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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

• Keryeth Oudet  + (Keryeth is born in the north to a semi-nom …
  Keryeth is born in the north to a semi-nomadic clan and lives a relatively uneventful life, traveling between the mountains and southern river lands every year, substituting both by themselves and breeding hardy horses to sell or trade to outsiders. As a young teenager, she becomes betrothed to the chief's son of another group; having a crush on him, she is actually thrilled at the prospect. Unfortunately, during a particularly warm and rainy winter camped by Old Oak, she comes down with a flu-like virus that quickly spreads to the rest of her kin. It is particularly devastating, leaving her and only a handful of others as surviving members. She is exiled for this, literally left half-dying on the roadside. As fate would have it, a retired courtier comes upon her and nurses her back to help, before attempting to teach some of the craft to the girl.
  ng to teach some of the craft to the girl.)
• Keyser Whitehart  + (Keyser Whitehart is a commoner with a hear …
  Keyser Whitehart is a commoner with a heart of gold and a strong desire to see the people of the Lower Boroughs lifted to a standard of living she deems acceptable. She works to this end tirelessly, day and night, and doesn't seem to rue her lot in life as a no-account Crownsworn commoner existing on the charity and goodwill of her projects. Where she's come from, even she herself doesn't know, often heard talking about her life in an orphanage and learning from a school of hard knocks to live for the moment.
  ool of hard knocks to live for the moment.)
• Kheun Harrow  + (Kheun grew up in a simple home with just h …
  Kheun grew up in a simple home with just her parents. Her mother was an apothecary and she grew up learning the trade. She often helped her mother tend to the sick or injured and found joy in helping others. That joy did not fade with time and she found herself taking over her mother's title as Apothecary.
  ing over her mother's title as Apothecary.)
• Kia Cyrto'Ani  + (Kia grew up with her tribe on the north Cy …
  Kia grew up with her tribe on the north Cyrto Arch island, thriving with their close knit-culture and rich fertile lands. Lush jungles grow up in to the mountains, hills covered in grape vines and cocoa trees lead almost right down to the white sand beaches. It is truly a paradise that she thrives in. Working the land, understanding the plants and animals. But paradise so often comes at a cost. The islands, far from the mainland of Arvum, have been attacked and invaded several times over the course of their history, leaving behind remnants of many different peoples and cultures. Though she barely remembers the terrible invasion of her youth, Kia absolutely does remember the day that House Malvici invaded. This time, it felt different. This time there was an offer of peace and protection. And Kia knew it was her time to step up and lend her hand to these new occupants of the islands, to help them thrive for the safety of her people. Eagerly she bent the knee and immediately sword to the newly formed House Magnotta. She would be their steward on the islands, show them how things worked here. Teach them about the natural gifts the island has to offer, help them with the people and understanding the beliefs they have. This was Kia's chance to step up in the world and she wasn't going to waste it. Now, called to Arx to serve her new family, Kia is intrigued by all things Aravani and finding her way in this new and very large city. The Prodigal from the Cyrto Arch must use her natural talents and find her way.
  use her natural talents and find her way.)
• Kiaaleia Waters  + (Kia'aleia was born into a smithing family …
  Kia'aleia was born into a smithing family from a small Thrax island community that is now almost a decade scattered to defeat by another Thrax group. She was taken as a Thrall, and due to her aptitude and training continued to work, mainly in the metal implements of war. Despite her status as a Thrall, she was diligent and driven enough to excel in her work. An unforeseen moment of violence when she was 17 gave her the opportunity to show her martial skills and a perhaps unexpected loyalty to one of the family that held her as a Thrall. This moment earned her her freedom, and the Deed Name Trueblade. She took that opportunity to seek out a remote artisan master and honed her trade. Now, years later, she has come to earn a name for herself. Surprisingly, she takes a place for herself among the Thrax commoners.
  ace for herself among the Thrax commoners.)
• Kiano Sanna  + (Kiano, was born brother to Alfir Sanna, an …
  Kiano, was born brother to Alfir Sanna, and from an early age he'd taken to physical abilities best. He wasnt lacking in mental capacity and studied what he needed but he far more enjoyed the times when he was tought to use a sword and martial skills. He grew up with this as his focus which took him away from home sometimes when old enough taking part in protection of not only family lands, but serving with those gathered armies of the other houses as well. His house has known trajedy and he has now as an adult sworn to protect his family to the best of his ability.
  ect his family to the best of his ability.)
• Kienna Commoner  + (Kienna was born to a pair of commoners, on …
  Kienna was born to a pair of commoners, one a physician and the other a soldier. The three lived at the eastern fringes of the Northlands, but after a raiding party lead to the death of Kienna's father, the surviving two moved inland. Kienna's mother was pregnant and wished to birth the child away from conflict for safety's sake, but passed from sickness not long after. Not yet an adult, girl sought to work in the shop of a trader, but was rebuffed. Every day she turned up with a new argument on why she should apprentice under the merchant, and every day he refused, though he grew more approving each day. After a month she learned the reason why: The merchant had reached out to an old friend to see if she needed an assistant in her lawyering, and she had been interested enough to meet with Kienna. For several years she worked as the personal servant and scribe for one of the rare few lawyers of Redrain. Not only did she translate and transcripe texts, she passed on rumors and gossip that might be useful in formulating a compelling argument. In time, she had developed her skills enough that she was granted permission to travel to Arx and help the House there. Kienna packed what precious few things she had and left for the capital.
  w things she had and left for the capital.)
• Kieran Redrain  + (Kieran was born the third of the Redrain f …
  Kieran was born the third of the Redrain family, after his older silbing the twins, Darren and Deva. While Darren astutely learned the details of ruling a realm and his sister rebelled at attempts to reign her temper in, Kieran struck a balance. He learned how to talk to people, charm them and persuade them. Sure, he continually played pranks on his family, friends, and servants, and he was always finding ways to cause trouble, but his silver tongue was always able to mollify any retribution, and the fact that he was also keeping up with studies and knew when to behave himself properly in court, meant they couldn't be angry at him too much. Kieran does not mind that Darren is the one that leads the family. It means so much more focus is placed on him and his actions. Kieran, on the other hand, can still maintain some of his antics, and still pass the laxer scrutiny he receives. In Kieran, Deva has a partner in her occasional outings and troublemake, and Darren has someone he can be bring to court that he knows will help convince and soothe over any issues. He is the perfect brother, if only he would stop leaving frogs in his siblings' beds.
  stop leaving frogs in his siblings' beds.)
• Kincade Blanchard  + (Kincade is the youngest son of Vardon Blan …
  Kincade is the youngest son of Vardon Blanchard and as such had fewer responsibilities around the home. He spent much of his time taming horses and was renown for his ability to break wild horses. Spending the rest of his youth training as a knight, he would soon find use of these skills in his brothers many battles to unify all of Chevalle under the Blanchard banner. While Philippe was able to focus on leading and building his name, Kincade did the dirty work and was Philippe's executioner. After the dust settled Kincade again found himself with very little to do. This opened up the window for him to explore the world and travel abroad. The main purpose of these trips was not solely pleasure though, Kincade's strong sense of duty to the family also meant he was trying to do business for the family. Both building ties with foreign powers and collecting the most exotic horses in the realm for refinement back home at Chevalparc. In the North Kincade found a legendary horse breed that had never been tamed, he took refuge with a local tribe of Shavs that had been troublesome in the past. Over time Kincade earned the tribe's trust and managed to break the legendary mountain horse. Teaching the tribe how to tame the horses he brought a sizeable herd back to Chevalle and was able to make a sizeable profit for them and the northern Tribe. Upon returning home his feet were seen with much adoration by his countrymen and he was awarded the historically prestigious position of Horselord of Chevalle, Grand Master of the Stables, Breaker of Stallions. Over the course of his short time back home Kincade has proven himself a master trader and has become the focus point of economic power, Phillipe never makes a trade deal without consulting Kincade.
  s a trade deal without consulting Kincade.)
• Klaus Laurent  + (Klaus has been wielding a sword almost as …
  Klaus has been wielding a sword almost as long as he can walk. Sure, his first sword was a stick that he used to brain his brother Eiran with, but we all need to start somewhere! From there he trained as a squire with Sir Norwood and later served in the Laurent army. He worked closely with his cousin, Cristoph and the two were close comrades on the front lines right up until Duke Laurent's heir suffered a grevious injury and focused on less deadly duties. He grew into a steady, accomplished commander in the Laurent army and often had the fully loyalty of any troops under him. He became known as a leader who could listen to the words of his men and accept constructive criticism. He's never been one to bark orders unncessarily. With Cristoph handling the duchy as Duke, and as such, behind the scenes more than in front, Klaus is often leading the Laurent forces from the front lines. He also excelled as a horseman and thorougly enjoyed hunting. While he naturally worships the Pantheon as a whole, Petrichor calls to him even before Gloria.
