Aralae

From Stormravengaming

Aralae is a woman from the tiny fishing village of Vellen, northwest of Danloc. She was, in her youth, a beautiful and talented dancer, and so she caught the eye of a gold dragon traveling in human guise. He charmed and beguiled her, and they had a tryst, after which she never saw or heard from him again. She never even learned his name, nor did she find out until much later that he had been anything more than the wandering human he had pretended to be.

After her mysterious rogue had vanished, though, Aralae discovered that he had left behind a magnificent greatsword. She considered selling it, but then she dicovered that she was with child from the union. She decided to keep the sword, to hand it down to her child so that he might have it as a clue to one day find his father.

Aralae gave birth to a boy and named him Mandus. He appeared to be a healthy, completely human child. It wasn't until nearly three years later that the marks of his draconic heritage began to show in the form of patches of golden scales. She hid the signs, and she consulted with the village wise woman, who told her that the father must be a dragon. The elder also forewarned that the other villagers, especially the children, would hate and fear Mandus because he was different.

Aralae was poor and alone, and she knew that she couldn't protect her son, so she mustered what coin and courage she could and made the journey to the Shining Phoenix Monastery to ask them to raise, train and protect her child. They agreed, accepting the boy with warmth and grace, and offering Aralae comfort and encouragement for her sacrifice.

While Mandus grew up in the monastery, Aralae lived in Vellen and carried on her life as best she could. She only rarely got to see her son, once every two or three years, for her life was difficult and his was rigorous. When Mandus was just twelve years old, Vellen was raided, sacked and burned by a troop of gnolls from the hill country south of the Grimspire. Aralae died together with most of the population of Vellen.

Role: Family.