3. Mogrim Highcastle

Mogrim Highcastle

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    Character Name: Mogrim Highcastle
    Narfell account: Robin Whiteley

    Mogrim was born in the shadow of Zhentil Keep to a whore named Rose, his father was a Lt. under the guard captain named Ander Darkmane. Rose died in child birth and is custom in that part of the land, Mogrim was given to the church of Bane for sacrifice. It was only by sheer luck, or the Dark Lords blessing as Mogrim says that he was not killed as an infant. As he was being placed on the alter for sacrifice, Keyrlon of Bane noticed an unusual birthmark on Mogrim. On the lower part of his back was a mark that appeared to be a clenched black fist. Noting this Keyrlon immediately removed infant Mogrim from the altar and quickly prayed a blessing of Bane over the child. From this day forward Mogrim's life would totally change.

    He was schooled as a child under the harsh masters of Bane's church. He still bares the scars of this tutelage both mentally and physically. Mogrim showed an aptitude same as his father for the life of a warrior, he was both strong and agile for his age. He was also noted for his quick thinking which made him many enemies in his classes. Mogrim dealt with them as any Banite would, he either openly challenged them making them have to fight him. Or he would silently poison them, or entrap them in lies, and the masters would kill them for him.

    Mogrim was selected for special training that would make him a foe to be reckoned with. From this training one day he would be able to master a blade like no other. Keyrlon had noted his progress throughout this time and had selected him to be his personal bodyguard. For by this time Keyrlon had moved up in the church of Bane and was one of Fzoul's direct underlings. He had decided to make Mogrim his personal protector so as to keep a person between him and his enemies.

    Keyrlon had made many enemies in his ascent in the church. Most of the enemies came from outside the church. One such enemy was Ruon Highcastle, a Paladin of Torm from Shadowdale. During his rise, Keyrlon had the fortune of capturing Ruon's family and forcing the Paladin to watch as he killed them. This was the final act that had cemented Keyrlon's position as Fzoul's underling. Mogrim first met Ruon Highcaslte in combat defending Keyrlon on an excursion to increase Zhentirim influence.

    Now Mogrim was a fairly accomplished warrior by now having dispatched a few people for Keyrlon. Unfortunately for Mogrim, Ruon was a good warrior and very experienced. Keyrlon had forgotten this and wasn't properly watching the combat between Ruon and Mogrim, which in this instance proved his undoing. For Ruon had noticed Mogrim to be Keyrlon's protector and didn't find him particularly evil, so had only incapacitated him. He had done this quickly by disarming Mogrim and knocking him out with the pommel of his sword. Ruon then proceded to attack Keyrlon head on.

    Keyrlon would have been a match for Ruon had he been preparing himself while Ruon was fighting Mogrim. In this instance though he had not expecting Mogrim to dispatch the Paladin quickly. So in the end Ruon Highcastle avenged his family by slicing the head off of Keyrlon (which he took back to Shadowdale to show the world what Torm does to those that prey on the weak).

    Mogrim woke hours later a prisoner to Ruon. Ruon had decided to take pity on Mogrim and had spared his life, hoping that he could turn the youngster from Bane to a path more noble. Under Ruon, Mogrim learned many things of combat and of the world. His life became more peaceful and Ruon found in Mogrim a son he had lost. After a year together Ruon asked Mogrim to take his last name and Mogrim accepted, becoming Mogrim Highcastle.

    Life seemed grand to Mogrim by this time, he was learning of goodness and peace. This life was much different than that of a brat in Zhentil Keep. All was well until life through him a twist.

    Ruon and Mogrim were in the forests around Shadowdale hunting bandits which had been preying on the local farmers. For days they had tracked and chased them to their lair, 3 days NW of the township. Ruon and Mogrim were more than a match for the bandits and had killed all but 2 in seconds. The last 2 were the leader Kryl and his lady love Elendir. To save his own skin Kryl grabbed Elendir and put his blade to her throat demanding Ruon and Mogrim to throw down their weapons. Ruon immediately complied, and proceeded to try and talk Kryl down. Mogrim on the other hand did not follow Ruon's example.

    Mogrim thought that giving the advantages to their enemies was foolish, and told Ruon so. Ruon proceeded to tell Mogrim that to save Elendir it would be better to follow Kryl's orders. While Mogrim and Ruon argued, Kryl decided this would be a perfect time to dispatch them, and drove his blade deep into the back of Ruon. Ruon died right there and Mogrim in his sorrow and anger killed Kryl and Elendir blaming her for her weakness and the death of Ruon.

    From then on Mogrim was a somber man. His views of goodness were shattered and he could better understand why the church of Bane was as it was. For while good was nice, it was weak. The church of Bane did not allow weakness to thrive and thus could better rid the world of bandits and their ilk. From that moment on Mogrim vowed never to be weak again or let those who are weak to bring him down.

    He returned almost 2 years later to Zhentil Keep and was immediately accepted back into the fold. He rose quickly within the ranks of the warriors of the Zhentirim and was singled out for a special duty. It seemed there was a land of Narfell that was ripe for the picking and the Lord of Tyranny wanted his church to have prominance there. Mogrim was selected to go and help the fledgling church establish dominance in the cities and townships of the area. Which is why Mogrim is wandering the lands of Narfell now looking for ways to erradicate weakness in himself and others and to further the will of Bane who is never weak.


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