Lucius Darkwell

**Lucius Darkwell**
***7.Oct.902 SC**-Unknown*

**Place of birth:**Brassburg

**Lucius Darkwell** was an ingenious inventor and alchemist known for pioneering technologies like black powder and percussion lock guns. Later he became the first tenebrian after performing Ritual of Malicious Desires.

## Biography

### Childhood

**Lucius** was born on the **7st of October 902 SC**, in the bustling city of Brassburg. From a young age, his keen intellect set him apart from his peers. As a child, **Lucius** exhibited an insatiable curiosity about the world around him, often dismantling household items to understand their workings and then attempting to piece them back together. Though this habit sometimes earned him the ire of his parents, it was evident that the boy had a mind geared towards invention and innovation. His days were spent either buried in books, absorbing knowledge, or experimenting with rudimentary devices he crafted himself. **Lucius**'s childhood was a testament to the prodigious talents he would exhibit in his later years.

### Youth

During his youth, **Lucius** furthered his education by attending the prestigious Brassburg University. It was here that the depth of his brilliance truly began to shine. However, his unparalleled intellect often led him to challenge traditional notions and question the teachings of his professors. As a result, he gained a reputation for being overly confident or even arrogant, frequently correcting or even openly challenging his instructors. This audacity didn't sit well with many of his professors, who found him presumptuous.

Yet, outside the academic realm, Lucius's charisma and confidence had a different effect. He became quite popular among his peers, particularly with women, who were captivated by his sharp mind and eloquent manner of speaking. His striking presence, combined with his undeniable intelligence, made him the center of attention at many university gatherings, further feeding his growing ego.

### Charlotte Evergreen

On **2st of May 928 SC**, while wandering through the bustling city market of Brassburg, Lucius's eyes landed on a young woman who stood out from the crowd. This was Charlotte Evergreen, a local resident. Unlike the scholars and students Lucius was accustomed to interacting with, Charlotte was of average intellect, but what she lacked in academic prowess, she more than made up for with her vivacious spirit.

Charlotte had a humble yet unpredictable nature, which often manifested in bursts of passion or sudden changes in mood. Her most captivating trait, however, was her incredible sense of humor. She had a knack for seeing the humor in everyday situations, and her laughter was contagious, making those around her smile even on their gloomiest days.

Their first encounter was anything but romantic. Finding Lucius's overt confidence off-putting, Charlotte initially resisted his advances. She was wary of his intentions, given his reputation as a sought-after bachelor at the university. But Lucius, who was used to admiration and rarely faced rejection, was intrigued by her indifference. For him, it became a challenge to win over Charlotte's heart.

Over the subsequent months, Lucius made frequent visits to the market, seeking out Charlotte's company. They had long conversations, where Lucius made genuine efforts to listen and understand her perspective. Slowly, the walls Charlotte had built began to crumble. She started to see the man behind the academic accolades and realized there was more to Lucius than just his arrogance.

Eventually, their budding friendship transformed into a deep and passionate love. While they were often at odds due to their contrasting personalities, it was these very differences that made their bond unique and strong. The two became inseparable, and it wasn't long before they decided to spend the rest of their lives together.

The love story of Lucius and Charlotte culminated in a lavish wedding ceremony on **24th of December 928 SC** that was the talk of Brassburg. Their union was celebrated with grandeur, reflecting Lucius's status and the city's admiration for him. The initial years of their marriage were filled with shared dreams and mutual affection. They attended galas and enjoyed the best of what life had to offer.

However, as the years passed, the cracks in their relationship began to surface. Lucius's obsession with his work grew. He would spend countless hours in his lab, immersed in his inventions, often neglecting his responsibilities at home. His growing fame and the constant adulation from the public fed his ego, making him more detached from Charlotte's emotional needs.

Charlotte, who once admired Lucius's brilliance, now yearned for his time and attention. She felt increasingly isolated in their grand home, her days echoing with loneliness. To compound the strain, Lucius expressed a clear disinterest in starting a family. Charlotte, who had always dreamt of motherhood, was heartbroken.

The distance between them grew until it felt like an insurmountable chasm. Conversations turned into arguments, and affection gave way to resentment. Charlotte felt trapped in a loveless marriage, overshadowed by Lucius's accomplishments and the public's adoration for him.

