Liam

Liam is best dad

## Early Life

Liam was born in Sundabar and was raised by his half-sister Vylraele after his human mother was killed in a raid. He was only two years old whenever the raid stormed through Sundabar and took his mother's life, leaving him with nothing to truly remember her by. In reality, his half-sister became the only motherly figure he could recall throughout his childhood years.

At the age of three, Vylraele took Liam to Helm's Hold outside of Neverwinter to seek refuge from the wild nature of eastern Faerun. Growing up, Liam was a very inquisitive child that always wanted to learn more about where they came from and why others did not look like him. Being abandoned by his orc father before birth, Liam had no recollection of who his father was besides what his half- sister had told him. "He's a rotten, no good savage," she had told him countless times. Internalizing this, Liam was left believing that his father's blood was a poison within himself. Any time he got the urge to fight or feelings of anger, he was reminded that being an orc was not something he could escape.

By his late childhood, it became evident that he was rather gifted with axes and melee weaponry. His half-sister helped him embrace his skills and even saved up some silver pieces to help him enter competitions. He became well-known in Neverwinter for his skills, and it often gained him attention from adventurers. However, he initially refused the adventuring life in order to stay close to Vylraele and to help her raise her own children. She was always grateful for Liam's help, but she did not want him to feel as if he could not go out and use his gifts.

Eventually, Liam took Vylraele's urgings and decided to make for Neverwinter; it could be his chance to start his own life. It wasn't long after Liam moved that he was approached by a half-orc much like himself. Introduced as Liam's cousin, Asa, on his father's side, Liam initially rejected his cousin; he had no interest in coming to know the side of his family that he had learned to hate. It took a few months, but Asa kept trying to prove to Liam that he was only interested in reconnecting with his family. Liam finally accepted his invitations and found that he truly loved and cared for his cousin.

For almost a year, Liam worked at the docs of Neverwinter with Asa. They lived together in an apartment above a tavern by the pier. During the days, they would work hard at repairing masts and sails, often being cursed at by egregious merchants. At night, they would stumble to the tavern and take in all it had to offer: alcohol, food, and lively music. It was here that Liam gained an appreciation for taverns and how they catered to people's needs. He spent many nights learning how to cook and run a bar from the barkeep Barley.

Liam lived in Neverwinter for 3 years before receiving word of a band of orcs who had recently raided the village of Ascore to the far east. Seeking Asa's knowledge, he asked if it was his father's band. Not able to keep the truth from Liam, his cousin confirmed that it was his father, but he begged him to stay. Without leaving a note or saying goodbye, Liam left for Ascore.

Seeking out his father was not easy, but he was able to track down the orcs to the base of the Ice Mountains. He confronted the band and was immediately taken as prisoner. Starved for 25 days, he was unable to pick himself up from the ground as his life forced was fleeting. Seeing his resilience, the leader of the orcs demanded that he be brought to their feast. The leader, Tarfu, cupped Liam's face in his hands and held a jagged knife to his neck. He asked Liam, "Do you wish to beg for your life?" To which Liam replied, "Not if it means bending to your will." With a hearty laugh, the leader put away his knife and declared Liam a member of the Bad Hand Band and confirmed him as his son.

At first, Liam was reluctant to help the orcs, but he had very little choice. If he attempted to escape, the orcs would capture him and punish him through extreme measures. Eventually, he became numb to the fighting and killing, and he even began to embrace it. After 4 years, he was trusted to help train new members of the Bad Hand Band. Amongst the new members was a half-orc named Gros who was a member of the Winged Reapers Band, an ally clan.

Immediately, Liam was taken by Gros: he was equally daunting and charismatic. They worked together for a year while traveling through the eastern mountain ranges and raiding villages. It did not take them long to realize that they were betraying their senses of morality to continue working with the bands of orcs, but they knew that they would be killed if they ever tried to escape. Thus, they kept their places in the savage clans for 2 more years.

Eventually, their path landed them in Citadel Adbar. Here, they began a siege that lasted for 6 days and caused massive amounts of bloodshed on both sides. In the carnage, Gros and Liam watched as families were brutally captured and killed. The battle finally ended when Tarfu captured the governor of the city and decapitated him in front of his troops. The city was left without food or supplies, and many of the residents perished.

Breaking down, a sense of Liam's empathy returned as he realized that his own death would be better than causing the death of innocent people. He knew that he would be hunted down for leaving, so he decided to at least take one more person with him.

Sneaking into the center tent, Liam stood off with his unprepared father. With an axe at the ready, he readied his throw as Gros grabbed his arm. In shock, Liam held his axe in position, not releasing his throw. Gros proceeded to beg with Liam not to kill Tarfu, but instead to run away to the western reaches of the Sword Coast; there, they could be happy and not give in to the ever spilling blood of their orcish families. Over the sound of Gros' pleas, the curdling voice of Gros tempted him to strike him down and take over the Black Hand Band-- that Gruumsh would smile upon the act.

