Viscardi Ingram

> *"My greatest pleasure?" "Well if you must ask, my pleasure comes when such people like you crumple to their knees, and I look down upon their disbelieving faces as their little plans fail."*
>
>

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## Character

### Species

Abhuman (Luminarch(Rehk))

**Viscardi Ingram**, better known as the "**Bladed Prince**," and sometimes as the "**King of Shadows**," or **"Ingram's Monster,"** is one of the original 20 superhuman luminarchs created by the Emperor of Mankind in the late 90th Millennium and is the master of The Iohiran Kinship Imperial Marine Legion.

He was a brutal warrior who believed in the use of fear as the most potent weapon against one's foes, and he taught his Sons to be as brutal and savage as necessary to put down the enemy.

## History

### Homeworld

The Iohiran Belts, an expansive and desolate collection of asteroid belts, stretch out before the observer, a gloomy expanse perpetually shrouded in darkness. This eternal dimness is a consequence of the excessive void-pollution that permeates the atmosphere and surrounding space of the numerous asteroids, combined with the encircling presence of Nyx, the pale dwarf star whose feeble light struggles in vain to penetrate the dense haze enveloping the celestial bodies within the belts.

Comprising of five major rings named Tovesh, Nahmrac, Zharorai, Tynarik, and Xarl, the Iohiran Belts, although sparsely populated, harbor a handful of habitable hubs that manage to sustain human life. These settlements, collectively referred to as the Iohiran Belts by the common people, emerged during humanity's prosperous Golden Age. In those bygone days, Iohiri, once a lush mining outpost, hosted tens of thousands of asteroid colonies and Trojan Spire cities linked together through a vast orbital network. The ingenious employment of ancient gravatomic stabilizers allowed humanity to transform these asteroids into dwarf-planets, and Iohiri swiftly became a mining paradise, abundant in precious mineral deposits, particularly the coveted adamantine. The geology of Iohiri was deemed priceless, as its asteroids possessed an unprecedented abundance of naturally occurring adamantine, which held immense value.

However, the splendor of Iohiri was shattered amid the devastating turmoil known as the Long-Dark. Void-Rifts tore through the system, unleashing waves of a malevolent phenomenon known as Void-fog. This metaphysical fog permeated the atmosphere, engulfing the feeble light of Nyx, and impeding travel between colonies while polluting the artificial atmospheres of the asteroids with smog-like intensity. The regions heavily affected by the fog became breeding grounds for mutations, tearing apart entire sections of the Iohiran Belts and plunging them into madness and depravity driven by the void.

In this grim environment, the spire cities, once thriving centers of civilization, now resemble warrens of stone and iron. Towering smokestacks rise into the perpetual night sky, futilely attempting to breach Nyx's dim glow and the metaphysical pollution suffusing the system. Black metal bridges crisscross the narrow ravines of alleys and streets, while mansions, cathedrals, and factories emerge from the slums that dot the asteroids, their surfaces teeming with gargoyles.

The Void-fog blankets the entire system like a cloak draped over a dying man, its suffocating influence akin to malignant tumors festering just beneath the surface. It extinguishes any semblance of light emanating from windows or lamps, casting a sickly halo upon everything it touches. Dust, smoke, and the acrid stench of chemicals permeate the artificial atmospheres of the colonies, seeping into the flesh of every inhabitant, robbing them of vitality. Life becomes a relentless descent into grinding servitude, devoid of hope or genuine happiness.

The extraordinary adamantine that permeates the crusts of Iohiri's asteroids serves as the primary export to neighboring worlds, driving the proliferation of colossal metalworks and chemical plants that scar the Iohiran starscape and choke the skies with noxious emissions of a different kind.

Even during the brightest hours of what could be considered day for Iohiri's many colonies, the asteroids within the outer and intermediary belts remain barely illuminated, scarcely distinguishing between noon and midnight. Perpetual darkness envelops these celestial bodies, a result of the void cover that intensifies the farther one ventures from Nyx's faint radiance. Only the privileged few residing in the Inner-Belts of Tynarik and Xarl can afford the luxury of Iohiri's meager illumination, granting them the opportunity to bask in the pale glow of Nyx.

