Tarek was born to a clan of Dragonborn from the Mountains of Pascalia* [ I made

that up, if there's a significant mountain range, replace it] and like many other
clans he was raised and taught all about his Dragonborn ancestry and all the
honored ones that had come before him to today. This instilled in him a sense of
deep respect for his lineage, but at the same time it could be argued that this is
where Tarek's need to be remembered and unique from all the rest formed.

So as time passed he continued to hear the stories, and inside him the need to set
out on his own like many an adventurer before him grew. Showing an aptitude for
Bardom, he apprenticed and learned the arts. When he was old enough he set upon his
rite of passage and entered the haunted Cavern of Echoes - a magical cave system
filled with spirits and the supernatural. Unfortunately, young Tarek was not up to
the task, failing due to fear of the spirits within. Humiliated, he apprenticed a
short time longer then quickly left the region. Tarek was finally out on his own -
but maybe out to prove something.

Time passed and Tarek drifted as many starting adventurers do, finding odd jobs and
performing as a bard. Several years later he found himself within another mountain
range, unaware that it contained the home of Tazmekalah - the Bronze Dragon (the
dragon he stole the sword from). For a long while, Tarek enjoyed the company of the
dragon, who was unusually generous to allow Tarek to stay. They often had long
conversations and never seemed to run out of things to say. Then, Tazmekalah told
Tarek of her charge - the Sword of the First Black Dragon.

It could be argued it was the sword whispering to Tarek - or the simple fact that
Tarek was looking for a way to redeem himself, and prove his worth - but Tarek
decided to take the sword and run. He thought the sword would be the way that Tarek
set himself apart, he would be the one to wield the sword and not succumb. However,
Tarek didn't have long to find out as a cult who worshipped the soul of the Black
Dragon found Tarek and took the sword from him and beat him to within an inch of
his life.

Having again failed and being humiliated, Tarek set out to try to regain his honor
and temporarily reinvented himself as a Warlord, even adopting a group of
adventurers. While never admitting this to his first group - his plan was to gain
their confidence and eventually convince them to go after the sword with him.
However being with this group changed Tarek; they went on several memorable
adventures and went through so much, even death together. Realizing his own
selfishness in trying to lie to them Tarek left them and returned to his bard ways
and once again drifted... until many years later a job for Greenist became
available.