343–333 BTFOM — The Host of Respite
In the decade after his parents’ departure, Damian became the Host of Respite, inheriting both the oasis and its quiet reputation for generosity. Merchants, travellers, and outcasts alike found refuge beneath his care. Though young, his charm and wit made him a capable negotiator — and a patient listener.
He learned that leadership was not about ruling but about sustaining. The people gave him loyalty, and in return, he gave them stability. Yet beneath the rhythm of trade and hospitality, Damian’s curiosity burned.
Every few months, he and a small band of friends would venture into the desert to uncover forgotten relics buried beneath the sands. Their finds were rarely magical — chipped vases, cracked lenses, ancient coins — but each one whispered of an older world.
It was during one such expedition, when the desert winds turned red with dusk, that Damian unearthed a lamp unlike any other — the vessel of Flarereen, the fire genie whose light would change his life forever.