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Cicero Velenosa grew up in the current rul …
Cicero Velenosa grew up in the current ruling house of Lyceum, but several branches of the family tree away from actually inheriting anything of worth. As a middle child he was not destined to be heir to the estate and was little more than fodder for a political marriage... until he put his talents towards the silk trade. He was gifted at it, using his position as a bridge between the merchants and their noble customers, easing the passage of the luxurious material along the economic system while keeping the coffers of his house well filled. Like any one noble of the southern City-States he ran into some trouble now and then that had to be solved at the end of a sword, but he usually realied on his quick wit and sharp tongue to win the day. Now he has come to Arx to ply his trade, to work with the silk merchants of the city for the betterment of all of Lyceum. Kinda.
r the betterment of all of Lyceum. Kinda. +
Ciro grew up in Ischia mostly wish his mot …
Ciro grew up in Ischia mostly wish his mother Isabella. His father passed away from infection while at war with the Argento. As a boy, he was drawn both to the luxurious villas of Setarco and the busy docks and diverse peoples of Ischia. Like his sister Appolonia, he acquired a good education from various Lycene tutors, and though he showed some aptitude, he never found much joy in abstract studies though he found a great love of music and performance. He sometimes sneaked down to the docks and watched as the sailors rolled dice and played cards for piles of gleaming coins. As a very young man, Priscila had high hoped that Ciro might prove a diplomat, but the young man had a greater interest in the daughter of the Farshaw Minister of Income than in trade deals he was meant to negotiate. Returning to Ischia without having proved himself, and labeled a wastrel by his family, Ciro continued to drink and game throughout Morisco, and Arx. In this very state, however, Ciro, having lost a great deal of coin in a high stakes wager, was returning through the Lowers in Arx, where he overheard the formation of a scheme to steal a good amount of Pravosi goods from the harbor. Using the last of his coins to pay a cabin boy for the full story, Ciro wrote a missive to Lady Viviana, and saved the House several hundred thousand silver when the plot was foiled. Having proved his loyalty and a capacity for acquiring valuable information, Ciro was encouraged by Dio to put his inclinations in further service to his House by joining the Whisper House. He also joined the Golden Hart, and has often been seen gaming with many of the peers of the Compact. Later, he found his way to Gianna Whisper's Bard's College, where his flair for the dramatic and musical talents infused with the styles of Ischia and Eurus have found him in good company.
and Eurus have found him in good company. +
Cirroch was always going to be the March o …
Cirroch was always going to be the March of Giant's Reach. Actually, he was the March of Giant's Reach by the time he was ten. It's a risky proposition, being a ten-year-old with a regent, but there were a few things going for Cirroch: first, his regent was his uncle Talward, whom no one wanted to cross and who loved his deceased sister more than life itself, and second, he was a pretty clever and aspiring ten-year-old, and put off the fears of his vassals by being aggressively interested in warcraft from when he could first walk. He developed an interest in statecraft as well, although it was admittedly much /later/ in life that he wanted to attend his own meetings and councils. By the time he was 16, there were few who feared his ascendance to the seat he held in name, and when he reached majority at 18, his uncle retired to be feted for a job well done, and Cirroch took the reins fearlessly. It's amazing how long you can stall from a topic that you don't want to address. He very nearly had a treaty negotiated with the Nightgolds for a wife of his rank only to have it fall through on some stipulations about mining rights that he refused to let go. He very nearly had a treaty negotiated, later, that would have had him wed to the sister of a Velenosan count, only to have her cry off for a number of reasons, some related to, frankly, the cold weather of the north and the total absence of seawater anywhere around Giant's Reach. That is until a faithful day that he wasn't thinking of a need to keep a shield up. He was training with his axe when Princess Sasha boldy approached him, anyone in their vincity might have thought that they did indeed watch mountains move that day. Sasha would become the love of his life. The day he meet his first born, heir to what Sanna had to offer, was the day that he understood that life was more than how long one can stall a topic.
more than how long one can stall a topic. +
Claiming to hail from one of the many vill …
Claiming to hail from one of the many villages that dot the forests and hills of Graysond lands, Haptenna has recently returnd to Arx. Some might perhaps remember her for her time amongst a group of actors, performers, acrobats and troubadours who last visited the city a few years ago. Apparently, that group has since disbanded or she's left, as this time she seems to be a solo act. Those who ask are frequently met with a smile and a dismissive joke but it's clear that something happened and it's something she evidentally does not want to talk about. For now, it seems like she's just marking time, running from whatever has so obviously shaken her.
from whatever has so obviously shaken her. +
Clara was born to the Crovane family only …
Clara was born to the Crovane family only a handful of years ago but she would not start breathing when she was born. It took a little bit of work from the midwives to get Clara to take in her first breath and by that time they had nearly given up hope that she would survive. The result of this experience was that Clara's eyes turned white and everyone expected she was blind. She is young and still learning about the world in a very hands on way. While she doesn't mind being a lady she doesn't specifically want to be a politician and she has made that clear with starting to learn the sword young as well as preferring sitting in cemeteries and stitching wounds to listening to people talk about the various problems in society. She began learning the sword when she was 12 years old, a compromise her parents made with her when she wouldn't sit still long enough to learn about being a leader or try to better understand how to bring in money, through the people, for the house. Learning the sword was a way to help her learn to focus her abundance of youthful energy as well as make her useful to the family. When she was about 15 years old she showed an aptitude for medicine, a love for plant life as a healing source, and a desire to help people. This lead to her start into studying medicine closer and eventually becoming a novice medic. Barely an adult, Clara has been sent to Arx to experience the rich diversity in culture the city has to offer.
iversity in culture the city has to offer. +
Close cousin to the march and his Voice, B …
Close cousin to the march and his Voice, Braith was a tagalong as a child. She wanted to get into everything, learn everything, and put most things in her mouth. As she grew older, these urges didn't really change with the possible exception of that last one. She was a constant troublemaker and essentially ended up pawned off on a steady shaman tutor for something to /do/ with her, and it was under this tutelage -- with the occasional rising influence of her grandmother -- that her early aptitudes for music were discovered. She loved to sing, she loved to perform, and she had a keen sense of rhythm for the hand drum and bells. Other instruments were more of a challenge but she learned several of them anyway, inhaling the knowledge like she sopped up story and song. She began to make up stories of imaginary exploits for her friends and family, putting some to music and chanting them like the ballads of heroes of old, and sometimes just telling them like stories, especially for the younger children of Giant's Reach. It was in this way that her life's path was set as a maker of music and teller of tales: it was the shining passion of her heart, so why not pursue it.
assion of her heart, so why not pursue it. +
Clover Wyrmguard was born to Annaliese and …
Clover Wyrmguard was born to Annaliese and Damien Wyrmguard, a lesser branch of the family; distant cousins. She's the youngest of her particular branch. One of her older siblings is quite good with a sword, another with a spear. She decided she wanted to take the bow and arrow as a young child... unfortunately she is not blessed with grace. If there is anything that Clover is not is graceful. She's broken more bones in her life than either of her more combatant siblings-- just from falling off of things. Her parents put her into dancing lessons once and she ended up breaking her instructors nose AND her own arm. She does, however, love to be outside. Even if it means she's probably going to cause herself some amount of harm. She's also been the type to be outside; growing up in Blancbier this meant being outside of the cities walls either in the mountains or out in the forest. She's got a deft hand with dealing with the less combat-centric aspects of being outdoors; she knows well what is safe to eat, how to navigate a forest, and how to handle an animal. Growing up in Blancbier also meant that she had some training in medicine though she has never joined the Mercies, she has thought about it off and on.
cies, she has thought about it off and on. +
Clover Wyrmguard was born to Annaliese and …
Clover Wyrmguard was born to Annaliese and Damien Wyrmguard, a lesser branch of the family; distant cousins. She's the youngest of her particular branch. One of her older siblings is quite good with a sword, another with a spear. She decided she wanted to take the bow and arrow as a young child... unfortunately she is not blessed with grace. If there is anything that Clover is not is graceful. She's broken more bones in her life than either of her more combatant siblings-- just from falling off of things. Her parents put her into dancing lessons once and she ended up breaking her instructors nose AND her own arm. She does, however, love to be outside. Even if it means she's probably going to cause herself some amount of harm. She's also been the type to be outside; growing up in Blancbier this meant being outside of the cities walls either in the mountains or out in the forest. She's got a deft hand with dealing with the less combat-centric aspects of being outdoors; she knows well what is safe to eat, how to navigate a forest, and how to handle an animal. Growing up in Blancbier also meant that she had some training in medicine which led to her joining the Mercies of Lagoma. Her early twenties saw her married to Duke Ryhalt Farshaw of Westrock Reach. It was considered a positive political move for Wyrmguard and Farshaw, strengthening both houses through their mercantile connections. From there she settled nicely into the role of Duchess-Consort, a bright and positive addition to the duchy. She grew from a haphazard girl to a strong and mature woman, her skill with the bow increased, as did her interest in medicine. Since her joining Westrock she's come to be known for her prowess in the field and her innate understanding of the wilderness of the isles she's now come to oversee and love.
isles she's now come to oversee and love. +
Coasting through life as a winemaker appre …
Coasting through life as a winemaker apprentice in Lycene lands, Henrick found their culture to be stale. Needing to watch for poison in every wine glass? BOOOORRRINNGG, and having every single casket produced needing to be inspected became very old. He left for Arx shortly before his 18th birthday, leaving the winery to his younger brother. Trying to find himself in the city, Henrick eventually found what he was looking for in the Crimson Blades; a family who takes care of their own without betrayal and leaves well enough alone off the job. Getting paid to hack shit up and get a reputation amongst the elite of mercenaries? Sign him up. In the year since, he's been content to remain a private in Iron Company as a heavy infantryman. He does like the idea of being the one to execute tactics, but that'd cut into his tavern time.
tics, but that'd cut into his tavern time. +
Col was never as good as Lionel in his fat …
Col was never as good as Lionel in his fathers' eyes. He was never treated poorly or unfairly, that wasn't Frederik's way but it was always there: Lionel was better. Lionel was the first born. Lionel was the warrior and knight. Lionel was the man who's honor could not be tarnished. He could do no wrong. While his older brother was learning to fight and be a knight Col was reading books and learning tactics for war, rather than individual battle. He knew he would never be as physically capable as his older brother but he was driven to prove himself useful to his father and the House. He tried to learn, he truly did, but all the hard work netted him very little. It was not his aptitude. His aptitude was in planning. Plotting. Leading but not from the front. It was like Col and Lionel were the two sides of their father's 'coin'. Lionel got all the physical talents and ability while Col was the statesman, diplomat, and planner. When the two worked together they were unstoppable. Frederik finally noticed Col and they had begun to mend those fences when tragedy struck in the form of his cousin's attempted coup and rebellion. Of all the people to fall it was Lionel and Col was left suddenly the heir of House Steelhart. There was nothing for it, Col was next in line. Frederik finally had to recognize Col's merits on their own standing. That is how it should have went. Instead Frederik buried Lionel and moved on. There is the knowledge that Col will one day inherit the County, but until then there's not a lot he can do to get out of his brother's shadow. At least not in Highhill.
rother's shadow. At least not in Highhill. +
Constance was born a noble of House Redrai …
Constance was born a noble of House Redrain and had a markedly rebellious youth that ended in her voluntarily shedding the family name. In her childhood she defied her tutors and enjoyed spurning their lessons more than taking them to heart. Often, she would go out of her way to learn so that she may foil their plans in the most troublesome way possible. Her teenage years consisted of a shift toward the natural world, and the people in it. Criminals, warriors, and all manner of violent or seedy sorts captivated her imagination, and she followed them throughout the north on their journeys, flouting social norms. By necessity, she learned something of medicine, and this curiosity flourished into a passion that lead her to the Mercies. She looked at her traveling companions with a new eye for their talents and strengths, and in her adulthood, she saw how these people might serve their fellow Arvani. It lead to her renouncing her faith in Shamanism in all but the most informal ways, and her own Redrain surname name in a rather dramatic devotion to the Godsworn.
rather dramatic devotion to the Godsworn. +
Corbit was essentially born curious and ha …
Corbit was essentially born curious and had the perfect family to help feed that curiosity. His best childhood memories are debates at the dinner table over some minor point of a random piece of information. Between all these ideas whirling around him and having a mind like a sponge, he couldn't help but become a bit of a jack of all trades when it comes to scholarly persuits. So one day what he's working on might be totally different than what he's working on the next. So what if he may have accidently turned his hair green trying to come up with a cure for baldness? Worth it. Or about that time he burned down a shed trying to make it fireproof, small price to pay in his eyes. He's always been encouraged in these pursuits and has always taken great advantage of that.
has always taken great advantage of that. +
Corinna Kelsey has lived her entire life i …
Corinna Kelsey has lived her entire life in the Lower Boroughs, and as far as she's concerned, the world outside the city might as well be a myth. Born to spectacularly unlucky lowborn parents, she was orphaned by disease at age of ten, and being taken in by a succession of more-or-less kindly tavern keepers was all that kept her from starving in the street. She spent most of her childhood in one tavern scullery or another, earning her keep through service, and not much has changed as she has aged into womanhood. Her cheerful, ditzy, and uncomplaining demeanor has endeared her to more than one employer, and she is mostly happy with her lot in life, but the vibrant, cosmopolitan life of the other boroughs has her longing to experience more of the world outside of the slums.
ce more of the world outside of the slums. +
Corinne was born to two loving parents who …
Corinne was born to two loving parents who, despite their best and many efforts with each other and later others, never again managed to conceive another child on either side. They weren't wealthy, but tried to spoil her nonetheless, though it never took. She was cooperative, yes, and dressed in whatever style she was told without seeming to mind overmuch, but as she grew, neither fashion nor boys nor girls ever caught her eye. She was tolerant of others in the same way she tolerated mother fussing over her skirt of the day, or which ribbon to put in her hair. It wasn't a chore, not precisely, but she seemed to rarely if ever care for these things. That's not to say she was a dull, unsociable child. Corinne loved her exploits, and took well to learning her father's alchemical trade with no real prompting. She was friendly and sunny and beloved or at least well-liked by near all, though few save her parents were allowed to catch sight of the dark undercurrents of apathy at her core. As she grew older still, blossoming past adolescence and into adulthood, it became clear to those who knew her she cared little for anything but her brews and concoctions. Still, advancing in her craft required funds, and funds required speaking to people like a human being. To her poor parents' great relief, she embraced necessity, started leaving the house, and spoke verbally with others again. For a few months, it was like the sullen creature living in their attic that only communicated in grunts, monosyllables, and hand gestures was just a bad dream. Soon after, though, she left her home of Southport for Arx with a small sum, seeking to make her fortune in greener pastures.
g to make her fortune in greener pastures. +
Cosimo is what most noble parents would co …
Cosimo is what most noble parents would consider the spare, the next legitimate child behind the groomed heir. He wasn't present for the scandal that followed the birth of his illegitimate sister, Nurie, nor the collapse of his father's House - but these events left an indelible mark on his upbringing. He was neither the favored child nor the favored sibling, and was often left to his own devices in the care of the household servants. It was both a bane and a boon: his parents did not foist high expectations onto him and he largely remained out of their crossfire, but books and tutors did not always make for great socializing. He excelled in his studies as a youth and remained intellectually curious. Medicine, language, the occult, and even musical composition piqued his interest. He was closer to his father when he was around, who was notably more cerebral than his wife. As he grew from a gangly teenager into an independent adult, he gradually realized that complete knowledge requires more than just reading a book. While his sister spent her time at Fortezza di Iriscal learning how to rule alongside their capricious mother and half-sister, Cosimo traversed across the continent in search of answers to some of the mysteries he found within their library, some of which involved the roots of his own family. Peripheral politics on the outskirts of his childhood were largely ignored... until the Countess was murdered. He has accompanied his family to Arx to assist with the investigation, and with whatever else may come their way.
and with whatever else may come their way. +
Count Giulio Corvini is the younger brothe …
Count Giulio Corvini is the younger brother of Lord Theron Mazetti. While his brother is a master of arms, well trained in such matters, Giulio is a creature more oriented towards the mind. He is a student of the law first and foremost, at least to the public eye. His upbringing has been a matter of simple study for most of his life and then an apprenticeship with the Inquisition, though he has served from time to time as necessary as a magistrate for the family, especially on matters touched by law. He has a reputation for being even handed, cool and collected. Since his arrival in Arx, he has married, become a landed noble and left the Inquisition, now engaged in a variety of different things, of little particular import.
erent things, of little particular import. +
Culler. She is no Culler by blood, rather …
Culler. She is no Culler by blood, rather by association. As the story goes, she came up in the Lowers, underfed, underfoot, and earned her keep ferrying messages to and fro for the hard men and women earning the nickname 'Dart' for her propensity to do so. It's not a new story, nor a particularly inventive one. As a young woman, she signed on with mercenaries and became a scout. 'Dart' became 'Arrow' and she returned to Arx with little more than the gear on her back, and the plan to disappear back into the teeming morass of the Lowers in mind. Living is costly, however, so she makes her coin now as then as a courier of sensitive materials and messages, traveling all over the city, with deliveries that are discreet, disturbing, pointed, whatever the author cares them to be.
ted, whatever the author cares them to be. +
Curran was a bastard in a noble house in A …
Curran was a bastard in a noble house in Arx, probably one of the Lycene ones, but he wasn't an important bastard. He was somebody's servant sleeping around trying to get a leg up on her employer for blackmail purposes, but she miscalculated because he didn't care. She was fired and she took her son to the Lower Boroughs, where she worked at the Murder for the Grayhopes, and her son was underfoot all of the time. He helped cook and clean from when he was old enough to hold a rag, but not like he was beaten into it. More like he was interested in sticking his nose where it wasn't wanted. It was not an ideal childhood. A low, scraggly little rat in the Boroughs, he developed a knack for creeping into corners, a light-fingered little punk who found trinkets where he could and shadows wherever he looked for them. Curran got old enough to get into real scraps and that meant he got old enough to get himself into trouble. He punched somebody he shouldn't have, but the Grayhopes liked his mother, so they looked out for him, too, and he wound up 'employed' by the 'organization', learning from spies how to be quiet. There's plenty of fine, fancy family folk, but Curran's who any of the family call when they need something shifty done on the quiet.
y need something shifty done on the quiet. +
Cutlin Moss has served the Deepwood since …
Cutlin Moss has served the Deepwood since his birth, as did his father and his father before him. And, like all of them before him, he served as a scout and ranger. Few know the wild lands like the Moss do, and few are as comfortable in it. Cutlin began serving on long-range scouting missions and hunting at a young age, and he was trained well by his father and his elder sister. Eventually he fell in love with another commoner (A woman by the name of Bianca), and they married. They had a son, and two years later a set of female twins. His wife and eldest son were eventually killed in a skirmish with pirates while they were on a trip to the coast eight years ago, and he has raised his daughters alone since. Now, in the wake of the siege, he has been called to aid the Deepwood closer to Arx, though he already misses the deep wild.
x, though he already misses the deep wild. +
Daemon Dracone was born into a Knightly re …
Daemon Dracone was born into a Knightly retainer family of the Oathlands. From a young age he was made to follow in his own ancestor's footsteps to walk the path of a Knight, swearing to codes of honors and learning the way of sword and horse-riding. Several years were spent with his nose buried in textbooks of etiquette and training with sword and shield all the while. Never a moment of his childhood was spent with play, always in practice and martial training. One might think that such ardous childhood would lead to a rather hard and cynical child, but by some anomaly the opposite became true. Daemon was a bright and happy child even through the demands of his family's desire to hone him into another proud and rigorous member of their ilk. He performed with flying colors without a single complaint. Some still believe he might just be holding it all in for one disastrous meltdown. For some years the rumor of the Dracone's extinction began to build in the circles they frequented. After his father's disappearance, Daemon set off on a voyage away from Arvum and before long the letters stopped coming in. It didn't exactly make a large splash in the history books though, they'd always been minor and unlanded with their most significant feature being their loyalty to Valardin. But then one day, Daemon resurfaced on board a merchant ship that had settled into Arx's harbor. His disappearance having been a quest to find where his family had disappeared to, a quest that he had failed at. It's a burden he freely admits is his deepest regret, the one stain he'd never be able to repeal from his duties.
d never be able to repeal from his duties. +
Dafne was born to the younger sister, Cere …
Dafne was born to the younger sister, Cerese, of Duke Marco; she is first cousin to Lady Sylvie Zaffria and technically, her heir. Although in general an overlooked member of that powerful family, she has been sent to Arx in hopes she may be of assistance to her cousins. Well. Her parents are also hoping it may help Dafne gain some worldly wisdom and social polish--not to mention cure of her of a certain fascination with the darker side of life.
fascination with the darker side of life. +
Dag was born a poor farmer's son in one of …
Dag was born a poor farmer's son in one of the most inhospitable lands in Arvum: The Northlands. Though his tiny village is on few maps, they were always loyal to House Redrain and the Compact and enjoyed a relative modicum of safety. For most of his life, Dag expected he would always be a farmer, taking on his father's lands when he eventually passed. What he had not anticipated was that his father, exhausted and disillusioned by years of labor for little reward, arranged for his son to be apprenticed to the local blacksmith in an effort to give him a better life. At first Dag was reluctant, but he soon found himself taking to the craft with a passion he had never before experienced. Though tales of heroic knights in impenetrable armor wielding legendary blades against monstrous enemies had never really gripped Dag the way it had other boys his age, he found himself more and more drawn to the idea of being the man who made one of those mythical suits of armor. Dag was soon so enthralled by this dream, he poured himself completely into his work, laboring night and day at his master's forge until, before he knew it, he was a man grown with a formidable knowledge of smithing. The little village had no need of two blacksmiths so Dag, taking the humble gifts his family and master provided to him, set out to find his own place in the world. His travels took him all over the Northern realms, into mountain strongholds and humble townships similar to his own. Though he traveled a dangerous road, the strength he earned at the anvil proved useful as he learned to wield his hammer not just to create, but to defend himself from bandits and the Abandoned. Along the way he honed his craft, often stopping to lend a hand in forges all over the Northlands to fund his travels. Sometimes he'd spend months at a time out in the wilds, almost always moving forward, seeking secrets of smithing and metalworking anywhere he could find them. Finally, after traversing hundreds of circuitous miles and spending years on the road, he turned his sights towards Arx to finally make a name for himself.
ds Arx to finally make a name for himself. +
Dalsam was born to a pair of wealthy merch …
Dalsam was born to a pair of wealthy merchants under House Grayson. They were the youngest of four siblings, and as the quietest of them, their parents rarely paid Dalsam any mind. He spent much of his childhood reading. As he grew, he left the house more. He was naturally curious, talking with all sorts of new people. He picked up writing around this time, obsessively telling stories about what he'd seen. He began to publish his works, and his parents remained content to leave him to his own devices. However, it was around this time that Dalsam began to get into trouble; they'd developed a disregard for the rules of polite society. After a series of scandals - notably, publishing a vulgar satire about the Crown - their parents took notice. They disowned Dalsam, effectively leaving them an exile. In the time since, they've been homeless, traveling around Arvum without much purpose.
aveling around Arvum without much purpose. +
Damiana was born in a line of heroes who s …
Damiana was born in a line of heroes who seldom married outside the Valardin or Wyrmguard families, at least until Prince Sherrod Redrain and Prince Radley Valardin decided to marry her parents in an effort to ease the tensions between the Oathlands and the North. A full year of courtship later and Princess Larra Redrain married Prince Lyonis Valardin. Their story of duty and, some say, even love, saw the birth of three children and ended in the Sanctum decades later with the Tragedy. Growing up there was no girl as lovable than Damiana, someone who could sit a table with her peers and be the heart of their fun, or take a seat with the adults and appeal to people from all directions of the Compact. She had a knack for figuring out people, finding their hearts and worming her way in, and while she trained her swordarm and to ride on horseback, it was clear her path laid outside the battlefield and in the courts. There were even talks of having the young woman join the Whisper House for a life of peacekeeping within the Compact, but with so many marriage proposals flying in Damiana and her mother did not rush to any one decision too fast. Even though she did fight with Emma, who though Damiana was too vapid; and Gwenys, who Damiana thought was too uncivilized, Damiana was in no rush to leave her family to go anywhere, her whole life ahead of her and teeming with potential. That same potential, and her life, came crashing down with the Tragedy. Damiana doesn't talk about the Tragedy, not ever, but what little is known is that she was found crawling among the corpses, bloodied and blind. She had no wounds on her that would account for the loss of her sight but the woman cried copiously, and locked in darkness not many gave Damiana a fighting chance. For weeks she remained in a dark room in isolation until confirmation that her sisters Gwenys and Emma had also survived, but what Damiana herself thought of it all remained a mystery. What is known is that despite many loyal servants and even family members writing the once-adorable Damiana off, believing she did not have it in her to overcome her new condition and all the losses, the Princess rebounded quite well. Maybe too well. In Sanctum none of her peers saw her shed further tears for her parents, and she plunged herself to work, filling the void left behind by other deceased Valardin. Along with stewards and economists she worked tirelessly to bring the House from the brink, and many say that is what has given her purpose since. With the rallying cry of the Dragon banners to fight in Skal'daja and Emma's summons to Arx, Damiana joined the family there, now completely transformed from winsome socialite into a dangerously cunning politician. The Valardin do not have the fame of breeding many of those, and the other Houses think honor is a detriment to diplomacy, but Damiana takes no heed of other Houses' worries. The dragon does not listen to Foxes, Badgers, Bears, Sins, Serpents or anything but itself. The dragon soars alone.
ything but itself. The dragon soars alone. +
Damon has always seemed bound and determin …
Damon has always seemed bound and determined to defy the path laid out for him. He was exactly the kind of son any militant noble family dreams of having. He was strong, ridiculously attractive, talented with a sword, and combined the charisma of a promising young leader with the good natured affability that guaranteed he'd be liked. He was, in other words, the perfect spare second child to marry off for political gain or the beloved spare to the heir that could be reckless enough to win true renown on the field. But despite his talent and how well he acquitted himself while training to be a knight, the young man stunned his father by insisting that he wished to be a Scholar of Vellichor, that his true passion was learning and protecting knowledge, and that he had no desire to be the next great knight. While most houses of the Oathlands, House Wyrmguard included, have great respect for the Scholars of Vellichor, Marquis Denis Wyrmguard did not take the news well. Stopping just short of disowning his son, the trained knight traveled to Arx to study with the Scholars of Vellichor, his previous training allowing him to act as one of the Knights of the Archive, the armed guardians that safeguard the knowledge of the Compact. Since the tragic death of his father during the Tragedy at Sanctum, Damon has ended his semi-estrangement with his family and reunited with his sisters, determined to help aid the family while continuing his studies as a scholar-knight.
ontinuing his studies as a scholar-knight. +
Danae grew up in a rather poor family in S …
Danae grew up in a rather poor family in Southport. Because of this she learned the art of making a deal. When you don't have a lot of silver you need to stretch each one as far as possible. She had the reputation of being a tough child, who was never intimidated or backed down from anything. When it came time to serve southport in the military, she was beyond reluctant at first. Her parents agreed to have her start her training at the age of twelve in the hope that she would find a better life than they could offer her. She had to literally be taken, fighting the whole way. This only hardened Damae further. However, eventually she grew to enjoy her time in the military. She had a new family, countless brothers and sister in arms. Better yet she found out she was good at it. So she decided to dedicate her life to military service, a way of thanking the Malvici family for providing her with a good life and purpose. Eventually it became obvious that Danae's equipment was always better than everyone elses around her. Once the higher ups learned about her uncanny ability to make deals and get supplies, she was made one of the supply officers for the whole of the Southport military, a position which she flourished in. Due to all of the recent troubles in the compact, Sgt. Russo was asked to come to Arx to ensure the Malvici forces are ready to go at a moments notice.
orces are ready to go at a moments notice. +
Dantaria was born into the Ulbran family, …
Dantaria was born into the Ulbran family, and took in the lessons of criminal life with her mother's milk. As a child she was often sickly, and rather than teach her the rough-and-tumble ways of the Ulbran rank-and-file, her parents had her taught the way of the socialite and the diplomat. A charming veneer over a heart as hard as stone, as adept with the language of flower and fan as she is with the language of the streets, Dantaria is something different, something elegant. And yet, an Ulbran to the core, Dantaria has always wanted more. Unlike many, she's been willing to bide her time to get it.
s been willing to bide her time to get it. +
Dante grew up alongside his cousin Leo in …
Dante grew up alongside his cousin Leo in the city of Tor. Though only a few years younger, theirs was a brotherly bond forged in steel. From the time Dante was old enough to hold a sword, he knew he had found his passion in life and instantly fell in love. His days consisted of eating, training, and sleeping and more training when he could fit the time in. Dante idolized Leo who has always been more like an older brother than a cousin. When Leo was sent off to live, practice and train with the Valardins, Dante begged and pleaded until he too followed in Leo's footsteps. Their welcome home a couple of years later was not so pleasant. Things were changing quickly for Leo's family and Dante watched every bit of horrendous ordeal from the sidelines. The very moment Leo declared war on Lucien and on Southport, Dante was there to defend his cousin, his family, and his city. There was no question as to where his loyalty rested. Now, there were other Fidante's who believed Lucien's claim about Leo being illegitimate. Once Lucien was decimated on the battlefield and succumbed to his wounds, it was time to start rebuilding Tor to it's former glory. There was never a moment where Dante did not give all of himself to the cause. It pained him to watch Leo fight not only the enemy in Southport, but also the enemy at home since Lucien was able to convince other Fidante family members to believe his lies. After many years of battling alongside his cousin, Leo named Dante Sword of Tor. It is an honor Dante takes seriously.
or. It is an honor Dante takes seriously. +
Darcy Zaffria fancied herself something of …
Darcy Zaffria fancied herself something of an explorer from a very young age. No one, then, was surprised when she began getting on ships at the age of eighteen and not returning for months at a time. A few werre surprised when that started being years at a time. Still, she'd send back packets through other traders. Usually a quick message to the family and a journal to be added to the Archives. What surprised everyone was the announcement that she'd gotten married. It was quite the scandal, to do all this without the family permission, with no signing off of prospects, without anyone even meeeting the husband! But with the journals and letters started coming chests of cloth or silver or spices. Enough to buy off the quiet scandal. So when one of the letters announced the birth of a baby girl, Marli, well.... Darcy was so far away, there was no need to talk about that. Like good skeletons, they were just kept in the closet. All of that becomes harder to ignore when into Arx sweeps a woman claiming to be Darcy's daughter and bearing her signet ring, a chest of silver, and some journals to prove it. This may put some strain on things, but Marli does have Darcy's nose, and her habit of not saying where she's been other than 'on an island.'
here she's been other than 'on an island.' +
Daria is one of the Mandragora, an Abandon …
Daria is one of the Mandragora, an Abandoned tribe that has claimed part of the woods along what the Compact recognizes as the Oathlands/Lycene border for generations. That claim and their allegiance shifted when Ruslan Volkov and his people bent the knee. They followed suit, swearing fealty to the Volkov, but little changed other than the family's claim on land being significantly reduced. Thus, Daria has known both lives, shav and prodigal, though for most of her life has known little difference between one and the other. As one of Mandragora's Whitefeather Scouts, she spent most of that life in those ancient woods, ranging north through the Oathlands and south into the Lyceum, paying far more attention to game trails than news from the capitols, either in Lenosia or in Arx. What use are those things to people of the woods? Everything changed in the winter of 1011, when a marauding army rolled through the woods. Her own people scattered before it like leaves in a gale wind. The Volkov weren't so fortunate and, to the last, were exterminated. Things were different afterward. The forest that had been as familiar to Daria as the back of her own hand was changed. Twisted. Scouts ventured into old parts and never returned. When the duchy of Fidante raised its cadet house, di Fidante, over the march the Mandragora were skeptical. Many wanted to return to their old ways, their old lives. Daria was among those who argued in favor of staying, of waiting, and when the new marquis and marquessa began to make progress in undoing what had been done, she urged her uncle to reach out to them and later reminded him of his vows of fealty. She spent most of the next year helping restore the land, freeing the land from the strange hold the woods'd taken upon them, and assisting the di Fidante with a number of their attempts to bring order back to the area. Now that things are getting back to normal, she sets her sights on Arx and the rest of the world.
r sights on Arx and the rest of the world. +
Dariel is the progeny of Lady Kimbrielle B …
Dariel is the progeny of Lady Kimbrielle Bisland -- cousin to the Regent Emeritus and Duke of Pridehall -- and Lord Darius Bisland nee Melaeris. The match was one quietly established as a means of funneling support into the isolated House Melaeris in recognition of their longstanding resistance to the practice of thralldom ...and probably also just another way of getting some jabs in at Donrai. Far removed from the ducal line of succession, Lord Dariel has had the privilege of riding the coattails of Bislands greater than himself ...and it shows. The only sense of duty he's ever felt obligated to fulfill has been that of his beauty regimen, which he (very selfishly) refuses to share with anybody else. If there is a flower blooming in the gardens that are House Bisland... it's Lord Dariel. Dariel's flock of admirers and penchant for catering to an audience came on fast. As such, 'celebrity' has always been the name of the game. Being a big fish in a little pond has been fun and all, but -- bored now, the serial headliner has set out from his childhood home of Pridehall. You're welcome, Arx.
od home of Pridehall. You're welcome, Arx. +
Darkus grew up in Stormwall not far from t …
Darkus grew up in Stormwall not far from the Crovane. His grand father, father, and mother all worked closely witth crovane as Crafters. He has no talent of his own in crafting but found he is very handy selling things and making money that way. His soul job is to help Crovane with all their market needs... Darkus joined the Crovane fleet when he was barely a man and learned to command a ship by the time he was 20. He has a lot of respect for soldiers and sailors. He is not a super religious man but he praises Mangata on the regular and follows the shamanistic ways of the North.
follows the shamanistic ways of the North. +
Darren possesses a bone-deep love for the …
Darren possesses a bone-deep love for the North and all it represents, rejoicing in the individualism and unrestrained love of freedom that is unmatched through the rest of Arvum. He knows full well that House Redrain of all the great houses has almost certainly the most contentious array of vassals and he wouldn't have it any other way. But ever since he was young, he watched his father very carefully, and learned that the Prince of Farhaven didn't just bully the submission out of each of the powerful houses that serve Redrain and watched how the wise strength of his father backed by strength constantly won the respect and love of his people. Unfortunately, Darren also saw the worst elements of fierce northern behavior when he was very young at his uncle Bjerarg's birthday. A simple drinking contest that led to a drunken exchange of insults that grew steadily more ugly and led to a brawl that left four dead created, by almost any standards, one of the most stupid and wasteful wars Darren can think of. The Alespill War, as it was known, was as brief as it was idiotic. A few hundred dead over quite literally a spilled ale as one thing led to another and a prince of Redrain was killed, then vassals that refused to give up the murderer... idiocy. Darren loves his people dearly, but to this day he knows full well that there is merit to the Southern notions of decorum and courtly manners. The young prince of Redrain can sing drunkenly and revel with the best of them, but his enjoyment of Southern grace is not the least bit feigned. He'd never force it on the North, but his experiences with waste from the proud, drunk and foolish have made him determined to rule with wisdom that will never see needless carnage again.
hat will never see needless carnage again. +
Dashing young Prince Gareth Grayson was an …
Dashing young Prince Gareth Grayson was another bright royal scion, a rising knight looking to make his mark in the most prestigious House in all the realm. Bold and reckless, Prince Gareth was eager to take the fight to enemies of House Grayson, to remind everyone just why House Grayson was the greatest house. He felt immortal as many young soldiers do, and took to patrolling the barely civilized borderlands with a relish, fighting back against the shavs attempting to prey on distant vassals of House Grayson. Initially he found great success, was wildly popular with the men under him, and couldn't even see why so many helpless peasants were so terrified of the hardscrabble Abandoned that turned to brigandry and would melt back into the Gray Forest after their raids. And one fateful day, responding to a minor raid, he lead his detachment into the heart of the Gray Forest to ride down the raiders... and found himself and his twenty men surrounded by hundreds of Gray Forest Reapers. It was a massacre, and Gareth himself was only spared because apparently the Reapers knew 'an idiotic prince' was headstrong enough to run right into a trap. He was beaten, tortured, and in the end had the humiliation of being ransomed after a captivity that saw the bright and bold optimist die and something far harder be reborn in its place. Gareth was left scarred and broken, his constitution never quite recovering, and his dreams of being a great knight forever shattered. In its place, the sickly and infirm Prince Gareth surprised his relatives in House Grayson by deciding he would pursue a different calling that traditionally no Grayson had embraced- the Inquisition. His body might have been shattered, but his mind was far sharper and more dangerous than it had ever been before his captivity, and he showed an alarming eagerness to turn that mind against the enemies of the Compact. As far as Gareth is concerned, no bards will ever compose songs about the jobs he now chooses to do, and there might be stories, but they'll be the ones children are told to get them to behave. Someone has to do the dark work for the Compact.
e has to do the dark work for the Compact. +
Daturo is the oldest of his parent's child …
Daturo is the oldest of his parent's children and was given every advantage growing up. Which is why when he showed an early talent for riding, he was given the best instructors in horsemanship and swordplay and allowed to pursue knighthood. As he grew and neared manhood, it was decided that he would leave to foster with another family, which is how he happened to be away when his family fell. His father, the younger sibling to a countess, was caught embezzling funds, and the family's land and estate were stripped away, the family left in disgrace. From his distant perch and still young, Daturo could do nothing for them. Indeed, he was advised he was safest further away. Always a favorite, he had made friends and allies in his foster family, and they agreed to keep him on and train him as a household knight. So, there he stayed. Mourning when he heard his father had been murdered over his debts. Mourning even more for a mother who seemed callous to the needs of her family, and mourning most for the younger brothers and sisters he was helpless to aid. Daturo found no joy in the knowledge that his position in his new life was secure. He was advised to make a match, and certainly, he had plenty of women to choose from, but securing his own joy while his family still suffered discomforted him. So it was, when he heard Sabine had been named countess, he returned to the home of his youth, seeking both a position in her court and a chance to find what remained of his family and bring them to security with him.
amily and bring them to security with him. +
Daughter of Daniel Wyrmguard, the almost u …
Daughter of Daniel Wyrmguard, the almost unknown youngest brother of Marquis Denis Wyrmguard, Bianca maintained much of the same peripheral status to the Wyrmguard family that her father once had. Unlike his brothers, Daniel was a man of knowledge and chose to spend his life in pursuit of it. Unfortunately, that quest was cut very short as Daniel did not live past the age of twenty-four, survived only by his toddler daughter as Bianca's mother had passed presumably during the child's birth. Thankfully for Bianca, her father was able to deliver his daughter to the Oathlands and from there left specific instructions for her education and general future prior to the end of his life soon after. Upon reaching the age of twelve, Bianca would be sent to study with the Mercies of Lagoma and choose her own path of study be it as a priestess or following in the footsteps of her deceased father. After a few years, the blossoming beauty made her decision and proceeded to depart from the priesthood and instead follow the pursuit of knowledge. While she adored her theological and medicinal studies, there was just so much more to the world. So much more that she couldn't wait to see and experience. And so at the age of eighteen, Bianca was granted a single guard/escort by House Wyrmguard to begin her travels outside of the safety of Blancbier and extend her knowledge and understanding of the greater world. Intermittently Bianca would return home to Blancbier to visit throughout her youth. It was at the behest of her cousin, Lord Damon Wyrmguard, that she come to join some of the family centralized in Arx and no great secret that her desire to explore the Great Archive was her primary reason for her arrival in the city. Within a matter of weeks Bianca had gained the permission of Dominus Fawkhul to pursue further investigation into the lost art of Exorcism and from there she joined the discipleship of Vellichor in a more official capacity, first as a simple Scholar and following a Prelate. It was with Fawkhul's great betrayal and the elevation of Dominus Aldwin that her career within the Faith continued forward. After much internal searching and seeking the guidance of many of the Godsworn, Bianca stepped down from her role as Voice of House Wyrmguard and took her oaths to join the priesthood. Within her annointing ceremony and to the surprise of many, Bianca was named Aldwin's successor as Arschscholar of the Scholars of Vellichor. Since then, Bianca continues her work as an icon of the Faith and representative of the discipleship she leads.
resentative of the discipleship she leads. +
Daughter of Talissa Keaton and sister to R …
Daughter of Talissa Keaton and sister to Rane Keaton, Lierre was raised in an estate near to the forests of Oakhaven. From the moment she could walk, she grew to love the woodlands of her home. Always hungry for knowledge, she learned the names of the flora and fauna within these sylvan realms, as well as a scattering of survival skills taught to her by the woodsmen who were employed by her family. Her parents allowed her the freedom to roam the woods (within reason) as long as she behaved herself. Luckily, Lierre was a dutiful and obedient daughter, not at all hard to raise. The time came, following her sixteenth birthday, when she was expected to prepare herself for the responsibilities of adulthood and for the future business of securing a suitable marriage. Unlike her beloved brother, Lierre showed no aptitude or enthusiasm for martial training, and so instead of taking up the sword, she attended an academy in Sanctum where she would be taught social graces befitting a young noblewoman. Intent on impressing her parents and bringing prestige to her family, Lierre took her education very seriously, faring rather well in her studies as a result of her efforts. Having concluded her time at the academy, Lierre left Sanctum, then spent a few years as a guest in noble estates across the Oathlands, moving from here to there to observe the political workings of the high-born. She then came to Arx to stay with the Marquis and Marquessa Keaton, hoping to learn from them the ways of domain management. For a time all was well, but as months passed by, Lierre was increasingly perturbed by the learning of sinister secrets and unknown powers. The unexpected and horrific murder of her brother and his wife, Baroness Katherine Moore, pushed Lierre into a mental breakdown that manifested itself in a state of prolonged amnesia and nonverbal fugue. Many months passed, but with much care from her mother, Lierre seemingly recovered her ailments -- more or less, at least. Rightly or wrongly, Talissa Keaton now believes her daughter has returned to her old self, and so it is that Lierre has returned to Arx once more to rejoin society at her mother's request.
to rejoin society at her mother's request. +
Daughter of a seamstress who died in one o …
Daughter of a seamstress who died in one of Arx's bitterest winters when she was seven years old, Needle was just another one of the street children of Arx's Lower Boroughs. Already capable of sewing a seam, she managed to get a few short-term jobs plying her needle; between those she begged for her supper or stole to survive, as many others did. When she was ten the Ulbran family took her in and started teaching her to be useful to them. After attracting the attention of some of the senior Ulbrans, she's come into adulthood in charge of a few of her peers, and with the certain knowledge that she has the potential for more. A lot more.
he has the potential for more. A lot more. +
Daughter of the silver-tongued, and quite …
Daughter of the silver-tongued, and quite deceased, Michal Grayhope and one of his conquests, Moira's always known the Lower Boroughs; she grew up around the criminals and outcasts and untouchables found there, lurking around her uncle Chanse's tavern and amusing herself with socializing. In spite of her nativity in the slums, Moira's life was rather charmed: she wanted for very little, and lived in comfortable surroundings that set her apart from her peers. Her father's death - supposedly at the hands of the Smiling Shadows - left a void in young Moira's life, and a void in the Grayhope family as a whole, one that she's sought to fill up with her own presence.
s sought to fill up with her own presence. +
Daughter to a branch of the Wyrmguard fami …
Daughter to a branch of the Wyrmguard family that has been in decline for three consecutive generations, Reigna's mother Mallory inherited an estate nearly destitute, with vassals and villagers on the edge of abandoning them. It began with Mallory's grandmother, Ariella Wrymguard, an inconstant woman with an insatiable gambling addiction. If the outcome was at all dubious in nature, Ariella Wyrmguard would put money on it. Her luck was as inconstant as her nature, and while there were the occasional gains, much of the family's wealth was lost. Her son, Reychard, perhaps in response to his mother's chaotic ways, was a man who would make up his mind and ride that decision to its end, no matter how poor the choice turned out to be. By the time it was Mallory's turn to take the reins, the family fortune was gone, and all the family had left was the illusion of faded grandeur and their name. Mallory did her best to keep up appearances with what little funds they had left, but they could only stretch silver so far. It was Reigna who offered a solution to their predicament. They were, after all, Wyrmguards. Their family's storied history offered in their name, a wealth of prestige. It granted legitimacy to newer Houses, or those seeking to better their reputations. One by one, Reigna's siblings were married off to Houses seeking ties to the majesty and reputation of the Wyrmguard, of the Valardin. Each contract providing desperately needed monies to the coffers. A deal was struck, for her assistance in crafting beneficial contracts for her siblings, ensuring that the family's fortunes were back on track, Reigna would be allowed to follow her passion, a scholarly life dedicated to Vellichor. All was going according to plan until a blight struck several of the farmer's fields, toppling the precarious balance Reigna's efforts had built. More money was needed and there was only one child left. She has come to Arx to meet Kael Steelhart, the man she is to marry instead of taking her oath to become godsworn. There is some bitterness in falling into a trap of her own creation. Her duty to her family at war with the desire to follow her own path.
ar with the desire to follow her own path. +
Daughter to a branch of the Wyrmguard fami …
Daughter to a branch of the Wyrmguard family that has been in decline for three consecutive generations, Reigna's mother Mallory inherited an estate nearly destitute, with vassals and villagers on the edge of abandoning them. It began with Mallory's mother, Ariella Wrymguard, an inconstant woman with an insatiable gambling addiction. If the outcome was at all dubious in nature, Ariella Wyrmguard would put money on it. Her luck was as inconstant as her nature, and while there were the occasional gains, much of the family's wealth was lost. By the time it was Mallory's turn to take the reins, the family fortune was gone, and all the family had left was the illusion of faded grandeur and their name. Mallory did her best to keep up appearances with what little funds they had left, but they could only stretch silver so far. It was Reigna who offered a solution to their predicament. They were, after all, Wyrmguards. Their family's storied history offered in their name, a wealth of prestige. It granted legitimacy to newer Houses, or those seeking to better their reputations. One by one, Reigna's siblings were married off to Houses seeking ties to the majesty and reputation of the Wyrmguard, of the Valardin. Each contract providing desperately needed monies to the coffers. A deal was struck, for her assistance in crafting beneficial contracts for her siblings, ensuring that the family's fortunes were back on track, Reigna would be allowed to follow her passion, a scholarly life dedicated to Vellichor. All was going according to plan until a blight struck several of the farmer's fields, toppling the precarious balance Reigna's efforts had built. More money was needed and there was only one child left. Since coming to Arx, her life has changed in so many ways. Her marriage has proved to be an extremely happy and profitable one, Reigna's dedication and support has proved an asset to Keaton.
and support has proved an asset to Keaton. +
Daughter to the captain of the Kennex cors …
Daughter to the captain of the Kennex corsairs, Naomi idolized her father. He was a hero to her, and she wanted to follow in his footsteps. This was before women were allowed to fight, but her father was captain, so Naomi dressed as a boy and called herself Nathan, and everyone looked the other way. Eager to prove herself, Naomi worked ten times harder than everyone else (which wasn't really all that hard, as the corsairs were an undisciplined bunch at the time). She had to fight every day to prove to everyone that she deserved to be where she was, but she earned the grudging respect of her peers. Her father's death sent her into a freefall. He died in the chaos that followed Denholm's death, slain by Jakric Hullman while trying to protect Renatta Kennex. Naomi was so devastated that even though she knew Ford had violated guest right to extract retribution, she didn't care; in her mind, his revenge was justice served. Then she learned that Hullman wasn't among the dead, and that knowledge created a festering wound that wouldn't heal. She stayed in the corsairs as Nathan until the ban on women in the military was lifted. Out of respect for her father, Ford was ready to make her captain of the corsairs... until his cousin Jan came home with a small army of battle-hardened sellswords and demanded the position for herself. Still, there were moments. She was responsible for Evander Kennex's escape from a mob of former thralls in the dangerous days after the liberation, and saw combat in Setarco, where she faced monsters beyond her worst nightmares. She might never be the hero that her father was, but she was starting to feel like she was becoming someone he would have been proud of. Then Ford died. Naomi was part of his security detail on the day that the Undrowned Sons ambushed him. She fought with everything she had, but it wasn't enough, just like it had never been enough, and she had never been good enough. She was swarmed under while trying to fight her way to the Marquis, and lay bleeding in the mud. There, on the edge of death, she used the last bit of fight left in her to roll into a ditch, there to hide from the men who moved through the ranks of the fallen, slitting their throats. Naomi lived, but she lived because of what she felt was an unforgivable act of cowardice, and endured a long, painful convalescence under the cloud of her own failure. Now, mostly recovered in body (if not in mind), Naomi has been pulled back to her duties with the Kennex corsairs by Jan, who has tapped her to command the Kennex Kay's house guards.
to command the Kennex Kay's house guards. +
Daya grew up poor and proud in the Lower B …
Daya grew up poor and proud in the Lower Boroughs. While she is not a criminal, there may have been a rogue or two in her family, and she is no stranger to the company of the city's least privileged. Her father is a sailor and her mother is a washerwoman, but age is catching up with them and Daya does her best to help stave off starvation for her five younger siblings who still live at home. She works as a barmaid and is seldom found in the city's finer quarters.
seldom found in the city's finer quarters. +
Dayton isn't one to discuss his history. H …
Dayton isn't one to discuss his history. He has a penchant for redirecting conversations regarding anything truly personal to a different topic of conversation. What is known of the gentle leatherworker is his youth was spent at sea under Admiral Denholm Kennex's command. His early twenties was spent upon a merchant ship mastering his trade and the minutia of the distribution portion of business and his late twenties have him back in Stormward seeing to his family and acting as a liason and occassional counsel to the young Marquis Kennex.
ional counsel to the young Marquis Kennex. +
Deacon Pateris was born in Setarco during …
Deacon Pateris was born in Setarco during a time of relative peace. His mother and father were both palace servants, so he grew up in and around the palace in Setarco. As he grew, Deacon showed a nack for socializing as well as music. Both of his parents were beloved servants of Piero Pravus, so the then-Duke paid for Deacon's schooling as a courtesan. When school was over, he returned to the service of Pravus as a newly-minted courtesan. The two would later become friends and confidants before the far more wild and free Deacon left Setarco to travel. Deacon's travels were almost always met with some form of calamity. He was first shipwrecked on an island in the Saffron Chain inhabited by an Abandoned tribe. While others on the ship were discouraged, the young Pateris refused to accept defeat and offered his help around the Abandoned community. At first they found him to be soft and weak, but his infectious optimism and his willingness to put his all into everything he did endeared him to them in the end. He wound up staying well past when his other fellows fled back to the mainland. Deacon made his way up along the coast, encountering a variety of people he traveled with for a time before moving on to the next thing that caught his fancy. For years, he lived without a care or a single thread of responsibility. The constant state of leaving started a nagging in the back of his head, but it was the news of Piero's death that guided him back to where he started.
that guided him back to where he started. +
Decius Meridius is a fairly simple man who …
Decius Meridius is a fairly simple man who had dedicated most of his young and current life to the forge and the plane, with what some have whispered as "Gods Touch". Many of his detractors call his work "plain", but in the end they cannot argue with the oft perfection of his vision and his skill with metal, leather, and wood. It is an odd combination, but when Decius is not at the forge, his is in his workshop working on his next piece of furniture or wood carving, using this skill to provide the income to his other passion, the creation of armor. It is not too much a wonder for his there was a great aunt or some other relative of the Thornburn family. His work has a reputation of its own, and like many others has arrived at the City to set up shop, earn a living, but at the same time making certain those who will be in future fights or stuggles will be equiped to face them.
or stuggles will be equiped to face them. +
Deimos was born in the chaos of a storm-to …
Deimos was born in the chaos of a storm-tossed sea. The ship groaned against beating waves, the frantic crew above thundered to action, their calls drowned by a torn sky. But from Deimos, not even a whimper. He entered the world in chaos, and rocking upon the waves, found comfort in it. He and his mother had been cast away from Lycene shores, from the privilege he might have known in a just world where men like his father braved the fallout of an illegitimate child. Deimos was instead raised to see the world for what it was, its harsh truths peeled before his eyes. Most memorable of them was the loss of his mother when he was only twelve years old, her life ended for a dispute over unpaid debts that had kept her son from starving. Without one bleeding heart among those responsible, Deimos was dragged from his mother before she'd gone cold and pressed into service on a merchant vessel. He grew into adulthood on that ship, with each crack of the lash and pull of the oar in the name of his masters strengthening resentment and resolve equally. In the shadow of men who thought themselves giants, Deimos' whispers of dissention spread among the thralls. How it is that men in chains overcame their well-armed captors and what transpired thereafter is a secret that rowed away from the sinking wreckage with its lone survivor: Deimos. Unshackled, he made his way to Port Defiance, and there found his calling as a corsair. He learned from the exploits of the merciless pirates that ruled the seas with fear. He found his own name joined among the likes of the most vicious among them. Surrounded by the threat of nations, the rage of the sea and the betrayal of men, Deimos thrived. Despite all of this, the birth of his daughter sparked whispers that the insatiable captain was losing his once-keen edge. Lending support to these whispers was what some perceived as a flight from Port Defiance in the midst of his conflict with an up and coming cutthroat who'd made himself an obstacle to Deimos. A secluded cove used by Caina's illicit enterprises became his port of harbor, where he could frequently visit the Cainite woman who'd captured his heart and given him the one treasure he valued above all others: his daughter. Deimos' crew started to resent him and his attachment to this island. They felt a change in the wind, and in their captain, so they hatched a plan to 'strand' him on Caina, to mutiny and abscond with his ship. One loyal sailor apprised Deimos of this plan, and so he devised a clever scheme to win Caina's favor by 'exposing' the threat of his previous crew and sailing a ship out to crush them. He got his vengeance on the mutineers, and Caina got its 'hero.' And so he has grown in the island's esteem, built a reputation amongst the stubborn citizens of the black cliffs, and turned to more legal work in Caina's navy. With the shifting of the tides, Caina's growth to a March, and the new ruler, he heads to Arx to see what fortune has in store for him there.
e what fortune has in store for him there. +
Delia has always loved stories, great and …
Delia has always loved stories, great and small. Ever since she was a child, one of many in a lowly commoner merchant family in Arx, she remembers talking about about the pagentry and glamor of the court and picking out the stories that excited everyone to hear. What noble was doing what to whom, what a noblewoman said that caused gasps, the ebb and flow caused by developing relationships... it all captivated her. Even the things that were tragic contained an element of drama that was a delight to her, if at one stage removed. She knew from a young age that she absolutely wanted to become one of the elite courtiers of the Whisper House, to move around the highest echelons of nobility and watch first hand the drama as it unfolded. In many ways, the Whisper House is everything she ever dreamed of, but she was privately shocked at how many nobles were... really, really bad at being nobles. Even some otherwise crafty Lycene nobility would occasionally just say something truly unfortunate in a White Journal and then be absolutely shocked when they were suddenly a social pariah, and it stunned Delia to see how many of these paragons of grace and refinement were remarkably ungraceful and truly unrefined when it came to maneuvering around socially. As a courtier, she started reaching out to individuals that were dying socially of impressively massive self-inflicted wounds and was surprised how remarkably easy it was to help individuals come back with the right explanation, with a little bit of deft care in saying the right apologies to the right people, and getting them back on track. Now, she's a highly sought after Whisper by individuals who really, really cannot seem to avoid alienating people they really cannot afford to alienate, which is where she comes in. While dramatic meltdowns in the White Journals might not be the highest example of nobility at its best, it does provide someone with a little more finesse the opportunity to make an excellent living as an apologist.
make an excellent living as an apologist. +
Delilah is the oldest daughter of three bo …
Delilah is the oldest daughter of three born to Jerome Mercier and the older sister of Kenna. She was, arguably, her father's favorite -- and it shows it many of her habits. Her wanderlust was obvious from a young age and her father frequently indulged her by allowing her to accompany him on his business trips up and down the Gray River. She picked up his penchant for thorough record keeping, as well as exceptionally neat writing. When she was sixteen she was allowed to go on her own forays with the small family river boat. She befriended a fellow adventurer, Bridget, during her first 'adventure' to Whitehold. They quickly became thick as thieves and explored much of the northern Crownlands together... until a deadly miscalculation on her part left Bridget dead and herself traumatized. What happened? She hasn't told anyone -- not even Bridget's bereaved family. She returned home and became a recluse, cutting herself off from most of the outside world, to simply digest what had occurred and to grieve. During this period, she distracted herself by working in a minor capacity with the Inquisition, writing at length about what she'd seen in her travels to help with with their investigations at home, and she considered joining as a junior rank as a confessor. She eventually climbed out of her depression with the diligent attention and care of her little sisters, and emerged from her room humbled and wiser from the experience. The wanderlust remained, and she answered the call once again. When she heard her sister Kenna left home to join their ennobled cousin's household, Delilah was flabbergasted, having been unaware of just how much her sibling admired the new baron. When she had some rest afforded to her from her adventuring and studies, she decided to follow as well -- particularly when she heard that the Nox'alfar were given an embassy within Arx. It's not every day you see an elf... or is it, now?
every day you see an elf... or is it, now? +
Denica cannot remember much from her earli …
Denica cannot remember much from her earliest childhood, but she does remember the feelings of love and encouragement freely given from two kindhearted parents. She can also recall a sense of shattered joy when her parents were killed in the Tyde rebellion, and the years it took to recover from a malady of muteness. During that time, she learned to appreciate the beauty of the world, and how to capture such beauty for all eternity. Painting became a favorite hobby, but sculpting and carving and sewing also enchanted her for numerous long hours of her life. Upon reciting written lyrics in the middle of Thraxian court, the curse of shy silence had been lifted. Soon enough, it was the odd noble that didn't come away from her grandfather's palace without a trinket or two made by the artistic princess. As if trying to experience all her lost childhood in one go, Denica also began painting pictures on guest's blankets or stealing favorite rings from jewelry boxes. A girl on a mission to wreak mischief, she interrupted important meetings and frightened the servants with her theatrics more than once. Occasionally, she gallivanted into the city, causing nearly as much havoc as back home. She quickly earned herself the charming moniker of the 'Little Devil of Thrax.' However, with that nickname, many guardsmen and local nobles soon wizened to her schemes, and even Grandfather Thrax brought her before the throne for a stern lecture. Throughout the chaotic era of her life, Denica's antics burned away most of the sympathy accumulated by her previous morose condition, leaving only a few close friends. With maturity came an epiphany, a realization that she lived almost entirely outside the social sphere. Partly out of a desire to fit in, but mostly because she wished to be more than a mere 'wild child,' she at last tempered into something vaguely resembling a proper Thraxian noblewoman. Brash recklessness developed desperately into clever charm and a keen insight of the human mind. In appreciably subtler ways, she displayed her artistic talents and devious intellect for the benefit of acceptance and even admiration among her peers. For her nineteenth name day, she managed to convince her grandfather that she could be safely seen in the wider public, allowing her to take an adventurous trip to the grand city of Arx.
adventurous trip to the grand city of Arx. +
Desma came into the world rather unexpecte …
Desma came into the world rather unexpectedly to parents who believed their family was complete with their first-born. The second daughter of Darko Blackram and Wendy Malvici, she was born at the Cloudspine where the family had retreated to following the outbreak of the Southport-Tor war. A handful of years younger than her sister, she grew up in Dora's great golden shadow, but whereas her sister had been doted upon as a single child and had duly become somewhat spoiled, her parents were better prepared a second time around. Despite the heavier hand that her parents took in her raising, it'd be fair to say that Desma lacked for nothing in her formative years. Her tutors saw to it that she was pushed in her in scholastic and physical endeavours, and she enjoyed the love bestowed upon her by parents that all too often despaired of her sister's behaviour. She saw first-hand the misery and embarrassment that her sister visited upon her parents with her reckless behaviour, and she resented her for it. It was a resentment that was, in no small part, due to the fact that Desma also possessed an adventurous soul, but thanks to Dora's wild ways her own adventures were curtailed to days in the forests with huntsmen and wardens. She took what she could however, knowing that her own time would eventually come, and she learned to shoot a bow true, and to track and hunt the animals of the forests that lay around their home. It was on one such trip as she neared her seventeenth birthday that she found a fledgling osprey which she'd go on to take home and raise by hand. It would be difficult to say who is more devoted to who; the bird to Desma or Desma to the bird, but one thing is certain and that is that he is next to useless for hunting anything but fish. She's been told far too many times by her reckoning that she should have found herself a kestrel or a hawk, a bird that'd be useful, but those that suggest such find themselves on the receiving end of her ascerbic wit or subjected to a look that could kill. So it was with Desma, as with others of the Malvici line, that she enrolled for her military service at the age of eighteen. Her affinity with a bow placed her firmly amongst the ranks of the Southport army archers and she served time on many occasions on the Southport Fleet. It would come as no surprise to anyone that sailing with the fleet would throw her directly into the path of her cousin Domonico, and she naturally held a great depth of respect for him, not only as her cousin, but as Admiral of the fleet. Gradually she saw where her future would lie. She wasn't content to wallow as a mostly insignificant and distant relative within House Malvici, so set her sights on being a bigger fish in the smaller pond of House Magnotta. Like her sister before her she pinned her colours to her cousin's house, but whereas Dora hadn't committed herself heart and soul, Desma did. She bears the name of Magnotta with pride and comes to Arx determined to do her utmost to see the small island cluster on the southernmost reaches of Arvum thrive and flourish.
most reaches of Arvum thrive and flourish. +
Despite a tragic past, Calista is not a bi …
Despite a tragic past, Calista is not a bitter woman. Not that she wouldn't possess considerably justification to be bitter, in her humble opinion. When your stepfather murders your mother after your birth to attempt a coup by declaring himself regent over you, and your elder brother leads a revolt that kills the man even before you learn how to walk, it's not the most auspicious beginnings to a bright and shining happy childhood. But she's not the only noblewoman to be raised nearly entirely by tutors instead of family, due to her lord brother the Duke barely ever having time for his only surviving sibling. So no, Calista is not bitter, but she also has no intention of letting her life be dictated to her by an older sibling, no matter how well intentioned. Who to see, how to speak, how to act due to how she might be perceived, what to wear, what hobbies to pursue, and on and on and on to 'live up to the standards of the Fidante family', when House Fidante is mostly well known for how her stepfather murdered her mother and started a war. She damned well will decide exactly what it means to be a Fidante, and to her that means having fun how she wants, when she wants, anyway she wants it despite the opinions of anyone else. Political power and scheming and intrigue is fine for some people (especially old boring ones), and it's hilarious to have the movers and shakers of society try to guess devious cunning plans behind the random things she does, but she doesn't really set out to cause trouble. Well, mostly. Some people deserve trouble. But she really isn't trying to give her brother the Duke of Tyr a heart attack, she just refuses to be reined in and bow to the public perceptions of the oppressively boring and old that cluck their tongues in disapproval at daring behavior or gasp in horror that someone used the wrong spoon at a royal feast. For those people, she is only too happy (gleeful, really) to be considered 'a problem' or 'trouble' and if she can make their lives more difficult without getting into real trouble for it, she will gladly take it. Maybe she'll settle down and get serious about playing the games of power and politics that older nobles enjoy, maybe she'll even make her ideas of fun benefit her in that regard, but for now, she mostly is just about a good time.
now, she mostly is just about a good time. +
Despite being of the illustrious Redrain f …
Despite being of the illustrious Redrain family, Rasifer grew up far from politics. From a young age he was trained in the arts of sailing and swordsmanship and at first opportunity he went off to sea to explore the world as his ever growing curiosity pulled him further and further from home. Fully expecting to be disowned by his family at the abandonment of his duties, he was happily surprised to find that though he had been removed from the line of succession he maintained his title and position in the family upon his return many years later.
e family upon his return many years later. +
Despite being the only child Quintin someh …
Despite being the only child Quintin somehow managed to be a kid brother tagalong, always getting underfoot. He accomplished this by pestering his cousins, whom he admired greatly, for stories. As a child, he had a wooden sword that he took everywhere, even to bed, and dreamed of becoming a master swordsman - House Sword, in fact. Stories of battles were his bread and butter, and he was always interested in tales of trickier swordsmen who used their brains to gain advantage over their opponents. It turned out he had a head for tactics and strategy, and one of the few things that could get him to sit still were strategy games. Otherwise always moving, Quintin had a habit of poking about and climbing around places he really shouldn't; a trip to one of Ashford's manned watch stations up in the trees resulted in a tumble when climbing and a very hard landing. He broke his leg. Badly. And then he was bedridden for a time, a young, restless boy just barely into his teenage years. He thought he would die of boredom. It slowed him down a lot, but in some ways, it was a blessing. It meant he finally spent enough time in one spot to pay more attention to lessons and reading, to the delight of his rather scholarly father. It turned out he had to be a captive audience to become interested in practical things like economics and diplomacy. A scholarly acquaintance snuck him some tales of adventure, which he eagerly read, and soon enough, he was devouring the written word. He maintained this love of reading even after he recovered; he also gained a new understanding of the importance of a bit of caution. Just a bit. He's still happy to climb just about anything. When he was seventeen or so, his interest in tactics and swordsmanship abruptly declined. He still enjoyed swordplay, but only with the aim of sparring. It seemed his interest in becoming House Sword had also waned; he turned more toward scholarly pursuits, becoming interested in history. History was a series of adventures, he thought, and he wanted to know about those adventures, about the people involved in them. And so he neglected his familial duties for a time, opting to travel down south instead, poking about ruins and exploring. As of late Autumn 1010 AR, he returned to the fold and took up residence with the rest of his family in Arx.
idence with the rest of his family in Arx. +
Despite growing up a commoner, Faye Ruger …
Despite growing up a commoner, Faye Ruger was treated with a degree of respect and even fear that she never could grow accustomed to. The daughter of the previous Master of Questions of the Inquisition, her father was responsible for ferreting out the threats to the Compact and bringing the enemies of the Crown to justice, and Faye quickly learned as a child just how feared the Inquisition truly was. It pained her to see innocent men and women legitimately afraid of the institution, and deeply offended her that some would imagine that her good and honorable father would be capable of the kind of arbitrary maliciousness that some ascribe to the Crown's investigative arm. Certainly the Inquisition has to make difficult, even cruel choices at times for the good of everyone, but she never saw her father be capricious or unjust, and she grew up expecting to follow in his footsteps to safeguard the Realm. Her father Berthold Ruger's death a decade ago solidified that vague expectation into a burning desire, and there's perhaps no more dedicated investigator inside the entire Inquisition. Certainly that's what her partner and constant companion Prince Laric Grayson feels about her, with his freewheeling and imaginative nature a perfect match for her dedicated, calculating resolve. It's not easy, and she's had to do plenty of things to protect the realm that can make one lose sleep at night, but this is what she was born to do.
ight, but this is what she was born to do. +
Despite her youth, Marquessa Samantha Deep …
Despite her youth, Marquessa Samantha Deepwood's moving speeches before the Assembly of Peers has some nobles referring to her as 'the conscience of the Peers'. This is faint praise, as she stands nearly alone as one of the few nobles whose oratory consistently has focused on the plight of those beneath the nobility, but her unique background allows many of the more indifferent nobility to forgive her stranger notions on matters such as social justice for commoners. A uniquely tragic background, in fact, and the rest of the peerage is likely to give her some understanding because of it. When she was but a child, House Tyde rose up in bloody rebellion against House Thrax in the far east and threw the Mourning Isles into civil war. King Alaric III grew alarmed that the bloodshed could spread, and wished to bring the unruly vassals to heel and settle the conflict, gathering his banners to argue from a position of strength. House Deepwood, as vassals of House Bisland and thus to House Grayson, answered the call along with the rest of Grayson's servants, but the elderly Marquis Deepwood sent his sons and most of his forces while staying home with just a token honor guard and family to watch the Deepwood lands. Unfortunately, the Gray Forest Reapers heard of the sudden vulnerability of the marquis' lands. The powerful Abandoned clan struck while the family was nearly defenseless, slaughtered the handful of defenders and commoners at the estate, and took the very young child Samantha Deepwood hostage for ransom. Samantha's family did not survive, and while Duke Gabriel Bisland led a rescue and put the majority of the Gray Forest Reapers to the sword that shattered their power for a generation, the badly traumatized child was left to be raised by tutors and regents as the future Marquessa of Deepwood March. Now the young woman has grown into adulthood and is a full Peer of the Realm, but she has never forgotten the deaths of all she knew when she was a child. She feels a bone deep obligation to do right by the dead and build a better realm for tomorrow.
ead and build a better realm for tomorrow. +
Despite his nature, not knowing much about …
Despite his nature, not knowing much about his parents never really bothered him. In fact, growing up as an orphan and seeing other kids be -- quite literally -- used and abused, made Axel come to the conclusion that most blood ties, are just as superficial as the brown-nosing beggar on the street; the one that gives you praise and calls you their best friend, but spits behind your back the moment you pass by without paying them any attention. That mentality, which developed relatively early on, helped him pay little to no mind to the position he ended up in. The struggles he went through were no different from the other orphans, but they didn't bother him that much either. What bothered him though, is how frustratingly little he knew; the adults surrounding him -- always up to something. From the tavern wench whispering yet another shady patron's ear off, to the rare noble scurrying along the Lower Boroughs in the cover of the night, hoping to stay unnoticed. Whatever it was, the young Axel felt left out. It was just plain unfair! And since wallowing in self-pity and feeling betrayed by the rest of the world around him, wasn't something he was particularly fond of, he decided to do something about it. While the rest of the kids were busy getting into trouble for a loaf of bread, Axel would rather starve than pass up an opportunity to stick his nose into someone's business. He honed his skills and learned the ins and outs of the boroughs, by getting caught over and over again, or by running away and hiding from people who found out that he knows a little too much for their liking. He didn't neglect his mental faculties either, making sure to study at the boarding school he went to with the rest of the orphans, developing his ability to think analytically. Being young helped him in his ventures, as people tend to pay little attention to a clueless orphan, roaming around the streets. But, the ones that have keen eyes and wield power in the Lower Boroughs eventually took notice of Axel. The Cullers were the ones to catch him snooping about, ready to dash away with one of their secrets he'd just found out, but instead of punishing him, they offered to take him in as one of their own, which he accepted. They nurtured his developing abilities and let him become the man he is today. Quiet and calculated, Axel works for them as an investigator of sorts, taking on a wide array of tasks to repay his debts to the family.
of tasks to repay his debts to the family. +
Despite the best efforts of Deva's parents …
Despite the best efforts of Deva's parents and dedicated legions of servants, the young Redrain princess was always an unruly wild child. Deva learned early on that her father found her outbursts and fits of rebellion privately hilarious and adorable, even if his responsibilities as the Prince of Farhaven and high lord of House Redrain meant he was well aware how problematic the young hellraiser might be in the future. By her teenage years, Deva's mother had finally managed to find tutors that could make limited strides towards turning the young hellion into a 'proper young noblewoman', though it's still a rare individual that risks the fiery princess' temper by telling Deva she cannot do something. Though she'd never admit it, her parents efforts were far more effective than they know. Deva has a firm awareness of the responsibilities of a high born princess of House Redrain, and knowing that the wrong word or scandal could bring down ruin upon her house weighs heavily upon the fiery young woman's mind. But she rankles under the notion that she has to become as repressed and boring as every stodgy southerner, and she can't help it if shocking their sensibilities is hysterical. House Redrain did not become one of the five great houses and control the North by meekly copying southern fashions, as far as Deva's concerned. While she might vehemently deny caring what southerners think about her, she has been careful to avoid creating too embarrassing of a scandal. While publicly Deva might give her twin brother Darren grief for possessing the audacity to be born a few minutes before her and rob her of a chance of ruling over House Redrain, privately the young woman knows that heavy is the head that wears the crown. More to the point, watching her father constantly get into exhausting meeting after exhausting meeting, being high lord seems like no fun at all. Just no one better tell her that she's incapable of leading if she wanted to. That would sound suspiciously like a challenge, and Deva likes nothing more than a challenge.
