Twas twenty and five years ago that a young maiden was born unto a modest family in a quiet farm town of the Albion countryside. Her given name was Tamarae, and she was her parents pride and joy, seeing as how they had very little in life to cherish. This young maiden was raised to be pure of heart and clear of conscience and grew up merrily following the path laid before her by her parents, as she had known no other life aside from the sheltered farm life. Each day she attended her chores just as the other young country maidens were taught to do, until her eighteenth birthday. On this day a stranger found his way into her life, indirectly proving that life as Tamarae knows it is about to change.

This stranger mysteriously appeared to Tamarae as she was out alone, doing her daily chores early one morning. While feeding the barn mess, she looked up to notice a small, old man, with a long, grey beard and striking elven features watching her and taking notes in a notebook. Startled, Tamarae ran outside of the barn and stopped, trying to calm her racing heart. Once she mustered up the courage, her curiosity took over and she returned to the barn to find the short man still standing in the same place, resting against the wall. Cautiously adressing him from across the room she spoke, “W.. who are you?” A moment later, a reply came, “I am Lenzaar, of a distant city. I have been watching you for some time now and found it time to introduce myself.” Immediately, Tamarae’s eyes widened. She spurted, “What do you want from me?” His answer was in a lingering voice that seemed to touch her deeply, “I wish to take you out of this modest farm life, for I believe you have all the qualities I need in an apprentice. But you mustn’t tell a soul of my presence.” Tamarae thought for a few minutes, and not knowing what she was agreeing to, nodded solemnly in agreement. She was more than tired of the dreary farm life, and her sense of awareness of the world about her was growing greater every day. Lenzaar left careful instructions on how to join him locked in a small chest behind a bail of hay in the loft of the barn. He then disappeared in a haze, and Tamarae rubbed her eyes, trying to absorb all of what had just happened. She knew there had to be a life outside of the Albion countryside; finding that life she had so long dreamed of was to be a never-ending battle.

Later that night, when all in her household were asleep, Tamarae stowed out to the barn and found the gem that Lenzaar had hidden for her in the loft. Enclosed in the small chest was also a scroll in some sort of wierd symbols. She studied them for a few moments by lanternlight, and seemed to know how to pronounce them, even having never seen them before in her life. Chanting carefully and putting the gem to her chest, she disappeared in a bright flash of light, only to find herself momentarily in a dark and strange new place.

Tamarae’s eyes widened as the chilly darkness of Lenzaar’s estate enveloped her. She felt very at ease though, almost like this was her new home, and something deep inside of her knew it. Taking a step or two, a familiar voice addressed her from a dimly lit corner. Tamarae strode towards this voice, as it was Lenzaar, relaxed in a rustic sitting chair , near to a fireplace which eminated an odd bluish glow. Silently, she stood behind the chair, awaiting her instructions patiently. When no answer came about she said impatiently, “Lenzaar, what is it that I am here to le...” She was cut off, as Lenzaar clasped his hands and replied, “Patience, child, there are many days of learning, for the span of my instruction is to be long.” Tamarae nodded and waited until Lenzaar pointed up the huge cobblestone spiral stairway, “Your quarters are there, child. I expect you shall find them sufficient. I also expect you to be at my service promptly at dawn, tomorrow.” Tamarae hesitated a moment. She was hoping this would be a relaxing vacation of some sort. “Yes, Lenzaar.” she said, retreating to her room for the night.

Once up the stairway, a lone wooden door was all that would greet her at the top, and it creaked eerily as Tamarae opened it. The whole room was totally dark, as there was but one window which opened out onto a lookout, but nothing was visible; it was the dead of night. The darkness seemed to encapsulate everything that Tamarae was, or would soon prove to be. Perhaps this was just the beginning, or the first real sign of what Tamarae had gotten herself into. She took off her clothing, hanging it over the foot of the bed neatly, and laid down on the pillow. Shivering, she began to think as she closed her eyes about the life she was leaving behind, as well as her family. For the only time, she felt the slightest regret, but her training would soon dispell these feelings, hiding them from the light of day for the rest of her life. Tamarae snuffed the candle and went to sleep, dreaming away her past.

