Istan was born in Xirklx and raised in a close-knit family of six, with his father serving as a farmer and part-time soldier and his mother nurturing the household. From a young age, Istan was surrounded by tales shared by his father of the warriors who protected their home, instilling a fierce determination to follow in their footsteps.
As the second eldest of five siblings, Istan felt the weight of responsibility early on. He often assisted his father in the fields, but he trained relentlessly with wooden swords during his free time, dreaming of the day he could become a warrior. His father encouraged this ambition, sharing insights from his military experience while ensuring the importance of honor and duty to their community.
By the time he turned ten, Istan had honed his combat skills through countless sparring matches with friends, showcasing a natural talent that set him apart from his peers. His determination caught the attention of local warriors, and soon, he was invited to participate in training sessions alongside the shodeth. Istan embraced this opportunity, eager to absorb every lesson and technique, fully aware that his future lay in the service of his people.
Istan grunted. “Such is the way of things in war, is it not? Still, it is good to hear they died in battle, at least, and not from the human’s machine. Now, let us move on to other matters. I witnessed the eslar carrying supplies from their ships into the palace and overheard them speaking of the great machine. There is an alternate way there that my people know. I also wish to learn what the eslar are doing, and so was on my way to find out when I sensed your presence.”
“Then you will allow me to accompany you?” Ensel Rhe asked.
“Why not? If your intentions are true, I am helping a potential ally against an enemy.”
“And if they are not?” Ensel Rhe asked.
“Then we shall cross swords, after all.”
- THE INVERSION SOLUTION
As Istan matured, he quickly proved himself a skilled and disciplined warrior. His commitment to training and unwavering honor earned him respect among his peers and commanding officers. He was formally inducted into the shodeth, where he pledged loyalty to the chieftain, Acharat, and took pride in defending Xirklx from all threats, particularly the humans above.
Despite his honorable nature, Istan found himself often at odds with Rachna, a fellow shodeth warrior renowned for his militant fervor and unyielding confidence in aggressive tactics. Their disagreements frequently revolved around strategy and philosophy, with Istan advocating for calculated, defensive maneuvers while Rachna pushed for preemptive strikes. The tensions between the two were palpable. During one such heated argument, Istan acquired a long scar running down one cheek, a mark of conflict many whispered about, speculating on its origins.
As a high-ranking member of the shodeth, Istan’s allegiance to Acharat and his sense of honor continuously guided his decisions. He recognized the chieftain’s philosophy of cautious survival and the wisdom of restraint in how they approached the humans who threatened their existence. Despite this, he often found himself reluctant to entirely dismiss Rachna’s aggressive stance, understanding the passion and fire behind the warrior’s desire to protect their people at any cost.
While Istan remains loyal to his chieftain and commanding officer, he also struggles with the implications of the divisions forming within the shodeth. He fears that the escalating tensions between different factions could imperil their fight against the external threat, a notion that weighs heavily on his conscience.
FIRST APPEARANCE
Istan first appears in The Inversion Solution (The Alchemancer Book Three).
