Once a brilliant mage and the most devoted pupil of Grand Master Illian Brightflame, Lord Cassian Mortem now reigns as the last Lord of the Pale Tower, a haunting figure bound eternally to its forsaken halls. The Pale Tower, a magical tower located in the cursed lands of Highmarsh, was once a place of great power and mystery, created by Illian Brightflame as a sanctuary of arcane knowledge. When Illian mysteriously vanished, the responsibility for the Tower’s safety and secrets fell upon the shoulders of his greatest apprentice—Cassian Mortem.
During the downfall of Vindrik in the year 620 of the Fourth Age, Cassian received a letter—an enigmatic message of gratitude that promised eternal service to the Pale Tower. Enclosed with the letter was a ritual inscribed in celestial, a language of the divine that Cassian could barely comprehend. Whether the ritual was intended as a blessing or a curse, Cassian, feeling the weight of his duty, performed the ceremony. In doing so, he transformed into a powerful lich, forever binding his soul to the Pale Tower and ensuring its protection for eternity.
For the last 300 years, Lord Mortem has roamed the Tower, overseeing its floors and safeguarding the arcane knowledge stored within. The once-noble sorcerer now commands undead minions and wields dark magic with precision, though his former humanity has long faded. Unable to leave the Tower, his existence is a lonely one, bound by the very magic that he sought to master.
Over the centuries, the Pale Tower has drawn the attention of treasure hunters, adventurers, and power-hungry mages, all seeking to plunder its forbidden knowledge and ancient treasures. None have succeeded. Lord Mortem is ruthless in his defense of the Tower, and few leave its halls alive. Rumors of his power spread far and wide, and even other liches have come to the Tower to learn from him, drawn by his mastery of both necromantic and arcane arts. Those who are worthy may be permitted to stay and study under him, but none are allowed to challenge his dominion over the Pale Tower.
Though his soul is bound to the Tower for eternity, some whisper that Cassian Mortem continues to search for a way to break his curse and reclaim his lost humanity. Others say he has grown content with his eternal role, finding purpose in guarding the Tower’s secrets. Regardless, the name of Lord Cassian Mortem is now synonymous with the Pale Tower, and his shadow looms large over the cursed lands of Highmarsh, a terrifying reminder of the power and peril of the arcane.