Search by property

This page provides a simple browsing interface for finding entities described by a property and a named value. Other available search interfaces include the page property search, and the ask query builder.

List of results

• Xandrine Morgan  + (Born in Sanctum to a groundskeeper of the …
  Born in Sanctum to a groundskeeper of the (mostly) respectable Morgan family and a Lycene duelist slicing her way into the Oathlands, Xandrine grew up proud of her family's reputation for honor and air of danger, both. Only fitting, no, for a descendant of the very first Champion? After the Tragedy, like many survivors, felt compelled to become a knight. She was far too young to take up arms, but that didn't stop her. Finding a Knight of the Laurent family who would squire her, she worked determinedly. Also fitting for the descendant of the very first etc, she displayed a natural talent for fighting, and quickly developed a rivalry with another young squire and aspiring Champion. Competition fueled her on towards excellence, developing a reputation - in the Laurent lands, at least. Oaths taken, duels fought (and sometimes won), Xandrine was sent on another mission: Go to Arx, escorting some precious cargo.
  Go to Arx, escorting some precious cargo.)
• Jarel Redrain  + (Born in September 15, Jarel Redrain has al …
  Born in September 15, Jarel Redrain has always been interested in being a dedicated warrior for his people. And thus that has been the majority of his focus as he grew older. Many would claim that Jarel was definitely born to be one, probably in no small regard due to his strength and dedication. Growing up he would be around warriors whether they were nobles or otherwise. That wasn't a distinction he was worried about. So he learned all he could from his peers, becoming a ferocious combatant. More so with the bastard sword he seemed to favor. It can be stated that he is everything a Northerner should be up and including how barbaric he can be in a fight. After years of training and becoming an adept warrior, Jared Redrain has been living in Arx for some time, where he does what is best to serve his people, as well as support his other family members.
  well as support his other family members.)
• Nabok Stormson  + (Born in a lumberers cottage in the wilds o …
  Born in a lumberers cottage in the wilds outside Farhaven, Nabok was born as the first signs of spring came to the lands. From a young age he was taught to cut wood, like his father and grandfather before him, and to accept his lot in life. Conditions were tough, but Nabok had a happy childhood. Food was gathered, hunted and fishd from the surrounding woods, and his father, a large, fiery man aptly named Storm, owned two sheep that provided them with wool. He even got a little sister, Eria. Every winter, he would accompany his mother and father to the outskirts of Farhaven to trade kindlewood and timber for other supplies. It was on a day such as this, as Nabok approched his 13th birthday, that his life abruptly changed. The winter had been an escpecially cold one, and business had been good, so his father was haggling for a new sheep. Hot-headed as he was, the haggling escalated into a fight, and Storm, with a slip of the fist, punched a guard dead. Nabok and his mother left Farhaven without Storm that day. Just a few weeks later, his mother became ill and feverish. He turned to the spirits of the forest for guidance the night his mother died. Young Nabok, was suddendly the sole provider of a young sister. He did not give up though, and the siblings continued the cycle of life that they had known, growing more and more distanced from civilization with each passing summer. Life was not finished with him, though. The autumn of his 24th year, as he returned from a bountiful hunt, he came back to the remains of a smoking cottage, pillaged and looted by passing raiders. Eria had stayed in the cottage while he was hunting, and her burnt corpse was still warm when he arrived. He vowed that day to leave the forest, to seek revenge over those who had murdered his sister and destroyed their way of life, and set out to the center of the kingdom for look for them.
  e center of the kingdom for look for them.)
• Cade none  + (Born in a small village, Cade's mother die …
  Born in a small village, Cade's mother died a few days after his birth. He was left to be raised by his stern and unaffectionate father who was a former mercenary. Even as a boy, Cade's father instilled into him the hard work and discipline that he had learned from his travels. Having not known any gentle touch and constantly receiving his father's ire, Cade grew to resent his father. When his father died of sickness, Cade packed whatever belongings he could carry and left the village, knowing that there was nothing left for him there. He traveled from one village to the next, doing some odd jobs when he could. From then on he wandered aimlessly, only doing what he deemed necessary to get him through the day.
  emed necessary to get him through the day.)
• Genevieve Waldenwyn  + (Born in an unremarkable farming village to …
  Born in an unremarkable farming village to an unremarkable family, Genevieve always wanted more from life. Although she could appreciate the wholesome routines of her rural community for what they were, she nonetheless found them tedious and uninspiring -- a never-ending cycle of ploughing fields, harvesting crops and foraging for food, occasionally broken up by a rustic festival or a wagon ride to the market in the nearest town. The only activity that really gave her some pleasure and made her feel alive was training in the village militia, but even then she found herself wanting for more discipline and more advanced tutelage than the local watchmen could provide. At the age of 18, Genevieve left her home village and set out on her own path. She would see sights beyond the fields and pastures with a sword on her belt and a bow slung across her back, seeking adventure and coin.
  ross her back, seeking adventure and coin.)
• Cerdensulathara Ferrier  + (Born in area called Rivermuth, far south o …
  Born in area called Rivermuth, far south of Pridehall, Cerdensulathara was one among a litter of children. Her father was a butcher and a warrior, her mother a tanner. For five long and tiresome years, they lived a simple existence. The worst of their troubles were occasional raids, and the strife caused by Cerden's peculiar fits. Rumors held her to be plagued by evil spirits, and she was subject to many, many attempts to cure her. When the neighboring tribe invaded fully, her mother managed to escape with her and two of her siblings into the woods. Traveling northeast into the woods, they were able to assimilate into another group, but it wasn't long before they her mother was presented with a choice to leave with the disabled young girl, or the tribe would sell her off. Unwilling to put her other two living children under such stress, she simply abandoned Cerden in the woods. It was a miracle of some kind that she survived to the age of thirteen. And despite the harsh realities of living in the wild, there was a peace to the daily struggle. Her fits lessened, she learned how to hunt, what to eat and what not to, (through great trial and error), and was quite happy in her life. Unfortunately, fighting between two villages drove more people into her neck of the woods, and eventually she was captured by Abandoned warriors. Who knows where should would be now if she had not been saved by the Knights of Solace. It was a short trip to the city of Arx. She swore her allegiance to the Crown, and was placed in the care of an aloof horse trader, a cousin to the very Knight who rescued her, and his wife, a well to do poet and seamstress, both childless and grateful for an opportunity to care for and teach someone less fortunate. She flourished in the Upper Boroughs, and it was a good time for the young woman. She was taught the wonders of reading and numbers, which she excelled at. She was given simple chores, and taught prayers, which she excelled at. She discovered the many different libraries and temples, and spent the majority of her time there when not helping out at home. Before she left to strike out on her own, she made a bit of silver tutoring the younger children of her adopted mother's social circle, possessing a talent for making complicated subjects simpler. Using her modest income, she's rented a small place in the upper boroughs, and few who ever met her would realize she's a Prodigal. She plans on becoming an explorer, writing books on obscure knowledge and history, and becoming a renowned scholar. Perhaps one day she can own a place of her own, with a bookcase of titles she's written herself detailing grand adventurers, treatises on lost lore and profound essays on rare phenomena.
  ore and profound essays on rare phenomena.)
• Avak Zadarra  + (Born in arx in a poor neighborhood, avak z …
  Born in arx in a poor neighborhood, avak zadarra lived hard. His parents were soldiers, and good ones, but they used all their money on equipment. At a young age, avak knew he wanted to be like them. He applied as soon as he could, and after being accepted, he was tested. He was found to be weak, but good with a sword, so they took him anyway. Now he fights as a soldier, even though he is weak.
  ghts as a soldier, even though he is weak.)
• Bron Aisling  + (Born in one of the smaller mountain villag …
  Born in one of the smaller mountain villages in the North, he was scooped up by an army recruiter shortly after reaching adulthood, his knowledge of the area along with his hunting and trail skills making him a useful skirmisher. A few small wars later, Sergeant at Arms Aisling left his Lord's service with a pension, some spoils and a desire to spend some time on his own for once. Going back to his village didn't seem quite right, not after all he had seen so after shipping home a totally non-blood-spattered care-package he vanished into the woods. Bored with his own company and perhaps missing the camaraderie of his unit, he has headed to the big city to see what that's like instead.
  big city to see what that's like instead.)