As the sun rose the next morning, so did Tamarae, squinting into the bright light greeting her from the window. Quickly rising, she drew the drape across the window. Tamarae dressed herself with a quiet dignity heading down the cobblestone staircase to find her new master, Lenzaar.

As the sun rose the next morning, so did Tamarae, squinting into the bright light greeting her from the window. Quickly rising, she drew the drape across the window. Tamarae dressed herself with a quiet dignity heading down the cobblestone staircase to find her new master, Lenzaar. As she descended the last spiral, she looked across, finding Lenzaar sitting with a very upright posture in a large, black wingback chair. He was quietly studying what seemed to be an ancient book, tattered and frayed with time. Tamarae approached, but Lenzaar did not appear to notice her. She coughed softly to make her appearance known, but there was still no response from Lenzaar. After what seemed like a lifetime had passed, Lenzaar closed the book from which he read and placed it upon the table to his right. "Tamarae..." Lenzaar droned solemnly, "Come here my child." She walked around to the front of the chair and turned to face Lenzaar, her hands clasped behind her back, "Yes?" she replied. Lenzaar continued, "I know you are eager to begin your training, but first I feel as though you should get to know your surroundings and become at ease with them. Tamarae nodded in agreement. Lenzaar stood and motioned. She followed a few steps behind him as he showed her around the house and the grounds. Tamarae's watchful eyes took in all of the details of her surroundings, noticing every cobble, ever nook and cranny, every light and every shadow. This, she though to herself, would be her learning grounds, her playground.

After returning to the main room of the house, Lenzaar stopped in his tracks. He turned to face Tamarae, studying her gaze and features. Little did Lenzaar know that this childlike creature would grow to make him proud, to exceed his expectations in every way imaginable...

Tamarae spent several years working hard for Lenzaar, doing chores and errands. Most were meanial tasks, but with Lenzaar's growing age, he was unable to do many of the day to day chores. What he lacked in youthful strength, he more than made up for in wise knowledge and experience. In return for her hard work, Lenzaar would present Tamarae with the next step of her training. One day it would be a new scroll to study and the next would be a physical lesson in mind control. Lenzaar's teachings were brutal on Tamarae's young body, as he would often prove the effects of spells and skills learned by using Tamarae as the target. "There is no better knowledge than experience, my child," he would always say. Tamarae knew that she must learn as much from Lenzaar as efficiently as possible, for with his growing age, he would not be around to mentor her much longer.

Finally, the day came when Lenzaar could no longer continue his life. His health was failing at a rapid rate. Tamarae awoke not to find Lenzaar on this dreary day and discovered him clinging helplessly to his life, tucked away in his bed. She opened the door to his quarters with a dreadful creak and was motioned into the room. "Come, my child... I shall not last much longer," Lenzaar whispered. "You must take the knowledge and practice it. Remember my ways, for you have been an excellent student. It is now time for you to go out on your own, as you are most proficient. Take the 'Dark Writings' for yourself and begone." With this, Lenzaar closed his eyes, exhaling his last breath. Tamarae did not weep. Her emotional training had readied her for this day. She too knew the time had come in which she would venture forth on her own. Tamarae spotted the 'Dark Writings' on Lenzaar's desk and closed the book, fastening the leather bind. She tucked it into a knapsack and left Lenzaar's quarters, closing the door behind. She did not know where she was going, but somehow, a strange intuition seemed to take over, leading her from Lenzaar's abode, the place she had grown to know as home over the past few years. Tamarae walked from the home... and walked, and walked. An hour's journey turned into an afternoon. A day's journey turned into a week. A week's journey into three.

Nearing the fourth week of travel, Tamarae spotted a town over the distant horizon. Upon arrival, she read the sign. "Welcome to Meovanni" it said. "Sounds quaint," Tamarae chuckled to herself. Wearily, Tamarae stopped to rest by a tree. Little did she know, this would become one of her favorite places to study the others and their ways, as well as a peaceful place to work on her meditation and emotional control skills.

