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"Her father was a cousin from a cadet bran …
"Her father was a cousin from a cadet branch of the Nightgold family out in Stonedeep. Her mother was a from a similarly distant branch of the Hawkmours that had come from Brassfall March. North met south in the capital city one summer and unified in a marriage of mutual love and desire to ally, creating their own small family: Nighthawk. By that winter, on an evening that heralded the birth of their only child, Vesper, Lord Nighthawk gained his heir - but lost his wife. Vesper entered the world, squalling, and covered in the blood of her dying mother. Her father was taciturn and serious, but he probably had one soft spot -- and one that he was overly protective -- his daughter. The son he wanted turned into the daughter he had but that still did not stop him from ensuring she knew how to protect herself. If she were to be his heir she would know how to balance being a Lady and being a Knight. So, she learned to fight with a sword as well as dance. She was taught history and religion, though a broad overview of both the Pantheon and shamanistic practices, not one specifically, so she could know enough of the Faith and bargain well with the Abandoned. Like her father she was an intimidating woman when she needed to be and he found, when he let her take up some of the trade bargaining, that she had a good intuition and perspective for judging people. Of course, teaching her was a problem when she was not sneaking away to listen to the rangers talk about the best places to go hunting and learning various survival skills if she were to be caught out on her own. One even took up teaching her to ride while fighting, and a bit of brawling -- but her Father did not want to know about that. Sometimes, her father would wonder, behind that stern countenance, if she had any heart at all anymore. Then he would catch her in moments when she thought she was alone ? singing off-key while she strummed a broken mandolin with two strings, that she found out in the woods chasing a deer on horseback. Yes, his little girl was quite a thing and... he was proud of her. She would make a wonderful woman, with no regrets that she is not the proper Lady. With her father's blessing, Sir Nighthawk sets out to return to the capital city of Arx to seek her future as a knight or Sword to her mother's Hawkmour kin if they have need - or seek a new venture for herself as a mercenary for hire. More recently, she embraced the Knights of Solace, and took her vows as a godsworn knight placing her family behind her, and joining the Faith of the Pantheon."
r, and joining the Faith of the Pantheon." +
"I can barely remember the Saffron Chain. …
"I can barely remember the Saffron Chain. I was but a small child when my family came to the city. My father was a merchant, patriarch of the family. He sought to bring his business here to make a name for himself and the family. Unfortunately, he never quite made it as big as he had dreamed. We really cannot complain though, we have shelter and food. We do not go without our needs. Though,he had always dreamed of more. Mother had a talent with cooking and she always seemed to enjoy providing for the family. She always did father's biding with a smile on her face. Many men envied him for the wife he had. However, she took ill and died when I was twelve. Since then, father was not the same. He drank. He lost interest in the business. The family began to suffer for it. One thing I learned from mother was how to sew. I am actually quite good at it. The actors and actresses come to me for their costumes when putting on their plays. People around the city seek me out to make new garments for them. I have used this to help build the family back up. It all goes back to the family.
y back up. It all goes back to the family. +
"Let the silver fall, boy!" The echoes of …
"Let the silver fall, boy!" The echoes of Ajax's father still crawling through his skull. He was a surprisingly happy child before the fall of Tyde under the strict tutelage of his father and mother both well respected if not ruthless merchants of the realm which led to an unfortunate bit of scrutiny on the otherwise happy go lucky child. As he aged into the world properly he never found himself taken with further education provided by his parents and as he simply seemed to lack the patience required to be a merchant. In his teenage years, he spent time away from his mother and father to learn the art of sword play from a distant uncle. Learning chivalry, and the art of the sword spoon fed the tales of war and adventure against the elves. Ajax was being prepared for service to a knight when Tyde had fallen. When the news had reached the land he had disappeared only being spoken of in rare passing. During the start of Ajax adulthood he would be found amongst the Redwood mercenary company, often guarding the roads, fighting in small skirmishes for coin. Eventually, parting to earn his own way in the world. While those who encounter him claim he cares for little for status, he seems content in his own dreams in hording a large stockpile of coin
reams in hording a large stockpile of coin +
"Poetry" is not a word that most outside o …
"Poetry" is not a word that most outside of the Mourning Isles would associate with the place, but it does exist there. When he was a young boy, Griffin Redreef displayed a remarkable ability to compose verse, to the point that his first collection was published when he was only twelve. That collection, and several subsequent folios, received widespread acclaim around the Isles, and he was hailed as an emerging virtuoso, who in time would perhaps become the defining poet of the Isles. His parents, Dua and Spencer Redreef, were happy that their youngest son was bolstering the family's reputation, but honestly weren't terribly interested in a poet. They're part of the most staunchly traditionalist branch of the Redreef family tree, and were far more keen to lavish attention on their two older children, Gehenna the diplomat and Nimue the horse-breaker. Perhaps that's what seeded Griffin's progressive leanings. As he grew of age, Griffin became more and more willing to speak out in favor of progressivism in the Mourning Isles. When Baron Landis Redreef died, his brother Tiberius laid claim to Redreef Shores, but this claim was contested by Landis's daughters, Ember and Marina. When the swords were drawn, Griffin sided with Ember and Marina, to fight for the progressive ideals he believed in. Griffin fought valiantly, even though his prowess was much more 'acceptable' than 'exceptional.' Still, he survived. But for him to survive, others had to die. Griffin slew six men on the battlefield over the course of the drawn-out conflict, and he remembers each of them clearly, and the looks on their faces as life left them. He also remembers the looks on the faces of those on his side who were cut down, and the smell of dirt made wet with blood, and what it was like to walk around in the quiet after a battle, looking for the remaining pieces of bodies that used to be his friends. When Ember won the conflict and established herself as Baroness, Griffin thought he was ready to return to poetry. He imagined that he would compose an epic about the struggle, but when he sat at his desk to write, no words came. As months passed, he found no words coming to him about anything else, either. His gift felt as though it must still be there within him, but always just out of reach, taunting him with potential. In the absence of writing, Griffin took to reading. He became a ravenous autodidact, exploring whatever took his fancy, particularly as it pertained to Death, the Wheel, and other things that weighed heavily on his mind after his time fighting. This led to his initiation into the Harlequins, where he hopes that in helping others and sifting through the legends, his inspiration will return to him.
gends, his inspiration will return to him. +
"Since I were a child I have no family to …
"Since I were a child I have no family to relate. Raised by a drunk oldman I had to work everyday and struggle to keep my life. I learned how to fight in the street to keep my coins. Early I found a sage and he taught me how to read. Since then I collect books to get the most knowledge and skills I can. I became attached to heroic stories, moral issues, logic, occultism. My physics are just a little above average. But my mind is sharp. I acquired a lute wich I started to learn, since the songs can calm the beasts. I have a short sword wich I can handle in an avarage manner. I'm always with a book wich I trade every time I finish. I have no home, so the book serves me as pillow too. To survive I'm always finding freelances and tasks people needs other people to do. My work is honest though. I seek for the world mysteries while trying to find my own path to my destiny."
trying to find my own path to my destiny." +
"Such a clever girl." That was often heard …
"Such a clever girl." That was often heard in regard to Tescelina from a very early age. The sole daughter of Baptiste and Antoinette Wyrmguard. She possessed -- besides a love of star-gazing and reading for long hours in the library -- a fierce sense of right and wrong. Throwing herself into harms way on numerous occasions for relatives and close friends. Her father put her on the path to becoming a knight, which she accomplished by the age of 18. Alas, she had gone questing from her home only two years later and taken up residence in House Bellerive's county during the height of the turmoil regarding the Great Road. Reports of these events are scarce. However, while visiting a small villa, it was beset by attackers late in the evening. By dawn's light, only Tescelina remained alive. Wearing her night clothes, drenched in blood, and clutching her sword while standing in the villa's expansive sunflower field. She could not and would later be unable to recall what transpired. But all were found brutally mutilated. This is believed to have been Abandoned before they were driven to the border. Some speculated that she was the slayer but this could not be proven. For despite her appearance, her sword had not a drop of blood on it. They began, in whispers, to simply refer to her as the Knight of Sunflowers. She has come to Arx after a few months of recovery and /encouraged/ to take the trip by her parents who believe that the city will do her good -- and keep her out of the minds of those back home in the Oathlands.
minds of those back home in the Oathlands. +
"Why do the sun and the moon constantly sw …
"Why do the sun and the moon constantly switch places?" a young girl asked her tutor. "Why can't they be out at the same time?" The girl pulled a flower blossom from one of the vines growing in the palace garden, studying it carefully while dismantling the bloom one petal at a time. The blossom began to turn to ash in the girl's hand and the tutor looked down on her, reflecting back her own face in his mirrored mask. "Death does not want anything to live eternal, so it kills the sun and the moon and makes them to be reborn each day in their time." It's later, years later, and a different robed figure in a different mask guides an older girl through some labyrinthine hallways. Through the wooden door they pass a woman screams, heart-wrenching and piercing. "Why do they always scream?" the girl asks her current tutor. "Because they have been brought near to death through their injuries, and now must be yanked back from the claws of that jealous Goddess," the Magister answered. And so went Jasra tutoring for years. Each week she would spend time with tutors who would show her how to be a diplomat, and an equal amount of time being shown the religion of the Silent City. This was the life of a Princess of the Silent City. Until one day the question became, "Why do I have to leave?" and the answer was, "Because the Dune Emperor will not leave you alive if you do not flee." Since then Jasra has been running. Running until there was vast water between her and man that supposedly wanted her dead. Running until she was working for the Skal'dajans under a false name. Running until she was able to be 'liberated' by the House or Pravus. And now Jasra is just another refugee. Another exotic face and voice clogging up the streets as she looks for a way to retake what was hers, seeking out others she's heard of that may have similar goals. But that's not enough for her mind; it's needs challenges. So she's joined the Faith as a Mirrormask, ready to put her questioning mind to use.
ready to put her questioning mind to use. +
"You've got no right, with you head lost i …
"You've got no right, with you head lost in stories... put that daft book down and help me wash these floors, Ori." - Mama Orick was born to an unhappy tavern wench on a cold and dreary autumn evening in the worst part of Tor. He was a very inquisitive child and yet he possessed a certain caution from a young age, getting himself into perilous situations and almost always scraping by without being caught. He often stole food from the kitchen where his mother worked and when he got a little older he stole books and others things from the patrons in the tavern. Orick had limited formal schooling but his natural talents as an autodidact made it possible for him to absorb things through trial and error or mere observation. When he was nine years old he stole a book from a member of the Faith without realizing who he was trying to rip off. Before young Orick could even read it the victim of the crime was pitching a fit to the owner of the tavern. Fed up with the boy's antics, the tavern owner made Orick return the book and then fired his mother from her position at the establishment. Times were tough after that and it was a very harsh winter but eventually his mother found work as a scullery maid in the kitchens of a Fidante household. His father was an unreliable drunk who became more estranged as the years drifted on until he was a mere memory from childhood. Living a servant's life in a noble house gave Orick better access to books and he absorbed the knowledge around him at every opportunity. At age seventeen he sought a place in the College of Apothecary. Orick offered to work as a doctor, apothecary and general alchemist for the Fidante family if they would help finance his education. That was over a decade ago and now he works as a professor at the college and a private alchemist and medical consultant for the Fidante family.
medical consultant for the Fidante family. +
%T Lissa Ardellian's history is unexceptio …
%T Lissa Ardellian's history is unexceptional. That isn't to say it's boring, but in a land ruled by turmoil and the constant machinations of a strange political machine, the life of a peasant is a very meager one in comparison. The young knight-aspirant isn't really too eager to tell of it, either. Maybe one day, there'll be a tale or two spread about her time weeding the farm or rooting up potatoes. Maybe.
ng the farm or rooting up potatoes. Maybe. +
%T Raknorauth was born in the furthest nor …
%T Raknorauth was born in the furthest north, deep within the Everwinter Wood where the souls of men are rarely welcome. In such climates, men have no time for foolishness or flights of fancy, for every hour wasted brings a lazy soul three steps closer to death. But even in such an environment, curiosity can bloom. It is said, mostly by himself, that the first word he spoke as a babe was 'Why', and in the years since, his innate curiosity has only grown. %T Though he warred and clashed with other tribes, worked hard to survive every Deep Freeze, and strove not to disappoint his tribe, Raknorauth could never quite rid himself of his constant need to understand things. So, at the conclusion of his 26th Deep Freeze, he packed up his few belongings, called to his dog, and set off south to find the answers to his questions. Many among his people called him a traitor, others a fool. he was forbidden ever to return. But still he left, convinced that if he were ever to learn what the world was, and why, he would have to look elsewhere. %T For three long, dangerous years he traveled through the Shav lands. Often he came close to death, many a night he spent cold and hungry. But eventually he made it. And after a brief adventure and short brush with death, bent the knee to House Redrain and the Crown, swearing to abide the laws of the pact in exchange for acceptance into this new and exciting culture.
ptance into this new and exciting culture. +
%TAs a child of a Child of the Sun and Moo …
%TAs a child of a Child of the Sun and Moon, Behtuk and his father were nomadic travelers. About wenty years ago, when Behtuk was only a child, their tribe came across an abandoned vessel on the ice. In the course of looting this vessel, they came across a dying man. Behtuk and his father stayed behind to nurse the man back to health as thanks for bringing them the bounty of the vessel. %TThe stranger learned their tongue, and taught them his. He taught Behtuk the trick to forging steel, for in his homeland he was a smith of renown. When the stranger recovered from his wounds, he took his leave of Behtuk and his father, claiming that it was too dangerous for him to stay as he was a hunted man. He was only too right. %TWithin a single moon of the strangers' departure the hunter came. Behtuk's father said: 'This is a demon, run! Don't look back.' And Behtuk obeyed. He returned a day later to find his father dead, and all their supplies stolen. Behtuk was unprepared to care for himself in the unforgiving North and he did not know how to rejoin his nomadic tribe. %TSo Behtuk left the North, travelling to the land the Stranger was from, someplace where he would be able to hide his crimes. When he entered Redrain he found it welcoming. He already spoke the language, and he was able to apprentice as a smith with the knowledge the Stranger had given him. For the past twenty years he has served as an apprentice or journeyman. It was slow going, but he has just completed his masterwork and come to Arx to support his House and ply his trade. If he still holds onto the knife the Stranger gave him and secretly hopes to meet him again in Arx. He is uncertain though whether he owes the Stranger a debt, or if the Stranger owes him one for his father's death.
anger owes him one for his father's death. +
%TBecka spent the first ten years of her l …
%TBecka spent the first ten years of her life growing up in the march of Fair Harbour. Her parents were merchants and took the best care they could of the girl. She had a good childhood, but that all changed once her parents left to Arx for a new opportunity and different life. On the trip over they all became ill, and Becka barely survived the death of her parents. Orphaned and left alone, the girl found her new home on the streets, where she remains today. The only difference now is that she is the one helping the misfortunate children.
the one helping the misfortunate children. +
%TKyden started life as an orphan in Arx, …
%TKyden started life as an orphan in Arx, though she remembers little of the city she's recently returned to. She was adopted at an incredibly young age for the sole purpose of being raised as a deckhand upon a ship that ended up being owned by pirates. Whether this was charity, or some sick plan to breed the perfect sailor is unknown, as the ship in question crashed along the shore of the Navegant when she was but 13 years old. She washed ashore on the island of Escuma, where she spent most of her time living off charity and theft. %TNot much is known about her time amongst the pirates, nor her time spent upon Escuma, but it is there that she began to sculpt. Obsessively. Ceaselessly. There were natural resources nearby, but she soon grew tired of raw clay and mud. She began to steal more and more, but amateur criminals do not last long in such small populaces, and soon she was being shipped off to spend some quality time as a Thrall in Donrai's workgangs. %TUnfortunately, she had little desire to work on anything but her mad art, and her insolence had her in and out of the dungeons, until one day, she simply disappeared...
