Iaasis

My parents were of a band of traveling merchants. My father, a bard, set us upon this group for it made money where he had failed as a farmer. My mother made small trinkets and sold them for coin, and occasionally, when called upon, she would sell clothing and other items... She also learned the trades of being a thief, stealing when she felt she had been cheated out of a deal. When my mother found she was with child, she became fearful of the effect the life of a traveler would have on a babe, and the burden it would have on her and father to have to rear me under these conditions. To that end, she told my father of the babe she carried, and he agreed it was not welcome news. My father made a deal with a dark man known as Arcaniok. To children he was the boogy man, but to my parents he was the answer to their problem. On the day of my birth he was called to the encampment and took the small bundle for a fee of 10 copper kronars. No one really knew at that time what happened to the children this man purchased at such low cost to those who were in desperation, or simply did not want the burden.

So I grew slowly in a sort of room/dungeon with 12 other children. I wish I could remember their names, but so much of that I've blocked out... I do recall "coming of age." When a child came of a suitable age, Arcaniok would come and take them, and they would not return to the small room. I found out all too quickly why they never returned, for one cold winter day I was torn from the other children and was sent on my way to "make myself useful." I was sold, once again. This time to a band of warriors who took me to work in a mine. It was dreadful, but was far better then sitting in that cold dank room with little food and even less sleep. There were many children there aside myself.

One spring day, some 3 years later, a group of warriors in strange outfits came into the camp. They came in so fast, my head span. The mine guards were killed, no – slaughtered is more like it. The children were rounded up into a group and counted... I was so frightened, we all were.... I bolted for the woods and was caught just before I got to the tree line. The black haired man smiled down at me and I kicked him with all my strength and bolted again, but once again I was grabbed from behind by a different man and fell to the ground. He frowned down at me and yelled something in a strange tongue. I peered at him through tear filled eyes, I knew my life was over. The other man with the black hair came around to face me and smiled down at me again, then, oddly, helped me to my feet. I came to know this man as Ostrixrider.

I grew up with Ostrix, who taught me to speak his language and even write in it. He also gave me a trade to help me through this world. He taught me the ways of magic. I came to love this man and was happy till the day when he told me that I was old enough to be out on my own. Fear stricken, I went out upon the world, always remembering what I had been taught. "Help all in need when you can, even the lowliest looking thief can be a good friend and mayhap just as frightened as you." With this in mind, I set off to find my path. I met many new people and made many friends, I outfitted many with armor and weapons, and took some hunting. This is how my heart was stolen...but that is another story.

I have come a long way from a bleak childhood, but that was long ago. I am old now, and Ostrix is gone from this world. I am now the mother of 4 beautiful children (Lelibu, Fillia, Broki and Jalaki...I had another son once, Leffnerr who alas has left this land). I leave the adventure to them now, as I am getting old and my mind is tired. But I know I still have some adventure left in these old bones.