On a fateful day of **25th of May 935 SC** Lucius returned home to find a note from Charlotte. In it, she expressed her feelings of neglect and the profound loneliness she felt despite being with him. She wrote of her desire for a family and her realization that their paths had diverged. Unable to bear the emotional turmoil any longer, she had decided to leave Brassburg and seek a life where she could find happiness and fulfillment on her own terms.

### After Charlotte

The departure of Charlotte hit Lucius like a tempest. The weight of her absence bore down on him, making the sprawling mansion feel empty and desolate. The once vibrant rooms echoed with memories of their shared moments, and every corner seemed to remind him of Charlotte. The brilliant inventor, revered by so many, found himself lost in a haze of sorrow, questioning his choices and reflecting on the mistakes that led to the collapse of his marriage.

His friends and close associates noticed the change in him. The confident, almost arrogant demeanor was replaced by a somber, introspective Lucius, who was less concerned about his work and more engrossed in his thoughts.

However, as the saying goes, time is the best healer. With each passing day, the sharp sting of Charlotte's departure began to fade. Lucius started attending social events again, albeit hesitantly. It was during one of these outings that he realized he still commanded immense attention, especially from women. Many were intrigued by his brilliance, while others were drawn to his newfound vulnerability.

Finding himself surrounded by female admirers eager to console him and occupy the void Charlotte left behind, Lucius began indulging in these fleeting relationships. Their adoration provided a temporary balm to his wounded ego and heart. The depth of connection he once shared with Charlotte was replaced by surface-level interactions, but they served their purpose, helping Lucius move past his heartbreak. The pain of his failed marriage became a distant memory as he immersed himself once again in his work and the transient pleasures of his admirers' company.

### Ritual of Malicious Desires

As the years rolled on, Lucius's physical vitality began to wane, though his mind remained as sharp as ever. The inexorable march of time, however, took its toll when, in his elder years on **November 956 SC**, Lucius contracted a severe case of pneumonia. The illness ravaged his body, leaving him bedridden and gasping for breath. The city whispered with rumors of the imminent death of the famed inventor, and the possibility hung heavy in the air.

But Lucius, ever the fighter, managed to pull through after weeks of intense care and rest. While his body slowly recovered, his mind was forever changed. The near brush with death had kindled a profound fear in him — a realization of his own mortality. He became obsessed with the idea of escaping death's grasp, dreaming of a life where he could live on forever, watching the world change and evolve, and seeing the lasting impact of his legacy on future generations.

Lucius poured his resources and energy into researching immortality. He consulted ancient texts, sought the wisdom of wise sages, and even dabbled in experimental procedures, all in pursuit of the elixir of eternal life. It was during this fervent search that he stumbled upon whispered tales of the Ritual of Malicious Desires — a forbidden rite that could grant one's deepest desires.

Though wary of the ritual's reputation and potential consequences, Lucius's desperation outweighed his reservations. He became fixated on the ritual, dedicating himself to uncovering its secrets. Using his vast wealth, connections, and influence, he hunted down every shred of information related to the ritual. It was a quest that spanned two exhaustive years, leading him through dark alleyways, into the homes of reclusive scholars, and even to the edges of Tormentia.

At last, armed with the knowledge he sought, Lucius was ready to face the Devil-King and barter for eternal life.

In the heart of Lucius's sprawling mansion, away from prying eyes, was a vast library. Rows of towering mahogany bookshelves, each laden with books and artifacts from all corners of the world, encased the room. It was here, surrounded by centuries of knowledge, that Lucius decided to perform the forbidden ritual.

On the chosen night of **2st of February 958 SC**, under the cover of darkness, Lucius began preparations. The room's grand chandelier was dimmed to a soft glow, casting eerie shadows on the walls. In the center of the library stood a large obsidian altar, covered with intricate symbols and runes meticulously drawn from the ritual's instructions. Around the altar, Lucius placed a circle of candles, each emitting a silver-blue flame.

   Unbeknownst to her, Genevieve Graves, Lucius's assistant and secret mistress, was to play a pivotal role in the ritual. Innocently believing she was there to assist with another one of Lucius's experiments, she was shocked when he swiftly immobilized her with a needle greazed with paralyzing poison. As the reality of her predicament dawned on her, her eyes widened with terror, but she was unable to scream or move.

