Rizardo

Rizardo is the son of a Venetian merchant, one who has made great headway into the former Byzantium Empire's lands. His father moved to the Duchy of the Archipelago shortly after the war, and later to Constantinople itself. Rizardo lived a mostly carefree life at first, his father's successful businesses providing a shelter that helped him resist the social problems with his growing gift. His father was able to raise him healthy and tutored, until the move from Venice to the Aegean sea interrupted his studies. Unfortunately, while his parents were away, local Grecian patriots in the city where he was living decided to take matters against the invading Latins into their own hand one drunken night. They seized the young Rizardo and a few other children as captives, and dragged them away as a sacrifice to Hephaestus, casting him into an oil-fueled bonfire. Luckily for the child, a Redcap was around to witness the event and recognized the child for his gift. The Redcap acted to save the child and spirit him away for healing and tutelage.

The event has scarred the child, physically, spiritually, and mentally. His life and his Gift are tied intrinsically together, and bound in chains of flame.