This is such a great thread! Love reading everyone's backstories, glad to know I'm not the only one who enjoys diving into the deep end!
```
Veldrin - guild artisan, Drow Wizard (I really want her to be a bladesinger, but as of now playing her as an evocation, because abjuration would be great if it was like it is in the PHB!)
Veldrin is from the subterranean port deep beneath Waterdeep, Skullport. She was raised by her father, Solaufein, a devote worshipper of Eilistraee. While she heard stories of the oppression and abuse suffered in Lolth-worshipping societies, Veldrin was lucky to have grown up in Skullport, even if it was a grim, cutthroat place on its own. And attending Eilistraee's hidden Church at the Promenade of the Dark Maiden, she had some moments of peace and security.
But Veldrin couldn't help but carve her own path. She had a talent for alchemy and enjoyed foraging for dangerous, exotic ingredients. Skullport was a prime market for all sorts of potions. Soon she made a name for herself and she was making good money. But nobody makes money in Skullport without attracting the attention of Xanathar's Guild. At first she enjoyed the game of cat and mouse, but it became progressively dangerous. They weren't going to stop, but Veldrin didn't want to stop either until they tried to harm her father.
Realizing that she'd bitten off more than she could chew, she took her father's advice to escape to the surface. It took time to figure out what strings needed to be pulled to slip out of Skullport without Xanathar's Guide noticing, but eventually she entered an agreement with another criminal organization, Bregan D'aerthe. For the group it was a chance to upset Xanathar, but they also had Veldrin swear to a year of service once she got to the surface. Promising a year felt like nothing for an elf.
She had just seen the open waters above when the Mind Flayers attacked.
```
I really hope they give us alchemy tools! I love all the mushrooms and plants for far, so I expect it's coming soon!
