Baron Iglacias von Rostov is a feudal noble who's ancestral holdings are centered on the Kalzov Valley, a remote valley in the Balkan Peninsula. He is a powerful mage, and long-lived. The end of his long career comes as the Industrial Revolution penetrates into the Balkans. Thus, he is a mage who deals with new technological threats as well as the ancient dreads.
Baron Rostov's opponent in this story is a lich. For those of you not familiar with the term, let me define a lich for purposes of this story: The dictionary definition of a lich is an Old English term for a corpse. The word was picked up by Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) players in the mid-seventies and became the following: "A lich is one of the most powerful members of the undead monster category. The lich has a corporeal (physical) body, is highly magical, and highly magic resistant as well. The body is usually tough and mummified, but capable of moving quickly and inflicting a lot of physical damage to an opponent. The lich is a master at spell casting and can also suck life energy the way a ghost can. They are often rulers of dark kingdoms, and leaders of small armies of horrible creatures. These creatures have a religious component as well, as they can be turned by clerics, but only the most powerful, and lucky."
The Nazgul of Lord of the Rings are perhaps the most famous literary liches. Robert Howard's Conan, the Barbarian, would take on liches from time to time as well. (both of these authors' works predate the D&D-style use of the term, so neither use the word lich in their stories.)
As I wrote this story, I built upon the D&D definition of a lich; fleshed it out with inspiration from the movie "Ghost"; and added a special "Roger twist" to the lich in this story. So, if you like the story, check out my fuller definition of lich in the Appendix.
On to the tale...
Roger