Ashton Wayland

"Look, it'll be fine, I promise. See, I'm a doctor, now trust me when I say Spook will make your cold go away"

''And The Forges Flash With Blood And Pain And Above The Skies Begin To Rain And Heralded By The Rain And Storm Comes The Warsmith In Black And Deadly Form''

The Forge-Fathers Prophecy

Background
Ashton Wayland is a name spoken with a certain amount of dread within scientific circles, for reasons obvious to everyone but him. One thing cannot be questioned though, his undeniable genius will either make or break this world.

Origin
Ashton led a fairly boring life as a child. Other than his astounding intelligence, there was little to say about him. His parents worked for the Fane in charge of the planet and they all led fairly dull lives that would not seem out of place on any Imperial World.

Ashton began his early life as an apprentice to a notable Chemist by the name of Dalton Squire, who taught Ashton all he knew. The one lesson Ashton never learnt however was that of caution and he could be found everyday experimenting on new pharmaceuticals, poisons, toxins and various other compounds. It was hard to deny his genius as he discovered and invented new drugs on an almost daily basis.

It was not long until he far outstripped his teacher but since the Imperial occupation, his access to research was severely limited for The Imperium and specifically The Mechanicum had placed stong laws regarding innovation into certain areas. However restraint was not a concept that Ashton understood and he started searching for someone who would fund his research and protect him from prying eyes.

It wasn't long until he found Darrel Haslinger, the leader of a Fane dealing in pharmaceuticals (and with a sideline of illegal narcotics). In exchange for his genius, Darrel would provide Ashton with all the resources he needed. This partnership proved fruitful for the pair of them with Darrel becoming one of the most successful Fanes on the planet and Ashton feeding his creative addiction.

However such unbridled hunger for invention has dangers and it was of no surprise that Ashton was soon caught in the midst of a catastrophic reaction that destroyed part of the headquarters as well as fatally wounding him. Only with the intervention of several black market augmentations was he able to survive and though it appears that his motor and mental functions have made a full recovery, he has become incredibly suspicious of people touching his work ever since.

Working In The Shadows
Ashton found himself joining the Eye of Thales after Darrel introduced him to the Old Faith. Never one for piety or strong devotion, he was none-the-less intrigued by the freedom he was offered by the cult in order for his assistance as well as the less than legal aid to his slightly more.... immoral research.

He found himself in charge of the armory of the cult, maintaining their laughably simple equipment and rendering improvements on it where he saw fit. Suffice to say that since his arrival the arsenal of the cult has suddenly grown to include a worrying number of biological and chemical weapons of great sophistication.

Activities Within The Group
Ashton is a source of knowledge both academic and sometimes downright forbidden. Where this information has come from is a closely kept secret and few care to pry when he is so rarely wrong. He also has prodigious skill with machinery and technology both common and rare, a talent unusual outside of the secretive ranks of The Mechanicum.

The Fall Of Solundan III
Ashton was a ready convert to the cult and when political and diplomatic ventures failed to achieve their goal, he was more than happy to pursue a more violent path. Planning together, the group came up with the idea of poisoning the water supply of the city while making it look like a chemical leak from a weapons plant ran by The Imperium. While the others got to work, Ashton began to prepare the multitude of tools they would need to pull this off.

Working with The Beggar, Ashton helped created the software required to break into the police headquarters. This strange pair proved to be formidable and for all their differences, worked well together. Once The Beggar had left, Ashton devised his own plan to poison the water supply... with a chemical of his own making.

The chemical in question would use derivatives of Spook, a highly dangerous option. The results however would hopefully be a drug that could allow control over weak willed subjects. Realizing that his plan was unlikely to be met with approval, he deceived Darrel into ordering he supplies required for his plan.

However his work was interrupted when Darrel was involved in a cover up gone horribly wrong. Worried over the life of his employer he stood guard over him in the hospital until backup could arrive.

His plan however, was interrupted by the sudden arrival of The Beggar who called for a meeting of great importance back at the old church. Hastening there, he found himself faced with a fae-eyed entity claiming to be The Prophet. Surprised to say the least, Ashton delved though his memory to remember an old prophecy, now lost to all but him. Upon the 7th star lay an ancient chamber and The Prophet would descend with others of The Conclave. Here they would retrieve something, though what that was was unclear.

All further discussion was stopped as the PDF launched a raid upon the cult, following the aircraft stolen by The Beggar. Fearing for his life, Ashton fled through the nearest window where he escaped to his car and fled back to the capital.

From here Ashton rendezvoused with Darrel at the hospital where he informed his employer of all that had happened. Sadly however Ashton and Darrel were not safe and they were captured by the PDF for their role in the grand conspiracy.

Ashton underwent torture at the PDF Headquarters but he refused to break. Praying for his and Darrel's freedom he was amazed to hear the door open and the voice of Orzoth come through. Quickly freed, Ashton saw to his employer before the three of them confronted Samuel, who had conspired to betray them.

Samuel was terrified out of his mind and before efforts could be made to reach him, Orzoth calmly executed him, much to the chagrin of Darrel and Ashton. However the time for rebuke was not now and the three hurridly made their way to Eden who was trapped within another holding cell.

A brutal sight met them all as Eden had been tortured horrifically during his time within the cell. Ashton, who saw Eden as a loyal member, disregarded the callous decision of Orzoth and tried to save Eden. However Eden had suffered far too much already and died from shock during transit.

Furious at the fate of his friend, Darrel and Ashton fled to a hotel where they learned of the growing riots over The Imperium's inability to protect. Thinking hurriedly the pair drafted a short speech and broadcast the message worldwide. Such was their skill at oratory that the world fell silent before them and once it was over they struck with renewed vigor, hailing for the cause of Darrel.

Darrel and Ashton made their way to the Palace where they met the Governor and his Ogryn bodyguard. Ashton vowed to slay the Ogryn while Darrel dealt with the Governor personally. Before more could be said, the Ogryn let loose a horrifying roar and charged. Ashton merely grinned and met the charged and with one swing of his mighty axe, decapitated the beast. Turning he noticed the duel still ongoing but before he could lend assistance, Darrel swiftly disarmed the Governor and placed the point against his throat.

However the Governor was a treacherous man and rather than face his death honorably, he charged Darrel and slammed him against the wall. Ashton watched his friend in horror as he drew his sword and slammed it through the Governors back... and himself.

Unable to save Darrel, Ashton fell to despair but was amazed to see The Beggar leap through the door, holy scripture pouring from his mouth. Without delay he placed his hands upon Darrel and prayed to the gods to return their favoured son. And return he did.

Quotes And Memorable Moments
This is a list of the characters quotes and memorable (often horrifying) moments.

Quotes
That smell is probably the biggest deterrent we have at this moment (In reference to The Beggar).

Memorable Moments
Creating a mind-control drug from Spook which could go horrendously wrong.

Slaying an Ogryn with a single blow