, until one day, she simply disappeared... +
%TLuck rarely seemed to be on the side of …
%TLuck rarely seemed to be on the side of Nottie, especially as an orphan that was born to parents of the Redrain fealty, who lived in the Lower Boroughs. Her parents died when she was but a tot, her relatives that were to take care of her abandoned her to live in the streets and she had no siblings. This made life for her rough but she managed to scrape by with the kindness of those with more means than her. %THowever, her luck continued to fail her as quite often she fell ill or someone she was close to fell ill. If it was not an illness it was someone from the Boroughs robbing her quite blind. Truly, life was rough for poor little Nottie. During her time growing up in the Boroughs Nottie had a run in with the leader of the Ulbran family, much to her fear. She had been with someone he knew and she was telling the person of things that happened to her. Theodoric thought she was taking this person for all he was worth but, somehow, she managed to get some of the luck that keeps missing her. He didn't do anything ill towards her and, instead, took her into his family. She thought her luck was changing for the better when she found her husband but, alas, it did not for very soon after they were married he was made a Thrall to some noble within the Thrax family with a debt quite high. So, she has been working on raising funds to help buy his freedom back.
aising funds to help buy his freedom back. +
%TMarcus was the sort of boy that could be …
%TMarcus was the sort of boy that could be found more often in the fields with the animals and crops then learning the needful things a nobles son might be required to learn. Something that was of little concern at the time being from the 'off' side of the family. And there was always plenty of work to be done. %TWhen duty fell apon Marcus's family after the Tor-Southport war it seemed a heavy burden. Still his father raised no dogers of duty in his household and Marcus set about doing as he must to befit this sudden new station he found himself in. %TSent off to learn the ways of war, the gentle hearted young man found himself to be a disapointment to warriors and of great boon to the healers. Offered the role of medic he eagarly chose that role instead, starting to add to his decent store of knowledge about plants and animals as well as friendly brawls with his fellow soldiers. Eventually earning himself a name as a great fighter with his fists and feet.
s a great fighter with his fists and feet. +
%TThe remnants of the Morien family has al …
%TThe remnants of the Morien family has always told stories that before the Reckoning, they were a great clan with land, but they were mostly slaughter by the White Legion, and their lands overrun. The family never achieved the power that they once had, and was one of the dozen clans that were crushed in battle that led to the formation of the House of Halfshav. Morien family is now a collection of distant cousins scattered around the north. %TThis "interpretation" of their family history inspired Tarik to want to be more than simple commoner like the rest of his family, even if he didn't completely believe in the story himself. He realizes at a young age that he would never be able take over his mom's duties as a weaponsmith, so he decided to use the weapons that his mother designed to find his way in life. His mother wishing to encourage her son decision to find his own path would give her customers' discounts if they would teach her Tarik to fight. By the time he reached 18, he felt that he had enough basic skills to begin his life as a sellsword. Tarik's first job was being a guard for some caravans. He was so excited, until the other guards betrayed the caravans to the bandits. Tarik had to fight the other guards and the bandits to protect the caravans. He saved the caravans, but he still supports a visible scar from that battle by his ear and neck. He received the other guards share of the money, there was no other rewards, no songs of glory, and only the slightest gratitude offered in the appreciation of his efforts. When he was counting his extra coin, he learned in that moment that to achieve his goals in life that just being lucky or good with sword was not enough. As a sellsword, he has done a stint in the military, he served as a body guard for merchants, protecting caravans, and has even helped find "missing" people. He tries to keep himself very busy by immediately looking for another job. once the previous one has ended.
ther job. once the previous one has ended. +
%TToste Redrain grew up in Farhaven with t …
%TToste Redrain grew up in Farhaven with the other Redrain children and spent most of his early childhood running around the surrounding forests hunting imaginary wolves or bears and occasionally much fiercer things with wooden sword in hand. Brave and loyal to a fault, he had a strong sense of right and wrong and more than once he ended up getting in trouble, or a bloody nose for sticking up for one of the smaller kids. %TOnly ever an average student, Toste discovered his passion when he was presented with his first horse on his ninth birthday. He quickly showed promise as a rider and throughout his teenage years trained rigorously with the spear and threw himself into a study of tactics, becoming a capable cavalry officer. %THe never lost that idealistic streak though. Raised on stories of questing knights, he regularly competed in tourneys and the like, even winning a few, though he's now setting his sights on bigger things. Tired of chasing shavs around the Northlands and small tie local tourneys, he's set his sights on Arx and dreams of winning glory and renown.
rx and dreams of winning glory and renown. +
'Born to House Malgentilega - a vassal hou …
'Born to House Malgentilega - a vassal house under House Pravus - Farrah grew up among the spoiled and feckless youths of high society. Granted every desire, and shielded from the consequences of her mistakes, she didn\'t quite understand life. Her mother died when she was young and her father might have wanted to keep her innocent of the world, but in truth he was inattentive and busy with his own social and financial ambitions. He believed that money was an acceptable substitute for love and did not pay attention to Farrah as long as she did not cause a serious embarrassment for the House. As might be expected, Farrah\'s freewheeling lifestyle led her into trouble. When she was fourteen years old, she was already involved with drinking and carousing with the children of other nobles. By this age she was almost considered an adult and given considerably more freedom than she enjoyed as a child. Her associations and revelries bored her eventually. She sought out more exciting pastimes and found herself gradually associating with a rougher crowd. Many of her friends at this time were nobles also seeking excitement, but into this circle of friends came some who were more interested in her money than her friendship. One of these suggested that thievery would be very exciting and enticed her into the trade. Her early failures were covered over by her family, or by "friends" in high society, and eventually she grew more skilled. But, fate took a hand as she turned nineteen years old. She planned a robbery of a temple, and during this daring raid her partner abandoned her. She was caught and created a tremendous scandal for her family. After paying a hefty fine and receiving widespread scorn, her inattentive father decided she needed to be ironed out with something to keep her out of trouble, and she was given a choice: travel to Tor and agree to study at the renown Apothecary College to learn a craft to worship Jayus and learn some discipline, or be cast out of the family and left to fend for herself as a commoner. To someone like Farrah, it wasn\'t much of a choice. She went to Tor and studied under her strict, no-nonsense uncle for three years. She grew to accept routine and the temptations which usually led her astray were removed. When she returned home her father was delighted by her progress, but Farrah had little interest in becoming a Mercy or scholar and found herself directionless once again. She reacquainted herself with the intrigues of the court, and she kept her eyes and ears open, occasionally selling information to a small group of influential clientele. Eventually, through her contacts and information brokering, she caught the eye of one of Setarco's foremost courtiers. Seeking a new thrill and being naturally suited to the profession, she traveled to Setarco and became a lovely courtier of modest noble birth, much to the chagrin of her parents who wished for her to avoid intrigues that could tempt her into scandal. But at least she was home, and she wasn\'t stealing any more. As far as they knew. House Malgentilega was destroyed along with its liege House Argento by House Pravus for treason in the fall of 1006 AR. While her father was found guilty of the same crimes of his brethren and executed, she and her siblings were given a choice to join him or to bend the knee to the new Count Amadeo due to their blood ties with House Pravus. Farrah wisely decided to do the latter, seeking to stay on House Pravus\'s good side even in spite of the family\'s losses. Farrah began to look for a way to better her social standing among her peers outside of being a courtier, and started marriage negotiations with several prominent families. In the end, however, those within the Lyceum were reluctant to commit so soon after the downfall of Argento and its vassals and Farrah began to look elsewhere. She traveled to Arx and situated herself at court, and eventually she found herself a husband in the newly ennobled Baron Silas Whitehawk.'
the newly ennobled Baron Silas Whitehawk.' +
*Background: * For the first many years o …
*Background: * For the first many years of his life, Estaban grew up in the Saikland Greens where he stayed and learned to hunt and cared for his family, learning the basics of diplomacy from the noble around him. While he was a boy he learned how to hunt and helped teach his sisters how to enjoy nature, putting them in trees, having mud fights with them, and doing other fun children things with his siblings. When Estaban was fourteen years old his parents sent him off to foster his sense of adventure and desire to be on a boat. He sailed with many people but while his sister, Arcelia, was in Nilanza he often traveled with Argento sailors so that he could frequently visit her. He eventually taught his sister how to sail when her own curiosity consumed her. When Arcelia left the care of the Argento's he went to spend time with the Malvici where he spent four years learning more about the military arts.
rs learning more about the military arts. +
A Malvici cousin raised in Southport, the …
A Malvici cousin raised in Southport, the former Lady Amanita Malvici, now just Amanita - was raised with an extensive emphasis on both knowledge and fighting. It was an exhausting childhood. Her mother, who came from Valardin stock, was a renowned alchemist and healer who named Amanita herself after a type of mushroom. Her father was a soldier who rarely spent time at home but doted on Amanita and her siblings when he was there. Between schooling, learning how to fence, learning which dinner fork to use, how to dance, and what to wear to which occasion, Amanita found herself in want of something more than the life of a noble - particularly a Lady. Despite the relative freedom that her mother was granted, she still found it too restrictive, and the prospect of arranged political marriages scared her. As some of her siblings got married off, Amanita realized that her time would likely come sooner than later and with some finessing, she talked her parents into sending her to courtier training. A gawky, uncoordinated teenager went into a school - and a tall, slightly better coordinated young lady came out. After spending some time as a courtier in Southport, Amanita has made her way to Arx to seek out her fortune and join the renowned Whisper House, hoping to glean more education from them and perhaps become a great Whisper in her own rite. At the very least, her extended family is in the City, and she'd like to visit.
y is in the City, and she'd like to visit. +
A Prodigal from the Mourning Isles, Claude …
A Prodigal from the Mourning Isles, Claude is rather private about much of his history. This much seems to be true: once upon a time, he was a shav carpenter with a family. His tribe's village was one of the many that fell to the Gyre, and whatever family he had was lost. He made it to Arx during the Silent War, but moved on quickly enough to Old Oak after befriending Dame Zhayla, House Deepwood's Sword. It was the tragic death of that same friend that eventually brought him back to Arx, seemingly renewed in his desire to do some good amidst all of the dangers facing the world. At least as much as a quiet, artistically-minded carpenter can do. He'll make a start by joining the Faith's disciple ranks as a Liberator of Skald, serve as a vassal of House Deepwood, and go from there.
ssal of House Deepwood, and go from there. +
A Ravenseye cousin, Jayden grew up in Stor …
A Ravenseye cousin, Jayden grew up in Stormheart as a quiet, content and attentive child. He was an imaginative young man, often just staring at the cold wind as it rustled through the winter trees around the, lost in something that mesmerized him. His father taught him when he was old enough to hold a knife steady how to carve and widdle, intending it to just improve his reflexes and the strength of his hands, but little did the man know but he was dedicating his son to a future of art and beauty. That's not exactly typical for the his house. Sailors and the like for the most part, the life never suited Jayden. As he grew older, he became fascinated with the idea of instruments-- wood and wind, his favored spirits-- and turning his creative talents into making them. He came to Arx a couple years ago, and has made a name for himself for the quality of his instruments that he makes, names, and then gifts to those who are of need or worthy.
gifts to those who are of need or worthy. +
A Redrain prince, born to shepherd the nor …
A Redrain prince, born to shepherd the north, and be a blade at the front. From a young age, it was clear that Leif had a wisdom most children his age did not. He was both empathetic and patient, even as a bratty child, that often drew respect from his elders. As he grew this only increased, Leif began to train as a warrior, though many turned to him for his point of view and perspective. He often was able to see the issue from both sides, and mediate whether it be for peer or elder. He approached issues with a calm, and open demeanor which garnered him respect from both the warriors that were under him and led him. Leif's younger sisters were a prize to him. He spent as much time as he could with them when he was not being called on for his warrior or princely duties. The young Redrain prince was becoming something quite promising, an inspiration to his people, a strong blade, and a kind and wise man. At one point Leif's popularity was nearly unrivalled at one point, there were simply not many that could find a quarrel with the man. Of course you cannot be all things to all people, but it was hard to dislike a man who only poured out kindness and loyalty to those around him. And then Stormwall happened. The Pirate King attacked the Compact, and of course Prince Leif Redrain was amongst the warriors who defended the city from the attack of the undead. He cut down many of the enemy but eventually was separated from the rest of his forces. Early on, it was thought that Leif perished in Stormwall. Until it was later revealed that the Prince did in fact survive, rescued by a company of Templar. After he returned, there was a short amount of time until Leif no longer practiced shamanism. And only a short amount of time after that, did Leif renounce his title as a prince and take vows as a Godsworn Templar in the Faith of the Pantheon. His decision was pretty unpopular in the north, and despite the criticism that he has received, Leif has maintained a deep love and respect for his people. He has a deep respect for their history and their roots of shamanism, but he cannot deny the path and the calling he has found from the Gods. Adamant and passionate about his new solidified faith he has determined, it is the way forward. And so, Leif reports to Arx as a Godsworn Templar. While some will say he has abandoned his family, and others will call him a brave hero for his choice, Leif maintains that he must love and protect both sides. Hated or loved, he is called to serve, and he will not turn from that calling.
e, and he will not turn from that calling. +
A brother of Kastelon, Kendrick joined him …
A brother of Kastelon, Kendrick joined him in helping protect the people of Oakhaven. While he was inclined to become a huntsman alongside him, he quickly noticed the difference between him and his sibling. He realized that he would be an ideal fit for a Knight - the strength of arm and personality that were required were clearly found in him. Growing up with his brother, they diverged paths, with Kendrick realizing he had a different plan to serve the Keaton family, and the Compact at large. As a young adult, he serves House Keaton, protecting Oakhaven with his martial prowess, obtained through years of training. He continues to grow in strength, hoping to achieve his goal of obtaining Knighthood.
