Hameline/History

## Background

### Fifteen Years Ago

Two decades ago, the Inquisition hatched an idea to create a Sorcerer led task force, with the sole purpose of defending Islets and other strongholds against Nemeses. The sorcerers that were captured were kept in bondage, and only released to do battle. As one might have expected, the plan proved to be a massive failure, with the captives eventually rebelling and causing the Inquisition massive losses. To remedy that particular dilemma, the Inquisition changed tactics, instead targeting only children - be they orphans or not - and raising them to be Nemesis slayers.

Such was the faith of Hameline, alongside three other children; Hanz, Greta, and Thumb. These children were dubbed the *Nemesis Defense Force*, with the obvious connotation of defending Rumble Town against the Nemeses threat plaguing the world. However, despite playing an important role, Hameline and the rest of the children were treated with contempt and hatred. They were forced to be quarantined in a cell, alongside harden criminals and isolated from the rest of society.

The group of children proved able to endure for a time, finding solace in the company of one another. But even so, despite their best attempts, the children were not always able to endure the despair. In many cases, the denizens of Rumble Town broke into an uproar, often shouting obscenities near the prison cells, and verbally abusing the captives. Just as the situation proved to be unbearable, Major Oxumare makes his presence known. He offers words of kindness, and even grants the children a flute to play whenever the yells from the outside proved to be too loud to ignore. This flute would later be inherited by Hameline, and serve as the basis of all her magical techniques.

While the kindness granted the children solace, it consequently drove the eavesdropping soldier, Konrad, deeper into madness and ensured that Hameline's life was to be one entirely filled with grief and vengeance. One night, Konrad snuck into the cells, posing as an ally, and released the children. Sadly, this lead to a swift and effective manhunt, leading in the death of all the Sorcerers excluding Hameline, who now had to endure this burden in solitude.

The situation went from bad to worse, as a Nemesis Egg crashlands in Rumble Town. As it blocked the path to the suburb's exit, the Inquisition has no choice but to hide the civilians within the prison. In addition, Rumble Town's secret weapon - Hameline - is called to arms. This proves to be a clever trick by Konrad, who uses the diversion to kill Oxumare and pin the blame on the Nemesis. Before he can slay Hameline, Oxumare in his final act before death, pins Konrad into the wall, allowing the young sorceress to flee.

Distraught and on the brink of a mental breakdown from the loneliness, Hameline begins to play her flute. Unbeknownst to her, the flute's melody attracts the Nemeses that had just arrived in Rumble Town. As the Northeast Suburbs is being demolished and separated from the main Islet, the Nemesis speedily secure Hameline's frame, and narrowly saves her from falling with the rest of the tumbling suburb.

### Blank Period

Some time later, she leaves Rumble Town with her Nemeses in tow. Under unknown means, she's taught in the art of Dormitor and general sorcery. This is presumed to