Hex Calrid

Hex Calrid was the last angelic being to hold the imperial throne. Though those who followed him were humans, it is thanks to the covenant he struck with the Archdaemon Azazel that all those who rule Alaezia will be blessed with saintly characteristics.

Hex was the last emperor of the Calrid Dynasty and, unlike his ancestors, did not choose to abdicate the imperial throne and ascend to heaven, but instead disappeared mysteriously leaving no children and a decree that he should be succeeded by his human advisor Symeon Jentius. Briefly after Hex's sudden departure, the number of true celestial beings to walk the earth steadily began to decline.

The coming of Azazel
It is said that on the last day of the year 200 BF, a tall robed figure arrived at the imperial palace demanding audience with the emperor. When, at first the visitor's request was refused, it is said that he removed his robes, revealing himself to be Azazel, a messenger sent directly from God.

Azazel was granted a private audience with the Emperor and it is said that on that day Azazel announced that the empire's time had come, that its size and hubris were an abomination in the eyes of The Lord. It is said that on that day both Calrid and Azazel wept tears of great sadness, for they both admired the peace and order which the empire had brought.

The covenant
When he was done weeping, it is said that Calrid threw himself at the feet of the Archaemon, and offered his own life in return for that of empire. Azazel was so moved by such a gesture, from the proudest and most powerful man on earth, that his heart was swayed away from the divine plan of God.

"It is truly unfair," Azazel proclaimed that day "that The Lord would end such a proud land so soon after its creation".

And it is on that day, that Azazel defied God, pledging to protect the empire for rest of eternity.

"Remain on throne Hex Calrid," he said, embracing the weeping angel "I will return to this plane in year, and if the Empire remains as splendid and peaceful as it is today I will know for sure that God was mistaken in his judgement"

The return of Azazel and the departure of Calrid
The next year, 199 BF the creature which returned to the imperial palace was much like Azazel in height and attire. The guards let him enter at once, for they knew not what he had become as a result of his actions. Calrid however, saw Azazel for what he was, a Pit Fiend - a creature of vile darkness, punished by God for his insolence.

"In two hundred years," the demon wailed "this Empire will be nothing but dust"

It was at that moment that Calrid realised what he had done in begging the Archdaemon to preserve the land.

He cast a spell, sealing his throneroom shut to prevent the fiend from escaping. When guards arrived at the door, alarmed by the noise, Calrid announced through the door that he was going on a journey and would not return. Keeping his calm in the face of certain death, Calrid made his final decrees while battling the Fiend. Every word he said was recorded by an increasingly worried council being held outside the sealed doors.

Finally, before the Daemon could strike its killing blow, Calrid cast one final spell, transporting himself and the fiend to the icy wastes of the west.

Succession and legacy
The next morning, when the sealing spell finally lifted. The palace guards entered to find the throneroom inexplicably empty. The decrees Calrid had made the previous night, as recorded through the sealed door, were framed and proclaimed to be the new imperial constitution, and neither he, nor the Archdaemon, were ever seen in Alaezia again.