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			Thanin - The Elf
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Background:

Thanin belonged to Clan Kareth  (a name he bears proudly) which travelled south
after members of his clan  brought word that a range of mountains in El' Kazhar
- a country far  south of here - that possessed rich veins of silver.  The
mines were  plentiful, but the clan soon fell to an illness that took most of
its  members.  It was rumoured that drow elves living under the mountains  were
responsible - something which Thanin firmly believes.

He and his parents were some of the few survivors of the plague.  They 
were forced to move to a nearby human settlement (Inkarra) as there were not 
enough hands to run the mines.  At that time, Thanin was just ten years of age.

His parents ran a smithy, which Thanin never had an interest in.  He 
instead became something of a petty thief - hence the reason for the 
missing finger on his left hand (he is quite agile for a dwarf - adept 
at lock picking, trap-removal, among other things).  In time, he joined the 
city guard and volunteered for scouting missions where he learned desert 
survival and how to wield a falchion.  His parents perished during that time.

He left the army of Inkarra five years ago and wandered much of the 
southlands before heading north to his homeland - which he never made it 
to because he stopped at the Dragon's Inn and met you guys!

The only other thing is that he is not religious - and will debate the 
existence of the gods with anyone.  His narrow-mindedness in this regard 
is often exasperating!

Observations about Thanin travelling from Montfort to Pas du Mer:

Thanin is much less dour and taciturn than most of his race, but he is 
fond of gold - and ale.  He is intensely loyal - almost such that it is 
disconcerting (I tried to show this at the inn) - and would stand up for 
those he calls friends.  Thanin is suspicious of magic (especially people 
who turn into wolves, Prytz!  This will be something that if the dwarf 
would have learned early on he would react as he has to Tawas.  
However, now that he knows you and thinks of you as a friend, he will 
accept it.  Though, meaning well, he may try to find a means of "curing" 
your "illness".), many races (drow elves, goblins, orcs, etc.), things that
come too easy, or things that are for free.

He will face CERTAIN situations head-on, being very forthright at certain
times (eg. the stranger at the inn).  However, he does recognise the need
for a more subtler approach under some circumstances (eg. a raiding party of 
fifty orcs).

Thanin does not have any overly curious mannerisms such as leaving for 
periods of time.  He will spend "free time" sharpening his blade and 
maintaining his equipment, enjoying a mug of frothy brew, or smoking his 
pipe.

Thanin has no real religious convictions - in fact he doesn't believe in 
the existence of the gods.  They're a fictitious creation of idle minds 
as far as he's concerned.  He will debate anyone who so wishes to on this 
point, but being as stubborn as he is, very good evidence will be needed 
to change his point of view.

As for the southward detour, Cat and I initially chose Pas du Mer as we 
could see no other harbours on the coastline.  It was a decision made on 
the spur of the moment - sorry guys.  However, Mark's suggestion is a 
good one, though I'm not sure of any wars that are occurring there.  I 
don't think the people who run the newsgroup would be upset if we turned 
the eastern portion of the continent into a center of chaos that is being 
ripped apart by civil war.  I dunno, anyone got a better idea?