Good Luck with entrance exam!
And here is remake of Esme's backstory:
In the desert city of Sullazadar was living a young thief. Hearing tales of magical lamps, flying carpets and hot princesses, he set off on a journey to desert sand, hoping to find great fortune. However he found not what he have seek. He entered a great pyramide and...somehow made it safely into the great chamber where he took some treasures from. After some time passed, a bony hand rose from opened sarcophagus.
He's deed have sealed the fate of all the city. The very next day, the city have lied in ruins, no soul present on its demolished streets. The undead army have striken fast and without warning. The walls and gates have been brought down by towering giants made from bone and bronze, opening a way for a army of charriots with gold-laced wheels. Quickly, undead have reigned supreme on streets. Fraightened people have gathered in temples of their god, squealing for help. In one of them, there even was a faithful priest who hold out a attack of undead. But his fate couldnt be changed. From the shadows came a entity so dreadful that many of people there has died on his mere sight. Clothed as king and holding Khopesh of great size he lifted his bony hand. The ground under priest's feet exploded, revealing a shifting mass of scarabs which devoured him in a blink of the eye. Soon, the whole city has become not a battleground but a slaughter house. The only place where rezistance was put up was Sultan's Palace. Sultan and his royal guard were fighting their best, many undead have fallen under their tulwars, but they were loosing spirit. Sultan himslef had tears in his eyes, as he hold his dying daughter in one hand and swinging his tulwar in second. She was dying. A stray arrow got her chest and now even the bandages could not stop her extensive bleeding. At least, he thought, her painfull life will cease.
She was born with unknown disability, yet no disease or poisioning. Everthing has started as she fell first time ill, and Sultan's Vizijer has tried to cure her with his divine magic. Her screams have echoed long in Palace's corridors. From that time Sultan has tried everyting but nothing could cure the princess. Any kind of healing magic was painfull and even deadly if powerful enough. Many has whispered behind Sultan's back that it's a curse send by the gods, and she should be put to death immediately. Sultan, as loving father as he is, did not even thought of such thing. Princess has lived 8 years now, her 'disease' made her body frail...just as those glances given her by the rest of the city made her mind dark and without any light of hapiness. And now, she will rest, thought Sultan.
He brought his tulwar down, almoust breaking a charging skeleton in half. Just as he was to face another, they ceased to attack and backed off. A lone figure has come from the crowd of undead. Tall, clothed in tattered yet speaking of great staus robes. His eyeless gaze meet Sultans eyes and he could felt his body freezing. He saw as mumified skeleton brought his hand up and spoken "Impressive, but futile". He spread up his arms and tossed his head backwards. With a shriek he gave, red lightnings arced towards all directions from his bony body. Some men exploded instantly, another just fell on the ground as life was snuffed out of them. Sultan could feel as his own life makes place for death in his body. He felt on the ground and while dying he saw...his daughter...standing! He saw as she reached to her chest and tore off bandages...injuries were gone! Her eyes fully open, she gazed the bony figure. The monstrosity looked at her and with something resembling smirk it tossed his hand outward, sending many red lightnings towards her. She was hit...and stood as nothing happened. With that Sultan has closed his eyes, thanking gods for saving his daughter...he couldnt be more wrong.
The Lich was troubled. Not single but twice this girl has felt the wrath of his power which could snuff out life from many full grown men. And yet she didnt fell. He came closer to her and reached his hand. She was light and with ease he brought her up. There they stood for some time, red lightings arcing between them. Lich was growing frustrated...just as interested. He...liked that red eyes, which seemed to consume even more of negative energy he sent towards her. Also he could fell it going back to him, as he hold her by throat. But he knew it was her own. He let her down and asked "Your name girl?". She looked up at him and said "Esmeralda". Lich gave off a stange sounds which might have been laugh and said "No, it's Nefrekhara".
Ok, sorry for this ridiculous length but I felt quite inspired.
Later that Lich has conducted some experiments on her, which didnt go wrong and didnt have any 'too bad' after effects. Her power grow under his 'tutelage' and his mere presence making girl develop even more affinity for negative energy. After some time, when she got his attention(after sitting three straight days in front of him, waiting for him to notice her) he started to educate her in ancient languages and culture of long dead Desert Kings. He revealed some secrets to her and made her 'bringing up' his main object of research(after millenia of being lich there is little of things that might caught your interest). And now he sends her to Chandra's army, wondering how she will manage and curious if she migh live up to a name he gave her.