Kalista Islington was born in a humble village on the outskirts of the Empire of Vathis, the daughter of a skilled mason whose hands shaped the very stones of the imperial heartlands. From childhood, Kalista learned the value of hard work, discipline, and the strength that comes from building something that lasts. Her life changed forever when orc warbands swept across the plains in a brutal invasion—her village was razed, and nearly everything she knew was lost. But where others broke, Kalista’s spirit only hardened. She rallied survivors, sheltering them in the ruins and leading them in desperate prayers for deliverance. In those dark days, she found her calling. Guided by unwavering faith and a relentless sense of justice, Kalista took up arms as a paladin, swearing sacred oaths before the shattered altar stones her father once raised. She became renowned for her ability to inspire courage and resolve among the downtrodden, wielding both her words and her sword to shield the innocent. Now, in the twilight of her years, Kalista wanders Renaris as a living legend, her reputation as an unyielding protector preceding her. Yet, despite her accomplishments, Kalista is haunted by a single vow: to uncover the fate of a lost child taken in the chaos of that invasion—a mystery that still pulls her onward.