Red Skull's status in the comics is complex. Sometimes he appears to be deceased, but comic storylines often bring back characters in unexpected ways, so it's not a straightforward answer.
Red Skull's character can be developed by delving into his backstory more deeply. We could see his early days, what led him to become so power - hungry and evil. This would give readers a better understanding of his motives in Endgame.
The Red Skull's origin story is quite dark. He was Johann Schmidt. His face was disfigured due to his experimentation with the Cosmic Cube. He became obsessed with power and domination, and his distorted face became his signature look. He joined the Nazi regime and used his intelligence and newfound power to further their evil plans.
The Red Skull's death in the comics was quite complex and often varied depending on the storyline. Sometimes, it was due to powerful villains or heroic efforts of the heroes.
The key elements are Johann Schmidt's ambition, the experiments with the Cosmic Cube, and his disfigurement which led to his transformation into the Red Skull.
In Time Stories, red skull shields usually have certain powers or effects assigned to them. These could be related to protection, triggering special events, or influencing the game's progression in unique ways. The specific workings depend on the game's design and the scenario you're playing.