On January 27th, 1555 AK, Rodman found himself in the region of Lichville, having recently escaped from the prisons of the thieves in Theivron. He was being pursued by fifty thieves who were determined to bring him back for captivity and torture. Despite the pain in his muscles, Rodman continued to run up a mountainside, desperate to evade his pursuers.
The night was dark and starless, with the moon absent from the sky. Rodman's heavy breathing and the distant howling of a wolf heightened his sense of urgency. He knew that encountering a wolf would only increase the chances of the thieves recapturing him.
Rodman had endured countless abuses during his time in captivity and was determined not to go back. He had tried to escape multiple times, only to be thrown back into his cell. The pain had become unbearable, and he longed for freedom.
However, Rodman had nowhere to go. His only hope was the immortal wizard, Zadimus Wraith, rumored to reside in the black towers of Lichville. As an undying himself, Rodman speculated that Zadimus had attained his immortality through the same curse. Perhaps the wizard would understand his plight and offer him a place to stay.
As Rodman hurried through the wilderness, he stumbled over a mossy log and fell to the ground. He groaned and got back up, his disheveled appearance a testament to his arduous journey. Ignoring the pain and exhaustion, he pressed forward, longing to reach Lichville and seek refuge with Zadimus.
Eventually, the dense forest gave way to a flat and rocky terrain. Rodman found himself at the foot of a rocky hill on which the fortress of Lichville stood. The towering black castle appeared before him, and as the first signs of dawn painted the sky with a pink hue, Rodman's anticipation grew. However, he could see no lights within the castle, which made him question whether Zadimus was even present.
A sudden flurry of dark figures emerged from the castle, leaving Rodman no time to ponder his doubts. Assuming they were birds sent by Zadimus, Rodman sprinted onward, desperate to escape the approaching thieves. Soon, hundreds of arrows rained down upon them, striking Rodman and the thieves alike. But being undying, Rodman's wounds swiftly healed, while the thieves were impaled with arrows, effectively neutralizing their pursuit.
Ignoring the lingering pain, Rodman limped toward the castle gate. Two iron skull statues with their mouths open stood guard outside, and the iron gates were shut tight. Calling out to Zadimus, Rodman desperately hoped that the wizard would acknowledge him. However, his cries were met with silence, and even as he pleaded, Zadimus seemed to ignore him.
Suddenly, a white mist enveloped Rodman. He cried out as the cold substance surrounded him, obscuring his vision. Moments later, the mist dissipated, revealing that Rodman was now imprisoned in a cell. Zadimus Wraith stood outside the cell, observing Rodman closely with his black beard swaying in an otherworldly breeze.
Desperate and despairing, Rodman called out to Zadimus, pleading not to be imprisoned once again. However, the wizard paid him no heed and walked away, turning a corner and leaving Rodman alone. Although this new prison did not involve torture, Rodman couldn't help but feel a sense of despair, having escaped one prison only to find himself trapped in another.