I got home from the game store with a new Overlord game called "Overlord: Starfall of Evil". It had been quite a few years since there was a new Overlord game released and I was excited to play one after the massive disappointment that was Fellowship of Evil. I started up my narial VR console, then I opened the game's case and placed the disc in the console, finally I placed on the VR glasses. I laid down on my bed and let the game come online.

Initializing 10 percent…25 percent…30 percent…45 percent…65 percent…80 percent…96 percent…100 percent… complete.

When the game finished initializing it showed a blank, default character model then text appeared reading, "Greeting lord, now that you are here we need to know your appearance and do be as evil as possible about it."

After reading that the text disappeared and I started to design my character. Starting at the head and working my way down I chose: a grey hooded shawl that cloaked my face in darkness, a scarf mask that left my eyes exposed a worn red tunic, and a grey vest to go over the tunic under which is a necklace of tarnished silver that holds a signet pendant that depicts an eclipse with two clawed gantlets reaching on both sides with a helm looking at the eclipse as it looms over it, black hand wraps, worn red pants and worn and a leather belt that hold the scabbard for a dull, rusted long sword as well as a pouch that contains all my money, brown leather boots that were stitched back together several times.

I looked over my character some and found that I liked it since this would be the starter base for my character, I didn't expect to see it again after getting actual armor. Then more text appeared saying, "Make background and select skills."

When that text disappeared, I then saw a list of backgrounds. I scrolled through and settled on a noble knight with three retainers all of whom are soldiers. As for skills I chose: intimidation and perception. Then another round of text appeared reading, "Now choose your feats." And then two boxes appeared next to each other; the one to the left read, "Position of Privilege," while the one on the right read, "Variant: Retainers." I the one on the left and reading it; it would give an aura of social superiority as a noble; then I read the other which would give me three followers of my choosing. I chose the Variant: Retainers and selected an officer and two soldiers.

I then had to give them a loadout. I gave all of my retainers: halfplate armor, a heater shield, and a longsword. With the officer carried a hand axe on their right side.

When I finished with that more text appeared asking, "Would you like to review your character."

I said, "No." Then everything went dark.

Heavy footsteps are heard then a light is seen as the source approaches a table with a scroll on it. The scroll then opens and an old, wizened voice is heard it says, "Now, how does it go? (clears throat) Once… upon a…time… in the land of Greenvale, in castle Gromgard, a young lord was born." The voice then reminisced on this by saying, "I remember it well." the scroll then shows a depiction of a creature looking into a crib. The creature appeared brown-skinned, with round eyes, long ears with the left one having three round piercings near the tip, bold, no definable nose but for two holes where it would have been, and a beard with a glowing crystal hanging from a stick that was attached to its back. The creature then said to the infant, "You will have a life full of questions, young master. (the creature places a clawed hand on the edge of the crib) But I know what is in your blood and on your 16th birthday, you will have your answers. (then other creatures appear behind the first some like the first, some with fins, some with horns and some just smelled terrible) evil always finds a way, you know (evil giggle)."

The scroll then shows the passage of time, "as the years went by, troubles emerged for castle Gromgard…" crops withering and dying "…The surrounding lands became blighted and the crops died…" short figures carrying away sacks of supplies "…halflings stole from villages…" then figures in worn but practical clothes are seen running away from figures cloaked in dark clothes and followed by dark, furry, four-legged creatures "…with bandits and wolves terrorizing the countryside."

The scroll then shows a castle and a man in noble clothes carrying a shield and lance mounted on a horse and being cheered on by a crowd of peasants as he left his castle, "The young lord's father, Duke Gromgard, embarked on an epic quest to foreign parts, one which would restore the fortunes of his land." As the depiction of the duke left the scroll a woman and a man with both in noble attire are seen exiting the castle, "but in his absence, Duchess Gromgard ran away with a strong and rich nobleman from a neighboring realm." The creature then scoffed and said with disgust, "Floozy." Then the depictions of the woman and man left the depiction of the castle.

