeling of danger and to avoid it, for the most part. His strong spirit and tenacity served him well, and somehow despite it all he managed to maintain a largely positive outlook.

Perhaps it was easier to maintain hope in the face of despair because he did not know anything but despair.

The King & the Pauper

Cain and Samael toward the beginning of their relationship.
The King and the Pauper

This would change when he was around 20 years old.

At that time, the Endless War of Incaendium had fallen into a lull and the primary instigator of that war, Samael Asther, the Lord of Amaya, came to Atria as part of a diplomatic mission. During his travels through the city, Samael came across Cain and, being a man fixated on beauty, indulgence and novelty, was intigued by the human's beauty and situation. As Cain was still surviving on odd jobs, Samael hired him to shine his boots (which were already shiny), and followed up the service by seducing Cain in the back of his carriage.

And so history was made.

Cain traveled with Samael for the remainder of the diplomatic trip. For Cain, who had never experienced luxury of any kind, even that sliver of Samael's world was overwhelming... but not nearly so overwhelming as Samael himself. Cain soon found himself drawn in by Samael's unearthly beauty and charisma, while Samael seemed charmed by Cain's guilelessness and his strange mix of survivor's wisdom and naivete. When the mission came to an end, Samael offered Cain a position in his court as a Siv Hari Suum, and Cain accepted.

What's In A Name?

Ephithets

Dark Star: Samael's nickname for Cain, invented during a night trading stories about the myth of the doomed lovers. It references Samael's promise that their relationship would not be tragic, and that the swatch of sky where their constellation would be will remain dark.

Faded Star: A pejorative nickname used to reference his fall from Samael's partner to a Hari Suum again.

  What They Call Others

Samael - "Dark Sun": The counterpart to Samael's nickname for Cain, and a dual reference to the Dark Sun sky and Cain's tendency to revolve around Samael at that time.

Stranger in the Crimson Court

As the Siv Hari Suum are expected to be engaging company, Samael had Cain educated... sparking a hunger for knowledge that Cain had never expected to find within himself. In the following months and years, he learned to read and write, studied the Zozun language and the ways of Amayan culture -- and the culture larger Incaendium. He became acquainted with Samael's various courtiers, followers, friends and lovers.

The more he came to know Samael's way, the more it became evident that Samael's treatment of Cain was significantly different than his treatment of other Siv Hari Suum or even other courtiers. Indeed, as someone who came to Amaya with no status or education, it was notable that hadn't been placed as a masi hari.

Of course, strange things do not happen without cause. Lord Asther's attraction had evolved into an unprecedented personal attachment, which became more time spent together, which became love.

Eventually, Cain was moved from the hari tunwa to a private room in Samael's personal palace wing, and then from there to Samael's chambers proper.

This is how a penniless mortal became the consort of the most powerful man in Incaendium.

Love, Friendship and Knives Out

Despite the considerable luxuries available to one who had risen, somewhat accidentally, to the upper echelons of society, Cain found life as Samael's korut vavine challenging. He had been plunged into the midst of the Crimson Court and the Blood Game that dominated its culture. Cain was not comfortable with social politics, but his experience navigating the dangers of life in the Dregs made him a far better Player than one might have expected.

Bored. That's how I am, and thanks for asking. You know, I've never been one to write letters or anything, but this is probably what's keeping me sane. It seems stupid, I know - I know I'm 'one of them,' but fucking hell Celestials are so boring. Especially the Aurali. Just rules and laws and rules again. Anyway... it gives me a lot of time to think about the past while. Like how funny it is that when I first started loafing around in Incaendium it was for you-know-who... but when I was leaving, the only thing that made me want to stay was thinking about your silly face.

I guess that's how things go sometimes. Samael may be a great man (by objective standards), but you're a good one, and that's better. And you're funnier than him.

— Gri

I think I disagree. I'd like to think that I have steady and reliable principles, but if I'm honest, I have a difficult time holding onto them at times. It may be that my principle of loyalty is stronger than my principle of morality? Maybe it doesn't matter what the technical reason is as long as the faltering remains. By the way, you're the only person that has ever called me funny. Are you sure that you want to commit to that claim? It may incite mockery on the occasion of our next meeting.

—
Cain

Yeah, I don't care. If they mock that, I'll just laugh at them, too.

