“You challenge the sovereignty of a nation mighty in it’s time and yet mighty still for knowledge is power, and I am wise indeed.” Spoke the corpse on the throne.

With several jerky motions and an audible popping of joints it stood up and faced the group holed up in it’s throne room.

“You have destroyed a fair many of my subjects.” it spoke again. “Who lead you through my wards?”

The tired group of adventurers was stunned. They had faced many foul beats since they came down into the valley from the mountain pass. undead creatures of all description, but nothing do abhorrent as to speak to them.

Then the wizard spoke to the corpse, “Alric Athanasius? I have lead them through your wards, I have come to seek your tutelage in the arts.”