Mercer Mistilteinn

Mercer Mistilteinn (née Marcon Mistilteinn) is an enchantment wizard from the northern town of Hillforge. He is a lesser noble and Carnelian's ex-lover. The party met him in Chapter 18.

Early Life
Mercer was born of human merchants in the town of Hillforge. His infernal bloodline became apparent when he was eight years old, which placed the entire family under the town's scrutiny. Nevertheless, his parents were well-off enough to pay for his studies in wizardry, for which he developed a penchant for the school of enchantment. Constantly caught between the adoration of those briefly under his thrall and the suspicious leers of everyone else, Mercer became rather disillusioned with most human relationships.

The Scepter of Ungart
While studying under the tutelage of a local wizard, Mercer heard a legend of the Scepter of Ungart in the Casper Mountains, a priceless artifact from the bloodline of the legendary Queen Bardryn of Ungart. Hoping that this artifact would bring prestige to his family name, Mercer spent his meager savings to pay for the services of a few mercenaries to help him travel through the mountains to retrieve the scepter. Unbeknownst to him, a higher noble had paid off these mercenaries to steal the relic for herself once it was within reach.

At the foot of the Casper Mountains, the traveling party met Carnelian, who was helping to safely shuttle travelers in and out of the mountain region. He agreed to take them to the temple of Ungart in exchange for food and company. Mercer found Carnelian's earnestness endearing, and their working relationship quickly bloomed into romance.

Once inside the temple ruins, Mercer was able to avoid the remaining traps and locate the Scepter of Ungart. It was at this point that the mercenaries switched sides, threatening Mercer's life if he didn't give them the scepter. Mercer pleaded with Carnelian to join his side and kill them, but Carnelian refused to engage, having never before taken a person's life. Mercer then cast a charm on Carnelian, compelling the cleric to murder the mercenaries while their backs were turned. When the charm wore off, Carnelian felt betrayed and abandoned Mercer in the ruins. Mercer left for Hillforge with the Scepter of Ungart in tow.