Prelude

Todd Langley was born alongside siblings Verity, Hamish and Edwin to parents Gethin Langley and Niamh O'Doherty just outside town limits of Rutland, Vermont, where they grew up in relative ease and comfort in the surrounding woods.

From a relatively young age, Todd was gripped with insatiable curiosity for the world around him. Much of his childhood was spent romping around his family's property sticking his nose into every hole and burrow in search of adventure. This led to many run-in’s with the local wildlife and, as a lonely boy with only pesky and annoying siblings for company, he learned how to befriend them. Todd grew familiar with woodland animals (particularly small predators like foxes, raccoons, and corvids), and discerned quickly that unassuming creatures would divulge information in exchange for offerings of food. His horizons were broadened by the broken words of his forest companions, relying on their travels and insights to color his ideals.

As he came into early adulthood, Todd shaped up to be a gifted survivalist. Independent as they were, the Langleys relied only on the land and themselves; traps and bows provided for what they needed to live in comfort, and Todd showed talent for these arts. When he was not fraternizing with animals, he attended to chores around his homestead and developed a fondness for woodcutting; simple as it was on the surface, hands-on labor and quantifiable results made Todd proud. And he was quite good at it, having a sharp and critical eye for the land.

However, thanks to a sheltered and unsocialized upbringing, Todd grew up with all the makings of a recluse. It impacted his sociability, and taking trips into Rutland as a yearling to establish himself made him aware of his oddness that his family tolerated. While eager to make companions, he struggled with it; canines were either off-put by his eerie calm (masking nervousness) or impatient with his fumbling. Often Todd was left with embarrassment and awkward silences instead of friends.

When he reached two years of age, Todd's desire to find his place was still burning and decided he wouldn't find it in Rutland. Promising to keep in touch with his family, he set out from Vermont with only a bow and the rotund raccoon Ringtail to his name. Initially he visited Portland, figuring to cast his net wide. However, he underestimated the crowds and was overwhelmed by the bustle and other worldliness. He craved the new, the exciting, but it was too much. He splintered off from the port town and ventured to Palisade, a settlement that was more his speed.

Todd managed to settled in as a ward under the tutelage of the Courtright family to refine his skills, the faction taking interest in his talents. He fell under the wing of the patriarch Josiah Courtright and the two formed an amiable but stern bond. The head of the house nurtured Todd's ability with archery, trapping, and forestry, even teaching him how to handle a short blade, and the young Langley strived to meet the man's expectations and to glean what he could from his mentor. Josiah wasn't as gentle with Todd as his family was, but that made the Courtright's praise all the more meaningful when he earned it.

After nearly a year spent with the Courtrights, Josiah suggested for Todd to expand his skillset in Del Cenere, kindly (in Josiah's roundabout and tough way) hinting that Todd should branch out more. Even as he found his place in Palisade, Todd's sociability left a lot to be desired. Perhaps spending time in New Brunswick would crack that awkward shell of his. Not wanting to disappoint his mentor, Todd agreed with the notion and organized his transplant to the Ganglands.