  Petrichor calls to him even before Gloria.)
• Klaus Thrax  + (Klaus has been wielding a sword almost as …
  Klaus has been wielding a sword almost as long as he can walk. Sure, his first sword was a stick that he used to brain his brother Eiran with, but we all need to start somewhere! From there he trained as a squire with Sir Norwood and later served in the Laurent army. He worked closely with his cousin, Cristoph and the two were close comrades on the front lines right up until Duke Laurent's heir suffered a grevious injury and focused on less deadly duties. He grew into a steady, accomplished commander in the Laurent army and often had the fully loyalty of any troops under him. He became known as a leader who could listen to the words of his men and accept constructive criticism. He's never been one to bark orders unncessarily. With Cristoph handling the duchy as Duke, and as such, behind the scenes more than in front, Klaus is often leading the Laurent forces from the front lines. He also excelled as a horseman and thorougly enjoyed hunting. While he naturally worships the Pantheon as a whole, Petrichor calls to him even before Gloria.
  Petrichor calls to him even before Gloria.)
• Hulvaster Hagelin  + (Known by some, Hulvaster Hagelin is the so …
  Known by some, Hulvaster Hagelin is the son of Ake Hagelin, a recently passed Abandoned turned Prodigal then content stonemason in the city of Arx. His mother, Viktoria Sandin, a disciple of Vellichor and scholar with a particular inclination towards the natural world and the formation of the land. The two wed not long after Ake arrived in Arx and began to readjust his life within the borders of the Compact. Ake's point of origin had always been a tight-lipped secret, and was always referred in passing as 'a closed chapter'. Hulvaster, for his entire life, knew only the streets of Arx and the surrounding countryside. His father was preoccupied with tending to older buildings in the quarter he lived in, and so for much of his childhood, he joined his mother in her scholarly pursuits - seeing much of the coast and lands around Arx, being privy to knowledge in abundance. By the time Hulvaster turned 23, his father had passed from an unfortunate work-related accident. A 'violent but quick death' it was called. Now with the one link to a history still unlearned, Hulvaster resides in a city that becomes less and less familiar to him, and a world unknown to him beyond the walls of Arx calling to him.
  im beyond the walls of Arx calling to him.)
• Korka Glynn  + (Korka's father and aunt, Liam and Marie, w …
  Korka's father and aunt, Liam and Marie, were orphans who found patronage under Laegan Telmar, which led the Glynn family to become one of the Telmar's most loyal set of servants--a tradition that was expected to be carried by Liam's twins, Korka and Adriel. But Korka...well, she always was a little different. While she has a fierce loyalty to her household as a child, her upbringing proved challenging. Always one to question and let her curiosity get the best of her, she frequently found herself deep in trouble, talking herself in and out of it as her mood suited. As she grew older, she managed to find an appropriate outlet as a scout and information collector, using her charm and sharp wit to gather intelligence on what was happening around the Marches. She was summoned to Arx to put her skills to good use for Telmar, but rather quickly--and in fact so quickly it was certainly not happenstance--talked her way into a position with the Inquisition. There she found herself flourishing in ways that even she couldn't have begun to imagine and with the Duke's blessing, parted ways with Telmar so that she could devote herself to serving the Compact as an Inquisitor. Much to the chagrin of her parents and brother.
  to the chagrin of her parents and brother.)
• Kritr Clearlake  + (Kritr grew up wanting nothing more than to …
  Kritr grew up wanting nothing more than to grow closer to the Spirits of his homeland and to provide for his family and people with furs and meat that the land provided. Life, though, had little cares for what he wanted. Living in at the edge of the Northern Mountain was tough, a constant battle against nature and man alike as the tribes warred among each other and with the Compact itself. While Kritr was taken with Shamanism he also proved to be an able leader and warrior. Though far from the best fighter of his clan, he was among the steadiest and grew to be respected for leading the defense of the clan. With the growing threats of the Horned God and the return of so much that was lost, the clan met and decide to throw their lot in with the Compact with Kritr as one of the leading voices for the decision. Among the others chosen to represent that clan as the 'noble family' he was placed as one of the highest leaders and sent to Arx to represent them in their new path through life.
  esent them in their new path through life.)
• Kurzio Nurel  + (Kurzio grew up being trained in the art of …
  Kurzio grew up being trained in the art of hunting, taught by his father. Kurzio only joined the house of Nurel later in his early teens, being assigned to the small hunting party of the house. Kurzio was trained by the members of the group, who each desired to leave the reaches of this land and move onwards to greater things. Kurzio only ever was able to remember one of the men at the time, named "Jornif". He was a rather elderly man who had been part of the house for a majority of his life. Kurzio learned alot of what he currently knows from Jornif, and grew to become a smarter, more aware person. Overtime however, troubles grew, the lands being attacked by rogue groups of raiders that the house sent out soldiers to fend off. The raiders moved like living arrows, moving to the next village far before the soldiers happened to get there. In the meantime, Kurzio had been given a single order from Jornif, "Live and grow." Kurzio at the time wondered what it meant, he himself not knowing of the raiders and their presence. Jornif taught Kurzio everything he knew, then told him to venture off to the King. Kurzio still doesn't know what happened to house Nurel and Jornif. Kurzio adapted quickly to the new life he lives as a Crownsworn, keeping his order in mind and pushing forwards.
  ng his order in mind and pushing forwards.)
• Dulcinea Telmar  + (Lady Dulcinea Telmar is the youngest of Du …
  Lady Dulcinea Telmar is the youngest of Duke Arn's children. From the time she could toddle, she was stuck to her brother Ansel and sister Lily like a chubby, determined little burr, throwing appalling tantrums when they would leave her behind on their adventures. All the more reason to become more capable, sooner. She got a pony and a little bow, determined to be the finest horsewoman and archer in any land -- if only so she could go slay dragons with her siblings. In time, she learned there were adventures -- of a sort -- to be had;she enjoyed them, exploring and mischief making with her siblings... but there were no dragons. No call to fell a dire bear at 900 feet. Alas. Too late. The fierce love of riding and the bow, the hunt, was in her bones. The absence of mythic beasts deterred her not at all. By the time she was a young woman, she was well on her way to the goal she'd set with her little bow and pony, but she never thought much of it again. She rides and hunts magnificently but for her own pleasure, usually alone. She adores her siblings and spends time with her family whenever she can. She attends balls and dances and laughs, blithe a spirit as was ever in the world. At night, however, she dreams of the Telmarch and her people. She dreams of the shav raiders, the burned houses, the screaming mothers and the crushed babes. She dreams of war unending, claiming the sons and daughters of every generation. And she yearns to put her bow to better use.
  d she yearns to put her bow to better use.)
• Lunara Argento  + (Lady Lunara Argento is the single child sp …
  Lady Lunara Argento is the single child spawn of the late Lady Illunara Argento whom died in childbirth 23 years ago, and to Lord Godwin Argento (The great merchant house and area that the Argento are vassals under the Lycene.) As the sole child of the couple, she was dutifully spoiled. No male heir to the family, she was trained and named as the Sword of Argento. A quick study, and even faster with a weapon. She wields a crescent moon blade, like a scythe, a family heirloom weapon. Where weaknesses lay with the family, she was hard pressed to move into the familial role to support and continue on the family wealth and to prove its strength. She was influenced to carry on and climb the respected role of Steward, then Captain of her family fleet of merchant ships. Her own ship, the Blackwater holds steadfast rumors amongst other sea merchants and their crew. Most think the Captain is a man. Yet her family trained her as a warrior-sailor, and titled in reputation as 'The Blackheart', it is her stealth like attack movements in the night with her ships that make others shiver when tales of the Blackwaters feats are told around a keg of rum. Wildly spoken, as fear makes those in the know that, "You can't see anything but black, and the next thing you know... you've been boarded!" She is also cousin to Salazar Argentos, and born into the family that owns the island of Nilanza, a seaport half-way between the Lycene merchant lords, and the Thrax.
  the Lycene merchant lords, and the Thrax.)
• Margret Greenmarch  + (Lady Margret Greenmarch was born to Alda a …
  Lady Margret Greenmarch was born to Alda and Malcolm Greenmarch, younger sister to Cullen and elder sister of Ianna. Her grandmother, Myrna Greenmarch, used to dote on the little hellion, for hellion she was. Until she turned ten. On the day after her tenth birthday, Margret's entire life was altered. A tree-climbing accident left the Greenmarch Lady with a permanent limp and a scar up the side of her neck that, by the blessing of the Spirits alone, didn't kill her. The accident saw Margret confined to the halls of Greenhaven, to learn to be useful indoors instead of out, and she turned to healing. Instead of allowing bitterness to swell inside of her for her misfortune, Margret emerged from her situation with a blissful determination. She became a skilled healer, a champion of all life, and diplomat of surpassing grace. It was no easy road for the Lady. Remaining a pacifist amongst Abandoned is not a simple feat, not even when Greenmarch bent the knee to the Compact and become somewhat more civilized. There was torment, there was pleading, urging, and even threats. But Margret's conviction for pacifism has never wavered. The value of life is something she holds sacrosanct. As such, the Lady Margret has been called to Arx to function as Minister of Relations for Greenmarch, and Resident Healer.
  tions for Greenmarch, and Resident Healer.)
