Eryn Background

I was only young when my home was taken from me. Our village was located deep within the Lurkwood, far from the southern hunters and woodsmen that invaded the forest. We maintained a healthy relationship with the local Thunderbeast Tribe, assisting in the preservation of their ritual hunts and in exchange they promised to preserve balance within the forest. The forest was our life, I was entrusted with foraging and distributing fruit, nuts and berries to the animals of the wood during the harsh months. It happened one winter when wolves were scarce and the Barbarians had moved further west for their hunt. I didn’t see what happened, I remember returning to find our meagre village in ruin. As I approached the main hall I saw a shadow out of the corner of my eye and then nothing.

I awoke to the kindly face of an elderly dwarf and her husband, they had been hiking through the forest, unconcerned by the dangers that lay within. I spent the next few years living in an isolated dwarven outpost on the outskirts of Mithril Hall. The dwarves that rescued me, Anna and her husband Henri are the caretakers of a shrine dedicated to Marthammor Duin, the dwarven god of wanderers. I spent most of my time helping Anna and Henri in any way I could  and chopping firewood. The alpine climate made for harsher winters that I was used to. Overall, less than a dozen dwarves lived with us over the duration of my stay. Most were outcasts or fellow patrons of Marathammor looking to explore the world and share stories while avoiding the clamour of Mithril Hall.

I became close with a blacksmith, Flint Fireforge, that would frequent the shrine to make repairs and provide us with custom hunting equipment. I was curious about his work and Flint was all too happy to teach me, my strength a great asset in my education. Eventually, there came a time where I had learned all that Flint could teach me and he suggested I travel to Mithril Hall to learn from the great Clan Crafters there. Anna could sense my trepidation at leaving with Flint to pursue my work and so presented me with a small gift and the blessing of Marthammor, sending me on my way. I made tearful goodbyes to Anna and Henri, making a final prayer at the shrine before heading to Mithril Hall. I still perform a small ritual to the Patron of Wanderers every day, it helps me to remember my past and to cope with what happened.

Upon Reaching the great stronghold, Flint ensured I was granted safe passage and found suitable living quarters for a being of my size. I was apprenticed to Master Smith Torgga of Clan Lutgehr where I toiled for many years honing my skills. She was a harsh tutor, much more rigorous than the friendly lessons that Flint had taught. As my technique improved I slowly earned the respect of those in my craft and by the end of my training I was inducted as an honorary member of the clan. When Queen Dagnabbet sent out the call for an expedition into the High Ice I leapt at the chance. The years I had spent in the city were valuable but I longed to be back in the wilderness once again. I hope to find redemption through my actions for the sense of guilt that I have carried with me all these years.