Le royaume de l'homme est une demeure querelleuse.

Depuis l'ascension de Nilonne, jusqu'à la naissance de l'humanité, le monde fut autrefois enseigné avec animation. L'humanité s'étendait aux coins de leurs terres et à travers les mers étroites, formant les premiers semblants d'ordre de la terre vers le haut. On dit que dans sa main droite, la Déesse Nilonne a fait une tempête dans l'océan, créant le Beorc à partir de l'eau qui se déchirait, et dans sa main gauche, elle a tiré le vent avec des lames d'herbe, donnant naissance au Laguz. Beaucoup se tenaient sur la terre ferme d'Aralea, tandis que d'autres erraient dans les badlands de Norarus.
Chacun a créé sa propre société ; avec le Cadeau qui coule dans ses veines, le magique attisé s'appellerait les Estalans. Juste un peu au nord du continent aralien, une colonie a été formée sur les plages gelées d'un sous-continent éloigné; plus tard, il deviendrait habituel de jurer le serment des Anarcans en prenant pied sur leurs terres. Ceux qui n'ont pas le Cadeau cherchent des vies plus simples à l'extrémité opposée du monde, où les Cesadans revendiqueraient leurs territoires.

L'histoire des bêtes ailées, aujourd'hui une légende perdue racontée au chevet d'un enfant, avait autrefois été une réalité. Les dragons gouvernaient le ciel de leur monde, imposant leur volonté aux mortels d'en bas. Touchés par le feu, ils étaient les prédécesseurs du laguz, donnant une forme humanoïde et la capacité de transformer à volonté. Pendant de nombreuses années, l'humanité se conformerait aux ordres de leurs dictateurs, leurs palais prétendaient accueillir plusieurs émissaires de la race draconienne.
Chaque société a choisi un leader pour représenter leur population à la Cour des balances; Erigan Estali, le fondateur d'Estala et connu sous le nom de Dragonseer, aurait descendu des dragons eux-mêmes à travers son flux sans faille avec le Don. Le Régent d'Anarcas, Wernthall Floran, s'élirait comme la voix de son peuple. De l'autre côté de la mer, des bandes de Beorc et de Laguz s'unissaient sous Cilla l'Untamed, une guerrière qui montait sur le dos d'un lion dans une union comme personne n'en avait jamais vu.

Mais ce collectif d'éminence s'était rendu complaisant par la domination draconienne. Le Beorc et Laguz ont longtemps enduré les souffrances et les difficultés depuis leur création, et ainsi vu la naissance d'une alliance entre Estala, Anarcas et Cesadas; Erigan Estali a doublé leur unité comme le Triumvirat. Retirés de la Cour des balances, les trois souverains ont rompu leurs liens avec la race du dragon, déclarant leur propre indépendance lorsqu'ils se sont écartés. Mosin, le premier Dragon, considérait cette décision comme une haute trahison.
Avec la connaissance évidente qu'ils avaient subi la colère de la race du dragon, le Triumvirate chacun appelé à leurs bannières, anticipant la guerre qui allait venir. Armés d'épée et de magie, leur courage serait remis en question par la destruction mythique que les dragons étaient capables de déclencher. Contre toute attente, le Triumvirat a prié la Déesse Nilonne.

Contre toute attente, la Déesse Nilonne a appelé au Triumvirat.
Des millions de personnes ont péri alors que les dragons ont mis le feu à la race humaine, enfermant le Triumvirate dans le conflit de sept ans qui serait historiquement connu sous le nom de chapitre Scarlet. Le désespoir pèse lourdement sur les épaules fatiguées de leurs peuples, mais le Triumvirat refuse de plier le genou. Le Dragonseer est resté résolu parmi ses compagnons, continuant à façonner sa puissance à travers les voies du Don.
Il y a eu de nombreuses batailles à noter qui ont eu lieu pendant le Chapitre Scarlet, mais jusqu'à la fin, il y avait peu d'espoir pour Beorc et Laguz de résister à l'Irlande en cours. Malgré les préoccupations de Wernthall Floran et Cilla, Erigan Estali a continué à chercher une réponse à travers le Don, pour un avenir où ses enfants connaîtraient la paix. C'était alors, après des années de prière sans réponse, que la Déesse Nilonne accorda sa faveur au Triumvirat.

