Persimmius Falconian was born into a family of modest means in Brighton, a bustling river city known for its vibrant markets and rich culture. From a young age, he showed an extraordinary affinity for magic, especially fire manipulation, which set him apart from his peers. His talents drew the attention of a seasoned wizard, who became his mentor and guided him in the arts of pyromancy.
Persimmius became a prominent figure in the city as he honed his skills. His charm, handsome appearance, and mastery of fire magic made him popular among the nobility and especially the ladies of Brighton. Equipped with charisma and a flair for theatrics, he often entertained the citizens with dazzling displays of flame and light, earning admiration and wealth.
Three years before a cataclysmic event known as the Burning, Persimmius discovered an ancient artifact known as the Inferno, which was said to possess untold power over fire. Ignoring warnings of its volatile nature, he sought to harness its abilities, believing it would elevate his status even further. In a fateful demonstration, the artifact reacted uncontrollably, releasing torrents of magical fire that engulfed blocks of the city, leading to widespread destruction and loss of life.
“Nobody told you?” Persimmius swung around and hopped off his stool. “Nobody told you?”
His sudden movement and the fact that he now stomped toward Serena caused her to take a step back. He didn’t cut an imposing figure by most standards, but he was still big enough to give her a good thrashing if he so chose. He stopped just short of her.
“Nobody told you how in a fit of manic depravity I tried to burn down the entire city? Nobody told you I was arrested? How they drove me from my home, my neighborhood, even from Upper Brighton, so that I was forced to live in this shat-smelling hole in the wall? I cannot show my face anywhere. I cannot enter a tavern. I cannot shop at market. I cannot even walk down the street without someone spitting my way or throwing something at me. Did no one tell you about that?”
- THE NULLIFICATION ENGINE
The chaos of the Burning shattered the trust the people had in Persimmius. Those who once cheered for him now blamed him for their misfortunes. Accusations spread like wildfire, exacerbated by fear and grief. His apprentice, Serena Walkerton, was removed from his tutelage and sent away by her family, who viewed her association with him as a liability. Meanwhile, in the city, hostility towards Persimmius ignited. He found himself ostracized. Merchants refused to trade with him, taverns turned him away, and once-loyal friends abandoned him. The bright lights of his previous life dimmed to shadows, and his opulent home became a haunting reminder of his fall from grace until he was driven from it.
Forced into the dilapidated old temple district of Lower Brighton, he lived among the remnants of once-glorious sanctuaries. The isolation deepened his bitterness, and he struggled with feelings of betrayal and despair. His anger towards the city and its people morphed into an all-consuming desire for vengeance.
Though still haunted by guilt over the lives lost in the inferno, Persimmius resolved to master the Inferno and discover its secrets. He believes that if he can regain control of the artifact, he might bend its powers to his will, paving a path toward reclaiming his former status or perhaps exacting a reckoning upon those who wronged him. But despite multiple attempts, the mastery of the artifact remains elusive.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Persimmius first appears in The Nullification Engine (The Alchemancer Book Two).
