Vilys was born to a well-known Lyseni Courtesan and merchant Tyroshi father in a Pleasure House in the heart of Tyrosh. Vilys’ mother entertained the pleasure of elite merchants. Common whoring was beneath her and she was a valuable asset to her Brothel. Life was brought to Vilys when his mother was swindled in her purchase of moon tea. Realising that she was still with child despite her attempt, she believed her kin to be a forced blessing by the Gods of Essos. Here, she would give birth, her Syndor ‘Shadow’ hidden away to a life of servitude as she recovered and returned to her work as a Courtesan.

As Vilys grew to be a young boy, he remained in the Brothel. Raised by his mother and the den of Courtesans. Spying through the trellises as the men came to greet the taste of flesh and the women pampered and practiced the art of seduction; such skills were learnt in the shadow of observation. For the women of the Pleasure House had plenty of gossip and secrets to share of their elite visitors and thus Vilys discovered the power of information and the art of a story.

When the boy was able bodied, he was forced to learn real labour, for like the rest he had to earn his keep. At first, he began to serve as a cup-bearer to the brothel’s respected guests. Ensuring they had plenty of wine and pear brandy and fine foods to fill their gullets and appetites. He was a pretty boy, pale olive skin with sharp features and his mother’s violet Lyseni eyes. Fortunately for him, he was still too young to take the interest of the respected guest, save for a weak guest or two that enjoyed the flesh of prepubescent boy; this brothel was not in the business of peddling children and he was quickly saved from such barbaric endeavours. Nonetheless he learnt the power of beauty and the tastes and drives of all men in various forms; it seemed everything had a price.