"You’d be surprised what you can learn when you've no one to tell you how to think."
Introduction
In each generation, a few brilliant minds provide small contributions to the growth and establishment of rune magic. The decades of dedication necessary for this task never interested Astarra, who preferred a quicker, more direct path. Even after being expelled from the University of Greyhaven for knowing far more than she should, Astarra continued to develop her gift by seeking out Runemasters who would share their secrets.
"The Rune Keepers said I was too unruly to be taught, so all I needed to know I've learned on my own."
Background
Astarra grew up on an apple farm in north Terrinoth. Her grandmother was in possession of a runebound shard, an ancient Star of Timmorran. Her gran seemed to use the rune for some kind of protection over the farm, taking it out each night to cast an unknown spell over the orchard. One of her gran's friends from Strangehaven, a kind yet odd man, would frequently visit and implore her to come with him to Strangehaven. He must have had some knowledge of Waiqar, because he feared that the old lich would seek to take the rune from Astarra's gran.
Some time later, her gran fell quickly ill. In her last lucid moment, she left the rune to Astarra and expressed regret at not having told her of its secrets in time. Once gran died, undead servants of Zorgas moved in on the farm and slaughtered Astarra's family. Astarra herself escaped the carnage and later returned to the farm to find that a thin mist hung over the air. The apples in the now withered orchard had turned black, the leaves grey, the grass was yellow, the sun cold and distant, and the homestead was covered in a thin layer of mold.
Astarra headed south and arrived at Havershold, where the villagers were helpful and kind at first, but grew angry when she told them her story. They called her a liar. Desperate to leave, Astarra stowed away on a caravan bound for Strangehaven. She hoped to find answers there about the rune she held.
On the way to Strangehaven, the caravan stopped at a Daqan garrison tower. There, Captain Alcaran found her and brought her into the tower for questioning. She shared her story and, to her shock, Alcaran believed her. The old captain told her the tale of Timmorran and the three darknesses, and warned her to not travel into the Mistlands. When Astarra proved too stubborn for Alcaran's wisdom, he helped pay for her passage to Strangehaven. He reasoned that they were on the same side, and he believed that Astarra may yet have some part to play in the tale of the runes.
References
- Descent: Journeys in the Dark (Second Edition): Crusade of the Forgotten
- Runewars Miniatures Game