• Jarryck Buckwheat  + (Born in the Crownlands to nobody of import …
  Born in the Crownlands to nobody of importance, Jarryck was born a large baby. His parents were both farmers, and as Jarryck grew stronger and taller, he was made to work on the farm, something he was good at, since it was physical. He found the work tiresome, however, and was always fighting the other boys, when he could.
  ys fighting the other boys, when he could.)
• Cordelia Grimhall  + (Born in the Hall of the Grim, Cordelia und …
  Born in the Hall of the Grim, Cordelia understood at an early age two very important things. Firstly, she never subscribed to the strict and punishing patriarchal beliefs pervading most of the Mourning Isles. Secondly, if she was ever going to enjoy life, she would have to find entertainment on her own. Not so much comprehending as reacting to the expressions on her neglectful mother's face after a visit with the Duke, she strove to conduct little rebellions against authority. One day, she might dodge her tutors or ruin her clothes. Another day, she'd soap up the floors and secretly watch her elders trip. More guards were hired for the simple dual purposes of keeping an eye on Cordelia, and patrolling for childish traps. At first, she was just trying to gain attention, but her disobedience evolved into outright unshakable independence. After managing to convince a combat instructor to train her, a brother eventually goaded her into a duel, to once and for all prove the reason and superiority of traditional Thraxian values. Scarred and incensed by the loss, it only drove her further away. At just fifteen, she ran off to join a group of adventurers allegedly seeking fame and fortune. Buoyed by others with a similar perspective, she felt wonderfully liberated. The band of explorers journeyed from one end of the Compact to the other, hoping to find lost articles from before the Reckoning in all sorts of strange and enigmatic places. Ultimately, the Duke's men found her and returned her home, but she responded with the announcement that she would become a Champion. They retorted with a short list of likely betrothals, and so she was sent to the center of the Compact to meet her future husband.
  of the Compact to meet her future husband.)
• Vernan Culler  + (Born in the Lower Boroughs, Vernan was bor …
  Born in the Lower Boroughs, Vernan was born into the Culler family. His father was a Culler and the brother of Rencio. He grew up with Torian. His parents died in an unfortunate 'accident' and the Culler family took Vernan under their wing. He ended up showing a knack for survival and seamanship and he ended up on one of their ships. He was a natural. He ended up press ganged, so he couldn't return home as quickly as he wanted to. But he always knew who he was, and where his loyalties lie. He was drawn to the sea, but he was a Culler at heart. By his late teens, he was already adept at sailing and trade. He knew the ocean and he knew his competition. Around 20, he came across a young girl who he adopted into the family as his sister, stowing her away at various ports until she was old enough to learn the ropes. Meanwhile, he became more and more skilled at what he did. Recently, a death in the family has drawn him back to the Lower Boroughs. His skills have been put to use by the family's growing fleet. And that's where he met Acacia. Skeptical at first, he's grown to admire her. He is fiercely loyal to her, while at the same time occassionally challenging her sanity. He serves now (better at sea than on land) and seeks to show his adopted little sister how to be a true Culler.
  ted little sister how to be a true Culler.)
• Cedarav Grisni  + (Born in the Lycene city state of Tor, Ced' …
  Born in the Lycene city state of Tor, Ced's parents were Vesalius, a mason, and Robyn, a noted artist. It is from his mother that he first developed his love of anatomy, as he was often underfoot in the salons and portrait galleries - often, with models in the natural state, given Lycene tastes. He was always sharp as a child, and ever getting into problems, but usually able to think or talk his way out of them, and grew a decent artist in his own right, though he was far better at sketches and outlines than picture perfection. He, an only child, was offered a scholarship to the Tor Academy and excelled in many of his classes. He enrolled in the college of Alchemy, Medicine and Apothecary, though left quite adruptly in his last year of study. There was some question as to why he left so suddenly, but usually it is chalked up to his uncanny ability, that he simply had learned all he could there. He travelled first to Setarco, where he set up his shingle. Performing many operations in a rather short time period, he drew the attention of House Pravus, who offered him patronage and a bigger space than his less-than-desireable bit-rate clinic. Travelling with many of their family over the years, he has both cared for the members and employees of the Pravus household as well as made significant contributions to the field of anatomy, and his texts are starting to make their way into public light, although there are many who scoff at his methods and ideas.
  e many who scoff at his methods and ideas.)
• Kiral Unknown  + (Born in the Northlands, in Redrain lands, …
  Born in the Northlands, in Redrain lands, Kiral was abandoned at birth, or at least this is what the shaman that found him wrapped up in cloth in the middle of the woods assumed. This man was named Regor. Taking the event as a sign, due in part to a snake-like birthmark on the child's arm, the shaman took the child in and raised him as his own. Kiral grew up rather estranged from others, his surrogate father being a rather solitary and self-sufficient man. Kiral, of course, took after him and learned many skills from a young age such as how to start a fire, skin and gut some game, and of course, partake in the rituals of the Path of the Hunt. The boy came to know the wilds well, preferring them to the nearby towns which he would occassionally venture into with Regor. He began to commune with spirits as a young boy, something Regor took as a good omen up until the boy began to become consumed by episodes of rage and other strange fits during his communion. Regor did his best to teach Kiral how to control himself, and largely succeeded, though Kiral never succeeded in fully controlling the bouts of being consumed in the spirit of another, nor did he want to. In the first years of Kiral's adulthood, Regor passed away after a bad bout of dysentry, leaving the young man alone. At first, Kiral survived by hunting game and selling it to nearby towns. This lasted for some time until he was offered some mercenary work, which he found himself to have a knack for, and chose to pursue some more. The next few years of Kiral's life were spent wandering about from town to town, finding work where he could. He went hungry on some days in the beginning of his career, but eventually he garnered the skills required to make a living knocking heads together and hunting bands of brigands that harrassed towns and villages, putting his childhood affinity for hunting to good use. It was during these years that Kiral found a taste for battle, and for blood. Battle to him was another ritual, a part of the Hunt, and he would often relish in it and lose himself among the spirits on the battlefield. Years passed, and Kiral found himself wandering about the realm, mostly in the Northlands until he would eventually find himself in Arx, seeking work, coin and communion with the land's spirits.
  oin and communion with the land's spirits.)
• Armel Godsworn  + (Born in the city of Sanctum, Armel early o …
  Born in the city of Sanctum, Armel early on heard the clarion call of the Gods, often spending much time in the numerous chapels and temples of the city, and was utterly fascinated by how the priests could deliver such powerful messages with such few, strong words and convictions. With the messages of strength through mercy and protection through faith. When he was a young man of fourteen, his family decided to move to Arx, to hopefully continue his father's business as a carpenter, while his mother found side work as a gardener and servant. They were poor, but rich in spirit as folk. It was on the way that the family was accosted by desperate, hostile shavs, and both of his parents and his toddler sister were killed. Young Armel barely managed to escape with his life, and still bears the scars of that assault upon his face and spirit. From that moment on, as he wandered into Arx maimed and dispirited, he dedicated his life to that of the Godsworn. He became a Knight of Solace, traveling the roads of the Compact and protecting all travelers and pilgrims that wished to use them. It was not an easy life, and he has seen death in almost every form that can be offered by the hearts of men, and some that cannot, in any sane universe. For his years of service to Gild and to his Order, he was Knighted several years ago, and is now Sir Armel, such as it is, a title he received with a low, amused grunt and a simple 'I'll be'. He has now come to Arx, for the need for his Order here is great, and he wishes to be of service in whatever capacity he can, learning from those in the Order and those around, for veteran that he is? There is still much to learn in life. Always is.
  is still much to learn in life. Always is.)
