Dark Heroes
The Dark Heroes were a group of villainous figures from across the land of Legere. The Dark Heroes were led by the Dark Mage Zak at the behest of the Ultimate Evil as a direct counter to the Archangel's Heroes. In turn, their purpose was to summon the memitim Azrael, lead the armies of evil against the Righteous Order, and crush the Archangel's Heroes. The Dark Heroes were never aware of it, but they were actually paving the way to the destruction of Legere; they were led to believe they were conquering the world to rule it.
Creation #
The Dark Heroes were first formed when the Dark Mage Zak travelled across Legere during the time of the chaos caused by the Fallen Heroes and their Fell Bastions. Guided by the words of the Evil One, Zak found the Dark Heroes' members one by one.
Ascarin & Venomeater #
The first member was Ascarin, a powerful somatomancer driven to extremism by the Bureau of Classified Arcana's apparent opposition to the Priests of the Shifting Flesh's goals of improving life for all of Legere. To convince Ascarin to join, Zak helped him to stage a final attack on a BCA facility in Corgathian countryside. There, they found and freed Venomeater, a mysterious venomancer who hid her face behind a warped sheet of metal. She agreed to join the Dark Heroes over her and Ascarin's shared disdain of the BCA.
Yugu & Harukai #
Zak and his entourage travelled south, with Zak following the Ultimate Evil's guidance. In Rice Town, Zak tracked down Harukai, as well as the rogue Nakai Yugu. With faith in Ascarin and Venomeater to lead the newcomers, Zak returned to his tower to begin preparations in building his own army. As Zak left, he relayed the Ultimate Evil's words to the Dark Heroes: there were two more members of the Dark Heroes to be found.
Ohoch #
The mad Jinifarian bandit Ohoch ambushed the Dark Heroes as they crossed the Kaktis Desert, hoping to seize their valuables and expensive-looking equipment. Ohoch's fellow bandits found themselves quickly outmatched by the skillfulness of the Dark Heroes, with the survivors of their counterassault fleeing Ohoch and leaving him for dead.
Before executing Ohoch, Ascarin asked him what his desire was in life. Ohoch replied by sharing his greed and desire for riches. Ascarin, impressed by Ohoch's illusory magic, offered Ohoch a place on the team, much to the chagrin of the other Dark Heroes. Ascarin explained that all the riches of Legere would be Ohoch's once the Dark Heroes had reformed the world.
Finzo #
The disgraced tempest inquisitor Finzo was found by the Dark Heroes after their initial contact with the Archangel's Heroes. Finzo attacked Harukai, hoping to seize the Dark Hero's Frostbite Crystal-tainted Thundersteel weapon. He got more than he bargained for after being cornered by the rest of the Dark Heroes. Instead of executing him, Ascarin offered an invitation to Finzo, promising Finzo a chance for redemption and to one day regain the favour of Imperator Hyperius.