The Legend of Ashmedai
Born into the royal monarch, Ashema Deva, of the Greater Regions of the Underdark, a young tiefling is presented before the creatures of the darkness. Amongst one other son, Ashmedai, the Prince of Demons, presides in the regal quarters while his parents, the Emperor and Empress of the abyss, celebrate his successful birth. Ashmedai will soon learn his grim fate, he must fight to the death against his older brother for the next in line, for the crown of the Greater Regions of the Underdark. Learning basic combat at a young age, Ashmedai and his brother, Gorad (Hebrew for destiny) get along well; they will not learn about their inevitable battle until they are 18. During supper one night, an argument breaks out between young Ashmedai, age seven, and his parents about his future.
Ashmedai flees the castle and runs off into the Greater Regions in order to clear his mind. He finds a secluded, ancient cavern that is illuminated by sacred crystals. Ashmedai finds a spot to meditate and practice his spellcasting. He successfully casts a cantrip spell and celebrates but is interrupted by the whispers of Deep Speech, widely known to be spoken by Celestials who have been banned from his land. Ashmedai shrugs it off, ignoring the tightening knot growing inside of him. He continues meditating but is interrupted once again by the whispers. Cold sweat forms on his forehead, the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as he prepares to defend himself. Whispers surround him, Ashmedai stands up, his tail is curled inward, he is frightened for his life but is prepared to fight. A flash of light appears in his peripherals. He whips his head to see- nothing. The whispers grow louder and the flashes magnify. Something abruptly grabs his arm, he attempts to pry away, but the light is too bright, nearly blinding him in the commotion. He is whisked away from the cavern, held by every limb, taking flight. Screaming into the late hours, he has just been kidnapped by a group of Celestials who plan on demanding a ransom for his return.
Ashmedai awakes to a bale of hay falling on top of him. He is in motion. He uncovers the tarp that covered his small body and squints at the bright sunlight seeping in through slats of wood. He soon realizes he is in the back of a moving cart filled with bales of hay, crates of vegetation, and feed. He attempts to stand, but he is too weak. His feet and hands have been shackled. The cart halts to a stop and he frighteningly awaits his fate. He can hear the driver approaching the bed of the cart, gravel shifting underneath his feet with each shuffling step. The hatch swings open and sunlight accosts Ashmedai’s young tiefling eyes which have been accustomed to the Underdark for his entire young life. A halfling shouts at him in a language he does not understand just yet, Common. Ashmedai is shouted at to exit the cart. He meekly complies. The halfling snorts in bitter amusement, knowing how confused this young tiefling is. He is chaperoned to the main city’s circle where they are auctioning off serfs. The halfling sells Ashmedai for a new cart and a few rations of food. Throughout his youth, Ashmedai will be sold around and becomes familiar with this lifestyle of moving around and working for his next meal, or his life.
Years later, around age 16, he is sold to a death gang of Half-Orcs, the Yuhlak (Arabic for Decimate). Here, he is used as a soldier to do their biddings. Ashmedai remembers his training as a child through muscle memory alone. Other than that, he knows not from whence he came nor his bloodline. The Yuhlak is run by its tyrannical leader, Xunag, pillaging and destroying villages mostly for his own entertainment and pleasure all while hunting ancient crystals that harness the power of the Underdark. These allow you to control another creature to do one’s bidding blindly. While in this death gang, Ashmedai witnesses atrocities no soul should ever behold. He is subject to commit arson, torture, murder, the lot. It is either their lives or his. Why should he care about these meaningless villagers anyway? They are peasants, they know nothing of the greatness of Xunag. However, during his time in the Yuhlak, there is that familiar knot deep within Ashmedai. Although, he has learned to ignore it, suppressing his guilt of murder and spread of grief.
One night in the Dark Forest, he and the Yuhlak are enjoying the nightlife at the local tavern. Xunag is boasting about his recent lead on where to find smuggled dark crystals. While intoxicated, they make plans to seek out and make a deal with a representative from the Underdark to make a trade for the crystals. Later that night, they dwell into the deep recesses of the Cursed Forest to initiate the deal. Ashmedai and his gang mates follow Xunag to stand by and protect him in case things go awry. The representative dawns a dark cloak, his face is hidden, moonlight shines through the canopy of trees. Xunag initiates the trade, suddenly, royal guards from the Underdark appear from the brush. They attack Xunag, Ashmedai and his gang mates unquestionably defend him from the guards. A battle begins, clubs are swung, spells are cast. Ashmedai has the upper hand due to his Dark Vision. He fights off a handful of guards but is halted by a curious symbol on their lapels. Ashmedai falls into a trance, staring at the symbol inquisitively while fighting ensues around him. Within sight of when he believes he recognizes this symbol, he is struck in the back of the head.