Deva likes nothing more than a challenge. +
Details of Thiri's life are not well known …
Details of Thiri's life are not well known or documented. Insofar as anyone can tell she was the daughter of a baker (mother) and upholsterer (father). Her early life consisted mainly of helping in the bakery or sweeping up nails and fabric scraps and growing up in Setarco. She entered combat training in her teenage years and found a living in illicit street fighting. She had a pretty good thing going for her in those circles, but quit suddenly without any known reason. She did go back to the bakery and simply became her mother's helper. When the armies of Setarco and Thrax came to Nilanza to rout out House Argento she found herself suddenly enlisted as a competent fighter. She was spotted hacking away at enemy combatants by Duarte Amadeo, and apparently she left enough of an impression. It wasn't but a few months later when she was asked to travel to Bravura in Setarco and agreed at Duarte's insistence to serve House Amadeo as sword. She didn't get a fancy weapon though. A real bummer. When she caught wind that Duarte was up and leaving Bravura for Arx she insisted on coming along. What is she going to do in Bravura, after all? Yes. She invited herself. Who's going to stop her? Pfft.
ed herself. Who's going to stop her? Pfft. +
Dianara was born one of half a dozen child …
Dianara was born one of half a dozen children to a successful smith in Sanctum but showed no particular aptitude toward the craft. Her clever nature seemed to suggest a career in the Faith for the girl and was definitely the course her family intended for her. Yet, before any vows could be taken, her own drive took her in the direction of the Whisper House to which she arrived with nothing but the clothes on her back and an eagerness to be trained. She learned quickly and developed a reputation for good humor and pleasant company. Eventually, her career took her in the direction of teaching. For a decade, she has traveled the length and breadth of Arvum, finding many noble and wealthy common families across all the fealties who desired a Whisper for instruction on etiquette and good manners. Her genial nature and thorough instruction have earned her a stellar reputation and her services have been in very high demand. Yet, despite that popularity, Dianara has decided to return to Arx and the Whisper House with the twin aims of offering her support and assistance to the new Radiant while also renewing her acquaintances in the city.
so renewing her acquaintances in the city. +
Dianna was born just as the sun was cresti …
Dianna was born just as the sun was cresting the horizon, and her mother always said that the birth of her and her sister - who was just moments away - truly brought light into her life. As far as childhood goes, the twins had something approaching idyllic. Of course, this was shattered with the onset of the Tor-Southport war, though not in ways dramatic or outlandish. While the Mazetti suffered loss and hardship, what stood out most in Dianna's mind was the new found grimness of her older relatives, and a sudden lack of what had formerly been abundant. It took some growing for either herself or her sister to truly comprehend the cost the war had demanded of all those it affected, but it was a grim lesson of life that Dianna never let part from her. At thirteen, Dianna and her sister were introduced to an ancient, highly respected institution amongst House Mazetti: the glaivedancers. They were not members, not even close. It would take years of rigorous training in both the mental and the physical before they were finally inducted into that exclusive body of men and women. When that day came, however, it was a proud moment for the twins, as well as for their family. While her main duties typically saw her remaining in Ostria, with the rest of the Mazetti, Dianna has accompanied Vitalis on two of his more wild (dangerous) adventures. She was more than glad to prove that a glaivedancer is not simply a warrior one calls upon to cut down obstacles, but also an individual capable of employing a mixture of diplomacy and charm to win through tense situations. Her latest challenge has come in the form of leaving Ostria behind to engage in the game that is life in the capital of Arvum. Dianna, naturally, is confident that she will prove herself more than capable. As any change in circumstances may inevitably have unforeseen results, the return to Arx has had a greater impact on the woman than any may have ever suspected, and circumstances have led Lady Dianna Mazetti to trade of her duties as a glaivedancer in exchange for oaths of a higher nature - as a godsworn Mirrormask, extremely rare in the city. Reactions by her family have been varied, but resulted, inevitably, in Dianna’s surname being replaced by ‘Godsworn’; and, with the release of her duties to family, Dianna is embarking upon profoundly new territory in service to the Faith.
dly new territory in service to the Faith. +
Diego always had a good head for maths. He …
Diego always had a good head for maths. He liked to build things with blocks and, at one point, attempted to dig a giant tunnel fort into the earth at the estate of Southport. It's not really clear what he planned to /do/ in this tunnel fort, beside lay traps for the unwary -- the building was the thing. That and getting himself as covered in dirt as possible, as far as his nannies and watchers were concerned. Much of his childhood was like this, building forts, making them defensible-- His youth was shattered by war and chaos in snapshots as a young teenager, as war in the Lyceum raged between Tor and Southport, but Diego was too young to fight, and not fierce enough to pretend to adulthood. He spent the days of the war being nervously squirreled from place to place. Perhaps it was the memories of this that would make Southport eventually seek marital, martial alliance with allies beyond the Lyceum. The first time he was at Arx with his mother, it was winter and it SNOWED, which provided ample opportunity for snow warfare. Diego loved the city and he loved the cold, and romanticized it for the rest of his life. Maybe that was why he was so ready and willing to sign a marriage contract that would send him to the Learies in his twenties -- although, of course, part of that had to do with becoming the consort of a March rather than the younger cousin of a March. Social ambition was never Diego's pinnacle, but it remained a lure. He did not love Hianara Leary, particularly, but he thought they could grow to enjoy each other in time. Their marriage was short, though, before she died, and they had no heirs. Diego remained with his new family, finding he could be of great practical use to the armies of the March, and also finding that the stable vassal relationships between Leary, Laveer and Ashford were ... so much safer than what he could remember from his youth.
han what he could remember from his youth. +
Dierdre grew up the child of spice merchan …
Dierdre grew up the child of spice merchants who made their home in Westrock Reach. They had a decent amount of money and she didn't want for a lot or education. While her parents wanted her to follow in their footsteps, she found other passions. On voyages she preffered to spar with the men on deck than pour over columns and tables for supplies or do math with her father. Her distaste for the business of merchanting got to the point, when she was younger anyway, that she started throwing screaming tantrums. It didn't last long. Rarely does a child enjoy being lowered in a harness, while at sea, to scrub the sides of the boat. Realizing their daughter would be hard pressed to take over they focused on her younger brother instead. Who was much more apt and interested than she had ever been. This left her free to pursue her martial training. It was in her teen years that the family had to hire protection during a particularly problematic priate epidemic. So they hired a squadron of Crimson Blades mercenaries. Dierdre took to them instantly, asking questions, mimicing their strict and regimental behavior. On their off time the hires marines sparred and told her stories. To say she was hooked was an understatement. So as soon as she could she joined and prove an apt student. But where her true talent lay, she soon found, was in teaching and helping her fellow Blades improve their own skills. So she was assigned to Iron Company eventually. Spending most of her time in Arx, when not out on a contract, she does travel back and forth training and working. But she is no stranged to actual conflict as well.
is no stranged to actual conflict as well. +
Dismas grew up in a remote, no-name villag …
Dismas grew up in a remote, no-name village within the county of Oakhaven, born to a man good with his hands and a woman good with her words. When he was twelve, a terrible illness swept through the village, claiming the life of his father and rendering his mother sickly. He'd already learned enough from his father about family and work ethic to understand that it was his responsibility to take care of his mother and little sister from then on. Despite her lingering illness, his mother continued--and continues to this day--to serve as a voice for their village, helping to lead their people. As he grew older, ready to set down his own path, this duty to watch over those he loved limited his options, denying him the chance to become a proper knight as any oaths of service he would be required to swear would keep him from his family for extended periods of time. So, he turned to odd, short-run jobs which would see him returning back to his village quickly enough, usually guarding caravans. When other, more lucrative--and less strictly legal--opportunites presented themselves, allowing him to make more silver and spend more time back home? How could he say no. If he was able to pick up a trinket for his momma and sister on each run, all the better. He'd been running with the same crew for years when they fell on bad luck, most turning up dead or disappeared in the sort of way that sometimes happens when the Inquisition gets involved. Rather than stick around and try to find work after that fiasco, he finally took off to forge his own path, trusting his mother's caretaking to his little sister. Arriving in Arx, he's signed on with the Champions, ready to train and to prove himself, ready to make something better than the life he left behind.
thing better than the life he left behind. +
Dogged by bad luck and poor decisions, Sar …
Dogged by bad luck and poor decisions, Saro is a woman who seems perpetually to be trying to leave one life behind for a new one, trailing a string of battered cast-off existences in her wake. Her origins lie in the warm, dry farming country of the Lyceum, and it's certain that she's been by turns olive grower's daughter, ship's deckhand, farrier's assistant, and street entertainer, but she also seems to have been involved in a number of failed or elsewise simply disagreeable ventures that she prefers to leave in the past. Whatever else she may have been and however fickle her fortunes, she chanced happily to find a trade she truly loved when she become a luthier's apprentice in the city of Bravura. With a deft hand, a delicate touch, and an eye and ear alike attuned to beauty, she is in a fair way to become a carpenter and luthier of good reputation in Arx -- with luck.
er of good reputation in Arx -- with luck. +
Donato was born a whole three minutes befo …
Donato was born a whole three minutes before his sister, which makes him the oldest. However, unlike her he's a little bit less invested in staying put, and has been prone to getting into wild adventures from an early age. When he was fourteen he ran away from home, joined a crew sailing out of Nilanza and went by the name Vinnie for several years before putting in to port at home in Caina once more. By then he'd explored the islands, fought his share of battles, and lived a rather colorful life. However, the whole time he maintained contact with his sister, sending her letters whenever he could, even though he never told her where he was, he always told her where to send the next letter so he could pick it up. When Argento fell, he was there, but he was not part of the fighting itself. His sister refused to allow him to participate, and he didn't want to break her heart by ending up the way the Argento's did anyways.
ding up the way the Argento's did anyways. +
Dorian shamelessly garners sympathy from n …
Dorian shamelessly garners sympathy from noblewomen by casting himself as a victim of circumstance, but few of the women that fall prey to his charms ever realize just how willingly the rogue embraced those exact circumstances. Born the son of a knightly paragon of chivalric virtue, the rogue realized very early that unless he acted quickly he'd wind up doomed to an extremely tedious and quite possibly fatal existence as a nameless man-at-arms in some lord's service or if he tried excruciatingly hard like his father, another nameless knight to die in some backwater fighting shavs. That was not in the least bit appealing to Dorian, who realized that while fighting skills could certainly be handy, who he knew and who he could win over seemed to matter an awful lot more... especially if he became a champion. To the rakish young man, it was the perfect calling. Gorgeous (and rich) women looking for men to fight their honor against foes of questionable quality, and if he put on a show, it would just win over more. Just defeating a few louts in 'honorable combat' and duels for show gained him far more than soldiering ever would, and he hardly sees having to spend time with noblewomen over soldiers as a drawback. No, he might never be hailed at the newest and greatest knight, but if it wins over someone beautiful, well born, and willing to marry a commoner...? He'd take being a champion any day.
er...? He'd take being a champion any day. +
Dowager Countess Oona is the mother of Orr …
Dowager Countess Oona is the mother of Orrin and gandmother of Peri and Kaldur. What her son and grandchildren learned of statecraft, for the most part they learned from her. After her first husband, the Count died, she secured her son's seat as Count and elected to enjoy a life of leisurely retirement. She married twice more between then and the present, but in both cases, her husband passed away before her. After her daughter-in-law died of sickness, Oona returned to Orrin's court, agreeing to take up the role as serving as his Voice. While she loves her grandchildren very much, she is well aware of Peri's strong calling away from being heir, and Kaldur's raw potential for being a successful one. Sometimes people just need a push...carefully, so they're unaware of it.
ush...carefully, so they're unaware of it. +
Draven was born into one of the great trib …
Draven was born into one of the great tribes that Volkov oversaw and cared for. Then the rival tribe came riding in and destroyed everything, leaving very few survivors. With Draven being one of them and only a young boy, he was taking in by the main family of the Volkovs and trained to become a house servant. Over time he was assigned to tend to and look after Aahana since she was often sneaking away from the camp to eavesdrop on her lessons. And as time grew, she encouraged him in his experimenting and dabbling in the apothecary things. She even sent him to the apothecary college with hopes that he would be able to create something absolutely amazing with his schooling. Now that Aahana is in Arx and his schooling is far completed, he is coming to aide her and the rest of the Volkovs within the city of Arx.
est of the Volkovs within the city of Arx. +
Drifa was a young girl upon a shav longshi …
Drifa was a young girl upon a shav longship when the Seraceni corsairs boarded the small vessel. She had been a capture prize from a neighboring small village that had been wiped out from the raiding party. Led by the father of the Marquis of Seraceni she was taken in and afforded the protection of the House. As far as Drifa knows, she is the last of her village to survive and so she stayed with the Seraceni and learned their ways. Drifa mourned the loss of the Seraceni Marquis and Marquessa. She was frequently used by the family to scout and steal when necessary against Corsair targets. She became a capable corsair herself and was given her own longship to crew and command. Drifa owes her life to the Seraceni. She is loyal and does her best to not let the wild ways that still linger in her disposition to reflect poorly on her House. Although at times this can be a struggle as she has grown older she has also grown a bit more accepting. Drifa is loyal to the family and dependable. She also loves being a Corsair and depriving people of their fancy goods whenever possible. She has become a trusted ward of the family.
e has become a trusted ward of the family. +
Duncan Hawkmour inherited the House from h …
Duncan Hawkmour inherited the House from his father at the age of 22. Eldest of four children, though only one of his brothers and his only sister remain alive, Duncan has been raised to his position from his first breath. Admittedly..he did not always see eye to eye with his father, the most public instance of such disagreement having been around the Tor-Southport War. A war that his father had only desire to stay neutral in. Duncan, friends with Leo, and with a sense of 'right' that gave him no other choice, left to support his friend in the war and eventually his father was forced to declare Hawkmour's full partisanship. Both his parents succumbed to the same sickness, some four years apart, his mother dying not long after Duncan's 18th birthday and his father on the day of his 22nd. His brother, Erik, nearest in age to him died in the Tor-Southport war, leaving him with a brother and sister remaining: Thomas and Sarah.
er and sister remaining: Thomas and Sarah. +
During Melaeris's isolation, while trying …
During Melaeris's isolation, while trying to hold strong and avoid the destruction that Donrai Thrax might visit on them, Princess Kellen Grayson set sail to visit relatives in the Isles. A storm would see that her ship was dashed against rocks and luck would have Darius Melaeris find her upon the shore more than half drowned. As Kellen recovered under the care of Melaeris, Darius would stop in many times to visit and a bond grew. From that bond, a wedding. From the wedding, a child: Llewella. Llewella would spend most of her time in Astarrea with frequent visits to Bastion. Many of the Island vassals would grumble that it was the Grayson attitudes responsible for influencing the girl to constantly try to change things. If it were anywhere but Melaeris, this constant push against tradition might have earned her far more trouble. Thankfully, it earned her tutors to teach her a better way to get things done than just asking, "Why?" and whining. As she matured, Llewella was given more responsibility. Her sharp mind and constant need to improve things would see her take on a mantle akin to steward. She saw to the logistics of trade and war, learned to run a household and look out for the people around her. And she was relatively content to stay in Astarrea with some visits to the mainland. But now Vera's taking a break and someone has to be in Arx.
king a break and someone has to be in Arx. +
During the Tyde rebellion, her parents had …
During the Tyde rebellion, her parents had fled to the mainland. Even though they were just commoners, they weren't quite trusted enough to fit in peacefully to their new home, so they traveled about seeking temporary work until eventually her father joined the Redwood Mercanry Company and survived the brutal training. Rikako was five when a dangerous mission claimed his life, leaving her, her mother, and her baby brother to struggle alone. Around a couple years later, her mother remarried, but Rikako never got along with her new step-father. Having grown up of tales of her father's exploits, she dreamed of the Redwoods and pretended to search for them in increasingly adventurous excursions to keep her out of his sight. Years later, her pretend turned to an earnest search and the skills she had gained eventually set her on the trail that led to her meeting Ajax and joining the Redwoods she had sought for so long.
g the Redwoods she had sought for so long. +
Dustin does not know much of his people bu …
Dustin does not know much of his people but he remembers his father, uncles, his aunts, siblings, and his mother. The way they wore the dirt on their skin and walked the earth barefoot from island to island. Always on the move, it was crucial that he and all of those in his family knew how to haggle and while Dustin was too young at the time to hold any real responsibility, the children of the family were always kept close for them to learn. They found the hospitality of a mountainous clan who unknown to them were amidst a dispute with Donrai's Thrax over ownership of a neighboring mining colony. Overextending themselves, the Clan attacked the mining colony only to be wiped out by Thrax's retribution. Dustin's family found themselves caught in between the two, unable to get away. Those that were not killed, were thralled and put to work in the mines. From a child to an adult, this was Dustin's life. He rose up before the sun and left home after nightfall. Living hard sharpen Dustin and made his skin thick but even when he could barely afford a candle a night, he worked on his mind, engineering ways to make their life easier. He was rewarded with more books and the more he read, the more he yearned for the world and to be outside in the sun. He used his strength to compete among the other thralls and their wardens, knowing that fighting in the pit was the only real way of leaving this life behind because you either left in a coffin or were savage enough for an Islander noble to take notice of you. Still young, he established himself as an up and comer, only for the fight of his life to be canceled after the news of the abolishment of Thralldom reached their colony. Unable to support itself, the mining colony collapsed and the miners were given the option of taking some silver as reparation and a free boat ride to Arx. Knowing that someone like him had work anywhere, he took the silver and left his old life behind, hoping to learn more about designing and smithing to make a profession and a name for himself.
make a profession and a name for himself. +
Dwindling in familial size, the Redreefs w …
Dwindling in familial size, the Redreefs were not a populous House, having lost a great many of its members to piracy, accidents, and murder over the years; leaving just Tiberius and his brother - the former Baron of Redreef. Tiberius' marriage to Martha, a merchant with the power of a lord, brought in a merchant fleet to the House to help increase its economic weight, and to try and shed House Redreef of some of its pirate past.
House Redreef of some of its pirate past. +
Echo was born into a large family, the you …
Echo was born into a large family, the youngest of five and fourth of four daughters. She idolized her older siblings, who doted upon her in turn. She became a steady fixture in their lives, a constant loyal shadow trailing them from dawn until dusk. The sound of her tiny feet pattering behind them from room to room became commonplace. None of her siblings can agree upon which of them first called her Echo, but Echo -- their constant following companion -- she remained. From Amarantha she learned the importance of doubt. That nothing should be taken at face value and that the world can be more cruel and dark than a child could imagine. From Astraea she learned the value of kindness. That in a world brimming with pain and injustice, kindness is a rare strength and, more than that, a duty. Apollis taught her that life is short and deserved to be enjoyed. He taught that all things should be questioned. Her eldest sister Avaline's influence left her with a sense of determination and the motivation to never back down in the face of defeat. So it was no surprise to anyone when she answered the call to take up arms like her sisters. Nor was it startling when she eventually came to love and marry a northern man. Tragically, like, the majority of her siblings, her marital happiness was short-lived. Within half a year of their wedding, her husband lost his life on a wilderness scouting mission. The world can be cruel. But when the months of mourning had passed and the sun rose for her again, Echo stepped back out into the world determined more than ever to be stronger and kinder than it could be cruel.
tronger and kinder than it could be cruel. +
Edain is a knight. For all his life, that …
Edain is a knight. For all his life, that is all he dreamed of being and all he dedicated his training towards, and he never imagined he would be anything more than another proud knight in the service of his family. True, he was born the son of the high lord of House Valardin, the ruler of all the Oathlands and one of the five greatest nobles in the land. But he was born as a fourth child and he was quietly grateful that he was so far from the crushing responsibility of rule, that he could embrace the simple purity of service with a sword and that he could win glory and honor in the name of his house. That he could be a knight. That was before the Tragedy at Sanctum. Edain didn't truly grasp how easy his life was before the attack, the popular and handsome prince that had no greater designs than serving as a knight. He never imagined that he could one day rule. He never imagined that his elder siblings and parents could all be slain in one devastating attack that would leave him as the new high lord, the Prince of Sanctum. He never spent a day training for the possibility, never joined his elder brother in all the lessons from his father on how to properly rule or to deal with House Valardin's vassals, he never even expected to sit upon the Assembly of Peers and watch the political turmoil of the Realm. Then all at once, in one bloody night, it was his responsibility. His duty. He wishes it was not so. He never wished to rule, he never wanted the responsibility or burden of leadership, but it is his now and he takes his obligations seriously. He'll lead House Valardin to the best of his abilities and try to become better with each passing day. He just wished that the confidence he felt as a swordsman extended to how he felt as a ruler.
rdsman extended to how he felt as a ruler. +
Edelma was born the daughter of a commoner …
Edelma was born the daughter of a commoner knight, a riding valkyrie in service to the Sannas. There were rumors, especially due to a few suggestive lines of facial structure, that her father was not actually her father, but the rumors of her bastardy were never brought to the fore as anything more than whispers, in part because her father and her mother seemed to love each other so devotedly, and more, because they never seemed to love the March's family any less. If there was something there, it never caused any kind of rift between their families. It was at her parents' hands that she received her first training, and as she grew, she showed a natural inclination for weapons and along with a natural bravery that made it supremely easy for her to join the scouts of the snows riding out as soon as she was old enough in service. The old Sword of Giant's Reach, Sir Jolor, was an institution of the mountains, essentially, a man who had held the post so long that few could imagine anyone else in it. Young and fierce, Edelma found his years rendered him too slow to act in defense of the House. Generally he was left alone while other, younger knights did the real work of defending Giant's Reach, but the passivity of this position was too much for Edelma. In one battle with a tribe of Shav'Arvani on the mountainside, Edelma saved Jolor's life by fighting off two who were attacking him and covering his retreat. When they were alone, she demanded his recognition of her bold act, and out of shame that so young (26!) and comparatively small a fighter (a full foot shorter than he) had so plainly surpassed him, he refused. Edelma challenged him to a duel for the insult to her pride and defeated him handily. After he lost this public duel, Jolor knelt before her and asked March Cirroch to transfer his ancestral Sword to Edelma. It was done, and she took the role with pride and strength, and began working to train young squires and knights of the March into a squad to follow her into battle and share the Sword's acclaim. She called them the Axes of Giant's Reach, and they became among the most loyal young fighters in the March.
he most loyal young fighters in the March. +
Einarr is the last of the Bjornkrigare sha …
Einarr is the last of the Bjornkrigare shav clan, called the Bearwarriors,a warrior clan who worship the bear and fight with nearly no regard to themselves. They are the masters of the bjorn svettes, an alchemical mixture of narcotics and stimulants that allows the warriors to feel no pain during battle. They train in the snow and ice to toughen their bodies, and are trained from a very young age. His particular clan was wiped out while he was a young man of 15 and he has been on his own ever since. Einarr was found by Tigarus Charon in his travels, he was near mortally wounded in a battle with dire wolves in the wilds of the Northlands. Einarr, in debt for owing his life to Tigarus, has pledged himself to House Charon.
arus, has pledged himself to House Charon. +
Eiran grew up without much expectation of …
Eiran grew up without much expectation of responsibility: a child of privilege and wealth, a child of parents who were also children of privilege and wealth. He never found much interest in duty, for all the workhorse reputation of his family and the long line of duty-bound Oathlanders that surrounded them. As a boy, he liked to play. As a young man, he still liked to play. He was only middling in most areas of his education because he was irresolute and lacked focus, and no one really forced him to be attentive to any of his lessons. The only area of his real focus was one of his tutors, who instructed him in language and the arts, and he primarily was interested there because the said tutor was _incredibly attractive_. He became fascinated with love as game and machination and source of artistry, and the courtly ballad, sonnet, and the kind of magic that comes in the right word in the right place became his study. That was how he ended up becoming a Devotion of Limerance. It was another infatuation that encouraged him to apply himself to the art of the sword -- really, the art of the mace and shield, a satisfying and pounding combination with a heavy crack of one on the other -- and really that has been the entire pattern of Eiran's life: ridiculous crush on someone, throw himself whole-heartedly into a new life path. Who knows what will come next? Maybe one day he'll fall in love in a direction that encourages him to make the most of himself. You never know, right?
he most of himself. You never know, right? +
Eirlys has been used to a life of independ …
Eirlys has been used to a life of independence and a measure of self-sufficiency for as long as she can remember. Her mother died when she was little more than a babe in arms, and with her father having suffered crippling injuries in a battle a number of years prior, she was allowed to run a little wild and largely decided for herself the path that her life should take. As befitting a resident of the Greenwood, she learned the use of a blade, and fervently defended her clan's home from those who might seek to usurp the lands they had held for centuries. Yet, while is proud of her heritage, she saw only opportunity when the Greenmarch Abandoned bent the knee in fealty. She had always been fascinated by the idea of the city of Arx and loved any stories that she heard about what life was like there. Now, she gets to see for herself the reality of the place, fully embracing this new adventure and prepared to realize all the potential she believes she was born to - without ever forgetting who she is.
n to - without ever forgetting who she is. +
Eleyna Velenosa started her life as just a …
Eleyna Velenosa started her life as just another Princess in a very large family, destined to be offered in marriage to create treaties between the House of her birth and its chosen allies. With no living mother and a mostly disinterested father, she was at the mercy of her ambitious aunt. Three times, she served in such a role. Three times, it ended in tragedy. Even the most spotless reputation cannot withstand the rumors that accompany three dead husbands. In the Lyceum, they called her the Black Widow of Lenosia. They sought to shame her for the tragedies that befell her. Eleyna took an insult meant to humiliate her and turned it into something to fear. If they wanted her to be a spider, she would be a spider. It was the spider's machinations that brought her to Arx in the wake of the King's Rest. That same spider built webs to climb from disgraced Princess to valued Voice and, eventually, all the way to the Grand Duchess' throne. It's amazing how power seems to wash away the sins of past. So, while the sharp mind and ambitious nature remain, the Black Widow is no more now that Eleyna has both remarried and ascended to the pinnacle of power within her House and within the Lyceum. Lenosia is the City of Flowers, so it makes sense that Eleyna would be the White Lily, the palest of blooms but also the one symbolizing rebirth for her and her people.
ymbolizing rebirth for her and her people. +
Eliana was born to a couple of bakers. Th …
Eliana was born to a couple of bakers. They were poor, but happy. She has three brothers and a sister, and she's the youngest of them all. The baby. Fortunately, all of her brothers and her sister were very capable. They grew up to help the parents take over the business, and sprout wings and become successful in the many endeavors they attempted. They were all sharp, intelligent, and capable. Unfortunately, Eliana was not able to bloom in the manner her parents wished. She has the worst luck anyone has ever seen. If something bad will happen, it will happen over 90 percent of the time for Eliana. She's come to expect bad things occuring. She trips constantly, always has scrapes due to falling or running into something or something falling on her randomly. People consider her a clutz. There is nothing she can do about how people perceive her, so Eliana decided at a very young age to ignore them and to just look at the good things in life. There's so much bad that she's overwhelmed by it, the good is much more interesting to her, it also helps her to stay happy. Once, when she was in the kitchen attempting to help her mother bake some bread, she turned to grab a spoon, knocked over the container onto a lamp that just happened to be by there, shattering it and sending oil everywhere, which just happened to fling a drop towards the lit fire on the stove, and caused a chain reaction that literally exploded nearly the entire kitchen. Her parents have banned her from the kitchen since that time. She's too dangerous to be in there, she might kill someone someday with her luck. With all the whispers, and wards against evil signs against her, Eliana had a lonely childhood. Nobody really wanted to be her friend, so she grew up entertaining herself, and learning new things. She enjoyed figuring things out, it was something she was actually good at, and for once, it felt good to be good at something and not just a walking disaster. So, while she may have been lonely, she was never bored, she always had interesting and new things to do and explore, which made her quite the cheerful child. Her parents loved her, but she is hard to deal with sometimes. When Eliana turned 21, her parents were in a deep depression on what to do with her. They had no idea how to turn her into a successful person and nobody was interested in taking the 'Cursed Baker's Daughter' as a wife, so she still lived at home, turning into an old maid. Her parents could not really afford a freeloader like her, especially when she destroyed almost everything she touched. She was expensive! On one day, an Inquisitor came in for some baked goods and they had a discussion about the latest escapades of Eliana. She was becoming a town legend in her own right, just from her awful luck. The inquisitor suggested that he send her to them, to become an apprentice. She'd make good money, and her mind was sharp, she would do well and support herself as well as help the parents. At least repair the latest stove she destroyed. Her father agreed, very happy with the idea, and soon enough, Eliana was sent off to become an apprentice Inquisitor! She has absolutely no idea what she is getting into, but she trusts her parents, and feels very guilty about being at home. This is a new opportunity for her, and she's eager to do well and prove that she's good at -something-!
and prove that she's good at -something-! +
Eliza was born in Arx, to a moderately suc …
Eliza was born in Arx, to a moderately successful shopkeekper and his wife. At a young age, she began to be tutored by a priest of Vellichor, who saw great potential in the clever young girl. But while she proved an avid student, her original ambition to join the Scholars of Vellichor eventually came to naught: she was too undisciplined, too unfocused to truly be an ideal scholar. So instead she took various jobs as a scribe and tutor to earn her living, all the while continuing her personal study of folklore, which had always been a passion of hers. Then, the strange happenings around the Silent War began to reveal that the old tales of magic might not be mere myth. Even though Eliza was only able to snatch second-hand rumors at first, she was nonetheless deeply fascinated, and her personal studies took a decidedly occult bend.
onal studies took a decidedly occult bend. +
Elpenor was born to a couple of Thralls in …
Elpenor was born to a couple of Thralls in service of Redreef. He had earned his freedom and joined up with a crew of pirates quickly earning their trust and friendship through his good humour and hard working attitude. He is fiercely loyal to his crew and was even appointed to be the ship's quartermaster. After some time as quartermaster the ship received letters of marque making them privateers and also the crew given pardons for any and all past actions.
iven pardons for any and all past actions. +
Elrych was second born to house Holzfahlle …
Elrych was second born to house Holzfahller, the head family belonging to a small nomadic clan of woodsmen and warriors who wandered the Oathlands. His people were superstitious and weary of outsiders though still retainers to the House of Lyonesse. Long ago the Lyonesse were in battle with one of the other five Great Houses. Elrych's people were sought for removal and genocide. The Lyonesse helped them fight off their would be conquerors and as thanks and tribute, all non-heirs were to serve the Lyonesse and report to Lyon's Redoubt to train as Knights and Warriors and serve in the Oathlands armies under their Liege's command. Elrych spent his first 12 years learning the ways of his people, as was customary. He was expected to make his family proud when he went off to Lyon's Redoubt as generations did before him. His previous experience allowed him to excel among the other students rousing admiration and respect in some, and Disdain from those with more privileged backgrounds. Regardless of how many fights he got in, he was able to overcome and make the best of the situation. He was offered leadership positions in his units all throughout his squiring. Finally graduating, he was assinged to a detatchment and marched around the Oathlands with the Army. Making his way up the ranks and gaining experience in combat and leadership. Now, upon his 26 years--he is a veteran Knight loyal to the Lyonesse, wise with years of combat and ready to take on the challenges presented to him by his Liege.
challenges presented to him by his Liege. +
Elsa began life as a Laurent, a cousin to …
Elsa began life as a Laurent, a cousin to the Duke, but far enough removed from the line of succession that she could largely do as she please. Provided she attended to her lessons as any proper Oathlands lady should, of course. Which gave her free reign to ride her horse across the fields of Artshall and plan hunting trips to the woods around Acorn Hill and what is now Duskshire. Her youth was very nearly idyllic, so far as Elsa was concerned. It was a shame adulthood had to go and ruin it. Her father arranged a match for her with a perfectly pleasant, if bland, young man from the Shepherd duchy... in the Crownlands. While she really had no interest in marriage or in leaving her home, she would never in a millenia dare to go against her responsibilities as a noblewoman. Her adult life was largely filled with gatherings, parties, the duties of a wife and soon enough, a mother. But she never quite lost that love of the wilds, of a fast horse or a good hound, of a falcon sent skyward. She merely shifted her focus, turning towards the breeding and training of the Shepherd duchy's stock. As her children grew, so did her freedom and Elsa found herself once more able to slip away to ride and hunt. The woods were farther away this time, limiting her trips to once or twice a year. But it was during one of those that her husband, having come along, suffered a fatal accident. A sudden attack by a wild boar left their horses startled. Elsa's mastery of her mount allowed her to retain her seat, but her husband fell from his stallion as the fierce beast reared and stomped at the boar, snapping his neck instantly. After the funeral, Elsa and her children stayed close to home, and while she helped to train the Shepherd troops in how to handle their mounts in battle, she never went into battle herself. The Silent Wars largely passed her by, though after, she did decide to bring her children to Arx to help round out their education, and bring herself closer towards the Gray Woods and the Lodge of Petrichor just outside the city. When the Gyre War came around, once again, Elsa helped to train Shepherd troops, but stayed home and ran fundraisers to help cover costs. When the Lodge was attacked, Elsa finally said enough was enough and joined the ranks of the archers helping to defend the Lodge. She took some hits, garnered a few scars, but came out the other side still breathing.
t came out the other side still breathing. +
Elsbetta Farshaw is the younger sister of …
Elsbetta Farshaw is the younger sister of Duke Ryhalt Farshaw, a Lady of Westrock Reach. She serves as the duchy's Minister of Morale. From an early age she was an optimistic child; bright and cheerful. Happy in all of the things that she did. However, as she grew and she began observing the world around her she began to understand the darker side of life. Before her uncle Warwick Farshaw died and her brother inherited the Duchy, she was witness to an uprising against one of their vassal houses. A local Baron had been mismanaging Barony, and had been acting somewhat tyrannical. Her uncleHer uncle felt that it was properly the duty of the Count the Baron was sworn to, and so did not intervene until there was a mass revolt and the Baron was killed by an angry mob. This left a lasting impression on her young self, convincing her of the importance of keeping up the morale and trust of the people. When she was old enough she began to work with the new Baron and the people of that Barony to build trust back up in the nobility. It was this work that let her to petition the King for a place in the Observers. It is also this work that has lead her to be the Minister of Morale for Westrock Reach. She knows very much the cost of low morale and distrust of the people for the nobility, and she does everything in her power to prevent this lost of trust.
n her power to prevent this lost of trust. +
Elyse was born pretty poor, her father wor …
Elyse was born pretty poor, her father worked in a stable in the Lyceum and her mother had died when she was fairly young. It was a day to day struggle to get by, and Elyse fell in with a bad crowd fairly quickly, one that she honestly really never moved away from. There was two problems with this. Elyse felt she was too smart, and too clever, to waste her life away clawing and digging for even enough to survive. And two, well, two and one are really one in the same. Because of that, she joined up with the Valorous Few as soon as she was able to. Glory, money, adventure? It was the best options that she saw for the direction she wanted her life to go in. She cut her teeth on the jobs they had in the Lyceum, and then left with them when they moved on to different jobs. She started saving her money, determined to never be poor again. Admittedly, after Audric moved up to the Captain-General, she's gotten a little more free with her spending. But even still, she's fairly close-fisted with her money.
she's fairly close-fisted with her money. +
Emara's life started in the Lower Boroughs …
Emara's life started in the Lower Boroughs, the daughter of a Grayhope and a woman she knows very little about except she had a brief relationship with a married man and left her newborn daughter in his care before skipping town for parts unknown. For all that rough beginning, her childhood was a happy one since her father and his wife accepted her into their family without a qualm and raised her alongside their own daughter, Tanith, born only thirteen days after she was. Growing up in the Lowers meant that Emara had to learn to think fast, especially since she developed a smart mouth along with a quick mind. While she never really learned to avoid revealing her observations to the world, especially the less pleasant ones, she did learn how to fight and how to run. In order to keep out of trouble, much of Emara's early life was spent in the family garden, particularly once she showed evidence of a talent for getting things to grow. As she grew older, her skills in the garden were coupled with training as an apothecary and an ambition to become the foremost perfumier in the Compact. That ambition meant traveling to various locales in search of rare scents and flowers to add to her intoxicating concoctions. With her rarified sense of smell, she never lingers around cities for long since she finds them a little unbearable, but for her family, she makes exceptions.
but for her family, she makes exceptions. +
Ember and Marina were born twins, daughter …
Ember and Marina were born twins, daughtering a father who needed someone to inherit. The politics of the question were always a struggle, and it was always his plan to marry in men for the twins and ensure the continuation of the bloodline. Still, his legacy was very important to him, and both his daughters were aggressively competent, defying convention to learn to fight as well as administrate land. When her father died, he was still daughtered, and although Ember was not the rightful heir under the law of the land, she held the land by virtue of the loyalty of her father’s men, and through political sway and fierce intensity managed to have herself declared ‘regent’ for her father’s spendthrift brother. She held the barony by the skin of her teeth, defeating two duellists on her uncle’s behalf who challenged her claim, and under her iron grip Redreef thrived. While her sister captained the first ship of the Redreef fleet with skill and verve to fight off all comers, Ember held her ground and held the land. When the law of the land changed and women were deemed eligible to inherit land under the Mourning Isles, hers was the first suit — by blood and by the choice of the Baron — in the Court of the Mourning Isles to confirm her claim. The case was settled in a publicly vaunted occasion for trial by combat, and Ember personally defeated her uncle’s chosen champion in a fight to the death, against all odds. Her uncle yielded and retired in ignominy, while Ember solidifed her rule and developed her reputation crushing revolts against her authority with an even-handed fist and the aid of her sister as her strong right arm.
aid of her sister as her strong right arm. +
Emele Greenblood is a young prodigal woman …
Emele Greenblood is a young prodigal woman of the Greenblood family. She and her twin brother, Eshken, were not even teenagers when their tribe was torn in two and her parents-- rebels --left to join house Riven and bend knee to Grayson. Her parents took the two young twins with them when they went. She remembers tribal life but feels that life with Riven fits her better. As the daughter of a Tribe elder she felt stifled by responsibility. She was going to be raised to hold some sort of power, like her older cousin Esoka-- but she just didn't /feel right/. She would have rather been out picking flowers, carving things, or playing in streams. As she grew up in Twainfort she was introduced to paintings, and she realized what she had been missing her short life. She took to painting like a fish to water, and saw potential in other materials, as well. Her twin, Eshken, is her rock and her anchor. When she started getting older he urged her to take on a creative profession that would also earn her money, so at eighteen she became an apprentice smith, specializing in armor. Since then she has only improved her smithing, until she was acknowledged a Master Armorsmith by the Crafter's Guild. She far prefers working on armor, finding the intricacies and the potential for self-expression much more appealing than other forms of metalworking, though weapons and jewelry are also tempting. When she can get away with it she adds a fantastical bent to her armor creations. Wings, feathers, beautiful etchings. Emele couldn't think of a world where she was not close to her brother and her niece-- Elia --so when he joined Whitehawk she went as well, offering her services as a smith to Baron Whitehawk. With her own shop in Arx and full membership of the Crafter's Guild, she's very much an asset to the Whitehawks, and she knows it.
asset to the Whitehawks, and she knows it. +
Emeline is a criminal, plain and simple. S …
Emeline is a criminal, plain and simple. She was born to a single mother who was an apothecary. While growing up in the lower boroughs she got in with the wrong crowd when she wasn't learning from her mother how to make perfumes and poisons. As she grew older she honed her skills in making poisons, deciding they would be quite handy should the need ever arise. Now in Arx she is trying to see who just so happens to be the criminal king pin.
st so happens to be the criminal king pin. +
Emma was born in a line of heroes who seld …
Emma was born in a line of heroes who seldom married outside the Valardin or Wyrmguard families, at least until Prince Sherrod Redrain and Prince Radley Valardin decided to marry her parents in an effort to ease the tensions between the Oathlands and the North. A full year of courtship later and Princess Larra Redrain married Prince Lyonis Valardin. Their story of duty and, some say, even love, saw the birth of three children and ended in the Sanctum decades later with the Tragedy. During her formative years Emma was touted as a bright star and hero-to-be within her household, and even though she excelled with a sword it was the people of the Oathlands who held her attention. Spending time among them she was close to their plight and while many wished she took her swordsmanship more seriously, it was in helping the downtrodden that Emma put much of her efforts, silently mustering the courage to declare to her parents a future among the Mercies of Lagoma. Her lofty moral standards and effortless grace had Emma clashing with her sisters often, all falling way too short of what Emma saw the Valardin should aspire to be. And then, the Tragedy hit. Unlike Gwenys and Damiana, she was not in Sanctum when it happened. Emma was far away delivering food and supplies to villages near Blancbier, and the guilt of not being with the Valardin in that moment completely changed Emma. Even though she immediately returned to Sanctum she did so to find Gwenys still missing and Damiana blinded, her parents dead and almost all the Valardin slain. At first she tried to stay true to herself, offer succor to the survivors, but searching deep in her heart Emma found nothing. She found herself empty of anything good, not a single word of wisdom to placate the despair of those around her. Everywhere she looked the Valardin were in pieces, and at the time, she felt completely hopeless they would ever return to former glory. Leaving Gwenys and Damiana she left Sanctum and rode to her family's home, unable to be around their suffering, unable to add anything but grief. Instead of hurting with them Emma had other plans. Those who knew Emma then and see her now are completely in shock. The woman who was once one of the most gifted singers of Sanctum, one of the most kind and warm Princesses of the Oathlands, and she has turned her gentle embrace into a furnace of righteous fire. Having abandoned the drapings of a healer, she rapidly ascended as a commander over the following years, her former training as a leader of war not forgotten, but left unused as she flirted with the life as a Mercy for so many years. All those who see the banner of her knights on the horizon know to hide their sins and failings for Dame Emma Valardin has sworn to be the cure to the disease the Mercies try to placate.
to the disease the Mercies try to placate. +
Emmerly's memories of the days before the …
Emmerly's memories of the days before the fall of Tyde are filled with shouted arguments between the father who died for the rebellion, and the mother who took her child away from it. Her mother found a couple fellow soldiers willing to sell their skills, and raised her child to follow in the same path. When she was a teen, her mother's small group merged into the Redwood mercenaries, and Emmerly joined at adulthood. After several years of competition and comparison with her mother, Emmerly accepted an invitation to join her old friend Ajax, jumping at the chance for a new start out of her mother's shadow.
or a new start out of her mother's shadow. +
Emrys' arrival to the Whisper House is wel …
Emrys' arrival to the Whisper House is well documented. A young novice, arriving with the means to fulfil his education as a Whisper, and the talents to achieve it. His origins before that are less known, the man rarely speaks of it, and those in the know have either kept his confidence, or spoken only of fragments. Either commoners of high means, or low nobility, is the usual understanding. The man himself has never bothered correcting educated guesses, and besides, his rise to fame was always more interesting to follow than some nebulous origins. For indeed, Emrys' rise was spectacular. Finishing his education with the high regard of the current Radiant, he soon stole the hearts and minds of court. Ambitious, he rose to the highest heights, not just a star but the sun, shining bright without any rival to give him umbrage. In his twenties still, he took on the mantle of Radiant, and would keep it for a decade, till something peculiar happened. Having achieved his place in the heavens, now Emrys found fame... boring. The adoration of crowds left him indifferent, the countless requests for a companion from the highest of Peers, a chore. His interests had changed, and it was without regrets that he relinquished his title of Radiant at the earliest opportunity, choosing instead for himself the work of diplomat and teacher. It would be the path he followed for the next decades, working tirelessly to keep the peace and ensure the next generations of Whispers to enter the world stage prepared to face its challenges and bring honour and regard to the Whisper House. Now, as the world changes around him, the Whispers' patriarch must look not only to the preservation of th grandiose legacy left behind since the days of Alarice, but also to aid in ensuring that whatever future awaits the foremost courtiers of Arvum, that it lies under a bright, shining sun.
that it lies under a bright, shining sun. +
Enid is not one to speak of herself often …
Enid is not one to speak of herself often and so not much is known of the shaman's past beyond rumors that dance on the lips of the locals of Stormheart. Some say she was born of the sea and emerged from its depths on the guidance of a stormcrow. Others spin tales that she was raised by a feral pack of dire wolves in the high mountains surrounding Stormheart, driven to civilization out of hunger and a particularly harsh winter. The most broadly accepted version of her past is most mundane in its depiction of her life: a child of a nomadic tribe long lost to memory, its destruction founded at the blade's tip of a roving bandit group. Even so, Enid has stood as a beloved spiritual leader of her people for over a decade and a tie between the Stormheart of today and the traditions of its prior generations as house shaman for House Ravenseye. In that role, Enid decided it was time to expand beyond the known of Stormheart and learn what it truly means to be a part of the Compact so as to better assist her people and find the combining vein between the tenets of the Compact and the traditions she so fervently values.
nd the traditions she so fervently values. +
Enigmatic when it comes to her past, Edda …
Enigmatic when it comes to her past, Edda was originally an Abandoned tribesman from the darkest parts of the Deepwood Marches; before the era of tribal integration with the nobles and citizens of the Twainfort, she lived a solitary lifestyle as a ranger in the ancient forests there. Once the tribes began the slow work of coming to terms with their new standing, she stood with them even though she may have chosen to remain an unknown. The matter was bigger than any one person, and she understood this quite well; though standing alongside her tribesmen, this didn't mean that she was eager to leave her home nor assimilate to the lifestyle at the Twainfort. Alliance aside, Edda remained a ranger, living and working from the forests until there came a reason to leave; that reason came in the form of her lord at the Twainfort. A visitation by another ranger tuned her in to the search for guards at the seat of Riven house. In the beginning she was passingly interested-- curious enough to go to the city and seek out more information. Tribal unrest alongside the citizens of the Riverlands was still an issue, thanks to so many years of the latter driving off the former. There was still much work to be done. Seeing that for herself, Edda felt inspired to help to change it. Perceptions and interaction were everything, and though she was by nature lonesome, it never meant a lack of compassion. It only ever meant that she had yet to find a place to direct it. Inspired by the path of her people and stirred by the need for a bridge between them, Edda joined the house guard; though at the time lacking in certain training, she was a large survivor with a gentler soul than her frame might suggest, and this would lend itself greatly to her finding an ability to make connections with others. Learning the finer points of guardsmanship would come with time-- what led her there was neither power nor influence, but the desire to help in holding some semblance of cornerstones on massive shoulders. As time moved on she became accustomed to the role, rising steadily through ranks until she became the head of guard for the Riven House.. It meant hard work, but it also meant that for years she worked alongside citizens of the Twainfort in keeping them safe. She was regarded as a trusted figure, despite her origins as a tribal Prodigal. Wherever the riverlands found its banners called, Edda followed.
s found its banners called, Edda followed. +
Enough was never really enough for Charlot …
Enough was never really enough for Charlotte. Growing up with six siblings in a backwater like Apsfel Falls was just dull. A cadet branch of the illustrious Wyrmguard family should have given her excitement and prestige, but their family was poor. So very poor, and all their wealth went to keeping their patch of land operational. The infrequent trips to Blancbier were the only bright spots of her youth. That and her twin sister Yessica. Together they would dream up the life that they would lead when they were older. Traveling from city to city, rubbing elbows with Princes and Princesses, catching the eye of a dashing Duke... it was going to be amazing. Reality, however, was not as kind. When she was eighteen she was married to Tymer Sanna, now Tymer Wyrmguard. The man was a brute and practically a savage. He had a wandering eye, a coarse manner, he as everything Charlotte did not want. But she married him anyway. Because a Wyrmguard puts family first, and this was a duty to be borne with dignity. And the occasional screaming fits punctuated with flying vases. The marriage was a seven year war of silence. When word came that Tymer would be fighting in Stormwall, there was a part of her that rejoiced at the forced absence. When word came weeks later that Tymer died, there was a small part of Charlotte that felt actual relief at the news. She grieved as was proper, and then promptly sent a letter to Yessica saying that she was going to move to Arx, to get to know the extended Wyrmguard family, and if that didn't work, they had a sister, Reigna, living there too. Charlotte has a chance to capture her childhood dreams, dreams she spent a life preparing herself for. Fancy parties, fancy people, fine wine and ballgowns. She has a wealth of political game (she thinks) that she is eager to put to the test. She is ready to take her life into her own hands. With Yessica at her side, the city of Arx should be put on notice! The Wyrmguard twins are going to take the city by storm! ...Is that too soon?
e the city by storm! ...Is that too soon? +
Enri was groomed to be a knight from a you …
Enri was groomed to be a knight from a young age, as part of a family of knights serving the Cliffmore scions. This filled the young man with a sense of duty for the family and his fealty as a whole, while hoping that he would someday get to see a larger fraction of the world. As a squire, he proceeded to devour all pieces of knowledge that reached his hands, which led him to study more about the 'mad mage of the North.' Immediately identifying himself with the legendary god, Enri was fascinated by the philosophy of freedom of choice and allowing others to live their lives as they pleased. However, his experiences as a squire during the Silent War shaped the man so that he understood that true freedom would only be achieved when the enemies of the Compact are utterly defeated. As such, there's a desire in him to know the truth about the world and why so many seek to destroy the Compact. After the war, he joined what was left of the Cliffmore family to serve under the Acheron banner, eventually moving with the family to Arx, where he hopes he can keep them safe. That should also give him a chance to learn more about the world and perhaps find others with a similar mentality.
haps find others with a similar mentality. +
Eos' childhood was nothing out of the ordi …
Eos' childhood was nothing out of the ordinary for a boy born to a noble house. He was raised alongside his younger sister Kima, five years his junior. As children, they were very close and competative with each other. When it came to the likes of sparring, he frequently had the advantage and he never let her win, insisting that the men in the world would always be bigger, and that they would not let her win either. As they grew older, approaching adulthood and responsibility began to invade their happy little life to pull their closely twined paths apart. It began when Eos first set off to begin his formal training as a knight, something he proved to have a natural talent and zeal for. It continued later when Eos was informed by his parents at the age of twenty that he needed to marry. He had some say as to whom he found the most agreeable of a small number of young noble women, but it ultimately came down to which was the most likely to help improve the Saik family status and coffers. Still, Eos sought counsel with his younger sister before making that final choice, trusting her judgement despite her years when she agreed his choice, a woman by the name of Rosalynn, would be good for him. Who knew him better than Kima? In a stroke of favor from the gods, he found genuine happiness with his wife, and in short time, a true love. In the two years to follow, he kept his fights close to home, never gone for more than a few weeks at a time with the small company of fighters from his father's lands that rode with him. His son, named Vomas, would be born when Eos was twenty-two, and everything flipped on its head. Rosalynn struggled with the birth of their child, and very nearly bled out. The physicians were able to save her, but her health never did fully recover. A deep depression took her that neither husband or child could lift. The toll of her worsening health, mental and physical, became more than the woman could bare. While Eos was away on another small campaign, before the first birthday of their son, she simply walked off a tower in the dead of night. Losing his wife broke something in the young man, and the man he is today began to form then. He left his son in the care of his family, a nanny, and a tutor, and threw himself even more fervently into any battle or fight he could find. He had always been a fearless combatant, but he became an eager one as well, developing a fierce bloodlust that gave rise to unsettling rumors of the man taking slices of fallen enemies' flesh to eat or collecting their teeth as trophies. His visits home, however strongly he loves his son, now ten years of age, and his sister, the two things which might anchor him to a less blood soaked life, stretched further between while he sought to find an answer to his pain in the visceral world of war. It was not something that could rage forever, however. In the ten years since, his years and experiences have finally started to see him to something resembling stability again. He returned home to assume the responsibilities to House and kin that had been set to the wayside while he found his way back to himself, only to find those responsibilities sending him to Arx..
hose responsibilities sending him to Arx.. +
Ephraim came as an unexpected suprise to h …
Ephraim came as an unexpected suprise to his parents. His mother was betrothed to the son of a wealthy Lycene merchant and certainly was not supposed to be involved with his father, but one thing led to another and their affair was eventually discovered. The impending nuptials were called off amid the small scale scandal, but to recompensate for the botched business deal the Mercier family agreed to a marriage contract instead. He arrived a few scant months later to bring panic and terror to the young and unprepared couple. Young Ephraim was a handful growing up. He was far too clever for his own good and routinely tested the boundaries of what he could get away with. Initially his flustered parents didn't know what to do and often handed him off to the servants to care for, but three more children followed and they gradually adjusted to parenthood and attempted to reign him in. Intense arguments were common between them, and when Ephraim was thirteen he was kicked out of the home for cutting his sister's long braid as a malicious prank. He spent a few days learning how to survive on his own, and while he was allowed to return, the wanderlust bug had already bitten. As his teenage years dragged on, Ephraim spent an increasing amount of time away from home, and befriended the hunters who frequently travelled through the wooded areas around Clemenstone. He began to accompany them. The time in the woods provided him with something more than useful skills - it provided him with freedom and solace. He had a natural talent for archery even as a boy and as he grew in years and practice that talent was honed. When he became an adult, he promptly left home for good to pursue new horizons and expand his knowledge of the world. The last several years were one adventure after the next, until he ended up in Arx with the city in unrest and not a silver to his name. When inquired upon, he's rather vague with the details...
pon, he's rather vague with the details... +
Equally, Tris gives nothing to her crew ab …
Equally, Tris gives nothing to her crew about her youngest years or true port of origin. She doesn't feel she owes any of them anything but her share. She's never drunk, for whatever reason she gives at the time. So there is little doubt she lies to everyone about what she does mention of herself- supposedly or allegedly. Where she will start her story is Port Defiance. She was promised a new life and got abandoned. That place was no paradise, and she had no picnic. When word that her old Captain legitimized and left it to the winds to inform her, she wanted her accounts settled. Arriving in Arx, she followed his trail and made her demands. In some turn of events, she joined the Pravus Navy and quickly climbed the ranks to become a First Mate under that damned Admiral.
me a First Mate under that damned Admiral. +
Erela Blackhurst was orphaned on the steps …
Erela Blackhurst was orphaned on the steps of the Cathedral in Arx on a lightning filled night. The dark haired infant was unusually quiet and found only when one of the priests were returning from a late night. There was no crying from the bundle, so he feared that the child was dead, but after being picked up, the green eyes focused on the man. Hed never seen anything quite like the child before. Erela was taken in and raised by the priests until the found a family to settle her with. An older couple that couldnt have children. The Blackhurst family treated her like she was their own, but she always felt like an outsider. She was knocked down because of being an orphan. Kids taunted her mercilessly for it. When she got older she retaliated though and ended up knocking teeth out of one of her taunters mouth. Which amused more than one person. Her adopted father taught her the blade and to temper her anger, to use it when it was needed. He told her to use it at the right time. That is eventually what lead her to the Kings Own. Erela was twenty nine when she took her oaths to the Kings Own and became on of the 100. She figured with no real family, no titles and nothing else to focus on, that she could focus on protecting the King or Queen. That was eight years ago. So far shes still alive.
eight years ago. So far shes still alive. +
Eric was always an adventurous kid - nearl …
Eric was always an adventurous kid - nearly having gotten himself killed in his adventures as a little kid, he has always been attracted to the sea and it's mystery. He learned what he needed to be a proper sailor. He is a fierce fighter and brave to the point of foolishness at times, but he is fiercely loyal to his men and his house, never swaying from his command and always ensuring everyone gets their fair share.
s ensuring everyone gets their fair share. +
Erik{_Grimhall{_is{_the second{_eldest{_ch …
Erik{_Grimhall{_is{_the second{_eldest{_child{_of{_Abram{_Grimhall{_and{_his{_wife{_Alina{_Darkwater, along with his twin sister Sanya.{_In{_his{_youth{_he{_saw{_the{_many{_changes{_that{_Islander{_nobility{_went{_through,{_including{_the{_transfer{_of{_power{_in{_his{_own{_family{_several{_times{_over,{_as{_well{_as{_the{_issues{_of{_succession{_in{_Thrax.{_He{_was{_a{_studious{_young{_man,{_observing{_the{_ways{_of{_the{_world{_not{_with{_the{_usual{_fire{_and{_fury{_that{_his{_family{_often{_appeared{_to{_expect,{_but{_with{_a{_measured{_consideration.{_He{_understood{_that{_war{_and{_violence{_were{_the{_way{_of{_the{_Mourning{_Isles{_and{_he{_had{_a{_role{_to{_play{_in{_that{_as{_an{_eldest{_son,{_yet{_he{_also{_wanted{_more.{_{/{/It{_was{_no{_easy{_task{_to{_persuade{_his{_parents{_to{_allow{_him{_the{_opportunity{_to{_leave{_Grihem's{_Point{_in{_order{_to{_study{_among{_mainland{_academies,{_yet{_he{_did{_so.{_On{_the{_condition{_that{_he{_also{_continued{_to{_practice{_daily{_with{_a{_skilled{_arms{_master{_and{_spent{_half{_the{_year{_in{_the{_Mourning{_Isles{_in{_order{_to{_make{_sure{_that{_he{_maintained{_his{_'sea{_legs'{_(and{_was{_not{_overly{_influenced{_by{_mainlander{_ways{_of{_thinking){_he{_convinced{_his{_parents{_to{_allow{_him{_to{_study.{_And{_study{_he{_did.{_{/{/Erik{_put{_his{_mind{_to{_all{_sorts{_of{_topics.{_War{_was{_one{_of{_them,{_but{_not{_the{_details{_of{_battle{_and{_war{_craft{_alone,{_it{_was{_philosophy{_he{_was{_interested{_in{_as{_well.{_What{_was{_the{_purpose{_of{_violence{_between{_nations{_and{_how{_often{_was{_it{_served.{_What{_other{_means{_could{_be{_used{_to{_attain{_those{_desired{_ends?{_These{_were{_but{_a{_few{_of{_the{_things{_he{_put{_his{_mind{_to,{_and{_yet{_he{_did{_well{_with{_those{_studies.{_As{_he{_grew{_older{_and{_his{_education{_continued,{_he{_was{_invited{_to{_take{_a{_place{_among{_the{_Scholars{_of{_Vellichor.{_It{_was{_not{_ideal{_according{_to{_his{_parents,{_and{_more{_than{_a{_few{_heated{_arguments{_resulted{_from{_this{_invitation.{_Yet{_somehow{_he{_convinced{_them,{_and{_so{_it{_was{_he{_began{_studying{_in{_more{_depth{_in{_the{_city{_of{_Arx.{_{/{/Which{_is{_not{_to{_say{_that{_he{_did{_not{_take{_his{_proper{_place{_during{_battles{_where{_Grimhall{_was{_called{_to{_arms.{_Too{_young{_to{_fight{_in{_the{_Tyde{_rebellion{_he{_nevertheless{_heard{_about{_it,{_and{_was{_motivated{_by{_the{_stories.{_He{_has{_joined{_countless{_expeditions{_to{_quash{_pirate{_activity{_throughout{_the{_Isles,{_often{_placed{_as{_advisers{_to{_Admirals{_and{_Generals{_and{_considered{_for{_such{_positions{_himself.{_It{_was{_the{_war{_in{_Setarco{_that{_most{_recently{_brought{_him{_back{_from{_his{_studies{_with{_the{_Scholars,{_and{_has{_him{_seeking{_to{_reconnect{_with{_his{_family{_in{_Arx{_and{_serve{_as{_he{_may.
_family{_in{_Arx{_and{_serve{_as{_he{_may. +
Eris Ibrianis, born to a brood of mixed so …
Eris Ibrianis, born to a brood of mixed sons and daughters, was raised in a particularly martially inclined family. Ibrianis roots can be traced back to the very origins of Ostria, one of the first families to pledge themselves in service to the Mazetti family. They've had various reputations over the ages, but their claim to fame stems from their forging of House Mazetti's diamondplate sword, Allegiance. Rather than hang their hat on one accomplishment, the Ibrianis expanded over the generations to incorporate a vast number of skilled crafters mixed in with a particularly dedicated branch of soldiers. Into the latter does Eris fall, having decided young that her talents lay more in destruction than in creation. From an early age, Eris was taught under a particularly strict tutor regarding her duty to House Mazetti and to the protection of Ostria as a whole; these lessons she took to heart with all the preternatural sobriety of a youngster feeling a calling. The martial training that followed upon reaching adulthood indicated that while she was not fit to be a Glaivedancer, she proved in the early years that she was a talented swordswoman on her own accord. Thus began a brutal and utterly ruthless training regimen for the future Ostrian soldier. She worked slavishly and with great dedication alongside the young and precocious Mazetti duelist, Theron. They would later develop a friendly rivalry in their military training that would follow them well into their adulthood. When the Tor-Southport conflict occurred - in no small part due to the machinations of the former married-in member of House Mazetti, Lucien - Eris was goaded by Theron's early volunteership to sign up to military service as soon as she came of age to do so; she would die before letting him go off to battle without her. Together, they fought in the final stages of that brutal and senseless war, coming out the other side alive but marginally subdued. It was at Theron's recommendation that Eris was formally knighted post-combat and took her vows as one of the special Guardians. Afterward, she was assigned to protect then-magistrate Giulio, Theron's younger brother. The last handful of years since her assignation has seen Eris at Giulio's side and in his service. No longer destined just for the battlefield, the Ibrianis woman has slowly come into her own as more than a mere sword and shield; she has taken on the role of companion, confidante, and more.
e role of companion, confidante, and more. +
Eskander was not born into the ranks of th …
Eskander was not born into the ranks of the courtesans or the diplomatic; rather, he was a bit lower. His family were mostly common-folk and he was one of the middle children, in theory doomed to learn his family's trade (his father was a rather middling merchant) and to toil out his life without ever really achieving anything of note. Eskander ultimately had other ideas. He was fortunate in that he was naturally rather intelligent and that he picked up the tools of his father's trade quickly as he grew, running errands nad messages, and helping with keeping the books straight. Of course, not being one of the eldest, he likely wasn't going to inherit anything (aside from more work) when he came of age. So Eskander applied himself and as he grew older tried to turn what he had into something more. He developed his own contacts, determined to make his own way eventually - and this brought him to the attention of the Whispers. While at the time he wasn't precisely the best of material, he had potential and in a way, he saw that house of courtiers as a way out of his situation. So he applied. Rough around the edges and still needing refining, he wasn't (at first) successful - but perseverance and a burning ambition and desire to better himself have managed to secure him a spot within their ranks.
d to secure him a spot within their ranks. +
Eskhen Greenblood is a young prodigal man …
Eskhen Greenblood is a young prodigal man of the Greenblood family. He and his twin sister, Emele, were not even teenagers when their tribe was torn in two and his parents-- rebels --left it to join house Riven and bend knee to Grayson. His parents took the two young twins with them when they went. Eshken, being young, acclimated to life in Riven well. He threw himself into studies and learning of the new cultures. His sister also took very well to their new life. She found art and painting, and threw herself into it. Eshken being the more practical begged her to pick up a profession that would allow her a better income than painting. She apprenticed to a blacksmith and began to make armor. Shortly before his 20th birthday he met another prodigal of another tribe-- Lillian Leafchaser --she was a scout for Riven forces and he fell for her quickly. Just after he turned twenty and she twenty-one they married. Their daughter, Elia, was born eight months later. Lillian died two years later in an ambush by bandits while on a scouting mission. Eshken had just been apprenticed to Nigel Riven in matters of stewardship and finance. He threw himself into that work and to taking care of his daughter. He's utterly devoted to his daughter and to bettering her life. When the new Barony of Whitehawk was create he saw a chance for himself and his family. He offered to become the Steward of Whitehawk for Baron Silas.
the Steward of Whitehawk for Baron Silas. +
Esoka Greenblood grew up as the granddaugh …
Esoka Greenblood grew up as the granddaughter of the Elder of her tribe, which lent her a certain status even in amidst the fluctuating lifestyle of her people. It came with a sense of responsibility, of the duty to serve her people as the Elder served her people, of the need to be well-behaved. Although war leadership was not hereditary, it was simply considered that there was going to be some kind of greatness in her future because there was some kind of greatness in her blood, passed down generationally and with wisdom. So it was a fairly structured childhood, built on expectations and hopes for a future that shattered in disaster when the tribe fragmented while Esoka was a teenager. It took her structured life and threw it into chaos and upheaval. Why she chose as she did -- to follow the rebels rather than stay with her family -- is a complex tangle of emotions for her even now, years later. But whatever the reasons she chose, she did. Young, and fierce, and too young to fight, she nevertheless followed, swore herself in defiant loyalty to Thesarin, and never looked back ... for long. Accustoming herself to a completely new set of disciplines and structures was very difficult for Esoka. The social mores of the Count's people were a struggle. Worse, her own position seemed to fluctuate and change with passing years. When she was 22, Count Thesarin knighted her. To this day, she still is uncertain why -- there were excuses given at the time about her great service to the countship, but she always had the sneaking suspicion that this was some kind of politically oriented compromise between Count Thesarin and Countess Mia about who was going to take up arms and serve the Twainfort under the aegis of knighthood. Hungry to prove herself, Esoka sought out ways to make herself critical to the county, and ended up making more mistakes early on in her service than she would have liked. The first time she was forced to face down former members of her tribe who had been raiding the fishing villages along the Daughter, she could not bring herself to raise her weapon, and stood behind her men while she sent them on ahead to take care of it. It was a 'cowardice' that she felt incapable of living down for years afterwards. She tried to resign her knighthood, but this was refused. Her need to prove herself has never gone away, not even with subsequent successes bolstering her military career and making it clear that Thesarin's judgment in raising her to a knighthood was not so strange as all that. Her early mistakes and confusions haunt her.
r early mistakes and confusions haunt her. +
Esra was born in Arx, the only child of a …
Esra was born in Arx, the only child of a Scholar in a lesser branch of House Wyrmguard, second cousins to the current ruling branch. Bright, insightful and curious, the young Esra soaked up all the knowledge his parents had to offer, and then when he exhausted that his scholar father brought him to the Great Archive and so began a love story between Esra and all the ideas, facts and stories he could read. And read his way through the Great Archive he did, for years. Yet for all the Archive has to offer, Esra kept finding questions to which there were no good answers. Chasing answers is what got Esra out of the Archive in his late teen years, when he began spending a lot of time chasing down subject matter experts and witnesses of interesting events. Exploring and talking to people became as important as reading to expanding the young scholar's knowledge. It wasn't terribly surprising when Esra opted to join the discipleship of Vellichor at 19. His take on the religious side of matters is somewhat cerebral. He feels that ritual and liturgy are tools that people use to help reassure themselves, rather than something the gods need or demand for their own sake. He is honestly bored by ritual and less interested in the trappings of religion and the typical work of priests than he is in the ideals the gods advocate living up to. Esra believes that the domains chosen by the gods mean they want humanity to always be bettering themselves and enjoying the beauty to be found in creation. Thus his belief in the importance of going out and bettering the world directly. Esra's career has focused on field scholarship, and his penchant for resolving outstanding questions caught the leadership's eye even before his cousin Bianca achieved the Archlectorship. Today he works closely with Bianca as a reliable field scholar and has been known to gather information for other Archlectors and agents of the Crown. He is particularly interested in cases related to threats to the whole of the compact, mysterious deaths, and reported occurrences that don't make any sense.
ted occurrences that don't make any sense. +
Essmor was born and raised in the Lower Bo …
Essmor was born and raised in the Lower Boroughs, and lived an early life full of strife and hardship. His parents were mostly irrelevant to his situation, giving birth to him was the one and only gift he received. But despite this difficulty, he learned early that those that worked hard for themselves could readily find a place in the world. Quick to make friends, he used his skills in observation to find those in the community that could help him better his situation, and never stopped. From there, especially as he grew older, he gathered a reputation for knowing people. If something needed to be found, he might know someone who could find it. A product needs to be purchased? Essmor was the man to ask. He happily positioned himself as a bridge between the lower classes and the higher, searching for any opportunity to gather the attention of those that might provide him a chance to better his lot in life. Though still working on it every day, he works hard to become someone of note.
, he works hard to become someone of note. +
Estelle grew up a quiet girl, often keepin …
Estelle grew up a quiet girl, often keeping to herself and the occasional book that she was able to procure for perusal. As much as the cousin of the noble Blackram family enjoyed the indoors, she was hardly blind to the beauty of the surrounding wild lands. Often she could be found alone either atop a tower or among the tall trees near the keep. These excursions were particularly common during the transitional seasons of Autumn and Spring, giving her the chance to observe the many little changes nature wrought during such times. It wasn't until she was older that the young woman was brought nearer the aftermath of the frequent raids upon her family's lands upon her request. Driven by curiosity regarding the frequent skirmishes at the borders, Estelle couldn't bear to see the wounded soldiers in pain and did what little she could to help. Frustrated at her own unlearned skill, she turned her studies towards remedying that gap and even turning it into a focus. Finding a calling in easing the ailments of others as well as her fondness for observing changes ultimately culminated in her swearing to serve the Gods above all others, and Lagoma's service in particular. Still rather new to the Mercies, she is no stranger to orthodoxy given the militarism she grew up within, even if it never really took ahold of her own heart.
never really took ahold of her own heart. +
Estil knew that she would never rule after …
Estil knew that she would never rule after Valors passed on, even with Turo's lack of interest being Admiral of the fleet. It wasn't so much resignation to the fact of simply accepting that she will have to do something else to make herself stand out. She wasn't a fighter by any stretch of the imagination, but she was smart. A sharp mind to match her scathing wit. If nothing less, she would make herself a powerful opponent in the realm of politics. So she poured herself into the academics, or ruling an estate. While she might never be Countess, she could hope to at least assist whoever became Count. There may be a bit of resentment at the fact that she was passed over, but love for her family usually wins out. Dogedly pragmatic as the rest of the children, she's used to fending for herself and relying on her wits. While she was content to stay in Escuma, she felt somewhat left out when her father requested Turo to Arx, with her sister Regla, who she often bickered with, followed after him a month or so later. This left Estil in Escuma alone. Eventually this solitude got the better of her, and thinking that her two siblings would do well with her calm hand, decided to head to Arx herself, seeking out her family to bring prestige to the Navegant name.
ly to bring prestige to the Navegant name. +
Ethan was an orphan who grew up in a child …
Ethan was an orphan who grew up in a children's home. He has no memory of his parents, and his surname was something he chose himself when he got older. Hunger, it's been his companion through life. He knows what it's like to be on the bottom, scrapping with castoffs that no one else wanted. He knew at a young age that he was going to get out of the Lowers, by any means necessary. He fell into a gang of pickpockets, got himself in trouble with the Iron Guard. Luckily, the guard recognized the boy's actions were more out of desperation than criminal intent. He got the boy transferred to a better group home. Then he started checking in on the boy, making sure he had clothes and got him enrolled in school. Ethan, not being a fool, saw his lessons as an opportunity. He applied himself vigorously to his studies. He got into a university on scholarship. Applied himself fiercely even as he worked at the Courts running messengers. When he graduated, he got a job as a clerk and continued to work hard. Recently, he got a chance to meet a young lady, Baroness Skye Blackshore, through processing some of her paperwork. After a few conversations, he convinced her to take him on as a lawyer. It's his first big shot at serving a family and he intends like all this other stepping stones, to use this wisely.
other stepping stones, to use this wisely. +
Eugene found himself moving from town to t …
Eugene found himself moving from town to town in the Oathlands, given his father's trade as a wandering blacksmith. Home was never really home for long as demand kept the Caylerth family on the road for weeks at a time. When he was of fine age, it was Eugene's turn to help where his brothers had; one having been enlisted in the provincial militia and another to a pox. Training abroad found Eugene taking up the family trade while his father ensured that old military contacts would be able to train his son in the ways of war.
able to train his son in the ways of war. +
Eurion, as a child, was kind of a troublem …
Eurion, as a child, was kind of a troublemaker, but the kind of troublemaker who is so cute about it that he only rarely actually faces consequences for his evildoing. Whenever he hurt someone's feelings, he was always so genuinely surprised -- and genuinely apologetic -- that his spontaneous gestures to fix it were generally accepted. It was not until he was a much older boy and his grandfather -- first of his close and beloved relatives to die -- died in front of him that he began to understand that there are powers in the world that one cannot out-charm or de-consequence. Still, he was a happy child, all told, so it was mind-boggling to most of his family when he suddenly -- after reaching the stubborn-jawed age of 15 -- ran away. It's not actually that unusual for young men and women of Ashford blood to think that adventure is their birthright and that they need to charge out into the world and take it, but it is a little unusual for them to do so while still too young to actually make a bank draw on their own. An Ashford cousin rescued him from himself, pulling him out of a fix that was almost entirely of his own making, and he was brought home and put to work as a scribe and squire, learning from Ashford's knights as best he could. It was during this period of time, where he was trying to prove to anyone at all that he could be well-behaved even for short periods, that Eurion spent half a summer learning what he could from the then-admiral of Ashford's navy. He was assigned as adjutant and gopher, and then as summer became autumn, he wheedled, begged and persuaded as best he could to take a position as a sailor. He was only 17, and no one would let him formally join a ship's crew until he was 18 and an adult, but he managed to earn himself an "apprenticeship" aboard a ship in the family that was, apparently, exactly the same as being a sailor aboard the ship except that he had to be supervised pretty much at all times. The open sea was Eurion's favorite, and although the hard, hard labor of a man aboardship was a huge eye-opener for the privileged son of generations of nobles, it did him good in terms of his personal growth and the strength of his muscles. Though it was a few years coming, eventually one of the ships that House Ashford commissioned was granted to his command - the STAR KNIGHT - and he has been sailing for the Ashfords' navy ever since.
sailing for the Ashfords' navy ever since. +
Evangelina never knew her parents, from wh …
Evangelina never knew her parents, from what she's gathered she'd been born to a sailor that'd perished at sea. Turned over to well-meaning priests at the next port of call on the shining shores of Setarco, she lived a childhood full of happiness and laughter, a lucky lot in life for a motherless child, she knows. Despite being raised by the faithful, she's a bit of a curious sceptic, and believes that life, love, and happiness are what you make for yourself. The stories of the gods are beautiful still, in her opinion, and like all things beautiful, she collects them as she can, though she's far from an academic. After coming of age, she became the apprentice of a smith, attracted to the proposition of making beauty with her own hands. As adept at working precious metals as she was at stringing shells onto cord to sell to visitors on the beach as a child, she soon decided to make her way to Arx, where her beautiful creations could be worn by the most beautiful and powerful people of the Compact. Who knows, maybe one day her jewellery could even be worn by the king himself, if she talks herself up enough. Modesty is, after all, overrated.
enough. Modesty is, after all, overrated. +
Evangeline crashed onto the shores of Seta …
Evangeline crashed onto the shores of Setarco with not much to her name. In fact, she did not even have that! A tangled mess of seaweed, salt encrusted hair, and long, awkward limbs caught the attention of local sailors who eventually dubbed the young woman Evangeline.{/{/She never seemed to remember anything prior to arriving to the main island of the Lycene sea and never seemed to let it affect her as it would some others. Evangeline took it as the blessing of a new life and put herself straight to work. She proved to be useful and resourceful. Working in silk shops was a wonderful experience but the young woman did not enjoy staying indoors all day long. She had a stint working at the docks but that also proved to not keep her attention. When it was discovered that she had lovely penmanship, she was often asked to pen love letters in exchange for silver. She worked this little business of hers with glee. Evangeline was able to set her own hours and be her own boss; sort of.{/{/She drew the attention of a mysterious proprietor who inquired about the letters she wrote for people. It had never dawned on her that this lucrative job might require her to be exquisitely discreet. Letters between lovers often came with complications. Secrets that could become the ruin of a person or an entire house if she was not careful. There was a lot of power in the palm of her hand and some people were taking notice. This proprietor offered Evangeline the opportunity to study in the Courtier House right there in Setarco. He would pay for her education and she would have protection in the House as opposed to being on her own. Evangeline jumped at the chance. She had visited the house on occasion, delivering letters to and from the lead courtiers of Setarco.{/{/The rest, as they say, is history. Evangeline excelled in all of her studies and proved to be quite an asset to the house and for the other courtiers. She even assisted in the tutoring of some of the apprentice courtiers when they first arrived to the house, drawing on her own experiences from when she was an apprentice.{/{/Since her time in Setarco, Evangeline has done quite a bit of traveling and of all the places she's been to, it's amazing she's never been to the city of Arx before, and her extensive experience and talent in Setarco as a courtier leads her to believe she is prepared to join the Whisper House. She is ready for the challenges and the political intrigue that awaits in the Capitol.
tical intrigue that awaits in the Capitol. +
Evaristo hasn't visited his parents since …
Evaristo hasn't visited his parents since he left home at the age of seventeen, stowing away on a ship after running afoul of his stepfather - something having to do with stealing money, supposedly. When he was found, he managed to ingratiate himself with the captain and convinced the woman to keep him on her crew as a sailor. There he stayed for several years, travelling the world on a cargo ship which sailed the seas of the Saffron Chain. In late 1002 AR the ship was attacked by shav pirates intent on seizing the cargo. Evaristo and a handful of the crew managed to escape via life boat and swimming to a nearby island - thankfully the shavs had little interest in pursuing them. There they were stranded for four months, and Evaristo finally began to contemplate his life choices. They were eventually found and rescued by a passing Thraxian vessel and brought to Darkwater Watch. He made his home there for a couple of years, making silver by taking odd jobs and finding a new crew: his own. He accumulated enough money to build his own small ship and made enough "friends" to man it, and he was on the beloved sea once more. Trips to Arx have proven to be particularly profitable these days, and he finds the citizens of the Lower Borough to be his kind of people. Perhaps there are opportunities to be found...
aps there are opportunities to be found... +
Evelin was born as one of many in the gutt …
Evelin was born as one of many in the gutters of Setarco in the Lyceum, a poor street urchin surrounded by the resplendent wealth and decadent lifestyles of the nobility that called the Silken City their home. She could only admire them from afar, and was too proud (or embarrassed), to beg from them. She watched the Ladies and courtiers with fascination, and while most would have loathed them, Evelin came to adore them. At the age of 17 she'd been dancing in dingy bars for years, but she knew she couldn't make a living in Setarco. Determined she set out to make a name for herself in the capital. Despite her work, she was still as poor as she was before, and with nowhere else to go the young woman turned to the Cullers in the Lower Buroughs. She had talent, and it wasn't long before she was adopted into their fold. They were not the only ones to notice her talents. While performing in a small darkened club in the Buroughs she was noticed by the stunning Belladonna Pravus. One thing led to another, and Evelin was employed by the Velenosean house, and sent back to Setarco not as a beggar, but as a student of the Courtier school. She would come to excel there, and now she's returned to the capital as a resplendent, shimmering dancer and performer for House Pravus' numerous parties, stealing hearts and wowing her audiences. All the while remaining loyal to those in the Lower Buroughs who supported her all those years.
uroughs who supported her all those years. +
Even as a child, Prince Antonio Velenosa f …
Even as a child, Prince Antonio Velenosa felt drawn to the sea. He'd spend time by the shores near Lenosia, watching the ships come to port, and panic his house hold servants and guards by giving them the slip and swimming in the sea alone. There are secrets in the dark waters of the sea, hidden beneath the fathomless depths but not everyone can see them. For some, they're lost beneath the crash of the waves and the bright light of the sun, but for others... For others they can hear the voices lost to the waves, the whispers that come in the night. They understand what it is to look upon those dark waters and know that more, so much more, rests beneath the surface. Prince Antonio Velenosa was one who could look upon the waters and know that there was more. He could hear the Siren's song from the depths, understand the nothings that she whispered in his ear and it was her song that lured him to the shores, invited him deeper so that the urges that followed him in childhood, to spend all his time about the waves, carried him into adulthood. From a boy on a skiff, to a Captain at the helm, Prince Antonio has known a life of adventure. He made a name for himself as a young captain of royal blood escorting Lenosia shipping to Arx and the homes of the great houses, fearlessly meeting threats head on. Whether pirate or storm, the bold captain seemed to take any danger in stride, and his daring always seemed to carry the day when more timid men might have been lost. Unfortunately, it seemed his good fortune couldn't hold forever, and the entirely-too-bold captain may have underestimated how many enemies among pirate shavs he had been making, as a flotilla he was leading to the Darkwater Reach was ambushed by an exceptionally well organized and far more numerous force of Shavs. While House Velenosa stood by its prince, and claimed no one could have acquitted themselves better by escaping with as many ships as he did from the trap, the losses and embarrassment of the defeat have left the bold prince chastened and looking for redemption. That redemption wouldn't come at sea, but at the court of Arx, where a bold young captain with now an underserved reptuation for recklessness could prove to the Lyceum he had sound judgment and even temperment. If he can just stop himself for strangling any smug nobles asking about how he lost to shavs, of course.
ing about how he lost to shavs, of course. +
Even as a child, Rhea was bossy and very f …
Even as a child, Rhea was bossy and very focused on guiding other people, just rarely in a way they'd want their guidance. No, Rhea, you can't help Riagnon toughen up by filling his mattress with rocks. No, Rhea, don't cut your uncle's armor straps because he hasn't realized he's grown too fat for them. No, Rhea, you should not be ordering those obviously satirical self-help books from the Great Archive and be giving them to people you don't like. Attempts to curb this behavior backfired, but the worst of it seemed to bleed out of her over the years, until she drank a bit too much at a diplomatic dinner and threw her goblet on the guest of honor. A decision was made to huck her off to Nightgold's cadet branch. Within three months, it came out the head and only other member of that cadet branch was actually a long lost prince. He went home. Oops. After a month of waiting for a long lost Aviaron to appear in similar fashion, she declared herself Marquessa.
r fashion, she declared herself Marquessa. +
Even at a very young age, Cesare stood out …
Even at a very young age, Cesare stood out as an exceptional talent. While most boys his age in the Lyceum were already playing with swords, Cesare had a single passion that consumed him, with every waking thought dedicated to it and it alone: music. Every day he would toy with a new instrument or he would listen to the singers around the shrine of Jayus in his native Setarco, learning the same songs and then improving upon the delivery. The words just always came naturally to him, the music flowed through him and he had a voice that made crowds gather. First he attracted the notice of the disciples of Jayus and priests of the Faith of the Pantheon, who eagerly encouraged a young man with such obvious talent. Then he attracted nobles, who made a point to visit the young man's performances. Before long, he became known as 'the Singer of Setarco' or 'the man with the perfect voice'. The fame meant nothing to him, and he barely noticed it- he was tireless in seeking out new forms of music, in cultivating each and every aspect he could find, in the hope to finally capture something truly sublime in music. He still hopes to find a perfect moment that captures the essence of Jayus for all the world to hear. Unfortunately, he couldn't linger in Setarco. He didn't realize how truly popular he had become until he was forced to flee the city as noblewomen who all seeked to patronize the talented young man became increasingly dangerously jealous over his lack of reciprocation of their affections. He was informed in no uncertain terms that he was likely to wind up dead as a result if he didn't flee, and has since made his way to Arx, more than a bit wiser at how dangerous spurned passion truly is. To that end, he has become a much sought after courtier, currently employed by the Whisper House, entertaining the greatest and most powerful women in the Compact, with the same respect and protections associated with other courtesans. He's still seeking that perfect song, but he's deciding there's sublime beauty in other parts of life as well.
ime beauty in other parts of life as well. +
Even for a Culler it can be catch as catch …
Even for a Culler it can be catch as catch can in the Lower Boroughs, especially if a person is born the seventh of eight children. Her Mam wasn't much interested in being a mam by the time her last few pups were spawned; the rearing of the little ones was often left to their elders, who were even less fit to serve as surrogate parents. Not a fan of being cuffed upside the head and ordered to stay put, keep her mouth shut, do what she's told, Mae quickly learned to skirt the authority of her older siblings. Her small size and agility developed into an early reputation as an escape artist and it became a common refrain around their shack that, "Mae's on t' roofs again!" From her earliest years, she was no more respectful of other people's property than she was of familial attempts at laying down the law, such as it was among the gutter clans. For all the heart attacks she provoked among her relatives for her high-climbing ways, her youthful escapades often ended with a carrier pigeon in the cook pot or an extra blanket plucked from a drying line to lay over their beds, so complaints were half-hearted at best. If the clan needed a thing and Mae could find the thing, take the thing, and carry home the thing, then clearly the thing ought to have been theirs in the first place and its original owner should have kept a closer eye on it. Wrath was kept to a minimum due to the process sometimes happening in reverse, with gifts laid on the steps of those who'd suffered her light-fingered ways previously. It helped too she never took anything -dire-, and diligently avoided the notice of the official authorities and their harsh law-blessed hands. It was a Boroughs matter, and she knew the lines that shouldn't be crossed against her own because they were bred in the bone, channeled in her blood. Childish recklessness of Mae's sort is often turned to harder crimes as the years wind on but there her luck held true as well. Instead of being swept into the greater organizations whose deeds stepped well over the line into darkly illegal, she detoured into reputable work as a messenger, running scraps of paper for pennies to begin. Eventually, her reputation for reliability (and ultraquick service!) saw her client base expanding until finally, her name came to the notice of the Black Rose Mummers. The numbers of messages flying to and from their theatre is prodigious, the correspondence between the actors and their fans a close rival for the missives arranging and organizing new performances. A trial period became regular employment and since then, Mae's not wanted for much else in the world.
e's not wanted for much else in the world. +
Even the wildest tribes have need of gifte …
Even the wildest tribes have need of gifted souls able to read the wishes stored in the hearts of men. Whether determining if a treaty will hold or trading fox pelts, that talent sometimes spells the difference between a hard winter and a good one. The Blackwoods had their reputation for holding peace between tribes of the mountains and the sea, and Aedin's mother, a comely lass with golden hair and eyes like fire, caught her father's eye. Their marriage supposed peace, but their daughter surpassed them both for grace and wit. As a child, Aedin enchanted her playmates. Not for her, getting in trouble or torn dresses. She stayed close to her mother's side and honoured the tribe's shamans, often tending to the delicate tasks that earned her approval and favours. Let others barter in coin. She amassed obligations and debts of other kinds, wielding a silent power. Marriage offers spilled in soon as she was old enough, but she denied them all. A greater world waited. Patiently Aedin bided her time, and her exasperated father was none too willing to give up his precious treasure. She knows the ways of the wilds -- no Abandoned turned noblewoman in the North can avoid that -- but so too she learned the quieter secrets, the way of whispers and trade. But the world grew circumscribed. She hungered for the sea and larger markets. The people in the woods pleased her more than the wild wood itself. When the Blackwoods knelt to the Crovanes, she was one of the first to brave the strange world of beyond. Her exoticism lured in the unexpected, and she started up exactly as she had before, acquiring favours and exchanging debts, building on an intricate web of social graces that made her a merchant princess in the most unexpected ways. It wasn't long thereafter a party breezed through her adopted city, seeking someone to speak for them, a diplomat with a keen sense of value and a talent for appraisals. A wide-eyed, electric speaker, Aedin charmed them as much as her new crew laid out a fascinating future. Never one to back down from daring, she took them up, and so sails to Arx and points beyond under the leadership of Arthen Dayne. What's life for if not excitement?
