Boethius' childhood is shrouded in mystery. There is no record of his birth, and his parents have never been found. It is suspected that he was born somewhere on the border between Lenfald and Loreos. When he was only 2-3 days old he was found, abandoned, on a trade route in between Lenfald and Loreos by a trade caravan headed north. His adoptive father was the head of the same trade caravan that found him, a man by the name of Balbinus. Balbinus was traveler in his youth. He wished to see the four corners off all the lands. With these travels he grew wise, and saw opportunity in what he loved the most. He started a trade caravan with less than 5 men. Slowly, but steadily his caravan grew in size, and wealth. He gained the trust of the citizens and merchants in all four lands. He became one of the greatest caravan merchants the realm had ever scene. But with growing prosperity, grew growing hatred. As his wealth grew, others shrank. Unknowingly he had established a monopoly. One day one of his main caravans, over 500 men and 300 carts, was met by a force almost as large, estimated to be at least 450 men total, of bandit clans, hired mercenaries, and angered enemies. They attacked out of cold blood. The caravan made a stand for 2 days total, but was looted and burned. There were little survivors from the caravan. Balbinus was angered, but sought to settle things peacefully, for there had already been too much blood shed. He found the camp of the opposing force, and met with their leaders. He offered jobs, gold ...anything, and almost everything to stop their hatred. Some of the clans accepted and worked for him. This only angered the more loyal followers. Only 3 years later, massive gorilla attacks were waged on all of Balbinus' caravans over a week’s time. All his time, money, and honor faded within a week’s time. He became bitter, and raised his son in hatred for the bandits who took his pride away from him. He sought revenge, and became the thing that he despised the most, a powerful band of thieves whose soul goal was to destroy and loot. Balbinus died when Boethius was only 19 by a loyal assassin from one of the original bandit clans. The young, but wise was Boethius was skilled in the ways of travel, warfare tactics, and thievery. Boethius became head of the again wealthy family. But he not only wanted wealth, but revenge for his father's death.
He found refuge just outside "The Shade" near the Loreos border. He became known as Boethius the Exiled since his home is located on a small mountain that is hard to access unless the known paths are found.
I went a little bit over-board, but I think my back story will give me flexibility in many of the challenges.
