My background and tying everyone in together
(Ok this is very long but I think I did a pretty good job of tying us all in. Please let me know if I am portraying your characters wrong or you do not like it or you want me to add anything. For some of you without backgrounds I just kind of made things up so agan please correct me if I am wrong. Also, I am pretty sure I got everyone but let me know if I missed someone. Enjoy the read....)
Thinking back to my younger days I never thought I would be surrounded by such friends and living in the city of Sharn – a CITY mind you– about to set out on another adventure in the world and getting paid to have fun and hopefully kill things. How I came to be standing here with equipment in hand ready to escort this noble somewhere on some perceived important mission, boggles my mind <chuckles to myself over the humor in this>. To think it has been 5 years gone now since that fateful day that set things in motion……
Having never known my parents I was raised by my Uncle Thadius and the Talenta Plains was called home. Whenever I asked about my parents Thadius would inform me in no uncertain terms that when I was older and could handle the information he would let me know about them, but not until then. I also asked him why there were not a lot more people who liked like me and why everyone always seemed to stare. I was so conscious of the looks I tend to wear a hooded robe whenever I am around other humans. Thadius always told me that there was nothing wrong with me, I just did not look like your normal human and he informed that I was special. I kind of liked that, being not like the others and secretly I thought that I was better than most of the others. I could usually hold my own against most anyone as my stamina was better than most.
We lived a good life as hunters and occasional guides to whoever was willing to pay us. Most people just wanted to site see and wander around the plains looking at the herds of dinosaurs that the Halflings used as mounts. Some of them were in search of information on such ridiculous stories of Undead Dragons in the “Boneyard” or some other such nonsense. The only serious threat was form the occasional Goblin raiding party that came out of the Endworld Mountains to the east. My uncle was fair in most things and even taught me how to use they impressive Talenta Tarrash that the Halflings are know for wielding on the backs of their dinosaur mounts. I remember the day that my Uncle gave mine to me as a birthday present when I reached the age of 12. He attempted to train me in the art of using a sword but I could just to grasp the subtleties of sword fighting as I would tend to use over exaggerated chopping motions and full two-handed swings in the style of the Halfling Barbarians. I became rather proficient with this weapon and ever learned the fun trick of tripping my opponent in the middle of combat. I remember the looks on the faces of my opponents as a boy half their age could beat them in mock-combat every time. I have learned to never underestimate your opponent and to use all your primal force in combat to best your enemy.
One night after setting up camp after a day of guiding a party of “Adventurers” – babies all of them, Thadius violently woke me up and told me to be quiet. He gathered the rest of the group around and informed them that there was a marauding band of Goblins stalking us. He did not think we could all escape and told us that it would be best to stand our ground here. Thadius took me aside as the rest got ready to fight and told me to stay close by so he could protect me as best he could. I told him not to worry and that we could easily take out anything that came our way. The look in his eyes told me something different, something was wrong and he would not tell me what. After what seemed like hours I informed the rest of the group that I could see shapes stalking us. Everyone laughed at the notion of a boy seeing the attackers before they themselves noticed the danger. The look my Uncle gave them made them think twice about doubting me. It was at this point that I happened to look up and see the thing above us. It could not have been what it looked like, that was a myth, a silly story that was used to scare children. I hardly believe it myself anymore, that it must have been my nerves but I swear I saw a thing flying above us that had no skin, a thing so horrible it made my knees buckle. From pictures I have been shown and storied told to me it looked like a dragon but just the skeleton of a dragon. Certainly the stories could not be true, as I shook my head to clear my eyes and looking back it was gone.
The battle did not go well for us. I saw an unnaturally large goblin fighting Thadius and I could not reach him in time as he was brought down. Screaming out his name I was filled with such hatred that I guess I lost consciousness as I remember nothing of the rest of the fight. My next thought is about Thadius and I do not even see the mangled bodies of goblins at my feet and scattered around me. One of the adventures looks at me and barely mutters “Lycanthrope” with fear etched on his face as the rest of them gather there things quickly and take off, leaving me alone with my Uncle. Racing to his side I can see he is still breathing but there is blood everywhere, he says that he is sorry and then the last word he says is “Sharn”. I vow to avenge my Uncle and to try and find out where these Goblins came form and bring my wrath down upon them all.
After continuing to butcher the bodies of the goblins and respectfully burying my Uncle I wander a bit. Most people avoid me if possible except for one by the name of Takis. I think he was the first human I have ever known that had not looked or treated me differently. I was not sure what he meant when he called me a “Child of Nature” but he did help me clear up what my Uncles last word meant, Sharn. It is a city far to the west along the coast that is near a body of water named “The Hilt” and the “Dagger River”. He mentions that he is traveling there himself and if I would not mind the company he would like to travel with me. He mentions that he is a “Druid” and a sort of protector of nature and explains what guides him in life. His explanation appeals to me and I welcome his company on the travels ahead. After days of travel a bond of friendship grows between us that I have never had in my life before as most humans shy away from me. Takis explains to me that this is due to the fact that I am shifter and a descendant of a Lycanthrope and they were all but abolished by the Silver Flame years ago and that is why a lot of people are careful around me. He explains that there are other Shifters in the world but again they tend to stay away from most civilizations for just that reason. If I was interested in finding information about Shifters, Sharn would not be a bad place to start looking.