As time passed on, Tamarae became stronger in her thought processes and her magicks. Daily she continued to practice the skills that Lenzaar had given her, using the gift only to better herself and no other. While strolling through the isle of Allegria one day, Tamarae met a curious type. From she shadows she heard a whisper, "Pssst. You. Yes, you. Come here." She looked around curiously, seeing a dark figure. Having an undying curiosity, she followed this mysterious figure to a castle where she was led in through an ornate doorway. Before she could even ask the figure proceeded to introduce himself. "I know you are about to ask, who am I? Well, let me tell you. But first, I have a question for you. I have been watching you for a while now, and have noticed you spend much time alone, in meditation. What is it that you do?" Tamarae wavered, but responded solidly, "I am a rogue as of now, looking for employment of any sort in exchange for a meager salary. It has been days since I have eaten, as I have arrived recently from a long journey." The mysterious figure nodded solemnly, clasping his hands. "Well then, I believe we will be able to come to some sort of deal then. Allow me to continue if you will... My name is Azalin, and I have a series of jobs that I need the... 'right' person to take care of some things for me." Tamarae nodded, listening carefully. "In exchange for your services, I would offer you a grand salary as well as all of the training you might need for a successful accomplishment. Does this sound like an offer you would consider?" Tamarae stopped for a moment, thinking, then quickly nodded, "Yes, I will accept your offer. My name is Tamarae, and I am in your service." She reached out a hand, offering it to Azalin. He leaned down, kissing it softly. "Good, my child. We shall accomplish much together."

From that point on, Tamarae received even more training, as Azalin Uth'Matar was much stronger in his magicks than Lenzaar. Another of Azalin's associates was assigned to Tamarae's case, to continue the tactical training. Her name was Darkpassing. She seemed to be strangely involved with Azalin, but Tamarae never questioned this. Darkpassing was a well trained, lethal assassin, who gave Tamarae the combat and tactical skills she would one day need for her career in the shadows. One day Darkpassing came forth with a choice of weapons for Tamarae, and she chose the long silver dagger. This dagger had a leather wrapped handle which seemed well worn, though the piece had a striking elegance. Tamarae wore it with pride at her hip, dangling loosely from her belt.

After taking and completing various assignments, Tamarae felt the need to move on, away from Azalin. With this, she took it upon herself to leave quaint Meovanni, fearing what would happen to her if Azalin knew she had used him for his knowledge and power and then left without a trace. Tamarae packed her things early one morning and took her 'Dark Writings' in hand, ready to leave. Without knowing where she was headed, she opened the 'Dark Writings' and read from a page. Chanting the incantation to herself, she clasped her hands and disappeared into a fine, dark mist. When the mist cleared there was not a trace that Tamarae had even existed. A dimensional rift shimmered seamlessly and out stepped Tamarae, cloaked in the same dark mist in which she had disappeared. She looked around, wide eyed, completely amazed that her spell had worked without a flaw.

Stepping from her dimensional rift, Tamarae quickly covered herself, drawing her black leather cloak over her head to protect from the horridly bright daylight. She looked around and saw a bustling town all about her. She first tried to transfer herself to hide amongst the shadows, but was quickly made aware that her magiks failed as she knew them. Everything Tamarae had known about the way the arcane worked had to be relearned as per the arcane laws of her new home. Finding a solistice, she stepped inside of a nearby temple. It seemed shaded enough to allow her to pass the daylight while trying to find out more about her surroundings. Within the temple were images of several symbols, each belonging to a diety. Near the altar stood a friendly face, her name Jasmine, who offered healing services to all who entered. Tamarae, quickly adapting, cloaked herself in the shadows of the temple, observing the way the laws of the land attended her. From her observance, she soon learned that the land she’d stepped forth into was known as Shaikari, and that she was sitting in the temple in the City of Shadows. “How appropriate!” she thought to herself and smiled, knowing well she’d once again be all she was in the past, and even more, for this time she had the many moons survival experience she’d not had in the past. Swearing her motto to herself, she settled back in the shadows in the corner for a rest… “Use whomever you must Tamarae, to climb your way to the top. Stop none for mediocrity, for you are far superior to all in this land. Now is the time to prove yourself -- Carpe Noctem… Seize the night!”