Backstory

Ava grew up with her clan in the deep underground, never once wondering about the surface or what lay beyond her little system. They had a tradition where the young ones would stay underground until they came of age, at which point they were sent off to dig their own tunnels until they reached the surface, never looking back until they deemed themselves worthy. Ava was no exception, and once she reached the threshold, she dug her way to a cave system which just so happened to be near Ivoryhelm. There she settled, and with a lot of time on her hands, tried to figure out what she was going to do. Just expanding the territory of her clan wasn't enough, she needed something more. so she started making a living for herself with her hands, making little trinkets and jewelry of the gems in the rock. One day, another crafter wandered by her cave, hunting the wildlife that was nearby. She watched and waited, trying not to make herself seen. But with his keen eyes, he found her anyways and they got to talking.

He introduced himself as Zokue, and told Ava that these were his 'hunting grounds'. She told him about her quest to prove her worth, and Zokue sort of shrugged it off, but promised that he'd be around. Over time, the two fell in love and eventually, Ava proposed to him, saying that she'd abandon whatever she ws supposed to do for him. He politely declined, saying that she shouldn't have to do that for him, and that he'd rather be there to help her, than for her to be torn away from everything she knew. One re-done proposal later, and the two were planning on making it official. Maybe this would prove her worth. Zokue continued hunting, and was offered a job with a payout so big, it could pay for their wedding and then themselves for a few months. He said he'd be gone no later than a week, and off he went.

A week turned into a month, and a month turned into a few. an entire season came and went before a robber came and collapsed in front of her home. The markings looked similar but... it couldn't have been. Zokue had come home, but now... different. He was (un)dead, for one, and had a severe case of amnesia. Ava was heartbroken. Their entire life that they had built together was gone. Still, she remained strong and Zokue slowly reformed his relationship again. this time, he was the one to propose, and she accepted with a big smile. She awaits the day that she can face her family again, having now deemed herself worthy for going through it all, but until then, she'll keep at her craft and maybe explore a bit more. Zokue has rubbed off on her, after all.