Hiredu Blackhand (Gil-galad_of_Lindon)
His father raped his mother, and when Dingwae learned that there was a child, he swore that he would not let the child be raised outside the Riders of the Stone. So, his father retrieved him and renamed him Hiredu when he was barely a year old and raised him in the Riders of the Stone. He grew up in the South, where a friendly tribe and the Corsairs took turns caring for him while his father was doing work for Him. The center of Hiredu’s training was fighting with daggers and knives, and he picked up the sling for fun. When he was 15 his father was caught and put to death in Gondor for his numerous crimes, and Hiredu swore vengeance. He wandered for many years and learned many things, honing his skills and gaining a reputation for being merciless, but those he betray never live to tell of it so he is no more than a myth, much like the Riders of the Stone itself. After about 20 years, Him gave Hiredu the black amulet called Soul of Night. When he uses the Soul of Night it drains his energy but it gives him much more power, and he began to torture his prey before killing it. His quarry is usually those of noble blood, elves, and especially people of Gondor. Although many want him dead, few now try because the first few who did ended up dead.
The Riders of the Stone possess four amulets, one of which is Soul of Night. They are Flesh of Loam, Blood of God, Soul of Night, and Mind of Channels. Flesh of Loam has the power to put numerous insects just below the skin’s surface, cause a person’s flesh to rapidly decompose, and send messages by insect. It is a roughly hewn, round stone of amber worn on a belt around the waist. Blood of God has the power to dry up a person’s body, cause almost any malady of the blood, and preserve one from bleeding to death. It is a smooth, tear drop-shaped ruby worn on a bracelet at the wrist. Soul of Night has the power to send one into any level of unconsciousness, from a nap to a coma; and bring someone back from the brink of death. It is a sharp, fragmented piece of black, volcanic glass hung from the neck on a necklace. Mind of Channels has the power to read one’s thoughts, guide one’s thoughts to any action or purpose, and drive a person insane. It is a round, pink diamond set on a hair clip, and it was lost long ago. After it was lost, He instigated a search that was so all encompassing it angered the Riders.
After a few months of this Hiredu felt confident enough to challenge Him, and won the Numenorean ring that gives one the title of Him. The ring gives Him immortality, but it also comes with drawbacks. It preserves His life, but doesn’t heal His wounds; so he stays alive no matter what wounds He has. He can only be killed by having His hand cut off, or by an elven sword. And it won’t let Him kill Himself. Because of these drawbacks, He gives the amulets (Flesh of Loam, Blood of God, Soul of Night, Mind of Channels) to those closest to Him.
After ascending to this position, Hiredu maintains ties with the Haradrim and Corsairs, often defending them against enemies. He made a friend in a young man from the south named Vidus. Hiredu made Vidus a member of the Riders of the Stone, and soon entrusted him with Flesh of Loam. They were nearly inseparable until Vidus became too old to travel anymore, gave up Flesh of Loam, and settled in southern Rohan. Hiredu visited him as much as possible and supported him as best he could. After Hiredu’s enemies murdered Vidus, He grieved but refused to retaliate because that was what his enemies wanted.