• Piccola Tessere  + (Lady Pierina Tessere's fortune was as bad …
  Lady Pierina Tessere's fortune was as bad as her House's reputation. Her father was one of the Countess' younger brothers. When she took over the House, he served as one of her consiglieres, specifically over the House's burgeoning fabric trade. For a while, things went well, and Pierina was born as the fourth of sixth children. Unfortunately, of them she was the smallest, and she suffered the usual slings and arrows of childish insults from her siblings, family, and peers. She was given the nickname "Piccola" by her father, which since became her nom de guerre. As went all things in Countess Lucrezia's court, her father fell out of favor after he became a target of intrigue and investigation. Unfortunately, her father was embezzling money out of the family's coffers, and he was punished severely by ostracism and the loss of his estate. Soon after, her father was found strangled in his sleep, a deed allegedly done by those with whom he had made poor deals. Her mother found little charity in the Countess' court but found comfort in booze and the arms of men. She and her siblings scattered to the wind. Survival was not easy on the fringes of Iriscal, but it could be done. Being picked on for many years made Piccola tough and tenacious, two features which caught the eye of a sellsword company looking to increase its ranks of fodder. Two years of tagging along on dangerous missions afforded her enough to buy her own gear and horse. She soon joined a different mercenary company, and then another and another until the day a message called her back home. The Countess was dead, and in her place was Sabine. The message had come from the new Countess - Piccola never inquired as to how it reached her - and requested her return to Iriscal. And there, she was given a command and mission: to train and lead the House's cavalry in a manner befitting the House's ambition of prominence. It would be a chance to bring her family back into the House's ruling echelons, where it belonged. And no sane Lycean would give up that chance for redemption. Or revenge.
  p that chance for redemption. Or revenge.)
• Portia Sulla  + (Lady Portia has never held a sword or spea …
  Lady Portia has never held a sword or spear in her hands. That may not seem an odd statement at first until one realizes her profession is as a commander of soldiers. It is rumored that an oracle announced at her birth that should she ever hold a weapon, disaster and destruction would follow for all of her family. Others whisper that the oracle said the world. Whatever the actual prophecy was given at her birth she keeps to the decree her father made at her birth and has not held a weapon in hand. Instead, she's made the soldiers under her weapons; weapons to remove others, weapons to use among themselves. In Cardia she rose through the ranks as a successful commander and general, even learning under the great Marcus Sulla himself. She's conquered territory. She's administered military districts. She's been a good Talon, in all the ways she's been asked to be. And something about that is what has gotten her sent to Arx. She's tough, but never too tough. She's calculating, but never unrelatable. In short, she's a slightly more relatable person than Praetor and has been sent to help provide a softer image. A little softer.
  p provide a softer image. A little softer.)
• Rowynna Blackshore  + (Lady Rowynna Blackshore arrived in Arx wit …
  Lady Rowynna Blackshore arrived in Arx with little to her name. She took rooms at a local inn and then immediately reached out to the current baroness, claiming to be the distant relative of Baroness Skye Blackshore. A cousin from the Blackshore side of the family that was estranged two generations ago and took settlement elsewhere than Blackshore Isle. She heard of Skye's efforts to restore the family's isle and has arrived in Arx to assist with the rebuilding efforts. Baroness Skye Blackshore met with her and seemed satified with the relation since she does have the striking Blackshore Cerulean eyes that is signature for relatives in the bloodline. Of course, this mysterious lady has done little to fill in anymore details. She has been spending most of her time in the Great Archives doing research and assisting the Blackshores with their rebuilding. Although, something odd that one of the social mavens noticed is that Lady Rowynna is almost the exact replica of Lady Elisabe Blackshore's painting that hangs in one of the gallerys in Arx. Lady Elisabe didn't have a white streak in her hair. The resemblence is uncanny. Of course they couldn't be the same person. Baron Oswald's sister had that painting done when she turned eighteen twenty-six years ago. It certainly lends credit that Lady Rowynna is a Blackshore.
  credit that Lady Rowynna is a Blackshore.)
• Runa Hawkmour  + (Lady Runa has always been one that wanted …
  Lady Runa has always been one that wanted to tease or pry more details out of a story or tale. A true account or far fetched fib, sometimes the story just isn't enough. Growing up, she was fostered within House Fidante. From the Harkmour family, there happened to be an opportune marriage with one of Prospero's sisters that meant Runa had a reason to visit his Lordship's House. And after a very fine visit, there was an opportunity to have Runa stay within his home, at a young and moldable age, and benefit from a proper education. Both Runa and Propero had a chance to grow up within each others company. She benefitted greatly, and was a doting and devoted childhood friend who felt all the more important if she could help share a secret or suppress a bad word flung in his direction. This type of protectiveness bloomed into a more zealous sort of behavior, where there was a proactive stance taken with those that tried to sidle up to the Lord. Usually with descretion, she would inquire after those that sought to find an inroad with Lord Prospero. While the Lord no doubt had many protectors, she would take in the larger picture that included more than simply gossip. With her knowledge of politics and court, and how tongues can wag, she would ferret out truth and lies and hound people that troubled her. This grew into an occupation to become an investigator that was not above solving problems with more than just her wits. Of a lower social rank, she would dirty her hands to keeps others clean. While having an extra helper along for the truely distasteful needs, the sight of blood has never made her faint. She comes from just enough good breeding to require respect, but is not so high that she cannot fulfill a physical challenge. Some may say that her personality may have been the thing to drive away the arranged marriage for her. On the outside, the threat of being childless and without an official union to a fine man doesn't seem to have bothered her at all.
  doesn't seem to have bothered her at all.)
• Sanya Grimhall  + (Lady Sanya Grimhall is one of Abram and Al …
  Lady Sanya Grimhall is one of Abram and Alina Grimhall's children, with a cluster of brothers and sisters not quite as famous as Duke Harald's large brood, but impressive either way. Sanya was born among the middle of the brood, closest with her twin brother Erik and a younger sister, Merida. Her relationship with her elder brother Jovarn was strained. Though they were close in age, they struggled to find common ground and she found his constant tendency to question his duties unbecoming. Her upbringing was fairly typical for a Grimhall...time watching the men prepare for sailing and reaving and learning the arts reserved for women through her mother, though her education had a bit of a different spin on it.{_{/{/Alina{_was{_a{_Darkwater{_before{_she{_married,{_and{_brought{_into{_her{_family{_life{_many{_strange{_and{_mythical{_seeming{_legends{_she'd{_learned{_growing{_up{_on{_Darkwater{_Watch,{_though{_it{_is{_not{_until{_recently{_that{_any{_of{_those{_tall{_tales{_seemed{_to{_potentially{_have{_a{_ring{_of{_truth.{_She{_focused{_on{_Sanya's{_education{_more{_thoroughly{_than{_her{_other{_daughters,{_describing{_Sanya{_as{_'the{_one{_most{_like{_me'.{_Darkwater{_blood{_maybe.{_{/{/From{_an{_early{_age,{_Sanya{_was{_given{_a{_thorough{_education{_in{_etiquette{_and{_other{_social{_graces,{_but{_also{_in{_the{_power{_of{_words.{_She{_learned{_how{_to{_write{_in{_a{_way{_that{_shared{_her{_thoughts{_with{_the{_world{_concisely{_and{_clearly{_yet{_also{_passionately,{_the{_more{_driven{_she{_was{_by{_a{_cause{_the{_more{_effectively{_she{_argued{_for{_it.{_This{_may{_have{_set{_her{_up{_for{_a{_good{_career{_in{_law,{_and{_appeared{_to{_be{_shaping{_up{_to{_do{_so{_when{_the{_course{_shifted{_just{_slightly.{_{/{/Instead{_of{_devoting{_her{_focus{_to{_the{_court,{_Alina{_taught{_her{_how{_to{_use{_that{_power{_with{_language{_towards{_different{_ends.{_A{_well{_spoken,{_persuasive{_figure{_was{_just{_what{_Sanya's{_father{_required{_as{_the{_Admiral{_of{_his{_own{_section{_of{_the{_Grim{_Fleet.{_Since{_an{_injury{_forced{_his{_early{_retirement,{_Sanya{_has{_been{_sent{_by{_her{_family{_from{_Grihem's{_Point{_to{_Arx,{_that{_she{_might{_use{_her{_skills{_in{_service{_to{_a{_House{_that{_desperately{_needs{_her.
