Grimrok Dreadtusk, once a respected member of the Yllyrii'yn Fungara tribe—known as the Mycelium Keepers of the Druids of the Riverwoods—has now turned to the dark arts of necromancy. The tribe, dwelling in the mystical Riverwoods, holds a deep reverence for the natural world, particularly the fungal life that thrives under the forest canopy. However, Grimrok's ambitions led him down a perilous path.
Desiring the prestigious title of Shroom Sage, Grimrok sought to expand his knowledge beyond the tribe's traditions. He ventured into forbidden territories, summoning dark forces and experimenting with foreign fungi. His actions, however, did not go unnoticed. The ancient trees of the Riverwoods whispered of his transgressions, alerting the tribe to his dangerous practices. Faced with these revelations, the tribe held a trial. While some called for his execution, fearing the threat he posed to the forest and the tribe's reputation, the elders chose exile as his punishment. Grimrok protested, claiming his work aimed at enhancing the tribe's understanding of fungi. Nevertheless, his pleas were dismissed, and he was cast out, warned that any return would be met with hostility.
Wandering from forest to forest, Grimrok eventually found himself in Highmarsh—a land of dead woods, mutated flora, and a bounty of new, exotic mushrooms. Here, he found a grim sanctuary that suited his necromantic inclinations. His encounter with a band of goblin bandits further bolstered his position; using his magical prowess, he quickly dominated and recruited them. The goblins, awed by his dark powers, bestowed upon him titles such as "The Skull Boss," "The Big Bonesinger," "Harvester of Voices," and "The Green Wraithbinder." Adorned with skulls and bones collected from Highmarsh, Grimrok solidified his eerie presence in the region.
During his time in Highmarsh, Grimrok encountered a mysterious figure known only as Dr. Vicarin. Though Grimrok briefly aided this enigmatic individual, the details of their interaction are lost to him, seemingly erased from his memory. This unsettling gap has sparked a spiral into madness, as Grimrok obsessively searches for answers about Vicarin, a name that haunts him without context or clarity. To maintain his sanity, Grimrok has immersed himself in cultivating mushrooms within the Highmarsh, continuing his experiments with the aid of his goblin followers. His dark transformation and relentless quest for knowledge have left him a twisted shadow of his former self, a cautionary tale of ambition and the perilous allure of forbidden magic.