As a teenager, Riordan’s life changed dramatically when his father was appointed to a prestigious military post in a distant city. With his father's attention diverted, Riordan yearned to prove himself and reclaim his father’s notice and pride. One fateful night, whispers lured Riordan from sleep, beckoning him to the woods where he had once played, now shrouded in an eerie energy. Something wasn't right. Ignoring the warnings in his mind to turn back and get help, he felt compelled to seize the chance to be seen not just as a noble's son but as a hero.

In the depths of the forest, Riordan stumbled upon a hidden clearing where cultists were preparing a dark ritual to summon a creature that could devastate his homeland. Fueled by the ideals instilled in him, Riordan attempted to intervene. With a deep breath, he whispered, “gods, help me,” and surged forward, desperate to protect the innocent lives at risk. However, he quickly found himself overwhelmed. It wasn't until a few guards, miraculously having overheard the commotion from their posts, came to his aid that the tides began to turn, enabling them to successfully stop the summoning.

Yet victory came at a terrible cost: every Courser who assisted him perished, succumbing to the darkness they fought against. Not only was Riordan the sole survivor, but when he returned at dawn with an entourage of law enforcers, politicians, and family members, there was no trace of the cultists, corpses or otherwise. The forest meadow lay perfectly preserved, as if the events had been nothing more than a dream—save for the inexplicable, tragic fate of their fallen comrades.

Using every ounce of his influence and fortune to save his son from the gallows, Lord Caelan denounced Riordan, their family name irreversibly tarnished as the rumors spread far. Overwhelmed with guilt and shame, he was cast out from his home, a fallen noble haunted by the crushing weight of responsibility and the memories of the few he could not save in attempts to protect the whole.

Fleeing his homeland, Riordan found refuge in a small village on the edge of an ancient forest. There, he tirelessly earned the villagers' trust by using his combat skills to protect them from threats emerging from the woods. His determination to safeguard the innocent and atone for his past failures began to reshape his identity and self-worth.

He took on various roles in the village—repairing tools, hunting dangerous beasts, and defending against marauding creatures. The villagers, unaware of his backstory, came to see him not as the disgraced noble he believed himself to be but as a protector and friend. His kindness and bravery won their hearts, earning him the nickname "the Guardian of the Forest."

Eventually, Riordan moved on, hearing tales of a large civilization near an entrance to the so-called Buried Kingdom. Seizing the opportunity to redeem himself, he joined the local dungeoneer's guild. His natural instincts and tenacity made him a valuable member, quickly gaining a reputation for bravery as he successfully led expeditions and rescued those who had strayed too far.

As word of his deeds spread, Riordan transformed into a folk hero among the villagers, who admired his courage and dedication, recounting tales of his exploits around evening fires. Yet, despite his growing reputation, he struggled with the guilt of his past, fearing that those who praised him might think differently if they only knew what he had done.

In this new community, Riordan found purpose and belonging, realizing he could forge a different legacy—one defined by compassion, humility, and genuine heroism. Though the shadows of his past loomed large, he embraced the path before him, determined to protect those who could not protect themselves and honor the memory of those lost due to his naïveté. As he settled into his new life, Riordan began to see a glimmer of hope for his future, rekindling his dreams of becoming the hero he had always wanted to be—albeit now, keeping others at an arm's length, for their own safety.