Then a depiction of the duke returning to the castle in dirt-covered, damaged clothes without a horse or shield and dragging a broken lance behind him all while getting jeered by the crowd of peasants, "to make matters worse, the duke's quest proved fruitless. He returned disgraced; without a fortune and no wife to warm his bed at night." The creature then says with pity for the man, "Poor old devil."

The scroll then changed to a scene of a dining hall with my character sitting at a table with a cake that had several lit candles on it. The duke passed behind my character. The duke was now in clean attire and mounted on a new horse while carrying a new shield and lance. The creature then continued, "And then one day, on the young lord's 16th birthday. His father, broken-hearted and consumed by his obsession to restore glory to Gromgard, set out on another quest to save the land." Then the scene turned dark when the duke left the scene and shadowy depictions of a man and woman appeared behind my character and the creature resumed speaking, "leaving him alone with his rather unpleasant older siblings: Lord Grenville and Lady Gerda (the depictions then leaned over my character and to the candles on the cake) this is the tale of what happened next." Then with a puff from the shadowy depictions blew out the candles and everything went dark.

Sunlight shined into a room that was a mix of bedroom, troop barracks, and a storeroom with the chirping of birds being heard then it pans to a young man who was lying in bed. He got up and let out a yawn then a voice was heard with abit of pandering in its tone, "Morning, Sabastian; and happy birthday."

Sabastian looking to who the voice came from sees Logan with his smirk of support and next to him were his only other two soldiers. They all wore half-plate armor and carried a longsword, but the two soldiers carried shields that were just a couple of boards nailed together into the shape of a heater shield and wore a cloth mask over the lower half of their faces. Sabastian looking at Logan and his troops replies in a mildly chipper tone, "Morning, logan, and thanks. Hopefully, my siblings will be gone by the time we reach the foyer."

With that Sabastian and his troops exited the room. They passed through the halls and eventually reached the kitchen storeroom.

The kitchen storeroom was full of mostly empty barrels, baskets, crates, and shelves that were barren of food and other provisions. Upon entering the storeroom, he heard a servant say in a fearful voice, "Young lord, don't go out into the foyer your siblings are there and they're in a particularly foul mood… granted they're always in a foul mood."

Sabastian not looking at the servant lets out a sigh and then says in a disappointed tone, "So they haven't left yet. Well since it's my birthday I suppose it's a special day for them to tell a special insult to me despite me dealing with that plague last week that was killing the wheat."

He then continued on his way till he saw the castle cook Rodrick by the door that led to the kitchen and when he was about to exit the storeroom Rodrick said in an upbeat yet sad tone, "I know it's not much of a birthday with the duke gone."

Sabastian then says in a flat, neutral tone, "Rodrick, we both know that it's awfully convenient that father left the day before my birthday. Matter of fact I often think that mother cheated on him with someone who was moderately more respectable than him. (Rodrick looks at Sabastian with surprise) Infact I've been the only one who's been keeping this place from falling into ruinous disrepair with what taxes I can levy to keep this place standing as well as pay all of you most of your salaries."

Rodrick looked at Sabastian with aue and surprise then continues in an actually upbeat tone, "Well, I suppose that does make a difference. So as a treat for your birthday and for all the hard work you put into the place, I'll fix up a whole roasted pumpkin for just yourself."

Sabastian crossing his arms asks, "Do we have anything other than pumpkins to eat around here? Matter of fact shouldn't the flour from the wheat mills be here."

Rodrick now truly looking down says in a sad, dejected tone, "The halflings stole the flour from the mills… then burned the mills just for the fun of it, sire."

Sabastian and his men all let out a sigh; then Sabastian said, "Great, one more thing to add to the list of "shit that can't be fixed cause we're gutter rats by nobility standards" Thanks for telling me (sarcastic tone) this has been a fantastic start to the day. Also, thanks for the pumpkin roast, Rodrick; it's better than nothing I suppose."

Before Sabastian could leave Rodrick says in a hopeful tone, "Hopefully, your father will have better luck on his quest this time. We could use some actual gold around here."

Sabastian hearing that replies in a cynical tone, "Knowing my father and the way he managed the lands and the finances (sighs followed by even more cynicism) he's used it all on ale, food, and whores." Sabastian with his men close behind then left the storeroom and passed a couple more halls before arriving at the foyer.

