Your character has just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As they look around, their gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. They duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? She begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.”
((How do you respond?))
"Oh, I just, uh…" you stutter, tensing up. You eye the crone, then back outside the tent. For a moment, the air thickens with anticipation, until a wailing howl from the wind nearby breaks the pause. There was a moment of contemplation, he should be wary but for a reason he couldn't claim, he wasn't. He looked her direction once more as he sat down.
"..My story?" A sudden smile begins to creep up on his lips. He couldn't remember the last time he had gotten a chance to tell his story. Moments like this were rare but very welcomed by the young elf.
"Listen close, because I shall tell you about a life so strange it will be remembered for eons." He took a dramatic pause, playing antics with the old woman. "18 passing years ago, there lived a clan. A rather small and unheard of clan, but one nonetheless. A group of 5 dark elves. These elves took pride in themselves, they took pride in their family, in all of them. They were known as 'The Serving Ones', in a more known language. I'd come to find out the specifics of our title in my later years. One day there was a mother blessed after 16 years, with a child. This child strengthened them, giving them a newfound joy to teach the world to. This child was named Maelu Monspite. A name coming from a meaning of their race and a blessing. As years past by like snow falling, the child grew strong. He learned the ways fast, experiencing the world first-hand. This was only his beginning and he was ready for much more that the world had to offer him."
He took a breath, recalling fond memories that felt just like moments ago, he'd remember them for centuries.
He focused in, giving his full attention to the lady who sat contently in front of him. "By the time he had reached 15 he had grown to love the world, to cherish and love all things, and to learn from them. By now, he was ready. His mother, and the rest of his dear family knew he was ready too. He was ready to learn to serve. 'The Serving Ones', a name he learned came from the knights his family presented. Knights that went on to explore the world, serving others with a profound duty and a loyal heart to family. It was his turn to inherit this life. So the young elf trained, and he trained more. He learned quick, building up his skills with knowledge, strength, decision-making and above all this, keeping his loyalty and heart. Time vanished past his eyes until his 18th year. He wanted to see the world, to find his way and serve alongside the ways of his family. He knew it was time. So he said his goodbye's, promising that every 3 times a full moon, he would visit again, to the home he knew. When he left, he had not fully thought out his ways, albeit he still was maturing. He knew he would become a knight, serving whomever with absolute loyalty, but he didn't know how he would get there. He came up with the thought of exploration, with the ways of the world he would find a place that was right for him. So he did just that, he may experience tough, even heart-breaking challenges but he would become what he had made a devotion to, no matter the cost." And with a low laugh he thanked the old hag, giving her a rusty and beat-up bronze coin before standing up and vanishing out the end of the tent, making his way in the world.