achieve his goal of obtaining Knighthood. +
A child of the Mourning Isles, Lora was bo …
A child of the Mourning Isles, Lora was born and raised in Grimhems Point, where trying to Out Thrax House Thrax is no rumor, it is the way of life for House Grimhall. She is one many children between Anton Grimhall and his wife, Helena Grimhall nee Hawkmour. From a very young age, Lora exhibited her love for the arts, specifically music. Before she learned to speak, she was humming the songs her nannies would sing in order to lull her to sleep. By the time she was three, she could play simple tunes on the piano. The dull, overcast skies would suddenly brighten whenever Loralei would entertain her family with music. She has a way about her, an energy, an aura, that draws others to her and as a result can count on many she considers friends. Like her siblings, Lora spent many years under the tutelage of myriad instructors. Her training, while mainly consisting of social graces, often dabbled in a few lessons that focused on the high seas and adventure. It is no surprise then that the young Grimhall lady often jumped at the opportunity to join her mother during diplomatic visits to the Lyceum. The Southern city-states held an exotic flavor to them that resonated deeply within Loralei. Tor in particular held her interest with their rich history, their location on the opposite side of the Lycene split, world renown roses, emeralds, and apothecaries, one can say the city seduced her and she found herself quickly married to Nico Fidante, cousin to former Duke Leo and his sister Calista Fidante. It was a gorgeous ceremony that took place in Spring proper while all of the roses were starting to bloom. Like most marriages, Lora and Nico fulfilled a political arrangement, but there was genuine affection between them as well. As a Fidante, Lora continued to excel in all areas of social decorum. It has been noted quite a few times that her style and fashion is copied time and time again. As for her love of music, she founded a small school of the arts in Tor that provides education for less fortunate children. When Nico died at sea during one of the heinous battles against the Gyre, Loralei was heartbroken. The story of a young widow is sadly not an uncommon one. After what seemed like an appropriate time to mourn her husband, Loralei set off to Arx from Tor to reinvent herself, offer her assistance to her Fidante family, and keep her promise to Nico that she would accomplish all the things she originally set out to accomplish while they were married. A transplanted rose from the Mourning Isles by way of Tor can surely set roots in the capital city. Come abyss or high water.
he capital city. Come abyss or high water. +
A child of the Oathlands, born in Oakhaven …
A child of the Oathlands, born in Oakhaven to a pair of Keaton Trackers, Apollo might have had an idyllic childhood in the woods. But while traveling between Lyon's Redoubt and Keaton Keep when he was six, he and his parents were ambushed by bandits. His parents were killed, and he was kept; life as a bandit would have been an ironic twist for the child of peacekeepers. But other Trackers eventually found the hideout, and Apollo, recognized, was taken to Keaton Keep, where Countess Margerie took him in. Nigh silent, owlish, grieving, the genial warmth and friendships he found in Oakhaven nurtured him from near mute to merely skittish. His early artistic impulses were noticed, and connections made with local artisans; when he found tanning, he found his first love. He swiftly rose to local prominence for his craft, and Marquis Kael tapped him to come to Arx. He might have been a big fish in a small pond - but he wasn't. Apart from exceptional tradecraft, his care for his liege house, his customers, and his fellow crafters had him lending an ear, a set of armor, or assistance as often as he was taking commissions. And then more often. He became Co-Guildmaster of the Crafters Guild of Arx, a position he held for more than two years. Though often uncertain about his skillset and utility, his time bent toward diplomatic and economic work, outreach with Abandoned, and cultivation of ties between crafters, houses, and organizations for projects and mutual assistance. He took up with Whisper House, first as an associated courtier, then Apprentice Whisper, leaving House Keaton to serve as a Whisper in mid-1014 after a successful diffusion of tensions in the Oathlands. Then in 1015, in answer to his service to House Darkwater and its vassals, he was offered ennoblement. He accepted, stepping down as Guildmaster and retiring as a Whisper, though his ties to both organizations remain. In truth, though his life has changed to a vast degree, much remains. He is a maker of art and a builder of connections, and it is rare a day that passes without some of both. Now, after a brief, quiet betrothal, he's joined House Malespero as Marquis-Consort, where he'll doubtless bring those same instincts to the people of Nilanza. And where better for an orphan like himself?
d where better for an orphan like himself? +
A child of uncertain parentage, Rylan was …
A child of uncertain parentage, Rylan was born in the year 983 on the island of Nilanza and fostered amongst a family of scribes in service to House Argento. Never quite one of the family, he was yet raised well, with food in his belly and kind words when they were earned, and given an education in all the things a scribe should know - at the least a neat hand and a good memory. He never quite took to the notion of being quiet and unobtrusive in the manner of a discrete scribe however, finding far more joy in hearing tales from the many visitors to the island, not to mention drinking and gambling with them. While he did serve Argento as a scribe in some small matters in his mid to late teens, the vocation never really 'stuck'. During the destruction of the treacherous House Argento in 1006, he chose to leave the island and seek his fortunes elsewhere, intending to send earnings home to his foster family who found themselves abruptly out of work - at least until House Malespero was formed and took their place. By that time he was already situated in Arx, having held a dozen simple jobs over the years - a labourer at the docks, serving drinks at any number of bars, carrying messages for merchants and more, and continued to do so until he reached the age of 30. Each job teaching him something new, but nothing that could be called a career or vocation. Finally in 1013 he decided that he should put his people skills to good use, taking up as an apprentice with Whisper House, learning to serve the great and the good. And everyone else at that.
t and the good. And everyone else at that. +
A childhood spent growing up on one of the …
A childhood spent growing up on one of the lush fragrant vineyards that surround the village of Saikland Greens sounds idyllic, a vision painted in dreamscape. In truth it was incredibly dull. Nothing of note happened throughout Saedrus' youth. Much of it he spent working on the family land, small as it was, with his six sisters and little else. They were a close family for many years but slowly one by one their numbers drew short as each of his sisters wed and started their own families leaving Saedrus to care for the vineyard alone, what with his father's failing health. It all came to an end when his father passed. Saedrus had the choice then to keep making some of the most tantalizing wine as his father had done, and his father before him, or he could become more than a simple farmer. Wanderlust had always been in his heart but it was not until responsibility to his family had faded that the want for adventure became unbearable, that and the group of troubadours passing through Saikland Greens added just enough push to drive Saedrus towards his ambitions. He stayed with the troupe for some months, travelling through the south and with them began his love for the arts, specifically music and dance. There would be more to learn though, and he could not stay with the musicians forever. The search for adventure and all the knowledge that comes with it saw Saedrus travel much of the continent in the first handful of years, never staying long enough to grow roots in one place. What called to him in all of his travels though were the schools of Courtesans where beauty and talent were drawn by the same brush and wrapped in silken finery; that was where he wanted to be. Where he could pursue his great love for performance and could bring that splendour to others, bring just a little colour and wonder into the darkness of the current state of the world. For the last four years he's studied at a small variety of schools along the eastern coast on a path that has lead him back to Arx. Saedrus has passed through the city on countless occasions, who knows how long he might stay this time.
ho knows how long he might stay this time. +
A country cousin from a lesser branch of H …
A country cousin from a lesser branch of House Zaffria, it's fairly well-known that the former Lady Magden Zaffria is a bit soft in the head. Her home near Gemecitta employed a rather skilled -- some might say renowned -- apothecary and physician to tend her mother's poor health. Though her mother died when Magden was still a child, the physician remained, taking the young girl on as a promising pupil. When her father died and her older brother had no interest in being responsible for her, she was taken in by the Rubino-Zaffrias in Arx. Unfortunately, Lady Magden's mental condition deteriorated while she was in Arx, resulting in a number of embarrassing public incidents. Her moments of fractious indelicacy and blindness to protocol made her relationship with her house particularly tense. Shortly after a disastrous duel to settle a matter of insult between herself and Duchess Nightgold, Lady Magden made a proclamation officially renouncing both her title and the Zaffria name. Why //specifically// this was done is a matter for speculation. She herself, now simply Magden, will often answer inquiries with wild and impossible tales -- or not at all.
ild and impossible tales -- or not at all. +
A cousin fairly far down the line of succe …
A cousin fairly far down the line of succession, Edwyn hasn't accomplished anything feast-worthy since birth, save perhaps for that time he'd managed to eat twenty bacon muffins the fastest. Like most of his kin, he was behooved to partake of the knightly tradition although despite his physical talent he has no particular love for the art of war, disdaining the troubles of hard campaign and the chore of having to chase down Shavs. %T Fortunately, he's been saved from further responsibility in Sanctum to find instead his own calling in Arx. He doesn't exactly know what it'll be, but who knows. It could be books, adventure, love, storytelling, getting shitfaced in the other wards, anything except counting coins for the Valardin and riding out in patrol, please, Edwyn's happy enough without that.
please, Edwyn's happy enough without that. +
A cousin to the current Duke, Baldwin was …
A cousin to the current Duke, Baldwin was from the start a deeply spiritual individual. It was this spirituality of his, this faith, that tempers the occasional impulses for which he was known in his childhood. After all, what little Baldwin loved more than to hear the stories of warfare and House Fidante's many glories was to brawl his relatives, or play-pretend with wooden swords a little too aggressively. As he grew, a certain contemplative nature also came about, and he would often be found in the various temples, meditating and praying when he wasn't compulsively training for what he believed was his true calling. He was fostered with a Southerner Knight Templar, then, both to complete his training and to assist the man in his fight against the Abandoned menace. Many years were spent as the young man flourished into a martially-inclined, highly competent adult, thanks to the spartan upbringing that ensued. Once he was knighted, following a particularly harrowing attack by the Abandoned at a westward holy site the newly-made knight decided to ride back south, after hearing of unrest in Tor. Once there, he joined forces with the Duke against the pretender Count. His training paid off; riding at the vanguard, his mettle was proven again and again in the field of combat, although some whisper of carefully measured brutality visited upon the foe, concealed beneath the veneer of valor at arms. Once Duke Leo was reinstated, he pledged his sword to him, willing to serve House Fidante against enemies without and within, as his liege requires.
without and within, as his liege requires. +
A daughter of a dying House - her father w …
A daughter of a dying House - her father was a Count within the Oathlands before his death. He always intended for her to marry someone influential to stave off the death of their House - she always refused. When he died, her older brother took his position, and she left. As her older brother had no children at the time of her departure, she is technically next in line for the County - but she refuses to have any part of it. Instead, she enjoys her status as a noble wanderer - intending to live her life in freedom and go with whatever comes her way.
reedom and go with whatever comes her way. +
A distant cousin of the Darkwater Family, …
A distant cousin of the Darkwater Family, distant enough to be considered fully out of the line of succession, Eamon was left on his own to come up with a way to make a living. Enrolling in the Navy, his connections let him rise through the ranks quickly - backed by his sharp mind and keen ability to turn conflicts around. As he was trusted with greater and greater command, his aptitude only grew, and soon word started to spread about the man, with many nicknames given - but none seeming to stick. He seemed to have hit the height of his progression without formal rank right before the Pirate King appeared and the war began in earnest. Darkwater Watch was ravaged. Even Eamon's mind wasn't enough to pull out a miracle, and when he found his ship surrounded, there was nothing he could do but barely manage to survive on a piece of driftwood until he was picked up by a passing merchant ship. But out of chaos, opportunity arises. With Darkwater's ranks severely depleted, his opportunities have skyrocketed, and so Eamon heads to Arx to make the connections needed to make his family strong once more.
eeded to make his family strong once more. +
A former lower class who was knighted upon …
A former lower class who was knighted upon loyalty and commitment in bringing in criminals of the Crown by working with the Knights and using his lower class status to go undetected mostly. Picked up his skills from a young age, fending for himself and making the most of his circumstances. Strong willed.
most of his circumstances. Strong willed. +
A foundling, originating in mystery and no …
A foundling, originating in mystery and no closer to clarity than when she began, Segrid grew up the ward of a certain nobleman since he discovered her in a port city on the far edge of the continent. Blonde and green-eyed, dressed in exotic tatters and utterly mute, she was able to capture something in him that compelled his care. Having been well-educated and trained, she has grown into a cultivated and sophisticated young woman with enough personal charms to recommend her to a good position. Mute until she was nearly adult, she seems unlikely to spill secrets even now.
seems unlikely to spill secrets even now. +
A frequent face around the Bank of Arx, He …
A frequent face around the Bank of Arx, Herbert Gavius is one of the type of men there that would live his entire life surrounded by other people and could disappear without a trace without any notice at all. With no friends or social ties whatsoever, he is many ways a perfect banker- he goes in, does work with the Bank of Arx, leaves, and it is as if he ceases to exist outside the confines of the Bank. Bland, reliable, and utterly forgettable.
