Frederick Harding

Official Art by TofuSlaw

## History

Frederick Harding was born to a middle class family of magic users in London in November 1865. From an early age he showed an affinity for magic which was eagerly encouraged by his parents, both professional enchanters. He was noted however to have a temper that would flare up occasionally with little provocation.

Harding was enrolled by his parents at the Royal London Orphic Academy to give him the best possible opportunities to become a professional magic-user. Upon taking has Orphic aptitude test at age 14, to the surprise of he teachers and peers, he failed. This led him to the dark and terrible discovery of what happened to failures at the academy. Upon receiving his mark he was transported to a facility run by Meinhard & Sons where he learnt that Orphics who failed were secretly killed and their remains reconstituted into artificial magic.

Somehow, Harding was able to escape the factory, although losing his left arm in the process. His family believed he had run away to Africa, and Frederick was now disillusioned with London society, giving him no desire to return home. Eventually he was able to use his intellect and skills to find work with an Orphic academic called Professor Darkwood who took him under his wing.

Eventually Harding was able to become somewhat of a successful arcane scientist in his own right, establishing himself within the school of academia and teaching at various academies. In 1900 he was approached by private investigators John Goltz and Damien Whitweather who were investigating the missing children connection to the Meinhard factory. Although refusing to outright assist them, Frederick provided them with key information they would need.

After Goltz and Whitweathers investigation and subsequent escape from the factory, they once again met up with Harding. Convincing him to join them and unravel the mystery of the factory. The three engaged in several investigations as to Meinhard & Sons, discovering parts of the truth behind the Inquisition's involvement and the scale of the conspiracy. During this time, Harding became even more disillusioned with society and the world, he also began to explore darker paths of magic. It was during this point, failing to convince his colleagues, he turned on Goltz and Whitweather, culminating in a deadly battle between the three. During this battle Harding escaped and was not seen or heard from for years.

In 1917, Harding appeared once again in Moscow, Russia, this time in league with the Inquisition and Ishtar, the Outcast God. He additionally appeared to have control over a brainwashed Freya, using her to kill Bolshevik commandos underneath the city, before being confronted by Squad Charlemagne which included John Goltz and Lazlo (a reconstituted Damien Whitweather). Harding however escaped before he could be apprehended by the Parthenon agents.

Harding made another appearance when Squad Charlemagne intercepted a mass ritual sacrifice aimed to bring Ishtar into reality through a robotic avatar. Despite engaging in combat with the cultists and significantly injuring Harding, the ritual was a success, allowing Ishtar to take the form in a new robotic body. The squad promptly retreated back to Parthenon's Moscow headquarters, however were followed, a battle ensuing which culminated in the destruction of the Moscow headquarters.

## Personal

Strict and impersonal, Frederick Harding has always been taught that success is everything, and never to back down from a fight. Focused mainly on his studies throughout his life, Frederick had very few friends which gave him an opinion of cynicism towards society and the people in it.

Harding became a darker and more malicious person upon making contact with Ishtar, who convinced him of her plans and that he should pledge himself to her. Since then, Frederick has gladly engaged in whatever dark and sinister acts the Outcast God has ordered from him, whether it is murder or terrorism.

## Relationships

* John Goltz - Former colleague turned enemy.
* Damien Whitweather/Lazlo - Former colleague turned enemy.

## Trivia

* Frederick Harding was originally the character of a player in the early campaign of OGAM.
* He was one of the first characters to have official art created of him.

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