  {_a{_House{_that{_desperately{_needs{_her.)
• Sorrel Wyrmguard  + (Lady Sorrel Wyrmguard is the middle siblin …
  Lady Sorrel Wyrmguard is the middle sibling of a cousin-branch of the Wyrmguards. A second cousin to the ruling Marquessa-- Dominique --but also related in this way to members of the Valardin royal family. Unlike many, she is not at all defined by middle sibling syndrome. She's vastly different from her siblings; vibrant of personality, but darker in coloring (taking after their father). Born many years after Reiker and a scant few before Clover she's always been a bright, charismatic girl. Drawn to the performing arts-- in particular singing. Her next love has always been the blade and martial combat. As a child she would go to sword practice and sing as she swung her blade, earning her the informal nickname/title of 'the Bladesong of Blancbier'. At first it was something of a teasing, almost mocking title. For she was no doubt considered strange as a child and young woman for how much she sang while practicing her martial skills. That changed a year or two before the Siege of Arx when she lead a battalion of Blancbier soldiers against a force of raiders who were attempting to lay a mini-siege on a small farming village that fell within the border of the Blancbier March. They say the battle was turning against the Wyrmguard units due to overwhelming forces, but that Lady Sorrels voice cut through their despair and lifted them up, and they won the day inspired by her voice. Since then she has honing her skill as a leader, and a commander.
  ng her skill as a leader, and a commander.)
• Sorrel Thrax  + (Lady Sorrel Wyrmguard is the middle siblin …
  Lady Sorrel Wyrmguard is the middle sibling of a cousin-branch of the Wyrmguards. A second cousin to the ruling Marquessa-- Dominique --but also related in this way to members of the Valardin royal family. Unlike many, she is not at all defined by middle sibling syndrome. She's vastly different from her siblings; vibrant of personality, but darker in coloring (taking after their father). Born many years after Reiker and a scant few before Clover she's always been a bright, charismatic girl. Drawn to the performing arts-- in particular singing. Her next love has always been the blade and martial combat. As a child she would go to sword practice and sing as she swung her blade, earning her the informal nickname/title of 'the Bladesong of Blancbier'. At first it was something of a teasing, almost mocking title. For she was no doubt considered strange as a child and young woman for how much she sang while practicing her martial skills. That changed a year or two before the Siege of Arx when she lead a battalion of Blancbier soldiers against a force of raiders who were attempting to lay a mini-siege on a small farming village that fell within the border of the Blancbier March. They say the battle was turning against the Wyrmguard units due to overwhelming forces, but that Lady Sorrels voice cut through their despair and lifted them up, and they won the day inspired by her voice. Since then she has honing her skill as a leader, and a commander.
  ng her skill as a leader, and a commander.)

• Thalamina Shepherd  + (Lady Thalamina Shepherd is from the branch …
  Lady Thalamina Shepherd is from the branch of the family that backed House Grayson, and maintained its noble standing. When Duke Malcolm was named heir, there was no question of whether or not the family would fall in line. Sure, there were some hard feelings beneath the surface, but House Shepherd prides itself on their loyalty, and so the family united, respecting the decision of the late Duke Gregor Shepherd. Lord Fillian Shepherd married Sunhilda Halfshav, in hopes of strengthening ties between the two Ducal houses. The product of their union was flame-haired Thalamina, and a twin who was lost early on due to a difficult birth, which also took the life of Thalamina's mother, leaving her with only her grieving father to raise her. It's rumored that the loss of a twin can be extremely difficult, and some believe that is why Thalamina is often found in a quietly introspective state. She can be charming and social when she puts her mind to it, of course, but throughout her childhood, she was always more likely to be found outside under a tree daydreaming, watching the natural world, and tending to the manor gardens, than tending to her studies and learning to be a lady. She did try, of course. She has the basic knowledge of how to be a proper lady. She had fine tutors, but they grew frustrated with her lack of attention, and her father often had to have them replaced. The only subjects which interested her seemed to be the nuances of agriculture, farming, and tending to the land, yet it still wasn't quite enough for her. She wanted to be out in it, out in nature and the world, listening to the songs of birds, and the wind whispering through the trees. It isn't that she spent all her time daydreaming, after all. She did learn some things, useful things, that she might one day be a benefit to the House. Yet, those daydreams were often counter-balanced by occasional bouts of fiery temper, but what it all amounted to was that she was unhappy, but she couldn't exactly say why. Her father, at a loss for what to do, finally sent her to stay with the Duke, thinking that perhaps she would find her wings among the more... wild, members of the family. And here, she did flourish, because there was no one breathing down her neck, telling her how she should behave. She was given a measure of freedom to be herself, which is all she ever wanted. She spent more time out doors. She got to know her cousins. She learned to ride, and played with the dogs, and almost seemed a normal child. Her father felt he'd made the right choice, and left her there, to her own devices, though he would visit occasionally. It was during the Silent War that something pulled Thalamina out of her introspection. Her father fought in that war, and died. Now, she had lost the only other member of her immediate family, and she wanted to rail against it. She felt helpless as a baby, alone and afraid. She never had the chance to say goodbye, or that she loved him, because she had been selfishly focused inward, on her own troubles, which she refused to talk about with anyone. So she decided it was time to change herself, if she could. She decided to learn skills that might be useful. Skills that she could be proud of. She learned how to hunt, and wield a bow, and to ride. She learned how to track animals in the woods, and became good friends with cousins who guided her in her efforts to learn how to be useful, next time. Next time, she would be ready, and join the fighting. And she would never take family for granted again. She can, at times, still be found daydreaming. But now, she has also found a purpose. Thalamina is an excellent scout, and her skill with a bow is nothing to sneeze at. She has, too, a snowy owl companion given to her as a gift when it was still a fledgling. She is a creature of the outdoors, and that is where she prefers to be. Her training was not yet complete by the time the Gyre War commenced, though she kept up with rumors of it, and longed to be a part of it. It was not until the events at the Lodge that she found any use for her skills, where she assisted with scouting, and fighting off cultists. Friends were lost there too, and she never really understood the full importance of what was at stake. She only knew that it was important, and that she had to be a part of it. After the Lodge, she found herself once again with little to do. Instead of going back to daydreams, however, she decided instead that it was time to leave Shepherd lands, and come to Arx. So it is that she has come to the center of what seems like everything, in the midst of a time of turmoil, looking always toward the future, with hope, and rarely looking back.
  uture, with hope, and rarely looking back.)
• Lanei Crucible  + (Lanei either has no last name or does not …
  Lanei either has no last name or does not choose to recall it, for she has introduced herself for more than a decade as 'Lanei' and nothing more upon making new acquaintances. Tales of her childhood run spotty, it appears that she does have siblings, two brothers and one sister, and she will occasionally tell a story or anecdote from childhood that indicates great fondness for them. Details regarding her parents are harder to glean. By some accounts her mother died when she was an infant and she and her siblings were raised by her father alone...by other accounts it was an aunt or cousin that took them in and their father was not part of their lives either. It's known that she was born to the merchant class, her family comfortable enough to make ends meet but never terribly wealthy. It is known, or implied at least, that the sister she oft references ended up training as a courtesan, though it is never clear where. Lanei herself grew up in the Crownlands, and was apprenticed to a master tailor who was favored by the nobility by the age of 15. As time went on she trained with him further and then traveled through Arvum to complete this education, working for a time nearly everywhere and thus able to create an incredibly versatile range of styles. As she continued to train she developed a great interest in jewels and jewelry as well once exposed to them, and slowly but surely was able to add more metalwork to her repertoire. Becoming renowned for her gifts at creating art that ought be worn is her greatest known goal, and one she works tirelessly towards.
  oal, and one she works tirelessly towards.)
• Lasalle Fontblanc  + (Lasalle Fontblanc is the son of well-known …
  Lasalle Fontblanc is the son of well-known craftsman Jeanfi Fontblanc. His mother Sophie died during childbirth, but his father and aunt who came to assist with raising the boy did a more than adequate job. Although Jeanfi threw himself into his work after his wife's passing, Lasalle was never far from the man. Lasalle watched with great interest as his father worked and as he grew he helped where he could. Jeanfi's specialty was creating beautiful, exquisitely detailed, wooden furniture. Although originally from Fortezza di Iriscal, they decided to move to Roseward after the destruction of Volkov in order to be closer to the goldenwood his father preferred to work with. His father's work gained the appreciation of several minor noble families and it seemed Lasalle would follow in his father's footsteps, until they were attacked and robbed while delivering a few pieces in Volkov Woods. The bandits, stole their cart and their horses, leaving them to head back to Roseward on foot. His father's clients tried to ruin his reputation for failing to deliver, but after being provided with the furnishings at a discounted price they allowed for the truth to be known. Lasalle however was changed by the experience. He vowed that he would never allow himself or anyone he could protect to feel that vulnerable again. He enlisted himself in the Roseward guard, and quickly rose through the ranks over the course of the past 6 months. A life of lifting, loading and unloading had provided him with the physique, and a patient and discerning eye for detail lended itself well to the study of strategy and tactics. In the field he is quick to identify any weaknesses in an opponent. He became one of the youngest lieutenants in the Roseward guard and commanded a small unit, that he took on patrols along the trade routes around Roseward. He now has aspirations of knighthood and is beginning to build a name for himself independent of the work of his father.
  elf independent of the work of his father.)