• Alejandro Rossetti  + (Born in the city of Tor to a house servant …
  Born in the city of Tor to a house servant of House Fidante, Alejandro Rossetti was the first of three children born within three years of his parent's marriage. Precocious from a young age, he was considered by some to be a musical prodigy at the age of four. There was talk that the Whisper house in Arx was interested in him but by that time his path had already been laid out before him. By luck and hard work he was being raised with Lady Calista, the very young daughter of Duchess Giancinta Fidante. There was tragedy that saw Giancinta killed and Calista's brother Leo eventually becoming Duke but neither Alejandro nor Calista could well remember those times. He was raised and educated by the same tutors she was and the pair grew close. The boy's musical talent blossomed and he became well known in the gardens of Tor for practicing his guitar and trying out new songs on both the Duke's sister and anyone else that would come past. His relationship with Calista grew to one of constant companion and confidant. A convoluted series of events saw more change come to House Fidante when Alejandro had moved to Arx and Calista ascended to her brother's seat as ruler of Tor. The Duchess of Roses, they called her. Numerous were the songs he wrote in honor of his friend and now liege. Alejandro is content with his life of service and is honored with the role he plays for the young duchess, chief among them being friend.
  ng duchess, chief among them being friend.)
• Rowley Keaton  + (Born in the fall as the only child of Maxw …
  Born in the fall as the only child of Maxwell and Eugenia Keaton, young Lord Rowley was always a curious boy. Even from his earliest days a near endless stream of questions were typical fare from the young lord, often to the annoyance of his father who was a prominent and rising captain among the brigades of Keaton archers. Eventually as he became older, Rowley would learn to temper his natural curiosity to avoid the ire of his father, though his hunger for information and understanding was hardly quenched. When his lessons began, Rowley took to his studies like a fish to water. Everything, that is... other than the training surrounding swordplay, archery, or anything else that his father thought that he should be good at. Oftentimes Rowley would shirk his lessons when it came time for him to practice with the rest of the younger children, waiting for his chance to sneak away to watch the crafters at work as they plied metal to their will or brought their ideas to life upon canvas or carving them of wood and stone. No amount of whippings seemed to be able to cure the boy of his obsessions. So his life went for his childhood, ever shouldering the burden of being his father's greatest disappointment. He learned the art of working metal and painting in secret from a few friendly disciples of Jayus. Almost constantly he could be found tinkering with this and that. Such things brought Rowley joy. Enough so that when his parents began talks of marriage and upholding his duty to the Keaton family, Rowley decided that such a life was not enough for him. He did what he had to in order to make known his desire to join with the Faith, something that his father could not openly oppose no matter how much it might sting to lose his only child. And so he found a home where his passions were no longer shunned or held as an ever present disappointment. Where he could finally carry on his work in peace.
  could finally carry on his work in peace.)
• Canaan Savantis  + (Born in the lower boroughs, that is what C …
  Born in the lower boroughs, that is what Canaan spent a majority of his life. His father passed due to illness at an age he was too young to really recall, raised by his mother in majority. Too trusting at a young age he had an incident that left him somewhat untrusting despite his mother's insistence that people, as a whole, were good. It was a nice sentiment but not exactly easy to believe. His inquisitive nature brought him into brushing with the unsavory side of law led to some unfortunate outcomes and the wagging finger of his mother. In adulthood he married for a number of years before divorce came about and left him a bit weary (and quite late in the game) of further romantic pursuits, It was not long after he lost his mother to natural causes. Still.his curious nature often lead him down figurative rabbit-holes simply because not knowing the answer could become a persistent itch in the back of his head until at least attempting to look into those things with due caution toward things one generally shouldn't pry into. This natural desire to know and the irritation of lingering unknowns has lent his naturally developed skills toward helping out others when the price is right, even if it's as simple as finding proof of infidelity.
  as simple as finding proof of infidelity.)
• Snow Foxpaw  + (Born in the north, Snow was born in the mo …
  Born in the north, Snow was born in the mountains to a roaming tribe of hunters and gatherers who clung heavily to the old ways for generations after the compact was established. Though by the time he was five years old most of his tribe of people were dwindled away, from death, war and disease. He found most of his time as a child was spent on the chores or being alone to walk through the woods. And it was there, that he found his kindredness with the land around him, finding everything to be special in a way to him. This was improved by the elders of his tribe and soon he studied to be an herbalist, and healer, though when another shav tribe made a raid on their lands they destroyed everything leaving a young Snow to flee down into the valleys and hiding places. It was then that The spirits of the mountain he called home hid him, he claims, a blizzard rising up and blanketing the ground with ice though the day he insists had been clear. Since then he had communed and studied until He stumbled into a camp of Redrain soldiers , and in exchange for assistance in healing he was given food and a place to rest. From there he was brought back, and in exchange for lodging and work he was to swear fealty to Redrain and be accepted into the compact.
  Redrain and be accepted into the compact.)
• Aedric Blackshore  + (Born in the shadow of Cornelius and Oswald …
  Born in the shadow of Cornelius and Oswald, Aedric developed an immediate aversion to court politics and family diplomacy. Opting instead to follow in his bloodline's rich history of mercantilism and exploration, he spent most of his childhood pouring over textbooks, joining vassals and fishmongers on their expeditions to sea, and memorizing naval trade routes. The older he grew, the less time he spent ashore -- missing even the marriages of his brothers and births of his nieces and nephews. Rather than utilize the resources granted to him by noble privilege, he worked tirelessly to establish commercial and personal relationships throughout Arvum.
  d personal relationships throughout Arvum.)
• Lasha Khozheer  + (Born in the southern states, Lasha was a m …
  Born in the southern states, Lasha was a member of the prodigal tribes, drawn in and brought under the fealty of House Pravus in their expansion and establishment of a great house. Formerly considered an abandoned, he swore fealty to the house instead of being subjugated by force. Still, his clan was known for trade, and lesser known activities such as smuggling rare goods across the ocean. Through the years he worked on growing his fleet, before heading in to land seeking employment where he could walk the edges of lawful society, though those criminal elements continued to be exploited, even after he made himself captain of first one ship, then two. By the time his fleet had grown to a reputable size, he took heavy losses, during a large storm, three of his vessels sank with the remainder being rendered near unusable. Now he works on rebuilding and establishing himself as a shipping magnate through Arx, running his company with a ruthless efficiency and with dominance that proceeds him. His reputation known simply for his hot temper, raucous behavior and tenacity that few captains are known for.
  tenacity that few captains are known for.)
• Cora Ulbran  + (Born in the tougher parts of the world, in …
  Born in the tougher parts of the world, in the Lower Boroughs, the daughter of a thief and her man, she grew up swift fingered and able to defend herself. She was often found tagging along with her partner in crime, Raymesin. Eventually, her parents had their life of crime catch up with them and had to skip town, leaving Cora to depend on her own skills and her friends.
  depend on her own skills and her friends.)
• Amaranth Pravus  + (Born into House Pravus among a line so dis …
  Born into House Pravus among a line so distant you can almost see them from the shoreline if you squint, Amaranth has enjoyed all of the privileges of her name and none of the responsibilities or duties. To say that she was a wild child is putting it mildly, with her noble name sheltering her from the worst consequences of her behavior. As fate would have it, her untamable nature lead her to the curious habit of taming and training wild or foreign creatures. She gathers them like some noblewomen gather jewelry, and gifts them away just as easily.
  welry, and gifts them away just as easily.)
• Violet Marjawn  + (Born into a Halfshav village west of White …
  Born into a Halfshav village west of Whitehold at the forest's edge, Violet spent much of her early childhood as a hunters apprentic. A mother, a father, and four brothers, the family did well living off the land and selling to the leatherworkers. There would be the occasional skirmish with the Abandoned who had their own town nearby, but Halfshav forces usually kept them in their place and drove them off if they got too near. Eventually though, it wasn't enough. A warband from the village had gotten tired of the constant warfare, and attacked the small village outright. It was a massacre, with the Halfshav army coming too late to protect them. By the time they arrived, all save for Violet and her young brother had been killed, despite the hunters taking their share of lives from the barbarian assault. Only by running into the woods and firing from cover did they manage that. The Halfshav force stayed to protect and fortify, and meanwhile, hired a force of Crimson Blades camping nearby to aid in the assault on the Abandoned and destroy them in retaliation. Being within riding distance easily enough, the half archer, half heavy infantry force marched on the Abandoned with the Halfshav forces... including Violet. By the time the battle was done, there were few survivors of the abandoned town and those scattered to the wind. If she had been stronger, more skilled she might have been able to keep the rest of the family alive. Having witnessed firsthand how good the Crimson Blades were, she swore herself to them on the spot, having already proved her worth in battle. Both to protect her brother, and to find a new purpose in life. Two years passed, and it hadn't taken long for her drive and commitment to take her from a private in the scout Companies, to a the upper tiers of officers. With Briar's education seen too she was able to pour herself even more into her work. When he left for the North to train as a Shaman, that only drove her to work harder. The idea of being a protector and him having a safe place to come back to was always foremost in her mind. Through the Silent War she proved her worth and uncaring eye for danger and the enemy. Battles and contracts under her belt the massacre of her company, Ruby Company, with her as the sole survivor put a fire in her gut. In less than a year she has gone from Lieutenant she rocketed to Colonel. Quickly she came to be Lord Tobias Telmar's right hand. So it was no surprise that when he disappeared he left the Crimson Blades and their command in her hands. During all this her own personal life was ablaze with a marriage to Thorley Sandreef that lasted but a days before his abrupt flight and negation of their bond. Soon after Briar returned to Arx from his training and quickly made his place in the city as well as joining the Blades. The Blades were her family, now they are more than ever.
  e her family, now they are more than ever.)
