Midian is a Guildmaster of the Haunters. Midian was created by Lucien Soulban.[1]
Biography[]
Death was a cathartic experience for Midian. His first recollections stretch back 1300 years, to the moment his mentor claimed his Caul; his breathing days are all but lost to him. Midian does remember the moment of his death, when he took his own life leaping from a monastery roof. He has never determined the reason for this action, but avoids reflecting on the lingering remorse that seems to surround his suicide. His Shadow has offered to share the truth with him, but a combination of fear and distrust keeps Midian from accepting that offer.
Midian has been a Haunter since the time of his death, first within the alliance of Pandora Skia and later as Guildmaster following the first Conclave. This existence is all he knows, and it has become all that he is. The Guild's identity and his persona are now synonymous. It is this reason he has come to represent the disparate factions as Guildmaster; no other wraith so embodies all of what the Guild is. Despite the sometimes vicious differences among the various factions of Haunters, Midian has proven to be an effective leader, particularly with Sweet Sorrow acting as his advisor. Both wraiths' attempts to unite the Guild, however, have met with failure, and these repeated efforts have created distrust between the Guildmaster and those he represents.
A consummate chess player, Midian has as his hobby the construction a board, using opponents he has beaten as the pieces. An invitation to play a game with him is an invitation to the forges, as Midian has never lost. On the other hand, legend has it that any fortunate soul who does win gets to take Midian's place as Guildmaster. Despite Midian's reputation, them, there is no shortage of challengers - and no shortage of new pieces or tiles, ether.
While many, both inside and outside the Guild, view Midian as a monster of sorts, he is plagued by his own demons. Fetters draw him to places of which he has no memory, and Passions that he cannot justify tug at him constantly. If Midian chose, he could investigate his past and unravel the mysteries of his breathing days, but something in the back of his mind frightens him. Desires linger that that his Shadow alone understands, and it is for this reason that Midian remains hidden behind a well-crafted but emotionless mask. He is too afraid to gaze into his own eyes, and he is frightened somebody will recognize him and remind him of the truth of what he was.
When the times comes for the Haunters to step back across the Shroud and reclaim their places in the Skinlands, Midian will stay behind. He will help others cross, but will never partake of that gift himself. He knows (or Fears) that with living again, the sins of the past will return as well, and he fears whet revelations a new life might bring.
Ends of Empire[]
When the Shroud suffers its near-fatal moment of weakness, it is as if the jubilee has come for the Haunters. Hundreds escape across the Shroud. Midian leads them, leaving the ever-cautious Dr. Shudder to deal with events in the Deadlands - and to try to re-create the event.
References[]
- ↑ WTO: Guildbook: Haunters, p. 4
- WTO: Guildbook: Haunters, p. 7-9, 64-65
- WTO: Ends of Empire, p. 149