Aranea Empio

Aranea Empio was born 24 years ago to the meek and mortal father, Kumo Kurogi, and a cruel, oppressive vampire mother, Damhan Empio. Kumo, a thrall to Damhan, was devoured as soon as she knew she was pregnant, for he had fulfilled her only purpose to her. This information she shared freely to Aranea, as a reminder that beings that outlive their utility serve only as food for their betters. Reared as a half-breed within the vampiric cult that Damhan holds significant sway in (Known as The Revelry Troupe), Aranea was raised from birth to be a killer. Part of a trained squad of half-breeds, known as Daywalkers, they were utilised to reach the places that those who shirk from the sun cannot, while still being somewhat blooded and therefor more trustworthy and competent than a human thrall. From age 16, Aranea was sent to kill, kidnap, burn and strike fear into nearby villages alongside his squad mates.

Each Daywalker bears a mask, both to strike terror into their victims, and to maintain secrecy so they may walk the daylight world without being wanted by the law, when the need arises. Additionally, their weapon of choice was the pistol, seen as a symbol of elegance and high society, and the crack of its shots at once show their victim how dire their situation really is, for only the very brave wield guns freely. For 6 years, this was Aranea's life, navigating the strange hierarchy and political skullduggery of the vampire world, facing ridicule for his half-blooded status, and killing lots of people, some innocent, some not. Only his usefulness kept him alive, and so he strove to be very useful indeed.

One day, Aranea and a small group of Daywalkers were sent on a particular task. A small gang of outlaws had been causing trouble for some rich nobles that were in the Cult's pocket, and so they needed to be dispatched of. Beneath the high gaze of the vampires, the task fell on the half-bloods. And so, in the night, the group of 4 Daywalker's and Aranea crept towards the outlaw camp, guns raised.

It was a massacre. Within 24 seconds, only Aranea remained, the others strewn across the forest with bullets in the hearts and heads. The group’s leader, a finely dressed man with gold chains in his pockets and slicked back hair, strode towards Aranea, who closed his eyes and waited for oblivion.

What he found when he opened his eyes, however, was anything but. The man’s hand was outstretched, his smile warm and amiable. With little other choice, Aranea took his hand and was helped to his feet. When Aranea asked the man, named Duke, why he had spared him, Duke simply said he "had a good feeling".

2 years later, and Aranea was still travelling with Duke's gang, known as The Aristocrats, and for the first time in his life, he was happy. They stole from the rich, the powerful, the bastards of the world who take and don't give back, they travelled the world, they spread their gold around to the common folk (while still keeping enough to spend on fine cigars and Scotch, of course), and more than anything, they had each other’s backs. For these two years, Aranea never removed his mask, terrified of what his spider-like, hollow appearance would make his crew think of him. But one day, after a particularly successful score, the young Anadi had decided enough is enough, and to a hollering crowd of his closest friends, his found brothers and sisters, and Duke, whom he considered practically a father to him, he took of his mask.

Big mistake.

One of the patrons of the bar just so happened to be a thrall to The Revelry Troupe, who recognised the face of the traitor at once. The next night, at camp, the gang was beset on all sides by the forces of the night, and its numbers were overwhelming. Many vampires fell that day, but one by one, The Aristocrats fell too. Soon, it was only Duke and Aranea. Understanding that this was his fault, Aranea prepared yet again to face his death, however, Duke stopped him. He gave Aranea his pistol, slapped him on the back, and gave Aranea the only order he would ever issue him.

"Get the hell out son. And don't look back."

And with that, Duke ran into the fray. Aranea knew two things as he ran the opposite way; That this made him a coward, and that the fact he heard no shots behind him as he ran means that Duke had met with a fate worse than death.

And it was all his fault.

Miles away, clutching his mask and 2 pistols, one from the blood family he hated and the other the found family he got killed, Aranea swore 3 oaths.

He would kill each and every one of his wicked, bloodsucking family.

He would free Duke from whatever terrible fate he met.

And he would never, ever, take the mask off again.


Personality:

Aranea is confident in his abilities and suave in his speech, but his outwardly easy-going demeanour is mask as much as the one he wears on his face. He considers his face repulsive, himself responsible for the death of many innocents, including his old crew, and resents much about himself. His confidence and smooth talking both learned behaviours from his smooth-talking father figure, Duke, whom Aranea admires and attempts to emulate.

Aranea distrusts all authority and large organisations, as he has had nothing but bad experiences with both, but can hide this disdain when it is needed, and is quick to schmooze if it will help get him what he wants. While not a greedy man, he has developed a taste for the finer things in life and is more willing than most to splurge on (or steal) a fine bottle of whiskey or a golden band, though he never steals from those who would miss it or who need it.

Aranea is a brutal person, his rigorous training at the hands of his vampire mother to kill without remorse or question have not entirely warn off, though this brutality is now directed towards those who deserve it (for the most part...). He is quick to kill and slow to show mercy and is not above direct or implied threats to get what he wants. To Aranea, people dying is just the way things are, and only those close to him can extract much of a reaction from him upon their expiration.

Aranea despises the law against guns, and views anyone that upholds them as a tyrant at worst, or a coward at best. He would not hesitate to burn the Inventor's Guild to the ground if it meant he could exact his vengeance more freely, but he understands this is probably the way things will be for some time. Still, he will miss no chances to undermine this authority whenever he can.

As well as completing his vows, Aranea desperately wishes to feel the warm bond of a found family again, one who would watch his back as he would watch theirs. But, terrified of getting anyone else killed, Aranea is slow to trust, and often pushes away the thing he wants the most: companionship.