• Violet Sandreef  + (Born into a Halfshav village west of White …
  Born into a Halfshav village west of Whitehold at the forest's edge, Violet spent much of her early childhood as a hunters apprentic. A mother, a father, and four brothers, the family did well living off the land and selling to the leatherworkers. There would be the occasional skirmish with the Abandoned who had their own town nearby, but Halfshav forces usually kept them in their place and drove them off if they got too near. Eventually though, it wasn't enough. A warband from the village had gotten tired of the constant warfare, and attacked the small village outright. It was a massacre, with the Halfshav army coming too late to protect them. By the time they arrived, all save for Violet and her young brother had been killed, despite the hunters taking their share of lives from the barbarian assault. Only by running into the woods and firing from cover did they manage that. The Halfshav force stayed to protect and fortify, and meanwhile, hired a force of Crimson Blades camping nearby to aid in the assault on the Abandoned and destroy them in retaliation. Being within riding distance easily enough, the half archer, half heavy infantry force marched on the Abandoned with the Halfshav forces... including Violet. By the time the battle was done, there were few survivors of the abandoned town and those scattered to the wind. If she had been stronger, more skilled she might have been able to keep the rest of the family alive. Having witnessed firsthand how good the Crimson Blades were, she swore herself to them on the spot, having already proved her worth in battle. Both to protect her brother, and to find a new purpose in life. Two years passed, and it hadn't taken long for her drive and commitment to take her from a private in the scout Companies, to a the upper tiers of officers. With Briar's education seen too she was able to pour herself even more into her work. When he left for the North to train as a Shaman, that only drove her to work harder. The idea of being a protector and him having a safe place to come back to was always foremost in her mind. Through the Silent War she proved her worth and uncaring eye for danger and the enemy. Battles and contracts under her belt the massacre of her company, Ruby Company, with her as the sole survivor put a fire in her gut. In less than a year she has gone from Lieutenant she rocketed to Colonel. Quickly she came to be Lord Tobias Telmar's right hand. So it was no surprise that when he disappeared he left the Crimson Blades and their command in her hands. During all this her own personal life was ablaze with a marriage to Thorley Sandreef that lasted but a days before his abrupt flight and negation of their bond. Soon after Briar returned to Arx from his training and quickly made his place in the city as well as joining the Blades. The Blades were her family, now they are more than ever.
  e her family, now they are more than ever.)
• Violet Farwatch  + (Born into a Halfshav village west of White …
  Born into a Halfshav village west of Whitehold at the forest's edge, Violet spent much of her early childhood as a hunters apprentic. A mother, a father, and four brothers, the family did well living off the land and selling to the leatherworkers. There would be the occasional skirmish with the Abandoned who had their own town nearby, but Halfshav forces usually kept them in their place and drove them off if they got too near. Eventually though, it wasn't enough. A warband from the village had gotten tired of the constant warfare, and attacked the small village outright. It was a massacre, with the Halfshav army coming too late to protect them. By the time they arrived, all save for Violet and her young brother had been killed, despite the hunters taking their share of lives from the barbarian assault. Only by running into the woods and firing from cover did they manage that. The Halfshav force stayed to protect and fortify, and meanwhile, hired a force of Crimson Blades camping nearby to aid in the assault on the Abandoned and destroy them in retaliation. Being within riding distance easily enough, the half archer, half heavy infantry force marched on the Abandoned with the Halfshav forces... including Violet. By the time the battle was done, there were few survivors of the abandoned town and those scattered to the wind. If she had been stronger, more skilled she might have been able to keep the rest of the family alive. Having witnessed firsthand how good the Crimson Blades were, she swore herself to them on the spot, having already proved her worth in battle. Both to protect her brother, and to find a new purpose in life. Two years passed, and it hadn't taken long for her drive and commitment to take her from a private in the scout Companies, to a the upper tiers of officers. With Briar's education seen too she was able to pour herself even more into her work. When he left for the North to train as a Shaman, that only drove her to work harder. The idea of being a protector and him having a safe place to come back to was always foremost in her mind. Through the Silent War she proved her worth and uncaring eye for danger and the enemy. Battles and contracts under her belt the massacre of her company, Ruby Company, with her as the sole survivor put a fire in her gut. In less than a year she has gone from Lieutenant she rocketed to Colonel. Quickly she came to be Lord Tobias Telmar's right hand. So it was no surprise that when he disappeared he left the Crimson Blades and their command in her hands. During all this her own personal life was ablaze with a marriage to Thorley Sandreef that lasted but a days before his abrupt flight and negation of their bond. Soon after Briar returned to Arx from his training and quickly made his place in the city as well as joining the Blades. The Blades were her family, now they are more than ever.
  e her family, now they are more than ever.)

• Briar Marjawn  + (Born into a Halfshav village, Briar was th …
  Born into a Halfshav village, Briar was the third youngest son of a full family of woodcrafters. A mother, a father, and three brothers, and a sister, Violet, the family did well living off the land and selling to the leatherworkers. He got to spend his days following his older sister around the woods, her eternal shadow. That would occasionally wander where the dappled sunlight or shadows seemed to guide him. A true child of the forest he could approach a deer with surprising ease. There would be the occasional skirmish with the Abandoned, but for most of his young life it wasn't a real threat. Eventually though, it wasn't enough. A warband from the village had gotten tired of the constant warfare, and attacked the small village outright. Only Violet dragging him out of bed before dawn and into the surrounding forests allowed them to survive the massacre of their family and most everything and everyone they had known.. By the time the Halfshav army arrived it was too late to do anything but help the survivors. Briar and Violet didn't leave with the others, however, and stayed to take out the warband once and for all. The Halfshav army had hired a nearby company of Crimson Blades to assist them in the eradication of this particular Abandoned problem. When the dust settled the survivors of the village were scattered and Violet and he had no home or family to go too. Yet his sister's talent with a bow had caught the Colonel of the Blade company's attention. Soon they were off to Arx with the Blades and a new life. Briar, who had always had a calling for shamanism finally had the ability to do something with it. Being a woodcrafter was all well and good, but he felt his passion lay with the spirits. So with his sisters blessing and support, he joined the Spirit Walkers. It was been a few years now and he has grown well into his vocation, his fierce energy doing him well in some areas and less in others.
  him well in some areas and less in others.)
