Farahad

Painting of Farahad (357)

> He was a mighty warrior who slayed a thousand, and a peaceful shepherd of a thousand lost sheep. But to me he was the man I loved, and always will. I realized that on the day where the last bastion of the Surlian forces in the mainland were wiped out. Feeling of glory and shame, of power and guilt haunted his heart but most of all it was filled with love for me and mine was filled with love for him." ―from "Memories of Farahad" by Queen Lily the Eternal
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**Farahad** (born **Hidris** 300-433) was a religious, and political leader and the founder of the Vahzumin Church. Along with his important role in many religious beliefs he was the founder of the Faradian Empire, which had become the most powerful politically entity in the region shortly before his passing. According to Vahzumin doctrine, he was the last and most important prophet sent by their God Urruh. His communions with Urruh would form the very basis of the religion.

His rise to power was seen as an unlikely miracle in dire times. Before the establishment of the Faradian Empire, the human kingdoms of Karudu, Estia and Garrillia had been waging for in all fronts for more than a century. From his beginnings as the son of a noble, to the loss of his titles and wealth, and the eventual conquests lead by him would all be carved into various myths and legends with many pre-existing religiouns claiming him to be an important figure.

## Biography

### Early Life and Childhood

> "Back in Cohirnt, it was simple, it was fun. I was fascinated by the things my teachers told me, I wanted to see the mountains, the seas, the magnificent battles from history. Little did I know then I was living in a historical epic. One which was more more magnificent than any my teacher taught me." ―from "Book of Simple Truths" by the Council of Priests
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Young Hidris was born to a fairly well off family with a noble knight as his father and a baker as his mother in Cohirnt. There he lived a fairly comfortable and noble-like life for some time. It's said that during this time he studied mathematics and geometry under his teacher Scelura, philosophy in the Grand Academy of Cohirnt lead by Charun. It's said that Charun was a Jahranite who thought young Hidris about the nature of God. During this time he became fluent in ancient and modern draconic as well as elvish. During the later times of this era of his life he became interested in poetry and music, learning to play the flute and the lyre. Its said that he wanted to learn alchemy and physics but his mother couldn't afford or find a suitable teacher in the city.

His parents had told Hidris that they wished for him to become a statesmen or a trader with his set of skills. During this time Hidris himself had wished to become a traveling minstrel or a poet, both of which were rejected by his parents.

Fate had a different plan for Hidris' life as in the following years the Kingdom of Karudu with its capital in Cohirnt would find themselves in a series of wars with Garrillia. In the year 314 AP a garillian force of five thousand men would lay siege to Cohirnt, this battle both resulted in the loss of his home as he and his mother evacuated to Lucishelm and the death of his father Hadrian which effected him deeply.

### Joining the Army

> "After the siege about a hundred men wished to enlist in the army, I was in charge of selecting and reporting these enlistments. Lots of young kids who had lost their families wished to join us, but something in that boy was different. From the moment I first saw him I knew from his eyes that he was going to change the world." ―from "Memories of Farahad" by Khaid the enlistment officer
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After his father's death in the bloody first siege of Cohirnt he and his mother stopped being considered nobility. Saddened by his father's death Hidris joined the army as a lowly footman without his mother's consent. The army of Karudu was as corrupt as an army could get. Ranks would be handed out based on familial relations and not through merit or skill. In this environment it would have been almost impossible for a young boy to make his name known.

This fact only made his achievements even more impressive. These include his leading role in the Battle of Caerleon where its speculated that he killed more than a quarter of the men by himself. The massacre of Nearon where he managed to retreat with a substantial amount of men, and marching with these men to the Battle of Sunrise where their involvement lead to a decisive Karudu victory which would pave the way for them to win the war.

His generals and commanders took notice of his remarkable ability for both fighting and leading people, which is why he steadily rose through the ranks. His soldiers who had heard his story asked the chief of military to give Hidris his nobility back which he agreed to. Later that year he was made into a proper knight of the court, earning back his nobility and gained the title of "the Noble Made Boy" at the age of sixteen.