Marcus Beltarion was born in 1E492 in Salenheim City, SCS. Born to a rich family and raised in Salenheim City Marcus was always expected to follow in his father's footsteps and become a mage of the highest rank. Sent to the mage college in Beltar at the age of 16, Marcus saw the study of magic a pretentious exercise for the rich and the way that it was taught as restrictive and theoretical. Marcus had an inherent talent for magic, his father was among the most naturally talented mages of time and Marcus learned much from him before leaving for Beltar, because of this Marcus quickly grew bored of the teachings of the college and left to learn more in his own way. Marcus wandered Salenheim for a number of years looking for focus. He began to realize how detached both the politics of Salenheim City and the magic of Beltar were from the everyday person. He made a vow to himself that he would use all his ability to change this injustice in for the good of all parties. He moved to the biggest backwater he could find; Welgan to begin his new purpose

Family

Marcus father Spurius Astamos was appointed to be the representative of Beltarion Mage Order in the Imperial Senate of Salenheim City in 1E485. Spurius took the surname Beltarion to reflect the area he represented as was traditional for senators. His mother Epria was the leader of the alchemist's guild and daughter of a rich local noble who can trace her linage back to the first emperor. Marcus although generally disrespectful of the senate and mage councils is loyal to his family. Marcus has a sister Lydia who when she comes of age will be sent to Beltar for the training that Marcus failed.

Appearance

Marcus Beltarion is a young Salenheimian man of average height and build with blond hair and blue eyes. His hands sport a number of small burns caused from failed attempts at casting various spells. His hair is of slightly longer than average length for a heartland Salenheimian almost reaching his shoulders. Marcus usually is seen wearing simple travelers' clothes or an acolyte robe from the Academy of Beltar.

Education

As a child Marcus attended the most prestigious of schools in Salenheim City. Although well schooled in many different areas Marcus' (like his father's) main interest and area of study was always the arcane teachings. Marcus' natural talent for magic became apparent at the young age of 8 when he unintentionally cast a telekinetic spell on the shoes of a schoolyard bully, tripping him over. When this was discovered Spurius taught Marcus a number more spells including how to make an object glow with light and how to conjure a small amount of acid. This took Marcus a number of years to learn but provided him a basis for his training. From the age of 11 Marcus focused his inner energies on developing new powers, over the next few years Marcus learned more and his power grew. Conventional schooling continued with Marcus receiving good but not great results, although reasonably intelligent Marcus often neglected studies of areas he saw as unimportant in favour of the development of his power. Upon turning 16 Marcus was transported to the Isle of Beltar to join the Academy of Mages. Here he stayed for 2 years where he learned many new skills and met fellow student Vashti Galiktack who years later would join him shortly as an adventurer. Marcus held different views of magic to the order he was studying under and often became at odds with his tutors. Particularly he saw the use of spellbooks and the rules against certain forms of magic as backwards, viewed the elitist order as arrogant and unable to help the common person and saw his own abilities beyond that of many of the other students. Eventually Marcus frustration grew to such an extent that he left the academy.

Background

Without his spellbooks, scolls and other devises that he received at the academy Marcus was forced to rely upon the natural powers which he possessed. Marcus traveled Salenheim aimlessly for almost a year before he received a message from his mother Epria and father Spurius. In the letter he was informed that there were other more practical arcane orders in Salenheim who only accepted students who showed their skills in the real world and provided greater contributions to society. Marcus was quite intrigued, maybe there was a place for him after all. The letter also included research from his father into the joining of such orders. The journey would be twofold to draw their attention he must be noticed by a member of the Battlemages and given training in their ways. To become a full member he would have to find and train under multiple masters, each specializing in different areas of study. After a number of inquiries around Porttown he found that a good place to begin would be the South Salenheim fishing town of Welgan, it was rumored that nearby he could find a member of the rather secret Nathanielian Battlemages, or rather he would find Marcus when the time was right. Without further delay Marcus boarded the first ship he could get to Wilkinsvale and from there on to Welgan.