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I guess to know me, you must know my family. Heritage is important in our family. To dream of defying the family's wishes is just not done. Yet, I am one of those shamed few who have. After years of obeying my Father's demands, I could do so no more. My conscience got the better of me. That's why I was exiled. That's why I'm here. Should you wish, you may read on and hear the tale. As for me, I now look forward. What's past is past. I hope to escort in a new era of peace and understanding. However, Puddleby doesn't offer much hope, but I will attempt to lead it into something better - for that is my calling.

My father, Thar'dlisk was born to a rich merchant family. Grandfather Thar'dson died early in life and left the running of his vast sailing fleet to his fifth son. Although not unheard of, not leaving your estate to your oldest son was uncommon. My Father did his best to oversee the business and still keep the family together despite the animosity of the older brothers. But, alas, the peace was not to be held. In the first years, all seemed well, but it was merely the gilding on a festering boil of resentment. Uncle Sardd, grandfather's eldest, could never come to terms with Father's position. I'm ashamed to say it, but Uncle Sardd hired an assassin to remove my Father from head of the family. Father's demise would allow him to ascend to be the family patriarch. Fortunately, my Father discovered the plot but not before dividing the family. Oh what Grandfather Thar'dson would have thought! Brother against brother. Perhaps, in retrospect, that was Grandfather's idea - that the strong survived. I guess it worked, but with a high price.

While our family feud was going on, our rivals stole our clients and our business. Father settled the feud, but it unfortunately took the death of Uncle Sardd to do so. Sardd, it seems, had made alliances with the those same rivals. Father acted swiftly and definitely, but, I fear, at the price of his soul. In order to save his diminishing hold on our trade routes and bring our family back into prominence, he allied himself with the emperor. Of course, we were always "allied" with the emperor. How could we not be? But, now we did his bidding.

This is where I come in. During the feud years, I was at sea establishing new business ties and exploring new lands. My older brothers were charged with maintaining the existing clients and relationships. Being the third son, the most that I could hope for was to find a new land and establish trade. I spent many decades living from dock to dock. Although I did make a few new trade agreements, they were insignificant. I was content, however. I commanded a fleet of five vessels - two swift-running jaunts with light ballistae and three light cargo ships. I even learned the trade of dentistry. My fleet had the best theeth at sea!

All in all, those were happy years. But, when I learned of a new island far to the south populated by a new race, I was ecstatic! This was my chance to bring honor back to my family. We would be the first open trade agreements with these new people. Provided, of course, that it was true. I was convinced, though, so I bought the necessary provisions and headed off using naught but the map drawn by my informant on the back of a tanned shark skin. My crew thought me delirious, but my enthusiasm was contagious.

Our mission was dangerous. I lost a ship and most of its crew to the fierce, unrelenting forces of the sea. The Sea is a fickle mistress - she can go from calm and beautiful to raging and deadly without warning. Their deaths weighed heavy on my heart, but still I went onward. After nearly four months at sea, we spotted a volcano-ridden island similar to that described by the informant. Our hopes were lifted.

Honestly, I couldn't really say that it was paradise. Most of the island was thick with jungle and way too hot. But, I was excited nevertheless. We landed in the island with high expectations but little sense. Our arrival did not go unnoticed by the natives. The bipedal lizardmen greeted us not with open arms but with spears and exploding gems. They mistook our landing as an invasion. We, of course, defended ourselves and lives were lost on both sides before our true intentions of peace were discovered. Both sides mourned the loss of life, but it did serve as a bond between our peoples. We henceforth agreed to always communicate before resorting to war.

Years passed on this island. I learned of the Lysar's heritage, customs, and language. I even fell in love, but that's another story. Alas, happiness draws misery like insects to a flame. Upon my return to the Thoom mainland to tell my Father of my new find, I learned that his relationship with the emperor's people had changed him. His smile was gone; his heart saddened. The emperor's lackeys had decided that the Lysar race was a threat to the empire and should be quarantined. I was forbidden to return.

In retrospect, I must admit that I followed my heart when perhaps my head should've prevailed. As you can guess, I hesitated but I eventually defied the quarantine to return to the Island of the Lysar. Perhaps, it was to rescue this noble race of lizardmen from the exploding volcano that threatened the isle. However, I realize now it was really to see my only love just again. Either way, I was too late. The island was decimated and my love was nowhere to be seen. My heart nearly exploded with agony.

Upon my return, my Father had me exiled for defying the emperor's orders. I understand. He had to. He had to think of the family before he thought of me, but that changes little. I was exiled to Puddleby. My title, ships, friends, money are all gone. But, I have to forget that past. It serves me not. I am a healer now. I dedicate my life to helping others. I only pray that no one is lost again because of my inaction.