In Dismal Passages you are cast in the role of a youth who lives in a land called 'Drelg Artavia', which is being harrowed by evil Wraiths from the NetherRealm.

In the grisly text introduction, your home is invaded during the night by three wraiths who attack and kill both your parents and your sister, but before they can kill you too, a grey wolf-like character interrupts the assailants and manages to drive them off, while itself is mortally wounded.

Using it's last breath, the wolf asks you to get revenge on the head wraith called 'Vaargerold' / 'Vaalgerald' for the death of himself and your family, and you set out next morning to achieve this.