Vitiate Franz

High legate Vitiate Franz, known informally as the Young Flame, is the youngest son of the Franz dynasty and brother to the late-emperor Karl Franz and High Praetor Valkorion Franz. He is the High Legate of the Astra Militarum and serves the Imperium of Andarra with the utmost respect.

Vitiate shares a tenuous relationship with his brother, Valkorion.

## Early Life

Life was cruel to Vitiate when he was born. His mother died giving birth to him, which drove his father Benito Franz into a deep depression that would ultimately claim his life. Parentless, the young Vitiate depended greatly on the care of his eldest brother, Karl Franz, who taught the ideas and values he brought after joining the Cardassian Order. His brother, Valkorion, hated him from the moment he was born, blaming Vitiate for the death of their parents. Whenever Karl was away attending to Imperial affairs, Valkorion would typically bully him as a form of 'punishment' for their parents' death.

The constant bullying from Valkorion forced Vitiate to learn the art of war at a very early age. His steel was hardened each time he fought with Valkorion, who grew to respect Vitiate for his prowess in combat, though he never admitted it to him directly. His ability caught the attention of a Mandalorian mercenary named Mando Fett, who happened to be in the Imperial Palace after settling a job assigned by the emperor. Mando appealed to the emperor, asking him if he could train Vitiate personally, to which Karl accepted. His skill was as unmatched as his adherence to The Way, which Karl saw as the perfect opportunity for Vitiate to master combat. In 760.M21 A.D., a day after his eleventh birthday, he was taken to the monasteries of Mandalore.

## Career

### Mercenary

After he left Mandalore, Vitiate established a mercenary group known as Death Watch. They were ruthless and efficient; however, like all Mandalorians, they follow a strict code that dictates their every day lives. Vitiate was especially loyal to the Death Watch Creed and made it clear to everybody that he will only take assignments against people who have committed grave sins. However, as he continued to delve deeper into the underworld, he began to lose a sense of direction as he picked up more and more questionable jobs that went against the Creed. Eventually, he had enough of his hypocrisy and left Death Watch in search of meaning. However, before he left, Mando—who had joined Death Watch to watch over Vitiate—gave him a treasure trove of information regarding the galaxy's criminal affairs. He chose to do nothing about it.

## Personality

Vitiate is described by many as a man of action, who scarcely talked to anyone who he isn't close with. His personality ties heavily with his Mandalorian upbringing which hardened him to the grim realities of life whilst retaining a sense of hope for the future. He is brash and unpredictable, exemplified by his inability to properly control his psychic abilities. He is a very private person—a fact that has aroused countless suspicions from various members of the Senatorum Imperialis who view him as a dangerous man who would upset the intricate balance that is in place.