Ashrad

Ashrad (アシュラッド) is the Vice Captain of the Papal Guard's Iscariot unit affiliated with the Septian Church.
== Profile ==
=== Appearance ===
Ashard is a tall, imposing man with light blue eyes and medium length ash-blond hair. He wears the uniform of Iscariot, consisting of a long hooded tabard, black in colour but with gold accents and metallic straps and plates attached. he wears steel plated bots and long elbow length gloves with armored sections and wields a large battle mace.
When he first appears, he wears a hood over his face to conceal his appearance, but lowers it after his identity becomes known.
=== Personality ===
Ashrad is rather serious and devoted to his work of cleansing the world of those deemed heretics, yet he can be reasoned with. His pious and stern nature puts him at odds with the often loose and whimsical dominions. His teacher reckons him to be frank and reasonable, but too overboard when it comes to reflecting upon his faults. He also notes that he can see the bigger picture and do what needs to be done.
Ashard views fighting head on for fools, preferring more pragmatic ambush tactics and covert operations. He has gained the power of 'spiritual marking' through use of the Xipha in an attempt to reach something like the Stigma.
=== Background ===
Ashrad is a high-ranking member of the Papal Guard. Unlike the Gralsritter's Dominions, who fall under the Congregation for the Sacraments and are responsible for the retrieval of Artifacts, the Papal Guard falls under the Congregation for Divine Worship and is responsible for executing those deemed heretics who are unpunished by the law.
He was one of the disciples of Bergard Zeman, a former Dominion.
=== ===
He first appears during a meeting beneath Edith between Walter Kron of Ouroboros, Cao Lee of Heiyue, Zin Vathek of the Bracer Guild and Van Arkride of the Arkride Solutions Office. The different factions hold a meeting in their mutual effort to defeat Almata. Ashard asks the others to pay no heed to his identity and presides over the match Walter wants. During this time, Ashrad also runs across Rion Balthazar and Celis Ortesia, two Dominion whose presence causes him to leave the meeting following a disagreement.
Ashrad contributes to the efforts to defeat Almata, deploying two units of Iscarion in an effort to take his foes down unawares. Initially they come across Celis and Rion and are about to fight, but Bergard intervenes and chides them both for fighting when they should be on the same side. Both parties agree and move on. Ashrad next ambushes Kasim Al-Fayed with both Iscarion units, flanking him in a bid to remove the most dangerous opponent. There had even been collusion with other church units to bring about this opportunity, with Ashrad noting 'The right hand casts the shadow and the left hides in it. Kasim proves to be too much however and both units are knocked out from the battle. Later in the game, he attempts to execute Edmond Auclair for his heretical actions involving the sponsoring of both anti-immigrant groups and Almata, but relents when his daughter is able to bring him to justice for his crimes. He communicates the status of Almata and Melchior to his chief, whilst also stating that they are expanding their search targets for the 'blue-black core'
Ashrad comes to the party's aid in Edith when Pandemonium envelops the city. He confirms his suspicions about Van and the nature of who can move around, and helps break a barrier sealing Judith and Maxim.
== Gallery ==
Askeladd.png|In-game appearance
Ashrad concept art 2 (Kuro).png|Concept Art
Ashrad's mace concept art (Kuro).png|Ashrad's mace
== Trivia ==
* "Ashrad" could derive from Askeladden, a child hero from a Norwegian folktale, whose name translates to English as "Ash-Lad".
Category:Characters
Category:Trails through Daybreak Characters
Category:Septian Church