As a Kender, you, Tarli Featherfoot, have wondered why Kenders feel the sense of “Wanderlust.” The Kingpriest sure ruined everything, it would seem. The Cataclysm over three hundred years ago, forever changed the face of the world – which, in of itself, seemed like an interesting prospect, because everyone’s maps were now out of date, and what a better way than to fix all of those old maps than to travel the world and correct the maps? However, the flipside, and the less interesting, and far more ugly side of the Cataclysm was how many people died how disease and famine spread throughout the world, and through that, the desperation of people and the kindness that people once knew.
You were several years into this “Wanderlust” and not really enjoying what you were seeing in the world. It was when you’d been traveling through Tanith, located in the northwestern region of Solamnia when you heard a cry for help. Rushing through the grasslands, where the grass was just as tall as you were, you saw several male humans surrounding a woman and her wagon. You were certain with how these men were speaking to this woman (and how they were brandishing their weapons) that they were not friends with this human woman. Shouting at them, using traditional Kender taunts (“Step away! The pony is confused! It left its dung a mile back! What’s it doing here?”), you swung your hoopak this way and that, cutting down at the grass in front of you. The three humans were genuinely startled to see a kender leaping out of the brush (they each seemed to check their pockets at the sight of you, for some odd reason). You were able to clobber the ones closest to you, behind the knees, sending him buckling forward. As he got on his hands and knees to stand, you brought the other end of your hoopak – both ends, smacking him in each eye. The other one shocked at what you’d do, was unaware when the human woman used her own scarf to wrap it around the man’s neck and hold on for dear life, from behind, choking him out. Shockingly, the mule jumped in on the action as well, giving the third and final, would-be brigand a kick to his knee, then a kick to his head.
When the battle was done, you extended your hand, “Tarli. Tarli Featherfoot, a pleasure to meet you.”
The woman smiled as she brushed herself off and collected her scarf from the brigand before wrapping it around her own neck again. “Emeelia,” she replied, taking your hand (ignoring all the advice she’d ever gotten about never shake a kender’s hand!), “Emeelia Heartroot.”
That night, you shared a campfire, keeping one another company. As the flames flickered and sent ashes into the skies, as two of the three visible moons watched with great interest, she began to tell you about the old gods – one in particular, Habbakuk, the god of animals and the sea. She goes on to explain that while Habbakuk and the others seem to have left Krynn, in her heart she felt that they were still here – as if slumbering, waiting for the right time, for someone to awaken them from their hibernation. She compared the vanishing of the gods akin to how bears can hibernate for six months; and there are even snails that can hibernate for up to three years. She showed you her book, where she’d been studying animals across the land, and as a follower of Habbakuk, she was known as a Druid.
She laughed and said, she believes that’s why her pony, Steelhoof, was so loyal to her; she, being the pony, knew that Emeelia loved animals and the balance of nature above all else. The following morning you were awakened by the furious sounds of the three brigands. You and Emeelia had removed all of their clothing and tied them to trees. You and Emeelia remained traveling companions for a considerable amount of time; this idea that the gods were sleeping somewhere (you were certainly interested where this might be!) kept you attached to her. After all, she was traveling the world studying animals and plants, and you were out to wander the world – might as well do it in good company.
You traveled south together, then north, resting in Palanthas for a brief while. While in Palanthas, you were in a tavern where you overheard several soldiers speaking about the recent goblin infestation. You got closer – and one of the soldiers noticed his dagger was missing. Turning, the man named Ronlyn Drahcir Daero, extended his hand expectantly looking at you. You were shocked – then realized, “Ah yes! He’d dropped his dagger when he was talking about the goblin skirmish!” You’d just forgotten to give it to him because you were so wrapped up in his tale.
From there, you’d travelled through the Estwilde region together, where you encountered an organization known as the Seekers; this particular sect were known as the “Cridheolc.” Emeelia emphasized that it was urgent to not speak of the old gods to these Seekers, for they would “arrest you as pagans” and without due justice, hang you as a warning to those who follow the old gods. Through deceit, the two of you were able to bypass these Seekers, but you witnessed how they were arresting people without probable cause and throwing them in cages. Emeelia assured you, there was nothing that could be done to help them. For you, this was just more foul darkness this world offered, since the Cataclysm had happened so long ago.
Both of you made it to Nordmaar on the far eastern part of Ansalon, and from a small fishing village booked passage to Farholm, in the northern reaches of Kendermore – after all, you’d heard quite a few stories from other Kender about signs from the old gods there. (Naturally, you knew Kender tended to fabricate the importance of some of their discoveries, but that was neither here nor there – it’d be nice to show Emeelia where you’re from). However, your vessel would be attacked by a ship flying the flag of the Seekers – the Cridheolc, and had it not been the timely arrival of another vessel and their fleet commanded by a towering minotaur Feroz Irontide, all of you might be at the bottom of the ocean. (Truth be told, if you could somehow survive that experience, the bottoms of the oceans was still one of the most unmapped regions of Krynn, so imagine the value!) Upon reaching Farholm you parted ways with Emeelia and stayed on Feroz’s vessel much to his dismay. You spent your days on the ship talking about Habbakuk – after all, you had Emeelia’s book. Wait. You had her book! Oh, she must have given it to you as a parting gift! That was sure nice of her.
Feroz, a bit to your dismay, sailed to the far west, coming to dock in Hargoth, and giving his fleet to his brother for now while he investigated this nonsense with the Seekers. Knowing he would need good people to come with him, he hired a former soldier by the name of Ronlyn Drahcir Daero – which worked out perfect. You already knew him too!