Basic History: Born in 3072 ADW, Kenneth Mordishant grew up in Colidria, Thelahar. His father was a former plainsman turned manor lord who'd grown wealthy raising herds of arctic deer and bearberry, a plant used to make potent herbal teas. He was a prosperous man and his good fortune allowed Mordishant to grow up as a privileged lording's son.
Though he was popular with both adults and children, Mordishant was always a little reserved. He was the second son and neither of his parents showed him as much favor as they did their first born. They showed even less when his elder brother died of fever. His mother was so devastated by the loss that she committed suicide when he was fourteen. On the heels of this tragedy, two warring clans confronted each other and had a nasty skirmish on the outskirts of town. The defeated warriors retreated, using the houses for cover, and their rivals set both buildings and fields ablaze to drive them out. Mordishant's father was injured in the fire and severely burned. In the aftermath, he grew mad and the responsibility for Farin fell to his son. But Mordishant, young and uncertain, had little desire to rebuild the town and raise deer.
Instead, the boy left Farin and took up with a wandering mercenary who eventually introduced him to a secret society known as the Oracle Knights. Mordishant spent six long years under their tutelage, but soon grew discontent and bored. He lacked the patience and discipline required to study magite and his temperament was ill suited to the ways of assassins. To him, there was no glory in such secretive killing and he was too ambitious to simply remain an obedient follower. He wanted to advance, to lead men and have his name known throughout Thelahar, not bow his head to the politically charged, self-serving whims of others. The Order, sensing his defiance, released him from their service. When he refused to go and challenged the order's hierarchy, its leaders sent his former mercenary teacher to kill him. Mordishant, however, had become a fine swordsman and his teacher was now old. Reluctantly, he killed his mentor.
Branded a murderer by the Order, he was forced to return to Colidria and served a few years as a captain with the northern guard outside Hesberon where he became a well-respected leader. After a sparse campaign defending the southern break, he grew weary of the cold, freezing nights on the border and began to work as a sword for hire along the old Barren Trace between Mytesia and Ft. Darhan.
At Ft. Darhan, he encountered the Dominion. The organization was attempting to proposition its way into Colidria, though to little affect. Mordishant was intrigued. He'd heard of the Dominion from an old crone outside Hesberon and decided to join. Because of his past experience with the Colidrian guard and knowledge of the northern terrain, he was considered a valuable asset. His commanders saw an opportunity to gain influence in the north using his reputation and Mordishant was quickly promoted through the ranks.
In 3103, Mordishant - now a prominent officer - was sent to restore and repair a battered citadel in the Uvanha Mountains. The Citadel of Caerlin was a former dwarf stronghold that hadn't been used in years. During the renovations, the young leader discovered a serious of caverns beneath the fortress. Exploring these ancient labyrinths, carved centuries before by the dwarves, he emerged one day at the mouth of a great lake. Here, awaiting him was a woman bathing in the water. Arie'in, a sorceress, told him of the potential power that lay within the labyrinths and of a great citadel hidden deep within the rock.
During his time with the Dominion, Mordishant had learned of Althenore's plan to drain the coffers of Thelahar and slowly take over. He felt he could be a better ruler than Althenore and so, learning of Arie'in's experience with Althenore and more of Althenore's history, he decided to use the man's schemes to his own advantage. Thus, together, he and Arie'in struck a bargain for power. Working his way up through the Dominion ranks over the next several years, Mordishant finally received his own command in 3110 ADW. The Fifth Legion, originally part of Markovin's faction, began its rise to glory in Thelahar, but was later sent out to Shanar to carve out a territory out of the rough land. It was recalled in 3118 ADW to prevent the demon attacks in Auraton from spreading to Thelahar.