As a girl child, I was something of a disappointment for my father because he wished for a son to carry on his name and skills; my mother was quick to begin lessons for me in healing as her mother had done before her. As I grew older, it was my desire to show a balance of skills sharing equally from my mother, father and grandsire. Life for a young girl was lonely in my village, though the the village was blessed with a preponderance of boy children, I was the only female. As a result of this, I was forced to meet my male counterparts on an equal basis, so I grew up hardened more toward the competitive male spirit than the more gentile female spirit. For this I gained some measure of respect in my father's eyes when I could win competitions against boys my age and some older.

      The lessons taught by my mother were regimented and thorough and required I spend much time in the field learning the differnt types of herbs necessary to heal as well as season food. My grandfather spent time showing me the special methods he perfected throughout his lifetime making ropes, nets and all forms of weave craft which I used while in the field to snare game to go with herbs I would collect for seasonings - so I also became a provider for my family.

     I came to know other villages such as Candle Keep. In this town, I heard fascinating stories of the world beyond our forests and dales - worlds of adventure and travel, of riches gained and lost, of high hopes and darkest dispairs. Of these I wished to have a part. So, in time the questing spirit in my heart and my rovings afield made my village seem small in comparison. A larger world beckoned beyond that and my eye was drawn to those far away mysteries.