Nortle was native to the exotic island of Komarach (‘secluded haven’) where he served as a part of the militia that protected the exotic lands that harvested animals and plants that did not exist beyond the shores of Komarach.

Komarach was often targeted by pirates who knew that capturing some of the exotic animals or acquiring some of the island’s unique fauna would sell for hundreds of gold in the black markets of the world.

Nortle lived off the land of Komarach – and took great pride in defending her shores. Nortle’s passion for Komarach’s natural beauty was well known among the tortles that lived along the shores of the island, that many often looked to him for leadership. During one of the pirate raids, Nortle had underestimated the pirates who had aligned themselves with the Sahuagin. The attack on the shores of Komarach was a devastating one, leading to the death of many; the Sahuagin – the “devils of the sea” – were ruthless in their attack, providing the distraction for the pirates to make landfall and capture several animals and harvest several plants.

Nortle thrived being strong in front of his people; proud of his strength – but he saw sorrow in the eyes of his people that night, going forward. None ever blamed him; none ever would, but Nortle could not shake that the responsibility had been his; his very honor had been rattled.

One of the pirates, whom they had captured, Nortle questioned and learned that the pirates were headed west to a new continent where new relics and treasures were being uncovered – some said to be extremely ancient. This piqued Nortle’s curiosity and provided him an excuse to leave Komarach behind, in what he believed, were more capable hands. This would allow him the escape from seeing his failure in the eyes of his people; and perhaps he could find some relic that he could return to Komarach to ensure something like that dreaded night never happened again.

Nortle moved from island to island, until he arrived in Tawaim, the human city of Moontide Port, where he booked a passage aboard the Alpha Dawn.