Dayne. What's life for if not excitement? +
Even though she was born smack dab in the …
Even though she was born smack dab in the middle of several siblings, Elloise had no trouble standing out. From a young age, she was always a little .. quirky. In another family, that might have been rooted out by her tutors and governesses but her idiosyncrasies were nurtured by the curiosity-inclined Learys. Intellectually, she was running before before she could walk; Elly was an enthusiastic sponge: she wanted to learn EVERYTHING. Due to this, she quickly emerged as a dabbler -- she picked up a bit of this, she became somewhat skilled at that, she knew a tidbit of just about everything. She was always looking to the horizon for discoveries and developed a habit of taking a little bit from Knowledge Column A, mashing it together with some of Knowledge Column B, and standing back to watch what happened. Sometimes, it ended up being a disaster and she would burn her eyebrows off. But occasionally it worked out and she would discover something AMAZING and hey! What's a little temporary hair-singeing in the name of progress? Elloise was always up to something -- if it wasn't one of her experiments, then it was building elaborate inventions. They were usually unnecessarily complicated for the problem they were solving -- like an intricate mechanism of pulleys, levers and various moving parts just to crack a hard-boiled egg -- but always flawlessly engineered and beautifully built. Her parents were equal parts patient with and protective of her: they gave her space to learn and create but feared that she was rather too naive to be given much freedom in the larger world. As such, Elly had a rather controlled upbringing: she associated mostly with family and had few friends her own age. That all changed when she was 15. A distant relation -- a second cousin's uncle's niece's third-husband's nephew's cousin-in-law once removed something something something or other -- came to stay with them for a while. He was a Sanna and so exciting! He was a hunter! And an explorer! And he believed in spirits! He was around the same age as Elloise and very different from her but because they were both so passionate about their respective interests, they immediately hit it off. They would spend countless hours together -- she showing off all her inventions and experiments, him telling her all about his life up North. They became quite a pair, the two of them. He would go out and hunt ingredients for her; she would design better ways for him to do so (with varying degrees of success but heck, failure is its own sort of progress). It opened her eyes to a whole world of possibilities and made her yearn for more outside of her sheltered existence. When he left and returned home a year and a half later, she recruited her younger sister, Arcadia, to fill his role. A wide-eyed adventurer, Cady was more than happy to scamper off to chase after whatever Elly needed. Eeeeeexcellent. After years of begging (and staging meticulously planned presentations on why this would be a Very Good Thing which included points such as 'Joining The Scholars: A Journey Through Knowledge', 'Perfume or Poison: Finding Out at the Apothecary College', 'OUCH!: New Interrogation Devices for the Inquisitor On-the-Go' and 'Inventions for the Crown: The Dawn of Possibilities' -- what sort of inventions for the Crown? I don't know, mom. STUFF. THINGS. I will know when I invent them), Elloise convinced her parents to let her travel to Arx. This was allowed mostly because they trust Fairen to look out for and keep a handle on her. Hopefully. Dear gods, please: don't let her accidentally set her hair on fire again.
r accidentally set her hair on fire again. +
Even when she was very young, Jennyva real …
Even when she was very young, Jennyva realized her father wasn't the greatest of rulers. Duke Gregor Shepherd, called 'the Butcher of Graypeak', was certainly widely feared. Respected as an extremely capable battlefield commander, relentless in his warring against shavs... and completely indifferent to politics ("the idle sport of courtiers", he said) or the importance of balancing the demands of different vassals ("they are vassals and I rule, there is nothing more to it", he said). Jennyva's mother Irene was every bit a soldier like Gregor, but understood political realities in a way he never would, and privately confided to her daughter that she was quietly certain she had kept House Shepherd out of senseless wars with other houses at least three times, and encouraged Jennyva to follow in her footsteps. Duchess Irene's tragic death in battle against shavs, a death that almost certainly would have been prevented if Gregor hadn't offended two other houses that had offered support, changed House Shepherd. In Duke Gregor, it hardened his resolve against Abandoned into an unreasoning blood feud beyond all reason. In Jennyva, it made her convinced she had little choice but to master politics or House Shepherd was doomed. To Jennyva's considerable surprise, she actually enjoyed it. Politics was like a vast puzzle of endless contradictory goals of scores of competing factions, a vast tapestry she could unravel. Her father largely ignored it, but while barely an adult she mended House Shepherd's acrimonous relationship with its vassals, saw the resentful loyalty owed her house turn into something like real comraderie, and started to make inroads to establishing some true resolution of disputes with other noble houses of the Crownlands. She also started to realize she could manage people so deftly it almost became second nature. It was obvious to her what they wanted, and how to reach something mutually satisfactory, how to explain away something belligerent and moronic that her father said, how to play off the biases of different competing factions to get an agreement settled at the table. She was, all agreed, going to be a spectacular ruler. And then her father ennobled his oldest friend from a long disgraced branch of House Shepherd and made a technically older cousin she had never met heir. Yes, yes, Jennyva knows her father rambled on and on about house honor and erasing stains and righting a terrible wrong and being the proper reward for a lifetime of service and yada yada yada but it was SO like him to spectacularly screw things up right as he died. But Jennyva ultimately realized it doesn't really matter all that much who has the title- she can work with this. This is fine. Everything's fine.
ith this. This is fine. Everything's fine. +
Ever since he was able to walk, Hamil Fida …
Ever since he was able to walk, Hamil Fidante has been interested in horses and the joust. His mother is a Devotion of Limerance and cousin of Calista Fidante and his father is a knight of the Wyrmguard who had married into the family. When he was young, Hamil's parents would take him to the jousting tilts and challenges of the knight. From stick horses and wooden swords as a child to charging coursers and large spears in his teenage years, Hamil was always going to be a Knight. He had plans to be a Knight of Devotions to Limerance with dreams of accepting the favors of ladies, and fighting for the honor of his house. When he was eighteen, he fell hard for a Lady from Velenosia that he met at a party. After what was a whirlwind romance, it seemed that the negotiations for a marriage contract were well underway. But then Hamil went off to defend the Compact against the Gyre. In the battles that followed, Hamil acquitted himself well. During one of the last battles of the war, Hamil was in full charge when a Gyre spear caught him beneath the chin and it was only fortune that kept him from having his head removed. Thrown from his horse and injured heavily, it was assumed that Hamil may never fully recover. That was the first time that love did not come to his aid. The Velenosian Lady asked her family to call off the contract and broke off contact. While this hurt Hamil, it drove him harder to recover from his injuries. It was a months-long process and when he had healed fully, Hamil had decided on a new path. If he could not have his idea of true love, he would at least uphold the honor of it -- as a member of the Champions, the bloodied rose took to the field again. For honor. For entertainment. To find a reason to be and for being.
ent. To find a reason to be and for being. +
Ever since she was old enough to be outsid …
Ever since she was old enough to be outside by herself, Princess Matilde had a bow in one hand and the reins of a horse in the other. Target practice on the grounds of the manor house eventually spread beyond the gates and into the woodlands where she took up hunting astride a Redrain saddle. She had mentors that taught her the basics of archery, hunting game, caring for and riding horses, and one such mentor was Duchess Fianna Crovane. Matilde spent time in Stormwall to learn from and study with her mentor, only to return home and work her knowledge first hand with the war horses of Farhaven. She raised and trained them for Redrain's cavalry and she never forgot the lessons that were taught to her even after the Duchess Crovane went missing. There was a stretch of time after the news reached home when Matilde split her focus between the stables and taking up her bow for hunting game. More and more of her time was spent target practicing until she eventually decided to blend her two passions into one as rider-archery. What was meant as a short term distraction turned into a new passion for the princess over the years that followed. Word of recent trouble brewing in and around the Mourning Isles brought Matilde to the city of Arx with an overwhelming urge to be closer to her family. She made a promise to herself to continue training war horses for Redrain's cavalry as rumors of strange happenings reported in the north motivated her to do what she could to help keep her fealty safe. Needing answers, Matilde knew that guidance would soon come to her with a little help and time.
n come to her with a little help and time. +
Everett was born to a common family living …
Everett was born to a common family living a wealthy life upon a successful farm. The Maleres were well known for their incredibly fertile land, which yielded enough crops each harvest to sustain the Oathlands year-round. From his youth, Everett developed a sense of deep, unwavering responsibility for this farm. As the eldest of two sons, the land would inevitably be passed down to him; it was in his best interest to ensure its success for future generations. At the age of twenty-five, Everett married his childhood friend, Adrienne, and thereafter welcomed the arrival of their first and only child, a boy named Tristan. They lived and worked together peacefully on the farm for nine years, and then everything changed. It was a lovely summer's day that Everett took Tristan to the borders of Acorn Hill, deep within the woods, for a fishing lesson along the banks of a rushing river. When the trip came to a close and it was time to return home, they discovered all roads leading to the town were blocked by debris and littered with the bodies of dead soldiers bearing the sigil of House Moore. Panicked and fearing the worst, Everett cut a way through the debris and discovered the whole barony had been utterly decimated by an invading clan of shavs, and all those present had been killed, including his father and his sweet, innocent wife. With his home and livelihood in ruins, and a young son depending on him alone for survival, Everett had to settle and find work elsewhere. He enlisted with the Keaton Timberwolves, serving for over a year to defend Oakhaven and its forests from invasion by shav tribes and serving justice to those he believed destroyed his home and family. After a year of soldiering, and when it seemed at last all hope of returning home was lost forever, Everett learned that a surviving member of House Moore surfaced, pressed a claim for the barony, and led a successful expedition to reclaim and restore Acorn Hill to its former glory. Everett immediately reached out to his brother, Breccan, and together they committed to speak with the new Baroness of Acorn Hill about resettling on their former lands in the hopes of reviving their family legacy and starting anew.
ing their family legacy and starting anew. +
Every child goes through a truth-telling p …
Every child goes through a truth-telling phase. "His nose looks like a dry toad, she's bow-legged as my pony!" they say. Then they grow up. Juniper also grew up but she never lost her preference for adhering to the truth as she saw it. Child of a father who worked in the mines and a mother who carried shield and spear to protect others, Juniper was the cuckoo in the next of their little family. Her parents and her siblings were all large, healthy, stoic people; no one quite knew what to make of their small, sweet and social child-- especially as she was prone to pointing out the realities of the world and people around them. But she was endearing in her own way. As she grew older, she earned a string of successively ridiculous nicknames like Pebble, Slip, Fidget and Flop, all of which broadcast the bemused love her family had for her and her curious ways. They went above and beyond to secure her a life more appropriate to her needs, with small, slender strings pulled by her mother to secure her a place as bodyservant to Rhea Nightgold. There, they hoped, she could receive the education best suited to her particular strengths. And there, in spite of humble beginnings and her preference for unabashed honesty even in refined company, she excelled. So much so that when Rhea was transported to Arx, it was determined Juniper would go with her as a "positive influence". What the social soothsayers did not expect was that Juniper, though still adoring of her mistress, would be lured away to join the Whispers. The new heir smell hadn't even worn off of her lady yet! But there she is, ensconced as fresh-faced and earnest courtier in a city where lies are frequently used as currency and her tendency towards truth-telling may carry a distinct liability.
th-telling may carry a distinct liability. +
Every family needs their blacksheep, and E …
Every family needs their blacksheep, and Eddard comes from the Clement branch's black sheet. It's said that SOMEWHERE in this particular branch a great-grandma had a one night stand with a family that eventually left the Compact. It was never something said openly to Eddard's face, but family gatherings always had a few whispers about the not-so-secret shame. It was in that shadow that Eddard grew up. From an early age he decided that if the family was going to expect the worst from him anyway, he might as well deliver. While most Clements are hardworking and diligent, Eddard went firmly to the other end. He drinks more than one cup of wine at dinner and does everything he can to get out of //work//. During one work-dodging session he quite by accident stumbled onto a true talent with music. He found himself a halfway decent teacher and actually applied himself for once. Working with both voice and lute Eddard carved himself out another niche within the family. Everyone enjoyed a bit of music in the gatherings and thus some of the black sheep whispering faded out. When news of strange Uncle Norwood's new barony, Eddard seized on it as his chance to escape the rural life and head to Arx. There he can accomplish a few goals. First, never touch another beehive. Second, seek out a real teacher to help him foster his musical talent. Finally, enjoy the pleasures of Arx.
lent. Finally, enjoy the pleasures of Arx. +
Everyone in the Lower Boroughs has a sob s …
Everyone in the Lower Boroughs has a sob story, and Shade's sob story is not much more interesting than the rest. Anyway, no one wants to hear it. No one cares about who Shade Ulbran was -- they care about who she is now, because who she is now is Power. Authority. Protection. She rules her little corner of the Lower Boroughs like a queen, sovereign and strong. She protects and serves her people, like any queen should. Is mighty and beautiful, as queens are. Yet, if she is a queen, she is a queen who has carved out her empire upon the blade of a knife. She fought for her throne, she killed for it; she will fight and kill to keep it.
or it; she will fight and kill to keep it. +
Everyone knows that Lina Velenosa died in …
Everyone knows that Lina Velenosa died in the company of her cousin Vincenzo. Everyone knows the story. The young, beautiful Princess brutally stabbed, her cousin, Prince Vincenzo mute and bloody, cradling her form. Suspicion fell to him, of course it did -- there was no one else seen anywhere near by. Who else could it have been? Odd, certainly that no murder weapon was ever found, though the guards combed the area more times than they could count. Still, the preponderance of evidence was against him, and Vincenzo Velenosa was a Prince no more. In the ten years since, he's found his way becoming a purveyor of fine couture. He'd always had a way of putting things together and with several years apprenticeship under his belt he's starting to make a name for himself. Vincenzo Villente, tailor extraordinaire. He has finally scraped enough together to open up his own shop in Arx.
h together to open up his own shop in Arx. +
Evonleigh Mercier was born the third of fo …
Evonleigh Mercier was born the third of four children in the merchant family, sister to Delilah, Kenna, and Gaius, and cousin of Silas Mercier, who would one day be ennobled as Lord Whitehawk. Evonleigh was always just a little dramatic, with a flair for tantrums or flights of fancy. She was fond of writing and putting on little plays for her sisters and cousins to perform -- a common hobby for many children, it became something she was rather good at. As she had no head for business, it was little surprise that she chose to become an actress rather than follow in the mercantile footsteps of her parents. Evonleigh joined an acting troupe that traveled extensively, though she stayed in close contact with her family. She forged a close, if tumultuous, relationship with the leader of the troupe. The two usually played opposite one another in the leads of the plays they performed, and their chemistry on stage and off was undeniable. It was rumored they might become betrothed. She chose at first not to join her siblings in her cousin Silas' House, because she was so in love with the actor Aurelius. Unfortunately, he proved less devoted than she, making excuses for putting off engagement while soaking up the attention of his fans wherever they traveled -- there were whispers of indiscretions, a "woman in every port" so to speak. Evonleigh, heartbroken, confronted him at a party in a bit of a tantrum. After a heated argument, he stormed off. It was the last she saw of him alive, because Aurelius died later that night -- intoxicated, he fell down a long flight of stairs to his death. Luckily there were many witnesses, and Evonleigh nowhere near, for otherwise Evonleigh might have been a suspect. The last words Evonleigh had spoken to the man had been unkind ones, but that seemed to make her grief all the deeper, full of regrets and guilt. The troupe disbanded without their leader, and, along with the loss of Aurelius, Evonleigh lost some of her friends as well -- those who felt he might not have died if she hadn't fought with him that night. The feelings of loss, betrayal, hurt and guilt were a complicated mix that she hasn't truly dealt with. She shut herself away for a time, returning to her childhood home, before accepting the invitation to join her siblings in Arx as a Lady of Whitehawk, eager to put the past in the past.
tehawk, eager to put the past in the past. +
Ewen's journey to self-discovery began wit …
Ewen's journey to self-discovery began with a personal tragedy: the loss of his parents. Successful merchants from the southern city of Lenosia, they were a loving family and well-off, encouraging and supporting him in his education. Ewen never doubted, even as he came of age, that making his parents proud would be his life goal, and he excelled in legal studies motivated by the knowledge that a career as a lawyer would bring his family honor and prestige. But he had only been practicing as a defense attorney in Lenosia for a few short years before a freak accident sent his parents' wagon crashing into a ravine. All at once Ewen was faced with an existential crisis. Without his parents' eyes on him, what did he value and what purpose was there in his existence? For perhaps the first time, his penetrating insight turned decisively inward. He concluded that behind his passion to please his family had been a dark truth: that he had been afraid to think for himself or consider what else he could become with his talents. This realization of the darkness within him, and of the willful ignorance upon which his previous convictions were based, turned him to interest in the Mirrormasks and devoted study of the teachings of the Thirteenth. Having inherited his family's comfortable wealth, he has traveled to the capitol city of Arx to decide if he will try to become an official disciple of the Thirteenth. In the meantime, he broods on his purpose and mingles freely with all, commoner or noble alike, and he still practices his trade, willing to defend the accused for little or no pay (though he picks his clients more carefully than before). He is no hero and he is not particularly righteous, being willing to countenance the self-justifications of those whom others might find monstrous. But his relentless questioning has given rise to a deep sort of personal integrity, and he will face danger if it means learning what he's truly made of.
it means learning what he's truly made of. +
Expectation weighs heavily even on the lan …
Expectation weighs heavily even on the landless scions of lesser lines of the Grayson family, but expectation without direction is a cocktail that deadens the bravest heart. As a boy, Washburn hated all his lessons and escaped them by passive resistance as much as possible. As a young man, the burdens of rank made him surly and depressed and a burden on his house. In his manic phases, he self-medicated with wine and occasional outbursts of near-violent passion and almost-deaths in hunting accidents. In his depressive phases, he slept for whole days at a time or funked out of training until a stalwart man at arms forced him into an icewater bath. In short, Washburn was a handful: a prince who didn't want to be a prince, who dared scandal at every turn. He drank too much, he engaged in extreme sports - boar hunting! cliff climbing! whatever he could get into. He flirted daringly with throwing it all off and becoming Crownsworn. Yet he never quite took the plunge. His turning point was the lure of the salt. Washburn met Lady Catalana Kennex at the height of a fever pitch manic phase and threw himself into maniac pursuit of her. Their passionate affair was the talk of the capital. After several months of intense passion, Washburn knew what he wanted for the rest of life, and stowed away on the transport ship as she and her family sailed back to Stormward. The results of this were twofold: he was discovered a day out of port and put to willingly to work by her family's crew as a ship's hand as punishment for his stolen passage, and he discovered a hitherto unknown love of the ocean, which dazzled all his senses. Washburn was desperate for this life. He proposed to Catalana. Stormward offered Bastion a contract that would have made Catalana a Princess of Grayson, and all the arrangements were made, but Washburn was unsatisfied. Lost to another funk, he defied convention and invited scandal by throwing all of that aside and begging Catalana to marry him not as Prince Washburn, but only as Lord Wash. Many of the Graysons were furious, but King Alaric was temporarily moved by - or possibly distracted and not paying attention to - Wash's desperate plea to become a lord of the waves, and agreed. After serving with the Marquis Ford Kennex in the Thirteen Hammers operation, Wash was named Admiral of the Stormward Fleet, Marshal of the March, and summoned to Arx to assist House Kennex, House Thrax, and the Compact.
ouse Kennex, House Thrax, and the Compact. +
Ezra found his place at a young age, or so …
Ezra found his place at a young age, or so he thought. His parents seemed to be cultivating him to help run the Twainfort. No doubt his sister would have needed help and second sons always seemed to find positions of influence and power, if never quite the title. He enjoyed the opportunity to get out with his father, Laveer, on the hunt and relished the closeness of their bond. About the time when Ezra felt that he was really starting to get into the heart of what a man ought to learn and to be, he had the opportunity to visit Pridehall. The intention was to get a feel of the larger world and build what could become important connections with their banner lords before focusing in on the needs of the Twainfort. It happened that while he was fostering with the Bislands, the Abandoned slaughtered his family in a brutal attack that left few survivors. Few things really left him feeling alone as hearing his family has been butchered and having no one else, none of his kin, there to comfort him. When it was finally deemed safe to return home, so much had changed that he felt out of place. Newly-made Prodigals seemed to be everywhere and his own sister had married one of them. It's not to say that Thesarin wasn't kind to him but it was the wrong age for him to be deprived of the father that he idolized and unlike his younger brother, he couldn't turn to this stranger to replace him. Though he tried to learn to serve the Twainfort and what was left of the House he knew as best he could, he always felt disconnected, out of place. It wasn't any fault of the people there, but it was a home that he didn't quite feel a part of. In the end, Ezra found more comfort in the forest. The woods provided a welcome respite from all of the clashing sounds and strange customs of so many new people where he doesn't quite feel natural, doesn't quite feel like himself. Better yet, he could find some lingering memory of times spent with his lost father there, and so as the boy grew into a man, he more and more his days went to stalking among the trees, seeking... who knows what as often as he was hunting down the night's supper. Peace. Or a sense of home maybe, except that home no longer really exists. His wandering uncovered long-abandoned places that left him wondering about what was and what could have been, stumbled into secret hiding spots that left him with more questions than they did answers. But at least those long, solitary days tracking a deer through the brush or scouring the ruins along the County's edge made him a fine explorer and an even finer scout. The latter is finally a role he can fill for his family and his House, a convenient middle-ground where he can rest instead of being torn between his unwavering loyalty to them and feeling as though nothing is ever quite still enough for him to settle into for very long. It hardly helps that Riven is changing still, always rushing on like the rivers they're named for.
hing on like the rivers they're named for. +
Faelan is neither the oldest, nor the youn …
Faelan is neither the oldest, nor the youngest, of Dion and Annika Navegant's children. As such, there was really no expectations placed on him beyond being happy, and allowed to do what he wanted to with his life. Which was sail As a child he would accompany his mother and father out on the ships when they went, explored much of the Mourning Isles this way before many of the boys his age. When he was roughly ten years old he went to foster with Grimhall in some sort of inexplicable agreement that his parents made. Which, ultimately worked out for him for the best. See, Faelan was a little more aggressive, and surprisingly more traditional about some things, like raiding, than the others in Navegant. He ended up flourishing under the guidance of Grimhall, and has in fact spent the last decade of time sailing with them. With the rising trouble in the Darkwater Deep, and the attacks in Arx, he has been called to the capital to aid family and fealty against the Compact's enemies.
and fealty against the Compact's enemies. +
Fairen's older sister Hianara was the Marc …
Fairen's older sister Hianara was the March. Throughout their childhood, she was an active, aggressive child, with ambitions to leadership, cavalryship, generalship. Fairen studied quietly a lot, and although he enjoyed walking outdoors amidst the trees and occasionally growing things in little garden plots on his own, he was disinterested in most of the rougher games the other children played, finding more solace in books and in the teachings of the priests and in the quiet of the stone passageways beneath the fort. As an adult, the military pursuits that had always intrigued his sister drew Fairen hardly at all. The human drama behind the history of warfare drew his attention far more than anything related to strategy or tactics. Hianara married a young Malvici cousin and began right away on the task of making new heirs only to lose her first two children still in the womb. Fairen was almost married out into the Oathlands due to an arrangement with the Laurents, but it didn't work out for a couple of reasons; the first was that shortly before the treaty signing, Hianara died in a brutal and bloody battle with some Shav'Arvani. So instead the Laurent cousin in question married in instead, tying herself firmly to the new March and essentially proving essential in teaching him to rule and lead. For the first few years of their marriage, their relationship has been one of crisp, competent tolerance, cut with occasional furors of rage-fueled drama and what Fairen testily refers to as "hullaballoo". With the Grayson banners called and war and disaster brewing on the horizon, though, even a kind-of mismatch like Fairen and Iliana must learn to set aside their differences and work together.
aside their differences and work together. +
Far from the chance to inherit, Baelor gre …
Far from the chance to inherit, Baelor grew up knowing that he had flexibility in the decisions he would make in adulthood. Of course, he would squire. Sent to Bastion at the age of 15 to find himself a squire for a Prince of some repute. He was knighted at the age of eighteen and was Knighting about for Keaton while Marquis Kael was still a young pup. He joined a knightly order in his youth, spending most of his time with the organization until his marriage sent him south into Velenosa. Two childless years before his wife passed away from a wasting disease that swept the county. He spent another few years there before moving back to Keaton Keep.
s there before moving back to Keaton Keep. +
Far in the northern reaches of Arvum is wh …
Far in the northern reaches of Arvum is where Modi came into the world. He was born the only child of a Shav'arvani mother and father, committed to the clan known as 'The Blackpelts'. They were a martial people, with deep superstitions rooted in spiritual belief. Modi was raised on the oral traditions of the clan, marring his childhood in hunting and shamanistic ritual. He was destined to one day take his place within their hierarchy as a leader in the physical trials and the occult. However, such a fate was pushed to the side entirely when the one they called the Horned God arose. Soon their tribe was beset by the whispers and machinations of that terrible force. Faced with their enslavement, Modi and his peers traveled into the snow-covered forests to beseech the spirits for guidance. They returned with claims that their survival hinged upon finding solace within the Compact, with which they had lived independent of for generations. Few would accept this stipulation. Their idleness allowed the seeds of doubt to grow. One by one, they followed the call of the Horned one. The Blackpelts were no more. Modi was one of the few to flee from the chaos, running south after his home gave in to darkness. He boldly claims that the predictions given to him had led him down this path. He'd never looked back until he made it to the city of Arx, where he bent the knee to the Compact's way of life. Though the life of a prodigal has won him little happiness, it has kept him alive. Everyday is a new challenge in adapting to this strange land. It is a trial that he's taken head-on, spending his time tutoring with the Whispers in learning proper etiquette and sociability. Along with offering his skills as a hunter to the common-folk of the city. His intent is to be useful, as useful as he possibly can be to his new people.
l as he possibly can be to his new people. +
Far to the north of Whitehall in the depth …
Far to the north of Whitehall in the depths of Everwinter where nights and days can last weeks or even months with the turning of the seasons livesa tribe of Shav'Avani called The Children of the Sun and the Moon. The tribe has over the millennia developed a number of particular standards and rituals that vary greatly from those used of the more Southern Shav'Avani which differe even more from the tribes that have sworn fealty to and become Houses of Redrain. The Children of the Sun and the Moon are mostly nomadic, moving as dictated by the Weather and the Seasons to either follow their prey or return to their ancestral homes for shelter. They have developed a regimented culture where one is either Hunter, Gatherer, Raider (Sun), or Hearthkeeper (Moon). Those who follow the Sun, and the Moon, are generally formed along gender lines but gender is a choice to the Children of the Sun and the Moon and thus both physical sexes are accounted for in both. Born amongst the Children of the Sun there was always more to Cleo's life, odd things happened around her constantly both good and bad. There was hardly a dull moment around her life and she never fit in due to it, kept separate a lot, which suited her just fine. She spoke to the spirits as they would speak back and when it came time for her to pick her focus she chose none, and was sent to the Walkers Inbetween. There she found who she was, which was neither, and both, all the same and she partook of the rituals, sacrifices, and alchemical potions that discovered her true self and stabilized it permanently. Never Sun. Never Moon. Always Sun. Always Moon. She had found her place, and she made friends during her training, but one of the younger Walkers she knew during their apprenticeship ended up leaving the tribe and headed south soon after she succeeded in her tests. Cleo wonders and waited to hear news of the return of Cybele, but when no news came Cleo began to worry. Asking the spirits for guidance Cleo was told that Cybele still lived, far to the south in the land of warmth and green. So too did Cleo tell the Elders that she would go check on Cybele, and see if she was unwilling, or unable to return. The trek was not an easy one but Cleo endured, sneaking south past Whitehall, and into the lands of Redrain where she finally was caught by House Nightgold and very nearly put to the sword but the young shaman was able to get the spirits to speak of her quest and intentions. She was forced to bend the knee of course, and she did so gladly if it would allow her to continue on to find Cybele. After the long walk and through those dangers she finally came to Arx and learned of many wondrous things... it was no wonder why Cybele did not come back, there was to much to learn before she could go home.
to much to learn before she could go home. +
Faruq was born to a long-lived and a fierc …
Faruq was born to a long-lived and a fierce line of Ischia corsairs. His father, Abin Faruq, was sword before him and served the Seraceni family with similar tenacity as his son. Although the family was not originally related by blood to the Seracenis, Faruqs ancestors were raised to nobility many generations ago for their loyal service. This is something their branch of the family has been very proud of in their heritage, and now being truly a part of the family The title of Sword has been passed down through six generations of this family. Faruq was taught a blade and expected to continue the line of succession and he has proven worthy of the title and honor. When his father retired following the death of the old Marquis and Marquessa, Faruq took up the responsibility. He is also a capable sailor and commands his own ship and is a feared corsair. Not particularly religious, Faruq finds his own way through duty to his liege and his House. The man took charge of his lieges safety upon the death of the Marquis of Seracenis parents and acted much as an older brother to Dario as the young man came into his own. Faruq's younger sister, Malika is the only other person beside his Marquis that he is deathly loyal to. While he is fond of his brother, Nadir, he cannot help but be a little displeased that the younger man did not follow their family into martial pursuits.
follow their family into martial pursuits. +
Fate and the Gods dealt Aaron Blackburn a …
Fate and the Gods dealt Aaron Blackburn a hand both sweet and sour. The gregarious boy grew up amidst the Ashfords, his family being vassals of theirs for time out of mind. Adventure was in his blood, in his soul, and he hungered for it the way a drought thirsts for rain. Among their ranks he served, at first running messages, mending clothes, and then, finally, joining expeditions. He adventured for several beautiful, glorious years. Exploration was his adrenaline, his drug, and Aaron was addicted. But addicts get careless. They push ever further, ever harder. And eventually, they crash. Aaron crashed hard. Out searching for the ancient and unfindable, he found a treacherous crag and a life-altering knock to the head at the bottom. His equilibrium was never the same. His memory would not recover. Swinging a sword, climbing a tree or a mountainside were no longer in the cards for the sweet, devil-may-care Blackburn. Instead, Aaron was relegated back to Arvum where he struggled with his inner demons and emerged seemingly victorious. He took up a position as Lighthouse Keeper, and turned back to mending clothes. And mending clothes became, slowly, creating outfits and styles. Eventually, Aaron Blackburn became a tailor in his own right. Mens clothing, mostly, but there are always special cases to be made. Of course, The Lighthouse is appointment-only. Surely you've heard?
is appointment-only. Surely you've heard? +
Fecundo has a good sense of humor about hi …
Fecundo has a good sense of humor about his name. His mother named him thus because she had so much trouble getting pregnant that she was certain he would be her only child, and thus he would need to give her all of the grandchildren in the world. Naturally, his younger sister Miranda was born not even two years later. Nevertheless, in his mother's mind, he was the perfect child, the favored one, and the world revolved around him, and anything Fecundo wanted he could have. This might have ruined someone less good-natured than he, but despite being spoiled, Fecundo is a charming and friendly sort. As a boy, he traveled to Southport to train militarily with his father's family. Before he left, his mother made sure he had the best armor and the best weapons a boy could possibly want. Yet he wrote home at least three times, begging for another sword, claiming his had broken. In reality, he'd given them away to fellow squires who were not as fortunate as he because he knew his wealthy mother would indulge him in anything he asked. He had to swear his little sister to secrecy so that she wouldn't squeal on him, but since he presented her with one of the nicer swords, she was quite mollified and has kept his secrets to this day. Fecundo sought out the knighthood because he thought it would be an opportunity to learn new and interesting things. He went with Gemecitta's troops to Setarco and saw some awesomely weird things, so he's quite interested and very excited about seeing more of the world. One of the reasons he set out for Arx was because there are so many bastions of learning there -- and it was also an excellent opportunity to get away from his stifling crazy mother. Good with a sword and a bit of a show-off, he's always kind to those in need. He's slightly overwhelmed at the number of opportunities available in Arx, but he's drawn to the throngs of people and the endless possibilities.
s of people and the endless possibilities. +
Felix's mother was a barwench, and his fat …
Felix's mother was a barwench, and his father the bartender of a lower class hole in the Thraxian capital city. Everyone assumed Felix would become your typical ne'er-do-well, or wretch of a human being. No one expected a damned thing from him. Except one person. That one person saved Felix from a destiny of mediocrity and made him great. Everyone called him Ol' Jann. Most considered him to have the illustrious title of the Town Drunk or Crazy Old Man. He was the butt of jokes, the cautionary tale, and the constant in a seaside town full of fishermen. No one knew how old he was, but he was always there. Felix was just a kid, not old enough to hold a broom when he came upon Ol' Jann, sleeping it off in the waste behind the tavern. Felix watched him for a little while, before getting his stuffed animal and tucking it under the man's arm. Ol' Jann woke up as Felix was walking away and called after the boy. He had an old, old stuffed bear in his pack, and asked Felix if he wanted to hear a story. Ol' Jann told the best stories. Stories of glory days, of mighty battles, pirates, reaving up and down the coasts. He told stories of the mighty weapons, the heroes of legends, the great and the gory. Felix ate everyone up. He loved the stories, would often act out his favorite parts, much to the old man's amusement. He used sticks as weapons and one day, confided that he wished he could afford a real sword, so he could be a real pirate. Ol' Jann said four words that changed his life forever. "So make one, boy." Make one. So simple, so brilliant. Felix watched a blacksmith through the window one night, and thought it looked pretty easy. He snuck in and started pounding, which obviously woke up the blacksmith. Even more obviously, he was pretty angry, but saw what this kid had done, and how quickly, he cuffed the boy on the ear, told him he was doing it wrong, and showed him how. The blacksmith saw what Ol' Jann saw. There was something about this kid. Felix caught on quickly, and within the first year of his apprenticeship, the local garrison would only get their weapons repaired by the blacksmith and Felix. By the fifth year, the Commander of the garrison commissioned a weapon from Felix specifically. Soon after, the Royal Family commissioned swords from the boy, and moved him to Arx, to tend and craft for the royals there. Three months into his apprenticeship, Felix crafted his first blade, fashioned after a story Ol' Jann told about his very first sword. It was a plain thing, but heavy and sharp, and the boy rushed to present it to the old man who kept him from a life of nothingness. He found him in bed. Ol' Jann looked at the boy, and looked at the sword. He smiled, patted his hand, and then died, a look of pride on his face. Felix didn't cry. Thrax men don't cry. He left his sword under Ol' Jann's arm. The whole town showed up for the funeral of the man that had always been there, and to this day, they tell the story of the fine sword he went to the sea with, and the boy who made it. Felix never tells that story, only the ones he collects now, knowing how the world can change, because of them.
how the world can change, because of them. +
Few are old enough to remember it, but Sig …
Few are old enough to remember it, but Sigismund was not born an Ulbran. While the precise date is lost to time, it's known that he joined the family when the man was in his early to mid twenties, his adoption made official not long after, and he's remained with them since. Initially one among a number of brutes, he quickly made his mark through his rather unorthodox approach to dealing with Ulbran's enemies, and his evident relish in bringing these groups to bloody ruin. Dangerous for their morale, deadly for their health, Sigismund proved to be a very efficient enforcer, his efforts serving to maintain Ulbran's supremacy against those who might mistake lowest for weakest. He's never married, yet over time Sigismund has accumulated an impressive number of children, whether his bastards or adopted. Why he chose those he did is known only to the man, thoguh they are without fail from among the countless orphans from the Lowers. The fact that he has by now outlived many of them doesn't seem to faze the man, contrasting with the fatherly care he can display. While rumours of his death have come up every now and then, but the last seemed for a time to be accurate, for Sigismund was gone from the city, unseen until his recent return to the city. He won't speak of where he's been, yet there's something in his gaze, a newfound determination.
ing in his gaze, a newfound determination. +
Few of the royal blood could claim to be a …
Few of the royal blood could claim to be as pragmatic and down-to-earth as Lou. Lou, who tends to glare at anyone who calls her by her hated pretentious fullname and title of her highness Princess Loucia Grayson, has always been drawn to what, in her opinion, truly makes House Grayson the greatest. When Lou was a child, she read about the boldness of her ancestors, the dauntless courage of Graysons who continually set out to make sure every inch of Arvum was safe for their people, and how many Graysons were among the greatest explorers and pathfinders of all the great houses. Since the carnage and decay of the Crownbreaker Wars, so much of the land of Arvum has grown wild and been ceded to the Abandoned clans that recognize no lord. Lou has observed to her great annoyance many nobles that bemoan the plight of the common people and the state of Arvum, declare that something simply must be done, and then promptly go right back to their salons. The princess that hates being called a princess isn't really capable of the same self-delusion, and follows the proud Grayson tradition of being an adventurer on behalf of her house. Lou rolls up her sleeves and is determined to get it done, exploring old lands so it can be reclaimed by the Compact. Not that she has to do it alone. While she might internally wince at annoyance whenever anyone calls her Princess Loucia Grayson, and she isn't fond of giant honor guards, she thinks only an idiot would slap away hands trying to offer help or fail to take advantage of the embarrassing good fortune of her high birth. So it was one of her first adventures in the Gray Forest, trying to remap the lands for one of the more minor vassals for House Grayson, when she first met her constant traveling companion Mason who just happened to be running screaming and literally fell into her camp and brought a dozen also-screaming shavs with him. She knows Mason isn't really how he pronounces his name, but she figures saving someone's life gives her the ability to mispronounce his name as much as she damn well pleases, and they've been fast, close friends ever since. Along the way, the fearless pair (well, full of an incredible amount of healthy fear truth be told, but everyone says they are fearless) has established quite a reputation as stalwart Grayson adventurers, in the finest traditions of Grayson courage. More than one bard has sung about 'the beautiful and bold Princess Loucia Grayson.' Lou, of course, is mortified.
a Grayson.' Lou, of course, is mortified. +
Few outside the North could ever understan …
Few outside the North could ever understand it the way Drea does. While the wars against the Abandoned wage on in every region with every great house, none of the other great houses fight the shav'arvani with the same brutal intensity as House Redrain and its vassals in the North. Lady Drea knows this far better than most, as long before she married into House Redrain, she was born to the northern house with arguably the most bloody feuds with the barbaric northern Abandoned tribes, House Halfshav. She grew into a young woman in a house that has acted as House Redrain's strong right hand against the most brutal of the shav tribes, driving back groups such as the cannibals of Clan Bonegnaw. Every member of her family was trained for war, and she was no exception, but the young Drea felt a very different calling that still is uniquely of the North. The North might be a savage land of restrained barbarism, kept in check by the might of House Redrain, but Drea doesn't that feel way about her home. It's beautiful to her in a way that others just can't understand. The snow covered mountains, the deep groves hidden from human eyes for centuries at a time, the vales unmarked by any arvani whether shav or civilized, Drea sees the North as a gorgeous bastion of nature from the excesses of mankind despite its bloody history. Ever since she was a child, she's felt a deep connection with those primordial depths of wild, untamed territory that she swears she can hear whisper to her, so it was natural for her to become one of the few shamans in the North. It is the old religion of men that far predates the worship of the Pantheon, long before the great houses came to be, and it's never been quite surrendered in the North. She knows it creates frictions with the south, particular the most fervent worshippers in House Valardin, but Drea intends for the North to never, ever surrender its heritage. It isn't as if shamans embrace blood rites anymore... at least those that aren't members of barbaric shav tribes, anyways.
members of barbaric shav tribes, anyways. +
Few warriors in the Northlands had as brig …
Few warriors in the Northlands had as bright and promising start as Prince Fergus Redrain. Wild, bold, and a natural born talent with a blade, the prince accompanied high lord Sherrod Redrain on his first campaigns against the shavs, letting the the young man win the acclaim of his uncle and liege in battle. At first, Fergus loved the wars, winning the renown for his talents and ferocity and delighting in the honors heaped upon him, even as he was named Sword of Farhaven and champion of House Redrain. Fergus always expected the first few victories against worthy foes would be the end of it, but there never was an end. Battles dragged on, he lost more and more friends, and started to see things he had turned a blind eye to or did things he deeply regrets. Then he served with Duke Vercyn in some of the most brutal and bloody campaigns, helping 'the hungry wolf' crush some of the worst enemies in the Northlands in ways few couldn't label atrocities. That was enough to get Fergus to swear off the blade, and talented champion or no, he wanted nothing more to do with it and turned his uncle down on an offer to come to Arx, preferring to live a quiet existence up in Farhaven. And now there's more guilt for Fergus to live with. The retired champion was in Farhaven during the King's Rest, when forces unknown slew Prince Sherrod Redrain and put the king of the entire Compact into a coma. Fergus was arguably the strongest warrior in the entire north, the Sword of Farhaven, and he wasn't there. He should have been, he hates that he wasn't, but now there's no helping it. He's taken the sword again, and headed south to help his cousin Prince Darren, the new Prince of Farhaven and high lord of House Redrain. He doesn't even know who is responsible yet or who he'll be fighting, but all he can hope is he gets a chance to make amends for what's gone before.
nce to make amends for what's gone before. +
Fianna was an impish child that delighted …
Fianna was an impish child that delighted in jokes and pranks of a good-natured variety. She was instilled with a love of nature and animals from a young age by her family. While her older brothers were training with swords and axes, young Fianna could be found playing with the hunting dogs, visiting the stables, or climbing trees in the forest. There many an afternoon when her family would be forced into an impromptu game of hide and seek to coax her indoors for meals. As she grew however, her hoydenish ways became tempered as she spent more and more time working with the animals of Crovane. Her favorite lessons came from the stablemaster, learning to tame and train new horses, and later, how to breed them. Even as her eldest brother took on the mantle of Duke, Fianna stuck to her own little world of hunting and training animals. When Somhairle died and Asger was elevated to the title, she made him a promise that she would breed and train the best warhorses and hunting dogs in all of Arvum. Its a promise that she has worked hard to keep ever since. When her home was threatened by dark forces, she sent her beloved animals to the Ducal estate in Arx, hoping for a quick resolution so she could return to her self-appointed task. With Stormall in ashes, the young noblewoman finds herself shellshocked and making her way south to Arx.
llshocked and making her way south to Arx. +
Filshiar was a third son of a second son, …
Filshiar was a third son of a second son, and in many respects, no one special. His mother was a blacksmith who worked long hours at her smithy, serving the scouts of Farhaven and the knights of the House of Redrain; his father was a shaman and a healer who worked closely with the Mercies of Lagoma at Farhaven. As a boy, he trained aggressively, showing early aptitude for the blade. He was the strongest of the young boys his age, consistently; the fastest, consistently; and a stalwart influence on the youth and the squires who trained together. He was a firm hand to keep the strong from mocking the weak, gently insistent and too large and disciplined even in youth for even the sharpest young bully to defy him. It was this consistent attitude, as well as his strengths in the practice yard, that drew the attention of the knight who eventually took him on as squire. The boy whose instincts are to protect the weak until they grow stronger is a good boy to train. He spent long hours in the wilds as a squire and scout, listening carefully to the forest and learning the ways in snow or sunshine. He was never particularly boisterous, inclined to an introverted reserve, but his smile was always warm, and he made strong connections with the other squires, and as he grew older, with the other knights. His aptitude could not be denied. He was strong, and fast, and sure; and more than that, he was dedicated. He was a warrior, and an able one, who proved himself time and time again in the practice yard, and whose swordwork left nothing to be denied in the field, either. Filshiar drew many eyes by virtue of his prowess in the field and by virtue of his looks, but though he was not averse to warming the bed of this person or that, he found true connection elusive. The grand passion and romance of the storybook was simply not to be found for him in the arms of a pretty maid or a rough young scout, no matter how he tried, and he found that it made less heartbreak for others if he began to turn down advances. He focused on service and spent more time walking alone in the woods, listening to the sound of the wind in the trees, and thinking about how it could sound like music. He was in his twenties by the time he was assigned to travel to the South, part of Prince Darren's detachment to Arx, and bore quiet witness to many strange and interesting things. Already tested at the time of the siege of the Silence, he made himself impossible to overlook in battle against the Bringers, in an epic fight that should have been his last stand but for a combination of his abilities and some damned good luck. It was not the first or last time he would distinguish himself before the eyes of the Compact, but it was certainly one of the most memorable, and after it, the first overture was made to suggest that he might -- maybe, just maybe -- have the stuff to serve as a Knight of the King's Own. Someday. Someday came sooner than expected when a series of events and circumstances led him to take a warrior's samaritan aid to the King's Own in holding a bridge, during an attempt upon the life of His Majesty staged by corrupt influences within His Majesty's Inquisition. It was after that fateful day that Filshiar shyly accepted and took oath with the finest knights in Arvum.
ook oath with the finest knights in Arvum. +
Fiora is the eldest child of Lord Romeo Ma …
Fiora is the eldest child of Lord Romeo Malvici, the younger brother of Duchess Adona Malvici and consequently the first cousin of the sitting Duke. Her childhood, for the most part, was consistent with those of most noble children - save for the Malvici fixation on martial pursuits, unique within the houses of the Lyceum. Fiora discovered early she had neither the bulk nor the drive to become a conventional sword and board warrior, and instead began to focus her training on archery and fencing with lighter blades and armor. She was naturally nimble, with the nearly poetic grace of a cat, and her regime was tailored to take advantage of such natural talent. When it rains, however, it pours. Her mother passed after a difficult birthing of a set of twins when she was nine, and a war between her family and the Fidantes engulfed Southport shortly afterward. Her father fell in one of the ensuing battles and she was nearly killed after a poorly thought out quest for vengeance. By age twelve, she was a significantly more sullen girl. She took her vow to mother to look after her siblings to heart, but it was difficult to do in lieu of her own emotional turmoil, especially as a teenager. No one doubted her intentions were noble, but she lashed out frequently, in public and in private. Adulthood has given her more patience and a longer perspective, but the hurt little girl is still there beneath the surface, seething and threatening to come out when she becomes overwhelmed. She is an enigmatic combination of ice and fire, and nobody is quite sure if there's more of one or the other. She served dutifully as a Voice for House Malvici for many years before the completion of the Great Road brought about a series of tense and uncomfortable situations along the border of the Oathlands and Lyceum. It was in the resolution of those burgeoning brushfire wars that she became better acquainted with the leadership of House Laurent, the Malvici's neighbor to the west. A marriage of duty was forged between herself and one of the many perfectly acceptable (and perfectly dull and utterly obsessed with horses) cousins of the duke. Since then she's been known as Lady Fiora Laurent and enjoys a position of trust within her married family. Sadly, her husband was one of those lost in an attack upon the keep that saw not only his death, but that of the duchess and several other nobles of the house.
ess and several other nobles of the house. +
First cousin to the head of House Valardin …
First cousin to the head of House Valardin, Aurelian had a happy childhood, and used to run around the castle pretending to be a knight slaying monsters and demons, looking to be well set on the path to becoming a knight when he grew older. That would change one day when the boy was four, while on a trip through the countryside he and those guarding him were attacked by bandits. The boy was taken prisoner, though no ransom demand was made as a few days later he was rescued by members of his family. After being returned to his family he was a very different person. He grew quiet whenever the abduction was brought up, he'd grow sad and sometimes would even cry. To this day it isn't known what happened but it clearly traumatized the lad. After the early trauma Aurelian showed more and more disinterest in matters related to violence and war, instead growing more and more serious and thoughtful. For this reason it was no surprise when he decided to seek study with the priesthood, a fate his parents felt was more than suitable as he could serve the realm in a way that wouldn't require him to relive past harm. After becoming an Acolyte Aurelian joined the ranks of the Scholars. By the age of sixteen he was elevated to the rank of full Scholar and started to go on expeditions alone or with fellow scholars with the desire to rediscover the knowledge lost during the Great Fire of Arx. At the age of twenty tragedy struck again, while at an expedition Shav forces attacked and resulted in The Tragedy of Sanctum and the death of several of his cousins and those loyal to House Valardin. Today he continues in his efforts to rediscover what was lost, and honor his family and the faith in the process.
r his family and the faith in the process. +
Firstborn of Osmond Nightgold, Mydas' arri …
Firstborn of Osmond Nightgold, Mydas' arrival in the world was celebrated with great pomp. The birth of a healthy boy was declared an omen of future fortune, despite the stir caused by the baby's golden eyes. From that point on, he was tutored intensively on not only being a proper nobleman, charming and courteous, but also a businessman, for whom the flow of money would be as familiar as the flow of blood in his veins. Mydas was, during that time, very close to Dustin, his younger cousin and heir to the Duchy of Stonedeep. Dustin was, after all, the closest thing Mydas had for a brother, until the birth of Sigurd, eight years after Mydas' own. Even then, the age gap was too wide, and Sigurd soon had a little sister with whom he bound quickly. It was not the case for Mydas, who saw in his sister, at least at first, the cause of his mother's death. The relationship between siblings remained cold, until a fateful day under a spider's web. Yet where his relationship with his own siblings grew better, the one with Dustin was cut brutally short. Since the ascension of Nadia to be the head of the family, Mydas has focused entirely upon improving the family's fortune and protecting it with word and gold. Specialized in luxury goods, he also deals in artwork, with a keen eye for the truly magnificent works. He is at ease in such a place, yet duty walks ever closer, and the weight of generations now sits heavier upon his shoulders...
ons now sits heavier upon his shoulders... +
Firstborn of Tyrgar Thrax, father of our b …
Firstborn of Tyrgar Thrax, father of our beloved Queen, Queen Genevieve Thrax. Dominic was born a large baby. The birth full of complications that later manifested into the waning health of his mother. His father died young, falling over the side of a ship in rubicund full-plate armor. Forever lost to the sea. With his mother too weak to raise him and his sister, they moved and lived on Maelstrom with Prince Donrai Thrax. Already a large boy at a very young age, Dominic took quick to training and alongside Elton and Victus was given a teacher to hone his combat skills. There were issues with his schooling. Dominic had no intention of sitting down in one place for too long so when it came to his other education, he did not participate. Instead, Dominic found his time elsewhere among Donrai's horses and dogs. The hound master took on the task of training Dominic in lieu of his court education. When Dominic came of age, he was given a ship and a small command but unlike his cousin Elton, who stayed back to administer the house with his father, Dominic left to sail his ship alongside Victus'. It was during this time that he made a name for himself. His superstitions and mastery over the hounds he fitted ships with, the way he used a pack of man-eating dogs and unleashed them through the decks of his enemy ships', and the madness of using his ship as bait to take damage while the reavers supporting him moved to flank their victims, all earned him notoriety as a mad and cruel captain. Right before the war with Tyde, Dominic began to change the way he operated from the average reaper. Instead of making his ships long and fast, they were large and with multiple decks. Some were converted to serve as floating prison and thrall ships and others fitted with medical bays, well decks, storage, and birthing. Prince Dominic maintained his cruel notoriety and when news of Elton's death arrived him, the prince's madness came out to bare. Turning from hunting thralls, Dominic joined Victus in the war. His place in it, a personal one. The war came to an end with the end of the Tyde house. His bloodthirst squelched, Dominic took a ship and his crew out the jungles where he vanished for years, left for dead. There were rumors of him found in raided villages and destroyed ships but it wasn't until recently at the death of his sister Genevieve that Dominic resurfaced in Redrain with enough loot from his raiding of shavs to equal to him enough silver to operate a ship and reach Arx where he declared a hunt for the killer of his sister and to serve House Thrax by contacting his cousin, Victus.
se Thrax by contacting his cousin, Victus. +
Flavien was born second to an offshoot of …
Flavien was born second to an offshoot of the Laurent clan. While his older sister Lireth focused on the more political arts, Flavien was given to train as a knight to an elderly sort young. While no less grueling a curriculum, Sir Jarrek focused on imparting his wisdom to his student. As such, Flavien ended up being caught up in more intellectual pursuits by and large than the wars occurring around. While off handling some minor skirmish off for his mentor, there was some oddity at the family home. When his sister fell ill unders strange circumstances, he begged to be let back. While there were strange rumors surrounding the illness, an execution of a suitor presumably poisoning the woman seemed to allow her to come back to full health. At such a point, however, Flavien was asked to move on from this service. As such he petitioned a relative, Cristoph, to come and serve under this branch of the family should he have him.
s branch of the family should he have him. +
Following the death of Magaen's father, Co …
Following the death of Magaen's father, Count Trevor of House Threerivers, her twin sister swiftly made moves to occupy his seat. As a means of neutralizing Magaen as a potential threat to her leadership position, she had the House enter into swift marriage negotiations on Magaen's behalf. The match would be with a childless widower Lord of House Bellerive's fealty with rumors of fertility issues, ensuring that no offspring of Magaen's could challenge the future rulership claims of her own children. In a single sweep, the new Countess of Highrock secured her line of succession and solidified peace with a former enemy. It was not that her perspective spouse did not appeal to Magaen. On the contrary! Had circumstances been not what they were, she might have been pleased. It was, however, the audacity of her sister's presumptuousness that Magaen could not abide. She would not be neutralized. Instead, a political chess match was set into motion between the two siblings that would threaten to bring House Threerivers to the brink of civil war! Magaen became pregnant before the signatures on her marital contract was dry and in a masterful maneuver all her own, she named the child after the pair's late father. While Magaen's sister and her advisors were busy appeasing the Oathlanders and doing everything in their power to smooth over the upset that the extramarital birth had caused, public opinion was somehow swayed! The new Countess found herself caving to the pressure of her own people and legitimizing the bastard boy. Just as more bloodshed was about to occur, House Acheron arrived on stage deus ex machina. They offered Magaen her own lands and title in exchange for recusing herself of any claim over Highrock, and off she went along with her heir and all of her supporters. Happily ever after, right? Think again.
s. Happily ever after, right? Think again. +
For Alessia, one of her happiest days came …
For Alessia, one of her happiest days came at thirteen. A precocious child, Alessia had always known she was destined for great things. Becoming a glaivedancer was just the first step on that path. The years of training required, however, tempered that youthful pride with instruction that shaped core virtues rather than simply training the body in the ways of a warrior. Today, Alessia knows that greatness doesn't come without hard work and dedication - whether in the field, or in the court of politics. There have been setbacks, of course, such as that time when her scheme to win favor with a particular lord fell into disarray when he discovered she had been seducing his son as well. She admits that it was poorly done, but surely the man should have known not to conflate business with pleasure. Then there was the time Vitalis asked Dianna to travel with him into that Shav-infested valley and didn't ask her...but they have agreed not to talk about that any more. These days, Alessia has set her sights on Arx. With a few of the Mazetti doing the unprecedented and leaving their beloved Walled City on the Sea, she has made sure that her uncle includes her name in that number. After all, they couldn't possibly get by without her.
they couldn't possibly get by without her. +
For all that may be concerned, Alberic may …
For all that may be concerned, Alberic may as well have been born of the sea. When he was found on the shores of Brighthold County, he was a speechless waif with no family or friend. His life became one of quiet survival and wit. He grew up there, as all in Brighthold did, as was needed to survive. He traded service for a place to sleep or a meal to eat, coming and going by different means at different times. Despite the tragedy of his coming to Brighthold, he never feared the planks of another ship, and made much of his young life as a fishing hand or guide. %TThis was his life and his world until he became a man. Life on the sea had given him a knowledge of rig and sails, and most importantly, wind. Conscripted to serve under the sails of the Laveer, Alberic adapted to a life of military defense in the popular waterways between Brighthold and Arx. Being an accomplished captain and swordarm defending the people adeck the Laveer ships was a fine way to earn a living, and it paid off for Alberic end-over-end. Being handy with a bow or spear eventually lent itself to a command over others wielding the bows and spears. Eventually, this grew to a command of Captains and Commanders of vessel and force, with Alberic being raised to a position within the Laveer house as not only an adopted son, but Admiral.
e as not only an adopted son, but Admiral. +
For as long as he can remember, Prince Arm …
For as long as he can remember, Prince Armando Velenosa, or Arman as he prefers to be called, has been responsible for keeping a gentle pulse on all of the Lycene houses. That, as one can imagine, is quite a task. Arman was born into a branch of the Velenosa house that prides itself on its intrigue work ? not spies, no, never call them spies! But they are close to the crown and they are close to all the other houses. It's imperative that the other houses of the Lyceum kowtow to Arman and his branch; after all, one word from Arman and the other houses are subject to repercussions from House Velenosa. And no one wants that. He was brought up to take over the family business, which he dutifully did, and Arman found he very much enjoyed it. Early on in his career, Arman earned a reputation that follows him to this day. The circumstances remain shrouded in mystery; all people know is that one humid summer night, a coordinated assassination sting took place all over the Lyceum. Commoners and nobles alike never made it to morning. One notable nobleman was arrested and brought to Arman himself. After several days, the noble was mysteriously found in a seedy part of town with a vacant stare ? he never spoke again. Not long after these events, Arman announced his engagement and the Lyceum began to tremble at the very mention of his name. He married for duty and Miranda gave birth to son after son, but only one lived: Theo. Arman took that child under his wing and raised a fine young man who carries on the family tradition. Arman would never say as much, but he is proud of Theo. Then Miranda became pregnant again. Arman had his son and the boy had lived into his teens; there was no danger or need for another. Miranda died shortly after the birth and left Arman saddled with another baby. The daughter, Saoirse, was shuffled off to nannies and never wanted for anything, but Arman had bigger things to do than raise another child on his own. He and Theo poured themselves into their work in intel; they have a good system, where Arman commands behind the scenes and Theo runs contacts as sort of "boots on the ground". And now they've uncovered something ? it is time to head to Arx.
red something ? it is time to head to Arx. +
For centuries he has fought the darkwater …
For centuries he has fought the darkwater - all his life, really. Born among the Marin'alfar after their city was lost, he has no memories of the shining home that the oldest among them speak of. Battle-tested though he is, he learned early on that his skill lay in more than matters martial. Starting first as a messenger to various bases of the fractured Marin'alfar, he worked his way up until he gradually became first a diplomat, and then the diplomatic representative of Queen Ayllish herself.
c representative of Queen Ayllish herself. +
For most people in the Compact, the name ' …
For most people in the Compact, the name 'Skal'daja' means little to nothing, with the Dune Kingdoms of Eurus blending together as a vague awareness of foreign nations far to the east across the Mourning Sea. The Crown Prince of Skal'daja, Prince Damik'uhl'daja would very much hope to change that. Son of current Grand Vizier Rayik'uhl'daja and nephew of former Grand Vizier Rel'Khan, Damik was raised with the expectation that he would one day come to rule the City of Chains. Often at odds with the rest of his family and troubled with the traditions of the city and the war on Eurus, he was nonetheless put in command of the great fleet sent to punish Arvum. Once he met with Arvani shortly before arriving in Sungreet, he shocked even his supporters when he suggested allying with the Arvani instead... and then managed to survive an assassination attempt by forces commanded by his brothers. The Eurusi forces splintered, with Damik leading forces loyal to him to the aid of the Compact, while his brothers continued with their plans to attack Arvum. And now Damik looks to possibly join the Compact, and provide a bridge for their ambitions in Eurus.
ide a bridge for their ambitions in Eurus. +
For such a supremely confident woman, Lari …
For such a supremely confident woman, Larissa can be surprisingly coy and evasive whenever it comes to her past. Before she became one of the most sought after courtiers in the city at the prestigious Whisper House, she claims that she had an altogether exceedingly boring life as a commoner of House Thrax which provides her ample motivation for becoming (in her very modest opinion) one of the most captivating women of the city. Larissa has pointed out that while her potential as a fishmonger's wife in the bleak shores near House Thrax's ancestral home of the castle Maelstrom will be sorely missed, she believes that her demonstrated ability to capture the attention of the rich and powerful as a courtier might suggest she made the right life choices. When harried for greater detail, her stormy temper and headstrong nature shock many that expect only the refined grace of one of the legendary Whispers. It rarely arises since Larissa is gifted at getting what she wants, even if what she want is allowing the past to stay in the past. And after all, she's hardly the first Whisper to have a past.
s hardly the first Whisper to have a past. +
For the first score of years of her life, …
For the first score of years of her life, Seren knew the road and a wagon as home more than anything else. She was born in the back of one of these traveling homes, and raised by an extended family of Ravashari. It was from these transient prodigals that Seren would learn her joy for life and her passion for instilling that joy into others. First it was with song and dance, two things that she likes to think herself quite skilled in. Later it was with tinkering and small metal repair. Ask any that make their living on the road, however, and you will learn that it's a harsh and dangerous place to be. Luck runs out sometime and when it does, its end is often announced with banditry or starved animals. That was the case for Seren. An early snowstorm caught their caravan before it could make the mountain pass, stranding them in Nightgold lands and making the whole group easy pickings. The first tragedy in Seren's life was the largest. Half the caravan was destroyed when caught unawares by the raiding of brigands. Had it not been for the timely march of Nightgold soldiers then the rest would have followed. Seren was rescued, along with some others, and taken for shelter. With her immediate family lost to her and a rather cute guard offering to help get her back on her feet, Seren spent time, the first time in her life, in one place. She stayed, rested, enjoyed her time with her Merle (The Guardsman) and even took an apprenticeship with one of the local jewelers. But staying wasn't for her, not really. So one day she was off again, to see what was over a different horizon. Now she's come to Arx, ready to tell stories spun from metal and gems, and play a game where she sees how far in the world those baubles can make it.
ar in the world those baubles can make it. +
For the first seven years of Evander Kenne …
For the first seven years of Evander Kennex's life, almost every letter sent from Stormward included the words: "And young Evander still lives." He was sickly from birth, and was so often ill and so weak even when he was well that everyone expected him to die in childhood. But year after year, somehow, he hung on. Evander's parents, maybe trying to insulate themselves from the inevitable pain of losing him, were never terribly close to him. Oh, they went through the motions, certainly, but there was almost a reluctance to it. And then Evander's mother, Lady Girasol, went missing when he was still only five years old. No one ever accused Evander to his face, of course, but still it was whispered that Lord Wayne's second wife had been unable to bear her son's sickly nature, and had thrown herself from the cliffs into the ocean in despair. But if he lacked in parental affection, his older half-sisters Catalana and Jan doted on him. Catalana was as much a mother to him as an older sister, always checking up on him, always seeing to his needs, and Jan protected him from more than one would-be bully through the judicious breaking of noses. He spent the days when he was well enough to leave his room in the library with Niklas and Elara, although he was always too ill to go with them on their various adventures. Evander grew up with the grim understanding that because of his poor health, most of the wide world would be forever closed to him, and because of this, while Niklas' interests veered towards legends and fantastic tales, Evander devoured non-fiction. History, travelogues, current events, practical books of instruction in esoteric subjects, it didn't matter. He read it all. He didn't expect his life was going to be a long one, and wanted to experience as much of the world as he could in the time he had, even if he could only experience it through books. Against all expectations (even his own), the years ticked by and somehow Evander didn't die. He got close more than once, but either through Victoria's stubbornness and skill or his own iron will, he always recovered. He even felt well enough to travel. Just a short jaunt to a neighboring island, but still the first time he'd ever left Stormward. It was a mistake that almost cost him his life. Evander was on that island, visiting what amounted to a Kennex country home, when Ford freed the thralls with the stroke of a pen, and without warning anyone. The island he was visiting held a large plantation where the thralls rioted, and violence consumed the surrounding countryside. Evander's guards were able to spirit him away in a daring escape just as the rioters closed in, but the whole experience was too much for his fragile health. He caught a fever that came as close to killing him as anything he ever had. But the experience left him more determined than ever to conquer his poor health and to use all of the knowledge he'd built up over a lifetime of reading to help his family. With the death of the Marquis, Evander has decided that it's time to make the journey to Arx, where he hopes to make himself useful -- assuming he can just catch his breath for a moment.
he can just catch his breath for a moment. +
For those of humble birth among the many v …
For those of humble birth among the many vassals of House Valardin, the dream of being one of their gallant knights may forever be out of reach. But Ailith as a commoner sought martial training regardless, accepting she might raise no higher than a simple footsoldier among the house guards of the tiny barony of her birth if that was the price she might pay for a chance to strike at the evil foes that threaten home and hearth. She feels it was the will of the gods to spare her from a boring backwater, however, when her barony found itself on the front against an Abandoned warband, a shockingly large makeshift army of several barbaric clans who sought to raid and plunder the weaker borders of House Valardin's holdings. Ailith still remembers the looks of terror on her fellow soldiers faces on the eve before battle, and the disappointment she felt when she realized the seraph assigned to her barony was a terrified old priest who never expected to speak on the eve of a battle. The young woman still recalls being able to all but smell the fear from her fellow soldiers, sapping their resolve, and then something like a whisper to her... something only she could hear, that spoke words of iron and triumph. Ailith, the youngest soldier and lowest of the guards out of the hundreds, addressed her unit. She spoke movingly of faith, of duty, of honor, and what it meant to be a child of the gods and a servant of Gloria. She remembers the fear melting away from her fellow soldiers, the growing cheers as those men and women found their courage and their resolve, and of the fervor that gripped them all as they then faced the screaming hordes of the Abandoned the following day and smashed the enemy host while greatly outnumbered. A lone knight of solace who had been at the battle declared it no less than a miracle, and all but demanded that Ailith be sent to Arx to meet with the Faith and consider joining one of the militant orders serving the gods. Though she was expecting to become a soldier serving with the Knights of the Temple, a meeting with the Dominus himself convinced the young woman otherwise. The earthly voice of the gods spoke movingly of the importance of priestesses that can inspire and remind the faithful of what the gods require of them and to not break when the time comes for their tests of faith. He convinced her that one who can speak with divinely inspired words can do more good in the halls of power than a thousand steadfast soldiers, and assigned her as the personal priestess to the royal family: the palace seraph. Ailith is not entirely comfortable with a role that keeps her from the fighting, but she nonetheless recognizes its importance. How few commoners get the chance to talk to kings, and counsel them on what their faith asks of them? As the palace seraph, it is precisely her task, and she can do no less if that is the path the gods have set before her.
is the path the gods have set before her. +
Fortescue was born the middle child of thr …
Fortescue was born the middle child of three to a close side branch of the Antoni merchant family in Southport. Due to the family's relative privilege as commoners, he was afforded a solid education. He never worried about going hungry, always had a warm bed and a roof overhead. In fact, if you ask him, the great tragedy of his life was how utterly predictable and unmysterious his early years were. But things get hazy around his 14th birthday. He started realizing he could trade information for favors among the customers at his mother's shop. And then he ran afoul of the son of a smuggling operation, which - perhaps luckily - resulted in him being recruited to their cause for a little while. When he turned 16, his father enrolled him in the Southport Academy for military training in an attempt to straighten him out. It was a dismal failure. While he gained only minimal military prowess during his time at the academy, Fortescue did have the opportunity to meet Lord Martino Malvici. Seeing some potential in him, Martino agreed to take Fortescue on as a student once he completed the requisite two years at the academy. The Malvici lord brought the merchant's son in as one of the stewards and coached him on improving the skills he would need. It wasn't long after that Martino took on Lady Medeia Saik as a student, as well. In a wondrous turn of events, Fortescue and Medeia got along great! While Medeia stayed in Saikland Greens and only visited Southport on occasion, the pair exchanged friendly letters to help one another through various concerns about their studies or challenges they were facing. It took several more years, but when Medeia was called to Arx by her baroness, Martino saw the Saik Lady would bee in need of a solid assistant - who better than someone who already understood her? So, he arranged for Fortescue to travel to the city, too. With the pair reunited, they got right to work, with him supporting her efforts to host exciting events, keep a finger on the pulse of the city, and pitching in with the Saik staff. With Medeia poised to marry out, and the timely departure of the former head of staff of Saik Tower, Fortescue has found a new role to step into. How will the city treat him, now?
ep into. How will the city treat him, now? +
Fortunato has always been a watcher and a …
Fortunato has always been a watcher and a sketcher, although the compulsive drawing was less charming on the household walls. And compulsive curiosity is not always charming when it involves prying into the kind of everyday secrets adults keep from children. But Fortunato survived childhood and his artistic skill got him an apprenticeship quite early. That he then learned what he thought he could from his mentor and promptly struck out on his own may be a factor in being less than financially successful. Fortunato remains on the periphery, if it's an oddly well-connected, adventuresome periphery. (Rumor has it he even ineffectually went after a Bringer or two with his staff.) Other than producing the occasional art show or temple mural, his primary public role is that of a disciple of Lagoma, and he does find fulfillment in helping people with the shifts and storms of their lives. For all his drive to know and experience, he seems to lack any ambition for personal advancement, anywhere. All that matters is the next epiphany, either for him or someone else.
epiphany, either for him or someone else. +
Forty years ago Ser Ameli Langst was a pro …
Forty years ago Ser Ameli Langst was a proud member of the King's Own. An expert rider and terror in the ring with a spear she had a promising future ahead of her... until a training accident cost her her leg. A wooden waster broke and the splintered wood stabbed into her leg. The would never healed properly, it festered and her leg was lost just above the knee. No longer able to serve she disappeared to the Lower Boroughs to drink her sorrows away. Ameli ended up as a clerk for a disreputable shipping company along the docks and so came to the attention of one of the rare Eurusi that served on a smugger's crew. Their romance was brief and fiery and resulted in the birth of Jhond before his father one day took sail and the ship he served on never returned, presumed lost at sea. And so Jhond grew up in the Lower Boroughs of Arx, raised along by his mother with tales of her past glory filtered through the hard truth of their current existence. It was not a terrible childhood. He had food most of the time and was well liked as a child. He proved to have no fear of heights, excellent balance and a terrible sense of self-preservation so could often be found climbing and leaping from things that would make most peoples stomach turn. There may have been some rumors about him being a second story man, but he was never caught at it. A decade ago he left Arx for adventure, joining with caravan guards and explorers in search of the next thrill. Clambering up ruins or spelunking into caves, he grew to have something of a reputation as a man willing to take chances for the thrill of it (a maybe a little silver). He was good at what he did, loved it, but two years ago his desire for challenge caught up with him and he fell from a crumbling tower and broke his leg. He was lucky the group he was with included a Mercy that tended to him and made it so that his wound healed fully, if slowly, but while he was recovering he was forced to remain stationary in the nearest city. Soon after he was able to walk again, though aided by crutches, his natural charm earned him the friendship of a local Whisper who then had him introduced to the others of the House. By the time he was fully recovered he was a courtesan in truth and some months later a Whisper in title. Now he has come home to Arx to serve in the Whisper House he had only walked by as a child.
er House he had only walked by as a child. +
Found by a passing merchant in the cold ar …
Found by a passing merchant in the cold arms of a penniless beggar's corpse, the feverish babe stirred the pity of the man, who took her with him intending to nurse her back to health before leaving her at the nearest orphanage. Her first year in the world was a battle for survival, as she was a frail babe who seemed to be plagued by sickness constantly. The merchant, having devoted an entire year towards sustaining this young life found that, when the babe's condition had finally stabilized and the time came to give her up, could not do so, thus adopting her as his own. Her formative years were relatively peaceful ones; though she would grow to be strong and healthy, her early years were dotted with sporadic bouts of crippling illness. With her father constantly away on trade ventures she was often left in the care of her uncle, who owned an upscale armory. She became fascinated by the focus and dedication of the smiths at work in the forge. She learned as much as she could from them, picking their brains for every bit of knowledge and technique that they were willing to impart. On her 15th birthday, when her father had returned after a venture gone awry, she quietly confided in him that she would like to pursue a career as a smith. She spent the next three years apprenticing at her uncle's armory before finally deciding there was no more she could learn. Leaving her home, she traveled on a journey for knowledge, attempting to learn as many forging techniques as other smiths were willing to impart, which is to say, more often than not, very little. But that was a lifetime ago to her mind; how she had the energy to travel as she did then, she did not know. Now, she's happy to settle down and make her hammer sing.
y to settle down and make her hammer sing. +
Fourth oldest child, and third son of Hara …
Fourth oldest child, and third son of Harald Grimhall, Sivard came into this world minutes behind his twin brother crying and screaming out into the night as a storm raged overhead. After his birth, Sivard spent the majority of his early years at Grimhall Island with his mother and siblings, where he trained and studied as any other Thraxian might with a focus on sailing and warfare. Although while his brothers contented themselves the a more traditional approach to things, training for combat and sparring whenever they had a free moment, Sivard prefered the company of his Mother, in his spare time, where he learned many things that weren't as typical for a son of Grimhall to pursue. When his father was around though, he could always be found nearby, learning about the sagas and heroic literature of the past, which he developed a deep appreciation of over the years. As time passed, Sivard grew discontented with being cooped up on the island, and as such pleaded with his father to take him along on some of his travels. Expressing a desire to see more of the outside world, and experience all the things it might have to offer. At least, in so much as there was on offer in the Mourning Isles. Much of what he experienced was the traditional pursuit of House Grimhall, raiding and reaving, taking what they could and leaving nothing behind. It was during this time that he came into his own in regards to infiltration, something he was more gifted at than his twin brother. Skills learned that were perhaps atypical as a youth have turned out to be something more useful as he has grown older. There was a small amount of bitterness that settled on him when his father refused to allow him off the island during the last war. Was it for his protection? Possibly. But it wasn't just about him, either. He had his mother, and the rest of his siblings that would also need to rely on him, and not everyone could pack up and head out to a battle such as that. However, that has changed, and with the changing climate there is a chance for him now that he didn't have before. He's heading to Arx.
e didn't have before. He's heading to Arx. +
Fray was born and experienced their early …
Fray was born and experienced their early childhood in the slums, having to fight for scraps of food and clothing that could barely be called either. She kept to herself but was easily angered when provoked by others, which made some of the kids weary and left her alone, or others that purposely provoked her knowing she'd lose her temper easily. She lived like this for a while until about her early teens when a weathered-looking Knight who belonged to an Order called The Cleansing Blades, who looked the opposite of pristine caught her beating up other kids with a big stick. After it was over the Knight asked the girl why she was beating up the other kids, and she answered that she did it to stop them from harassing others and that she finally had enough of them provoking her and messing with others. The Knight admired her will to seek action and punish who she deemed guilty, so he took her back to his lowly, small, but recognized Order of Knights. She spent the rest of her childhood and teenage years there learning to be a Knight within The Cleansing Blades. There she was taught that everyone aside from the Crownship and gods themselves should be treated equally in the eyes of Justice. She was taught that her existence is to now defend the weak and punish the corrupt using her own judgement.
unish the corrupt using her own judgement. +
From a family of hunter, son of a huntsman …
From a family of hunter, son of a huntsman and a merchant, Karak was a child educated to follow the family tradition, always helping his father with making arrows and butchering. Karak also spent a lot of time time training shooting bows. Except one day, Karak's father died after an hog charged him, wounding him mortally, his mother died soon enough, with nothing to sell. Karak, in his teenage years continued the family tradition, living as an hermit. Days after days, his thirst for gold, and jealousy towards nobility made him become a mercenary, he's now roaming in these lands, looking for work.
roaming in these lands, looking for work. +
From a young age, Casimir was marked to se …
From a young age, Casimir was marked to seal a political alliance by marrying out of the family. You see, he never liked the family dogs. He never liked the wilds that much, either. He learned to endure both -- to ride, and to hunt, and to do everything that was expected of a Keaton lord -- but his true passion was found in books: histories and stories captured his imagination as the forests never could. He was still young when his eldest sister took her own life. He watched as Margerie took on the burden of rule with the incomprehension of the young, while his rather idle studies took on sharp new focus as he moved up the line of succession. His relief when he was bumped back down was matched only by Margerie's when Kael was found. The young promise of a political alliance was sealed through a marriage to house Acheron, and off Casimir went to Arx to meet his new wife. He has mixed feelings about setting aside the sigil of a dog's pawprint to take on that of a monstrous wolf-bear.
to take on that of a monstrous wolf-bear. +
From a young age, Castruccio was a brooder …
From a young age, Castruccio was a brooder. Where other children played pranks and made jokes, he was more likely to explore than partake in games. Though plain to all that as he grew older his ambitions were militant in nature, his father directed him instead to theological studies. It left a bitterness in Castruccio to see his cousins and older brother getting to train all day at the sword, though indeed, he did train in secret as often as possible. It didn't help that he received much mockery for having to study and read during the day when others were training outside. His first scandal, and the first of many scandals attributed to his name, was from the result of a duel with a far-removed cousin that resulted in the lad's death. Though ruled accidental, rumours began to circulate, pointing out that the deceased had been the biggest instigator when it came to harassing Castruccio. s he grew older, his father began to send him on diplomatic meetings, which he actually took to with aplomb. Oft times the biggest detractors of House Fidante would find their minds changed to everyone's surprise, though the occasional accident and rise of someone with more sympathetic views to Castruccio's mission occurred more often than might be easily swallowed as coincidence. Still, it left Castruccio with a reputation as an intellectual, as well, though he still railed against the life chosen for him. Until it all changed. No one was sure what the duel was over, but a fight between Castruccio and his older brother left Castruccio two times a kinslayer, for he won the fight. Then he left. Six years were spent as a soldier of fortune, Castruccio building up name and reputation for himself. Six years of carefully selecting alliances, and sometimes fighting for one enemy only to switch to another when the profit was correct. It's only now that the threat of the Gyre is so impending, that Castruccio has returned to his family to take up as a Knight of the Rose.
family to take up as a Knight of the Rose. +
From her very earliest memories, Esera was …
From her very earliest memories, Esera was being groomed to rule. For other great houses, such as the bores in House Valardin that drone endlessly on about honor and chivalric virtues, the grooming could have meant careful instruction on the proper morality and dignity expected of a just ruler. In the Lyceum and as the first child of the Archduchess of House Velenosa, that meant something rather else. Esera remembers childhood games based around guessing the motivations of other players, games of trickery and deceit. She remembers the pride of her mother when she managed even simple manipulation, and the lessons of her father that the other great houses respect strength and strength alone and remain vassals of House Velenosa only due to respect and fear. She remembers the lessons discussing other leaders that failed to heed those lessons, and how they brought ruin onto themselves and their families due to not being clever enough, not being strong enough, not being ruthless enough. Duchess Esera has never stopped learning such lessons. House Velenosa possesses neither the strongest army nor the largest coffers. They are surrounded by enemies wearing the masks of friends. But Esera knows despite that, the Fox is still feared, and that is solely due to their well deserved reputation for mastery of devious intrigue and sheer cunning. Even at a young age, Esera feels worthy of that birthright. She has a positive talent for understanding the complicated motivations and intricate interactions between all the noble houses that comprises the political sphere of Arx and her keenly agile mind has an intuitive grasp for the most beneficial way to position her house to take advantage of nearly any conflict. And if she is talented at managing groups, she is an utter master at the manipulation of individuals. Everyone has some weakness that's exploitable, has something they want. She'll find it, she'll use it, and it will be without apology or regret. She has to, after all. House Velenosa cannot afford weakness, and if she falters, they likely all die. Though perhaps it would be rude to admit that she actually rather enjoys playing the game, because she is so damned good at it. So she'll play it, and play to win... for herself, for her family, for her city, and for Arvum, but certainly in that order.
nd for Arvum, but certainly in that order. +
Gabriella is the oldest daughter of Tiberi …
Gabriella is the oldest daughter of Tiberio Pravus, a Sword of Setarco known for his skill and charisma, and a few days after her fifth nameday, she was taken by a deadly malady. Despite all the efforts of House Pravus, and the mountains of silver offered, no physician gave Gabriella a chance. Her mother, Lady Aurora Pravus, would not have it. The headstrong woman gathered her personal guard and rode out of the Silken City and would not return for three weeks. What happened nobody knows, but Gabriella returned sleeping soundly in her mother's arms, resting peacefully for the first time in months. She was cured, a miracle, and Lady Aurora never spoke of it again. From that point forward a fire lit up in the girl. She and her sister Lucrezia were wild together, and Gabriella would find herself desiring to fight. The sisters planned their future together, and while Lucrezia loved the waves, Gabriella dreamt of the battlefield. She would be knighted at the age of seventeen by the ruling Duke then, in the same day her father and the duke were assassinated, and her sister Lucrezia vanished, all thanks to House Argento's machinations. The remainder of the House had no option but to fight back. Viviana would become Sword to protect the new Duchess, the inexperienced Belladonna, while Gabriella took over the command of the Swords of the Evening, her father's men. Consumed by a desire for revenge, Gabriella was vicious in the invasion of Nilanza. None were as cruel or violent as the daughter of Tiberio, something that earned her the title The Butcher's Daughter. War washed her father's honor, but it put a stain on Gabriella's soul. She has become more of a recluse in Setarco, and some say her disease, the one that almost took her life when younger, has returned, but the knight does not confirm or deny it. In the field she looks as healthy as ever, a deadly sin, so what gives?
lthy as ever, a deadly sin, so what gives? +
Gage comes from the Oathlands, born to poo …
Gage comes from the Oathlands, born to poor peasant farmers with little other than the land they tilled to their name. He was the Grimshaw's family only child. His childhood was often spent under the beating heat of the sun, toiling away at the soil and carrying out labor-heavy tasks that eventually formed him into a strong young man. The environs housed other families of whom came one of Gage's earliest friends--the peasant son of another family named Jacobus. He and Jacobus would spend their off-time from work fooling around, and this would continue on for several years as the boys grew up alongside each other. One day, when they were both sixteen, they decided to run off and go on a grand, foolish adventure. They didn't get far into journeying through the wilds before Gage's friend was wounded on the trail, and with the little supplies they had Jacbous could not be saved. When his friend fell, instead of returning home to face his family and the family of Jacobus he continued on roaming and fell in with a mercenary group in time. Years passed as Gage climbed the ranks and accrued the skills necessary for survival. Deciding to call it quits with the group he ran with, he decided to break off from them in the dead of the night one day and traveled to make his fortune in Arx.
y and traveled to make his fortune in Arx. +
Gailin is the second born child of House s …
Gailin is the second born child of House stonewood. From a young age he knew he wasnt going to be marquis but he was always strong of mind spirit and body. Great with a sword, while his older brother was being prepped for taking on the duties of the head of the house Gailin focused on Martial training. Gailin gained all the skills he needed for warfare strateg and tactics. Now that his brother has taken over the head of house Gailin followed his older brother becoming the Sword of Stoneheart.
brother becoming the Sword of Stoneheart. +
Gaius is the eldest child of Jerome and He …
Gaius is the eldest child of Jerome and Helen Mercier and the only son of the brood. As a result, all the tricks of the Mercier trade were impressed on him as soon as he was old enough to learn them, and he was groomed to follow in the footsteps of his mercantile-inclined ancestors who came before him. It turned out to be a natural fit for him, but a small part of him always insisted on doing things his own way - and he did, when he decided to invest in a troupe of actors and build his own theatre on the south bank of the Gray River as one his first significant business ventures. The theater proved to be a resounding success, and Gaius's property purchases and investments indicate that his association with the troupe made him an independently wealthy man. A few years later he bought one of the largest manors in Bastion. Unfortunately, a fire lit to the thatch of the building and burned the theater to the ground, forcing the company to relocate to Arx's Blackrose Theater and merge with the Black Rose Mummers. Gaius severed his ties with the company, looking to fortify his fortune elsewhere... His next venture saw him building a fleet of sturdy riverboats and trading luxury goods such as gems, silks, furs along the Gray River, which he often bought opportunistically through researching market trends. It went well for him, until 1006 AR brought a trade embargo on Mercier goods in the city of Arx due to the family publically cutting ties with House Grayson, and the family's reputation fell as a result. In response, Gaius adapted and switched gears again: he sold his lofty manor and offered his services as a merchant to his now-ennobled cousin in exchange for joining House Whitehawk. After months of correspondences and negotiations, his cousin finally accepted, and he became Lord Gaius Whitehawk, Treasurer of Hawkhold -- and joined his sisters in Arx.
