"PIERCE - THE BLOODLETTER"
(A brief look into his past...)
Born and raised in the farming community of Claudiant, the young elf, Darianis Claudiatu, lived a sour and lonely existence. Even as a small child, Darianis preferred to wander on his own rather than with his parents or siblings. As he grew older, he would roam further and further afield, often not returning home for weeks on end, to the endless consternation of his family.
In an attempt to bring the loner closer to them, his parents introduced Darianis to the bow (his father was an award winning shot.) Fascinated by the precision and expertise required, and his father's brilliance, Darianis joyously took up the challenge of archery. Before long, Darianis was as good as his father. But, unfortunately, the young elf lad found the bow a great toy to take along with him on his walks, causing him to wander further and longer from home.
Almost losing his temper, Darianis' father banned his son from leaving their small farmlet, hoping that a bit of discipline would bring the elf into line. But it was not to be. At his first chance, Darianis fled to the forest. Here he made and used a spear to catch fish, and a bow and arrows to bring down more game. With his food supply assured, Darianis survived on his own for over a year.
Eventually, though, he returned to his family farmlet to face the wrath of his sire. But lo! on his return he found his home besieged by a snarling mountain lion! Without hesitation, Darianis brought forth his bow and fired a torrent of deadly missiles, quickly following up with a lightning charge with his spear. Realizing a dangerous foe was at hand, the creature fled, but was unable to escape the piercing wounds inflicted by Darianis, and so fell, slain.
Once reunited with his family, Darianis was embraced with joyous affection. One brother was so impressed by Darianis' skill that he nicknamed him "Pierce - The Bloodletter;" a name that was to stay with him for many years.
At last seeing hope for his son, Pierce's father sent him to his uncle, a retired but seasoned warrior. From his uncle, Pierce was to learn the art of war and military campaigning.
Upon arriving at his uncle's home, Pierce not only discovered fighting skills and tactics, but his uncle's cellar as well! In between lessons he would secretly retreat to the dark wine cellar and consume gallons of fine liquors and tawny ports (etc, etc.) His uncle, however, being quite old and losing his hearing and eyesight, failed to notice the younger elf's condition. So Pierce went on and on drinking (his constitution rapidly declining.)
One sorry day, Pierce awoke in the cellar to find it's ceiling collapsed and the house in ruins: a victim of a hurricane. His uncle's body lay motionless amongst the destruction. Still in a stupor from his excessive alcoholism, Pierce was wandering about trying to come to grips with everything when a group of villagers arrived on horseback. Among them a priest and his father, looking very downcast and angry.
Seeing Pierce was drunk, the priest screamed at him the sins that accompany drunkenness, pointing out his complete inability to save his uncle or his house. The flood of priestly outrage eventually died out, however, enabling Pierce's father to talk with his son. Holding back his own anger (barely) he quietly spoke with a chilly voice, never before heard by Pierce.
He told him that his uncle could not be brought back to him, but his life could be repaid by Pierce becoming a great and worthy warrior. Furthermore, he must rely upon his own wits above and beyond all else. Pierce nodded thoughtfully, his head a thundering volcano. Adding to his pain, the priest's fiery voice shouted at him the importance of denying the devil's magic. Avoid it or die!
Pierce then left them, their words swirling about his head in a rainbow of confusion. I must not use magic! I must rely on my skills! Eventually the message: I must not use magic until I have proven my skills! settled into place. Slightly staggering, Pierce the Bloodletter headed towards Portus, his hand automatically reaching for his wine skin...
(A brief look into his past...)
Born and raised in the farming community of Claudiant, the young elf, Darianis Claudiatu, lived a sour and lonely existence. Even as a small child, Darianis preferred to wander on his own rather than with his parents or siblings. As he grew older, he would roam further and further afield, often not returning home for weeks on end, to the endless consternation of his family.
In an attempt to bring the loner closer to them, his parents introduced Darianis to the bow (his father was an award winning shot.) Fascinated by the precision and expertise required, and his father's brilliance, Darianis joyously took up the challenge of archery. Before long, Darianis was as good as his father. But, unfortunately, the young elf lad found the bow a great toy to take along with him on his walks, causing him to wander further and longer from home.
Almost losing his temper, Darianis' father banned his son from leaving their small farmlet, hoping that a bit of discipline would bring the elf into line. But it was not to be. At his first chance, Darianis fled to the forest. Here he made and used a spear to catch fish, and a bow and arrows to bring down more game. With his food supply assured, Darianis survived on his own for over a year.
Eventually, though, he returned to his family farmlet to face the wrath of his sire. But lo! on his return he found his home besieged by a snarling mountain lion! Without hesitation, Darianis brought forth his bow and fired a torrent of deadly missiles, quickly following up with a lightning charge with his spear. Realizing a dangerous foe was at hand, the creature fled, but was unable to escape the piercing wounds inflicted by Darianis, and so fell, slain.
Once reunited with his family, Darianis was embraced with joyous affection. One brother was so impressed by Darianis' skill that he nicknamed him "Pierce - The Bloodletter;" a name that was to stay with him for many years.
At last seeing hope for his son, Pierce's father sent him to his uncle, a retired but seasoned warrior. From his uncle, Pierce was to learn the art of war and military campaigning.
Upon arriving at his uncle's home, Pierce not only discovered fighting skills and tactics, but his uncle's cellar as well! In between lessons he would secretly retreat to the dark wine cellar and consume gallons of fine liquors and tawny ports (etc, etc.) His uncle, however, being quite old and losing his hearing and eyesight, failed to notice the younger elf's condition. So Pierce went on and on drinking (his constitution rapidly declining.)
One sorry day, Pierce awoke in the cellar to find it's ceiling collapsed and the house in ruins: a victim of a hurricane. His uncle's body lay motionless amongst the destruction. Still in a stupor from his excessive alcoholism, Pierce was wandering about trying to come to grips with everything when a group of villagers arrived on horseback. Among them a priest and his father, looking very downcast and angry.
Seeing Pierce was drunk, the priest screamed at him the sins that accompany drunkenness, pointing out his complete inability to save his uncle or his house. The flood of priestly outrage eventually died out, however, enabling Pierce's father to talk with his son. Holding back his own anger (barely) he quietly spoke with a chilly voice, never before heard by Pierce.
He told him that his uncle could not be brought back to him, but his life could be repaid by Pierce becoming a great and worthy warrior. Furthermore, he must rely upon his own wits above and beyond all else. Pierce nodded thoughtfully, his head a thundering volcano. Adding to his pain, the priest's fiery voice shouted at him the importance of denying the devil's magic. Avoid it or die!
Pierce then left them, their words swirling about his head in a rainbow of confusion. I must not use magic! I must rely on my skills! Eventually the message: I must not use magic until I have proven my skills! settled into place. Slightly staggering, Pierce the Bloodletter headed towards Portus, his hand automatically reaching for his wine skin...