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Viktor von Haelsburg
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Backstory Good day friend. So you wish to know the story of Viktor von Haelsburg, do you? Very well, if you so wish I will relate to you the brief and poignant history that this soul as experienced. Viktor was born to two loving parents, Magda and Thurston, residents of the great city of Hollowfaust. Thurston was a candle maker, one of the best in his craft, and with the birth of his son he was joyous for he now not only had an heir to pass on his trade secrets to, but also the child that had eluded he and his wife for so long. The couple doted on little Viktor, giving him all that he desired and they were both proud and surprised with the speed that he mastered such things as crawling and walking. By his second birthday, young Viktor could both read and write as well as complete uncomplicated mathematical problems. It was around this time that Magda began to worry. Viktor had grown a full head of red hair, a sign of the necromancer, and although he had none of the telltale birthmarks so common with the death mages, his obvious scholarly aptitude lent him to magical apprenticeship. Magda spoke to Thurston of her fears. She did not want the council to take away her Viktor to the Underfaust, never to be seen again. Thurston attempted to calm her fears. The Necromancers only chose a handful of children each year and there were many children of Viktors age whose parents actually wanted their offspring to become practitioners of the dark arts. Surely they would be chosen before their son? Magda’s fear was quelled and life went on. Went on that is until the Festival of the Vines. During the festival, the cities Necromancers parade through the city and search for new apprentices. At Thurstons insistence, ever to his regret, the family went forth into the streets to take part in the celebrations. It was Danar herself, Guildmistress of the Animators, who, with a wishbone-dousing rod, pointed to the two-year-old Viktor, and sealed his fate. A pair of journeyman Necromancers stepped from the throng and bundled him away. This was the last that a Thurston and Magda would see of their little Viktor. Well friend, what thinks you on this little development? Fear not, the Sovereign Council means the child no harm and the family will be financially compensated for their loss. He is now on a new path. Viktor now began his Necromantic schooling and progressed steadily over the next six years. During this time he spent many hours under the tutelage of a Master by the name of Mournat Desoul. Mournat was a Master in the Animators Guild and Viktor spent many of his free hours in the Underfaust listening to his stories. So, when the time came for Viktor to choose a guild at the age of 8, the Animators were his natural choice. The Animators Society and in particular Mournat treated Viktor well. This young man was obviously to become a powerful Necromancer Master when his apprenticeship and journeyman training were completed. And so it was, at age 12, that Viktor finally sat for his journeyman exam. His final mark, although not the absolute highest ever recorded, was of such a level that Mournat asked Guildmistress Dinar permission to instruct Viktor personally on a full time basis and take him on as his own apprentice. Dinar agreed, and so it transpired that Mournat became Victors mentor. So, friend, it seems now that although young Viktor has lost one family, he has gained another in the Underfaust. And will not his future be grander, with him becoming a Master if not Grandmaster of his guild. But, alas, some things are not meant to be. So, read on friend. Viktor had convinced Mournat that he was ready for his first guard tour. The enemies of Hollowfaust were many and to combat this, the city would send a group of Necromancers and animated undead on a two-week patrol outside of the city to clear trade routes and hunt down bandits. The patrol had been largely uneventful and was coming to its end when they were attacked. Only a fool or someone very sure of themselves would attack four Hollowfaustian Necromancers and over one hundred skeletal warriors. Unfortunately, they were no fools. The assailants were members of the Glivid-Autel – Society of the Immortals – Necromancers banished from Hollowfaust for their crimes. Mournat quickly took control and ordered Viktor and his two journeyman companions to protect the flanks and rear while he commanded the skeletal host at the front. As Viktor moved off Mournat grasped his hand and pressed a small vial into it. “Drink this” he ordered, and then raced into the fray. After downing the potion, Viktor looked around. Mournat’s skeletal warriors were quickly falling to the sentient undead commanded by the Glivid-Autel. Things rapidly went from bad to worse as Viktors two comrades fell to the paralyzing attacks of a group of ghouls. The frenzied creatures immediately began to feed on their fallen victims. Viktor knew that the end was nigh. Few of the Hollowfaust skeletal warriors around him still stood. He searched frantically for his mentor and was relieved to still see him battling with his spells. Maybe they still had a chance. Suddenly a giant humanoid skeletal form rose up in front of Mournat and grasped him about the waist. Mournat looked to Viktor as the last of his life force drained from him and smiled. Viktor tried to run towards his Master but found his legs would not work. He looked down to see the point of a blade protruding from his chest. And then all was black. Is this the end of the story you ask? Of course not! Viktor woke hours later, covered by the remains of the slain. He looked down to his chest and saw that it had fully healed. Of course! The vial! It was a spell that Mournat was fond of that gave the recipient of the vial the regenerative powers of a troll. Well, he had survived, but what of Mournat? Try as he might, Viktor could not find Mournats body. He believed that the Glivid-Autel had taken it for their experimentation. He followed the trail for days, deep into the Hornsaw Forest and became horribly lost. Soon, without having had any food or water since the battle, he wandered in a daze out of the forest and into the Blood Steppes. Fortunately a caravan happened on his unconscious form and took him with them to Femulyae where he recuperated. Viktor has now decided to seek power of his own and revenge his Masters death. He has gained a raven familiar named Decaius and disguises himself to appear much older than he really is. Goals and Ambitions To find his Masters killers and submit them to Hollowfaust law for their crimes. Likes Spending time training Decaius to talk. Dislikes Misconception of the necromantic arts by those too stupid to understand. DM Addition In his travels to Mullis Town, across the vast lands of Ghelspad, Viktor has heard many a great story. From the most evil of denizens that seek to restore the Titans to the greatest of heroes who stand against such foes. He has heard tales of steadfast dwarves in Burok Torn who stand strong against the Calastian armies and of his home; the mysterious city of Hollowfaust where it is said, the undead mingle with the living as if it be the norm. He has heard whispers of the Black Guard who fight in Chardun's name and listened to accounts of villages destroyed by hordes of Vangal's Horsemen. It is a strange and uneasy dichotomy. This world where a Paladin of Corean would uphold all that is lawful and good but still pay respect to the pure chaos and evil that is Vangal. It is the conundrum of a land scarred by immortal war. Where will Viktors path lead however? Tales tell of High Astrologers, Lore Masters and even the Crypt Lords of Glivid Autel but few mention the elite of Hollowfaust … the Animators and the Speakers of the Dead. |
