Tale of LaPortia Tuplan

I awakened with a start to my Mother's gentle tugging at the sleeve of my nightgown...

"LaPortia ye must dress quickly and join ye brothers for there is danger lurking about this nite"

I dressed quickly while my Mother began to sob....

"LaPortia there are many things that I had wished to tell you of your heritage, but I fear I will not live through this nite" I had always known  that there was a difference in my brothers Klaggorn and Aarko and myself, besides the fact that they were rowdy Barbarian boys.

She sat on the bed beside me and the tale of my beginnings began to unfold.......

"LaPortia, you know you and your brothers have never had a Daddy in the house, but I have done the best that I could do under the circumstances that have been handed to me....I was separated from my family when there was an invasion of Goblins and the Mighty Goblin King came, it seemed I was the only survivor in my village, I guess he took pity on me and he took me in and showed me every kindness, tho he had a very mean streak to anyone that gave him displeasure, he gave me every advantage that could be given a young girl in his household, as I grew and matured I fell in love with a handsome Barbarian.....we were wed with the Kings blessings and all seemed right with the world as I knew it. He was ye Father. We had a few wonderous years together til one andu, the Outriders came to our village, Ye Father fought long and hard for his family and his village, but he was slain shortly after he had gotten us, his family to safety, so I was told later.

The Goblin King survived also, and out of pity, or so I thought at the time, he once again took us in.  He was most kind to us while we were in his home, but he was a devious man, and for his kindness he extracted from me the promise of your hand in marriage one day. I felt I had no choice to agree, for I had three small children to care for, and no where to run, and no one to protect us from him.

Klaggorn, tho he was very young, knew of the plans of the Goblin King to take you as his wife as soon as you had reached the appropriate age.....He trained and honed his skills, until he felt he could safely get us to the town of Dirge, where we would be safe and you would be free of the bonds of the Mighty Goblin King."

I began to weep and tears were in my Mother's eyes as she took a deep breath to unravel the rest of the tale she had begun.

"Now the Goblin King has learned of your whereabouts and is coming again to find you, and tis not safe for you and your brothers here anymore. You must leave this nite quickly and quietly with your brothers and head toward the town of Crossing with your brothers, the journey will not be easy, but tis much better than the alternative of you staying here...for it would be certain death for the whole village if you remain in our midst."

With that warning, Klaggorn, Aarko and I were off on a treacherous journey toward the town of Crossing. .Aarko was just a toddler, but Klaggorn was older and wiser and knew much of the ways of survival and taught us and kept us warm and fed our spirits and our bodies and protected us as best he could, until one nite we camped near the tree with the black brand, still headed on our journey toward Crossing.

Twas a very foggy nite, as I recall it. My brother was doing his best to keep Aarko and I calm, but the fog had us all a bit on edge. Twas during this nite that Aarko noticed a movement in the fog and Klaggorn, in a kidding manner, and thinking nothing of it went toward the movement with nothing but a stick in his hand.

That night we lost Klaggorn to a guardian and twas all I could do to keep Aarko from the clatter and commotion, knowing full well had he gone, I would have lost him also.

Aarko swears that he saw the hand of his god Everild come down from the sky and take Klaggorn that nite. These words I dare not contradict.

I made a vow then and there that until he was able to care for himself, I would care for Aarko and teach him all I knew of our family traits and traditions.

Time passed and Aarko became a fine Barbarian, he even tried to make me one...still thinks I am part Barbarian, thou I had talked with Gauthus and had decided to follow the ways of the War Mage Guild.

I was out hunting one night and met a kindly War Mage who helped educate me in the ways of a War Mage, his name was Chandalar.

Aarko and I continued to be very close, much more than most brothers and sisters, I guess because we were all that each had...we hunted the dreaded blue belly crocodiles, the Trolls in the swamp of Haven and even the Death Spirits in the Manor there. I continued to grow in the ways of a War Mage and my brother continued to follow the teachings of Everild.

One day, as I was praying at the altar, I had a vision telling me I needed a companion, that I should seek the advice of the elders and teachers in my Guild. Two of my favorite teachers were at teh Pierless Inn that day, Ranal and Talac....I spoke with them both about the vision that I had had, and they both offered their advice and help.  I left Aarko that day with the heart of a lion and a soul that would make Everild proud to journey with Ranal on my quest to find my Dark Familiar.

Well after many challenging tasks, I found him, his name is Talon, Ranal left us to get to know one another, and that we did!

I discovered that I never had to be alone again! I decided that we would venture south and get to know one another better, when we came upon a little elven girl that was badly injured, but I knew her injuries were far beyond my abilities and my herbs, so I sent Talon to the nearest town to retrieve an empath that was willing to make the trip to come and heal her, for I knew she would not survive the journey. When Talon returned he had brought an empath with him to heal the little girl, and from that day on, I knew we would be the best of friends through thick and thin.

There is one thing I can tell you that has made me what I am today.

Talon and I had ventured to Shard to do some shopping and looking around, when I came upon a path that led into a lair, twas only there, in the the blink of an eye that an Adan'f Shadow Mage came into the area from behind and cast a web upon me, I could neither speak nor move. I was panic stricken, not even being able to yell, even if there was anyone near, for I had seen no one when I came in. I closed my eyes and began to pray, for I knew the end was near for me as an Adan'f Warrior came in and started to advance me. I stood there helplessly wrapped in a web of shadows, ....when from out of the shadows I saw a fiery scarlet arrow plunge deep into the heart of the Warrior, and another plunge into the mage's sternum, landing a deathly blow to my foes.

Twas at that moment the web entangling me faded. Everything was a blurr, but I knew to retreat, and retreat I did, when I heard the mighty roar of Trothfang, this gallant Warrior Barbarian came from the shadows and slay both beasts in a matter of seconds. He spoke to me with a stern but gentle voice and said"Tis not safe for M'Lady to be here alone" I was too much in shock and awe to speak, but could tell that he knew of what he spake when he picked me up gingerly and carried me to safety.

Lauzel is his name as I came to find out soon thereafter. We became fast friends, he always on the lookout for dangers that might befall me, protecting me with his life if need be.He taught me how to use a bow, how to fight these terrible creatures that had come into our world, and the greatest thing he has taught me is the gift of not only to receive but to give back to those along my path.......which brings me to the path that I travel now, with him beside me as my husband................................