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Grims' career as a necromancer began at an early age. He grew up among the drow (dark elf) nobility of Neriak, and took an early interest in magic. Frustrated by the wards guarding the section of the library with the best scrolls, he threw a toy into the area and sent in the family pet to fetch it. The pet triggered the wards and died horribly, and Grims spent a highly pleasurable afternoon researching portal lore. After suffering his mother's considerable wrath over the loss of her lap dog, Grims studied the reamination of corpses and was careful in the future to employ only minions who were already dead.

As an apprentice in the Neriak necromancy guild, Grims learned the key to advancement was to make oneself useful. He perfected the ability to transfer life force to comrades in need and specialized in the transfer of magical energy. He researched the spells to activate the Envar portals and cure the deadly infection there, and obtained the key to the lair of Noroxus. Soon, his services were in high demand.

Upon graduation from the necromantic academy, Grims teamed up with a shadowknight of exceptional talent and ability (and rather less intelligence) who had gained local renown confronting foes of all description. For his part, Grims kept the fellow on his feet and well supplied with mana to employ his abilities at full efficiency, and in return the shadowknight did most of the work and spared Grims the inconvenience of dealing with enemies first-hand.