Character History
Born of a "retired" human courtezan, with an absent elven ranger for a father, his early life in the small rural town of Walthenham, in the South-West of the Isles was livened by his mothers tales of of life in the courts of the "big city". While his mother may have enjoyed the riches and splendour of being a courtezan, her true desires must hav erun to ruggged men of the country, for the lovers in later life seemed to be the rangers and woodsmen of the surrounding area. Likewise, many of the male figures in our heroes early life were these men. It was from these characters that he learnt how to hunt. Later on, as he grew, his mother insisted that he received schooling, especially in courtly manners. It was during his dance lessons that his tutor discovered he had an ear for music and taught him singing and how to play the mandolin.
He inherited his mother's good looks and coupled with his elven ancestory, he was beginning to develop into a very good looking young man. Though he would never amount to anything physique-wise, he found that his winning smile, his way with words and courtly manners could get him anywhere with members of the opposite sex. He had his first sexual encounter before he had reached fourteen summersand by the time he'd reached 17, he had left a trail of broken hearts over the town. This was to be his downfall, he was spending a rather pleasant evening in the arms of the rather accomodating arms of the Captain of the Watches' wife, when her husband arrived home from his shift early. To say he was furious was an understatement!!
Baell escaped through the bed room window and across the roof tops but he knew the Captain had seen his face (as well as certain other parts of his body). He made it back to his mother's and decided a long and perhaps permanent vacation. So he packed his bag, grabbed his weapon and mandolin and headed for the city gates.......
That had been several months ago and Baell had made his way to the coast and the City of Caer Aberaveron. Once there, he had made his way to the Keep of the Lord Garric. His senchal, Samuel, had taken him on as a minstrel, one of many that had flocked to the city in preparation for the Llewtine Celebrations. He practised hard for the many months, determined to do well and possibly even be kept on. For there was something about the life in the Keep that apealed to the young bard. He enjoyed the fine food and drink, the clothes and general lifestyle his position bequeathed him. Again he found himself centre of attention from the men and women of the court, though he tried to curb his wilder impulses. The one fly in the ointment was Lord Garric's daughter, Rebecca. A couple of summers younger than him, she was a developing beauty. She was also something of a flirt and seemed to take great delight in making Edward as uncomfortable as possible. The fact the that he was a lowly minstrel, seemed to make her more keen to persue him. If her father hadn't been who he was, Edward may have given in to her, but he feared for his life and position should anything untorward have occurred.
The day of the Llewtine festival dawned bright and sunny. The Keep, like the town, was full to capacity. Edward was kept busy for most of the day for the Lords guests started their celebrations early and were keen to be entertained. He rotated within the group he was with, sometimes playing, sometimes singing, sometime both. He got breaks whenever the entertainment changed, jugglers, acrobats, story tellers, illusionists, all took their turns in the great hall.
The day passed quickly and by the time evening arrived, the guests were in full festive mode. Edward was in mid session when he was interrupted by a distubance in the hall. Ignoring it at first, he continued playing. However, guests had started getting up from where they were seated and several had started to move hurriedly for the door. As Edward muted the strings on his mandolin, the fear in the room hit him like a mallet. Lord Garric had disappeared through the doors of the hall, several of his war band, more than the worse for wear, following him. Edward could now hear pieces of conversations, and felt the blood drain from his face. The keep was under attack!!
So began a night of horror. Edward had managed to make it back to his room and grab his things before the keep fell. The attackers, armoured all in mail, with great metal helms covering their faces, were more than a match for the hurried defence the Lord and his men tried to set up. fell. People too drunk to defend themselves were cut down where they sat or stood. He didn't know what happened to the Lord or any of the other members of the keep. He concentrated on keeping himself alive, managing to slip out of the keep and through a delivery entrance in the walls. The town was no better, clearly this was no minor raid but a well planned invasion. Sqads of armoured figures were every where, their aim seeming to be to kill not capture. Edward managed to keep moving, always seeming to be one street or so ahead of the invaders. He made it to the city gates and out of the town through sheer luck. Outside he headed for the hills and the promise of shelter in their wooded crowns, who knew what morning would bring.
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