Lucius, though conflicted with a momentary pang of guilt, steeled himself and chanted the incantations required for the ritual. His voice, deep and melodic, echoed throughout the room, intertwining with the soft flickering of the candle flames. As the ritual reached its climax, Lucius, with a heavy heart, made the ultimate sacrifice — he ended Genevieve's life upon the altar.

The room was suddenly enveloped in a bone-chilling cold. The candles flickered wildly, and a swirling vortex of darkness began to manifest above the altar. From the heart of this abyss the Devil-King emerged. His ominous presence filled the room, and his eyes, voids of endless black, locked onto Lucius.

Lucius, summoning all his courage, spoke directly to the deity: "Mephiston, Lord of Shadows, I seek eternal life. I wish to witness the march of time, to see the fruits of my legacy shape the world for eons to come."

Mephiston's deep, thunderous laughter echoed throughout the library, sending shivers down Lucius's spine. The Devil-King's eyes gleamed with mischief and malevolence as he looked down upon the mortal before him.

"With such ambition and arrogance, you dare to challenge the natural order," Mephiston's voice rumbled, dripping with amusement. "Very well, Lucius Darkwell. I shall grant your wish."

With a swift motion, Mephiston extended his hand, releasing a surge of dark energy that enveloped Lucius. The scientist's body contorted in agony as he felt every fiber of his being shift and transform. His once-robust frame withered rapidly, leaving him emaciated, with skin stretched taut over his bones. Yet, despite this skeletal appearance, an unnatural strength surged through him, a power he had never known.

Lucius's once-clear eyes were replaced with glowing crimson orbs that burned with intensity. His mouth twisted and distorted, growing wider and more grotesque. Rows of razor-sharp, jagged teeth emerged, replacing his once-human set, giving him a monstrous visage.

As the transformation concluded, Lucius, now the first of the tenebrians, gazed upon his reflection in the polished floor of the library. The visage staring back was a nightmarish version of his former self — a creature of darkness and unsatiable hunger.

Mephiston, still wearing a sinister grin, remarked, "You wanted to witness your legacy, Lucius. Now you shall. Though it won't be the legacy you wished for." With those parting words, the Devil-King dissipated into the shadows, leaving Lucius to come to terms with his new, monstrous existence.

### Creature of the night

    As the first tenebrian, Lucius’s existence became a dance with the darkness. The grandeur of daylight, which once blessed his inventions with gleaming reflections, became anathema to him. By the light of the moon, the transformed Lucius emerged from his hiding, a creature of the night. His former grace and elegance were replaced by a monstrous hunger that dictated his every action. The city he had once adored was now his hunting ground.

Night after night, the citizens of Brassburg would wake up to horror — their friends, families, loved ones found lifeless, their bodies torn, blood drained. Panic and terror gripped the city as the dark predator stalked its streets with impunity. Lucius, driven by an insatiable thirst, was blind to the terror he instilled. The applause and adoration he once bathed in were now replaced by screams and pleas that went unanswered.

But every action, shrouded in darkness or not, eventually comes to light. After months of terror, the citizens of Brassburg connected the sinister dots leading to the mansion of the city’s once-revered inventor. On the **19th of October 958 SC**, an angry mob, armed with torches, their faces twisted in terror and rage, stormed Lucius’ mansion.

They tore through the corridors and rooms, a chaotic mix of fear and anger driving their every step. The opulence and grandeur of the mansion, which once was a symbol of pride, were now testaments to a horrific nightmare.

Lucius, with his newfound agility and nocturnal instincts, had anticipated the storm. He slipped into the intricate network of underground tunnels he had constructed during his days of innovation and fame. As the mob ransacked and plundered, he lurked in the darkness, silent and unseen.

As the sunset gave way to the moon’s eerie glow, Lucius emerged from his subterranean refuge. The city of Brassburg, where he had once been revered, now stood as a symbol of his damnation. With nothing but the haunting curse of immortality and the night’s ominous embrace, Lucius fled Brassburg. The city’s adoration, his inventions, and the legacy he had so yearned to witness were now distant memories, buried under the monstrous shadow of his curse.

Lucius then wandered the vast landscapes of Tormentia, driven by an insatiable thirst in his new monstrous form. The once-vibrant cities, bustling towns, and tranquil villages on his path soon echoed with tales of horror, of a monstrous creature that lurked in the shadows, a harbinger of death and doom.

