Heartboiler sighs, staring ahead like she's picturing the mountain she talks about. We all lived on the mountain,
the whole Kalagiano clan. My childhood was a relatively normal one; I was a good fighter, intuitive, fast learning and when enraged more powerful than most. I impressed some men with that and three had the guts to ask for my hand. She pulls her nose up in disgust, then grins slightly like a crazy person. I challenged them to a fight, if they won I would accept their proposal, if I won their heart belonged to me. Needless to say I ripped their hearts out and boiled them and are them. I had heard some old story that eating a warriors heart would give you their strength, don't know if it's true but it couldn't hurt anyway. After destroying the last man to want me, the fight was done in three minutes, he was just so slow in turning, I went up the mountain to boil his heart. I had made it this little ritual, some mothers didn't want their children to see. Weak little twats in the making of you asked me. So there I was, high up the mountain, when those pesky little fuckers from the Many Arrow orc tribe attacked. Her voice grows darker, a deep frown on her face.
It was a bloodbath. I couldn't make it back in time, I knew that when I saw it. Even sprinting I was at least 10 minutes away and when I heard the first sounds of battle I could see we would never win. So I hid and waited it out.
They fought like lions, decimating those vile creatures, but it wasn't enough. When the Chief got killed, letting out a massive scream I knew it was done. They were all gone. I waited until the orcs were gone and then went down to see if anyone had managed to hide as well. No survivers,
all men, women and children were dead. Everything we had, gone. I scavenged a bit, took all I could find, including the sword that belonged to my Chief, buried deep in the skull of one of the orcs. They had tried to take it out, their bloody handprints all over it. When I pulled it out it spoke to me, as it has done many times since. It guides me, tells me to protect those in need or those who can help me. It is now my life's mission to keep the Kalagiano name alive.
I failed them once, it won't happen again. I must make them proud!
The sadness that took over Heartboiler's face is now replaced by determination with a hint of anger. She tenses up until one of the bones she's carrying snaps in half and shocked she relaxes, sighing heavily.
So, yeah, that's my story. I came to the Underdark looking for one of the old contacts of my tribe. Mister Kazook Pickshine did business with one of the elders, I wanted to inform him about the tragedy and see if there was something I could do to keep our name living down here. When we were together and the jelly things attacked I was told to keep you guys safe. It doesn't seem you needed my help to stay safe, so I'm guessing there's another reason why I need to be with you.
She looks sideways at Cemos, wondering if he would know what that reason might be, but not asking about it.
