As a child, Donovan Janlov grew up in the countryside outside the city. His father was a farmer who tended land owned by Lord Dilysnia. With three older brothers assisting his father with the farm, Donovan was overlooked by his father and seen essentially as “mother’s child”.

His brothers were rough on him, jealous of his easy break from the work on the farm. They beat and bullied him at every opportunity. It took its toll on him as person. He resented them, wanted away from the farm, and wanted to become something to rise above his brothers.

Donovan matured quickly. He studied hard and pleaded and convinced his mother to send him to university, because he wanted to become a diplomat. His mother handled much of the flow of finance in the household and secretly paid the sum of entry. A young man, then aged 18, departed to the western side of the city and attended Variens University. He got a job working within a small wizard’s shop after hours of study, working for its merchant owner.

When he returned home that winter break his mother wasn’t waiting for him. Instead, he was greeted by his father and brothers. They dragged him out into a field, beat him badly and rubbed his face in the hardened ground. “Get gone, and don’t come back!” his father’s parting words were heard in his dim mind.

Donovan returned to his dormitory, and began to rebuild himself. He sent letters to his mother, and she replied, glad he was well. She apologised for the way his brothers and father had acted. Although she never told him, he knew his mother had suffered too.

Donovan later graduated with a diploma and something else: a newly acquired position as novice advisor to the Lord Dilysnia! Apparently, Lord Dilysnia had agents keeping an eye on the graduates at the University, and had found in him something of note. The reality, Donovan later found, was that House Dilysnia desired a peasant rise into household favour to show their support to the farming families.

When he returned home with the news, his mother was proud but his father and brothers said nothing. It was clear they still resented him. Donovan’s shoulders slumped. He thanked his mother for all she had done, even thanked his father for sheltering him those early years, then he walked from his house, walked from the lands of his childhood, his mind heavy.

Donovan Janlov changed his surname to the aristocratic sounding Konvarc’h, and joined House Dilysnia as novice advisor beneath the lord advisor, an old, obstinate sage. Donovan found his voice oft-ignored by his master, but his years as aide provided him great insight into the affairs of the noble house and its relationship to the farming communities.

Many years passed and when the old advisor died Donovan found himself elevated to the position of lord advisor.

He forgave the animosity of his father and brothers for he understood its origin. The man did not lose contact with his family, and, if anything, it has developed into something greater than it was, his kin coming to respect his achievements. As lord advisor, he has ensured his family are well off financially.