Cornelius Ashenbrand

Cornelius Ashenbrand serves as the Chief Administrator and Registrar of Founders Academy, a position he has held for approximately 800 years. What makes his role remarkable is his nature: he is a demon, bound to serve the Academy through complex contract magic.

The Binding

Approximately 800 years ago, Cornelius attacked The Vale seeking power and ancient artifacts. During the assault, he was bound by Farin Brownlock using complex contract magic. The contract terms were specific: Cornelius would serve the Academy until Farin's death. As Farin is functionally immortal as a member of The Cabal, this binding has proven to be effectively permanent.

Initially, Cornelius served out of obligation. However, over the centuries, something unexpected happened: genuine affection for the students and the Academy developed organically. Today, he is fiercely protective of "his" students and considers them his redemption.

Appearance and Nature

In his human guise, Cornelius appears as a distinguished gentleman with unusually warm amber eyes, always impeccably dressed in black suits. His true form is rarely seen—a tall, crimson-skinned being with obsidian horns. He maintains his human appearance when interacting with students, finding it puts them at ease.

As Registrar, Cornelius manages all student records, enrollment, and administrative matters. His demonic abilities make him uniquely suited for this role:

• Perfect Memory: Never forgets a student's name or academic record
• Lie Detection: Useful for disciplinary matters and ensuring honesty in applications
• Multilingual: Speaks seventeen languages including dead ones
• No Sleep Required: Available for student emergencies 24/7
• Heat Immunity: Has saved student records during three major fires

Relationship with Students

Cornelius takes particular pleasure in seeing "lost causes" graduate with honors. He secretly keeps detailed personal notes on every student who's "made him proud"—currently 3,847 entries spanning 800 years, meticulously organized by decade, discipline, and "degree of overcoming adversity."

His office in the East Tower, Third Floor, is decorated with centuries of student gifts and thank-you notes. These tokens of appreciation mean more to him than any material wealth he might have gained through his original attack.

Cornelius and Farin Brownlock share a complex relationship that defies simple categorization. They are not friends, but neither are they enemies. Their bond is one of mutual respect tinged with old resentment.

Farin regrets the binding but couldn't find another way to stop the attack without killing Cornelius. Cornelius understands this intellectually but occasionally tests the boundaries of the contract. Over the centuries, both have grown to appreciate the other's dedication to students.

Their relationship demonstrates the Academy's philosophy: redemption is possible, and service can transform even the most unlikely beings.

• Meticulous and patient, with unexpectedly kind nature despite demonic origins
• Secretly enjoys helping struggling students succeed
• Maintains perfect memory of all students across 800 years
• Speaks seventeen languages fluently
• Available 24/7 for student emergencies
• Has saved student records multiple times during fires
• Keeps detailed notes on students who overcome adversity
• Famous quote: "I was once quite wicked. These children give me reason to be better. That is a gift beyond measure."