Cassius

Feeling like he’s been scorned too many times by the gods, Cassius has little interest in looking out for anyone but himself, and the few people he cares for. He is ready and willing to abuse his great charisma at any time to get what he wants, with little regard for consequences. What he wants most is power, believing this is the only way to be safe and successful in life.

Beneath Cassius’s ruthless exterior lies a fierce devotion to those who have proven their worth to him. While it is a challenge to get on that list, earning his loyalty means he will extend all his desires of self-preservation to those he favours as well.

Appearance

Cassius has dark grey skin. He was born with white hair and red eyes typical for a drow, but this was changed by his cambion patron when he made his pact to black hair and violet eyes. He prefers to let his hair hang free over his shoulders. He is 158cm (5'2") tall, with a slim build.

History

Cassius grew up in Karsoluthiyl as the son of an artist father and a mother who found temporary success in the military. But one day his mother did not return home from a raid—something everyone blamed on her uncommonly liberal, "too soft" mind. Cassius and his father scraped by on their artistry commissions ever since.

Within the span of just a hundred years, Cassius became quite successful, gaining the attention of noble houses for his work. This attention shifted to an uncomfortable place when two rivalling ladies from House Tanor'Thal and House Lysaen both decided he would be a suitable consort. Refusing to be a pawn in their game of power, Cassius attempted to flee the city. He would never have survived, had he not been saved by a trio of Silverhair Knights; clerics of the goddess Eilistraee. They took Cassius back to their secluded community, and the time he spent there was in awe. Cassius aspired to join their ranks, but unbeknownst to him, the noble women had turned their game into hunting him down.

Cassius was eventually captured, and would have been either enslaved or sacrificed to Lolth. But before returning to the city, a cambion by the name of Typhon came to him and offered means of freedom. In return, he asked Cassius to routinely sacrifice souls in Typhon’s name. Cassius took the deal and gained the eldritch abilities he needed to kill his captors. Physically marking the change, his hair went from white to black.
When he returned to the Silverhair Knights, however, they shunned him for breaking their branch's rule against murder, even in self-defence. Cassius was cast out, and with nowhere else to go, sought to leave the Underdark entirely.

Relationships

• Lae'zel: A friendship built on a shared view that the world requires harsh tactics to survive. Cassius also appreciates that Lae'zel isn't one to pry.
• Shadowheart: Shadowheart is the closest thing to a sibling Cassius has ever had, with their close friendship only depening as time passes on.
• Astarion: While they were both hesitant to bring feelings into their relationship at first, love had other plans. It grows into something dangerous.
• Gale: Gale gets frustrated over Cassius's selfishness. Cassius finds this amusing, and intentionally pokes at him to provoke it.
• Wyll: Wyll wants to be a hero, and Cassius does not care for that. They do not understand each other, despite being somewhat alike in other ways.
• Karlach: Karlach thinks Cassius is a better person than he actaully is, and this almost makes him want to be that person... almost.
• Halsin: Halsin has concerns for Cassius's wellbeing, especially after becoming Astarion's spawn consort. Cassius finds it annoying more than helpful.
• Jaheira: Cassius reminds Jaheira more of a villain than she's comfortable with, and while she works with him, never fully comes to trust him.
• The Emperor: Having so much power is something Cassius finds very attractive about the Emperor. He does not even mind that it concealed its identity at first.

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