Wherever he went, darkness followed. Innocent lives were snuffed out, their last moments filled with terror. But death wasn't the only gift Lucius bestowed. Some unfortunate souls, chosen at his capricious will, underwent a horrifying transformation. These chosen ones, wracked by pain and confusion, emerged as tenebrians, creatures of the night just like him.

With every new tenebrian, Lucius’s dark legion grew. They roamed Tormentia, shadows of their former selves, spreading fear and despair. The unity and camaraderie that Lucius hoped to find in this new brotherhood were absent, as each tenebrian, while similar in monstrosity, was a mirror of their own tragic story, their own twisted journey.

The Tormentian nights became a symphony of terror. People locked their doors, whispered prayers, and clung to any semblance of hope, while the nocturnal predators ruled the darkness outside.

Centuries passed as Lucius lived to witness the legacy of his actions unfold. But it was not the legacy of a genius inventor whose innovations changed the world. Instead, his name became synonymous with nightmare and terror. Tales of Lucius Darkwell, the brilliant mind turned nightmarish monster, became legends, then myths, and then cautionary tales whispered to misbehaving children. The man who once stood at the pinnacle of Tormentian society, who once dreamed of a lasting legacy of innovation, now cast a long, haunting shadow over the very world he wished to influence. The dark irony of his fate was not lost on him: Lucius had indeed become immortal, remembered for eternity, but as a nightmarish monster, not a brilliant inventor.

## Appearance

### Before the ritual

Before his transformation Lucius was a distinctive figure in the streets of Brassburg. His wild, gray hair, often tousled from hours spent in deep thought or engrossed in an experiment, framed a sharp face that bore the marks of both age and intellect. A short, neatly trimmed beard graced his chin, adding to his air of maturity and sophistication. Resting on the bridge of his nose were round glasses, which he often peered over to scrutinize a blueprint or to keenly observe a delicate apparatus. These glasses not only aided his vision but also lent him an aura of scholarly authority. His attire, typically of high-quality materials suited for a man of his status, was however often stained or singed from his many experiments, reflecting his relentless dedication to his craft. Even amidst the elites of Brassburg, Lucius's appearance was unmistakable, always suggesting a mind teeming with ideas and ambition.

#### After the ritual

After his transformation into a tenebrian, Lucius became a horrifying shadow of his former self. His once wild gray hair grew longer, unruly, and dirtier, cascading down his back and shoulders like a matted curtain of despair. The short beard he once maintained with precision had grown out, now long and unkempt, giving him a ghastly, wild appearance. The once sharp face, which had displayed intellect and authority, was now gaunt and skeletal, with hollowed cheeks and sallow skin stretched taut over prominent bones.

His eyes, which once held a spark of genius behind round glasses, now glowed a menacing crimson, devoid of any human emotion, always on the hunt. His mouth, once used to articulate brilliant ideas and passionate arguments, was now a grotesque display of sharp, jagged fangs, ever ready to tear into flesh.

The elegant attire he once wore had been replaced by torn and tattered grey robes, stained with the blood of his many victims. Every aspect of his transformed appearance screamed danger, marking him as a nightmarish creature, far removed from the brilliant inventor he once was.

## Personality

### Before the ritual

Lucius before his transformation was the epitome of arrogance and self-centeredness. Brilliant as he was, his genius came with an overinflated sense of self-worth. He held a firm belief that his thoughts and ideas were superior to those of others. This unwavering self-confidence often translated into dismissiveness towards other scientists and their contributions. Even when presented with innovative concepts or noteworthy discoveries, Lucius would often belittle or outright reject them if they weren't birthed from his own mind. This need to always be the center of attention and acknowledgment made him a difficult colleague and mentor. His ego was delicate; he required constant admiration and validation, often at the expense of those around him. While his intellectual prowess was undeniable, his inability to acknowledge and appreciate the brilliance of others made him a polarizing figure in the scientific community of Brassburg.

### After the ritual

After his transformation into a tenebrian, the core traits of Lucius's personality were amplified and twisted by the dark gift bestowed upon him. The arrogance and self-centeredness that once marked his character became even more pronounced. No longer was he simply dismissive; he now saw mortals as insignificant creatures, mere sources of sustenance and nothing more.

His insatiable thirst for blood consumed him, making him even more ruthless and merciless. The slight hints of empathy or consideration he might have occasionally shown in the past were eradicated. In place of the brilliant mind that once sought acknowledgment, there now resided a monstrous hunger that overshadowed all reason and intellect.