EleaShe grew up with her Elven family, the product of an assault by a human male against a noble elven female. The disagrace caused her family to move North. Her mother loved her very much despite the manner in which she came about. Her uncle, El'auth, hated the human part of her. He would not let her forget it or her heritage. His hatred caused him to abuse Elea, verbally and physically, for most of her childhood. Feeling guilty for the sins of her unknown human father, she never complained.
The one saving grace in her childhood was her friends. Her best friend was a roguish and outgoing human, Donnan. More often than not, Elea spent her free time over at his home with him and the rest of there friends so that she could escape the cruelty of her uncle. The two were the closest friends in their circle.
Elea did enjoy helping Donnan create his 'persona,' basing it on some of the fops she had seen at home and in her travels. She taught him the finer aspects of etiquette and fashion while he taught her the finer arts of fighting and surviving. She never shared much about her past with Donnan or anyone, nor spoke about her family. The most she had told Donnan was that there was an "unfortunate incident" in her family's history. Then she dropped the subject, never to bring it up again.
After one of the 'adventures' with El'auth in which she was given a scar on her left cheek to remind her always of 'what she really was,' Elea decided to leave home. She had her mother's spellbook and blessing even though there were many tears. The uncle agreed and said he never wanted to see her again. Her mother reminded her a star that shined over her home like the 'clear light of a beacon' and said never to forget her or her love. This is when she became "Elea Clearlight." She told all of her friends good-bye and set out, not knowing where she was headed.
After 3 months of traveling as a bard, Elea ran across a couple of elves from her home. They told her of her uncle's increasing madness and that he was directing it at her. He could not stand the thought of Elea with anyone else, in any manner, nor the thought of her wandering free in the world. He had decided that Elea was his and that he was going to get her back and lock her up forever. They begged her to flee to the regions farthest away from her home. They said she would never be safe. Elea agreed, turning her travels to the South.
This was at this time that Elea realized she would never see her mother again. She now bares a great hatred towards her uncle, but she is still very much afraid of him. She will do almost anything to escape him and his abuses. More than once, she has had to evade or kill the bounty hunters that her uncle has sent after her.
This is why she began to look for strong, protective traveling companions. Fortunately, soon after hearing of her Uncle's madness, Elea came upon Tavin, an experience human fighter, and his band. They took her under their wing, guiding and teaching her. After meeting up with Tavin and his group, she began to trust men a little more. She cultivated a closer friendship with a Cleric of Mystra, Dirk. It was through adventures with this group that she gained the friendship of the Dwarves for helping recover an ancient, important artifact, a Helm of one of their most beloved Warrior Kings and also met Gillian, a human mage.
Gillian became a mentor, teacher, lover and, above all, a man she could love and trust. They had a special relationship. They expected nothing of each other for the future. He treated her with respect, continued her studies and their relationship. She left Tavin's group to stay with Gillian, learning from him all that he would teach.
Elea spent the last year with Gillian, studying under his guidance and working for King Darius, performing courier jobs and entertaining at various state functions. Recently, the duties of a Court Bard and her studies have begun to close in the walls about her, making her lavish quarters seem like a guilded cage.
Sensing the wanderlust of his beloved companion, Gillian, took Elea aside and told her that he knew and assured that he would be here when she returned - if she returned. He knew that Elea needed to roam. Elea knew it too. Tearfully, she packed up, promised to write and set out, looking for adventure.... sad but still happy. She needed this.
The wanderlust guided her feet towards Midmeadow. Just outside of Midmeadow, much to her surprise, Elea met up with Donnan and his group at an inn. Happy to see her long time childhood friend, she decided to travel along with Donnan and his group for a while.
Elea(Yeah, yeah. I know it's a picture of Elizabeth Hurely, but where are you going to get another picture of a stunning woman with dark hair, light eyes and the equivant of a charisma of 18?)
Here's another pix of her. I really like the "feel" of the look on her face. (For those of you who have told me how much you love this picture, that is a 'shot between the eyes' and that you -really- want to where I got it - finally, I have rediscovered the artist: Jonathon Earl Bowser. Take a look at his site, he has a number of beautiful works.)