I'm not real great at making extensive backgrounds, but hear goes.
Ok, I'm assuming that since he is a wild elf of the Silverbrook line, that he probably hails from a specific region of POL geography. Unfortunately, I don't remember where that is in relation to everywhere else in the world, if the wild elf lands info has been added to the setting forum. As far as the familiar dilema goes, I think I came up with a solution. Read on.
Character name: Ahote Silverbrook
Ahote wanders alone, relying first on his ability to intimidate, then on his spells when threatened. As a last resort, he may use his weapons; he is a considerable archer. Usually, though, Ahote dosn't have to resort to such drastic measures. If you can get past his erratic behavior, he's actually quite likeable. He has left behind his homelands and traveled a great deal. Some might say he left because his personality quirks made him an outcast among his people. Others might say he left to avoid responsibility to the rest of his tribe. When asked the question, though, Ahote would most likely say he left "Because he felt like it."
Some of his quirks include an aversion to scaley or slimy skinned creatures. Feathered creatures are tolerated. Creatures with fur or hair are good in his book - good for companionship, OR for eating. He dosn't care for smooth surfaced gems (pearls, opals, onyx, etc.) much and will avoid wearing them or using magic items made with them if at all possible. He likes the number three, and likes to do things in threes, or multiples of threes.
Adventures: Ahote's adventures have shaped him in several ways. He once encountered a small band of orcs who were part of a raid on a traveling merchant. Thinking him easy prey, they attacked. After a few of them were knocked down and charred, a wicked grin was all he needed to send the others running in fear. On the corpses he found a rapier. Curious, he tried swinging it, stabbing with it, and generally getting a feel for the thing. He found that the lighter blade was much better suited to him than the heavy longsword his wild brethren seemed to prefer. He has since practiced with it, letting his elven grace guide his training in the use of it and abandoning the longsword alltogether.
Another time, while traveling through a swampy area, he encountered some small blue lizards. His keen arcane instincts told him that these creatures were special. He sat down and patiently waited for three days, enduring the muck and the bugs. Finally one of the lizards approached him. It came close enough to reach out and touch, and it was not making the warning clicking noises that the others always seemed to make around him. The two beings stared at each other for long moments, each taking the measure of the other. Finally, Ahote spoke. "You are ugly." he told it. He held out a piece of meat to the creature, and that was the beginning of a new friendship. The lizard ultimately became his familiar, though he still thinks it is hideous and has it wearing a ridiculous lizard suit made of rabbit furs to make it more appealing to his eyes.
In his travels, he has often wandered alone. There are times though, that he will join a group of other adventurers and work toward a common goal, especially if the adventure promises the opportunity to experience new things.
