The Refusal and the Betrayal

Life, Death

Grindstaff's family murdered by the Thieves Guild.

After Grindstaff refuses to perform a particularly heinous act at the behest of the Thieves Guild, they make good on their threat and murder his wife and daughter. His long-time partner Deverick performed the act, before Grindstaff could safely escape the situation with his family. Deverick not only took the mortal lives of Grindstaff's wife and daughter, he took their souls, as well, with a Magic Jar -type magical item. This prevented Grindstaff from raising his family from the dead, as their souls could not return to their bodies. Instead, he fell back onto his knowledge of necromancy and raised them as compliant zombies. This would allow him to keep their bodies ready for their hopeful resurrection.   This event begins Grindstaff the Gaunt's decent into grief-stricken, revenge-fueled, madness.