At the tender age of five, Finley found himself orphaned on the bustling streets of Lavish, a vibrant city-state just south of Cormyr. His parents had become entangled with the Zhentarim—a shadowy network of mercenaries and spies known for their clandestine operations. He finds himself alone, forced to survive by any means necessary. Scavenging and stealing became his way of life as he navigated the perilous underbelly of the city.
 
One fateful night, desperation led him to the renowned swordmaster school run by Astra. Seeking to pilfer food or valuables, he slipped into the school only to be caught by Astra herself. Instead of handing him over to the authorities, she sensed a spark of potential within him. Moved by compassion or perhaps seeing a reflection of her own past struggles, Astra decided to take him under her wing. For the next ten years, he immersed himself in rigorous training, mastering the art of the sword and discipline under Astra's tutelage.
 
Despite his dedication, he reached a plateau that left him frustrated and doubting his worth. By this point, he should have been able to harness his ki—the vital energy that empowers monks beyond their physical limits—but it continued to elude him. Feeling unworthy of Astra's continued mentorship, he made the difficult decision to leave the school. Under the cover of night, he departed, leaving behind a heartfelt note to Astra. In it, he vowed to return only when he had mastered the fundamentals of monkhood: ki control and the mastery of mind and body known as Still Mind and Purity of Body. Determined to prove himself, he set out to join a guild, aiming to return at a higher level of proficiency to fulfill his promise and reclaim his place among Astra's students.