Azrael Arden-Astera

## Biography

### Early life

Azrael Astera (Astr0\_) was born as the illegitimate son of Jacob Unison-Astera. (elevenmantis) His mother is unknown, the only piece of information known is that Azraels' mother is of Ryzani descent.
Since Azrael was illegitimate, his father, Jacob, was profusely neglectful to his son. Azreal considered his step-grandfather, Samael Vorpes-Delgrenzvar, his actual grandfather since his real grandfather, the Chancellor of Barodonia, had died in the Ferrymen Wars years before.

From the time he was born until the age of 7, Azrael would sit in Jacob's house doing nothing. His siblings, his father, and his peers all found nothing more fun than to taunt the little boy. One day, when his grandfather was visiting, Samael was sitting in a room with the two. As he watched Jacob ignore the boy, acting as if he wasn't even there, Samael knew at that moment what Jacob had been doing to his son. That night Samael packed up all of Azrael's things and brought him to Corthiadt, Samael's city, and the capital of the Empire of Niedea.

### Joining the Larokin Bandits

Azrael managed to live a peaceful life in Niedea. He was acknowledged by his peers, included in his new family, and gained respect as a student. His grandfather, the cardinal of the Soleannen religion, made sure he was taught by the best scholars northern Rathnir had to offer. He was taught of the Golden Postulates, the rules that bind the Soleannen people together. As a result of this, Azrael considers himself more Niedene than Bardonian or Ryzani.

One dark, stormy night, bandits snuck into Samael's manor. They had come for Azrael, having heard rumors of the Chancellor's grandson living in Corthiadt. Knowing that the Chancellor was one of the richest people in the world, the bandits sent an ultimatum to Jacob. Jacob, knowing what they wanted and who they had, declined to pay them anything. The bandits, to strike back at Jacob, beat Azrael senseless in their hideout, which was located in Volkoregrod. They continuously denied him food and rest. One night, when all the bandits were passed out, Azrael escaped, alone in the city of the Valkyries.

Azrael was alone and friendless in this foreign city, not knowing anyone or anything. He was forced to eat scraps and drink rainwater. He did what he had to survive, but could not stand the horrendous slum life of Ryzan. The only thing he had to keep him company was a small sun trinket his grandfather had given him early on. One day, four drunken men cornered Azrael in an alleyway. As the men moved closer, he realized that they had the same eyes as the people who stole his life, realizing that he was facing more of the same torture as he had before. His life flashed before his eyes as the men moved closer and closer.

Then, out of the blue, a man walked by the alley, spotting young Azrael, surrounded by the thugs. The man, named Berd, took pity on the boy, slaughtering the lowlives who would attack a small, malnourished child. He asked the boy, "When did you get here?"

"I don't remember.." Azrael responded.

Berd then took the boy to a boat, buying tickets for the two of them, and sailed off. Reading the sign on the boat, Azrael saw that it said "Volkoregrod to Larokin." Azrael instantly knew who this was. He had heard of the Larokin Bandits, who had built the Takaishima fortress, and hated Uldarash. He was comforted by this fact, as the Larokin Bandits never attacked civilians, only soldiers and the corrupt tyrants of Rathnir.

"One last thing," Azrael said to Berd, "Please teach me how to defend myself."

Berd instantly knew that this sickly, weak child had the potential to become something more than just a homeless urchin.

### Training and return to Ryzan

When Berd and Azrael reached Larokin, they started training straight away. With guidance from Skinnyee and Berd, he quickly learned the basics of combat. By the time he was 14, he had already started to go out on raids with Berd, killing petty thieves and Uldarashi troops. When Azrael was 16, they came back from a specific raid, one that would eventually spiral into the Vanakunir-Uldarash war.

Berd told Azrael that he needed to return to Ryzan and rise through the ranks of the Ryzani government. So, Azrael took the next boat to Carthya City. When he arrived, the first thing he noticed was the difference in culture compared to Volkoregrod. Carthya was a lot nicer, with a much lighter theme to it.

Months passed, and Berd, Skinnyee, and Garama had all joined him in Ruzan. All of the had been assigned to an elite division that the Ryzani army had decifically dedicated to the Larokin Bandits. It's name was CD90, and its goal was to actively work against a Bardonian invasion of Ryzan

During this time. Azrael worked close with the president Nikolai Zefirov and other top officials in Ryzan. To avoid being disrespected by the Ryzanis, he changed his surname from Astera to Arden.