Daneel (da-nil) is a young man that grew up orphan in a small temple of Torm in the heart of Suzail, capital of the Forest Kingdom of Cormyr. He was found at the doorsteps of the temple by a priest when he was less than one year old. The priest, Cornelius Gallowglass, adopted the helpless child as a son of the church of Torm, and raised him as a disciple, teaching him the ways of justice, loyalty and courage. The young boy displayed from a very young age an impressive commitment to his duties and a premature skill with the blade, as if his lineage carried a long history of knighthood. Cornelius tried to educate him to become a priest as himself, but although Daneel excelled in religion and theocracy, he was uncomfortable with the idea of becoming a passive follower of Torm. From a very young age he has had recurrent dreams where a formless Torm speaks to him, suggesting that his destiny was to take arms and impersonate the deity�s legacy of courage, justice and loyalty.

On the night of his eighteenth birthday, the dream that had softly announced his fate over the years appeared to him strongly than ever. In this vision, a tall knight in golden armour radiating a powerful aura announces him that the time has come. Waking up suddenly in the middle of the night, he realizes his perception of the world has changed. For a few hours, he senses the presence of creatures around him, in the distance, as an uncomforting feeling. The next morning, he ran to his foster father, confusingly inquiring about the nature of the experience he had had. Cornelius sighs softly, and smiles: �You have been given the Calling, son�. For a month, Cornelius taught him about his newly acquired qualities. Daneel learned to invoke his ability to detect the presence of evil at will by only concentrating for a brief moment. He learned as well that his hands can be used to channel positive energy and thereby grant an amount of healing to someone in need, or himself. Praying to Torm every day, Daneel feels he has established a deeper empathic connection to the deity, and he can sense His presence around him occasionally.

Seventy days later, the congregation of the small church, mostly priests and some clerics, gathered to watch Daneel�s departure. Cornelius felt the was losing more than a would-be priest, and couldn�t help feeling a nostalgic sadness in his interior. He remained silent, however, knowing that his loss was Torm�s gain, as his adopted son had the fury and faith of the god himself. Daneel embraced his foster father, promising to return to the temple once he figured out what was Torm�s purpose for him, and left for adventure, with nothing more than rusty equipment, a horse and a few gold pieces, the savings of the church.

His true background is, however, a much more complicated story. Daneel is actually the son of Sir Nathaniel Laheralson, Purple Dragon Knight, member of Cormyr�s King Azoun IV private guard and a strong Paladin of Torm. He was for many years a faithful protector of the Obarskyr royal family. He married Sareil Blighthammer in 1352 DR, who died in childbirth one year later to bring Daneel into the world. Devastated by Sareil�s death, he left Daneel at the entrance of a church of Torm, where he knew the infant would be taken care of, and left the Forest Kingdom, abandoning faith, friends and family. Many years later, in 1371 DR, when the Kingdom of Cormyr was invaded by the evil red wyrm Nalavarauthatoryl and his army of goblins, Nathaniel reappeared in front of the court of Azoun IV, prepared to pay for his desertion. The King forgave his actions and offered him a last chance to redeem himself by marching into the battlefield with him. He fought bravely alongside thousands of other Purple Dragon Knights to rid Cormyr of evil, and died heroically in battle, together with his king Azoun Obarskyr the fourth, having successfully atoned his sins with the gift of his life.

The Laheralson family had always been one of the important noble families of Cormyr, more recognized for the bravery and courage of their men and cunningness and charisma of their women, than for their presence in social affairs. Nathaniel�s brother (and Daneel�s uncle), Faril Laheralson, is currently the captain of the Purple Dragon troops stationed in Thunderstone, and he is (mistakenly) believed to be the last man remaining in this honour-filled bloodline.