— Gri

Though he became a formidable political force with time, his insight and observational skills could not physically protect him from the endless of demons and celestials that surrounded him... and so Samael arranged for Grigorius Bieloskytes to watch over Cain while he adjusted to his new world.

At first, this was extremely awkward -- primarily because Grigorius was one of Samael's exes. However, like Cain, Grigorius was a different sort of person than the others of the Court. Being a visitor to Amaya (albeit a long-term one), he was not truly a part of the Blood Game and had no fear of showing his hand or losing his status. That being the case, he was straightforward and genuine in ways that were rare in this world. This allowed a strong friendship to develop between Grigorius and Cain, despite the complications of their interpersonal relationships and convoluted dynamics.

In the meantime, the Endless War had gone into another lull - the final lull, as the Endless War would ultimately never restart. With the presence of Samael and his friends in Court, the Blood Game became all the more active - often spurred on by the machinations of Samael's best friend, Astaroth.

Despite his physical weakness, Cain nonetheless had became a master Player. Perhaps all the more so because he could not physically defend himself, he sharpened his observational and people-reading skills to a razor's edge. This elevated him farther, as Samael was somewhat erratic and emotionally driven, and so found Cain's calm demeanor, practical wisdom and seemingly endless patience both soothing and useful.

This was not well-appreciated by Astaroth, or by Samael's mother Isis, both of whom tended to dislike anyone who threatened their influence over Samael - including one another. More than that, they both deeply disdained the Cain for his humanity, his powerlessness, and the way Samael was unperturbed by both. For their culture - the culture of Incaendium as as whole but even moreso in Amaya specifically, power was the ultimate decider of status, respect and reach. To have a human - one without even human level access to the Ability Spheres - elevated so high was offensive to them.

Worse yet, it was dangerous. Because armor is only as strong as its weakest point, and for Samael, Cain was that point.

Even so - despite the tension between Samael's lover, mother and friend - the years immediately after the end of the war would prove to be the Court's "golden age" of sorts - a time of lavish celebrations, decadent self-indulgence and treacherous court politicking. It was also the time when, surrounded by friends and standing beside his beloved, Cain was the happiest he had ever been or would ever be.

The Frozen Clock

It was also during this time that, through an encounter with The Chronomancer, it became clear that Cain was not aging.

An unnamed pen and ink wash drawing by Samael Asther

Physical examinations revealed no cause for this - Cain was indeed only human and without any Magic, Psionics or Elemental Affinity that might help to explain it.

A reading of his energy signature ultimately revealed the truth: In fear of losing the one person he'd ever loved to mortality, Samael had suspended time for his dark star, keeping him forever locked in his mid-20s. This was not conscious, and seeming beyond Samael's control - the action of his emotions interacting with his power.

Cain's eternal youth would thereafter serve as a constant reminder of Samael's true feelings for him - a fact that would come to haunt him in later years.

The Viper At Their Bosom

Old "Friend" Reunion

Mastema

Court is as absurd as always, and yet just as enticing... at least for those of us who enjoy that sort of thing. But you, old friend... you're too good for such nonsense these days, eh?

Cain

That's rather pointed phrasing. No. I just dislike the chaos. And there is little left to fight for, these days.

Mastema

Melancholic as always, I see! Well, I can't blame you, Samael is being himself of late, after all.

Cain

As he typically is.

Mastema

Just so! But I don't know if retiring is the answer. Still, you might try to strike a balance? I'm sure there are things you want. People you want... I am more than happy to help, of course. I am friendly with chaos, after all.

Cain

Hm. It's a funny thing, Mastema. You speak as though we're lifelong friends, but I haven't spoken to you in centuries.

Mastema

Circumstances! As you may know, I've been... out of town.

Cain

Yes. And I helped to send you there. Yet, here you are. Do you know what these centuries have taught me, Mastema? I have no friends.

Mastema

Oh, Cain, don't think that. We were always your friends. But there is strategy in life as there is in all games. Alliances grow old and expire, yes, but they are always waiting for a time to reassert themselves. You know what they say, Dark Star. Old feelings never really die? And neither do old loves.

— An Encounter on the occasion of Mastema's return

As the peace stretched on, Cain became instrumental in integrating the lands conquered during the Endless War together as part of the Amayan empire, traveling from domain to domain and helping his temperamental lord navigate the complications of politics.

