Malcolm Thanatos [Backstory]

Necromancy... It brings to mind villainous Mages and the despicable Lich. Armies of the undead marching across the land commanded by some deranged megalomaniac bent on conquest. Pale skinned wizard with hooked noses and gaunt features, hunched forward and keeping to the shadow, boney fingers crafting unspeakable spells. The Dark Arts, the ultimate Taboo, the arrogance of thinking man could control the very nature of Death. This is what the mind conjures when the word Necromancer is bandied about.

This was not, however, Malcolm.

He seemed it, at times, pale skinned and a little on the skinny side, but his skin was not the white of a Lilly petal due to hours spent in a shadowy crypt, but due to his heritage as a Tiefling. As well, some people are just naturally lanky, there's nothing to be done! Where Malcolm differed from the popular consensus of Necromancers was his demeanor. He did not scowl or sneer, did not speak with a rasping growl or snarl with an air of superiority to those he felt common. He was quite well mannered, soft spoken at times, and contained a zest for life and pleasure.

Malcolm's was drawn to Necromancy at a young age, a somewhat odd boy he was always drawn to the dark and macabre. But his was a fascination not born of the desire to control death, but to understand life. It wasn't always an easy path, Necromancy is not highly regarded in society, especially when a Tiefling, Planetouched by creatures of the abyss, seek it out. He was able to find a way though, and became a Wizard. His skill would not come to drawing up armies of zombies from the soil of long forgotten battlefields, but as a Mortician, a Coroner, and a Funeral Home Director.

It made sense. Necromancers are specifically skilled in dealing with the dead, Malcolm's ability to suss out causes of death was a boon to the city, which put coin in his pocket and kept the locals from running him out of town, his talents also lead him to being well practiced in the Rights of the Dead for those who did not follow any particular god, or for those who did but lacked the necessary coin for a proper Cleric. Malcolm made a modest name for himself within New Castle, the largest city on the eastern coast, the Thanatos Home for the Dead was kept under some scrutiny, but it's owner was always quite kind, and even jovial to his neighbors.

But then that came to an end.

Malcolm one day decided to stop, close the doors to his Funeral Home, and venture off into the world to become an "Adventurer." When asked by associates why he would decide suddenly to give up on a modestly successful business to try his hand at such a dangerous career he would answer

"I'm simply tired of focusing on the Death, it's time to get out there and focus on living!"

When pressed further, he would add.

"Do you know the words on a dead child's lips? Because I do, and I no longer wish to hear them..."