In his previous life, and indeed in many lives before, Matthaias was a deva, an immortal servitor of the gods of good, born in flesh to champion their cause in the physical world. In his most recent life, Matthaias joined with a band of adventurers to seek out evil and cleanse it. After many battles, he and his companions finally met their match in a beholder tyrant. While the vile beast slaughtered his friends, it chose a far darker path for Matthaias. By dominating him, the tyrant forced Matthaias to begin performing evil acts, while somehow limiting his ability to access the memories of his ancestors. Slowely, Matthaias grew twisted and foul, even reveling in his wickedness.

Many years past before another band of adventurers would come along to battle his tyrant master. Matthaias was bested in battle, and the companions drove off the beholder, although they were not able to finish it off. Finally free of the tyrant's control and seeing clearly for the first time in years, yet dying from his wounds in battle, Matthaias begged forgiveness from the gods with his last breaths, in the hope of avoiding his fate as a rakshasa. Then everything went black.

Bitter cold. The harsh caw of a crow and feathers brushing his face. A female voice, at once haughty and yet full of pity. "Matthaias, your request is granted. But my gifts are never without a cost. Prove yourself to me, and you may yet retake your place amongst the immortals." Awakening, Matthaias found himself in a new body, words of power and retribution still resounding in his brain, and a brand of a black raven over his heart.

Matthaias has no recollection, yet, of his most recent life, save that he performed great evil and nearly fell. He does not yet remember the tyrant that enslaved him, but has dreams of eyes staring at him, dripping with malice. He knows he was once a deva, but cannot access any of his memories of his old lives, and he misses their guidance greatly. He wanders the world, guided by visions of fate, and seeking both answers and redemption.