Peredur was a human male who lived during the Old Kingdoms era. Born a slave, he managed to escape and wandered the earth with no other goal beyond evading his old master.
Eventually he came upon a lake, and while drinking from it he saw a skeleton wearing armor and a silver crown inlaid with diamonds sitting at the bottom. Taking it as a sign, he dove into the water to retrieve the crown and placed it on his own head, declaring his destiny to become a king.
His declaration proved premature, as he had no subjects, no armies, and no money. But through a series of misadventures, Peredur grew into the role of a monk-poet. After a duel with his shadow-self, he was victorious but badly wounded. The Ferdia then appeared, carrying him across the sea to a new land. After giving Peredur the gift of magic, the sky-serpent left him to rule.
Peredur dubbed his country Zantium. He married Angharad, a beautiful peasant woman, and had eleven children: Gwydion, Hecate, Chiron, Rathina, Kali, Esus, Morgan, and Baphomet. Each of his children inherited his gift, and those who are descended directly from his bloodline have a chance at also manifesting it. Such individuals are commonly known as mages, and they made up the elite of Zantine society.