The Everlash family was once quite influential in the capital city of Fiore, long ago. Though a family that has been around for longer than most, the true history of it is really only known so far back as a few hundred years; Duke Teridot Everlash, the head of the family in those days, was known for being a tough but fair figure to the citizens beneath him, always willing to hear out civilians' problems regardless of their station in life.
Unfortunately, this very same reputation and influence made Teridot a clear target for an ancient demon, who possessed the man in an effort to spread chaos and discord in Fiore. Though the possession was fairly short-lived, lasting only a month or so before the demon was successfully driven out and escaped, the damage had been done; though the reason for Teridot's behavior and actions over the month were common enough knowledge, that didn't make it any easier for some people to put their trust in him again.
Duke Everlash lived out the rest of his days as something of a recluse, ashamed to face the world outside. On his passing he left two children, one of whom survived to adulthood and bore a child of their own, ensuring the family would live on. And why they maintained their life of nobility, no Everlash since could claim to have near the influence of Teridot. But many have tried.
In the years since the Duke's passing, the Everlash family has made an effort to improve their social standings once again, meeting limited success.
Eli himself was born as the eldest of four children; he possesses two younger brothers who are twins, named Carth and Julius, as well as an even younger sister by the name of Gloria. Being the eldest sibling, Eli spent a majority of his life being groomed with the intention to make him the next head of the family. The boy showed great promise in magic, from his early years. As with most members of the Everlash clan since the possession all those years ago, Eli had an affinity for Take Over magic.
In his case, this ability manifested in the power to take control of elemental spirits, granting him the potential to manipulate a wide range of abilities should he be trained properly. In an effort to do so, he was one day presented with a small but powerful fairy-like creature; a Sylph, one of the most well-known of elemental spirits. Eli learned to manifest the being's abilities, simply taking it as another one of his multitude of lessons, and thought nothing more of it.
It was not until fairly recently, just a few years ago when travelling with his family, that Eli truly realized how limited his life was. During their journey, the family was driven by bandits into the territory of an Ifrit, a temperamental fire elemental spirit, with the hopes that it would kill them so that the bandits could then take their pick of the family's wealth after using their water magic to subdue the spirit.
Unfortunately for the bandits' plan, Eli confronted the Ifrit once it appeared, manifesting a Full Take Over and successfully managing to subdue the beast, at which point he added its blazing soul to his arsenal. The display impressed his parents, who saw it as proof of what he could do were he to become the new family head, and so redoubled on his studies; more work, more lessons, and less free time.
Though he had long since grown bored of life, it was this denial of what little independence he had that solidified in Eli's mind what it was he must do. And so, one night, he gathered what he could and made his way out of the family's mansion. He faced no opposition; nobody in the family would have ever considered the idea of someone leaving such a lavish lifestyle of their own free will, and so the guards simply ignored his departure, believing he would return by morning.
Since that night, Eli has not once seen, spoken to, or checked in on his family. And just a few weeks after leaving them behind, he found a new home at the Dies Irae Guild. And for his first show of true independence, he took the mark of his new Guild on his face, so that all may know the choice that he made.
Unfortunately, this very same reputation and influence made Teridot a clear target for an ancient demon, who possessed the man in an effort to spread chaos and discord in Fiore. Though the possession was fairly short-lived, lasting only a month or so before the demon was successfully driven out and escaped, the damage had been done; though the reason for Teridot's behavior and actions over the month were common enough knowledge, that didn't make it any easier for some people to put their trust in him again.
Duke Everlash lived out the rest of his days as something of a recluse, ashamed to face the world outside. On his passing he left two children, one of whom survived to adulthood and bore a child of their own, ensuring the family would live on. And why they maintained their life of nobility, no Everlash since could claim to have near the influence of Teridot. But many have tried.
In the years since the Duke's passing, the Everlash family has made an effort to improve their social standings once again, meeting limited success.
Eli himself was born as the eldest of four children; he possesses two younger brothers who are twins, named Carth and Julius, as well as an even younger sister by the name of Gloria. Being the eldest sibling, Eli spent a majority of his life being groomed with the intention to make him the next head of the family. The boy showed great promise in magic, from his early years. As with most members of the Everlash clan since the possession all those years ago, Eli had an affinity for Take Over magic.
In his case, this ability manifested in the power to take control of elemental spirits, granting him the potential to manipulate a wide range of abilities should he be trained properly. In an effort to do so, he was one day presented with a small but powerful fairy-like creature; a Sylph, one of the most well-known of elemental spirits. Eli learned to manifest the being's abilities, simply taking it as another one of his multitude of lessons, and thought nothing more of it.
It was not until fairly recently, just a few years ago when travelling with his family, that Eli truly realized how limited his life was. During their journey, the family was driven by bandits into the territory of an Ifrit, a temperamental fire elemental spirit, with the hopes that it would kill them so that the bandits could then take their pick of the family's wealth after using their water magic to subdue the spirit.
Unfortunately for the bandits' plan, Eli confronted the Ifrit once it appeared, manifesting a Full Take Over and successfully managing to subdue the beast, at which point he added its blazing soul to his arsenal. The display impressed his parents, who saw it as proof of what he could do were he to become the new family head, and so redoubled on his studies; more work, more lessons, and less free time.
Though he had long since grown bored of life, it was this denial of what little independence he had that solidified in Eli's mind what it was he must do. And so, one night, he gathered what he could and made his way out of the family's mansion. He faced no opposition; nobody in the family would have ever considered the idea of someone leaving such a lavish lifestyle of their own free will, and so the guards simply ignored his departure, believing he would return by morning.
Since that night, Eli has not once seen, spoken to, or checked in on his family. And just a few weeks after leaving them behind, he found a new home at the Dies Irae Guild. And for his first show of true independence, he took the mark of his new Guild on his face, so that all may know the choice that he made.
