Malika Backstory

[Grivel]

Thought I would repost some information for those who didn't know Malika's history.

_Thog Onetusk awoke with a start, sweat streaming down his face. The dream had been awful, and so real. In fact, he could still hear the screams of his mother.

Wait…listen…that is not a dream.

At 16 years old, Thog was not a stranger to hardship and danger. His family was owned by one of the richest, and cruelest merchants in Amn, an elf by the name of Elith Darkshade. His father, Froum, had worked in the silver mine since childhood. Froum was a strong, sturdy half orc known for his kindness to everyone he met. He suffered unbearable beatings at the hands of the mine foremen, but still managed to hold no malice.

Malika, Thog’s mother, was a serving wench in Darkshade’s kitchen. One of her responsibilities was to bring the meals to the workers and guards in the mine. It was there she met Froum, and whether out of pity or an understanding of his nature, she developed a bond with the orc. Being human, she had not known the same cruelty and humiliation that Froum had received his whole life, but Malika was not born to riches. At the age of 9, her parents sold her to Darkshade for enough gold to put food on the table. Since that time she had led a life of servitude.

Froum and Malika would look for any chance they could find to be together. They were successful enough that at the end of the fourth season after they met, Thog was born. During her pregnancy, Malika was chastised and beaten to reveal who the father was. She refused to speak Froum’s name, even at the threat of death. The Master, Darkshade, resigned to let the child be born. After all, this would be free labor in time. When Thog was born, the fact that he had orc blood was unmistakable. He was after all a quarter orc.
When this was discovered life for the half orcs in the mine became even harsher. There were daily beatings and threats of even harsher punishment if the one responsible did not come forward.

Froum could not bear to see his friends go through this torture at his expense. He concocted a bold plan to assure the safety of his family. That night, as the camp slept, two figures crept through the mine compound, hidden as well as an orc and human can be hidden in the shadows. Reaching the gate, Malika threw poisoned meat over the fence. The trained worgs ravaged the meat, and in no time were out of commission. Froum and Malika climbed the wall, passing a small squirming bundle from one to the other. Safe on the other side, they headed south into the Small Tooth Mountains.

The three made their way up into the mountains, resting only briefly when hunger or fatigue overcame their fear of being found. Froum did all he could to keep Malika protected from the bitter cold that came every night, and Malika did what she could to protect their child. At the end of their first season of travel, they reached a small, secluded valley. Finding a clearing with a small stream running through the center, Froum surveyed the surrounding land and reported to Malika that this would be their new home.

Froum set about the task of clearing the ground and building a house, while Malika busied herself with the gathering of food, the making of household items, and the care of Thog. After several ten-days, a crude structure stood near the stream, and the family set about living their lives for the first time in peace. Thog grew quickly, and seemed to learn easily. Though not really smart by human standards, he had proven that he had the capacity to learn things that were too complex for his father to understand. Malika spent much time educating him in the ways of the world, though she herself had not seen much of it. Most of what she knew was retained from the many stories she overheard from travelers who visited the Darkshade household.

Froum taught Thog the one thing he was good at, the use of an axe. He taught Thog to fight, but cautioned him to be wary of people, and try to avoid confrontation as much as possible. Thog practiced with his father’s axe until it was like an extension of his own body. One day as he was returning from the woods, he came upon a small band of goblins creeping up on his house. Knowing his father was out hunting, and his mother in the house alone, he let out a vicious snarl and charged the group bare handed. His rage seemed to empower him with strength beyond what he thought he was capable of. The first goblin turned in time to meet his onslaught, but was crushed against a tree before he could even ready his weapon. The remaining two rushed Thog, and were surprised by the nimbleness of the huge orc. Parrying the first blow, Thog brought his meaty fist down on the goblin’s head, breaking its neck. The final goblin stopped short his attack and turned to flee. Thog picked up a small axe that the dead goblin had dropped, and threw it at the fleeing predator, striking him in the back of the head and instantly dropping him to the ground.

When Froum returned from his hunt, the first thing he noticed were the goblin bodies strewn in the yard. He rushed inside to find Thog and Malika quietly talking by the fire. “Wut happen here?” he said anxiously. Malika looked up from her sewing and smiled, “Nothing that your son could not handle”. Froum relaxed and grinned at Thog. “Thog be gud warrior. Strong like Froum.” Just then the sound of hoof beats seemed to come out of nowhere, from all sides of the house.
“Dark Riders” hissed Froum as he grabbed his axe. He knew it could only be his master’s elite force that had finally tracked them down.
As he stormed out the door he ordered Malika and Thog to stay inside. Thog ran to look through a crack in the wall since the house had no windows.

