Merenso Kull (MUH-rin-ZO KULL) used to live with
his family at the base of nearby mountains. His father had managed
to woo an elf maiden into settling down with him in a log cabin
and they had several children of varying age before the man passed
away of natural causes. Merenso’s elven mother raised him and his
siblings after that, relying on them to do the chores and hunting
while she looked after the home. Unfortunately, orc raiders attacked
their homestead during one of Merenso’s hunting trips. When he
and his two brothers returned, they found the rest of their family
dead and the cabin burned to the ground.
Together, the boys tracked and harried the orcs, picking them off
one by one with coordinated attacks before fading back into the
forest. But the wily orcs eventually ran them down, forcing a battle
on their terms. Only Merenso survived, killing the last orc with his
father’s blade. After that, he felt no desire to stay in the mountains.
They held enough bad memories for him to pack up his things and
wander across the remainder of the fog-shrouded land. In time,
he hired himself out as a guide, having learned all the roads and
trails as surely as the back of his hand. This line of work brought
him into contact with the Professor, who retained Merenso as
both a bodyguard and scout while traveling to various ruins or
landmarks. Merenso was quite surprised to hear of the Professor’s
death, as the old man always demonstrated remarkable fortitude. It
surprised him even more to receive an invitation to the Professor’s
funeral. Relishing the opportunity for yet another trip, Merenso
agreed to attend.
