Ireya's given name; Mewprrsqueak means nothing. It is simply what her Mother; Mesimia called her. Mesimia taught Ireya, since birth, to speak Gnoll, Catfolk and Common. Mesimia, herself, could speak many other languages such as Elven, Goblin, Halfling, Draconic and Sylvan. Mesimia had dark brown hair that she usually kept cut short, so that it would not get in her way. Ireya's Father; Lial, taught Ireya everything she knows about fighting. Lial was proficient in all armor classes and know his way around a weapon. Lial let his hair grow, but usually kept it back by braiding it.

Ireya's tribe, the Farclaw, was usually very close knit. However, when the nomads roamed near a town, no one could resist heading into town for supplies and a quick drink. When Ireya turned nine, not only did she claim her own new name, but she was allowed her first drink. Later on, she would be known for being one of the best drinkers in the tribe. In the tribe, everyone had their jobs/roles. Mesimia was the merchant, she spoke many languages and could persuade and bargain with the best. Lial was a fighter for the tribe, in case they ran into trouble, which was rare, which meant that there were few fighters in the entirety of the tribe. Lial loved the thrill of the hunt, and took Ireya with him whenever he went to go out. As a result, Ireya, too, found the hunt to be exhilarating.

When Ireya reached the age of 15 her tribe headed into town to trade their goods. On her way to the tavern she noticed a human boy getting bullied by some other, older, human boys in an ally. While the rest of the tribe that came into town went into the tavern, she stepped into the ally. She let out a low feline growl at the boys to try and intimidate them. While 3 of the boys were a bit a taken back, the other older boy laughed and asked her what she thought her business was there.

"You dog-hearted foot-lickers look like you've just been laying one hell of a walloping on that there kid," Ireya coolly said as she leaned up against the wall and the smaller boy curled up in to his defensive position.

"What's it to you?" Smiled the braver boy.

"Well, it's just that I don't take kindly to those who wallop kids for no reason."

"And we don't take kindly to household cats who think that they're tough shit."

"Really? That's what you think of me? Well you are welcome to come over here and put me in me place." Ireya said while she drew her two daggers.

The three cowardly boys ran at the first sight of danger. The braver boy didn't back down and instead kicked the cowering boy and then charged at Ireya. Ireya side-stepped out of the way and tripped the boy while he charged past her. He fell to the ground and Ireya sat on him and lifted his head.

"You really shouldn't be talking such trash, mate." She picked him up and shoved him away.

She walked over to the boy, still cowering and badly beaten in the middle of the ally. The boy begged for mercy. Ireya plopped down next to him and asked why those boys were beating him up. Slightly surprised, he slightly sat up and Ireya could finally get a good look at his face. He looked to be about 13.

"My family can afford much. Kids these parts like to make fun of the peasants, like me," he said with a slight whimper.

"Are you hungry?"

"Uhm, only a little."

"Stay," Ireya said after helping him sit up against the ally wall.

Ireya disappeared into the tavern and came out with three apples and two loaves of bread. She placed them in the boy's lap. He looked up in bewilderment.

"My family is in there and distracting the whole lot, so it wasn't too hard to sneak these out. Take this to your family."

"T-thank you," he stuttered.

With that, Ireya got up and went into the tavern to join up with her people.

Soon after becoming 20 years of age, Ireya was expected to find a mate and determine what she would do to help her tribe. The only problem being that she found most of the men repulsive. None resembled the strong, dependent traits that her own father had. As for her role in her village, she knew it was in her bones to become a warrior.

Ireya's group of warriors had been out scouting on ahead of where the tribe was headed. Upon returning to the village, a member of her group; Goto pulled her aside while the rest continued ahead.

"You know, Ireya, I think you're beautiful," he said holding her paw-like hand.

"Well, thank you, Goto," said Ireya feeling uneasy and bored as this was not the first time he had approached her.

"Ireya, have you chosen any of the tribe's fine men to become your mate?"

"No, Goto, and as I've told you, I am not ready to make such a decision, and maybe I never will."

Ireya tried to push past him to catch up with her group which she was starting to lose sight of in the tall grass. Goto grabbed Ireya by the belt on her clothing. Goto had always made his affection towards Ireya quite clear, but not like this. He usually had more respect.

