One of my very first memories is standing on a jagged cliff, looking down across a valley of lava and steam. The rest comes in bits and pieces. A large Tiefling with midnight blue skin, curling black horns, and pale hair herding a bunch of us into a cave to avoid a storm. Another running across a dry field chasing tumbleweeds with a friend, their black hair whipping against their golden skin. But the clearest memory I posses is a white blinding light surrounding me, followed by a large boom. When I opened my eyes again, I was surrounded by a dark, red cloud. As the cloud began to dissipate, i found myself surrounded by many tall creatures covered in black robes. They were chanting strange words, but I could only make out one name, she was a terrifying, evil creature the elders had long ago banished from our lands. She was said to have aided the Dragon Tiamut. I shrank back from the strange creatures. One pushed back the cloth on its head, and I stared into eyes of brown and white set within a pale, smooth head. Looking around, the other creatures also had flat, smooth heads. Some had ears that tapered to points, but not a single horn in sight. one made a weird gawking sound and garbled something to the others. The room seemed to erupt in angry noises as the creatures started shouting each other. I backed away during the confusion, running between the legs of the angry creatures, until I found a crate to hide in. I buried myself under the clothes inside, making sure my tiny horns and tail were completely covered. I peeked out at the room watching the chaos ensue. It was not until years later that I learned that the Cult of the Dragon had been attempting to summon Lirameia, one of Tiamuts greatest supporters. Lirameia was said to stand 7 feet tall with glowing red eyes matched by her fiery skin and golden hair. Instead, they got me, a 3 year old coral skinned tiefling with burgundy hair and black eyes. Apparently, the brother in charge of inscribing my name had been so nervous he messed up the letters, summoning me instead. Aparently the plan had been to summon his supporters first to make his entry into our world that much easier. As it was the summinings could only take place every 12 years when the stars aligned just right. To say I was a monkey wrench in their plan is an understatement. The box I hid in was actually a robe delivery to the brothers in Elturel. The shipment came under attack by the Order of the Gauntlet, my crate bounced along the rode a bit before flinging me on to the grass. I rushed behind a tree and fled . Hungry, and cold, I stumbled across a small hut on the edge of a farm. One of the smooth heads came out and looked straight at me, I froze until I realized he seemed to look straight through me. "I know you're there little one, don't be afraid. I can hear your stomach rumbling from here".
 
This smooth man spoke softly and although I could not understand much, the tone he used was kind. I came to learn that he was a member of a race known as Humans and was called Garrick. He taught me common through his stories of his time assisting the Hellriders. He had begun his horse shoeing business with the hellriders, taking care of their steeds when not on patrol. He told stories of how his Hellrider friends would hunt down terrible creatures and protect the city of Elturel. I was awestruck, wanting to be just like them, not realizing that the monsters he was referring to sounded a lot like me. When I was twelve, my horns became much more prominent and he paused when patting my head after I shot my first bull's eye with the bow and arrow set he had made me for my "birthday". He was quite for a day or so after that, leaving to meet with some of his friends. A few Hellriders still stopped by to check in on him now and then, but what seemed to be more routine where the two Gauntlet members who would stop by to see my progress. While always friendly with me, I could tell they were just waiting for me go step out of line. Garrick took time to warm back up to me, which did sting, but once he came to terms with me, he treated me no different than before. He appealed to the hellriders and the order of the gauntlet to let me stay and be trained so I could be a force for good. They agreed, so long as two order members were allowed to stop by from time to time to monitor my progress and make sure i did not step out of line. It was not until i was 20 that i learned how truly different i was. Sure the other kids made fun of my burgundy hair, my coral skin, even my large maroon horns, but they were just kids, I had teased them back equally for the flat heads and weird two colored eyes. But 20 was different. I had trained with Garrick and could shoot a bow on horse back, in mid flip, and even disarm a swordsman with a quarterstaff. I was so excited to try and pledge the Hellriders. While they were impressed with my progress, they suggested I be a better fit for patrolling the outskirts of the city and perhaps the forests rather than outright join their group. They did provide me with a token that I could present to any member of the Hellriders to let them know I was an ally, but the message was still clear; You may be a useful tool, but you're still an outsider. I decided then that I would show them all and spent the next five years training to be a Ranger and waiting for an assignment worthy of my skills. The order continued to check in with me, but also suggested that the path of a Ranger was a more fitting pursuit for one such as myself. I had made aquitances with members of each group, but none close enough to be considered true friends. Despite all this, I truly did love Elturel. this place had given me a chance to grow and learn. despite some side eye glances from people, I had gained a bit of respect through my actions; I had once saved the village when a rampaging bull broke loose, and again when an Underdark gnome attempted to snatch human children for their slave trade. I became treated better, albeit still with great caution. I would see how Garrick would interact easily with his friends in the Hellriders and longed to experience the kind of friendship and kinship with others that came without judgement and without fear.