Background:

You have been brought up by a loving family, lacking nothing essential. Of course you've had to work hard, being the oldest child, but the family has fared well and with the passing years you've had more and more time to follow your life's true passion, witchcraft. You were taught the basic by your mother and grandmother, two strong women that have hade a great impact in defining who you are. You were mostly cared for by your grandmother, since your parents worked very hard. More so than your younger brothers, have you’ve been brought up with the stories of old; when your family lived on another continent, a land of mystery and ancient powers, a land which your family ruled in times passed. Growing up you’ve realised that the stories are probably just that; stories to entice a curious child’s fantasy. You know that far from all is make belief since you’ve read many old tomes that your great grandfather supposedly brought with him as he left the homeland under “unfavourable conditions”. You’ve read, apart about witchcraft, of strange creatures and of a forest that has a life of its own, the old Margreve. You have always wanted to see for yourself if any of these stories told the truth and now with your grandmother recently dead the last relative to have actually seen the homeland is gone.

You have always felt more akin to your parents and grandmother than to your brothers. Your calling has also taken you away from home to practice your art away from prying eyes and spectators that might have been injured by some of your more potent incantations. You have spent a lot of time in the outskirts of the Lizard marsh and it is here that you found your spell focus, a small dinosaur that has taught you so much. Though something of a recluse you are far from asocial and don’t mind others’ company, especially elderly people with all their stories.

The family: Grandmother’s father – Gerhard Stross, said to be the cousin of the former ruler of Zobeck. Born 1376, died 1428. Made a living as a fisherman in the new land.

Grandmother – Gertrude Stross, claimed to be the niece of the former ruler of Zobeck. Born 1404, died 1490, three weeks ago. Married a fisherman, Brian Petrel, in 1428 after her father’s death. They had three children; Brian, Harold and Gwendolin. She had some knowledge of witchcraft which was used mostly for the benefit of the family.

Grandfather - Brian Petrel, was taken by the sea in 1452 along with the two sons Brian and Harold.

Mother – Gwendolin Petrel, born 1446. She helped her mother with the family business (fishing) after the loss of her father and siblings. She learned witchcraft from her mother. She married a hunter, William Bowman, in 1464. The family fared well with the two vocations, Gwendolin purchasing several boats and employed half a dozen fishermen. They had five sons; Gerhard, the twins Fritz and Franz, Dieter and Carl.

Father – William Bowman, born 1440, a ranger hunter of Mielikki.

Fritz & Franz – Born 1467. Twins but not identical. Closest in age but furthest away personality wise. Though you yourself have a respect for deities in general and especially Mielikki, the twins are pious to a fault. And they can't keep their views to themselves either, but has to try and enforce them on others. Franz has joined the clergy of Mielikki and Fritz has sought closer contact with nature itself as a druid (which is slightly more worthy of respect).

Dieter – Born 1469. Mother Gwendolin's clear favourite (and yours too) and he was truly the sweetest child growing up. He also took a great interest in your grandmother's stories and started composing them into songs at an early age. A bit too extrovert for your liking but you can't help but getting caught up in his merry lilts.

Carl – Born 1471. The youngest of your four siblings, but in many ways the most mature. Whereas you have grown up with your mother and grandmother, Carl has been father William's constant shadow. Even minded and focused on the task at hand, which usually means to hunt whatever prey that is most plentiful at the moment. Conservation of game is important in a family with a druid at the table.