Izz'aldin's early life was difficult. It was only thanks to the wisdom and guidance of his older sister - Haleen - was he able to survive his early years. His sister - 8 years his elder - had told him that their parents had been murdered by a street gang only a few years after his birth.
There came a night when Izz'aldin was 10 when there was a great disturbance in the marketplace. Izz'aldin remembers that night well, for it was that night when Yusuf came to them. Haleen sheltered him throughout that night and many of the following days, keeping him safe for those who would harm him. Those days were a terrifying crucible that cemented the friendship between the young boys.
Yusuf showed Izz'aldin the ways of the street. How to run a con, how to slice a coinpurse free without being noticed, and how to run when you were noticed. It was always a thrill to the young Izz'aldin, who relished the time they spent together. Haleen was not always so impressed though, and began saving money. When her brother was age 12 Haleen had been able to procure a spot for Izz'aldin in a priory to Sarenrae, as a novice monk. Haleen had hoped that the influence of the Dawnflower would push her brother away from the treacherous path he had been walking.
It worked. The memories of excitement in the marketplace faded away as Izz'aldin began to learn about the glory of the Dawnflower, and her teachings. When he prayed, he felt Her presence there as though he were sitting next to a warm fire, even during the coldest of nights. The only thing he missed about the outside world was his brother, Yusuf. If only he could join him here. When Yusuf would sneak into the priory to visit him, he would listen to him tell his stories of adventure in the marketplace, and Izz'aldin would relate his experiences of the glory of the Dawnflower.
Despite the rigours of life as a novice monk, Izz'aldin found it all worth it as he studied the texts kept in the library. The texted detailed the servants of the Dawnflower, some of whom where said to become lethal whirlwinds of destruction in their righteous battles. Dervishes they were called. He decided that should be his path. It seemed to Izz'aldin that the monks of the priory did precious little to aid the world OR the Dawnflower. Time spent in meditation when there were wrongs to correct in the world.