The first born child to Chelaxian parents, Anselm was destined for the local army like his father and his father before him. He was always especially skilled with the longsword, easily besting his peers in duels. While not the teacher's pet, his skill was undeniable.
During his thirteenth summer, his skill with the blade caught the eye of Rutilus Galonnica, a priest of Iomedae. He approached Anselm's parents and said that he saw greater potential in their boy than simple military pursuits. He spoke of a path of peace tempered with strength. Rutilus told Anselm of the goddess, and how she rose from humble beginnings from his home in Cheliax to divinity. Of course, every boy his age thought he was good enough to pass the Test, and Anselm told Rutilus such. The old priest laughed, and clapped Anselm on the shoulder, "I said you had more potential than a simple swordsman--I didn't say you were a god!". Regardless of this humbling chiding, Anselm liked what Rutilus told him about the goddess and her work making the world a livable place.
His parents, while saddened at his decision, were nevertheless openminded enough to let him pursue his own goals in life. It was under the church's tutelage that Anselm was finally challenged. The first day of his studies, Rutilus told Anselm that he was chosen be a Paladin. Having only a vague idea of what this meant, Anselm asked for clarification. "A Paladin," Rutilus said, "is the staunchest defender of the faith. More than the Cleric, more than the Inquisitor, the Paladin stands where others fall. Do you think you can do this?" Anselm found himself nodding before he pondered the question.
Anselm found his training to be the most rigorous and difficult ordeal of his life to that point. Paladins were trained not only in the art of war, but also in the faith and in the code of honor. Having secretly hated the evil of his homeland, Anselm welcomed the existence of a shining star like Iomedae in his life. Having started on the path to Paladinhood later than most, he finished the training in his 23rd summer.
On that date, Rutilus--now an old man--approached him and asked him if he was ready to challenge himself as he never had before. The challenge would be one of adventuring, of exploring, of learning. Anselm arched a brow and regarded his mentor curiously. It already seemed as though the church demanded as much from him as he could give. And he was a Paladin, not a sage. Yet Rutilus was confident that he could pass this test. That confidence was infectious, and Anselm agreed. Rutilus nodded, smiling, as if he was expecting that answer all along. "Go to your quarters. You will find your belongings packed for a journey. We go to Absalom, for there you will meet your next challenge." "What is this challenge, Rutilus?" came the reply. "The call has come from Absalom for the good Churches to lend as much of their aid to the Pathfinder Society. You will be travelling with one Professor Petros Lorrimor, consummate scholar and explorer," the priest said. "He will teach you what I cannot--because he is the more senior scholar, because there are things one cannot learn from books in a church's library, and because I am not long for this world, as you can see." Anselm gasped and shook his head. "Don't say that, Father! You have many years still!" Rutilus could only shrug, "Regardless, you must go and get your belongings. The carriage will leave soon."
The two set off for Absalom. The experience of the city overwhelmed Anselm, but Rutilus could only grin. "You'll see far more wonderful and splendorous things than this working with Petros. He travels the world, a polymath. Digs up knowledge--and more--everywhere he goes." The specifics of Lorrimor working with Anselm were that, after a successful expedition, Anselm would be inducted into the Pathfinder Society upon Lorrimor's satisfactory review. Wanting to do his family proud, Anselm gladly accepted.
Their first expedition together took them to the nation of Lastwall. They were to investigate the ruins of a battle faught by the Knights of Ozem, and recover certain artifacts of historical interest. Everything was going to plan for the first few days. As they dug deeper, more information in the form of journals and artifacts were found. Anselm began to wonder if all Pathfinder initiations were this easy and boring. Late one evening, Anselm heard a shout from the campsite outside the ruins. He grabbed his longsword and rushed to the source, finding Lorrimor surrounded by undead. It seems the artifacts they had recovered were cursed, and removing them from their resting place summoned the spirits within. Anselm and Lorrimor fought off the undead, and after that night Lorrimor was certain Anselm had saved his life. After this, Anselm realized the seriousness of the undead threat on the world, and sought out the Silver Crusade to aid in their fight against such foul abominations.
Now, summoned to Ustalav for Professor Lorrimor's funeral, Anselm cannot help but realize that he is following in the footsteps of his goddess. While he may not be capable of passing the Test (yet), it seems obvious to him that the Fates are drawing him to Ustalav for greater purposes than just a funeral. The entire journey has a twofold religious significance to Anselm: the funeral itself, and his worship of a goddess who so many years ago took the same path to rid the world of great evil.
