History
Centuries ago, when Dor'gen was but a glimmer in his sire's eye, a duo was formed in the midst of dire circumstances. Two sellswords became embroiled in a job that saw their backs up against the wall; and only through working together did they evade the clutches of death. Thus began a partnership, first out of necessity but soon out of mutual respect and friendship. These two, unlikely comrades eventually came to rely upon one another in the matters of the heart, falling deeply in love. The romance they shared was not exactly the definition of conventional, for affection was often given in the midst of battle! However, the duo cared for and protected each other for several years...yet change came in the form of a surprise.
Kisala, a Myrian of the Tempered Steel, began to feel...off. Sick, even; and Jaster, her beloved Akalak, had minimal clue what to do. Eventually, it dawned on them that they had been blessed with a child; and thus a serious discussion took place. The life of travel and blood that they led was no place for a pregnancy, let alone a child; that much was absolutely certain. However, when it came to where to settle down with their newly formed family, tensions flared. Jaster insisted that they settle in Riverfall, where their child would be fully embraced by the Riverian culture; yet Kisala was adamant upon returning home and having her child born in the midst of her kin. Despite the fact that there was no question that their child would be treated differently in Taloba, she was hellbent on returning home...for she hoped that maybe, just maybe, they might accept him just a shred.
Ultimately, Jaster relented; but only after making a hefty deal. At the vital points in their unborn child's life, where Akalak Rites of Passage were to take place, he would be permitted to take their child to Riverfall to participate. Having this accord, the pair made the journey to Taloba...where the welcome was significantly less than welcome. From the instant that he entered the city, Jaster was treated like dirt. In fact, he had spears and swords thrust into his face upon setting foot in the city! Sure, the Myrians were not fond of outsiders...but this surpassed all expectations! However, despite his own personal treatment, Jaster was content to stay in the company of his Kisala and their unborn child. For him, all the cold glances and muttered insults were worth being amongst his newly formed family.
When the fateful day arrived, Dor'gen was born into the Tempered Steel Clan. However, unlike most births, there was not tremendous joy that permeated the entire Clan...but instead the silence of curiosity. Most present were simply there in order to see what sort of spawn the monstrous Jaster had placed inside Kisala, and to their surprise it was purple! Regardless, the newborn Akalak was afforded the rites of his people and ultimately "chose" the Bastard Sword through the first "ceremony" undertaken by his clan. Having only been three days' old at the time, his hand was dipped in blood and held over a variety of weapons. When he stirred, the droplets of blood landed upon a Bastard Sword. This came as an immense source of pride to his mother, for she was known amongst her kin for her prowess with the blade.
Growing up, Dor'gen knew only the love of his parents...and the coldness of his "kin". He was not especially well liked in the whole of Myrian society, but because he was raised to do his part, life was not too difficult. His earliest years were spent being trained at the feet of his parents and grandmother; who took the time to capture his curiosity through her Malediction. Kisala imparted to her son her prowess with a blade and filled him with the culture that surrounded him. She told him of the triumphs of Myri, the goddess for whom her people were named, and encouraged him to cultivate his instincts. He was to be a weapon, forged to be wielded by the capable hands of their goddess...Yet, Jaster offered a different perspective.
He instilled discipline and integrity within his son; qualities upon which Akalak culture was founded upon. Throughout their training sessions and talks, he showed his son a different way of thinking...one where he was accepted and not subject to cold glances. One where he would be considered an esteemed equal should he prove himself. These teachings would become more than just words when Dor'gen reached the age of twelve. This marked the year that his "darker" self manifested...and also was the first time that Dor'gen was taken out of his Taloban home. True to their agreement, Kisala allowed Jaster to take Dor'gen to a trip to Riverfall so that he might participate in the first of his Akalak rites. This called for him to put all of his training to the test in order to fell a Glassbeak alongside Akalaks of his age.
Upon arrival, Dor'gen was shocked to see the warm reception afforded to him. He was more than simply an outsider to the Riverians...he was one of their own. Sure, his Tukant was broken and he was not exactly sociable; but the Akalak he came upon showed him courtesy, kindness, and above all else, acceptance. When the time came for the Glassbeak hunt, Dor'gen did his absolute best and succeeded in bringing down the beast alongside his fellows. For his exceptional performance, and scoring the killing blow, he was permitted to claim a trophy off of the beast. He chose its talons, for they had left a nasty cut upon his chest...which he would wear with pride from that point forward.
There was reluctance when the time came for Dor'gen and his sire to return back to Taloba, but Jaster promised his son that they would return someday. Heartened by this, the young Akalak proceeded through the next few years with a pep in his step; for he eagerly awaited the next time he could go to Riverfall. However, before this opportunity would present itself, he had to triumph over the tests of his own Clan. Upon reaching sixteen years of age, he was blindfolded and marched out into the heart of the jungle...where he was then abandoned with the most basic tools. His mission was to navigate his way back to Taloba within two days; lest he bring immense shame upon himself. By the skin of his teeth, Dor'gen managed to reach the city in time.
'Twas from this point that the young Akalak began his mandatory service within the Taloban Army...and quickly found himself surprised by what he saw and felt. Despite being considered lesser, despite being of a different birth, there was a camaraderie between Myri's soldiers that surpassed his origins. His duty was to defend them, just as much as it was to defend Taloba; and in vice-versa. This was the catalyst that shook Dor'gen from the "clutches" of his Akalak heritage and set him firmly on the path of becoming a weapon for the will of Myri. When his mandatory service was done, Dor'gen immediately continued his time within the service; pausing only to fulfill the second, and final rite of passage demanded by his father's culture.
This time, he did it not because he wanted to...but because it was the sole desire of his sire.
Their voyage to Riverfall this time was not as mirthful as years prior, for Dor'gen was now a entering his third decade of life and had all but become a savage soldier. He was leaps and bounds away from what a typical Akalak resembled...and Jaster blamed himself. He believed that he failed as a father to impart his values into his son; but at least took heart in the fact that he managed to bring him through both rites of passage. Immediately prior to the Zith Hunt, Dor'gen underwent the taxing process of having a Lakan forged before venturing out into the Sea of Grass. There, he patiently stalked the foreign grasses until he came upon his prey...The Zith did not anticipate facing a wild, practically feral Akalak; and was torn to shreds because of it.
The battle was far from easy and left Dor'gen with plenty of new scars...but when it was all said and done, he immediately returned home to Taloba. Jaster, defeated, decided to tarry in Riverfall; where he remained until the day of his passing.
Upon returning to Taloba, Dor'gen immediately resumed service within the Taloban Army. He fought in the name of his goddess and imparted what knowledge he possessed to the younglings which entered after him. Even after his mother and immediate kin passed on, Dor'gen remained a member of the city's armed forces. Change came solely through something that Dor'gen did not even realize: loneliness. Sure, he felt as accepted as he would ever get within the Army, but that did not stop the memories of his childhood from plaguing his mind. His parents were happiness and shared a love that had cultivated him...and it left a lasting impression upon him. Dor'gen began to crave what his parents had: the love and acceptance of another.
Yet he knew he would never receive that at the hands of his fellow Myrians.
Shortly after passing the threshold of his second century of life, Dor'gen assembled what little belongings he owned and made a reluctant departure from Taloba. His intention and promise was to return to his home someday...but this time, in the same manner as his parents before him. This time, he hoped to not be alone.
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