My Name is Z’ella, but you can call me Ella. Or Z’, whichever you prefer, but my family and friends call me Ella. I’m a 27 year old half-elf Cleric. I didn’t know what my calling in life was until 4 years ago, and maybe I’ll tell you my experience with Avandra sometime, but suffice it to say, I now follow her and her teachings guide me in my life’s endeavors.
I was raised in the white tower by my Human Wizard father, Zandor & my Elf Seeress mother, Enna. Theirs is a long story, but they dedicated their lives to Ioun and accumulating more knowledge. As they were extremely powerful in their own right, they thought together they might have a child with greater skill and magic than the world had ever known. Sadly, I am their only child, and my magic skills are minimal.
As a child I studied hard and did everything I could to be the best, but my innate abilities do not lean towards casting. I’ve learned, but at best I am mediocre at it. I have always had a gift for healing. From the time I was little I could lay my hands on someone, and just seem to know what was wrong and how to fix it.
While I had many friends growing up, I always felt different. Set apart. Always wondering where I fit in. While my parents loved me wholeheartedly, I knew I was somewhat of a disappointment to them. And my friends, while unswervingly loyal, didn’t really understand me. I’d visit my parents families, and always seem to be the odd one out. Where could I go to be me??? I wanted to travel, to see the world. To learn of other cultures, Gods, and peoples, but my parents wouldn’t allow it. While they admired my thirst for knowledge and living, they didn’t want me to leave them. It was too dangerous out there, or so my father told me.
Six years ago I finally got my chance. An Elven Ranger named Lucan came to the white tower dying. He’d been attacked while traveling, and as I was the greatest healer in the white tower I was brought to him. Over the course of 3 months while he healed and grew strong we became friends. He told me many stories of far off kingdoms. Peoples customs, Gods of power. I learned much from him and soaked up his knowledge but the thirst in me to experience these things grew and grew in me. He pledged his life to me, to be my protector until I could find my place and finally my parents consented to let me travel. We roamed kingdom after kingdom for 2 years, learning and living. It was a marvelous time.
My life changing moment came when I met my best friend and Mentor Mary. She was a Cleric with more knowledge and healing power than I’d ever seen. I knew right from the start that we’d be the best of friends. For the last 4 years we’ve lived, worked and traveled to towns who needed our gifts.
Six months ago, Mary’s husband Thor & her son Thorin were killed while we traveled to a town needing aid. I’ve fought to help her come to terms with her grief, but nothing I did seemed to help. I saw my friends joy in life gone, and she seemed to fade before my eyes. I tried to keep her busy hoping that the grief she felt would lessen, but no matter how many people we helped, nothing seemed to bring her out of the place she’d gone inside.
A month ago a call came out that healers were needed in the town of Wyr. We started out, and were almost there when we were attacked by goblins. A merchant came to our aid, scaring off the goblins, but by that time Mary was almost gone and would not allow me to help her. She’d just given up the will to live. The merchant took us to Wyr, but nothing I did could help her and she passed on. I’m Mad at her. I know I should try to understand that she just couldn’t live with her grief any longer, but I don’t. She was my best friend. My partner in healing. We were supposed to stay together and make a difference in this world. Now I’ve been shaken. I’ve stayed on in Wyr and put my gift to use, but I don’t know where I want to go from here. I can’t go home, I never did fit in there. I’ve talked to Avandra often, begging her to show me which way to go, but she’s not talking back. I guess there comes a time when we just have to figure our way on our own.
