Lorril is a Wood Elf raised in a small hamlet dotted throughout a sprawling forest. As is common among her clan, she was trained to be a proficient ranger specializing in summoning primal beasts to aide in protecting and preserving their way of life. As members of their clan come of age and show proficiency in their beast-summoning magic they are encouraged to leave the hamlet to learn about the broader world, further hone their skills, and one day return to better their community.
Lorril first summoned Merrill during a training session with her peers. While a primal beast can take many forms at the summoners will when they gain mastery, to Lorril's clan the beast it first take shape as holds significant meaning. Great leaders in their community first summoned fearsome beasts (great eagles, stealthy pumas, or ruthless pikes) which marked them for greatness. Merrill first appeared as a common White-Breasted Nuthatch, yellow primal markings decorating his delicate wings. Lorril considers her first summoning as bitter sweet. In the moment she was deeply disappointed, hoping for something that at least could defend itself. Having such a harmless beast meant her foraging duty would not end anytime soon. Meanwhile others who summoned more hearty beasts got to apprentice on guard shifts, shadow leaders to mundane meetings, and begin to specialize with more ranged weapons. Lorril came to enjoy Merrill's company, though, through long days scouring the forest for resources. Lorril took time to practice her bow skills outside of training days hunting small game as she foraged, using Merrill as her scout.
Before leaving the hamlet, Lorril had managed to summon Merrill as a Kestrel. While not the greatest or largest bird of prey, Merrill had become significantly more useful and involved in Lorril's “hunts”. No one outside of the hamlet know of Merrill's original form.