Little is known of the man who calls himself simply Longstrider, and
though there may yet come a time when the tale is told in full, it is
enough here and now to merely explore the commonest of the rumours that
surround him.
That he was born in the South seems well known, on the fringes of the
Wealdath forest in Tethyr most say. Probable given his mixed blood, though
the identities of his parents are subject to wild rumour. A Calimshite
merchant falling under the spell of a wood elf ranger seems the least far
fetched of the many possibilities.
The elven kin of Tethyr are clannish and close-mouthed, more so where the
offspring of such relationships are concerned. Whatever the reason for his
leaving, it is not spoken of within Tethyr save for shadowy murmurings of a
flight from some black deed.
With little prospects and still young for a wanderer his path most likely
took him first to relatives or friends within the region. Certainly, there
is a period of some years between the time he is thought to have fled
Tethyr and the notation in the journals of the Oghman temple of Waterdeep
indicating his arrival there.
The diligence of the priests of knowledge is legendary and their records of
this time are the most complete to have been found. Driven seems to be the
commonest word applied to his training and several comments inked within
the margins of the pages are less than complimentary regarding his social
graces, or more accurately lack theirof.
At some point after escaping the watchful eyes of the Oghman tutors he came
to the attentionof the ranger Markana and shortly thereafter was sponsored
as a member of the rangers guild. It can be assumed that he was no less
driven in his desire to excel upon this new path. Certainly, the name
Longstrider has become well known about the trails and woodlands of the
Western Heartlands these last few years.
Oddly though, for a man now counted a seasoned pathfinder and capable
protector of the forests, accounts of his deeds in this time are difficult
to come by. A snippet of conversation hints at a journey into the bowels of
the Undermountain at the request of the Earth Mother’s church. To release a
great black crow from the confines of Skullport if you can believe such a
thing.
There are other tales that speak of these links with the Chauntean church,
though it is to be hoped that word of his removing the tongue of a
disrespectful mage is an exaggeration. Whatever the case, there is good
reason to believe that the man has now devoted himself to the church of the
Red Rose.
Talk about the campfire is more often of his efforts to keep the forests
free from the maraudings of Malarite and Talosian raiders. Or of his
vengeance hunts for others of that ilk. While laudible, there are those who
lay blame for the recent burning of Shadowdale on this over keen sense of
balance. Bearding a Cyrisict at the heart of Zhentil Keep speaks of a
certain reckless arrogance on his part.
With this in mind, it is harder to give credence to the rumours that this
ranger wears the silver pin of those that harp. Unless, of course, there is
some far more subtle Harper tale that waits the telling. Not in doubt is
word of his marriage to the half-elven woman Lea Ironwolf. A simple
ceremony held within the woods of Ardeep sealing their union two summers
passed.
The most recent tale to reach me lends weight to the notion that perhaps
marriage and age have begun to temper his zeal. A posting appeared upon the
boards within the entrance to the Oghman temple here in Waterdeep which
speaks of a desire to take on an apprentice.
If true, it might indicate a certain mellowing in the character of this
solitary ranger. Though the activities of any man who marks the wolverine
for his badge are unlikely to soften so completely as to disappear from the
whispered words of the rumourmongers.