Hawkhold -- and joined his sisters in Arx. +
Galavan Vizer never knew his father, but a …
Galavan Vizer never knew his father, but always wondered if he would hate him as much as his mother Tessa, if he met him. Tessa the Cold was a strong willed, intelligent woman of charisma. But as one of the very few survivors of the destruction of Tyde she was also extremely bitter, pessimistic and hateful. Most of this ire was directed at House Thrax for the direct actions, but the hatred that pained her was the complicity of the Crown which did nothing to save her nation or any of the many people who were killed that she called her friends. This rage spilled out into her upbringing of Galavan, who in turn inherited many of her nastiest traits and resented her for it. In rebellion of his mother, he studied the religion of the pantheon, becoming fascinated with the power and reverance of the gods. When he became of age he left for Bastion to become a priest, hoping to wash his identity of anything that reminded him of his vicious mother, and re-model his image into something more beneficial for his desires.
something more beneficial for his desires. +
Galen has always been far too refined for …
Galen has always been far too refined for a Prince of Thrax, at least in his family's eyes. Growing up he was particular about his armor and particular about his appearance and particular in so many ways - but his weapon of choice and his skill with it made many teasing comments go unsaid. He built up a particular fondness for a large heavy warhammer that makes his opponents shudder and very often reconsider slights given. He grew up strong and stubborn and, in a final despairing effort to turn him into a proper Thrax man was sent to sea as a sailor on a ship. The ship disappeared in a storm, only to return eight years later with Galen at the helm as Navigator. He has seen the world, or more of the world than most people would, and it has only enhanced his determination to be the voice of civilization in the heart of Thrax proper.
civilization in the heart of Thrax proper. +
Garnet grew up loving beautiful things. W …
Garnet grew up loving beautiful things. Whether it was art, fashion, nature, or people, Garnet would most often be found trying to make things around him as beautiful as possible. Growing up, he was the life of the party, creating events for his friends from a young age, and seeing nothing as impossible if it brought people together. None of this changed as he grew up, save that he also developed a social awareness that further motivated him to host amazing events for charity. The masque he hosted in Escuma in honour of the orphans of war in 1005 is still being talked about as setting the bar for events. If there is a party happening, Garnet is almost certainly either attending or planning it. For many years, it was assumed his destiny lay in becoming a Whisper, but Garnet's also fiercely loyal to his family and made the decision to forego that noble profession - he still does love hanging out with Whispers, though! Moving to Arx is the fulfillment of a dream for Garnet. He's with his family, whom he loves dearly, and he gets to be in the centre of arts and culture and parties!
he centre of arts and culture and parties! +
Garret grew up loving beautiful things. W …
Garret grew up loving beautiful things. Whether it was art, fashion, nature, or people, Garret would most often be found trying to make things around him as beautiful as possible. Growing up, he was the life of the party, creating events for his friends from a young age, and seeing nothing as impossible if it brought people together. None of this changed as he grew up, save that he also developed a social awareness that further motivated him to host amazing events for charity. The masque he hosted in Escuma in honour of the orphans of war in 1005 is still being talked about as setting the bar for events. If there is a party happening, Garnet is almost certainly either attending or planning it. For many years, it was assumed his destiny lay in becoming a Whisper, but Garnet's also fiercely loyal to his family and made the decision to forego that noble profession - he still does love hanging out with Whispers, though! Moving to Arx is the fulfillment of a dream for Garret. He's with his family, whom he loves dearly, and he gets to be in the centre of arts and culture and parties!
he centre of arts and culture and parties! +
Gaston, it was said, heard and understood …
Gaston, it was said, heard and understood the tongue of beasts and wild places before he formed his first syllables. Born months after his sister, he grew much more quickly than his siblings, though his elder brother would eventually overtake him. Quick to fight but even quicker to laugh, he was adored and feared in equal measure. For a time Gaston himself despaired, the boy concerned that he was too quick to anger, that he would cause great harm to someone due to his great size and physical cunning. However, his concerns and a great deal of his ferocity seemed to evaporate when allowed to wander the hills and mountains of Stoneburn, or down in the forests west of the River Gray. At the age of fourteen he left the Blackram stronghold, and for several weeks it seemed as if the boy had disappeared, never to be heard from again. Gaston returned however, wrapped in the pelt of a great wolf, his face stained with blood, the majority of which was not his own. Although his parents and his siblings worried for Gaston, they eventually came to terms with his need for solitude and to be away from civilization, and weeks turned to months turned sometimes to as much as a year away from home, returning with the results of great hunts, journals filled with illustrations of beasts, plants, and natural formations of where he had been. He became something of a local legend, alleged to know every trail and footpath north of the Lycene Split and west of the Gray River, able to find concealment in a shadow half a normal man's size, and routinely wrestled bears. One particularly fantastic story claimed that all of the wolves of Valardin and Redrain recognized him as their king. Though Gaston did his best to repute these rumors, the folk of Stoneburn do love to spin a good yarn, and it seemed to be more important to them to believe the narrative they had spun around him. As mortifying as it was, he dealt with it, and was just starting to feel it was time to return to society and attempt to become the best noble he could be when he heard of his father's death. While he sometimes misses the wilds and the serenity he tried to find there, he doesn't miss the bleak loneliness, and looks forward to trying his hand at becoming a true noble of the Compact and a peacemaker that can win stability and honor for his house. Time to be a real noble and a good man. He spent enough time in the wilds to know that the lone wolves die first, after all.
that the lone wolves die first, after all. +
Gavin's father was a carpenter by trade, and taught him a fair bit before he died in a fire. He only has his sister now, and will protect her with every fiber of his being. +
Gawain never expected a knighthood. He nev …
Gawain never expected a knighthood. He never expected to be Count'sVoice. He never expected to be in line for the Countship. He expected to run amok in the fields with the other younger sons, become a horse trainer, become a soldier, and live a quiet life, marry somebody, have kids, settle down, et cetera. What stood in his way, of course, is Gawain. He was just too awesome to be held back. He had a natural knack with the horses, a ready athleticism as a boy that had him winning most of the races, and then there was the whole deal where the main line seemed not to be producing any likely heirs, which just seemed to bring greatness trippingly into his path. His brother died in a Shav'arvani raid, and Gawain earned a knighthood rescuing other Wyrmguard vassals from a great fire -- which he ran inside a burning building to do, not because he wasn't afraid of fire but because somebody had to do it and by gods, he was the fastest, what was he going to do, let people die? Gawain was toying with a religious bent, as a lay devotee of Gloria, in his youth, but when his brother died, the young knight had to step up to the plate, taking on a role as heir presumptive to his uncle, Count Blanchard. If anything, the new attention only made him want to shine harder and brighter. His uncle is super boring and he's super awesome and hilarious. His real ambition may be to social climb with a glorious princess -- duchess? who knows, who cares -- but he also has hopes of proving himself in war, and maybe rounding out the trifecta by becoming ... no, he hasn't figured that out yet!
ng ... no, he hasn't figured that out yet! +
Gehenna hails from what could be called th …
Gehenna hails from what could be called the 'very traditionalist' branch of the Redreef family tree. She embraced this identity from a young age, far moreso than either of her two siblings. When Baron Landis Redreef died, and his brother Tiberius's claim to the Barony was challenged by Landis's daughters, Ember and Marina, Gehenna was a young woman freshly arrived in Arx. She had excelled in what the Mourning Isles saw as 'women's work' -- administration and diplomacy. Through that talent and her family connections, she had secured a plum role as a diplomatic representative of Redreef Shores in Arx. She was quite certain that Tiberius would make short work of Landis's unruly daughters, that tradition would be upheld, and that things would all go back to normal very quickly. Gehenna was so certain of it, in fact, that she said as much to anyone who asked. The conflict between Tiberius and the daughters of Landis was a long, grueling one, and one that Tiberius eventually lost, after Ember slew his champion in a duel to the death. With Ember firmly established as Baroness, it was more than just an embarrassment to Gehenna -- it was the loss of her job. Gehenna was recalled to Redreef Shores, and since she had been so vocal in her support of Tiberius, she was effectively kicked back down to the bottom of the administrative ladder. As the years passed and Redreef steadily became one of the Mourning Isles' most progressive Houses, Gehenna was aghast. However, that displeasure with the new status quo only fueled her. She worked harder and pushed herself to be more clever than the rest, and climbed back up to the position she once held. Now, having returned to Arx after years away, she is once again a diplomat in the service of Redreef Shores. As she sets foot in the city again, the Mourning Isles is caught between tradition and progressivism, and Gehenna knows which side she'll try to tilt things toward.
ich side she'll try to tilt things toward. +
Gelassen came to the Whisper House after s …
Gelassen came to the Whisper House after several years serving as something of an advisor and companion to a Baron in the Oathlands. He doesn't speak much about his family or past, always gently (and skillfully) turning the conversation back to those he speaks with. This, he says, is a skill he learned during his advisorship, helping the Baron deal with some of the more unruly elements of his demesne (and family).
ruly elements of his demesne (and family). +
Genevra Artiglio was born into the family …
Genevra Artiglio was born into the family of Lenosia's loyal Hounds, meaning that any career she chose would likely be heavily influenced by the city's reigning House. Some might have chafed at that, but Genevra found herself to be quite happy learning to fight with the House Guard with her ultimate goal being to one day lead them as their Captain. She worked hard and mostly maintained discipline. There were a few scrapes here and there, mostly involving some of the involved pranks she would pull. Training and working left Genevra little time to start a family of her own, but she found satisfaction in doing her job well. By the time she was promoted to Captain in her late twenties, fewer people were poisoned in the palace under her watch than had been in generations! Genevra was considered quite success by anyone's terms and settled into a comfortable position in maintaining her charges and continuing to serve with diligence. Then, Archduchess Carlotta Velenosa was killed. Genevra remained in Lenosia to protect the family there. Then, Archduchess Esera Velenosa was killed. Still, Genevra remained where she was, believing that she could best serve the Velenosa by protecting their home. When Archduchess-Consort Deva Velenosa went missing, Genevra struggled to believe that she was more helpful in Lenosia instead of in Arx, where clearly the House Guard was failing in their one, most important task. After hearing more rumors of injury and death befalling members of the Velenosa family, Genevra requested a transfer to Arx to take over from the clearly incompetent House Guard Captain at the Velenosa Estate in the capital.
ain at the Velenosa Estate in the capital. +
Georgine Dubois comes from a wealthy merch …
Georgine Dubois comes from a wealthy merchant family in Sanctum, one that deals in the kinds of luxuries and trends that makes an apprenticeship with a jeweler just part of the family business. Even as a child, she always had her head in the clouds, spending hours just doodling pretty things like dresses and tiaras. It was not uncommon for the girl to be carried through the workshops by her father, and she grew into a creative and inspired designer of jewelry. After several years, she decided to leave Sanctum for the very first time. The news of the Cathedral's sad state after the Heretic, Georgine travelled to Arx with no thought but to lend her hands to the effort.
ought but to lend her hands to the effort. +
Gerald Wilkerson has worked his entire lif …
Gerald Wilkerson has worked his entire life in the business of business. Buying when buying is good, selling when selling is good. Losing it all. Regaining it. His life is tale of ups and downs as can happen with one over the years in a variety of fashions. Still, he takes it with equanimity, being the sort that is rather good at landing back on his feet. Most recently, he has landed in Arx -- not so much retired from business as accepting the fact that he simply doesn't have the desire or, frankly, the stamina to do the sort of running around he might have done in the past. Travel is just not so fun anymore.
e past. Travel is just not so fun anymore. +
Gerrick Bradshaw was born to Gabriella Bra …
Gerrick Bradshaw was born to Gabriella Bradshaw of Okahaven, and an unknown man from... somewhere. Growing up without a father, Gerrick would watch the other children interacting with their dads and often come home to pester his mother with his hundred and one questions about his father. Gabriella was always patient and she would spin the most fantastic tales of the man, his deeds and adventures. There was no question she did not have an answer for and Gerrick took these tales to heart, believing in them so completely it fostered in him a nascent belief of the unrealistic and the ability to accept things some others might reject out of hand. As he grew older, instead of abandoning the stories of his youth, he set out to prove them all true. Knowing he would need a specific set of skills to accomplish this, he volunteered to join the Keaton Trackers. His inventive mind was an asset, and he often saw connections that others might have missed. He had a knack for stumbling into clues, and though his interpretation was often... unusual, it typically worked for him. His reputation as oddly effective gained him the attention of Margerie Keaton who had him transfered to her personal guard. She shared with him her belief of the Keaton Curse, and Gerrick's fertile mind dug into the story. He became her personal investigator, looking into stories of Keatons past, hunting down rumors and trying to prove (or disprove... but totally prove) the Keaton Curse was real. When his lady and the new young lord were making plans to relocate to Arx, there was no way the faithful Gerrick was going to let them out of his sight in the big bad city.
them out of his sight in the big bad city. +
Gertie was born into a common family. She …
Gertie was born into a common family. She was quite sickly and frail growing up, so she spent a lot of time at home, reading. All that time spent not feeling well seemingly sparked plenty of inspiration to become an Apothecary. Anyone meeting her for the first time probably won't hear her shut up about it, the girl clearly very passionate about her work, dreaming of one day making a big breakthrough.
ming of one day making a big breakthrough. +
Gesa's life, she has always said, was shap …
Gesa's life, she has always said, was shaped by the bad habits of her ancestors. Somewhere down the line there was a drunkard gambler who managed to get him or herself enthralled. She doesn't know who, and as far as she knows her family always served House Kennex of Stormward. She was born a week before Lord Aethan Kennex, and her mother served as his wetnurse and then nursemaid. Because of this she was always close to the family, but also very separate. She may have played with them, but birth had destined her to a different path. It was a path she had no interest in walking because who wants to walk when one can laze about? Gesa knew she didn't want to toil her life away as a thrall, mostly because she hates toil, and she always envied her noble masters for the fine things they had. Her path became clear at seventeen when a traveling entertainer came to Stormward. There was her easy life, she decided. She would escape and become an entertainer. Escaping wasn't difficult. She stowed away on a merchant ship heading towards Setarco. No one missed her until it was too late. They assumed she was hiding to avoid work as was her habit. Stowing away wasn't so hard, either. Gesa is very good about lazing about, and did so about the cargo. She is also good at making friends and flirting. She secured a friendship with a young sailor and with a few suggestive comments she had no intention of following through with she managed to gain food and water for the duration of the trip. Setarco was rough at first, but it also provided her with a place to learn the skills she needed to be an entertainer. She learned to sing, dance, and tell stories. She also learned how to smile even when it's hard so she could get what she wants. And if you're sad? Well, there is plenty of things to do or take that can be distracting enough to put a smile on your face.
acting enough to put a smile on your face. +
Gianna doesn't speak much about where she' …
Gianna doesn't speak much about where she's from. Refuses to, really. She sounds and looks Lycene, so that's probably a safe bet. If she has any brothers or sisters, she hasn't said. If her parents are still alive, she hasn't said. If she has any children, she hasn't said. While she arrived in Arx, she spent time playing songs and singing in various inns, taverns, and other public places where passersby might spare a little coin. Gianna quickly made a name for herself by becoming a Whisper and then founding the Bard's College, a social organization for singers, musicians, those hoping to better their musical skills, and supporters of such artists. Her rough edges (mostly) smoothed over, Gianna continues to strive for recognition and riches. Gianna has an eye for shiny things, and is unapologetic about her plans to obtain them.
apologetic about her plans to obtain them. +
Gideon claims to be the bastard son of the …
Gideon claims to be the bastard son of the last highlord of house Thrax, Prince Donrai Thrax, and a cousin of the current highlord. His father toyed with him, never formally legitimizing him or bothering to explain the reasons for his parentage (and sometimes said he was an adopted ward, casting doubt on his parentage), treating him with callous indifference. He was not often associated with the Thrax family, despite holding the name over his head. Prince Donrai, his possible father, never had him killed, but made it clear he had no interest in the child and that he had no place among trueborn children, supporting him in a minimal way to avoid the condemnation of his enemies among the Faith, and few wanted to associate with him for fear of being in disfavor with the highlord. Finding no place among the people, his journey into knighthood was a long and lonely one. He was persistent in his raising, knowing that, in his position, he had the entire world to prove wrong. On the battlefield he was a monster in his own right, furthering the path of the sword through experience, his destruction only limited by his sense of honor as he waited for each opponent to die before moving to the next. Garrisons and camps became the half-bloods home in the coming days. From an early life he raised his blade to other men, from one battlefield to the next. He adjusted little, having no rights as a young lord, and no experience as the common folk, though this was skin deep. The boy kept expectations low, he drank each night until he fell into slumber, and fought by day if there was a war to be fought. Once he was called to the table he excelled, be it a battle of brain or brawn the low expectations always helped him overcome the obstacles. He was often hateful, and discreet, but always came to be what he needed when times became serious. He had been away long now, returning home after what may have been a horrific event. The man had disappeared on the open battlefield, a crushing defeat rendering him useless with a stray arrow and numerous wounds, initially being presumed dead. Instead, months later the man came back to camp, scars lining nearly every inch of him, and his right eye missing. To this day he hasn't spoken of what had happened to him, a popular story among the men saying he had went off into the woods to find a worthy opponent and gotten into it with a bear. When he came back, in the one battle afterwards he'd fought like a beast, beyond what he had before, his sense of honor slightly diminished. A trail of near fatal wounds were left as he'd carried through, and realizing what had happened he left the advancing army. Knowing that standings within his family had changed and may allow him to return, as well as the cities siege. Be it a sense of duty, or the internal need to assert himself as one of the family, he rode home to find his place.
he family, he rode home to find his place. +
Gilbert has not lead an easy life, only re …
Gilbert has not lead an easy life, only recalling his mother's touch in his deepest of dreams, the lyceum beauty having passed due to illness when the boy was but four. How this single mother and her child ended up in a sleepy village just inside the oathlands would never be known to the child with the miller and his wife who raised him only referring to his mother as 'that woman'. It was a discontent for his lot in life that lead this youth to rebel and start down a wayward path that would ultimately see him running off and joining up with a group of bandits who preyed on the country roads in his late teens. It was this newfound occupation that he truly excelled in, taking to the spear and banditry like a fish takes to waters and eventually usurping control of the little band by his early twenties. However it was at age twenty five when fortune truly shined on the man when it seemed as if she had totally turned her back. When it looked as if his band had been encircled by Duke Cristoph Laurent's men, the band of knights themselves were in turn ambushed by a war party of shav who sought to wipe out both groups in one fell sweep. Faced by this greater enemy, bandit and knight turned aside their differences and fought back against the greater force side by side, with Gilbert even managing to save Duke Laurent by fighting to drag him to safety after the man had decided he best play pin cushion for shav arrows. With this act Gilbert after a little negotiation managed to find his way into the Duke's men at arms and now had a comfy existence and a meal ticket on the opposite side of the law he'd been running from for years.
the law he'd been running from for years. +
Gildaren grew up on an apiary on the north …
Gildaren grew up on an apiary on the north side of Artshall, the third of seven children. His mother and father were struggling beekepers producing honey for one of the largest meaderies in all of Arvum. His childhood was shaped by long days of hard work harvesting honey, tending to the hives, and enjoying the occasional sticks of honey. His mother died during the birth of his 6th sibling, and much of his formative years were shaped by the influences of his father. Beekeeping in Artshall was cutthroat and rife with favoritism and politics, and Gildaren's father never held much favor with the heads of the meadery, perhaps because he refused to pay the bribes they demanded. As a teenager spending time at the Haven of the Honey Bee, Gildaren found the Faith that would lead him on his life's path.
th that would lead him on his life's path. +
Giovanni Buccheri never had much time for …
Giovanni Buccheri never had much time for his only son. He was a hard-working man who did his best to make end's meet on whatever coin a barber could pull in. It was always just enough and never more. Massimiliano's tale was a motherless one at that, so as a child he was largely left to see to himself on the streets of Tor and it was a relationship he grew comfortable with. Unlike some children left to that life he never found himself in much trouble, or if he did it was so unexceptional as to leave little behind him in the way of a reputation. Rather, Massi fell into good hands when he could have been taken in by much worse influences. Early on, in order to afford the things he wanted instead of just the things he needed, the southerner earned a place for himself as a sculptor's apprentice. It was a job that mostly had him hauling materials and running errands and largely wasted his cunning, but it also instilled in him like a seed some deep love for shaping things with his hands - not just the act of it but the whole culture surrounding it - the excitement of someone coming in to gush over a part of their imagination given life or the ways in which daily it would allow him to brush up against various other artisans. It was rare the sunrise that wasn't followed by a much younger Massi being held in awe by the beauty of one work or another whether they were glass blown into the likeness of Tor's famous roses or iridescite being cleverly inlaid into the carved wooden doors of a newly-founded shrine. Tor, very few could argue against, was a city of remarkable beauty playing against the backdrop of the young Buccheri's unremarkable upbringing. In time and with a very rudimentary skillset, Massi absconded from beneath his teacher's wings. He dabbled in other arts, but it was ever and always sculpting where he truly found his comfort and inspiration both. Eventually, with age and experience, people began to look at his creations with the same wide-eyed wonder he remembered feeling while gazing upon those works of his one-time teacher and fellow artisans. The rest has been history, but it's the quiet history of an unassuming man who runs a modest trade in making real the imaginations of those who come to him.
the imaginations of those who come to him. +
Girl. That was the name that Miella Corse …
Girl. That was the name that Miella Corsetina went by for sixteen years of her life. There were a few variations to that, but most of the time the title was accompanied with slaps and even kicks to make sure she knew who someone was talking to. Growing up in Arx as an orphan can lead you down various paths. Chance is a wonderful thing. There are various families that you can be absorbed into if you are seeking protection or work. There are odd jobs that some people might trust you with, such as running messages or cleaning. Miella had the chance encounter with a courtesan named Mirari Corsetina in the market one day, and the dark haired Lycene woman took in Miella and gave her a name, family, job and training. Miella might remember where she had come from, and she might know who her old family was, but she'll never say now. She's a Corsetina, for better or for worse.
he's a Corsetina, for better or for worse. +
Giselle's father was a soldier, gone more …
Giselle's father was a soldier, gone more often than he was home, and though it broke her mother's heart, it was no real surprise that he died when she was eight, leaving her with the memory of strength and gentleness, battle-field stories, and random snippets of advice. Raised by her mother who was a herbalist and avid gardener, Giselle learned the many uses of plants, especially the curative and culinary aspects. However, the lass was drawn far more to the scent and color, the artistic flair that plants can bring to dyes, perfumes, and decor. She apprenticed to an apothecary, learning the skills that she fancied most, as well as the more practical ones necessary to earning a living. Thanks to recent events, she's made her way into the city, to see if she can't learn a little more and refine her skills, making a name for herself in the meantime.
making a name for herself in the meantime. +
Glister Vindrel was born in a farming comm …
Glister Vindrel was born in a farming community to loving parents. Gliter's parents were known to be hard and studious workers but also had a love of learning that they instilled in Glister as a child. Glister's favorite thing to do is absorb knowledge. Growing up in a farm community however required hardwork daily to survive. Glister learned to love working with his hands and is blessed to be in good shape form his labors. Glister's parents passed away and almost immediate Glister set out seeking something more.
te Glister set out seeking something more. +
Godric was born the third son of a third s …
Godric was born the third son of a third son, out in the back of beyond. His parents worked the land for their liege lord, poor but loving, and everyone around the settlement -- in the depths of the woods around Pridehall -- was more or less part of the same sprawling extended family. He was a hard worker, cleverer with his fingers than some of his brothers and sharper with his mind than most, but an odd, quiet boy who didn't really have much use for speaking when he could be dreaming, wondering, or attaching himself to stories of greater things. He learned herbcraft from an old man who lived near the edge of the woods, and when the Father Mercy of Pridehall sent his Mercies to circuit the land with the Knights of Solace for guides, he attached himself to the feet of their robes every year, and learned what he could. When he was old enough to apprentice, he earned permission to tag along, and followed in their train for awhile, but he was disgruntled by the mellow patience of those he traveled with, and demanded reasons for everything, until finally he went his separate ways with the Mercies and attached himself as apprentice instead to a traveling bonesaw named Kiton, Crownsworn, who wandered doing doctoring for pay along the roads and paths, and grew a reputation as particularly creepy for haunting graveyards after funerals and digging up the dead to study their rotting bones. There are doctors who are educated at fancy physicians' colleges, but Godric learned first from the gentle healers and then from the vicious, wandering the world with bright, fascinated eyes and learning what he could, where he could, with the appetite of a young man who wanted to know everything. He knew that Kiton was involved in some darker practices and while he didn't like it, he found he could ignore it in pursuit of his studies of anatomy, the inner workings of blood and bone, the mixtures and tinctures and practices he learned. Many young men have sins, but Godric's worst and defining one was curiosity. He never asked what Kiton did with some of those bodies, though, until one day the Inquisition came. At the end of that night, Kiton had lost an eye to the tender mercies of the House of Questions, and was Shreve Tyde's loyal man for life, as long as that was. Kiton and Godric both worked for the Inquisition after that, and if Kiton ever dug up a dead body again, he definitely never did it where Godric could see him. One night, after patching up a young woman after a particularly brutal round of questioning from several confessors, an Inquisitor of a rather different mindset caught him on his knees, vomiting, on the grounds behind the House of Questions, trying to hide his dismay. No matter how hard he tried to mask and bluff with some of the others, Laric knew him after that for what he was -- a human being with human compassion -- and when the Grayson Prince became High Inquisitor, Godric found that he no longer had to mask and bluff quite so hard. Kiton died with several other Shreve loyalists when the new Master of Questions took over the Inquisition and began cleaning house. That was when Godric found himself promoted to Inquisitor, without fear of the blood on his hands getting there in quite so hideous a way as before.
there in quite so hideous a way as before. +
Graziella was born in the most extensive b …
Graziella was born in the most extensive branch of the Pravus family, being the youngest daughter of Tiberio and Aurora Pravus. With years separating her from her other siblings, Grazi's interests laid elsewhere than battle and adventure: hers was a desire for intellectual pursuit, and her acute curiosity was always her defining trait, something that made Grazi Lady Aurora's unofficial favorite child. She was sweet and comely, always smiling, but the twinkle in her eyes was her mother's pride. The Argento matriarch taught Graziella courtly grace and political shrewdness, raising Graziella to be the closest thing to Aurora herself, the power behind any throne and the secret protector of her ever more reckless siblings in Gabriella and Lucrezia. While Graziella learned she always did so out of respect for her mother and a sense of duty to her family, her love for Gabriella and Lucrezia trumping her desire to control anything behind the scenes. Truth be told, the girl just adored to spend her days thinking of fabulous stories and dreaming of times when things such as demons, dragons, powerful queens and elven lords were possible. Unfortunately, when House Argento and its agents struck, the whimsical Pravus was ill-prepared to protect herself, and in the same night her father Tiberio and her uncle, Duke Piero, were murdered, Graziella vanished without a trace. For years, she remained at large, most assuming she was yet another casuality of that coup until, recently, she returned to her family. No scars, no stories, but different, somehow. Her return was unheralded but it was greatly celebrated in Setarco, but in Graziella's eyes there was too much amiss. Her mother was lost in the heart of Setarco, her sister Gabriella juggled responsibilities in Arx and the command of the Swords of the Evening and Lucrezia was half-mad and leading the Black Fleet of Pravus. The world she knew was dead, and in its place there was a broken mirror that Graziella would have to relearn in the following years. Without any fuss the young woman positioned herself by her sisters' side, the less questions asked about her the better, as she reintegrates with a family that thought they had lost her and rediscovers her place among them.
her and rediscovers her place among them. +
Greer Thornburn has always lived in the ci …
Greer Thornburn has always lived in the city of Arx. His father worked the forge and his mother was a lower boroughs girl who caught the eye of a man with a job and prospects. The third of four children, Greer was a firebrand in his youth. His youth was one of resistance against his father's rules and desires, rebellion a way of life. That stopped when his mother died on his thirteenth birthday. When he settled down, he became his father's apprentice and learned how to hammer metal and shape it into the armor that protected the armies of the Compact. At first it wasn't a calling but over time the heat from the fires and the pounding of the metal became a part of him. Greer married young, a nice girl from a good family, and they had seven children. He's seen many things in his years but the rapid changes of the recent months - elves and bringers and blood magic - have left him feeling old. So he has recently retired, leaving the work over to his daughter Eithne. He feels he's earned it but a hammer still fits perfectly in his hand and the forge fires still burn inside him.
and the forge fires still burn inside him. +
Gregori was born the one of the many child …
Gregori was born the one of the many children of Ruslan's uncle. Odrev Volkov, the younger brother, and his wife Shaina Volkov to be exact, and happened to be right smack in the middle. Perhaps that is what made him so shy and prefer to sneak away to the libraries in the towns when he could and delve into the stacks. He was not really one to want to play outside or train with his other family members. Often he and Aahana would sneak away together. She was quite good at it and helped him out with that as well. As he grew older he decided he wanted to be a scholar and focuses his efforts there immensely. And now that Aahana's eldest brother Ruslan bended a knee to the Fidante ducal, he has come to join her in Arx and help her however she may need, as well as focusing upon further his studies and support to the Scholars and also learn how to become a teacher of what he does know.
to become a teacher of what he does know. +
Gregory is the only living decedent of his …
Gregory is the only living decedent of his branch of the Grayfallow family, being the son of Henry Grayfallow, half-brother to Emmanuel Grayfallow on their fathers side. The brothers lived seperate lives, and the families never reunited. As a child Gregory was taught to work on the farm with his father. Nobody in the village was prosperous, but the hard years were few and far between. Had life continued in this way, Gregory would likely have never visited Arx, growing up and in the course of time taking his fathers place. Then came the accident that changed the course of his life. When he was twelve he was thrown from a horse as he led it back into the stables on a stormy night. The horse was spooked and threw him. He spent many weeks recovering, and while his general health has not suffered, his back has, and can no longer bear the weight it once did. Of course, this made him fairly useless as a farmer, where long days of, no pun intended, back breaking labour are expected and endured. The Sereph of the village, a kindly woman by the name of Kayleigh, decided to take him on as an assistant and see what could be made of him. His intellect and determination stood him in good stead for this, and he learned quickly the ways of the Pantheon, beyond what every commoner knows. As time went on and Kayleigh fell into poor health, he took on the position of Sereph in the village, finding the position much to his liking, both in terms of the respect it was shown and giving comfort to the women in the village while their men were away. Gregory did however help the village as he could, leading them through troubled years, assisting where he could and keeping spirits strong with faith. So why is he in Arx? After the Triad of the Lost was found, he finds himself in need of training. He does not know what he should regarding them, and so has relinquished his position in order to head to the City and be taught what he lacks in order to serve the Pantheon better.
cks in order to serve the Pantheon better. +
Gretchen renown in the country for her tra …
Gretchen renown in the country for her travelling show of "CURES FOR ALL THAT AILS YOU" especially her 'Spirits to Lift your Spirits' (which is essentially moonshine). While she is a 'Working' Moore and many of her poverty riddled family members look down on that, they wouldn't say so to her face given Gretchen is probably the most financially stable and independent members of the family. Sick of travelling, and hearing of the 'success' of her cousins in Arx, Gretchen's invited herself along to the city to stay with them and maybe open a 'barber' shop to tend to all that ails the heavy purses of Arx.
to all that ails the heavy purses of Arx. +
Grew up in middle-class suburbs of Arx, a …
Grew up in middle-class suburbs of Arx, a child of merchants, but a sickly disposition in childhood confined him to his home for much of his youth. He gained escape through books and tales of distant lands. As he neared adulthood, his strength grew, and soon he was well enough to leave home and travel on his own. He ascribes this recovery to the gods, and in order to thank them for this miracle, he has vowed to travel the land and give praise to the pantheon.
the land and give praise to the pantheon. +
Grimhall breeds grim men, none moreso than …
Grimhall breeds grim men, none moreso than Harald. He took to sea young, took up the sword young, and won his first glories early. His cousins and brothers no doubt harbored fears that he would seek to usurp rule of Grihem's Point, though to all of their great reliefs, he showed no interest in seizing rule, for there was joy in his life, as well: Harald also married young, being wholly smitten with the daughter of a minor vassal. There was no advantage to the marriage, no significant dowry to be had. It was encouraged by the Grimhalls only because it would prevent Harald making a more dangerous match. Yet while he would continue to do his duties aboard the ships of his family's fleet, and while he was always swift to fly to the defense of his family's interests, much of his ambition for personal advancement faded with the first cries of his children. And they had many children. While his cousin Eugine fancied himself a genius of war, and while Dmitry was the honorable and politic leader, Harald's skills always lay with the sea with the steel, and with the men who traded in both. When Tyde rebelled against Donrai, he had led the Grimhall ships north with Thrax to smash the Tyde fleet, and open the shores to the conquering Thrax armies, and Harald had reveled in the grandeur of the struggle. Yet afterward, he had been equally content to return home, as he always did after death was paid, and glories won and lost. For long years it remained so; then the chaos began in Arx. First the death of Queen Genevieve and months later Eugine was lost at sea. Harald went to Arx and was appointed Voice to impose order on the household as the chaos continued. Abruptly, perhaps proving the long forgotten fears, Harald named his famously honorable cousin Dmitry a traitor, was elevated as Duke himself, and promptly thereafter slew his kinsman in a duel. Ever since, the Grim Duke has remained a staunch voice of tradition against sudden change and mainland influence.
inst sudden change and mainland influence. +
Grindol isn't sure where he is from or rea …
Grindol isn't sure where he is from or really how old he is even. The furthest back he can remember is washing up on a beach near Brighthold, the first thing he saw upon awakening was the great lighthouse and it's shining beacon. Since then he has wandered the world wherever the winds and his feet would take him.
ver the winds and his feet would take him. +
Growing up Azolla was a sickly child. This …
Growing up Azolla was a sickly child. This meant she was kept inside alot. She spent her time drawing, painting, playing music and singing when she was feeling well enough. Her family worried and doted over her till she finally was strong enough to overcome her illness. She now is ready to fulfill her duties to her family.
ready to fulfill her duties to her family. +
Growing up a noble son in Escuma, Aelgar w …
Growing up a noble son in Escuma, Aelgar was lucky to have House tutors and a physically active rural lifestyle in a relatively invasion-free location. He survived childhood uninjured and healthy in the unremarkably active way of country children. Of note, though, is that his curiosity was often commented by adults and his interest in learning occasionally drew ridicule from his peers. He eventually came to the attention of the Disciples of Vellichor, or, perhaps they came to his attention, so precocious was he. As the years passed, he became a student and then an acolyte and, finally, a priest. Along the way, his curiousity and cultural tradition also pushed him to explore the island, wrestle with his peers, learn horses and dogs, and otherwise soak up the normal learning for a boy of his station. As a priest, he carried on the tradition and taught children himself, and then adults, mostly about thinking clearly and critically on topics like medicine and ruling. Over time, the scholarly thinker received some acceptance as a man with a good head on his shoulders and even became respected by some for his contributions. Eventually, though, he became restless with the offerings of his island home. He decided to travel to Arx with a letter of introduction to the church and another for distant relatives living there.
nother for distant relatives living there. +
Growing up all Rainier Ashford ever wanted …
Growing up all Rainier Ashford ever wanted was to become a soldier; his father, Benedict saw it in him, and noticed the boy had the early signs of athleticism and single-mindedness to perhaps be a good one at it so he encouraged the notion. Many of his young years were spent with a wooden blade in hand swinging at trees imagining battle-borne glory and honor untold. Benedict was no wealthy man but he cared for his family a great deal, so what coin he had to spare went to hiring mercenaries to teach his son first the rudimentary and then increasingly advanced lessons - trees don't fight back, he reasoned, and his loss would have been greater than any sum of money. One of those tutors, a strange, wiry looking fellow few would have picked as a sword instructor was a great influence in the teenager's life, combining blade forms with words of poetry and introspection, a binding of the philosophical and the martial; if life is to be taken, he reasoned, must we not examine why? Rainier joined the army when he came of age and he was both advanced and disciplined enough to advance up the ranks; he made a name of himself and was chosen to be one of the elite who took up arms in the King's Own, where he had long dreamt of belonging - but also where he first started losing track of why, exactly, he was there to begin with. The spilling of blood never came easily to the young man but raids and duty both made demands of him, sometimes against his judgment or conscience; but soldiers obey, and he rode where he was told to ride. It wasn't long though before his life was bound to change again. King Alaric Grayson IV was pretty young, though not particularly trained as a soldier, he wanted to join Grayson forces doing sweeps against raiding shavs at the reaches of Crownlands territory, even though the King's Own was a little horrified at him being placed in danger. During that time Rainier, as a senior member at that point, saw action after action in fights against Abandoned forces that weren't merely barbarians with the lust of battle in their eyes but really just tribes that often were merely territorial. Many unnecessary battles were fought and the sheer waste of combat that just more careful negotiations could have taken care of. Perhaps the needless bloodshed was too much for Rainier whose father's influence combined with the man's own achievements were enough for the rare event of someone taking a leave of absence from the elite band, putting their banners aside in order to return once more to a family he had left behind. He rejoined House Ashford for a time, then just as he seemed to be settling back into civilian life he suddenly vanished, reportedly without given an explanation to his own kin. When he returned, months later, the only explanation he provided was 'being north' for that period. Whatever happened in the interim must have had some kind of impact on the man, however, since he immediately reached out to the Hundred and rejoined the King's Own as a Knight once more.
ined the King's Own as a Knight once more. +
Growing up as a second child of a third ch …
Growing up as a second child of a third child in a small county of the North, Edris had duties to keep him busy, but his personal aspirations were largely his own, without the weight of impending rule. As a result, he was able to largely focus his education and activities on that which he was most inclined. An avid outdoorsman and capable leader, he seemed to have the workings of an excellent ranger; though when his father died when Edris was in his late teens, his focus naturally fell to stepping into a more traditional path that he felt would honor him--he was knighted in his late adolescence and then served capably within the patrols and defenses as well as military campaigns both in and out of the Northlands; and when left to his own devices, spent many days or weeks wandering, hunting, and bringing back trinkets and treasures to his sister, cousins, and lady mother as he always had, a way to use solitude and communion with the mountains and wilds to heal some of the echoes of un-unseeable things of war, as well as a way to keep tabs on the local shav'arvani, with his trusted companions. About 5 years ago his mother and Lord Acorn Hill negotiated a marriage contract for his sister Elin to marry Lord Rylan Moore, it was Edris that was chosen to accompany her south, first to visit his father's family, the Keatons, while Elin and Rylan courted. He fit in well with his sister's soon to be family; there were new wild places to explore, after all. New bands of shavs and prodigals to learn about. A beloved sister to see happily settled. Keaton cousins to become reacquainted with. And increasingly, a camaraderie amongst the Acorn Hill Moores as well. He was invited to stay longer, all the better to cement the new bond between houses, both due to his parents' marriage and the new one with the Moores. After six months, news of his mother's sudden illness had him making his way home, when word reached him on his travels of the slaughter at Acorn Hill. Nearly mad with worry, he rushed back, only to find that she and her new husband and many of those he'd enjoyed getting to know slain. His deep and near-destructive grief was only compounded when he learned that his mother had also died of her illness soon after he received word of it at all; but rather than drown his sorrows in drink or other vices, he threw himself completely into helping to lead what remained of the scattered and decimated forces, aiding in the rebuilding efforts of the remaining family, hunting down of likely perpetrators or shavs trying to take advantage of the weakness. It was grueling, uphill work, but those underneath him thrived under his leadership, and both houses continued to benefit from a bond. It might have been cemented by another marriage, his own, to one of the surviving Moores. But plans for that died the night the rest of the surviving family was butchered while he was away ranging, hunting down the location of another group of shavs who had been a thorn in the side of one of the villages. Deep in yet another round of grief, and needing to work though what surely must have felt like yet another failure, he immersed himself in yet more work. He had built a strong relationship with many of the commoners there, especially the youngest survivors of the initial massacre at Acorn Hill over the years. He continued to range and considered renouncing his title and joining the faith. But the kinship he now felt in this land not of his birth stayed his hand as he wrestled with what to do. The answer came not from his prayers, or the quiet and calm of the forest but from a missive waiting for him at the inn he'd taken up residence at. It did not come with an offered hand of a wife, but he was given the opportunity to keep fulfilling the promises between houses first made those four years ago, and join the new Barony of Elwood. He had been serving the people there out of grief and honor--now he would be able to honor the names of his sister and friends that spilled their blood on these lands by being claimed as one of their own, Lord Edris Elwood, Sword of Arden.
ir own, Lord Edris Elwood, Sword of Arden. +
Growing up as a single child inbetween two …
Growing up as a single child inbetween two sets of twins was not ideal, especially considering that both her parents were dead in two different kinds of tragedies, leaving her older siblings and the rest of the family to pick up the slack. Growing up she had moments of not feeling like she belonged, that somehow she was the oddity in the family, but instead of letting that turn her bitter and angry, it made her work harder to fit in. For years she did her very best to be just like her siblings, her cousins, aunts and uncles, everyone that she could she would go out of her way to emulate her family. She learned to fight, she sharpened her mind and her body. As she grew older, however, she realized that being like everyone else (as she saw it in her head) wasn't going to make her fit in any more with the family. She was never not part of it, afterall, it was just her childhood impression of things. So she began to decide on who she was, who she wanted herself to be. There were plenty of aspects of people she had emulated that she loved, such as being active, reading, and getting into as much mischief as she could. But she had to do it her own way, to be true to who she was herself. Due to this, after fulfilling her duties to the family in service to the military she decided that she wanted to see the rest of the Lyceum, then after that she decided she wanted to see the rest of the islands that she could reach, then the mainland. Every time she went somewhere new, there was just one more new place to go after that. Eventually, though, she realized that she needed to come back home to the family and do more than just wandering around on her own.
ore than just wandering around on her own. +
Growing up as an Abandon was perhaps not a …
Growing up as an Abandon was perhaps not always the easiest, the compact not exactly smiling down upon you, along with the fact that you have several other tribes to contend with. And while of course that had an affect on Rosalind's childhood and early adult life, she in some ways was blessed. Perhaps not in life events but in family, and loved ones. Growing up surrounded by family, who were more then happy to let Rosalind be herself. Exploring the world around her in various ways. Eager to learn what she could about anything and everything, always wondering why and how, and the first to try to figure it out. At an early age Rosalind would follow her older sister, Aella around, often imitating her, wanting to be just like her big sister. Who was in many ways like another mother, and in fact she was when their mother Sorcha died, well Rosalind's real mother and Aella's second mother. Rosalind grew up exploring more and more, often by herself. At some point that exploring started to involve a bow and her spending more time in the wild. She tends to love the freedom that comes with being around her family, being in the wild or even being on the water. From the time she was born she has had a best friend and partner in crime, her twin brother. They have always been able to have conversations without saying a word or sometimes with a language that they created. Also being the less reserved of the two she often talked her brother into many different things from exploration to things that got them into so much trouble when they were younger. Two other people who have made a huge impact upon Rosalind are Branwen and Kaede. Branwen is the one that showed her how to navigate the wilderness, giving her the necessary tools needed to always be aware of her surroundings, this gift also spilling over into everyday life. Kaede gifted Rosalind with the love of sailing. And now that their family has bent the knee and been ennobled by the compact, she has chosen to accompany her older sister and the rest of the Ravenseyes that have decided to move to Arx to help with their families new allies, and those they owe fealty to.
new allies, and those they owe fealty to. +
Growing up as the oldest son there was a l …
Growing up as the oldest son there was a lot that was expected of him. Having grown up in the Laurent holdings of Artshall, Fawkes, like the rest of his family, took part in the business of breeding and selling horses. A family business which his own Father and Grandfather had started. Fawkes would argue that he knew how to ride long before he knew how to walk, and might actually feel more comfortable on the back of a horse than on his own two feet in some situations. His father joined the military, while Fawkes was still young, giving the boy something more than horse breeding to fill his dreams with. Dreams of combat, fighting, sword play, and all those other adventurous, romantic notions that a child might have of what it means being an Oathlander, being a knight, being a soldier. His father eventually died in battle, leaving to to fall upon his shoulders to step up and be the man of the family. Upon hearing of his father's death, Timothy Laurent, whom only ever came to his father when his steed needed care beyond that of what his stable hands were capable of, took pity on the family and offered Fawkes the chance to become his squire, giving the family another source of income and greater social backing should they have need of it. While still alive his father would often return home from war and encourage Fawkes' dreams of joining the cavalry and becoming a knight; taking a hand in teaching him to wield a weapon, or to behave in the way many felt appropriate for a knight, or future knight. Upon being given that offer by Timothy, Fawkes at first tried turning it down, saying he needed to stay and help out his family, but it was his mother who nudged the young man into accepting and being able to actually chase after his dream. His time with Timothy was spent training to be part of the Laurent cavalry, and learning the ways of being a knight. Another war broke out in the region during this time, forcing Fawkes to join in the fighting alongside Timothy. Fortunately the campaign was short lived and successful, after which, Timothy having been impressed by Fawke's deeds worked to finish his training and further the process of getting him knighted.
rther the process of getting him knighted. +
Growing up for most of his life as the son …
Growing up for most of his life as the son of a blacksmith, Javarn has always had dreams of grandure, and of living a life of adventure much to the dismay of his father. Still, Javarn secretly learned at an earlier age than normal how to read, and spent most of his youth neglecting his duties to his family, instead preferring to layabout with a good story, or out wandering the woods looking for adventure. His dreams were seen to fruition when the then Marquessa of Leary commissioned his father for a project of a blade. As the Marquessa retrieved the completed work for her sword, she witnessed something special in the boy, and conscripted him into her service as her squire. With his life turned around, Javarn had been given the opportunity to train and learn under the guidance of the Marquessa's tutors, preparing him for battle and teaching him proper leadership tactics. In a sick twist of fate, newly Knighted Sir Javarn Evrith helped to lead the charge, along side Marquessa Hianara in a brutal battle against raiding Shav'Arvani tribes. The battle was bloody, and the results were his witnessing the death of that very same Marquessa, and leaving Sir Javarn as one of the few survivors.
ng Sir Javarn as one of the few survivors. +
Growing up in Artshall and being so close …
Growing up in Artshall and being so close to the boarder of the Lyceum, Braden took to the sword early. Not being in line for any kind of leadership rolls allowed him to concentrate more on his martial training than anything else. When he was younger, his sword teacher was called to take care of an issue outside of the walls of Artshall. That teacher did not make it back alive, and this was a man that the young Lord greatly respected. It was at that point in time Braden decided to make it his duty to keep everyone he could alive. Having decided that he had learned all he could from the people in Artshall, Braden left and made his way to Arx, where he figured either he will get better, or he is good enough and will continue his goal in keeping people safe. Only time will tell.
keeping people safe. Only time will tell. +
Growing up in Bastion, Noah was always hel …
Growing up in Bastion, Noah was always held in high regard. He is a Grayson. He comes from money. He comes from breeding. He comes from a name. If he wanted it, he got it. If he wanted a certain type of clothing, he got the best. If he wanted the man or woman of the moment? He found a way to turn their head. Nothing has ever been denied to him and it shows in how he acts. Noah got in a bit of trouble in Bastion. It involved a noblewoman and some bad decisions. He decided he wanted the woman. The woman decided she wanted him. The only problem was that she was already courting his best friend. A small fight broke out and everyone thought it best that Noah go to Arx for a bit of time. Maybe it would give him the actual time to grow up and see there is more to the world than what it offers him.
more to the world than what it offers him. +
Growing up in Bastion, Noah was always hel …
Growing up in Bastion, Noah was always held in high regard. He was a Prince of Grayson. If he wanted it growing up, he got it. First born son to his parents. There was nothing he could not get out of if he wanted out of it. He was charming as a child and then spoiled as a teenager and into adulthood. If he wanted an outfit, he got the best. If he wanted attention, he got it anyway needed. He left a trail of broken hearts without once looking backwards or being apologetic about it. Noah got sent from Bastion to Arx after a bad decision. A young noblewoman caught his interest. He was a prince, so he caught his interest. He figured why not? The reason he shouldn't have? She was already very public in courting of his best friend. Noah said all the pretty things and in the end the courtship ended and Noah's father thought it best he go to Arx where his younger sister was. The fall of Bastion (and his family there) is still a very sensitive subject to Noah. When he arrived to Arx he immediately (his first day) was challenged to a duel. This gathered the annoyance of an Oathlander Prince, who became Noah's nemesis for a moment. So when that prince was trying to flirt with a single High Lady Regent --- Noah stepped in. Only history did not repeat. Not at all. What started as a display of one-up-manship between the two moved to a courtship. Then moved to a contract. Then moved to a marriage and children. In the perhaps most sweeping change to his life is when the High Lady Regent became High Lady of her own and Noah Grayson found himself as Archduke Consort Noah Velenosa of the Lyceum. The High Lady already had two dead husbands before him, every year there is a vote if this will be the last.
there is a vote if this will be the last. +
Growing up in Blancbier Kiera was an inqui …
Growing up in Blancbier Kiera was an inquisitive child. Unlike most of the family she did not engage heavily in martial pursuits though basic self defense and first aid skill was a requisite. Instead she had a scholar's bent though she did not seek knowledge solely from a library but from nature and social encounters as well Being an atypical family member does not mean she shirks her family duty but instead hopes to use her intellectual and social skills for Wyrmguard's advancement. She is eager to spend more time in Arx for the many learning opportunities it affords
the many learning opportunities it affords +
Growing up in Tor was an upbringing any ga …
Growing up in Tor was an upbringing any gal could hope for. For all of its colors and richness of flora, Narcissa was still drawn to the gloomy side of things. Where there was a graveyard, dark and dusty library, or memorial hall of statues long forgotten, Narcissa was certain to be found. The younger sibling of Dante and Juliet, she was content to avoid all the limelight her siblings seemed to gather with such relative ease. Where others may loathe to be forgotten, she seemed to relish it. Time left alone was time alone with her thoughts, her books, no one else's voice butting in. There was a sanctity in solitude, and to this day she still is on edge when forced to gala's or into large crowds. Juliet's death came as a shock, but even after an appropriate season of mourning, Narcissa could not be swayed to leave Tor to come to Arx for answers. The city was so very far away, as distant and real as the tales in her parchments. It wasn't until very recently, when Dante and Inigo journeyed back to Tor, that she was convinced to come back with them. Her reasons remain unknown, but still she finds herself now in Arx and all of the culture shock that comes with it.
l of the culture shock that comes with it. +
Growing up in a manor Corrala never saw th …
Growing up in a manor Corrala never saw the outside world much as a child. Being taught from an early age about the arts of scholarship and nobility she thought that one day she would be a scholar. This all changed when she had to visit a healing temple one summer afternoon. Her focus in life changed from knowledge gathering to medicine and she learned about all the different medical interventions. When she got sufficient training she decided to join the Mercies of Lagoma where she dispensed healing to all who came to the temple near her home. Finding that she was also able to listen to people's troubles as she worked Corrala soon became the one that everyone went to for advice, and she soon gained a reputation for being knowledgeable especially in matters of leadership and medicine. In her spare time Corrala does some decorative gardening, sewing, and reads as many books as she can find.
, and reads as many books as she can find. +
Growing up in a mixed county, Irisa's fami …
Growing up in a mixed county, Irisa's family were river people who worked boats, and she had a lot of opportunity when she was young to see how the Greenblood children played. She was fascinated by them, even as a little girl, and tried frequently to get herself involved in their games, to learn their language and to become one of them despite the fact that she looked different, acted different, and was raised different. Her parents disapproved, and so did her brothers. But there was just something about being other than she was that wildly appealed to her. Not all of those she tried to befriend were people who were good for her, and the more and more frequent time that she spent hanging around as far away from her family as possible -- particularly in her early teens -- took her to some dark places. When she was rejected by a tribesman boyfriend at the age of 15, she fled from that familiar source of solace to hurl herself into the kind of nasty, bad troublemaking that any family would be dismayed by. Running with a mob that called themselves 'river rats', she ended up addicted to Dust by the time she was old enough to really be an adult. One of Thesarin's knights ran a raid that captured several of these malcontents, including Irisa, but it was her youth that saved her from the worst of it. First the knight brought her to a priest, and they healed her of her physical harms as best they could; and then the knight, being herself Dame Esoka, whose history was with the Greenblood people, brought her to a different kind of healer, who walked with her in the forest and helped her, with martial and spiritual training, to overcome her addiction. Irisa swore off drugs and swore off violence except in aid of others. She learned to be excellent with a weapon, and to return to her love of the different and strange that had first charmed her when she was a child. She also learned to love honor above all things, and to find a higher purpose for herself. And there was nothing she loved more than the blended life of the Twainforts, because she felt very strongly that Thesarin -- and his knight, Esoka -- had saved her life for some higher purpose. When one of the baron's men challenged Thesarin to a duel over what came down to a cultural dispute -- whether one of the 'Shav people' of the Twainforts could marry one of the baron's sons -- Irisa leapt into the fray even though it was not her station or place to do so. She made a public proclomation that she would be Thesarin's champion, whether it was in that duel or any other, for any dispute relating to his tribal roots. Both charmed and exasperated by her impulsiveness, the Count agreed that she could fight the duel for him. She won it so handily and with such flowing grace and poise that the Twainforts elevated her and made her Dame Irisa Wainryte, and brought her with them to Arx as part of their retinue.
with them to Arx as part of their retinue. +
Growing up in a provincial cadet branch of …
Growing up in a provincial cadet branch of the Valardin family, Ardoin is the second son and initially was allowed to indulge in scholarly pursuits while soaking up stories of the family's honor and piety. After the Tragedy at Sanctum, though, his remote chance of succession to the high duchy got bumped up a few places and his father demanded Ardoin take up the blade. And he did - with enthusiasm, taking the vows of knighthood at sixteen. His life became an endless quest to protect the commoners and peasants from bandits and Abandoned raids, his idealism as much of a weapon as a blade. Over time, his voracious reading habits combined with his steadfast beliefs in honor and nobility, created the unpleasant idea that the nobility ought to not only protect and control the commoners with an iron fist, but also provide them with greater education, land, and economic opportunities - from the pockets of the peerage. Needless to say, this disconcerting belief caused concern within the family, whereupon his father sent him off to Arx to serve the Crown and the interests of House Valardin - and hopefully smarten up in the process.
- and hopefully smarten up in the process. +
Growing up in a small camp of vagabonds, C …
Growing up in a small camp of vagabonds, Cigano learned from an early age that the world was unfair. His mother passed as he came into the world, already making him resented among his people. They treated him as an ill omen, passing him from family to family in the camp, giving him only the barest essentials so he would survive and they believed made good with his poor mother. It wasn't until he had his coming of age rite performed that the tribe would even speak to him as an equal. As he began to work for the family, he proved his worth and was given a chance to live and work as the rest of the tribe. He proved adept as spinning stories with cards that brought him fame among the nobles that the tribe often encountered. He soon became popular enough that the tribe leader began to groom him for his replacement. The leader's son, whom should have been the rightful heir, didn't take kindly to the news. He planned to poison Cigano at his first chance. Cigano sensing the man's anger ensure that nothing that came to him was ever out of his sight. Eventually swapping a cup force upon him by the heir apparent with the leaders. Once the poison was revealed, Cigano used his new acquired status to have the heir exiled for his crimes. The years after Cigano continued to run the camp, doing as much as he can help provide for the family, always watching for the next assassin and the next chance for him to bring more money into the camp.
for him to bring more money into the camp. +
Growing up in and around the Bonespire to …
Growing up in and around the Bonespire to the North, Jorunn's upbringing is everything you would expect a young lad's in such an environment to be. Rules to govern his life were strict and simple, as was the physical training he underwent in order to not only defend himself, but his family and allies. With the constant threat of danger on the white horizon, Jorunn steadily grew into a tall, gangly young man. Yet despite any awkward motions, he proved himself when he came of age - helping to repel repeated threats and constant attacks from the enemy. As one of the small few to survive the Silent War, Jorunn was left with what many of the other survivors were left with: death and grief. While many of his surviving kin felt betrayed that the family had reached out to the Compact for survival, Jorunn was of the view that it was at least better than extinction. Still, with his immediate family and friends dead, and his Chief in Magnus venturing to the South, he packed up and left the icy halls of the Bonespire to try and find some sort of new purpose. His travels took him far and wide, though as a Prodigal he found forging new friendships more difficult than anticipated. Some found it difficult to talk to him, while others ignored him outright. This view was initially returned in favour, scouring at those whom had no right to judge him. Yet despite the hostilities, he made do by selling his services as a sword for those that needed it. In carrying out these services, thereby exposing himself to the trials and tribulations of the local townsfolk, he began to witness philosophies quite different to those that he experienced growing up. Unlike life on the Bonespire, children were simply allowed to be children. Adults could work a hard day without having to worry about getting invaded at night. Without the constant state of threat on the horizon, citizens were able to flourish in a far more natural state. In fact, as the years passed, Jorunn found himself quite enamoured by the Compact and subsequently its leadership. Though he didn't know much of the King, one couldn't help but be suitably impressed by how the Crown had managed to keep all of the Houses in some sort balance. Local villages dubbed him the 'Bear of the North' - a friendly enough character to converse with, but absolutely savage when it came to battle. Of particular note was his defence of a travelling caravan from 'at least a dozen bandits, four dogs and a chicken' - an encounter which he neither confirms or denies to those that continually ask. After eight years of this life, wandering from town to town and territory to territory, he finally arrived in Arx. With a focused determination he now steps forth, hoping to find some sort of purpose for his life that derailed nearly a decade ago.
is life that derailed nearly a decade ago. +
Growing up in the Blackram family meant th …
Growing up in the Blackram family meant that rough was a way of life, and lessons that anything worth having was worth struggling for, and anything given to you wasn't really worth much. Gaspard learned quickly that a people did well when everyone determined what they were good at, and did that, for the good of all. Merchants traded, bakers baked, sailors sailed, and of course, the warriors fought and protected. When Gaspard excelled in his fighting training as a child, he threw himself into his study and workouts and stopped considering anything else. He joined the rest of the family's fighters in Cloudspine leading pikemen in defending the marches, and earned a few scars and his Knighthood in action there and at Gyre, as well as a name for dependably being at the front of battle. Gaspard saw himself as staying there until he finally caught a blade or an arrow and died honorably defending his people and the lands. Perhaps unfortunately for his plans, it has been made clear to him that a Knight is expected to set an example OFF of the field as well, and if the younger Marquis can be a shining example, then damned well can travel to Arx and support him.
ed well can travel to Arx and support him. +
Growing up in the Lower Boroughs of Arx, J …
Growing up in the Lower Boroughs of Arx, Jackson always felt there was plenty more outside of the low-quality living he had dealt with for the majority of his life growing up. His mother was a simple bartender in a tavern and his fater was...well, let's just say he did enough, but just barely. That is until he drowned because he fell off a pier while drunk. In the eyes of the eldest son Jackson, he died as he lived. And now suddenly, he was the oldest of three kids. And he had to step up into manhood at thirteen. The docks that he had lived near for so long in his life ended up being his ticket out, while helping pay to his family. A family friend, a Captain of a trading vessel, took pity on him, taking him on a cabin boy. And that was good for a long time, working his way up the ranks of being a sailor. The downside is that he ended up spending a lot more time in Lycene than he had anticipated. But that in itself wasn't horrible either, the young man falling in love with that part of Arvum. He would move from ship to ship, spending time as a sailor, privateer, a pirate, a trader, and swashbuckler. Many names, many faces, and he loved them all. Eventually, he took on a ship for himself, offering to deliver goods for a fair price. Granted, he never really went into details about how sometimes he got the job done, but he did take a certain amount of pride in always filling deliveries. Made plenty of good working relationships and contacts in Arx and elsewhere in that time, hauling freight, people, and even cargo that he was asked to 'not ask too much about'. Willing to keep his reputation intact, and with a healthy amount of self-preservation, he never tempted fate too much. While he was no stranger to seeing action on the high seas, taking part in plenty on his own considering his somewhat own bloody past, he had put that life aside. And a freighter was good work and plenty of good pay involved. Which did eventually draw the notice of others who he would likely call 'old friends'. They attacked his ship, the Savior's Haste, and even having a pretty fast ship, it was designed to outrun, not outfight. And this time, there wasn't time to gain enough headway. A battle on the decks his ensued, his crew, the hardened sort, were outnumbered two to one. So come to his surprise when another ship intervened. Being captained by Salazar Argento who had come to his rescue. His proverbial bacon saved, Jackson felt at that point he owed the man who had just saved his life and swore his loyalty to Argento as one of their captains. In the time since, Jackson has been able to return to his career of cargo hauling, with the occasional questionable dealing on the side. Old habits and all. Some might call him a cargo hauler, others might suggest he's some kind of privateer or smuggler. Truth is, as Jackson simply says, he's a man out to make a decent living.
s, he's a man out to make a decent living. +
Growing up in the Lower Buroughs of Arx, S …
Growing up in the Lower Buroughs of Arx, Sullivan spent the majority of his early life like the majority of the unwashed masses there: Hungry, angry, and barely scraping by. That is until he turned 12 and stumbled upon a ship bound for the untamed wilds, filled with Abandoned, money, and adventure for the warriors willing to brave it. Enamored with the potential and fed up with living as a poor orphan, he snuck aboard the ship, stowed away in the hull, and managed to use his skills to scrape by until they docked at their destination. By all accounts Sullivan should have been left for dead in those forests, prey to whatever men or beast that live there. But he was lucky. Lucky enough first to find that the crew of the ship was filled with charitable men and women who didn't strand him then and there. Lucky after when he accompanied them on an expedition that, though most were slaughtered by an Abandoned tribe that attacked, that particular clan spared him because he was so young. And even luckier when he was eventually let go to stumble his way back to Compact civilization a year older and a year wiser. But that year changed him. He learned their language, not just fast, but extraordinarily fast. He learned their customs, enough to fit in, and found that he was pretty adept at emulating them when necessary. And he learned that he kind of liked the danger, immensely satisfied by the rewards that came with it should he be successful. And that set him on his path. Upon eventually returning to Arx at 15, he spent the next two years scraping by, trying to use his new skills to make some kind of money. At 17 he hit it big when he met a Scholar of Vellichor. Maybe he was lucky, maybe the woman took pity on him, or maybe he was damn good at what he did. He taught her of the tribe and their language, told her his story, and within six months he was on board another ship, setting sail to explore the unmarked wild. And so he did, for years. Over a decade of paid, professional work, sailing from one coast of Arvum to another and beyond, to Eurus where he could learn their languages. To places some people have never dreamed about. But now he's back in Arx, ready to settle in and use his skills where they might be necessary. To act as the translator for those that might need it. Maybe he'll get lucky again.
ight need it. Maybe he'll get lucky again. +
Growing up in the Lyceum, Nekarris knew a …
Growing up in the Lyceum, Nekarris knew a life of privilege and wealth and utter insignificance. Her family, the lower levels of the nobility, were truly more akin to Merchant Barons, which meant she wanted for nothing but purpose. Or, wanted might be a strong term. Nekarris has been perfectly content to coast through life, enjoying parties and social scheming and - briefly - even a political marriage! Oh, right. When she was nineteen, Nekarris was promised to a Thraxian vassal, and became the Countess Darkwater. Her husband Ixion was young and brash and utterly taken with her. They were a happy couple, he brash and bold and bossy as a Thrax should be, she coquettish and manipulative and completely in control. He died in a skirmish with pirates - certainly pirates, and definitely not any lingering captains who were involved in the Tyde rebellion. Nekarris grieved him, as hard as a new wife could (and for a totally appropriate amount of time), and then just..never got around to going back to Setarco. Ixion's younger brother likes having her around. She's a safe outlet for him to practice his domineering, and honestly she enjoys the game, too.
ng, and honestly she enjoys the game, too. +
Growing up in the Saiklands with a souther …
Growing up in the Saiklands with a southern mother, and a former oathlander as a father, Julian took to training to be a knight like his dad at an early age. Much younger than his brothers, and older than thier children, he did not have a lot in the way of close friends or companions growing up. So he buried himself in his training and lessons on commanding forces, to maximize how effective he could be for his family, so as to make his father proud. He squired from the age of tweleve and was officially knighted at the age of eighteen after fighting to protect the children of one of his cousins from a group of highway men, nearly costing him his life, but keeping the children safe as a result. Since then, it kind of became his official duty to travel with the Saik children that were fostering elsewhere, to watch over them and keep them safe, offering them weapons training if they so desired. Recently, there has been less need for such a duty so he has come to Arx at the request of his Baroness to see how he might be of assistance now.
to see how he might be of assistance now. +
Growing up in the lowers alone with no fam …
Growing up in the lowers alone with no familly as a girl who was always a bit small, she had two options get tough or die. From a very young age it was obvious there was more to Kaya than meet the eye. Never letting her size hold her back she grew up tough and basically did whatever it took to survive. Where life will take her now that she has grown, who knows.
ake her now that she has grown, who knows. +
Growing up in the rugged opulence of Stone …
Growing up in the rugged opulence of Stonedeep, Lydia had a marked appreciation for the beautiful things of the mountains. Not the sprawling mountain vistas, but rather the wealth and elegance her house is known for: precious metals and sparkling gems. Being the youngest of four shaped her personality and she never had any intentions of becoming a Duchess. Instead, she enjoyed her spoiled lifestyle and she surrounded herself in courtly affairs, gossip, and all the frivalties and trappings that came with her station. She dreamed of the day when she might have a courtship and a husband (maybe even the title of Princess should she have been lucky enough to find a match in one of the Great Houses). She envisioned herself as a Northern debutante, her life full of gossip and laughter. But, that dream began to crack under the pressure of reality early with the loss of her father during the Silent War and the subsequent murder of her brother. Her sister, Nadia, took the title of Duchess and with her blessing Lydia travelled to Farhaven where she could represent her family among those loyal to the Redrain. There, she was a lady in waiting and she served Princesses Drea, Deva, and Valencia with pride. With the tragedy of King's Rest, she travelled to Arx to be with her family and serve as a representative of House Nightgold where not too long afterward, her remaining two siblings lost their lives. Nadia, in the Silent War, and Cassius (then Duke Pravus), was murdered in the lowers. In what seemed a blink of an eye she had to do a lot of growing up and step up to the role of Duchess. She had something of a rocky start. But then, an extended sabbatical to Stonedeep allowed her to do some much needed soul searching and maturation. She had to learn about her people and get her hands dirty. Now, she's emerged as a butterfly from a cocoon: a little older, a little wiser, and more determined than ever to make her family proud by guiding her House and Lands into prosperity and safety during the coming adversaries.
and safety during the coming adversaries. +
Growing up nestled between two older broth …
Growing up nestled between two older brothers and two younger sisters was hardly ideal for Wren, but her parents worked hard for all they had, giving their children a life some could envy. She grew up in the Upper Boroughs, eldest daughter of a middling merchant and a seamstress mother with a keen eye for textiles and a knowledge of how to move things through the marketplace that had some merchants teasing her father, Angus, that it was she who was the merchant in truth. Her father being a good-natured man, took the teasing in stride but never outright denied it either. Just as with her siblings it was in the market of Arx that Wren cut her teeth, watching and learning at first as her parents put their skills to work in a world that could be cutthroat if you weren't careful, alliances sometimes shifting daily. It was a happy existence all things told, and she grew up on stories from the other merchants and even some who came to patron her parents. Tales of places far away from Arx; tales filled with the impossible and the improbable. Tales that took deep root in the young girl and followed her as she grew from child to adolescent. By the time she was sixteen, a restlessness had settled into Wren's bones that gnawed at her nearly night and day. She had long since started working in earnest alongside her siblings and parents in the market, and she proved to have a keen eye for detail like her mother and an even temper like her father. Many of the merchants, who knew her since she was but a child, would come to her especially to strike their deals on goods, finding her easy to work with even if they didn't always come out the other side ahead. It was work that Wren found easy, and it would provide a future for her, but it wasn't enough to chase off that restlessness. And it was that restlessness of spirit that kept drawing her from the markets and down to the docks, toward the sea. Being around the dockworkers and merchants that came in from distant places of Arvum, and seldom beyond, eased that nagging just enough it made the scolding she got from her parents for 'vanishing' again worth it. It was there she struck up different relationships with the sailors and merchant captains as they came and went, trading with them tidbits of information gleaned here and there from the market and taverns and the streets of the city in exchange for stories of their travels. It wasn't enough. She left behind a note for her family not to worry, she'd be fine and come home soon, and then she was off. She boarded a merchant vessel that would have her and left Arx behind certain she'd scratch her itch of wanderlust and be home soon enough. And she did return to port often enough at first to at least visit with her baffled family all too happy to see she was alright. She even shared with them some of her earnings along with her stories of where she'd been, what she'd been doing. And then off she'd go again, a thief in the night leaving behind a note of thanks and her love. Wren was irrevocably changed by her voyages, but she wasn't alone. Her siblings had started to find their own ways into the world, one brother joining the Iron Guard and her youngest sister going on to marry and leave the city while Wren was away. Wren's own return trips started to become infrequent with more years than months between them. She returned home shortly after the Siege of Arx only to find her family in mourning over the death of a brother. Unable to shake the grief, Wren stayed long enough to pay proper respects to her fallen brother, to offer what comfort she could to her family before she fled back into the arms of the life she had built without them. It wouldn't be until the winter of 1011 AR that Wren would return to Arx with every appearance of staying this time. She simply showed up on her family's doorstep, belongings in tow for once, and a strange look in her eyes.
for once, and a strange look in her eyes. +
Growing up on Halfshav family military cam …
Growing up on Halfshav family military campaigns in the 'savage' Northlands was an interesting childhood: physically taxing but more than mentally rewarding. Whatever Rowenova may have been lacking back then in bodily strength, the waifish babe determinedly recouped with her iron willpower to stay alive and always strive for the best results. Tasked early with animal care (as far back as she can possibly recall), Rowenova grew up with increasing responsibility (and almost no idle time). Her parental guardians (both Halfshav soldiers) and the family servants kindly mentored her not only in camp maintenance but also in survival skills and varied academia (as they all simultaneously worked). Halfshav soldiers generally respected her helpful initiative: fresh horses, good cooking, and so on definitely aided party morale before upcoming battles! She absolutely loved this nomadic lifestyle and the wild Northlands with its diverse cultures and natural beauty. Rowenova eventually developed into an adolescent teenager, but she had no time for her feminine cycles. Thus, her maternal guardian wisely edified Rowenova about Limerance's Libertia which fortunately facilitated getting back to hard work without undue frustration. Over time, Rowenova finally transformed into a matured woman, and she was specially chosen (due to her ardent service to the Halfshav family) to be a new member in the Ranging Wolves (under Lord Arik Halfshav's command) for their scouting missions. Of course, she earnestly accepted this new adventure!
she earnestly accepted this new adventure! +
Growing up on a Rivenshari ship, Tatienne …
Growing up on a Rivenshari ship, Tatienne was exposed to the mercantile life early on. Among her siblings, she was shrewd in finding ways to trade favours and toys to get what she wanted, her eye for numbers was noticed and she quickly got apprenticed as a bookkeeper. It is doing that work that she mastered her field. The Silent war was rough on her family, her brothers resisted Brand and didn't live to tell the tale. Her father grew sick afterwards, and she helped settle Riva so she could look after her father in a more stationary position. Eventually, he passed away. She packed up her things and went to Arx, to make her fortune and see the city at the heart of the compact of which she now finds herself a member.
t of which she now finds herself a member. +
Growing up on a small estate in the middle …
Growing up on a small estate in the middle of nowhere was booooooring. And if there's anything Hannah cannot abide, it is being bored. Her father, on the rare occasions he was home, had the BEST stories. A former Ashford before he married into the Wyrmguards, Erik's stories were Hannah's favorite things. The places he'd been, the people he met... all of it was so much more interesting than Apsfel Falls. As a child, Hannah made up her mind. She would grow up and see the things her father had seen, and more than *that* she'd discover things he didn't! Being the sixth child of seven, there was not a lot of 'new' in Hannah's life. Yet another thing to do away with when she grew up. Not everything was terrible, of course. She was Wyrmguard and had the honor of that name drilled into her all her life. All the duties and responsibilities that came with it, the understanding that she was part of this chain of lives stretching both into the past and forward, into the future. It weighed upon her as a child. Still, the desire to be free, to be like her father, that was a touchstone she returned to, again and again. A promise she made to herself. As soon as she was eighteen, she would leave, head out for adventure, explore! She was dedicated to her training, both physical, in swords and daggers, as well as mental, studying, often with the youngest of her siblings, Reigna. Freedom was only a few years away. When her mother came to her and explained that a match had been made, to Hercan Gilden, she was not about to let that stop her. The most expeditious way to get her way was simply to agree to the match. So she got married. And then, she promptly left to go on her adventures. She'd spoken to Hercan every now and again. They would meet every few months or so and spend a few awkward hours speaking before they left to pursue their various interests. When the banners were called, word came to Hannah that both she and her husband were expected to muster at Setarco. She had not seen Hercan in several months and their reunion was typical, an awkward hug, kisses to the cheek and stilted conversation. As the days of tension leading up to the battle continued, she and Hercan spent the most time they ever had together, and she found, to her surprise, that he was a funny man, with interesting ideas. Then the battle came and Hercan was taken down in the cavalry charge. Losing him was not painful, she still did not really know him very well. Theirs was a poltical match in all ways and yet, the potential lost opened Hannah's eyes to the other relationships in her life that she had been neglecting for so long. That would change. She has decided to move to Arx and look up her sisters and get to know her family, before it is too late, again.
her family, before it is too late, again. +
Growing up on the streets of the Lower Bor …
Growing up on the streets of the Lower Boroughs, you struggle for every advantage you can get. Tynan found that, beyond street smarts, book smarts could be very helpful. When youre useful in other ways, people tend to overlook slight missteps. Even better, if youre running the books, its so simple to skim some from the top. He was headed firmly down that path until he got his hand on a book of laws. After that point, things became much clearer for him. See, when you know exactly what you can and cannot do, it is so much easier to skirt the line so that small infractions simply get glossed over. The small start fueled a lifelong curiosity, and Tynan tended to be the first one to arrive at the Scholars of Vellichors lessons when they were given. With enough knowledge, and a quick enough tongue, you find your way through. That goes for Lower Boroughs, Upper Boroughs, even with the nobles. Act like you belong, and soon enough, you will belong. The more he learned, however, the less content he became with the idea of living just to skirt the law. Now, he balances a life that tries to combine where he came from with an impulse to seek beyond. There are always new things to explore, new things to learn, new ventures to capitalize on.
s to learn, new ventures to capitalize on. +
Growing up the baby of a ducal line usual …
Growing up the baby of a ducal line usual has it's advantages, but perhaps the slight disparity of age worked to reverse that for Colette. She always fiercly admired her older siblings, but given she was so little, and seen as frail and delicate, she always managed to be somewhat of an underfoot figure. She always wanted to be apart of her older siblings adventures and shenanigans, but never really found a way to fit in. This caused her to take up the art of sneaking around, just to be close to them, and often led to her just being in the way. All of this led to her more silent and demure demeanor, which she found a way to channel in to her love for sneaking about and spying on her siblings, but given how protective everyone was of her, it usually ended in getting her siblings in trouble. In the long run it might have left her a bit more on the socially awkward side. As her siblings grew up and began departing for Arx and having more and more important roles to fill in the duchy, and having very little responsibilites left for her, she slowly became more and more reserved. Finally as she grew old enough she decided to depart for Arx herself and see what all the fuss was about.
rself and see what all the fuss was about. +
Growing up the daughter of the most famous …
Growing up the daughter of the most famous duke in the oathlands, Duke Arn Telmar, could have made it easy for Lady Simone to fade into obscurity. Instead, she took it as a personal challenge to drive her infamously tough minded and flinty father to distraction, inheriting every bit as an infuriatingly stubborn nature as her father combined with an independent spirit that refused to be tamed. Early on, it became a game to see just how far she could press boundaries without making her father lose her temper, and corrupting the many tutors and chaperones that her father Arn set over her to turn her into a proper, demure lady of the Telmarch. Instead, what she learned was two much more important lessons: a) that she could manipulate many individuals extremely easily and b) that it was incredibly entertaining to do so. She discovered two facts she is all too happy to teach other not-so-demure ladies of the Oathlands that she befriends- that it was frighteningly easy to act less capable and convince men to help her, since it plays into their unconscious (or very conscious) biases, and that it is almost a guarantee that she could convince men she found them attractive, and win them over disturbingly easily. She mostly employed these powers for good, rather than evil, in noble causes such as making her father lose his mind and be too busy frothing at her to start wars with the others vassals of House Valardin, or sometimes convincing others to support House Telmar and work towards the ends to her House even if her father had no idea. It was working splendidly, and then Prince Valen Valardin was captured by the Green March Abandoned. Duke Arn Telmar was furious at the peace brokered between the Green March and House Valardin, marrying Prince Valen Valardin to Princess Marian Greenmarch, but where her father found only fury at the thought of a scion of House Valardin marrying ancestral enemies, Simone found opportunity. The shavs being created as a new marcher lord house opened up tremendous political opportunities for the ambitious, particularly when the matter of proper fealty of the Green March bending the knee hadn't been settled, and the astute Telmar lady acted swiftly. Simone deftly convinced Prince Radley and her father to let her see to ensuring that the Green March would be loyal vassals of House Valardin, and with Marian Greenmarch marrying into the Valardin, Simone set her sights on the chieftain of Greenmarch's handsome son Marius, who would be the new Marquis of Greenmarch. A short time later, exactly according to her plans, Simone and Marius were married, and the new Marquessa Simone Greenmarch now is set to represent her new family interests on Arx... and to be certain that she can help guide in a new political power that can also serve to help her old family as well.
also serve to help her old family as well. +
Growing up the only child of Sonya and Ren …
Growing up the only child of Sonya and Renault Kennex, Titania was always drawn to the allure of the water and the ships rolling into the docks. Her friends were the beautiful Kennex vessels coming home from patrols, waiting for them to pass through the Stormbreak Arches. She reveled in watching the vastly varied types of people coming and going, wondering what each one did, where they came from, what kind of fantastical adventures they have been on. Through curiosity, she eavesdropped, learning and listening, getting to know these sailors and Kennex Corsairs from afar. One day, when a pair of sailors from Arx had come, and a group of Corsairs got into a bit of a row, Titania stepped in, without even fully realizing what she was doing, and quelled the potential fight before blows were thrown. Unbeknownst to Titania, Wash Kennex wasn't far, watching the altercation and Titania's intervention. He mentioned this to Catalana later that night and Titania was invited to be trained in finer points of Diplomacy.
