Background: My name is… well, it's unimportant. I have escaped from my onetime name as I escaped from the shackles of slavery. Know you of the slavery that exists in this fair land? Aye, few do, or want to. My onetime family was used to moving ore from a mine south of Minoc to town. We were thought of as mules; easy to care for and too poor to have a choice. Before you think that this couldn't exist, ask yourself how could such a massive number of weapons and armor, needed in the war against orcs, be made without it? People can find the most convenient excuses for terrible actions if they allow themselves. But this was over twenty years ago.
One day the mine became the site for a skirmish between bandits and Minoc forces. My family and the miners we supported hid in the mine. When the miners noticed the number of casualties about the area, they sent me out to scavenge whatever I could find off them. I was scared, but the fear of my captors was greater. As the battle raged about me, I did my best to remain hidden. I was small for my age, but could move quickly, and made it to the first body without incident. It was then that a wounded mage, afraid for his life, cast a terrible spell. The ground shook- throwing everyone to the ground. Scores of trees were toppled, one pinning me next to the body of the man I was preparing to loot.
The body and I were cut from the debris that evening. Their leader asked me, assuming I was a squire to the fallen man, what should be done with him. I told her that I knew nothing of the man and that I must return to my family. I pointed to where the mine was only to discover its collapsed entrance….and tons of rock separating me from any hope that they might be alive.
Their leader provided me with an escort back to Minoc and the man's backpack, wishing she could do more, but having to continue the patrol. The escort delivered me to a small room in the Barnacle Tavern and quickly left. It was several days before I could leave the room or even touch the backpack. I knew not what to do or where to go. In the end, I found the will to open the pack and see what was inside. There was some food, a battered hatchet, some feathers, and… a lute. Eating some bread my mind began to clear. I needed to earn a living, but how? I thought of offering myself as a vendor for some passing adventurer, but that was too similar to the slavery I was held in. I would never be in that position again.
I made my living scavenging at the edge of town- not fully accepted within and too vulnerable to survive in the wilderness. Through the kindness of a stranger, I learned how to harvest wood from the surrounding trees and fashion it into weapons. This way I earned more wealth than I have ever possessed. To repay my benefactor, I'd fashion bows and arrows for others, asking nothing in return save knowledge. I learned the techniques needed to survive in the wilds and discovered the harmony that exists there- the balance. It was there that I gave myself a name I felt I earned: Shadowdancer. To my delight, I also discovered the gift of music. For hours, I'd sit within the underbrush playing a reply to the animals that called. Do you know why wolves howl in the night? If you listen you would know. I knew then that I would survive.
But survival isn't always enough.
I don't know why I looked at the tavern board in Britan save idle curiosity. It was there I saw a simple entry: "Companions wanted for adventure- only those with honor need apply." The message awakened something within me that I've never felt before; "only those with honor…." Uncertain of my worthiness, I answered the call. I met Xian Darkblade two days later at the local tavern and got to know one another. He asked me what I wanted to do with my life and spoke of an opportunity to serve greater things and a higher cause. That night we found ourselves in Yew before the Lord and Lady of the House of Rosmar! I recognized the family name, but I knew little of the people themselves. I was unsure and wary of what I would find, but again that call within me sounded; "only those with honor…." I took a leap of faith and pledged myself to the House of Rosmar. Xian named me brother and I answer to that in return- I swear that sometimes we know what the other is thinking! That leap had taken me farther than I had ever dreamed, and I strive to prove myself to my brother and these honorable people.
Age: 29
Notable Quotes: N/A
Played By: Michael Hass
ICQ: N/A
E-Mail: N/A