Collector of Souls

Returning to Ariel and restoring the Pillar of Dimension, Kain received unwelcome news. His quest may well be all for nothing as the legions of the dreaded Nemesis descend from the northeast plains decimate all of Nosgoth. Once called King William the Just, a beloved Nosgothian noble grew into the tyrannical Nemesis and was soon to conquer the famed city of Willendorf, seat of King Ottmar.

Recalling his family's old allegiance to this king and the Oracle's cryptic references to him as well, Kain set a course for the city. Disguising himself to hide his inhuman appearance from the trained eyes of Ottmar's royal guard, Kain entered Willendorf Castle to find its King despondent upon his throne, weeping for his daughter who is overcome by a mysterious paralysis.

Questioning this state of affairs, Kain learned that a contest was held to commemorate the birthday of the princess. Craftsman and tailors from across the land sought to win this contest, and the royal favor serving as its prize, by creating the best doll in the land as a gift to Ottmar's daughter. Hundreds of dolls were submitted for judgement but it was a skilled toymaker named Elzevir who won.

The favor he asked was unusual but simple: A lock of the princess' hair. Soon after, the princess fell into a coma and the sorcerers of Ottmar's court attributed it to magical causes. With every search party sent after Elzevir failing to return or break this hex, the King had fallen to despair and was of no use, so Kain offered his services.

Tracking down the toymaker's home, Kain's otherworldly strength allowed him to survive otherwise deadly traps rigged throughout the place and slay the wretched little man who had stolen the princess' soul away. Returning to Willendorf with both the accursed doll and Elzevir's severed head in hand, Kain's arrival was praised as the princess has finally awoken. The king was overjoyed to the point of offering to abdicate his throne to Kain but this offer was declined in favor of Ottmar's army. Kain would need them to fight the hordes of the Nemesis.