Eventually, Grigorius returned to Astrum - he and Cain would keep touch, writing one another letters in Living Books for years to come. But while Grigorius had another life to return to, and Astaroth found new meaning in destroying the lives of courtiers for sport, the transition from war to peace did not go nearly so well for the final member of Samael's inner circle, Mastema Amarandos.

Mastema was not, by his nature, given to complacency. This proved problematic as he and Samael's elder sister Taladan Asther began to gravitate to one another in their restlessness, and eventually set off on an adventure together.

Early in her life, Taladan had been the assumed heir to the Eternal Throne, before being displaced by Samael as the favorite of their father, Gorgo. Perhaps that disappointment fueled her next move, or perhaps it is simply in the blood of the Asthers to conquer. Either way, when Mastema and Taladan returned to court, they had formed together a scheme to overthrow Samael and set Taladan on the throne.

It was Cain's observational skills that prevented this plot from coming to fruition. Having noticed odd behavior from the two, he made a point of observing them. This did not soothe his concerns - instead, he noticed a strange "vibe" between Mastema and Taladan, and between either of them and Samael.

Cain informed Samael, who use of his network to uncover the plot. The subsequent confrontation would end with Taladan dead and Mastema exiled.

The shattering of the four-way alliance called the Wisemen proved to be the final blow to the War that ended it at last. However, Mastema's betrayal would have complications that reached beyond the battlefield and into the personal realm as well.

Samael had never been one to trust easily, but after the betrayal by Mastema and Taladan, he seemingly found it all the more difficult. Though this did not initially appear to affect his relationship with Cain, it was undeniable that Samael had changed. Given that, perhaps Cain should have been less surprised when Samael suddenly cast him out.

The Unexplained Fall

Suddenly, without explanation, Cain was extricated from the life he had shared with Samael for, at that point, around 300 years. But things would soon become stranger still - despite removing him from their shared chambers, Samael did not turn Cain out of the Palace as a whole. Instead, he held Cain to the contract he had agreed to - and nearly forgotten - all those years ago, returning him to the hari tunwa, and his original place.

"Dark Star," the official portrait of Cain as Samael's consort

Bound by his old contract, Cain found himself trapped in the echoes of his old life. This was all the more painful as their physical relationship continued, though their emotional connection had been severed.

Or had it? Looking into the mirror every day made it difficult for Cain to give up his hope for a reconciliation... because even after their separation, Cain never aged another day.

The Faded Star and the Sword of Fire

Eventually, Grigorius returned to Court, having been exiled from Astrum for breach of Celestial law. One might have expected him to rejoin the court as Samael's friend, but he somehow ended up among the Hari Suum instead. Cain suspected that Grigorius had been sent to keep an eye on him again, though he never asked about it and thus never found out. Instead, he chose to ignore his suspicions and resume his centuries long friendship with Grigorius.

In the coming decades, Cain's status would remain... complicated. Though mocked as a discarded favorite and for his inability to emotionally disengage from Samael, he was nonetheless respected for his intelligence and wisdom.

Most confusing of all, while Samael treated him coldly - even cruelly sometimes - Cain's influence continued to far outstrip his official position... and he remained the one Samael returned to in his darkest hours.

 

Cain & Grigorius

Basics

Nature of Relationship: Exceptionally close friendship of multiple centuries.
Mutual Acquaintences: They basically know all the same people at this point.

Beneath the Surface

What they Share: A mutual sense of frustration and alienation from the Demon society, as neither grew up in that environment. They are also both far more straightforward and honest than anyone in their immediate area, which has allowed them to become true confidantes over these centuries.
What Cain Hides: For various reasons, Cain hides his attraction to Grigorius. He also tries to hide the extent of his grief over the loss of his relationship with Samael - though Grigorius picks up on it anyway.
Cain's View of Grigorius: Grigorius is a rock in the churning ocean to Cain. The only person who has never looked down on him for either being mortal or being hung up on his former lover. The only one who has consistently and reliably loved and supported him.
What Cain Wants: For things to remain as they are without becoming more complicated.