"Goto, release me before I have to-

Her sentence was cut off by the look in his eyes, which showed no sign of respect any more. Goto clamped onto both of her hands and pulled her close.

"Goto, I don't know what you think you are doing, but you better stop it before I run you through with my dag-."

That's when Goto snatched her dagger and spear and threw them into the grass. By now Ireya had lost all sight of her group.

"Goto."

Goto pulled her closer still. Ireya leant into Goto's impending kiss. Their lips brushed up against each other's.

"Goto."

Goto wrapped his arms around Ireya's waist tightly while she wrapped her arms around his neck losely. They leant in again, and before they could kiss, Ireya seized Goto's club. She swiftly kneed him in the groin and clubbed him in the side of the head. Ireya sprinted towards where her group had left. Still clutching the club she made it within viewing distance of her group. She tried to yell for their attention, but fell to the ground as her feet became entangled in a rope thrown at her feet. She flipped over on her back just in time to see Goto pounce on top of her. She tried to scream but Goto clamped his hand over her mouth. Ireya struggled under his weight, trying to shift so she could throw him over her shoulders. She fought to no avail. She attempted scratching his eyes but he simply pined her claws under his knees. Goto, with one hand reached to grasp her leather chest piece. Before he began to rip the leather. Surely this was it. He was going to violate her and then leaver her there to die or worse-let her live.

Ireya heard impending heavy footsteps lurking in the grass. Goto too busy to notice the large spotted hyena creature towering behind him. The gnoll threw Goto off of Ireya and stabbed him threw the stomach with its spear, pinning Goto to the ground. While Goto screamed in agony the gnoll looked back at Ireya and drew his axe. Confused, Ireya scrambled to kick herself free from the bolas tangled around her feet. The gnoll swung his axe and Ireya luckily managed to roll out of the way as the axe came slamming down into the ground. The axe was slightly wedged into the ground, giving her enough time to kick herself free and jump to her feet. The gnoll ripped the axe from the earth and swug sideways in an attempt to swipe at her. She jumped back, but not without the axe slicing her left arm. Ireya yelped in pain and clutched her arm. Just behind the gnoll was Goto who had released his last breath of air. Sensing this as her only chance to survive, Ireya rolled to the left of the gnoll just as it attempted to slam down its axe. She grasped the spear that had been driven through Goto and yanked. It wasn't coming loose. The gnoll turned and raised his axe, clearly aggravated that it had taken this long to kill the catfolk. Panicked, Ireya desperately pulled on the spear. Just as the gnoll started to swing, the spear came loose causing Ireya to fall, and effectively dodging the attack.

"GRRAAAAAAAAAHH! WHY WON'T YOU DIE CAT?!" The gnoll growled.

Seizing the pause between attacks Ireya drove the spear upwards into the gnoll. Surprised, the gnoll attempted to dodge, but failed, and was impaled. Before the gnoll could try to continue attacking, Ireya winced and twisted the spear. The gnoll stumbled still trying to attack, but fell backwards. It lay on the ground taking in his defeat and undeniable death. Staring up at the sky, the gnoll released his last breath as well.

Still in shock at the events that had unfolded in the last ten minutes, Ireya slowly stood. She looked at the two bodies that lay before and was surprised she had survived. With sense slowly washing over her she seized the gnoll's axe and knew she had to find the rest of her group. They were dangerously close to town and she had no idea if there were more. As she ran through the tall grass of the savannah she couldn't help but imagine what would happen if the gnolls had gotten to town. Tear begged to spill from her eyes, but she held them back trying to remain calm.

She found her group at the entrance of the village- all dead. The village itself was set ablaze and crumbling.

"No!' She screamed in her head.

The people she loved and depended on the most were either lying in the dirt or missing.

"Why?!"

Her own home was only a pile of charred thatch and wood. Her father was found next to their house with a hole straight through his stomach. While her mother was nowhere to be found, but she doubted she wanted to see her in such state like her father. Ireya lay down next to her father and began to cry. She just wanted to feel her parents' warmth again as held onto her father's body.

"How…."

She cried until she fell asleep huddled against her father. But tomorrow she would leave this place, this part of her life behind and start a new.