Darkhand family/Maerk

Birth and Childhood

Maerk was born as a one of a set of twin brothers. Though the two were not identical in look or nature, they shared an easy demeanor and thirst for life’s pleasures.

Due to the low station of their family at the time of their birth, no thought was given to succession rights. The point was fairly immutable at any rate, as both boys arrived simultaneously. Maerk had arrived head first while Argus arrived foot first, the boys being identical in length, meant that that they arrived as a pair.

While near indistinguishable as young children, the manner of their birth began to manifest itself early on in their maturation. Maerk was a curious child, obsessed with the stars in the sky and the way in which tools and machinery worked. He was often found tinkering with one object or another, often taking apart perfectly fine equipment in order to discover how it worked, and how to reconstruct it.

It was this curiosity that his parents deemed came from his arriving into the world head-first, looking up into the sky.

Coming of Age

After the family had been handed titles and rank, it became apparent that the nature of he and his twin’s birth had become a true nuisance. For families of title and nobility require a known line of succession. It was upon the boy’s 17th birthday that the family tutor, Plota, had arrived at a means in which to decide succession.

He had devised a plan to send both young men out into the world, to see what they were made of and to learn the ways of proper nobility. Not only would this likely gain the family renown, but it would allow the boys’ father to determine whom should inherit the titles and lands of the newly acquired family wealth.

Plota had given the boys each a good description of the various continents of the planet, as well as the Realms of power upon each one. After weighing the options, Maerk had decided that he would know what a republic was like, and having not done much travel by means of ship, thought that an island nation such as D’Hara would be a good place to begin his learning.

Young Noble Life

Maerk had arrived, after a brief journey from Atamara, in Port Raviel, where he began his budding career as a noble. He was very vocal with the local nobility, and due to his fierce loyalty was given Lordship over Lairabina on the Madinian Isle. Command came quickly to him, and before he had time to move into his estates he was asked to take Lordship over Gretchew, a rural region whose agriculture was key to maintaining the cities of D’Hara.

A Chance Meeting

It was in Gretchew that Maerk became acquainted with his new Duke, Ismail Tandaros. The young noble was fast to realize that Duke Ismail knew much of this world and its navigation, so Maerk quickly attached himself to the Duke’s side. After a brief period, Duke Ismail asked Maerk to swear an Oath of Fealty to him before the eyes of the Great House JeRavosi. Upon taking his oath, Maerk became the sworn protector of the now Prince Ismail.

Shortly after this oath swearing, the western lands of Dwilight were consumed by fell beasts and the unclean undead. Together the two mean held the dark forces at bay for a few weeks, but in time it became clear that the effort was a futile one. In a calculated withdrawal, the western regions of D’Hara were given to the beasts, and Maerk found himself a landless knight once more.

Tides of Change

It was decided that the Madinian Isle would become the new breadbasket for D’Hara’s numerous port cities. Maerk was ordered to bring his men across the seas from the Tomb Islands and assist in the takeover of new lands.

While en route to join up with D’Hara’s forward forces, a fleet messenger ship had caught up with the young knight. It bore the mark of House Tandaros, and its cargo was a simple precious letter, causing the tides to change beneath Maerk’s ship.

As the Oathsworn protector of Prince Ismail, their fates were forever entwined, and it seemed as though Prince Ismail would try his fortunes in the North. Short on provisions and gold, Maerk changed direction and made with all haste to catch up to his Oath holder, in order to uphold the honor of his family and his own word.

Northern Marches

Maerk set to in the Realm known as the Morek Empire. Upon his arrival he took up service in the military and immediately plunged himself into the open conflict. Morek was pushing back the Asylonians that sought to create a new home for themselves within lands traditionally held by the theocracies of Sanguis Astroism. Rising quickly in combat, Maerk was soon made the Lord over the White Plains, a fruitful rural region that boasted a rich agricultural history. It was shortly after Asylon had been pushed to the south that Maerk began having dreams of the Three Stars above, and began a new search in his life.

Pious Path

Becoming a priest of Sanguis Astroism set Maerk upon a path none in his family had ever before followed. Meaning in life had always been hard work and time spent with family, but the teachings of the Prophet had sparked a fire deep within the young noble.

He travelled Morek, meeting many smallfolk and temple priests along his travels, furthering both his knowledge of the BloodStars and his desire to discover more. He utilized his position as Lord to have the smallfolk construct an Observatory in the White Plains so that he could look upon them more closely and study their patterns and movement.

In service to the church, Maerk travelled westward with the Justicar Alaster to secure the church’s holdings in the now overrun west. During these travels Maerk was taken captive and tortured in the search for the church’s gold. Upon his escape and return to Morek, Maerk was granted the title of Invocator of the Sword, and has since continued his studies of the Three stars above and their impact on man.