From the introduction: You grew up in the village of Birkville, located in the Nedrasi Forest and bisected by both the King's Road and the River Naga. Up until the age of 11, you were a pretty normal little boy-mischievous, full of energy, and playful. One night, you were up past your bedtime, playing with some wood-carved toys, when your mother stormed in to snuff out the candle in your bedroom. “Go to sleep!” she said. “Or you'll have extra chores in the morning.”