As an orphaned young street urchin, Edward was trained in the arts of stealing and deceiving by his crooked old mentor, who had mastered the art of surviving in the underworlds of the darker corners of the great cities of Dawnreach. Not caring to risk his own skin, this sinister figure once sent Edward to an abandoned wizard’s tower to loot any items of value. Among various trinkets, Edward found a mysterious, heavy, black tome of unknown age and origin, which he hid and kept for himself, feeling a deep curiosity toward it that needed to be satisfied in secret.
This ominous black book described an almighty being of the lower planes, tied to the continent of Usta. Reading a page thick with dark symbols and runic inscriptions, Edward saw the symbols lift from the page as a mysterious, dark voice penetrated his mind. A promise of unlimited power for the poor young orphan was enough for Edward to make a solemn pact to obey the bearer of the voice, so beginning his warlock’s pact.
By fate or otherwise, Edward soon had to face his first test. On finding that the boy had hidden the arcane book from him, Edward’s sinister mentor set upon him, thrashing the boy for his secrecy. In his rage, and infused with the dark will of the lower planes, Edward murdered his mentor, striking him to the ground with blasts of eldritch energy at the behest of his new Patron. Torn with guilt, confusion and fear of reprisals, Edward fled to the docks of Sun's End Port to board the first ship to Usta, working as a deckhand in exchange for shelter and no questions asked. With the voice lurking at the back of his mind, and at the age of just 16, Edward now had the chance to try and discover more about his dark patron, the bond that haunts his dreams, the bond that granted him power, the limits of which he struggles to comprehend.
Being a natural survivor, Edward clung to the party for protection after they were shipwrecked on the shores of Usta, taking advantage of Mornington’s charity and the strength of Fenris and Artax. This pragmatism soon gave way to genuine trust as the party faced their trials in the new continent. With the dark voice of his Patron never far from his mind, the precious black book never far from his hands, his vulnerable frame and secretive, mouse-like disposition, Edward still feels a little like an outsider, quietly calculating while the others quarrel and make plans. He most respects Crom and the late Artax, the two of them being the least likely to patronise him. He admired Artax in particular as a model of stable and patient leadership, and even named his owl familiar after him in remembrance.
His scruffy robes, wiry and unkempt hair, gaunt face and social awkwardness speak strongly of his background as a poor boy from the streets. Malnourishment left him thin and crooked, all the more reason to make a pact with his Patron to make up for his frailty with vicious magical power.
