Storm Herald Hekaton

‘Blow, tempest! Bellow, thunder! Flash, O lightning – your master calls! Great storm of storms, lash the world with your deluge, and let filth and dishonor be washed away.’ — Storm Herald Hekaton The great Hekaton was once a mortal Argonite named Dramodes, an acclaimed general who led the armies of the polis of Mielon to subjugate several smaller islands and form a strong new power bloc. Even his enemies praised him for fighting honorably and showing mercy to the defeated, while still battling with ferocious strength and unbreakable will. Dramodes dedicated his victories to the Aetherials, in particular to a powerful and widely-worshiped Aetherial known as the Thunder King, Lord of Winds, Sky-Father, among other such titles. He forthrightly proclaimed that he was seeking the Thunder King’s favor and believed that he was worthy of becoming his champion. As Dramodes was sailing home after another triumphant conquest, a massive thunderstorm engulfed his fleet. Lightning struck the masts of his flagship over and over, but did not strike a single other vessel. The wind and rain did not damage a single sail nor the towering waves crack a single car, even though the storm raged furiously. Dramodes only looked to the sky, arms outstretched, without fear — he knew who had come calling on him. Allegedly, he was struck by a lightning bolt that descended to him, enveloped him, and then drew back into the clouds, carrying him away. Dramodes’ lieutenants and bodyguards calmed those who were worried, for they knew their lord’s goals well. Their confidence was not misplaced: When they anchored in the harbor of Mielon, Dramodes was waiting for them on the pier. His eyes glowed with fierce electric light, and he was clad in splendid new armor. He bore a shield crackling with barely-contained fulgurous magic and a spear like unto a thunderbolt, keen and glimmering. As his jubilant troops disembarked and paraded through the streets with him, he proclaimed that his old triumphs and old identity were now behind him. It would be up to others to continue Mielon’s victories. As for himself, he had proven to the Thunder King that he was worthy of elevation, and had become an Aetherial, ever-living and sublime. His new liege had bestowed upon him a divine name and title: henceforth, he would be known as Hekaton, the Storm Herald. Hekaton’s departure for the court of the Thunder King was met with admiration but also dismay. Those who had stood by Hekaton’s side during his campaigns hoped their leader would continue to keep them in his thoughts. But, having witnessed the glories of the Fae and Lightbringers of the Aetherials’ upper echelons, Hekaton struggled to continue to relate to mortals and their concerns. Instead, he was fully devoted to the needs of his new liege, and was consumed by the secretive politics of the Aetherials and their mountaintop strongholds.