Bland, reliable, and utterly forgettable. +
A heedless but handsome fellow. Was having …
A heedless but handsome fellow. Was having a stroll when suddenly all went black. The next thing he came to feel, was the intensive throbbing pain and the crusty rinlet of blood coming from the back of his head. Without having a clue as to where he is, nor where he came from, he's seeking out for someone who might be able to give him some guidance. He has a thing for good literature and some talent for finding lost stuff. He's also a goodhearted fellow and usually honest. Even though he might not be able to remember much as to who he was, before he woke up bleeding and in pain, at least he still knew his name. Not knowing where to go, he sets out to find civilization and get at least some basic wound treatment.
d get at least some basic wound treatment. +
A humble family whose matriarch is a seams …
A humble family whose matriarch is a seamstress in a barony outside of Bastion, the Rosens are no strangers to hardship. Jay was born a middle child in a household of four other children while his mother did her very best to keep them all sustained with her occupation. She is credited for keeping her family together after her husband died unexpectedly while on a winter trip to the Northland. Jay's sisters found jobs as soon as they were old enough and he did most of the manual labor whenever a repair around the house needed to be done. He was no stranger to gardening, building fences, stable duty, or cooking while his mother worked. In his youth, Jay discovered a talent for mending his own clothes whenever he found a tear in his pants or shirt from outdoor work he had been doing. Needlework brought a sense of deep satisfaction whenever he could repair a garment and save it from being tossed out. When he was of proper age he acquired an apprenticeship at a local tailor's shop where he learned the basics of running a business. In addition, the proprietor introduced him to the art of fashion and that's when he found his one true love: making clothes. He began to design and sew his own clothing, only to branch out and tailor for others when his confidence and experience grew. The more clothes he made, the clearer his vision became: he knew he was meant to become a Disciple of Jayus, join the Crafters Guild, open his own shop, and create clothes for all in the city of Arx.
create clothes for all in the city of Arx. +
A humble family whose matriarch is a seams …
A humble family whose matriarch is a seamstress in a barony outside of Bastion, the Rosens are no strangers to hardship. Joel was born a middle child in a household of four other children while his mother did her very best to keep them all sustained with her occupation. She is credited for keeping her family together after her husband died unexpectedly while on a winter trip to the Northland when her children were young. Joel's sisters found jobs as soon as they were old enough and he did most of the manual labor whenever a repair around the house needed to be done. He was no stranger to gardening, building fences, stable duty, or cooking while his mother worked. During that time, Joel discovered a talent for mending his own clothes whenever he found a tear in his pants or shirt from outdoor work he had been doing. It was by pure happenstance when he began to barter with local shopkeepers for yards of fabric to bring home that it all made perfect sense to him. Rather than save something old, why not obtain something new through trade? Bartering was a skill that he sharpened over the years and his path eventually led him to the city of Arx where the opportunity to open his own shop as a clothier beckoned to him.
is own shop as a clothier beckoned to him. +
A lawyer and dabbling-merchant specializin …
A lawyer and dabbling-merchant specializing in maritime affairs, Lord Alecto Threerivers served as Voice to the late Count Trevor Threerivers and momentarily as Count-Regent in the days immediately following that man's death and prior to the new Countess of Highrock announcing herself. That Alecto sided with Magaen's succession claim over that of her sister in what he charmingly refers to as 'the trouble with having twins' was considered a big coup for her by outside observers, but privately the pair had been quietly allied for quite some time. Much of the influence Highrock enjoys on the system of nearby riverways crisscrossing the Northern-Oathlands border can be attributed to Alecto's efforts on behalf of his former house. It gives him no satisfaction to see that influence wane in the absence of his nuanced stewardship. Now, Alecto has the prosperity of Glacial Grove to concern himself over. With House Charon inheriting a virtually uninhabitable tower castle, decrepit defensive walls, a crumbling infrastructure, and a withering Prodigal population, the newly conquered holding is bound to keep this consummate worrier up at night.
keep this consummate worrier up at night. +
A love match, rather than a strictly polit …
A love match, rather than a strictly political marriage, brought a Blackram woman to take the name Sanna and move into the Redrain fealty. On paper, Peyton Blackram secured the use of some minor mountain causeway for trade that would extend Sanna's reach through the winter, but outside of the official story everyone knew that the marriage was going to happen or a bastard was going to a stain. So it was that just a week after the vows had been said, Peyton and Benedikt welcomed their baby boy, Corwin, into the world. They said from the start he could scream loud enough to start an avalanche. When it came to his lessons, things involving reading were not high on Corwin's list. Once he learned how to get out of those lessons, usually by sneaking or just not showing up, he tended to go missing at least four times out of ten. He hated being indoors, and the tutors never wanted to be out of doors. It was, really, just a match asking to fail. When it came to going with Benedikt on a hunt, or working with a weaponsmaster, or learning to stalk a beast, that's when Corwin paid attention. The outdoors, the thrill of tracking something, of catching it, gavae him something that made his blood stir. And on the days when he was really on his game, the wind seemed to always be at his front, keeping his scent away from the prey and making his cloak billow dramatically. As he grew, it became clear that Corwin was not going to be learned, merely adeequate. He was, instead, destined for the life of a ranger. He'd spend his days out of doors, leading hunting parties, skirmishing with shavs, tracking warbands to relay back to the armies. And as long as he was outside, he was perfectly fine. Now he's been summoned to Arx and he's about to find out just host much outdoor camping one can do in a city.
much outdoor camping one can do in a city. +
A man of humble birth and family. He alway …
A man of humble birth and family. He always had a fine curiosity in the natural and unnatural around. How the most simple and complex things growing around us all can be used to aid and for intrigue. Much of his craft was learned from his own personal reading along with lengthy testing. His family was encouraging in Terno's studies but they did know know all of his mischievous pondering.
now know all of his mischievous pondering. +
A man who grew up in dire straits, Kador. …
A man who grew up in dire straits, Kador. He did whatever it took to survive, as he did not have much family growing up. All he had was his size to help him. It didn't take long before a band of mercenaries picked him up, helping him on his way to become a warrior for pay. He grew into a very large, strong man, who knew how to hold his own in a fight. For years, he stayed on this path of his, never straying for long.
this path of his, never straying for long. +
A member of a lesser known barony in the M …
A member of a lesser known barony in the Mourning Isles, the barony of House Morewind, it was a surprise for many among the peerage when Duke Trevor Helianthus took the enigmatic noble woman as his wife. The domain seems to have thrived since she joined Helianthus and she -is- a noble woman right? so there's little reason for any concern. Of course, there are whispers that she was never seen in the domain of House Morewind in the decades prior to her marriage. Even if the family do claim her as their own.
n if the family do claim her as their own. +
A member of one of the lesser houses of th …
A member of one of the lesser houses of the Lyceum, Leonora was a sickly young woman. Often bed-ridden and secluded, the noblewoman lived predominantly through books and the vicarious tales of her friends who came to visit on occasion. Yearning for a chance to be a part of the society she so often heard of, she saved all her allowance and paid an old woman -- a traveling alchemist -- in hopes of a miracle cure. The alchemist provided a potion for her, and soon Leonora found her strength increasing. While she never will be fully hale and hearty, the potion she was given gave her a new lease on life. And so Micaela decided to join the lands with those of House Malespero, Leonora came along as well, hoping to make a new life within the capital city of Arx. As for the alchemist who had so helped her? Though she's searched, Leonora has found no sign of the woman.
d, Leonora has found no sign of the woman. +
A member of one of the lesser lines, Vega …
A member of one of the lesser lines, Vega was shown from a young age that if she wanted something better than to be just another princess, she would have to find a way to make it happen. So she went into the study of people. She practiced through trial and error in her younger years, found older girls who knew more and begged, blackmailed, or pulled rank on them to get them to teach her what they knew. As she grew, matured, and learned, she realized the mistakes she was making and starting correcting them. With a sister and two younger brothers, she had plenty of subjects to test her wiles out on. As she got older and her skills refined further, she started putting them to use for her family. Helping negotiate deals, brokering treaties, keeping hard-won peaces... her delicate hand was there, her patient smile suggesting she has all the time in the world. When she reached the age of marriage, Vega began looking for a suitable match. The right House, the right man, the right contract. She went through three courtships early on, none of them ending in marriage. By the time she turned twenty-five, her parents stopped pushing young men at her. But she didn't stop looking. Vega Thrax found her match in Raimon Fidante, just months after her 30th birthday, long after her family had given up hope. While visiting Tor, she met Raimon, sized him up, then requested a courtship period. At the end of three months, a contract was drawn up, and the pair were quietly married in Tor. Newlywed to a man that seems her opposite in every way, Vega and her new husband head for Arx to join the family once more.
head for Arx to join the family once more. +
A middle child among a gang of six sibling …
A middle child among a gang of six siblings, Delfina grew up half-wild, learning stubborn resistance to bullying and bossiness as well as how to charm gifts from adults even before younger, cuter children. The siblings were raised in an environment of benevolent neglect in a small but firmly established noble House in the Lyceum, with a father who attended to the business of the vineyards under the family's control and a mother often abed with a chronic illness. Extended family taught the children as it amused them, some with lessons far too mature for their tender years. Delfina learned discipline only as a teen when an uncle took her under his wing to teach her swordsmanship, finally managing to harness her drive and intensity. She seemed clever enough that he first thought she might make a good military commander, but it was one-on-one where she really came to shine. Under his guidance, she began to learn when to shove and when to smile, when the point of a pen might be more useful than the point of a sword. She came to love puzzles and secrets, in the way information might sometimes be used as a weapon to greater effect than force. She was on the cusp of departing the family villa for a grand adventure, perhaps going to Arx itself, when her great uncle the Count informed her of a political match to be made with a House in the Mourning Isles. No tears or wheedling would change his mind, so it was a stubborn and resentful woman who showed up on the docks of Darkwater Watch, loudly complaining of the damp and the chill. Was she disappointed when she first laid eyes on the lean, tumble-haired antiquarian who was to become her husband? For a few years, they managed to develop what seemed to be a companionable relationship. Delfina spent her free time honing her skill with the sword, becoming a knight sworn to House Darkwater. She took the opportunity to travel on House business, seeking the adventure she had wanted since childhood. Until, that is, the journey she took made her seem to vanish from Arvum entirely. It was years later that she returned to Darkwater Watch, unwilling to speak much about where she had been, but quick to rededicate herself to rebuilding what was destroyed in the Pirate War.
ding what was destroyed in the Pirate War. +
A native of a hamlet outside of Tor, Cato' …
A native of a hamlet outside of Tor, Cato's early life was identical to that of his forefathers for generations: The halcyon existence of a goatherd. A poor but idyllic life was his for some time, until his father perished in a riding accident when he was 16, and his mother died five years later to a pox. With no family and few prospects, Cato sold off the last of the family's assets set off for the city to find work. At 22, he found work as a drover; at 24, he found love, and a wife in the Corsetina family. A few short years later, war found him. The Tor-Southport conflict kicked into high gear, and Cato was among many of the eligible young commoners levied for the troops of the Fidante. The mud on his hands was traded for blood, and Cato found no glory or happiness in combat. Fortunately, he discovered something else: An uncanny knack for gambling and reading eyes at the card table. This skill would stay with him for life; gambling remained a side hustle for him throughout the campaign and after it. At the conclusion of the war, Cato ended his service at the earliest possible opportunity, eager to return home, only to find that his wife had perished in childbirth, along with their unborn child. Widowed, childless, and now out of a job, Cato's fortunes were only improved by profits from war spoils, and his veteran's dispensation. These, he used to return to a life familiar to his old one; at 31, he purchased the beginnings of a goatherd, and worked a spit of land just outside the city. Time and patience brought rewards; for the past two decades, he has tended and expanded his goatherd, and brought up small pools of other livestock as well. The wheels of his progression have been greased considerably, however, by the card table. Huddled over eights and aces, Cato came to rub shoulders with the jacks, queens, and kings of Tor's lower elements, and in place of a second marriage, he became wedded to complex trade networks which shy away from prying eyes, from Arx to Tor and back. It was here that Cato began to shine. After all, when the guards were searching for smugglers, why would they suspect the old guy who sold them their evening mutton? All the better for him; at 53, Cato has already outlived both of his parents, and for all the connections and satisfaction his day and night jobs bring him, he still has no legacy to show for it. Who shall tend to his goats when he passes? Who shall manage his complex finances? To whom shall he teach which guards to bribe and which to blackmail? And most of all, who's gonna look after his dang horse? Cato's made his life by reading eyes at the card table, but the glassy gaze of Arvum is, so far, opaque. And worst of all, the gambler's temptation never fades. There is always more to be won. Perhaps, in his twilight years, it's finally time to double down...?
ears, it's finally time to double down...? +
A near-brother (cousin) to the king of Esw …
A near-brother (cousin) to the king of Eswynd, Haakon grew up on the sea. Being of noble blood among the Abandoned meant being a warrior, and he was raised with callouses on his hands from oars, rigging ropes, and spear hafts. Never able to openly challenge the Thraxian navy, his people were raiders of the reavers, striking any merchant ships or fishermen who fell within their reach, and fleeing from any war fleet. Twice he was part of a battle against Thrax warships; neither could be called a victory. The Darkness in the Deep was known to the Eswynds for many years. At first, Haakon and his kin had been all too willing to accept bloody silver to hunt the Arvani (they did that, anyway) but as the shadows spread and tales of the blood madness trickled out, Eswynd's old allegiance to Marin grew dangerous. When Margot Tyde and her diplomats came to them, offering alliance and protection, backed by the threat of destruction before a united Thraxian fleet, the Eswynds accepted There were noises made about honor and their ancestors in protest, but for such things "the wind does not care." All that mattered was surviving the coming storm. His near-brother the king (now Marquis) married an Arvani woman to seal the alliance and remained in their home island, making heirs. Haakon and his people took their small fighting ships to sea for battle among the Tyde fleet, and did their duty against the Gyre. After the war, Haakon was sent to Arx on Eswynd's behalf, to represent his people in the court of their ancient enemies, now overlords. What could possibly go wrong?
w overlords. What could possibly go wrong? +
A nephew of Duke Vercyn Halfshav through h …
A nephew of Duke Vercyn Halfshav through his mother, Celina, and father from House Redrain, it was fully expected that Otakar's upbringing would be a martial one, battling the tribes of the Shav'arvani under his uncle. And indeed, he fulfilled that expectation with the grim resolve demanded of him, although he took time between his military training to learn much from books both his uncle and mother had sent up to Whitehold. Once he could patrol, he spent time making sorties against the Abandoned on the outskirts of the Everwinter - and then came the battle of Stormwall. Taking to the field with his uncle's forces, the Northern knight acquitted himself bravery, if what he saw there changed his life dramatically. Now, in Arx, he has come to join the Duke's retinue and help battle future enemies to come.
ue and help battle future enemies to come. +
A nephew of the Duke of Telmar, Percephon …
A nephew of the Duke of Telmar, Percephon began his life as a disappointment. As a baby, he was ill often, collicky and hollering. He wasn't expected to survive, but did so anyway, to become a child that was sickly and lacked the bulwark's strength common for the bloodline of the Telmarch. Yet for all his weak lungs and constant sneezing in certain seasons of the Oathlands, he proved an able student to his tutors, and plunged deep into fact hunting. Even as he grew a little older and stronger, he created problems by not being the kind of son his father would want -- or more importantly, the kind of nephew his uncle would find convenient. It wasn't that duty didn't interest him; he felt a strong, strong pull of duty to the realm and to his family. But the fact is, he was a reed in a family of oaks, a willow in a family of mountains. Even when he reached adulthood, he was ill often. When he traveled to the capital, he was sick for a week on arrival, which actually put the kibosh on a potential marriage alliance that had been treated for him, as his family had thought they might be able to marry him out to a Velenosa vassal -- why not, the warmer, lusher climes of the south might be good for him, and it would get him out of their hair, and there are worse houses in the Lyceum than the Fidantes -- but what it left him with was the life of a square peg in a round hole. A noble in the capital, of good bloodline, but still, a fish out of water.