• Lavinia Rivenshari  + (Lavinia was the second child of Alla, the …
  Lavinia was the second child of Alla, the sister to chieftan Aegis. She was not as much in the wild as her brother, though she did learn how to hunt and move unseen. It would be her beauty and cunning that manifested themselves as her truest talents. She was not as martial as her brother, but she was just as deadly and became highly skilled with small and improvised weapons. This suited her well, she used her talents to spy for the clan, either by discrete action or by charming her way around obstacles, espionage became her gift and her guilty pleasure, at least as far as anyone knew. For years, that's what she did, her carefree demeanor portaying to the world an entirely different person. When she was taken by Brand's control, she was forced to do unspeakable things to her people, as were all of her family, however something during this ordeal snapped inside of her and would have lingering traces far beyond what the others did, even if subtle. Like her brother she distrusted bending knee to Valardin, and by extension the Compact, too believing they were giving up their entire heritage and freedom. And she is not afraid to vocalize that to their chief, even if deep down she understands the reasons of the decision and knows that without the Valardin, they may well be no more. Being confined has always disturbed her though, and it makes being a vassal no less a challenge and sometimes sees her taking off on a ship up river, just to be free for a time. Now, Lady Lavinia Rivenshari has left Riva and traveled to Arx to assist in managing the new 'noble' house there. She struggles to balance her natural inclinations with the order and structure of things in the city, but is absolutely committed to helping her family regain its strength, and eventually its freedom.
  its strength, and eventually its freedom.)
• Lawrence Crovane  + (Lawrence grew up the younger brother of th …
  Lawrence grew up the younger brother of the Duke Artair Crovane. He took to the idea of being a knight since a young age, and trained for that goal since he was a child. He was knighted at a young age, and when the duke began having children he swore an oath to both teach and protect his children. Unfortunately when he was thirty years old, he was out on a patrol that was ambushed, and that was the last he was seen.
  bushed, and that was the last he was seen.)
• Lazarus Mercier  + (Lazarus was the first son born to Adlai Me …
  Lazarus was the first son born to Adlai Mercier and his wife Lynda, born when his father's winery was at the height of it's biggest boom. As such he and his siblings are the first generation to never quite be touched by poverty and have spent their entire lifetimes enjoying the comfort of their manor situated in the Upper Borough. The three siblings - Lazarus, Silas, and Bethany - were close as they grew up, in spite of being a collection of contrasting personalities. Lazarus was favored heavily by both of his parents and received the bulk of their attention and favors, even if they insisted they loved all their children the same as parents are wont to do. He did well in his studies and travelled alongside his father frequently to observe his business transactions firsthand. He acquired the ability to socialize strategically at a very young age, giving him yet another edge over his siblings when it came to arguments and conflicts. The resentment left in the wake of these quarrels grew as the years flew by and it is something Lazarus has slowly begun to reflect on and regret. With his father's health beginning to fail, Lazarus has become fully draped in the family business. He makes frequent trips between Arx and the family farm located outside of the city and intends to mingle with his social betters. Idle hands do not get much done.
  betters. Idle hands do not get much done.)
• Leena Igniseri  + (Leena was born to Marquessa Emisilia Ignis …
  Leena was born to Marquessa Emisilia Igniseri. Born the third and youngest daughter, her sisters were Quenia (oldest) and Iovita (Middle). Leena's father was Oberion Igniseri, whom was also Iovita's father. Emisilia's second husband, Oberion passed when Leena was rather young. Leena was the pride and joy of Oberion, and seemed to be surprisingly bright for a child showing extreme promise. But before she could barely get to know her father it seemed he had passed away. Mother had remarried, and before she knew it her new stepfather had passed away. At the age of 4 she was whisked away along with Quenia and Iovita to foster with Duke Zaffira's household. Always the tinkerer, she took things apart to see how they worked. She seemed to get smarter and smarter, and the tutors could hardly keep up with Leena's lessons as she absorbed knowledge so quickly. The Zaffira's encouraged her love of all things technical and artistic. Leena wasn't quite sure why she was seperated from her mother, but she grew from little one to preteen being encouraged, and when she was returned to her mother it was like she hardly knew her. Life with mother was not an unloving one. Leena was a eccentric yet loving girl and while her mother didn't quite understand her intelligence she did support it. She was quite a bit different than her or her other children, but Leena always felt loved. Growing up in the household her curiosity only grew, and as the years passed by it was apparent that she needed more to learn - and she would not find a proper spouse staying where she was. She moved on to Arx to continue following her dreams of learning in hopes of bringing newfound skills back to her home's people. Of course her mother hopes that she might find a spouse along the way
  that she might find a spouse along the way)
• Alexis Wyrmfang  + (Legend has it that a century or three ago, …
  Legend has it that a century or three ago, Wyrmfang split off the main March of Wyrmguard as a cadet branch, slowly diminishing in importance from second sons and third daughters, until they were far enough removed to in essence become a highly respected family of knights. For the last few generations, ever since one Cristoph Wyrmfang turned an-almost defeat into an astounding victory, the Wyrmfangs have also had the honour of holding the Sword of Blancbier for the Wyrmguards. Alexis and her twin brother was born to the then-Sword of Blancbier, Alphonse Wyrmfang, and the children were raised on the family traditions of loyalty and steadfast service, served up with constant tales of Oathlands chivalry and ambitions, of meritorious rises and rewards for serving the ideals that the gods of the pantheon represent. And Alexis swallowed it all rather wide-eyed. When she was nearly old enough, she became rather insistant on squiring, including at one point running away from home to find herself adventure (and a knight to squire to), and eventually her father acquiesced. Small, but fierce, she favoured larger weapons such as two-handed swords and glaives in combat, which may in part have been inspired by her father's position. She was overjoyed when, for about a year, she spent time in the same group of squires as one Princess Alis Valardin, and the even smaller woman left a deep impression with her tenacity. One duty that Alexis picked up as a squire was the mending of armour, and to this day she uses the beating of steel as a form of meditation, slowly learning the craft of the smith. Her knighting ceremony took place at her 18th birthday, while she was part of the force protecting Blancbier and anxiously awaiting news from Arx about the siege and the Army of Silence. In the last battle of the siege, her father took a grave wound protecting the Marquessa. The wound festered, and Sir Alphonse was sent home to Blancbier, but expired on the way. When the Marquessa Dominiqe next visited Blancbier, there was a small ceremony in which Alexis found herself becoming the keeper of the Wyrmguard heirloom blade, as her father, and her father's mother had before her. She swore the oath to protect her family gladly, and now, after having grieved and seen her father to his final rest, she comes to Arx. An untested blade, but eager to prove herself.
  ntested blade, but eager to prove herself.)
• Leola Allenatore  + (Leola's family have lived on Saik land lon …
  Leola's family have lived on Saik land long before she was born, and have served as houndmasters, horse-trainers and more before even that. Leola held a falcon before she ever picked up a pen and rode a horse before she could leave the homestead alone. Her father ensured she grew up around the animals that her family bred, trained, and taught her how to teach them; how to ensure they bent to the will of their master. It was a simple enough life, out of the trials and worry of politics, but Leola - well, it was what she knew. She grew, and there had been suitors, but none she'd cared much for, and the work was always more important. Time enough for that; the Saiks were not rich, and her family helped. Then, father grew ill. It was prolonged, though not serious, and she was left to manage the affairs of the small family. Before he recovered, they received a request from the Saiks; addressed to her father, for him to travel and train the family's new horses. He was too ill, and Leola went in his place. To Arx.
  ill, and Leola went in his place. To Arx.)