The overwhelming majority of Iohiri's population languishes in abject poverty, toiling as foundry laborers for countless generations, while the affluent few amass ever-growing wealth, crushing or eliminating anyone who dares challenge the status quo. In the Iohiran society, crime runs rampant, permeating every facet of life. Murder, theft, and extortion are commonplace, and the ruling elite's hired militias unleash horrific brutality upon those who dare oppose them, offering a mere semblance of law enforcement. A sense of desolation taints the existence of most Iohirans, and overpopulation finds its solution not through warfare, disease, or legislation, but through an immense suicide rate.

Iohiri stands as a desolate expanse, devoid of sunlight, and steeped in suffering, anguish, and corruption. As the heart of a string of planets that once navigated the stars during the Age of Strife, it remains a system of sprawling cities, suffocating in smoke, industry, and the toil of billions. Nyx, a star emanating pale light, has influenced the physiology and genetic makeup of the Iohiran belt's natives. While the majority of Iohiran citizens still possess genetic traits similar to those of baseline humans from Proxima Solar, there is a notable exception: many Iohiri natives lack irises, with their pupils dominating the visible part of their eyes.

The people dwelling within the Iohiran belts embody a pale breed, their figures often thin and gaunt. They exhibit tendencies toward distrust, dark humor, and callousness. This unique form of albinism, stemming from a recessive mutation, has become prevalent among the Iohiran populace. The vast majority of individuals endure lives of destitution as foundry laborers, while the privileged few thrive in prosperity, ruthlessly suppressing any dissent. Depression permeates the lives of most Iohirans, and population control is not achieved through war, disease, or legislation, but rather through an alarming suicide rate. These unfortunate souls typically meet their demise while coughing up blood and black dust, confined to a decaying pallet. However, death from lung ailments or the erosion of bones caused by chemical exposure represents only one of the countless tragic ends that can befall an individual on Iohiri.

The void dominates Iohiri, possessing its body and soul. Its existence rivals the horrors of xenos enslavement and the nightmares of the Long Dark. Any remnants of true law have long since vanished, devoured by the insatiable greed of a few and the desperation of many. Murder has become the currency of life, and strength is derived from violence. Every imaginable sin, both grave and trivial, finds a home within Iohiri's expansive night. Chronicles of its history, recorded after its reclamation, recount the eternal sounds of weeping and pleading carried by the wind, while every child grows up knowing that the only law that exists is that of the knife, and the only right belongs to the strong, to be wielded as they see fit.

Corrupt and murderous gangs, whether recognized as such or hidden behind veils offeigned authority, rule over every inch of Iohiri. From the highest echelons of nobility to the darkest alleyways, every corner of the desolate world belongs to someone—a domain, a territory, or a hunting ground. In the stacked habitation slums, fear reigns supreme as gangs enforce their dominance through ruthless violence, killing and torturing with impunity. In the outer rings, savage packs of outcasts, barely more than feral beings, engage in brutal warfare with these gangs. Some of these gangs are rumored to resort to cannibalism, treating their territories as predatory hunting grounds. The mines and factories that drive the wheels of industry in the system bear names that feign authority: the Murilers Overseers, the Knives of Tynoreala, the Daughters of Toil. Muscled and scarred by the intense heat of the furnaces, gang members roam the streets adorned with weaponry and the stench of death, imposing an order that amounts to nothing more than slavery. In the wealthier regions, the reckless offspring of the corrupt nobility gather in cliques, parading around like peacocks in extravagant costumes, as quick to take a life with a blade or a gun as they are to unleash a biting insult.

Regardless of their social standing, nearly all Iohiran gangs owe allegiance to one of the countless barons, counts, and lords who, in turn, serve even more powerful individuals. Many of these self-proclaimed aristocrats adopt courtly titles, remnants of a long-forgotten nobility. Cloaked in the trappings of birth, bloodlines, and feudal entitlement, the ruling class of Iohiri and its criminal overlords are indistinguishable, cruel monarchs presiding over realms built upon a foundation of sin.

