Talia
Talia at around the age of 8 was taken captive by a party of slavers when her and her family were traveling through the wastelands. Her father was killed and her mother was shipped out in a different caravan from her. She was going to be taken to Reliqa to become a concubine for a rich noble. She was beaten by her captors daily in an effort to break her spirit will before she reached the buyer.
Towards the end of the 2 month trip across the wastelands the slaver caravan made the mistake of attacking a group of mercenaries at night. The mercenaries drove them off and the slavers retreated into the night. The slavers continued on their journey but were being tracked by the mercenaries. The next evening after setting up camp the slavers were attacked en masse by the same mercenary band from two days before. Due to the sudden attack the guard who was in charge of taking care of the child slaves left the cage door unlocked as it was feeding time for them. Talia could hear the sounds of battle all around, she knew this was going to be her only opportunity to escape. She slowly opened the door to her cage and looked around. She noticed the guard left the dagger used for cutting their rations left on the ground. She picked it up, clutching it close to her chest by the hilt. She slowly made her way to the horses, she remembers the riding lessons her father gave her and figures she has a better chance on horse back than foot. She walked around to the closest horse, she sneaks up to the front of the horse and freezes.
She hears the voice of the one of the slavers who would beat her muttering to his self about escaping with his life. She peers around the front of the horse and sees his back towards her. In a moment of pure rage she grasps her dagger with both hands and runs at him, business end of the dagger pointed forward. She lets out a blood curdling scream as she drives the dagger deep into the middle of a back. The slaver yells out "You little bitch" as he falls forward. She looks down at what she has done and is overwhelmed by a sense of satisfaction.
Lost in the moment she doesn't realize the female mercenary approach. "I think you earned your freedom today little one, and the look on your face tells me you enjoyed it." said the woman in crude common. Her words had a thick accent Talia did not recognize. Talia looks up at her with a start. She is awe struck and the appearance of the woman standing in front of her. Long black hair, dressed head to toe in chain mail splatted with blood. Dark skin and pointed ears. Talia could tell she wasn't one of the slavers, she didn't have the cloak with their emblem on it. "Are you a demon? Your ears are pointy, like horns" Talia asks not taking her eyes off her. The woman lets out a loud laugh. "No you silly child. I am an elf. Have you never seen my kind before?" Talia shook her head. "What do you intend to do now that you are free? Return home to your parents perhaps?". Talia shook her head "My parents are gone now." She replied in a trembling voice. Memories of her father being murdered and her mother being stripped naked and bludgeoned over the head before being tossed into a cage flashed in her head.
Talia pulled the dagger from the slavers back then knelt down and cut his throat. She intended to make sure her never rose again. Blood began pouring out from the wound and Talias heart began pounding in her chest. She felt a thrill of excitement as she watched the blood drain from his body. "You are a strange one, you seem to enjoy spilling blood, little one" said the woman. Talia looked at her with a smile on her face. "This man deserved worse, he would beat me every day." The woman giggled "Don't think I am judging you little one, I just think you might prove useful. My name is Bacardia, Lieutenant in the Golden Bat mercenary company. What might your name be?" "I am Talia Belmont, Daughter of Richter and Maria Belmont, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Talia replies with a slight curtsy.
"Well are you just the well mannered killer" Bacardia says laughing. "Mother and Father always told me to be polite to my elders" Talia exclaimed. Suddenly there came a yell from behind Bacardia "Ill gut you, you fuckin elf cunt!" as one of the slavers rushed up from behind Bacardia. In the blink of an eye Bacardia side stepped and spun around, her scimitar flashing in the camp fire lights. Talia did not expect what came next as the mans head fell through the air landing at Talias feet. Blood spraying from where his head should have been, his body topples forward landing a few feet away.
As quickly as it started it was over. Bacardia turned back to Talia and shethed her scimitar. "Some people have no manners." Bacardia said in an exasperated tone. Talia stared at her in wonder. She is strong and beautiful thought Talia. Bacardia noticed Talia did not even bat an eye when she dispatched the slaver scum. Interesting, she thought, maybe I can use her. "Since you've no where else to go young Talia Belmont, what say you to becoming my apprentice?" With good training Talia could make an excellent ally she thought. "You'll teach me to fight like you?!" Talia responded excitedly. "That and more." said Bacardia. Talia thought for a minute. This could be her best chance to survive and become stronger. At least she would be safe from slavers this way. "I accept, Lady Bacardia."
Over the course of the next 15 years Talia trained under Bacardia and was able to surpass her teacher. Being in the Golden Bat mercenary band gave her a home. It was on an island that was renowned for its fishing. Also it was home to an entire race of dark skinned elves. They loved sailing the seas. She met many people and even trained in some druidic magical arts as well as infiltration techniques.
One day the leader of the Golden Bats, Hawkeye, gave her a new mission. Infiltrate the To'rar military and gain information concerning the meteor shards and their sorceress Lydia. He handed Talia official looking papers that said she was to become a member of a specialized squad led by a man named Stug. "You are not of our blood, yet we consider you a daughter of our island" Hawkeye said in his peoples language. "Stay vigilant and return to us". "I shall" Talia replied in the same language with a smile on her face. She bowed then went to the docks. A new adventure awaited her and she was giddy with excitement. She boarded her ship, the USS Star Crunch and set out."
