Nicholas Ward was first hanged in 1525 for a series of murders in south London. It was part of a plot to enrich himself through the deaths of other people. A series of murders left, at the end, a young, pretty widow as sole beneficiary of an estate, whom Ward then married, murdered, and inherited property and money from as the surviving spouse.

Style and appearance were more important than substance for Ward. Towards the end of the twentieth century, he felt drawn to the music scene. In 1993, he became a record producer in London. In early 1994, Ward was in Paris and was looking for new bands for his label. Ward began a new series of murders, this time creating a 'serial killer', attacking graduates of certain colleges. Conveniently, this made the Ward's new lover, Helene Piper, the heiress to a lucrative business.

Despite Ward's seeming lack of interest in the Game and his attempts to avoid duels, he possessed very good sword skills. He used a custom cane sword allowing him to openly conceal and carry his weapon.