La race humaine a pris la guerre aux dragons eux-mêmes comme le trio, possédant des pouvoirs renforcés par la bénédiction, a mené leur alliance dans une dernière campagne. Les sacrifices des hommes, des femmes et des enfants n'allaient pas en vain, ils juraient. Erigan Estali mania le Cadeau avec une capacité inébranlable, comme l'écrivaient les légendes, qu'avec chaque dragon tué, il a continuellement augmenté son seuil de puissance en absorbant leur essence.
Des mois se sont écoulés, et le Triumvirat avait finalement repoussé les dragons à leur dernier bastion de contrôle ; la Cour des échelles, où le premier Dragon régnait. En naviguant à travers ce qu'on appellera plus tard la Maw of Thanatos, la bataille ultime pour l'humanité attirerait la fureur d'une terrible tempête; les puissances en conflit avaient causé un déséquilibre dans l'atmosphère. Au début des combats, la tempête a continué de se renforcer.

En fin de compte, seul le Premier Dragon est resté le dernier de l'opposition du Triumvirat. Mosin, déconcerté par la force de leurs anciens subordonnés, fut impressionné par l'ascension du Dragonseer, honorant Erigan Estali à un parloir de combat unique. Le reste de ses armées retournèrent à leurs navires, où ils veillaient de la mer. D'égale puissance, les opposants continuaient de s'affronter, leurs visions d'un monde idéal en collision. La colère de la tempête, aujourd'hui un plus grand danger que le Premier Dragon lui-même, menaçait de tout consumer au-delà de l'île.
Erigan Estali saisirait cette occasion. Dessinant la tempête vers lui-même, il cherchait à en extraire la fureur pour l'utiliser contre la Mosine ; cependant, le déséquilibre chaotique s'était révélé beaucoup trop fort pour que son être mortel se manifeste. C'est là que les trois héros du Triumvirat se sont réunis à l'unisson, prêtant leur propre force spirituelle pour vaincre le Premier Dragon ensemble. Même si le Cadeau demeurait beaucoup trop héroïque, le Dragonseer put jeter le sort final. Des flèches célestes d'énergie versèrent de ses paumes, perçant l'ancienne armure du premier dragon; tandis qu'il tomba sur la terre en bas, la puissante tempête balaya le Mosin vaincu dans la tempête, ne laissant aucune trace du dernier dragon tel qu'il se dissipait.

La paix était enfin venue à Aralea et Norarus.
Alors que le Triumvirat se réjouissait de leur triomphe sur leurs anciens oppresseurs, il y avait beaucoup de réparations à commencer. L'ampleur de la destruction de la bataille finale avait séparé la Cour d'Échelles en quatre îles, et au sud de l'Estala, une grande partie de ces territoires avaient été abandonnés. Le Triumvirat, avec les efforts communs de son peuple, rebâtirait son monde en une nouvelle ère. Ce serait beaucoup, de nombreuses années avant que chaque nation puisse vraiment se remettre de la catastrophe, mais sous la direction des trois héros, l'union était sur les ailes qui volaient vers le rêve qui allait se concrétiser.
R E N V A L L P R O T E G O / / S E V E N T E E N
Character Theme: ginkiha — nightfall (short version)

