Besun asked me earlier how I came to Sanctuary - in truth I quailed at the memory and instead said only that the drow slavers thought I was dead and left me behind.
I have spent time in meditation and prayer to Torm for guidance and now I see the truth of the teaching "Fear is the true enemy", for fear of remembering is what stilled my tongue. The example of the Helmite's at the upper gate in facing the dangers around us has inspired me. Here now is the tale of my arrival at Sanctuary.
I was raised by the order of Torm ever since my parents were killed in an orc raid on our village when I was but 6 years old. The training was hard and the masters often harsh but I see now that it was all in preparation for the trials outside of temple life. At 16 I was accepted for initiation, and finally took my vows as a paladin some 3 months ago on my 18th birthday.
My first assignment for the temple, also proved to be my last. I was detailed to escort a group of younger orphans from Duskmere, a local town, back to the temple one evening. What a fool I was, feeling invincible in my new armor and riding a charger from the temple stables. The drow attack in the woods came completly by surprise - some fell magics darkened my sight and then a blow to the head rendered me unconscious.
When I woke it was far too late for resistance, we were already underground. I found myself stripped to my underthings, my hands bound and a chain linking me to five of the eldest children - Cassandra, Lemora, Kyle, Janus and Rory - all in their mid-teens, prime slave material. What became of the rest I never found out, I pray to Torm that they managed to escape, but the drow are vicious hunters and merciless killers.
We were marched for what seemed an eternity, then Cassandra collapsed of exhaustion. I tried to carry her but my strength failed me. One of the dark elves drew a knife - I could not let her be killed like a foundered horse - I attacked the drow with a rock but there were too many of them, they whipped me near to death and I passed out from loss of blood. The last thing I remember seeing was Cassandra's pale face and frightened eyes as the drow closed in...
I awoke in darkness so complete I was not certain if my eyes were open or not. Feverish and weak from the loss of blood I prayed to Torm for salvation and my prayers were answered - divine healing surged in my hands as had only happened once at the temple. I don't know how long I wandered in the darkness, afraid that every step might pitch me over an unseen precipice, but then I saw a light in the darkness. It turned out to be the Sanctuary gates and here I am.
Now, my path has become clear, I have a duty and a mission. I must find the children and rescue them from their captors and return them to the surface, at worst I must avenge them. But to do this, to infiltrate the drow city and get them away, I need strength, I need allies, I need information. It seems that I may be able to find these things here in Sanctuary, so here I must bide for a while. Torm, I pray to you, watch over the children - give them the strength they will need to endure til I can come for them - give me the strength to do what I must to find them.