Beyond the abysmal voids, flung far from our own reality there was a man of science born ages before the first hint of life swam in the primordial ooze of our world. In his own arrogance and hubris he opened the doorway to his world for another race which promised him wonders beyond imaging. What they brought was death as they descended on his planet like a swarm of locust, consuming everything and leaving only the husk of a world with the dead piled everywhere.. unhallowed and unburied. And the rewards promised him? His reward was to be left the last living person on a dead world as the others flew into the reaches in search of their next harvest. Horror and madness soon consumed him as he set to that task of burying the countless dead of his kind. Praying that this act be some small penance, or act of redemption for what he had done. Two others appeared in the reddish skies of his world.. Each seeking an ancient artifact that had remained hidden deep within the planet's core. They fought over it tearing what was left of the world apart, and with it the precious artifact they had both coveted. It unleashed unfathomable cosmic energies opening a portal, sucking all though unimaginable gulf's of time and space. As the scientist tumbled though the portal he prayed for the death he so wholly desired, but even this was denied him as Death itself turned from him. He scream silently as he flew through the cold airless space, screaming for the sweet oblivion of death that was now forever denied him. He came to our world while the dinosaurs still lumbered across the landscape, and our ancestors were little better then mice trying to keep form being underfoot. He has walked upon our world for the countless ages.. always in the shadows watching. Continuing his work of burying the dead hoping to someday pay for his sin and join them in the peace only the dead can know. Myth and legend have given him as many names as there are languages.. 'Seeker of the Dead', 'Boatman of the River Styx', 'The Undertaker'. Now a new voice whispers in his ear full of promises again, not the promise of knowledge as before, but of the peace of death that had been denied him. So he searches for this Collector of Souls and the strange quest he has been given to find those who carry a piece of the ancient artifact inside of them. Where ever he goes, the harbinger of death collects the lost pieces even from those who the breath of life as yet to flee. Text by MarcusK Special thanks to Mermaid JLS for editing and proofreading. To see the full image navigate over to the Poser gallery picture id# 529406