Altias Bromn
Second son to Gorthias and Talia, Altias Bromn was born a child of privilege. Gorthias Bromn is, or was when Altias last heard from him, The Duke of Xanth Grange. He married Talia when she was just 16; Garrison Bromn was to be born 7 months later. Altias was born two years later, followed by his sister Tressa two years after that. The birth of a daughter was a great disappointment to Gorthias, but the joy that Talia had waited for. She pampered the girl, raising her in her own free spirited image, further disappointing Gorthias.
When Altias was 8 years old, his mother fell unexpectedly ill. The doctors came and went, each with a fancier title, and higher purse, than the one before him. Each said the same thing. "There is naught we can do for her, save to make her comfortable."
For nearly a year Talia became weaker and weaker, more of the life fading from her eyes with each passing day. Gorthias had matters of the kingdom to deal with, and visited the ailing woman infrequently, at best. Altias and Tressa remained at her side as often as they could, their father's lessons and training taking them away far more often than they would have wished.
Two days after Altias turned 9 years old, Talia Bromn died during a fitful slumber. The children were not allowed to see her in the few days prior to her passing, their father stating she was far too ill, and their presence would hinder her recovery.
Talia was burned on a traditional pyre, due mainly to the insistence of her family. Gorthias Bromn did not attend the "heathen" ceremony.
Duke Bromn spent the next few years of the children's lives trying to reprogram their thinking. Talia had been a woman of a spiritual nature, something she had passed on to her children, even during her dying time. She taught them to love with their hearts, as if they were blind, regardless of race, creed, color, or even gender. She taught them that one loves another's soul, not their shell. She taught them the ways of nature, and the seasons. She taught them all the things a good wise woman would. All these things were unacceptable to Gorthias Bromn.
Sword lessons, weekly attendance of the Church of the One True Faith, strict academic lessons, barred from the forest save to hunt -- these were the teachings of Gorthias Bromn. On Garrison, they were effective, essentially convincing him that their mother had been a heretic, a woman of the devil, and they should be glad to be rid of her. Tressa and Altias were another tale all together.
When Tressa was 15, she was sent away to the Sisterhood, to learn the righteous ways of the One God. Altias has seen her only twice since that day. Mere months later, Altias was banished from his father's house, never to be welcomed again.
Garrison has since gone on to lead his father's soldiers, becoming quite renowned in battle. He and Altias do not speak, save when Tressa had run away from the Church, and Garrison had come to bring her home.
Altias found his way to Myrken Wood when he was told of a need for educated men for Judiciary Council. His father's money still supports him, as he was given a generous purse when he was banished. Unlike his father, Garrison (who had been the one to drive him from his home) was not completely heartless. Upon his arrival in Myrken, he found funds had been placed with the Council in his name, more than enough to sustain him comfortably for a very long time.
Physically, Altias is a curious creature. Slender of build, flamboyant of dress (and some might say lifestyle) and gentle of nature. With crimson tresses, ghostly pale skin and nearly angular features, he is a strange looking man, though some do find him handsome. It is his one wish to bring a lasting peace to Myrken, though recent events make him sorely doubt such a thing can ever come to pass.
