My submission:
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Smenik was out to corner the mines in the area, and Nhazak-Tral was an easy target. While other mines suffered output drops according to plagues or problems in supply, Nhazak-Tral managed to have a constant output of material from his single mine. The 'scholar' didn't seem to have much ambition besides outputting consistently, and having a good stash of pipeweed to smoke and the occasional dwarven brew, bought at bargain prices of course.
Smenik's sent spies to investigate, and what they found what that Nhazak-Tral was no mere scholar; he was a necromancer of some degree, but instead of wanting to rule the world, all he did was animate the undead to do the mining for him, and so much for workman's compensation. Though Smenik contemplated enlisting Nhazak by blackmail or other means to create more of this 'animated' workers, Smenik spread the word to come priests of Heironeus who were quite eager to destroy Nhazak's 'workers'. Nhazak himself fled the place, packing all that which he could, unwilling to explain the advantages of undead economics to the priests. Smenik quickly acquired the empty mine at a cheap price, given favourable terms since he has discovered the 'aberrations' happening within.
But Nhazak did leave a legacy, sort of. Thajal was a stable girl, an orphan whose father had died from infected lungs after mining duty. Thajal knew she might face the same fate, as the mine owners took all who worked for them and paid decent wages. One day while out wandering in the remnants of Nhazak's tower, she discovered a spellbook left behind by the merchant magician in his quick escape to freedom. Inside were dark teachings, of dark arcane arts. This, coupled with Thajal's fascination with matters related to Wee Jas, gradually make the young girl think she would be destined for stranger things. She began to understand what Nhazak wanted to do, and that he was not evil, but a bit like her, drained of all emotion. In fact, she saw herself in the undead of the world.
When she turned 16, a raven arrived at her doorstep, leaving a scroll. When she opened and read it, she learnt that she was not an orphan at all, but Nhazak's own flesh and blood, and that he had left the spellbook as a gift for her. She was not a creature of the dark arts, but using it, he explained, she could change the world. Few had the ability to be so close to darkness, and not be consumed by it, and it would up to Thajal to withstand the temptation. Since then, Thajal has studied necromancy, who sees the undead as being merely as druids might see plants; all part of the fabric of the world. At this stage, she just appears as another wizard with her powers, but in her heart, she knows that the dark arts are what she is, and loves.
Right now, she passes her days making food and repairing material for the miners, though she knows her destiny will find her soon...
(So that's the story of Thajal, female Necromancer... who can be tweaked into a LN Cleric of Wee Jas, I guess, if the party needs a cleric THAT badly.
)
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