Appearance

I'm your typical elf -- by appearance, that it. My favorite outfit consists of brown leggings, a green shirt and blue slop (overshirt) with green highlights. Of course, I also have a color coordinated forest green cloak, sea blue soft leather riding boots, and a sea blue head band. You'll usually see me with a sword over each shoulder and daggers across my chest. I'll put those aside for parties, but one thing you'll rarely see me without is my bow.

The Gold Dragons bestowed a rather festive outfit to me during one of "The Three's" visits to their home. Turquoise Tightly Cut Pants with Huge Flairs and Ruffles below the knee, Dark Blue Cane with a Large Blue Onyx Stone as the Handle, Light Blue Satin Shirt with Lots of Frills, Pale Pink Surcoat with Tails, and a Cap adorned with small pink moons with a blue onyx over my forehead I'll Occasionally wear these, but they don't quite fit my personality (at least in my opinion).Then there's my gear originally purchased to travel through the drow underworld: A pair of midnight blue stockings that tuck into finely made soft leather boots. A silk shirt, the same color as my stockings, that just peek from a coat specially tailored to be stylish, yet offer no hindrance to combat. The boots and coat are so black they seem to draw in the light. Across me chest I wear a black leather bandolier with several small pockets for components and holding two new daggers with black hilts. Over my shoulders are my baldrics, holding my Long Sword over my left shoulder, and another sword over my right, with a large white pearl inset at the base of it's hilt. Topping me off, literally, is the cap I acquired from the Gold Dragons; it is adorned with small pink moons with a blue onyx over my forehead.

Along with my bow, there is one other item that I'm never seen without. Over my heart, I wear a small Ladybug pin, glaringly obvious against the black of my underworld coat, nicely coordinated with my other outfits. I have these pins custom made for me to remind me of my sister; Ladybug was the nickname I gave her. Although they are dear to me, I occasionally give a ladybug away to children in need, or that do us a favor.

Personality

Yes, I admit, I've always been known for my reckless, carefree, happy-to-be-me attitude. However, on more than one occasion, the Storms have found themselves in wonderful adventures because of my spontaneity. It only appears that I'm reckless because the rest of the party are such stick-in-the-muds. Onrad was hopeful, but the silly lad had to go to a birthday-party, or something, and never came back.

Lately, however, I do tend towards a quiet demeanor. Perhaps because of the loss of friends, perhaps from being home-sick.

Every now and then, I have a fit leadership. It's probably a vestige of my prior life -- luckily it's always short lived. I'm always glad to hand those reigns over to anyone willing to take that burden, preferring to enjoy life rather than deal with other's preoccupancy with what they need from us.

Even with my easy-going attitude, I have problems with people that are rude or ill-mannered. Luckily, I've managed to learn the valuable skill of ignoring Nonam -- I've had to! When Onrad joined the Storm Dragons for a few years, Nonam and Onrad were constantly at each other's throats. If it wasn't for my calm intercession, one of the two wouldn't be living anymore. Then again, we never did find out what happened to Onrad...

History

I grew up a carefree elf, growing up in a docking town as the youngest in my family. My brothers kept the law in the town, and were known for there skills in tracking and arresting fugitives. I've never wanted any of this, however. Being decades younger than my closest brother, with many sisters in between us, I was happy just hanging around with my sisters. It also gave me the opportunity to sneak out and learn the art of Magic. I thought this was all my plan; I'm sure my brothers would've pulverized me had they caught of it. Later, however, through an accidental eavesdropping ,I found out my father was full aware and even helping things along. That would've been great news had I not heard anything else in the conversation. For, the last thing I heard was my father implying I was half-human. That's when my life completely changed.

Imagine it. My brothers caught lawbreakers. All I heard from them were the worst. And the sailors and other riff-raff that came through the port were mostly smelly, foul-mouthed humans looking for pleasure no matter how disgusting a source it came from. So, to me, humans were considered pond-scum that you did everything you could to avoid. I couldn't deal with the self-imposed embarrassment of being with my pure-bred elven family anymore. I wasn't worthy of calling myself an elf. Surely, my brothers didn't know, for if they did, I'd probably be found floating in the ocean one day. It would be just a matter of time before they found out. So I changed my name to Jus, for I'm "Just" a man, and left home.

[Ed. Note: Jus has never learned that he truly is full-blooded elf. He's just accepted his "curse" and went on with his life, envying the true-elves and reluctantly accepting humans.]

An Early Letter Home:
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Hey Ladybug, my wonderful sister,

After two months and at least a half-dozen cities, trying to find some group to adventure with, it finally happened. I received a note tonight from a local Sage asking for my assistance. It could not have come at a better time, I would soon be out of money and was about to see if the city guard would hire me.

I know, I know. I should have plenty of money. It seems I was over-optimistic in the ease of being accepted into an adventurer's group. Luckily some friendly inn-keeper caught me at the end of my first week and convinced me to buy other than the best food and lodging. Seems he's seen many like me end up in debtor's prison. I still didn't get it in my head until after two weeks of living in common quarters, when I went to see how much a horse cost. Did you realize a saddle alone costs 10gp? No more just charging things to Dad's accounts. Since then I have either been in my tent, or in the cheapest lodgings possible. The rooms are still great, much better than I would have expected.

