| abstract
| - Born in Lordaeron about a year after the end of the first war between the orcs and humans, Aranath's home was in the city of Andorhal for most of his early childhood. At the age of five, his family had managed to save enough money to move to Stratholme; so as the Grand Alliance was being formed to combat the oncoming Horde, Aranath was settling in to a new life as a child in a big city. Stratholme had all the luxuries a boy could ask for; wide avenues for playing, buildings by the score to climb and alleys to hide in. On many days, Aranath and his friends would venture out onto Darrowmere Lake and swim. There was never really any danger apparent, for the noble knights of the newly-formed Silver Hand patrolled the city dilligently, and even the shadier elements of Stratholme were caught up in the swells of national pride during the second war. War, unfortunately, is more than just what happens far away from home, and Stratholme was eventually a victim of the violent conflict. With the Horde seemingly unstoppable, they managed to march an army far into Lordaeron and raze the city to the ground. Their main targets were the precious oil refineries Stratholme was known for, which severed the Alliance supply lines into Quel'thalas. Aranath and his family found themselves homeless, along with thousands of other men, women, and children. It was around this time Aranath got his first real glimpse of the grace of the Light as many of the Silver Hand and the priests of Lordaeron set up shelters for the displaced and destitute. He would marvel at the power the paladins radiated and at the sheer confidence in the voice of the priests. One paladin in particular appealed to the young man, and as most boys do, Aranath found himself trying to model himself after his new idol. The Knight's name was Brand Hightower. A great bear of a man, Sir Brand carried himself with a quiet dignity that nevertheless shone forth in every word and action. He was in his early fifties, already a veteran of battles near and far. Brand had years before put aside his sword to devote himself to the priestly ways, but when Archishop Faol put out the call for men to take up the new mantle of paladin, he had heartily volunteered to become a member of the fledgling order. To his credit, Brand did not mind the affections the young Aranath heaped on him. He found the boy quite eager to help and open to the older man's instruction. Daily the two would be seen together: the hulking paladin administering rations and comfort to the refugees, the small boy trailing behind him, eagerly assisting. Thankfully the Horde was finally pushed back southward, and the King announced Stratholme would be rebuilt farther north, near the border into Quel'thalas. After months of living in camps, the people of the city were overjoyed! Packing up all they had, thousands of Lordaeron's citizens began their journey northward. The reconstruction of New Stratholme was a project all took part in. The men of the city, along with many soldiers and laborers helped construct the buildings and walls, while the women and those too old for the physical labor aided by providing the workers with food and water. The city was rebuilt surprisingly quickly, and by the time Aranath was seven years old, his family had settled comfortably into their new home.
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