Ashmedai awakes confused, once again, in an unfamiliar area. His vision is blurry at first, he shakes it off and realizes the bump on the back of his skull, it protrudes and is sore. He rubs it and looks around the cold, dank room. It is a dome-shaped dungeon made of stone with iron bars. It reeks of piss and putrid blood. There is a tin bucket on the ground near a bed that Ashmedai dare not investigate, yet he is not naive. A low growl is heard from the other side of the room. His cellmate, a halfling in ragged clothing, turns over on his bed in a rage-fueled nap. Ashmedai has seen this man before, it is the same halfling who sold him when he was but a young tiefling, scared and confused. Ashmedai leaps across the cell and shakes the halfling awake, he is enraged. The halfling spews out expletives and racial slurs at Ashmedai.
“What do ye think yer doin’ ya demon scum?! Can’t ya see I’m sleepin’ ya goat!”
“Do you know who I am?!” Ashmedai exclaims.
The groggy halfling studies Ashmedai’s face for a bit; his eyes widen in recognition. Ashmedai has grown significantly since their first encounter.
“Yer that little fuck I sold off back during the Orc War.”
Ashmedai angrily exhales, gritting his teeth. His blood begins to boil.
“So how’vya been, kiddo?”
Ashmedai lunges at the halfling, pinning him against the wall at eye level, his hand is cocked and begins to steam with a spell forming. The halfling’s feet dangle above to stone ground.
“You took everything from me!! You ruined me!” Ashmedai cries.
“I was just doin’ me job! I needed the rations for my village! I swear!” the halfling is near soiling his pants.
The prison guards hear the commotion and run over, barging into the cell, and shooting Ashmedai with a paralysis tranquil.
Ashmedai awakens, this is getting old for him. He is informed by the guards it is time to get to work. Confused, still, as to where he is or why Ashmedai complies. Day in and out, Ashmedai and his prison-mates perform grueling labor consisting of mining and building carts and wagons for the royalty and affluent. Throughout his time in prison, he mostly keeps to himself, although there were race wars that broke out, he chose to stay out of it all while the prison guards cheered them on and bet on the prisoners. Albeit he would get antagonized quite a bit since a handful of the prisoners knew about his involvement in the Yuhlak and his ties to Xunag. Word travels fast in prison. His gang affected much of the population in the forest lands, many of the prisoners were out for his infernal blood. One way or another, Ashmedai had to defend himself; he was on his own, much like most of his life.
Throughout his time in prison, he came into contact with some of the worst kinds of creatures in the universe. While washing up one night, a notorious human gang approaches Ashmedai in the cleaning chambers. They spoke of his involvement in the Yuhlak.
“I know you, tiefling. You’re the one that murdered my brother over a bet, aren’tcha?”
Ashmedai ignored him. He didn’t want to start a fight knowing he could kill all four of the men with ease.
“HEY!! You soulless fuck, I’m talking to you!”
Ashmedai turned around and looked the man up and down and sneered.
“Oh, you think it’s funny? Let’s see who’s laughing when I rip tho horns off you and sell them for rations!”
Ashmedai took his stance and prepared himself for a bloodbath. Seemingly, out of nowhere, an elderly elf appears and casts a dumbfound spell, knocking the humans into the wall. They are unconscious and he directs Ashmedai to follow him. The elderly elf reveals himself as, Prudens (Latin for wise). They befriend one another, it is a comfort Ashmedai has never experienced before. Something changes within him.
One night, Prudens tells Ashmedai there will be an incident during supper. He directs Ashmedai to escape and to find his apprentice, Arbitrium (Latin for determination). He will teach Ashmedai disciple. Ashmedai accepts the apprenticeship and vows to seek vengeance on Xunag and to find a new path, a better path, and his roots.
