Threvan is the 5th of 8 children, born to a poor farmer couple on the outskirts of Quillpond. Growing up, Threvan fell into that 'attention gap' of being too young yet too old, whether for his parents or his elder/younger siblings. Starved for a way to stand out, and being notable only for being quicker - physically and mentally - than his siblings, Threvan would sneak off the 'city' of Quillpond as often as possible, inevitably ending up drawn to any offbook/illicit activity - for Quillpond, usually dicing or playing cards with muleteers and the like passing through town.
Threvan found his profession - but not his calling - during one magical summer, when a traveling circus came to town. Enthralled by the dazzle and pizzazz, he became drawn to spend all his time hanging around the family Grenuer, the acrobats of the troupe. Little did he know but that they were acrobats by hobby, master thieves by profession! Seeing a likely lad to teach their trade, the Greuners taught Threvan the basics of a thief's skills, in return for him providing tips on what locals would be worth stealing from, their patterns and movements, and his help in framing a local drunk with the crime.
Threvan begged the Grenuers to take him with them, but they laughingly declined. Furious beyond measure, Threvan turned the tables on his teachers, and the night before the circus left, managed to steal the Greuners' stash without their notice. He used the funds to equip himself, and took up a life in town plying the edges of card games and the like.
Threvan continues to look for a way to stand out in the world.