Barnos grew up on the farms around Estoria, moving bails of hay through his 20s. This barrel-chested agricultural worker lived simply; visiting Estoria to sell his good and beat anyone he challenged at wresting - his size and strength making up for any lack of noticeable technique.
The visit of the Oracle's Chosen, who rescued some local teenagers from a woodland cult, was interesting but passing news to Barnos. However, when egged on by his friends, he did take on the challenge of wrestling the diminutive young minotaur (whose size was nothing like that of some of those brutes from the west.) Despite this minotaur's stature he fought well and was able to lay Barnos to the deck. His friends and locals didn't seem to bat an eyelid - a hero of prophecy beating you in a pub wrestling match was news for a day or two but life soon moved on. But this meeting sparked something in Barnos and he set out to prove that he was the best wrestler on the continent - and to maybe even have a go at pinning that damn beast to the mat.
Barnos arrived in the city of Mytros with the intention of competing in the Great Games. However, his Crutch was unable to make it so he found himself asking around the streets of the city for help. He was able to convince a street magician to help him out; but he never really understood the magical arts and assumed they were just there for moral support.
The street magician, Copperblane, was a drop out from the academy who made a living with cheap tricks but was more than capable of mastering some of the basic support spells commonly used at the Games. The man wasn't helping out of kindness, however: Copperblane also saw a chance to rip off Barnos for every coin he earned competing.