bloodline, but still, a fish out of water. +
A no one born to nobody, that's Verity. Sh …
A no one born to nobody, that's Verity. She was one of many, many children had by farmers who raised feed for the horses bred for noble use in Chevalle. It was a rough and tumble childhood full of hard labor and much mischief, and Verity emerged from it a scrapper with dreams just a little too large to be contained by such humble surroundings. The way to rise was to impress those higher up and so she set out to do just that, through a string of odd jobs that left her with a curious and diverse range of skills that eventually landed her on the career path of Most Eclectic Courtesan in All of Arvum. But once again, her environment proved too stifling. She might be as steadfast and driven as any Valardin-born, and as much a stickler about keeping true to her word and her honor, but she and the stuffiness of better society in the Oathlands parted ways. To Arx she came, expecting to make her fortune. That it seems to be in the midst of deadly crisis is just a bonus, really.
of deadly crisis is just a bonus, really. +
A noble family member of the Ravenseye tri …
A noble family member of the Ravenseye tribe, Anwen was born in the Redrain holdings. She has never forgotten this, nor has she forgotten the Shamanistic origins of her people. Her first love is the sea, and while she prays to Mangata, she respects the ancient traditions of the Path of the Elders as well. Anwen has spent her life near the sea, on the sea, and in it. When spending too much time on land, she grows restless.
too much time on land, she grows restless. +
A noble of a lesser branch of the Igniseri …
A noble of a lesser branch of the Igniseri family, Amieli is the only child begot from the tragic story of Lisa Igniseri, younger sister to Emilisia Igniseri by several minutes. As an adult, Lisa wanted nothing more than to raise a family. Infertility would have been tame--instead, after three consecutive miscarriages, it became clear something was very wrong. Most of the Lyceum simply sighed with relief Lisa was not ruling head and went about their lives. But the lady herself, grief stricken and determined, was nowhere near as content. She turned to midwives, physickers, even alchemists in search of help. Despite reassurances and postulated solutions, the results were far from satisfying. Amieli should have been the youngest of seven; she was the first of one. IN a final twist of pitch irony, Lisa's only successful birth was also the cause of her death. The fate of her father is even less certain. From childhood to young adulthood, Amieli lived an almost nomadic life in the Lyceum, her upbringing distributed across branches of the Igniseri family and close relatives or friends, sometimes even in other houses. She learned to own little, travel light, and learn everything she could while the opportunity was at hand. Connections were many but shallow, and her solace was in those fragments which became permanent: appreciation for proper etiquette; her study of the sword; and even the difference from one place to the next, finding a story here, a poem there, and piecing the world together as best she could. For the displaced lady, the turn to Arx was only natural; yet another patch in her patchwork of homes. Except this time, she could choose where to go--and what better place than the heart, jewel, and crossroads of the Compact?
art, jewel, and crossroads of the Compact? +
A noble of the Deepwood family Zoriah has …
A noble of the Deepwood family Zoriah has a reputation as a young brat, that can back up her threats in an instant. Prone to bitterness and spitting venomous words has made her many rivals and as many friends as well as a few that simply enjoy her hijinks. To gain Zoriah's attention is a double edged sword that often is as much a blessing as a curse.
at often is as much a blessing as a curse. +
A noble son to Elnora Malvici and half-bro …
A noble son to Elnora Malvici and half-brother to Pepper, Santi has not pursued his half-sister's path and has earned himself a name throughout the House as someone to watch. He is a tall, broadshouldered man who had already towered over his friends before he turned nine. Like all Malvici's, he was brought up to fight and do-so with the intent to win. His skill was hard to match and many of the people that trained with him as a boy would follow him everywhere like a small, well-mannered gang. As he got older and it became clear that the family intended to make him an officer, he fought tooth and nail to stay with his fellow soldiers rather than lead them. Reluctantly, the family allowed it and he quickly rose to that of a highly respected Sergeant and instructor. He is both loved and feared for his brazen equality treatment given to new Prodigals and willingness to provide outreach for them - few dare challenge him on it. He has come to Arx to see how the government works and learn, not just from the politics and people, but to gain experience and perhaps find a new way that may interest him. Officially he is here to help advise on the nature of Prodigals, assist in cavalry training, and explore service in the Guards. The latter of these is hoped to potentially break him of his attachment to the commoner soldiers.
f his attachment to the commoner soldiers. +
A once proud and strong leader hailing fro …
A once proud and strong leader hailing from the Everwinter. Bearing the banner of the wolf and broken down by the harsh realities of war. Repeated battles of attrition have taken their toll. The men who fought beside him now long dead. He blames himself for every man lost, though the odds were never in his favour. After his tribe swore allegiance to the crown, he traveled south hoping to open a store in the more populated lands of Arvum in order to get more customers for his small smithing business. His wares aren't great but he charges a fair price for fair work. He now tries to make a living for himself as a simple blacksmith in Whitehold, praying that he never has to fight again. Though in public he claims to be religious, he often doubts that the gods really exist.
e often doubts that the gods really exist. +
A product of Oathlands custom, Adelphie's …
A product of Oathlands custom, Adelphie's story does not deviate far from the ideals held high there. While a penchant for trade and commerce might have just as likely pleased her kin, her appetite for combat proved too great to overlook. There are few memories of her youth beyond the backdrop of the training yards or dining hall, fueling up to get right back out there. Amidst troubles associated with the Great Road, the Adelphie crossed paths with some Knights of Solace and felt compelled by duty and faith to help them in their task. This is how she found herself in Arx, having chaperoned a group of travelers to safety. Well, let's be honest... relative safety.
Well, let's be honest... relative safety. +
A recent arrival to the glittering city of …
A recent arrival to the glittering city of Arx, Brace is but a pebble lost in a quarry filled with gems. Minute details are known of the woman and her origination, the ocher tan of her skin giving clue to a life that began in the desert, unrelenting inked imagery along her body revealing time upon the sea.
long her body revealing time upon the sea. +
A second cousin to Kael Keaton, Rane has e …
A second cousin to Kael Keaton, Rane has ever been focused on his family and fealty. As a young boy, he fought with wooden weapons among friends for fun and instructors for practice. There was only ever a singular focus driven into him by family and instructors: duty. Duty to the Oathlands, his family, and those unable to defend themselves. Idealistic were the teachings to the point that there was room for little else but perfection in training and pure obedience to the tenets of Gloria. Rane married a lovely young woman at the age of eighteen, Lilliana. She carried their first born when a band of shavs captured them in the night and assassinated her in front of him. It was only by luck that the knife found in his own chest did not kill him. Some would call that good luck. For many years, it was the darkest thought in the Keaton's mind. He courted death for some time afterwards, longing for an end to his torment. But it's only recently that someone else had come into his life to lift that grim veil from his eyes.
life to lift that grim veil from his eyes. +
A second son, Cassius was never destined t …
A second son, Cassius was never destined to rule, so his lessons on leadership were taken less seriously than his training to become a Knight. Long hours were spent with the seraph appointed to Stonedeep, arguing the finer points of the Pantheon versus Shamanism. Torn between an ingrained Northern pride and a calling toward the Faith, Cassius looked for signs of what he was meant to do, and he found one in the Knights of Solace. Spending time with the pilgrims being escorted toward Arx, many of them recent converts from shamanism, Cassius found his calling. With his family's blessing, if not their full understanding, Cassius set out for Arx where he could begin his training in earnest. Slow to master the blade but quick to pick up on the nuances of the Faith, Cassius worked hard to overcome prejudice against his Northern roots, the way paved for him somewhat due to his noble origins. Well-versed in navigating the mountainous region of his birth, Cassius was often sent along with more experienced Knights on treks that involved fetching pilgrims from areas closer to the Everwinter. It was one such trek Cassius was on when his group was set upon by a band of Abandoned. On the defensive due to the unarmed faithful accompanying them, several Knights were slain. Leading those remaining alive and injured toward Stonedeep to rest and resupply, Cassius was greeted with the news that his father had disappeared, and that just days prior, the severed fingers of his brother and other relatives had been delivered to the Stonedeep gates. Furious with his father for leaving and with himself for not being at Stonedeep when he could have been of use, Cassius lost himself for a time to alcohol, abandoning the Knights of Solace and leaving his sisters to maintain order in Stonedeep on their own. Weeks passed like this, with Cassius getting into drunken brawls, having blackouts, and waking up with chunks of time missing. Things came to a head when one night in a fit of rage over a Poker game, Cassius wrapped his hands around a man's throat without any true intent, but without his wits about him all the same. When he came to from this particular blackout, he was in the company of the Knights Solace once more. No one offered any information about the night prior and he didn't ask any questions, instead packing his things and getting back to the trail, redoubling his focus on bringing those who desire the comfort of the true Faith to Arx.
sire the comfort of the true Faith to Arx. +
A sharp wit and a tactful tongue can carry …
A sharp wit and a tactful tongue can carry a young man far in this world, given the right encouragement and resources. Atreyan was blessed to find both from birth. While not of the finest blood, his parents had means and desire to see themselves elevated in time. His father was an able-bodied man of the Iron Guard, and his mother put hand to gem, selling fine jewelry to nobility. Through their professions, they saw the privileges of the nobility in all things, and wished for their son to be better positioned to move within greater circles. To that end, they put their resources to education and betterment of the boy. He took to words, etiquette, and new knowledge with vigor- taking great joy in every sentence he constructed. Words yielded to him in a way that nothing else ever would, and before long he was surpassing his tutors. From there, it was a matter of what paths would offer him the greatest opportunities- and to further his abilities he was sent forth to the City-States of the Lyceum in the midst of his adolescence. Where a more militant boy might squire and aide to a warring man, he worked briskly in the trades of courtly stewardship, learning the proper way to guide a book and to assist lowly Lords with their correspondences. Many a letter was written in his hand, and by his mind, with another name attached. The intrigues of the Lyceum also bred in him a healthy paranoia for unsigned gifts, and a respect for the viciousness of the nobility. He was ever the respectful servant, and worked as honorably as anyone within the Lyceum may. By the time of his return to Arx, his sharply-educated mind had been honed by the practical rigors of his vocation. Within Arx, Atreyan found his greatest challenges being the de jure colliding with the de facto. Outside of the Compact, the laws of the realm are as varied as its people, and exceptions grow like weeds to every writ. Over the last few years, he's worked as a steward for a variety of well-off merchant families- ensuring that their trades adhered to the laws of the land, and doing what he could to give them an edge over their competition.
give them an edge over their competition. +
A shav born into the cruelty tribal warfar …
A shav born into the cruelty tribal warfare. When his tribe came under attack Lothair's family attempted to escape but they were captured and turned into slaves. Spending his childhood as a slave doing manual labor. Lothair was given the chance at freedom by fleeing after Brand had attacked the tribe that was enslaving him. Running as fast as he could away from the conflict, Lothair came in contact with some travelling merchants and pleaded with that he would pledge himself to the Compact if they allowed him to live. When the merchants returned to Arx, Lothair pledged himself to the compact and did away with his past, giving up on shamanism and embracing the Pantheon. Lothair was gifted with clothes and weapons, left to be a free man.
lothes and weapons, left to be a free man. +
A shav scout discovered baby Ilira abandon …
A shav scout discovered baby Ilira abandoned, well-swaddled and tucked against the base of a tree. She was carried home with him, to a small tribal village by the coast. Situated within a forestal patch on the southernmost island of the Saffron Chain, the people thrived through nature, their structures built from and on the boughs. At campfire that night, the infant was presented, and elders agreed to adopt her as the tribe's own, if a search for parentage came to nothing. In the next days, speculation on her origins buzzed: the product of a broken fidelity contract? A change of mind? Perhaps she was lost, or stolen? Meanwhile, word of her was spread without answer; none knew of or claimed the child. Thus, at one of their nightly fires, a call was made to name her as their own. Ilira bloomed into an absolute ball of energy, under the care of Healers Lilia and Ahria Starling. She learned quick, became a deft hand at the bedside of the sick, and developed repute for her wit and sweetness. Her affinity for animals drew rebuke when once, in the village's makeshift library, she gathered a menagerie of bunny, mouse, and chipmunk to read with her. It baffled grownups how she managed to catch them, and more so when she began to teach other children. Her other keen talent, as evinced at each campfire, was her musical inclination. She had babbled along to the villagers songs before she could speak, and at four-years-old, stole a lute from an elder to strum. Her voice always carried a force and soul, powerful beyond her age, and her way with words translated to clever lyricism. She picked up a myriad of instruments--flute, lyre, fiddle--but lute became her favored. That fire in her music reflected throughout her personality, in her vivacious demeanor, the quirk and whimsy of her manner, and her propensity for goofy shenanigans. Throughout her childhood, Ilira grew curiouser of references to the world beyond the forest, to a silken city, to the Pravus, the Thrax. Upon request, she was told of the Thrax Dynasty and their sovereignty over the Saffron, of Pravus wiles and custom, of a luxurious city called Setarco that dripped with silk and scandal. She wanted to go. Thus, when a pair of traders mentioned a trip to Setarco that would fall close to her tenth name-day, she requested that she might accompany them and potentially linger there for a while. When she arrived, the city intoxicated her in color, fragrance, chic, and culture alien to her. At a garden party, her mischief drew the attention of the Radiant of the Whispers. Ilira expressed her love of art, music, and described her roots, which endeared the Whisper, who offered to take her in as a protege. Interspersed with visits to her village, the following three years refined Ilira's every grace and talent. Her Radiant mentor trained her to weave and sew fine materials, set her hands on new instruments, and supplied her with a range of books, as well as lessons in etiquette and finesse. On spare days, also, Ilira would join the sailors on the docks and learn of the boats and the sea. It all mesmerized her. After a while, she began to catch eyes and attentions with her ability, and as she grew, her budding beauty. She contrasted those around her with her delicately pale skin and wild dark hair, but worth more remark was the way her ears curved to fine points, the tilt of her eyes and gold within the blue. Her beauty struck, strange and increasingly luminous. On her thirteenth name-day, she returned to her village in the forest and remained for the next few years, though a restlessness built in her. She would go on explorations by herself, often for days at a time. While as spirited as before, she developed a reserve, and many suspected there to be a paramour she kept to herself. At 16, she decided to act upon her desires, and obtained her own sailboat. She said she would return after a few months, and wished warm farewells to her tribe with one last song around the campfire. She never did. Until now, Ilira has been away and seems somewhat reticent to speak on all those years. She is different, keened and refined by her experiences, with a competence in combat unafforded by her upbringing. Despite this, there is a warmth and deep joy evident in her return, and she faces Arx with fresh intentions and two swords at her back.
esh intentions and two swords at her back. +
A sickly child from the Lowers who nobody …
A sickly child from the Lowers who nobody much noticed for his first ten or twelve years. Parents dead, or dusted? Fostered into a family? Something like that. Too week to grow into a proper earner, but a disgraced clerk, charlatan, or addict--or all of the above--took pity on the clever, often-bedridden boy and taught him. Maybe from kindness--maybe hoping for a better income from an educated Elisha. In any case, the boy took refuge in the written word more than the spoken one. Though when he does talk, he talks fancy, as educated as a silk--'uppity little shit,' the neighbors mutter, with more than a hint of pride. He makes the odd coin working as an unofficial scribe in the rare case that someone nearby needs reading or writing done, as he is extremely literate. Elisha is known to tell fantastical stories to his neighbors, sometimes in exchange for a bite to eat, tales which the kids occasionally spread throughout the Lowers. He's also known to beg from the silks if he gets hungry enough.
