Vexus

Vexus is a pygmy flayer born in the Underworld and currently employed by the Gus Corporation (Guscorp.)

## Appearance

Vexus is a member of the pygmy flayer race, a more intelligent subset of the more widespread flayer family. He is of an average size and build, and shares the weak eyes of his species, but can sense movement via sensations in his tentacles. The robe Vexus wears is not unusual among flayers, and indicates a background in religious institutions. He wields a pistol that is unlike any found on Imperium, and most accept that he obtained it somewhere in the Underworld.

## Powers

Vexus has an extensive background in flayer religion, which dabbles in both light and shadow magic. As a former servant of the Ladies Light and Shadow, he has honed his magic, and now wields it to great effect. His specialty is a form of light magic so powerful it can blind his enemies and sear their flesh. As with all schools of magic tied to Imperium, its scope is limited, and frequent use of it will lead to exhaustion, but even in such a state, Vexus is not powerless, as his talent for gunplay is unparalleled on Imperium, where weapons such as his are relatively unknown.

All flayers possess psychic powers that allow them to float through the air. These powers are tied to the large notched tail that descends from the backs of their heads. Aside from flotation, flayers can also channel their abilities through their tentacles. Contact with a flayer's tentacles can result in pain, dizziness, fatigue, spikes in mood, and even paralysis depending on how much said flayer is focusing their energy.

Despite the resources at his disposal, Vexus is known to be diplomatic and deeply pragmatic. Though his allegiance is with Guscorp, there is no guarantee that it will remain so, as Vexus is known to strike deals with other parties -including enemies of Guscorp- if he believes the situation calls for such tactics.

Vexus has earned the title of prophet due to his infrequent visions of the future, which Guscorp is eager to harvest for their own gain. The cause of these visions is unknown, but among flayers they are a deeply holy occurrence, and afford Vexus a large amount of sway among his people.

Vexus has used this reputation in tandem with his skills as an orator to act as an ambassador from Guscorp to settlements across Imperium. His chief liaison is High Warlord Ghorf of the Mountain Pigmen, who is currently engaged in mysterious talks with Guscorp's highest ranking spokespeople...

## Biography

Vexus was born in Nether Rock Village, one of the few pygmy flayer settlements known to exist in Imperium's inhospitable slice of the Underworld. Though small, the village receives some amount of traffic as it contains a Hellgate, which allows for passage between the Underworld and Imperium. Growing up in the village, Vexus educated himself on the world of Imperium and the elementals running it. He left the village as a youth, as is customary, and trained first in light then in shadow worship. These two elements are considered the most symbolically valuable by the pygmy flayers, who view their villages as small bastions of light in a world of perpetual darkness.

Not much is known about the years between Vexus' mastery of shadow magic and his first marriage. He is reported to have disappeared both from Imperium and the Underworld during this time, only returning to select a mate and retire to look after his village as a religious leader. This marriage turned out to be a disastrous one, and Vexus split from his wife only three years in. Flayer court awarded him custody of their then infant daughter Vivi. Vexus spent the next ten years caring for Vivi and tending to Nether Rock Vilage, apparently content to live a quiet life.

It was during his years in the village as a father that he first experienced the visions for which he would later become infamous. Concerned by the clarity of what he originally believed to be hallucinations, Vexus sought the advice of his village elders, who guided him far across the Underworld to the remote Soul Grain Outpost, where he met the renowned prophet and storyteller Vico, who was serving on the outpost's council. Vico, with his experience translating his own visions, correctly identified the nature of Vexus' condition. While Vico was frequently visited by visions of the past, it seemed that Vexus by contrast experienced glimpses of the future. the two remained together, hoping to hone Vexus' ability. Ultimately, they became romantically involved, and returned to Nether Rock Village together.

Shortly after their return to the village, Vexus received the vision that would ultimately prompt him to visit the nascent Gus Corporation. Though he has never disclosed the nature of this vision, many wonder what could have driven Vexus to side with the unscrupulous Guscorp, who even then were known for their ravaging of Imperium's ecosystems.

Vexus has worked as Guscorp's vice-president of foreign affairs since his entrance into the company, and is often engaged in diplomatic talks with many of Imperium's races. Though most express little tolerance for Guscorp, Vexus has found great success in allying with the Mountain Pigmen of Grok, who have become willing soldiers of the corporation in exchange for promises of conquest. Vexus is also rumoured to be the only person capable of interacting with Guscorp's mysterious **Weapon M** without risking life and limb to do so. Some wonder if his experience with his own daughter Vivi has influenced the success he has achieved in appealing to Weapon M's childish nature.

## Relationships

Vexus is the father of Vivi, who is currently training among the elders of her village, and shows clear magical talent. Vexus returns to the village frequently to spend time with his daughter.

Vexus and Vico are not officially married, but have supposedly been discussing the idea for some time. In the meanwhile, Vico has resumed his calling as a wandering storyteller, and can be found across Imperium. He makes frequent stops in Nether Rock Village to spend time with Vexus and Vivi, the latter of whom is apparently quite fond of him.

Vexus and the reclusive Gorgon Sasha have a history, though nobody is quite sure what that history entails. They remain on speaking terms and share a commitment to protecting Imperium from outside threats, whatever they may be.

Vexus possesses an unusually close relationship with Weapon M, and many claim that the two engage in banter that is reminiscent of that between a father and daughter, despite Vexus' cautious stance on the weapon.

## Notable Appearances

* Vexus is a boss and playable character in the non-canon fangame ***Axugaem**.* He fills the role of a blue mage who can learn skills by observing enemies in battle.
* Vexus plays a role in ***Axugaem2**'*s story and is even temporarily playable, with a skillset based on light and shadow magic rather than his previous blue mage toolkit.

## Trivia

* Vexus is very protective of his pistol. To date, **Abby** is the only one to whom he has ever lent it.