𝕸𝖆𝖙𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖜: Born to a wealthy family (lower nobility). Troublemaker and voracious reader. Donated to Spadina Monastery at 12 years old because his family couldn't stand him.

𝕵𝖆𝖊𝖑: Born to an extremely devout merchant-class family. Sensitive and kind of dumb, but musically talented. Donated to Spadina Monastery at 7 years old in exchange for blessings.

By the time Matte is admitted into the monastery, Jae has already spent 7 years there, well-behaved and comfortable with his regimented days. Like the monks, Jae's life as an oblate is spent primarily in prayer (or spacing out, don't tell the abbot). He isn't assigned many other tasks due to his simple nature, but he does get to sing hymns. When Matte arrives, he upends Jae's peaceful routine with his antics and wild tales of the secular world. Matte is primarily tasked with physical labor to keep him out of trouble (unsuccessful).

Six years of mischief and friendship pass until Matte convinces Jae that he's had a "vision" which told him they have to run away from the monastery in search of the Kingdom of Rivoli. To support themselves on their journey, they become bards.

Was Matte's vision real? Idk who cares.