o be trained in finer points of Diplomacy. +
Growing up the third son of Guy Keaton was …
Growing up the third son of Guy Keaton was not a particularly easy thing. His mother Leona, formerly of Kennex, was a demure woman, content, or seemingly so, with the transition from a sea-based life to one as the wife of a minor branch of the Keaton family, living in a small hold near the village of Stone's Throw. Together, Guy and Leona had three children, all boys. The firstborn and heir, Campbell, took after his father in all things, receiving the lion's share of attention from Guy and all the man's scarcity of affection. The second son, Willem, was born two years after Campbell and three years after that, Bors arrived. Some of the servants whispered that what little affection and love Guy possessed was spent entirely on his first born, scraps left over for Willem, so by the time Bors arrived, there was nothing left. While Campbell was doted upon and was rarely away from his father's side, Willem and Bors were far more familiar with the back side of Guy's hand than they were with a kind word or a smile from their father. Leona tried to shield the boys as much as she could, but the woman had always been frail and sickly and she could do little to combat the severity with which her younger sons were reared. While Campbell received the best tutors that money could provide, Willem and Bors were sent on various training missions with the local guards, sent into situations with little concern for their safety. And yet both of the boys strove for the approval of their father. Willem was wounded on one of these missions into the shav-infested forests, his injuries halting any further missions. Bors assumed the mantle for both of them, determined to prove himself, if not to his impossible-to-please father, then to the gods themselves. He threw himself into lessons, both scholarly and martial, earning a reputation as a serious and upright young lord. No matter his accomplishments, that elusive approval from his father continued to elude him. As the years passed his mother retreated from the public, sequestered in her rooms, and yet she never stopped writing her younger sons, a solitary figure of affection in their lives. During the attack from the Pirate King, Bors went south with most of the Keaton forces, returning with a Knighthood for service to his lieges. Even in this, there was no word of pride from his father. Enough is enough, and Bors, Knight of the West, disciple of Gloria and lord of Keaton is heading to Arx.
oria and lord of Keaton is heading to Arx. +
Growing up the youngest child of Ambrose a …
Growing up the youngest child of Ambrose and Anastasia Keaton, Jaerith learned swiftly that life rarely goes where you expect it to, that there is no chance of controling everything that comes to pass, and, most importantly, life is short and a squandered opportunity might never come again. A memory haunts him in the dark of night at times, telling his mother he did not want to walk along the river with her. Instead she went to see if her husband would go with her and ended up being thrown off the ramparts by an escaping prisoner. It is something he avoids thinking about on those rare occasions the memory resurfaces. The past is over, done and gone. There is no sense in focusing there, Jaerith keeps his eyes forward, looking for any opportunity to try something new. His taste for adventure was only tempered by the same military-focused upbringing that each of his siblings received as well. Jaerith had a natural gift for sailing and a head for catching smugglers using the river routes to ambush merchants. He developed a unit, dubbed the Riverdogs, and trained them to specifically patrol those routes to protect traders and their barges. The ever changing nature of the work suited him, as did the constant travel, but in time, even that has become a bit rote. The horizon is not as new and exciting as it once was. And the people he sees day to day aren't as full of surprises as they could be. A restlessness has settled in Jaerith, an itch for something new. Word travels that experienced river sailors might be in demand in Arx, and with his House's presence growing, the time might just be right to relocate to the seat of the Compact.
ht to relocate to the seat of the Compact. +
Growing up to a pair of farmers, her famil …
Growing up to a pair of farmers, her family were poor but not the poorest out there. But Aerwyna knew one day she wanted to be well off financially so she was encouraged to find a way to make money and an old family friend showed her the basics of sewing. She hopes to either join the crafter's guild or make it on her own.
the crafter's guild or make it on her own. +
Growing up with a knightly mother of Oathl …
Growing up with a knightly mother of Oathlands orthodox values and a stereotypically eccentric Leary father proved to be a bit of a thorn in Elias' younger years. A black sheep, Elias never put much thought into the Gods, nor did he in his studies. Despite not following closely in his parents footsteps, Elias naturally met them halfway as he made a name for himself as a hunter - whenever the motivation struck. Typically, the motivation was a diminishing purse of silver or, more often, a mystery that caught his attention just right. Whenever that desire struck, he became as fierce a warrior as his mother and as dedicated a scholar as his father. As a child, these endeavours usually involved sneaking out of the house late at night to explore old and abandoned houses, or to investigate and document strange sightings in the neighboring forests. So all it took was one little intriguing story; a secret untold, and Elias set off on spontaneous adventure. A long adventure. For an entire year. His path never circled back to the Oathlands, and instead he found himself a home with his distant Leary family in Arx while he dug up more mysteries to pick at.
while he dug up more mysteries to pick at. +
Growing up, Ennettia was overshadowed by h …
Growing up, Ennettia was overshadowed by her brilliant, talented older brother Karadoc-- and she loved him dearly for it. It removed all pressure from her to be outstanding. Sure, their parents encouraged her to apply herself, but in the end...everyone knew who the future of their Saik branch depended on. Instead, from an early age Ennettia knew precisely what she wanted from her place in the family: out of it. It wasn't that she had any problems with her family members. It's just that Ennettia longed for a more luxurious existence, and while she admired her family's ability to be satisfied and comfortable in their genteel poverty, she firmly decided such things were not for her. Of course her family did their best to instill good values into her... but she still insisted she was better off married to someone wealthy. And so in the midst of growing frustrations with their son's apathy towards his future, Ennettia was happily shipped off in marriage to Ilsoreno Igniseri, and moved to Granato. She had quite a comfortable, pleasant life, happily spending her husband's money and supervising the nannies raising their son. Until, unfortunately, the death of her husband in by opportunistic thieves threw a wrench in her plans to live the pleasant life of an elegant leech. Between the Arxian Siege, Ilsoreno's ill-organized records, and the lost of the Igniseri heirs in battle, Ennettia, with much lamentation, applied herself to making sure her husband's businesses did not fall. As the business recovered in the following years, Ennettia choose to relocate to Arx... and for whatever reason, also applies - and is accepted - into the forces of the Inquisition. This was as short-lived as her time in Arx, and she left a while later, back to her estate with her son. Only years later did she return, son in tow, back to Arx - apparently still on a whim.
back to Arx - apparently still on a whim. +
Growing up, Katherine never really wanted …
Growing up, Katherine never really wanted for anything, for life lived among her Fidante relatives was, in a word, baroque. As an only child born of a union between Dario and Aela Moore, it was to be expected that she should enjoy not only all the luxuries afforded to the sole recipient of parental affection, but also those inherited by her aristocratic station. Had she a single complaint, it was likely inconsequential in nature. That is, until the day of her father's untimely passing. The manner of Dario's death was regarded as suspicious by his wife, though a lack of convincing physical evidence and a clear motive failed to prompt further inquiry into the matter. It was ultimately ruled an accident. Aela unraveled in the wake of her husband's demise, growing paranoid and emotionally unsound, and ultimately clashed with the Fidante family when it was clear they disagreed with her assessment that Dario's accident was no accident at all. This great divide in opinions stoked discord, and resulted in Aela's unilateral estrangement with everyone around her, including her daughter. After many unsuccessful attempts to mend the relationship, Katherine resigned herself to the reality that her mother was a lost cause and began to cultivate a sense of self-reliance and confidence that had, up until that point, remained underdeveloped. Some months later, when Katherine was only twelve years old, Aela returned home to live among her own family in the Oathlands, leaving her daughter behind to be cared for by her cousins. However hurtful the departure, it was still a preferable arrangement to Katherine to remain in Tor. After all, she had that point maintained only light, casual discourse with her Moore relatives, and had no desire to give up a bustling city for a rural countryside. The years passed by, and Katherine moved forward with her life. She completed courtier school, and even spent a short stint as a member of the Bard's College to cultivate skills that might compliment her natural aptitude for music. Everything was going perfectly well, though her thoughts often drifted toward her mother. The only way she remained informed on Aela's wellbeing was through her Moore cousins; a letter here and there detailing her health and status. After each successive update, Katherine would feel the sharp pangs of abandonment, but never allowed herself to dwell upon it for very long. Katherine had just celebrated her eighteenth birthday when stories circulated about destruction of Acorn Hill and the Moore family massacre. She learned some weeks later that Aela Moore was named among the deceased. The news jolted Katherine to her core, and resulted in a period of agitation wherein she desperately filled her days and nights with distracting social events: parties, masques, plays, anything that could keep her mind off this new source of distress. For the first time in her life, she was unable to simply will away the pain. In time, she put an end to all avoidance and allowed herself to grieve, not only for her mother's violent death, but for having her opportunity for reconciliation abruptly stolen away. In the immediate aftermath, Katherine developed a budding interest in her distant Moore family, and what legacy they left behind in their wake. Perhaps, she thought, learning about their lives might bring her some much needed closure. A letter was sent to Marquis Kael Keaton to request an audience, and, when the reply contained within a polite invitation, Katherine packed her bags, kissed her cousins goodbye, and left for Oakhaven, not knowing when she might return. She could have never known what might be revealed by making such a visit: the knowledge that she is the last Moore alive who might consider pressing a claim for the Barony of Acorn Hill, and that the Keatons might even be inclined to grant it to her.
might even be inclined to grant it to her. +
Growing up, Yessica never lacked for frien …
Growing up, Yessica never lacked for friends. As a twin, and one of seven siblings, there were plenty of people around her, plenty of love to go around. Even though she had a special bond with her twin, Charlotte, because there were so many siblings, it felt, at times, impossible to stand out. To be seen. She wasn't the smartest (Reigna), the prettiest (Rhoda), the only boy (Edmund), or even the troublemaker (Hannah). She was just Yessica. So, she just tried to be the one that tried the hardest to please. There were moments when her mother would all but collapse at the end of the day, and Yessica was there to care for her. And in those moments, she felt seen, appreciated, but those were few and far between. So she simply tried harder. She studied, learned music, practiced her dancing, became an accomplished poet, all in the efforts of winning a good match for her family. She was married to Garret Riven, who became Garret Wyrmguard, a young, handsome Lord with a charming smile and sad eyes. Yessica was hopeful that this match would work well, and for the most part, it did. Garret was intelligent, respectful, had good humor... he was perfect in almost all ways. Except he did not, could not love her. His heart belonged to another, someone he refused to speak of, but that love kept him locked away. Yessica tried all she could to turn his eyes, learning his interests, and seeking to learn how to cook his favorite meals (The kitchen was never quite the same and no one spoke of it again), writing him poems, and she even took up the bow so that she could accompany him on his hunts. While she discovered a new talent, the hunts... did not go as she had planned. Garret promised that when he returned from Stormwall he would talk to her. They would come to an understanding. Except he never returned from Stormwall, lost to Pirate King attack. Shaken, Yessica was at a loss. She had dedicated so much of herself to pleasing everyone else, and she had nothing to show for it. A letter from her sister Charlotte has inspired her to move to Arx. She's been practicing with her bow and has continued to develop a unique style all her own. The time has come for Yessica to do what *she* wants to do. Which is to come to Arx and try her skills at being a Champion. What better way to get people to see her, once and for all?
o get people to see her, once and for all? +
Guilbert shares nothing from his past, due …
Guilbert shares nothing from his past, due to the usual lack of people asking and the lack of a desire to tell. Once, on occassion after being pressured by a nosy drunkard he once revealed that he comes from the Oathlands, and left due to problems with an angry spouse. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen, and probably won't be seen.
ns to be seen, and probably won't be seen. +
Gunnar Crovane has been a warrior all is h …
Gunnar Crovane has been a warrior all is his life. From a childhood spent in the mountains of his home in Stormwall and on the decks of many a ship that plied it's seas, to the battles fought to keep that home safe, one cannot help but think that war and battle is all there is to him. While he's got a warrior's heart, a soldier's training and the skills and scars to prove it, it is those things other than his skill with sword, axe, or spear that make the rest of him. He learned to hunt with the Duke's men, to sail with his captains, and how to choose a horse and to ride one for pleasure or war with his younger cousin Fianna, whom he in turn taught some of the sword and the axe to her - that she might defend herself as needed. The north is a hard place, long winters make for more than enough time to learn lessons of strategy, tactics, of how to cherish peace when it is there and to do battle when that peace is threatened. Gunnar learned these things well, and in turn taught them to those after him, making a name for himself as a skilled leader of men as well as a soldier to have at one's side. The battle at Stormwall was a turning point for Gunnar, a battle and an outcome that he is still coming to terms with.
ome that he is still coming to terms with. +
Gwenys was born in a line of heroes who se …
Gwenys was born in a line of heroes who seldom married outside the Valardin or Wyrmguard families, at least until Prince Sherrod Redrain and Prince Radley Valardin decided to marry her parents in an effort to ease the tensions between the Oathlands and the North. A full year of courtship later and Princess Larra Redrain married Prince Lyonis Valardin. Their story of duty and, some say, even love, saw the birth of three children and ended in the Sanctum decades later with the Tragedy. Growing up Gwenys was an hyperactive Princess who never missed a lesson from her tutors but whose dream was to be a knight, thinking more of heroics than duty in her younger years. She played the role of diplomat and unifier among her sisters, often adapting and doing what was required of her to broker peace between them. The golden days ended with the Tragedy, when Gwenys was unaccounted for weeks after the massacre, her body not found among the others. The girl returned to her family with a wicked scar on her once-unblemished face and clung to a strange blade she did not possess before. After the Tragedy Gwenys's personality changed and she was rarely seen in the Sanctum again, seemingly possessed with wanderlust and roaming the Westlands, throwing herself headfirst into any conflict she could find, and eventually crossing the Telmarch into the North, where she spend time learning from her mother's people and assisting them with their own problems, unable to return home and unable to cope with the loss of her parents. Whenever she was spotted at a tavern or skirmish, the Valardin was immediately recognizable, but soon after the victory celebrations she was gone with the morning snow. Her return to the fold and to Arx came only through a summon sent by Emma, enlisting Gwenys to fight in the name of Sanctum against Skal'daja. With her oath to serve being called into question, not even the pale-haired wildcat refused the mustering of troops, even if she convinced herself stay in Arx would be only temporary.
rself stay in Arx would be only temporary. +
Gyliam Tulfa was born and raised in the st …
Gyliam Tulfa was born and raised in the streets of the Lower Boroughs. He was left by his parents to fend for himself when he was no older than six years. He grew to be embittered by his situation, and often envied those more privileged than himself. Despite such bitterness, he could never have seen a future for himself beyond the average Lower Boroughs citizen's. On the day Gyliam came across the Iron Guard's recruitment drive, all of that changed. For a few years, he served as a common man-at-arms at the Iron Guard. As he trained, Gyliam proved to have a keen eye and a talent for the bow. Soon, he joined the ranks of the Iron Guard's archers. Then came the fleets of the Gyre, sailing for the Compact. The battle at Setarco, victorious though it may have been, left its mark on Gyliam. Or took it, some might say. He lost his eyesight in a terrible turn of events, when near half his face was burned off. He survived, but he was deemed unfit for duty.
urvived, but he was deemed unfit for duty. +
Hailing from a family of level headed merc …
Hailing from a family of level headed merchants, Dacian was afforded the opportunity to travel from an early age. With tutors on board his parents' ships, he was also quite well read from an early age - after all there was hardly ever anything else to do on the ships. Boredom and curiosity made him look forward to the trips ashore with his parents where he learned the family trade first hand from both of his parents. He can boast that by the time he was 18, he had seen every domain on the sea or waterways through the Compact. He's met many beautiful men and women and learned about many cultures and what each domain had to offer, and needed in return. He was expected to make himself a fine life for himself carrying on the family business. Except by the time he was 18 he felt the call of the wilderness and took to hunting. Of course this supplemented the family's business in perfect compliment. He would disappear for a month or two at a time and reappear with only the best pelts for sale. His path took a slight turn when an abandoned island was taken over by the Compact. Intrigued, he visited the island and was one of the most -if not THE most- successful merchant of Elune. He quickly adapted to the needs and desires of the traders there and after only a few short months decided to make it his home and base of operations. He still travels these days of course, but his primary focus is building his empire on Estroch and travels between Elune and Arx now when the financial forecast is just right.
when the financial forecast is just right. +
Hailing from a small settlement in the fie …
Hailing from a small settlement in the fief traditionally governed by House Darkwater, she was young when she was left alone in the world, and the struggles to survive in the unforgiving lands of the Mourning Isles would mark her profoundly. A story not uncommon among those who toil the easternmost isles of the Compact, the orphan would prove herself a true child of the salt and steel, rising above the dominance of misery to find her way to the great city of Arx. She dreams of returning to her homeland one day, the love for the shores that gave her life still strong in the woman's heart, but destiny takes her to the capitol, where the powerful meet to play their games of passion and politics.
play their games of passion and politics. +
Hailing from a tiny village under the cont …
Hailing from a tiny village under the control of House Redrain, Cole's mother died in childbirth leaving his father to raise him. A woodcutter by trade, his father emphasized hard work and discipline above all. Though it was not an unpleasant life, money was tight and the repetitive lifestyle grew to wear on him. Hoping to make his fortune in the city, he struck off by signing on as a caravan guard.
ruck off by signing on as a caravan guard. +
Hailing from a very distant cadet branch o …
Hailing from a very distant cadet branch of the Great House of Pravus and growing up as a fan of the tales of Sir Tiberio Pravus, Patrizio was a non-entity in the affairs of the main family until the wars in the Saffron Chain allowed the man to shine, his homecoming happening at the Battle of Pieros when the knight was lauded as one of the biggest reveals in the battlefield. Wounded but alive, Patrizio was welcomed at the Crown of Setara, the palace of the family, while he healed and got to know the many other Sins. To anyone else that would have been the crowning achievement of their lives, a honor and privilege, but Patrizio refused to stop while his streak was hot. The life in Setarco was intoxicating, the people of the city embracing him quick, and the man realized spending inordinate amounts of silver in pretty clothes and fancy galas agreed with him. Also, that his new tastes were very expensive. So the cycle begun of ever increasing highs producing an ever-increasing desire to perform and stand shoulder to shoulder with his cousins, a dream long in the making finally within reach.
m long in the making finally within reach. +
Hailing from the Lowers of Arx, Oswyn had …
Hailing from the Lowers of Arx, Oswyn had a humble upbringing. His family runs an archery shop, Lowers Archery. Oswyn has one older sister, who has married and had a son. Both siblings learned the family trade; Muriel took to it much better than Oswyn. While capable of very basic work as a bowyer and fletcher, it was clear his talents lay elsewhere. A quiet, clever, thoughtful child, Oswyn was always a voracious reader. A miserable shot, his eyesight was fine for objects up close, like books. He was always happiest surrounded by books and surprised no one when he became a scholar himself. Oswyn further devoted himself to Vellichor as a Disciple. Tending to book collections, learning, and teaching filled his days. The more he learned, the more he discovered he didn't know. How much needed preservation or rediscovery. His searches led him to join the Society of Explorers. Oswyn's typical role on expeditions was either as a cartographer or a healer. He was a common sight documenting and drawing various plants and animals. Plants don't move, which is very helpful to someone with poor distance vision. Oswyn maintained a shop by the Vellichorian Academy, Books and Scribing Supplies. His primary goal was to provide people of every station with the tools of learning. Affordable prices for commoners did not make much profit, but he was fine with that. For a few years, he struggled with whether to take Godsworn vows or not. The decision came down to whether he wanted a family of his own. He spent time in careful contemplation in the various shrines of the Thirteen. Speaking with other Godsworn helped him come to the conclusion that he was happy as an uncle. That was enough for him. And because his shop didn't make any real money, he was allowed to keep it after taking his vows... for a time. In spring 1016, Oswyn took the position of Archscholar. That meant giving up the shop to take on the responsibility of guiding the Scholars. He is very serious about his responsibilities to the collection. He seeks to protect the scholars under his care.
ks to protect the scholars under his care. +
Hailing from the Lyceum, Solange was born …
Hailing from the Lyceum, Solange was born to a family of commoners who have served the same Barony for centuries in various positions. She was a beautiful child, something that did not go unnoticed by anyone. She was raised differently than her sisters and brothers, with an undue amount of attention given to her education. She was quickly brought in as a companion to the Baron's children, learning to exist in the odd space of a commoner who is not quite noble but expected to act as one while never stepping past her heritage. She excelled at this, and she only grew lovelier as she aged. With the Baron's death, however, and his son's inheritance, there were rumors that he promised to marry her. Such a marriage never manifested. He married another Lycene noble and Solange disappeared. She reappeared in Arx, joining the Whispers and making them her family.
g the Whispers and making them her family. +
Hailing from the area around Oakhaven, Jon …
Hailing from the area around Oakhaven, Jonathan's family were the simplest of farming folk, tending to their fields and their heads of cattle. They were poor, but he and his four siblings never went hungry. A bright (in personality, if not in wit) boy, Jonathan was taught some of the higher educations by a kindly apothecary who lived a couple plots over, and was thus usually the one sent into town with the crop, or to buy supplies. It was on one such trip that Jonathan returned to his beloved farm in ashes, a scene of utter devestation. The crops were stolen, and the house burned. They even butchered the cows. He searched high and low, but could not find of his family, despite months of searching. So, he headed to Arx, like many in search of a more promising future...
ny in search of a more promising future... +
Hailing from the richest lands in the Mour …
Hailing from the richest lands in the Mourning Isles, Jovarn has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the few noble-born in living memory to have been cast out from his house and reduced to a common life. Originally a child of the Grimhall family, Jovarn was betrothed at a young age to a young noblewoman of a wealthy family; as he grew older he resented the forcefulness with which he was lead towards marriage, and many other things about his family and their way of ruling, that by the time he was twenty years of age he was given a choice: Marry and produce children, or be exiled and disowned. So for the last eight years Jovarn has been travelling the Compact, from the halls of the Redrain to the dockyards of the Lyceum and everywhere in between. Drinking, singing, and bedding as often as he likes.
singing, and bedding as often as he likes. +
Half-brother of Arianna from their shared …
Half-brother of Arianna from their shared mother Vayla's earlier marriage to a sickly Grayson prince, Bryn, Giuliano's birth was an inauspicious occasion as his father died of a wasting illness shortly after, one that consumed him quickly. Vayla's next marriage produced his half-sister, to whom he became very close. Unfortunately, that bond was often interrupted due to his rarely ever leaving Setarco. Trained from an early age to be a skilled swordsman, he excelled at a style of fighting with the rapier in one hand and a dagger in the off hand. When Niccolo stepped aside to make Piero Duke, Giuliano was initially optimistic - until he saw the inherent weakness in the man. Dismayed as snakelike vassals schemed to bring the House down, he was one of Belladonna's earliest supporters - and more than one traitor died upon his blade. There were no tears shed by the young Lord upon Piero's death and Belladonna's ascension, and he vowed to help safeguard her rule by any means necessary. Time passes, and Giuliano remained one of the Duchess' means of control in Setarco, although now he finds himself called to Arx by family for new duties in service of Pravus.
amily for new duties in service of Pravus. +
Halfshav does not always kill shav tribes …
Halfshav does not always kill shav tribes nor force them to kneel at the tip of their swords. Sometimes they talk to them. The spirits are a universal touchstone and so is want. Lord Mirk Halfshav has always had a connection with the land and spirits. He even views them as separate things the spirits of the land and the nature of the land itself. It's those distinctions and subtle connections that color his worldview and the way he approaches problems. Born to Eoghan Halfshav and cousins with Brianna, Seax, Arik, and Khanne the man is the eldest of that generation. He was the first to titter about Whitehold as a child. He remembers the births when he was a young boy of 6 even back then he saw the desires of people. The pride of fathers, the wish of mothers, the envy of Uncles. By the time he was in his mid-teens he was already a wanderer. He would leave Whitehold to visit different village shamans and speak of the world with them. While he was at it he'd visit the local tavern, the local matchmaker, really anyone of note. He spoke to them all and learned their stories but he never made up stories to compete always sharing his humble tale as it existed at the time. It was in his eighttenth year that Mirk Halfshav encountered his first village of shav. He had been hunting for a meal, looking to bring back some pelts to a tanner in a nearby village. He stumbled onto the shavs hunting grounds and was captured. Lucky for him he is a Halfshav and he quickly illuminated the benefits of just moving a little closer to the settlement and instead of competing for game in winter and lands in summer working together. It worked! That was one of the several tribes he convinced by brokering a deal to kneel to the Compact. It wasn't all glory of the blade and he took pride in the knowledge that there always seemed to be a path towards satisfaction for all sides. Now it is years later and the wandering spiritualist comes to Arx to see his family and bring his particular brand of talents to the complicated politics of the city. Half Savage and Half Hero if Mirk can balance those two ideals he can certainly balance the scales of the Houses of Arx.
y balance the scales of the Houses of Arx. +
Hali's parents were captains for part of t …
Hali's parents were captains for part of the Westrock merchant fleet. She was raised on the waves. In fact born on them. Pirates were a real thing as she grew up and the constant reliance on the Telmarch Navy always grated on her. And her parents. Worries about pirates were always there. And they took her father at a young age. It set the stage for what she would become. It spurred her to become a fighter on the sea. A cutlass in Hali's hand, she learned from sailors and soldiers from a huge variety of places. For their ships sometimes carried foreign visitors as well. She helped to keep her mother's ship safe with her growing martial prowess. Yet when she began to offer her mother guidance on navigation, they suffered fewer attacks and damage from storms. She was a natural to sailing, that was sure. Despite this she still suffered her fair of mishaps aboard the Silver Spectre. On a trip to deliver crates of Coffee to Arx she found herself bedazzled by a mercenary company revelling loudly in the Traders Tavern. Their tales excited her like sailing ever had, for battle and adventure burned in her blood. The idea of joining a House's standing army never sat well with her and the merchant life was too dull. There was a lack of freedom in it. And like the seas, she needed to be free to blow where the wind took her. So she took the tests and joined the mercenary group. Much to her mother's worry and upset. Her skills rocketted her through the ranks. Today she leads the Crimson Blades marines as a Colonel with enthusiasm and skill.
es as a Colonel with enthusiasm and skill. +
Hamamor appeared out of nowhere in the reg …
Hamamor appeared out of nowhere in the region of Highhill under the control of the house Steelhart. Nobody knew where such a young boy came from, how he got there or how he was still alive, but due to this nobody was interested enough to find out either. Thus, Hamamor learnt how to survive on his own, working on skills that allowed him to rely on himself and only himself. Although he stays as far away from the public as possible when he can, Hamamor still believes people in general are of good heart, and will help those in need like those who have helped him in the past.
ike those who have helped him in the past. +
Hana's mother was a member of a trading gr …
Hana's mother was a member of a trading group that made a great loop through the cities of the realm, in an ongoing nomadic caravan. The girl spent her early life traveling, seeing goods from around the world, and speaking to many varied people. Perhaps that's why she became tired of traveling early on. Some people dream of seeing the world, but Hana's already seen it; her dreams are of waking in the same place for more than two or three days in a row, of getting to know one's neighbors. To know a city not as a tourist, but a resident. Still, if traveling gave her anything, it was an appreciation for many different styles of crafting. Bows from two different cities would have distinct looks. Blades from one city had stylistic elements that another lacked. To someone who knows the language of weaponsmithing, everything has a story to tell in the line of the blade, the shape of the crossguard, even the chips and dents of use. And a crafter can use that same language to tell a story. Now Hana's come to Arx, seeking to hone her crafting talents and perhaps make a comfortable life for herself. And maybe even meet the father she's never really known: a man named Aureth Grayhope.
really known: a man named Aureth Grayhope. +
Handsome, courageous, honorable, polite, r …
Handsome, courageous, honorable, polite, righteous; as a young (obscure, provincial) Valardin prince, Yvon learned his lessons well. And when he swore his Knighthood Oaths, he felt them as a calling: defend the gods; act with courtesy and honor, fairness and kindness; keep your word sacred, show valor in combat. For years, as a knight, he fought the Abandoned fiercely, and he fought them well. Then he fell. He was taken hostage, beaten savagely. After the first agonized, feverish months, he thinks he was moved to another camp, or sold to another group ... he doesn't know who spent years torturing him. He escaped, he was recaptured, and his toes slowly removed. He doesn't know if he was tormented for fun, for revenge, or in terrible abyssal rites, but he knows this: they broke him, until almost no trace of the previous Yvon remained. And finally--for no reason that he knows--he was freed. He spent years recovering, as much as possible. Reading, arguing, and hewing to a worship of the Thirteenth that alienated his family, whose pity curdled to disgust. He refused to stop; he was denobled. No longer Valardin, no longer prince. So he came to Arx, a new man. Reborn as 'Baseborn,' broken by the knowledge of his weakness. Maybe he'll learn a few things.
weakness. Maybe he'll learn a few things. +
Haramus has been the chief minister of the …
Haramus has been the chief minister of the palace for as long as any can remember. Presumably he was once a young man when serving Alaric IV's grandfather, but if he was ever less than an officious, supercilious, and obnoxious pedant, no one has shared any memory of those times. While a nuisance to nearly all who know him, he has an encylopedic knowledge of the minutiae of palace protocol, which he mistakes for importance.
rotocol, which he mistakes for importance. +
Hardwicke has been a Sanctum guardsman for …
Hardwicke has been a Sanctum guardsman for almost as long as he could hold a weapon. It was his unwavering loyalty, family history of service, and strong sense of command that eventually earned him the position of Captain of the Guard at Sanctum. It was a visit to Farhaven as part of a Valardin contingent that first brought him into a chance meeting with a dorky Northern baker named Symanthe. She was the one to start sending letters down to Sanctum after he returned (addressed quite seriously with openings like "Dear cutie butt" and "Dear serious face") and, since his duty belonged to Sanctum and hers belonged to wherever she chose to put it, she was the one to pick up her life and relocate after deciding she was going to keep him. That he managed to land such a beautiful, vibrant sort of bride was the source of much consternation to his colleagues. Their contrasting personalities proved to be a good complementary balance for both of them. They had their first child when Hardwicke was 22 and Symanthe 20, and they had another six before she declared quite firmly that she was done now that she had a brood large enough to harass her unsociable husband for the rest of his life. Their marriage has not been without strife, but it's several decades later with all their children (mostly) grown and they haven't quit yet.
(mostly) grown and they haven't quit yet. +
Harper Ashdown was born among the denizens …
Harper Ashdown was born among the denizens of the Lower Boroughs, before being relinquished to the Tragedy upon the untimely deaths of her parents at the behest of a serial killer. She grew up close to the most impoverished in Arx and witnessed their oppression, their suffering, and their helplessness. Someone needed to stand up and protect them, and that someone would be Harper. She made sense of the chaotic, disorderly world she grew up in by formulating her own code of ethics and behavior. It was almost knight-like, if it wasn't obvious she distrusted knights. After teaching herself how to wield a blade by befriending a retired soldier and convincing him to adopt her, she decided to join the weakened Iron Guard after the betrayal of their former Lord Commander, sensing her chance to change it for the better and protect the city she loves.
the better and protect the city she loves. +
Harper was born among the denizens of the …
Harper was born among the denizens of the Lower Boroughs, before being relinquished to the Tragedy upon the untimely deaths of her parents at the behest of a serial killer. She grew up close to the most impoverished in Arx and witnessed their oppression, their suffering, and their helplessness. Someone needed to stand up and protect them, and that someone would be Harper. She made sense of the chaotic, disorderly world she grew up in by formulating her own code of ethics and behavior. It was almost knight-like, if it wasn't obvious she distrusted knights. After teaching herself how to wield a blade by befriending a retired soldier and convincing him to adopt her, she decided to join the weakened Iron Guard after the betrayal of their former Lord Commander, sensing her chance to change it for the better and protect the city she loves.
the better and protect the city she loves. +
Has since childhood done and seen many different things never being content with what he was doing, so the only way to constantly experience new things is to travel from place to place in pursuit of different experiences. +
Haven loved music, ever since she was a yo …
Haven loved music, ever since she was a young child. She loved to sing as well as play instruments, though she rather enjoyed the latter much more. Her mother got her into books, however, wanting her to get a scholarly education as well as a musical one. She always told Haven stories about when she was young, for she was previously of a common house, and wanted her children to always remember to be thankful for what they had. As a result, Haven has always had great manners, which partially came from the noble side, of which her father gently and patiently taught her. She does, however, respect those of lower status to her, and believes that yes, they may be lower in class, but not in rights of their humanity. She is the second eldest of four, and loved to help her parents care for her younger siblings. She is now beginning to make a life for herself and be on her own for the first time, but she keeps in contact with her family quite frequently.
contact with her family quite frequently. +
Having been a successful teacher serving t …
Having been a successful teacher serving the King's Own, Archibald's early life was pleasant. He served well and even earned a parcel of land to call his own. During what had been a successful retirement, his land was raided. Though he fought to stop the raiders, he was left for dead and all of his family slaughtered. Permanently lame in his leg, he went to request aid from the crown, but it was determined resources could not be spared and he was given a token gift to assist him in his hardship. Crippled, alone, and feeling betrayed, he has lived the rest of his existance in the lower boroughs teaching riff-raff instead of soldiers.
hs teaching riff-raff instead of soldiers. +
Having been born to the Tehoa peoples of D …
Having been born to the Tehoa peoples of Deepwood forest, Terris lost his tribe when he was 7 years old. The Greenwood tribe, led by Thesarin, raided the much smaller nomadic tribe at the break of spring of that year. He was saved only because his hound puppy, Nico, had fled from the cave where his tribe was wintering, and Terris had gone to chase him. By the time the young lad returned, the Greenwoods were just finishing with their looting, and slaying the last of the women. Terris saw this from a distance, and watched as the war party's leader urinated on the fire at the entrance of the cave. A face that faded from his mind's eye, as the years passed, but never from his memory. Those years were spent in the forests, largely. Tehoa peoples were taught young how to survive in the wilds. As he grew larger, he would send Nico to distract someone at a stream, washing clothes, then sneak down and steal whatever he could grab and run away with. He would hunt mostly by way of snares, still, or with Nico's help, sometimes using a length of stick with a fire hardened tip as a spear. This was just enough to stay alive. Eventually, Terris' thefts were noticed, but given his young age and wild nature, the tribes of Deepwood that he would steal from became more curious than angry. Why was a lone boy of such young age by himself in the forests? And so, one of these tribes intentionally left a bag of clothing, near where they did their wash. Also in the bag was some dried foods, as well as a small obsidian knife. The knife was a treasured tool for the youth, now into his early teens. He came back in the spring of the next year, and there was another bag. More clothes. More food. The year after when Terris went to the spot, he left several uncured pelts of winter rabbits, fur white as snow, as thanks. This sort of trade happened for several more years, until the spring of Terris' 16th year. He came to the spot and there was the bag, and sitting in front of a camp fire, a man. Terris cautiously approached the man, who didn't stand, but just smiled and turned the spit containing a pair of pheasants. Terris was invited to eat, and then questioned by the man. When his benefactor offered Terris a place in his tribe, the Othalas, Terris initially refused. The man understood, and asked if the boy would like to learn to hunt with a bow. Man and boy spent the spring doing just that. Terris took quickly to the weapon, and his ability to hunt increased many fold. The following spring, he had not only hare pelts, but a pair of white wolves, and fox furs, and even a badger. Again the man made the offer for Terris to join his tribe, and Terris refused, though he did accept a fine overcloak made from the hide of a bear, that had belonged to the man himself. The third year, Terris' 18th, he finally accepted the offer to come and meet the tribe, but initially made no agreement to join. It seemed almost a sign when, resting peacefully with his head upon Terris' lap, Nico passed away. As if the hound was able to go beyond, believing Terris would be taken care of. Terris was touched when the Othalas shared his grief, and, tentatively, joined the tribe. So skilled was Terris with the bow, and at hunting, that he began teaching the children of the Othalas. He knew many tricks that the tribe, more reliant upon the bow for their hunting, did not know. 4 peaceful years passed for Terris, who grew into manhood, accepted fully by the Othalas. Then, when Terris was 22, living in the Deepwoods with his new people, Tolmar Brand besieged Arx. The Othalas were one of many Shav'arvani to take the knee. Terris was against the move, but these people were his family, and so he joined them. One of the Rangers of the Deepwoods saw Terris' skill with the bow, and enlisted him, explaining that he could protect his people against Tolmar Brand's forces by using his skills to hunt men, instead of game. After the siege ended, the Rangers of Deepwood were like another family to Terris. One that he needn't see very often, but found comraderie with, sharing the occasional campfire in the woods. And it is in this capacity that Terris was sent to Arx. A messenger for the Rangers. Despite his independent nature, he learned to follow orders, and so when Marquessa Samantha asked for one of the better archers of the Rangers be sent to teach new recruits in Arx, Terris was given the dubious honor.
n Arx, Terris was given the dubious honor. +
Having been one of many children of a weal …
Having been one of many children of a wealthy merchant family with connections he was sent off at a young age to page for a local knight. Even for a young boy he was clumsy, slow and weak. He was taught by his mother how to read and write and had a great interest in books however at the age of 16 he had become a squire, to the shock of many and undoubtedly due to his family's local influence. That same year his mentor died and since then Glenn served a new Knight every few months, traveling from fiefdom to fiefdom in hope that he one day might become a Knight himself, growing distance from his own family and surviving of the ever dwindling financial support he receives from them.
g financial support he receives from them. +
Having never met her father, Lyria travele …
Having never met her father, Lyria traveled with her mother since she was little picking up crafting lessons, a little bit from every trade. Whenever she asked who her father was her mother just shook her head, unwilling or maybe unable to answer. Practicing all kind of crafts, she couldn't keep everything she created so because she didn't want to throw them away she gave them to people in need, clothes to small children, keeping for herself only a few. When she turned 19, her mother died because she was too sick and the fever overpowered her. After grieving, Lyria knew that she had to find her family. Or if not her family, then a place of her own. A place where she could live, not be dragged all around by someone. A place she could call home, with friends who wouldn't be lost when she was forced to leave. Because she was alone she ended up selling most of the things she owned so she wouldn't catch the attention of thieves. Selling small things she crafted to people for food or money, she promised herself that her story was just beginning.
herself that her story was just beginning. +
Having spent many of his formative years a …
Having spent many of his formative years as a ward of House Melaeris, Jophiel's passions as an adult remain forever colored by the experiences and perspectives gained from his father's birthplace of Astarrea. Much of his professional reputation as a talented mediator and secular counselor centers around his work with former thralls and those members of the peerage responsible for helping to free them. Never one to pass up an opportunity to foster new friendships, Jophiel remains famously slow to alienate or condemn those still economically reliant on the practice. In fact, marriage contract negotiations with a princess of House Thrax and the Bisland lord were in talks for some time. The arrangement might have been a great success had the relevant Voices not proved unable to reach a happy compromise. In the wake of the Battle of Pridehall, Jophiel set aside his longstanding humanitarian efforts in Thrax fealty territories to return to the Crownlands. His work there soon shifted towards assisting those suffering from wartime bereavement and battle fatigue. It remains his focus to this day.
fatigue. It remains his focus to this day. +
He doesn't talk too much about his past - …
He doesn't talk too much about his past - what he does mention is how hard he worked to learn the trappings of diplomacy. Always he has been the peacemaker - between his siblings (the middle child is always caught in between), because his parents (they fought with each other frequently), between his friends (children are terrible to each other). He was always sick as a child too, though as time passed he finally grew out of that for the most part. Happiest were his moments in the woods, when he could be alone. He would take books and read there, but of course his family's library was not extensive. So he found himself reading even the driest and dustiest treatises on politics, diplomacy, and history - and finding he had a propensity for it. Avidly he read and re-read, and started using some of the theories espoused in dry and dusty tomes to start settling those fights, and found he was good at not just understanding these theories but using them as well. And so he began his life as a diplomat, building a reputation for a level head and a genial nature that encouraged communication and compromise. Then he met the woman who would become his wife - she was in the woods too one day, tilting at trees to practice her swordwork. And as the poet said, 'No sooner met but they looked; no sooner looked but they loved; no sooner loved but they sighed; no sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason; no sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy; and in these degrees have they made a pair of stairs to marriage.' So it was that when his wife determined she would come to Arx and rejoin her family by heritage, so too did he as her faithful companion.
, so too did he as her faithful companion. +
He grew up far from Arx, one of many in a …
He grew up far from Arx, one of many in a large family. But of all of them he knew what he wanted from an early age. Of course, it's fairly easy to become the best swordsman in a town with no swordsmen, so he traveled early. Gone more often than not in search of training, Joxur saw enough of the world around him to get a pretty good idea of what he wanted to do and be. And then he went home - and instead of finding his family waiting for him, he learned that his two favorite sisters had left for Arx. One of them with a husband in tow that he'd never even met! So he set his sights on Arx and headed out once more - sword by his side, dubious armor worn and ready, to seek greatness among the denizens of Arx.
seek greatness among the denizens of Arx. +
He grew up poor in a traveling mummers tro …
He grew up poor in a traveling mummers troupe with the talent of song that he was forced to learn by his mother. Dragged from town to town, he would sing and dance for the wealthy slowly learning to hate this from the depth of his soul. As he grow up watching them never struggle or have to wonder where the next meal was coming from he took up the fine art of theft. Over time his skilled hands got him into trouble and his mother took the brunt of him crime and disowned by the group at the tender age of 15 and with nothing to do now but leave to work on his own. He made a quick name on his own performing for the courts till a Thrax lord picked him up for ownership as his personal jester. But that only lasted for 3 years now he is seeking in this name a land patron.
he is seeking in this name a land patron. +
He is a poor country boy taken in by a poo …
He is a poor country boy taken in by a poor country knight, Sir Reggie de Ange of Sanctum, after the boy's family was killed by forest bandits. Growing strong and healthy, a quick study, he eventually was accepted as a squire to Sir Reggie. He grew into his 20's as a man-at-arms under the knight, patrolling the forest roads north of Artshell. One day, against bandits, Sir Reggie was unhorsed and the younger man fought over his knight's stunned body, finally killing three bandits while wearing only leather armor and wielding a club. Reggie advocated for the boy and Achard was knighted. Present day, the young man is 33 and has been a knight for maybe eight years, gradually gaining a reputation as a skilled and strategically clever warrior.
skilled and strategically clever warrior. +
He was born on the streets of Arx to a lig …
He was born on the streets of Arx to a light-skirted woman who couldn't claim to know the identity of Jareth's father. At a young age he joined with the other children on his street into a loosely formed gang, picking and scratching for scraps to supplement what little they were provided with at home, but it was evident early on he lacked the brawn to roll drunks in alleys, or the deftness to separate heavy purses from expensive belts. Jareth's strengths lay in his confidence and his ability to charm those around him and to convincingly embrace whatever role was required of him. He was a fast-talker, a patter man with a silver tongue and the ability to blind the eyes of his audience to the streaks of dirt on his face and the shabbiness of his clothes. His ability to talk his way out of (and into) trouble didn't go unnoticed, however. He fell in with the Black Rose Mummers, putting his natural charm and talent for acting to use for himself and the troupe, though it is clear he supplements his income as an actor through any means his silver tongue allows.
hrough any means his silver tongue allows. +
He was often the odd child out, growing up …
He was often the odd child out, growing up. The Keatons by and large being a rather rough and tumble, outdoorsy lot, Kyler did not fit in amongst the other Keaton children. So he made friends with the adults, learning how to smile, how to bat his lashes and win over the ladies with his outlandish ways. Soon enough he never lacked for company, entertaining guests more than twice his age, impressing them with his precocious charm, even as he amused them with his effortless wit. Among his favorite pursuits, aside from entertaining, is match making. There is something very powerful in uniting two hearts; for a night or a life time, Kyler has a gift for finding even the most unusual or unexpected pairings that bring delight to the paired. Well. Most of the time. One of his most popular skills is his stunning ability to arrange the perfect bouquets. Having mastered the language of flowers and the subsequent subtlty in messaging that goes with that at a very young age, Kyler still enjoys sending messages through gorgeous arrangements of flowers and plants. One of the rare outdoor activities he has shown a proclivity for is hunting. Not for food of course, how crass. He hunts with falcons. Because hunting should be left for the birds, why should he get blood on his clothes? Kyler is more than happy to stay on his horse and let his falcons do all the messy work. As soon as he came of age he lit out of Oakhaven for Arx, eager to embrace the culture, the parties and people to be found in the Compact's greatest cosmopolitan center.
he Compact's greatest cosmopolitan center. +
He's a shady trader, the kind who doesn't …
He's a shady trader, the kind who doesn't ask where the goods come from. From some of his scars and his stance, he knows how to handle himself in a tough spot. He arrived in Arx not long ago, less than a year, and has made his business mostly in the Lower Boroughs. With hm he brought his daughter, Catryn, for whom he has a real protective eye. Already a few wandering hands have resulted in quiet retaliation in a back alley until the word's spread that he doesn't take kindly to showing her disrespect.
n't take kindly to showing her disrespect. +
He's always had a knack for telling stories and tales, with his expressive nature and ability to exaggerate. Raised mostly by his grandmother, the duty of family has always been of the utmost importance. +
He's seen the worst war can offer. A forme …
He's seen the worst war can offer. A former Grayson soldier from an unremarkable village in the Gray Forest, Conrad and dozens of his friends were conscripted in the war to pacify the Reavers in the Gray Forest during those campaigns. He knew it was coming at least, and enlisted the help of a veteran from previous campaigns to teach him the basics, while his friends simply laughed at him for taking 'shavs' so seriously. In the end, most of those friends only survived the year long campaign because they stuck with him and learned to keep up with proper formation work in the infantry lines after their first real combat. When Conrad went home from there, the village just... wasn't the same. His friends went back to hunting and farming. His family expected him to do the same, but Conrad had gotten a solid taste of the power of a sword, and wanted to earn a much better living doing that, as he'd heard from the soldiers that mercenaries get paid very well if they're good enough. Having heard in passing about the Crimson Blades, Conrad went to Arx to sign up. His time among the Grayson armies had already given him an edge in experience, so when the time for promotions came around, Conrad was an easy pick. He's served as an officer in the Crimson Blades for a while, now.
er in the Crimson Blades for a while, now. +
He's the oldest son, but not set to inheri …
He's the oldest son, but not set to inherit anything unless several other members of his family die prematurely, and he's hoping that never actually happens. He's more than content, happy even, to be left to his own devices, to make himself useful to the family, but not have to be in charge of anything but numbers and silver amounts. Vittorio's father was fairly typical for the family, loyal, steadfast, good with a sword, kind but blunt. However, Vittorio is entirely different than that, and seems to take more after their mother. He's kind, of course, but there's a sharpness to that kindness, the slick sort of sell you a bridge across those two islands over there aura that surrounds him. Even when he was a kid he was always hustling for something, working hard at that extra piece of cake, or the prized possession of one of the other kids...if he wanted it, he'd find a way to convince them that it was best served being given to him. As the oldest of several kids, he always looked out for his siblings, made certain that they were well taken care of. As he's gotten older he's turned his attention towards various charities, speaking loudly and proudly of his devotion to Gild, and the pantheon, the family and how it behooves everyone to help each other in darker times. Recently he's decided to head towards Arx to put his skills to use for the family there.
ut his skills to use for the family there. +
Healer to the Crownlands elite, Rafael's r …
Healer to the Crownlands elite, Rafael's reputation for quality care often precedes him. Unfortunately, so does knowledge of his great lacking when it comes to matters paternal. A noblewoman and warrior of rank, Rafael's wife bravely fell during the Battle of Pridehall and left him to see to the upbringing of their young children. This mostly translated into governesses, various tutors of repute, and the affection of family members better equipped than he, creating the type of cavernous distance that Rafael still works to mend now that they begin to reach adulthood. While serving in his capacity as a Mercy, Rafael was accompanying an incapacitated nobleman along the newly minted Great Road to Arx when their traveling party was attacked. Made overly confident by the vocal dissents of House Grayreeve at the time, assailants surrounded them and their protectors. There was a scuffle before the assailants fled, leaving Rafael with injuries of his own that saw any return to Pridehall delayed. By Rafael's own account, he made the terrible mistake of appearing at all useful during his stay and was consequently asked to remain in Arx by House Bisland's leadership.
main in Arx by House Bisland's leadership. +
Helena had a happy childhood, because her …
Helena had a happy childhood, because her sister already paved the way for her. They had already gone and done things their own way, so by that time, her family was amenable for Helena to find her own path. She's tried to follow in Agatha's footsteps once. Stole her practice sword and managed to mow down a large section of hedges and topiary, taking the head off of a rather interesting rendering of an elephant. After a few more nicks and cuts, she gave it up for a while - deciding that her training can come later when she's ready. Then she followed in Elgana's footsteps. Literally. She trailed after her sister like a baby duckling and begged and pleaded for her to pay attention and play tea party with her. Elgana would spend hours sitting with her sister, and they had some tea parties that could be in books and fairy tales. Handsome frog Prince's, talking pigs and probably even a few benevolent emperors attended these teas. The middle sister doted on her little sister, and it was Elgana who helped her sister find her passion. That passion was books. They were her first true love (besides her family), and to this day her most persistent. She devoured books like they were food, and could be found hiding in a tree, nestled in between some stones, tucked in a nook in the house, or even hiding in the kitchen eating an apple as she was reading. When her sisters went to Arx, she remained behind, but after a few months of solitude she couldn't stand it anymore and followed them there. Time to be a pest again.
lowed them there. Time to be a pest again. +
Helewise Redreef was the eldest daughter o …
Helewise Redreef was the eldest daughter of a small family in the Isles whose lands could be best described as "bleak." Her purpose in life was to be a perfect individual match in order to further these parlous fortunes, but there was a falling out, for Helewise chose other than her father when future Baroness Ember rose her way to challenge the laws of tradition. Helewise had little to offer save a sharp mind and a willingness to work, but she took to murdering people in heavy armor like a duck to water or a Lycene to treachery, and was rewarded in the fallout of everything. She did not confront her father on the field of battle: but then, not everything makes a neat little story.
not everything makes a neat little story. +
Helia was born of Victor and Cibale Andras …
Helia was born of Victor and Cibale Andrasko, both favoured servants of House RedTyde, who served faithfully up to the death of their House, standing proud with their Lord when the Thrax came to lay waste. Helia herself was pulled from the burning rubble of her home by Fredrik RedTyde, who then fled with her in turn to exile, so very small and growing up with no memories of that horrible night of fire and death. She was raised by Fredrik RedTyde, who treated her as a daughter in truth, even if not in name, living with him on his ship as he plied the waters of the Compact. Never taking truly to her father's teachings on economics and business, she instead grew to love the feel of the waves, the roughness of the sailors they sailed with, and the life-or-death play of swords. Her father may have worried, but she grew into the role of a swashbuckling, outspoken woman with aplomb, even if it meant a flash of steel (or, more often, with her father having to soothe feelings with words or coin). Following him since she was old enough to make the choice, she has only known of Fredrik's true status for a short time, and was shocked to learn that her father was, in fact, a Lord of some stature. Once she grappled with that secret, she kept it well, and was understandably infuriated when he went to Arx without her, claiming he would 'send for her when it was safe'. But Helia doesn't /want/ to wait and just run freight or sit in Tyde hall (as an honored guest). She wants to be where the pulse of civilisation throbs; where rings glitter on the fingers of the silks, and steel flashes in the hands of quick-witted scoundrels; where the booze runs freely, and so does the silver. What could be better than that?
he silver. What could be better than that? +
Hella was born of Victor and Cibale Andras …
Hella was born of Victor and Cibale Andrasko, both favoured servants of House RedTyde, who served faithfully up to the death of their House, standing proud with their Lord when the Thrax came to lay waste. Hella herself was pulled from the burning rubble of her home by Fredrik RedTyde, who then fled with her in turn to exile, so very small and growing up with no memories of that horrible night of fire and death. She was raised by Fredrik RedTyde, who treated her as a daughter in truth, even if not in name, living with him on his ship as he plied the waters of the Compact. Never taking truly to her father's teachings on economics and business, she instead grew to love the feel of the waves, the roughness of the sailors they sailed with, and the life-or-death play of swords. Her father may have worried, but she grew into the role of a swashbuckling, outspoken woman with aplomb, even if it meant a flash of steel (or, more often, with her father having to soothe feelings with words or coin). Following him since she was old enough to make the choice, she has only known of Fredrik's true status for a short time, and was shocked to learn that her father was, in fact, a Lord of some stature. Once she grappled with that secret, she kept it well, and was understandably infuriated when he went to Arx without her, claiming he would 'send for her when it was safe'. But Hella doesn't /want/ to wait and just run freight or sit in Tyde hall (as an honored guest). She wants to be where the pulse of civilisation throbs; where rings glitter on the fingers of the silks, and steel flashes in the hands of quick-witted scoundrels; where the booze runs freely, and so does the silver. What could be better than that?
he silver. What could be better than that? +
Her childhood spent under the close watch …
Her childhood spent under the close watch of her family, Tila found surcease from scrutiny with her studies. It wasn't that the nobles of Giant's Reach were expected to put that much store by propriety, but growing up under a regency as the younger child, there was potential for her to be used as a pawn in any number of games, and it was much better for her to be sitting quietly in the cavernous halls of Giant's Reach, studying, reading, and learning many old songs and stories of the spirits. The shaman who was her most frequent teacher was also one of the driving forces of her childhood, an old woman who passed away when she was still young, but not so young that she did not treasure her lessons for the rest of her life. As her older brother became the March in truth, Tila had only a few close, quiet friendships to treasure, and the rest of her time was dedicated to her work. She mistrusted his loud nature and his boisterous pride, and knew -- even in her teens -- that he would need a steadier hand to focus him and prevent disaster. She was a passionate student and a fierce truthspeaker, and when she was only 20, she became the Voice of Giant's Reach. Her career and competence grew over time and now, five years later, she is both the Voice of the March and one of the premier lawyers and promising young writers in the North.
and promising young writers in the North. +
Her father was Darko Blackram and mother w …
Her father was Darko Blackram and mother was one Wendy Malvici. A second cousin among a sea of cousins. She was raised going between Southport and the Cloudspine, her parents intent on exposing her to both of her heritage. When she was two the Southport-Tor war broke out and they were on their first trip to the Cloudspine. It was a lucky thing for the family and they managed to avoid some of the upset. During time spent in Cloudspine they were free to lavish attention on the girl. Being far from home, everyone went out of their way to make her happy. Perhaps that was a bad idea. From a young age she was always wandering off. It terrified her parents and they did their best to have her under careful watch. After all, they had tried so very hard and struggled to have her. But it became a game to escape and run off on the governesses and nurses tasked with her. As she grew older she grew bored with just running off. The thrill less. And so she got into other trouble. Mostly pulling pranks on anyone who wasn't careful, or filling her little treasure chest with stolen knick knacks. When they returned to Southport in 995 they hoped that, perhaps, the militant training would work. If anything it only made her rebel worse. Oh she took to the lessons, and was skilled as any Malvici might be expected to be, but she made it clear this was not what she wanted to do. And so she wouldn't, except when she did. It led to many headaches and pains for her parents. It was only when a group of explorers came through, hosted by her parents, that some hope of reining in the wild child came. They stayed for a month and promises of tales are all that got her going to the academy regularly. Yet it wasn't what he parents hoped. At 13 she stowed away on the explorers ship and managed to hide for nearly a month. There was no turning back, only apologies to be made. True to her stubborn nature it took wile and three years before the crew were able to get her back to Southport. And her rather infuriated parents. But she was unrepentant, even bearing a tattoo hiden beneath her clothes, and all around behaving little like the lady they had hoped. It drove a huge gap between herself and her parents. During her travels she had picked up a fascination for alchemy, specifically in its use for body inks. When she returned they put her under house arrest. It started a battle of wills that drove her mother to drinking and ended with Darko sending her off a few years late. It was a desperate attempt to temper her. In 07 she went to Caer Morien just after Artorius was made its Count. Little did they realize the delight Dora would find in the native people and their own traditions. Without meaning too she managed to learn something of their culture. In so doing she helped to bridge some of the gaps between House Magnotta and the prodigals. Too bad she got bored again...
prodigals. Too bad she got bored again... +
Her father was a Eurusi warlord wannabe wh …
Her father was a Eurusi warlord wannabe who decided to harass a Fidante trade vessel. Then he hounded it. Then, with men, he boarded it during the night and took it captive for ransom. Fidante's response was to find out who this man is, hunt down his family, take his daughter, and offer HER as ransom for the ship. The story gets muddled but, some say he cracked immedietly. Others, that he denied her existence and caused the deployment of some secret strike force. Others still, that he yielded, but upon seeing how Eurusi are treated by other Eurusi, the Fidante in charge did not let her go, sent a strike force to destroy the enemy, and decided to keep her as one of their own. To do her a kindness.
as one of their own. To do her a kindness. +
Her father was some high-up in the city gu …
Her father was some high-up in the city guard here or there, the details are a bit muddy and typically left well out of the conversation. Her mother was a herbalist, some unwashed nobody that captured the heart of that crusty old city boy. None of the family got along. Her father wished for her to join the guard, or the army, find some sort of direction in life. Her mother wanted her to be a free spirit. Apparently they couldn't decide on the best course of action, so they sent her away, made her somebody else's problem. That somebody turned out to be an apothecary, one which made her his apprentice. Shucks, you know, she doesn't really know where he is now, but rumour has it he wasn't exactly the best guardian in the world. What's it matter, ey? She's here now, shop of her own, destined to be the very brightest of shining merchant stars! ... Don't believe it? Just watch.
stars! ... Don't believe it? Just watch. +
Her great grandfather was a part of the li …
Her great grandfather was a part of the line of succession in the house, if only just. Technically, Edain is a distant great uncle, but she is closer related to Ectorion, in their respective distance from any sort of inheritance or succession, his mother Lyllindyl being her aunt. Her father died fighting the forces of Tolamar Brand. Her mother died during childbirth. She has half a dozen or so half brothers and sisters from her father's later marriage. She idolized the man, and took to learning a weapon from the time she was old enough to hold one, quick to emulate her childhood hero. Her own training only recently came to any sort of formal conclusion and then only because she was so anxious to be done with learning and get on to the doing! More than any other God, her dedication is to Limerance. Though she does love the idea of love, it is more because of the importance of oaths, the reliability and accountability meaning more than any romantic elements. Of late, with the Compact seemingly teetering on the edge of war, she's come to the Capital, with the hopes to find glory on the front lines of battle, even if it's the last thing she ever does.
even if it's the last thing she ever does. +
Her mother Adona had a reputation as an ex …
Her mother Adona had a reputation as an excellent judge of character. As Calypso grew up, she realized how well-suited she was for the military path the Duchess laid out before her. In the aftermath of the Tor-Southport War, she embraced the martial life that defined House Malvici and the city of Southport. She had always stood apart; her younger brother's enjoyment of politics saved her from a role she never wanted. Calypso was in field training by the age of twelve and commanding patrols by fifteen. She lived and breathed strategy, logistics, tactics, and leadership, but it was the time among soldiers in the field that she appreciated most. She grew to love them as much as she did her brothers. The inevitable deaths and losses among her troops led her to work them and herself harder. She was a highly-demanding commander, never settling for less than the best and scant with praise. Her success at bearing the same burdens as the common troops as her training prolonged their lives won her fierce loyalty from Southport's soldiers. When her mother abdicated in favor of her younger brother Hadrian, his first act was to make her the commanding general of House Malvici's armies. She wasn't yet twenty-five years old, but some said the promotion was overdue. With the tension in Arx, Calypso finds herself needed for her counsel and good judgment as much as commanding soldiers. Though she gratefully passed the responsibility of rule off to her young brother so she could follow her passion for martial mastery, she is still determined to help. She intends to make the most of her first diplomatic excursion outside the Lyceum, aiming to learn as much as she can about potential enemies, seek out allies among those who respect the pragmatic use of force, and set her tactical experience to work in the ballrooms and audience halls. After all, she reasons, diplomacy is war by other means.
reasons, diplomacy is war by other means. +
Her mother claims Sonnet fell off the back …
Her mother claims Sonnet fell off the back of a turnip cart when she was a baby and the grocer was gone before the woman could give her back, so she raised little Sonnet to be a skilled assassin and sent her to murder the errant grocer as her first kill. It's probably true, too; Sonnet's mother believed heartily in the satisfaction of a long con.
eartily in the satisfaction of a long con. +
Her mother was a beautiful woman, and her …
Her mother was a beautiful woman, and her father was a jealous apothecary. Valery lived locked in the store most of her life, leaving just when the whole family would go out together. Once her mother died, this chances decreased terribly and she almost never was allowed to leave the house. She learnt all she knows about herbs, remedies, parfums and poisons by looking at her father work on his store. One day she just got fed up of the situation, stole her father's money and left the house, running away to never come back.
he house, running away to never come back. +
Her mother was a beautiful woman, and her …
Her mother was a beautiful woman, and her father was a jealous apothecary. Valery lived locked in the store most of her life, leaving just when the whole family would go out together. Once her mother died, her chances decreased terribly and she almost never was allowed to leave the house. She learned all she knows about herbs, remedies, perfumes and poisons by looking at her father work on his store. One day she just got fed up of the situation, stole her father's money and left the house, running away to never come back.
he house, running away to never come back. +
Her mother's father was a Deepwood, first …
Her mother's father was a Deepwood, first cousin to the main Deepwood lineage, who married into the Grayridge family two generations ago. The Grayridge holdings were so far from the seat of Deepwood that neither Emily nor her mother ever went on Deepwood lands, but even so she knows that's her heritage. "Be as serene as the deepest wood," her mother told her often, and she tried to take that to heart as she explored the woods in the Barony of Grayridge. But she always wanted to be more than the daughter of a minor noble, destined for obscurity and trying desperately to resign herself to that fact. And then Samantha Deepwood came to Arx and was recognized as a noble there - and Emily knew this was her moment. This was her moment to come to Arx and claim her ties with the Deepwood family. She could be something here, and she could be more important than a minor noble in the middle of nowhere, marrying and living her life without ever traveling, or adventuring, or seeing anything new. And so she came, and now she's here with a wanderlust and a curiosity about life and everything to do with Arx. She's ready to make her name as Lady Emily Deepwood. She's ready to take her place among the rangers of the Deepwood that Rymarr has so painstakingly trained. She's ready to stand against ancient threats and current enemies alike. She'll be brave, and bold, and forge right on in to this new place and family. And nothing's going to stand in her way.
. And nothing's going to stand in her way. +
Hickson was born in Darkwater Watch, the f …
Hickson was born in Darkwater Watch, the first of five children. His father was a trader and a seaman, and his mother worked in the Darkwater household as a servant. When he was old enough, Hickson joined his father as a cabin boy aboard a trading vessel bound to Arx. It was attacked in route by pirates, but he was recovered by a ship flying the banners of House Seliki, and transported safely to his original destination. Once in Arx, he was delivered into the care of the representatives of House Darkwater. Hickson decided to remain in the city, and, after his experience on board the ship, he turned his attention to assisting the Iron Guard with criminal matters, and found himself well suited to information gathering. He has since dedicated himself to serving the Sentinel and the people of Arx.
erving the Sentinel and the people of Arx. +
Hillward. A town in the Oathlands of littl …
Hillward. A town in the Oathlands of little renown. But it was home. From the moment of Ilsa's birth, a place of hard work and graft, of joy and delight. A place of simple pleasures for simple folk. Folk who knew the wisdom of the woods and who gave thanks for the gifts they were given by the gods. Ilsa was born into a house of wise women, her own mother, having lost her husband soon after her daughter was born, lived with her sister's family, with her mother and aunts. A family of women tending to their own. From her youngest days, she trailed at the heels of these wise women, learning their ways, learning the secrets of herb and flower. The power of poultice and potion. The wisdom of speaking to the gods and to the spirits of the land. And when she came of age, she took her place as a wise woman herself, tending to the needs of the town and of the countryside. Knowing, always, that the day would come when she would find her way to the wider world, to places of greater renown and grander vistas. A place where she could ply her craft and hone her skills. And now, her chance has come. And Arx awaits.
now, her chance has come. And Arx awaits. +
His family came to the Marche almost the s …
His family came to the Marche almost the same year it was formed and thus Taldolf has always had a legacy of involvement with House Sanna and some might think a tradition of honoured service through his family. Ever since a young age, due to him always being quite strong and agile, he was trained in a very militarized fashion. And as he grew older he was honed and refined for field combat. His commanding voice and composed nature as made him quite the asset in Giant's Reach. Now he is coming to the city to offer what aide he and his troops can give to the Marquis.
he and his troops can give to the Marquis. +
His father is a noble man known for his sk …
His father is a noble man known for his skill with forging blades, a skill he had to put aside once he became more known in the court, from Sanna in Redrain who married a Valardian lady from Blackram in the Oathland. When Jozef was born they moved south to Cloudspine, where he was raised, learning their customs and religion in favor of his father's. With a bright education from a university in Artshall under his belt, Jozef became a squire of Duke Edmund Laurent, serving under the man for many years, and eventually becoming a knight himself. Then his mentor died from illness and Jozef, stricken with grief, left Artshall and the Oathland to never be heard from again. He fled north where he took on his father's trade, as a blacksmith, and camouflaged as a courtier inside the Sanna court. During his time in the north, he met a Patheon missionary and the two came to be close friends. The priest helping him practice their religion. Jozef also learned about the stars from the priest. He became obsessed with the notion that stars could fall on Arvum, that he wanted to see one himself. So much, in fact, that he left home for a second time, this time though to chase falling stars. The wilderness was cruel but Jozef had to learn to live off it as the clans do. After many years in the wild, looking up for falling stars, he returned to the court to look for his priest friend, and hearing that his friend was among the clans, trying to convert them, he ventured to track him only to encounter what was carnage left behind by wild shavs. His priest friend left on a cross for the birds to eat him alive. The sight was so intense that it buried an image into his mind. He brought the priest down, giving him a proper burial. Nowhere else to go, he came back to Cloudspine, his mother's house, to face her and his father for the shame he brought when he left the service of house Laurent. He swore vengeance through duty and to appease his family, offered himself as a potential bachelor for house Blackram to dispose of in an advantageous marriage.
to dispose of in an advantageous marriage. +
His father was Marcus, and his mother was …
His father was Marcus, and his mother was April, but he never truly got to know them. When he was 12 years old, his parents had to flee Arx due to owing money to all the wrong people. He was always good with numbers, math, talking to folks, always one step ahead, so when they bailed on him, getting himself a job at a local store, doing the finances. He was able to carve out a name for himself as a wiz of financial means, also was friendly enough to get a job working at a local shop doing the finances. Through giving up his pay, he was slowly able to pay back his family debt. His folks have never returned to Arx, seeming to have vanished off the face of the earth. But, after a few years, he has a handful of clients working at their backrooms. Making a name for himself as a crack accountant can help anyone no matter how poor be able to budget.
yone no matter how poor be able to budget. +
His father, Lord Aaron Steelhart was cousi …
His father, Lord Aaron Steelhart was cousins to Roslyn, Frederik, and Gregor Steelhart. A minor lord, he supported the main family by manning his fortress by the sea and assisting his cousins with protecting the shoreline. He married to Lady Lilian Ashford, while still in his mid-twenties and bore Jasper shortly afterwards. The oldest of three, he often found himself the protector of his two sisters. With his mother's tales of knights and valor, bolstering his Valardin heritage, and his father's fine example, Jasper knew that more than anything he wanted to be a knight. For many years, Jasper's life was consumed with his training. He excelled with not only the joust but also in melee with his sword. He even had an opportunity to foster with Frederik, developing connections with his other Steelhart clan. He spent time with Lionel and Sara. Even Padraig and Seth. When news of their betrayal that led to Lionel's death and Lady Lydia's suicide, he was devastated. His loss did not stop there. His parents were murdered at the Tragedy of Sanctum, suddenly trusting him sooner than he wanted into being the head of the family and caring for his little sisters. He met a woman, claiming to be Lady Blackshore, who was suddenly there as a friend, a confident. She had recently lost her fortunes and being the kind host, he offered sanctuary to the woman until she could contact her family. With all the pressures, he found himself leaning on her more and more. Obligation become love and finally he proposed marriage. Everything moved quickly as his bride urged him not to wait, to move forward. Eager to start his own family, he went along. Except the wedding never happened because his bride disappeared the night before their wedding day. He contacted the authorities, fearing the worst had happened to his bride, only to find this woman never existed. She was false in her words and took advantage of a young lord. Jasper learned a hard lesson on trusting others. The next several years were spent getting things back in order, rebuilding his finances and seeing to the education of his sisters. Dreams of being that dashing knight were put aside for more practical matters. Although, with the recent rumblings of war and call to banners, Jasper has felt the stirring once again. He finds himself in Arx to find husbands for his sisters and perhaps become the knight he originally put aside to see to his family.
originally put aside to see to his family. +
Holden's life has been one of expectation. …
Holden's life has been one of expectation. The Morgan family has a long history of distinguished service for House Valardin, and this weight settled most squarely on Holden's shoulders as the oldest of seven. He was born to Hardwicke Morgan, Captain of the Guard at Sanctum, and his wife Symanthe, first of a long string of children over the years that followed: Elise, Sergio, Aleksei, Warrick, Sasha, and Briseis. Although his mother was a bright, vivacious, and somewhat dorkily-humored sort of woman, it was his father that Holden rather quickly took after: stern and serious, with a constant weight of responsibility on his shoulders. While all of his siblings (save Aleksei) took on the general mantle of expectation to serve responsibly and productively as commoner vassals of the Valardins, no one took it quite as seriously as Holden. He grew up with a sword in his hand and served as a guard, soldier, and man-at-arms -- whatever was needed at the time -- for the Valardins. He earned commands of his own by his actions in the field, recognized quickly for a clear natural aptitude for leadership and an unwavering sense of dedication and loyalty that outstripped his skill with a blade, and he was a friend and ally to the Valardin heir, Prince Vance. It was no surprise that he proved himself a hero at the Tragedy at Sanctum, saving many lives at the risk of his own. The knighthood that he earned for his actions -- a recognition he would once have been so humbled by and proud of -- was little solace for the fact that his own husband and child were among those who died that day, as well as his friend and compatriot Prince Vance. He continued to serve, as life can only move forward, but recovery has been a slow, private process. And now, with Bringers at the door several years later, he has been sent to Arx to continue his service for the High Lord and the rest of the family there.
igh Lord and the rest of the family there. +
Holt was born and raised in Sanctum, a poo …
Holt was born and raised in Sanctum, a poor kid to poorer folks he was as common as they come. A couple siblings and parents who existed to labor away for what they could scratch together for necessities. Growing up in some of the roughest parts, he learned quickly that ending a fight quickly was the shortest path to success, educated only as far as the Vellichoran scholars were able in the squalor of his neighborhood, most of his experience came from life. There were a few ways to make it, start in on the more frowned upon pursuits of a young man in a bad area or try to make a life elsewhere. He spent several years trying his hand at the former, more comfortable with the physical nature of some of his tasks. A call too close to losing his pretty head was enough of a call to expand his horizons as any. So he took to the road, muscle for hire to caravans, traders and travelers, his path eventually taking him into Grayson lands. He's spent more than a decade in the Crownlands, eventually making a name for himself as a sellsword and champion for hire. A short stint for a Grayson princess landed him his current fealty to the house, though his association with the great house has otherwise been loose. His return to Arx and the Champion's guild finds him seeking work once more on behalf of those slighted and looking to prove a point. A particularly sharp point.
prove a point. A particularly sharp point. +
Honesty was Dmitry Grimhall's vice, accord …
Honesty was Dmitry Grimhall's vice, according to his father. His father, Duke Taras Grimhall, was a famously cruel and abusive man, with the sort of malevolence that even made House Thrax uncomfortable and consistently caused issues with the other houses, including completely unnecessary skirmishes with Redrain vassals that threatened to break into all out war. Dmitry never quite learned to not question what he saw as the dishonorable, brutish and stupid nature of his father's reign... resulting in him being passed over as heir for his younger (and far crueler) brother Eugine, as well only kept in the family to torment. Dmitry, a grimly determined man who took his vows of loyalty to family and liege with unshakeable loyalty, endured slight after slight, being kept by his father and younger brother seemingly just to mock and toy with. Through it all, the honorable Grimhall ignored it all, silently showing himself as a fearsome combatant on the field in the Tyde rebellion with acts of heroism that were praised throughout House Thrax and ignored or mocked at Grimhall's home of Grihem's Point. After the death of Duke Taras, the title of Duke passed to his younger brother, Lord Eugine, who sought to outdo their father in wastefulness and wanton cruelty. Many of the other lords in the Mourning Isles urged Dmitry to contest the claim, some all but promising him military support to depose his brother, but the famously honorable Dmitry pointedly refused every entreaty and served his brother Eugine without a word of complaint at the continuing abuse heaped upon him. Most of the lords of the Mourning Isles were aghast at the honorable Grimhall just ignoring the barrage of slights from his brother, save where his daughter was concerned. It seemed that Dmitry was not particularly a traditonalist, largely turning a blind eye to his daughter Cordelia's rebellious ways, and it was rumored that Dmitry and Duke Eugine nearly came to blows over it. Fortunately for the Mourning Isles, Duke Eugine's ship was lost at sea recently, dying without a decreed heir, which caused the title to pass to Dmitry. Any death of a duke is suspicious, but frankly the Mourning Isles houses were too glad to see Eugine gone to pay it much heed.
ad to see Eugine gone to pay it much heed. +
Honor. Honor above all. Born on May 26th, …
Honor. Honor above all. Born on May 26th, 985 AR to Prince Robert Valardin and Lady Helene Telmar, Bruce was the firstborn but grew up knowing he'd never inherit title or land. Instead, he was prepared for a life of chivalry, nursed by tales of Oathlands heroism and knighthood. He was riding by the age of five and learning how to wield a longsword by eight. At ten, he became the squire of Lord Gregor Steelhart the Chillhearted, a renowned knight and swordsman. It was a busy childhood of martial training, studying warfare, extensive conditioning and prayer. Though even now, he holds those hazy memories close of warm summers spent at the river with friends and family outside of the Capital, and along the coast outside of High Hill. His peaceful childhood was not to last. Knighted at sixteen, Bruce took up the sword for his family and began his career in earnest. It was only a year later when the Tragedy in Sanctum occured. His mother and father lay dead, along with Prince Radley Valardin and most of his immediate kin. The newly knighted Oathlander had been away in the Gray, partaking in Compact operations against hostile abandoned. When the news reached him, it changed the young man forever. 1006 AR. Bruce was a mounted knight in the Silent War, twenty one years old. He fought in countless skirmishes in the Northlands, the Gray, and finally in the Crownlands, culminating in the Siege of Arx. Months of his life had been spent waging war against Tolamar Brand and his forces. Yet there was never any respite. The following years were spent in small campaigns among Valardin forces, the Compact and Templars, fighting hostile Abandoned and cultists throughout central and western Avrum. A week before his birthday, in May 1008 AR, Bruce served under High Lord Edain Valardin in the Gyre War. Though the city burned and the losses were extraordinary, the battle-hardened knight survived and rode down the Gyre's fleeing troops alongside his comrades. In less than three years, he had participated in two grand wars that shaped the future of the Compact. And he lived. Bruce had earned a name for himself with his exploits among knightly circles and Valardin forces; a veteran of wars, countless campaigns and dozens if not hundreds of skirmishes with abandoned and brigand alike. He gave the Pantheon praise, Oathlands Orthodox through and through, living without a fear of death after experiencing so much in his young life. It took the Battle of High Hill Crossing to humble him. He was twenty six years old, a small unit commander among the united forces of Valardin and Telmar. He had recently learned of High Hill's fall to shav forces, and the massacre of House Steelhart; so many friends, comrades, good men, dead. He yearned for revenge. In his anger, he forgot the Faith's teachings. And he payed. Nearly a thousand allied troops died in that ambush, among them Prince Caius Valardin and Duke Arn Telmar, both kin to Bruce. His leg was shattered in battle by a mighty blow, a serious injury that would fully heal, but that left him bedridden for the better part of a year. His countenance grew more serious, stern. He lost that youthful charm and cocky posture. Prayer was his solace. He thought of all the brothers and sisters in arms that he had lost throughout the years. Slain family members, allies, friends, fellow knights and Oathlanders. It's during this time in which he realized that for him, war would never be over. In the years since, Bruce returned to combat and his knightly pursuits, training and assisting in the Compact's campaigns against abandoned and foreign foes whenever able. And now, he has traveled to Arx in order to get more directly involved in the coming wars. Foes surround Avrum, the Compact, Valardin. From within and without. Bruce wants to play his part; for the sake of honor, virtue, justice. He will lead his people to victory.
stice. He will lead his people to victory. +
Hope was born to Ariana and Siro Sovlik, t …
Hope was born to Ariana and Siro Sovlik, three years before her sister Lucina was born. As a child, she was outgoing and loved to play games with other children. She loved music, reading, and learning the art of healing, be it herbs, potions, or by other means. While her parents were away on business or one thing or another, she would spend hours locked in her room, learning what she could via scrolls, tomes, and books. Her sister, Lucina, would study with her from time to time. When not reading or playing the violin, she would train in combat with the others. Though her parents encouraged her to follow her dreams, many weren't so keen with some of the choices she made. At the age of eighteen, she was well on her way to becoming a great healer. During that time, she also witnessed the death of one of her closest friends. She found him late one night, bleeding out on the street, but she was too late to save him. Devastated and angry beyond belief, she vowed that one day, she was going to get her revenge on whoever had slit his throat and left him for dead. She had seen her fair share of deaths, but none of those deaths had involved a friend she had considered as dear to her. From that day onward, she became more aloof and more determined than ever to become better in combat. She was also determined to master medicine, even if that meant delving into some unsavory things to do it.
elving into some unsavory things to do it. +
House Ashford has few traditions its child …
House Ashford has few traditions its children embrace with more vigor than the tradition of the tree scouts, and Rhiannon's first soaring heights began when she was very young. Born of a cadet branch of the family that should never have expected the responsibility of rule, Rhiannon was raised to the spirit of adventure that is an Ashford's birthright, tempered by duty and strength, and the focused attention of parents and instructors that knew that a noblewoman must have a grounding in many topics in order to be successful. Many nobles are reared with the certainty that their primary duty to the house will be as marriage bait, but Rhiannon's parents especially knew that the military tradition of a ducal house would be where they would aim their daughter, especially when she saw how quickly and delightedly she took to climbing trees as a tiny child. Hide and seek in the woods was the best game that they played as father and daughter, and they would play it for hours, on camping trips that her father insisted on taking the time for despite the demands of house and Compact that should have required him to spend more time elsewhere. Rhiannon's father made the time, no matter what. And this, too, was a lesson that Rhiannon learned well. If something's important, you will find the time ... and there is nothing more important than your family. As a teenager, Rhiannon awkwardly skipped past adolescent rebellion. At a time when girls and boys her age were lashing out at their parents and flaring out at their instructors, Rhiannon was buckling down and learning all the harder, weighted down by duty and trust and finding her outlet in nights spent running through the trees, swinging through the canopy, and learning the ways of the woods. The first time she visited Arx as a teenager, she fled a dance party to climb the trees of Ashford Park and hide there, and honestly, there are times that now, adult Rhiannon, a woman nearing 30 and commanding troops, might be tempted to do the same. But she earned her command, her mettle tested by several years of hard service among the scouts of the woods with the rest of the Ashford tree scouts, and she earned the respect of the men and women who follow her, and with that respect, their love and affection. It's a lesson she has tried to apply to other social areas. If they respect your competence, they are more likely to recognize your worth in other ways, too.
o recognize your worth in other ways, too. +
House Bisland has a proud tradition of bei …
House Bisland has a proud tradition of being the most steadfast vassals of House Grayson, staunchly supporting them in war and peace. While certainly not every noble follows martial pursuits, Lailah still stunned her parents when she made quietly clear she intended to embrace the Faith of the Pantheon and not just as a priestess, but one of the scholars of Vellichor. While the clergy, including the scholars, is considered a well respected and honorable profession, House Bisland has never been known for its great religious devotion, and her parents clearly expected the charming young woman to follow her mother's footsteps in dealing with courtly politics and diplomacy. Lailah was a gifted singer, after all, but they didn't realize that her appreciation for bardic songs was a deep interest in the history of the Realm and an introvert's fascination for well-crafted stories. As far as Lailah is concerned, becoming a scholar is by no means neglecting her responsibilities as a noblewoman. Quite the opposite, in fact. She loves a good song more than most, but she never failed to notice the subtle creep of hyperbole and fiction infesting supposedly historical pieces, and she firmly believes that safeguarding the truth for future generations is every bit as vital to the safety and security of the Realm. She is a woman that firmly believes in pursuing the truth for its own sake and harbors more than a passing suspicion that in a snake-pit of deception such as Arx, that is by no means a safe or mild occupation.
