Born with his sister, hand and hand if her mother is to be believed, Sylas’ upbringing in the Empire was not an easy one. The motto of Gens Therin is 'By Forge and Blood', and by the spilling of much blood, often by blades forged by their own house, Therin has carbed a wondrous base of power for itself. It proved cunning, cruel, and without remorse, and in the Empire, such traits only help you succeed. Therin is noted for its mines, the sale of metals, saltpetre of high quality, weapons, armour, and most notably, though often only whispered, assassins. It was in his younger years, often alongside his sister, that Sylas sought to learn of the Gens' dealings with his father, those widely spoken of, and those hinted at and alluded to, with his dear mother. It was those formative years that set Sylas on his course, a course that put family first, which in itself ensured devoted service to the Empire. For what benefitted Gens Therin, certainly benefitted the Empire.
As he grew, and inseparably so from his sister Salys, he learned the use of weapons from the weapons master at her father’s demensen, this is where he took to wielding not only the crossbow, but the blade as well. Sylas fought and fought hard, moving endlessly, tiringly, beaten and struck till he could stand no more. With the family business dealing in not only tangible products, minerals and weapons, it dealt also in death. And it was here that Sylas was taken to the abandoned mines in order to learn one such trade, that of poisons. It would be here that he witnessed his sister scrabbling for an antidote, for the lessons were rather detailed and thorough. If it wasn't Salys grasping for an antidote to a poison she'd been made to ingest, it was him. And though his heart lurched at the sight of his sister suffering so, her skill, and the watchful eye of their tutor ensured that they grasped the fundamantals. And certainly knew what to mix, when to mix it, and the effects such poisons could have upon a body, and the antidotes needed to nullify their quite fatal effects.
Part of Sylas' education ensured that he was sent into Academia, to learn of the body more, and rounded subjects that would certainly ground him. It was here that his education granted him a greater insight into biology, lessons that his contempories put to various arts. Healing and even art itself in some instances, Sylas however managed to twist the lessons somewhat to ensure that he could better extract information, that he could utilise the body against its owner. In conjunction with poisons and pain, a good deal could well be lifted from a willing tongue. Never had academia been so twisted of purpose, but as one so blessed in gaining information from the unwilling, it was a benefit to the house to have such skills.
The Gen Therin is highly feared family, as much as it is revered and respected for its good leadership and fair practices. Salys and Sylas, because their mother had a sense of humor when it came to their naming, are now making their way out into the world to further serve their house and the Empire. True their attitudes may well rub some of the provincials up the wrong way, but such simple folk should surely be honoured that they are in the presence of true Vir Sidus citizens. A House of ancient service, a father of such skill and power, and a mother so feared and revered in equal measure. To Darius, as scouts of the 13th Legion they move, eager to put their mark on this side of the map. Muddy and poor as it may well be.