Status Quo

It has been some 200 years since the end of their personal relationship, and Cain remains emotionally tied up in Samael... and ignorant of what exactly happened to cause their relationship to deteriorate so quickly. That said, he has long since retired from the scramble to gain Samael's attention or favor that is the Blood Game. Not least because he knows Samael cannot truly be won over that way.

As the longest serving Hari Suum, he is at times a mentor for the newly arrived, most notably Gabriel Shaen - a fellow powerless human who reminds Cain of himself when he first arrived. Considering himself retired from court games, he is all the more equipped to help new arrivals adjust, because he does not feel the need to compete with them.

Many hold him in some disdain - even referring to him as Faded Star, a play on Samael's nickname for him - yet it is undeniable that he maintains a deeper understanding of the Court and it's master than perhaps anyone aside from Samael and Astaroth themselves.

It is also undeniable, at times, that there remains considerable heat between himself and Samael and they have, from time to time, been seen interacting - even arguing - in ways that fly directly in the face of his official standing.

Indeed, Cain is the only one outside of the trinity of Samael, Astaroth and Isis, who refers to Samael directly and by name.

Cain also remains extremely close to Grigorius - close enough to have sparked rumors about the nature of their relationship. However, whatever feelings may or may not be between them, at base Cain remains too focused on the man who broke his heart... and the unavoidable implications of Cain's continued youth... to pursue anything concrete.

Cain and The World

Education

Cain was not educated in any notable way before meeting Samael. However, after coming to Amaya, he received an excellent education that, in tandem with his natural intelligence and hunger for knowledge; this resulted in a well-rounded man with substantial knowledge of many subjects across the board.

I can't believe that human is still here. Samael has had so many favorites parading through the palace halls that I haven't even bothered keeping track in recent centuries. Of course the one who lingers around is the absolute worst one yet. I can't begin to describe how annoying it is to watch that mortal traipsing around the Palace with servants bowing and scraping before him. Even the lowest debil could crush the life out of him on a whim - and frankly, I encourage them to do so.

— Astaroth as overheard in the halls

He learned all of the major languages of Empirica Sin.

He delved head deep into the legends of Incaendium.

He learned to play music, and compose, became an expert at horseback riding, and excelled at strategic games.

At Grigorius's behest, he learned swordplay and archery.

Cain is also skilled, though not especially accomplished, at cooking and gardening.

Through the course of his relationship with Samael, he also found himself as the defacto head of household, and so became skilled at managing servants, planning events and handling budgets.

In the end, he has had an education comparable to that of any aristocrat.

It really is funny listening to you try and bark at me like some sort of overly stoic dog. Ruff ruff ruff, be nicer bark bark. But I don't listen to dogs, so why should I listen to you? Go on, give an answer. Pipe up your voice and howl like a wolf. Give me an excuse to remind you of your place. It shouldn't be difficult, I could do it and still make my appointment in five minutes.

No? A shame. But probably for the best.

Tell me, pet, how does it feel to be utterly, hopelessly powerless?

"How does it feel to know you only matter because Samael so enjoys stabbing his sword into your sheathe?"

Well. I suppose some use is better than none at all, isn't it?

— Astaroth to Cain

Employment

As a child and into his young adulthood, he did not have job skills and so survived on odd jobs and errands. Since, he has been Hari Suum, and specifically the high status siv hari suum. This has always been the case, even when he stood beside Samael as his consort, he was technically still under the contract of the hari suum.

Accomplishments & Failures

Cain assisted Samael in overcoming the threat to his rulership that was Mastema; indeed one could say that Samael may have lost his throne (and his life) if Cain had not been observant enough to catch wind of Mastema and Taladan's scheme.

Aside from that, his greatest accomplishment was probably creating the man he is. Having had such a difficult start to life and accessing education, steady food and shelter, etc. at a relatively late period in his life, it is impressive that he used the tools available to him so effectively.

If asked, Cain would say that his greatest failure was the inability to hold onto Samael... though it's difficult to hold that against him, given that no one else ever has either.

Psychology

Being famously calm and reserved, Cain's presence and personality are a strong contrast to the bombastic decadence of the Crimson Court and its inhabitants. That said, it also makes him somewhat challenging to read or understand, as he is quite guarded and reserved. Many Demons would say that you know a person by their anger, but if that's the case then there may be no one in Amaya who truly knows Cain, as he is seemingly impossible to enrage. It was this that allowed him to play anchor to Samael's chaos and the cool water to his blazing fire.

