In the land of the Silver Dominion, where the Church's grasp reached far and wide, there once lived a young human sorceress named Josefine. Her life took a dramatic turn when, at the tender age of 19, she found herself targeted by the Dominion Church for practicing unsanctioned divination magic. Fearing for her life and freedom, she made the daring decision to flee her homeland and venture eastward, seeking refuge in the enigmatic and wild land of Vikholm.
Her journey was treacherous, leading her over the harsh and cold peaks of the Ironbane Mountains. As the biting winds threatened to freeze her to the core, Josefine relied on her innate ability to conjure flames to keep herself warm. Despite her magical prowess, the unforgiving mountains proved to be a formidable adversary, and she soon found herself lost and trapped within a small, snow-covered cave. With each passing day, her hope dwindled, and her strength waned. Starvation gnawed at her, and her magic began to fade. As despair settled in, Josefine fell unconscious, believing her journey had come to a tragic end.
But fate had different plans. To her astonishment, she awoke in a warm and comfortable bed, rescued by a family of Bearkin living within the mountains. Amberthor, a large and kind-hearted female Bearkin, and her mate, Krugor, had found her and nursed her back to health. They tended to her for a month, teaching her about the customs and ways of Vikholm. During her stay, they inquired about her origins, but Josefine had no kin to speak of. Moved by their kindness and hospitality, she decided to accept their offer of becoming part of their Bearkin family. They bestowed upon her the name "Emberly," inspired by her fiery magic that had saved her from the biting cold of the Ironbane Mountains.
As time passed, Josefine grew fond of her new Bearkin family and the rugged beauty of Vikholm. When it was finally time for her to continue her journey to the capital city of Vikstorm, they promised to reunite again someday. In Vikstorm, she spent three years exploring the city and the countryside, immersing herself in the vibrant culture and untamed magic of Vikholm. But as the land was thrown into chaos upon the death of the Queen, Josefine once again found herself facing uncertainty and danger.
When a dark Warlock emerged to claim power in the wake of the Queen's demise, the Court of Thorns was established, further deepening her unease. Deciding that she needed to seek solace and safety, she made her way back to her Bearkin family in the Ironbane Mountains. With them, she found a sense of belonging and peace. In the embrace of the wilderness, she honed her magical abilities and learned the ways of the Bearkin. Josefine, now known as Emberly, vowed to protect her newfound family and the land that had offered her sanctuary.
As the seasons turned and the years passed, Emberly's bond with the Bearkin grew stronger, and she came to realize that sometimes, the journey of self-discovery and finding one's place in the world could lead to the most unexpected and heartwarming destinations.