I won't know who this group is composed of until tomorrow. I can imagine from our bother's stories there will be about 4-5 elves, but I hope at least one of them is a human. I know he probably would not feel adequate with the rest of us, but I think it would be fun to work with one.

Well, gotta go. I want to get plenty of sleep before the morrow.

Love You, Jus (the name I now go by)

Meeting What Would Become The Three:
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I awoke in my room for what I hoped would be the last time. I could never get used to sleeping in a room in which you could see blood stains in the flooring. It was, as most of my lodging recently, a group room. Everyone slept in their clothes, and most in their gear. To do otherwise would risk waking up without any possessions. But it was cheap, and that was all that mattered at the moment. Not quite what I wrote in my letter to Ladybug last night, but I don't want her to worry too much.

I woke Riage, an elvish friend I met in the last city. As she was wont to do every day, a dagger immediately met my throat.

"Breakfast, my treat", I whispered.

"Great, I always am in the mood for gruel." I could here the sarcasm dripping in her voice.

"Watch your tongue, lady. This may be the last day you have me to bully."

"You've got a job? Congrad's. Now I can eat without your whining. And I am NOT a lady."

I couldn't help but go to an upscale inn and buy us some meat for breakfast.

For the first time since I met her, Riage didn't curse me the whole meal. She may be one of the best thieves around, but she certainly acted the lady today. I think that was her way of saying goodbye. She abruptly jumped out of her chair and left before I was finished, with a curt "gotta attend to business". I hope I see her again.

'Be at my residence on Snow Street'. This guy must be somebody important; he didn't even give directions. Well, off I go.

As the door opened my mind was trying to frame the right words for when I met my fellow elvin adventurers. The woman that greeted me was nice enough, made me think of.... Whoa, look at all these books! I would love to spend a few years in here! My family was never into reading. Even Libome did not have as expansive library as this old man. I must write home and let him know. And the woman that led me here! It would be so nice to spend some time talking with her. I bet she has plenty of stories to tell.

My eyes finally released the books as the old man said something about coffee and getting along with the others. I began to look around at the three other people in the room.

GREAT MAKER! How thankful I am for the manners and etiquette my sisters taught me. I managed to catchmy reaction before I got into trouble (I hope). I am supposed to get along with these THINGS!?! I know I have been asking for divine help in learning to accept my human weakness, but I NEVER requested help in accepting DWARVES!

Even the humans were beyond what I had desired to befriend. Granted, the first seems 'it' would be a great fighter, but to term 'it' a human is more of an insult than I have heard most sailors speak. And to think my blood may be mixed with one like him... I quickly changed my thoughts to the other man present.

This other human I may have problems with. I could easily guess his profession; and could feel my envy rising inside. To display his passion so openly. The one thing I cannot allow myself to do. He seemed almost normal to me, reminding me a lot of Libome. This was a human I would be proud to share blood with. I quickly reminded myself that 'lanyards hastily tied show their failing when it storms'.

The dwarf. The dwarf. I could not lower myself to address him, not yet. So I decided to talk to all of the group, instead of individuals. I hope no one would notice how little I looked in his direction."Greetings fellow adventures. I go by the name of Jus. I wish to lay my sword before you in aid to your, and my, goals. I do not claim to be the best fighter," I nod to the brawny one, "but will lend my assistance as I am able."Maybe the presence of these books were affecting me, but a historian's quote came unbidden, unspoken, to my mind. 'Always there is a black spot in our sunshine: it is even as I said, the Shadow of Ourselves.' I asked the Great Maker to assist me in accepting the human blood I have been given. I knew what I wanted, he has obviously given me what I needed.

I reluctantly realized why I must "get along" with these things, rather, these people. Another writer once said 'There is no prejudice so strong as that which arises from a fancied exemption from all prejudice.' I do not need to accept my human blood, I need to accept humans and-reluctantly-the dwarvish as well; setting aside my prejudice for the non-elvish. So, I included the dwarf in my gaze and said, "I hope we will all set aside any differences we have and unite to fulfill Master Kenither's request."

The Three:
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The Three. The name said it. Jus, Nonam, and Gareth were "The Three". We never realized how egotistical that name sounded... or maybe we did. We were headstrong and brash those days; traits we may still be accused of having. Nevertheless, the three of us bonded. So strongly that many people have had problems joining our group since then, feeling out-of-place or in-the-way.

We've actively tried to make others feel part of the group, with success at times and failures at others. Our ties have softened enough to let others in, but there is still something about the three of us. Nonam may not admit it, but he'd probably take a Magic Missile for us, if he could. Okay, maybe not for Gareth, but I'm sure for me.Since that start, The Three has grown. I'm dearly attached to Onrad (the gods be with him) and Tericus, and have actually gained a strange fellowship with a drow!

The Storm Dragons:
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The Storm Dragons have lived an incredible life full of adventure and glory. We've helped orphanages and become friends with Governors. We've killed demons and shaken hands with gods. We have also not had a vacation in many years. Hopefully that'll change someday.