However, Gros' words finally broke through to Liam and caused him to lower his weapon. Binding and gagging his father, Liam began to search the tent for all valuables that would aid their escape.

Before the guards and soldiers of the camp could gather their senses, Liam and Gros packed what they could from Tarfu's tent and rode off into the night on stolen horses. They continued riding through the following day until they collapsed in exhaustion. Having nowhere else to go, Liam suggested they return to Neverwinter where they would be safe.

Upon their return, Liam sought out Asa and rekindled their friendship, apologizing for not trusting his warning. He also visited with his half-sister who had assumed he was dead. Their reunion was fraught with tears, anger, and-- slowly-- acceptance.

Together, Liam and Gros began their mundane lives. They were able to find work at the docs and live in a small house in the Peninsula District to maintain their image as normal citizens. It also did not take long for them to realize that they were more than just friends, and they began their romantic relationship.

Things were good for a while, but the demons of the past seemed to haunt both of them. Liam was left with horrifying nightmares and bouts of anger, and Gros found himself dissociating often. Tired of continuing to live with a constant reminder of the past, Gros became increasingly more distanced in their relationship. Liam continually begged Gros to stay and to continue to heal with him, but after 4 years in Neverwinter, Gros asked Liam to leave.

Distraught, Liam packed up his share of things and prepared to leave Neverwinter. His cousin offered to allow him to stay in his home that he shared with his partner, but Liam decided that he needed another fresh start. Promising to keep in touch, Liam moved to Phandalin where he stayed at a then for sale Stonehill Inn. Remembering a traveling genasi that he had often bought supplies from before his time with the Bad Hand Band, he returned to his cart to ask for remedies for his nightmares. It was here that he was referred to his therapist, Gwendolyn, as well.

During his time as a tenant, he worked as a barkeep for the owner Hilda and started to become confident in his abilities to manage the inn. He made a great impression on Hilda, and she offered to sell him the inn for a reduced price. Scared that he would be making a mistake, he consulted with Banks to ask if it was a good idea.

Feeling reassured, Liam became the sole owner of Stonehill Inn.

### Currently

Liam is the owner of the Stone Hill Inn, though he has thought of changing the name for years. He spends most of his time working as the innkeeper and caretaker of the premises, though he has been known to occasionally make trips to Neverwinter to visit Asa and Vylraele.

Unlike most of the other townspeople in Phandalin, Liam felt empathy for an orphan by the name of Jeis Hawken who was left without any family following a tragedy. Despite knowing that she was a warlock, Liam was willing to offer her a place to stay and food to eat. It helped, of course, that her patron was Rhyxali who he also worships.

After giving aid to Jeis and a group of unlikely adventurers, Liam realized that he too had unfinished business that he needed to attend to. Leaving Phandalin, Liam headed west to finish his to kill his father. Unfortunately, he refused to drag any of his friends along for the deadly journey-- creating communication complications as well as increasing the danger he would face. As of now, Liam's whereabouts and status are unknown.

## Important Relationships

* Asa - Cousin
* Banks - Friend and Herb Dealer
	+ Liam met Banks before he was a member of Band Hand Band; however, their relationship was no more than business. Over the years, Liam kept returning to Banks' small stall as he passed through the area. When he moved to Phandalin after his break up, Liam went to Banks for some medicinal remedies to some of his ailments. Banks provided the care, but he also recommended Liam to see a therapist named Gwendolyn. After that, Liam began opening up to Banks and becoming a friend.
* Gros - Ex-Partner (4 years)
	+ Gros and Liam were both members of Bad Hand Band. After a few years of campaigning across eastern Faerun, they realized the corruption and hatred being spread by their regime. Abandoning their post, they took refuge in the western part of Faerun on the Sword Coast. Moving from town to town, they eventually settled in Neverwinter. It only took a few months of hiding before they could no longer hide their feelings. Gros was the first one to admit his feelings to Liam, and they began their relationship. It ended after Liam went into a rage during an argument over their future plans and whether or not they should adopt a child. Promising to work on himself, Liam left Neverwinter, only to return once he felt he could be a good partner for Gros. Unfortunately, Gros had already moved on.
* Jeis - Foster Child
	+ Jeis was only 4 years old whenever Liam took over the inn, and he often thinks about how different she is now from the bouncing, smiling toddler she once was. Over the years, she had skirted into his inn occasionally for food with her brother Jamril after her father passed away. When she was 13, he started to notice that she was never with Jamril anymore. Eventually, he overheard some townsfolk talking about the thief child who was sleeping in the back alleys. After promptly shutting down their conversation, he made a room available for Jeis in his inn. At first, she refused. It took a few months before she regularly began staying at Stonehill Inn. It did not take him long to realize that she was attempting to make a contract with a benefactor. Concerned, he \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Now, he watches over her and regularly communicates with Rhyxali to make sure that Jeis is taken care of.