Aehrlon Moonshadow, Elven Rogue.... Folk Hero Background A History of Aehrlon Moonshade Aehrlon was born in the small village & trading town of Brandyllwyne, deep in the High Forest. From a young age he was different. His skin was a silvery-ashen shade, very unusual for any elf. His hair was of a silver gray. In truth, he was from two bloodlines of elves, the wood elves of his mother and the mithril or silver elves of his father. The Mithril elves had abandoned this continent, or so it was believed. But a few remained to watch their ancient homelands. Aehrlon’s father was one of them. Aehrlon had intense green eyes that almost glowed when he was angered, a trait shared with his father. Aehrlon’s father Elrohr and his mother Sedara raised him as an elf in their small house in the town of Brandllwyne. They cared deeply for him as any parents should and filled his head with the reverence of life, a sense of community, conservation and spirituality. Elrohr was a talented ranger and a master bowyer and fletcher. He was also secretly a Star or Mithril elf so he was frequently away aiding his mysterious and elusive kin. Many believe that Elrohr is secretly either an agent of or a Master of Gethwynn (secretive Ranger Guardians who were Harper allies & who protected the borders of the forest). Aehrlon’s mother Sedara was an elf priestess of the goddess Miellikki. Aehrlon emulated both of his parents to a degree. He became skilled in the forest and with weapons like his father. The young elf learned to make bows and arrows from Elrohr as well. And he was faithful to the elven gods and became a youth acolyte of Mielikki because of the influence his mother. Aehrlon’s spiritual leader and his mentor in faith was a wise old elf named Ruthven Ravenbuck, high priest and Cleric of Sylvanus. He helped ensure that young Aehrlon had a free spirit but a solid moral center and did the right thing when it came down to it. Ruthven travels throughout the Sword Coast performing his priestly duties but like Aehrlon and family calls Brandllwyne home. Aehrlon grew up learning some of the secrets of the Mithril elves such as circles of menhirs, stone ring portals that are few but scattered throughout the High Forest. He learned the ways of the people in his village as well. He had Mithril elf blood but wood elf blood ran strong in his veins from his mother’s side. Growing up, Aehrlon got into mischief a time or two but was well behaved compared to the rest of the elves and half-elves. He learned to fight as all young elves did yet was especially adept at the "sneakier" aspects and was apprenticed as a scout. Aehrlon also excelled with bows and fighting with two weapons. To him, there were two ways to fight: fighting with honor and fighting to win. He was smart and always fought to win. He was seldom seen if he wished to remain hidden. From his parents, Aehrlon knew many secrets of the woodlands and would guard it zealously. He sought enlightenment though there would be dark paths along the way. Aehrlon followed in his stealthy mithril elf father's faithful footsteps. And he followed his mother in faith. Through attentive prayer and study the teenage elf of 40 became even more enamored of the goddess Miellikki and became a faithful acolyte. It seemed to be part of his calling… or fate. A few decades ago, Aehrlon was in the frontier town of Phandalin when he saw a very clever revenge scheme. A cunning “gentleman thief” came to the aid of a poor woman who was knocked down by a callous, uncouth and uncaring merchant. Ezra cunningly took “financial revenge” on the merchant to the benefit of the poor woman. Soon after, Aehrlon became of pupil of this thin half-elf named Ezra Blaine or “Shado”, a roving rogue and do-gooder. Shado would be a fine mentor or Aehrlon. He is the one who taught the elf how to truly be stealthy and how to exploit his enemy’s weaknesses. Shado’s whereabouts are currently unknown. He has the uncanny habit of appearing out of nowhere when least expected. Aehrlon's faith is one of many ways he rose above his mixed heritage and become a useful part of the world. As a scout in the High Forest surrounding his homeland, he was of further use. Aehrlon often went on patrols, sometimes even with his father who was a patrol leader. These patrols kept the forest safe by warding off unwanted outsiders, bringing occasional bandits to heel and driving off or slaying goblinoids that would try to raid form the mountains in the south. But being skilled in the arts of subterfuge and acrobatics were Aehrlon’s main skill-set. He was agile, even for an elf. Aehrlon also went on patrols with his lifelong friend Gaerdorne Wellebrook, also from Brandllwyne. Gaerdorne had lost most of his family at a young age to malicious bandits and seeks those responsible. He still carries a single bear’s tooth earring that was found in his dead mother’s hand torn from its wearer’s ear. Gaerdorne has little mercy for bandits that cross his path. He is a skilled scout and tracker who wields twin swords and is accompanied by a bobcat companion. After some years of being a scout, Aehrlon was contacted by an agent of the Masters of the Harpers. They knew of his skills and of his dedication to defending his homeland. They were summoning those of brave heart who would be heroes and would go above and beyond the call of duty to defend those who could not defend themselves. Aehrlon had stood up against a would-be tyrant & led a band of folk to oust this cur from power. There was a call from agents back in Red Larch to all who would face this new threat of evil. The signs & portents had been read. Aehrlon was among those who were chosen to face this new threat to the realm. Now, he journeys to see what fate has in store for him, the noble and honest “scout”, guardian and guide. Looking more like a ranger than a rogue with his well used composite long bow of dragonbone, he began his journey to the manish settlement of Red Larch to meet with Glothus, a well traveled and ancient elf scholar who has some important knowledge to share with him....
