Close the book and put it back on the bookshelf
You see, our people's time came to an end shortly after my tenth year. A dispute with Vagma over the rightful alignment of the Wilder elves had given rise to a deep anger within him, and his emissary, Varnius the Dark, had gone to Takara to incite her against us. Their argument, I suppose, was sound to the ears of evil - had we not been conceived of a dark elven womb, and were we not, therefore, rightful to be ruled under Takara? Our people would hear none of it, and in the night, the daemons came, the hydra, the dark elves... my people all fled to the deeper wilds, finally being cornered at the Wyrm Spine. I fled north, into the forests, my haven and now my saviour.
I wandered for a time, unable to take my thoughts from the painful memories that held them fast. I had been witness to the end of an entire race, I alone held the blood of an ancestry... an entire line, an entire culture had been whipped off of Terris before my very eyes. And moreso... my culture.
I believe I would have starved in my deep depression had it not been for Layni. She was ancient even then, well over 100 years old, and yet as young looking as were she only 30 A gift of the elven that she possessed in great strength, I suppose. She took me into her household, to raise me just as she was raising her true son, Nataer - who was then 7 years old. Aside from a few philosophical disagreements (me being a hunter, he having absolutely nothing of the sort in his vicinity) we got along as if we were real brothers, and as we grew together it seemed more and more that way.
I left Layni's care 8 years later, to seek my destiny in Tranos. I became a thief, and for a long time I lived in shadows, enjoying the life of anonymity. I knew I wanted something else though. The great stone jungle of Tranos was no substitute for the forests, and so I was overjoyed to hear word of the opening of a Guild of Rangers in north Dirimloth forest. Here, I thought, were people to whom I could relate! Hunters and dwellers in the woods of Terris, individuals with minds like to my own! How right I was, I found later (after a short bargain with Vasari to regain the eight years I had lost in the thieve's guild) when I became a member of the Ranger's Guild. I loved it instantly, the guild became my new home and the Rangers my family. Of course, like all families, we had our disputes, but a closer group of people could never be found than the old guard of the guild. I had found a home, and was soon to find a following.
I sought for some time to find a faith that would suit me... I toyed with the idea of joining light, to counterbalance and oppose with vehemence those who were responsible for the death of my people. Such destruction though, I quickly realised, served no real purpose other than to further mire my people in a web of rumour and destruction. My purpose, I realised, must be to preserve my people through their history, their legends, and every aspect of them. I understood this in all it's potential when I came upon the temple of Lore. Anlin was at that time the patron of the Ranger's guild, and a more noble, more intriguing man I had never (and to this day never have) met. He was a mystery, with a green tint to his skin that showed his ogre bloodline, and yet with a knowledge and a wisdom that was far more characteristic of the most ancient of elves. We spoke of Lore, he and I, and of history, and we came to an understanding... or at least he did... I was to realise later that he knew my path from the first time I spoke to him, and I was initiated into the Temple of Lore as a Proselyte.
Lore was my first love of a following, and in Lore I met the first true love of my life. Her name was Redust, a ranger, as was I, and beautiful. She came from a tribe of elves far to the north, the moon elves, but had been raised by orcs from the earliest age. All she had of her heritage, truly, were the tribal tattoos upon her body and the stories that she sought within the temple of Lore. We married, and she yielded me four wonderful sons... Laotzu, named after a dear friend from the Rangers; Quithas, also named after a dear friend; Arrostar, named so because we wished him to be a Ranger when he grew up, and finally, Lore... since deceased...
Unfortunately, such times in life as we had are not destined to last, and Redust was forced from the realm when the soul tax came about. I raised my four sons on my own from then on, and they grew independent, as I suppose the children of Rangers should be. Laotzu is now studying at the wizard's guild, and his magical skills are progressing quite nicely. Quithas took to the oceans some years ago in pursuit of a young sailor girl, and I've not seen him since. I fear from word of a shipwreck by the rocks of Zir's Island may mean that I have lost him as well as Lore.
Lore also fell eventually, Anlin taking his leave to study the history in other realms. I would follow Sharqua, the Lady of Honour, and Themis, Immortal of Myths before I would find my way to a temple I could truly be passionate about... Fate. To be quite honest it was philosophy that drew me to Fate in the beginning, my love of conversation and debate, and my endless ability to soak up the opinions of others and through those opinions form an image of who they were. I loved the spoken word, and what better topic than destiny? Through the process of my interviews, however, the opinions swayed me, and by the time I was initiated I truly did have full and complete faith in the Tapestry and the Lady Kyria, and was as passionate about it as any could be. Perhaps it was due to this passion that I grew in Fate quickly, that my interest in it never wavered even as I progressed through the ranks... and though it may seem to be said with little humility, it was that passion that led me to my current state as an Archpriest.
Fate was not the only change going on in my life, however, for I had met another who had re-opened my heart to the world, the heart which had lain dormant since the departure of my wife and the death of my son. Another Lady of the Temple of Lore, her name was Morlana, and she was the greatest thing that could have happened in my life at that time. She brought life back to me where there had been none, and taught me to love again. We married, and in our love produced two children, twins, Torre and Parrin, the most wonderful daughter and son that could be asked of the creator. We were married for over 10 years, Morlana and I, deeply in love, but discontent called..
Morlana and I parted, what a fool I was to let her go in pursuit of false hopes. I've not seen her since....
Also of significance during this time) was the reincarnation, as it were, of my dear sister Laryn, through a siren named Cinna. Laryn's essence came back to me, to speak with me... to tell me she lived and was well, and Cinna provided her with a mortal vessel that allowed her to communicate. Cinna took on many of my deceased sister's qualities in this communication, and I hold her today to be as dear to me as were she my sister by blood (blood being a rather ironic choice of words, as Cinna was also my maker as a vampire).
                                                      
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