Ilir Olcana's page

Born in Oppara, Ilir was the son of a rather wealthy Elven merchant and a serf of a human maiden. His father, Ellion, provided for his mother as best he could, her laboring in one of the city's other districts, but his trade waned with each passing year, and it wasn't long before their arrangement became untenable. The lord to which Anna - his mother - was indentured sought fit to move him to one of his holdings North in the country, and Ellion could not afford to buy her freedom. Instead, the two split in a heartbreaking separation; as Ilir was only 5 at the time, it is one of the few memories he had of his mother.

Business was still harsh, and over the next few years, Ellion fought to make ends meet. Ilir never went hungry, but his childhood friends began to be kept away by protective parents, seeing their families as above his as time went on. Due this, Ilir spent more and more time at Shelyn's temple. His voice was among the sweetest they had, and he thoroughly enjoyed singing her hymns as they were free and allowed him to grow his talent. Between time at the church and his ponderous amounts of time swimming in the river, his kneebiter years were mostly uneventful.

When he was 11, his father abruptly told him they would be leaving the city the next morning. Something bad had happened, it was clear, but Ilir didn't know what. In reality, Ellion had disrupted a smuggling operation that was undermining his business; though he exacted a substantial sum of money, he slew a small group of the smugglers, and he knew retribution would be swift. Ilir escaped during the night and gave a tearful hug goodbye to the head priestess, and he was off on a ship with his father the next morning.

Many ports of trade brought the ship to a (relatively) small town called Sandpoint. There, the displaced merchant used his newly-gotten wealth to purchase a residence and start life anew. Though a center of worship was not as extravagant, Ilir made inroads with the new faithful. Not long after he arrived, one of the town's residents, Sandru Vhiski, had his parents killed in a storm. Not usually the religious type, he wandered into the temple one day during a song. Ilir offered his condolences, and the two started a friendship.

The youth spent more time with that fortune teller, Koya, than with Ilir though, and he was rarely seen around the half-elf's church. Unhappy with this situation, Ilir would make excuses to see Sandru, and he developed a fondness for the teen. When they came of age - within a year of each other, Sandru elected to become a caravan guard. Ilir, though upset with this further separation, understood Sandru's brother and his group and treacherous influence, so it was probably for the best. Devout in his commitment to Shelyn, however, Ilir took up practice with arms, out of a subconscious desire to be more like Sandru. He became a guardian of the temple, something nearly unheard of for Shelyn to have. He was ever excited at Sandru's return, and the two shared drink and bread together frequently during these spells of togetherness.

After a while, Sandru delved into the adventuring business, and Ilir sought to follow him. Sandru continuously declined him though, saying it was too dangerous for someone who had a future as a singer. Though rather upset, Koya told him things always had a way of working themselves out. Though somewhat irrationally upset with her for stealing Sandru away from him in his earlier days, Ilir appreciated her sage advice. One day, after Sandru returned from an expedition, his eyes looked different. Ilir never could uncover what happened to him on that trek, but at least he was home. Before long, it was almost like old times, and Ilir couldn't be happier. When talk came of Sandru starting his own caravan, Ilir wouldn't take no for an answer: He would be with his companion every step of the way.

Throughout it all, his father was pleased with how well his son had been adapting. Though Ilir would have had a splendid future as a priest or a singer, Ellion couldn't fault him for following his heart; after all, he'd done the same. Seeing the two ride off in the caravan made him think perhaps now his income and wealth were stable, a visit to Anna would be in order. Hopefully, time had eroded his infamy with the smugglers...

Friendly and loyal, Ilir is quite predictable in his kindness to others. The occasional fun made in jest and surprise or prank does grace his days, but the half-elf is quite direct usually. Jealous of those with Sandru's ear though, he is not perfect, and one of his best-held secrets is his envy of those able to sing better than he. Some of his afternoons are spent thinking of what his mother was like and wishing he could have gotten to know her.

He has a liking for music, dance, and art as his goddess would expect, and he loves food with exotic flavors - especially spicy cuisine.

Tall and handsome, most hear Ilir before they see him, his voice ringing through many a hall. His short hair and absence of beard set him off from many of the town's other men. Ilir's deep green eyes and ever-ready smile disarm many a querulous quibbler or contentious combatant.

One of the few ways he refuses to be like Sandru is with regards to piercings; he won't have anything to do with metal going through his skin if he can help it! While Ilir has had some run-ins with some unsavory types in town, he possesses only a few small scars on his arms and thighs. As such, he values defense over offense in and out of combat; even when warm, he usually wears very modest clothing, covering all but his hands and face.