Harmen p’Llowen

Harmen had grown up in the lively elven village of Aerenal in western Eberron. He had been born into a large family, with several older and younger siblings.

Harmens strongest memories of growing up in Aerenal were of the days when the bards from the village would return home from their journeys. As Harmens older sister was a bard, the nights to follow would be spent listening to the tales she had to tell of heroes and adventurers, beholders and giants. Harmen would sit for hours, enraptured with songs and stories of the great quests that the heroes would embark on, and the fame and glory they would come to earn.

As Harmen grew older, his mind drifted more and more often to thoughts of these adventurers. During one of many visits, Harmen asked his sister where these people could be found. “They exist everywhere” she answered. “But by far the bravest and most exciting reside in the city of Stormreach.”

That was all Harmen needed to know. Gathering the selection of bows he had come to use as a ranger, he bid his family farewell and set out for Stormreach. Harmen travelled alone for many months until he reached his destination, sharing his 114th birthday with nothing but the night sky on the way.

Approaching the towering gates and gleaming spires of Stormreach, Harmen asked a nearby guard where he could find the legendary people his sister spoke of.

“The Taverns lad” the guard growled “They share their stories and squander their gold in the Taverns.”

Harmen ventured cautiously into the city, gazing in awe at his surroundings until he came to an inn. Excitement growing, he entered the Wavecrest Tavern and took a seat. The Tavern was fairly quiet, but then again it was only midday. He was sure that the people of which the bards sung would arrive soon enough. And so he waited. And waited.

After a few hours, the Innkeepers wife brought over a hot meal and a mug of ale, smiling kindly as she placed them in front of him. Starving, Harmen devoured the meal but left the ale, eyeing it warily. Harmen had never drunk before he had never fancied it. But eventually thirst got the better of him and he took a tentative sip. The ale was warm and smooth; he took an instant liking to it.

As Harmen waited, he drank. He waited, and drank for a couple of days, but to his dismay the champions his sister talked of did not arrive.

Unfortunately for Harmen, what he had found was a rather sizeable bar tab. Unable to pay it, he pleased with the innkeeper who agreed to let him stay at the Tavern whilst he paid it off. Taking advice from one of the patrons, Harmen ventured out into Stormreach harbour and began to run errands for the locals in return for gold.