Korin was born the eldest son in his family. His father was a well known and liked carpenter in the city of Doonberg and made his living by making houses and helping the local shipwrights repair the fishing and sailing vessels that would come through town. All told life was good for Korin, his parents, and his sister. Korin was a bright and talented young lad and begun learning his father’s craft in order to take over once his father was ready to retire. However a dark future awaited Korin and would make itself manifest in his teenage years.
Unknown to Korin on the day of his birth, The Holy Day of Khadina, there was an unusual visitor to the Temple of the Ten. He came cloaked in black and wished only to speak to the Priest of Khadina. The Minister on duty was named Bryce Swift, an aging Minister but a devoted one. It is said that he spoke at length with the traveler and then set off into the night for the Aphard household. Upon arriving, Father Swift spoke with the Master Aphard and told him that his son Korin was destined to serve the Lord Khadina and that he should prepare the boy for an apprenticeship at the Temple. Master Aphard would have no part of it and would not give up his first-born son to the Temple. Politely but coldly he told the Minister Swift to leave and not speak of it again.
Korin enjoyed a happy and normal childhood, until the Day of Blood in his thirteenth year. Minister Swift was conducting a funeral for Korin’s Aunt and the peace and serenity of the ceremony was broken as the graves burst forth, vomiting up the dead as they rose in shambling un-life. As the other villagers ran screaming and Minister Swift did his best to hold the creatures at bay, Korin grabbed the Minister’s staff and proceeded to assault the undead creatures. As Swift watched he was startled by the speed and ferocity of Korin’s attacks and could later be overheard wondering if Korin’s abilities had been magically enhanced, by Khadina or perhaps by Korin’s own abilities. While Korin and Swift were victorious over the undead Korin was badly hurt and Swift took him to be healed at the Temple. When Korin’s father came to get him Minister Swift again argued and pleaded that he be allowed to take Korin on as an apprentice. Once more the family refused.
Korin grew to hate the undead for how they had interrupted his quiet and peaceful life and as much as his father had him practice his craft, he also practiced his skills with his staff. Without his father’s permission Korin went the next year to the graveyard and stood watch with Minister Swift. Despite their growing feelings of unease nothing happened. And finally when Korin was sure there would be no undead rising from the graves he headed home. On his way home he spotted the lack of smoke from the cook fire and ran to see what was amiss. Foolishly he rushed into the house into the waiting arms of Followers of Medraut and Lilith. Easily knocking his staff aside and overpowering him they strung him from the rafters in the house and made him watch as they slew and prepared his family. Then even more heinously they used the energy drawn from their deaths and from carving evil symbols into Korin’s still living flesh and resurrected his family as undead.
The sight of his own family risen was too much for him to bear and in a supreme exercise of will and granted power by Khadina a flaming weapon appeared in his hands severing his bonds and freeing the enraged Korin. Before the Followers knew what had happened two lay dead at his feet and his rage still burned. He slew the remaining Followers crippling two so they could watch as the others died… then destroyed his very family, releasing their souls to Khadina once again. The remaining Followers tried to crawl away but Korin did not come for them. Instead in absolute grief, rage, and despair… he set fire to the house to make sure no body would be raised as an undead again.
Exhausted, spent, wounded, and alone… Korin made his way to the steps of the Temple and asked for, in what all believed his final breath, Minister Swift. Despite his wounds and trials though, Korin would not die… though at times alone he begged Khadina to take him… he only grew stronger… and better. Finally when he had recovered he knew his destiny, and began his tutelage under Minister Swift. He trained three years in the ways of magic and as a Temple Protector. Many in the town grew to dislike and distrust him believing him to be bad luck and a cold-hearted killer as well, but still he studied and served. Finally, on his deathbed, the old Minister Swift told him he felt a darkness rising in the world, and in his heart Korin could not deny he felt it too and as the old man passed and a solitary Reaper came to guide him on Korin knew it was time to go… And stared into the distance with cold and lonely eyes… Wondering what was to come.
Legend, Rumor, and Myth: