Arthrax grew up the third born of a pair of Sarenrae priests in Varisia. His mother Iris had come from the frosty northern lands, but his father Luthar descended from generations of Sarenrae priests in and around Korvosa, the family legacy of divine gifts and service to Sarenrae passed down over centuries. As Arthrax grew older, his brother Thomasz and his sister Lucendia both inherited the divine gift, as expected. At first, it appeared Arthrax would receive the gift as well, for he could stabilize a dying man with unnatural skill and staunch the flow of blood from a lethal sword wound more quickly than any of the rest of them. A few years passed, and although his skill at keeping death at bay for those sorely injured never waned, it became apparent that Arthrax would be the first in many generations to not receive the clerical gifts of Sarenrae. Arthrax was a large young man, so his parents found a place for him as a holy protector of the church of Sarenrae, dispelling the minor arguments that took place and making sure the tithes left to the priests remained undisturbed. As time went on, Arthrax became increasingly despondent. When his parents and siblings looked at him, he saw their love and caring for him, but underneath he saw something else...PITY. And from his parents, a certain amount of embarrassment that he too had not received the divine gift, a suspicion that there was some darkness lurking under the surface. When he could not stand it any further, he announced his intention to travel the world to his father, who did little to dissuade him.
Arthrax found that his size and later, his skill at arms, found him desired as a sellsword, so he found work guarding caravans, repelling goblin raids, and serving as a bodyguard for a minor noble for a year or so. He took to his work with enthusiasm, realizing that distraction made Sarenrae's rejection fade to the background. He also nursed the bottle to help him cope at night, drinking himself into oblivion. Arthrax gave up the drink after getting violently expelled from a caravan where he vomited on the fine silks he was supposed to be guarding. Although he has felt a pull north, towards his mother's homeland, his constant work has led him to the small town of Heldren in Taldar. Having guarded a regional caravan to its destination, he is currently looking for more work to distract him.
Appearance & Personality:
Arthrax is a large young man of average looks. He inherited his father's warm brown eyes and dark hair and his mother's pale skin. Even though his looks are unassuming, people tend to get intimidated by his size. From his time in the church and on the road Arthrax has become comfortable with taking commands from others, as long as they didn't violate his moral code too profoundly. He tends to do the right thing, but is still struggling with what he sees as the rejection of the goddess Sarenrae and is prone to volatile emotions (both up and down) when dealing with members of any clergy, particularly Sarenrae.
