Azrael, Oath of Vengeance Paladin (Fallen/Failed Paladin of redemption)
Short version: “Originally from a tribe of Goliaths, situated somewhere within the silver marches, Azrael, formerly known to his kin as “Duma”, has been a knight to the Order of Purity within Silverymoon, sworn by oath to give a chance at redemption to any who sought it. With unfortunate circumstances striking him and being forced to slaughter half of his own sisters and brethren from the Order – after two years of nomadic life, Goliath finally joined the Ouroboros guild. Finding first love in the face of Ravyn rather quickly, and with the same quickness losing them to an ancient black dragon – lawful good views on the world were shattered with their death, redemption seen as but a flaw. Filled at that time only with bitter vengeance towards the dragons, Azrael takes a new oath to rid Faerún of the creator race. On the contrary of such a promise – Goliath finds companionship with a paladin Dragonborn, seeing no evil or hypocrisy in his own heart, and continuing his work within the Ouroboros guild, now reaching the highest ranks. Although seemingly welcoming and open to business-dealers and new members alike, Azrael still retains hatred to what took the first glimpse of bright future he had, taking a dislike in seeing such creatures being praised or worshipped.
Full Version: A male goliath was born in the snowy peaks of Silver Marches. Otherwise perfectly healthy, yet with differences from the others of the tribe – hair, ears, lack of skin stones (large pebble-like formations). A position of a Nightwatcher was given during adolescence to Duma – his alertness was on point and never failed the tribe in this matter: Resting during the day – keeping guard through the night. Both parents alive, although not many friendly connections were made, due to the fact, that the tribe adhered strictly to the traditions of Goliath nature – competitiveness was in high regard. At the mature age – Duma had been given his name of “Nightwatcher”. Until twenty-two years was, he a part of the tribe, providing overwatch for the resting tribesmen. However, due to shortage of supplies – he was redirected for hunts, in which he only hindered the situation, by involuntarily sabotaging ambushes against prey. For repeated failures he was beaten, then shunned. Not even the birth parents dared to talk to them, due to how the laws of the tribe worked. Finally – Exile awaited. Yes, it was with all the glory that could have been given, yes – Duma was praised for their achievements, but there was no going back. Titles, and the Tribe’s name were wiped off, as he was now only known as “Duma the Exiled.”
For several months he travelled through the blizzards, vast tundras and barren plains, scouring for food, water, sometimes resolving to eating anything that got into his mouth. Severely malnourished, dehydrated and exhausted – Duma stumbled upon the outskirts of a city, unknown to him at the time. It was Silverymoon. To his fortune – Duma was found barely alive by templars, who had afterwards taken him to a temple inside said city. With time and effort – he regained both the strength, and the energy for living, and was taken as a squire into the Order of Purity – a mixed order of many faiths and beliefs, not constrained by race or species, but compelled by all under a sacred oath, and morals it preserved. The order itself consisted of, perhaps, close to two hundred members summarily. In 1491, in the middle of Flamerule – Duma had been given the title of “The knight of the Order of Purity”. For his devotion to the oath – his title came with a new name: Azrael. His new rank did not impede the responsibilities as a keeper of peace but rather strengthened them. Finally recognized in a new family – he made several connections, attaining his own retainers in the faces of Scilla as his personal accountant, Greywind as his fastest messenger, and Abel – a loyal major-domo. During the service, apart from the retainers – Goliath was able to befriend several members of the order to a closer relationship, an unspoken brotherhood between him and them: Hesekiel (In Orders’ manuscripts his name was scribed as “Ezekiel”), Ramiel and Gabriel (both biological brothers). For the duration of his duties – the four shared a distinctive, protective bond over one another, with playful competitiveness overtaking them during training.
A year after gaining his new title – sudden tensions arose between two major chapters of believers in the order. At first it was minimal, barely noticeable, but with time – it gradually grew to catastrophic scale, where the whole order had been split into two religious sects, and was barely holding together – stitched by only Azrael as a faithful believer into several gods, rather than only one. Due to his status at those dire times – he was hastily awarded a mantle of a crusader, a mask of purity, sword of sin and the armor of sorrows. For a year this conflict grew larger and larger, as he tried to, by his oath – keep both sides from any hostilities. He failed, as it all crumbled down with the first fatal blow. To keep himself, his retainers, and his brothers safe – Azrael took none of the sides, instead being forced to slaughter both in a mindless battle that signified the fall of the Order of Purity. Fratricide upon fratricide – steps of the temple were drowned in pools of blood. As soon as he saw a chance – paladin escaped, alongside his retainers, from combat, losing any remaining allies in the forsaken battle. With many past friends slaughtered, and yet another family lost – Duma had no other choice but to travel from coast city to coast city, leaving his three loyal members in Neverwinter. For two years, until 1495 DR – Azrael continued his lone journey with the little money he could have, until it was all gone on a provision resupply at Latharls’ Lantern. Due to his physique and appearance – he was mistaken for a mercenary. After explaining his origin – the Goliath was recommended to visit the Guild, residing close to the same settlement. Lacking any funds for next adventures and planned goals – this was the only viable solution to the problem. The rest is history.
