Ash does not know who his biological mother and father are.  His earliest memories are of the southern steppes, in the Province of Sul.  There, Ash was raised by a Half-orc Priest of Po.  The priest told Ash that his mother was human, and father of orc heritage.

Ash stayed with the priest until the age of five.  His fondest memories of this time are of the chieftain competitions, where Ash learned the value of being physically strong.

Thereafter Ash was adopted by two humans visiting one of the chieftain competitions, and moved to the city of Metier, in the principality of Lachè, country of Lutin.  His new father was a weaponsmith, and mother a seamstress.  While Ash generally liked his new parents, who he called uncle and aunt, he had a rough time interacting with the other children in Metier, due to his orcish heritage and generally unpleasant looks.  In particular he was picked on by two human sons of Imperial Guards stationed in Metier to guard the pass to Sul.  At the age of 16 Ash was brutally beaten by these boys, and on complaining to the boys' parents, was then beaten again by one of their guard parents, leaving him with numerous scars.  It was this event that caused him to run away from his home, and to hate all things associated with the Imperial government.  

          Ash proceeded to beg, borrow, and steal his way east from the age of 16 to 18.  During this time he worked numerous odd jobs, cleaning stables, running errands, delivering messages, and other random tasks.  When he couldn't find work, he hunted for his food, begged for it, or stole it.  Eventually his travels led him to the capital of Lutin, the great City of Winds.

          In the City of Winds, Ash was caught stealing from a local tavern, and thrown in jail briefly for the theft.  While in jail, Ash was recruited by the local thieves guild, who were interested in him for his great physical stature, rather than his pilfering abilities.  Ash was hired as a guard and look-out for several disreputable establishments, where he learned basic fighting, spotting and searching skills over a two year period.

          While working for the thieves guild, Ash made numerous contacts with the criminal underground of Lutin, and became familiar with the vast series of secret tunnels beneath the City of Winds.  Ash also made friends with a halfling bard, who often performed in the establishments he guarded.  The halfling, understanding Ash's difficulties with living in a mostly-human society, became Ash's first true friend. 

          At the age of 20, two years after his arrival in the City of Winds, Ash faced a dilemma.  His only friend, the bard, decided to head west, following her urge to explore the world.  Ash, though enjoying his employment with the Guild, decided to follow his friend and explore with her.  So, with the guilds blessing (and a bit of equipment to help him in his travels), Ash and his friend traveled west, seeking adventure.