Born in Etherim, a small land that is not well-known and far from Helovia, Rohan was the second son to the royal family. His family’s empire was established by his great-great-great-grandsire, and has since thrived through the generations. From an early age, Rohan, his older brother Killian, and his younger sister Anahita, were exposed to the many responsibilities of what it means to be royal. The duties one must perform, the mannerisms that are expected, among other things.
     As a colt, Rohan idolized his older brother, although the two spent very little time together, as Killian was expected to become King and had to be trained appropriately. Instead, when he was home, Rohan spent a great deal of time with his grandsire, Theo. Theo was a good person, who taught his grandchildren well, despite the cold nature of his son. Rohan learned many things from the wise old stallion, but of course, he was a “rebel kid.” More than a few times he would shirk his responsibilities to flirt with the fillies, both noble and commoners alike—a girl was a girl.
     Still, there was only one that managed to truly catch his eye. Iofiel was a delectable young thing, daughter of a Lord who governed beneath Rohan’s father. She was quiet, but not shy, and often listened while Rohan babbled on about something or other; they complimented each other well. For the first few years of his life, Rohan was happy. He had a girl, could do as he pleased, and had his brother and grandsire to look up to.
     However, just after his third birthday, darkness struck across Etherim in the form of an invasion. Warriors from across their borders attacked, bringing bloodshed and leaving heartache in their wake—Killian led a force of warriors out to meet them. Much to his displeasure, Rohan was kept by his father from fighting, for reasons that would soon come to light when the invasion was defeated, but only a handful returned home. Killian was not among them. Hurt and outraged, Rohan approached his father in his anger, but was coolly dismissed. Knowing his pain, Theo and Iofiel sought to console him, but Rohan nearly refused to be comforted—he created a mask to hide such dark things.
     This continued through the eventual death of his dear grandsire. He mourned, but didn’t linger in the pain as long as he did for the loss of his brother. Months passed, and by this time, Rohan appeared to have recovered completely. That is, until his father called him to him, revealing that Rohan would be made King within the next few years. Rohan couldn’t take it anymore. He didn’t want to become King—the people certainly didn’t want him to become King—surely there had to be a nephew or cousin better fit for the role. He had seen what his father had done to Killian, and he refused to be subjected to the same treatment. For weeks he tried to persuade the frigid King otherwise, but he wouldn’t budge.
     Eventually seeing no other option and unwilling to look at his father’s vile face anymore, Rohan left—left his mother and sister, Etherim, and Iofiel. Half a year passed as Rohan wandered, seeming to leave all remnants of his royalty and past behind, despite the lingering wounds beneath his skewed smile. Eventually his travels led him to the Helovia’s Threshold.