History: Nearly fifty years ago, Aust was a shaman and healer of some renown among his people. Growing up with his small family at the edge of society, that is where he remained when they eventually moved on. He made his own way at the edges the elven territories, practicing woodcraft and magic as a means of survival. When he occasionally crossed paths with travelers he treated them with respect and hospitality regardless of their race, as though the tracts of wilderness were his own home and he had invited them. More common were those who sought him out for one form of help or another.

One such visitor, and elven maiden by the name of Mirri, sought him out time and time again. At first, the she-elf engaged his services in an attempt to save her ailing mother. Aust would visit their home nearly every season to do what he could, but was never able to do more than ease the elderly elf's discomfort and shore up her failing health. This lasted several years, and during that time a bond formed between Aust and Mirri. When eventually her mother passed, Mirri gave up her home to travel with Aust.

For nearly twenty years the pair traveled together and were happy. All good things, however, must come to an end. During a particularly harsh storm, Aust and Mirri were separated near the border of elven and human territories. After eschewing food and rest for a full day, the elf eventually located his partner and love. Once the storm had passed, she had approached a group of humans and asked for their help and hospitality. The men had proven to be slavers, and took her captive. Aust spotted his lover among the men from afar, and settled in to wait for an opportune moment to free her.

Late that night, Aust snuck into the slaver camp. In darkness and silence, he slipped into the tent where Mirri was being kept while most of the twenty slavers were gathered around their fire. So focused was he on freeing her that he did not sense it when a guard crept up from behind. They had expected someone to come for the she-elf. The leader of the group was determined to prove to the stubborn elf that they both belonged to him now. Bound in heavy chains, Aust was forced to watch as his lover was passed between men around the fire like no more than a bottle of liqueur. When they were finished Mirri was tossed aside like trash, where she lay completely still in the dirt.

Pushed beyond the point of reason and helpless to do anything else, Aust called to his magic. Something he had once considered unthinkable, he used the forces of life and creation to bring a violent end to the men around him. Twenty lives were snuffed out like so many candles in a strong wind. Still numbed by shock and the adrenaline rush brought on by the situation Aust felt neither grief nor regret, which struck him as extremely wrong. Still not thinking clearly, he etched these things permanently into his flesh. Even if he could not feel them in that moment, he would forever bear the scars both upon his heart and his face.

Disgusted by the fact that he had twisted his magic against its intended purpose, Aust decided for himself to become an exile. He left elven lands behind of his own will, determined to wander further than he ever had before. It was then that he met Lothren and originally joined the Ytharien. He did not remain long, however, volunteering to be dispatched as a scout into Areta.