Tristam got his start in a particularly massive Nature clan, although he has hardly any memory of his parents or indeed how he got to the clan he has no familial ties to. Alone in a large lair, he came to believe his family must have abandoned him when he was hardly out of the shell, for he was rather small and sickly as a hatchling. It was perhaps because of this that he developed a strong desire to win his clanmates' admiration and rise to the top, where he believed he would never be unwanted. He hero-worshipped the clan's rangers until he was old enough to join them himself, and while he soon distinguished himself as an exceptionally talented scout he also earned a reputation for being an arrogant, vainglorious peacock. Eventually he was kicked out of the clan's rangers for reasons he was desperate to keep secret- although rumor claims he involved himself in illegal, underground dueling. Maybe it was for the thrill of victory, or maybe for the adoration of the cheering crowds. Whatever the reason, he left the region to flee this disgrace and was able to attach himself to a new clan before it could catch up with him.

For some time Tristam's main job was hunting for food, but when monsters threatened the borders he assisted the two Watches as a sniper. When the Night Watch became slightly short-staffed, he eagerly applied to become a Captain, a position of importance and renown that appealed greatly to his narcissism. He still occasionally helps out the enforcers to track down and take out lawbreakers. For all of his faults, his help is greatly appreciated.

In his spare time he stokes his own ego and finds ways to show off. He's particularly fond of giving exhibitions of his magical abilities, dazzling his audiences with displays of precision magic and freely taking on challengers who wish to duel with him. While his egotism frustrates his clanmates and rivals alike, it cannot be denied that he is genuinely very skilled. More's the pity, his critics say, as that just makes him all the more conceited. Tristam has yet to find a decent underground dueling ring near Greatwyrm's Breach in which to find still more adulation, to assuage his ever-present insecurities of not being good enough, or not being wanted, but he hasn't given up on it yet.

One flaw he does not possess is laziness. Once he's bragged his way into something he will quickly go about becoming useful as possible. If it looks like someone else might be even inadvertently challenging his position Tristam does everything in his power to make himself indispensable, and unfortunately start reminding everyone of all of his wonderful skills which got him there in the first place, to prevent anyone from thinking of replacing him. Being rejected or ignored is one of his greatest fears. If he should lose in anything, he will put up the mask of a graceful loser- not always that well- although he will be boiling with rage internally, partially at his opponent but in truth mostly at himself. He strives to appear charismatic, dashing, etc., as popular as possible, but his narcissistic and abrasive personality tends to get in the way.