The circumstances of his birth, the absence of family, the trials of his childhood: All unimportant, and were never a factor in his life choices. The only things he knew were that hunger sucks, old scholars can get handsy, and not to lose the only possession he ever owned: a piece of paper he kept in a pocket, which at that time he couldn’t read. He was penniless, pitiful, and purposeless.
Somehow surviving on the streets and wilderness up to age 7, he was found under some sort of tarp by a group of white-clad fighters in various armor. Their presence set the impressionable young man’s heart aflame, which blew into an inferno after they let provided him food and shelter for a week, before carrying on to the next location or mission. On their way out, the boy asked them why they were so kind and what they were about. They explained SOME of it, not going into too much detail, but explained about their goddess Sharess, and her pursuit of indulgence. As they were explaining to him, ushering him out out the dormitory part of the temple, they all
happened to (un)fortunately get a glimpse of one of the “get-togethers” in the “service centers.”
Wide eyed he replied, “You mean I can get a harem of BITCHES!?!?”
…Not quite…
He became an initiate and travelled along with the worshippers of Sharess to their monastery mountains, recluse from the major towns and city temples, to learn the history and teachings of the Sharessin as well as gain a basic education to go along basic skills. And the first thing he learned was what was on the scroll that he kept with him; it was a birth certificate with his name on it: Dexter Rox Sands.
He pretty much flunked the academic side for the first year, having to repeat the courses. But that did not discourage him, as he was determined to help contribute to the people that saved his life. Thus his 6-year program became a 7-year one. Yet and still, barring that first year, the young now-14 year old teenager passed his exams with flying colors, going from Feral (the derogatory term used for their initiates, usually used in jest,) to Grey. They then have the opportunity to either leave the holy ground and live on their own in society or to continue their religious education, training in a focus for either Sensate (clerics and bards who spread the message of Sharess through protection and maintenance of taverns, festhalls, and pleasure houses,) Celebrant (bards and monks who focus on providing others the various forms of self-indulgence through arts, confections and flesh) or Byakko-Tai (fighters and paladin with a reputation of being swift and effective.) He chose sensate, as he wanted to serve those who serve others, providing safety to those whom aren’t treated as much more than hookers. While the priests and warriors may gain respect as scholars and professionals, and clergy as businesspeople and various forms of celebrity, the temple workers were often treated as glorified sex toys.
As he was relocated, he worked as handyman and healer to a temple in a decent sized city. As one of the few males in the temple, he also held the duty of guardian and bouncer, escorting the clergy and other workers around town, or keeping violent intent in check during sessions or festivals. His work and living conditions were overseen by a white tiefling named Oria, who also taught him the practical ways of expressing the faith. She was young, decadent and beautiful, beyond the perception of "tiefling hot", but had an allure that most found intoxicating and able-bodied, short a few facial wrinkles and knee problems. She was in her late 20’s, but was skilled and revered enough to have earned a Golden Paw. Beyond being a status symbol with-in the Sharessin hierarchy, it was infused with a power to rival any combatant, an honor bestowed to those non-combat officers who performed a great deed or service. Beyond being solid gold, it had a visible embedded ruby in the design of the holy symbol of Sharess; the gauntlet was as mobile on the hand as a leather glove, enchanted not to melt or ding, with only basic care needed to restore it's luster. He never actually found out what great feat she performed, but the high clergy often had positive statements about her, although they
did complain about her sharp tongue and dominant presence. Dex agreed...
She taught him how to perform various oral services to all sorts of clientel, but he primarily performed them on the temple’s celebrants or visiting Sharessin who needed rest, healing, or just some personalized attention. In his interpersonal interactions, he learned many techniques from Byakko-Tai as well, as his interest in his saving forces still never waned. He used these as his thesis to graduate to become a full Sharessin cleric, allowed to teach doctrine, sanction rituals and organize parties. He was granted into those ranks as he became 18.
During the Graduation Ceremony that take’s place on their holiest of days, Midsummer's Eve, many Feral Initiates became Grey, and like Dex, some Grey became part of the Sharessin Pride through their respective focuses. And then, the monastery became immediately under attack. Someone wanted the mountainous land for themselves. A powerful lich (yes, these anomalies happen sometimes, and look who paid for it…) commanded a raid on the place with his raised army, with many being unarmed, as they where in ceremonial garb rather than their respective combat attire. The temple fell swiftly, and many Sharass’s followers, most trained in pleasure and healing rather than combat, fell only to be reanimated against their own fellowship. In the fallen was Oria, who not only became reanimated, but was finally laid to rest by his disciple, Dex. He took the remains with him and escaped, along with others, hiding within the closest towns and settlements, many using their disciplines of fighter and cleric to provide healing, with celebrants “earning their keep” in other manners.
And so, Dexter claimed Oria’s Golden Paw as his own, with the perks of holding such a prestige aiding in his survival within the ranks. Able to secure Byakko-tai chain mail from a fallen warrior, he still felt uncomfortable within it, as he did not earn the title or the rank of armor. He set out to continue his mentor’s mission: To help and heal those who help and heal others. He wanted to continue in the legacy of the Byakko-Tai, while still having his deeds be more powerful that his fist. He also had a personal mission: Be worthy of his master’s robe, and to earn his way rightfully into the Byakko-Tai. And, as a side mission, bash the heads in of lichs and undead creton…
