Ephraim

## Backstory

Ephraim was born to a Noble Family.
His father worked as a banker in town and his mother was a socialite amongst
the Rich and powerful. His father wanted nothing more than money while his
mother wanted power. Neither of them wanted a child, but both agreed that in
order to continue the family legacy it would be necessary to have a child.
Lucky for them, they could afford to pay their help to raise the child, until
it became of age to learn and participate in the family business. He was raised
by their trusted maid, Maidenton, and their Groundskeeper, Groundie. Ephraim
started to think that these two were his parents. After all his real parents
were never around. That’s probably why it was such a surprise when His
“parents” got charged with murder for killing his parents.

### Now tell my Mother, my Mother not to cry

That day started normally for him. He was outside playing and exploring the massive
property that he lived on. He was so busy playing that he must’ve missed the
dinner bell or so he thought. He stayed out until the sun was setting and he
decided to come back inside to eat read some of his favorite stories. He came
in and the maid and the groundskeeper congratulated him on his patience on
waiting for his dinner and as a reward they were going to move to Fort Town
just the three of them. Ephraim could go to a school and be with other kids,
and the three of them would just be able to play and not have a worry in the
world, but first they had some other guests they needed to talk to. One of
those guests was a rookie officer by the name of Billy McCoy.

Billy was nice and warm to Ephraim,
So Ephraim opened up about his whole day.
The part that got Billy’s attention was the fact that they were moving
to another town with the child instead of finding the Next of Kin. This crucial
piece of detail eventually led to the Groundskeeper and Maid’s arrest. Billy
requested to take care of the child until they can contact the next of Kin so
the child won’t get lost in an Orphanage in Alfenheim. That first night at
Billy’s was full of confusion. Where were his parents? Why is he there with
some random stranger? He wanted to go back home and be with his Family. Why
were the separated? Billy’s wife, Lauren’s attitude towards this situation did
not help much either. She wanted a child of her own, not just a random kid
Billy found at work. Ephraim tried to cover his ears that night and go to
sleep, but He could hear the argument between Billy and Lauren. Ephraim
couldn’t shake the feeling that this was all his fault. If he just stayed in
his room and was quiet like a good boy maybe they’d be still together. He
didn’t sleep well that night.

Growing up with Billy was different than what he was used
to. His family always had a quiet dignity about them. Billy would rather speak
his mind and risk sounding foolish than to let his silence be interpreted as
agreement. Billy would stand up for what he though was right even if that meant
he would get himself into more trouble than its worth. While Lauren was worried
about Billy’s health from taking beatings so frequently, Ephraim idolized him
for his Bravery. Ephraim spent a lot of time with Billy at work and learned the
tools of the trade. Billy even helped Ephraim get through the passing of the
Groundskeeper and the Maid when they were eventually hung for their crimes.

### Here lies the fool that loved you so

A new drug came up on the street called “The Void.” This new
drug was highly addictive. Fairly cheap and caused a random magical spell to be
launched. Sometimes due to this drug people gained the ability to use and control
magic. This lead to people looking for a way out eventually finding it. Billy
was deadest on putting a stop to this new drug, but Ephraim was more
sympathetic towards their plight. These were people who needed to be understood
not persecuted. Ephraim donated all of the money he inherited from his family
to Blanka’s church to help support addicts with recovery and rehabilitation. Eventually
after a few major busts the Void shipments disappeared. Weeks passed with no
reported sightings, until one night.

                Ephraim
was greeted one night by a strange gentleman who wanted to see what a day in
the life of a guard would be. Ephraim advised that if you’re looking for an
example of a respectful guard you should talk to Billy McCoy, if he wasn’t so
busy. Billy and Lauren recently had a child, and that had taken up a majority
of Billy’s time. This strange fellow Offered Ephraim a drink of a nice Cabernet
Sauvignon. Billy never drank, But Ephraim saw no harm in drinking. They both
toasted to the future. After they drank Ephraim felt funny. He seemed to be
able to disappear completely from sight. Ephraim was now corrupted. The man
smiled. He now had an investigator on his side.

                Ephraim
figured that he couldn’t talk about what happened to him that night. He felt
shame in what he did. He figured the best way to stop the void now was from the
inside. So he reluctantly agreed to help this mysterious person.

                When
Void spread again Alfomal had guards test for magical powers. Any guards with
magical powers that were not otherwise declared was sent to questioning
immediately. Ephraim had to retire from the police force or risk being
questioned and bringing shame on both Billy and Him. After all How could he not
know his own “son” was using?

