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I know I have been secretive about my past. Although friendly, I tend to be a private person. But I have made many friends here within the redwood and perhaps it is time that they learn who I am. I was born Mal Elee which translates to common as Eyes of Gold. My parents were simple hard working farmers on one of the smaller of the moon isles. I was their third child and second son. I never really had the chance to know my family as I was enlisted into the service of the MoonGuard at a very young age. Members of the MoonGuard are the sworn protectors of the MoonGates, children born with the power to prevent demon spawn from the outer planes from bringing armies into this world. It is a passive power. As long as they are alive, they keep the gates sealed. So it is a great honor to be chosen for the MoonGuard and also a great responsibility. I was drafted for my golden eyes. Being born with eyes with metallic irises I can “see” through the disguises that are used by demons and undead. Whether they take possession of a body or change shape or try their newest way of deceiving. The clever spawn now mate with mortals to create hybrids that can pass for the race that the demon mated with. So someone with me inherent power would be invaluable for the protection the Gates. My training started almost from day one at the academy. There were endless lessons on combat and tracking and hunting and espionage. I also tested well for the arcane powers so my education also included stacks and stacks of books and spell components. I knew how important it was for me to be part of the MoonGuard, but I didn’t like not having a choice in the matter. I missed my family. I still do, but I cannot put them in danger by going to them. When I was 18, I was on my first assignment. There was a gathering of several of the MoonGates and their protectors. The Gates can be of any race, but they have to have at least a trace of elfish blood in them. The meeting was purely political and turned out to be a trap to destroy as many Gates at one time as possible. It was the dark elf delegates, along with half demon allies that ambushed the heart of the conference and caught everyone by surprise. There was no need to suspect them. They brought their own Gates and at the time, the half-breed demons were unknown to the MoonGuard and difficult to detect. It was a bloody, heart wrenching fight. The atrocities I witnessed will haunt me for the rest of my days. The leader of the dark elf visitors even slew his own daughter, who was a MoonGate child. To this day I do not know the outcome of that fight. A small band of guardsman, myself included, managed to spirit away two of the children. One of them was a human boy whose father was cut down as we escaped and the other was the small elven girl that I had been assigned to protect. We boarded a ship but I was severely wounded in the escape. By the time we landed in Devardec, my wounds had festered from some hellish poison. I had to be left behind in the care of healers so that the others could make good their escape. When I recovered, my comrades were long gone, but a note had been left. It said to remain in the area and wait for further orders. I was to delay or destroy any pursuit and that when they were secure, that I would be called for. I immediately went about to secure shelter and survey the lay of the land. The big city was too noisy and crowded for me. So I sought out the forests and soon became disoriented, which was odd because I am ever at home in the wild. I stumbled upon a magnificent white stag. He stared at me with an unnatural intelligence and with what I took as a nod he bounded away. I felt compelled to give chase and soon lost him. It was then that I heard laughter up among the trees and I soon found a secret way through the trees that wasn’t there before, as if the forest opened up for me. I had discovered a group of guardians. They called themselves rangers. The rangers protected the natural and demons are definitely unnatural so I immediately felt a kinship. But like me, they were also a secretive lot so I kept my story to myself. For years I lived with them and fought beside them, while I secretly hunted and destroyed any demons or devils I came across. I made myself a target for assassins and hunters so that the small group would remain safe. As long as the demons thought that a MoonGate was near me, they would stay here and pursue me instead of looking elsewhere. So here I am, an exile, a protector, and a friend. You now know my origin and also the possible danger there is in knowing me. I have kept my fight away from the redwood and I hope it stays that way. But the attacks on me are growing more frequent and violent. It is only a matter of time before one of my brothers or sisters gets drawn into my little war. So I needed to warn you so you may be prepared for whatever happens. I know that whatever I face, I will not have to stand alone. Auric |
Date Joined: Current Status: Mentor's Name: Mentor Pgm. Graduate? Ironwood Ranger Bow Award: Guild Team(s) Joined: Gold Leaf Patch Award: Giant Falcon Award: Ring of the Redwood Award: Taken Period of Solitude? Guild Offices Held: |