Raymond had dreams as a child. His parents supported his desires and together he was able to get into a place of learning and magic. He spent many years in academics. Yet, when it came time to start practicals, something went wrong. Perhaps it was his synesthesia, a peculiar way of processing data that colored all his spells with associations and songs the spells were never meant to connect. Or maybe it was just him. Raymond was never smart enough, just didn't try hard enough to keep the spells in focus and learn the incantations. His graduation just kept on delaying, his parents funneling more money while he became ever more hopeless. Finally, desperate, Raymond turned to the secrets held behind quiet doors. Power gained not by channeling the raw power of the aether but by borrowing from something much bigger, bartering with the condensed offshoot of emotions and magic. Raymond became a Warlock.

He quickly left his ivory tower after bartering for a sliver of power. He was able to falsify his credentials, setting up shop in a far off city as a wizard of burgeoning power. And grow he did. His first jobs started as feats of repair and protection, becoming another steward against a city ravaged by the elements and beastclan 'savages' in the area. AS his accolades grew so did his responsibilities. Soon it became not enough to protect and Raymond regained contested lands, becoming a loved beacon of power, riches having long since paid back his family's debt.

And yet, for power, Raymond delved ever deeper into deals with demons. At first, it was simple. Some grave robbing, a bit of self-sacrifice, some purchase of less than ethically sourced resources. Then a little harder. The claws of a just executed criminal, candles made from the fat of hatchlings, blood from a random act of violence. Then came the hard choices. Sacrifice. In order to repair the seawall and save the coast Raymond would have to kill. He would carve into a dragon and sell their soul for the power needed to stop the flood. He wandered the harbor of the city, maybe not so innocently walking to and fro the most dangerous of sections. And, when he was mugged, well...the dragon paid in much more than his life. Dragging him down into his basement he carved runes of torment into his skin, placed upon an altar of corruption. And, he consumed his soul. Ate a sliver and gave the rest to his patron, the powers obtained enough to save them all.

After that, it became easier, the math of morality just more number games. What was one soul against many? An innocent babe born of uncaring parents had nothing to contribute, it's pain was but a moment. A criminal was worth a lot less than the carpenter, so kill one to support the other. The paranoia cultivated from a well-meaning father an acceptable price to pay in order to bring rain to the area. Raymond became a powerful, calloused, and just ruler. His scales sang of corrupted energies and his speech brought a shiver down the spine. He was emersed in the power of sacrifice and hate and fear and pain. And, in it all, he hoped it all worth it. That the terrible sacrifices he made, that others paid, was worth it. The city shined brightly after all.