Maximillian Sterling

[Max Sterling]

Full Name: Maximillian Sterling

Age: 26

Class(es): Wizard /Illusionist

Race: Human

Subrace: Tiefling

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Deity: In his heart he still worships Katia but is contracted to worship Pyrtechon.

Domains: N/A

Short Bio / Description: Born with abnormal blue hair (from a possible blood mix generations ago?) Max has always been looked upon as being rather odd. Instead of playing games and hanging with the other children he spent his days watching the rocks, oceans, and winds. Intrigued by the chaos around him he set out to become a student of the elements. Spending some of his earlier years under the tutelage of a Fire Mage he learned much about the elemental planes. After some time Max decided that the fire mage relied to much on his own knowledge and not enough on the enlightened views of the gods. Seeking greater understanding Max searched out the god of the earth wind fire and water. He became imbued with the power of Katia, and as her Priest set out to study volcanoes tornados earthquakes and tidal waves. Somewhat of a loner and fairly elusive Max spent most of his time and energy in deep study of the elements. Tests and experiments where his daily routine. During his travels he met a young green haired elf named Miriya she captivated him but he was too shy and too recluse to ever tell her how he felt and he never did get the chance. One day while running an experiment in the wizards tower of Hlint Max was summoned by a friend who said there were demons in Sielwood Forest. Running to aid the forest and to do Katia's work by dispatching the demons he fought his way with the help of his friends to a planar rift inside Katia's Grove. He soon learned that the rift could only be closed by the sacrifice of a worthly soul used to plug it and keep the demon's from entering the woods. Max volunteered amidst the cries of his friends trying to stop him.

He gave his soul to close that rift, but soon found out that that was exactly what the evil god Pyrtechon wanted. Pyrtechon had a deal for Max. He would give Max back his life if he worshiped him with the same zeal that he worshipped Katia. He would have to destroy things and cause havoc in Katias fields and glades. Max refused and affirmed that he would live in outer darkness forever rather then do such a thing. Max was sent to a great and vast library which housed thousands of books on the arcane and the occult. Pyrtechon decided he would attempt to groom Max and develop him deftly. Max was paired with a quiet and intelligent half-fiend wizard where he continued his studies of what he had learned growing up except with emphasis on the dark art of Necromancy. Max did not care for such things and in his spare time found as much as he could on the much more interesting school of Illusion. After what seemed like a hundred years Max was summoned and asked to speak with Miriya who was standing at Katia's grove in sielwood with a Cerberus, stunned and shocked Max asked why he was being sent and what he was suppose to do. Under threat of great pain Max was sent to the grove to tell Miriya that the animal had been set loose during the rift in the grove and that it needed to return home. He did so biting his tounge and trying to make the best of it. Upon seeing her strong feelings came back to him and memories of the past and the life he once had. His conversation with her was short but it stunned him to the deepest part of his soul. Once he returned to the library he was again approached by a minion of pyrtechon with an offer.

"You will be given back your life and the chance to love and enjoy that beautiful woman.. all you must do is contract your soul to pyrtechon.. "

Once again Max refused but in his heart he felt torn. He could see changes going on in his face and his soul. His eyes had changed. No longer where they the deep blue but now they looked like yellow cat's eyes. He feared the longer that he stayed here the more he would change but he could not betray Katia and her teachings.

He soon realized that Pyrtechon was tormenting him and that he would not let Max's memories rest when again Miriya showed up at the temple again, this time with a Roc. Max was once again summoned to speak with her as "Katia's" messanger. Becoming angry and bitter Max yelled at the minion messanger and told him he would not be a pawn in Pyrtechon's little game. Soon after a Balor came and severely beat and whipped Max untill he gave in to do the request. After the brief encounter Max could only see the horrible walls of his pseudo-home and on every one of them Miriya's face calling to him.

That night in his dreams all Max could see was him and Miriya walking in the forest enjoying each others company. He awoke to the sound of a demons whip. He had been summoned once again to Pyrtechon's chamber. Once again the evil dragon god offered Max his life and the chance to breathe fresh air again. Downtrodden and feeling hopeless Max agreed. In his heart he decided then that he would risk the wrath of Pyrtechon on the other side where he at least had friends to help him. He was given a contract written on aasimar skin with demon blood contracting him to worship and serve Pyrtechon any time his services would be called on or else risk punishment. Max signed it but to himself vowed to avoid any such requests and to spend his time franticly searching for a release from this contract.

"My minion Aklan will observe your progress and report back to me.. " Max looked over and saw a small floating eyeball with eyestalks and smaller eyes growing out of the main body. Aklan grinned showing every one of his sharp teeth and seemed to be watching Max with every single eye. His heart sank as the weight of the decision he just made began to sink in.

Now he must wait and think about that decision as Pyrtechon sets up his return to the world...

[NitaThompson]

Approved