Carric Liadon, Ranger

The Liadon family is one of the oldest and most prominent within the city of Waterdeep, with vast connections all over the land of Faerûn. Following the death of Jenson's father, many years back, the two remaining aires to the family businesses were Jenson and his brother Archibald. Jenson inherited the mining, fabrication and engineering businesses and due to his vast knowledge of the subjects and education, he flourished becoming one of the most successful businessmen known throughout Faerûn. Archibald inherited the lumber and agricultural companies, which started out very well but as he branched out into fishing but soon took a nose dive and began haemorrhaging money. Jenson bailed out his brother on numerous occasions until he could take it no more. This outraged Archibald, his own brother wouldn't help the family business, his business!

Jenson Liadon was travelling back to his home in Waterdeep after a long expedition to the south when he heard the cries of a baby coming from a nearby ditch. A baby no more than a few days old had been left abandoned at the side of the road. Jenson took the infant and travelled to the closest orphanage in the hopes of finding it's birth family. Upon arriving at the orphanage he was greeted by a gaggle of children, followed by an exceedingly unpleasant  Matron. 

Jenson decided at that moment that he would take the baby home until he could track down his birth family, or find a suitable caring family to look after the child. Jenson's wife, Natali, was sceptical about having a baby of unknown origins staying at their manor, although, that being said, she was not prepared to leave him at the overcrowded orphanage with the Matron either. 

Over the next few weeks, Jenson spent a huge amount of his time trying to find the child's parents but to no avail. Natali spent most of her time taking care of the infant, so much so that she started to grow attached to him and appealed to the city to allow her to adopt the newborn, which was granted.

It all changed just shortly after Carric's second birthday, Jenson had been parading Natali and Carric around the town showering them with gifts. He was throwing money around as if it was nothing. But it was rare for Jenson to be enjoying the company of his family in public, it was one of his favourite things to do, with his work being as tiring as it was and him being so busy and rarely at home. It is thought to this day that the ostentatious display of wealth is what lead to the death of him and his Wife that night. 

In the middle of the night thieves broke into the manor and raided its contents, not only did they rob them of everything they could get their hands on, but they set the house on fire to cover their tracks. The bodies of both Jenson and Natali were found in Carric's room, huddled together in a loving embrace. Carric survived by pure chance, as one of his nannies had taken him for a walk in the middle of the night to try and settle him for bed. Orphaned again. He was passed over to the custody of his uncle, Archibald, who detested him for not being of the Liadon bloodline and yet would eventually be left with the family companies of which he no birthright to.

Growing up within Archibald's household was a grim existence for young Carric. He was shunned by his two male cousins, Ashton and Archibald Jr, frequently bullied and picked on by them. His only friend and ally was his female cousin Anabelle (as well as his old nanny, Mara). Annabelle was always nice to Carric, when he was barred from the dinner table she would always bring him some food, when he was beaten by Archibald she would come and help care for Carric's wounds. He loved Annabelle like she was his family. 

Mara was a lovely old woman who raised Carric, she taught him how to read, write, tie his shoes and she often sent him off on a hunt with her husband, Geoffrey, to keep Carric from Archibald's wrath. Carric soon became highly skilled in the use of a crossbow and bow. He preferred it out in the wilderness, as it was so peaceful.

When Jenson died he left everything to Carric with the intent of him taking over all the businesses when he was of age, but until then Archibald had full control over them until Carric would come of age. Archibald resented this greatly, and he bled them dry and sold all valuable property left to Carric, all but one abandoned ruin of an estate, Thundertree. Archibald purposefully destroyed the businesses so that Carric would have nothing when it was his to inherit.

Aged 18, Carric left taking with him everything he owned and using the skills taught to him by Geoffrey he began to create his own legacy.

For years Carric was homeless, scrounging for his meals on the streets of Waterdeep. He’d collect hunting contracts when the owners would allow whenever possible, however, he also had to steal to survive when it was necessary. 

Over the next five years Carric learnt about the wilderness around Waterdeep, deepening his survival skills and becoming an experienced and well known woodsman, ranger, and guide.  His growing reputation, together with the many contacts he made, allowed him to join travelling parties and organisations where his skill set was needed.

His next job was to escort a caravan for a grumpy Dwarf to some backwater called Phandolin ...