He was a young human living just outside Templeton with his family most days you could have seen him sneaking off towards templeton to idle away many hours just sitting on the wall watching all the knights and mercenaries, his parents tried to stop him, but they couldn't, Jajar's biggest dream was to become a Paladin his parents knew this all his friends knew this, but it couldn't happen because Jajar's parents we're poor, and couldn't afford the training fees involved, they tried, they tried very hard but no matter what they did they could never seem to save the gold they needed to make their sons dream come true.

This day when Jajar sat on a wall near Commerce road watching all the passers by and keeping an eye out for the thugs that liked to attack people wondering what sort of shops could the men be visiting there because they always went in with their pockets bulging with gold but when they left their pockets seemed devoid of gold but most men had big smiles on their faces.

Most of that day Jajar sat on that wall time seemed to stand still for him and it seemed only moments for him, people passed him without a second glance a few young adventurers got into scuffles with the local thugs, but none seemed to be hurt badly and more thugs came to bolster the ones that were there, soon there was several all grouped together on the road waiting for a rich looking victim to rob, Jajar had no worries about them dressed in rags, most of the thugs knew he was poor and they gave up beating him up ages ago it was just too easy and they never got anything for their troubles.

It was soon after this that something happened that would change Jajar's life forever a young Elf was wandering down the road when he walked straight into a small group of thugs, seeing their chance the thugs started beating on this elf who started to defend himself as best he could setting off several spells at the lead thug but Jajar could see it was not going well for him already cut and bruised in many places the Elf fled away from the group but he fled into the much larger group of thugs and they to started attacking him Jajar couldn't stand it, this poor Elf was getting killed right in front of his eyes and he couldn't stand it, something snapped in his heart or soul and before he knew it he had leapt off of the wall and was charging at the lead thug,

knowing in his head that they would be outnumbered but not caring with all the strength he could muster he slammed his fist into the first thug almost knocking him from his feet, the fight went on for what seemed like hours Elf and Human standing side by side trading blows with the thugs but slowly inch by inch being beaten back bleeding from head to foot, but not giving up it happened suddenly the Elf at Jajar’s side was hit hard and was thrown into Jajar both Human and Elf toppled to the ground the thugs grinning now advanced on them the look on their faces said it all, they were both going to die time seemed to slow for Jajar as the thugs advanced on him, he tried to get the now unconscious Elf off of him so he could get to his feet and make a last stand but his aching bruised muscles would’nt work and the air started to grow cold around him, “this must be death” he thought to himself and the air grew colder and colder then he heard a voice, it came from behind him

"Frost!" a loud male voice said and the air almost froze the thugs screamed as their bodies became coated in ice a dark figure leapt over Jajar wielding a sword he charged into the thugs seeming to blur as he moved cutting down one then another thug until they were all laying there in a bloody mess, almost in a daze Jajar rose to his feet and stammered out his thanks the man, a Half-Elf Jajar could see now, simply nodded his acknowledgment and started to walk down the street “Wait” Jajar called, “What is your name stranger?” he asked the man simply turned and smiled, reaching into his cloak he pulled out two pouches and tossed them at Jajar’s feet .

“My name is Waylander” he turned and pulled the cloak around his shoulders and simply disappeared, Jajar stooped down and picked one of the pouches up, it was heavy, looking inside he could see it was full of gold, gold enough for his family to eat well for a year and also plenty for him to travel to Lasler and start his training “One day Waylander” he said “One day we will meet, and I will pay you this back”.

For a few minutes Jajar was in a daze he had in his hands the means to be a Paladin but not knowing where to start he decided to wait till his brain started working again.

Jajar went to look at the elf he was helping and saw that he was stirring ,kneeling down next to him and lifting the elf to his feet and noticed the gold bag strapped to the elfs waist .The elf smile seeing Jajars baffled look and said "Well my young friend you have helped me well but how did you defeat all these thugs alone ." Jajar relayed the tale of Waylander and how this mighty warrior had come in to the fight at the last moment,Jajar again glanced at the elf's bag.The elf said "I see you wonder about all the gold I carry I am in training to be a mighty warrior also and have come here to get the mark of passion."

Stunned Jajar ask the young elf about his training and what marks were the elf told of lasler and other places that he had been and of how he had won the marks of youth and wisdom the elf said"Come and see I will try for the mark of passion to prove I'm worthy and if I do well ill receive a mark from the gods." The elf entered the shop Jajar had wandered about earlier Jajar grabbed the remaining pouch and followed into the shop.

Inside the shop was dimly lit and the air was musty with strange smells ,smells Jajar thought reminded him of of his parents room ,looking around he saw women dressed in provocative clothing that made his loins stir.The elf had been talking to a woman that looked rather older then the rest and he handed her a large amount of gold and walked through a curtain at the back of the room.The older woman looked at Jajar and a faint smile passed over her lip,Jajar felt like she had looked into his soul and could not stop himself from blushing this made the older woman laugh out loud ,Jajar decide he had seen enough and went outside to wait feeling embarrassed.

Jajar thought about the 2 pouches of gold he had and wondered if he should share it with the elf as both of them had fought the thugs and to him it seemed Waylander had given the gold over for watching a good fight or had he.Many thoughts went through Jajar's head as he stood there waiting and he tried to put all that days events in order , he could not believe he had in his hands 2 gold pouches

A short time pasted and the elf emerged from the now very interesting shop to Jajar .The elf had a different look to him thought Jajar he seemed to carry himself with an air of confidence and he had a knowing smiles on his face "Did you get you marks ." Jajar asked "Do you have to ask" said the elf. Jajar shook his head and knowing inside that the elf had been blessed with something from the gods.Jajar held out one of the gold bags to the elf but the elf just waved is hand at Jajar and said "This is small payment for you saving me for I would have been dead and robbed long before your mystery warrior arrived and there would have been no mark of passion for me "Be well safe roads to you young Human " said the elf and he waved and walked toward the cities front gate.