A Man Named Dog

 

Mikhail Leafoot grew up in the northern most Woodsman village of the Gnarley. Living alone with his father after his mothers early death Mikhail learned the way of the wood and picked up leather working quite young. When he was 12 Mikhails father died during a Pomarj raid on the village. With this Mikhail went to live with his uncle, Harold, in the southern part of the wood. on his first solo hunt Mikhail was captured by a small Pomarj scout team. Without Mikhail knowing, he was shadowed by a senior ranger to ensure his safety. Due to this Mikhail was not held long but before his rescue they beat, cut, and permanently scarred his left ear. He focused on his hatred for them stemming from his fathers murder. Mikhail felt no pain and said nothing. This display of loyalty and his natural talent for tracking earned him the name Dog. Dog grew up and was trained with his fellow pupils Craddock and Vindryl and they grew close through the years. Rangers always operated in groups no more than three and the companions were to be bound by this grouping for life. Dogs training trio received their Oak Leaves at the same time naturally but only after they passed a test of courage and skill. A group of orcs was seen increasing thier patrols near Black Thorn Cavern and they were to track their movements and gather intel. Craddock, the leader of the three, lost his trail at one point and Dog had to fill the role of scout. This show of skill and perseverance shifted the groups dynamic as Dog emerged the most proficient of them. With the test passed they underwent more training and Craddock received the first solo mission.... investigating the happenings around the Temple of Elemental Evil.

After a time Craddock fell in battle with a group of like minded adventurers he met and traveled with. The news reached Ranger Knight Otis and he eventually sent Vindryl to finish the mission. Now the Rangers know without doubt that the Temple most be stopped from spewing its vile darkness through the Gnarly and eventually all of the land. In time the endeavor proved to be an undertaking not to be taken lightly and Vindryl also fell to the evil of the cults.

With a heavy heart Otis asked Dog if he would pick up the torch and continue the mission. In a show of the loyalty that earned him his name Dog accepted the task without thought. To him this was not only a welcome challenge but also how he could honor his fallen companions. Three became one and the one became hardened by the pain of his loss.