Role

Chapter 3

Baltorn was trained well as a youth on the ways of the royal guard for he is
descended from a family well known for its history in the palace guard ranks.
Thus it came as little surprise when he was one of but four from his year to be
given the honor to pledge their life to the service of the Emperor. He had won
more honor for his family, and all close to him were proud of his
accomplishments. All seemed well, but such would not endure forever.

Through the council of his advisors, the Emperor wished to conduct an
experiment with this year's new recruitment. The purpose was to determine how
magic would improve the performance of the palace guard, and thus the security
of the entire city. Baltorn was chosen as the control for the experiment,
something he is grateful for his every waking breath. The three cursed souls
chosen as test subjects were to spend the next 2 years in the normal training of
the newly admitted guard, yet they would be supplemented with magic during
this time. Baltorn however, was to spend this time isolated from all magical
contact whatsoever. He was quarantined to a secluded wing of the palace. There
he trained, visited only by his sparing partners, guild-masters, and one chosen
servant. The Emperor was pleased with this arrangement, and looked forward to
the day the outcome would be revealed, if only for his own amusement.