_The Collector of Chains_ **Race:** Human **Gender:** Male **Affiliation:** [[Askaria]] Empire (Noble Caste) **Occupation:** Slave Lord, Merchant of Flesh and Finery **Era:** 10,000s A.P., Age of [[Perserphina]] **Status:** Alive (Presumed) --- ### Overview Master Valdran Vexis is a highborn noble of the [[Askaria]] Empire, known for his obsession with acquiring rare and exotic slaves to bolster his social status and entertain foreign dignitaries. He is a man of vanity, cruelty, and control—a predator who cloaks his sadism beneath layers of silk and etiquette. To Valdran, slaves are not people; they are assets, ornaments, and trophies. It is this mindset that shaped the harrowing youth of the tiefling now known as [[Sovereign]]. --- ### Personality and Beliefs - **Cruel but Calculated:** Vexis believes punishment is not only necessary but artful. His lashings are methodical and ceremonial, often done in front of guests to display dominance. - **Aesthetic Obsession:** He collects beauty—slaves, art, rare creatures—but twists it to his will. Disfigurement is common when he feels something doesn't match his vision. - **Narcissist:** He speaks of himself in lofty tones and has portraits of himself in nearly every hall. - **Possessive:** His property is his pride. Disobedience is personal insult. --- ### Role in [[Sovereign|Sov]]’s Backstory Valdran Vexis was the purchaser of [[Sovereign|Sov]]'s tiefling parents, selected for their "exotic" heritage and appearance. When [[Sovereign|Sov]]'s mother defied him and his father defended her, Vexis executed them both in front of the household. He then claimed their infant son as property. Vexis named the child _[[Sovereign|Spike]]_ after mutilating the boy’s left horn, burning it off with a hot iron and branding his forehead to mark him permanently. [[Sovereign|Spike]] became a living centerpiece in Vexis' cruel display of status—always by his side at gatherings, always within arm's reach for punishment. He used [[Sovereign|Sov]] as both servant and spectacle. Whenever foreign traders or nobles visited, Vexis would proudly display [[Sovereign|Spike]], highlighting his unusual horn and fiery eyes as if he were an exotic beast. --- ### Legacy and Current Status Vexis' mansion was the site of the fire set by [[Stick]], which enabled [[Sovereign|Sov]]'s escape. Despite the chaos and injury caused during the escape, Vexis is presumed alive, though permanently scarred both physically (from [[Stick]]'s bolt) and socially from the scandal. He likely used his wealth and influence to conceal the incident, but the loss of his prized tiefling slave haunts him. Rumors persist that Vexis now seeks to reclaim his "property" or exact revenge. If [[Sovereign|Sov]] ever returns to [[Askaria]], their confrontation may be inevitable. --- ### Appearance - **Build:** Slender but well-fed; soft hands that have never known labor - **Hair:** Black with streaks of gray, always immaculately styled - **Eyes:** Cold blue, unblinking when delivering punishment - **Style:** Wears elaborate robes of fine silk, often with crimson and gold embroidery - **Distinguishing Marks:** Perfumed at all times, he wears rings on every finger and a medallion of [[Askaria]]'s crest --- ### Notable Quote > _"Beauty without obedience is wasted. I shape it. I own it. I perfect it."_