Vesryn Tarathien had always been prepared to bleed for his people.
Since before coming to Golarion, the Tarathien family had stood in defense of all Elvenkind. Many was the Elf that focused on magic, or artistic pursuits, but the Tarathiens were their shield. Vesryn, son of Curufin, was meant to be no different. Curufin was a highly regarded warrior, in service to the White Council, and he tutored his son from the time Vesryn was big enough to hold a sword. Vesryn proved an apt pupil, mastering weapons when other young Elves were still trying to find their path in life.
When Vesryn was fifteen, his world imploded. His father had been escorting an envoy from the White Council to some of the southern kingdoms, when sinspawn, vile monsters under the control of Warlord Karzoug, ambushed them. Curufin had slain a dozen of the aberrations singlehandedly, winning safety for his charges. His curve blade stuck in the neck of the last one, snapping in half as Curufin killed his final foe. The warrior paid the price, however, succumbing to his wounds. The diplomats Curufin had been taking care of recovered his body, and the pieces of his curve blade, returning them home to Vesryn.
It would have been easy to despair, to feel nothing but sadness and rage. While there was anger aplenty, Vesryn instead swelled with pride. His father had done his duty, and his name would be honored amongst elves. Vesryn resolved to become at least as great a man as his father, and he decided the best way to honor Curufin was to use his blade.
Vesryn took some time to learn weaponsmithing and armorsmithing, and over time, reforged his father's sword. He made the weapon even greater than it had been, strengthening it until it was beyond other blades except those empowered by magic. When he had done that, Vesryn felt he was ready.
It was time to actively take a hand in making his people safe.
Vesryn joined the military when war broke out with the forces of Karzoug. In his very first engagement, he lost much of his youthful optimism. Vesryn chased a fleeing soldier into an abandoned hut. The soldier surrendered, but when Vesryn walked over to bind him, the soldier lashed out with a hidden dagger. Vesryn had excellent reflexes and managed to parry, but couldn't avoid the blow entirely. The parry saved his life but sent the dagger dragging up his left cheek and through his eye, permanently maiming the young Elf. Rather than give in to pain, Vesryn channeled it into anger, lashing out and, with one blow, decapitated his assailant.
After that, Vesryn changed. He gave no quarter, and expected none himself. Though he still favored his father's sword, he was aware that losing an eye was terrible for anyone but especially a warrior. He began using other weapons to compensate. His penchant for one in particular, along with his swift slaying of his enemies, earned him a nickname.
Soldiers of Karzoug soon learned fear whenever they spotted an armored Elf wielding a scythe. They had no desire to face the Reaper.
After hostilities abated, Vesryn returned home and distinguished himself as a guard of the White Council. When they decided to return to Soyvrian, Vesryn was a natural choice. No matter where they were, there would always be Elves that needed protecting.
