Stoneford wheat was an honest grade, nothing to boast about, but usually a good buy. They would harvest the wheat twice yearly and take their load to trade with the halflings in Quail and sometimes to the big city of Garidan.

That was before the criminal charges that changed everything.

In late Autumn, winter was beginning to make its bite felt. Season Stoneford, Halmoor's father, thought it was best to get the harvest to Quail before travel became impossible. He went alone and promised to be home before the snow began to fall.

Weeks later, elvan soliders came to their small farm. Dressed in platinum armor and riding smokey gray steeds, they said Season was arrested and would be killed at winter's end. Cardeenius, their elvan lord, would seize their farm in retribution for Season's crime.

His mother took deliberate and defiant strides to meet the elvan messengers. With her ruddy, care worn face she demanded, "what is his crime?"

"Murder," the messenger said flatly. The word hung in the air as if it had no meaning.

Seeing that his answer was insufficient, he sighed with contempt and spat, "he was having sexual relations with Cardeenius' daughter-in-law, Selan. Cardeenius' son, Breck, surprised the two lovers and in rage attacked Season. But the farmer proved to have some rage of his own and killed Breck."

Then soldier paused and stared directly into the eyes of the shocked woman. "Murder," he said flatly again.

They turned their steeds and began to ride away.

"Is there to be no trial? Are the elves now like any other barbarian race?" The shattered woman called after the men. "Trial? Madame, your husband admitted everything. We only wait until winters end because we are NOT barbarians," the solider said.

The rode off without another word.

Stunned, the family couldn't believe the news and didn't know where to turn. Was this an elaborate lie of the elvan lord Cardeenius? Why would he take such measure for a little dirt farm like theirs. But believing in elvan theachery was somehow more comforting than believing it might be true.

The only close military power was the holy citadel of the Crystal Tear. It is the site of a large blue crystal that is said to be the tear of the goddess Frigga. Measuring 100 yards across, it has healing properties for those who know how to unlock its power. People come from across Garidan to seek the healing powers of the stone and its priests. Halmoor decided to ask for their protection.

The priests were unmoved by his predicament due to the nature of the crime. They vow to remain neutral in all matters, their only goal is to heal the wounds of the world.

But they did see Halmoor potential as a warrior. They offered a bargain. Halmoor would give up his life as a farmer and enter into the brotherhood of the Crystal Tear. In return, the family could fly the flag of the Crystal Tear over their home. Even the hautiest elvan lord respects the might and power of the holy citadel. No military aid would ever come to help, but it is both unlucky and unwise to attack a house protected by the Crystal Tear.

In the end there was no choice. Halmoor was no more... His new name was Galistar, knight of the Crystal Tear.