#who makes wonderous machines that crawl from his tower and help plow fields and tow carriages and thatch rooves

[phosphoresccent]

The monster from beyond the stars

oh goodness - consider a prince xephos who was born blue and pale and still, his parents panicking because their heir, their son is laying dead before them - before a member of their court who is not quite a healer recommends jump starting his little heart with magic. but, he's so far gone they will need something Massive - and, this mage posits, ever so quietly - if they wished, they could tear a star from the sky and use it to fuel the little prince's heart.

his parents, not thinking it through, agree. but he grows up - strange. there is something wrong with their son, this little changeling they were tricked into raising, the little dead thing with a star burning in his chest and behind his eyes

(there is nothing wrong with him. he's just a boy - a little strange, but he's trying so desperately hard to be normal to a family who will always see him as other, everything he tries makes them turn away more. he is so alone, all he has are the stars in his mind he sees reflected in the skies above)

eventually - something happens. maybe he almost dies, is attacked by someone, or is pushed a bit too far, but some of the star in his heart lashes out. his parents, are finally justified - their son is a monster. they lock him away for his own 'safety', proclaiming anyone strong enough to free him may have his hand in marriage. he is told if he fails to kill anyone who gets close enough to try, they will meet a fate far worse than death.