g from the silks if he gets hungry enough. +
A strong sense of pride and honor was inst …
A strong sense of pride and honor was instilled into Konstantine from a young age, coming from the Harrow family. The once-noble families fall has not weakened the wills of its future generations, however, as Konstantine inspired to achieve great things from a young age, constantly pushing himself to new heights. His strong sense of morales naturally lead him to the Templars. This new life came with many obstacles, though Konstantine met each one with stubborn dedication.
ine met each one with stubborn dedication. +
A sunny and precocious young woman of a Le …
A sunny and precocious young woman of a Leary branch, Asphodel could be found wherever there was merriment. A roadside inn at harvest-time was such a place one evening, with Asphodel laughing among and enjoying the company of common folk. All shared song, drink and warm jests. Asphodel, always sharp-tongued but kind enough with it, made a jape about a man's fashion, setting the room to laughter. Most would laugh it off. But some innocent mockeries cut more deeply than the dealer could ever expect, and the hearts of men can be both bitterly vengeful and shockingly explosive. Asphodel had visited the inn without a guard. Foolish. Outside, as the night's festivities waned, the mocked man pulled Asphodel from the palfrey she'd mounted to depart, threw her to the dirt, and buried a hand-axe in her face with a choice word shouted. He would have struck again, had a wayfaring Knight of Solace not been stepping from the inn just then. The knight arrested a second axe stroke and saved Asphodel from death, but not from a lightning bolt of shattering pain, her darkest year to come, and a life forever changed. All due to a thoughtless joke. She awoke days later. Medicine cured the infection, but could not make her whole. Ahead lay a year of shadows in a shut room, each day a series of objects thrown in anger, curses, desperate prayers, wailing and sobs with enough pain to drive the servants from hearing. But after months of anguish came an equilibrium of silence. Books and a quill saved her from worse. In solitude, she exhausted the library, as servants pleased to see her occupied brought tomes to her room on request. She devoured history, legend, poetry, philosophy and fiction. Unsatisfied, she began to add her own work, but given her limited experience, mustered only critiques of certain dated historians and poets. Foremost of her learning was that she had so much more to learn, and that one library could not satisfy. She needed more to read, and more to write. Where to find it? She'd read of Arx. With a year passed, she at last left her room, more pale than before, more inquisitive, and altogether changed, for the city.
ive, and altogether changed, for the city. +
A true child of the north, Brianna has alw …
A true child of the north, Brianna has always wanted more. She's proud of everything about her heritage, taking particular pride in her family House Halfshav winning glory for House Redrain and laying low the worst elements of the Abandoned in the North. Despite that pride, she yearns to see more, and she grew up of tales among northern nobility about the wild customs and fashions of the south and the pageantry of the court of Arx. When she was finally old enough to accompany her father south to court, it seemed to be all she had ever dreamed, delighting in all she found and even meeting the king, becoming King Alaric IV's frequent companion. Shortly after the king's marriage, she was forced to return to the north, but has since returned after the tragedy of the King's Rest. Still bright and vivacious, she also has a newfound determination and intensity about her, the tragedy of recent events with the coma of the king and deaths of so many others weighing heavily upon her mind.
any others weighing heavily upon her mind. +
A wanderer, Farmhand, Traveling companion of a minstrel, and village midwife for a time. Can ride well and is a decent shot with a bow and arrow, oddly enough, but her main talent is in persuasion and a knack for planning. +
A woman between worlds, Khalana dances the …
A woman between worlds, Khalana dances the fine line between House Crovane's wild Abadoned roots and the 'social refinement' she was taught when sent off to Farhaven as a child to learn a thing or two. Spending those few years along Freja Redrain left an impression and the pair were always off in the wilds, causing trouble, or getting into anything and everything they shouldn't just for the thrill of it. The childhood pasttime grew into something of an obsession for Khalana; even after she traveled back to her own ancestral home she found herself always seized by the need to go looking, searching for answers when others had given up ages ago. Now something of an 'Investigator Extraordinaire', the young woman finds her calling in Arx and while she is far more comfortable in the wilds of her home, she'll laugh in the face of any of the court's challenges with that infamous, untamed Crovane pride.
with that infamous, untamed Crovane pride. +
A woman not made for courtly graces, Princ …
A woman not made for courtly graces, Princess Freja Redrain has always felt at home in the wilds past Farhaven, prowling the wilds with a talent few can match. While many in House Redrain train for martial prowess, most of those soldiers become knights or commanders, as those of royal blood stand for the leadership for the House and rally all the northlands among them. Princess Freja pursued an entirely different calling. Something about Aunt Drea's teachings on shamanism and the old ways of the Northlands resonated deeply with the young woman, as she was raised on stories of Valeria and other women of cunning and strength and how they survived in the deep wilds. She started to train as a scout, an occupation far more frequent with commoners due to its immense dangers, and the bold and utterly fearless woman has showed little regrets of her choice. On more than once, she's led small, highly capable teams of Redrain soldiers patrolling the deep places where the shav forces hide, and leading nimble forces in dangerous games of cat and mouse agaisnt other stalkers in the wilds. As the daughter of Torrud Redrain, the former Sword of Farhaven and champion of the house, and sister to the current one, a degree of courage is expected from her. But the wild woman takes the fearlessness to a degree that catches enemies of House Redrain offguard, and is utterly relentless in seeing the North is safe and respected.
in seeing the North is safe and respected. +
A young Grayson Prince who has come from B …
A young Grayson Prince who has come from Bastion. While he has spent most of his time in Bastion, that doesn't mean he is not aware of the changes happening all around Arvum. He is. Or at least as far as the recent news. It took a while for him to convince his Bastion bound family that he was better off helping the Compact. Specifically since he has dedicated most of his life being a dedicated scout, tracker... A ranger if you will. He figured he could lend his aid, whatever aid that was, to the main family. Lucky for him, his family approved. With their blessing he has come to Arx, intent on defending it after news had spread about the compact's wars and struggles. John has always respected his family and as such he is a proud man of what his family name means. It is this pride that has led him to believe that, just as the Grayson claims none other greater then, he must do everything in his power to make sure House Grayson remains being the greatest of all. And he will protect it from any threats. Even if those come from within Arx itself.
Even if those come from within Arx itself. +
A young princess flowering in a well-tende …
A young princess flowering in a well-tended garden, Keely is cursed by little more dire than a preponderance of sisters. Well-educated in the palatial family estate at Bastion, Keely grew up a wistful child, dreaming of a different kind of _more_ than the kind that might populate the dreams of those without her advantages. A quiet life is not a Grayson direction, and Keely always found some of her more adventuresome siblings honestly more worrying than not. When her older sisters removed to Arx to make their way in a world that embraced their heritage, Keely stayed home, studying with the seraph of Bastion and learning about different dances and the history of her House, all the while her elder sister, Liara, rose to the challenge that House Grayson had to offer her and accepted the mantle of High Lady from His Majesty. When Keely set forth for Arx, it was as a sheltered, privileged girl, hoping to reach for womanhood in a capital city full of the shades of reality that she never really saw before beyond her garden walls. She wishes to grow into the kind of powerful woman who dominates a dance floor, a courtier of Renown and Poise. Up until now, she has not been great at Poise. A young girl with powerful and diverse sisters, she has always been shadowed by their accomplishments, but one day, perhaps she shall grow into something fantastic in her own right.
into something fantastic in her own right. +
A young princess flowering in a well-tende …
A young princess flowering in a well-tended garden, Keely's childhood was cursed by little more dire than a preponderance of sisters. Well-educated in the palatial family estate at Bastion, Keely grew up a wistful child, dreaming of a different kind of -more- than the kind that might populate the dreams of those without her advantages. A quiet life is not a Grayson direction, and Keely always found her more adventuresome siblings honestly more worrying than not. When her older sisters removed to Arx to make their way in a world that embraced their heritage, Keely stayed home, studying with the seraph of Bastion and learning about different dances and the history of her House, all the while her elder sister, Liara, rose to the challenge that House Grayson had to offer her and accepted the mantle of High Lady from His Majesty. When Keely set forth for Arx, it was as a sheltered, privileged girl, hoping to reach for womanhood in a capital city full of the shades of reality that she never really saw before beyond her garden walls. She wished to grow into the kind of powerful woman who dominates a dance floor, a courtier of Renown and Poise. A young woman with powerful and diverse sisters, she had always felt shadowed by their prolific and profound accomplishments. However, since her arrival to the capital, Keely has undergone remarkable growth, embracing the tapestry of the city and its inhabitants. Deep wells of empathy have been unearthed within her, allowing her to forge unbreakable bonds with the diverse souls she encounters, and her unwavering compassion has become her trademark. Now, united in matrimony with Oathlander Marquis Kael Keaton, Keely stands as the Marquessa-Consort of Oakhaven, embarking on a new adventure by her husband's side. Together, they lead and protect their people, embracing the challenges and joys that come with their noble duty. Keely's journey of growth and self-discovery is far from over, as she continues to learn, evolve, and unravel the depths of her own potential in the ever-unfolding world at her feet.
l in the ever-unfolding world at her feet. +
A young woman of new Imperial province Ton …
A young woman of new Imperial province Tongdjiyi, purportedly half-elven, if not, in fact, a byblow of the Horned Traitor. Haunted by abyssal whispers encouraging her to let go of her name and her loyalties to her people, she accepted a writ of the Undying Empire. She is grateful for the protection, and the silence in her mind. She travels the province and beyond, searching for other of half-elven blood who might be vulnerable to the influence of the Abyss. She's also training to be an adept. Word is.
e's also training to be an adept. Word is. +
A younger daughter of a lesser line out of …
A younger daughter of a lesser line out of Giant's Reach, Flora was called, young, to the Pantheon, in a holding that where shamanism was predominant. It wasn't that Flora felt any need to neglect the spirits particularly, but somehow she knew, Knew, with a whole heart, very young, that the gods were real, were necessary, were critical to her existence. Of course-- especially young children in an area of the North that could be scrappy, well, she ended up in a lot of ... scrappy little fights. Young and fierce, she drew the attention of a knight who was there with an entourage of Oathlanders who were seeking to potentially court one of the Marquis's family for a marriage alliance, and somehow, what with one thing and another, it was agreed that she would squire for him. Flora worked very hard as a squire, in service to Gloria and the Sentinel. It was the culmination of her life's work and her life's faith when she finally was sworn a knight before the Grandmaster of the Templars. She is still young and new to this career, but loves it with the fullness of her heart.
t loves it with the fullness of her heart. +
A younger son of a branch off the main lin …
A younger son of a branch off the main line of the Grayhope family, Aureth was an odd child: quickfingered and resourceful, the middle class child of an artisan with questionable ties, his most frequent punishments were from wandering away from the family and being a focused observer of the human animal. Apprenticed early to an older woman who decided his powers of observation might be useful, she taught him to tell fortunes. When she grew too old to patter convincingly, he eventually inherited some of her customers and made a name for himself as a predictor, a card player and a source of sensible advice to those who knew to ask the right question. Unlucky in love (or resistant to social pressure), he claims he just hasn't met the right girl.
claims he just hasn't met the right girl. +
Aahana is the youngest sibling of Ruslan V …
Aahana is the youngest sibling of Ruslan Volkov which gives her the title of baby sister. Perhaps her being the youngest out of so many is what makes her shy to new people at first, tending to always prefer familiarity to something new or unusual. She has really been like that since she was old enough to crawl. Most consider her shy but in truth she likes to observe before acting upon things. As she grew up one of only two woman in the family she tended to be fiercely protected by her brothers and elder sister. This just aided in her quiet observing all the time. Even when they would occasionally go into town she was study over the nobles and watch their interactions more than anything else. And as she aged, she would eavesdrop upon lessons in economics and diplomacy. Often she would masquerade as a noble to learn what little etiquette she could before she would be found out and having to vanish. When Ruslan bent the knee, there was a lot of unrest among the tribe. Some of the family liked it, some didn't. Aahana was more excited than the others in truth though she did her best to hide it. And now that her eldest brother has sworn their family to the fealty of Fidante and in turn Velenosa, she is determined to try and keep her family out of trouble while they all adjust to the new ways of Arx. No more needing to pretend.
w ways of Arx. No more needing to pretend. +
Aahana is the youngest sibling of Ruslan V …
Aahana is the youngest sibling of Ruslan Volkov which gives her the title of baby sister. Perhaps her being the youngest out of so many is what makes her shy to new people at first, tending to always prefer familiarity to something new or unusual. She has really been like that since she was old enough to crawl. Most consider her shy but in truth she likes to observe before acting upon things. As she grew up one of only two woman in the family she tended to be fiercely protected by her brothers and elder sister. This just aided in her quiet observing all the time. Even when they would occasionally go into town she was study over the nobles and watch their interactions more than anything else. And as she aged, she would eavesdrop upon lessons in economics and diplomacy. Often she would masquerade as a noble to learn what little etiquette she could before she would be found out and having to vanish. When Ruslan bent the knee, there was a lot of unrest among the tribe. Some of the family liked it, some didn't. Aahana was more excited than the others in truth though she did her best to hide it. And now that her eldest brother has sworn their family to the fealty of Fidante and in turn Velenosa, she is determined to try and keep her family out of trouble while they all adjust to the new ways of Arx. No more needing to pretend. During her time within Arx she made many a friend and ally. Then there was Domonico, there was something about him that caused her to become smitten, so smitten she sworn off shamanism and worked diligently to become a token prodigal. Her work paid off as when she married him to become Lady Aahana Malvici, it was deemed true. There the birth of their precious daughter Palania on the tenth of April in 1011. Then the unthinkable happened when she was travelling to visit her family with the baby. They disppeared just has the massacare of Volkov Woods happened. For those two years, it was though that both were dead. However the unthinkable happened. Aahana and baby Palania returned to arx unsathed and unaged on the sixteenth of March 1014 AR. She is still playing catch up but intends to help the now Count Domonico and the isles of Cyrto Major with all her being.
