1. Xarath's Birthright
Xarath Ellucia, the eldest son of the noble House Ellucia, was born into a world of unparalleled wealth and privilege. The Ellucia estate, a grand fortress of stone and glass, stood as a testament to the family's power and influence in the realm of Eldrador. As the heir to this prestigious house, Xarath was expected to uphold the virtues that had defined his family for generations: strength, power, and dominance.
From a young age, Xarath was groomed to take on the mantle of leadership. His father, Llama the 3rd, a towering figure of authority, ensured that Xarath received the finest education and training. Tutors and masters from across the realm were brought to the Ellucia estate to hone Xarath's skills in combat, strategy, and governance. Despite this rigorous upbringing, Xarath remained a man of virtue, his heart inclined toward love, honesty, and peace.
2. A Gentle Heart
While his siblings, Xia, Ella, and Mai, thrived in martial prowess, Xarath often found solace in the estate's gardens, where he would spend hours reading and reflecting on the world beyond his family's expectations. His compassion and desire to use his influence for the greater good set him apart from his kin, who viewed his gentle nature as a weakness.
Xarath's kindness and empathy extended to the commoners of Eldrador. He often ventured beyond the estate's walls to interact with the townsfolk, offering assistance and listening to their grievances. This behavior baffled his family, who believed that power should be wielded with an iron fist. Despite their disapproval, Xarath remained steadfast in his beliefs, determined to make a positive impact on the world around him
3. The Battle of Siblings
On his 21st birthday, Xarath sought to prove his worth to his family by challenging his sisters to a friendly battle. Xia, the eldest of the sisters, was a master strategist and swordswoman. Ella, a talented archer, could strike a target from incredible distances with unerring accuracy. Mai, the youngest, was a prodigy in magic, her spells capable of bending the very elements to her will.
Despite his best efforts, Xarath was soundly defeated by his sisters, including the one-year-old Mai, whose magical prowess far exceeded his own combat skills. This defeat stung deeply, but Xarath refused to let it diminish his resolve.
4. The Father's Challenge
Four years later, on Xarath's 25th birthday, Llama the 3rd organized a grand event to gauge his son's strength. Xarath was to face 100 commoners in combat, a trial designed to test his prowess and endurance. To his father's dismay, Xarath lost every battle, showcasing his lack of martial ability. This public humiliation was a crushing blow to Xarath's ego, and he began to question his place within the noble hierarchy.
In a desperate bid to prove himself, Xarath pleaded with his father for one final chance. Reluctantly, Llama the 3rd agreed, but with a cruel twist—Xarath was to fight a five-year-old commoner girl. Compassion filled Xarath's heart as he faced the tearful child, and his hesitation led to his defeat. The girl's smirk as she struck him down was a bitter reminder of his failure.
5. Banished and Broken
Llama the 3rd's patience had run out. Enraged and humiliated by his son's shortcomings, he disowned Xarath, declaring him no longer a member of the Ellucia household. Xarath was cast out from his family and his home, left to fend for himself in the unforgiving world beyond the estate.
The once-proud heir to House Ellucia now wandered the streets as a penniless outcast. Attempts to find work in neighboring towns proved futile, as word of his disgrace had spread far and wide. Commoners who once respected him now treated him with disdain, forcing him to beg for scraps and sleep in the cold.
One fateful day, while scrounging for food, Xarath encountered his sisters. They refused to acknowledge him and instead paid commoners to beat him up for their amusement. The cruel humiliation and relentless suffering pushed Xarath to the brink of despair. With broken spirits and shattered hopes, he contemplated ending his own life, believing death to be his only solace.
However, fate had other plans. As Xarath lay battered and broken, a mysterious merchant appeared, offering him a chance at redemption. The merchant promised a powerful healing drug and information about Xarath's mother, who was said to have died shortly after his birth, in exchange for retrieving a book from the forbidden Forest of Blackhood Valley. Desperate for answers and a way out of his misery, Xarath agreed to the merchant's terms, embarking on a perilous journey that would change his life forever.
And so, Xarath's path to redemption and self-discovery began, as he ventured into the unknown, driven by a burning desire to prove himself and reclaim his place in the world. The trials and tribulations he would face in Blackhood Valley would test his resolve, preparing him for the dark transformation that lay ahead.