is by no means a safe or mild occupation. +
House Bisland's proud lion banners have lo …
House Bisland's proud lion banners have long been recognized as one of the most steadfast stalwarts of House Grayson, and none exemplar that as well as Duke Gabriel Bisland, the Crown's Lion. As a lifelong friend of the old king, King Alaric Grayson III, they were nearly inseparable in youth and the old king had told Gabriel on more than one occasion he was his brother in soul, if not in blood. A talented and famous knight, he was so trusted by Alaric III that he often led all of House Grayson's forces in battle and has spent the better part of two decades crushing the attempted incursions by Shav hordes trying to test the borders of the crownlands, and much of the stability of recent years was done by his tireless work on the king's behalf. More than once, Gabriel was the only vassal trusted enough to offer counsel to Alaric III, though he is as excruciatingly uncomfortable giving his opinion on the murky, shifting politics of the Compact as he is confident and dauntless when it comes to war. Perhaps his largest regret then is not accompanying King Alaric III when his majesty traveled east to visit House Thrax and try to put an end to the bloody slaughter of the Tyde Rebellion. The arguments at the time made sense- the king wasn't traveling to battle after all, just to speak to warring subjects and bring them to heel, and Gabriel needed to deal with some shav clans striking out of the Gray Forest at fringe settlements on Bisland land. After Alaric III's ship was lost at sea, Gabriel even briefly stood as regent for the king's young son, Alaric IV, and ruled with the concurrence of the five high lords until Alaric IV came of age. Since Alaric IV assumed his responsibilities as king, Duke Gabriel has returned to leading House Bisland and helping his godchild the elder illegitimate daughter of Alaric III, Lady Dawn, rule House Grayson's holdings while Alaric IV saw to the Realm as a whole. In 1015 AR, when the now awakened King Alaric IV found himself under threat by Eurusi and seditionists claiming to support his shockingly alive father, Duke Gabriel announced he was giving up his title and dedicating his life to the safety and success of King Alaric IV. Joining the King's Own, and serving as one of the King's personal bodyguards and advisors.
e King's personal bodyguards and advisors. +
House Cliffmore was a barony of little con …
House Cliffmore was a barony of little consequence once sworn to House Aviaron and its later incarnation, House Acheron. They could trace their family lineage back not to some neonoble clan bending the knee, rather the daughter of a proud Northern Duchess proven worthy by deeds and gifted lands for her sacrifices to family and Compact. Winters are harsh in the mountains. With already treacherous passes blanketed by snow, it's easy to fall out of contact for weeks or months on end. House Cliffmore built much of their wealth by policing the trappers and furriers operating in their territories, but this meant frequent skirmishes with ambitious Shavs at times when allies were not always close at hand. In the interim period between Prince Ettore setting the rule Aviaron's Peak aside and Marquessa Rhea picking it up, during which House Cliffmore was without a direct liege, the systems in place that might have protected them were allowed to go lax. Their cliffside stronghold was overrun by a band of Abandoned warriors. The singular tomb of both warring groups was sealed by sound of their own steel, which prompted a series of terrible avalanches each more brutal than the last. Their distress beacons were never seen. When the snows were finally cleared away and help arrived, rescuers were met with the vision of a winter siren. They identified her as the Baroness's youngest daughter, Lady Radhilde. First accounts say she was dressed in fine fur-lined silks and icey jewels, with her hair loose about her shoulders. Had it not been for the grime caked beneath her nails, she might have been ready to present at court that very afternoon. With the perpetrators having expired along with any opportunity for justice, the Marquessa needed to improve the situation's optics. She elected to adopt the girl, naming her a beloved little sister and opening the doors of the Glacial Fortress to her. Of course, the two never actually met. Aviaron's Peak is impossibly far from Arx. Don't look at that map! It doesn't account for inclines!
that map! It doesn't account for inclines! +
House Fidante's long held position as the …
House Fidante's long held position as the closest rival to House Velenosa in terms of power and prestige in the Lyceum has much to do with the city state of Tor's key strategic location between the westlands controlled by House Valardin and the rest of the Lycene city-states. While Tor enjoys the same dubious reputation for deceit and treachery shared by all of the Lyceum, its closeness to the westlands had a formative effect on the young Lord Leo, who grew up admiring the chivalry and knightly virtues of the West even as he learned much about the art of proper rule from his mother, the Duchess of Tor. His mother recognized his romanticized love of honorable ideals and sent the young Leo to foster with House Valardin, in large part to ease growing tensions between House Valardin and the border city-states of the Lyceum, and secured a betrothal for the future duke with a Valardin princess (distant from the line of succession, but still carrying the prestige of the family name). Years later, his mother's kindness still fills Leo with guilt. While the prince was living in Sanctum and spending his teenage years growing up among knights, his mother remarried to the Count of Southport, a match that Leo to this day blames himself for not being present to prevent. Barely a few months had gone by after his mother's new marriage before she suffered an extremely suspicious accident while riding and died, and her new husband declared that Leo was an illegitimate child of the Duchess (and claimed he had a confession from the now dead Duchess to that effect), and therefore the Count would have to act as regent and rule over Tor until Leo's infant sister came of age. Even among the treacherous Lyceum city-states, it was a particularly blatant power grab to seize control of the Fidante family and the city of Tor, but the much younger Leo was shocked how many seemed prepared to let an ambitious and ruthless man murder his mother and lie about his claim. Leo was stunned how many of his relatives in the Fidante family were willing to support Count Lucien of Southport in his bid for a regency, and the wealth surrounding the man raised an army of sell swords and bought him scores of allies among the surrounding other city-states. Nonetheless, Leo's marriage to House Valardin gave him sufficient voice to ask the Prince of Sanctum for aid and returned home to Tor with an army of Valardin knights to contest his claim. The Tor-Southport War that followed shattered any romantic notions of war and combat for Leo, and even by Lycene standards was an ugly war. Leo raised much of the commons of Tor to his cause, becoming close friends with many of the more powerful commoner families, and he had to witness first hand the butchery of many men and women he came to care deeply about as the war progressed. Though he feels his cause was just, and ultimately led him to killing Count Lucien in single combat and slaying an evil man, he still wonders if the justice and regaining his claim was worth the thousands of lost and shattered lives that he witnessed. Now much older and wiser, Duke Leo Fidante, the Duke of Tor, is a rarity among the Lycene Houses as a man of dignity and honor and one whose word carries weight and meaning. He stands as a stark contrast in a man that speaks truthfully and acts honorably, and is deeply dedicated to the well being of his people. In his mind, he has an enormous debt that was bought in steel and blood, and has a lifetime of just rule to attempt to pay for it.
ime of just rule to attempt to pay for it. +
House Livy of Cardia is an old and powerfu …
House Livy of Cardia is an old and powerful family that has stayed near the top of the heap for centuries, a position maintained by a great amount of wealth thanks to their lucrative vineyards and a web of connections to House Tullus through generations of marriages and alliances. Yet, they have never been particularly influential in the political arena, lacking ambition for anything other than making money and maintaining their position in Cardian society. At least until Petraea Livy began to distinguish herself as one of the rising stars in Cardian politics as a staunch and rather ambitious member of the Scales faction. Her rise started with winning the position of Tribune with the backing of House Tullus, a militaristic position that few Scales have held in recent memory. From there, she has steadily gained power and influence, enough that she was sent to the wilds of Arvum to deal with the diplomatic mess that Marcus Sulla made. At least, that is what the official line is. More politically savvy minds think she is attempting to take Sulla's spot as Praetor, something that her fellow Scales seem to be watching carefully though the fact that such a move could anger far more than just the Senate means she is supported quietly and cautiously. In Cardia, Petraea Livy's drive and ambition is admired but also feared, even amongst her supporters.
also feared, even amongst her supporters. +
House Malvici is unique in aspects among t …
House Malvici is unique in aspects among the other Houses of the Lyceum. They are one of the more powerful families as holders of a duchy as well as the largest and most well trained army in the Lyceum, making them key players on the table at every conclave and often suspected of an eventual plan to crave even more power than they already possess. Yet as ever among the competitive city-states there is no role for military prowess that would not be served well with silk as well as steel. Lady Roxana Malvici was the 'baby' of the family and still enjoys the moniker even at the age of 33. Growing up among so many strong willed individuals all with exceptional talents, Roxana did all she could to show that she was just as exceptional (and more than just as strong-willed). She was never going to be much of a warrior, even when taught by the finest money could by. Though she picked up a few skills, for the most part because of the family's insistence, it was not long until it was apparent that other gifts of Roxana's could serve Malvici just as well as the clash of a blade. Thus she became that gentle touch, working to advance diplomatic meetings and to navigate court intrigue in Malvici's best interests. She also discovered a penchant for espionage, though most are not certain whether that claim has any basis in truth. Known is some circles as 'The Jewel of Southport", Roxana's reputation for charm and beauty eventually spread beyond the Lyceum and among the nobility within Arx itself. It was this moniker that led Prince Albion Grayson to determine he must make her acquaintance. Roxana had always understood that securing an important alliance such a this was crucial both for Malvici and for herself. Prince Albion wasn't quite as charming as his second cousin the future King, but he was thoughtful and poetic, at times even romantic. So it was that late in her 23rd summer she found herself planning an exclusive and breathtaking wedding.The title 'Highness' certainly suited Roxana beautifully, as did lavish apartments various palaces and a wardrobe filled with the lastest one-of-a-kind fashions that spared no expense. Albion enjoyed spoiling her in the easiest ways he could...with jewels and trinkets that made golden-green eyes dazzle. Their son Frederic was born after the first three years of marriage, followed shortly after by a stillborn daughter who caused both parents great grief. Yet deeper tragedy would not permanently alter the family until Frederic was 8 years old. Albion Grayson passed away very suddenly one winter morning, with his cause of death sometimes referred to as mysterious and other times quite natural if unexpected. Albion left Roxana a widow. It was through the mercy and generosity of her cousin-in-law King Alaric Greyson (before slipping into his slumber) that she was promised a permanent home among the Grayson family and the title of Princess. Thus Princess Roxana Grayson has determined it time to move to the city of Arx, the better to support both her ancestral family and her married one in all possible endeavors, as well as see that the stage is set for her son's own illustrious future. The boy Frederic is currently being fostered deep in the Crownlands until old enough to begin his role as a courtier in the bustling capital. In the meantime, intrigue and ambition have lured her with their siren song, and she intends to follow.
eir siren song, and she intends to follow. +
House Pike was one of the larger houses on …
House Pike was one of the larger houses on Tyde and within it two contentious brothers, Hudson and Jameson Pike. though Jameson the eldest ruled most of the family split itself in loyalty to either the Lord or the Captain Hudson. It was into this simmer conflict that Jephray was born. Like his father he was made for the sea and spent his youth on deck moreso than land. He learned to swim, fight and Captain a boat. Both father and mother made sure he worked for his want to instill responsibility and grit. The eldest, Jeph surely was the grittiest. by eighteen he was Captain of his own ship and by 19 set to be engaged to a Wake of Tyde. But such joys would not be realized. For rebellion lay in the Fishes that grew too bold. Tyde rebelled and with it came half the banners of Pike, the family torn as Hudson preached caution and loyalty. Jameson would have none of it. While Hudson gathered his fleet for his overlords Jameson struck his brother at his costal garrison. His ships sank, and family butchered in their beds. Jephray was first hung then drowned and left to the see before his father and mother before they were similarily executed. The same followed for his siblings by cousins and kin. It was known as the Salting as Hudson and his wife were sent in salted barrels to Tydehall as signs of loyalty. Jephray however survived, his body picked up by fishermen and taken down to the Thrax once the situation could be sussed Given that his father still had survivg loyal men who could attest to the deed, Jeph was given a ship and sent back to aid Victus Thrax in the salting of Tyde. By ship and by field Jeph brought his Hurricane to bare. Jephray lost an eye in the great battle in which Victus slee the Duke of Tyde, but he gained a knighthood. An honor it is to serve as a house knight and Captain for house Thrax. Exiled by the surviving member of his house, Jeph who styles his colours with a Black fish instead of red on a field of blue and green is ever Thrax's man. There are rumors he might be offered a marriage of a lowest cousin, but his loyalty was sealed with water in his lungs a long time past.
with water in his lungs a long time past. +
House Seraceni and the isle of Ischia has …
House Seraceni and the isle of Ischia has always needed keen engineering. Sal descends from the Costello family the designed for Braiga and his family line has typically served as keepers of the civil engineering for the volcanic island. Sal was particularly brilliant and began his work as a shipwright and improved upon designs over the years of the Saraceni fleet. During an accident he lost his arm in a mishap with a ship that fell from its hoist and crushed his arms. He built himself a crude prosthetic but often finds challenges with having only one truly functional arm. He is trusted also with the overall leadership and engineering for the capital, he is responsible for the upkeep and design on the inner island gates, walls, and fortifications. He has come up from a simple commoner to being on the edge of deserving elevated status into peerage. Sal has a had a close friendship and association with Appolonia Seraceni and has often discuss with her the ambition to build bigger ships. Vessels that would make the trip to distant lands and Eurus easier. He has had loose designs but never focussed or had the resources to settle on the project long enough to make headway. It is understood that Sal holds the keys to the defense and well being of House Seraceni. He is rewarded, well regarded, and often treated more like family than an outsider. He appreciates the recognition of his contributions and he seeks to find more ways around intellectual problems through engineering and other sciences to solve problems. Sal is given a generous operational stipend and there is talk of making the man a minister within the family. He is on the cusp of making things happen.
He is on the cusp of making things happen. +
House Tyde wielded enormous influence as t …
House Tyde wielded enormous influence as the most powerful of House Thrax's vassals, but simply possessing the name by itself won family little. Lord Shreve Tyde was a very distant third cousin of the current Duke of Tydehall, and his impoverished very minor branch of the noble family tree raised him as an exceptionally hungry and bitter little man. While the exact sequence of events aren't well known outside of House Thrax, during the Tyde Rebellion which resulted in the complete destruction of House Tyde, Shreve may have lost his noble title from the family being attainted but he did not suffer the same fate that saw most of the ancient house flayed living and crucified by the sea. Shreve himself was in Arx and never went to his family's defense, and as a junior member of the inquisition even seized some Thraxian commoners that were sympathetic to House Tyde and put them to the question. While his loyalties are uncertain, he saw a steady rise through the inquisition to become the newest Master of Questions.
to become the newest Master of Questions. +
House Valardin is known for being exemplar …
House Valardin is known for being exemplars of honor, paragons of virtue, and standard-bearers of all that's chivalric. House Pravus was, and is not, given the same description. Instead, they are known for their passions, their boundary-pushing. It would be difficult to pick two more opposite Houses in the Compact. One would expect that where these two meet there would be explosions. But that was not the case with the first several meetings of Gerard Valardin and Taziana Pravus. Their first encounter was a joust in Arx where he rode by and so chivalrously asked for a Favor to wear and she obliged. Aas Taziana found quite a bit of passion to be enjoyed in things such as jousts and melees she followed the circuit for the year. And each time he jousted, Gerard would come to ask her favor. By the end of the year, they were wed with Prince Gerard Valardin becoming Lord Gerard Pravus. Less than a year after that: Noelle, named for her Valardin grandmother. Noelle was a pain for her tutors. Smart, but unwilling to apply herself. She was a pain for her tailors, uncaring about fashion. She would spend winters in Sanctum, enjoying things like ice skating but being horrible at things like riding horses or using weapons. Most of the year she would just people-watch in Setarco. And there were people to watch! Finally something changed in the girl. Oh, she still preferred to watch people, but after one particular carnival, she became obsessed with street magic, the kind used by performers to the delight of audiences. Her parents were both dismayed, but at the same time glad she took an interest in something. So they gave her six months. If she could master a certain number of tricks in six months, they'd let her continue; and if she couldn't, then she was going to learn to be a knight. It took her five. Five months and she had mastered the basics of sleight of hand, enough to avoid having to learn to fight. It'd take her years longer to be a true master but in these tricks, Noelle found something she had been lacking: Confidence. She took the lessons of misdirection to heart and made them part of herself. She learned to use them to get around, not over, the awkwardness of new friends. And she found a thrill in pickpocketing. Uusually that was just a way to make an introduction. Pick a pocket, then, "Oh, sir, you must have dropped this," and start a conversation. But that's not to say she doesn't have a collection of secret treasures of things that never made their way back home. The only time this has really been a problem was when she picked the pocket of a passing priest, pulling a coin. She turned to try to give it back to the older gentleman and he was gone. She couldn't find him! That's her bad luck coin. Ever since then she's just had huge runs of bad luck and knows they won't end until she can give the coin back. And now that Noelle's back in Arx, she thought her luck was going to change. She saw the old priest at the Queensrest.... the night he was killed and called a false dominus. Well, now what?
nd called a false dominus. Well, now what? +
House Valardin of all the great houses has …
House Valardin of all the great houses has the greatest representation among clergy in the Faith of the Pantheon, so it comes as no surprise when a prince or princess of the Oathlands feels drawn towards the Faith. However Princess Sophie surprised her parents and siblings not just by being devout, but by the much rarer choice of feeling called to serve as a disciple of a specific goddess, announcing even as a teenager that she intended to become a Mercy of Lagoma. Her decision was driven by the first time she saw the aftermath of a battle, as a young niece of Prince Radley accompanying the high lord to inspect a skirmish against shavs, and she witnessed white robed members of the Faith giving care to not only the soldiers of House Valardin who were wounded, but even to the dying shav enemies who had been left lying upon the field. The agony of the dying tore at her soul, and she'll never forget the humanizing compassion in each of the Mercies of Lagoma's actions. She remembers a pair of Mercies struggling fiercely to save the life of a desperately wounded shav, and she remembers so very keenly that courageous members of the Faith refused to allow stricken enemies to be massacred by vengeful Valardin knights and faced their swords until Prince Radley told the knights to stand down. Sophie saw a sort of courage in those unarmed healers that resonated with her, and her mind was made up from that moment on. As a very young adult, after extensive training as a Mercy in Blancbier, she traveled to Arx to study with the Faith. This put her on the path to becoming godsworn, giving up her family and potential titles and become sworn only to the gods and the crown while serving as the Mother Mercy of the Mercies of Lagoma of Arx. She knew how powerful the Valardin name is, and she knew she is in a unique position to be the one to speak for the defenseless, the sick and the injured. She knew full well that she could be the one woman in white whose voice can be heard by the truly powerful, and she felt she owes it to Lagoma and to the defenseless to be the one to speak it. But having established herself firmly in Arx, Princess Sophie Valardin felt it was time to become Sister Sophie Valardin, and she intends to leave the world in a better place than she found it. As of the summer of 1006 AR, following the still unsolved murder of her predecessor, she ascended to the position of Mother Mercy of Arx. So far, her tenure has seen to the development and implementation of the Harrowed Heart initiative, which treats post-traumatic stress. Improving the lives and the care of the denizens of the Lower Boroughs and the refugees in Arx continues to very much be a keystone of her service to Our Lady of Change.
tone of her service to Our Lady of Change. +
How Alantir survived the Tragedy at Sanctu …
How Alantir survived the Tragedy at Sanctum remains to this day a mystery. He has the scars to show for it, of course -- the raised and discolored tissue marring the majority of his bare chest and back. But the memories, beyond crawling from beneath a pile of corpses and burning debris? Hidden behind an impenetrable veil that obfuscates even his unconscious mind from uncovering the truth beneath. He talks about the event rarely, opting instead to busy himself with tasks entrusted to him on behalf of his family and its dignitaries. Outside of this blemish on an otherwise perfect record, he is very much the honor-bound and chivalrous knight one would expect to find bearing the crest of the White Dragon -- though perhaps with a negative predisposition toward the shav'arvani due to the great pain the Abandoned inflicted upon the Valardin psyche.
ndoned inflicted upon the Valardin psyche. +
How does one hide a noble child? An heir? …
How does one hide a noble child? An heir? For Countess Nadine Keaton the answer was found by claiming the babe stillborn, and ghosting him away into the night to be raised by a loyal governess and keep hidden his identity. The plan was always to have him summoned after the danger (rumored to be Kael's Blackshore sire) passed. Except Nadine Keaton fell, the story saying she took her own life, and her sister Lady Margerie - not wise to the plan - reluctantly took the mantle of Countess. It was a great time later that she found out the truth and summoned the boy, now a man, to take his rightful place. The year was 1005 AR when Kael Keaton agreed to become Count, and began his transition. For months he spent time with tutors and agreed to a political marriage of his Aunt's arrangement. In 1006 he came to Arx, married Reigna Wyrmguard, and the pair began building. In 1009 AR the Count was granted the title of Marquis for steadfast work and expansion of their domain as well as contributions to the Compact. Now experienced in leadership, with numerous losses (the worst, if you ask him, the loss of his wife in 1017 AR) and triumphs under his belt, Kael continues to be a steady traditional presence in Arx as well as Oakhaven.
ional presence in Arx as well as Oakhaven. +
Ian was born the third son of a lesser bra …
Ian was born the third son of a lesser branch of the family, far from power... but nevertheless, he seemed destined for greatness. He was hardy, athletic, and fearless, and he added to that a focus and ruthless drive that was almost inhuman. He found his calling at a mere five years old, the first time that he picked up a blade. From that moment on, he turned all of his being towards honing his skill, making himself into a more efficient weapon and, as he got older, a better killer. Ian followed his brothers Aethan and Porter to sea when he was nine. For his first few years, they stayed on relatively safe convoy duty, until it was judged that Ian, at fifteen, was ready for more. He'd already killed, after all, two years before -- the only one who was worried about him was Aethan, and only because Ian had handled that experience a little too well. With the youngest of them ready, the Brothers Kennex were transferred to hunting pirates. Intense Aethan, affable party boy Porter, and calm, driven Ian were making a name for themselves. It was with them that Washburn Grayson, soon to be Wash Kennex, learned to sail. Ian was starting to be acknowledged as one of the best swordsmen in the Isles. Aethan even gave him commands of his own from time to time. Only prize ships, but a real command was sure to follow. And then his life came crashing down. He was seventeen. Aethan had given him command of a prize ship they'd taken earlier that day. They set off for home together, but Ian's ship, severely damaged, fell behind. As darkness closed in that night, a powerful storm overtook them, and Ian soon realized that unless a broken line high in the rigging was spliced, the ship wouldn't bear the strain of the wind, and would sink... and the only person he was sure could get that line spliced was him. With the mast swaying wildly, he managed to repair the line, but on the way down, he fell. At first everyone thought he'd died, and maybe he should have had the sense to do so. If he had, he would have died a hero, instead of living his days as half a man, a paralyzed cripple. But Ian's focus and drive hadn't deserted him. Feeling started to come back after a little over a year, and he pushed himself the way that he always had, determined to walk again. It took years, but walk he did, and as soon as he could move around he was sent away to Arx, where he would find "more opportunity". There, his healing continued; under the tutelage of Duke Harald Grimhall and Duke Arn Telmar, he picked up a weapon again, and after that there was no stopping him. He led the Grim Fleet home after Duke Grimhall's injury at the battle in the north, and guarded a critical asset during the Pirate War in Setarco. He'll never again be the warrior he was, but in these desperate times, what he's become will have to do. Things are looking up for Ian. Prince Galen, the Warlord of Thrax, has put him in command of Thrax's special forces. He's married to Lady Zoey, formerly of Bisland -- a match far better than he had any right to expect -- and has even reunited with Wash, and with his brothers. War looms on the horizon, but Ian is a man more comfortable at war than at peace, and he's ready to fight.
ar than at peace, and he's ready to fight. +
Ianthe's only knowledge of the mother that …
Ianthe's only knowledge of the mother that gave her life is the account of an Abandoned ship captain who found her mother adrift at sea, clinging to her newborn daughter. The man assumed that the woman was a thrall given her condition and the weak, incoherent pleas she made as she handed him her screaming baby. The woman died on the ship a couple days later. Knowing that a boat was no place for a baby, the captain made a hasty port and passed the infant off to be fostered by a merchant family he had had dealings with in Setarco. The man asked them to call the child Ianthe after his own dead daughter. Ianthe grew up in a happy home, learning the family silk trade. Occasionally, her savior would come to visit while he was in port, igniting a longing to see the world in little Ianthe. As soon as she could, Ianthe boarded the first ship out of Setarco. By pure luck, Ianthe happened to fall into an apprenticeship with an old trader who taught her how to trade raw materials from around the world to the best artists and then sell those items to customers who were willing to pay a pretty penny for beauty. He taught her to read, to write, and the manners she needed to deal with the more genteel clients to which he catered. When he died, Ianthe inherited his client list and has been doing a brisk trade ever since. She returns to her family on occasion to share the proceeds of her business, but doesn't stay rooted in any one place for too long.
stay rooted in any one place for too long. +
Ida Ferron is a skilled blacksmith, hailin …
Ida Ferron is a skilled blacksmith, hailing from a small hamlet not far from Sanctum, and had spent as much time making and fixing arms and armor as she had repairing plows and horse shoes. She married young and had children young. Two boys and a girl. Her husband was a soldier in the Valardin army, and though theirs was no great love, he was good to her and honored her and she has no regrets. That their marriage was very cordial and polite, made his death in combat five years after they wed easier to bear. At a glance the strong woman is the very image of a hardworking, polite, plain spoken Valardin commoner. Her profession was not her true love though. Ida was the premier Pugilist of the West Marches. A student of what the Valardin like to call 'the sweet science' she was recognized as one of the very best bare-knuckle boxers in the West. After dusk there were many a night where she would fight all comers by flickering lamp light, and while her record was by no means perfect, if you were to ask someone to name a fighter that's beat her twice, they probably could not give you a name. Even now, she is notable for not only her raw power, gained from working steel between hammer and anvil, but also for her technical precision, and for having a sense of showmanship that does not come at the cost of fair play and sportsmanship. In short, she is the perfect fighter to appeal to Valardin sensibilities. She was much loved because of it and basked in the attention, which lead to great success as a smith because there are quite a few knights and lords that want to say their sword was crafted by a champion. Even Prince Edain was an ardent fan in those seemingly simpler times. Her children grew old enough to become apprenticed and moved on to live with their respective masters, and with little desire to remarry, she decided it was time to live a little and see how good she could really be before age could catch up to her and younger fighters passed her by. In 1003, she accepted a job to be one of the Valardin smiths in the City of Arx, and planned to work hard, play harder, and prove she was one of the best fighters in the land. Despite the dark times that were just beginning to dawn on the horizon, Ida couldn't help but smile and look forward to the adventures she would find. The years in Arx have treated her well. Knighted by Prince Edain, now Highlord of the Oathlands, in May of 1005, he named her the Hammer of the West. Her shop prospered early on and she has made great strides in perfecting her craft. She still fights, but her times in the ring aren't what they had been several years ago. Ida is more often seen teaching others the sweet science than going toe-to-toe with them. That isn't to say she wouldn't get into the ring, by any means; it's more that the course of her life has changed. Between being knighted and the requests for weapons from some of the city's greatest citizens, the time for late night brawls by lamp light has grown slim. She has served as an Assistant Guildmaster for the Crafter's Guild, forged House weapons, and become a Knight of the Templar Order. Her cast iron integrity and passionate devotions to both Jayus and Gloria seem to be leading her ever onward. There is still much work to be done, but then Ida is no stranger to hard work.
but then Ida is no stranger to hard work. +
If ever there was a man born to be a merch …
If ever there was a man born to be a merchant, it is Orvyn. Trading and exploiting his cousins and other kids his age, or older during his childhood to trade up and cash in, whenever it was possible, and sometimes even when it was not. Routinely setting up schemes by which to make some money for others, but mainly himself, he became known as the one the other kids would go to to get things that their parents would not get for them themselves. It was clear, as a second son, that Orvyn's talents were to lay outside the keep, and instead of learning the nuances of court life, he set out upon the sea, Captain of one of the family's trading ships. He travelled all around Arvum, trading where he could, opening new contracts and learning about all sorts of foreign ideals and customs. It was early on in his trading life that he met with the Laurent family and it was not much longer that the courtship with Sunniva began. While his trading kept him away for most of the days, there were still the cherished few that he was able to visit and meet with her, growing to know her in small increments over the course of two years before they were finally married. Of course that was the happy news of the year, and as all good merchants know, good things always come with a cost. Later that year, his older brother, the heir apparent was killed during a bad horse accident, forcing Orvyn into the role of heir for the family's March and all their agreements without. Troubled at the loss of his brother, he returned home, new bride with, and stepped off his ship for what became quite an extended stay in Fair Harbor. Slowly learning the required skills and acclimatizing himself to the world of nobles and functions both from the aid of his father and from his wife, Orvyn began to gain some rudimentary aptitude for dealing with the day to day running of the march. Figuring the man still had much more time to learn, he did not throw himself too deeply into his studies, still longing for the sea and all the adventure that it held. This longing is what distracted him and caused him to be caught completely off guard when his father passed away suddenly, thrusting Orvyn immediately into rule. Now he is struggling to catch up, through plying the skills that he had learned long before he had an inkling he would be a Marquis.
e he had an inkling he would be a Marquis. +
If there is anything that Sameera hates it …
If there is anything that Sameera hates it is gambling. It is the bane of her life because her mother, Strega, was a gambling addict. Strega took her gambling to extremes. Not a day went by, while Strega was alive, that Sameera did not hear of the ill fortune that Count Dravor Darkwater brought up Strega. While Sameera despises the name she was named for, she despised her mother just as much as she loved her, no, let there be a correction, she hated her mother more than she loved her. To explain why Sameera felt this way the story of her mother's, a merchant from Eurus, slightly younger life must be told, in brevity. Strega was always a gambler, a heavy one, and lost more than she won. It was a curse upon her life. Strega had a streak of luck one night, against Dravor, or so she though. Sure, it started out as luck but when Dravor saw how easily this pretty gambler was taken with winning he decided to take amusement in making her think she could defeat him. While in the process of throwing hands in the game they were playing he urged her to bid higher and whispered the sweetest of words into her ears, making her believe that even if she were to lose big he had a way to assure she did not end up a thrall. She believed him and the price she paid was her freedom for despite his honeyed words sleeping with him did not grant her freedom. Instead it gave her a daughter and she became indentured. Her gambling addiction did not help her get out of being a thrall, in fact it likely made things worse. Eventually the work she had to do between raising her child, gambling what little money she could get her hands on, and just the chore of living with little to no freedom eventually drove her insane then to her death. Sameera, you see, had to hear the tale of how her father betrayed her mother and manipulated her very often, almost daily. Once, when she was quite young Sameera saw her father, he had cruelly come to mock her mother and seduce her with his words once more and, like previously, Strega fell victim to it and Sameera was lucky she did not end up with another sibling as a result. To pay off the debt that Strega had fostered upon her with her death Sameera took up smithing jewels. It didn't net her much to live on, for most of it went to paying off her debt and getting supplies, but she found she could relax doing it. Escape the reality she lived in for a little while. Imagine the shock that she felt when her brother found her contract and set he free. His actions were met with mistrust, doubt even. Who's she to know if he was different than his father? Besides, he must be similar, since he simply freed her and did not acknowledge her as his sibling. He could say all the pretty things he wanted but she had decided to hold her joy at being freed and serve as a servant of his family until she has figured out the legitimacy of his actions and silken words. His summoning her to Arx was simply all part of her being a family servant, surely.
art of her being a family servant, surely. +
Iliana Laurent was born the younger cousin …
Iliana Laurent was born the younger cousin of a lesser Laurent line and expected to be used in a number of ways: as a soldier and as marriage fodder. Life met up with her expectations in each of these ways, if not in the way she initially expected. She trained as a squire to a commoner knight in service to the Valardin, an unusual arrangement born in part from her family's practical, workhorse approach to life generally. She earned her military service the 'right way', so to speak. She was the subject of marriage negotiations with the Marquis of Leaholdt, where the brother of the sitting Marquis would join her in protecting her home and providing more Laurent heirs. Iliana didn't care particularly who she ended up marrying at that point; she was without romantic interests of her own, after having had only a few passing flirtations with fellow soldiers that never went anywhere dramatic or soul-filling. What came as a shock, however, was a few days before the ink was likely to be put to contract, the Marquis died, and her brother became, unexpectedly, the new Marquis of Leaholdt. Iliana prayed for guidance, not sure what else she could do. She dreamed of riding through the woods with her spear in hand, and took it as a sign -- whether it was or not -- that she should go through with it anyway, despite the dramatic overturn of her fortune and future. She had met Marquis Fairen Leary only a few times and found him quiet, not very military, and neither particularly interesting nor particularly objectionable. She married him for duty, and expected no love. What reality did not prepare her for was the shape of that middle ground. Fairen alternated between being aggressively competent (fine) and deeply annoying (not fine). She never hated him, but sometimes she wanted to hit him with a brick. They have yet to successfully create an heir, although not for lack of trying (on A SCHEDULE with CALENDAR DATES highlighted in COLORED INK are you even SERIOUS yes, yes apparently he is oh my god).
IOUS yes, yes apparently he is oh my god). +
Ilinca was born to the ruling family of a …
Ilinca was born to the ruling family of a noble House. The eldest daughter, it was intended from the very moment that she came into the world that she would one day wear the mantle of leadership, overseeing all that belonged to the Corvini. For most born into such a position, this would mean a life of duty and expectation, yes, but also a life of wealth and of privilege. Not so for her. On the contrary, the life that the Corvini carved out for themselves after fleeing their lands three centuries ago was not an easy one. The new lands that they claimed on the far western shores of Arvum were neither lush nor welcoming, and for each year of living memory, they had only grown harsher and less hospitable. The time they had left was limited, their strength waning, and they knew it. And so her family had one expectation of her and it was always quite clear. Ilinca's duty was to ensure that her people survived -- by whatever means necessary. The question was how? Asking it - over and over and over again - soon became the center point of her life. It resulted in an insatiable appetite for answers and an education that could be called "unusual" at the very best - and even then, only if the speaker was feeling particularly kind. The problem was one to be examined from every possible again, with every possible solution considered and every bit of Corvini's past learned at the knees of the family matriarchs that came before her. What she had not expected was the solution that they found - or, rather, the solution that sailed into their port one still spring morning, bearing what seemed to her to be half the flags of the Houses of the Lyceum. Marriage. The Corvini would return to the Compact, and in order to seal the bargain between them and their would-be liege-lords, their heir apparent would wed Giulio Mazetti, a Lycene lord she'd never so much as seen, let alone spoken to. Her feelings on the subject were her own - and entirely irrelevant. This was the solution that they needed, the solution that would guarantee her House's survival. So when her mother but the question to her, she agreed with nothing more than a long, sober moment of reflection and a silent nod. Now she finds herself in Arx - a city she knows almost nothing about, save for what scholars could scrape together from their small library, with its books that are a few centuries out of date. She is surrounded by that seem not so very different from her own one moment and entirely foreign to her the next. And she has no idea precisely what her place is here, save that she is supposed to be securing safety and prosperity for Iasu. Thank the gods for sending so many of her kin along with her; her brothers and her cousins may well be the only allies she'll have.
s may well be the only allies she'll have. +
Ilira came to Arx as a shadow of herself. …
Ilira came to Arx as a shadow of herself. She needed both a soft place to land and something to rebound off, a new opportunity, and the capital never disappoints. The life she has led the last few years is distinctly different from the one before, of which she rarely speaks in more than vague terms. She'll tell freely of her childhood, her abandonment to a shav tribe of the Saffron Isles, of her years in Setarco she spent as a youth to hone graces practiced and innate. The details thin as the recount progresses. By sixteen, she was traveling on her own up and down the Chain and beyond, known to all for her beauty and vivacity. "Ilira the little sun," many called her. And then something happened at eighteen: she disappeared. For months, there was a search to no avail, until, one day, she reappeared on the shores of her island by the same tree the shav had found her beneath as a newborn. When asked where she had gone, she only said, "A place afar," with a conspiratory smile for the horizon itself. She did not linger in the place she once called home long. Life and adventure awaited her beyond, and she went forth into the world to pursue it. The gaps between contact grew longer and longer. The people who knew her would notice changes each time she returned--a new skill or a fresh look, or simply the experience that weighed behind her eyes. But the last return was different. She seemed half of herself, withdrawn and solemn in a way completely uncharacteristic to the scintillant girl of before. She retired to that island a while, contemplating her next steps and deriving comfort from her old home. It was in this time that she first set her sights on the capital--the fresh start it presented. So late in spring, right around the formation of the whirlpool, she readied herself to sail north. Ilira slipped into life here with quiet, delicate ease. She joined the Bard's College first, the Whispers second, serving her role as courtier with grace and subtlety for three years. Some of her greatest talents were kept all but to herself in this time. But gradually, through connections, resources, and support, she shed that reservation and rediscovered her fire, a phoenix's change from the person she arrived as. She thirsts to live and do and be all that she may, and everything cultivated to this point is just a beginning. So the question remains: a beginning to what?
the question remains: a beginning to what? +
Illegitimate children of nobility have sca …
Illegitimate children of nobility have scandalously existed since time immemorial, though the Grayson Dynasty has mostly avoided embarrassment since the time of Alarice the Great. Lady Dawn Baseborn despises the circumstances of her birth being a rare exception to that, and her stature as the only elder sibling to King Alaric Grayson IV put her firmly in a painful spotlight. Her father King Alaric III refused to ever discuss her commoner mother with anyone, giving Dawn the less than satisfying answer that he would talk to her 'when she was older', a claim he never made good on before his death. The unanswered questions eat at her, in the rare moments she has to dwell upon it. She knows her father would have loved to legitimize her, and make her a formal Grayson, but was afraid to take the risk that her claim would be contested after his death. She had hoped her half-brother when he became king would finally make her a Grayson, but he has repeatedly delayed until he has an heir. Despite this, Dawn is not a bitter woman. Her father raised her at court, taking great pains to instill in Dawn and her brother the responsibilities of leadership, an ironclad sense of duty towards their subjects, and a great sense of integrity and personal honor. Dawn, at least, took the lessons to heart and the young woman represents a far closer ideal to Grayson Monarch virtues than her brother ever has. 'Lady' Dawn is accustomed to the carefully crafted slights and barely masked derision of other nobles, including ones who might dare to refuse to grant her the courtesy title of a lady, for the young woman possesses both the foresight and propriety to know how disasterous responding to those provocations might be. Many in House Grayson at least recognize the young woman's levelheaded judgement and extreme competence, and some even forget her illegitimate status and mistakenly call her Princess Dawn Grayson or 'your highness' without thinking of it. Her brother granted her the authority to act as High Lord of House Grayson in his stead, an unheard of honor for a bastard child, though Dawn knows that it was largely because Alaric the younger simply did not want to deal with the work of high lordship when he could be spending his time with courtesans or attractive young women at court. She took the responsibility of rule fully knowing her brother will take any credit and glory that she wins in the position. She can abide that. She's her father's daughter, after all.
t. She's her father's daughter, after all. +
Imane Zeva was raised in Arx and her child …
Imane Zeva was raised in Arx and her childhood was pretty normal. Her mother was a seamstress and her father was a broker. She lived happily in a little two room home above the shop her parents worked in. She managed to get a decent education, and her mother taught her how to sew and design clothing when she caught her daughter taking bits of fabric to sew into doll clothing. When she came of age, her parents had saved enough to buy a modest farmstead outside of the city, and they began to pack up to move. Imane decided to stay, the city is what she knows, and she isn't ready to leave yet.
e knows, and she isn't ready to leave yet. +
Imi Deadfall is the last of her line, the …
Imi Deadfall is the last of her line, the daughter of a Baron whose stand was epic, noble, and yet ultimately one that brought about the fall of House Deadfall. She was raised in the lands of ice and snow, far to the north where the sway of the Compact comes to its most tenuous end. In the frozen plains, under the shadow of tall mountains, Deadfall eeked out a living in leather trade and ice-shipments to lands further south and kept guard on the northern most frontier for their liege. The only daughter born to the Baron, Imi was raised with affection and a great deal of indulgence. Squiring with the Sword of Deadfall, Imi learned the arts of war and battle. Studying under the priest of their village, she picked up the rudiments of Pantheonic religion. And watching her father at court, the young woman was tempered with a sense of true justice...and later learning that being truly just is a difficult road to walk when politics requires greater flexibility. When the Bringers of Silence began their march, Deadfall was in the way. Betrayed by Tolamar Brand the village was overrun while trying to buy time, to delay the Bringers from marching through the pass that the Deadfalls held. Imi wanted to stand next to her father, but was instead sent away, to the south. She would have protested harder, had she not been charged with seeing the defenseless to safety. So she road south before the battle, leading the way on a hell-bent charge to safety. It wouldn't be the first ride south, as she had to keep going before each new onslaught. The people she lead south grew with each village they went through, until finally Arx was in sight. But Arx did not provide safety, and Imi got her wish to stand in defense of the defenseless, to try to exact justice on the Bringers. For her valiant efforts in the Siege of Arx, and recognizing her family and holdfast were gone, Imi was offered a chance to join the King's Own and take up the silver sword. It's an opportunity she accepted, and has served them without complaint since then.
served them without complaint since then. +
In Oakhaven, it's a common jest that Simon …
In Oakhaven, it's a common jest that Simon and Thais Durant could populate their own crafters' guild with their extended family alone. Theirs is a line known to be called to Jayus' service and they've answered that call, both individually and as parents. Simon, a woodworker, and Thais, a glass-blower, number four children of their own, and countless cousins, nieces and nephews sponsored, fostered and apprenticed through the years. Of these, Charis was third-born of their own brood and most easily distracted in her youth. She was inclined to daydreaming through windows (many of them constructed by her parents) when she should have been minding the lessons of her master tailor aunt, Dorcas. When a motley band of ruin-explorers and relic-hunters rolled through Oakhaven on the way to adventure, the Durants didn't stand a chance of competing. A wink, a crooked grin and a beckoning wave were all it took. Charis abandoned her studies and left home. Being neither scholar nor adventurer, she took up training with the mercenaries who were hired on to watch the backs of the less robust members of the group. She flourished, living, laughing, loving. Fighting. Years passed. And then they ventured into the wrong ruins, sought out the wrong relics. When Charis returned to Oakhaven, she was older and scarred. She did not or could not tell her family what happened but they opened their arms to her all the same. She resumed her apprenticeship with Aunt Dorcas, took up needle and thread again. Years passed, but they were spent in quietly, in study, in renewed devotion to her craft. In time, when her skill with those tools passed what skill she'd once possessed with her swords, she was recognized as a master in her own right, committed to the promotion of Oathlands fashion as rival to even the Lyceum and its artisans.
rival to even the Lyceum and its artisans. +
In a family that prides itself on its clos …
In a family that prides itself on its closeness to the land, Teagan Blackram grew up in the shadow of her more physical and agrarian brother. It is a matter of fact that so did everyone else, so Teagan reasoned that this was a Reasonable Thing and thus not worthy of fuss. In many ways she found this rather liberating, as her brother being responsible for matters of defense and diplomacy left her free to study economics and law, in her mind the two great constants of the universe. Indeed, she grew up a largely quiet and studious child, though many suspected this was an act of rebellion in deciding to be agreeable before it was demanded of her. This would prove to be an elaborately crafted masque for she studied only up until the point she was able to prove she was superior to the family steward by leaps and bounds, thus replacing him in matters of finance and personell within the Blackram household. While never quite seen as a likeable or particularly charismatic figure, her ability to be both fair and practical (if never generous) with funds allowed the Blackram family to not only survive but prosper in the face of yearly Shav raids and the expectations of a populace that saw their lieges as more friends and neighbors than landowners. With the death of their father just two years ago the Blackram siblings have settled into a pattern: he the head that commands and the hands that execute, but she provides the framework that these decisions require to be effective. More than one suitor has been lured in by her intelligence and beauty only to be financially ruined and facing legal sanction, as she has deigned that only a man able to profit in spite of adversity shall have her hand.
in spite of adversity shall have her hand. +
In less than a generation, Damaris Arenir …
In less than a generation, Damaris Arenir has gone from her grandfather's farm in the hills of central Arvum to walking the halls of some of the greatest noble families of the land. It's a rise that would be dizzying if she stopped to long to think about it -- but fortunately, she excels at not thinking too much about uncomfortable things. Her mother Alysse was a sheepfarmer's daughter who ran away from home to fight for House Bisland during the campaigns against the Shav incursions. Not the most auspicious start, but she proved to be a good soldier, and, when she had the opportunity, she turned out to be a /great/ soldier. The Duke of Pridehall himself tapped her shoulders with his sword and made her a knight, and, when Alysse perished in his service, he repaid her for her loyalty by making sure her young daughter would be trained as a knight in turn. Damaris has done everything in her power to avoid giving him reason to regret it. She's worked hard at every turn to make herself into something her mother would be proud of. Whatever she's asked to do, she does, and, if she's ever said a word against the Duke, his family, or his lieges in House Grayson, she's done so where no one could hear her. If you didn't know any better, her manners and her fighting skills are polished enough that you might think she was born to knighthood. But she knows better, and she never forgets it.
he knows better, and she never forgets it. +
In practicality Tempest is a bastard, his …
In practicality Tempest is a bastard, his birth planned by his parents but without consent of the families involved. He was officially acknowledged but his parents were never married and their dreams of a marriage of love, forced by the birth of their child were never realized. The boy was raised largely by both, shuffled about from relative to relative until he was twelve and sent to train in the art of swordsmanship, a page to a minor knight. He could not say he loved the man, nor mourned his eventual passing but it bought him his spurs and the white belt of a Knight and escape from the family which found him to be an awkward addition no one quite knew what to do with once his parents were safely(if not happily) wed to others. He has spent much of his time now alone, honing his own sense of justice within the mountains, returning only to the settlements and cities when called to his duties as a Knight.
ies when called to his duties as a Knight. +
In the bleak climate of the stormwall, the …
In the bleak climate of the stormwall, the Blackwood tribe has ever stood betwixt other tribes of Abandoned, holding the peace by strength of arms and sheer determination. It was to these people, in the shadow of the blackwoods trees, that Geraint was born. The blood in his veins was that of a ruler, his father the chieftain at the time, but it afforded him little softness or coddling - unlike the nobles of some 'civilized' lands, he was expected to stand as strong as any of their warriors or laborers, and faced as many hardships as they had to test and temper his body and resolve. When time came for war, he was expected to take up arms and prove himself the leader he was born to be - and he did, time and again, blood shed by his hands earning him the respect of the warriors and his people. He wed a woman by the name of Angharad, their first daughter born early in their marriage, and their fiery relationship was as vibrant and heated as the rest of the life that he lived. When the time of his father's death came, he was ready to step up to the task, with his aging mother Mati to advise him and his people behind him. He ruled the tribe in peace - and in war - and life was good, for a time, and the tribe prospered. It was only with the birth of his third child, a son, that things began to darken rather than the celebration it should have been. It was a hard birth, and Angharad did not survive - and to compound his sorrow, the old shaman spoke that it was an ill omen of times to come. It was the shadow that lingered still upon his brow that made him listen when his eldest daughter Ysbail came to him, when she spoke of a dark time coming for the tribes, of fire and blood and slavery that would rain upon them. When she spoke of the nigh-unthinkable - bending knee and joining the Compact that their ancestors had turned their backs on. Her foresight led the tribe to be ready when Brand's forces marched, and despite his pride he knelt to their Crovane neighbors for protection as Prodigals. With the aid of his daughter, after the Siege of Arx, they united what remained of the tribes and clans surrounding their ancestral lands, and he was named Marquis of Stormarch - and led his people into a new future.
ch - and led his people into a new future. +
In the quiet farming village north of Ston …
In the quiet farming village north of Stonedeep, nestled in the mountains, known as Redhaven. It guards Redhaven's Pass, by far one of the most treacherous was to get to Whitehold and rarely used. The lowly Baron Dominic Redwind, former Lieutenant of the army, retired to married life with Haruka Devonshire, a courtier vassal of the Grayson family. He has come to the city in hopes of proving himself somewhat worthy to be heir. Cas has come to Arx with his mother's assistance to seek knowledge and better himself for the road ahead. He has much self learning to do.
ad ahead. He has much self learning to do. +
In the relatively recent past, Rand would …
In the relatively recent past, Rand would occasionally talk of his prosaic upbringing as the son of a miller. While growing up, he showed unusual skill in the popular, rough and tumble boyhood games aping combat. He would dominate the mock fights with sticks, standing unchallenged right up to the point when he became aware that others were watching, whether with amusement or true interest. Then he would either wander away to more solitary pursuits, or participate in a greatly less effective and enthusiastic manner. His mother would tell him, "No one is watching you in particular. Don't worry about it." His father would tell him, "Of course they're watching. Be your best and revel in it." I suppose no one really knows which parent he believed more. In any case, neither were particularly thrilled when, as a young man, he chose to become a Godsworn Templar. He, himself, was heedless of the risks that paralyzed them and continued onto a path that soon saw him ensconced in Arx itself. Having survived the Siege of Arx, Rand traveled back to check on his parents with a comrade from nearby lands. The night they arrived was the night that Rand's parents and his comrade all died. Some have said that things might have turned out the same for his parents even if the two Templars had not arrived at that time, but Rand thinks differently. He believes that the people he fought and killed that night, the same night his parents were killed and all their possessions put to the torch, were mad cultists who would not have attacked in his absence. Perhaps it's even true. What is certain is that Rand's journey had to be changed to include burying three bodies. And he doesn't talk much about the past anymore.
doesn't talk much about the past anymore. +
In the wake of her first-born disappearing …
In the wake of her first-born disappearing into the world abroad, Emma Velenosa had already begun to dig her nails into what had swiftly become the more treasured and lauded of her sons. Born either from wracking guilt of her mishandling and her error regarding Gaspar or perhaps simply out of a selfish desire to have at least one child that, in her eyes, succeeded how and where he was expected to, Leonel was coddled, spoiled, and cloistered away for what his mother discerned to be a proper upbringing. Much of his early life was spent under her enforced and gruelling regimen; long hours of tutelage with accomplished scholars, training with swordsmasters, and under his mother's own wing in the finer points of courtly conduct. She worked tirelessly to try and sharpen his mind beyond what dusty tomes could manage, and impart a measure of cunning and guile in him - to impart knowledge of secret, and whispered games that the Peerage play behind closed doors. Despite thriving under the wing of a loving - albeit overbearing - mother, Leonel's life had been plagued by a simple question that burned in his mind; the whereabouts and circumstances of his elder brother's departure. Though he knew him little, and had been without him for more years than with, it was that nagging curiosity and desire to reconnect that brought him out into the world, beyond his high walls.
out into the world, beyond his high walls. +
Indio was born into Ravenseye, brother of …
Indio was born into Ravenseye, brother of Cassian, but quickly withdrew into the military upon reaching adulthood. He trained persistantly and worked hard to climb the ranks until he could command his own unit but his ambitions don't end there. Indio still works to raise in ranks to this day, hoping to keep his family and lands safe from Compact enemies.
amily and lands safe from Compact enemies. +
Ingrid{_is{_the{_fifth{_child{_of{_Duke{_H …
Ingrid{_is{_the{_fifth{_child{_of{_Duke{_Harald{_Grimhall{_and{_his{_wife{_Anneke,{_with{_more{_than{_a{_handful{_of{_little{_brothers{_and{_sisters{_as{_well.{_It{_is{_easy{_to{_be{_overlooked{_in{_such{_a{_family,{_especially{_when{_one{_is{_an{_Islander{_born{_a{_girl.{_Yet{_from{_an{_early{_age{_Ingrid{_determined{_that{_she{_would{_not{_be{_overlooked. {/{/While{_Duke{_Harald{_focused{_on{_the{_education{_of{_his{_sons,{_bringing{_them{_up{_to{_be{_strong{_leaders{_and{_fierce{_warriors,{_Anneke{_tended{_to{_the{_girls.{_It{_was{_apparent{_early{_on{_that{_Ingrid{_had{_a{_sharp{_mind,{_one{_that{_could{_make{_her{_extremely{_useful{_to{_her{_family.{_As{_such{_her{_education{_spared{_nothing.{_She{_studied{_law,{_economics,{_and{_even{_theology,{_all{_with{_the{_intention{_to{_serve{_her{_family. {/{/A{_time{_came{_when{_tutors{_at{_Grihem's{_Point{_were{_not{_enough,{_Ingrid{_surpassed{_all{_that{_they{_might{_have{_taught{_her.{_Reluctantly{_(very{_reluctantly){_the{_Duke{_and{_Duchess{_allowed{_her{_to{_leave{_the{_Isles{_to{_complete{_her{_education.{_She{_studied{_law{_and{_economics{_briefly{_in{_both{_Lenosia{_and{_Arx{_before{_returning{_home{_to{_find{_the{_threat{_of{_war{_on{_the{_horizon.{_A{_war{_different{_from{_any{_others,{_waged{_by{_dark{_forces{_that{_many{_did{_not{_understand.{_At{_this{_point{_Ingrid{_took{_it{_upon{_herself{_to{_learn{_even{_more,{_for{_Grihem's{_Point{_needs{_someone{_who{_knows{_how{_to{_combat{_unseen{_threats,{_as{_well{_as{_how{_to{_prevent{_them. {/{/She{_travels{_to{_Arx{_now{_to{_join{_her{_family,{_vowing{_to{_do{_all{_that{_she{_can{_with{_her{_talents{_and{_abilities{_to{_see{_Grimhall{_thrive.
and{_abilities{_to{_see{_Grimhall{_thrive. +
Inverno is a small house, and it was somet …
Inverno is a small house, and it was something of a surprise once when someone from the much larger house of Pravus wanted to arrange a marriage with them. The rumors said that it was because of love, but no one really knows any more why, or if they do, they don't talk about it. The product of that union, however, was Tyche Inverno. There was always something about her, a steel beneath the silk that was hard to miss even when she was a young child. She was always sweet, kind, but out for herself, be it getting the best toy or that very first creation of the season so that she, and no one else, would be the talk of the town. When she got older she was fostered in Setarco among her father's family, the Pravus. While there she attended the courtesan school, learning the finer arts of diplomacy and etiquette. She excelled at things, and chose to take up a position among them, splitting her time between Setarco and Caina over the years with her time decreasing slowly in Setarco as she got older, and increasing in Caina. However, Caina is small, and she is not as much in demand there for throwing parties or helping to smooth out ruffled feelings, so she began to travel around the islands, making herself available to other Houses when they may need someone with her skillset.
n they may need someone with her skillset. +
Iona never imagined she'd be the one sitti …
Iona never imagined she'd be the one sitting in the Assembly of Peers in Arx, trying to diplomatically assuage the concerns of other noble lords or work towards building lasting agreements that contribute to peace. In her youth, she was a fiery hellion, a princess of House Redrain undoubtedly responsible for her father's hair turning gray at an early age. Never one to back down from a fight, she drank, she brawled, she didn't even make the slightest attempt to ape southern notions of propriety and mocked those that did. But in spite of all of that, no one in her family was as fiercely devoted to her father as she, and she would do as she was bid, though she always expected to one day be the general of House Redrain's forces or one of its great war heroes. That was not to be the case. Though she had a reputation as a firebrand, Iona was was liked by her peers in the North. She certainly didn't think of herself as diplomatic at all, but despite the brawls, her father kept noticing that his fiery daughter was the one with an instinctive talent for de-escalating the fights to keep them at bruises rather than swords, or to jokingly talk down other nobles from doing things mindnumbingly idiotic, or to pragmatically grasp simple solutions to please feuding parties. And though to say she fought the decision was an understatement, she ultimately was sent south for a political marriage in a place that could badly use a Redrain voice to make northern opinions heard at court. She expected to hate her betrothed husband-to-be, but she'd grudgingly admit her father chose the match with care. Duke Gabriel Bisland, one of the old king's closest confidants, embodies many of the ideals she most admires. A southern knight, true, but the Crown's Lion is fearless, unwaveringly devoted, painfully honest, and one of the most honorable men at court. Which also makes him excruciatingly unsuited to politics, in her opinion, so Iona has spent the better part of the two decades of their extremely happy marriage representing House Bisland at the Assembly of Peers, doing her best to keep her old family in House Redrain and her new family under the Graysons close and at peace.
ily under the Graysons close and at peace. +
Iovita Igniseri has the dubious distinctio …
Iovita Igniseri has the dubious distinction of being the third child of the Marquesa Igniseri of Granato. Born less than a year into the union between the Marquesa and her second husband, a lesser count who had courted her -- pursued her -- relentlessly. Her birth did little to improve the situation in the eyes of her seven year old twin brothers, Vincere and Pietro. Before she was even a person, she was already a point of contention: Vincere, seven minutes the elder and future Marquis, campaigned endlessly and aggressively for the name Teodora, up to and through the moment she was legally recorded as Iovita, instead. Her father, Oberion, was bookish, intelligent, and not unaware that his stepsons favor eluded him despite his best efforts. Iovita, though, adored him: utterly and obviously. Precocious and often brought along for the twins lessons, she was an eager audience; despite her age she was included, encouraged to keep up as best she could. When Iovita was five, her brothers thirteen, tragedy struck again: her father was killed in an accident in the Lycene countryside. Rumors surrounded the death, investigations and accusations all flying over her head. Iovita understood enough: that her father was dead, that Evidence said her mother was responsible, and that Something Needed to be Done. The damage suffered by the Marquesas reputation capital was staggering. In a play to keep her remaining capital intact, arrangements were made to strengthen bonds of loyalty: the children were to be fostered, to become wards of the two households. Iovita understood, up to a point - but when she heard her brothers were being sent to House Rubino, she stopped listening. She should have kept listening, though - her destination was House Zaffria. Not Rubino. In Gemecitta, she was able to see her brothers with unpredictable regularity - not often enough, in her frequently and loudly voiced opinion. She was also able to return to her studies - at the same level. None of her instructors ever inspired the same level of adoration and zeal as her father had, but Iovita was still an avid and eager learner. A generously granted garden plot flourished with her, its contents revised and refined as they both grew; soon it was all but full of plants for healing, save a small section dedicated to ones for hurting. Overshadowed by her mothers third marriage, Iovitas official declaration of intent to pledge herself as an initiate, and one day become a Mercy of Lagoma was met with little fanfare. If she had expected more, or was disappointed -- she hid it well. Her contact with her immediate family turned more often into correspondence, especially once her brothers gained their majority and returned to Granato. By the time she took her vows and began the life of an initiate, her own was - and had been for some time - marvelously uneventful. Uneventful, that is, until six months ago. The death by poisoning of her third husband, Marquis Sir Jalawyn Igniseri, heralded the Badger of Granatos heavily-advised departure from Arx, and appointment of her heir in her absence. That heir, of course, being the new Marquis Igniseri: Iovitas oldest brother, Vincere. With Pietro at -- or never far from -- his side, her brothers ventured to the capitol to take control of the failing boat -- the sinking ship -- of their family fortunes. As soon as she found out about it -- about all of it -- Iovita Igniseri wasnt far behind.
of it -- Iovita Igniseri wasnt far behind. +
Ira came to the Apothecary College of Tor …
Ira came to the Apothecary College of Tor at the age of sixteen from "somewhere north" after a spot of "financial trouble." Ira soon entered apprenticeship at the college, under the sponsorship of some minor noble courtier. An apt student and a proficient alchemist already, Ira was leading lectures by his third year at the college. Genius was not without its tradeoffs; those who liked Ira well knew him as a quirky young man. Those who did not like him? Well, let's just say that he was one of the more "outstanding" cases of independent study at the academy, and his intelligence was matched only by his ambition and social oddity. Oddities that ranged from attending lectures without any shoes, to wasting College money on experiments involving the effects of major and minor musical scales on the humors of animals. An equal disciple of medicine, anatomy, and music, Ira's more philosophical bent had him breaking from the College and taking employ with House Fidante. And what better place to take employ than Arx, a city plagued by mysteries and the unknown at every interval? Ira set upon a carriage at once, gathered his meager belongings, and travelled to serve Duke Leo Fidante upon the recommendation of the College. Of course, the college may have only been too eager to see him go to Arx. There, his studies of such obscure things as the mind, and the effects of moon phases on the potency of alchemical elements could take flight... and fly well away from their prestigious college. Since arriving, Ira has focused himself quite solely on the interdisciplinary studies of the mind, a subject Ira has dubbed mentalism and has all but pioneered, dubbing himself First Mentalist and founding an asylum for the insane and deranged. Now Doctor Dedalin plies his trade to those poor souls who need him most in the Lower Boroughs.
s who need him most in the Lower Boroughs. +
Irkucist was born to Coutn Aracelis Vinci …
Irkucist was born to Coutn Aracelis Vinci of Stormchaser and Countess-Consort Lasandra Vinci on a stormy summer day. They were more than pleased to have a son they could call heir... it was a shame that, even at an early age, Irkucist was constantly ill. He managed to make it through childhood, though, perhaps in part due to the Thraxian blood coursing through his veins. Since too much physical exertion tended to make him sick, he had a habit of hiding in the libraries and conducting research from a young age. His sickness was, thankfully, limited only to his body, and had no effect on his mind. As he grew older, he grew more and more determined to become a scholar, before finally travelling to Arx in pursuit of that dream.
ravelling to Arx in pursuit of that dream. +
Ironna Aerisian -- Irony to her friends, a …
Ironna Aerisian -- Irony to her friends, and /everyone/ is potentially a friend -- comes from a farm of no particular note near an unremarkable village along a boring road between two slightly-more-notable towns, where she was the youngest of five children and /constantly/ overshadowed by her siblings. In short, as she will lament to /anyone/, she has absolutely no interesting stories about her childhood or past. (Unless people want to hear complaints about being stuck in the same old /boring/ place every day for /sooooo long/. Those she can muster no small number of.) Her father left long ago, to hear her tell it, and she was raised just by her mother -- and when her mother passed away, young Irony decided to strike out on her own. And so she's come to Arx; initially she hoped desperately to join the Champions. Or become a knight. Or do /something/ interesting. Something none of her siblings has done yet. Because she will be the First at /something/, and something that will make a /difference/. Lately, however, her interests have focused far more specifically on knighthood, and how to be a True Knight. The sort of knight that makes a difference in the world -- the sort she thinks her mother might've been proud of.
thinks her mother might've been proud of. +
Iseulet's mother was a merchant's daughter …
Iseulet's mother was a merchant's daughter with a taste for the finer things in life. Following a series of unfortunate financial decisions after her father died and she took over the business, she found herself indentured into the Blackshore House and serving at the keep. Her indenturement only lasted for five years, but during this time she managed to catch the Baron's interest and nine months later, the twins Iseulet and Thesbe were born. The Baron never denied his parentage but he didn't seem to be interested in doing more than passing coin to their mother to see that they were fed and had no interest in them past doing his duty. His eyes were set on possibly marrying another noble, but judging from the stories passed down to Iseulet and Thesbe this was possible for the best, as he was known for his madness, cruelty, and malice. Iseulet and Thesbe's mother took her payoff from the Baron and invested it into a pub on Blackshore Isle that served sailors coming in and out of port. It was a struggle to make ends meet and it's where she learned how to sing for her supper, but it gave Iseulet an early exposure to stories of adventure, excitement and intrigue on the mainland that instilled within her a wanderlust. A wanderlust that lead to Iseulet convincing her sister to escape the tiny island and go on an adventure of their own. They were 16 and ran away to the mainland and traveled Arvum together until rather recently. The cataclysm that hit Blackshore Isle took the lives of both parents and much of their family (what little they knew) and after hitting a rough financial patch the two decided to head to Arx to join their cousin and the new Baroness, Skye. Upon arrival, they were welcomed warmly and found a family they had never known before. When the will of Iseulet and Thesbe's father surfaced requesting them to be ennobled, Baroness Skye was gracious enough to extend both the offer of legitimization. Iseulet accepted and set to work helping rebuild Blackshore. Along the way, she was named Blackshore Minister of Coin and found her calling as a courtier and truly blossomed, founding The Empyrean and began to reach for the stars in a way she never thought possible while her father was alive.
ought possible while her father was alive. +
Ishmael was born to a family of low signif …
Ishmael was born to a family of low significance in Gilden lands to a blacksmith. It was clear from a young age the boy was not made to be a smith, though fortunately he had some older brothers who could take over the business should his father grow ill. The boy was uncommonly bright though. He started off by handling payments his father received, and working with other suppliers to lower the cost of production. His father saw a bright future for his youngest son, and got him to apprentice for another merchant in the city. It was while working there, that he ran into the Previous Barron of House Gilden. Impressed with the lads intelligence he brought him in to manage his household. Ishmael excelled at his position and continues to serve House Gilden to this day. Though word has spread of some of the issues they have faced with the Baron's son being killed. Eager to assist, Ishmael dispatches himself towards Arx to serve his family and his new Baronness.
to serve his family and his new Baronness. +
Isidora is the youngest child of multiple …
Isidora is the youngest child of multiple siblings and lost her father not very long after she was born. She is, in fact, a fair bit younger than her older siblings, save for her older twin sibling, at least 10 years. She was an unexpected child and is often faced with over protective family members because of this. The education Isidora was given involved social graces but they just not stick very well. It was quickly discovered that she was a skilled healer and very much enjoyed it. While her family often tried getting her to better her social and combat abilities they mostly left her to her tending to those in pain, having seen how well it suited her. When the approach of her birthday came her family decided to send Isidora to Arx.
her family decided to send Isidora to Arx. +
It can be tough being a Grayhope when you' …
It can be tough being a Grayhope when you're growing up. It's certainly not the Lower Boroughs, but the whispers follow the children of this house from birth to death. Growing up, Aeden was intensely curious, voracious in his consumption of knowledge and sharper than a kid his age should've been. His words got him in trouble as often as not, but his family's relative prominence for a commoner family is what provided the resources for him to go beyond a basic education. Becoming a disciple of Vellichor was an absolute calling to a young man so sure of the direction his life would take. He was a Grayhope, however, and that has had complications of its own, the association with his family hindering him as often as, paradoxically, his faith. He truly believes Vellichor's teachings have become diluted since the Reckoning and his course in service at the Great Archive has followed that path. Knowledge must not be allowed to disappear and hidden knowledge is far more likely lost. As Prelate of the Black of the Great Archive, it is his role to push back against the Censor Librorum and the dangerous loss of knowledge that is hidden. Doesn't particularly ingratiate him with the higher ups, but he's good at what he does.
higher ups, but he's good at what he does. +
It is all but expected for a prince of Hou …
It is all but expected for a prince of House Valardin to become a knight, an exemplar of chivalry and paragon of virtue. At a very early age, Beaumont developed a far more cynical view of that particular path, getting to see an entirely too upclose look at some of the hypocrisy of celebrated knights. He remembers feeling the crushing disappointment when his uncle, Lord Commander Dayne Valardin, was forced to admit to Beaumont that 'not all knights are worthy of their title'. If the greatest knight in all the realm was willing to admit something that obvious, what was the point of becoming a knight at all? Beaumont saw another clear path towards glory and fame- a curvy and slightly disreputable path to be sure, but one far more honest about its dishonety which was immensely preferrable to the young man. Better to be a roguish scoundrel than a bright and shining hypocrite, as far as he was concerned. So with that in mind, he became an extremely high born champion. Beaumont didn't mind at all joining the assorted ranks of sellswords and other rogues for hire popular among western noblewomen looking for champions to duel for their honor (and any assorted slights). As far as Beaumont sees it, just the simple fact he is a prince lends a proposterous air of legitimacy that he is happy to exploit shamelessly, and it gives him a special sense of glee that it is a source of some embarrassment to his stalwart cousins in Sanctum. Not that non-lethal dueling for sport is entirely a scathing social commentary by him on the shortcomings of chivalry- he quite enjoys the adoration of the masses when he draws a show against another champion and uses his impressive talents for another victory. It's not quite the fortune that good Valardin princes are raised to pursue, but he never claimed to be a -good- Valardin prince. For the last couple years, he's been spending far more time at court in Arx than other Valardin high nobles. Being closer to the heart of politics gives a well-born champion many opportunities to grab glory in front of adoring crowds, but truthfully Beaumont is there to also lend aid to his sister, Isabeau. Beaumont might be something of a black sheep for becoming a champion with negotiable loyalty rather than a knight in shining armor, but he'll still be there when they need a skilled duelist to settle the questions of the day with a sword, rather than words. And look very, very good doing it.
words. And look very, very good doing it. +
It is exceedingly unlikely that any two of …
It is exceedingly unlikely that any two of Ravana's companions would ever have the same story as to the wild woman's past, as Ravana is famously fond of making up ever more absurd anecdotes for her past adventures on the spot. Her many friends and even more numerous enemies have always been interested in just where the charming and treacherous pirate came from, even if few are unwise enough to call her a pirate to her face. Most generally agree that the story about being an illegitimate daughter of King Alaric Grayson III is assuredly false, as is the one about being the niece of the Gyre, or the one about being second-cousin thrice removed of the Grand Vizier of Suj'abbat. None of those quite line up with the more well known past of being a street-rat surviving alone in the slums of Setarco during her very early youth. Her stories about being from an Abandoned clan able to work high sorcery and living in a magical, sealed off fortress only to be kidnapped by pirates as a toddler is laughed off, and the most common and likely explanation was she was one of the orphans from the bloody Tor-Southport war, but none can say for sure. It is more generally accepted that after a hardscrabble youth on the streets of Setarco, she somehow managed to be admitted to the famed courtier house of the Suspires in the Silken City, developing an intensely competitive friendship with Mirari Corsetina, with Ravana still taking intense pride in her past triumphs and glossing over previous mishaps. While Mirari accepted a contract with House Pravus, Ravana Stellaris found her talents in demand with the port city of Luciva, a then infamous pirate stronghold at the south of Setara. While she found great success advising the many wealthy pirates there, the cunning blonde had no intention of doing so forever. It took no more than a few short years for Ravana to have gone from courtier to pirate, commandeering her own ship and having climbed the hierarchy of the city through deception, salacious intrigues, and more than a little talented swordplay. It's unclear how much of the gossip around her rise are true, and quite a few may have even been seeded by Ravana herself (though she does claim that the rumor about her literally stabbing her patron and romantic partner in the back is just malicious slander and/or if it was true that they really had it coming). It's unclear exactly how she survived the fall of the Port of Luciva to House Pravus, and most assume she was away from the city, and her claims about defeating in battle the fearsome Captain Nuncio the Ravager of Luciva in single combat before throwing open the gates of Luciva to House Pravus are... dubious. It is known that not long after the Battle of Pieros, the dangerous woman has been seen with the Corsetina family, now representing their interests. Her claims to being a simple reformed sailor are widely seen as a little unlikely.
ilor are widely seen as a little unlikely. +
It is far from easy for an orphan to grow …
It is far from easy for an orphan to grow up amidst the poverty of the Lower Boroughs of Arx, but for a prodigal to survive it requires a powerful will to survive. 'Prodigals', the exceedingly rare handful of barbarous Abandoned who have returned to the civilization of the Compact of Arvum, are not well cared for by society at the best of times, and Alistair's situation was a far cry from that. Born among the Gray Forest Howlers has seen first hand the kind of brutal savagery embraced by the most terrifying tribes of the Abandoned, watching as a child as the Howlers preyed upon travelers daring to penetrate the depths of the Gray Forest. Even as a child, he felt the murderous savagery was wrong, but when the chieftain declared after a fruitless raid that their dark gods needed a blood sacrifice and selected Alistair as the offering, the life threatening predicament added an extra incentive for the young man to make his escape from the tribe as barely a teenager. He eventually wound up in Arx still as a teenager. Life in Arx was harsh and unforgiving, though he was able to survive partly by hiring himself out as a tracker and hunter to the city folk as well as begging in the streets. Despite his miserable existence, he still remembered the face of evil he'd witnessed as a child and was determined to grow up and make a difference, somehow. That drive to combat the demons of his past pushed him to a very unlikely calling- the Inquisition. Of course, Alistair learned very quickly that he might be one of the very few 'true believers' inside the entire Inquisition. He rapidly learned as a confessor, the grunts that aid inquisitors in their bloody work, that very few members of the Inquisition think something like 'demons' exist and are quite comfortable being members of a political organization. On one occasion, Alistair enraged his superiors by declaring a rich merchant innocent of all charges of witchcraft, after discovering the merchant's only crime seemed to be possessing no political patron or allies that could protect him while hurting the business interests of some powerful lords. Alistair was given poor assignments afterwards for a time, assigned as a liaison to the Iron Guard in their investigations who famously have contempt for the corrupt Inquisition. If their goal was to have Alistair have an accident, though, it might have backfired. He has one of the rarest reputations- that of a conscientious, honest inquisitor. It might not really be the life Alistair was looking for, but it's the one he has, and at least his reputation is judged useful by his organization.
tion is judged useful by his organization. +
It is never easy being the youngest daught …
It is never easy being the youngest daughter of a dynasty, but when it comes to a House like Pravus that is an understatement. Growing up, Allegra felt outclassed just about everywhere, simply too late to make a splash in a court filled with brilliant scions of a legacy older than the Reckoning itself. Condemned to be the second best, if she was lucky, Allegra knew she had to do something dire if she wished to fight her fate. Much to the woe of her family, Allegra chose the books. Not occult knowlege, nor erotica or religion. Allegra just randomly selected a book each week, and ravenously learned it. Although her sisters and cousins found it strange, and many thought such a beautiful woman should have sought the ways of a courtier, Allegra paid them little heed, and kept reading and when Pravus Keep library dried up, she had her beloved father expand it, twice and, a year later, three times its size. By then, many had pegged young Allegra as a sure-to-be disciple of Vellichor, but the girl was not ready to commit to the Faith just yet. Time passed, and it was during one of her many trips to lands under Pravus rule that Allegra heard of House Argento's uprising and their assassination of Duke Piero. More troubling still was the fact her hosts, local merchants in Bravura, chose to throw their lot with the rebelling family. Suddenly, Allegra became a prisoner, and for much of the war, that is what she remained. She would enter her imprisonment at the age of 13 and would spend the next five years at her captors mercy. It would take the fall of House Argento and Lady Celeste Pravus' marching down onto Bravura for Allegra to be released from captivity. Since then, Lady Allegra Pravus has been an eerie reminder of the ugliest sides of war, a young beauty sapped of her grace as tortures visited upon her have the girl walk with a limp to this day. Now fully healed, in mind and body, as well as she will ever be, Allegra joins her family in Arx, part of their court and by her family's side, where is her place to be.
r family's side, where is her place to be. +
It is never easy to have one's very birth …
It is never easy to have one's very birth be a near ruinous scandal, as is the case for most highborn bastards, but the family in which she was born was so tumbled up in them even then that at least she was just one amongst many things tearing at the very foundation of Tessere's place in society. Her lady mother, Countess Lucrezia Tessere, had a torrid affair with one of her closest courtiers, so the story went. He seemed to vanish overnight from public appearances at her court; but the child was acknowledged and raised alongside her half-siblings, given much of the same education if not a prominent place, and all the comforts of being the Countess' child, though none of the children, least of all Nurie, received a great deal of attention or affection from the Countess or Count-Consort. What she lacked from her only parental figure in love and support, however, Nurie found in her elder sister Sabine. From the start, she was her shadow. If Sabine needed help brushing out her hair, Nurie would demand to do it. If there was a wrinkle in her dress to mar her sister's breathtaking beauty, Nurie would be the first to see it and straighten it. If there was just one last sweet sticky bun that Sabine loved so much left in the kitchens, you could be sure that Nurie would steal it and deliver it, before her sister even remembered to voice the wish for it. The servants who were more parental than the Countess and her Consort noticed the young girl's adoration, and more importantly her eye for aesthetics and detail, her willingness to please, her charm, and as soon as it was appropriate she was instructed by Lucretia's Lady's Maid in the basics of being a noblewoman's body servant, and one that could be trusted by the Heir in the cutthroat Lyceum. When both young women were just starting to enter the first blush of womanhood, it was Sabine's slightly furrowed brow of disappointment at the boring dress she was expected to wear at an upcoming gathering that prompted Nurie to steal into the fabric stores of the household, and take a little of this, a little of that, a sharp pair of scissors and some unsecured beads to "alter" it to something a little more daring, a little more flamboyant. It didn't turn out /quite/ like she'd hoped--okay, it was butchered by her untrained thirteen year old hands--but when the emergency tailor was called in to see if anything could be salvaged, he took a look and was surprised that her instincts were quite good and creative. And more importantly, she saw her sister's smile. Nurie was punished quite severely for her impertinence, but she received Sabine's kiss to her forehead after the house was still, as well as morsels from her sister's own plate that she'd snuck into her room from dinner. Never had she cried so hard or for so long before or since as she was packed off within days to be apprenticed to that same tailor. But she worked hard, tirelessly, losing herself in the wonder of creation and dreaming of just what would make Sabine smile once more. Within a year, she was allowed to return home, and practice, practice, practice. If an excellent Lady's Maid is worth her weight in gold, then one that can also serve as stylist is truly precious. And when placed in the service of her greatest muse, then together they are unstoppable. Since rejoining the household, Nurie is one of the hidden jewels within it, knowing just how to showcase the luxurious fabric and other material goods that their House is famous for. Fashion emergency for a guest, a House friend, or one of the Tesseres? Nurie is there to alter, fix, enhance--and comfort, soothe, or even whisper temptation to take a little more risk. Whatever is needed to make one feel more alive. Perhaps there was a promise made, that the sisters would never again be parted. For when Sabine decided to travel to Arx, Nurie is once more her shadow, ready to help make all of Tessere's ambitions come to fruition.
l of Tessere's ambitions come to fruition. +
It is no secret that the man worked forges …
It is no secret that the man worked forges for the Gyre before swearing his Oaths to the Compact and House Seliki, but since weapons he crafted spilled Compact blood and armor he crafted turned Compact blades, he is understandably reluctant to speak on it. It should come as no surprise, that life under The Gyre was unpleasant. Aonghus is glad to have those dark days behind him. The only family he has left in the world anymore is his sister Olin. With her help, he was able to come to Arx. The two of them have sworn Oaths the Compact and House Seliki. His thoughts are turned to the future and the path before him - now his own at last! His accent is a strange unplaceable amalgam.
s accent is a strange unplaceable amalgam. +
It may be that Sira has been sewing since …
It may be that Sira has been sewing since she was able to walk. Born to a family of tailors and merchants, the woman learned trade and business as a matter of course. However, she proved especially capable with needle and thread under her mother's direction. Based in Bastion, she grew up watching illustrious customers frequent the shop. In her teens, she would join her father - a traveling merchant originally from the Lyceum - on trips between Bastion and Lenosia to gain an understanding of how connected the Compact is by trade. These experiences planted a seed within her to seek out fanciful, rare materials to work with. That seed sprouted and blossomed over the years into a foray to Arx, where Sira opened her shop Gilded Dreams. Unfortunately, when her mother fell ill, she left after only a few months to manage the family business. When disaster struck again - this time in the form of an enemy siege on the Grayson holding, the seamstress found herself back outside of Arx with the refugees, lacking any surviving close friends or family. With the shop in the city still in her name, and no interest in returning to rebuild in Bastion, the woman is starting over.
ld in Bastion, the woman is starting over. +
It seems that only two or three years ago, …
It seems that only two or three years ago, Maerigan appeared out of thin air upon the doorstep of Elune’s keep. Nothing more than a wispy teen, she was taken in by that dottering old castellan, Nester. Quickly, he became a grandfatherly figure for her, seeing to it that the youth had a start to her new life. Perhaps he saw something within her that reminded him of his own family. Having no children of his own, she filled the void of family for him and an affection bloomed for now his adopted granddaughter, as he often called her. Together, they tried their best to find her family - after all, it was an island. How far could they have gotten? Well. They were never truly successful and Nester claimed it was his duty to steward the girl. If she showed even the slightest talent or inclination to a subject, he afforded her the lessons. That is, until the fairly recent attack on Elune where Nester lost his life. She mourned him, and having no place to go continued to be a presence in the keep, working primarily in Nester’s stead to manage the keep but in her spare time pursued her own interests. However, the winds of change began to blow. House Seryn began to grow and with her duties lightening, she proved herself loyal, trustworthy, and willing to take on a challenge. Soon, she accepted a promotion to a Ministership that would see her through to Arx and a brand new chapter in her life.
