Arycteus seemed to have a bright future in the Imperial army. He had graduated early from the military academies and had already had some success in the civil war. However, he was forced to return home when he realized that his mad father Mexares had kidnapped his brother Kyros and would attempt to sacrifice him to an unknown entity.
 
Aryc thought he killed his father Mexares (Cult Fanatic (MM)) as he tried to sacrifice Kyros. Aryc stopped the ritual by forcibly removing the subdued Kyros from the altar. This unleashed necromantic energies and significantly weakened Aryc, who previously had a soldier's strength. Aryc only brought one thing with him from his father's estates, a mysterious tome, in which you found a treasure map that points toward an unknown location near the northern mountains from House Mallshied.
 
Kyros (Veteran (MM)), who never forgave you for outshining him in (everything) the military, now owes you a debt, and he doesn’t like it. He’ll help you out when you need it, but only to clear the slate.
Aryc, while not the soldier he once was, returned to the army as a strategist but had grown disheartened by the war and its atrocities. When he and the War Wizard Vilkas (Mage (MM)) realized that the daughter of House Drotus was helping the elven rebellion, they swore to never reveal it to anyone. Vilkas will help Aryc keep this secret if it is ever in danger of being revealed.
 
However, someone found out that Aryc knew something he shouldn't and an Imperial Assassin (Assassin (MM)) was dispatched to silence or bring Aryc in for questioning. Vilkas realized what was about to happen and tipped Aryc off and gave him a spellbook with some spells.
 
Aryc, now an imperial deserter, fled north to start a new life in the North. On his journey, north Aryc saved a pseudodragon from being eaten by a giant spider in a dark forest. The pseudodragon, which Aryc named Pax, now loyally follows Aryc wherever he goes.