• Katarzyna Morgan  + (Born into a commoner family that has a lon …
  Born into a commoner family that has a long history of serving House Valardin, Katarzyna (pronounced: kah-tah-SZIH-nah) (which is often too difficult for people to pronounce, so she also goes by Kat or Kitty) had a decent upbringing as the youngest in a brood of four children. She grew up as the only daughter in her immediate family which meant that her brothers' footsteps were quite large for her to follow. Living close to aunts and uncles also meant that Katarzyna had the chance to grow up alongside her cousins where she learned an array of skills thanks to their passions and interests. It's also how she discovered that her place was to be in the medical field. Her brothers always had need of bandages or medicinal tinctures, and more than once she had to help apply salve to her cousin Holden's bruises, or clean Aleksei's knicks from a blade, or concoct a remedy for Briseis's headaches, or help ease the stomach pains of those that ingested some of Warrick's confections. It was a calling, her mother said. Katarzyna was meant to help people. She apprenticed with physicians as soon as she turned the proper age to begin medical studies. As an apprentice, she excelled and showed promise with her attention to detail and calm demeanor under pressure. Physicians often called upon her to assist with procedures when they felt that she was ready to do more than observe, which was more often than not. She was always eager to do rather than watch. When she became a full fledged physician, Katarzyna was sent to a southern duchy to work alongside a local Mercy. The pair ended up traveling to surrounding counties and baronies to visit those that had need of medical attention and treatment. Katarzyna learned the ways of the road as she traveled and embraced with gratitude her ability to practice medicine while seeing the diverse regions of Arvum. She did this for a handful of years until the battle at Stormwall drew her north where she served as a medic and then served again when crisis struck the Lodge of Petrichor. Having since returned to a 'quiet' life on the road, recent news led her back to the city of Arx where she now hopes to find purpose helping those in need.
  pes to find purpose helping those in need.)
• Janora Grayhope  + (Born into a family of soldiers, Janora felt destined for much the same. She grew up practicing fighting with boys, as well as her father, before joining a local unit soon into adulthood, joining her family's legacy.)
• Eshra Rivenshari  + (Born into a large family, Eshra had three …
  Born into a large family, Eshra had three older brothers, Gavier, Raqui, and Athaur, to watch out for her when she took her first steps. While she loved her father, Aegis, she was closest to her mother, Triega, and learned about the spirits and ways of navigating for their people. Instead of pulling ropes and setting sales, she was looking at maps, measuring distances and following the stars at night. For the rivers and sea were her home, and dry land was something she rarely touched. Growing up among ravashari smugglers, Eshra remembers a time when House Valardin were the enemy and tried to bring them to heel. They would try to stop their efforts to move goods for the other Abandoned Tribes. She liked nothing better than outwitting the stuffy Valardin knights who tried to enforce their rules on the Free. Of course Freedom comes with a price and she remembers the day Brand's dark magic enslaved her people and forced them to fight a battle that was not theirs. She lost many friends and family when House Thrax's navy struck down her people on the day Brand tried to breech Arx's walls. She mourns the loss of his father, former leader of the Rivenshari, his mother, former Voice, and two brothers. Their losses were devastating for the young woman. If not for Athaur and their younger brother, Mattheu, then she would have lost the will to live. When he to her and asked her help to rebuild Rivenshari, she accepted without second thought. Of course, she never realized her brother meant to take bended knee to House Greenmarch, so they would now serve their former enemy, House Valardin. At first she tried to fight it, but once it became clear that it was her only option, she put aside her differences and stood by her brother's side when he pledged to House Greenmarch.
  side when he pledged to House Greenmarch.)
• Cosette Nightgold  + (Born into a large family, there was never …
  Born into a large family, there was never a dull moment for Cosette. She grew up with two older brothers and a slew of cousins in the mountains. Her father kept busy with the other mountain men, and her mother kept busy with the family when she wasn't doing work as an apothecary. Cosette was always interested in plants and minerals, and it was only natural for the girl to grow up learning apothecary skills from her mother. She learned about medicines and poisons, and she also dabbled in making other off-the-wall potions. 'Love' potions? 'Truth' potions? Whether or not they truly work, she always enjoyed creating new mixtures and tinctures for others. Once she became older Cosette decided she wanted to make the trip to Arx to see what it was like. She heard she had several cousins there, and would find a home with her extended family as she tried to make a name for herself as an apothecary.
  make a name for herself as an apothecary.)
• Conall Redrain  + (Born into a minor line of the Redrain fami …
  Born into a minor line of the Redrain family, Conall grew up just outside of Farhaven where the importance of preparing for war had been strongly impressed upon him. Eschewing drunken antics for strict discipline and drilling, he came to be known for his odd habits as much as the zeal with which he approached military life. When he was finally allowed to accompany patrols hunting for Shavs Conall was in his true element. The battle of Stormwall left him more detached and realistic towards the approaches one should take towards evil. Heavily injured in that conflict, he spent a long time in recovery before able to help aid in defending the North again. For reasons known only to himself, he recently left for Arx without a word to anyone in Farhaven beforehand.
  t a word to anyone in Farhaven beforehand.)
• Ximun Redreef  + (Born into an off-cast branch of the Redree …
  Born into an off-cast branch of the Redreef family, Ximun wasn't the type to follow politics. Instead, he was drawn to the tracking of animals and creatures. His parents did try to mould him into a proper noble, married him to a lady of Redrain - who unfortunately perished shortly after their first anniversary when she was wounded on a hunt that the two had gone on to celebrate. Breaking completely from his noble duties, Ximun took to the Thraxian navy as a hunter, a sailor, and eventually returned to land to continue his ways. It's rumored that his family still owns the contracts to many Thralls and is a holdout of the changes of reform that seem to be trying to take root when it comes to indentured servitude.
  oot when it comes to indentured servitude.)
• Zenix stonehart  + (Born into the Stonehart tribe Zenix entere …
  Born into the Stonehart tribe Zenix entered this world as an Abandoned. They were groomed to become the next shaman from a young age and this defined their youth. They spent their days studying the spirit realm and esoteric history and knowledge. Often this meant spending time with the then Shaman Mohaka. He was kind to Zenix but still strict in his tutorage. Zenix spent little time with the other children and thus missed out on many social lessons. As Zenix got older they spent less and less time with people and more and more time in the wilderness befriending animals, in particular a small bear cub. Zenix called them Big Paw to help encourage them to grow larger. Zenix would lose their innocence when one day they were held down and beaten by some of the other children. They spit on Zenix, said nasty and mean things and injured them badly, so bad as to leave several scars all over their body. Permanent reminders of the potential cruelty of humanity. Now very cynical about people but idealistic in the resolve to be different from them. Zenix left the tribe after their mother died. Zenix had had enough suffering in their life with the tribe. So they left and wandered with Big Paw (Who had indeed grown.) for a bit. One day Zenix happened upon a trapped hound. She released it only to discover it belonged to one Lady Arianna Stonewood. Arianna thanked Zenix and gave them a sweet treat. Intrigued by this wonderful foodstuffs Zenix asked to camp with Arianna and her guard for the night hoping to have more sweets come morning. Alas the sweets never came but Zenix did make a new friend of sorts. Zenix has travelled with Arianna and arrived at her estate where Zenix was offered a position as house mystic. Zenix is still considering, but has been promised sweets.
  considering, but has been promised sweets.)
• Lonnus Crown  + (Born into the church, he was dropped off a …
  Born into the church, he was dropped off at the doors as an infant. Though he began his training as a scholarly monk, he possessed the heart of a warrior. While protecting one of the other orphans from a village bully, he was shipped off to study with the more combat-oriented Templars. He quickly took to the spear, and still prefers it above all other weapons, despite his large size.
  all other weapons, despite his large size.)
• Abby Laurent  + (Born into the ducal line of House Laurent, …
  Born into the ducal line of House Laurent, Abby had been pegged as something of an 'odd duck' from her early childhood. With so many siblings ahead of her, the threat of inheritance was almost moot. Allowing her the luxury of living a comfortable life, albeit an uneventful one. She'd most commonly spent her time around the chapels, becoming a regular thorn in the side of Artshall's clergy. Bombarding them with questions or asking to assist in every little task well into her teenage life. It came as no surprise when she set on the path to be Godsworn the moment she'd come of age. It'd be a few years before she found a proper discipleship to settle into. With the addition of the Queen of Endings to the Pantheon and the creation of the Harlequins, Abby directed her passion toward reverence of the Goddess of Death. Her attitude made a very stark contrast to her macabre interests. Strangely, the skulls seemed to suit her. Bit more than the bees did, anyway.
  t her. Bit more than the bees did, anyway.)