e isles of Cyrto Major with all her being. +
Abbas's mother, Princess Marjory Thrax, wa …
Abbas's mother, Princess Marjory Thrax, was no proper Thraxian woman in the eyes of Donrai Thrax. With far too much interest in sailing, Princess Marjory defied her father by accompanying a daring expedition to sail east to the rarely contacted continent of Eurus on a perilous voyage. Worse in the eyes of his grandfather, not only did Marjory have the temerity to succeed, but she returned with a husband, married without permission of her family, to the exiled Prince Asad of Petrioch, a royal fleeing a lost war of one of the distant Dune Kingdoms of Eurus. Prince Donrai Thrax had little choice but to recognize the marriage of the royals as Marjory was already with child, but it proved short lived- Prince Asad was found complicit in the plotting of the Tyde Rebellion and was executed by House Thrax, and Princess Marjory Thrax was all but exiled, married off to a Lord of House Pravus and unwelcome to the family. This provided the Thraxian child with a difficult life ahead where his mother and father were considered traitors to Thrax. Abbas Thrax dreamed of a life of reaving to prove himself true to Thrax and at a young age the man took to battles and studies. His focus was complete and nothing else even remotely entertained him as a child that was not anointed in violence and his grandfather (Donrai Thrax) encouraged and aided in molding the man into a callous butcher. Abbas barely related to other young children nor did he possess friends. His was a singular desire to rise and lead the Thraxian fleet into glory and to earn a proper Thraxian heroes death. Individual fights quickly bored the mind of Abbas. And he began to listen and put himself in a position to learn of fighting at a higher level. There was not enough glory in hand-to-hand slaughter; tactics and strategy became his religion. Abbas lied about becoming a man in order to fill his urge to oar and sail upon the endless Salt. This led to his early years as a reaver being rough and he danced with death being overpowered, outmatched, yet he rapidly became addicted to the spilling of life and the riches of taking from the sea what you wanted. The young man was ruthless and fate saw him survive his first few overmatched raids; where the physically weaker Abyss was forced to kill against the odds. Abbas was hardened to the "Salt Life" early to the life of taking captives and using them as thralls. He possessed a strange affinity for understanding currents and sailing in an uncanny way. The Thraxian quickly distinguished himself and became a very young (perhaps one of the youngest) captain as a teenager. Abbas began to build a reputation early on. He would systematically target islands and begin to kill the elderly and snuff out the wisdom to make future raids easier. As the younger generations aged absent the wisdom of their more wise leaders he began to wear down the defenses. His brutality earned him a fierce reputation and soon after a couple of years many village and settlements would simply pay tribute to avoid the Thraxian wrath. Abbas fame and renown began to grow and the Thraxian was afforded more authority and allowed to operate autonomously. When Abbas was called to Arx two years ago he arrived with little experience but that of reaving and killing. It was a rough adjustment for the Prince but soon circumstances found him rising quickly in the ranks of the military. Abbas found himself upon the death of Donrai in a position to support the new Thraxian High Lord; Victus. Victus anointed Abbas as Warlord and gave him control of the Thraxian military. Abbas at the age of twenty-four is likely the youngest Warlord in living memory to lead the Thraxian war machine. Abbas ruthlessly secured Victus' power and was brutal in his tactics once more. Those who spoke against the new High Lord or loyal to Donrai were flayed alive. The military was used to brutally stop any insurrection and Abbas earned the title of the Bastard's Butcher. A campaign against the abandoned tribes on the periphery of the Gyre that threatens Thrax and the compact has thrust Abbas into heavy controversy. Abbas purposefully spread disease and plague amongst the abandoned populace to quickly end the fighting to those who did not bend the knee. The body count was unheard of as he systematically depopulated the islands of abandoned and quickly put an end to a prolonged war. This met with outcry and the hatred of many in Arvum, as the genocidal tactics were seen by the vast majority of the Compact as dishonorable and an offense to the goddess Gloria. During the siege of Arx Abbas was able to return the fleet to join the war due to his questionable strategy. He led the fleet from shore to rush through; relieving the Seawatch Gate and filling a hole blown in the wall of Arx where the Bringers sought to put an end to the Compact. With the help of the Redrain the Warlord was able to hold the wall at a great cost of life, winning that part of the battle. Though he distinguished himself well, he remains an extremely controversial figure- respected in the Isles, admired by many who hate shavs with geonocidal fury, but viewed as murderous and dangerous by most.
viewed as murderous and dangerous by most. +
Abigail's family is well known to some, at …
Abigail's family is well known to some, at least the name. Her father, Treveus, is Uncle to Marquessa Demura Lyonesse, and his wife Isabella married into the family. While she may have not be so called 'noble' before her marriage her family was not the normal or complete commoner either, just a lower rank. Abigail's father was and still is a most trusted and well known Knight for his family name, though age has started to catch up to him and that is the only thing possibly slowing him down. Her mother was a archer of high skill and quality, her knowledge with herbs was also high as her family was well know in the art of herbal healing. Isabella trained and taught her daughters to carry on the skills she had taught and to never forget them. Abigail has four siblings all sisters, she being the youngest of the bunch. Sundari and Idrissa are her elder twins sisters, and then there is Roselin and Jaelynn. When it comes to handling a bow Abigail is on par with her mother having picked up the skill rather easy. During a hunting trip, Abigail's mother was killed and many felt it was staged but others have said the woman took on too much, thus being cut down by the prey she was tracking. Abigail and Roselin were with her at the time and while her daughters have called for something to be done it is still being overlooked. Since this has happened Abigail was sent to stay with her cousin Demura Lyonesse by her father and Roselin is set to join her in the coming months. Abigail is attempting to keep an open mind and move on but it is hard with she knows something has happened to her family and she wants answers.
pened to her family and she wants answers. +
Adalbern was born in the hills surrounding …
Adalbern was born in the hills surrounding Bonespire, just south of the Everwinter to a warrior of the Stahlben clan, and a woman he'd taken to wife from the Everwinter Shav. Sadly, he never knew his mother as she died shortly after, his birth a difficult one. His father raised the boy as best he could, but he was often away and unable give the proper attention necessary for a young troublemaker. The boy spent much of his youth exploring the crags and tundra near his home, learning the ways of the mountains and the frozen north; largely unsupervised and turning into quite the little savage until his father decided he was an of an age to start training with the other young warriors-to-be of the clan. As he started spending more time amongst the others of his people, he met the girl who would grow to be his wife, Skada. Once the two were of age, they soon married and it wasn't long before a little one was on the way. It wasn't meant to last, however. Shortly after the birth of their daughter, Vigga, the Undying and their servants spilled forth from the Everwinter. Skada was lost during the first rush of the horde, though Vigga managed to escape into the mountain stronghold that her father would help to defend. A part of Adalbern seemed lost, and he flung himself into the battles of his clan even more fervently than before, leaving Vigga to his wife's parents at the time. When Magnus bent the knee to Sanna, Adalbern decided to uproot himself and Vigga from the Bonespire and the memories it held, and now they seek a new life in Arx and the Compact.
ey seek a new life in Arx and the Compact. +
Adalyn was the one child born of the marri …
Adalyn was the one child born of the marriage between Sir Norwood Clement and his late wife. She was treasured and adored by her father and didn't lack for love in the slightest in those regards. An argument could be made that he shouldn't have gone carting her around to /quite/ so many of his knightly duties however. She spent hours watching him train Jael and Klaus Laurent, picking up bits and pieces of swordsmanship from observation alone. Yet he was reluctant to give his own daughter the same instruction, despite her pleas. She was too young! It was too soon! He didn't want her learning the blade .But Adalyn would have her own way about this. Because all that adoration and time spent indulging her, it had made her a little spoiled and all too stubborn. So at ten years old, she began 'training' on her own. With a heavy stick and some pots worn for helmets she sparred against one of the other children in Artshall. It was all going fine until she brained him nice and good and knocked him unconscious. Thankfully, he was fine. But poor Norwood was forced to admit that wasn't going to be able to deter her from her wishes, so he might as well train her. Before someone /really/ got hurt. Over time, she has grown into quite the talented warrior. She has more swish and swagger than her father might care for and her showmanship truly grates on his nerves sometimes. She often makes grandiose remarks of how she'll take that sword from him someday! Before laughing brightly and jumping into a tale of her latest escapade. And there are many, many escapades. Her current plot to cause her family distress has been to runaway from the Oathlands and appear in Arx, unprompted. She's decided she wants to join the Champions Guild! And that mercenary group, but no, not the one run by Duke Telmar's son! The one by that Lycene Baron! The Valorous Few! He seems like fun.
aron! The Valorous Few! He seems like fun. +
Adelais was born out of wedlock, the produ …
Adelais was born out of wedlock, the product of a young dalliance between a merchant-prince and a middling serving girl. Fortunately for her, she (and her mother) were set up by her father's family in a town near the family's sprawling estate once they realized what their reckless son had done. The family resisted the pressure for marriage, but they did their best to accept her and her mother into their family - albeit still beyond that inner ring. Still, she had a decent education and a decent life growing up, living in relative comfort with her mother and provided for by an extended family that she didn't quite understand until she grew older. As she grew, she felt awkward and a touch out of place, especially when her father married and had another child: a younger half-sister named Mateline, who stood to inherit. Their relationship wasn't always good, but Adelais did her best to be a decent elder sister. However, determined that she wasn't going to rely solely on the largesse of her extended family, she left home once she came of age to seek her fortune as a soldier. She spent five or six years of her life training with the blade and working as a sellsword, despite her mother's worries over her new station in life.In a way, it helped her purge her private demons and she learned a great deal about the uglier side of the world and the power of violence. Adelais eventually returned to her extended family when she heard that her father was dying of a wasting disease and despite her misgivings, found that she couldn't simply leave her younger half-sister to pick up the pieces by herself. Since then, she's essentially bulled her way back into the family business ,serving as a bodyguard and the right-hand woman for Mateline, dealing with some of the more unsavory aspects of the business and arranging protection for their business interests whenever necessary. If she has anything to say about it, they'll prosper.
anything to say about it, they'll prosper. +
Adelie Pravus, second wife of Ahern Halfsh …
Adelie Pravus, second wife of Ahern Halfshav, was unhappy in Whitehold from the moment she arrived following her marriage to the widowed lord. Khanne and Arik were never really hers and this world was cold and miserable. It was likely that there would have been a divorce, but then Aine arrived in a screaming bundle on one rare, gloriously warm day in the far north reaches. And Adelie had something of her own, which Aine was raised to be. She was not raised with or like her half-siblings, allowed to form their own paths in the wilds, especially after Ahern's death. She was raised as a Southern lady, her mother's own little audience just as trapped as Adelie felt but in a different way. The call of her Northern blood was a thing to be ignored as she studied and worked on her wits and charm. It's only as Khanne rises that Aine has found an escape. She has been allowed to come to Arx, to see the city for the first time, and notable without her mother in attendance. There's hardly a party, or event in the bustling capital that Aine isn't attending. If she wants to make it somewhere in this world, she knows that she's going to make the right connections. Sister of a Duchess is not all that she wishes to be.
Duchess is not all that she wishes to be. +
Adrian avoided influence of his avid famil …
Adrian avoided influence of his avid family. His father worked as a carpenter and was widely social and his mother worked in an inn and had the same effect. He himself, however, avoided such and focused on a sort of self study, whatever he could get with what little he had from both of his parents. This sort of thing continued on until he decided to stay on his own.
ed on until he decided to stay on his own. +
Adriel was raised, along with his twin sis …
Adriel was raised, along with his twin sister and best friend, Korka, by parents whose first loyalty was to the Telmars, and that loyalty is generational. But while his twin sister was constantly sticking her nose in things and getting into trouble, Adriel toed the line: a conscientious, well-behaved child, who was only very rarely drawn into hijinx past Korka’s ability to talk them both out of it. An able and attentive listener, he learned quickly at his lessons and served as soon as he was old enough in the forces of his lords’ retainers, learning a spear and shield along with the rules and laws of the regiment.
g with the rules and laws of the regiment. +
Adventure, of one sort or another, has alw …
Adventure, of one sort or another, has always been in Neilda's blood. Though humble for nobility, her family comes from a long line of warriors and knights, and she grew up on stories of their grand adventures and courageous deeds. She also grew up on stories of those from her family who strayed from the warrior path, and got into exploration. Her uncle Carmello told her about how he got stuck in a cave on an island for several months, surviving only on the edible mosses and mushrooms inside, and then before he fuond his way out he found the buried treasure of a pirate. Inside that treasure he found an tiny stone that glowed that made him feel stronger for touching it, along with a journal that suggested the stone might have other unusual properties. He's long since lost the stone and the journal, and often grumbles about having his ship boarded by pirates and how they stole it back from him. What was the stone? Why did it glow? And, more importantly, why was it stolen back from him? Of course, the family passed his stories about the stone and the theft of it off as tall tales and superstition. Stones don't just glow. But, her uncle hasn't stopped thinking about it, and neither has Neilda. So no one was really surprised when a 10 year old Neilda one day declared that she was going to be an explorer herself, obsessed with the story of the stone, and other stories like it she's discovered since the tale her uncle told her. She put everything she had into learning how to be the best and brightest adventurer she could be, and while this may have dismayed some, hoping for another fighter in the family, no one ever tried to quell her adventurous spirit. She would often bug her brother Estaban, or her cousin Kima, begging them until they'd give in and teach her the skills she needed to survive. She thrived under their training, and as soon as she was old enough and able, she set off on the first boat she could to Arx where she heard about the Society of Explorers in Arx. She's been busy doing expeditions and missions for them for the last year and a half, and has finally decided to stop and take a bit of a break and check on how her family is doing.
reak and check on how her family is doing. +
Aela grew up invisible as the youngest of …
Aela grew up invisible as the youngest of 3 children. Her sister was adored by all for her other-worldly beauty while her brother was praised as a scholarly genius from a young age. Aela was, indeed, smart and beautiful, but in the eyes of her parents, she paled greatly to her siblings. Neither a disappoint or a child to pay attention to, Aela grew up mostly isolated from her busy siblings and with generally anything she needed, except the love from her parents. During her lonely childhood, she would often sneak out and explore the city and make friends with the unknowing commoner children. From them, she learned the cunning ways of the streets, the beauty of music, and the fun of adventures.
eauty of music, and the fun of adventures. +
Aelius was born into a minor branch of the …
Aelius was born into a minor branch of the Mercier family, to traditional scions who were interested in keeping the family business on wedding wines alive and well. His father, Vibius, was a dedicated merchant, often assisting to the former head of household in meetings and contacting relevant people to the trade deals. However, a young Aelius wasn't meeting up to the expectations of his father, preferring to spend his time studying scholary matters and painting, instead of learning the family business. Naive as he was, Aelius spent most of his time daydreaming of buildings he would create, tall creations that would impress The Pantheon themselves and he planned to dedicate such buildings to them. It was only when his father suffered a severe disease that Aelius realised his role in the family, he would spend his days trying to learn as much as he could from his dying father, working to fill up his boots and setting his dreams aside, at least for now, so he could help the cause of the family. Vibius passed away around Aelius' 27th Summer and Aelius decided it was time to put his ideas forward and advance the family business to a next level.