• Leona Thrax  + (Leona didn't want to be a rebellious young …
  Leona didn't want to be a rebellious young lady, but she just could not abide by the demure expectations of a proper princess of House Thrax. When her younger brother was bullied, it was the infuriated Princess Leona that leapt to his defense and bloodied the noses of older children to the shocked horror of her extremely proper and conservative mother. When a house thrall was abused, it was Leona who argued loudly and stubbornly to see justice done. When the young noblewomen were given courtly lessons on the proper behavior and decorum expected of a princess of the great house Thrax, it was Leona who would pointedly ask about Queen Alarice the Great's feats in battle and why House Thrax alone refused to allow women to rule. The spirited young woman was the bane of her tutors, often skipping lessons on courtly etiquette so she could practice (and handily beat) her male cousins at swordplay - despite never having a single lesson. Acts of rebellion aside, doubtless she would have been married off to firm up a political alliance if not for the Great Tournament of 998 AR. The princess traveled to Arx along with many young, unpromised nobles of the great houses, doubtless so her grandfather could negotiate a suitable match for her and hoping that the sight of so many refined ladies of the court could restrain the young woman's enthuasism. If that was the hope, it was a catastrophic failure as Leona watched the greatest knights in Arvum compete at the melee and joust, steadily building the young woman's dreams of competing at that level no matter what a proper princess of Thrax might do. As a gesture of hospitality by House Grayson to House Thrax, Leona was the lone companion to Crown Prince Alaric in his carriage returning to the palace from the Tournament, after Lord Commander Dayne Valardin's victory at the tournament melee. On the ride back to the palace, the carriage and the escort was stopped by an overturned cart on the road and a tense crowd surrounded the royal carriage, but Leona wasn't worried... until she heard a scream and saw the escort of the King's Own being felled by arrows and cloaked figures drawing swords as they rushed the carriage. Crown Prince Alaric was in a panic, but Leona felt calm as she grabbed the crown prince's sword and positioned herself in front of himat the door of the carriage. It was madness, one barely trained, unarmored teenage princess against unknown attackers, but Leona never learned how to back away from a fight. The shock of facing any resistance at all once the King's Own were down likely saved Leona's life, her ferocious attack catching the assailants off guard when they threw open the carriage to retrieve the prince. Her fight felt like an eternity, though she knows it couldn't have been more than a few minutes, and left her badly wounded... but it bought time for Lord Commander Dayne Valardin to arrive, charging down on his horse as he cut down every last attacker. The Lord Commander had the Thrax princess treated by the personal healer of the King's Own, and the man who had a reputation as the greatest knight in all of Arvum personally thanked the young woman for saving the future king of the Compact. "You saved one young man, your highness, but you did more than that. If he had been taken, it would have been a war, as we already suspect who was behind it. Kidnapped or dead, armies would have marched. If you had not acted, the Realm would have bled and thousands would have perished. You have a talent for saving kings, your highness, and if you would ever consider squiring for an old knight I know that the King's Own would be proud to have you." It was not an offer to take lightly, considering all she would give up if she took the vows. In the end, being allowed a choice compared to being told what to do made her path obvious. Her family was furious, of course, it was unheard of for a noblewoman of House Thrax - let alone the grand daughter of the current high lord! The young woman is shunned by an entire great house and all she knew when she was young. But when it comes to honor, no cost is too high for Dame Leona.
  honor, no cost is too high for Dame Leona.)
• Leopold Crownsworn  + (Leopold grew up as an orphan in the city o …
  Leopold grew up as an orphan in the city of Arx, a street urchin fending for himself as best as he could. Being taller and stronger than many of his peers, he became something of a bully; though, not out of any malice or pleasure. He simply liked the competition and exhiliration that came with fighting, and the benefits of taking the other kid's food and money was simply a bonus. As he approached his teens, however, he was set straight when a knight caught him and decided to teach him the error of his ways with a firm beating. The knight pitied the youth and, seeing potential, decided to try training the boy. While Leopold learned well in the areas of combat, he wasn't particuarly bright, and he lacked the discipline that knights require, so his trainer steered him towards becoming a champion instead. In that realm, the young man thrived, becoming a storied combatant, willing to take on frankly stupid challenges for the sheer thrill of it. The money and women, of course, was a nice bonus. His reknown for being a ferocious and wild opponent has had some wonder if he has some Northern blood in him; though, his darker skin would seem to indicate otherwise. As he has aged, he has only grown more boisterous rather than mellowing. He is more than happy to teach younger Champions that, like steel in the forge, he has simply grown stronger from the repeated tempering in fiery combat, and women learn that, like wine, some men become even better with age. At least he thinks so.
  n better with age. At least he thinks so.)
• Lethe Tyde  + (Lethe was born 15 minutes after her brothe …
  Lethe was born 15 minutes after her brother Acheron much to her relief. Their mother, Gilda Tyde, formerly Ashford, had the 2, then 6 year old twins with her in Ashford Keep, visiting family at the onset of the Tyde Rebellion and upon hearing of the death of their father the children were quietly absorbed into the Ashford family without a word to anyone. Over the next 13 years Lethe truly thrived in the Grey Forest where she followed around family members, learning to harvest plants and make concoctions and treatments, and tending to the wounds of those soldiers fighting the Shavs that inhabited the area. As much as learning to repair bodies fascinated the young lady, and it truly did seem as if a great magic to have the power to knit flesh closed, or ease suffering with a few drops of the right oil, she always had a very clear understanding of a line she felt few others did, the place of letting go she calls it. The place where the healer's efforts become more about their own comfort and assurance that they exhausted every possibility than they are actually improving the quality of the patient's life, and often in fact, are causing far more suffering for the dying one. Much to the horror of some of her peers during the fighting over past years in the Grey Forest, every now and then Lethe would simply set down her tools and sit beside a wounded man, and tell him or her it was okay to go, and stay with them until indeed they passed from the world, invariably sooner than later. Always after her explanation was simple 'I did what was needed'. The world changed again when they learned that Tyde, their late father's family had been restored, and while Gilda was not settled into her home, wouldn't it be better for her children to be treasured first cousins of a Duchess in a very small house than forgotten cousins of a Duke in a sprawling one? And so Lethe and Acheron were sent off to Arx and to return to the Thraxian world that while they were born into, had grown strange to them. This new change in their path Lethe weathered as she always has quietly and open to whatever is ahead of them.
  tly and open to whatever is ahead of them.)
• Levian Neri  + (Levian may be the only Civashari in Arvum …
  Levian may be the only Civashari in Arvum who gets called 'lord' with anything more than irony. It's a fact he doesn't forget and one that leaves him feeling that he represents the people who birthed and raised him all the more when he moves among the nobility of Arx. Or at least the thought was heavy on his mind when he drinks too much at night and has no company to keep him from more maudlin thoughts. But that's putting the cart before the horse in this particular tale. Born among the Civashari that wander the lands wild and free, and those tamed and restricted, Levian was a precocious child. As such he did precocious child things. He climbed the greatest trees he could find ("Levian get down from there before you break your fool neck!) so he could be closer to the stars to see them. He swam to the deepest parts of the lakes to see the sky reflected in a watery mirror ("Lev! Lev, lad, where'd you go?") And he danced with every man or woman that'd give him the chance at fairs ("Sigh. Lev, lad, you can't go telling everyone you're smitten with their eyes remind you of the stars. It starts sounding disengenuine!)" to see the truth of the firmament reflected in the colored orbs of his romantic partners. But Lev was obsessed with looking at the stars from every angle, through every lens he could. He would claim it showed him a more accurate truth. And no one he traveled with knew what it meant. By the time that Levian was sixteen he was making predictions based on the stars. Everyone expects the Ravashari to peddle pretty nothings for a penny, and most took it as what it was because the boy made the telling entertaining. He'd put it in a song, or dance it under the midnight sky before telling a farmer where to plant his crops, or predicting a drought for the year. Soon enough word got around and each time Lev's group of Civashari would pass back through an area he'd be stopped and asked for a prediction. The cost of his services went from coppers to silvers (or just coppers or a pie, he never took more than the person could afford). Sometimes he was wrong. More often he was right. Eventually word got to the ears of King Alaric III who, at a harvesst festival, invited Levian to offer up advice on where the corn should go this year. Lev, smart enough not to fall into a prodigal trap, gave blessings to Petrichor first and then did his prediction. That year the corn yield just happened to be twice of any year in the past decade. Out of amusement, the same thing happened the year after. Alaric laughed, "Well done, Lord Levian." And that was that. Levian was a Lord, invited once a year to the palace to attend a party. The worst dressed lord. The one with nary a House and nary a domain (thus his family name of Neri). But a Lord all the same.
  ly name of Neri). But a Lord all the same.)
