It is a necromancer's castle. Skeletons complete every task from preparing
meals to repair and maintenance, Ghouls and Zombies guard the thresholds
against attackers, and Wraiths forever haunt the castle corridors.
And it is home.
You are Severian, only son of the master necromancer of this castle. Growing
up schooled by Liches, you showed more interest in the weapon practice you
received at the withered hands of armour-clad Wights. While your father
expressed polite interest in you following in his footsteps in the
necromantic arts, it was something in which you showed only cursory interest
and mild enthusiasm, and your true inclination showed through when you read
and reread tales of heroism in the books in the library, or begged again and
again for your long-suffering, undying tutors to repeat those they knew. Tales
of dragon-slaying, of warhammers lost and regained, of dungeons explored and
mastered, of worlds saved from destruction again and again.
You wanted to be an adventurer.
Despite your father’s gentle interjections about the ease of the necromancer’s
life and the hardships and danger of that of the adventurer, you continue to
practice your weapon training avidly (focussing on your favourite,
the two-handed greatsword) and barely manage to stay awake during your lessons
of a more arcane nature. At last he good naturedly confesses defeat and tells
you to follow your dream if that is what you want.
You need no further encouragement. Taking some adventuring supplies and plenty
of money, you head off to the most advanced and populous city in the region
and whose Adventurers' Guild is considered most worthy of note.
Altgarten.
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