### Ingram's Monster

When the Luminarchs were clandestinely spirited away from the Emperor's genelabs nestled beneath the Kilaminjanto (Kilaminjaro) Ranges, their departure was facilitated by the enigmatic void powers emanating from the darkest recesses of the cosmos. In a swift and orchestrated maneuver, the gestation pod containing the XXth Luminarch was emptied, and his essence was flung through the eddies of the Void. Burning with the intense brilliance of white-hot void-fire, Viscardi and his kin traversed the depths of this unfathomable abyss. Time itself seemed to contort, stretching into an endless eternity while simultaneously compressing into a mere fleeting moment, as Viscardi hurtled through the cosmic expanse. With unwavering determination, he propelled himself towards the ethereal glow of Nyx, the pale light that beckoned him forward. Far below, the toiling inhabitants of the colony foundries bore witness to a mesmerizing phenomenon—a shimmering flash of otherworldly fire streaking through the dense and oppressive Void-Fogs that enshrouded Iohiri, briefly dispelling the malevolent miasma that plagued their existence.

Like his esteemed Luminarchal brethren, Viscardi was not conceived in the traditional sense, but rather psionically implanted within the womb of a mortal mother. However, his journey from conception to birth underwent a profound and accelerated transformation, with Viscardi's mortal existence commencing merely a week after his inception.

The primordial demigod made his entry into the world within the heart of one of Tovesh's inner-hub under-spires, cradled by the embrace of his maternal family. His enigmatic mother, known only as No. V-652936t in the annals of Imperial historians, had herself undergone a transformation wrought by the insidious machinations of the sadistic Dr. Jahik Ingram, the baroness of the tiny Iohiran Ring Nation of Kaldrost. Driven by remarkable intellect and unyielding ambition, Baroness Ingram ruled her hold with an iron-fisted authority, employing her knowledge to manipulate human genomes and unleash monsters upon the beleaguered Iohiran belts. Within this crucible of sinistrous design, No. V, a representative of the Rehk, a biological subset of Iohiran civility, found herself subjected to Dr. Ingram's experiments. These manipulations endowed No. V with a striking arachnid-like appearance and extraordinary abilities, characterized by ocular mutations and other distinctive arachnoid attributes. These transformative traits would be passed down to the newborn Luminarch, shaping his physical form and shaping his destiny.

As the newborn emerged, the embodiment of divine potential, his maternal family stood awestruck, tears welling in their eyes as they gazed upon this extraordinary infant. Yet, their reverie was abruptly shattered when the door to their hab-unit was violently breached, revealing the ominous presence of the Black 13, a fearsome militarized police force representing the local ring-sects. Leading this menacing group was none other than Dr. Jahik Ingram herself, who had detected the Void-Phenomena as it coursed through the hab-unit and subsequently dissipated. Having witnessed the destructive power exhibited by the child, Dr. Ingram, in her ceaseless pursuit of power and dominance, recognized the immense potential within him. She ordered her brightest scholars to unlock the secrets of Viscardi's abilities, seeking to harness him as a weapon to defend Kaldrost should the tide of war spill over their borders. With unwavering determination, Dr. Ingram followed the trail of otherworldly emissions, her quest leading her to the desolate hab-unit that once belonged to No. V's family.

Commanding her forces to corral the family, their weapons trained and ready, Dr. Ingram, a figure of authority and scientific curiosity, scrutinized the newborn Viscardi with a mix of fascination and satisfaction. The flawless visage of the young demigod elicited a smile from the Doctor as she coldly ordered the family's execution on the spot. Leaving the hab-unit, infant Viscardi securely cradled in her grasp, Dr. Ingram reveled in the power she now held over this extraordinary child, recognizing him as her instrument of transcendence.

Bestowed with the designation No. 15, the child became the adopted ward of Dr. Ingram, who resolved to mold him into her perfect soldier. No. 15 was confined within the Doctor's orbital laboratories, a sprawling complex known as Vreanax Site-5. Within these walls, No. 15 underwent rigorous training and education, honing his formidable Luminarchal abilities. Due to the shared accelerated aging process of his Luminarchal brethren, No. 15 grew at an astonishing pace, reaching physical maturity far beyond his chronological years. Before his fourth birthday, the young No. 15, fueled by his extraordinary powers, was capable of rending grown men into mere viscera and red paste. Yet, it was not just his physical prowess that matured at an accelerated rate. No. 15's mind expanded rapidly, absorbing knowledge and skills honed within the criminal underbelly of Iohiri's overworld. Sabotage, misdirection, intimidation, and assassination became second nature to him, as he delved into the darkest arts of manipulation and subterfuge. The Doctor recognized the potential of her prized creation, shaping him into a fearsome instrument of terror.