"It's not like I ever had a choice, anyway."
 O R I G I N
Race: Beorc
Nameday: Year 598, Feltsa the 13th
Birthplace: The Island—Kingdom of Rozel
 I N F O R M A T I O N
Class: Squire (Sword) ⇨ Gallant (Sword)
Squire — Young aspirants clung to the fleeting dream of knighthood, they are fierce swordfighters on-and-off horseback, and incur zero penalties to their fighting ability when dismounted. When mounted, they are affected by anti-armor and anti-cavalry weapons. When dismounted, they are affected by anti-armor weapons. A variation between the Sword Knight and Mercenary classes.
Gallant — Decorated knights with courage in heart and steel in hand, they are champions to none but the steed they ride, their ascension an echoing fable. When mounted, they are affected by anti-armor and anti-cavalry weapons. When dismounted, they are affected by anti-armor weapons. A variation between the Sword Paladin and Hero classes, lacking the ability to wield axes.
Height: 5'9
Weight: 170lbs
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Morning blue
Complexion: Fair
Body Composition: Lean
 P E R S O N A L I T Y
Sharp-tongued and quick-witted, Renvall is more an outsider to the grandeur that is the upper echelons of society, cynical and disillusioned with his path and the world around it. The young boy stands against the principles of tradition, loosely abiding the tenets of chivalry through his own core of beliefs as a human being. His choice of reticence, at times, may cause him to distance himself from others, where he would rather muse among his own thoughts. He is known to dislike optimism, preferring to view things from a realistic standpoint rather than cling to hope.
Where he does not pose a problem in socializing, Renvall is prone to speaking without a filter when his beliefs are thrown into the equation, preferring to be the approached when it comes to ordinary conversations. When it comes to women, he feels more open to speaking with them, where his playful side can be heard. That being said, he adheres to the common association in holding immense contempt for the Laguz, viewing them as sub-human savages and tying into his stubborn nature. While the boy may come off as impolite and disrespectful at times, his quiet demeanor speaks more of his deepest emotions; when his name is called, his heart will show.
 B I O G R A P H Y
Renvall Protego had very faint memories of his earliest childhood moments. His father, only known to him from his mother by the name of Percival, was a Rozelian Islander, bound through an illicit union that led to his parents' mutual separation. Camellia Protego, a knight-in-service to the Island—Kingdom of Rozel, was his mother. He was granted her family name, as opposed to his father's.
Only two years of age during the War of the New Leaf, Ren only recalls witnessing the arrival of the suitors from other nations, and his mother's depature to escort Lady Ceiya to Anarcas. As the Island—Kingdom of Rozel chose to remain neutral in the conflict, Camellia Protego was called to arms as Cesadas launched a surprise attack on the Cilan Quay, to which the Rozelians were forced to secede the island in exchange for their ceasefire.
Unaware of his elevation in the status quo due to his mother's title, Ren was always looked upon in a peculiar manner, the child's choice of friends being that of the common folk outside of the palace. The court officials often criticized his lack of interest in 'noble manners' and the like, leading his mother to regularly scold the child into 'proper mannerisms'.
There came a time where the court marshals regarded Renvall's disregard for debonair behavior to be dishonorable, leading to his mother's dismissal from her service to Rozel. While Camellia did not blame the eight-year old for his wish of a simpler life, she viewed his refusal to listen as a failure, and would continue to place pressure upon the boy.
Being a known name around the continent of Aralea had its advantages, and Camellia Protego soon found herself sworn into the service of Estala. Even as Ren was thrust back into the life of the upper class in addition to a newfound responsibility as an older brother, he continually mingled with the commoners throughout his years, whether they were his everyday source of mischief or his solace from an inescapable life.
Ren continued his tutelage as a page to the Estalan family, albeit with disdain. One morning, within the company of his mother and half-brother, Walden, in the busy marketplace, a thief attacked Walden to the surprise of the crowd around them. When the thief revealed itself to be a Laguz of the Tiger Tribe and the bystanders refused to arm themselves in retaliation, the twelve-year old drew his mother's sword from her own scabbard instead.
With little expertise in swordsmanship, Ren could only direct the attention of the beast towards himself, the Laguz delivering a scarring wound before retreating. While this moment would spur the Estalan court to grant him a squireship, he felt that this would only set him further down a path that he never chose to walk, and for the years to come, this remained to be true.
 F A M I L Y
Father: Percival — Unknown
Mother: Camellia Protego — Alive
Half-Brother (Younger): Walden Protego — Alive
 I N V E N T O R Y
Steel Sword, Vulnerary
 O T H E R
Goes by "Ren" for short. The name of his horse is Snowball. Growing up among the islands, Ren has a knack for fishing and enjoys being at sea, and dislikes extremely hot weather. He has a notable scar running down the right breast in the form of a tiger's claw.
M A I Z E B E N S E N / / T H I R T Y - F O U R
Character Theme: Koven — More Than You (Unplugged Version)

