countingcaskets

On the morning of a warm summer day, Franz was born to a regular family that lived on the outskirts of Haense. For the first four years of Franz' life, things were decent. However, his family eventually fell into poverty due to a rough economy. At the age of 5, Franz' parents were forced to commit petty crimes of theft in order to survive. These crimes would eventually catch up with them as Franz' father was executed for his involvement with bandits. This changed everything. Franz was 8 years old without a father. Without much direction, Franz' mother decided to go to Oren, where they could strive to create a new beginning. The journey was tough but they were able to preserve. Within the city, Franz and his mother made friends with a friendly blacksmith named Dardic, a veteran of the War of Two Emperors. This man would help the two get back on their feet by providing them a place to stay. Franz and his mother would help Dardic with running his shop. Eventually, at the age of 10, Franz committed to learning the art of blacksmithing. He would go on to live his life without too much hardship. At the age of 19, Franz would make a decision to explore the world and see what was out there. He was deeply curious about the world beyond Oren. Deep down, he always had the desire to become a soldier. Franz was always fascinated by the stories Dardric would tell him about the War of Two Emperors. As a result, he would set out to explore the world and work towards joining a mercenary group as a blacksmith. His sights would be set on traveling to the Kingdom of Urguan in order to further learn about blacksmithing. Franz' had always heard stories about the Dwarves proficiency for creating weapons and armor. Having also heard stories of their military might, he was curious about their fighting capabilities. On his journey, he stopped by a tavern, where he met a man known as Alexander. Alexander was a retired Haenseti soldier. That night, he convinced Franz to come with him to Haense in order to learn about their military. It took a bit of thought, but Franz was ultimately convinced. The two friends would then make the Journey to Haense.

Darius was born to a merchant family within the city of Renatus, Oren. He lived his life happily to the age of 16, from whence his strict father told him he must leave and begin to earn his own living. The young boy would maneuver his way around the city, occupying odd-jobs and the sort until he found himself under the guidance of an elder carpenter, who worked out of a glorious workshop. He would find himself disinterested in the work there, though discovered his passion for the role of a butler and assistant. Darius spent some more time there, until he was 19 in fact. The elder Carpenter – John Frank – went on to pass in that year, with no children or close relatives to inherit his wealth, Darius possessed it all. With his newfound skill and wonderful start, he went on to develop his own butler business, providing service to the Nobles of the human nation. He could keep three to five butlers on his payroll at once, and began racking up income. This would lead himself to be notable throughout the city, the rich and wealthy growing fond of him. While Darius made his money in honest work, there were times he would use these connections to his advantage. His usual kindness could be countered as he often fell into manipulative tenancies, even forming elaborate plots to sink his enemies, Darius would not want to be enemies with Darius, he often joked. Darius' Heartlander blood fit his nature, indulging in the finer, more pleasurable things that appeared in his present. He thought about the future though sometimes disregarded it for what he could have now. He sometimes thought it was his choice because he knew he was cursed with a short life by the evil Iblees, but it was probably just the Heartlander blood. He continues to try and grow his business and connections, preferring to live lavishly over those he perceived lesser. He was a man to be reckoned with, in his own eyes at least. Through his years his distaste grew for the Uruks of Krugmar, and the Dwarves of Uruguan. He preferred his companions well managed and generally clean, leading to this prejudice. He was not a mean man, though was not one to often joke and play, he meant business, whatever it may be.