Nex'xear, The Mechromancer

Nex’xear, the Mechromancer:  As keeper of Fer’agosh’s old phylactery, Nex’xear has trod a long path. A silent acolyte and servant of the Archpriest of Ambus, Nex’xear emerged from the Everflame beside Ignikash. When Ignikash was surrendered to Fer’agosh, Nex’xear followed, loath to be parted from his master. While Fer’agosh experimented, Nex’xear studied alongside the Iron Lich, learning his ways, and mastering arcane technologies. Perhaps it was the endless torture of Ignikash, or the delight of discovery, but Nex’xear’s loyalty and servileness was broken, much to Fer’agosh’s delight. Now Nex’xear has been transfigured into a hybrid creature, merging with Fer’agosh’s initial Ironbound phylactery, 

 
Nex’xear spends most of his time in the depths of the Ziggurat Prime, linked into the command network. From this perch his consciousness streams freely across all the Forge-Ziggurats, able to seize command of Ironborn directly, or issue orders across multiple theaters of battle.  In times of need, Nex’xear can take over the body of a Forged construct to cast spells and invigorate nearby troops. A spider at the heart of a vast web, Nex’xear is the closest in spirit to Fer’agosh, a proxy commander when the Iron Lich’s attention is elsewhere, an occurrence more and more common as Fer’agosh focuses on the war and research in the Shroud, leaving mortal concerns to Nex’xear and the Council of Ash.

 
In the rare event that he should leave his lair, Nex’xear commands the arcane torrents of soul energy harvested from the battlefield with effortless efficiency. With a mere gesture he accretes the power of the dying and sends out shockwaves of reanimation. He invigorates Aspirants and Revenants by empowering their augments. Nex’xear’s mastery of technological reanimation and connection to the Forged network has allowed him to sustain Aspirants and Revenants beyond death, animating their augmented limbs and bodies to keep fighting even if the mortal body has perished. As he skitters across the battlefield, Nex’xear notes all he witnesses, for when he returns to the Forge-Ziggurat, he is eager to experiment and create new augments for the Aspirants and Revenants. To be invited to his laboratory is an honor, the lucky Aspirant may undergo days of torture, but will emerge with superior augments that will almost guarantee elevation to the rank of Revenant.