Continuing to travel in the direction of Sharn we come across another lone traveler by the name of Mortachi in the city of Wroat. He explains that he would prefer to take the lightning rail, whatever that is, but doe to monetary reasons he finds himself continuing his journey to Sharn by foot. I ask him if he would like to travel with us as there is protection in numbers and after looking at me (almost looking inside of me) he agrees. Takis it seems might be a little uncomfortable about this arrangement but goes along with it for now. Mortachi does seem to go to some lengths to hide the features of his garb but to each his own in my opinion. Takis seems to be watchful of Mortachi but I don’t see any problems with one that is so interested in death. It is a natural progression of life and I do not see any problems with one’s interest in it. I am used to the Halflings ceremonies of life and death so why can’t a human celebrate the passage of life to death.
Finally after many a week we all reach the city of Sharn and I was stunned and not to mention nervous to be entering a city of such size. It also might have just been me but it I don’t think our little band of wayward travelers got as much attention as we used to get in the smaller villages and towns. Actually no one really notices us at all, even of the humans by the name of Rik actually approaches us. He is curious as to whom we are and seeing as how we are newly arrived to the city asks us if he could possibly guide us to a respectable Inn. Now I am not very familiar with the other races but he did seem very curious as to whom we were and wanted to know everything about us. Takis and Mortachi seemed to be wary of this stranger but I had no problems with him and enjoyed answering any questions that he had. This Rik lead us to a good looking and then said that if we needed anything he would be back to check in on us every now and then and then bid his goodbye.
The city at times is kind of overbearing for my tastes so I usually do not wander far form the Inn, with a few exceptions. Takis takes me to this place called a University that he mentions should help me find information about Lycanthropes since I explain to him that I can not read. We are allowed entrance into the library and we conduct our research and find a few tidbits out about Lycanthropes. At times during our research, which believe me took way too long for my tastes; I could not sit still after a few minutes of this book stuff. Takis continues to talk about his plan of ridding Xen’Drik of evil, which if you ask me does not sound like a bad plan and actually could be a lot of fun. At which point a person by the name of Xarut introduces himself to us and apologizes for listening in but what Takis has been talking about has peaked his interest. He has been wandering this city for quite sometime and is thoroughly bored out of his skull and was wondering if it would be alright if he could accompany us. Again this person seems nice enough and doesn’t pay me any heed and Takis is downright excited that someone else also agrees with his view so we strike a bargain to join forces. Luckily for us some of the research we have done has mentioned the land of Xen’Drik as a place to possibly find more information on Lycanthropes.
Back at the Inn, Mortachi is sitting with a group of people and motions for us to join them. They introduce themselves as “X”, Plate and Thaanas. Everyone seems to be getting along pretty good together and stories are shared by all as to how everyone met. Thaanas and “X” story is particularly funny as Thaanas found him in a garbage dump and was proceeding to pull one of his arms off when “X” stood up and was wondering where he was. Thaanas wondered why he was being thrown out and since “X” did not have any answers to that, Thaanas suggested that “X” should accompany him. Since then they have grown closer and have formed a good solid friendship. They encountered Plate one day and Thaanas was thoroughly excited to meet Plate as she referred to herself as a female warforged. Thaanas had never heard of a female warforged in his entire life and he was ecstatic to do some research on her. Plate was not so ecstatic and informed him of so. “X” then stepped in and informed Plate that Thaanas was a decent person for a human, even though he did try to rip one of my arms off, and that if Plate would like to accompany them “X” would be honored to her fight along side him. Plate learned that they were planning a trip to Xen’Drik for some components of a research project that Thaanas was in the middle of and that there would be some danger and they could use someone like Plate to accompany them. The thought of danger and defending Thaanas appealed to Plate so she agreed.
They were just on the lookout for a few more adventurers to join them when they ran across Mortachi and now with the information we got from the library it seems we are all interested in heading to Xen’Drik. Now just how to get there and once there then what? Did anyone know of Xen’Drik before or has anyone been there before? Thaanas at this point mentioned he knows of someone named Groswen who was an Akashic and if anyone knew anything about Xen’Drik this person would.
The next day we went in search of Groswen and we found her office and inquired about Xen’Drik. Instantly she was very interested in this and knew just the person who we could talk to who knows everything there was to know about Xen’Drik. She just asks if she could accompany us as well as she also has some interest there and then we all proceed to follow her down to the docks in search of someone named Rezzin. Upon finding Rezzin he does not seem all that happy to see Groswen, especially with what looks like guards in tow and brusquely asks what she wants? Groswen explains to Rezzin that things could be forgotten or lost he helps her and the rest get to Xen’Drik and explore the island a bit for each owns purpose. Rezzin sees the silver lining here and reluctantly agrees.
Groswen states that she will meet us all tomorrow morning as she has a few minor things to take care of as she has a way for us to get to Xen’Drik where we will actually be getting paid to go there. The next morning finds the small company gathered down eating breakfast when enters Groswen and another figure at her side. She introduces this person as Ulytash and that he knows of a minor noble who is about to head to Xen’Drik on an expedition and that he is looking for a few more guards. Groswen here said that she as with a group of adventurers that needed to go to Xen’Drik and was looking for a way to get there and offered Ulytash the services of the group. Ulytash needed to meet and see the rest of the group to see if they were worth it and upon seeing the group is amazed at the camaraderie of the group and welcomes us all as perfect for the job. Ulytash would be joining us as well on the trip and to meet at the docks tomorrow morning as that is when the expedition is setting out. Giving out the direction to the exact dock He then turns around and leaves and reminds us to make sure we have everything we need before we get there…
Looking around at all my new found friends I don’t find myself so alone anymore. I still plan on revenging my Uncle and finding my parents but I once again feel like I am home. Upon boarding the ship that takes us to Xen’Drik I have the feeling that we are about to start out on a grand adventure and I relish where it will take us…..