Cain during his days penniless in Gaean.
Cain shortly after his arrival in Amaya
Cain today.

All that said, it would be folly to mistake his quiet for passivity - Cain watches and analyzes everything that happens around him. Having developed an agile and vigilant mind when living in the Dregs, Cain was able to take those skills and apply them to a situation that, realistically, could not be any different than the environment in which he'd grown up. Because of this, he is able to understand and maneuver through power-players, assessing their intentions, strengths and weaknesses, and making use of that information in both political power brokering and personal relationship forging. This has made him an exceptionally effective diplomat and politician of sorts. It is this that has allowed him to retain what remains of his reputation and influence even without power or status.

And of course he does, actually experience anger, he simply remains subtle and controlled about it. At his worst, he can be sharp tongued and passive aggressive.

As for power and status, Cain has never been interested in those things. Though they fell into his lap as a result of his relationship with Samael, he has never sought them on his own. Indeed, he eventually grew accustomed to the luxury of that world, rather than growing fully comfortable with it. This is evident in his decision to more or less retire from power brokering when he no longer needed to do it in order to support Samael.

That isn't to suggest that he hasn't been affected by his life in Amaya, however. When Cain first arrived all those centuries ago, he was savvy but naive and innocent in a way. He had experienced hardship, but rarely the kind of intentional malevolence present in the Crimson Court. Over the years, he has certainly lost his innocence, though what replaced it is wordliness more than cynicism. He is still straightforward and honest, but is far less forthcoming with those things.

Aside from his (suspended) mortality, there is another massive schism that affects his interactions with those around him, and that is... time. As a mortal, he has felt every one of the 500-odd years he has been alive. He was not made to live more than 70 or 80 years. For someone like Samael or even Grigorius, 500 years is a relatively contained period of time - after all, they are both immortal and thousands of years old.

This different perception of time has always been a sticking point - Cain may forget things that happened years ago, but to an immortal those things remain relatively fresh.

Cain is exceptionally intelligent and well-spoken with extraordinary willpower. The downside of that willpower is that he is also extremely stubborn and difficult to dissuade or discourage. Once his heart is set on something, it takes a minor miracle to change his mind. As an introvert, Cain does not spend much of his time in the common areas of the hari tunwa, preferring to remain in his own room most of the time, reading, writing, and otherwise pursuing his hobbies. He also enjoys the garden and can often be found sitting alone at night, resting amongst the flowers and near the fountain.

Hopes and Aspirations

Despite everything, Cain still hopes to be reunited with Samael eventually. Aside from that, he also wants to find a way to dissolve his contract - not because he wants to leave, which he doesn't, but because he wants to stay of his own volition.

Occasionally, he feels homesick and considers finding a way to return to Gaean, but he never tries to pursue that desire as he knows, rationally, that everything he knew has long since turned to dust.

"I think I got a little sharp with the old star today. It's rude, I know, but he never seems to get upset about it anyway. Besides that, honestly, I find him a little stressful to be around! Not that he's annoying or cruel - quite the contrary, I daresay he's so stodgy and upright that he can border on boring. The problem is more, I think... the nature of him. What he represents.

"I do try not to get myself all emotionally entangled with impossible things. Even so, it's the curse of the vavine to find that a little challenging! However wicked and cold he seems from the outside, Lord Asther isn't half so frightening when you're alone with him. That's the problem, though, isn't it! Because I know to stay distant, but I'm just very bad at it! And that always brings our 'dark star' to mind.

Three hundred years must have made him feel quite secure, and yet here he is, tossed from the sky down to the ground with the rest us. I can't look at him without remembering that. The end of things. The inevitability of fading."

"Anyway, I should probably apologize but I think I'll talk Blossom into throwing extra flowers into his room instead. It'll be our secret! Mine and Blossom's, that is, not mine and Cain's."

— An excerpt from Asmodeus Zanedine's journal

Fears and Items of Avoidance

As it stands right now, Cain's life is in the very state he would fear the most were he not in it already. Held in place by the history he can't let go of, never knowing what he did wrong, and like that seemingly indefinitely as he can't even age or die unless Samael's feelings for him die out completely. That youth in itself is a torment of sorts, because it keeps him from moving on emotionally, as he knows that Samael, for some reason, hasn't either.

