In the old tribal days, before the Mountain ogres had come to serve Andreas Gildal, there existed among them Firespeakers: those ogres who originally hailed from more volcanic regions, and who acted then as shamans, for the mighty volcanoes were seen as earthly monuments of Threshkuul's power and fury. Though such days are now centuries bygone, still the signature reddish color of skin and eye do some of the Gildan ogres possess. Where it was common then for the Firespeakers to have elemental magic at their command, so now in dwelling in Gild is it common for them to have Praetor gifts, and Ruka is just such a one.

Yet Ruka's struggle becomes clear to anyone who spends even a scant amount of time with her. Ogres across the whole of Arethil are not known for their natural intelligence, such is true, but in Ruka's case it is particularly noticeable. And this presents a problem. For it is that Praetors are not merely warriors, but are statesmen as well, and they possess political and religious power that comes with responsibility. It is only entrusted to those who earn the right, by graduating from the War College and receiving one's Holy Accolade, to wield it.

In the pursuits of the warrior Ruka did well. But in her academic pursuits, she floundered. The Instructors of the College deemed her as yet unfit to receive her Accolade and serve as Praetor.

And so Ruka is now an Aedile, serving where she can as a soldier while she studies. But with great heart and earnest determination she seeks to enroll into the College again someday, and at last pass her trials and become a full Praetor!