• Savio Proscipi  + (Born into the exorbitantly rich, Saffron c …
  Born into the exorbitantly rich, Saffron commoner family of Pontelaeus, fortune has always been at Savio's service. However, where it inspired ambition in his brother Giorgio, it bred indolence in his younger brother. None of Savio's projects, aspirations, or ambitions ever seemed to succeed, and plagued by bad luck, he soon learned to stop trying. Why struggle? Why not just enjoy success? Though he had some martial skill and talent at entertaining, Savio did not share Giorgio's aptitude or interest in the cutthroat social dances and economic mastery that made Pontelaeus what it is. Eventually his bad luck and misfit nature created a series of bitter disagreements with his relatives, and Savio sought to distance himself from the family. He disappeared to other parts of the Saffron Chain, drifting from exotic location to exotic location, getting into and out of trouble, and living a wasteful life that did nothing useful for anyone. But the Pontelaeus family's patience with this wayward son was not infinite, and after almost a decade of tolerating Savio's indulgences and bankrolling his bad luck, they cut him off. Penniless, he was forced to travel to Arx, where he was expected to make himself useful to Giorgio and to the family. Time in Arx changed some things about Savio, but not all. He remains what most would describe as 'a character,' an eccentric figure who has cultivated a circle of friends and allies of similar uniqueness. He built a reputation as a bard, a skilled performer whose charm and wit could captivate an audience. He even fell in love. During the recent war against Skal'daja, Savio's beloved home city of Tremorus fell under siege. Losses were heavy, including most of his family as well as Ezmeralda, the ruling Marquessa. Her dying wish was that Savio and his brother be ennobled, and so he found himself a newly-minted lord, expected to conform to the standards of the Compact. The burden of neonobility weighs heavily on him following the devastation of the war, but for the sake of his people, it's one he's doing his best to bear.
  ple, it's one he's doing his best to bear.)
• Savio Amadeo  + (Born into the exorbitantly rich, Saffron c …
  Born into the exorbitantly rich, Saffron commoner family of Pontelaeus, fortune has always been at Savio's service. However, where it inspired ambition in his brother Giorgio, it bred indolence in his younger brother. None of Savio's projects, aspirations, or ambitions ever seemed to succeed, and plagued by bad luck, he soon learned to stop trying. Why struggle? Why not just enjoy success? Though he had some martial skill and talent at entertaining, Savio did not share Giorgio's aptitude or interest in the cutthroat social dances and economic mastery that made Pontelaeus what it is. Eventually his bad luck and misfit nature created a series of bitter disagreements with his relatives, and Savio sought to distance himself from the family. He disappeared to other parts of the Saffron Chain, drifting from exotic location to exotic location, getting into and out of trouble, and living a wasteful life that did nothing useful for anyone. But the Pontelaeus family's patience with this wayward son was not infinite, and after almost a decade of tolerating Savio's indulgences and bankrolling his bad luck, they cut him off. Penniless, he was forced to travel to Arx, where he was expected to make himself useful to Giorgio and to the family. Time in Arx changed some things about Savio, but not all. He remains what most would describe as 'a character,' an eccentric figure who has cultivated a circle of friends and allies of similar uniqueness. He built a reputation as a bard, a skilled performer whose charm and wit could captivate an audience. He even fell in love. During the recent war against Skal'daja, Savio's beloved home city of Tremorus fell under siege. Losses were heavy, including most of his family as well as Ezmeralda, the ruling Marquessa. Her dying wish was that Savio and his brother be ennobled, and so he found himself a newly-minted lord, expected to conform to the standards of the Compact. The burden of neonobility weighs heavily on him following the devastation of the war, but for the sake of his people, it's one he's doing his best to bear.
  ple, it's one he's doing his best to bear.)
• Tarrant Moore  + (Born into the very bottom rung of nobility …
  Born into the very bottom rung of nobility, his parents are landless distant cousins of minor pastoral barons, who lived on the patience of their kin, so long as they pitched in when the time for harvest came. Tarrant and his sister Tessa grew up in other people's houses, taught never to give offense to their hosts. With little of their own, the boy grew up desperate to win wealth and respect by the only honest path open to him: knighthood and tournament. It was an ambitious plan, but as a new-made knight he lost all too often, each defeat an expense he could ill afford. The young cavalier found greater success in errantry, chasing bandits and lawbreakers, doing deeds of arms whenever another knight crossed his path, often as a mystery knight with a blank shield and surcoat. Yet such occupations brought him little wealth, and the pleas from his family to settle down and see to the harvest never stopped. When word arrived of the Siege of Arx, Tarrant was distraught that he had been harvesting wheat while the greatest battle of his age was being fought. He was further distraught to learn that several of his distant kin had died in glorious battle against evil incarnate. He wished to rush across the continent too join the next battle, but such a trip was expensive and the war was already over. Besides, the planting season was close. Months later, his parents were informed that a third cousin they'd never met had died in a foolhardy charge, leaving them with the slight possibility of a claim on his land. While mother and father were content to watch the crops grow, rather than press an uncertain claim, Tarrant and his sister were not so content, and by hook or crook scrounged the silvers needed to travel to Arx to press their family's claim.
  avel to Arx to press their family's claim.)
• Mimi Pravus  + (Born into thralldom in the Mourning Isles, …
  Born into thralldom in the Mourning Isles, freedom has been a mixed blessing for Mimi. Yes, she now is a free citizen of the Compact, with all of the rights and protections that entails, that is true. However, she is now alone. She isn't sure which initiative to buy the bonds of child thralls was the one that freed her. She just knows that her parents did everything in their power to put her forward as one of the children to be freed. Once freed, she had no living relatives to take her in and she was too old for most people to consider adoption, so after a fair bit of shuffling from one charitable organization to another, she spent her formative years in an orphanage in Setarco. There, she discovered her talent for drawing and painting, quickly discovering she could make a few coins here and there sketching portraits. Now that she is of age, she has decided to make her way to Arx to see what she might be able to accomplish in the capitol.
  ight be able to accomplish in the capitol.)
• Amarantha Sanna  + (Born just a few minutes after her twin sis …
  Born just a few minutes after her twin sister, Amarantha had a companion since birth. As children, the pair were inseparable--despite occasional disagreements. They did everything together, often with one twin dragging the other along due to different ideas of "entertainment". Amarantha would begrudgingly trail after her sister while out exploring nature and going on adventures. Astraea would sit around and listen to her sister puzzle out lyrics for her songs or accompany her to party after party. The two found an easy compromise in Amarantha's love for the sea. While Astraea poked around in tide pools or examined the odd piece of sea glass, Amaranatha would walk through the waves. There was nothing she loved more than singing to the ocean, amidst the wind and faint spray of sea. It's where she would clear her head after fights and where she would sit on the rocks and write lines of poetry. It was little surprise that eventually, Amarantha would be proposed to on that same shore she'd grown up alongside. But that was much later, when she was eighteen and had traded childhood games for the thrill of noble parties and politics. A Redrain noble, some well to do man from the Sanna family had come to Granato to court Amarantha. A flurry of letters, wine, and late nights in marble floored ballrooms later and they were married. Everyone had thought them a darling couple! He had grounded her while Amarantha brought a smile to the once dour man's lips. All was well when the new couple headed back to the north. That happiness would be short lived, A year and 3 months into the marriage, Amarantha's husband fell victim to a hunting accident. She was left a wealthy widow without a husband or child to her name. Many expected her to return home and remarry but in an odd twist, Amarantha spent the next 2 and a half years in mourning. She allowed no guests bar her twin and other siblings. It was only in the last few months that the widow returned to a semi-regular social life and by her sister's invitation, accompanied her to Arx.
  ster's invitation, accompanied her to Arx.)