That night, while a gang fight breaks out, Ashmedai sneaks out of the mess hall and escapes the prison, striking down anyone in his path. Dawning his prison rags, Ashmedai flees through the forest following the directions that have been transcribed onto a ripped bed sheet by Prudens. Days pass, Ashmedai finds strength and endurance within him to continue his journey, knowing it will all be worth the effort. He travels to the swamplands, eventually discovering a humble cottage near a bog. This must be it, Ashmedai thinks to himself with considerable relief. He raises his claw to knock on the door but hesitates. Intrusive thoughts infiltrate his mind. This will never work, I’m worthless, I will never redeem myself, how can he teach someone like me? Amid his self-criticism, something whips past him, grazing his cheek, drawing a small amount of blood. He jumps and drops the bed cloth. Something whips past him once again, an arrow, someone is attacking him. Ashmedai cocks his hands, ready to cast a cantrip defense spell. Before he knows, four arrows are flying at him one after another, he weaves out of their direction, trying to see who his new foe is. A figure in a deep emerald cloak runs up to him and knocks Ashmedai to the ground, pinning him down. His throat meets a knife’s edge.
“Who sent you? The half-elves? The higher committee?!”
“Prudens! I-It was Prudens!”
The elf lunges closer towards Ashmedai.
“Impossible! He has been dead for ages!”
“No, no! He lives! I was incarcerated with him!”
The figure eases on Ashmedai’s throat, sitting up, still on top of him. He releases Ashmedai, the two dust off and stand. The figure’s hood falls to his shoulders revealing a fair elven man. Ashmedai watches the realization wash over the elf’s pale face.
“Prudens sent me as your apprentice. He spoke of your talents, that you can train me to be a skilled ranger.”
“A tiefling learning the bow? No, cannot be so.”
“Arbitrium…”
The elf’s ears perk up, taken aback that this dungeon-dwelling tiefling knows his name.
“I beg of thee…I have no bloodline, I have no mentor, no direction. I…have nowhere else to go.” Ashmedai continues.
“This concerns me not, tiefling. How dare you stand before me, lie through your crooken fangs.”
Ashmedai’s chest swells, his face begins to feel hot. He breaks down, he has never felt utter dread and disappointment quite like this. He drops to his knees and cries mercifully, something he has never done before.
“Ranger, please, I owe you my life of gratitude. How could one prove loyalty?” Ashmedai begs.
Arbitrium watches the tiefling wallow, he feels for Ashmedai; reminds him of himself as a young elf, lost and bewildered.
“Tiefling, rise. Let us drink.”
“Ashmedai.” He bows deeply.
“Arbitrium.” He returns the favor.
The two enter Arbitrium’s cottage, inside is warm and inviting. Ashmedai feels comforted, a weight is broken from his shoulders. He feels as though, for the first time in his young life, he is able to be at ease. Arbitrium gestures Ashmedai to seat himself at the wooden table, the chair squeaks as he sits. Arbitrium pours amber liquid into two ceramic cups and joins Ashmedai at the table. They clink cups and raise it to their lips, Ashmedai’s taste buds flourish, it is smooth and sweet; he goes for a large gulp but is halted by Arbitrium.
“This is a sipping beverage, young one. It is meant to place your mind in tranquility.”
Ashmedai nods silently and sips, feeling the liquid warm his body. His head becomes lighter and he begins to feel jovial. The two converse about Ashmedai’s former life, his perils, the mistakes he has made, and the stoic tiefling ranger he wishes to become. Arbitrium agrees to accept Ashmedai as an apprentice, teaching him the bow staff.
“This will not be a simple journey, Ashmedai. You must face you demons- ah, forgive me.”
Ashmedai laughs, something he is unaccustomed to. This amuses him.
“I am willing and humbled to have you as a mentor.” Ashmedai shuffles in his seat and looks down at his hands both wrapped around his cup. “I’ve never had the opportunity to learn from someone so heartening.” He looks up at Arbitrium, his voice shakes as he chokes back tears.
“Well, it is an honor.” Arbitrium diverts, noticing the glossy tinge in Ashmedai’s eyes. “I’ll have to thank Prudens for this new challenge. Perhaps I can free him one day.”
