Maurine

Early Life

Maurine was born and raised among the rolling lands of Ilithi, where her family maintained a modest farm and tended horses near Horse Clan. Her childhood was simple and hardworking, shaped by long summers beneath open skies, early mornings spent in the fields, and evenings shared around a hearth warmed by music.

As a young woman she met Thalen, an accomplished horseman possessed of a gentle spirit and a restless heart. Though never an adventurer, he dreamed of one day joining the Bard Guild. He worshipped Faenella fervently and often spoke of performing before audiences, learning forgotten songs, and traveling beyond the boundaries of the life they had always known.

The two married while still young and, having no children to tie them to home, eventually resolved to journey to Shard so that Thalen might learn what path lay before him should he pursue his dream.

Loss

Their journey ended in tragedy.

Along a lonely stretch of road leading toward Shard, they encountered a band of undead. Thalen was slain before Maurine could do anything to save him.

Broken by grief, she carried his body home and buried him upon the lands where both of their families had lived for generations.

Yet peace never came.

Night after night she relived the attack, haunted by memories of helplessness and anger. She found herself consumed by questions without answers.

Had they left sooner, perhaps Thalen might have found favor with Faenella and fulfilled the dreams he had cherished. Had she possessed the strength and abilities of the adventurers she had heard so much about, perhaps she could have saved him.

The thought tormented her.

Pilgrimage to Shard

Months later, unable to endure her sorrow any longer, Maurine departed in silence.

Carrying only a few possessions and Thalen's beloved flute, she retraced the very road they had traveled together.

Every landmark awakened memories.

Places where they had rested.

Places where they had spoken of music, family, and the future.

Places where hope had once flourished.

Though she could not play the instrument herself, the flute remained a source of comfort. In quiet moments she could almost hear the melodies Thalen had once coaxed from it, remembering the movement of his hands, the warmth of his smile, and the sound of music filling their small cottage late into the evening.

Upon arriving in Shard, Maurine equipped herself not as a farmer, but as someone determined to stand against the darkness that had stolen her husband away. Curiously, she found herself drawn toward garments, weapons, and tools reminiscent of those a Bard might carry, honoring the dreams Thalen never had the chance to pursue.

She visited the shrines of the Immortals.

Though she respected Faenella and understood why Thalen had loved her, Maurine felt no sense of belonging there.

It was before Murrula's shrine that she finally found clarity.

Protector of travelers.

Patron of gifted youths.

Creator of woodwinds.

Bearer of the phoenix's symbol.

In that moment Maurine realized that Murrula embodied everything she had lost, and everything she hoped to become.

If she could not save Thalen, she could at least devote her life to ensuring others did not suffer the same fate.

She entered the Clerics Guild soon thereafter, pledging herself to Murrula's service and dedicating her life to healing, protection, and the destruction of the undead that had forever altered the course of her own.