​Avelia Appleark was born in the small town of Combe some seventy winters ago. Her parents were lowly servants to a house of local nobles. Avelia’s father was a simple stable cleaner whilst her mother cleaned the large house. An only child, their home was a cramped, single room house across the town. From an early age, she was put to work in order make enough money to afford basic food. The small and delicate hands that she possessed meant that she would normally be tasked with stitching and darning the house’s fabrics, including lady’s dresses. This early work would follow her through the long life that she lived. Becoming more and more skilled and precise with her work every year, Avelia was now earning more money than her parents, meaning that they could afford plentiful food, drink and firewood.

Often accompanying the ladies of the house to the Bree markets, due to her apparent knack at finding fine and durable materials, she was able to get close to these wealthy women and pretty much became their personal handmaiden. When she was around twenty years old, Avelia met the young Odvil Appleark when searching for a new hat for her mistress. For both of them, it was love at first sight. He was handsome, young and possessed a kind spirit whilst she was wise, independent and shared his kindness. Over the next two years, the two would sneak out at night to be with each other. The farm, which belonged to Odvil’s father, was not far from Avelia’s home so this could be done at ease. This was until one day, when the two went for a stroll in the forest of Chetwood, Odvil proposed to her under an oak tree. She accepted immediately, and soon after they were married in Bree-town.  From this day on she would be known simply as ‘Mrs. Appleark’.

Resigning from her position in Combe, Avelia and Odvil moved into a small apartment house in central Bree. Though not ideal, it was larger than her family home. From then on, the marriage proved fruitful; with many sons and daughters born over a short space of time, all of them surviving into adulthood. Whilst her husband continued to labour on the Appleark farm, Avelia became an independent seamstress working from home. Orders from around Bree-land would come to her, including adjusting dresses and darning fabrics. From this and her Odvil’s wages, the family lived with some comfort and stability.

As the years past, more and more of their dear children departed from home with plenty of encouragement from their loving parents. By this time, Odvil’s father had perished in prison and in order to settle his hefty debts, the family farm was sold off to neighbouring landowners. As such, he began working in the Comb and Wattle Inn. Considering they were now only a two member family, the wages from this continued to support them both. Avelia’s work as a seamstress remained popular throughout Bree-land and she became revered for her speed and quality. She now began to share her husband’s dream: To own and run their own tavern.

This would not happen until the two were well into their seventies. Odvil now began to pick up work at the Prancing Pony and Avelia continued working just as hard. This continued until they finally saved up enough coin and Odvil bought a house in the village of Fullbridge which was then decorated to serve as the local tavern. Originally named Od’s Alehouse, it soon picked up the name The Troll’s Tankard, fitting in with local folklore. Outside this tavern a windmill was erected, in which Odvil and Avelia sleep in, though the rest of their living takes place within the warmth of the tavern. She continues to work as a seamstress from Fullbridge, as well as regularly cleaning around their establishment. Content with their lives, the two intend to spend the rest of their lives here.