Though he is old and physically frail, Brentpeccia is nonetheless a formidable wizard with a great many years of experience.  Before the Wizard's War, Brentpeccia studied under the notorious Archmage Xylem.  To this day, he remains a loyal acolyte and member of the Black Hand – the remaining seven of Xylem's acolytes who have devoted themselves to facilitating their master's return.

Operating out of sight for many years, a disguised Brentpeccia most recently insinuated himself into an advisory position to Duke Cormryn, brought in at the behest of the Duke's traitorious cheif consulate, Dregor Thule.

 Brentpeccia was instrumental in the Duke's downfall.  First inflicting the Duke with a magical malady, and then convincing the Duke that he needed to send men to recover a crystal that Brentpeccia claimed had mythical healing capabilities.

The crystal itself turned out to be evil, corrupting the Duke in his weakened state and seemingly bending him to the will of the Black Hand.