The foyer is a large room with it being split into two levels the first level contains: the kitchen, a dining area, and a large parlor to entertain guests. While the second level contains doors that lead to: the lords' quarters, gallery, servant's quarters, barracks, supply storerooms, and other bedrooms including the guest quarters.

Sabastian holds up his right and tells Logan and his troops in a serious tone, "Hold position, unless I am physically attacked do not engage."

Logan and the troops reply in unison and in a disciplined, understanding tone, "Yes, sire."

Sabastian made his way around to where his sibling's rooms were as their rooms were infront of the only staircase that was in the foyer. When Sabastian was next to the staircase as he made his way to where his siblings resided to check if they left while he was making his way to the foyer. The doors to their rooms swung open and out stepped his older siblings.

His older brother Lord Grenville was a tall lanky man with light skin and brown hair in light green armor with lighter green gems embedded into it and gold trim, purple clothes with similarly shaded green trim, and boots hued in a deep green with specks of brown.

Grenville speaking in his typical pompous tone said to his sister, "I have business to attend to in Illirium with the elves. You're in charge of the brat of a bastard, that mother didn't have the courtesy of dropping at an orphanage upon popping it out."

Lady Gerda was a short yet brawny woman of light skin and similarly brown hair in steel grey armor with a chain wrapped around her from her shoulder to her hip that ran across her torso, brownish-black clothes, and black boots with steel plating.

Gerda pointing at Grenville says in a disgusted, pissed tone, "I am not looking after that piss rag of a milksop. I have my own business with the dwarfs of the golden hills. Let the little shit stain look after itself with its band of shit-smearing goons." Gerda then slammed her door shut this caused the castle to rumble and for some stuff to fall to the ground and break and then left but not without a glare at Sabastian as she passed by.

Grenville now with a smile said in a pleased yet pompous tone, "Well looks like you'll be looking after yourself piss rag of a milksop. (dark chuckle) please, do try to mutilate or better yet kill yourself horribly while we're gone." Grenville also slammed his door shut which caused the castle to rumble even more and for more stuff to come crashing down. As Grenville passed Sabastian, he let out a sneer of disgust and said to Sabastian, "You best be gone before we come back. You are nothing more than a weak worm who shouldn't even be here." With that said Grenville left following his sister out of the castle and to meet with the elves.

Sabastian clinched his fists together hard and under his breath said, "I hate you two so much. Why is it I'm the only one here who does anything that's practically useful to keep this castle standing, our belly filled, the servants and troops paid (voice cracks) just why am I even doing any of this anymore." As Sabastian was about to cry a hand gripped his right shoulder and looking up, he saw one of his troops kneeling beside him.

The soldier through his mask says in a caring and supportive tone, "Don't listen to them, sire. Your siblings are just jealous that you've kept this place going when it should have fallen apart five years ago. You found the gold to pay for most of the servants and as for us we stayed 'cause you should be the one in charge plus you're the one who's actually pay'in us. Granted not a lot but you sleep in the barracks just to cut the cost of the upkeep of a personal chamber."

Sabastian taken aback by the words of support dries his eyes and standing tall says with renewed confidence and purpose, "You're right, I'm the one who's been keeping this place running and I should be in charge. (sigh, dejected tone) but first I'll need to see the damages caused by those two slamming their doors shut has caused."

The soldier also sighing says in a similarly dejected tone, "We all know the pain since your siblings haven't made it easy to maintain this place or make it livable."

Sabastian nodding started looking for what all was broken. Miraculously it was found that the only damage that was done was a bunch of boards that covered a door with metal baring plates with golden handprint in the center of it. Sabastian after inspecting the door and finding that there was no door handle pushed it but it wouldn't budge. Before Sabastian could issue an order to Logan and his soldiers a servant approached and told Sabastian in a displeased tone, "Rodrick wants you down in the kitchen, lord. Best get to it." then the servant left.