• Sebastian Pravus  + (Born just twenty minutes after his sister …
  Born just twenty minutes after his sister Juliana, a fact which she rarely lets him forget, Sebastian had the life of wealth and privilege any young lord could come to expect in Setarco. As he grew into a life of opulent but dull comfort, he felt listless and was left craving intellectual stimulation and deeper sensations, and discovered he had two passions. He enjoyed the act of creating artistically, controlling a piece and molding it into haunting works to evoke precisely the right emotions from precisely the right people. Perhaps even more than that first passion, he was intrigued so deeply by what motivated people that saw his art. What made them experience joy, sorrow, wonder, or rage. He studied their quirks, their dreams and goals, and how to manipulate and evoke precisely the right response with his art... and then his words... and then his actions. They were art, after all, and so many could be so much better if they were clay under his hands. Inevitably, in many cases, he'd be captivated with some commoner woman and see what it took for her to not just love him, but worship him, before casting her away as another experiment. His callousness had the family spending a small fortune to keep covering up these dramatic scandals of broken individuals left in his wake, as well as moving him from one southern court to the next until the pressure had died down some. As such, he spent a good deal of his time outside of major cities, and while his sister often accompanied him, he would often return to his first passion in art. He would never consider himself a master, but the passion and drive was still there, and soon he'd be attracting the interest of individuals with the most interesting flaws that could be sliced away with a word. And so it would begin again. After the last scandal in Setarco, he was sent to Arx, where perhaps his talents would serve the family well, if he could just be controlled. Upon arriving in Arx, Sebastian found the same patterns repeating, and eventually he returned to Setarco for a time, to his studio and to his sculpting, but something had changed. He withdrew from his usual social circles and rumors that the periods of darkness and brooding had grown more frequent. Some other obsession had taken the Pravus Lord, and eventually he gave away all of his sculptures, his work shifting to painting images that he claimed came from dreams and nightmares, dark works that contrasted sharply with those he might have been asked to create by others. Then the call came from Belladonna Pravus to return to Arx. His sister, Juliana, had already traveled ahead of him, and when he put the finishing touches on his last piece, he let go everything from his studio in Setarco, and made his way to Arx for perhaps a new beginning. Quiet. In the time since his return to Arx, certainly he has been seen at social events, rumored to have participated in the retaking of Luciva, and continues to produce art. However, no word of further scandal seems to have followed him. Has he finally been controlled? Has he merely become more subtle and refined since his arrival? Or is it only a matter of time?
  arrival? Or is it only a matter of time?)
• Siegward Oberlander  + (Born late at the heart of the Oathlands to …
  Born late at the heart of the Oathlands to a family of five; his father, a farmer; his mother, a Sergeant and his three sisters, all groomed by said mother for violence, Siegward seemed destined to live his life tending to crops by taking his progenitor's role once his father's back gave. And gave it did. When he was twelve, indeed. For his youngest, older sister was already twenty-one the day he was born and his mother a few years shy of retiring with a comfortable pension after over twenty years of faithful service to Valardin in defense of the Compact's peace. Realizing at fourteen that a life of cleaning ear-rot off of corn wasn't for him, Sieg fled farm life outside the Telmarch and travelled deep East, into the woodlands North of Bastion, closer to the Bonespire than Stoneheart. In here, young Siegward Oberlander found himself in the militia to one of the many Hamlets living precariously close to Abandoned lands, suffering thus yearly raids by the Shav'arvani. For many years in this town, he took no active part in the conflict- having arrived at the age of fourteen, months shy of fifteen, the Captain at the time barred him from the fighting. Instead, he served as Squire-equivalent to him and was trained beyond the teachings of his mother. Siegward took naturally to violence, and quickly rose through the ranks under what many felt was favoritism from the man that had groomed him from the start. A battle, however, against the Abandoned sadly soon robbed his Captain of his aging life, and a schism with an inept superior eventually spiraled out of control, resulting in a relegation to a deeper outpost in the North; a place grimly nicknamed "Desolate Point", for obvious reasons. Being sent to one of the richest provinces of the Compact to one of the poorest and most war-ravaged was clearly a punishment, but Siegward welcomed the change. He hoped that competent leadership and a steady stream of purposeful action would await him at this new post. Fighting against the Shav'arvani, Siegward took part in drills where the Knights surveying them wouldn't be content until their swords and shields felt like natural extensions of their own bodies. He lived beneath unconventional leadership styles, and saw plentiful change in officers due to the high mortality rate amongst them. Eventually, the Abandoned marched on the dwindling muster of his garrison. Siegward's force was regimented on the western flank of the front line, forming an impenetrable wall against the tribal forces they opposed. As the battle dragged on, it looked as if the Grayson troops sensed victory and fought with extra frenzy to that end. But then Siegward caught sight of a berserking behemoth at the heart of the melee, leading his surrounding marauders in an untrammeled fury soon made slick with blood. In a freak moment their eyes locked, the Barbarian grinned, and charged at him through his maniple whole with axe in each hand, killing all that stood in the way. Before Siegward's head was unceremoniously chopped off his shoulders by him, a fellow soldier pushed him out of the way, his own soul selflessly given for his. Eventually, the Grayson forces prevailed and the Compact was victorious, but it was a pyrrhic accomplishment for Siegward. Those who served in his shield wall had perished, and he emerged as a lone survivor. Distraught and with tattered spirits, Siegward applied for leave, wishing to quit military life and simply head for home. He was denied, but taking pity on his plight an officer instead put him up for an introduction to the Iron Guard, in Arx, to once more serve under the Griffin. And so Siegmard did as he was told, packed up and went South once more, leaving the cold behind. Until Winter again, he reckons.
  ld behind. Until Winter again, he reckons.)
• Wulfrum Darkwater  + (Born of Grimhall and married into Darkwate …
  Born of Grimhall and married into Darkwater, neither of the Houses which claimed the loyaly of Lord Wulfrum had particularly sunny reputations. This was fine as Wulfrum did not grow up a sunny lad nor become a particularly optimistic Lord in his maturity. Born outside of the ruling line Wulfrum was raised in the traditional customs of the Mourning Isles. He was one of many, not yet proven to be worthy of his House. Even at a young age the man had a competitive streak leading to confrontations with cousins and siblings. It showed his ambition but such unlordly behaviour was soon 'corrected' leading to less boasting and shoving to more productive means of competitiveness. Eventually Wulfrum was old enough to sail, to fight, to prove his worth to Grimhall! Only to be selected for a political marriage to Lira Darkwater after returning from a successful subjugation of shavs and boats laden with thralls. Despite the surprise young Wulfrum found appeal in House Darkwater. Not only was Lady Lira Darkwater everything one would expect of an Isle Lady but Darkwater itself had a history of harrying the Saffron Chain and 'unexplained' shav attacks on passing vessels. It was a place that Wulfrum would settle into nicely and so he did for years with the most notable events being the death of his wife during the birth of his son Leiras Darkwater followed some time later by the razing of Darkwater's Reach. Lord Wulfrum Darkwater has come to Arx with a summons from Countess Carita Darkwater on the eve of Crusade with an Eurusi flotilla approaching Arvani waters.
  Eurusi flotilla approaching Arvani waters.)
• Cerys Velenosa  + (Born of a union between Blackram and Velen …
  Born of a union between Blackram and Velenosa, Cerys is a strange marriage of Oathlands honor and martial strength and Lycene sensibility and and morality. Raised in Velenosa through childhood, she was sent to foster at Blackram through her teen years, taking to the martial training with an ease of natural aptitude. By the time she was returned, the training had gotten under her skin and she insisted on continuing with it alongside the more traditional social graces and tutoring of a Velenosan Princess. She took part in each of the major battles over the years, veteran of both the SIlent War and again for the Gyre, the latter earning her a Knighthood in the Lyceum that she is inordinately proud of. After that accomplishment, she started to turn her eye towards explanding her knowledge of 'knightly skills', once more visiting family in the Oathlands to tutor under some of the more well-known knights. It was on the return from one such trip that Cerys was introduced to Dimitri Pravus during an event being held. It was fascination at first sight for the both of them. After a bit of a whirlwind courtship, and with the blessing of both Houses, she married the man she had deemed worthy (and who was able to put up with her intensity). Travelling to Arx with her new husband seems the perfect end to their honeymoon and start to their new life together.
  moon and start to their new life together.)
• Myira Corsetina  + (Born of common stock, Myira spent a good d …
  Born of common stock, Myira spent a good deal of her youth with her family in the south, learning to keep a house, to cook and clean, to sea and mend and every other thing she'd need to be a good wife one day. But being a good wife and settling down to have a husband and children didn't sit well with the girl. So at the age of 17 she left her home and fled to the capital of Arx where she went into service, first working as a house maid and then a lady's maid for a merchant's family. It was only recently that she came into what she considers the most gracious of circumstances--being a maid for the Lady Isolde Velenosa. This is her chance to truly prove her worth and to perhaps move up in the world. She cares for her family, of course, but she left them behind when she came north. If she never sees them again, it doesn't bother her. Much.
  s them again, it doesn't bother her. Much.)