Motivations

Cain really doesn't have much in the way of active motivations driving him at this point - one could say he is floating aimlessly and taking things as they come. That said, he is a loyal man and defensive of his "circle," so he does look out for his fellow Hari suum, and try to steer them away from danger, and from repeating his mistakes by getting too attached.

Quirks, Habits and Mannerisms

Cain is very still. He never fidgets or seems visibly restless. His facial expressions are subtle, small, which contributes to the difficulty people have in assessing his feelings and his moods.

As mentioned above, he is very stubborn, but knowing that, he is also slow to make decisions to begin with. He respects information, however, and the easiest way to change his mind is to prove him wrong.

Cain keeps a journal that he updates at least every third day, and has done for centuries.

Morality & Philosophy

Cain's moral standing is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, he has a distaste for the backstabbing and politicking that goes on in the Crimson Court. On the other hand, he was willing to make use of them when he had a reason to. In other words, his morality is somewhat flexible, though not to the same degree as most residents of Incaendium.

The single largest difference between Cain's moral outlook and that of even relatively benign demons is that Cain is extremely loyal, often to a fault. This, coupled with his stubbornness, contributes to things like his continued resistance to letting go of Samael.

Presentation

General Appearance

Cain is generally - and justifiably - described as "hauntingly beautiful." This is likely because while he is, indeed, beautiful, there is an air of melancholy that hangs around him as well fed by his generally unexpressive way of presenting himself. Beyond that, he is also quite monochrome, with very pale skin, grey hair, and grey eyes. It has been said that he has the feeling of someone spun from grey glass.

He keeps his hair long, and generally loose though sometimes he will pin it back to get it off of his face.

His face is unmarred, but he has miscellaneous scars on his body.

Cain Amortus

-Human. Weirdly old. What's going on with that?
-Asther's ex
-Knows more than he talks about.
-Mostly bc he doesn't talk much.
-(Relatable).
-Remembers Rami but gets weird when he comes up. (Why?)
-Says he doesn't know what happened. Can't tell if that's true or bullshit. Guess we'll find out.

— Dante's Notebook entry on Cain

He is rather tall, standing around 6'2", and is slender with long limbs. He is toned, and maintains his health largely through practicing with swords.

Despite his size, he is the polar opposite of, say, Astaroth because it sometimes seems that he is trying to take up less space than he actually, physically, does.

Apparel & Accessories

Cain's wardrobe is quite distinct, especially given the company he keeps. In short, it consists almost exclusively of black, grey or white outfits. If he is daring there may be a gold acceent here and there, but for the most part, he stays with those three colors. He prefers to wear somewhat conservative outfits, generally resembling a Victorian gentleman, and he prefers embroidery on his jackets.

Special Equipment

He does have a sword that he favors, but it is not magical or otherwise empowered.

Social Inventory

Sex & Sexuality

Trivia Moment!

Cain carries a locket at all times. Inside, there is a picture of himself, Samael and Grigorius from better days.

Despite his outward conservatism of dress and mannerism, Cain is very open-minded in terms of sexuality. After all, he did fall in love with a man who has a parade of outside lovers.

That said, he himself is not especially driven by lust and will tend to be more reactive than proactive in that area.

Relationships

Family

If Cain was not an orphan as a child, he certainly is now. He is unaware of any actual family he may or may not have.

Friends

In a loose sense, Cain is friends with all of the current Siv Hari Kasuum, which includes Asmodeus Zanedine, Dagon, Grigorius Bieloskytes, Dante Savoy and Gabriel Shaen. That said, he only considers himself truly close to Grigorius and Gabriel.

53rd of the Crimson Reign

Today was most interesting... and unusually exciting. After weeks of planning alongside Beelzebub, a grand ball was held in honor of Luto's Gambit - the second since my arrival here. I have to say, Amaya is decadent enough on a normal day, but this is beyond the pale.

In any case, Samael and his friends were in rare form tonight. Our Pillars embraced the occasion with elaborate costumes and masks - Mastema was looking even more decorated than he usually does, which to be honest I wasn't sure he could manage. Grigorius still didn't wear a shirt. To be honest, that makes me a tad jealous - he burns so brightly, and never shies away from attention or company the way I sometimes want to.