• Lexir Pravus  + (Lexir never had particularly high expectat …
  Lexir never had particularly high expectations set for him - his branch of the Pravus was particularly fecund, and he had no shortage of more skillful, or at least, ambitious, siblings for his parents to pin their hopes to. And so he grew up wild in luscious Setarco, a princeling with precious few duties or obligations to anyone but himself. It would be easy for someone in his position to become spoiled, to be lulled into a simpering stupidity by the benefits of his birthright - fortunately, that didn't happen. Adventure was in his blood. Curiosity mixed with intelligence - this too could spoil, could easily turn someone cruel, but the young Pravus lord evaded that fate. As much of his youth as he could he spent out in the city or in the surrounding wilderness, exploring, mingling, doing whatever he could to satisfy his thirst for new and novel experiences. He ran (incognito) with gutter gangs while slumming in the backalleys of Setarco, drank himself into stupors, and experimented with exotic substances. He learned to fight, to sail, his letters and his numbers, dabbling in a myriad of skills but rarely every progressing past novice-level mastery - there was always something new. A few years before his majority, Lexir slipped away from home with a couple of his trusted comrades and friends and disappeared into the Setarco to embark on their grandest adventure yet. Where they went, what they did, and what they saw remains a subject of conjecture and speculation - in the end, only half the number that set out returned, some years later. A less carefree version of the young noble returned, one more tempered, more hardened, more thoughtful than the one that had set out. Even after his return to the public sphere, he did not linger long, vanishing in long expeditions like the first to parts unknown. But now, he's in Arx, the wayward nobleman's presence asked, nay, /commanded/, to be in the heart of power in Arvum as the stirrings of something great rumble across the continent. Who knows? Maybe he'll have learned something useful in all of his travels.
  ed something useful in all of his travels.)
• Liam Riven  + (Liam had what might be considered an idyll …
  Liam had what might be considered an idyllic childhood -- the operative word there being 'had'. Born as the eldest child of a cadet branch of the Riven family, his life should have been one of privilege without the pressure, of leisure without any demand that he truly lead. For the first decade of his life, it was. But all of that came crashing down when he became an orphan at the tender age of twelve. Worst of all, his tragedy was not unique. No, Liam lost his parents on the same day that nearly an entire generation of Riven children did -- the day that a tribe of Abandoned put them and the Deepwoods to the sword, leaving the county in the hands of a girl who was only seventeen. Naturally, chaos ensued. Suddenly several ranks higher in the House's succession, he was one of several swept up to the Twainfort proper and it was not an easy transition. It wasn't that he was unwelcome in his cousin's keep. On the contrary, he was given comfortable rooms and good tutors. He was shown kindness and warmth -- whenever she, or any of the adults, had the time. The trouble was that with all the energy being spent on averting the threat of disaster that loomed for those first few years, there was rarely any left for (yet another) broken-hearted boy underfoot. So it became a duty that Liam took on himself. He would act as guardian and protector of the small pack of orphans that roamed their halls. He would be their comforter and their guide. It was a role he took very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that he found his way to the path of a warrior -- and to the discipleship of Gild. Though their House remains too small for him to become fully godsworn, he serves among the Knights of Solace as duty allows. He will protect his family, and his House, and the people on the roads of Arvum. And he will do everything he can to ensure that no one suffers the pain that he did ever, ever again.
  ers the pain that he did ever, ever again.)
• Liara Grayson  + (Liara Grayson, a princess among princesses …
  Liara Grayson, a princess among princesses, a daughter among daughters: that is to say, a young lady very likely to be lost in the crowd if she didn't find her own way to shine. There are two ways to deal with being a little sister and younger cousin, and Liara definitely chose the more glamorous pathway. Even as a very young child, she always wanted to be in the middle of everything, following the older kids around and aping their ways to the point where she would challenge her shadow to a duel, or create vast dramatic party landscapes out of leaves and twigs and lemonade poured into the dirt. A more than capable student of sewing, musical instruments and dancing, Liara filled her childhood at Bastion with friends and fun and family, as a teenager became the center of attention not by demanding it in roaring fits, but by dint of effort, passion and talent. She became the queen of the gathering of lesser nobility; her parties at Bastion became the talk of her generation, and she yearned for nothing more than to arrive at the capital and put that Grayson flair to the test. Of course, then there was a SIEGE, and her efforts as an organizer became required for relief efforts and refugees rather than for fun and games! She threw herself into charitable work and civil development for the Crownlands with every bit as much verve and panache as she applied to event planning, and found a talent for it. Organization is not an unrelated skill. And strangely enough, it was those efforts - rather than her efforts at preparing the most amazing princessly debut - that led the family to invite her to the capital.
  d the family to invite her to the capital.)
• Galatea Pravus  + (Librarian. Archivist. Alchemist. Galate …
  Librarian. Archivist. Alchemist. Galatea has been called all of these things. From a young age, she showed affinity for all that was written down in books, and at the Pravus estates, she found herself more often at the margins than in the limelight. This suited her just fine: for she is not a Pravus, not exactly, and there were those who would not let her forget it. The product of one of lord Tiberio's infidelities with a nameless highborn of Valardin fealty, Galatea would elsewhere have spent her life swept under the rug. Indeed, her Valardin mother did exactly that: she sent her away to Setarco, where Tiberio was more indulgent, arranging for the girl to be raised in court, even if as an unlegitimized, fostered commoner. Her questionable circumstances led for some to shun her socially, and she had to learn to entertain herself on her own terms. This she did most notably under a senior archivist, whose protege the young girl soon became. Intimately familiar with pen and ink, learning how to mix the latter led to the wider world of tincture and tonic, and so she has become a quietly confident young alchemist. The one thing she has inherited from her mother--rumored to send her rare, anonymous letters--is the importance of honor, accountability, and dignity. Galatea aspires to be the very picture of decorum and grace, and has worked long hours at protocol. Recently summoned to the crownlands, it remains yet uncertain just what she will make of herself.
  ertain just what she will make of herself.)
• Liesel Crownsworn  + (Liesel was born to a peasant family in the …
  Liesel was born to a peasant family in the Oathlands, a smith for a father, and a tailor for a mother. Her father's occupation brought a myriad of warrior-types around the shop every day, repairs, commissions, modifications, sharpenings, all bringing in the sell-swords and more honest soldiery. And when they'd see a wide-eyed child swinging a stick, they'd be sure to tell her a few stories of martial glory as they waited for her father to finish, much to her mother's dismay. It was apparent where Liesel was going to end up, from a young age. As an only child, not much interest in other kids, not much interest in education or vocations, it was no surprise to family or familial friends when she said her goodbyes to her mother and father, and took off with a mercenary company passing by. Her experience in a fight was limited, she learned the basics of swordsmanship from passing soldiery who humored her, but she was eager, and she learned quick beyond that. Her time in the company was short, but the experience changed her. Small skirmishes, money collecting, guarding and escorting, she grew a little more jaded by the day, collecting her paycheck by her sword-hand. As the company travelled through Arx, she split off from the band of sell-swords to explore on her own, deciding to take to freelance work, hoping for something more than to be a travelling tough-- she'd found no glory yet, travelling with that band.
  d no glory yet, travelling with that band.)
• Liesel Lucroy  + (Liesel was born to a peasant family in the …
  Liesel was born to a peasant family in the Oathlands, a smith for a father, and a tailor for a mother. Her father's occupation brought a myriad of warrior-types around the shop every day, repairs, commissions, modifications, sharpenings, all bringing in the sell-swords and more honest soldiery. And when they'd see a wide-eyed child swinging a stick, they'd be sure to tell her a few stories of martial glory as they waited for her father to finish, much to her mother's dismay. It was apparent where Liesel was going to end up, from a young age. As an only child, not much interest in other kids, not much interest in education or vocations, it was no surprise to family or familial friends when she said her goodbyes to her mother and father, and took off with a mercenary company passing by. Her experience in a fight was limited, she learned the basics of swordsmanship from passing soldiery who humored her, but she was eager, and she learned quick beyond that. Her time in the company was short, but the experience changed her. Small skirmishes, money collecting, guarding and escorting, she grew a little more jaded by the day, collecting her paycheck by her sword-hand. As the company travelled through Arx, she split off from the band of sell-swords to explore on her own, deciding to take to freelance work, hoping for something more than to be a travelling tough-- she'd found no glory yet, travelling with that band.
  d no glory yet, travelling with that band.)
• Lothar Tersk  + (Life as a famed warrior of the Black Elk t …
  Life as a famed warrior of the Black Elk tribe was, in a word, good. Known in his youth by enemy tribes as the "Mountain Bear" for his tendency to leap from his horse into the thick of battle and mow down his foes in broad sweeps of his axe with a stunning ferocity, Lothar had won the affections of the chieftain's daughter with his daring and settled into a respected place among his people after decades of leading their war and hunting parties. He fathered many sons and daughters, and enjoyed a close relationship with his family; it seemed he would finally be able to relax on the path into his golden years and raise and train the horses for which his tribe was so well known. It was not to be. Tolmar Brand and his Silent Army decimated the Black Elk tribe on their way to lay siege to Arx; not only did Lothar watch his children and wife fall to the horrifying power at Brand's disposal, but he was separated from the only survivors in the heat of battle and forced to flee to the northwest. For the next several years, nearly destroyed by his belief that he was the only surviving member of his tribe, Lothar wandered the deep wilds and mountains in search of a way to take his revenge on Brand. It was on these forgotten roads and hidden paths that he first met the Knights of Solace, and after so much frustration and despair their devotion left a lasting impression on him. He became convinced that his remaining years should be spent defending those who needed it most, especially after learning that Brand had been slain, and he took his vows and bent the knee to those Knights in the deep wilderness without a second thought. Upon returning to Arx with the Knights, it was absolutely stunning to him to learn that not only had some remnants of the Black Elk tribe made it to the city, but his own little brother Jyri had become ennobled and wed into one Houses of the Compact; he's dedicated to reuniting with his only surviving family, and facing whatever comes next in these intensely troubled times side by side.
  ese intensely troubled times side by side.)
