Neil Umbral
The Shadowmancer

As Neil Umbral was growing up, he discovered he was exceptionally quick to pick new languages. By the time he finished high school he was able to undstand what he heard of read, even if it was a language he hadn't ever studied. Working as a translator was an easy choice though not the one that he wanted to follow.

His day job as a translator provided Neil with an excuse to travel and provided him with an income. However he didn't find it fullfilling and so started to collect old books. Most of the ones that interested him however tended to already be in other peoples collections. Using his charm and position as a translator he would trick people into helping fill out his collection.

When he learnt of a book in an ancient language which no-one had been able to translate Neil's curiousity meant that he wanted to both acquire and read this tome. This resulted in his most daring confidence trick ever. Befriending Eleanor Twitty, the curator of the museum where this book was being examined Neil managed to trick her into allowing him access to the book. He then stole the book, to add to his collection so that he would be able to study it at his leasure.

The nameless book described magic rituals the likes of which Neil had never read, and to his suprise he learnt, when his curiosity go the better of him, that they wroked. The book also described a location hidden away where greater power. It took him time and effort to locate the caves but he could almost feel the power they held. There he located The Black Blade and using it to perform the rites described he was imbued with mystical power over shadows. Having developed feelings for Eleanor he headed back to her and wondered how he would use his new found abilities to benefit himself.

When he arrived back however he caught news of the suicide of Eleanor. The papers told the story of a woman who had stolen from her job, and when confronted with this had ended her own life. Neil fled back to England, suddenly confronted with what he had done. He had thought it to be a challenge and fun with out a second thought as to the problems he was causing other. He almost turned himself in for his past crimes, living out his life in jail for his crimes would be a just punishment. That wouldn't change what he has done though, so Neil took it upon himself to try and protect others from harm as best as he can.