---

Boss Monsters: Masterius, the Lich King

By: Rob Bartel

Over the centuries, countless kingdoms have seen their fortunes rise and fall within the land known as Faerûn. Before the founding of the Lords, even Waterdeep had its self-styled kings and warlords to stake their claim upon the city and its people.

But not all kings are created equal.

Some are leaders and others are little more than puppets for those who stand behind the throne, whispering good and evil into their puppets' willing ears. For a time, Halaster was such a whisperer and Masterius was his puppet king. Though the ever young Halaster remained behind the throne, Masterius grew old and hoary with the passing of the years. His eyes grew dim and his wits slow. On his deathbed, the king challenged his friend and advisor, demanding that Halaster make him young again if in truth he had the power. Halaster took pity on this man in whose ear he had whispered for so many years. "It will take three things," the wizard warned. "It will take your skin; it will take your flesh; and it will take your soul." Masterius urged him to proceed while time still remained. Thus it came to pass that Masterius lives on to this very day, if such an existence can be called living. His skin and flesh are long since gone and his soul rests in a jar in Halaster's keeping. But his bones, at least, are young again, and his mind as quick as it had been when he first received the throne. But puppet strings still chafe and the whispers have long since revealed the truth of his master's madness. If he could only retrieve his soul, this puppet would finally strike out on his own.

Back to articles index

---