Years pass, Ashmedai has trained day in and day out with Arbitrium, learning everything there is to know about the discipline of a ranger. He learns how to hunt for meals, how to mask one’s scent within the brush, tracking the weather patterns, and identifying poisonous flora and fauna. Some of the most cherished attributes Ashmedai has learned through his training is not of skill, but of emotion: empathy and trust. The two often checked in with the local village, meeting the townspeople and learning about their lives. The two act as a vindication for the village, protecting those who dwell there. Alongside them is a druid of half-elves that have bonded with Arbitrium as reinforcement. This group becomes Ashmedai’s new family. Ashmedai learned how to create relationships and build trust between him and strangers. Although, when faced with an orc in his travels, he is taken back to his time in the Yuhlak. Arbitrium assures him that not all orcs are destructive. Nevertheless, Ashmedai swears to decimate Xunag, the tyrant, if they ever cross paths. Arbitrium trains him for this.
During the summer solstice festival, the ranger duo celebrates with the townsfolk, relishing in the rich foods and music the village has to offer. Ashmedai allows himself to become at ease, surrounded by friends and his new elven family. He basks in this feeling, storing this memory away to remind himself there is good in this world. Later that night, they reside in the cottage, drinking tea and laughing. There is an abrupt yet frantic knocking at their door. Arbitrium opens it cautiously, it is a local gnome, Gargy, he is waving his arms and shouting. Ashmedai cannot hear what the gnome is saying but notices Arbitrium’s spine erect as he nods and swiftly shuts the door.
“What is it?” Ashmedai asks with a tinge of fear in his voice.
“They have returned. We must defend our people.”
The two grab their weapons and abscond back towards the village. A low rumbling footfall can be heard from the outer swamplands; a chant is echoing in the trees. Birds flee the treetops as the stomping nears the village. The Yuhlak have returned, bringing devastation to the town, smashing the festival to pieces, destroying the decoration and instruments that were left behind by the frightened townsfolk. A guttural wail is heard from the main circle. Ashmedia runs to his mentor, Arbitrium is leaning over one of his brothers, he is covered in blood. The Yuhlak has slaughtered their druid. Ashmedai is in shock; he has never seen his mentor so broken before, this was his family. He is filled with rage and fire.
“XUNAG!!!” Ashmedai roars into the swampy forest. His voice echoes through the dense brush.
“Reveal yourself!” he continues.
Xunag and his gang are heard howling in the distance. Ashmedai runs after them, hunting for blood. They are just out of reach, Ashmedai climbs the branches of a tree and shoots his supply of arrows at Xunag. He is hit in the back by one, pulls it out, and laughs. He turns to Ashmedai as he and the Yuhlak escape.
“YOU…ARE WEAK…YOU HAVE NOT CHANGED WEAKLING…YOU WERE NEVER MEANT FOR THRONE!!”
“Throne?” Ashmedai is inquisitive. “What-what throne??”
He reaches for his bow, yet he is out of arrows. The Yuhlak evades his attacks and are out of sight.
Ashmedai returned to the village. He consoles Arbitrium, he is grieving over the loss of his brethren. They and the townspeople conduct the Mortem Ceremony for those who had their lives taken by the Yuhlak. Ashmedai swears to his mentor to seek vengeance on Xunag and the entire Yuhlak for the endless desolation they have caused throughout the lands.
Sunlight shines through the bog, Ashmedai looks to his mentor as he prepares himself for his next quest.
“You have learned much young one.” Arbitrium hands Ashmedai a wooden box.
“Arbitrium, are you sure?” Ashmedai asks.
“You have earned it. It is my honor to pass it along to you. It belonged to Prudens, then I, now you. I know you will use it well.”
Ashmedai bows to his mentor and hugs him tightly. Ashmedai thanks his mentor for the years of training and the trust he put into Ashmedai. He is eternally indebted, Arbitrium is aware of this and is grateful to have Ashmedai as an apprentice. They nod to one another and silently part. He lands at a tavern in the neighboring city. There, he opens the wooden box and gingerly removes the dagger. It is enchanted with poison from the swamplands that can be activated by a precise cantrip spell. He takes a sip of his mead and thinks back to what Xunag said to him. He mutters to himself, “throne?”
Thank you for reading the Legend of Ashmedai. Here is my original character design for Ash:
