Richard Richardson
Udugal Kishim (a.k.a. Richardson)
Richard Richardson's story begins almost ten thousand years ago when he was born as "Udugal Kishim," a name that translates to "strong ruler." Little did the world know that he would go on to become a legendary sorcerer and an immortal protector of humanity, living up to his name as the revered leader of a secret society known as "The Benefactors," a group of supernatural protectors and guardians.
Hailing from the city of Lagash, which was the only human city that remained free from the rule of the malevolent demon, Memoc, Richardson grew up admiring the selfless sorcerers who used powerful magic to safeguard their city from demonic incursions. At the age of sixteen, he decided to leave his old life behind and embarked on a journey to become a sorcerer's apprentice and a scholar of ancient lore and magic. Under the tutelage of some of the wisest and most powerful sorcerers of his time, Richardson displayed a natural affinity for magic and quickly ascended the ranks, earning a reputation as a master sorcerer in a remarkably short period.
While life was mostly gratifying, it was initially lonely for Richardson, who, during his initiation, had to take a monk-like vow of celibacy, forbidden from marriage and having children. The reason behind this practice was to allow sorcerers to slow their aging process to a crawl, and having a family with such longevity was deemed selfish and irresponsible. Instead, Richardson was taught to utilize his extended lifespan to master magic and acquire knowledge to better himself and aid the people of Lagash in times of need.
In 9000 BCE, a pivotal event unfolded when Zen, a magical being, and his liberated army of former human slaves engaged in a fierce battle against Memoc and his forces. Many master Lagashian sorcerers joined the fight against Memoc, leaving Richardson in charge of training the newer sorcerers and safeguarding the city.
Despite Memoc's eventual defeat, the battle came at a great cost, and all the Lagashian soldiers were lost. To make matters worse, Memoc's half-demon son seized control of what remained of the demonic army. Fearing the might of Raahomon's forces and aware that the remaining apprentices couldn't face them alone, Richardson went into action, erasing all evidence of the Lagashian mages and establishing an underground network throughout the city.
In 8997, Richardson's fears materialized as Raahomon, the half-demon sorcerer, marched into Lagash, claiming it as his kingdom and inflicting untold suffering upon its inhabitants. Unbeknownst to Raahomon, Richardson and his band of apprentice sorcerers had grown significantly in strength and numbers, forming "The Benefactors." Operating from the shadows, they aimed to aid the people of Lagash in their resistance against Raahomon's cruel regime, their ranks filled with scholarly sorcerers recruited by Richardson himself.
By 8990, The Benefactors, under Richardson's leadership, launched a daring assault on Raahomon. A fierce and intense battle ensued, during which they managed to recapture the city, using their formidable magical prowess to banish Memoc's remaining army from Earth and ultimately defeating Raahomon himself.
Although Raahomon fled, he unleashed a devastating spell that buried the city of Lagash under the desert sands, claiming the lives of all its inhabitants. Richardson, along with a handful of surviving Benefactors, narrowly escaped the city as it was consumed by the desert's relentless embrace. Swearing vengeance for the destruction of Lagash, Richardson and his determined allies set out on a quest to pursue Raahomon and put an end to his reign of terror once and for all.
Over the next several thousand years, the rivalry between Richardson and Raahomon persisted, with numerous encounters leaving Raahomon seemingly one step ahead. However, Richardson eventually came to a profound realization – seeking vengeance was a futile endeavor, and Raahomon's downfall was inevitable. With this newfound wisdom, Richardson made a monumental decision that would shape the course of history.
Formalizing The Benefactors into a global organization, he recognized the need to protect humanity from the lurking threats in the shadows. No longer solely focused on his personal vendetta, Richardson led The Benefactors through the millennia, witnessing the world's transformation and the evolution of human society.
As the modern world developed around him, Richardson made a crucial choice to shield the truth about the supernatural realm from humanity. The role of The Benefactors shifted, becoming a covert force tasked with concealing supernatural events and transforming them into myth and legend wherever they ventured. With their vast knowledge and magical abilities, The Benefactors became the guardians of the truth, guarding mankind against the unsettling and dangerous reality of the supernatural world.
Their presence throughout history became shrouded in mystery, as they worked tirelessly from the shadows to ensure the safety of humanity. Countless myths, folktales, and legendary figures were born from their actions, allowing The Benefactors to operate in secrecy while still influencing the course of human history.
Richardson's leadership was paramount in guiding The Benefactors with wisdom earned from his many encounters with Raahomon and other supernatural threats. His dedication and commitment to protecting humanity drove the organization to persist throughout the ages, safeguarding the unsuspecting world from the perils that lurked beyond mortal perception.
As time marched on, The Benefactors' influence subtly wove its way into the fabric of human culture, preserving the delicate balance between the mundane and the extraordinary.
As the modern age dawned upon Richardson and the world, he found himself grappling with the ethical implications of The Benefactors' actions. Keeping the truth of the supernatural hidden from humanity, despite their remarkable progress, weighed heavily on his conscience. Recognizing that such a significant decision should not rest solely on his shoulders, Richardson took a momentous step in reshaping the organization's governance.
Thus, The Benefactors Council came into existence, standing as a distinct ruling body separate from the day-to-day operations. Consisting of twelve democratically elected members, the Council took on the responsibility of deliberating and voting on crucial decisions and information. Richardson believed that this democratic approach would ensure a more balanced and fair judgment for the organization's future.
After careful consideration, the Council decided to establish New York City as the headquarters of The Benefactors, while the day-to-day operations were set up in San Francisco. It was during this time that the Council implemented a non-interference policy in the supernatural world, acknowledging the exceedingly high mortality rate among elected Benefactors. Instead of remaining warriors, the organization shifted its focus toward becoming scholars and record keepers, preserving knowledge and insights for the benefit of humanity.
Though Richardson initially harbored reservations about this transformation, he respected the democratic process and chose to allow it to unfold. However, his concerns deepened when Raahomon resurfaced, this time establishing a powerful multinational corporation based in San Francisco. Recognizing the threat Raahomon posed, Richardson pleaded with the Council to take action and remove the menace from their midst. Unfortunately, his plea was met with a vote against intervention.
The decision of the Council deeply troubled Richardson, as he perceived the potential dangers that Raahomon's corporation could unleash upon the world. He grappled with the balance between preserving secrecy and ensuring the safety of humanity. As the Council's chosen path unfolded, Richardson found himself at a crossroads, torn between abiding by the democratic process and safeguarding humanity against the imminent peril posed by Raahomon's return.
As the world continued to evolve, Richardson stumbled upon a remarkable tale of a failed expedition led by an archaeologist named Derick Cason, who had become ostracized and branded as "crazy" by his peers after his entire team vanished in the deserts of modern-day Turkey. Intrigued and recognizing a kindred spirit in Derick's insatiable thirst for knowledge and its potential for the betterment of humanity, Richardson approached him, offering his assistance in a daring quest to rediscover the lost city of Lagash.
In the process of their expedition, Richardson and Derick forged a deep and genuine friendship, bound by their shared desire to uncover hidden truths and their commitment to the welfare of mankind. Richardson, with great honesty, opened up to Derick about the unseen world, cautioning him about the fragile nature of humanity's grasp on reality and the potential consequences of exposing them to the unknown shadows that lurked beneath the surface.
Ultimately, their efforts proved fruitful as they successfully rediscovered the long-lost city of Lagash. What they found, however, was a haunting revelation – Raahomon's ancient spell had not only buried the city but also trapped the souls of its inhabitants. Over time, these trapped souls had descended into madness, seeking companionship in those who dared to venture into their forsaken realm, driving them to madness and tragic ends, as had befallen Derick's ill-fated expedition.
Unified in their purpose, Richardson and Derick collaborated to cleanse the haunted temple and release the tormented souls from their purgatory, bringing them peace at last. Yet, despite their noble intentions, they realized that exposing the world to the malevolent forces that lay hidden within Lagash could have catastrophic consequences.
Resolute in their decision, Richardson and Derick made the somber choice to bury the city once more, but this time, their actions would be final, forever laying it to rest. The sacrifice they made weighed heavy on their hearts, but they knew it was necessary to safeguard humanity from the sinister powers that had held sway over Lagash for far too long.
During their arduous and life-changing journey, Richardson had grown to admire Derick's unwavering spirit and the dedication he showed to understanding the world's mysteries. In an act of gratitude and genuine camaraderie, Richardson extended an invitation to the discredited archaeologist and adventurer, offering him a place within The Benefactors, where he could continue his studies and train in the ways of magic. Derick, touched by the bond they had formed and fascinated by the enigmatic world Richardson had unveiled, gladly accepted the offer, embracing his newfound role within The Benefactors with zeal.
In the shadows and secrets of their shared experiences, Richardson and Derick found not only an enduring friendship but also a renewed sense of purpose. Together, they stood united as guardians of knowledge and protectors of humanity, committed to keeping the unseen world veiled from those who may not yet be ready to confront the truth that lay beyond the surface of the ordinary. As the legacy of Lagash remained buried in the sands of time, so too did Richardson and Derick carry the weight of their profound encounter, forever changed, and forever bound in their quest to safeguard the world from the shadows that threatened to consume it.
As the years went by, Richardson and Derick worked tirelessly together, achieving remarkable feats for the betterment of humanity. However, Raahomon's ascent to power with the establishment of "Future Of America" posed an ever-growing threat to mankind, and their disillusionment with The Benefactors Council's inaction became palpable. Witnessing Raahomon's increasing malevolence, the two friends found it increasingly challenging to uphold the Council's non-interference policy.
In response to Raahomon's rise, Richardson and Derick took it upon themselves to closely monitor his every move. Derick, with his resourcefulness, created a network of informants, led by Raahomon's own child, Jason Tethlonis, to keep a watchful eye on his other offspring and gather vital information. The intensity of their investigation deepened as they recognized the imminent danger Raahomon posed to humanity.
However, Richardson's heart broke when he discovered that Derick had taken matters into his own hands, assassinating the offspring of Raahomon without the Council's sanction. While many of these progenies bore the potential for great evil due to their demonic heritage, not all were inherently malevolent. Derick attempted to justify his actions as a necessary stance against the threat to humanity, but Richardson could sense that deep down, Derick knew he had crossed a moral line.
Faced with an impossible choice, the Council ordered Richardson to stop Derick at any cost. Torn between duty and friendship, Richardson couldn't bear to harm his beloved friend, someone he had grown to love like family. Instead, he decided to confront Derick with a heavy heart, offering him an alternative path. Richardson proposed that Derick's magical abilities be severed, and he would be exiled from The Benefactors.
Derick, driven by anger and disillusionment, ultimately agreed to Richardson's proposition, but their parting was tinged with sorrow and regret. The once unbreakable bond between them had been shaken, and Richardson's heart ached for the friend he had lost. The consequences of their choices weighed heavily on both of them, and as Derick walked away from The Benefactors, Richardson couldn't help but mourn the loss of the cherished friendship they once shared.
In the wake of this painful separation, the fate of humanity hung in the balance as Raahomon's threat continued to loom large. The decisions made by both Richardson and Derick would shape the course of their lives, and the world around them, in ways they could never have imagined. Their friendship, severed but not forgotten, remained a poignant reminder of the sacrifices they had made to safeguard humanity from the shadows that threatened to engulf it.
Current Status
Deceased
Species
Life
9034 AD
2010 AD
-7024 years old
Birthplace
Lagash
Children
Sex
Male
Eyes
Brown
Hair
White
Height
5,9
Aligned Organization
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