Melkyan Coffinwood was born to Adhan and Talia Coffinwood, a merchant family
of Shadowdale. As a young man, he often travelled, but never too far from his
home. When he was sixteen years of age, Adhan, his father fell very ill. One
night, as Melkyan was tending to his father that a priest came to visit. The
priest wore dark grey robes and a skeletal hand amulet hung from his neck. His
heart sunk, as he knew then, that his father was on his deathbed. The priest
looked at Melkyan knowingly and spoke to him.
"Fear not death, child. View it not as evil, tis but a part of life.
Your father has lived a good man and he chose to die with dignity.
Honour awaits one as he."
Adhan nodded to his son and smiled slightly. Melkyan left them and when he
returned, The priest has left and Adhan was still, his eyes shut but a slight
smile still lingered on his face. Instead of grief, Melkyan was overwhelmed
with pride for his father. It was then that he knew what he wants to do as long
as he lives. After tending to his father's burial bidding his mother farewell,
he left his home for Waterdeep to seek the church of the skeletal hand.