Froum cut down the first two riders, swinging the double-bladed axe skillfully. A mage cast an enchantment that slowed him down, and the Riders were finally able to overpower him. The others stormed the house and were able to restrain Thog and his mother. Froum was chained between two small trees and stripped naked. Malika and Thog were forced to watch as the skin was peeled from Froum’s body while still alive, his screams echoing into the night. When they were sure Froum was dead, they threw Thog and Malika on two horses and headed back to Amn, where they were sure to be rewarded. The leader of the Riders was an elf named Eledar Rankin, a twisted maniac, who would sell his mother for the right price. He didn’t know why Darkshade wanted these two alive, but he knew he must follow the orders if he was to collect the reward.

There it is again.

Thog looked around in the darkness. He knew the screams came from his mother, and that he had to do whatever it took to break free of his bonds. He knew they had been on the road for many days, and so far they were still alive. The Riders seem to enjoy torture and his back bore the marks of the whippings that came every night, but they were alive.
Knowing his mother was in trouble, Thog felt the rage within him surface. His blind fury gave him strength enough to break free of the rope that bound his feet and hands. Even though the rage still burned within him, he knew he would have to be cautious if he would have a chance to save his mother and himself.

Silently he crept from the tent, silencing the two guards that stood outside. He crawled to where the sounds came from. Thog didn’t like the sounds. By now there was no screaming, just grunting and sobbing, and the occasional snicker. Sneaking under the back flap of the large tent, Thog tried to take in the whole scene at once. His mother was naked on the floor with a bare-assed, red-faced, grunting dwarf on top of her. Two other dwarves and a human stood around them, all with their back to Thog. Froum’s axe leaned up against the wall of the tent, and slowly Thog made his way toward it. Once he had it, he stood and moved closer to the three standing. The first swing took the head of the human cleanly, and his body dropped like a sack of potatoes. The head rolled at the feet of the two dwarves, and while they stared at it in amazement, and it stared back, Thog struck again catching one of the dwarves on the shoulder, and driving the axe deeply enough to separate his arm from the rest of his body. The backswing caught the other dwarf in the chest, driving him backwards. A naked dwarf, who suddenly had other things on his mind besides rutting, crept up behind Thog with a broadsword. As Thog spun around he was in time to see the dwarf’s eyes grow wide and blood pour from his mouth. As he dropped, Thog saw Malika holding a dagger that she got from the body of the fallen human. Taking the clothes from the human, Malika quickly dressed, and they crawled under the tent and into the woods. They knew it would only be a matter of time until the Dark Riders found them again, but for now they were free._

[Grivel]

_Malika lay in the damp leaves trying to become part of the forest floor, not moving a muscle, hardly taking a breath. The Dark Riders continued to search the area on foot, leading their mounts behind them. Just as she thought all was lost, three large dire bears lumbered into the clearing bearing two elves and a human on their backs. The small hunting party of Riders knew that they would be no match for the magic of these powerful druids, so without a word, they mounted up and rode slowly away. They would be back, and they would choose the time and place.

Once the Riders were out of range, the three druids dismounted and walked to where Malika lay, shivering. “Arise sister, one of the elves whispered to a pile of leaves. Malika slowly rose and got to her feet. “Shan’kul, Ariel, Lwena….. Mielikki be praised. I have not seen a more welcome sight in all my days.” She threw her arms around the human woman and hugged her tightly, trying to hold back the tears that were straining to be released. Ever since her separation from her son Thog, the druids had become her only family, and they accepted her the same.

“We warned you to stay close to the grove, or to travel with a group,” scolded the human, Ariel. “You know these Riders will not stop hunting you.” She continued to hug Malika as she spoke.

“I…I know, but something calls me. I know it is Thog and he needs me. I feel his need. If I do not search now, I will never know what happened.” She thinks back to the last time she saw Thog.

After the first escape from the Dark Riders, she and Thog made their way to the High Forest, where they were found hungry and exhausted by members of a barbarian tribe. The Treeghost tribe made them welcome and they lived with them for many months. Thog made friends easily and soon was learning the ways of the tribe. Malika felt an affinity to this tribe due to their belief in protecting the spirit of the trees, even though she disliked their war-like ways.

Silent shadows stole into the camp one night, taking with them two prizes without disturbing the rest of the camp. The Dark Riders had reclaimed their master’s property, and were on the way back to Amn. While crossing a small stream, a flash flood came throwing all of the riders from their steeds and separating the party. The last thing Malika saw was Thog running into the woods on the other side of the stream, with two Dark Riders on his heels. She turned and ran the other way, and did not stop until she collapsed from exhaustion. Fortunately she was not followed. The Riders had a bigger, more dangerous quarry. She wandered the woods for several days until druids of the Watchers of Sevreld found her. She remained with them for several months learning the ways of Mielikki, and being schooled in the ways of magic.

Now it was time to leave her new family. As much as she loved them, Thog was her flesh and blood, and she had to know what became of him._