Marshal is the 5th illegitimate son of Rorshak Hemmer, a minor noble of wealth, but little political consequence. Marshal spent his youthful days as a sparing partner for his father's legitimate heirs, he saw little of his mother, who would come every third day to be with his father during the nght. He never knew what sort of bargain they had made, but he later learned that it saved the small enclave of elves living on his father's fiefdom from being driven away. He was extremely gifted with sword and sheild, and soon was taken out of tutorship and put into the house guard. He was glad of this, as he knew the "heirs" plotted to accidently put a practice sword in his back, he guessed they were jealous of his skill. He did not understand this, his honor would never let him do less than his best, and he had always felt proud for them when they accomplished some difficult thrust move, or parry.
Transfered to patrol on the borders of his fathers lands, he fulfilled his duty and orders to his utmost ability, and soon earned the respect of all the other guards.
One fateful night, he saw a dark hooded figure approach the camp, he looked quickly around for signs of sentries, all were sound asleep, some still standing. As panic rose in his chest, at such a display of power, he recognized (barely) his lost mother. She stroked his hair, looked deep into his eyes and said the words that would forever mark his heart.
"My son, how I have watched you grow strong and honorable for these many years, how I have yearned to comfort you when the heirs abused your heart. You have grown straight, like a mighty oak, but you cannot plant your roots here, the soil is barren. Go now and seek your destiny, I give you whatever strands of unspun Fate I still have left."
Smiling she kissed his forehead, and disappeared. He left that night.
Several weeks later a traveller told him of how a minor lord named Hemmer had attacked the elven settlement of Silvertree, burning the forest that they had called home. While he was away on the attack, all of his sons were murdered, and his castle turned to rubble by some great magic. Most of his men had deserted, and so, the traveller had said, "you should seek work there son". Marshal only smiled a small sad smile. "No, my destiny lies not there."
He then turned and began walking the road.
Marshal is the 5th illegitimate son of Rorshak Hemmer, a minor noble of wealth, but little political consequence. Marshal spent his youthful days as a sparing partner for his father's legitimate heirs, he saw little of his mother, who would come every third day to be with his father during the nght. He never knew what sort of bargain they had made, but he later learned that it saved the small enclave of elves living on his father's fiefdom from being driven away. He was extremely gifted with sword and sheild, and soon was taken out of tutorship and put into the house guard. He was glad of this, as he knew the "heirs" plotted to accidently put a practice sword in his back, he guessed they were jealous of his skill. He did not understand this, his honor would never let him do less than his best, and he had always felt proud for them when they accomplished some difficult thrust move, or parry. 
