Haruman's backstory

Hey all! A little while ago I did some prep work and was sufficiently disappointed with the module’s Haruman Hill encounter. I think that Haruman is an interesting character but since the module gives him so little backstory and purpose that the encounter threatens to play out like an empty combat scene where the players likely have their asses handed to them. So, I sidetracked and brainstormed some lore and wanted to share it with people. Here is what I got:

In my version, Olanthius, Jander and Haruman were friends before the Ride. Haruman was born a slave and met Jander after escaping and becoming paladin of Helm. The two bonded over loss of agency in their lives. Haruman in the form of slavery and Jander being turned into a vampire. The two met Olanthius after arriving in Elturel to aid the city’s forces to defend the city against demon attacks. Rather than having Haruman be just ”a heartless man bereft of compassion” I re-imagined him being reserved and pragmatic before the Ride. Olanthius notes in his journals from that time that Haruman was rigid but polite and never intentionally unkind.

When Zariel arrived at Elturel, Haruman saw a chance to gain power through military glory. For a person that had grown up without freedom, that power appeared not only as means to ensure his freedom but also as means to gain agency. So, he pledged himself to Zariel and stayed loyal to her throughout her campaign in Avernus.

When Jander deserted and closed the gate, not only did Haruman view it as a treason but as a personal offence. Jander knew that loyalty was everything to Haruman, and Haruman couldn’t fathom why Jander would abandon them knowing that closing the gate would ultimately kill them. As the time went on the anger began to corrupt Haruman and he began to enjoy violence more and more. When Zariel swore herself to Asmodeus, Haruman was the first to pledge loyalty to her whereas Olanthius, having seen the corruption of Zariel and Haruman, decided to end his life. This is something Haruman loaths Olanthius doing to the day of the present adventure. In his mind, Olanthius was a coward who abandoned their cause just like Jander had.

As a reward of service Zariel made him into an immortal narzugon.

And when Jander got sent back to Avernus Haruman caught him and has been keeping him a prisoner ever since. As a punishment for desertion, Haruman crucified Jander on one of the largest iron trees where he could hear and see his fellow prisoners suffer. Haruman keeps torturing him and uses his healing ability frequently on Jander. Jander is immortal but he can pass out from the pain which Haruman views as an escape attempt. By healing Jander Haruman keeps him awake and alert. Every time Haruman heals Jander, Jander begs for Haruman to stop and tells he is sorry though that won’t change a thing. So the cycle continues to the present day.

My goal was to add three-dimensionality to Haruman. Our DiA campaign focuses on corruption and redemption so I think this goes well thematically. Additionally, I’m planning on making Haruman reoccuring villain. Let me know what you think of this interpretation!