Diego was born into the highly respected del Serrano family, to the third son Esteban. Diego's grandfather, Luis Tezano Riezos del Serrano, heads the family, and is still vigorous at nearly seventy years of age. Raised on one of the del Serrano family's ranchos, Diego grew up strong & healthy. He learned early on to ride, and exhibited early talents for music and languages. His closest companion, and best friend from a young age, was his cousin Ramon.

Ramon is the son of Luis Tezano's second son, Tomas. Diego and Ramon were born within a few weeks of each other, and grew up on neighboring ranchos. The boys essentially grew up on both ranchos, raised not only by both sets of parents, but by most of the vaqueros and their families as well.

One man who had a great influence on young Diegos life was Padre Juan Ramirez, Don Estebans priest, and a member of the Victorian order. From this good man, young Diego learned the fundamentals of logic, debate, and reason. Most important of all, he acquired the Victorian premise that saw no learning as useless. Diego was young, intelligent, and eager to learn, so the two got on famously. Padre Ramirezs excellence in speaking is also primarily responsible for Diegos devotion to the Church, for the good Padre could hold his congregation entranced by his sermons as well as any professional storyteller in the country.

At sixteen years of age, both Diego and Ramon were sent to university; Diego was enrolled at la Universidad de San Cristobal. That first year, he was fortunate enough to be introduced at court by his grandfather. The fiery young man quickly made a number of friends, and was even able to be introduced to the King as well.

Don Luis also arranged for Diego to receive further instruction in swordsmanship; while both young men had excelled at this art at home, Don Luis wanted to ensure that his grandsons received the best instruction possible while they had the opportunity. Diego was enrolled in the school of Maestro Enrique Navarro Rodriguez del Soldano, an old battle comrade as well as the cousin of Don Luis late wife Maria. The Maestro had but recently opened his school in San Cristobal, and was glad to add the talented grandson of an old friend to his small group of students.

High-spirited, and sharp of mind, Diego caught the attention of many in San Cristobal, but not all the attention was favorable. Many of the younger noble set, particularly the young women, were enchanted by his inspired skill with the guitar, and he danced as well as he played. Some of the young men sneered at his use of the Soldano style, preferring the more traditional Aldana swordplay, but few had the talent to defeat the athletic Diego.

Diego has earned the respect of many of the older folk at court, as well. His education from Padre Ramirez allowed him to discuss nearly any subject with skill and insight, although he has a particular fascination for mathematics.

He was fortunate enough to study for a brief while under now-Cardinal Tomas Balcones, and holds the Cardinal in the highest respect.

He has learned the languages of every nation on Theah, which has brought him a number of useful associations, as influential individuals always wish to know what some foreign dignitary or merchant may be saying in his own tongue. This has, of course, made him privy to a number of secrets Diego heartily wishes he did not know, but theres little to be done about it. He has considered, nonetheless, that some of these secrets may mean the difference between life and death for him or others someday, so he tries to keep his mouth shut and his ears open.

Most of the gifts which have earned him the favor and respect of the nobility have drawn a certain amount of unfavorable attention from the other main faction at Court, which is the Church, as represented by Cardinal Esteban Verdugo and the Inquisition. Diego is a young, well-educated man of a highly respectable family, but he pays perhaps too much attention to so-called rational thinking. He studies swordsmanship of a style that originated in the heretical Crescent Empire. For now, Diegos education has allowed him to successfully defend his positions to the Inquisition, for Padre Ramirez taught him very carefully. Diegos learning has always followed the guidelines set down by the Prophets, and he has to date always been able to prove this to the Inquisitors. Still, his name has become known to the Inquisition, and it is probably only a matter of time before someone decides to deal with Diego more abruptly.

Diego took an immediate liking to the young King Sandoval in their brief meeting. Close in age, Diego believes that his King will be a great man. He also believes that the Council of advisors dishonors the King by denying him his rightful title of Rex Castillium. He is outspoken in his support of the King, although he is careful not to speak against the Church. Privately, King Sandoval has marked Diego as someone upon whom he may be able to call, should relations with his Council take a turn for the worse.

However, his time in the capital and his time at university have exposed him not only to the darker side of the Church, but to Objectionism, Ussuran Orthodoxy, and other faiths. In spite of all this, Diego remains a steadfast Vaticine, although this may change if the Inquisition decides to come after him.

Shortly before leaving la Universidad de San Cristobal, Diego was awarded his silver Journeymans pin, as a student of Guild-sanctioned school. Like most Castillians, Diego would fight duels without the sanction, but he does enjoy the benefits of Guild membership.