vance the family business to a next level. +
Aery's been an orphan from a young age and has as such never been able to learn many good skills. Despite all of this, she's remained a positive outlook on life, somehow managing to stick to living through odd ends here and there. +
Aethan, the oldest of three brothers, has …
Aethan, the oldest of three brothers, has always felt the oldest child's weight of responsibility, and it only got heavier with time. He went to sea at sixteen, followed soon by his brother Porter, and then by nine year old Ian. Not yet twenty, he found himself wearing the hats of brother, of father, teacher, and guardian. He drove himself hard, taught his brothers to do the same, and by the time they'd graduated from escorting merchant ships to hunting pirates on a ship that Aethan himself captained, the brothers Kennex were a force to be reckoned with, a force forged from the strength of the oldest brother's will. Aethan got so much respect for how well he taught his brothers that he was the one tasked with teaching the ungovernable Washburn Grayson to sail, more responsibility that he bore without breaking. These few years, riding high on the waves with his brothers by his side, were the happiest of Aethan's life, and they ended too soon when Ian, while trying to sail a prize ship through a storm, fell from the rigging and nearly died. The fall left Ian paralyzed -- and Aethan knew that it was his fault. He should have seen the signs that the storm was coming. He should have checked the prize ship's rigging. Unable to stomach the guilt, unable even to look at his broken little brother, Aethan lost himself in the bottle. He also lost himself in the comfort of a woman. Invierna Winter, the daughter of a wealthy Thrax-sworn merchant, came to him in that darkest night and soothed him. Only weeks after meeting her, they were married. Aethan loved her ardently enough that, at least for a couple of years, he was able to drown out his own self-loathing. But this moment of peace was ephemeral. Aethan lost his father, his mother, and his wife all in quick succession -- his father died of a lingering illness that had plagued him for months, and then a few weeks later, his mother and wife died suddenly during the same night. The Aethan who turned up in Arx weeks later was a shadow of the man he had once been, held together by copious amounts of alcohol and little else. He was reunited with his brothers, and as they gradually healed their relationship, he began to heal, as well. He became admiral of Stormward's fleet and served with distinction, spearheading the House's efforts to rebuild into something even stronger than it had been before the freeing of the thralls had driven it to the edge of ruin. Then he was needed for a greater and weightier calling -- Duke-Regent. It wasn't a responsibility that he was comfortable with shouldering, but he did it anyway, just like he always has done. If he's not equal to the task, he'll just have to force himself to rise to it.
just have to force himself to rise to it. +
After Prince Argus Thrax's affair that led …
After Prince Argus Thrax's affair that led to the birth of a bastard, Prince Drake Thrax gave his brother an ultimatum. Marry politically or be cast from the house. Argus obeyed and a match was secured. Princess Natasha was born years later from the connection, the younger half-sister to Victus Baseborn. Her youth was often spent being tutored in matters of law, stewardship and scholarly pursuits, as is tradition for Thraxian women. Natasha took to her studies naturally, soon becoming the honor student for her teachers and a shining example of Mourning Isles discipline. Prince Donrai soon ascended to High Lord of the Mourning Isles, he ensured Princess Natasha would be set on the path of law and order. Into her teenage years and onward, she was groomed to act as a magistrate for Maelstrom's needs. Natasha took to the role with frightening efficiency. Solutions were devised of a purely pragmatic approach, earning her praise and ire from those effected by her contributions. Her desire for the perfection of justice eventually led her to taking up a discipleship with the Faith, after meeting the Palace Seraph Ailith by chance. She came to venerate the Sentinel. The Faceless God was fairness in its purest form, something she aspired to in all of her responsibilities. Through the years, she has been a constant creator of order for the Mourning Isles. Lawlessness and chaos were the two things she abhorred the most and she sought to make it right wherever she went. Several Islander peers have had her assistance in managing their domains. Surprisingly for one so driven to constant improvement of one's House, she even eschewed taking a political match as to not interfere with her duties. Instead of searching for alliance, Natasha took up a role with the Inquisition. Dedicated to rooting out trouble and madness through her individual merit. The death of Donrai and the raise of a usurper was a frightening prospect. To her, it was perhaps the worst crisis that could've befallen her home. Natasha sought to maintain cohesion and stability as best she could through a turbulent time, a role she played well into the wars of Tolmar Brand and the Gyre. Ensuring that the institutions that protected her people would be safe, through and through. The Princess was a bedrock of tradition and a force of consistency through hardship. In recent times, Natasha finds herself growing too sedentary. Rumors and tales of myth and legend have begun to circulate back to her ears. People who speak of demons, of Abyss, of apocalypse and ruin. What were once simple stories are taking shape as real, physical concepts among the populace. What's more, reformation and change has begun sweeping through the Isles to a tune of uncertainty. The world she'd known for so long has begun to quake and shadows fall in its wake. Unsatisfied with remaining on the Isles with such growing tension in the back of her mind, Princess Natasha has sailed to Arx to join the rest of the world. In search of answers and devising a solution.
search of answers and devising a solution. +
After being sent off to become a scholar o …
After being sent off to become a scholar on a far-flung island as an extra lady who was too rebellious for the Argento family, Carissa heard what happened to the nobles of Arx and returned in a panic a few years too late, after the Gyre had been defeated. Her family mostly dead, and her March given to Lianne, she yearned for something to do to gain back some measure of trust for herself and the name Argento. However, after learning some hard truths about that name, Carissa is humbled, thankful, and even grateful to Lianne for welcoming her home with open arms and kindness. She is working hard to regain herself, after so many years of anger. She's always been rebellious, it's true, but now she's trying to live up to the new family name she proudly wears.
to the new family name she proudly wears. +
After the sudden and tragic passing of his …
After the sudden and tragic passing of his father, Ruslan Volkov rose to power, claiming the title of Horselord. He had spent his entire life preparing for the position and now a wicked fire burnt in his ice blue eyes. His first year of rule was tumultuous. The Horselord bent the knee, becoming a vassal underneath the Compact and sending waves through the tribe. To this day, he deals with the aftermath of his decision. Yet, Ruslan doesn't see it as an act of weakness. Rather, the way forward into a brighter future.
r, the way forward into a brighter future. +
After twenty-six years of marriage, her pa …
After twenty-six years of marriage, her parents hadn't expected a sudden conception of a daughter. Neither did their House, but everyone was thrilled for the marriage of the retired general Cristofer Lyonesse, then 53, and his wife Merylda (nee Bisland), 44, to finally bear fruit. While doting parents (they had waited a very long time for her) it's hard to be the only daughter of a general as anyone can guess but it's probably harder to be the only daughter of a retired general, who has nothing better to do but to turn his beloved daughter into a miniature version of himself. As she grew older, and especially after her mother died when she was 10, the two were inseparable, realizing that her father's days were likely numbered as well. Seeing to her education himself, even their time marked for recreation had an educational bent to it. Camping trips were focused on hunting and survival and visits to ally lands were always accompanied by drills. From the ages of 13 to 17, her summers were spent with the Bislands as a foster though her overprotective and widower father was known to accompany her on these trips. Most of his time, however, was preoccupied with catching up with Duke Gabriel Bisland - a man he had worked and served with off and on throughout his youth and respected and admired greatly - leaving the Bislands to do their job fostering her. When she finally came of age, she began to serve House Lyonesse proudly and had only begun to find her feet when her father passed on and left a hole in her life. Somewhat lost, her attempt at forging her own path manifested in the first step of heading to Arx to be with the family in a time of crisis as the Compact braces for war with Apostates and foriegn forces. It seemed like the job she was meant to do.
t seemed like the job she was meant to do. +
Agostino was born to one of the barmaids a …
Agostino was born to one of the barmaids at the Black Fox tavern, a lively woman named Marina Alonso, some time ago. Her family had lived in the Ward of the Lyceum for two generations, tracing their blood back to servants who accompanied members of house Argento to Arx as servants from Nilanza. An only child, he fell in easily with some of the troublemakers in the Ward as he grew older, running the streets with them and getting into all manner of mischief. Though he never missed any of the lessons with the Scholars that his mother insisted on, otherwise he could be found all over the city by the time he had reached his teen years. His knowledge of the streets of the city became increasingly valuable as he approached adulthood, beginning with working in the same tavern as his mother, carrying messages for the customers. This quickly translated into more silver for him when he realized that the value of the content of some of those messages, to the right sort of people, was quite high. Along with what he learned from the Scholars, he developed a strong appreciation for knowledge of all sorts, particularly the sort that was risky or difficult to obtain. Over time, he developed a reputation for having access, or gaining it, to all sorts of interesting tidbits, and for years, he did so freelance, selling what he found to the highest bidders. Most of his customers were Lycene, though, given where he grew up, and many considered it merely a matter of time before he was hired by one of them. This happened only recently, however, with the formation of house Malespero, in a way bringing him full circle, since they now have control of the city his own family originated in. It took him some time to get used to the idea of having an employer, but now he has settled into his role within the household comfortably.
his role within the household comfortably. +
Ahmar grew up in Stonedeep and was closest …
Ahmar grew up in Stonedeep and was closest to his sister Azolla. Because of her illness as a child, and his lack of social skills and book smarts, he took to training, telling himself that at the very least he could keep his little sister safe. Once he became older and Azolla began to flourish more he began branching out a bit, offering his spear, sword, or axe to any who needed it. He see's it as his duty to keep the people of the north safe. He saw many battles in his time up north. Most of which ending in him being injured so bad that most people wouldn't think a human could survive, but be it luck, the spirits, the gods or /something/, he always managed to make it out the other side without permanent damage, some of course requiring more recovery time than ever. Despite this, it never stopped him from picking his weapons and armor back up and going back at it. More recently his sister came to Arx, and being distrustful of people he doesn't know, he decided to follow, just in case.
know, he decided to follow, just in case. +
Ahriman Pravus (married Grayson) was born …
Ahriman Pravus (married Grayson) was born the fourth sibling and he was a long way from inheritance of the Pravus leadership which meant outside of treachery he was never going to sniff much significance with Setarco and it seemed he was destined to be marriage fodder. Ahriman was left to find his way through military conquest and focused on the sea. A cunning man he was seen as ambitious om his pursuit of sailing; yet perhaps lacking in the Lyceum manner of doing whatever it takes to move upwards within the ranks. He quickly found himself captain upon the High Seas and earned a small measure of prominence through his exploits and leadership. By his siblings and family he was seen as a distant threat due to his familial loyalty and nature. He was never seen as possessing the cunning treacherous aspirations stereotyped within the Lyceum. When Ahriman was married off (sight unseen) to Princess Alarys Grayson the marriage was a suitable match for him. Ahriman married up due to the need of the Grayson fleet of capable commanders. Secondarily the marriage would help tie and improve relations between the Lyceum (and their massive fleets) and the Grayson family. And when viewed through the lenses of Thraxian instability and rebellion that left the seas volatile and unruly; the marriage was a perfect opportunistic match of the time. And so he was content to marry up and the man found himself enjoying his newfound family and position. Ahriman showed his prowess at sea and as he sailed and led Grayson ships to war the man earned notoriety and was seen as a great rising commander whose sights were set upon command and control of the Grayson fleet. At home his marriage blossomed and the birth of his first daughter (Lou Grayson) and concluding with his third and youngest daughter (Reese Grayson). All of whom favored their mother's lighter complexion. He was a firm yet caring father full of energy and warmth to his children and his family. He grew to love his wife very deeply. Ahriman was far more reserved outside of this circle behind closed doors and was perceived at times to be a bit cold and firm in his person outside of his closed circle. He was very much a firm authoritarian in his personality when removed from the presence of the joys in his life. Ahriman was next in line to inherit the Grayson fleet when he sailed out with a small number of ships on a searcg mission into Abandoned waters in 994 AR in search of the lost Alaric III. The small contingent of vessels never returned and many considered Prince Ahriman Grayson a casualty caught up in either a victim of piracy or having been lost to violent storms that were reported in the area. No word of the presumed dead Prince surfaced for many years until recently. Rumors began in late 1009 AR of a man found many leagues into Abandoned and Gyre waters that capture a barely sailable skiff and found refuge in Lyceum waters near Setarco. Weak, gaunt, and barely alive he was taken to the Mercy's where he was nourished back to health until only recently did he regain consciousness. That man has identified himself as Prince Ahriman Grayson. He remembers little or nothing of what happened seventeen years ago on his voyage. His life the last seventeen years was spent as a slave in Abandoned lands he recalls well. It was not until disease wiped out his captors (one his Arx immunities saved him from) that he found and eventually won his freedom. The layers of scars and whip marks upon his flesh validate much of his claim along with the clear aged deformation around his throat due to his slave collar. Now Prince Ahriman has returned to Arx to see what became of his daughters, his wife, and his Grayson family. He has been reported to be distant and if not a little troubled from his ordeal but mostly of sound mind and body. His physical prowess though has waned given his captivity and torment.
has waned given his captivity and torment. +
Ahrsen was born on a tiny island to the so …
Ahrsen was born on a tiny island to the south. Expansion pushed larger houses outwards, and those, in turn, pushed smaller houses even further out. Soon the tiny island was usurped by a greater house and made into a barony after a terrible battle that saw most fighting men dead. The boy's mother would sing to him at night and tell him stories of the old kingdom and what it was like to be a part of his people. Having fled their little island the boy and his mother grew up in relative peace until he came of age. It was around the age of 14 or 15 that Ahrsen begins to show an interest in a sailors life. He threw in with mercenaries early on and soon was sailing the clear blue waters of the south seas and raiding. Within a matter of years, he soon had a ship of his own and a loyal crew. His silent, brooding nature and short way of speaking garnered a fair amount of loyalty and respect from his crew, and they were feared in those waters. The captain was in it for the money and glory, nothing more. As a captain, Ahrsen learned more things than the art of sailing and combat. He learned things like music and poetry, things he had no skill at but grew on him. A love of animals, wildlife, and art also entertained his thoughts. All these things were as much a part of his adventures as they were the upbringing by his mother, a lady who had once had great influence on the little island where he was born. His mother passed shortly after his 20th year but not before giving a ring that belonged to his father. The mercenary group had turned into a sizeable fleet after some time, and they begin to run into trouble as they gained a little too much attention. Rather than fight to the bitter end or be captured and imprisoned, Ahrsen and his crew sold their ship, disbanded most of the crew and then purchased a new one. In that vessel, they sailed to Arx with plans to do business closer to the capital. For now, they have been raiding Abandoned and doing mercenary jobs, the Captain waiting for the right time to take in a big haul.
for the right time to take in a big haul. +

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