Role

Chapter 1

Ild's grandfather was no warrior. He knew no spells, communed no powers from
the gods. He walked with a limp and always held his cane in his left hand
because the years had clenched his right into a useless ball. His eyesight
was adequate for him to navigate his sparse hovel and to find his bench that
sat in the sun just by his door. But, despite his numerous ailments and
limited abilities, he did something no one else could or would. He saved
Ild's life.

Ild's parents were self-centered assholes. Everything they did was a
calculated move to help them navigate whatever hurdles kept them from their
next very much deserved seat of political power. Their marriage, their
friends, the birth of their child, all part of the strategy without a thought
to the consequences reaped by those who had the misfortune of crossing paths
with this pair. Worse still, was the competition between two. Her father was
a powerful mage who, while well connected, lacked the finesse and people
skills found in most politicians. Her human mother, could not touch the
magical skills of her father, but could charm the fur off of a felar. Both,
headstrong and full of ambition... Wait. I'm already tired of these two. They
obviously had no time for Ild, and I have no more time for them. Bastards,
the both of them.

Neglected and blamed for just about everything that didn't go right in her
parent's life, Ild spent most of her time wandering the outskirts of Hamsah
looking for peace..and a friend. It was one of those days that she came
across an old man sitting on a bench. He starred into the sunset with a broad
smile on his face. Intrigued, Ild came closer.

"What's wrong with you, old man?"

"Not a thing, my dear! Come closer and let me see what's wrong with you!"

Ild's heart sank, but she obliged. She knew the laundry list of things that
were wrong with her. She was nosy, she didn't do as she was told, she was a
curse to her parents, she made messes...

The old man took her head between his good hand and his clenched one and
looked into her eyes for a good while, then let her go, "There's nothing
wrong with you at all! What a lucky pair we are!"

Ild smiled, "I'm Ild. What's your name?"

"You can call me grandpa. I've been saving you a spot" he cackled as he
rapped his clenched fist on the bench.

"OK!"

Instant friendship.