o Arx and a brand new chapter in her life. +
It takes a firm hand to turn small, indepe …
It takes a firm hand to turn small, independent groups into a cohesive and effective army. It is not unlike herding cats and convincing them that working together brings down prey faster and with less losses. Rohran Keaton is an excellent cat herder. Perhaps it grew from managing his siblings as a child, with Veronica and her intense drive and barely containable chaos and Jaerith throwing himself into every possible experience regardless of risk. Rohran assumed the role of co-parent as the eldest when their mother Anastasia died, Rohran being all of 11 years old, to Veronica's 7 and Jaerith's 5. Their father Ambrose poured himself into the running of their lands and his duties as General, letting Rohran and the staff handle the younger children. Rohran often sought his father's approval, something he feels, rightly or wrongly, he has yet to obtain. These feelings are something that are most often expressed in poetry. Cleaving to the Chivalric ideals, Rohran fancies himself a poet of great skill, often composing sonnets and epics, though he's not above a limerick or two when out drinking with his men. For about nine years now the bulk of his time and attention have been focused on his role as General of the Hounds of Oakhaven, a title well earned, bestowed upon him when his father retired. In this role he has done a significant amount to assist the House in the expansion of their lands, helping Keaton tame the wilderness and involved in combatting a number of threats (some stranger than others). The business of being General left little time for raising his bastard daughter. The eleven year old Elaine's origin is not something he speaks of; the looks he gives those who ask are withering at best. For several years, Rohran and Elaine lived in Arx with Rohran's romantic partner, Natalia Whisper. When Natalia and Rohran split, Elaine remained with Natalia. When Natalia was (re)ennobled as Baroness Elwood, she adopted her, ennobled her, and named her Elwood's heir (all with Keaton's blessing). Rohran went back to Oakhaven to have himself a bit of a sulk (and take care of a great deal of General business, to be fair), and has now returned to Arx to assist with the current threats.
to Arx to assist with the current threats. +
It took nearly an hour for the crew of the …
It took nearly an hour for the crew of the Black Tide, a Blackshore merchant vessel, to fish up a tangled mass of debris, hoist it onto the deck and discover the lifeless body of a salt-stained body buried within. She was not dressed as most other shipwrecked persons usually are; this woman wore the remains of a black linen dress, tattered, distressed and covered in holes featuring scorch marks where flames had burned through. Sections of skin on her neck, arms, and legs were the consistency of melted wax, and her forehead had been split wide open, rivers of blood staining fair features. She was immediately declared dead, evidenced by the absence of a pulse. The ship's captain ordered his crew to wrap her in sailcloth and tie her ankles to an iron weight. Too far from the nearest port, she was to receive a respectable burial at sea. At the very moment her body was rolled to rest atop the flax fabric, the woman sat upright and regurgitated an unhealthy amount of seawater upon the deck. Gasps and murmurs resounded from the crew, not a one among them unfazed by her unprovoked revival. When asked her name, the anonymous woman could not remember. When asked from whence she hailed, the homeless woman could not remember. When asked how she came to be shipwrecked, the shivering woman, again, could not remember. The captain considered the situation carefully, then made the determination that she posed very little threat to him or his crew. By his orders, the woman was to be fed, clothed, and assigned a cot to sleep on until they made for port where she would then be required to make a choice: stay on the ship and learn to sail, or disembark and find her own way. It did not take long for her to choose the path of least resistance, and so the captain gave her all the tools and training to earn an honest living. Having forgotten her true given name, she elected to rename herself Scylla. And yet many of her new crewmates adopted for her a more fitting epithet to gossip surreptitiously among themselves: Omen. What purpose did this anomalous amnesiac serve to receive the favor of the gods, or perhaps some other mysterious force? Was she a boon or a curse? To the superstitious lot, the miracle of her rebirth could not be reconciled by practical means alone. Therefore, it must have otherworldly implications, ones that spurred a few sailors to worry endlessly over her presence aboard the ship. Despite such fears and conjured anecdotes, Scylla put her head down and worked to surpass the expectations of the captain. He promoted her from swabbie to first mate after only three years of dedicated service. In winter of 1012 AR, the captain made for the port of New Hope. After a brief interlude, he returned to inform the crew that House Blackshore intended to repurpose the merchant ship for the coming war with Eurus. Those who chose to remain aboard would join the house navy or be forced to find work elsewhere. Scylla opted to swear fealty to the family and help them achieve their goals and win the war. In return for her loyalty and dedication, she was promptly rewarded with a promotion to captain of the Black Tide. Returning to port for a stretch of time began to chafe at Scylla’s previous contentment to forget that she had once lived another life. It had been so easy to achieve surrounded by people who accepted that she was and would remain a mystery. It was not the same with strangers in Arx, all of them eager to poke, prod and pry into the new and unfamiliar. And so, with the spare time she contrived between preparations for war and honing new social skills, Scylla began to explore who she is and who she used to be.
explore who she is and who she used to be. +
It was Insaya Bergere's lot in life, as a …
It was Insaya Bergere's lot in life, as a younger daughter of shepherds, to help work the farm. She showed early technical aptitudes and ended up doing a lot of handyman work first around the house and then, later, around 'town', where she apprenticed with an artisan and developed a reputation as a tinker. She was a mousy girl, quiet and inobtrusive, who drifted through the shadows and learned much of the world by observation and listening. While her elder brother earned acclaim and became a Knight for the Valardins, Insaya worked quietly as a tinker, and eventually joined a traveling caravan and traders and workers who traveled the Oathlands together. Insaya kept up a careful correspondence with her family and with her brother from afar. She also remained indelibly curious. As a teen, she fell in with some other travelers and eventually began gathering information and spying for a man named Elwood who paid her for simple gossip, the kinds of things that neighbors tell each other but not strangers. Elwood eventually told her that he was a servant of the Inquisition on a long, long case study of a coven of witches, usurers and tax evaders, and that with her help, he'd uncovered their network deep in the roots of the countryside. He took her on as his 'apprentice'. Insaya made herself completely indispensible to his work, becoming exactly the young woman he wanted her to be, but never yielding herself to him despite his repeated blandishments. When he returned to Sanctum, she went with him ... and discarded him immediately to attach herself as a spy in the household of the Seraph of Sanctum. She worked as a handyman for the better part of the year, sifting through Sanctum society and learning all she could about the inner workings of both her household and the Oathlands nobility and all of the gossip that servants tell each other but not their masters. The end result of this was that at the end of the year, she had a letter of recommendation and a solid pension with which to travel to Arx and join the heart of the Inquisition. Her cleverness and her powers of observation served her well with the Inquisition. As a social chameleon with a habit of making herself indispensible, she carved out a ready niche for herself among the investigators serving the Inquisition, with an especial focus on busting larcenious disappearances of intermediate to large sums of money among lesser nobles and middle class merchantmen who should really know better.
merchantmen who should really know better. +
It was a full-moon upon the night that Zal …
It was a full-moon upon the night that Zalika was born. And she was thrall, working diligent upon making clothing for the Count of Stormchaser and his family. And she was typically treated worse than the others for some odd reason. She squirrelled away her money, for years and years and bought her freedom. And while doing so, she learned a bit about law and developed a hidden passion for it. And once she was free she began to study law more and more in her free time. Trying to well verse herself with just how things are ran by officials, all while honing her tailoring talents. Along the way, she met Sameera and accepted the invitation to join her family. Now she is in Arx and is out to make a name for herself and make some friends and allies.
herself and make some friends and allies. +
It was always assumed that as the first da …
It was always assumed that as the first daughter Jerrica would take up a martial path. She talked early and often and her strong opinions varying from what was offered for dinner to the way the gardens at the house were kept were at first met with smiles for her zeal and then grimaces when she would find something she thought was wrong and harp on it until people would have it changed. She was trained in the finer points of archery at a young age and seemed to take to it, but when she was six years old she was brought along on her first boar hunt and was so horrified by how many armed nobles chased the poor, terrified animal and how brutally it was ultimately brought down. And then they expected her to eat it! Her parents tried to explain that boars were dangerous creatures that were responsible for many a stray hunter's death but Jerrica would have none of it--and from that day forward never again ate meat in her life. Sure, the boar might have been dangerous, but it was just one boar being chased and heckled by a dozen or more armed men and women on horseback! Every year after that she campaigned to end hunts for sport, something her parents would not give in to. She still attended, chanting in a loud voice about how barbaric it all was until she was just left at home in her teenage years to not cause yet another scene in front of her parents' friends. From Bastion she embarked on many a letter writing campaign to numerous other houses and dignitaries in Arx, railing against practices she found lacking, such as going to war so often. Jerrica simply could not understand why so many men and women needed to die for a cause when so many things could be worked out through mediation. Many of those letters (most really) went unanswered, but she found herself with a growing interest in diplomacy because of it. Soon she realized that in order to use these skills she needed to be in Arx and wrote her parents a 52 page manuscript detailing all the reasons why they should send her to the city. They took one look at the pile of papers and decided to just send her, much to her delight.
ded to just send her, much to her delight. +
It was winter in the Gray Forest when Harl …
It was winter in the Gray Forest when Harlex was born on Valtyr family’s farm, healthy and pink. His father, a soldier before him, died nine months later when cutthroats set upon him on patrol. He was found, stripped and butchered, on the side of the road. His mother in desperation married her late husband's brother. He was a devout man who lacked in any useful skills. He could not hunt, farm, nor fish. All he could do, in Harlex's eyes, was pray and drink. It didn't seem to do his family any good. At the age of sixteen his stepfather died when his heart ruptured while trying to clear ear-rot from the corn fields. Harlex watched him writhe on the ground, deciding then to avoid this fate. A year later his mother died from a fever during one particularly cruel winter. This he perhaps still regrets. But afterward he sold the land for next to nothing, bought a long-knife and some traveling supplies and set out. The world proved remorseless and these two years were marked with violent conflicts in taverns, on the streets of cities where he sonjourned, whose names he can not recall, all under the banner of the Sellsword Guild. Until at last it reached its terminus. He met an outfit of mercenaries, the Dead Crows, and plied his trade in service of their cause. It was under this banner and the leadership of the enigmatic Captain Nazares where he became a full-blooded reaver. Harlex was never allowed to have any enchanted views of war. Glory and honor were beaten out of him by sword-wounds, arrow volleys, and burying fallen comrades. Eventually this all led to the Dead Crows disbanding, and Nazares’ murder. Leaving Harlex with nothing but the rough-worn gear on his back, the sword on his hip, and scars deep on his soul.
rd on his hip, and scars deep on his soul. +
It was winter in the village Wrenholme whe …
It was winter in the village Wrenholme when Harlex Valtyr was born. His father, a soldier before him, died nine months later from an infected wound sustained in an ambush by cutthroats while on patrol. They stripped him naked and left him on the road. His mother, in desperation, married her late husband's brother. He was a devout man who lacked in any useful skills. He could not hunt, farm, nor fish. All he could do, in Harlex's eyes, was pray. It didn't seem to do his family any good. At the age of twenty his step-father died when his heart ruptured while trying to clear ear-rot from the corn fields. Harlex watched him writhe on the ground, deciding then to avoid this fate. He took coin and a knife, leaving behind the empty promises of a simple life. The world proved remorseless and these years were marked with violent conflicts in taverns, on the streets of cities where he sonjourned, until at last it reached its terminus. He met a band of sellswords, the Dead Crows, and plied his trade in service of blood and gold. It was under that banner where he became a killer. Harlex was never allowed to have any enhanced views of war, soldiery and battle. It was beaten out of him by hammer blows, arrow volleys, and burying fallen comrades. Eventually this all led to the Dead Crows disbanding, leaving Harlex with nothing but the rough-worn gear on his back, the sword on his hip, and scars deep on his soul.
rd on his hip, and scars deep on his soul. +
It's easy enough to trace back a misfortun …
It's easy enough to trace back a misfortune to its root, in Sydney's case. After her father succumbed to an illness that swept through him like wildfire, she accepted a loan with unfavorable conditions 'just until she was able to get established'. As it happens, that took just a little longer than she anticipated. As a smithy's apprentice by trade, adequate coin was meager to come by - too meager for the patience of her unscrupulous debtors. After missing one payment too many, the shop she apprenticed for just so happened to turn up scorched down to the foundations overnight. Apprenticeship opportunities don't just fall out of the sky, and Sydney wasn't fortunate enough to find another. Left with a sturdy set of arms for swinging and smelting, a personality unfit for a courtesan, and a mountain of debts left to pay off, she landed herself a position as a brawler. Being a touch less than half-bad at taking and giving a beating proved a boon... as did taking the occasional dive here and there to pad her pockets, when the situation called. Dreams are for the debtless. Sydney's aspirations are simple: To get out from under the debt she owes and do something more than just scrape by. If cornered, she'll insincerely talk about opening her own shop one day. It's a fair sight better than the truth: She'll go where the coin is best until she's allowed the luxury of having her dreams be her own again.
ury of having her dreams be her own again. +
It's effectively impossible to get a real …
It's effectively impossible to get a real history out of Gibson, as his family in the Lower Boroughs has long since decided. Gibson spent his youth helping the crime family settle some scores and seeming entirely too happy and affable while doing it, even among the blackest work the Culler family could offer. He didn't long stay in the Lower Boroughs however, leaving Arx to serve in a sellsword company 'somewhere that wasn't here' and blatantly lying virtually every time he's asked about it, to attempt to come up with the most amusing and obviously fabricated story whenever the opportunity arises. Just in the past year he returned to Arx after being missing for almost a decade, though having extremely little to do with his family now, and seeking out gainful employment among a sellsword company known as the Valorous Few. He sometimes has been seen around Arx dressing far above his station, and makes up cheerfully flamboyant lies about just why that might be the case, with the popular rumor being that he sometimes pretends to be a courtier.
at he sometimes pretends to be a courtier. +
It's hard for a bastard to be born quietly …
It's hard for a bastard to be born quietly, but sometimes it can be done. Tikva's mother was a godsworn priest of the Faith, who should really have known better than to become pregnant. Yet sometimes accidents happen, and it left the priest in kind of a bind. Luckily for her, she had a good friend in the seraph at Brighthold, and wrote there in urgent haste about the babe she had given birth to, certifying both the child's bloodline and her great need of a place to go. So it was that, a little differently than some of the other foundlings and flotsam that ended up reared in Count Laveer's house, Tikva was adopted into the family, and reared with her adoptive siblings under the gentle but firm guiding hand of the Count who, at 18, was new to his majority when she came to him a babe in arms. An adventurous child who was hungry for tales and songs of all kinds, Tikva latched onto strangers who knew stories and absorbed her lessons like a human sponge for information. She embraced song of all kinds, music and dance; she grew carefree and clever, running barefoot through the holding and ambushing friends and family with affection. She grew to be a capable young woman, trained to be a scout high in the rigging aboard ships or high in the trees of the surrounding forests, and studied under the Count to learn the arts of diplomacy and understanding that would make her a useful, worthwhile future Voice. What she did not expect, and what neither did Tibault: on a rare visit to the capital, she met with the brother of Count Thesarin Riven, a tattooed and bright-hearted man full of impish mischief, and foolishly lost her heart to him. After a whirlwind courtship and much wheedling and back and forth between Count Tibault and Countess Mia, Tikva married him and joined the Twainfort: Lord Kelleth Riven and Lady Tikva Riven! Uncertain at first away from the seclusion and independence of the lighthouse at Brighthold, Tikva found her new family sustaining. But when her husband Kelleth rode out against the Abandoned and Tikva was -- at six months pregnant -- forced to remain behind, she had a very bad feeling about this that-- well, turned out to be right. Now, Tikva is a widowed lady in her new house, foundling again like she was a little girl, and finding her new way with a one-year-old toddler in tow in the capital. It's definitely nothing she signed up for.
It's definitely nothing she signed up for. +
It's hard to be a six year old child with …
It's hard to be a six year old child with a mother recently deceased and a father lost to the sea. It's even harder when your aunt and uncle have seven other children, and not enough money to keep everyone fed in Setarco. When Mirari's aunt saw an opportunity to rid herself of the burden she had become the woman took it, and despite lingering resentment even Mirari can admit she might have done the same in her stead. After a brief meeting with one of the representatives of the House of Silken Sighs, the very place where the best courtiers of Setarco came from, money changed hands, a deal was struck, and Mirari was taken off to be raised as one of them. A young child learns to adapt, and it wasn't long before Mirari was doing her best to impress her instructors and excel among her peers. She did so well that she was singled out for more advanced training, which the young woman took to like a fish to water, feeling like she had something to prove. At the end of her studies she found her contract purchased by House Pravus, where she served for several years. The day would eventually come when Mirari Corsetina would leave Belladonna's service and move to Arx, but the reason for that severance remains a mystery. A good courtier never tells.
ns a mystery. A good courtier never tells. +
It's hard to look on life with regrets whe …
It's hard to look on life with regrets when you get to live it exactly how you want to, but it wasn't always that way. Growing up the first born son of one of the greatest legal minds in the House Keaton, Aric felt extraordinary pressure to succeed and follow in his father's shadow and eventually to eclipse him when he finally retired. Two years of legal studies was enough for him to know this wasn't what he was meant for and after many fights with his father, Aric left for parts unknown. Rumors have him seen in every direction, just the way he liked it. His education in legal matters may have halted but with what he did know, he started carefully smuggling goods and providing other services just this side of the line. True, his family had some money, but nothing like what he was able to make working the grey areas and sometimes dark shadows of the lands. Most anyone in any tavern will vaguely recall Aric buying them drinks and leaving with a morally bankrupt woman or two at the end of the night. He's kept himself busy for the last decade and away from his family and all the life in House Keaton and considers himself better for it, but a recent spot of trouble with the wrong Baron has started pushing him back to build bridges and mend fences with family once more. This is not going to be pretty.
once more. This is not going to be pretty. +
It's not easy growing up poor in the Lower …
It's not easy growing up poor in the Lower Boroughs, not even for a Culler, one of the most feared families at the bottom of Arx society. Calandra was never going to starve, as her family always seemed to be doing just a little bit better than they should be. Calandra was even as closed to spoiled as a girl could probably get inside the crime ridden neighborhoods, but even that came with a price. While still a teenager, her father was hanged for banditry and her mother was murdered not long after some of the 'Culler family business' went terribly awry. While she's a Lower Boroughs girl at heart and will probably never leave, the deaths of her parents might have set her on a somewhat different path to one that would see her finding a noose or a dagger in the back eventually. While she's always been proud of her singing voice, she didn't have any expectations when she auditioned with the Black Rose Mummers as one of their entertainers. She was shocked when the Black Rose Mummers almost immediately signed her, singing for the company in plays and other performances, with her brilliant, almost impossible-to-forget singing voice resulting in more than one noble wondering how something so pure and delightful could come from a place so tragic and common. So no, she might never leave the Lower Boroughs forever, but she has no intention of dying there.
, but she has no intention of dying there. +
It's not easy to be the son of one of the …
It's not easy to be the son of one of the greatest knights in all of the Compact, a duke who once was seen as the face of House Grayson's military might, and to live in Duke Gabriel Bisland's shadow. It doesn't really bother Michael at all. The way he sees it, it's just a lively competition to beat the old man's accomplishments and to do it younger, and to hope his father doesn't keep upping the ante by performing other ridiculous acts of heroism. Michael is privately convinced that his lord father will probably still be killing shav warchiefs in single combat when he's eighty years old, so it's a high bar, but that's what makes the competition fun. Unfortunately, after hearing terms like 'reckless' or 'impetuous' or 'careless' far too often, and quite unfairly in Michael's exquisitely humble opinion ('daring' or 'bold' is far more appropriate, of course), the young knight has been sent off to Arx to serve under some upjumped commoners in the Iron Guard of Arx to teach him 'self-restraint' and 'humility'. It's outrageous to Michael. Sure, technically humility is one of the chivalric virtues but so is honesty, and if he might be a little convinced of just how great he, House Grayson, and House Bisland all are, at least he comes by the opinion honestly.
at least he comes by the opinion honestly. +
It's not so much that Pharamond hates resp …
It's not so much that Pharamond hates responsibility, as almost everyone imagines. The older, unmarried Sword of Ashford Keep has borne the duty of acting as the champion for House Ashford for years without complaint, and he takes the obligation seriously, but it wasn't exactly his first choice compared to a life of indolent luxury pursuing whatever happened to catch his fancy at any time. Of course he trained at arms like most nobles, but it was just one of a hundred different passtimes he pursued along with art and dealings at court, and he never imagined it would completely define him. It's not as if slashing his fellow man with sharp instruments while they tried to do the same to him was Pharamond's idea of fun, but it very unfortunately happened to be the one he seems to be very good at after he distinguished himself repeatedly on the field of battle. Pharamond of course doesn't -regret- saving the life of Duke Barton Ashford in a desperate battle with shavs a decade ago, but he sometimes wishes he had did it in a less spectacular manner that's flamboyance owed more than a little to Pharamond's habit of not being a strict adherent of Grayson rules forbidding going into battle intoxicated. Or he could have wished that his older brother Duke Barton had just rewarded him by letting Lord Pharamond embrace a life of doing absolutely, glorious nothing, but it was not to be. Perhaps it was some insight by the duke into Pharamond's character that the younger man was able to escape any sort of command for House Ashford's troops and instead only be called when he needs to represent House Ashford in a matter of honor. It's rare enough that there's no great obstacle to spending his days in an intoxicated haze and moving from one social event to the next, and he would just be as happy if he was never actually called in an official capacity. Ever. The more warlike houses might be surprised at Pharamond doing his best to defuse any sort of tensions that could ever lead to him being called to serve as the Sword of Ashford Keep in a duel, and he can more than live with the disapproval it sometimes gets him. Life is too short to not spend it in an alcoholic haze while laughing with courtiers, and it is -considerably- shorter if someone takes offense to every damned trivial thing.
kes offense to every damned trivial thing. +
It's not the easiest thing in the world, b …
It's not the easiest thing in the world, being the only son of a free spirit like Christine Kennex. Valerian's father died when he was an infant, and his mother left him in his grandmother's care and took to wandering, coming back to see him so rarely that she's practically mythological to him. Even less easy was growing up under the thumb of the indomitable Lady Tanya Kennex. A seasoned social arbiter of Stormward, his grandmother purposefully intended not to repeat the "mistakes" that she made with her daughter, and thus kept Valerian on a very short leash. Save for those other aging Mourning Isle aristocrats for whom Lady Tanya "held court" in her sitting room, Valerian was practically cut off from the rest of the world for much of his life. A revolving door of tutors saw to his education, each one sent away by Lady Tanya the moment her grandson seemed to start to finally get attached. Thus, she reigned supreme as the only stable figure in his life. He remained entirely dependent on her. Valerian didn't turn out to be a free spirit like his mother, but he did inherit her love of reading and knowledge; on the few occasions when she came to visit, she always brought him a few books, wonderful, exotic volumes from strange, faraway places. Valerian cherished these stories and often sat up well into the night turning their pages, living vicariously through the new information they held, and imagining how his mother might have come across them. As difficult as life under the thumb of Lady Tanya was, it was the only existence he had ever known. Her death cast Valerian into a sea of uncertainty. Suddenly free from the comfortable confinement of their grand but isolated Stormward residence, he set out to join his other relations in Arx.
et out to join his other relations in Arx. +
It's quite the tale how Princess Katarina …
It's quite the tale how Princess Katarina Al'Muraq-Sabbat managed to find herself in the position of a ward of the ruling family of the Oathlands, who have been nothing but gracious hosts since that faithful day she quite literally made an explosive debut upon their shores after being outnumbered one Eurusi vessel against two pirated 'Arvani ships. The youngest born daughter of the King of the Dune Kingdom of Suj'Abbat, Katarina was raised amidst the strife and inner turmoil of a territory struggling to turn itself around after a violent usurping of the previous royal family saw her own crowned with new authority. It was a tumultuous and dangerous time for much of her young life, but one only perceived from behind gilded walls and the sanctum of a heavily-guarded compound. The suffering and maltreatment of the commoners subject to the mercurial whim of the Magisters of the Mirror incited a desire for peace and change, but beget a restless fervor and frustration when it was not to be done so by her hands. It was such desires to do good upon others beneath her station that saw her absconding away in the cover of night to seek foreign lands west, though what drove her to do so and her life before are not often spoke of, if at all. After losing nearly half of her skeletal crew left wearied from such a long and arduous voyage, it was with quick wit and gracefully outmaneuvering them through an outcropping of treacherous rock that one ship was taken down before she herself wrecked and off-loaded with her surviving members in a rickety rowboat and fled to shore where she encountered a war party headed by Princess Alis Valardin returning from an expedition. Held at sword point (or spiked flail in this case), it was a peaceful exchange that saw her an unexpected plus one along to the City of Sanctum where she would find herself the recipient of gracious hospitality, insofaras the Highlord took her in as a royal ward under his protection. It's been naught but a few short months since that faithful day, and to say that her time spent in exploration of the distant continent of Arvum has been anything but eventful has been spent learning of new customs and repaying the kindness shown to her while she adjusts to her life as an Arxian.
hile she adjusts to her life as an Arxian. +
It’s hard for a bastard to be born quietly …
It’s hard for a bastard to be born quietly, but sometimes it can be done. Tikva's mother was a godsworn priest of the Faith, who should really have known better than to become pregnant. Yet sometimes accidents happen, and it left the priest in kind of a bind. Luckily for her, she had a good friend in the seraph at Brighthold, and wrote there in urgent haste about the babe she had given birth to, certifying both the child's bloodline and her great need of a place to go. In time, the priest lost her role, and became one of the Silent Reflections, but the child was adopted by Count Laveer’s house, and grew. An adventurous child who was hungry for tales and songs of all kinds, Tikva latched onto strangers who knew stories and absorbed her lessons like a human sponge for information. She embraced song of all kinds, music and dance; she grew carefree and clever, running barefoot through the holding and ambushing friends and family with affection. She grew to be a capable young woman, trained to be a scout high in the rigging aboard ships or high in the trees of the surrounding forests, and studied under the Count to learn the arts of diplomacy and understanding that would make her a useful, worthwhile future Voice. What she did not expect, and what neither did Tibault: on a rare visit to the capital, she met with the brother of Count Thesarin Riven, a tattooed and bright-hearted man full of impish mischief, and foolishly lost her heart to him. After a whirlwind courtship and much wheedling and back and forth between Count Tibault and Countess Mia, Tikva married him and joined the Twainfort: Lord Kelleth Riven and Lady Tikva Riven! Uncertain at first away from the seclusion and independence of the lighthouse at Brighthold, Tikva found her new family sustaining. But when her husband Kelleth rode out against the Abandoned and Tikva was -- at six months pregnant -- forced to remain behind, she had a very bad feeling about this that-- well, turned out to be right. Widowed and grieving but determined, Tikva set forth in a new role as Voice of the Twainfort to establish herself in Arx and care for her son. She grew in personal fortitude and maturity, and accepted duties and responsibilities far beyond her ken. She joined in the effort to save the King from a coup attempt by then-Master-of-Questions Shreve Tyde, and when he was overthrown, she joined the Inquisition and studied under her new friend and mentor Laric Grayson, to find new ways to defend the Compact, honor her duties and find the light amidst the dark. At the close of the siege of Silence, when Ainsley Grayson slew Tolamar Brand and raised his head in victory over the forces of Oblivion, Tikva rewarded him by finally accepting a marriage proposal she had refused many times, and became Tikva Grayson, Princess of Bastion. Her efforts for House Grayson and her training in diplomacy and statecraft led House Grayson to capitalize on her experience and her energy by making her a Voice, and she dedicated herself in service, in motherhood, in love and duty entirely to House Grayson.
n love and duty entirely to House Grayson. +
Ivar was an odd lad, prone to flights of f …
Ivar was an odd lad, prone to flights of fancy and distractions, never fully embracing the identity of a young nobleman. Eventually, a twelve year old Ivar simply wandered off one day, leaving his family behind with only a dagger and the clothes on his back. Taken by stories of his people's past he sought to see if he could survive like they once did. He survived, lost and alone, and soon he came to enjoy it. His childish flight of fancy had lead him to where he thought to be his true place, hunting in the wild forests and sleeping in hidden caves. He grew strong, grew bold and eventually, lonely. He has since returned from his self imposed exile, finally feeling the call of home.
d exile, finally feeling the call of home. +
Ivarr was born to a former thrall-turned-p …
Ivarr was born to a former thrall-turned-pirate and a woman stolen during a raid, an inauspicious start to the young man's life. Most of Ivarr's memories of his mother are peaceful ones, though short-lived, as he was taken to ship as soon as he was old enough to stand and take some part of it. It's his father that was a driving force in Ivarr's life, a warrior and role model that shaped the way he looked at the world. Spending his formative years at sea, Ivarr learned the ways of sailing, of fighting, and of piracy as a lifestyle. Fate is inexorable, however, and Ivarr can still recall the day they were overtaken, his father's guts laid out and body tossed to sea, his own capture, and the death of most of the crew. He was pressed into service, this time as a Thraxian thrall, and his story nearly ended there. At the age of sixteen, however, they were overtaken by pirates and reavers and he distinguished himself with bloody skill - so much so that he was given his freedom, and a name. From that point onward he sailed in defense of the Thraxians, though often he found it easy enough to convince his crew mates to make a stop and raid a village, or take an unsuspecting merchant in their long ship. It was his bloodthirsty disregard of rules that led the crew to pick him as captain of the ship, and that built up his reputation as a true Thaxian, a man of blood and iron and salt. It was only when the tradition of keeping thralls was threatened that he decided he needed to become more active, and find someone to swear himself to. An ambitious man, he's come to Arx to look for an ambitious leader to follow, to make rich, to kill for, and to advance with.
ke rich, to kill for, and to advance with. +
Jadara has ben recalled to the Empire and …
Jadara has ben recalled to the Empire and Emissary Zulana has much to do. The official story is that Xia has been sent to be an aid to the Emissary and help with some of the smaller tasks and duties. An attache to the unofficial ambassador. Others say they've heard that the Emperor just needed some more time for this Daughter to mature. Away. Away from the palace. If you know what I mean. All Daughters of the Empire are loved; some are just loved more with distance.
d; some are just loved more with distance. +
Jael has a serious case of sibling ribalry …
Jael has a serious case of sibling ribalry and it's the kind of thing that is life defining. Her sister was best at everything and everything that her sister wasn't the best at, her brother was the best at. It led to a childhood of being unusually tempestuous, and parents -- and nannies, nurses et al -- who kept trying to find different ways to channel Jael's impatience and rage into something more constructive. Arts and crafts did not cut it. Jael was a wild child. She broke discipline and ran out into the woods and fields all the time when she was young. Unfortunately, even in the civilized center of House Laurent's territory at Artshall, running out into the woods is a really bad idea. The first time she ran away from home to live in the woods and become a baby bear -- this didn't work -- it was worth a knighthood to the beekeeper and woodsman who brought her home. The second time, she was a teenager in the high dudgeon of a tantrum, and it took her brother and a squad of armed men to bring her home. She was 17, and too young to fight as a soldier in any man's army, but not too young to be forced into an unofficial squiredom to the knight who had rescued her years before. Jael learned to control her temper. She learned to control her impulses. She learned not to run away from her problems, most of all, but to face them head on. So it was that she strode into the office of her brother, the Voice, and demanded -- at the age of 21 -- that she be given something -- anything -- constructive to do. So Jael began to train with the scouts. She began to study with the Seraph of Artshall. She began to grow and learn and blossom into a woman of stubborn will and derring-do. And when her brother became the Duke instead of the Voice, she had earned enough trust with him that he gave her wings to fly with, and made her his Voice as well as his heir. Let's see what she does with it.
his heir. Let's see what she does with it. +
Jaenelle led something of a charmed life. …
Jaenelle led something of a charmed life. As the granddaughter of Prince Donrai Thrax, she was distant enough from the Prince of Maelstrom to be spared the more dangerous side of Thraxian politics but still close enough that she was given an excellent betrothal match to a handsome, well born noble. A Velenosan prince, even! They met and courted in Arx, sparing Jaenelle again from the more dangerous Lyceum and married in a beautiful ceremony that celebrated the renewed ties between two of the greatest houses in the world. Of course, not everything could be good luck. They weren't married long when a tragic accident took her new husband from her. While she's very sad, the Duchess Esera Velenosa assured Jaenelle that she's still a welcome and important part of her new family. So that helps. Yay!
art of her new family. So that helps. Yay! +
Jalal was not always Jalal Whisper, instea …
Jalal was not always Jalal Whisper, instead taking up the name when he joined the Whisper House. The name which he was born to is practically from another time, another life, another world. Something so very far removed from what Arx and the rest of the Compact holds that it might as well be nothing more than a dream. He is not the first to have arrived in Arx with a sad story of having fled his home, and probably will not be the last either. However it is the time before Arx that truly shaped who he is. He was born in Eurus of common blood, the son of a dancer, and he, like his father before him, became a dancer at a young age, when actually began to show promise as one. That was at a very young age, and since he has spent the majority of his life learning, perfecting his dancing, and continuing to new ways to incorporate dance in all of his pursuits. Eating, living, breathing dance in such an almost single-minded way. Though the reality is, that there were always other things waiting to take up his time, other pursuits that found themselves occupying his day to day living, that held just as much influence over him. However, nothing is perfect. There came a point where life in Petrioch became unsafe, more so than usual, with the city having come under siege by some outside force. At that point Jalal had made the decision to leave, and despite the dangers of the crossing, he took to the sea in an attempt at getting away from the Dune Kingdoms. He did, somehow, rather successfully, make the crossing, and has since taken up residence within Arx and joined the Whisper House where his past remains all but a mystery to anyone besides himself.
l but a mystery to anyone besides himself. +
James never knew his father, he split from …
James never knew his father, he split from his mother shortly after he was born. His mother, Elizabeth grew up in the service of nobles, giving her an access that made her a target for someone like James' father, a con man. His father went by many names and a drifter but he was a character that was hard to forget. A very charming man who made a career of conning nobles and rich commoner until vanishing into the night. Taking his mother's family name, Chereau, James was raised by his mother and the two lived in a very small shack inside the lower boroughs. The silver his mother made was enough to keep them fed and repay a debt Elizabeth's family had accumulated with the local gang that held territory in their neighborhood. Too busy with working multiple jobs, James' mother was unable to watch after him and so the streets raised him. As he became older, he became more troublesome. Picking fights with beat iron guards and other children. He lost contact with his mother after being picked up by the iron guards the first time, spending a couple weeks with others kids in prison. When he got out, James was taken to the Tragedy and placed under their supervision. As a teenager in the lower borough, he developed skills that made him a person of interest to the local gangs, his lack of identity also made him a perfect recruit. He did work for the various gangs as a thug, a drifter like his father, but he was unable to settle down with any one of them in specific. It did not help that James became an avid dust user, building an addiction to the substance, and was always in and out of prison. At the start of the Shav campaign, debts were collected and one of those debts were the ones held by Chereau and Thrax. Bounty hunters tracked James to the lower borough, forced him to join their ranks and supplement the troops at the rivers as a sailor. He worked for them and at the end of the campaign, his family's debts were forgiven. With his release documents in hand, James made his way back to Arx. Paying back the debt with a conscription also allowed him to claim a small inheritance of six thousand silvers and property in the city.
thousand silvers and property in the city. +
Jan Kennex's first act in this life was pu …
Jan Kennex's first act in this life was punching Victoria (who had just delivered her) square in the nose with a tiny fist. She came into the world fighting, and she's been fighting ever since. At first, Jan had to fight just to fight. Her mother was determined to make a lady out of her, and there was no way anyone would be willing to teach a girl to use a sword, anyway. Almost no one. Her younger cousin Ian was really weird and threw the occasional epic, screaming tantrum, but he was a prodigy with a blade, and he didn't care that she was a girl (she's not sure he even noticed). Jan practiced with him until he went to sea, and then she practiced alone. But these two lives, the life she wanted and the life dictated by her gender, came into conflict as she grew from girl to woman. Her sister Catalana covered for her as long as she could, but now there was talk of setting up a marriage. Jan had to make a choice, and few people could have made the choice that she did. She left everything behind -- title, privilege, name -- and ran away to the mainland to become a mercenary... all with the knowledge that she might never be able to come home again. It was a steep learning curve, but Jan's grit saw her through. She took to mercenary life, and her natural leadership skills and noble bearing marked her for command. When the commander of her company was killed in a skirmish, she was elected by the rest of the company to replace him. With every victory (and every fat payday), their loyalty grew. They trusted her, so when she got the news that the ban on Isleswomen in the military had been lifted and she proposed becoming oathsworn Kennex fighters, they agreed to follow her, even though most of them thought that the 'Lady Jan' thing had to be a joke. Jan returned triumphant with a battle hardened group of new recruits to the Kennex corsairs, every last one of them personally loyal to her. The corsairs were in a sorry state at that time -- ill disciplined and ill trained -- and Jan lobbied hard to be put in command so she could smarten everyone up to her high standards. There was a lot of shouting, and Ford had his vocabulary forcibly expanded, but Jan got her way. As captain of the corsairs, Jan saw the men and women under her command through the chaos after the thralls were freed, through the carnage of the pirate war at Setarco, through the assassination of Ford and Kennex's rise from the ashes. Only a few people of her original mercenary band are left, but those that have replaced them, while a bit scruffy and not always given to fair and honorable fighting, have become just as loyal. She knows there will be fighting to come, and she and her corsairs are ready.
come, and she and her corsairs are ready. +
Jaromir was born the youngest son of Torru …
Jaromir was born the youngest son of Torrus Redrain, a noble Prince of House Redrain and one of the highest lords of the north. It was easy to see from a young age that where many of his family took to battle with the wild abandon that is practically bred into his family, Jaromir was calm and collected, though filled with a cold fire in his soul rather than the raging flames of other men. Jaromir was always a fine knight and a fair mind, but where he really excelled was the combination of the two, melding both. His childhood was spent in the councils and private chambers of the noblest of the north, absorbing their tactics and strategies. At the age of 17 he took up the position as a tactical advisor to his late uncle, the Lord Sherrod, and performed his duties ablely and with aplumb. For unknown reasons he resigned from the position at the age of 21 and tried a short stint as a horsebreeder holding a fair selection of fine warhorses. This didint last and not much more than a year later he had sold the last of his stock and traveled south with his elder Vallen in tow, joining the Valourous Few - a Mercenary Company of questionable reputation but incontestable results.
able reputation but incontestable results. +
Jasmine is what you get when you mix a Sar …
Jasmine is what you get when you mix a Saraceni mother with a Fidante father to settle some dispute about whose ship sunk whose first. All this is to say, the marriage was not one born of love, but of duty, and one of the rockier examples of just how political marriages can be. There was a lot of drinking involved on both sides. All of this left Jasmine to play on her own, as she found it was best to not be under foot when either parent had gotten too far into their cups. She loved them both and did not need, nor want, to hear what one might say of the other. So she quickly learned to scuttle away with her favored toys and find the quiet places. And then she discovered the other children; the ones who hid from their tutors, or the ones who just wanted to see the sky and fresh air, to smell the city of roses. And Jasmine launched a new career at the age of eight: Ringleader. She would gather up the other children and arrange games, keeping them busy and out of sight. By the time Jasmine hit her majority her skills had only grown. She'd spent time learning, of course. She could dance if she had to. She could could and write. But really, if Jasmine had one talent by eighteen? It's that she knew how to get into, and out of, trouble. Very few were surprised, then, when the offer becoming a diFidante was made to the family that she would accept the chance to get a little further away from her mother and father. After all, Volkov woods looked like a lot of trouble, and would need a lot of getting in and out of.
would need a lot of getting in and out of. +
Jayanthi was born to a nomadic family of A …
Jayanthi was born to a nomadic family of Abandoned and for a while she travelled with them until they died when she was about eight years old, killed off because they believed to be out to destroy the Compact. Like all of her family Jayanthi was given a choice to bend the knee to those of the Compact, specifically the people of Farhaven. Even at eight Jayanthi knew she had little choice. IT was bend the knee or die for the actions of her family. At least that is how she viewed it. Which then began her life as a member of those sworn to the Redrain family. Much of it was spent with the temples learning of the pantheon. Though, she got away with focusing more on artwork, healing, and apothecary because she proved to have an aptitude for them. At seventeen she met the love of her life and married him a few months after she turned eighteen. She took his name of Hawkeye. When she turned twenty one she had a daughter with him, called Jayleen. When Jayanthi turned twenty four Jason disappeared, she never found out what happened. With Jayleen Jayanthi searched for her husband, though, so far with no luck. Her travels lead her to Arx. Perhaps in Arx she will discover what happened to him.
rx she will discover what happened to him. +
Jeffeth was orphaned in the Boroughs, prob …
Jeffeth was orphaned in the Boroughs, probably in some kind of kerfuffle over the drug trade, although honestly who knows-- the priests and disciples and Knights of Solace who took over his rearing at the Tragedy never really seemed to know who his parents were, and no one who he asked could remember his mother. Presumably he had one, and didn't just appear in a basket at the orphanage one day, but these things can be hard for a little boy to find out. Because he was a big, strong boy in his early teens, the Cullers flirted with trying to snap him up as a runner, and there were times -- when he was cold, and hungry, and tired, say -- that he was tempted. But there was just something about the lines of work that were available to him that palled, and he slipped away from those friends, those connections, those chances, and plunged into the Faith with a will, a grown man with a little boy's unstinting gratitude for the opportunities he was offered. He began as a Disciple of Gild, thinking that that was enough, and worked in the orphanage that had raised him, spending patient hours with children who were often frightened, and angry, and brimming over with fear and frustration. One day, he decided that he wanted to be a true Knight of Solace, the way those who mentored him were; to see the world, to protect those who needed protecting, and to always come home from his sojourns to take care of the children back at home. He threw himself into it with a will, and became one of the mainstays of the Knights: his warmth and unstinting optimism are enough to make up for his simplicity for most.
gh to make up for his simplicity for most. +
Jei was squired to Paere Laerne, an older …
Jei was squired to Paere Laerne, an older Knight who had taught Jei for the last couple of years. Jei's family was killed at a young age and he lived for most of his life as an urchin. He made a living by stealing food and necessities for himself and also was apprenticed to a healer who owned an apocathery. She unfortunately died and Jei was forced to steal again. He came across Paere while attempting to steal the Knight's purse. After hearing the boy's tale, he was made into a squire by Paere and was set to be knighted, but Paere died. Jei professes it was illness and a reaction to his medicine, going on to say he had no reason to kill Paere when the man was committed to knighting him soon. But many within Paere's circle claim Jei poisoned the knight because the knight -refused- to knight Jei. Jei has since traveled to try to become a house guard or potentially squire under another Knight with the Deepwood house.
er another Knight with the Deepwood house. +
Jenna was always the kinda to be a homebod …
Jenna was always the kinda to be a homebody, her upbringing was one of learning to do homely and gentle things, having no siblings or the like she became more or less embroiled in the doings of others, often lending people an ear even at a young age. She may not be the best for conversation, but her voice is something of a small marvel and very beautiful. She enjoys singing for people and Entertaining others with her voice.
le and Entertaining others with her voice. +
Jeremiah knows the meaning of luck. He knows the meaning of food, and the meaning of many, many, many other words. Jeremiah does not necessarily know the -experience- of most of the words he knows, however. +
Jericho was born the middle child as one o …
Jericho was born the middle child as one of multiple children, though his father had passed away by the time he was six years old. Thus, wanting to help protect his remaining immediate family, Jericho became extremely protective....later wanting to become a knight for Valardin, even though he was one of it's many Princes. It was then discovered Jericho's immediate skill with the bow and his ability to survive and hunt, quickly becoming a more than capable warrior. He was knighted in the Oathlands when he turned 19. Years passed, and he built a reputation for himself. The White Wolf of Valardin had returned to the Oathlands from his travels of keeping Valardin grounds safe for the Knighting of his cousin, Princess Alis. Once that had been finished, he accompanied her back to Arx as part of her personal guard envoy. Now he has decided to remain in Arx, willing to lend a helping hand to his family and city.
end a helping hand to his family and city. +
Jessa's maternal grandfather was a Deepwoo …
Jessa's maternal grandfather was a Deepwood, a first cousin to the main Deepwood line who married into the minor Grayridge family. Jessa was one of no less than fifteen children in her generation of the Grayridge family, and with no responsibility -- and indeed, no hope of responsibility -- she focused herself on pursuing a dream of knighthood. Many a hapless log around the Grayridge lands felt the bite of her first sword when she was little more than a child; she grew to be a strong swordswoman. Jessa is the elder -- by far -- of the two sisters: she was seven when her sister Emily was born. And the two sisters could not seem more dissimilar: where Emily is lithe and agile, Jessa has the thicker, more curvy form of a woman built for strength rather than speed. Where her sister has a boundless curiosity about the world, Jessa has a desire to simply protect those around her, family and House most of all. Some have joked she always knows precisely how far from her her sword is. Indeed, she once dreamed of joining the King's Own -- but instead, she met Grady and discovered a new dream: a family of her own. And when her sister Emily decided to set out to rejoin their ancestral house -- the Deepwoods -- Jessa followed, along with Grady. Deepwood presented opportunities for advancement, for making her name in Arx, for her family... and as always, to try to keep her sister Emily out of trouble.
y to keep her sister Emily out of trouble. +
Jessamine is well aware that not all stori …
Jessamine is well aware that not all stories with such sad beginnings end up progressing so positively, a fact that has only made her embrace the goodness of her life all the more. The true circumstances of her birth remain a mystery to her. All she knows is that her very loving parents found her abandoned and, unable to have children of their own, took her into their home and hearts. She was never the brightest or wittiest among her peers, but she tried valiantly to make up for it with her willingness to share and play peacemaker. Far from a wilting flower, she has no issue speaking up when needed or doing she sees as right or necessary, she will just happily defer authority to a more competent individual in the right situation. Those skills have served her well in adulthood: a helper, not a leader, she is more than content with her role as aide to those who need her services, from the injured to down-on-their-luck. To the frustration of many, she is an eternal optimist, stubbornly refusing to accept defeat in almost anything she deals with. Even the painful loss of her father, who abruptly disappeared a short time ago, has resulted in her carrying herself with her chin held higher in determination as she tries to unravel the cause. Now that her father has vanished and her mother is too elderly to run the family business, Jessamine has taken over care of the Traders Tavern at night while spending her days balancing apothecary orders and offering her healing services as needed. It keeps her busy, but there is little she hates more than idle hands, save for maybe the abuse of adorable creatures.
for maybe the abuse of adorable creatures. +
Jeta's family was a large one. There were …
Jeta's family was a large one. There were her parents and uncles and aunts and cousins and her many, many brothers and sisters. As a tribe of Ravashari, it only made sense for them stick together as they travelled the roads from holding to holding. There, they traded and entertained. Jeta's mother was a healer and her herbs and poultices were always in demand, as was the goods they brought from other holdings. Jeta loved this life when she was younger. She loved being free and feeling free. She loved seeing all the world had to offer and the wide variety of rare luxuries they would buy and sell. Though neither of her parents put any emphasis on education, Jeta especially loved when they had a book with them. Just opening a book up and seeing the lines on a page felt magical. As they travelled, she browbeat a series of village children until she could work out the words on the page for herself. Truth is, they likely played into every negative stereotype one has of their type. For every legitimate trade, they also had black-market goods and goods that were scavenged from wreckages of caravans that had been attacked on the road. Plus, sometimes on the way out from a village or holding, if they felt cheated, they might help themselves to wares that hadn't been properly secured. It was a dangerous life, even before things got truly dangerous. After Brand, Jeta was sure her father's and uncles would join those giving fealty to the crown. It would give them more legitimacy in their trade after all. It rankled her when nothing changed. It was like a curtain had been pulled aside. Instead of seeing only the magic of their life, now all she saw was the less savory bits. Her father, once adored, now seemed stubborn and foolish and cruel. Each day that passed she became more and more disillusioned with the life, until one morning, she woke earlier than the others, took a horse, and set out on her own to find her own fortune in Arx.
on her own to find her own fortune in Arx. +
Jev grew up in Pridehall. His childhood an …
Jev grew up in Pridehall. His childhood and teen years are of very little note. He grew up to two commoner parents - one an artisan and the other a teacher. He was well studied and well read at a very young age. He took leave from his family to Arx of his own volition. There was no real rhyme or reason to it. He just wanted to see what it was like. He could not have been happier living on the streets in the boroughs and rubbing elbows with folks from all walks of life. He studied with the scholars for a time - got kicked out of that. He worked a pub for a week, got fired from that. Tried his hands on the docks - stopped showing up. He's tried his hand as an artisan, tailor, crafter, barber's assistant.... Fired, fired, fired. Somehow - who knows how? He probably couldn't even tell you how! He was 'discovered' by House Bisland and put to work to tend to the library and do other sorts of odd jobs around the estate in Arx. He soon found himself asked all sorts of mundane questions about things like 'politics' and 'diplomacy' and asked to look at ledgers... It's all very confusing.
ook at ledgers... It's all very confusing. +
Joan's early life is filled with little of …
Joan's early life is filled with little of note, other than being raised among the Abandoned of the Greenwood. She was an aggressive child, always the sort that just couldn't play nice. Much ado was made about her people's kneeling to Valardin, but the event meant little to the young Joan. Although she was regaled with tails of her people's heroic resistance, she was never the type to hold her people's history in great reverence. When the people of Greenhaven were deprived of their shav ways, Joan's parents were among the first to embrace the Compact. They sought to use their daughter as a stepping stone to a greater life, and Joan was presented to many traveling nobles and knights as a potential squire. She was eventually taken on as a squire to a knight of the Telmarch, known as Sir Amis. After seasons of rigorous training and servitude under Sir Amis, Joan rose as a knight of Greenhaven upon her coming of age. She returned to the Greenwood a changed woman, inducted into the pomp and ceremony of the foreign Oathlands. Though she swore an oath to the lords of her people, she felt as if she didn't belong among her fellow prodigals.
didn't belong among her fellow prodigals. +
Jordan grew up a peasant boy, his father a …
Jordan grew up a peasant boy, his father a blacksmith and his mother a seamstress. Both were perfectly happy with their lot in life and the family lived quietly and uneventfully in their village, which is just how they liked it. Until a band of marauding Shavs decided to raid; at the time, Jordan and his sweetheart were in the barn, exchanging private caresses with each other. They both hid out well until a group of Abandoned broke through the door of the barn, trying to look for stragglers. Outside, blood and carnage took place as the raiders plundered and killed anyone in their path. Armed with only a pitchfork, Jordan did what most teenage boys trying to impress their girlfriends do: he charged blindly into the fray. Except what happened next should not have quite happened -- in a stroke of absolute luck, as no one could call it otherwise, all four of the Shavs somehow found themselves killed by that charge as a haystack fell upon the first and he hit a wooden fixture on the floor, while the other three struck each other fatally in the confusion, letting Jordan walk out of a bad situation with his sweetheart in tow. They parted ways afterwards: she thought he was up to something sinister like dark magic and decided to run for the hills instead of sticking around with him. But all is well that ends well: in short order, his life would take a sudden and unusual upturn: having taken up the sword of one of the Shavs, he would go on to be challenged by a wayfaring knight who confused him for anything BUT a peasant boy, despite his insistence -- and to this knight's great upset, he had to surrender his weapon and armor when Jordan won by forcing him to stumble back into a rock and drew first blood. Before forfeiting those, however, he knighted Jordan on the spot, who would go on to pledge his sword to a Crownlands baron in desperate need of able-bodied fighters for the Silent War. Unfortunately for this Baron, his people were ambushed by the enemy and cut down to a man. That man being, unsurprisingly, Sir Jordan. A treetrunk fell over the campfire and started a minor fiery incident and he took the opportunity to flee, stabbing a foe in the process and running for dear life. Jordan is now a hedge knight of some experience; having no-one to pledge his sword to, he travels from one place to another, seeking to do good deeds and hoping his luck doesn't run out. So far, it hasn't.
s luck doesn't run out. So far, it hasn't. +
Jorn was the apprentice of a legendary blacksmith. After his master's untimely passing, he decided to embark on his own journey. He seeks to hone his craft and find rare elements to forge a weapon worthy of his master's teachings. +
Jorunna was born in the mountains. The sum …
Jorunna was born in the mountains. The summers were busy, the winters - harsh, but before she could even fully walk and forge a straight path on two legs she was riding the Fjord Wild Horses. Funny, how she remembers them more than she does her father's face, but his smile surrounded by bristly beard and the bellow of laughter is still as sharp as the feel of the beast beneath her that threw her for the first time and awakened her into her first fight for survival that left her scarred and her father dead. But she woke weeks later to the news that hardened her heart and froze her very soul. Not much is known about Jorunna and her mother in those years due to the distance between thm and the civilization within the mountains save speculation. For a few years she came down, selling horses captured, tamed, and trained into hauling the heavy loads from the mines. Then her mother's presence all but disappeared, and few times she arrived with a sturdy man at her side upon horseback, his silence doing no favors for the rumors to spread. Only one year later did Jorunna come alone again, and has ever since, plying her trade and disappearing back into the mountains - only seen rarely at the taverns between 'civilization' and her secluded home. Sometimes, though, the inner bass of drums is not just a heartbeat, but a calling; through the last year more and more has been seen of the woman, despite her words being less-than-telling.
despite her words being less-than-telling. +
Josephine{_Arcuri{_grew{_up{_in{_Lenosia,{ …
Josephine{_Arcuri{_grew{_up{_in{_Lenosia,{_commoners{_within{_the{_Lyceum.{_Scattered{_across{_the{_city,{_they've{_been{_a{_near{_constant{_sight{_with{_their{_skill{_of{_manipulating{_metals{_to{_make{_pieces{_of{_jewelry{_or{_any{_other{_items{_that{_one{_might{_find{_they{_need{_delicate{_metalwork{_that{_a{_full{_smith{_couldn't{_do.{_This{_was{_how{_Josephine{_grew{_up{_all{_those{_year{_ago.{_Small{_fingers{_are{_good{_for{_gathering{_those{_bits{_of{_metal{_and{_working{_polishing{_cloths{_in{_small{_tight{_spaces.{_{/{/She{_was{_one{_of{_five,{_squarely{_in{_the{_middle.{_Fully{_set{_to{_carry{_on{_the{_family{_trade{_even{_when{_a{_few{_of{_her{_siblings{_did{_not.{_As{_she{_grew,{_the{_woman{_learned{_how{_to{_choose{_the{_best{_metal{_for{_which{_piece.{_Why{_some{_were{_not{_fit{_for{_small{_pieces{_and{_other{_metals{_were.{_She{_had{_a{_keen{_eye{_for{_gems{_and{_soon{_made{_a{_name{_for{_herself{_as{_a{_solid{_lapidary{_for{_the{_family{_that{_would{_not{_cheat{_a{_customer.{/{/One{_day{_she{_caught{_the{_eye{_of{_a{_soldier{_and{_soon{_enough{_they{_married.{_Children{_followed{_a{_plenty,{_no{_less{_than{_seven{_of{_them{_though{_the{_years{_and{_not{_a{_single{_set{_were{_twins.{_As{_with{_her{_family,{_half{_of{_her{_children{_went{_on{_to{_become{_sailors,{_soldiers{_and{_two{_of{_them{_joining{_her{_in{_the{_family{_trade{_of{_being{_jewelers.{_Through{_war{_she's{_lost{_a{_husband,{_lost{_one{_son{_to{_the{_sea{_and{_another{_more{_recently{_to{_the{_war{_in{_Setarco.{_The{_living{_children{_are{_all{_in{_Arx{_and{_Josephine{_has{_decided{_to{_pick{_up{_roots{_from{_Lenosia{_and{_move{_to{_the{_city{_and{_take{_her{_shop{_with{_her.{_To{_be{_closer{_to{_her{_children,{_have{_the{_protection{_of{_the{_city.{_She's{_too{_old{_to{_keep{_taking{_boats{_to{_see{_them{_and{_she{_has{_grandchildren{_on{_the{_way.{_
{_she{_has{_grandchildren{_on{_the{_way.{_ +
Julea's mother is a reknown and wanted pir …
Julea's mother is a reknown and wanted pirate known as the 'Red Claw', and her father a retired Redrain soldier. Their match was unlikely and short lived and resulted in the birth of Julea. When she reached the age of 8, she was sent to live with her father, who, after having retired from his job as a sellsword, instead built a life for him and his daughter, creating swords and weaponry of considerable skill. He taught Julea his trade, and when she was old enough, she took it upon herself to come to Arx, and make a name for herself.
come to Arx, and make a name for herself. +
Jules was born into a blacksmith family, t …
Jules was born into a blacksmith family, the fifth of too many. His father did most of the unrefined work while his mother put on the details to it. Early on they thought Jules would probably be more inclined to follow in his mother's side of the work but it was not to be. Jules found himself on the outside of the family trait but his parents were not to have a beggar son and they sent him on to receive an education. He learned well enough but scholarship and numbers were far too much like work to be to his liking. He picked up what he needed to in order to be able to move on the fringe of society and was able to find an odd job for some lord or lady, usually delivering some trivial message to another noble. While delivering a message to a vassel of a lord, he caught a glimpse of their life. He has made it his goal to participate in that life and what better way than as some assistant to a noble family. He's headed now to Arx to find the job of his dreams, one that requires minimal effort and maximum pleasure.
uires minimal effort and maximum pleasure. +
Juliana and her twin brother Sebastian wer …
Juliana and her twin brother Sebastian were born to cause trouble. Even from the age of six, Juliana was known for her bossiness (and it only grew as she did). She was always rather obsessed with fashion, even if she had no interest in the actual tedium of sewing or fine metal work. But that was what servants were for, to make the things she demanded of them. As a girl, the things she demanded were often absurd, but she brooked no disagreement. As she aged her tastes refined until she was almost always considered the most fashionable, most avant-garde lady of the court. But she wasn't content with only dressing herself, she also became keenly interested in dressing everyone else. She would always be the one setting what was and wasn't fashionable in the court, and often took on proteges to teach and tutor in the ways of fashion. These proteges usually ended up as acolytes who helped to extend her power and influence all the further. Juliana developed a taste for toying with people and eventually took to manipulating them in more than just what they wore, with her and her brother often playing elaborate games to try to manipulate others this way or that and see just how crazy a thing they could convince them to do. Unfortunately, scandal was always following her brother around and as a good sister she often decided to move with him, to help keep him out of trouble, of course.
o help keep him out of trouble, of course. +
Juliette's family has been part of the Com …
Juliette's family has been part of the Compact since her grandmother was a girl, around 50 years or so. Her mother died in childbirth and she never knew her father, leaving her to be raised by the iron willed old woman. That said, their beliefs have never entirely shifted to reflect that of the Compact. While all the gods of the Pantheon are formally acknowledged, any outside of Petrichor and Mangata are mainly just paid lip service. She was raised in Setarco where strict adherence to orthodoxy in the Faith was never much of a priority. A wealthy old trader by the time the girl was born, her grandmother named her in honor of Juliet Fidante, as the older woman spent some good stretch of years in Tor before Juliette was born. More than interested in her grandmother's vocation, Juliet herself nonetheless attended the Apothecary college in Tor rather than learning diligently from the grand matriarch. Recently she has come to Arx with the passing of the woman who raised her, however, struck by the chance to study trade in the Capital city.
chance to study trade in the Capital city. +
Just another amongst the seemingly endless …
Just another amongst the seemingly endless orphans of Setarco, the begining of her life was far from glamourous but further yet from being over. She got in a lot of fights as a mislead youth trying to forge her way in a bitter world, always challenging some rival or another to duels, claiming even then that she was the best there ever was, or ever will be, unreasonably convinced of the validity of these claims. Kids have such wild imaginations. ... She did not grow out of it. Her primary source of rivalry, however, over those long and numerous years was a fellow orphan by the name of Raven. She was a challenge. She wouldn't back down. Clearly, she had to be broken. For years she tried, and pushed, and fought her, but in the end all she had managed to do was hone her craft, and Raven's right along with it in some cruel parallel that continues even to this day. Though she would deny it with her dying breath, Raven is perhaps her best friend, and doubtlessly biggest challenge, but it is Sindri's hope that together they might aspire to something greater. Something worthy. Now all that remains is making it happen.
Now all that remains is making it happen. +
Jyri was a young son of the Black Elk trib …
Jyri was a young son of the Black Elk tribe, born into a family of warriors. His parents fought, his brothers and sisters fought, and he too was meant to fight. The quality of the horses the tribe bred quickly led to their soldiers dominating the battlefield, making ample use of their array of weaponry, which consisted of javelins, a sword, and bow and arrows. They clashed frequently with rival tribes who resided around the Gray Creek, but their martial might paired with speed and mobility on the battlefield crushed their enemies with ruthless abandon. With his skill with the spear and his rapport with his steed and wolf, Jyri quickly became a famous personality on the battlefield, acquiring the byname the "Red Wolf" by enemy tribes. Then Tolamar Brand arrived. The Black Elk tribe fought valiantly, but they stood no chance against the metaphysical powers of their new foe, and after suffering tremendous losses they were forced to flee their land. Jyri and his infant son survived, while his siblings and young wife did not. Ashamed for falling, but knowing he was the only one his son had left, Jyri led himself and the other survivors to Arx where they sought shelter at the refugee camp. There he met the Lord Commander of the Iron Guard, and accepted the position of the Iron Guard kennelmaster for the silver and the opportunity to fight against Brand once again. He intends to put his life back together, one piece at a time.
s life back together, one piece at a time. +
Kaede was born on the sea. While she doesn …
Kaede was born on the sea. While she doesn't remember a great deal about her early years, she remembers the pitch and yaw of a ship, and wood under her feet rather than land. She was still young when the pirates took her world away from her. She lost everything; her home, her family, and even her name. It was a miracle that she didn't lose her life as well, but she was found by Ravenseye sailors clinging to some of the wreckage of what had once been her ship. Dehydrated and delirious, she was nursed back to health by a sailor who had had no children of his own, and was determined that the child would live.
was determined that the child would live. +
Kako is a healer by nature. From the time …
Kako is a healer by nature. From the time she was a child, she sought to heal the injuries of living creatures. She spent her youth studying herb and healing alike. She generally does not distinguish between friend or foe, but simply those of good nature, and those of evil.
y those of good nature, and those of evil. +
Kalani is the second born child in the her …
Kalani is the second born child in the her branch of the Seliki family, Kalani and her siblings are a close knit family unit with all the push and shove, noise and drama, love and chaos that comes with a normal family life. Her mother, one of Orrin Seliki's younger sisters, passed along her love of medicine and healing, from father she gained a love of knowledge. Her focus, her passion, allowed her to focus on her studies and learn as much as she could through the long stream of apprenticeships over the course of her education. In many ways, learning how to fight, in some respects, came as naturally as anything else. But then, being one of four children she knew how to rough and tumble, squabble and fight as a child. Actually learning how to fight, to swim and dive, to climb and balance, to trust herself and above all to respect and love her family, her people, their way of life is part and parcel of the young woman that she is. Some of her earliest memories are set in wind swept beaches, the light and sparkle of the sun reflecting off of the waves, of diving deep and climbing along the cliffs with nothing more than a handhold and sheer plucky gumption to keep her from falling, then bouncing - while screaming - onto the rocks below. After the recent conflict that resulted in almost all our the fleet being destroyed, and after seeing so many of their people wounded, she has traveled to Arx to seek more training with the healers that are based here. There may come a day when the decks of their ships may run with blood again, and when, if, that day comes, she intends to be prepared to fight - and heal - as the need arises. Plus, if she just so happens to be on hand to keep Peri from bleeding to death, all the better!
ri from bleeding to death, all the better! +
Kamon was born to a woodcutter and his pro …
Kamon was born to a woodcutter and his prodigal wife, in a small hamlet within Artshall lands. He lived a simple childhood with his younger brother, Jadon, living off the land and hunting with his father. He learned his mother's tongue and under her tutelage was taught first aid and remedies. He befriended the village shaman, and even became his pupil in spite of his father's tacit disapproval. His fruitful life was suddenly upended when a band of brigands raided their settlement after initially being denied food and shelter. His family was brutally massacred in the attack, and he was severely wounded and saved only by the grace of the Crimson Blades, who happened by while on an assignment for one of their clients. The brigands were swiftly disposed and a tramautized Kamon was taken into their care. Plagued with survivor's guilt, but feeling obligated to repay their kindness towards him, the young man agreed to join their ranks to lend them his useful skills in medicine. With a few years of disciplined training he became an efficent warrior in his own right and he considers the Blades his new family.
nd he considers the Blades his new family. +
Karadoc was *that* son. The prodigy, the b …
Karadoc was *that* son. The prodigy, the bright rising star. There was nothing his proud parents could not put before him that Karadoc could not grasp. Logic, history, arithmetic, religion, law - all of it - seen, appraised, and grasped with an aptitude that was stunning. The future was bright for Karadoc Saik. Was. To this day, his parents remain frustrated and baffled by their son's sudden drop off the proverbial cliff. At some point after returning from Southport and the two year training regimen there, Karadoc simply ceased to care...about anything. His invitation to attend to prestigious academy in Tor? Ignored. The various offers coming from Southport, those martial and intellectual? Declined. And, to this very day, his mother still cannot talk about the potential marriage contract used to catch cat vomit without flying into an apoplectic rage. He eventually left home one misty morning, disappearing for a few years before returning suddenly. During that time, Karadoc has less and little to say, though it is widely assumed amongst the family he lived as a half-starved vagrant. Nor did he remain home for long! Almost as soon as he settled in, his uncle the Baron, died. Then, but a few short months later, his cousin the Baron, died. Finally, his cousin the Baroness, summoned him to Arx. To the surprise of all, Karadoc accepted.
To the surprise of all, Karadoc accepted. +
Karina Seabright is the youngest in a fami …
Karina Seabright is the youngest in a family of four, with two older brothers and an older sister. Her father Pyotr is one of House Grimhall's most steadfast naval captains, having commanded a medium sized fleet from Grihem's Point for most of his career. Her mother was Dolores Grimsea, the younger sister of Anneke Grimhall nee Grimsea, the wife of the future Duke Harald's. Unfortunately, Karina's mother Dolores managed to run afoul of the tyrannical former Duke Eugine Grimhall over a minor slight, who pressured her to marry Pyotr under threat of attainting and utterly destroying the Grimseas if she did not comply, but Duke Eugine's cruelty was undermined by the fact that Dolores and Pytor had long been fond of one another and she was not particularly troubled by losing her noble title. No childhood in the Mourning Isles is idyllic, the threat from pirates constant even during times of relative peace, yet Karina's came close. Though she missed her father when he was away keeping Grimhall waters safe, he always came home, and in her younger years, she would be the first one running down the docks to meet him. Her family was as traditionalist as any in Grihem's Point, though they kept only two thralls, a married couple with small war debts that were paid off within half a decade. They chose to stay on, and thus Karina's experience with the practice was that of family and warm memories. Such traditionalism may have meant the young woman aspiring to wed a worthy warrior, bear sons, and little else, yet Karina was indulged with more. Oh, Pyotr would have put his foot down hard had she asked to train with the fleet, or taken up a blade for the Legion, yet she yearned for neither. What she craved was art, and the girl had a gift for it. From the age of five when she was given her first set of charcoal pencils and a pot of paints by a doting salt parent she was drawing realistic images of the world around her. Landscapes of such quality that one imagined walking right into the canvas, and portraits that could capture the very essence of who sat for them. Many claimed her touched by Jayus, for by her teen years her work began to eclipse those with lifetimes of training and experience. As her artistic skills progressed (and as her parents' marriage cooled), her parental bond seemed to shift from father to mother. Granted, it may not have been entirely by choice. The more promise Karina that showed, the more intent Dolores became on shaping her directly. By the time Karina was sixteen, Dolores was devoting the majority of her time to her youngest, becoming Karina's most constant companion and pushing her at all times to excel. Opposition to this rigorous lifestyle came not from her father, who was spending more and more time away, but from a local of Karina's age, Yvgeny Saltcliffe: a commoner of no renown, average ability, and a relaxed take on life. And he was as wildly in love with Karina as she was with him. The more time that she spent with Yvgeny, the more her studies faltered, but her happiness was self-evident. Everyone expected to see them grow old together. At the start of the Gyre conflict, however, they appeared to fall out, and Yvgeny was last seen shipping off to join the fight, his vessel one of many that sank to the bottom of the sea off the coast of Setarco. After Yvgeny's death, Karina withdrew. Friends stopped coming by, and the extended family stopped asking for news of her when it was always the same: she was painting. Wandering. Uncharacteristically quiet. Alert and gregarious in all previous years, the young woman would now hover at the periphery of gatherings like a ghost. Eventually, Karina was sent away from Grihem's Point to the mainland, accompanied by the written request of the Admiral that House Grimhall take her on as a lady-in-waiting to the Duke's son's new wife, Vanora. The claim was that only in Arx could Karina find teachers whose artistic skills she had not already surpassed, and while this may have been true, it was also self-evident that something had to change. Still, all agree that since the loss of her beloved, her art has moved from exceptional to masterpiece.
has moved from exceptional to masterpiece. +
Kasa has grown up heavily influenced by wh …
Kasa has grown up heavily influenced by whatever the Shamans taught or offered. Growing up in mountainous regions was a hard life, especially when the foe was other clans or the Compact. Kasa never had the knack of actually becoming a Shaman, but still holds them in very high regard. So while she couldn't become one (honestly, she was never suited), she became their biggest fangirl. She defended the religious beliefs so strongly through a foul tongue or bruised knuckles that she naturally became a person who found fulfillment in leaving a mark physically rather than spiritually. She's been good at getting into a scrap and whipping up the emotions of others. When Kritr was shown to be the kind of man she could really get wide eyed and fervent about, she offered her sword arm as quickly as she could, no matter where his travels took him. When Kritr was off on a new path to Arx, she was the zealous hound that followed closely at his heels.
hound that followed closely at his heels. +
Kasinopi was born in the Whitehold lands o …
Kasinopi was born in the Whitehold lands of the North where the snow never really melts and sometimes it can feel as if things are unchanging and frozen in time. She was born in the main holding Whitehold and as such she has as urban an upbringing as one might expect from a northerner. She saw markets with southern merchants and wrote her White Journals every week despite the shamanism that still lingered within Halfshav lands. In truth Shamanism seemed old hat to Kasinopi, they've been doing it forever and nothing ever felt like it changed. She liked the Pantheon especially Vellichor, Lagoma, and Gild. Why? Well the young Kasinopi would tell her parents frequently Vellichor is for knowing where you've been and what you've done so you can be excited about where you're going. Lagoma is about change and progress which is what she wished for the most in the world. Gild was easy, who doesn't enjoy kindness and luxury. In her early years she managed to get into the Halfshav Household as part of an effort for the family to ensure they had plenty of members of the Faith on staff. No one wanted to seem anti-Faith right? So Kasinopi began in the laundry and got to see the finery the nobility got to live in, even if she was just washing them. From there she moved from the laundry to Housekeeping attending to young Lords and Ladies rooms while they were with their tutors and the like. She often compared her childhood to theirs and wondered what things could have been like if she'd had such nice toys and interesting stories told to her. Eventually she reached a position within the house through dogged determination and maybe a bit of luck where she was sent to Arx to serve the main branch of the family at the Halfshav Hall in the Redrain ward. She's heard she's assigned to the Sword of Whitehold but really she hopes to prove she's above all that housekeeping busywork and she has just the plan to make it happen.
d she has just the plan to make it happen. +
Kassandra is the middle daughter of a merc …
Kassandra is the middle daughter of a merchant. She is not a great beauty like her elder sister, nor is she a charmer like her younger sister. As a child, she was left to her own devices and she found the world in books to be more her preference than the 'real world'. She is a voracious reader, soaking knowledge like a sponge. When she was of the appropriate age, she was was married to a neighborhood boy who was a soldier He died in battle before they could conceive a child. In her grief, Kass returned to the comfort of books and learning. It was in reading that she found her first mystery to solve. Just a blank page where none should be. The persuit of what should have been there brought her out of her corner to try to find an answer. She discovered that she likes mysteries.
She discovered that she likes mysteries. +
Kedehern was born the youngest son of the …
Kedehern was born the youngest son of the now deceased Duke Acel Laurent. When his father died, his brother Edmund, sent him to the Redmarches to be fostered with the Telmar. The boy was considered a sweet, shy youth by most of his family when he left Artshall for the Telmarch. Duke Arn's armsmen spent much of his formative years training it out of the boy, at least on the surface. Once he was old enough, he earned his knighthood in the Red Mountains, fighting against the Abandoned. When the Silent War came, he was in the field taking arms against Brand's forces. Later, he spent his time in the Oathlands, rooting out insurgents when the call to arms sounded for the Gyre War, and he found himself on the walls in Setarco. And then again in the thick of things during the troubling affair with the Lodge of Petrichor. When rumors of an insurgent house making war on his family's duchy began to surface, he found himself in Arx looking to make himself useful once more.
looking to make himself useful once more. +
Kenemir is too old to have any illusions a …
Kenemir is too old to have any illusions about his place in the world. He has outlived his wife, his children, and his family who have fallen to the ills of poverty and time; his closest brush with wealth and prestige came with the patronage of a Tyde noble. That ended with the rebellion, and it's taken him some time to work himself out from beneath the shadow of association. He has built his craft slowly, steadily across the decades of his life, and seeks now to leave behind a legacy.
e, and seeks now to leave behind a legacy. +
Kenjay's life was normal - well, as normal …
Kenjay's life was normal - well, as normal as life ever gets for a Prince of House Redrain - up until he was ten years old or thereabouts. He was travelling with his parents when the caravan got attacked, and despite House Redrain's best efforts the survivors were never recovered. Sold to the Eurusi, Kenjay was brought across the ocean to Skal'daja. The spirited boy caught the eye of a trainer, and he was sold to a gladiator school. At first he fetched and carried, but as time went by and he grew towards manhood, he became a gladiator himself. And he excelled at it. After fifteen years in the arena and victory after victory, Kenjay was bought by the royal family of Skal'daja. Now, when he wasn't training, he was guarding. The life of a renowned gladiator had been a good one, for a slave; the life of a royal guard was better. And then, when he was given as a birthday present to one woman four years ago, life got even better than that. Bahiya was a kind and generous owner, and when she had the chance to go to Arvum in the service of the Crown Prince of Skal'daja, she brought him with her - and freed him when they set foot on Arvani soil.
eed him when they set foot on Arvani soil. +
Kenna Whitehawk was born Kenna Mercier to …
Kenna Whitehawk was born Kenna Mercier to Jerome Mercier and his wife Helen-- their youngest daughter. She has three older siblings-- Delilah, Gaius, and Evonleigh. Growing up she was close with her siblings but she idolized her cousin Silas, who became a knight! And then later joined the Iron Guard and became THE LORD COMMANDER! So, of course, when he was made a baron on her Eighteenth birthday (the 27th of April in 1006!) she decided to join him as a member of his new family, becoming Lady Kenna Whitehawk! Being the scion of a rich merchant family she had a rather easy and happy childhood. It's left her with a bit of softness-- a little baby fat on her form still, and a certain gentleness of nature. She's kind and generous and has yet to truly come to any hardships. She did not understand the rift between Grayson and Lazarus and Mercier, but she was excited by the idea of becoming a Lady and trying to use that station to do some good! She's also had an interest in joining the Iron Guard since she was little. Now that she's an adult she's looking to join up and become an investigator for the Iron Guard! (Nevermind that investigating is more of an Inquisition thing, she wants to join the Iron Guard like her cousin!)
s to join the Iron Guard like her cousin!) +
Kenrith had somewhat of a rocky beginning …
Kenrith had somewhat of a rocky beginning in life, to say the least. From birth onwards he was often falling ill, being rather sickly in nature. For this reason, he found himself staying home more often than not, wanting to keep to himself and try his best to recover. Yet, for this very same reason, Kenrith also steadily began to develop what he believes is his calling in life. During his childhood, when he would spend more time recuperating in bed compared to studying, he would have frequent visits from doctors. Of course, their attempts would usually be successful only then to have Kenrith fall ill again, but that was beside the point. Kenrith was blessed with a first-hand view of the tools of the trade these people used to cure others, to help them defeat their ailments. For this reason, growing up, Kenrith was enamored with the pursuit of medicine, albeit with his own twist. Compared to the practicality of bandages, Kenrith favored the bold and unexplored world of alchemy. After all, why try to stem the bleeding from outside, when he could potentially discover an elixir that would cure his bleeding? With this perspective, Kenrith honed his talents further and further, focusing himself to become better at creating concoctions, those that would most often benefit others.
hose that would most often benefit others. +
Kent Harhall is the eldest child of the la …
Kent Harhall is the eldest child of the late Lord Duncan Harthall and his late wife Lady Onora. Duncan was the younger brother of previous Marquis and uncle to the current one. As a second son, never expect to inherit the family title, Duncan had made his career in the Harthall fleet and it was expected that when he came of age Kent might follow in his footsteps. The most charitable thing that could have been said about Duncans career over the years was that is was filled with bad luck. One more than one occasion his ship was declared lost at sea only to reemerge later with little to show for his efforts. His fathers long absences meant that Kent never developed much of a connexion with his father. And before Kent could ever follow his father off to see his father once again was lost this time not to return. It was then natural that Kent should be closer to his mother and to more follow her lead as pious and scholarly woman. For many years Kent had even considered a religious vocation for himself. Ultimately, however, his fathers long absences and his mothers declining health met that from a very young age he would take an active role in managing their household. By the time they were both gone he had become quite adept at managing their affairs and it seemed only natural that he would continue on this path within the wider household. The untimely passing of his eldest cousin and later his uncle would provide quicker opportunities to utilise his talents for the benefit of the wider family. By the time his cousin Orvyn became Marquis, Kent found himself managing the financial affairs of the whole Harthall has alongside him. It is a vocation he has thrown himself at with unswerving dedication, but not with complete altruism.
edication, but not with complete altruism. +
Kerr was not born to anybody of particular …
Kerr was not born to anybody of particular importance. He was apprenticed early to a blacksmith and farrier because he had strong hands, a good back, and he learned quick enough to do what he was told. He was not the greatest smith in the world, but neither was he the worst. As farriers, he and his master were attached to the Marquis of Deepwood's men, repairing armor, honing weapons, and shoeing horses. It was a good gig. Kerr learned a lot about soldiery and weapons-handling, and about boasting and bragging. He was whippet lean and young and hungry, and his master died in the slaughter along with countless other men and women, soldiers and otherwise, at the hands of the Gray Forest Reapers. He took up a broken shield and reforged it, hiding amongst the chaos, and picked up a mace and threw himself into the fight. Somehow he survived. The device he put on his hedge knight's shield is just a criss cross of steel grooves. He started calling himself Kerr Redsteel, and threw his mace behind the device of the living vassals of the Deepwoods, trying to make sense of a world full of chaos and slaughter. He didn't expect to become Sir Kerr Redsteel, but he did, fighting for the child-marquesa and earning the favor of her Bisland guardians. Attached to the Deepwood house as a knight retainer, his loyalty is that of the steel he named himself for: forged in fire, sturdy and strong, yet flexible.
in fire, sturdy and strong, yet flexible. +
Keryeth is born in the north to a semi-nom …
Keryeth is born in the north to a semi-nomadic clan and lives a relatively uneventful life, traveling between the mountains and southern river lands every year, substituting both by themselves and breeding hardy horses to sell or trade to outsiders. As a young teenager, she becomes betrothed to the chief's son of another group; having a crush on him, she is actually thrilled at the prospect. Unfortunately, during a particularly warm and rainy winter camped by Old Oak, she comes down with a flu-like virus that quickly spreads to the rest of her kin. It is particularly devastating, leaving her and only a handful of others as surviving members. She is exiled for this, literally left half-dying on the roadside. As fate would have it, a retired courtier comes upon her and nurses her back to help, before attempting to teach some of the craft to the girl.
ng to teach some of the craft to the girl. +
Keyser Whitehart is a commoner with a hear …
Keyser Whitehart is a commoner with a heart of gold and a strong desire to see the people of the Lower Boroughs lifted to a standard of living she deems acceptable. She works to this end tirelessly, day and night, and doesn't seem to rue her lot in life as a no-account Crownsworn commoner existing on the charity and goodwill of her projects. Where she's come from, even she herself doesn't know, often heard talking about her life in an orphanage and learning from a school of hard knocks to live for the moment.
ool of hard knocks to live for the moment. +
Kheun grew up in a simple home with just h …
Kheun grew up in a simple home with just her parents. Her mother was an apothecary and she grew up learning the trade. She often helped her mother tend to the sick or injured and found joy in helping others. That joy did not fade with time and she found herself taking over her mother's title as Apothecary.
ing over her mother's title as Apothecary. +
Kia grew up with her tribe on the north Cy …
Kia grew up with her tribe on the north Cyrto Arch island, thriving with their close knit-culture and rich fertile lands. Lush jungles grow up in to the mountains, hills covered in grape vines and cocoa trees lead almost right down to the white sand beaches. It is truly a paradise that she thrives in. Working the land, understanding the plants and animals. But paradise so often comes at a cost. The islands, far from the mainland of Arvum, have been attacked and invaded several times over the course of their history, leaving behind remnants of many different peoples and cultures. Though she barely remembers the terrible invasion of her youth, Kia absolutely does remember the day that House Malvici invaded. This time, it felt different. This time there was an offer of peace and protection. And Kia knew it was her time to step up and lend her hand to these new occupants of the islands, to help them thrive for the safety of her people. Eagerly she bent the knee and immediately sword to the newly formed House Magnotta. She would be their steward on the islands, show them how things worked here. Teach them about the natural gifts the island has to offer, help them with the people and understanding the beliefs they have. This was Kia's chance to step up in the world and she wasn't going to waste it. Now, called to Arx to serve her new family, Kia is intrigued by all things Aravani and finding her way in this new and very large city. The Prodigal from the Cyrto Arch must use her natural talents and find her way.
use her natural talents and find her way. +
Kia'aleia was born into a smithing family …
Kia'aleia was born into a smithing family from a small Thrax island community that is now almost a decade scattered to defeat by another Thrax group. She was taken as a Thrall, and due to her aptitude and training continued to work, mainly in the metal implements of war. Despite her status as a Thrall, she was diligent and driven enough to excel in her work. An unforeseen moment of violence when she was 17 gave her the opportunity to show her martial skills and a perhaps unexpected loyalty to one of the family that held her as a Thrall. This moment earned her her freedom, and the Deed Name Trueblade. She took that opportunity to seek out a remote artisan master and honed her trade. Now, years later, she has come to earn a name for herself. Surprisingly, she takes a place for herself among the Thrax commoners.
ace for herself among the Thrax commoners. +
Kiano, was born brother to Alfir Sanna, an …
Kiano, was born brother to Alfir Sanna, and from an early age he'd taken to physical abilities best. He wasnt lacking in mental capacity and studied what he needed but he far more enjoyed the times when he was tought to use a sword and martial skills. He grew up with this as his focus which took him away from home sometimes when old enough taking part in protection of not only family lands, but serving with those gathered armies of the other houses as well. His house has known trajedy and he has now as an adult sworn to protect his family to the best of his ability.
ect his family to the best of his ability. +
Kienna was born to a pair of commoners, on …
Kienna was born to a pair of commoners, one a physician and the other a soldier. The three lived at the eastern fringes of the Northlands, but after a raiding party lead to the death of Kienna's father, the surviving two moved inland. Kienna's mother was pregnant and wished to birth the child away from conflict for safety's sake, but passed from sickness not long after. Not yet an adult, girl sought to work in the shop of a trader, but was rebuffed. Every day she turned up with a new argument on why she should apprentice under the merchant, and every day he refused, though he grew more approving each day. After a month she learned the reason why: The merchant had reached out to an old friend to see if she needed an assistant in her lawyering, and she had been interested enough to meet with Kienna. For several years she worked as the personal servant and scribe for one of the rare few lawyers of Redrain. Not only did she translate and transcripe texts, she passed on rumors and gossip that might be useful in formulating a compelling argument. In time, she had developed her skills enough that she was granted permission to travel to Arx and help the House there. Kienna packed what precious few things she had and left for the capital.
w things she had and left for the capital. +
Kieran was born the third of the Redrain f …
Kieran was born the third of the Redrain family, after his older silbing the twins, Darren and Deva. While Darren astutely learned the details of ruling a realm and his sister rebelled at attempts to reign her temper in, Kieran struck a balance. He learned how to talk to people, charm them and persuade them. Sure, he continually played pranks on his family, friends, and servants, and he was always finding ways to cause trouble, but his silver tongue was always able to mollify any retribution, and the fact that he was also keeping up with studies and knew when to behave himself properly in court, meant they couldn't be angry at him too much. Kieran does not mind that Darren is the one that leads the family. It means so much more focus is placed on him and his actions. Kieran, on the other hand, can still maintain some of his antics, and still pass the laxer scrutiny he receives. In Kieran, Deva has a partner in her occasional outings and troublemake, and Darren has someone he can be bring to court that he knows will help convince and soothe over any issues. He is the perfect brother, if only he would stop leaving frogs in his siblings' beds.
stop leaving frogs in his siblings' beds. +
Kincade is the youngest son of Vardon Blan …
Kincade is the youngest son of Vardon Blanchard and as such had fewer responsibilities around the home. He spent much of his time taming horses and was renown for his ability to break wild horses. Spending the rest of his youth training as a knight, he would soon find use of these skills in his brothers many battles to unify all of Chevalle under the Blanchard banner. While Philippe was able to focus on leading and building his name, Kincade did the dirty work and was Philippe's executioner. After the dust settled Kincade again found himself with very little to do. This opened up the window for him to explore the world and travel abroad. The main purpose of these trips was not solely pleasure though, Kincade's strong sense of duty to the family also meant he was trying to do business for the family. Both building ties with foreign powers and collecting the most exotic horses in the realm for refinement back home at Chevalparc. In the North Kincade found a legendary horse breed that had never been tamed, he took refuge with a local tribe of Shavs that had been troublesome in the past. Over time Kincade earned the tribe's trust and managed to break the legendary mountain horse. Teaching the tribe how to tame the horses he brought a sizeable herd back to Chevalle and was able to make a sizeable profit for them and the northern Tribe. Upon returning home his feet were seen with much adoration by his countrymen and he was awarded the historically prestigious position of Horselord of Chevalle, Grand Master of the Stables, Breaker of Stallions. Over the course of his short time back home Kincade has proven himself a master trader and has become the focus point of economic power, Phillipe never makes a trade deal without consulting Kincade.
s a trade deal without consulting Kincade. +
Klaus has been wielding a sword almost as …
Klaus has been wielding a sword almost as long as he can walk. Sure, his first sword was a stick that he used to brain his brother Eiran with, but we all need to start somewhere! From there he trained as a squire with Sir Norwood and later served in the Laurent army. He worked closely with his cousin, Cristoph and the two were close comrades on the front lines right up until Duke Laurent's heir suffered a grevious injury and focused on less deadly duties. He grew into a steady, accomplished commander in the Laurent army and often had the fully loyalty of any troops under him. He became known as a leader who could listen to the words of his men and accept constructive criticism. He's never been one to bark orders unncessarily. With Cristoph handling the duchy as Duke, and as such, behind the scenes more than in front, Klaus is often leading the Laurent forces from the front lines. He also excelled as a horseman and thorougly enjoyed hunting. While he naturally worships the Pantheon as a whole, Petrichor calls to him even before Gloria.
