Shamus Victodd

**Shamus Victodd** is a Babel alchemist and the High Justiciar of the Holy Kingdom of Serant. While technically one of the top law enforcers in the Holy Kingdom, he is more known for a panache for alchemical self-experimentation and enhancement culminating in an increase of size and strength unusually found in humans.

He is a member of the Babel's Adventuring Guild.

## General Appearance

Shamus has grown to quite a toweringly large size, easily reaching 11 feet in height, well beyond what is normal for a human. His body likewise has grown immense in strength, displaying a hulking and brutish physique possessive of great endurance. This power comes from an almost excessive but carefully controlled daily regimen of alchemical serums and reagents. This has not been without its evident effects on him as skin and hair have taken to discoloration and facial features grew vaguely but almost certainly inhuman and bestial.

Those who knew the alchemist before his transformation would recall a shorter young man of a stocky build only hinting at the underlying strength. It is clear, that that state has long been shed in a progressing towards something different.

## Personal Life

Of direct family, Shamus only has a living maternal uncle in Babel, the scholarly Hussam Abquora, who took him in after the untimely demise of his parents and practically raised him into academia. It is from here that he found his passion for alchemy and a particular brand of alchemy at that. He and his uncle remain close, despite the unspoken concerns of the latter for his nephew's humanity.

## High Justiciar of Serant

Shamus attained a leadership position in Serant after being recommended for the display of personal strength when taking part in a naval expedition to Vrozai organized by Vichear to seek objects fallen from the heavens. The small bit of acclaim seemed to allow for easy approval for the Enforcer role.

Ultimately, Shamus's role is the punishment of criminals who disturb the peace of the newly found holy realm, which he does with great enthusiasm. Steered by the direct guidance of the Serantine Arcane Prophent Gibran Sayigh , councilor and magister to the realm and working with the Nephilim General Edenlal Teshen to pursue any would-be criminal fugitives.

## Adventures

### Striking the Behemoth

As with the rest of those who would assemble at Meita, Shamus learned of the developing expedition against Behemoth through the broadcasted message deciphered by those in the know. Although Serant would not officially be involved, he was keen on the opportunity to use his new-found strength in what promised to be a fierce and worthy battle. Of course, the added benefit of ridding the world of one of its longest-lasting criminal threats fell perfectly in parallel to his overall duties as High Justiciar, which was good enough a reason as any.

Through means of a magical portal from the Ember Academy in Serant's capitol, Shamus arrived in Etera leading a group of Serantine volunteers. These were like-minded individuals ranging from the guards and soldiers he worked with to regular Ember townsmen and worshipping servants of the pantheons of good and justice. The troop mostly relied on its own means for equipment and armament but was otherwise high in spirit as it embarked on this great crusade.

When they arrived in Meita, the troop was quickly integrated into the main fighting force, those who could fight and cast mustered to the training grounds, while the craftsmen and laborers set about earning their keep in service to the camp. Shamus himself fell in and helped with training the volunteers into a disciplined fighting force, assisting the more experienced drillmasters in implementing their vast and varied regimens, making sure that everyone showed up in time, did not slack off, and otherwise kept in line. He found his intimidating presence of great use in fulfilling these duties, even enjoying it a bit, but he was sure to be fair as he was firm.

Outside of training, Shamus split his time with assisting as an alchemist, he provided both his alchemist kit and crafting skill for the creation of any needed alchemical items, mundane or otherwise. He also looked for any opportunity to assist any master craftsmen present in the expedition. He was eager for any opportunity to collaborate and learn from his superiors in the craft.

On the attack itself, Shamus firmly supported any plan that spared the behemoth itself from any lasting damage. As far as he could tell, the beast itself was otherwise docile and was no complicit in the raider's crimes any more than a marauder's horse.

As for the actual approach itself, it was clear that lacking any means to disable the persistent Forbiddance, one way was to scale the elusive Behemoth in a literal uphill battle, fought on the raider's familiar home field. This, he estimated, would be risky and almost certainly carry a high and bloody cost.

Alternatively, an aerial approach through the use of flight would serve two-fold: actually spotting the behemoth as it made its mysterious path through the Aethernar mountains. Along with the rapid deployment of the fighting force into battle. At the time, he did not deny that this approach was also if not just as fraught with peril, but given a choice between an attack from the top or an attack from the bottom, he'd always choose the top.

#### Setback and Rally

Unfortunately, when the time came for battle, the raiders of Behemoth would prove to be a far deadlier threat than anyone had ever thought. It became abundantly clear that the raiders had been somehow twisted into ferocious monstrosities that proceeded to wreck havoc through the ranks of the initial advance. Worse still, the aerial assault was completely devastated by a terrifying flying abomination capable of devouring magic itself and singlehandedly routed the flying attackers.

On the ground, the mutagen-laden Shamus fought tooth and nail alongside the faltering attackers. Despite the increasingly dire affair, the hulking alchemical combatant found himself thrilled to no end by the bevy of fleshy horrors in play. He became deeply engrossed in rending the unfamiliar flesh, in tearing away at the many appendages that should not have been but were, his bite and his claws dug deep and drew much of his foes. Mentally even, the anatomist at the back of his mind was fascinated beyond belief at the fleshy creations. As morbid as it seems, Shamus had a bit of respect for the work in display and was eager to dissect many of these corpses after the battle.

As bloodlust sated and mutagen wore off, it became clear on a strategic level that if the combined assault were to actually overcome the initial shock and triumph over its enhanced enemies, a major reorganization of the attacking force was necessary. After a good bit of fighting, Shamus would reluctantly retire from the field and would actively work with Everett Hawke to take census of the powerful adventurers in the fight and make sure they are organized appropriately across all fronts. To this end, he'd act as a courier to make sure everyone was tactically aware of the situation on each side of the battlefield. Once this important duty is fulfilled, he would head to battle once more, welcoming his new assigned with a freshly brewed mutagen and teeth fully bared.

#### End of Behemoth

In the lead up to the final chapter in the conflict of Behemoth, A group of the more legendary among the Meita Expedition sought to make battle with the monstrous Sky Terror. Shamus would watch intently from the field as the angelic Zelyae Mailstrum, the tidal merfolk Rhea, the ingenious Luna Atreides, the avenger Sra Rilovo, and the vicious Death Johnson, all combined their sky piercing talents against the flighty beast. Though he held no end of admiration of their enemy, finding fascination and macbre beauty in its horrendous makeup. This did not stop him from celebrating its downfall before the mighty heroes, but he held out some hope for the opportunity to dissect its remains.

Regardless, the road to the end was now clear. In the aftermath of the Sky Battle, the coalition labored on its most ambitious plan yet: the creation of a titanic mechanical giant that can best the creature in combat, the Hammer of Duty. Though a magnificent feat of creation in its own right, Shamus would lament the necessity of the triumph of the soulless machine over the mysterious Behemoth. To him, an unwitting victim in the entire affair, and a wonderful creature all the same.

In the final battle, the call came for every capable hand to serve in battle and in repair. Though his heart was not entirely into the endeavor, he dedicated his alchemical service to the cause of the repair. Consoling himself in the fact of having first row seats for the clash of the titans, eager to see both in action and eager to take notes.