The Dark Brother was a being of incredible power and evil. For five ages, he had coveted control of the world. Finally, he succeeded in overthrowing the High King and conquering the world. However, in stamping out nobility, the Dark Brother was horrified to realize that the High Captain of his army, Valsak, was discovering his own nobility. When Gersner, Valsak's lieutenant, brought Valsak's failings to the Dark Brother's attention, the Dark Brother condemned Valsak to an eternity of torture.