Shanala Goldush was born in 1450 DR in the city of Silverymoon, the “Gem of the North” and recognizable capital of The Silver Marches. Her father was a member of the renowned Knights in Silver - sworn defenders of Silverymoon - and her mother was a loremaster of the Halls of Inspiration, a temple to the deities Oghma and Milil. The families’ home sat upon the north side of the Rauvin River that ran through the majestic city, young Shanala often playing near the river against her parents wishes. Due to her parents constant absence Shanala had little to entertain her which would lead her to exploring the streets though she would avoid most people - including other children - due to her shyness, instead befriending stray dogs and alley cats.

When Shanala was fifteen her father began taking her into the nearby woods to learn to hunt, buying a hunting bow for her later that year. He also taught her to fish as well as scavenge for edible flora in the wilds. Shanala enjoyed using her bow, spending much of her free time practicing archery when not swimming or wandering the city. Shanala’s mother however began to worry for her daughter disapproving of her constant meandering about at such a young age. Lectures and scolding were met with defiance leading Shanala’s father to punish the girl the next time she dared disobey her mother, the punishment in the form of having her bow and arrows taken away for a month.

A year later Shanala’s father had become close friends with the owner of a tavern he frequented. On learning the knight’s daughter enjoyed to hunt the tavern owner offered to take the girl on hunting trips, saying he would pay her for any kills she made as the meat could be served at his tavern. An agreement was made and Shanala soon had begun to bolster her pockets with gold, proving herself a fine tracker and huntress as well as impressing the tavern owner and many of his patrons who she would come to meet. Among them were travelers and soldiers who served in the Argent Legion, some who would entertain her with tales of adventure and battle against monsters of the north.

Shanala’s mother had always hoped that her daughter would pursue a life of the cloth or that of an academic. Shanala had never taken to deep studies and - while she honored the gods properly - made it clear she had no intent of living life as a priestess. When Shanala told her parents at nineteen that she wished to serve in the Argent Legion they had separate reactions. Her mother while vexed seemed to see the uselessness in trying to dissuade Shanala. Her father at first was pleased believing that his daughter wished to follow in his footsteps as a Knight in Silver only to be chagrined that she instead wished to join the Army of the Vale, the armed force of Everlund. For an entire day there was deliberation, Shanala’s parents ultimately agreeing to her request to leave for Everlund with their blessings.

Shanala traveled downriver to Everlund with a few personal possessions as well as all the coin she had saved up over time. Despite initial hesitancy from officials due to her age and inexperience - as well as having not been a citizen - Shanala was allowed to join the ranks of the Army of the Vale, passing through training with little hardship. Her archery and survival skills particularly impressed her new superiors who appointed her as a lead scout for the army. Within three years Shanala had garnered a reputation as an unmatchable scout and drawn the attention of the High Captain himself who gave her command of her own unit to act as minor military support and patrol the areas around Everlund. Two years later she was promoted to Lieutenant and given command of her own company of archers, its ranks made up of forty seasoned veterans. While at first reserved due to her age Shanala’s men came to like and respect her and she them in return. Shanala would serve Everlund faithfully for the next decade, never waning in her duties and also showing conviction and devotion to her city and comrades. When spared the time she would often travel upriver to visit her parents, both of whom were proud of her accomplishments which in itself brought her the greatest of joy.

Shanala’s long good fortunes however would finally run their course when came the Darkening and The War of the Silver Marches. The orcs of Many-Arrows and their drow masters with the help of dragons and frost giants launched a fierce military campaign against the Silver Marches that would last into the next year. Shanala saw the worst side of the war, participating in the disastrous battles at Nesmé and Sundabar. Nesmé was sacked and it’s population taken as prisoners by the orcs, Shanala and half of her company barely escaping with their hides. At the battle of Sundabar Shanala and her replenished corp had acted as skirmishes and archer support for the main defense force though Shanala was severely wounded amidst the fall of the city and separated from her men, later she would learn they were massacred to the last on the ramparts.

The war would accost Shanala of more than just her comrades and pride. Both of her parents died in the siege of Silverymoon, her father leading a counterattack on an orc line only to be skewered on a pike and her mother was fatally wounded when the Halls of Inspiration were severely damaged during the siege, her injuries too grave to be saved from.

Shanala saw the last of war during the siege of Dark Arrow Keep when she joined with the forces of Bruenor who would conquer the great orc fortress despite heavy resistance. The war ended in the spring of 1485 with the defeat of the drow wizard Tsabrak Xorlarrin and the dispelling of the Darkening. In the end it was a pyrrhic victory for the Silver Marches. The war had been won it could be said but at great cost. Thousands had died in the conflict and three years after the Silver Marches would be disbanded with the withdrawal of the dwarves who blamed the desecration of Sundabar on Silverymoon for not providing enough aid in their defense.

Shanala would likewise be severely scarred by the war. The death of her parents and friends had devastated her beyond healing. She had intended to stay with the Army of the Vale nonetheless but then in 1488 DR when the Silver Marches were disbanded she resigned from her post and left Everlund, bothered by a sense of loss at what the war had wrought. She vowed to never return to Silverymoon as the pain would be too great. For the next seven years she wandered about the north but never stayed anywhere for long, the wounds of the war on both herself and the land never receding from her memory. Road weary and once more looking for rest Shanala has found herself in Deadsnows.

To most Shanala might some coarse and detached at first, logical considering all that she lost to war. She is very brazen and has a dry sense of humor that typically emerges more as she gets more familiar with one. At heart Shanala still has a strong sense of dedication and honor as well as a desire to protect those whom might be helpless in the face of danger.

She prefers the life of a loner having no interest in romantic commitment or deep bonds of friendship, not having suffered the agony of losing everyone close to her. Still, she is not unkind or cruel and is willing to extend an olive branch of civility and coaction. At days end she has no qualms about titling back a mug and enjoying the music in an upbeat and cozy tavern or inn, but don’t ask her to sing or dance.

Deep down Shanala desires to belong, to have a sense of purpose once more. The past seven years of wandering have done little to remove the memories of the war from her mind though have proved a salve on her spirit. But she has no intention of living out her days as a directionless vagabond merely blowing in the wind. Her sense of duty and commitment call louder than ever.