Da Hadez Family/Erisha

The House Da Hadez originates in the realm of Darka on the continent of Atamara.

Erisha Da Hadez

Background

Erisha Da Hadez is the second child of the Darkan war hero Luthor Da Hadez and his first wife, Luessa.

Though she is known for her thoughtfulness, fairness and honour she displays strength and ruthlessness when required.

Her father, Luthor Da Hadez was delighted to be presented with a daughter and upon seeing her for the first time his son Balian knelt next to her crib and solemnly swore that he would defend her with his life.

Despite her half-brother Balian's derisive asides and their father's disapproval her younger brother, Severn passed on to her all he could learn about the art of warfare and the code of the nobleman. They would patrol the family estates together, hunting vermin, wolves and poachers. She spent her childhood nights reading tales of far-off lands and later in the more reputable taverns talking to the wanderers and merchants.

On her 20th birthday Erisha met a merchant from the colonies who was seeking a bodyguard to escort him on his journey home. There was a border war raging at that time and Lord Da Hadez could spare no men. Upon hearing this news Erisha offered her services. After some heated debate Lord Da Hadez agreed to this proposition although it took the merchant some convincing (and a crossbow bolt through the hat from 40 feet) to accept that a young woman could indeed be adequate protection for his gold and jewels.

Although it was always Erisha's intention to return to Darka she fell in love with the country and people of Oritolon and settled in the quiet mountain town of Iglavik. She was eventually appointed Baroness of Iglavik, a position she retained for the whole of her time in Oritolon.

Having served some time as Judge and (briefly) as Prime Minister of Oritlon Erisha was appointed Minister of Defence during an attack on Oritolon by the combined armies of neighbouring theocracies Alowca and Alebad.

However, Erisha soon found that the cautious nature of the Oritolon military hierarchy was incompatible with the more direct and ruthless style of warfare she had learned in Darka and she soon stepped down from the position and returned to the role of regular soldier.

When the idea was raised that Oritolon should find some way of countering the theocratic preachings of their enemies it was Erisha who proposed that the official state religion should not be a religion as such but more a philosophy that encouraged honourable behaviour and allowed all people the freedom to believe in whatever gods they wished - on the condition that they did not try and force that belief on others. Thus was The Path of Chivalry born.