Emilaj is a physician from Rekkenmark, in Karrnath. He was hired/kidnapped by the Emerald Claw to come to Salvation to perform medical research.
They didn't tell him exactly what this research would entail. The Mournland has a peculiar effect on corpses, and once Emilaj found out what he needed to do, he couldn't refuse! Ethical qualms aside, if he could work out how the Mournland preserves bodies, it could be revolutionary for modern medicine and preventing infection.