Petrichor calls to him even before Gloria. +
Known by some, Hulvaster Hagelin is the so …
Known by some, Hulvaster Hagelin is the son of Ake Hagelin, a recently passed Abandoned turned Prodigal then content stonemason in the city of Arx. His mother, Viktoria Sandin, a disciple of Vellichor and scholar with a particular inclination towards the natural world and the formation of the land. The two wed not long after Ake arrived in Arx and began to readjust his life within the borders of the Compact. Ake's point of origin had always been a tight-lipped secret, and was always referred in passing as 'a closed chapter'. Hulvaster, for his entire life, knew only the streets of Arx and the surrounding countryside. His father was preoccupied with tending to older buildings in the quarter he lived in, and so for much of his childhood, he joined his mother in her scholarly pursuits - seeing much of the coast and lands around Arx, being privy to knowledge in abundance. By the time Hulvaster turned 23, his father had passed from an unfortunate work-related accident. A 'violent but quick death' it was called. Now with the one link to a history still unlearned, Hulvaster resides in a city that becomes less and less familiar to him, and a world unknown to him beyond the walls of Arx calling to him.
im beyond the walls of Arx calling to him. +
Korka's father and aunt, Liam and Marie, w …
Korka's father and aunt, Liam and Marie, were orphans who found patronage under Laegan Telmar, which led the Glynn family to become one of the Telmar's most loyal set of servants--a tradition that was expected to be carried by Liam's twins, Korka and Adriel. But Korka...well, she always was a little different. While she has a fierce loyalty to her household as a child, her upbringing proved challenging. Always one to question and let her curiosity get the best of her, she frequently found herself deep in trouble, talking herself in and out of it as her mood suited. As she grew older, she managed to find an appropriate outlet as a scout and information collector, using her charm and sharp wit to gather intelligence on what was happening around the Marches. She was summoned to Arx to put her skills to good use for Telmar, but rather quickly--and in fact so quickly it was certainly not happenstance--talked her way into a position with the Inquisition. There she found herself flourishing in ways that even she couldn't have begun to imagine and with the Duke's blessing, parted ways with Telmar so that she could devote herself to serving the Compact as an Inquisitor. Much to the chagrin of her parents and brother.
to the chagrin of her parents and brother. +
Kritr grew up wanting nothing more than to …
Kritr grew up wanting nothing more than to grow closer to the Spirits of his homeland and to provide for his family and people with furs and meat that the land provided. Life, though, had little cares for what he wanted. Living in at the edge of the Northern Mountain was tough, a constant battle against nature and man alike as the tribes warred among each other and with the Compact itself. While Kritr was taken with Shamanism he also proved to be an able leader and warrior. Though far from the best fighter of his clan, he was among the steadiest and grew to be respected for leading the defense of the clan. With the growing threats of the Horned God and the return of so much that was lost, the clan met and decide to throw their lot in with the Compact with Kritr as one of the leading voices for the decision. Among the others chosen to represent that clan as the 'noble family' he was placed as one of the highest leaders and sent to Arx to represent them in their new path through life.
esent them in their new path through life. +
Kurzio grew up being trained in the art of …
Kurzio grew up being trained in the art of hunting, taught by his father. Kurzio only joined the house of Nurel later in his early teens, being assigned to the small hunting party of the house. Kurzio was trained by the members of the group, who each desired to leave the reaches of this land and move onwards to greater things. Kurzio only ever was able to remember one of the men at the time, named "Jornif". He was a rather elderly man who had been part of the house for a majority of his life. Kurzio learned alot of what he currently knows from Jornif, and grew to become a smarter, more aware person. Overtime however, troubles grew, the lands being attacked by rogue groups of raiders that the house sent out soldiers to fend off. The raiders moved like living arrows, moving to the next village far before the soldiers happened to get there. In the meantime, Kurzio had been given a single order from Jornif, "Live and grow." Kurzio at the time wondered what it meant, he himself not knowing of the raiders and their presence. Jornif taught Kurzio everything he knew, then told him to venture off to the King. Kurzio still doesn't know what happened to house Nurel and Jornif. Kurzio adapted quickly to the new life he lives as a Crownsworn, keeping his order in mind and pushing forwards.
ng his order in mind and pushing forwards. +
Lady Dulcinea Telmar is the youngest of Du …
Lady Dulcinea Telmar is the youngest of Duke Arn's children. From the time she could toddle, she was stuck to her brother Ansel and sister Lily like a chubby, determined little burr, throwing appalling tantrums when they would leave her behind on their adventures. All the more reason to become more capable, sooner. She got a pony and a little bow, determined to be the finest horsewoman and archer in any land -- if only so she could go slay dragons with her siblings. In time, she learned there were adventures -- of a sort -- to be had;she enjoyed them, exploring and mischief making with her siblings... but there were no dragons. No call to fell a dire bear at 900 feet. Alas. Too late. The fierce love of riding and the bow, the hunt, was in her bones. The absence of mythic beasts deterred her not at all. By the time she was a young woman, she was well on her way to the goal she'd set with her little bow and pony, but she never thought much of it again. She rides and hunts magnificently but for her own pleasure, usually alone. She adores her siblings and spends time with her family whenever she can. She attends balls and dances and laughs, blithe a spirit as was ever in the world. At night, however, she dreams of the Telmarch and her people. She dreams of the shav raiders, the burned houses, the screaming mothers and the crushed babes. She dreams of war unending, claiming the sons and daughters of every generation. And she yearns to put her bow to better use.
d she yearns to put her bow to better use. +
Lady Lunara Argento is the single child sp …
Lady Lunara Argento is the single child spawn of the late Lady Illunara Argento whom died in childbirth 23 years ago, and to Lord Godwin Argento (The great merchant house and area that the Argento are vassals under the Lycene.) As the sole child of the couple, she was dutifully spoiled. No male heir to the family, she was trained and named as the Sword of Argento. A quick study, and even faster with a weapon. She wields a crescent moon blade, like a scythe, a family heirloom weapon. Where weaknesses lay with the family, she was hard pressed to move into the familial role to support and continue on the family wealth and to prove its strength. She was influenced to carry on and climb the respected role of Steward, then Captain of her family fleet of merchant ships. Her own ship, the Blackwater holds steadfast rumors amongst other sea merchants and their crew. Most think the Captain is a man. Yet her family trained her as a warrior-sailor, and titled in reputation as 'The Blackheart', it is her stealth like attack movements in the night with her ships that make others shiver when tales of the Blackwaters feats are told around a keg of rum. Wildly spoken, as fear makes those in the know that, "You can't see anything but black, and the next thing you know... you've been boarded!" She is also cousin to Salazar Argentos, and born into the family that owns the island of Nilanza, a seaport half-way between the Lycene merchant lords, and the Thrax.
the Lycene merchant lords, and the Thrax. +
Lady Margret Greenmarch was born to Alda a …
Lady Margret Greenmarch was born to Alda and Malcolm Greenmarch, younger sister to Cullen and elder sister of Ianna. Her grandmother, Myrna Greenmarch, used to dote on the little hellion, for hellion she was. Until she turned ten. On the day after her tenth birthday, Margret's entire life was altered. A tree-climbing accident left the Greenmarch Lady with a permanent limp and a scar up the side of her neck that, by the blessing of the Spirits alone, didn't kill her. The accident saw Margret confined to the halls of Greenhaven, to learn to be useful indoors instead of out, and she turned to healing. Instead of allowing bitterness to swell inside of her for her misfortune, Margret emerged from her situation with a blissful determination. She became a skilled healer, a champion of all life, and diplomat of surpassing grace. It was no easy road for the Lady. Remaining a pacifist amongst Abandoned is not a simple feat, not even when Greenmarch bent the knee to the Compact and become somewhat more civilized. There was torment, there was pleading, urging, and even threats. But Margret's conviction for pacifism has never wavered. The value of life is something she holds sacrosanct. As such, the Lady Margret has been called to Arx to function as Minister of Relations for Greenmarch, and Resident Healer.
tions for Greenmarch, and Resident Healer. +
Lady Pierina Tessere's fortune was as bad …
Lady Pierina Tessere's fortune was as bad as her House's reputation. Her father was one of the Countess' younger brothers. When she took over the House, he served as one of her consiglieres, specifically over the House's burgeoning fabric trade. For a while, things went well, and Pierina was born as the fourth of sixth children. Unfortunately, of them she was the smallest, and she suffered the usual slings and arrows of childish insults from her siblings, family, and peers. She was given the nickname "Piccola" by her father, which since became her nom de guerre. As went all things in Countess Lucrezia's court, her father fell out of favor after he became a target of intrigue and investigation. Unfortunately, her father was embezzling money out of the family's coffers, and he was punished severely by ostracism and the loss of his estate. Soon after, her father was found strangled in his sleep, a deed allegedly done by those with whom he had made poor deals. Her mother found little charity in the Countess' court but found comfort in booze and the arms of men. She and her siblings scattered to the wind. Survival was not easy on the fringes of Iriscal, but it could be done. Being picked on for many years made Piccola tough and tenacious, two features which caught the eye of a sellsword company looking to increase its ranks of fodder. Two years of tagging along on dangerous missions afforded her enough to buy her own gear and horse. She soon joined a different mercenary company, and then another and another until the day a message called her back home. The Countess was dead, and in her place was Sabine. The message had come from the new Countess - Piccola never inquired as to how it reached her - and requested her return to Iriscal. And there, she was given a command and mission: to train and lead the House's cavalry in a manner befitting the House's ambition of prominence. It would be a chance to bring her family back into the House's ruling echelons, where it belonged. And no sane Lycean would give up that chance for redemption. Or revenge.
p that chance for redemption. Or revenge. +
Lady Portia has never held a sword or spea …
Lady Portia has never held a sword or spear in her hands. That may not seem an odd statement at first until one realizes her profession is as a commander of soldiers. It is rumored that an oracle announced at her birth that should she ever hold a weapon, disaster and destruction would follow for all of her family. Others whisper that the oracle said the world. Whatever the actual prophecy was given at her birth she keeps to the decree her father made at her birth and has not held a weapon in hand. Instead, she's made the soldiers under her weapons; weapons to remove others, weapons to use among themselves. In Cardia she rose through the ranks as a successful commander and general, even learning under the great Marcus Sulla himself. She's conquered territory. She's administered military districts. She's been a good Talon, in all the ways she's been asked to be. And something about that is what has gotten her sent to Arx. She's tough, but never too tough. She's calculating, but never unrelatable. In short, she's a slightly more relatable person than Praetor and has been sent to help provide a softer image. A little softer.
p provide a softer image. A little softer. +
Lady Rowynna Blackshore arrived in Arx wit …
Lady Rowynna Blackshore arrived in Arx with little to her name. She took rooms at a local inn and then immediately reached out to the current baroness, claiming to be the distant relative of Baroness Skye Blackshore. A cousin from the Blackshore side of the family that was estranged two generations ago and took settlement elsewhere than Blackshore Isle. She heard of Skye's efforts to restore the family's isle and has arrived in Arx to assist with the rebuilding efforts. Baroness Skye Blackshore met with her and seemed satified with the relation since she does have the striking Blackshore Cerulean eyes that is signature for relatives in the bloodline. Of course, this mysterious lady has done little to fill in anymore details. She has been spending most of her time in the Great Archives doing research and assisting the Blackshores with their rebuilding. Although, something odd that one of the social mavens noticed is that Lady Rowynna is almost the exact replica of Lady Elisabe Blackshore's painting that hangs in one of the gallerys in Arx. Lady Elisabe didn't have a white streak in her hair. The resemblence is uncanny. Of course they couldn't be the same person. Baron Oswald's sister had that painting done when she turned eighteen twenty-six years ago. It certainly lends credit that Lady Rowynna is a Blackshore.
credit that Lady Rowynna is a Blackshore. +
Lady Runa has always been one that wanted …
Lady Runa has always been one that wanted to tease or pry more details out of a story or tale. A true account or far fetched fib, sometimes the story just isn't enough. Growing up, she was fostered within House Fidante. From the Harkmour family, there happened to be an opportune marriage with one of Prospero's sisters that meant Runa had a reason to visit his Lordship's House. And after a very fine visit, there was an opportunity to have Runa stay within his home, at a young and moldable age, and benefit from a proper education. Both Runa and Propero had a chance to grow up within each others company. She benefitted greatly, and was a doting and devoted childhood friend who felt all the more important if she could help share a secret or suppress a bad word flung in his direction. This type of protectiveness bloomed into a more zealous sort of behavior, where there was a proactive stance taken with those that tried to sidle up to the Lord. Usually with descretion, she would inquire after those that sought to find an inroad with Lord Prospero. While the Lord no doubt had many protectors, she would take in the larger picture that included more than simply gossip. With her knowledge of politics and court, and how tongues can wag, she would ferret out truth and lies and hound people that troubled her. This grew into an occupation to become an investigator that was not above solving problems with more than just her wits. Of a lower social rank, she would dirty her hands to keeps others clean. While having an extra helper along for the truely distasteful needs, the sight of blood has never made her faint. She comes from just enough good breeding to require respect, but is not so high that she cannot fulfill a physical challenge. Some may say that her personality may have been the thing to drive away the arranged marriage for her. On the outside, the threat of being childless and without an official union to a fine man doesn't seem to have bothered her at all.
doesn't seem to have bothered her at all. +
Lady Sanya Grimhall is one of Abram and Al …
Lady Sanya Grimhall is one of Abram and Alina Grimhall's children, with a cluster of brothers and sisters not quite as famous as Duke Harald's large brood, but impressive either way. Sanya was born among the middle of the brood, closest with her twin brother Erik and a younger sister, Merida. Her relationship with her elder brother Jovarn was strained. Though they were close in age, they struggled to find common ground and she found his constant tendency to question his duties unbecoming. Her upbringing was fairly typical for a Grimhall...time watching the men prepare for sailing and reaving and learning the arts reserved for women through her mother, though her education had a bit of a different spin on it.{_{/{/Alina{_was{_a{_Darkwater{_before{_she{_married,{_and{_brought{_into{_her{_family{_life{_many{_strange{_and{_mythical{_seeming{_legends{_she'd{_learned{_growing{_up{_on{_Darkwater{_Watch,{_though{_it{_is{_not{_until{_recently{_that{_any{_of{_those{_tall{_tales{_seemed{_to{_potentially{_have{_a{_ring{_of{_truth.{_She{_focused{_on{_Sanya's{_education{_more{_thoroughly{_than{_her{_other{_daughters,{_describing{_Sanya{_as{_'the{_one{_most{_like{_me'.{_Darkwater{_blood{_maybe.{_{/{/From{_an{_early{_age,{_Sanya{_was{_given{_a{_thorough{_education{_in{_etiquette{_and{_other{_social{_graces,{_but{_also{_in{_the{_power{_of{_words.{_She{_learned{_how{_to{_write{_in{_a{_way{_that{_shared{_her{_thoughts{_with{_the{_world{_concisely{_and{_clearly{_yet{_also{_passionately,{_the{_more{_driven{_she{_was{_by{_a{_cause{_the{_more{_effectively{_she{_argued{_for{_it.{_This{_may{_have{_set{_her{_up{_for{_a{_good{_career{_in{_law,{_and{_appeared{_to{_be{_shaping{_up{_to{_do{_so{_when{_the{_course{_shifted{_just{_slightly.{_{/{/Instead{_of{_devoting{_her{_focus{_to{_the{_court,{_Alina{_taught{_her{_how{_to{_use{_that{_power{_with{_language{_towards{_different{_ends.{_A{_well{_spoken,{_persuasive{_figure{_was{_just{_what{_Sanya's{_father{_required{_as{_the{_Admiral{_of{_his{_own{_section{_of{_the{_Grim{_Fleet.{_Since{_an{_injury{_forced{_his{_early{_retirement,{_Sanya{_has{_been{_sent{_by{_her{_family{_from{_Grihem's{_Point{_to{_Arx,{_that{_she{_might{_use{_her{_skills{_in{_service{_to{_a{_House{_that{_desperately{_needs{_her.
{_a{_House{_that{_desperately{_needs{_her. +
Lady Sorrel Wyrmguard is the middle siblin …
Lady Sorrel Wyrmguard is the middle sibling of a cousin-branch of the Wyrmguards. A second cousin to the ruling Marquessa-- Dominique --but also related in this way to members of the Valardin royal family. Unlike many, she is not at all defined by middle sibling syndrome. She's vastly different from her siblings; vibrant of personality, but darker in coloring (taking after their father). Born many years after Reiker and a scant few before Clover she's always been a bright, charismatic girl. Drawn to the performing arts-- in particular singing. Her next love has always been the blade and martial combat. As a child she would go to sword practice and sing as she swung her blade, earning her the informal nickname/title of 'the Bladesong of Blancbier'. At first it was something of a teasing, almost mocking title. For she was no doubt considered strange as a child and young woman for how much she sang while practicing her martial skills. That changed a year or two before the Siege of Arx when she lead a battalion of Blancbier soldiers against a force of raiders who were attempting to lay a mini-siege on a small farming village that fell within the border of the Blancbier March. They say the battle was turning against the Wyrmguard units due to overwhelming forces, but that Lady Sorrels voice cut through their despair and lifted them up, and they won the day inspired by her voice. Since then she has honing her skill as a leader, and a commander.
ng her skill as a leader, and a commander. +
Lady Thalamina Shepherd is from the branch …
Lady Thalamina Shepherd is from the branch of the family that backed House Grayson, and maintained its noble standing. When Duke Malcolm was named heir, there was no question of whether or not the family would fall in line. Sure, there were some hard feelings beneath the surface, but House Shepherd prides itself on their loyalty, and so the family united, respecting the decision of the late Duke Gregor Shepherd. Lord Fillian Shepherd married Sunhilda Halfshav, in hopes of strengthening ties between the two Ducal houses. The product of their union was flame-haired Thalamina, and a twin who was lost early on due to a difficult birth, which also took the life of Thalamina's mother, leaving her with only her grieving father to raise her. It's rumored that the loss of a twin can be extremely difficult, and some believe that is why Thalamina is often found in a quietly introspective state. She can be charming and social when she puts her mind to it, of course, but throughout her childhood, she was always more likely to be found outside under a tree daydreaming, watching the natural world, and tending to the manor gardens, than tending to her studies and learning to be a lady. She did try, of course. She has the basic knowledge of how to be a proper lady. She had fine tutors, but they grew frustrated with her lack of attention, and her father often had to have them replaced. The only subjects which interested her seemed to be the nuances of agriculture, farming, and tending to the land, yet it still wasn't quite enough for her. She wanted to be out in it, out in nature and the world, listening to the songs of birds, and the wind whispering through the trees. It isn't that she spent all her time daydreaming, after all. She did learn some things, useful things, that she might one day be a benefit to the House. Yet, those daydreams were often counter-balanced by occasional bouts of fiery temper, but what it all amounted to was that she was unhappy, but she couldn't exactly say why. Her father, at a loss for what to do, finally sent her to stay with the Duke, thinking that perhaps she would find her wings among the more... wild, members of the family. And here, she did flourish, because there was no one breathing down her neck, telling her how she should behave. She was given a measure of freedom to be herself, which is all she ever wanted. She spent more time out doors. She got to know her cousins. She learned to ride, and played with the dogs, and almost seemed a normal child. Her father felt he'd made the right choice, and left her there, to her own devices, though he would visit occasionally. It was during the Silent War that something pulled Thalamina out of her introspection. Her father fought in that war, and died. Now, she had lost the only other member of her immediate family, and she wanted to rail against it. She felt helpless as a baby, alone and afraid. She never had the chance to say goodbye, or that she loved him, because she had been selfishly focused inward, on her own troubles, which she refused to talk about with anyone. So she decided it was time to change herself, if she could. She decided to learn skills that might be useful. Skills that she could be proud of. She learned how to hunt, and wield a bow, and to ride. She learned how to track animals in the woods, and became good friends with cousins who guided her in her efforts to learn how to be useful, next time. Next time, she would be ready, and join the fighting. And she would never take family for granted again. She can, at times, still be found daydreaming. But now, she has also found a purpose. Thalamina is an excellent scout, and her skill with a bow is nothing to sneeze at. She has, too, a snowy owl companion given to her as a gift when it was still a fledgling. She is a creature of the outdoors, and that is where she prefers to be. Her training was not yet complete by the time the Gyre War commenced, though she kept up with rumors of it, and longed to be a part of it. It was not until the events at the Lodge that she found any use for her skills, where she assisted with scouting, and fighting off cultists. Friends were lost there too, and she never really understood the full importance of what was at stake. She only knew that it was important, and that she had to be a part of it. After the Lodge, she found herself once again with little to do. Instead of going back to daydreams, however, she decided instead that it was time to leave Shepherd lands, and come to Arx. So it is that she has come to the center of what seems like everything, in the midst of a time of turmoil, looking always toward the future, with hope, and rarely looking back.
uture, with hope, and rarely looking back. +
Lanei either has no last name or does not …
Lanei either has no last name or does not choose to recall it, for she has introduced herself for more than a decade as 'Lanei' and nothing more upon making new acquaintances. Tales of her childhood run spotty, it appears that she does have siblings, two brothers and one sister, and she will occasionally tell a story or anecdote from childhood that indicates great fondness for them. Details regarding her parents are harder to glean. By some accounts her mother died when she was an infant and she and her siblings were raised by her father alone...by other accounts it was an aunt or cousin that took them in and their father was not part of their lives either. It's known that she was born to the merchant class, her family comfortable enough to make ends meet but never terribly wealthy. It is known, or implied at least, that the sister she oft references ended up training as a courtesan, though it is never clear where. Lanei herself grew up in the Crownlands, and was apprenticed to a master tailor who was favored by the nobility by the age of 15. As time went on she trained with him further and then traveled through Arvum to complete this education, working for a time nearly everywhere and thus able to create an incredibly versatile range of styles. As she continued to train she developed a great interest in jewels and jewelry as well once exposed to them, and slowly but surely was able to add more metalwork to her repertoire. Becoming renowned for her gifts at creating art that ought be worn is her greatest known goal, and one she works tirelessly towards.
oal, and one she works tirelessly towards. +
Lasalle Fontblanc is the son of well-known …
Lasalle Fontblanc is the son of well-known craftsman Jeanfi Fontblanc. His mother Sophie died during childbirth, but his father and aunt who came to assist with raising the boy did a more than adequate job. Although Jeanfi threw himself into his work after his wife's passing, Lasalle was never far from the man. Lasalle watched with great interest as his father worked and as he grew he helped where he could. Jeanfi's specialty was creating beautiful, exquisitely detailed, wooden furniture. Although originally from Fortezza di Iriscal, they decided to move to Roseward after the destruction of Volkov in order to be closer to the goldenwood his father preferred to work with. His father's work gained the appreciation of several minor noble families and it seemed Lasalle would follow in his father's footsteps, until they were attacked and robbed while delivering a few pieces in Volkov Woods. The bandits, stole their cart and their horses, leaving them to head back to Roseward on foot. His father's clients tried to ruin his reputation for failing to deliver, but after being provided with the furnishings at a discounted price they allowed for the truth to be known. Lasalle however was changed by the experience. He vowed that he would never allow himself or anyone he could protect to feel that vulnerable again. He enlisted himself in the Roseward guard, and quickly rose through the ranks over the course of the past 6 months. A life of lifting, loading and unloading had provided him with the physique, and a patient and discerning eye for detail lended itself well to the study of strategy and tactics. In the field he is quick to identify any weaknesses in an opponent. He became one of the youngest lieutenants in the Roseward guard and commanded a small unit, that he took on patrols along the trade routes around Roseward. He now has aspirations of knighthood and is beginning to build a name for himself independent of the work of his father.
elf independent of the work of his father. +
Lavinia was the second child of Alla, the …
Lavinia was the second child of Alla, the sister to chieftan Aegis. She was not as much in the wild as her brother, though she did learn how to hunt and move unseen. It would be her beauty and cunning that manifested themselves as her truest talents. She was not as martial as her brother, but she was just as deadly and became highly skilled with small and improvised weapons. This suited her well, she used her talents to spy for the clan, either by discrete action or by charming her way around obstacles, espionage became her gift and her guilty pleasure, at least as far as anyone knew. For years, that's what she did, her carefree demeanor portaying to the world an entirely different person. When she was taken by Brand's control, she was forced to do unspeakable things to her people, as were all of her family, however something during this ordeal snapped inside of her and would have lingering traces far beyond what the others did, even if subtle. Like her brother she distrusted bending knee to Valardin, and by extension the Compact, too believing they were giving up their entire heritage and freedom. And she is not afraid to vocalize that to their chief, even if deep down she understands the reasons of the decision and knows that without the Valardin, they may well be no more. Being confined has always disturbed her though, and it makes being a vassal no less a challenge and sometimes sees her taking off on a ship up river, just to be free for a time. Now, Lady Lavinia Rivenshari has left Riva and traveled to Arx to assist in managing the new 'noble' house there. She struggles to balance her natural inclinations with the order and structure of things in the city, but is absolutely committed to helping her family regain its strength, and eventually its freedom.
its strength, and eventually its freedom. +
Lawrence grew up the younger brother of th …
Lawrence grew up the younger brother of the Duke Artair Crovane. He took to the idea of being a knight since a young age, and trained for that goal since he was a child. He was knighted at a young age, and when the duke began having children he swore an oath to both teach and protect his children. Unfortunately when he was thirty years old, he was out on a patrol that was ambushed, and that was the last he was seen.
bushed, and that was the last he was seen. +
Lazarus was the first son born to Adlai Me …
Lazarus was the first son born to Adlai Mercier and his wife Lynda, born when his father's winery was at the height of it's biggest boom. As such he and his siblings are the first generation to never quite be touched by poverty and have spent their entire lifetimes enjoying the comfort of their manor situated in the Upper Borough. The three siblings - Lazarus, Silas, and Bethany - were close as they grew up, in spite of being a collection of contrasting personalities. Lazarus was favored heavily by both of his parents and received the bulk of their attention and favors, even if they insisted they loved all their children the same as parents are wont to do. He did well in his studies and travelled alongside his father frequently to observe his business transactions firsthand. He acquired the ability to socialize strategically at a very young age, giving him yet another edge over his siblings when it came to arguments and conflicts. The resentment left in the wake of these quarrels grew as the years flew by and it is something Lazarus has slowly begun to reflect on and regret. With his father's health beginning to fail, Lazarus has become fully draped in the family business. He makes frequent trips between Arx and the family farm located outside of the city and intends to mingle with his social betters. Idle hands do not get much done.
betters. Idle hands do not get much done. +
Leena was born to Marquessa Emisilia Ignis …
Leena was born to Marquessa Emisilia Igniseri. Born the third and youngest daughter, her sisters were Quenia (oldest) and Iovita (Middle). Leena's father was Oberion Igniseri, whom was also Iovita's father. Emisilia's second husband, Oberion passed when Leena was rather young. Leena was the pride and joy of Oberion, and seemed to be surprisingly bright for a child showing extreme promise. But before she could barely get to know her father it seemed he had passed away. Mother had remarried, and before she knew it her new stepfather had passed away. At the age of 4 she was whisked away along with Quenia and Iovita to foster with Duke Zaffira's household. Always the tinkerer, she took things apart to see how they worked. She seemed to get smarter and smarter, and the tutors could hardly keep up with Leena's lessons as she absorbed knowledge so quickly. The Zaffira's encouraged her love of all things technical and artistic. Leena wasn't quite sure why she was seperated from her mother, but she grew from little one to preteen being encouraged, and when she was returned to her mother it was like she hardly knew her. Life with mother was not an unloving one. Leena was a eccentric yet loving girl and while her mother didn't quite understand her intelligence she did support it. She was quite a bit different than her or her other children, but Leena always felt loved. Growing up in the household her curiosity only grew, and as the years passed by it was apparent that she needed more to learn - and she would not find a proper spouse staying where she was. She moved on to Arx to continue following her dreams of learning in hopes of bringing newfound skills back to her home's people. Of course her mother hopes that she might find a spouse along the way
that she might find a spouse along the way +
Legend has it that a century or three ago, …
Legend has it that a century or three ago, Wyrmfang split off the main March of Wyrmguard as a cadet branch, slowly diminishing in importance from second sons and third daughters, until they were far enough removed to in essence become a highly respected family of knights. For the last few generations, ever since one Cristoph Wyrmfang turned an-almost defeat into an astounding victory, the Wyrmfangs have also had the honour of holding the Sword of Blancbier for the Wyrmguards. Alexis and her twin brother was born to the then-Sword of Blancbier, Alphonse Wyrmfang, and the children were raised on the family traditions of loyalty and steadfast service, served up with constant tales of Oathlands chivalry and ambitions, of meritorious rises and rewards for serving the ideals that the gods of the pantheon represent. And Alexis swallowed it all rather wide-eyed. When she was nearly old enough, she became rather insistant on squiring, including at one point running away from home to find herself adventure (and a knight to squire to), and eventually her father acquiesced. Small, but fierce, she favoured larger weapons such as two-handed swords and glaives in combat, which may in part have been inspired by her father's position. She was overjoyed when, for about a year, she spent time in the same group of squires as one Princess Alis Valardin, and the even smaller woman left a deep impression with her tenacity. One duty that Alexis picked up as a squire was the mending of armour, and to this day she uses the beating of steel as a form of meditation, slowly learning the craft of the smith. Her knighting ceremony took place at her 18th birthday, while she was part of the force protecting Blancbier and anxiously awaiting news from Arx about the siege and the Army of Silence. In the last battle of the siege, her father took a grave wound protecting the Marquessa. The wound festered, and Sir Alphonse was sent home to Blancbier, but expired on the way. When the Marquessa Dominiqe next visited Blancbier, there was a small ceremony in which Alexis found herself becoming the keeper of the Wyrmguard heirloom blade, as her father, and her father's mother had before her. She swore the oath to protect her family gladly, and now, after having grieved and seen her father to his final rest, she comes to Arx. An untested blade, but eager to prove herself.
ntested blade, but eager to prove herself. +
Leola's family have lived on Saik land lon …
Leola's family have lived on Saik land long before she was born, and have served as houndmasters, horse-trainers and more before even that. Leola held a falcon before she ever picked up a pen and rode a horse before she could leave the homestead alone. Her father ensured she grew up around the animals that her family bred, trained, and taught her how to teach them; how to ensure they bent to the will of their master. It was a simple enough life, out of the trials and worry of politics, but Leola - well, it was what she knew. She grew, and there had been suitors, but none she'd cared much for, and the work was always more important. Time enough for that; the Saiks were not rich, and her family helped. Then, father grew ill. It was prolonged, though not serious, and she was left to manage the affairs of the small family. Before he recovered, they received a request from the Saiks; addressed to her father, for him to travel and train the family's new horses. He was too ill, and Leola went in his place. To Arx.
ill, and Leola went in his place. To Arx. +
Leona didn't want to be a rebellious young …
Leona didn't want to be a rebellious young lady, but she just could not abide by the demure expectations of a proper princess of House Thrax. When her younger brother was bullied, it was the infuriated Princess Leona that leapt to his defense and bloodied the noses of older children to the shocked horror of her extremely proper and conservative mother. When a house thrall was abused, it was Leona who argued loudly and stubbornly to see justice done. When the young noblewomen were given courtly lessons on the proper behavior and decorum expected of a princess of the great house Thrax, it was Leona who would pointedly ask about Queen Alarice the Great's feats in battle and why House Thrax alone refused to allow women to rule. The spirited young woman was the bane of her tutors, often skipping lessons on courtly etiquette so she could practice (and handily beat) her male cousins at swordplay - despite never having a single lesson. Acts of rebellion aside, doubtless she would have been married off to firm up a political alliance if not for the Great Tournament of 998 AR. The princess traveled to Arx along with many young, unpromised nobles of the great houses, doubtless so her grandfather could negotiate a suitable match for her and hoping that the sight of so many refined ladies of the court could restrain the young woman's enthuasism. If that was the hope, it was a catastrophic failure as Leona watched the greatest knights in Arvum compete at the melee and joust, steadily building the young woman's dreams of competing at that level no matter what a proper princess of Thrax might do. As a gesture of hospitality by House Grayson to House Thrax, Leona was the lone companion to Crown Prince Alaric in his carriage returning to the palace from the Tournament, after Lord Commander Dayne Valardin's victory at the tournament melee. On the ride back to the palace, the carriage and the escort was stopped by an overturned cart on the road and a tense crowd surrounded the royal carriage, but Leona wasn't worried... until she heard a scream and saw the escort of the King's Own being felled by arrows and cloaked figures drawing swords as they rushed the carriage. Crown Prince Alaric was in a panic, but Leona felt calm as she grabbed the crown prince's sword and positioned herself in front of himat the door of the carriage. It was madness, one barely trained, unarmored teenage princess against unknown attackers, but Leona never learned how to back away from a fight. The shock of facing any resistance at all once the King's Own were down likely saved Leona's life, her ferocious attack catching the assailants off guard when they threw open the carriage to retrieve the prince. Her fight felt like an eternity, though she knows it couldn't have been more than a few minutes, and left her badly wounded... but it bought time for Lord Commander Dayne Valardin to arrive, charging down on his horse as he cut down every last attacker. The Lord Commander had the Thrax princess treated by the personal healer of the King's Own, and the man who had a reputation as the greatest knight in all of Arvum personally thanked the young woman for saving the future king of the Compact. "You saved one young man, your highness, but you did more than that. If he had been taken, it would have been a war, as we already suspect who was behind it. Kidnapped or dead, armies would have marched. If you had not acted, the Realm would have bled and thousands would have perished. You have a talent for saving kings, your highness, and if you would ever consider squiring for an old knight I know that the King's Own would be proud to have you." It was not an offer to take lightly, considering all she would give up if she took the vows. In the end, being allowed a choice compared to being told what to do made her path obvious. Her family was furious, of course, it was unheard of for a noblewoman of House Thrax - let alone the grand daughter of the current high lord! The young woman is shunned by an entire great house and all she knew when she was young. But when it comes to honor, no cost is too high for Dame Leona.
honor, no cost is too high for Dame Leona. +
Leopold grew up as an orphan in the city o …
Leopold grew up as an orphan in the city of Arx, a street urchin fending for himself as best as he could. Being taller and stronger than many of his peers, he became something of a bully; though, not out of any malice or pleasure. He simply liked the competition and exhiliration that came with fighting, and the benefits of taking the other kid's food and money was simply a bonus. As he approached his teens, however, he was set straight when a knight caught him and decided to teach him the error of his ways with a firm beating. The knight pitied the youth and, seeing potential, decided to try training the boy. While Leopold learned well in the areas of combat, he wasn't particuarly bright, and he lacked the discipline that knights require, so his trainer steered him towards becoming a champion instead. In that realm, the young man thrived, becoming a storied combatant, willing to take on frankly stupid challenges for the sheer thrill of it. The money and women, of course, was a nice bonus. His reknown for being a ferocious and wild opponent has had some wonder if he has some Northern blood in him; though, his darker skin would seem to indicate otherwise. As he has aged, he has only grown more boisterous rather than mellowing. He is more than happy to teach younger Champions that, like steel in the forge, he has simply grown stronger from the repeated tempering in fiery combat, and women learn that, like wine, some men become even better with age. At least he thinks so.
n better with age. At least he thinks so. +
Lethe was born 15 minutes after her brothe …
Lethe was born 15 minutes after her brother Acheron much to her relief. Their mother, Gilda Tyde, formerly Ashford, had the 2, then 6 year old twins with her in Ashford Keep, visiting family at the onset of the Tyde Rebellion and upon hearing of the death of their father the children were quietly absorbed into the Ashford family without a word to anyone. Over the next 13 years Lethe truly thrived in the Grey Forest where she followed around family members, learning to harvest plants and make concoctions and treatments, and tending to the wounds of those soldiers fighting the Shavs that inhabited the area. As much as learning to repair bodies fascinated the young lady, and it truly did seem as if a great magic to have the power to knit flesh closed, or ease suffering with a few drops of the right oil, she always had a very clear understanding of a line she felt few others did, the place of letting go she calls it. The place where the healer's efforts become more about their own comfort and assurance that they exhausted every possibility than they are actually improving the quality of the patient's life, and often in fact, are causing far more suffering for the dying one. Much to the horror of some of her peers during the fighting over past years in the Grey Forest, every now and then Lethe would simply set down her tools and sit beside a wounded man, and tell him or her it was okay to go, and stay with them until indeed they passed from the world, invariably sooner than later. Always after her explanation was simple 'I did what was needed'. The world changed again when they learned that Tyde, their late father's family had been restored, and while Gilda was not settled into her home, wouldn't it be better for her children to be treasured first cousins of a Duchess in a very small house than forgotten cousins of a Duke in a sprawling one? And so Lethe and Acheron were sent off to Arx and to return to the Thraxian world that while they were born into, had grown strange to them. This new change in their path Lethe weathered as she always has quietly and open to whatever is ahead of them.
tly and open to whatever is ahead of them. +
Levian may be the only Civashari in Arvum …
Levian may be the only Civashari in Arvum who gets called 'lord' with anything more than irony. It's a fact he doesn't forget and one that leaves him feeling that he represents the people who birthed and raised him all the more when he moves among the nobility of Arx. Or at least the thought was heavy on his mind when he drinks too much at night and has no company to keep him from more maudlin thoughts. But that's putting the cart before the horse in this particular tale. Born among the Civashari that wander the lands wild and free, and those tamed and restricted, Levian was a precocious child. As such he did precocious child things. He climbed the greatest trees he could find ("Levian get down from there before you break your fool neck!) so he could be closer to the stars to see them. He swam to the deepest parts of the lakes to see the sky reflected in a watery mirror ("Lev! Lev, lad, where'd you go?") And he danced with every man or woman that'd give him the chance at fairs ("Sigh. Lev, lad, you can't go telling everyone you're smitten with their eyes remind you of the stars. It starts sounding disengenuine!)" to see the truth of the firmament reflected in the colored orbs of his romantic partners. But Lev was obsessed with looking at the stars from every angle, through every lens he could. He would claim it showed him a more accurate truth. And no one he traveled with knew what it meant. By the time that Levian was sixteen he was making predictions based on the stars. Everyone expects the Ravashari to peddle pretty nothings for a penny, and most took it as what it was because the boy made the telling entertaining. He'd put it in a song, or dance it under the midnight sky before telling a farmer where to plant his crops, or predicting a drought for the year. Soon enough word got around and each time Lev's group of Civashari would pass back through an area he'd be stopped and asked for a prediction. The cost of his services went from coppers to silvers (or just coppers or a pie, he never took more than the person could afford). Sometimes he was wrong. More often he was right. Eventually word got to the ears of King Alaric III who, at a harvesst festival, invited Levian to offer up advice on where the corn should go this year. Lev, smart enough not to fall into a prodigal trap, gave blessings to Petrichor first and then did his prediction. That year the corn yield just happened to be twice of any year in the past decade. Out of amusement, the same thing happened the year after. Alaric laughed, "Well done, Lord Levian." And that was that. Levian was a Lord, invited once a year to the palace to attend a party. The worst dressed lord. The one with nary a House and nary a domain (thus his family name of Neri). But a Lord all the same.
ly name of Neri). But a Lord all the same. +
Lexir never had particularly high expectat …
Lexir never had particularly high expectations set for him - his branch of the Pravus was particularly fecund, and he had no shortage of more skillful, or at least, ambitious, siblings for his parents to pin their hopes to. And so he grew up wild in luscious Setarco, a princeling with precious few duties or obligations to anyone but himself. It would be easy for someone in his position to become spoiled, to be lulled into a simpering stupidity by the benefits of his birthright - fortunately, that didn't happen. Adventure was in his blood. Curiosity mixed with intelligence - this too could spoil, could easily turn someone cruel, but the young Pravus lord evaded that fate. As much of his youth as he could he spent out in the city or in the surrounding wilderness, exploring, mingling, doing whatever he could to satisfy his thirst for new and novel experiences. He ran (incognito) with gutter gangs while slumming in the backalleys of Setarco, drank himself into stupors, and experimented with exotic substances. He learned to fight, to sail, his letters and his numbers, dabbling in a myriad of skills but rarely every progressing past novice-level mastery - there was always something new. A few years before his majority, Lexir slipped away from home with a couple of his trusted comrades and friends and disappeared into the Setarco to embark on their grandest adventure yet. Where they went, what they did, and what they saw remains a subject of conjecture and speculation - in the end, only half the number that set out returned, some years later. A less carefree version of the young noble returned, one more tempered, more hardened, more thoughtful than the one that had set out. Even after his return to the public sphere, he did not linger long, vanishing in long expeditions like the first to parts unknown. But now, he's in Arx, the wayward nobleman's presence asked, nay, /commanded/, to be in the heart of power in Arvum as the stirrings of something great rumble across the continent. Who knows? Maybe he'll have learned something useful in all of his travels.
ed something useful in all of his travels. +
Liam had what might be considered an idyll …
Liam had what might be considered an idyllic childhood -- the operative word there being 'had'. Born as the eldest child of a cadet branch of the Riven family, his life should have been one of privilege without the pressure, of leisure without any demand that he truly lead. For the first decade of his life, it was. But all of that came crashing down when he became an orphan at the tender age of twelve. Worst of all, his tragedy was not unique. No, Liam lost his parents on the same day that nearly an entire generation of Riven children did -- the day that a tribe of Abandoned put them and the Deepwoods to the sword, leaving the county in the hands of a girl who was only seventeen. Naturally, chaos ensued. Suddenly several ranks higher in the House's succession, he was one of several swept up to the Twainfort proper and it was not an easy transition. It wasn't that he was unwelcome in his cousin's keep. On the contrary, he was given comfortable rooms and good tutors. He was shown kindness and warmth -- whenever she, or any of the adults, had the time. The trouble was that with all the energy being spent on averting the threat of disaster that loomed for those first few years, there was rarely any left for (yet another) broken-hearted boy underfoot. So it became a duty that Liam took on himself. He would act as guardian and protector of the small pack of orphans that roamed their halls. He would be their comforter and their guide. It was a role he took very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that he found his way to the path of a warrior -- and to the discipleship of Gild. Though their House remains too small for him to become fully godsworn, he serves among the Knights of Solace as duty allows. He will protect his family, and his House, and the people on the roads of Arvum. And he will do everything he can to ensure that no one suffers the pain that he did ever, ever again.
ers the pain that he did ever, ever again. +
Liara Grayson, a princess among princesses …
Liara Grayson, a princess among princesses, a daughter among daughters: that is to say, a young lady very likely to be lost in the crowd if she didn't find her own way to shine. There are two ways to deal with being a little sister and younger cousin, and Liara definitely chose the more glamorous pathway. Even as a very young child, she always wanted to be in the middle of everything, following the older kids around and aping their ways to the point where she would challenge her shadow to a duel, or create vast dramatic party landscapes out of leaves and twigs and lemonade poured into the dirt. A more than capable student of sewing, musical instruments and dancing, Liara filled her childhood at Bastion with friends and fun and family, as a teenager became the center of attention not by demanding it in roaring fits, but by dint of effort, passion and talent. She became the queen of the gathering of lesser nobility; her parties at Bastion became the talk of her generation, and she yearned for nothing more than to arrive at the capital and put that Grayson flair to the test. Of course, then there was a SIEGE, and her efforts as an organizer became required for relief efforts and refugees rather than for fun and games! She threw herself into charitable work and civil development for the Crownlands with every bit as much verve and panache as she applied to event planning, and found a talent for it. Organization is not an unrelated skill. And strangely enough, it was those efforts - rather than her efforts at preparing the most amazing princessly debut - that led the family to invite her to the capital.
d the family to invite her to the capital. +
Librarian. Archivist. Alchemist. Galate …
Librarian. Archivist. Alchemist. Galatea has been called all of these things. From a young age, she showed affinity for all that was written down in books, and at the Pravus estates, she found herself more often at the margins than in the limelight. This suited her just fine: for she is not a Pravus, not exactly, and there were those who would not let her forget it. The product of one of lord Tiberio's infidelities with a nameless highborn of Valardin fealty, Galatea would elsewhere have spent her life swept under the rug. Indeed, her Valardin mother did exactly that: she sent her away to Setarco, where Tiberio was more indulgent, arranging for the girl to be raised in court, even if as an unlegitimized, fostered commoner. Her questionable circumstances led for some to shun her socially, and she had to learn to entertain herself on her own terms. This she did most notably under a senior archivist, whose protege the young girl soon became. Intimately familiar with pen and ink, learning how to mix the latter led to the wider world of tincture and tonic, and so she has become a quietly confident young alchemist. The one thing she has inherited from her mother--rumored to send her rare, anonymous letters--is the importance of honor, accountability, and dignity. Galatea aspires to be the very picture of decorum and grace, and has worked long hours at protocol. Recently summoned to the crownlands, it remains yet uncertain just what she will make of herself.
ertain just what she will make of herself. +
Liesel was born to a peasant family in the …
Liesel was born to a peasant family in the Oathlands, a smith for a father, and a tailor for a mother. Her father's occupation brought a myriad of warrior-types around the shop every day, repairs, commissions, modifications, sharpenings, all bringing in the sell-swords and more honest soldiery. And when they'd see a wide-eyed child swinging a stick, they'd be sure to tell her a few stories of martial glory as they waited for her father to finish, much to her mother's dismay. It was apparent where Liesel was going to end up, from a young age. As an only child, not much interest in other kids, not much interest in education or vocations, it was no surprise to family or familial friends when she said her goodbyes to her mother and father, and took off with a mercenary company passing by. Her experience in a fight was limited, she learned the basics of swordsmanship from passing soldiery who humored her, but she was eager, and she learned quick beyond that. Her time in the company was short, but the experience changed her. Small skirmishes, money collecting, guarding and escorting, she grew a little more jaded by the day, collecting her paycheck by her sword-hand. As the company travelled through Arx, she split off from the band of sell-swords to explore on her own, deciding to take to freelance work, hoping for something more than to be a travelling tough-- she'd found no glory yet, travelling with that band.
d no glory yet, travelling with that band. +
Life as a famed warrior of the Black Elk t …
Life as a famed warrior of the Black Elk tribe was, in a word, good. Known in his youth by enemy tribes as the "Mountain Bear" for his tendency to leap from his horse into the thick of battle and mow down his foes in broad sweeps of his axe with a stunning ferocity, Lothar had won the affections of the chieftain's daughter with his daring and settled into a respected place among his people after decades of leading their war and hunting parties. He fathered many sons and daughters, and enjoyed a close relationship with his family; it seemed he would finally be able to relax on the path into his golden years and raise and train the horses for which his tribe was so well known. It was not to be. Tolmar Brand and his Silent Army decimated the Black Elk tribe on their way to lay siege to Arx; not only did Lothar watch his children and wife fall to the horrifying power at Brand's disposal, but he was separated from the only survivors in the heat of battle and forced to flee to the northwest. For the next several years, nearly destroyed by his belief that he was the only surviving member of his tribe, Lothar wandered the deep wilds and mountains in search of a way to take his revenge on Brand. It was on these forgotten roads and hidden paths that he first met the Knights of Solace, and after so much frustration and despair their devotion left a lasting impression on him. He became convinced that his remaining years should be spent defending those who needed it most, especially after learning that Brand had been slain, and he took his vows and bent the knee to those Knights in the deep wilderness without a second thought. Upon returning to Arx with the Knights, it was absolutely stunning to him to learn that not only had some remnants of the Black Elk tribe made it to the city, but his own little brother Jyri had become ennobled and wed into one Houses of the Compact; he's dedicated to reuniting with his only surviving family, and facing whatever comes next in these intensely troubled times side by side.
ese intensely troubled times side by side. +
Life for Elara has been full of loss and p …
Life for Elara has been full of loss and pain. Born the bastard child of a minor nobleman of House Thrax, she was quickly given up by her prodigal mother. Elara does not know much about her birth mother, just that she was formerly a Northern Shav and an entertainer in Port Stormbreak. Though she was given up by her mother as a babe, Elara was not raised by her father, Baron Dorian Helios, the Baron of Helion Rock. Instead he 'fostered' her with a Kennex noble and his wife, an old ally of her father's from the Tyde Rebellion days. The couple's family being quite huge, they were nowhere in line for inheritance nor did they have a need, or want, for children. Baron Dorian was childless besides her, and with Thrax succession at the time precluding women from rule, there was concern that if he fully legitimized her, that she would be used by another house to try to take Helion Rock after his death. Raised as more of a nuisance than a wanted child, Elara quickly learned the art of being silent. The girl had a keen mind and enjoyed reading. And since it kept her out of their hair they encouraged it. She also had a talented gift for embroidery. And that was a thing her foster mother and she bonded, though slightly, over. At the age of 17 her father arranged a marriage to a much older Kennex man out in the Mourning Isles, both to get her far from any succession issues and to stifle criticism of him by the Faith that made it extremely difficult for the man to rule when he failed in his responsibilities as a father. The wedding was on her birthday, the day she turned 18, and she tried to be happy. They left for his holdings in the Mourning Isles the morning after. Not ten months later she had her first child. And her first loss. The baby girl was born blue and still. Elara, however, managed quite well despite having few people to confide in on the remote holding. Unfortunately this would not change much over the next few years. Their next child survived their first year, a boy, who was named Erik, till a horrid fever took him. It would have been soul-crushing to many, but Elara held up strong. Never seeming to break even though she lost five children total, most in their first year of life, during her marriage. The most recent loss, two years ago, was a miscarriage at five months when someone poisoned both her and her husband. Her husband perished and she suffered for several months the effects of the lingering poison, but eventually recovered. Widowed as she was and free of needing to stay in the Mourning Isles she returned to Port Stormbreak and the closest thing to family she had, the Kennex. Yet with the approaching horrors and the problems at sea she has, with others of the house, retreated to the safety of Arx. While it is not her first visit to the city, it has been some time. Elara has found herself to be of use to her house using her talents with needle and thread.
using her talents with needle and thread. +
Life for Elara has been full of loss and p …
Life for Elara has been full of loss and pain. Born the bastard child of a minor nobleman of House Thrax, she was quickly given up by her prodigal mother. Elara does not know much about her birth mother, just that she was formerly a Northern Shav and an entertainer in Port Stormbreak. Though she was given up by her mother as a babe, Elara was not raised by her disgraced father. Instead he 'fostered' her with a Kennex noble and his wife. The couple's family being quite huge, they were nowhere in line for inheritance nor did they have a need, or want, for children. The only reason they took Elara was because of the shame created by her father, and wishing to avoid the dishonor on the rest of the family. Raised as more of a nuisance than a wanted child, Elara quickly learned the art of being silent. The girl had a keen mind and enjoyed reading. And since it kept her out of their hair they encouraged it. She also had a talented gift for embroidery. And that was a thing her foster mother and she bonded, though slightly, over. At the age of 17 her father arranged a marriage to a much older Kennex man out in the Mourning Isles. The wedding was on her birthday, the day she turned 18, and she tried to be happy. They left for his holdings in the Mourning Isles the morning after. Not ten months later she had her first child. And her first loss. The baby girl was born blue and still. Elara, however, managed quite well despite having few people to confide in on the remote holding. Unfortunately this would not change much over the next few years. Their next child survived their first year, a boy, who was named Erik, till a horrid fever took him. It would have been soul-crushing to many, but Elara held up strong. Never seeming to break even though she lost five children total, most in their first year of life, during her marriage. The most recent loss, two years ago, was a miscarriage at five months when someone poisoned both her and her husband. Her husband perished and she suffered for several months the effects of the lingering poison, but eventually recovered. Widowed as she was and free of needing to stay in the Mourning Isles she returned to Port Stormbreak and the closest thing to family she had, the Kennex. Yet with the approaching horrors and the problems at sea she has, with others of the house, retreated to the safety of Arx. While it is not her first visit to the city, it has been some time. Elara has found herself to be of use to her house using her talents with needle and thread.
using her talents with needle and thread. +
Life for Emeric has been an average one fo …
Life for Emeric has been an average one for a man of his upbringing. He was given the appropriate education and was taught the way of life he should be. Emeric, however, rarely puts his education and upraising to good use. Instead, he spends all his time having a good time and seeing what trouble he can cause. After all, what is the point of being born 'important' if one spends all their time working hard. He has two siblings, Nalea and Nathaniel, twins and his parents have passed on.
iel, twins and his parents have passed on. +
Life has a way of being cyclical, when Rom …
Life has a way of being cyclical, when Romulius was young his life was good if always changing. As the firstborn and heir to the House of Blackshore he was given a good education by the best tutors that Lord Cornelius Blackshore could acquire while they were in port, and by his mother Lady Florence Blackshore when no tutors could be found. Of course for the biggest and most important lessons Cornelius made sure Romulius learned directly from him. It was a whirlwind life mixed between time at sea and the various ports that they stopped at for Cornelius to address as Naval Architect to House Thrax. When Romulius grew old enough he began to follow Cornelius to various sites to learn the trade and he began to see things for how they really were. As his siblings grew up Romulius began to realize the power of family and the importance of it, the legacy in his father's eyes, but family in his. They were the one constant in his life and he grew to depend on them more than Cromulius would have liked. The training intensified then, Cornelius wanting to ensure Romulius followed his path, it did make Romulius a hard young man out of self defense. Also for the defense of his ailing mother, younger brother, and little sister who were often the target of Cornelius rage when things weren't just right. As long as Romulius made Cornelius happy with his progress it took the pressure off of them. It took a downward turn when he was fifteen and his mother fell ill. Cornelius didn't really care but sent Lady Florence and Skye to live at the keep with Romulius' uncle, Baron Oswald Blackshore. With half of his family gone Romulius and his little brother Dycard grew closer having only each other as Cornelius became even more strict. Romulius shielded Dycard as best he could from Cornelius displeasure allowing Dycard more freedom than he had. Which lead to Romulius cleaning up the messes Dycard left but he lived vicariously through his younger brother. The rare times when Romulis was allowed to see the rest of his family he could tell that neither Florence nor Skye were treated well by the Baron and it /ate/ at him. Romulius was away when Blackshore was destroyed with most of his family by forces unknown and though Romulius survived by being at sea, his attempt to return home when he received word did not go well. Instead he was captured by pirates en route. The next few years were the most difficult of his life being tortured and tormented by the pirates. Made to fight to the death so the pirates could gamble on it, or simply for their own amusement, but it was hardest watching Dycard embrace the pirate life. The man who comes to Arx is changed by what he has experienced and almost wild in some ways.
experienced and almost wild in some ways. +
Life has not always been easy at the Bones …
Life has not always been easy at the Bonespire, there is constant skirmishes, constant guarding against the dangers that come from the Everwinter. When Dagny was young she would sit at her grandmother's feet, soaking up the frighting tales of things that lurked out beyond the Bonespire, waiting in the icy cold snow of the Everwinter. Stories that gave her nightmares as a young child, and turned her attention towards the more esoteric of things as an adult, always interested in death, the bones, the spirits. Rumor has it that when her grandmother died she refused to say goodbye to her for good, and kept a small piece of her. But that was surely just a rumor about a child that was a little more dark and creepy then some. As she grew older she turned her attention to studying with her father, learning to fight in the defense of her family and allies. After the Silent War and the decimation of her family, she left the Bonespire with a promise that one day she'd come back, and be able to save them. It was the childish assertions of a young woman that had never really lived in the wider world, or understood that there is not ever really any saving that is possible. Not overall, just a method of keeping as many people as possible alive, and defeating as many of the enemy as possible while doing it. About six months before her appearance in Arx she returned to the Bonespire, although most say that while she was there she didn't talk to many people. Kept to herself. But she started hunting for her grandmother's things, looking for something. Evidently she found it, because she left for Arx looking satisfied about something.
for Arx looking satisfied about something. +
Life in the Lower Boroughs is never easy b …
Life in the Lower Boroughs is never easy but for Thistle, it was certainly cushier than most. There was always a roof over her head, food on the table, and clean if worn clothes. The financial security came at a price. Thistle rarely saw her mother, spending most of her time bouncing between her father's care and her maternal grandmother's. Her Father was a Redrain merchant who worked closely with the Cullers. He did his best to make sure that young Thistle learned a semblance of manners and polite behaviors. He coached her on how to speak eloquently and heavily encouraged her interests in anything but crime. To insure her a chance at a legitimate profession, he took out a few loans and had her enrolled as a child to be trained as a Whisper Courtesan. He was doting, kind, and would have done anything for his daughter. And when Thistle was 14, he was found dead in a ditch. Distraught by her father's death, Thistle took to drinking and drugs. Although her grandmother disapproved, it was difficult for the older woman to control a wild teenager and so for a year or so Thistle binge partied. If she wasn't so charming and careful to let it not effect her schooling, Thistle might have lost her chance at becoming a Whisper. Thankfully, it all came to an abrupt stop after a single confrontation with her mother. Whatever was exactly said remains a secret between the two of them. For the rest of her teenage years, Thistle very diligently worked for the Ulbrans during her free time. She was quiet, never complained, and was very meticulous. If she did drugs or drank, it was always on her own limited free time and in careful moderation. Eventually, she finished her schooling and joined the ranks of the Whispers proper. From that point onwards, Thistle began her career as a courtesan. Many a party thrown in the Lower and Uppers Boroughs was decorated by her careful hand. It was clear she had a talent for it and spurred her to spend her twenties mastering the art of shaping flowers into living landscapes. She still spends quite a bit of time around the other Ulbrans but seemingly has kept her nose clean for a number of years.
kept her nose clean for a number of years. +
Life in the North is never easy, and the B …
Life in the North is never easy, and the Bonespire is perhaps the harshest of them all. Volcica grew up on the edge of the Everwinter, always peering out into the white for signs of threat from both violence and weather. She was still a child when her calling became known, the shamans talking of her gifts with the spirits. Volcica was pulled from the path of a warrior and thrust onto an entirely new one. She was taught how to read opens from thrown bones, the rituals to infuse runes with her power. She was shown the sacred places, and learned quickly how to carve bone into the namesake talismans of the Bonespire. She learned leatherworking alongside her shamanic abilities, and quickly developed a knack for chosing who got what item, rather than letting her clanmates pick. The bones spoke to her, she said, and the other shamans nodded proudly. The Bonespire mystics followed their own path, after all-- neither the Path of Elders nor the Path of the Hunt fit what the far North required. Fresh kills were an unreliable way to seek omens when prey was often scarce, but skeletons were far easier to find. Tools of divination were crafted, portents read in the pose of a found carcass. Perhaps armor embellishments wasn't the only reason the Bonespire was named? When Brand weakened Stahlben and the tribes of the North, and then the Horned God threatened, Volcica supported Magnus' move to bend the knee to Sanna. There was only death in solitude, and the Compact couldn't wash away their culture unless they let it. Magnus left on a journey South, and it was only a matter of days until Volcica set out to follow.
r of days until Volcica set out to follow. +
Life in the far north might be harsh, but …
Life in the far north might be harsh, but there's still time for children to be children. There's toys, there's storytimes, snowmen.. And then there's the odd child like Svana, who doesn't like just -any- toy. She'll collect all the toys she can to trade for that one she really wants, and then never let it go. That's Svana. From a young age she hung around the caravans and scouts, always clamoring for tales of distant locales, always enamoured with the exotic goods that came to the Bonespire. Her parents liked to say that her head was in the clouds, but even they knew that wasn't quite right. Her feet have always been planted firmly on the ground, but rooted on the roads instead of in the mountains. As soon as she was even remotely old enough, she started accompanying caravans headed to Arx. Quickly, the young woman fell in love with the city, with the opportunity and diversity found there. For a few years, the Bonespire was still her home-- but now her tribe is a part of the Compact, with a little estate in Arx, and she's finally ready to shift her base of operations to the City itself.
her base of operations to the City itself. +
Life is not easy for a shy, whimsical and …
Life is not easy for a shy, whimsical and scholarly dreamer born to a ruthlessly ambitious nobleman and a strict and controlling mother. It is even worse when she was born to House Blanchard, the noble family famed for their mastery as horsemen when those animals seem to be scared of her, or she is scared of them, or both. That is what happened to Lady Charlaine Blanchard, and that is why she slowly drowned in the world of her imagination in her beloved books and bard songs, where everything seems to be brighter, more colorful and serene. From her earliest memories, Charlaine's desires ran a distant second to the will of her parents. Her father focused single mindedly on the advancement of the family, and to that mind he either wanted a daughter that could distinguish herself at war or that could be a prize to mesmerize potential political matches at Court. Charlaine's scholarly bent and her lack of interest in drab reality in favor of exciting fiction set her immediately at odds to her relentlessly goal-orientated father and her carefully organized and pragmatic mother who hoped to turn their daughter into a stunning beauty to win a favorable marriage match. The more they pushed her to embrace politics and think of marriage matches or soldiering to vicariously achieve their own goals, the further she retreated into scholarly pursuits, songs and stories. However, Mathilde Blanchard noticed her daughters passion for books and offered to Phillipe that they would invest into their daughter's intelligence so that it could earn her a potentially high position at court. That is how she was trusted as a ward to Phillipe's brother Alicio Blanchard. The man was a Scholar of Vellichor and viewed as the most suitable tutor by Phillipe. Charlaine enjoyed her time in the large city, meeting many new people and, especially, having access to such large amounts of different books in the Archives. She grew quite close to her uncle Alicio Blanchard as well as with some other scholars and locals. Charlaine was more often found in the company of commoners than nobles since she admired the freedoms common folk could enjoy and nobles had no luxury for. At the same time she learned of the wonderful feeling which she gain when she take part in charity. The life seemed to be perfect. Though, all nice stories come to an end. She counted her nineteenth summer when it was announced that Charlaine caught an unknown illness. She was sent back home. It was not a surprise since she loved gathering in large crowded places with commoners of low standing while doing charity. The young woman was gone from social life for two long years before Arvum heard about her once more as the new lady-in-waiting to Princess Alarissa Valardin. Alicio Blanchard was asked to help find for Charlaine a lady to whom their daughter could serve. She was described as still a bit fragile after a hard illness followed by depression, but healthy. It was felt time away would be what she needed to fully recover and come back to social life. Alicio agreed to help their family and approached his fellow scholar Prince Aurelian Valardin with the request, Aurelian knew that Princess Alarissa Valardin was looking for a Lady-in-Waiting. After long discussions Charlaine was approved.
r long discussions Charlaine was approved. +
Life was always easy for Ludwig. Too easy, …
Life was always easy for Ludwig. Too easy, some might say. Born in Bastion as one of the passel of Grayson Princes and Princesses near the end of the reign of Alaric III - only having vague memories of the man - he found himself able to grow up blissfully aware of the strife that had been occuring elsewhere in the world. The war between Tor and Southport? Someone else's problem. Hunger, thirst, and discomfort? Those were for other people. In his first few years he was noted for his activity and enthusiasm in everything he did, but then one day he sat down with a Scholar of Vellichor, and began to learn to read. Things never were really the same after that. From that point on, everything else ceased to matter, for there was more knowledge to discover, more words to consume. Stories about dogs with silly monosyllabic names quickly became tales of adventure, and from there, histories, arts, mathematics and the sciences. It was almost obsessive, his level of focus, and there was some worry that he was taking in too much for a young mind. Still, these worries began to cease when he started winning arguments and debates. Often found awake late at night in the evenings with a friend, he did not get into the kind of trouble so many of the Peerage tend to fall to when they have too much money and too much free time - instead, he could be found harrying his siblings, his cousins, his elders, or if worst came to worst, the cooks - all trying to get to the truth of things. To learn and learn more, and challenge their opinions. It quickly grew tiresome for many of those around him - but their opinions never seemed to bother Ludwig. Why should they, when he started offering advice for things and - the few times people ever bothered to actually listen to him - they succeeded brilliantly? Trying to push himself more and more into things, he suddenly found himself faced with a choice - go to Arx, or go live with the Scholars for a while. He chose the second, and it was here that he finally flourished. The first few months were a stumbling block for him as he finally encountered people who were just as capable intellectually as he was. But this only drove him on further - he worked to learn more, to catch up, and as he began to compare what he read on the page to the world around him, he realized - something wasn't right. At the end of his tenure, he decided to take advantage of the first choice given to him, and he went to Arx to work with his family on his projects there.
ork with his family on his projects there. +
Life was never easy for Starling Ione. She …
Life was never easy for Starling Ione. She was the only child of pirates, left behind on the shore with her grandmother. Her grandmother made a small living as a hedge witch of sorts. In their little seashore cottage. Those who came to her believed in her gifts ? as did little Starling. When the child had vivid nightmares, they whispered she too had the Sight, or the "Shining" as the stories claimed that the Ione-family women always had. This was the identity forged for her when she was small, and it was what she clung to when the news came of her parents having been killed at sea. She'd had a thousand nightmares of her parents dying in different ways ? most would say that it wasn't magic that she saw it coming, but that it was simply a matter of odds, of inevitability. Still, Starling believed she had the gift her grandmother said was both curse and blessing of all the Ione women. She was an eager student and studied to learn all manner of divination at her grandmother's hands ? reading tea leaves and palms, cards and augury. She believed in the signs that the world held out for her, whether it was in the way the clouds crowd the sky or the curve of a bird's wing in flight. Her first doubt in her gift came when her grandmother became ill ? perhaps another inevitability but one the universe had not shown her. And when the doctor, finally sent for when the hedge witch's elixirs had failed, said there was nothing to be done... well, Starling hadn't seen that coming either. All alone, the child was taken to the Tragedy Orphanage, where she lived a few years before setting out to make her way in the city of Arx. Life's been tough for her in the Lower Boroughs, making her way by selling her fortunes or doing odd jobs here and there, not always on the up and up. Starling no longer believes she has any sort of psychic gifts, but she has a knack for telling pretty stories that some people will pay for.
tty stories that some people will pay for. +
Like every scion of House Valardin, Alis w …
Like every scion of House Valardin, Alis was weaned on the stories of high chivalry and heroism that have been core to the identity of the great house since time immemorial. There have been great heroic female warriors of House Valardin from history, such as the famed heroine Dame Sugan who saved the West during the Reckoning, but yet there was still a continued pervasive discouragement from young women pursuing martial careers and being expected to serve the House as diplomats or priestesses. Alis, born of short stature and a slight frame that her lord father found extremely ill-suited for the rigors of the field, found far more discouragement than most from her dreams of knighthood. But she would not be dissuaded. As a teenager, she was the most willful of all her siblings, rebelling constantly against the lessons and continually demanding to be given the same training as a squire. Of all her siblings, she was the only one that dared to get into screaming matches with her lord father, and he once declared in exasperation that she was the most willful person in the entire Oathlands for him to deal with. Her father became resigned to her determination and gave her his extremely reluctant blessing to train as a knight. It still felt something like a punishment to be sent to Arx to do so, an exile away from her home, even if she could hardly complain about training under Dayne Valardin, the Lord Commander of the King's Own and best knight of the realm. The training made her keenly aware of her shortcomings, but ferociously determined to make up for them. Though she'd never admit outwardly that maybe her parents had a point about her physically being better suited to non-martial service for the family, she is all-too-aware of how hard she's had to train to compensate. As she neared the end of her training and wrote to her lord father in the hope he would visit Arx and personally attend her being dubbed a knight, she read the reply in disbelief: her parents and all of her siblings save Edain had been slain fighting a barbaric tribe of Shavs. She returned home a knight, and knows it is irrational to feel guilty that she wasn't there when her family was attacked, knows it is foolish to think one extremely young newly minted knight would have made any difference when hundreds of soldiers did not, but she can't quite help it. The deaths might have aged her in many ways, but she is still young enough where she thinks in bold absolutes. She is a princess of House Valardin, and a knight. She will protect what remains of her family and her people. That's what knights are for.
d her people. That's what knights are for. +
Like his cousin Kaldur whom he admired, Mo …
Like his cousin Kaldur whom he admired, Morgan turned out to be a daredevil and drawn to martial pursuits. Cliff diving and swimming in dangerous waters became a regular test of daring and endurance. He was a natural student in personal combat and took his knight's vows with pride - if perhaps a bit of wariness from being constrained by some rules. Unfortunately, his energetic prankster spirit and disregard for such troublesome things like laws is what landed him in Arx after one too many tavern brawls, cows tipped, and drunken serenades in the middle of the night. Not that he minds, there's just so much more to do in the big city!
s just so much more to do in the big city! +
Like many a Fox that bears the name Veleno …
Like many a Fox that bears the name Velenosa, Isobella hails from the beautiful shores of Lenosia. Clever from a young age, she delighted in puns and riddles, sitting at the knees of the silver-tongued elders who lived and died by words weighed in gold. Perhaps then, it came as no surprise that she decided to go into politics. Honied words coupled with the Velenosa pride in keeping her word made her a trustworthy advocate, and as a young woman her accomplishments in seeing Lenosian wines and vintner cuttings shipped over land and sea were modestly impressive. Of course, as a Velenosa with a gift for pouring wine as artfully as selling it, Isobella was as well-known for planning parties as trade routes, collecting secrets and debts like fragrant flowers. The scent of commerce and intrigue eventually enticed the young woman to Arx, where she might put her blossoming talents to use for the good of the Lyceum.
talents to use for the good of the Lyceum. +
Like many urchins growing up in the Lowers …
Like many urchins growing up in the Lowers, Samira's childhood was a lesson in survival, skills honed out of necessity. These early years are split into two chapters in her mind: pre-Culler and post-Culler. The former are not worth remembering in Samira's opinion, years of uncertainty and squalor while scrounging for the next bite of food or a warm place to rest her head. Her luck changed when her skillful pick-pocketing and nimble escape drew the attention of a Culler, who introduced her to the family and brought her into the fold. This provided a sense of security previously lacking in her young life. Grateful for these newfound connections, she was eager to put her skills to use for the family however she was able. Once she had the protection of the Cullers, Samira was able to focus more time on her natural artistic talents, her idle habit of sketching on scraps of paper soon growing into not just a passing hobby, but an obsession.
ot just a passing hobby, but an obsession. +
Like most of the Leary family, Agric spent …
Like most of the Leary family, Agric spent many of his years in Leaholdt under the vast tutelage of the many scribes and scholars, even at an early age. This paired with strict parents who drilled into him the need for the methodical progression of your intentions, leads to the sort of well-mannered young man who garners the support of many Elder Learies. Let it not be said that his studies failed to grant him expertise either. When Agric came of age, he quickly left his studies at the Leaholdt Academy, only to move up in the world and find a position on their staff. For three years, Agric lingered on the staff of the Leaholdt Academy, learning administration and governance carefully. He focused on the areas of law in order to better assist his family in their dealings, but these were not his passions. Not exactly, even if he did put a proper amount of effort into it as was expected. In reality, what truly grasped his heart was the arts. All of them. Every. Last. Single. One. Agric has a deep love of painting, drawing, and any other number of mediums. He throws himself into learning their intricacies with a passion he doesn't really show anything else.
sion he doesn't really show anything else. +
Like most of the first generation of White …
Like most of the first generation of Whitehawks, Sapphira was born into the wealthy Mercier family of the Crownlands. She grew up with her three siblings in Clemenstone Vale, and had a comparatively blissful and sheltered childhood. Sapphira was often the peacemaker between her more rambunctious siblings and developed a penchant for cheering people up, particularly her shy older sister and broody younger brother. She was her grandfather's favorite, and for her tenth birthday she was gifted an old collection of music and stories he had gathered throughout his travels. The young girl was inspired by what she read, and began to translate the world around her into story and song. While she brought happiness to others, playing music brought happiness to her. When she was sixteen, with the assistance of her family's social connections, Sapphira secured a spot as the protege of a famous musician - who was consequently also the seraph of Old Oak. There she grew familiar with the northern Crownlands and quickly became a virtuosa specializing in stringed instruments such as the fiddle, the harp and the lute. Dancing and singing also came easily to her. Soon, Sapphira began to be hired to perform at many social functions - balls, festivals, weddings. She made many friends, and even more admirers, and made plenty of contributions to the the songs and stories of the Devotions of Limerance. When she heard of her cousin Silas being ennobled, and her sister deciding to join House Whitehawk, Sapphira was at a personal crossroad. She felt she could do more with her gifts in the quickly changing world, but she wasn't quite sure how, even as a Devotee. Non-stop concerts and parties could only do so much, however, and Sapphira made the decision to join her family in hope of finding an answer to this question. If not there, perhaps the Faith had the answer...
there, perhaps the Faith had the answer... +
Likely an unknown man from Southport save …
Likely an unknown man from Southport save for those knowledgeable in seafaring, Ashkyr was the younger brother of Aerandir, and his second in command aboard the Lusty Mermaid - a naval vessel under House Grayson that frequented many harbors throughout its decades of service. Rumor has it after a colossal failure by the brothers, the Lusty Mermaid was sank during a voyage through Darkwater Reach, along with the civilian ship it was escorting. Both crews were lost in the slaughter, the only survivors being the familial pair. Despite the failure, historic service by their family saw their lives spared, although their careers ended. He now roams the lands as a Crownsworn, much like his brother, and works tirelessly to not only find his way in this world, but restore his family's name.
this world, but restore his family's name. +
Lili is an unlanded noble of the Bisland f …
Lili is an unlanded noble of the Bisland family and was raised in Pridehall with her big sister Sarielle. Their family raised them to be able to handle a title, should either of the girls have to take one for one reason or another, but while her big sister was mainly raised to create family connections when and where needed, Lili was reminded to do that as well, however she was also trained in the more classical things which she adores. Being sent to Arx, with her big sister, made it so she could do what her family wanted and expand her ability to do what she wanted.
expand her ability to do what she wanted. +
Liliana Harthall was born and raised out o …
Liliana Harthall was born and raised out on the islands near Fair Harbour. She had a happy and fulfilling childhood, filled with all the things a girl born into nobility could want for until one fateful day when she was violence and tragedy reared their ugly heads. Lili is the sole survivor of an attack at her homestead. She doesn't talk much about it, but it's known that the buildings were razed, the fields salted, and the girl with no home somehow managed to scrape together enough to travel to Arx and start her life anew among her cousins at Harthall.
r life anew among her cousins at Harthall. +

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