As No. 15 transitioned into his pubescent period, the latent Rehk traits within him began to manifest fully, merging with the dark aspects of his Luminarchal physiology. The distinctive gifts of the Rehk, though not as uniformly manifested as those of other abhuman sub-races, revealed themselves in No. 15's genetic makeup. Within his wrists, mutated glands akin to oversized spinnerets allowed him to produce various types of webbing, far more potent and resilient than those found in common spiders. Concealed within his mouth were chelicerae-like mandibles, capable of injecting venom with a single bite, while his forelimbs hid razor-sharp, venomous stingers.

The fusion of No. 15's Rehk lineage and his enhanced Luminarchal physiology granted him unparalleled abilities. His webs were stronger, his venom more potent, and his stingers deadlier than those of his abhuman counterparts. No. 15 became a creature born from the depths of twisted nightmares, a living embodiment of terror.

To complement his formidable powers, No. 15 was bestowed with a modified suit of archeotech armor, a relic discovered amidst the ruins of ancient colonies. This extraordinary armor possessed the ability to generate a cloak of living shadow, concealing his presence, both physical and metaphysical, from prying eyes. Encased within this shroud of darkness, No. 15 became a phantom, a specter of death and destruction.

When the time finally arrived, the boy Luminarch, now known as Viscardi, was unleashed upon the enemies of Kaldrost. With the Baroness Ingram as his guiding hand, Viscardi led an army of monsters, terrifying and relentless, in an assault on neighboring colonies. Kaldrost launched a campaign of conquest, utilizing the formidable power of the Luminarch and his monstrous cohorts to destabilize and overcome their adversaries. The Belt-Ship cannons thundered, unleashing a storm of explosive fury upon opposing armies, clearing the path for Viscardi and his troops. Equipped with jumppacks and twin blades, they threw themselves at enemy fortifications in suicidal maneuvers, decimating defenses with brutal efficiency. The Luminarch, cloaked in living shadow, became a harbinger of terror, unleashing havoc and sowing fear among the remaining defenders.

When victory could not be achieved through sheer force, the Doctor sent Viscardi on assassination missions, eliminating key figures within enemy ranks, leaving their armies in disarray and without proper leadership. Blood flowed in deep crimson rivers wherever Viscardi ventured, leaving in his wake trails of burning waste and lifeless corpses.

With every triumph, Viscardi, the young Luminarch, felt the tides turning in his favor. The victories swelled the heart of Baroness Ingram with pride, and she grew increasingly fond of her prized weapon, akin to an aristocrat growing attached to a successful attack hound. However, continuous attempts on the Baroness's life gradually eroded her once noble intentions. Over the passing years, she transformed from a defender of her homeland into an ambitious and mistrustful ruler, consumed by her thirst for power and the fear of betrayal.

Under Baroness Ingram's reign, Kaldrost shifted from an oppressed nation to an oppressor, conquering colony after colony. Fear of treachery became pervasive, leading to the establishment of a system of torture and cruelty to ensure absolute control. None would rise against the Baroness, and no one would dare question her legitimate reign, as the people of Kaldrost suffered under her ruthless dominion.

As the forces of Kaldrost approached one of the last colonies that were near Kaldrost, fate struck and Viscardi's Belt-Ship was shot down from skies. He disappeared to the void, further below the islands than any has ever returned from. Ingram in her rage blamed the defenders, and sacked the colonies, slaughtering all residents as a warning to all that would dare to stand in her way. Seeker Squads were sent out to recover the Dr's prized weapon, but they always returned empty handed and as the years passed the hope of finding the Luminarch kept dwindling. However, after years of fruitless search one seeker squad finally managed to return with Viscardi at their side. However, the man that returned was no longer the same.

## Wargear

* **The Noctis Panoplia:** At the beginning of its macabre evolution, the ‘Noctis Panoplia’ was an armor of a Beastial Baroque design, armed with a myriad of grisly and esoteric weaponry, over which Viscardi’s implants leant him superior preternatural control. It is theorized that Volb’narii Scientists had a hand in its design, as it epitomized cruelty in the way that the Dark Alfar have made a hallmark of their weaponry. Nonetheless, the Noctis was a more potent set of armor and weaponry than perhaps any wielded by that disgraced race.