Before I was known as Elwood, I was named Nozmeck Bronzefore. I was born into a respectable dwarven family, and since my father was a pretty big figure in The Legion of Mercy, we lived but a few blocks from the temple in Kal'Varoth. Needless to say, my upbringing was very, very heavily influenced by The Brathmordakin. For some reason, to no fault of my parents, I never really fit into the structured life they provided for me. Even though I had a lot of "radical" ideas, I did try my hardest to do as my parents taught because I respected them. I bottled every bit of negativity I felt in order to please them. I don't really remember much from then except for the fact I was miserable. But I really did try.
One day, I found myself standing at an alter, being sworn into a marriage that had been arranged. Poor girl, I don't even remember her name. I do remember though that as I was standing there and the others waited for me to complete my vows, something inside me screamed to stop. I didn't want this. I had never wanted to get married. I never wanted to get married ever. Not to her, not to anyone. I didn't even know her. I felt trapped. If I completed this marriage, I would be stuck there, in that religion, in that mountain, in that family of demands for the rest of my life. Everything I had suppressed erupted in an instant and I didn't know who to blame. So I ran. I left the city and my old life behind. I ran to the forest and hid there, scrounging to survive and became Elwood.
It was extremely difficult trying to survive on my own, but I felt it was worth it. For once, my life was truly in my own hands. Never having lived outside of the comfort of the mountain, the wilderness began to get the best of me and I constantly lived my life on a thin line between life and death.
Things were looking pretty grim, but just as I was about to give up, I found myself on a coastline. I snuck on a boat and sailed across the way and found myself in a new land. I found myself on the outskirts of the land claimed by The Druidic Order. I met a few of the members who helped me gain proficiency in untamed lands, but since then, I have lived primarily on my own in this area. Someday I may try to join them, but for now I am content to my life alone, not taking orders from anyone. Plus, I'm not really alone - the plants are great company!