• Elara Kennex  + (Life for Elara has been full of loss and p …
  Life for Elara has been full of loss and pain. Born the bastard child of a minor nobleman of House Thrax, she was quickly given up by her prodigal mother. Elara does not know much about her birth mother, just that she was formerly a Northern Shav and an entertainer in Port Stormbreak. Though she was given up by her mother as a babe, Elara was not raised by her father, Baron Dorian Helios, the Baron of Helion Rock. Instead he 'fostered' her with a Kennex noble and his wife, an old ally of her father's from the Tyde Rebellion days. The couple's family being quite huge, they were nowhere in line for inheritance nor did they have a need, or want, for children. Baron Dorian was childless besides her, and with Thrax succession at the time precluding women from rule, there was concern that if he fully legitimized her, that she would be used by another house to try to take Helion Rock after his death. Raised as more of a nuisance than a wanted child, Elara quickly learned the art of being silent. The girl had a keen mind and enjoyed reading. And since it kept her out of their hair they encouraged it. She also had a talented gift for embroidery. And that was a thing her foster mother and she bonded, though slightly, over. At the age of 17 her father arranged a marriage to a much older Kennex man out in the Mourning Isles, both to get her far from any succession issues and to stifle criticism of him by the Faith that made it extremely difficult for the man to rule when he failed in his responsibilities as a father. The wedding was on her birthday, the day she turned 18, and she tried to be happy. They left for his holdings in the Mourning Isles the morning after. Not ten months later she had her first child. And her first loss. The baby girl was born blue and still. Elara, however, managed quite well despite having few people to confide in on the remote holding. Unfortunately this would not change much over the next few years. Their next child survived their first year, a boy, who was named Erik, till a horrid fever took him. It would have been soul-crushing to many, but Elara held up strong. Never seeming to break even though she lost five children total, most in their first year of life, during her marriage. The most recent loss, two years ago, was a miscarriage at five months when someone poisoned both her and her husband. Her husband perished and she suffered for several months the effects of the lingering poison, but eventually recovered. Widowed as she was and free of needing to stay in the Mourning Isles she returned to Port Stormbreak and the closest thing to family she had, the Kennex. Yet with the approaching horrors and the problems at sea she has, with others of the house, retreated to the safety of Arx. While it is not her first visit to the city, it has been some time. Elara has found herself to be of use to her house using her talents with needle and thread.
  using her talents with needle and thread.)
• Elara Helios  + (Life for Elara has been full of loss and p …
  Life for Elara has been full of loss and pain. Born the bastard child of a minor nobleman of House Thrax, she was quickly given up by her prodigal mother. Elara does not know much about her birth mother, just that she was formerly a Northern Shav and an entertainer in Port Stormbreak. Though she was given up by her mother as a babe, Elara was not raised by her disgraced father. Instead he 'fostered' her with a Kennex noble and his wife. The couple's family being quite huge, they were nowhere in line for inheritance nor did they have a need, or want, for children. The only reason they took Elara was because of the shame created by her father, and wishing to avoid the dishonor on the rest of the family. Raised as more of a nuisance than a wanted child, Elara quickly learned the art of being silent. The girl had a keen mind and enjoyed reading. And since it kept her out of their hair they encouraged it. She also had a talented gift for embroidery. And that was a thing her foster mother and she bonded, though slightly, over. At the age of 17 her father arranged a marriage to a much older Kennex man out in the Mourning Isles. The wedding was on her birthday, the day she turned 18, and she tried to be happy. They left for his holdings in the Mourning Isles the morning after. Not ten months later she had her first child. And her first loss. The baby girl was born blue and still. Elara, however, managed quite well despite having few people to confide in on the remote holding. Unfortunately this would not change much over the next few years. Their next child survived their first year, a boy, who was named Erik, till a horrid fever took him. It would have been soul-crushing to many, but Elara held up strong. Never seeming to break even though she lost five children total, most in their first year of life, during her marriage. The most recent loss, two years ago, was a miscarriage at five months when someone poisoned both her and her husband. Her husband perished and she suffered for several months the effects of the lingering poison, but eventually recovered. Widowed as she was and free of needing to stay in the Mourning Isles she returned to Port Stormbreak and the closest thing to family she had, the Kennex. Yet with the approaching horrors and the problems at sea she has, with others of the house, retreated to the safety of Arx. While it is not her first visit to the city, it has been some time. Elara has found herself to be of use to her house using her talents with needle and thread.
  using her talents with needle and thread.)
• Emeric Redrain  + (Life for Emeric has been an average one fo …
  Life for Emeric has been an average one for a man of his upbringing. He was given the appropriate education and was taught the way of life he should be. Emeric, however, rarely puts his education and upraising to good use. Instead, he spends all his time having a good time and seeing what trouble he can cause. After all, what is the point of being born 'important' if one spends all their time working hard. He has two siblings, Nalea and Nathaniel, twins and his parents have passed on.
  iel, twins and his parents have passed on.)
• Romulius Blackshore  + (Life has a way of being cyclical, when Rom …
  Life has a way of being cyclical, when Romulius was young his life was good if always changing. As the firstborn and heir to the House of Blackshore he was given a good education by the best tutors that Lord Cornelius Blackshore could acquire while they were in port, and by his mother Lady Florence Blackshore when no tutors could be found. Of course for the biggest and most important lessons Cornelius made sure Romulius learned directly from him. It was a whirlwind life mixed between time at sea and the various ports that they stopped at for Cornelius to address as Naval Architect to House Thrax. When Romulius grew old enough he began to follow Cornelius to various sites to learn the trade and he began to see things for how they really were. As his siblings grew up Romulius began to realize the power of family and the importance of it, the legacy in his father's eyes, but family in his. They were the one constant in his life and he grew to depend on them more than Cromulius would have liked. The training intensified then, Cornelius wanting to ensure Romulius followed his path, it did make Romulius a hard young man out of self defense. Also for the defense of his ailing mother, younger brother, and little sister who were often the target of Cornelius rage when things weren't just right. As long as Romulius made Cornelius happy with his progress it took the pressure off of them. It took a downward turn when he was fifteen and his mother fell ill. Cornelius didn't really care but sent Lady Florence and Skye to live at the keep with Romulius' uncle, Baron Oswald Blackshore. With half of his family gone Romulius and his little brother Dycard grew closer having only each other as Cornelius became even more strict. Romulius shielded Dycard as best he could from Cornelius displeasure allowing Dycard more freedom than he had. Which lead to Romulius cleaning up the messes Dycard left but he lived vicariously through his younger brother. The rare times when Romulis was allowed to see the rest of his family he could tell that neither Florence nor Skye were treated well by the Baron and it /ate/ at him. Romulius was away when Blackshore was destroyed with most of his family by forces unknown and though Romulius survived by being at sea, his attempt to return home when he received word did not go well. Instead he was captured by pirates en route. The next few years were the most difficult of his life being tortured and tormented by the pirates. Made to fight to the death so the pirates could gamble on it, or simply for their own amusement, but it was hardest watching Dycard embrace the pirate life. The man who comes to Arx is changed by what he has experienced and almost wild in some ways.
  experienced and almost wild in some ways.)
• Dagny Stahlben  + (Life has not always been easy at the Bones …
  Life has not always been easy at the Bonespire, there is constant skirmishes, constant guarding against the dangers that come from the Everwinter. When Dagny was young she would sit at her grandmother's feet, soaking up the frighting tales of things that lurked out beyond the Bonespire, waiting in the icy cold snow of the Everwinter. Stories that gave her nightmares as a young child, and turned her attention towards the more esoteric of things as an adult, always interested in death, the bones, the spirits. Rumor has it that when her grandmother died she refused to say goodbye to her for good, and kept a small piece of her. But that was surely just a rumor about a child that was a little more dark and creepy then some. As she grew older she turned her attention to studying with her father, learning to fight in the defense of her family and allies. After the Silent War and the decimation of her family, she left the Bonespire with a promise that one day she'd come back, and be able to save them. It was the childish assertions of a young woman that had never really lived in the wider world, or understood that there is not ever really any saving that is possible. Not overall, just a method of keeping as many people as possible alive, and defeating as many of the enemy as possible while doing it. About six months before her appearance in Arx she returned to the Bonespire, although most say that while she was there she didn't talk to many people. Kept to herself. But she started hunting for her grandmother's things, looking for something. Evidently she found it, because she left for Arx looking satisfied about something.
  for Arx looking satisfied about something.)