When Desmond Areos was born his parents wept. Because of his unusual appearance, the midwife pronounced that he was malformed and would probably not survive the night. Against all expectations he not only survived, but thrived and his parents began to hope. Their hopes were dashed once again when he first opened his eyes for they appeared to be completely white. The local healer gently told the couple that their newborn son was undoubtedly blind. Even when it became apparent that he could see normally his parents were not comforted. By then his hair had started to grow in and it shone like polished silver. The wise women of the tiny village conferred and, luckily for Desmond, decided to send for a priest from a nearby abbey. Luckily, that is, since the other alternative was to drown him and bury his body at the crossroads. The priest was the first to recognise Desmond for what he truly was. While Desmond's parents were overjoyed that far from being malformed or blind that he was an Aasimar they were also terrified by the burden of responsibility he now represented. How could they, simple villagers, possibly provide for a celestial being?
The priest was also troubled. He shared the parents doubts about their ability to raise a special child. On the other hand he was also a man of the world and he knew that having an Aasimar under his roof would lend his abbey a certain moral authority. He went aside for a time to pray and carefully weigh the alternatives. In the end he decided that it would be best for everyone involved if his church were to adopt and raise the child. Thus Desmond came to be raised in an abbey dedicated to the worship of Korada. And while the priest was a man of the world enough to recognize the prestige that Desmond brought to the abbey he was also devout enough that he strived to bring up the boy as best he could.
Desmond seemed blessed with eternal youth, but time marched on for those around him. He didn't age as the local children and so became a perpetual child. Children he played with in their youth grew to old men while he played with their children and then their grandchildren. His guardian grew old, then venerable and finally passed away. The new priest assigned to the temple was kind but gently encouraged him to leave the confines of the temple and village. Suddenly Desmond realized that he was alone among strangers. He had always been curious about his celestial bloodline and the priest suggested he travel to Riddleport to consult with the Order of Cyphers. Since there was nothing holding him to the abbey he decided why not? It was time to see some more of the world.
The journey to Riddleport was long and arduous but despite the difficulties, or perhaps because of them, Desmond had never felt so alive. When he finally arrived in Riddleport he presented himself to the Order of Cyphers with a sense of pride. In retrospect, he wasn't sure what he'd expected from the Order, but he was disappointed by the reality. Back at the abbey where he grew up, a stranger on the doorstep asking for aid would have been the center of attention and every effort would be made to provide assistance. The Order was... businesslike. They listened to his questions but rather than answering or offering guidance he was informed that the answers he sought could undoubtedly be found in the Orders library. Then they told him that for the low cost of 20gp per day he could purchase room and board as well as access to the library. Unfortunately 20gp was more than he could afford, even assuming he would be able to find what he was looking for in a single day. Desmond was crushed. To be so close to finding some answers only to find that they were beyond his reach. There was nothing else to do. He needed to find work.
