The Bard and the Barbarian

Gemstone "Gemma" Sournote struggles to survive in a society where "half-breeds" between races are looked down upon. She's the result of an affair between her human mother and elven father, and she's never been welcomed into either home by her step parents, so she's grown-up on the streets. Her relationship with her half-sisters on either side are a different matter, however. On the streets she learned dance, music, and storytelling from entertainers passing through town, but only after tragedy does she realize her abilities as a bard. One day, in following a Troup of traveling entertainers, she stumbles upon what looks like a goblin raid when a mysterious hand cups over her mouth... and that's how she met Galphinius - the only other half-elf she's ever known.