Logan was about to reprimand the servant but Sabastian stopped him by saying, "Don't bother Logan more and more of the servants are leaving since we're just barely scraping by with the taxes from what little infrastructure father didn't let fall into ruin, and the pitiable trade that is done; as well as us keeping what we can free of what is blighting the lands."

Logan nods in agreement and replies in self-disappointment, "Yes, sire. I will not disagree."

Sabastian then says with neutrality, "Rodrick, must have finished that roasted pumpkin as promised. You and the troops can stay here I'll be back with the pumpkin."

Logan happily replies, "understood, sire." Then they go to the find staff that can be used as furniture.

Sabastian goes to the kitchen and entering sees a light blue box wrapped up with a large pink bow on top placed atop the front counter. Upon seeing the box Sabastian grimaces at the box and the bow. He then hears Rodrick speak in a cheerful tone, "It's been in storage for a few years, but seeing as it came with specific and to be frank strange instructions to give it to you on your sixteenth birthday."

Sabastian wanting to get it done with cause of the eyesore of how the colors of the box clashed with each other; opens the box and reaching in pulls out a gauntlet it was of a dark metal with an amber gemstone with an obsidian cat-eye on the back of the hand and covered Sabastian's hand and forearm. Sabastian looking on at it unimpressed and says, "Well, I guess whoever set this up was courteous enough not to give me dead, rotting weevils as a gift."

Rodrick dropping his cheerful tone for one of disgust replies, "Agreed, your siblings shouldn't have done that to a twelve-year-old. That's nothing but just plain cruel. (sees the gauntlet then pats Sabastian on the back) It looks very fetching and yet seems familiar, somehow."

Sabastian taking another look at the gauntlet and then thinking back to the gallery says with realization, "Yes, it must have belonged to the black baron, my uncle."

Rodrick now taking a closer look at the gauntlet spoke with surprise, "I suppose you're right. What about you, jinks."

Looking toward the kitchen's attached storage which was on a second level and just as barren as the storerooms Sabastian sees a halfling in piss, poor red and light green jester attire with a stick wrapped up in the same colors and done just so really badly as to half-ass it. Jinks, gives a pathetic wave of the stick and jungle of bells on his hat. Sabastian looks on and says with pity for Jinks, "I guess all the anti-halfling sentiment around here isn't helping matters."

Rodrick stroking his chin replies with understanding, "I suppose you're right, but Jinks has served for years. Haven't ya, pal." Jinks just looks down looking even more sad and pathetic.

Sabastian looks away and says to Rodrick in a pitying tone, "I'm sorry Rodrick but I really can't look at Jinks he's just so sad and pathetic it hurts to look at him."

Rodrick nodding goes to a grill and pulls from it a roasted pumpkin and puts it on a plate and replies in an understanding tone, "Understandable, lord. Even I can't look at him some days. Anyway, here's that roasted pumpkin I promised you."

Sabastian taking the plate says before leaving, "Thanks, Rodrick; and I'll see what I can do about getting the store restocked. The gods know my siblings won't do anything about it."

Sabastian upon returning to where his soldiers should be he saw a large crate surrounded by four smaller crates with Logan and the soldiers sitting at the makeshift dining set. Sabastian smiling under his scarf and puts the plate in the large crate and Logan says with cheer followed by the other two, "to Sabastian Gromgard and sixteen years of life and to sixteen more." Then Logan took out his sword and cut the roasted pumpkin and had Sabastian take the first slice and bite. Sabastian ate and talked with Logan and his soldiers for the time being.

When they finished eating Sabastian inspected the door again and found on an inscription on the golden handprint it read, "The inheritor of the dark lord shall retake that which has been denied and desecrated, with their own hand." Sabastian after reading the inscription looked at his gauntleted hand and then said unsure of what would happen, "What the abyss." He then placed his gauntleted hand on the golden handprint and the door then split in half and opened moving into the side of the doorframe. With the way now open Sabastian said while drawing out his sword, "draw weapons and be ready for any ambushes."

With that said Sabastian and his soldiers with their weapons drawn entered the unknown part of Castle Gromgard.

a/n: this is a pilot chapter for this fic. leave a review and let me know how I'm doing. I'll produce more chapters.