The Caretaker

Have you ever been on the brink of death and thought to yourself that you haven't done enough, that it is not yet your time to go? What would you sacrifice just to live longer? Your arm? Your memory? Your friends and family? Or even… your soul? If you are desperate enough, just maybe The Caretaker will let you have that chance. A mysterious figure roaming the western lands of Nirrula, this creature is known for its one main trait - Necromancy. Upon hearing your cries for help he might arrive and offer you a second chance at life, if you meet his demands that is. Here's a tale on how a man lost his life twice.

“It was an average wood cutting session for Ulkar. This was his favorite activity. When he had gathered enough wood he took all he could and made his way back to the clan. Unfortunately for him the path approached a cliff and it was blocked by a pack of hoglins. They instantly charged him and knocked him off. Ulkar hit multiple rocks on his fall and when he finally reached the bottom his spine was broken as well as both his legs. He was bleeding heavily and was on his last breath. Ulkar refused to accept that this is how he died. Killed by some lowly hoglins, never. He remembered his wife and his 2 sons.

“If only…”

“If only you could live again? Is that what you were about to say?” said a voice near him.

“Yes, who are you?”

“Are you ready to sacrifice your dearest to live again Ulkar?”

After a short pause. “Yes i am.”

“So be it. Heed my call, embrace the lanterns light, feel yourself whole again.”

A beam of green light shot from the lantern and healed all of Ulkars wounds. But he could also feel something in his chest. A see through chain leading to the lantern of The Caretaker. He explained that Ulkar is in debt to him and that he needs to fulfill his sacrifice to be fully alive once more. Ulkar smiled and simply asked how he could repay this generous offer. The Caretaker said:

“You were ready to sacrifice your dearest, you must kill your family in order to be fully alive again. I give you 3 days' time, if you haven’t done it by then your soul will forever be enslaved in my lantern. Good luck.”

With that he vanished just as Ulkars smile. He was devastated. To kill his own family, he could never. But if he doesn’t he himself would lose his soul. He went back to his home on the way pondering his decision. He was greeted back with happiness from his family. He went to sleep and the first day passed. Next day everyone could see something was off about him but he just said that he was a bit tired. Ulkar did his usual chopping session and headed back. From afar he could see The Caretaker next to his house pointing two fingers at him. After getting closer he vanished. He spent the rest of the day with his family. Second day passed and it was the final day. Ulkar had never felt so stressed and paranoid before, he could barely hold his axe. On his way back after his chopping session The Caretaker confronted him and told him he has 3 hours left. Ulkar pleaded that if he killed them that they all could be brought back and they could sacrifice something more. The Caretaker agreed but only if he would do it in time. Ulkar approached his home with his axe. He saw obe of his sons in a shack playing alone. He snuck up on him, put a bag over his head and suffocated him. Then the other one was in his room where he decapitated him. Unfortunately for Ulkar his wife saw this and started running away. He chased her screaming that this all was for the better of the family but that was of no use. He threw his axe at her back knocking her down. She cried and kept asking why he was doing this. Ulkar closed his eyes and said “Im sorry” before chopping her head off. The Caretaker appeared behind him. Ulkar demanded that he brings them all back but he had only one thing to say.

“Too late.”

The Caretaker's lantern summoned its chain and drained him of his soul, leaving behind just a husk.”

This tale has been passed around tge western clans for centuries. There have been others who claim to have been brought back by The Caretaker but rarely do they believe it. However, everyone still keeps in mind one thing. In a matter of life and death, always be ready to pay any price or else you will just be a fool.