Player created back-history (based on evidence from in-game references as well as additional information from official guides, fan-works etc.):

The slums were a dank, depressing place of social inequality and violence. Yet amongst the people who lived there, there were a few who were of intense beauty, a young flaxen-haired woman being one such person. It was not long before her loveliness caught the eye of a rich and powerful man, who was often found to be just “passing through” the beneath plate streets. They had an affair, and the girl fell pregnant.

A deliberate plan perhaps, for in carrying the man's unborn child their lives would surely be bound together, and she could finally escape the hell-hole in which she lived? Such a pitifully idealistic dream was easily quashed however. She was abandoned before she gave birth to a son, whom she named Lazard.

The very young Lazard never questioned the fact that a slum-kid like himself could be entered into an elite academy, known for it’s affiliation to the ShinRa Corporation. He never questioned each time he returned home from the rich expanse of learning to squalor, there was a new uncle hurriedly making an exit from the house. Uncle, after Uncle, after Uncle. He came to realise soon enough however that these men bore no familial bonds to him. His mother was whoring herself out.

His mother’s behaviours were her sacrifices to him, her only child, so that he could be afforded the best education, though Lazard did not see the truth of the matter. Angered that his mother was abandoned, alone and forced to sell her body in the slums… and the sheer fact that she was actually willing to do such, was a major source of discontent. 

This seed of resentment embedded itself into his heart and grew exponentially when she died from a terminal illness whilst he was still a teenager. The only thing he inherited from his mother’s meagre belongings was a terse letter from one President ShinRa, in which was enclosed a picture of his mother together with a man whom he did not recognise. 

Due to his many and well publicised academic successes Lazard shortly thereafter found employment within the ShinRa Corporation, un-covering very quickly that he was indeed, as he had suspected, President Jack ShinRa's son. During his time at ShinRa his name was altered to something which could be read as a translation of his father’s name. His new name Deusericus, which evokes images of a romantic vision of military might proved to be an apt, if not entirely genealogically true, title.

Many years passed, and Lazard's rise in the Corporation was exponential, receiving promotion after promotion after promotion. His strategic mind, attention to detail, and ability to effectively manage individuals and situations with a composed, yet charming, personality soon led him to be appointed as Executive Manager of SOLDIER, ShinRa's elite military arm.

At this point he confronted the old President with the letter and the photo in an effort to extort some recognition of his rightful situation in life and to face the man who had abandoned his mother to die in depravity. It was a foolish - all too youthful - mistake. The President refused blankly to promote him to the position of Vice-Presidency and did not proffer any apologies for his mistress’ death.  Yet the old President was shrewd and kept his first-born on in the position he had so generously offered him.

Lazard remains bitterly watching as the man who had destroyed his mother continues to wield his power, watching and plotting as Rufus grows older and looks set to be next in line for the presidency - a position that should be duly afforded to him, as first born. 

Age: 30
Affiliation: ShinRa
Occupation: Executive Manager of SOLDIER

Appearance:

Lazard appears to be quite conscious of image, and maintains a very well presented demeanour for most of the game. Many have speculated upon the similarities between Lazard and the young ShinRa, Rufus… and when you see the blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, hallmarks of a ShinRa male, it is understandable why such comments and rumours exist.  He is of average height and slender, for, despite managing SOLDIER, he has not received field experience and is in actuality rather effete. 

With a preference to whites and blues, his fashion sense is eclectically honed and he is nearly always seen sporting white gloves and a lilac cravat. The signature blonde hair is styled in a fashionable mid-length flicked bob. This, in combination with a pair of thin-rimmed glasses, gives him quite the bohemian, academic air. “Attractively foppish” are other words that could aptly describe him.

Later, his appearance takes on that of Angeal when he becomes an Angeal Copy, with silver hair in the same style and beard. He has also grown the mark of a JENOVA experimented SOLDIER - one wing; which in his case is white, as was Angeal’s.

Personality:

Lazard is a strategic personality, a business-man, a softly-spoken yet commanding leader of his men. Past that he is an accomplished actor, using such talents to work his will in what amounts to what somebody wonderfully described as “playing chess with himself”.

Outwardly and informally Lazard is pleasant, as easy to talk to as he is easy on the eyes (something I cannot help but think was intentional), though he does have an element of arrogance about him… (a trait also present in certain other blonde-haired, blue-eyed ShinRa employees).

There is no mistaking the fact that his talents lie within the cerebral arena. His intelligence comes through in aspects of his work; whether that is in successful military campaigns, intricate coordination, pin-point precision or through charming words, silken negotiation talents, suggestive written orders and a controlled management style.

For the most part Lazard is considered highly amongst his men as a warm and proficient leader, and they hold him in great respect… only later when it is revealed that he has been using them as pawns to serve his own purpose is that lofty reputation tarnished… though, by that point, he has deserted them and the once mighty SOLDIER has become diminished and confused.

His personality is underpinned by bitterness, and he has a resentful, hard heart. A manipulator, quick, sharp and somewhat predatory behind that outward veneer, he has his own agendas that he moves forward secretly behind the scenes.  Whilst Jack ShinRa came to rule with fiscal power, Rufus ShinRa will prefer to rule by fear… Lazard Deusericus in all his efforts moves with deceit.

Following the main events of the game however he is repentant, due to taking on the cells (and the moral integrity) of Angeal. Receiving an epiphany of sorts about who he is as a man, and as a ShinRa, Lazard cannot make good on his wish to “save Genesis... save the world” and dies.

Strengths: Most of Lazard’s strengths have been covered in his personality brief, as he is not known for wielding a weapon, magic or similar. Charm, intelligence, polished acting ability and a developed strategic sense are his main strengths.

Weaknesses:  His weaknesses are his bitterness, his jealousy, his simmering anger.  He is deceitful, cunning and downright consumed by revenge - against his father, against his father’s ShinRa Corporation and against his younger half-brother, Rufus.

Weapon(s)/Materia/Limits: There is a distinct possibility that as a member of ShinRa he will have a gun and know how to use it. But, when you command the strongest human weapons of ShinRa and hold their lives in your hands - it is the weapon of mind that is most vital to wield and must remain keened.

Anything else?

Lazard is a keen fan of literature which shows through in his rather liberal use of prose in SOLDIER newsletters - his favourite reading matter being historical military biographies/fiction.

His love of luxury can also be seen in his private quarters which, whilst remaining clean and largely uncluttered, still manage to exude a decadent richness. Very few have seen this however as Lazard maintains a fiercely independent and secretive streak, though even that is concealed behind another rather more friendly mask so as not to arouse suspicion.