Note: In the following text, the Hero is neither assumed to be male nor female, despite both options being available to the player.
The Hero of Bowerstone, also known by other titles, is the main character in Fable 2. The character may be either male or female by choice of the player in the beginning of the game. It is possible that the Hero of Bowerstone is a descendant of The Hero of Oakvale. This is most commonly accepted, as Theresa states in the ruined Chamber of Fate that he was the Hero's "...forebearer...", although it could simply mean that he was the last true hero before the collapse of the Hero's guild, and the birth of the Hero of Bowerstone.
As a child, the hero lives in Bowerstone Old Town with their sister Rose in poverty, dreaming of living in Fairfax Castle. One day, they are disturbed by a loud commotion coming from the trader Mystical Murgo who is selling many items of no real value, as artifacts of the Old Kingdom. However, unknown to Murgo, amongst his collection of trash he has found a true artifact, an old music box with incredible power. Rose is hesitant to believe this at first and voices her opions alloud to the hero, and an eavesdropping Theresa, whom after a few brief words, convinces the children to gather five gold coins needed to buy the box. While searching for the coins, the hero and Rose encounter other villagers, save a Dog from abuse by a bully, and are given the option to shape Old Town's future. Regardless of the decisions made, the hero and Rose gather the five gold coins, and purchase the box. After taking it to an overlook, they make a wish to live in the castle, only to find the box vanishes from sight. An angered and disappointed Rose takes the hero back to their home to find the dog from earlier resting at the front of the tattered structure. They then retreat to their beds and they both go to sleep.
Later that night, Rose is awoken by the dog's barking, directed at several guards who have been sent to retrieve them by Lord Lucien Fairfax. Rose awakens the hero and the two head off with the guards to the castle. Once inside, they are greeted by the castle butler who instructs them on proper behavior in the castle as they are passed by Garth, then shows them to Lucien's study. Inside the study, Lucien is pouring over old books, scrolls, and papers of relation to the Old Kingdom. He seems very curious about the box that they purchased, and asks the two to step into a ruinic circle that reacts to their precence. After the revelation that one of the two has the ability to destroy all of his plans, Lucien draws a pistol and shoots Rose, killing her. After appologizing for what he "...must do.", he shoots the hero, who is punched out of a large window from the impact. After falling several stories, the hero lands on the cold, snow covered ground, and is found by the dog, and Theresa, who takes the hero out of Bowerstone, to the Gypsy camp. The hero is given time to recover and begins to train for revenge against Lucien, whom in the ten year time lapse, has moved out of Castle Fairfax and into the Tattered Spire. It is here where the hero's journey begins.