Hados

Hados is a member of the Circle of Eight and the Archmage of Necromancy.

Appearance
Hados is a medium-sized man of unknown origin whose face is shrouded by an illusory purple haze at all times. This illusion cannot be dispelled unless he retires from his position in the Circle of Eight.

Personality
A pamphlet on the current Circle of Eight described Hados as frequently tired and exasperated. This is consistent with what the Champions Valoris saw when they met him. He feigned disinterest about Ashara's stasis pod, suggesting that he may have an image to maintain. Hados is also strongly disdainful of plagiarists.

Background
Hados is a powerful mage who rose through the ranks of Atemcester's wizards to become a member of the Circle of Eight. Upon ascending to the Circle, Hados consented to remain anonymous and have his face hidden with illusion magic as long as he served as an archmage. As the Archmage of Necromancy, his appointment was likely controversial, typical of the position. His true name is unknown. Initially, he was known as the Archmage of Necromancy. However, this was deemed cumbersome by many and, upon the discovery of a tablet in ruins from the late Vrinian Empire, the archmagi decided to adopt the names of ancient wizards for their seats. He selected the name Hados for his seat. During his time as Archmage of Necromancy, Hados attempted to develop a powerful spell that would strengthen one's connection to life itself. However, his notes were somehow leaked or plagiarized and a modified version of the spell, focused solely on the destruction of life, made its way into Thorak Fireaxe's hands. Thorak used the spell to split the souls of most of the population of Port Valor from their bodies, effectively killing them. Hados was furious about his work being stolen and used for such a purpose. He investigated the situation in Port Valor and determined that the people of Port Valor could be revived if they were reunited with their souls, which would be kept in a vessel that could be a powerful tool in the hands of someone who wished to misuse it. Hados was presumably unaware of Slumberjack and the orb in their possession that matched this description when drawing these conclusions. Before the Champions Valoris arrived in Atemcester, the Circle held a vote on whether or not to entrust the Bands of the Archmagi to them, pending the results of a test of ability administered by the Crest's current guardian, Esbat. The vote was marginally in favor of allowing the adventurers to take the Abyssal Crest. It is unknown how Hados voted on this proposal.

Atemcester Arc
Hados was present for the party's initial meeting with the Circle of Eight. He admitted responsibility for the magic that was modified to become the anti-life field and confirmed Kilwin's suspicions that the people of Port Valor could be saved with Slumberjack's orb. After the party had returned, the archmagi learned that Ashara was originally from the Vrinian Empire they had heard of, and were pleased to have her teach them more about the Empire. Hados was particularly interested in the pod Ashara used to put herself in stasis for millennia, although he kept his distance and feigned disinterest. Hados was also present at Ashara's second meeting with the Circle, although he did not speak during the meeting.

Goals
Hados seems interested in applying necromancy in service of extending people's lives and improving their vitality. He seems very invested in his research. His investigation of the situation in Port Valor suggests that he has at least some desire to atone for his indirect role in its devastation.

Abilities
Hados is an extremely powerful wizard, one of the most accomplished practitioners of necromancy in his time. He is knowledgeable enough to create his own original spells, such as the one that was bastardized to become the anti-life field that devastated Port Valor. However, his goal in developing the spell was to strengthen the target's connection to life, suggesting that this may be a focus in his arcane research reflected in his other spells.

Quotes

 * Name: "Quote."

Trivia

 * Hados was the only member of the Circle of Eight to directly state his preferred school of magic during his first meeting with the Champions Valoris.