                Ephraim
started working as an enforcer for the Void shipments. He figured he could stay
a step removed from the void and still gain the trust of the higher ups.
Eventually they assigned him to do a simple task. There was an investigator
that was closing up warehouses full of void shipments, which caused prices to
go up. They wanted to send a message and set an example. Ephraim knew what he
had to do, but tried to avoid doing it. He warned Billy to retire, told him how
much fun it is to just relax. He could spend more time with Jill and Lauren. Billy
was too stubborn to see Ephraim’s desperate pleads to stop the investigation.

### Don't send no flowers when I'm gone

One
night Ephraim was forced to act. It was made clear to him that if he didn’t kill
the McCoy’s they’d hire someone less caring to do the job. Billy would fight
for his family, but even he had limits. He couldn’t fight off them all. So
Ephraim made the hardest choice. He had to end 2 innocent lives. He waited for
them to fall asleep and went for the mother first. No mom should ever have to
see their child dead. So he stabbed the back of the neck to make it quick and
painless. Then he went for the child. He made it as quick as he could. He
poisoned the child and covered her with a blanket. Billy shouldn’t have to see
that. The last thing he left was a note. Billy deserved to know.

                After
that he gained the trust of the inner circle. He started working production. He
was in charge of retrieving the ingredients from a building near the ports of
Alfenhime. After finding the house he was able to sneak in and find what the
source of the void was. HE found an orc woman tied up in being drained of
blood. He gave her a choice. She can either run away with him always looking
over her shoulder, or he could kill her right then. She chose death, and
Ephraim Obliged.

Ephraim took out anyone he knew was
in charge of the void and left town. He didn’t have a plan, but he never really
did. He just kind of ran from bar to bar looking for answers for what he did at
the bottom of a bottle. Looking for fights so he could feel something. It was
then that he earned most of his scars and lost most of his morals.

### All my Life I’ve been a slave

Ephraim was minding his business at
the bar when a lady came up to him and asked if he wanted to help with their
mission. Typically what he’ll do is ask for a high price for his services so
they leave him alone. Selena agreed to pay Ephraim 400 gold. He couldn’t say no
to that. After all they were either fools, doing something extremely reckless,
or were insanely wealthy. All three seemed appealing To Ephraim at the time.
While hired for his job he, paid for a finger to be attached, almost got
arrested for robbery, and lost an arm.

### I just want you to put me down, and then move on

 Ephraim came to the realization that between, a
crazy Sorcerer, A Dragon-born Paladin with a lizard mount with a mysterious
past, and a flying castle that whatever this group was planning on doing needed
to be investigated. He couldn’t ask for help, his pride wouldn’t let it. So he
hoped that Billy still and that headstrong anger to rush into fights. He
threatened Nyanta’s Daughter with hope that it would spread to the guild and to
Billy. He counted on retaliation and aggression from the guild, but he didn’t
count on Billy and Tarthurac. When he found out news of Billy’s passing, he felt
a numb coldness. He never meant for this to happen. Ephraim insisted on verifying
Billy’s death.  He left alone for the
McCoy family graves. It was the first time he was there. It was revealed that
Tarthurac worked with Billy to trap Ephraim. Tarthurac agreed to let him live
provided he sends letters to Tarthurac every week. Ephraim Kept his promise to
never mention Dartak to Tarthurac, though and most letters were filled with boring information.

### No Headstone on my grave.

When the Githyanki attacked Alfenheim, Ephraim didn’t want
to help. It would pain a huge target on this castle, Whada guild could handle
it and why risk his life just to be arrested. Billy was after the head of the
town guard.

They stayed out of the fight, but when the Githyanki
returned and the Whada guild went missing, They were left with the only option
of fighting to protect Faerbaron and Alfenheim.
Ephraim got a Broom and told Miss Spicer that this is a one way trip for
him. He went on board the ship with the hope of stalling them, creating some
sort of distraction, Blow up part of the ship, something to buy time.
Unfortunately, there were more Githyanki than expected and Ephraim met his fate
on that ship.  Now it is widely believed Ephraim
is in the 9 hells for Infanticide.

## Relationship

### Billy

Ephraim deeply regretted what he did to Billy. If he
was a braver man he might have apologized, but Ephraim was worried of what
Billy might do. He holds high respect for Billy and hopes that he has found
peace for what happened.

### Nyanta

He was just a pawn. Pawns get killed quick in battle

### Tarthurac

He is the biggest threat to Selena and her followers. This will get him killed.

### Cassandra

Ephraim does not know what she does nor does he
care. In his experience women typically leave after being around him for too
long, at least this one didn’t want him to leave money on the nightstand first.
Cassandra’s reluctance from working together will get her killed

### Ikki

Ikki’s the smartest Sap he’s ever met. His foolish
recklessness will eventually get him killed.

### Selena

Selena does not act like someone who has a mass
murdering demon in her. She acts more like a child. She tends to do her own
thing often times ignoring the groups advice. He believes that this will get
her killed eventually.