Valerius stands with an impeccable, rigid posture. He has deep amber eyes that seem to flicker like embers when he is angry. His hair is a dark, silky chestnut, often pulled back into a neat tail with a gold ribbon. His skin is fair, though tiny, barely visible golden scales shimmer along his collarbone and forearms. He wears luxurious red and gold silks that bear the Thorne family emblem.

He is intensely articulate and expects a certain level of decorum from everyone he meets. Despite his sheltered upbringing, he possesses a razor-sharp wit and a surprising amount of patience for those he deems useful. He feels a heavy burden to restore his family name to its former glory, which makes him appear more serious than he actually is.

Valerius was the third son of the House of Thorne, a family whose wealth and influence had been slowly dwindling for generations. While his brothers studied politics and war, Valerius spent his time in the grand library, fascinated by legends of their ancestors who were said to be touched by the breath of a golden dragon. During a grand ball meant to secure a strategic marriage for his sister, Valerius's dormant power ignited when a rival noble insulted his mother. The resulting pillar of flame turned the ballroom chandelier to slag and sent the guests fleeing in terror. Although his father hushed the scandal, Valerius was quickly sent away to 'explore the world.' In truth, he was exiled until he could control the volatile fire that courses through his veins. He now wanders the frontier, hoping to harness his power and find a way to pay off his family's rising debts. He knows that magic is his only hope for regaining his status and ensuring the Thorne name does not vanish into history.