• Aodhan Crovane  + (Born of the Crovane line in the far north, …
  Born of the Crovane line in the far north, Aodhan was born and bred to fight, or so he would tell someone. He was a gentle child, but don't let it fool you: he could brawl as well as the other kids, if not better. He especially got into many good fights with his cousin Asger, as it strengthened their bond as family. Despite this, as a child he was always the one to want to mend wounds, rather than cause them. Thankfully, he grew out of that trend. While he was still gentle as a man, he loved to fight. HE loved to train. He loved to win. He would brave the harsh winters and even volunteer to fight hostile Abandoned just to test and improve his skills. As he grew older, his sense of pride and honor officially arrived, growing a deep love for his family. To him, nothing was more important. He serves his family proudly, while all the while wanting to constantly prove himself as a true Crovane. Little did he know, his adventure was just beginning...
  know, his adventure was just beginning...)
• Tomas Redrain  + (Born of the North, Tomas's family came to …
  Born of the North, Tomas's family came to Arx quietly enough and made their lives. When young Tomas learned about some of the rest of his family, though, he expressed a strong desire to return to the lands of his forebears. Repeated refusal did little to dissuade him, and eventually he managed to steal away. He was not, at that time, particularly skilled at survival outside of a city, so it was very fortunate that a band of Ravashari found him when they did...and even more fortunate that they were sympathetic to his heartfelt appeal. It may have been luck, or may have been total invention, that the group boasted two aunts, an uncle, and various cousins to him. Either his parents had been trying to hide this from him, or it was made up to excuse his presence; either way, he ended up spending some time with these people and growing close to them. Eventually, it didn't matter much if they were related, because they treated each other as if it were a fact. He never found other relations in the travels of his band of benefactors, though he did learn things. When his group chose to stay in one place for an extended time, Tomas was prompted to return to the city. He had a feeling, and he would have to pursue it, to see if it really was the right choice. He bid his family farewell and set out, perhaps unwisely on foot, towards the city of Arx. After some close calls, a possibly portentious dream or two (but maybe just less-than-fresh food), and some soul-searching, he finally returned to the grand city he had called home for several years in his younger days. Now he knew enough to get by alone, but maybe he would be able to find his parents and talk to them. Or, maybe not.
  s parents and talk to them. Or, maybe not.)
• Cerelia Pontelaeus  + (Born of the Sea. At least, that is what Ce …
  Born of the Sea. At least, that is what Cerelia would say of herself when asked of her past. The Pontelaeus family is that of wealthy bankers and traders, often braving the waters of the Saffron Chain, braving trade routes that run the risk of slipping inadvertently into interhouse wars between the various Abandoned Clans. It is on one such ship that Cerelia was born. It was a stormy night and the sea was angry, so many of the sailors who were present that night would say. The waves were rising high and the ship they all sailed upon was being pitched to and fro, in danger of capsizing when a bolt of lightning struck and severed the mast in twain. Her mother, the ship's First Mate, had ignored counsel from the healers in Tremorus that her baby would not wait to the end of the voyage which she had deemed too valuable to postpone. So it was that in the peak of the storm that she would go into labor. The ship was drifting listless upon the raging storm tossed sea, and no help was to be found for miles. Doomed to sink, at least that is what the crew of the ship believed, it was sudden providence when down below Cerelia's mother screamed at the peak of her delivery and a sudden calm fell eerily upon the waters as Cerelia made her way into the world and drew her first breath. The ship ran aground on a deserted island, and there the crew would live in relative ease for two weeks until another Pontelaeus rescue ship would find them. At least, if you believed the legends of the Saffron Chain, that is what you would hear. Cerelia's younger years would drift by with a relative lack of complication. Like any child, she was good in certain studies, and rubbish at others. Like her cousin, Savio, she would show little interest at all in the family business. But where she excelled was upon the waters. From schooner to caravel, Cerelia had a gift at sailing and navigating upon the waves, and as she entered into her late teens the sea is where she would spend the majority of her time. She took the helm of trading vessels when the positions presented themselves to her. When they did not, she would take out other vessels, always as if there was something out on those waters to be found, some mystery to plumb. Sometimes she would even offer her services to Sabriel, soon becoming fast friends and joining the Vice-Admiral upon the seas. When Leporidae bent the knee and joined the Compact she was as skeptical as many of her kin, but when Giorgio sent word back to the family of the wonders to be found in Arx, Cerelia would find herself being sent soon after Savio with orders from the family to join the two Pontelaeus brothers and help where she might in their pursuits in Arx.
  where she might in their pursuits in Arx.)
• Krarstin Tidelord  + (Born on a small island in the Darkwater de …
  Born on a small island in the Darkwater deeps, Krarstin has seen some of the greatest terrors the world can offer, and survived them. She spent her youth as a bannerman to a local warlord, before rising to be the Jarla (a chief title) of the Tidelord tribe. After the Darkwater Deeps got to chaotic, she gathered as much of her tribe as could travel and set sail with a small flotilla and a relic of a warship, determined to escape the clutches of the fell forces that consumed her homeland. Despite being pursued to the very edge of the Darkwater by the forces of the Gyre, she managed to shepherd nearly a hundred survivors into the Saffron Sea. Eventually found by a Kennex flagged ship and brought to Arx, she has sworn fealty to Ford Kennex, despite no longer having a tribe near large enough to justify a title. She offers her services in return for the settlement and good treatment of her remaining tribe, most of which calls her 'Grandmother' as well as Jarla.
  calls her 'Grandmother' as well as Jarla.)
• Amador Rafael  + (Born on a smaller vineyard on the outskirt …
  Born on a smaller vineyard on the outskirts of Northern Lenosia, Amador knew he wanted something beyond the simple life of a vintner. He had seen the crowded streets of the trade hub and basked in the beauty of the ladies of court in all of their silk and gems. He had watched the shadows in the alleyways and listened to the whispers behind the veil of the city's grandeur. It was at the age of fourteen that he decided he could find a space between the two. A conduit between nobility and the reality of what the world really is. He could be that figure. So after much debate in the Rafael home, it was the grace of his mother Almea that swayed his father Ortego's stubbornness and their son was allowed to venture forth to one of the many smaller courtier schools in the area. It was here that Amador first met Gaspar Velenosa, a life changing event that little did the young Lenosian know would change the path of his life forever. The two young men were surprisingly quick friends despite the vast differences in their personalities. While Amador found humor in Gaspar's tangential nature, Gaspar in turn found a solace in Amador's stoic foundation. So, when Gaspar invited him along on an expense paid tour of the kingdoms under the pitch of expanding Amador's cultural understanding making him the better courtier... Amador couldn't refuse. A few years were spent in each other's company and their relationship thrived. Amador was able to rein in Gaspar to ensure the young prince was attentive to his studies and Gaspar dragged Amador out to a wide variety of social events and more or less served as his connection to the world of nobility. They finally parted ways during the tour of the Mourning Islands. Almea had fallen ill and Amador returned to Lenosia to spend her final moments with her. After Almea's passing, Amador remained on the vineyard to assist his father during the mourning period and go over the family's financials to be sure their fiscal health remained intact during those dark times. Finally the day came where the vineyard was managed and Amador's siblings had become more integrated into the working life of the vineyard. A letter was sent to Gaspar in search of work and it just so happened Emma Velenosa was in need of a new assistant. Amador took up his role with gusto, seeing to all of the lady's day to day needs and fielding her endlessly busy schedule. After a few years of service, Amador decided the great walls of Arx was his next step and so he reached out to his former schoolmate once again this time to see if the Prince (now the Marquis-Consort of House Tessere) was aware of any employment that might suit Amador in Arx. He wasn't surprised that Gaspar responded quickly, their friendship sustained despite the distance, however when it was mentioned that Gaspar himself was in need of help Amador gave a minor pause. He knew the enigmatic Marquis. He knew of his frivolity and charismatic inclinations. He knew what it would be like to be chasing after Gaspar's heels to gently steer him through the social arena. The pause was brief though and a letter returned to his soon to be employer of his resignation to Emma and the acceptance of the new position. And so to Arx he went...
  the new position. And so to Arx he went...)