Etienne was the only son of Arturus Nevar, the proud and successful owner of the Magnimaran merchant house, Nevar and Son. His mother, Jieline d'Or died tragically while giving birth to Etienne, which event devastated his father.
His father thereafter devoted more and more of his time to his thriving business. Etienne, on the other hand, starved for the love of his parents, dabbled more and more into drink, alcohol, women, gambling and all manner of debauchery. In short, Etienne fell in with a bad crowd. In fact, Etienne was about to be sacrificed in a foul ritual by unnamed cultists when he was timely rescued by adventurers hired by his father.
These adventurers immediately delivered Etienne to the hands of the Holy Sepulchre of Light, a small order of holy warriors devoted to Iomedae, Goddess of Valor. There, he was cleansed of the taint of his past.
While Etienne was recuperating, tragedy struck. The cultists took their revenge on his father, killing him in the most gruesome manner, while burning the Nevar family home.
Brother-Captain Jonas Stern delivered the news to Etienne together with a sealed letter left by his father. With tears streaming from his eyes, Etienne read the letter.
My son, if you are reading this letter it means I am already dead. I know I have not been the most dutiful of fathers, for that I ask your forgiveness.
Please take this second chance and live a life that your mother can be proud of.
Thereafter, Etienne devoted his time to the study of Iomedae's Holy Word, the practice of arms and self-denial.
It was during one fasting session that Etienne received a vision from Iomedae, asking him to go out into the world and to spread Her Message. The sins of the past cannot be forgotten if the present and the future are left to the hands of evil men. Etienne, you must do your part.
Seeking permission from the leader of his Order, Etienne was granted leave to go out into the world.
