Editing Grim Legion (section)

==Notable Wraiths==

[[File:Smilling.jpg|thumb]]
Contrary to what many might think likely, most of the best remembered murder victims, military and otherwise, have never come to light as figures of influence within the Grim Legion. Indeed, it seems that many of the Legions best only come to shine in their own right after they’ve passed away.

===The Smiling Lord===

The Smiling Lord is normally seen sitting on his Seat of Burning Waters where it rests on a small island within a lake of fiery liquid. (There is no doubt that the Burning Waters are actually the souls of those he’s decided to punish. The poor unfortunates can be heard screaming faintly, even after they’ve been rendered into their present state.) One small stone bridge leads to the Seat, and around that simple arch stands an army of Executioners, as has always been the case.

That’s about all that is as it used to be. Whoever now wears the skeletal mask of the Smiling Lord has taken a decidedly different angle on how best to run the Legion. The past few decades have shown massive improvements in efficiency and contentment for the masses of the Grim Legion. Where once all opposition was met with assault, the Grim Legion these days is now more likely to negotiate, albeit from a position of strength. Where Anacreons of the Smiling Lord once feared his wrath and ruled with threats of punishment, they now offer rewards for services rendered and loyalty. It seems there’s a kinder, gentler soul behind the mask of the Smiling Lord. His soldiers fight with renewed vigor in the ever-growing battle against Oblivion. The Scribes of the Great Ledger allegedly work with a nearly fanatical need to get as much done as possible, as if every day might be the last chance they have to finish the great work. The Sardonicai are making leaps and bounds in their efforts across the Tempest in distant lands. Why, then, is everyone so afraid? No one knows, or if they do, they aren’t willing to speak about it.

===Hiram, the Master Scribe===

Just what inspired Hiram to write down his death story is anyone’s guess. Most likely, it was simply the need to understand why he’d been murdered. That was centuries ago. The second death story Hiram wrote down was that of the first Smiling Lord, who wanted someone to record his method of passing. Emboldened by this confidence, Hiram then spoke to the Deathlord of the Grim and asked permission to collect more death stories. “Someone should remember us, even after we’ve gone on to our final rewards, whatever they might be.” Hiram’s words almost fell on deaf ears, until he added a final statement: “Someone should also remember those who killed us, and just perhaps they can get revenge for those of us who cannot.”

The Smiling Lord agreed, granting Hiram the title “Master Scribe,” and ordering that all of the Grim pass down the talks of how they died. Those who couldn’t write were sent to Hiram and a growing army of assistants. That was the start of the Great Ledger. Hiram still works alongside the other Scribes, writing down the details of how each individual met his end. Along with a select handful of other wraiths, Hiram even takes notes from members of other Legions, the Heretics and the Renegades for inclusion in the Ledger’s appendices. Hiram and his Scribes do more than merely file papers away, though. They actively venture forth from the Great Library and seek out the cases of individual wraiths throughout the Shadowlands.

Hiram’s goal is to transcribe the truth, not just the perceptions of victims everywhere. His small army of investigators researches any cases that pique outsiders’ interest. Hiram has no concern for who the victims whose tales he transcribes are. He just wants the truth, and for his own reasons.

It’s Hiram’s secret belief that the time will come when Christ will return and the Great Ledger will be used to seal the fates of many souls come Judgment Day. Hiram hides this heretical belief and drowns out his prayers with the scratching of pens, but deep inside, he prays that Judgment Day comes soon. 

[[Category:Wraith]]
[[Category:Legions]]