Retired Military/Veteran Mercenary

As a young Giff, I was raised by a family of well decorated Grand Navy Veterans. As such, it was always too, to be my path.

I did well. I was best in my class for sharpshooting with high aspirations to one day take my oath and be a respected Paladin.

Being in the Grand Navy took me many places. Quite often we were in ruins from the Crown Wars; doing what we could to help the indigenous recover. It was on such a mission, I met a rather tall, strong and striking wood she-elf. Her name was Natalia'. Her and her parents lost everything in the late war. Natalia' was easy to talk to and I found myself around her more and more as days passed. Roughly a season later a once mere friendship between her and I in a somber time; had now developed into affection and intimacy. Not all were warm to the idea of a Giff and a Wood Elf romance; one especially - was her father. I'd never be good enough for her; a sentiment which I would later respect and identify with as Natalia' informed me we will soon have a Daughter of our own. This news had quite the profound affect on her father who during her pregnancy - moment by moment - gained acceptance of me. His previous disgust for me forged into something similar to the bond of a father and son, even with me three feet taller and three-hundred lbs. heavier - his wisdom and guidance bared more depth and weight my body couldn't equal. It was actually from this guidance, that marriage was proposed as he in many heartfelt words expressed his blessing to do so.

Elves have much longer lifespans than those of the Giff, but not always. After my marriage to Natalia', a second daughter and quite the Naval Promotion to the Recon & Special Ops Forces - Natalia's father passed away. He was hardworking and a first-rate blacksmith, but unfortunate accidents can find even the exceptional. Also unfortunate, I had to depart on a three month mission the day after we ceremoniously returned him to the earth. Natalia's mother was a wreck, but they had each other for support while I was gone.

I'm a father of 2 little adorable Wood Giffs. They look almost identical to me aside from the elegance and refinement of their mothers beauty somehow genetically mixed into their Giff-Like appearance. That, and their obvious elven featured pointy ears, which I obviously don't have. They were perfect.

This mission was not like that of previous missions. It was confidential, classified and something the Grand Navy would never admit publicly. This promotion came with more than I was ready to handle. Maybe back before I was a father, I could of looked past my morality to do my job; but not after. I actually wasn't aware of our dominion at the time. We just had an understanding of the local territory and had our orders, which were given to us in transport here. Locate our target and eliminate all in the vicinity. No eye witnesses. No exceptions. Our target, a handsome middle aged male Tiefling. From context, my understanding was he was some type of insurgent leader causing problems for the local regime. That was OK. What was not OK, was after we made our way.. corridor after corridor doing what was necessary, we located our target. He was with his family; his younger wife, and 3 daughters.

I was first contact. The man was begging to spare his daughters....who were terrified...frantic and crying; with their mother embracing them behind him. All I could see was Natalia' - and my daughters. I knew the rest of my unit was seconds from converging. For a moment, I reasoned my only option was to complete the mission. My words and my movements did otherwise. I instructed the target to move away while remaining at gunpoint and hand instructed his family to move in the room adjacent while staring at him as he mouthed "Thank you thank you thank you". I went to the door and vertically motioned my index finger to my lips and whispered hide and be absolutely silent no matter what you hear - making sure it was fully understood to the mother what was to come and what her task in that moment was if she wants her children to live.

The man was calming and fell to the ground in the main room, sliding down a wall, arms on his knees, head hung down. The team made contact. I called clear for the particular adjacent room while the team sweep occurred. Immediately one of the unit confirmed he was in fact our target. Another shot him twice in the head. All looked around after a very evident female scream followed. The mother failed her task. They were found. They were eliminated. Immediately after arrival to our extraction zone, I was arrested.

Dishonorable discharge. I should feel lucky I am not in prison, if not simply alive.

My return to my family was heartbreaking and warm all at once. I was happy to be home and they seem to be getting on with life without Natalia's father decently. However now not he, nor I are supporting this family. All I've known was my career in the Grand Navy. I had no clue what I was going to do, but eventually I found something I could work with. I stepped into the world of Gladiators. In this, I also did very well. My sword and shield forged by Natalia's father himself, never let me down a single battle in the arena. I didn't always make it out scott-free however, it wasn't just once I was unsure I'd recover or not make it to the next day. My wife and my girls, grew to hate my new line of work, but I just didn't see any other option. What I failed to realize, was the friction building between Natalia' and I from this. I'd leave on tours and always returned. This last time I returned from tour however, I almost wished I hadn't. Natalia made it very clear she very much still cared for my well being and wants the relationship between my daughters and I to be the best it can be....but that she was no longer romantically in love with me and that this would not change. In my absence and in her need to find an outlet to discuss her emotions and internal struggles, she found someone. Another wood elf. Female actually. And it wasn't a case of if I could win her back or anything of that sort, but that she has realized where her true attractions lie.

I was broken. Luckily, with light such my daughters possess, it was virtually impossible to stay down for too long. My first daughter, Eliza actually didn't have many qualms with my work. It was my second, much younger daughter Amelia's confession to how she fears losing Daddy every night that forced me to never return.

Here we are now, my current situation. I figured it out and discovered how to subsidize my life as a Mercenary. Picking and choosing well suited and "Amelia Approved" contracts. Interestingly enough, I eventually found myself confiding in my ex-wife and her new wife Maeve with my day to day life problems. Not sure how the same entities responsible for my soul breaking, turned out to be my rocks to help get over it came to be, but like I said; here we are.

I'm single. No love interest. Maybe in the future, but right now I'm focusing on my children and setting them up gainfully for whatever path they choose for their future.

They are all that matter in my world. They are my true rocks.

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Persuasion, Stealth

 

Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (Land), Maps, Scuba Gear