Ao-utet was forged by the harsh realities of life in a war-torn land. The son of a disgraced warlord, Ao-utet grew up amidst violence and betrayal. He watched as his father’s enemies systematically dismantled their clan, leaving Ao-utet to fend for himself in a brutal world where strength was the only currency.
As a young man, Ao-utet found work as a mercenary, using his growing prowess in battle to earn a reputation for ruthlessness. His cold, analytical mind made him a valuable asset, and soon, he led his own small band of warriors, feared for their efficiency and brutality. However, despite his success, Ao-utet felt a deep emptiness, a sense that his violent path lacked any true purpose beyond survival.
During a raid on a remote temple, he first encountered the cult of the Dark One. Drawn by the dark whispers that seemed to echo within the ancient stones, Ao-utet found himself mesmerized by the cult’s teachings. The idea of a world where power reigned supreme, where the strong were destined to rule, resonated with him. Here was a vision of a future where his strength would be a means of survival and a divine right. He joined the cult, quickly rising through the ranks as his combat prowess and strategic mind impressed the high priest, Onius.
Ao-utet’s transformation into a warrior priest was complete when he took part in a bloody ritual that bound his soul to the Dark One’s will. He abandoned any lingering remnants of morality, embracing the darkness fully. His loyalty to the Dark One became his guiding principle, and he viewed those who did not share his devotion as weak and unworthy. His faith, however, was different from that of Onius. While the high priest saw the Dark One’s return as inevitable and believed in careful, calculated steps toward that goal, Ao-utet sees it as something that must be hastened by any means necessary. He believes blood is the only true offering that would please the Dark One, and he is willing to spill oceans of it to see his god freed from his prison.
As second-in-command, Ao-utet is a fearsome figure within the cult, ruling through intimidation and the ever-present threat of violence. Though he outwardly serves Onius, there is a growing tension between the two. Ao-utet views his high priest’s cautious approach as weakness and secretly plots to overthrow him if it means bringing the Dark One into the world sooner. He is driven by the belief that he is destined to stand at the Dark One’s side as his right hand when the world is finally plunged into eternal darkness.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Ao-utet first appears in The Assassin's Blade (Assassin Without a Name Book One).