"For what it's worth, I felt sorry knowing that you didn't have a chance against me."
 O R I G I N
Title(s): Sir, The Dauntless
Race: Beorc
Nameday: Year 581, Kreille the 20th
Birthplace: Blackwater, Anarcas
 I N F O R M A T I O N
Class: Hero
Height: 6'1
Weight: 202lbs
Hair Color: Dark brown
Eye Color: Brown
Complexion: Fair
Body Composition: Muscular
 P E R S O N A L I T Y
As dauntless as his nickname may suggest, Maize can actually appear to be quite the opposite; in the warmth of his home and the halls of his kingdom, he is a loving husband and father to his wife and children, and a frequent jester to those who call him friend. He does have a casual swagger to his tone through the accomplishments that he has claimed, although he himself does not wish to reminisce of those times, showing a stout opposition to killing without a worthy purpose.
While Maize does enjoy fighting of all sorts, he judges the strength of the individual through their own morals and their actions beyond fighting. Like most knights, he holds himself to the code of chivalry, and respects honor and loyalty out of others. He will only use violence if it is to combat violence, not wishing to spill unnecessary blood over any matter. The knight has a habit for attempting to instill these principles and lessons on others, showing an immense care for younger children.
 B I O G R A P H Y
Life was not all that difficult for Maize Bensen and his family; despite the inclement weather conditions, his father, Mael Bensen, was able to cover the expenses of their livelihood through his mercenary work, possessing many ties to the crown in Blackwater, Anarcas. He was the younger twin to Hassan Bensen, which would later lead to many feuds over who was superior over the other in whatever regard.
By the time the twin brothers were strong enough to hold a blade in their hands, Mael intended on grooming his sons to serve in the Anarcasi Army, putting them through questionably intense training throughout the tundras of Anarcas. They would accompany their father on their first mercenary work at the age of fourteen, and later that year, they were sent into the recruitment drive for the military.
Despite all of his father's emphasis on fighting as a career, Maize himself was not keen on the profession as a killer, and went through the process with many reservations. While he decided to go into the servitude as a squire towards knighthood, his brother would drift from his life momentarily after their separation. Wishing to uphold the law instead of committing what he considered to be barbaric, he sought to hone his swordsmanship ahead, becoming quite the skilled fighter and duelist by the time he turned nineteen years of age.
Watching the fever rise to a pitch between the warring kingdoms concerned Maize greatly, who had been known as a vocal conscientious objector to the war. He would later recount this conflict as 'nothing but a cesspool of selfish murder, the lives of countless people lost over some man's lust.' He holds a grudge towards all of the involved parties to the present day, including his own King Erigan.
As a protector to the realm of Anarcas, Maize was called upon to fight against the Estalans, though their efforts were crushed under the mystical might of the Archsage. While his liege lord fell in the melee that ensued at their castle's gates, he was but the sole survivor of this battle, forced to surrender his service to Anarcas. Within the palace, he would also be among the few to bear witness to the burning of Theodorus and Jaedal.
As shell-shocked and disturbed as he could be, the conflict would only take a greater toll on Maize as he attempted to search for his family, only to find that his mother and younger brother were missing, and his twin brother, Hassan, had slain their father, who had intended on surrendering to the Estalans. This caused the young man to cut down his twin brother, only to bask at his own hands; the hands of a kinslayer. With his dying breath, Hassan Bensen revealed that their mother intended to return to her tribe in Ibion.
While Maize was forced under the servitude of Estala for the remainder of his years to come, he would lighten to the once-hostile kingdom over the times of reparation, though he would remain a squire until his mission to Ibion in search of his mother. The journey would turn for the worst as they were ambushed by a raiding party of tribesman, crippling Sir Lunis, the knight that he was serving under.
In their captivity, Maize was thrown into an arena of sorts, forced into a pit fighting routine for others' entertainment at the expense of his and Sir Lunis' own survival. By the grace of the goddess, the swordfighter survived through the countless rounds of duels to the death, which would grant him his freedom. They rode back to the Estalan capital where Sir Lunis preached to the council of the young man's actions, his speech spawning the nickname, The Dauntless.
In addition, Maize was anointed as a knight of Estala at the age of twenty-three, becoming one of the youngest to ever be knighted in Estalan history. Since then, he has served the crown well, and has been appointed as the guide to Crown Prince Eli Estali in their mission to Rozel.
 F A M I L Y
Wife: Miranda Bensen (nee Leylal) — Alive
Son (Older): Maize Bensen II — Alive
Daughter (Younger): Amaranta Bensen — Alive
Father: Mael Bensen — Deceased
Mother: Su'lon — Unknown
Brother (Older Twin): Hassan Bensen — Deceased
Brother (Younger): Mendes Bensen — Unknown
 I N V E N T O R Y
Iron Blade, Hand Axe, Elixir
 O T H E R
His nickname is a not-so-safeguarded secret, and on occasion, he is formally addressed in futility as The Dauntless Sir Maize. Loves to eat corn, and dislikes storms. He has many scars along his arms and body, scattered slashes and cuts from battles long past.