Tam Albren

Tam's parents settled in Dandy Lane about twenty years ago -- a couple years before Tam was born -- to find a place to settle and because his mother (Maggie) had a sister (Betty) living there.  Upon arriving they claimed some land and began to farm it.

Alas, when Tam was but three years old, his father (Reginald) was injured while shoeing a horse.  The horse got spooked and kicked him in the head, reducing him to a veritable vegetable.

Maggie was unable to manage the farm on her own; she sold it and all the equipment and bought a small cottage for herself and Tam.  Thereafter, she eked out a living as server in the local tavern (where her sister, Tam's aunt, also worked).

But with mother working all the time and father an invalid -- what of Tam?  Boys in this situation typically go in one of two directions: they become (1) wild and rebellious or (2) shy and withdrawn.

Tam went the latter route.  He spent most of his time at home or with his mother (holed up in the kitchen) or tending to his father.  Quiet, introspective, and above all else reclusive, he had no friends among his peers; when thrust into situations in which he had to interact with other kids his oddities would invariably lead to him being bullied and teased or (at best) ignored and shunned.

He liked to read, and he read a lot -- which was amazing, because he wasn't overly bright.  But he particularly liked to read about herbs, and treatments, and such; perhaps he hoped to find a cure for his father, or perhaps he was answering a higher call . . .

Reginald succumbed to his injuries when Tam was nearly ten.  The quiet withdrawn lad continued being quiet and withdrawn.  The time he formerly spent caring for his father was now spent (more and more over time) at the Temple of Diancecht.  Perhaps for solace, perhaps for answers, perhaps to assuage unjustified feelings of guilt.

As Tam moved to his teenaged years, he developed a small reputation for being able to help treat minor wounds and ailments suffered by the villagers -- so much so that by the age of 16 (two years ago) he began helping the village physician on a part-time basis.

He's still nervous, shy, and reserved -- but now he's nervous, shy and reserved with a purpose.