And, of course, Samael is Samael.

Always magnificent, my beautiful dark sun.

Every time I think he has managed to outdo himself with all of that metal filigree, he finds a new way to make use of it. Today, he decorated his hair in bands of lace-like metal and braids that nearly brush his knees. Breathtaking.

— From Cain's journal 1/3

In the past, he had been friends with Mastema Amarandos and Astaroth Dracothis -- or, well, he and Astaroth tolerated one another anyway -- but that is long past, now.

He is also quite friendly with Beelzebub and Blossom.

Lovers

His romantic or sexual history in the days before Samael were essentially non-existent as he didn't have the time or energy to devote to romance when he was trying to stay off of the streets.That being the case, Samael has been his only consistent lover.

Enemies

There are two people in particular with whom he has a strong mutual dislike: Astaroth Dracothis and Isis Asther. To Astaroth, Cain represented a loss in his influence and the exclusivity of his emotional involvement with Samael. To Isis, Cain represents a weakness her son cannot afford.

Of the two, he dislikes Astaroth more... but he suspects that Isis was involved in pulling Samael away from him.

It's simply a suspicion, as he does not have any actual evidence of this... but he did have to live with Isis in his life for long enough to know it's the sort of thing she would do.

Shitlist

He definitely does not have one.

Pets

Cain does not keep pets. This is not because he dislikes animals, it's because animals are too easily turned into informants.

Abilities

We danced, of course, Samael and I. He smells of musk and honey - his favorite cologne. He said that I looked striking. I'm not sure how anyone could look striking standng next to him. And he thanked me for coming... as though I would ever refuse his invitation.

I didn't drink much - it's always better to remain level-headed when dancing with predators. Even so, the colors and music makes for a bit of a blur. I remember Mastema dancing with Taladan, filling the hall with his boisterous laugh, flashing his wolfish grin. Grigorius was always off dancing with various partners, bringing the fire with him wherever he walked.

— From Cain's journal 2/3

In Life

Cain has accumulated a vast array of skills over his centuries of life. He has mastered all of the major Empirican languages, become a master strategist and tactician both the battlefield of war and the battlefield of Court. He is an extraordinary tactical game-player, and as previously described, he has a gift (and a skill) for reading and analyzing people, relationships and situations.

During his time as Samael's consort, he proved himself to be an excellent diplomat capable of enabling cooperation between the bitterest of enemies.

Beyond that, he has the standard array of aristocratic skills. Though these are not skills he practiced since birth, unlike those born to the upper echelon of Incaendians, he has focused on them for centuries and is the equal of (or better than) those who learned them due to ckass expectation.

In Battle

Cain is an excellent swordsman and archer, having been tutored by the unparalleled Grigorius Bieloskytes.

General Combat style

I am beginning to feel almost one of them. Of course, I am not. I don't know why I haven't aged in decades -- perhaps it is a side effect of my being in Incaendium? - but whatever the reason I am still what I am - powerless, fragile, human. I wonder often how I came to stand beside him. I wonder, too, how long it can last.

— from Cain's Journal 3/3

Cain is really not inclined to get into physical combat with anyone around him, as he is well aware that there are few if any Demons that he could actually defeat in a fair battle.

That said, if forced into such a position, he would fight defensively while analyzing his opponent's moves and style and then, once he has the lay of that person's bag of tricks, he would strategically counter them as well as he can. Ideally he would remain far enough to avoid being shanked but remain close to anything in the area that his opponent personally values; this would perhaps impede their actions to avoid destroying those things.


Threat Assessment:

I have sent him away.

I had no choice, I know this. I cannot show weakness in the face of betrayal. To do so is to invite wolves to gnaw at my throat. I do not regret it.Even so, the rooms are quiet, now, and dark.

I wonder how well I can see, after all these years, without my light.

— from Samael Asther's journal

Bearing in mind that he has absolutely no special abilities, only a human body and skill in select weaponry, Cain is a Enop at best, and only that high because of his formidable mind.

However, as the strategist behind a battle, Cain is devastating by proxy, being able to anticipate and counter attacks far in advance based on an assessment of the enemy.

Therefore, while he himself is not dangerous, having him as the brain or adviser behind a battle can be considered a Vaham level threat in itself, before even assessing the power and efficiency of whomever it is he's guiding.