Introduction

To understand where I am going, it is necessary to first understand where I have been.

My name is Oto Nightwood, and I was born in the village of Anabniel, under the North Wall of Halruaa. My parents, who are now both dead, were Lihatinn and Galarh Nightwood. I have two older sisters who are not dead - Ubrial and Andiel. They have both, unfortunately, followed in my parents' footsteps and become necromancers and followers of Velsharoon. My other living relatives, of which there are many, operate on the more legitimate side of the river, being mainly merchants and craftsfolk.

There is considerable speculation over the circumstances of my birth. The one thing that is not in contention is that I was born under an unusual astronomical conjunction. It is possible that this lent power to an unholy ritual in which my lifeforce was drained, as several of my uncles have opined, and that is why I turned out sickly. Regardless of the reason, there were few years of my childhood when I was not suffering - either from the diseases which ravaged my weak body, or from the tender ministrations of my sisters and cousins, who viewed me with nothing more than contempt. A poor excuse for an elf, they said.

I threw myself into books. My parents had amassed quite a collection over many years, and I found myself learning ancient and rare languages with an adroitness that my siblings did not share. When I was old enough, my parents started to instruct me in the rudiments of magic since I was already picking up the fundamentals through my own study. I did not learn of my parents' necromantic activities until much later, despite my insatiable curiosity. Perhaps I just didn't want to know. I was not encouraged to study - I did so because I wanted to - because I had to. I was too weak to take up the sword, and too sickly.

I was in my thirties when I first started to become aware of my parents' reputation in the village. Until then I did not think it was unusual to live underground, on the outskirts of town. I did not think it was unusual for shopkeepers to close their doors as we approached. And I did not recognise the looks of fear and loathing on the faces of the other villagers.

The climax came when I was fifty-five. A delegation of villagers led by Dihenail Anoliad - a priest of Sehanine Moonbow - came to demand that my parents cease their activities and leave the dead to rest. My parents, of course, refused. During the resulting battle, I was teleported away by one of my aunts. It was my first experience with teleportation magic, and despite the traumatic circumstances it fired my curiosity. I resolved to learn all I could about such arcana.

It wasn't until weeks later that I was able to return to my childhood home. I tried to speak to several villagers, but until I had spoken with Dihenail and assured her that I did not follow my parents' example it was hard for me to get real information. I was permitted to visit my childhood home accompanied by the priest and a pair of experienced warriors, and this was my first adventure. To my surprise I found an extensive series of caves and tunnels beyond my father's "study", which were filled with undead monsters. Deep in the tunnel complex I found a book older than any that I had seen before. It was clearly a book of great and terrible evil, but unlike most of the books from my parents' library I could not read all of it. What I could read terrified me. I hid the book from Dihenail - I couldn't imagine what she would have done if she'd have found out about it. I have carried it with me ever since. Such a tome would be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands. 

From there I was determined to continue my studies of magic. To that end I sought out the temple of Mystra and the great library at Mount Talath. Expectedly, I was a quick study and my mastery of magic grew. I was curious about everything, but especially about the Netheril, even going so far as to learn their ancient tongue so that I could read the dusty scrolls that told of their empire. My sisters found me there once, but they left when they realised that I had no intention of following them into necromancy. They didn't say how they escaped the attack on my parents' home. I left Mount Talath after twenty years, seeking new magics and new experiences.

I have seen and learned much since then. My weakness has been a challenge to overcome, but I have sought out ancient tombs and libraries, forgotten ruins and lost towers. I believe I even once skirted close to the Underdark when I was following the trail of an orc shaman. I have avoided danger when I could, but it has been difficult. I am now convinced that I should find and join a group of adventurers. Such folk would compensate for my inherent frailty as I quest for more knowledge and more magic. My spells would surely be much sought-after among adventurers.

I have been in the city of Neverwinter for several weeks now, but I will leave the city tomorrow.