Just sort of spitballing here but a neat twist on that idea might be a Lone Wolf and Cub notion.  Perhaps one or both of the character's parents went into the Shadowlands to complete this challenge and only your character, as a child returned.  So they were adopted into the family.  Give them this burning drive to prove themselves and perhaps earn a place in society to advance their own children and the family they will start.<br/><br/>Just an idea to toss out.