The story behind the shadow...
A hyur orphaned upon the streets of Holy See of Ishgard Foundation, within the Brumes, Vernos Devrane lived a life of hardship. From an early age he was raised to fight for survival and eventually resorted to stealing from the wealthy to make ends meet. He excelled in the art of thievery to the point where he believed himself to be untouchable. However, all that changed on the day he went for the coin purse of one of the highest named house nobles before being quickly apprehended by the Templar Knights.
The nobleman's belongings were returned to him and just as the knights were about to take Vernos away, to be tried and punished, the nobleman intervened stating that he was going to adopt the boy. From that day on he was brought up from a life of poverty into the life of a well-educated high-standing member of society and most importantly, he had a family again, although their blood son wanted nothing to do with Vernos.
Vernos joined the Templar Knights right when the DragonSong War began. In the midst of a mission, he looked across the battlefield’s scars at the mass number of casualties and felt that it might be the end for him and his squadron. Just as he had given up all hope, they were saved by the most elite group of all warriors in Ishgard, the Dragoon Corp. He watched in awe as the Dragoon Corp fought valiantly and felt a surge in his heart. He had a new calling, to join the Dragoon Corp.
A few months passed after joining the Dragoon Corp when his commanding officer sent him off to travel the distant lands in search for relics and able bodies that could assist with the war effort. One particular mission changed everything. He was to search through ancient ruins that were unearthed within the deserts of Thanalan. During his excavation of the ruins, he came across an antechamber hidden behind a broken wall where he saw a grimoire on a podium in the middle of the chamber amongst the rubble. Curiosity getting the best of him, he began reading through the grimoire aloud to himself. Upon reading the last word on the open page "curse" the grimoire burst into flames and when the ashes fell to the ground they turned into a puddle of black liquid on the floor. To his dismay the puddle began moving up his leg, seeping into his armor, and slowly spreading out to cover his entire body. He screamed in pain and agony as his bones were breaking and his flesh ripping. The last thing he remembers before passing out is the strong scent of blood.
After an unknown amount of time, he awoke in the same room he remembered, surrounded by rubble. Was it all a dream? He looked around and saw the podium, but no grimoire. His body ached and bones cracked as he stood tall... taller than he remembered... he looked down at his hands and his eyes opened wide. He began digging through the rubble to find anything that could provide a reflection. He came across a metal plate and nervously took a look at his reflection, gasping in shock, he dropped the plate, he sees that he is no longer a hyur, he is now an Au Ra. His horns vibrated as he sensed excavators entering into the antechamber. He felt something take over his body and he blacked out immediately but still semi aware that he was not fully asleep. He heard blood curdling screams and when he came back to, he found limbs everywhere, heads torn off and cast aside, hearts ripped out of chests, and watched as the blood from the innocent drew towards him as his body consumed not only their blood, but their very soul. He felt intense rage and power from within as he staggered out of the ruins and into the world. Vernos's life had been forever changed.
For over a millennia, he continued to push forward as his adopted father had taught him, now passed on alongside the ever flowing sands of time, searching for a way to break the curse, while controlling the hunger and guilt within his heart of all of the people that he needed to take everything from. He knew deep within his heart that he may be forgiven if he could finally silence the demon within him. He now continues his travels as a mercenary for hire, his trusty spear upon his back at all times, taking on every job that comes his way, letting no one know of the creature that he is while helping the people of the city states and the outlying villages, but always on the hunt for a new lead of any information to break the curse upon him...forever on the roads, forever with the hunger, but forever a dragoon that is loyal to the people and always helping those that are in need.