Sho'pel Ravensong

Sho’pel was born in northeastern Thormenal to a Faeler father and a Trilian mother. Looking for work, the family moved to Larmedin, where they put down roots. Sho’pel learned early that her lovely singing voice would carry her far in life. She was singing in local taverns by the age of ten and in Larmedin civic venues by the age of twelve. If truth were told, she always preferred the taverns. Growing up in the rough and tumble places of Larmedin never phased Sho’pel. Not only was it all she knew, but all who met her had an instinctive urge to protect her. Though her parents never had any other children, Sho’pel was always surrounded by a group of protective older “brothers and sisters” who looked out for her when she frequented the taverns and entertained the rowdy and drunken masses. Regaled by tavern-goers with stories of far off places and adventures to be had in wider Faelon, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Sho’pel would choose the life of an adventurer. As soon as she was old enough she joined a mercenary company, the Ravenblade, and set off to see the world. Sho’pel wasn’t a warrior in the strictest sense, but all good mercenary units keep bards to encourage them both on and off the field. While at first wary of the willowy dark-haired youth that had joined their ranks, Sho’pel’s voice and determination quickly won over the hardened warriors of the Ravenblade, and one in particular. Brileyn Sarlo was serving as a Ravenblade Lieutenant when Sho’pel joined the famed mercenary unit. Brileyn had never had much use for bards or other ancillary troops that chose something other than the sword as their weapon, but there was something about Sho’pel’s determination and bravery that cast the young bard in a different light. While on campaign high in the Bar Nol Brileyn began to develop an admiration for Sho’pel and they slowly became friends. By the time the Ravenblades descended from the border mountains the two were inseparable. Their friendship became romantic, and the young couple was married in Larmedin in 1006. By this time Sho’pel was beginning to grow restless with the adventuring life, and now that she had a campaigning Brileyn to worry after, she decided to leave the Ravenblades for a less tumultuous life. With their mercenary earnings Sho’pel and Brileyn bought an old warehouse building in the nearby fishing hamlet of Chonofal and set about turning it into an inn and tavern where the couple could one day retire. The Resting Lake Inn quickly became a favorite spot of both travellers and mercenaries. Travellers appreciated the smaller town and quiet docks that circumvented the city of Larmedin while the mercenaries found solace and rest after tough warrants. With the Resting Lake taking off Brileyn and Sho’pel began to fall into their new rhythm when disaster struck. In 1007 the Ravenblades were on campaign with the Black Steel Company on the border of Kandor. During a particularly horrific fight in Redstone Pass against legions of re-animated warriors the Black Steel lines collapsed, leaving the Ravenblades exposed and surrounded. The battle was lost and many Ravenblade mercenaries died that day, including the Ravenblade’s leader. Redstone Pass, of which the west end had been underThormenalan control, was wrested from the Faelers and was occupied by the Kandorans. After the battle Brileyn was unanimously voted to become the new Ravenblade, though the promotion ceremony was wreathed in sorrow, mourning, and a need for retribution. At the end of the ceremony Sho’pel emerged in a black gown and sang what the Ravenblade are calling “Sho’pel’s Lament.” The song has since been taken up as a battle song by the company. As the Ravenblade’s new leader, Brileyn moved to reveal the treachery of the Black Steel Company during the battle for Redstone pass. The government of Thormenal was reeling from the defeat and trying to deal with the Kandoran slaving raids originating from the pass; they inclined towards Brileyn’s depiction of the battle and the Black Steel Company’s reputation became tainted. The Black Steel of course denied their cowardice and vowed revenge for the besmirch of their honor (and loss of income from the allegations). The rivalry between the two mercenary companies came to a head on 10 Fayaron in 1007 when the Black Steel Company attacked the Ravenblade’s headquarters in Larmedin, burning it to the ground while a pitched battle raged in the streets between the two rival companies. The Black Steel were beaten, but the loss of the Ravenblade’s headquarters was complete. After losing their leader in battle and their headquarters to fire there were many who whispered that the Ravenblade may be finished as a mercenary company. That current ran deep even within the organization itself, but with Brileyn now the Ravenblade, the headquarters was moved to The Resting Lake Inn in Chonofal and the process of rebuilding began. Already stronger than before in both numbers and resolve, Brileyn and Sho’pel are working hand-in-hand to push the Ravenblades though a time of mourning and rebuilding. Battle ready, the Ravenblade have already begun taking warrants again.

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