Grimgeist Leopold

The illustrious patriarch looked out of his study and into the mist, from which his castle perched upon the moor. Though well past his prime, Leopold was still respected as the undisputed head of House Auswald. A stern and stately man well-versed in both word and swordplay, Leopold placed his hopes in his only son Wulfric, who he hoped would someday lead in his stead. And yet for all his wisdom, Leopold's keen eyes never saw the betrayal of the Central kingdoms. The men who so easily agreed to Auswald's departure from the ruling houses to found their own empire came by night in silent steel and flickering fire, until all that remained was grieving ash. The old wolf knew they meant to burn him and his kin in their den. Leopold ordered Wulfric to flee through the underground passage; so long as he lived, the wolves of Auswald would someday return. Death did not take the old patriarch easily; his cane-sword dripped with gore even as he fell unblinking. Years passed, and Wulfric laid his family standard to rest out of fear of pursuers, eking out a meager existence in the poorer outskirts of the province. Any thought of reclaiming his birthright had long since cooled to mere embers, and it was with a tired sigh that he admonished his son Baelfyr for clamoring after ghost stories. But the old wolf of Auswald heard the pup's cry, and came to him. It was with great interest that Leopold watched his grandson's zeal flare to life; he had far more courage than his father, and perhaps it was for this reason Leopold sought in him the tool of his vengeance... Or had it been the boy's sole ambition that had spawned such a phantom?