PhelypsisBackground
Warlord father, slave mother; this is the beginning for many Andra of the demon tribes; this was the beginning for Phelypsis. At least she was fortunate enough to be born an Andra rather than human. Her brother was not as lucky. Although a slave's child among Andra is not considered to be part of a family (or Hinsha) they are still full fledged members of the Haadra - the tribe. The first few years Phelypsis was raised by her mother, and though life may not have been the most comfortable back then all she recalls of those years is love and affection that the human mother showered her cute little demon baby with. The memory of that softness would stay with Phelypsis even through the toughest times.
Phelypsis' tribe Vendaarra Haadra returned to the Wild Provinces from a long and profitable raid of several years in time for her to spend most of her childhood back home enjoying the spoils of raid. Being a slave's child she had nothing. Her mother and brother were property of the chieftain: Hishis Gushaingaz. He was an old and Hishis (chieftain) with fifteen Hinsha and numerous independent Andra warriors followers who together numbered in the upper three hundreds and at least as many slaves and thrall. He had many strong sons and daughters and no need to learn the names of slave born children before they proved themselves worthy.
After learning how to speak, walk and swing a blade Phelypsis was no longer her mother's child. She was separated from the slaves and made to walk in the world of Andra. There were a few other older children of the Hishis who saw little Phelypsis' tears and took care of her. Big sister Rylafain taught her that tears were no good - those were slave emotions. Proper Andra expressed their anguish with anger. Little Phelypsis understood, but applying it in practice was a different thing altogether. She knew that captives were supposed to obey their new masters, but couldn't understand why all non Andra had to be slaves. The few times she raised this question to the other kids earned her a beating and the following nick names the kids came up with for her laid a pace for one very desperate childhood.
Growing up to a more adult stature Phelypsis had learned to stay quiet and to fear for what others might do if she spoke aloud. She trusted a few relatives, but they could not give her the comfort she desired. Of course, she respected the traditions and ways of Andra as much as the next. Seeing the might of their warriors and hearing tales of their glory from visiting story tellers and priests ignited in her something else. These legends of past empires were common fire wood to fuel both the young and old to desire further conquest and fame when they thought they had enough. For Phelypsis they were but a kindling to the pyre inside. She learned that if one was mighty enough all from slave, warrior to the Hishis would bow to them.
Until then Phelypsis had been an average among the children. That day, she mustered all her courage and while averting her gaze and stammering every other word challenged the strongest kid to a duel for honor. Laughing, the kid accepted. The moment their blades clashed and he saw the look in her eyes that young man's smile faded. Soon, Phelypsis the scarless came to be known as one of the most promising champions of the Vendaarra Haadra.
A time came not soon after the young Andra had established herself a name that Gushaingaz decided they would migrate south for a raid. Phelypsis was invited to plan it. This was a great honor for an independent Andra not bound to any of the great Hinsha. Despite her meek nature the slave born girl was on her way to becoming the next Hinsha of the tribe. Had all went as planned maybe she would have.
The raid began well. A few rural villages were plundered and sacked. Phelypsis had her first taste of sex in the ensuing feast. However, there are a few places where you do not celebrate a victorious raid. One of them are forests belonging to the elves. The elven kingdom their tribe was taxing reacted and launched a surprise attack in the middle of a night. The Andra claimed them cowards, but arrows did not much care. While others screamed enraged and hacked the elves, Phelypsis was entranced as she watched their discipline. One elven commander had hundreds working under them, following their every command even when they were mere whispers. They stayed ranks. They had weapons forged by their own smiths and they protected their wounded. They were puny, but they were like the ancient Andra of times before the descent into the wild ways.
After a humiliating retreat and death of their Hishis the heads of all Hinsha and other respected members of the tribe gathered to elect a new one. What Phelypsis had before seen as a gathering of mighty individuals she now realized for the collection of un-cooperative barbarians they truly were. Only because it was the tradition they honored the old ways, yet they had forgotten the true meaning behind the rituals. Strength was the only true god to these folk.
Phelypsis left the main tent's door flapping from the wind as she exited, never looking back as she walked into the wilderness with nothing, but a sword and her clothes. She set out on a goal so grand even the most ambitious Andra would call it a delusion - to unite all tribes under her rule and remake the Empire of old. For this she would need to be stronger and what better way to achieve that than to become an adventurer?
