(This is a thread from Mizahar's fantasy role playing forum. Why don't you register today? This message is not shown when you are logged in. Come roleplay with us, it's fun!)
This lazy agricultural settlement rests on the swampy shores of the Middle Suvan at the delta of The Kenash River. The River's slow moving bayou waters have bred a different sort of people - rugged, cultured, and somewhat violent. Sprawling plantations of tobacco and cotton grow on the outskirts of the swamp in the rich Cyphrus soils, while the city itself curls around the bayou and spawns decadence and sins of all sorts. Life is slower in Kenash, but the lack of pace is made up for in the excesses of food and flesh in a city where drinking, debauchery, gambling, slavery, and overbearing plantation families dominate the landscape.
Kenash has a wealth of NPC resources that are available for use by both its player base and moderators. This thread will list those NPC's, and will do so by Dynasty, then divide between Dynasty members, Freeborn and the Rujaro. Slaves will not be listed here, but any named slaves will exist in their relevant location thread.
Please note that any NPC's outlined in white are available for use without the need for permission. Any NPC's outlined in yellow will require a moderator's permission to self-moderate, or can be utilized by a moderator in a thread. NPC's outlined in red will be exclusively used by moderators; this will include HoH NPC's and their immediate family unless otherwise noted.
If you are unsure about any of the NPC's on the list, please consult your local Storyteller. If you wish to add an NPC to the list, please post them here, then PM your local DS for final approval.
*Credit to Banickle for the picture and template. **Credit to Vice for writing the introduction. ***Credits to Gossamer, Vice, and Banickle for all NPC's unless otherwise mentioned.
Hunters, butchers, and tamers of Kelvic slaves, the Ackina have made Kenash into their hunting grounds.
The Ackina :
Name: Elon Ackina Race: Human DoB: 59th day of Fall, 481 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Overseer of Kelvic Slaves Relations: Younger Sister to Morrison Skills: Animal Husbandry 68; Business 66; Negotiation 45, Teaching 37; Politics 55, Rhetoric 47. Gnosis: N/A Additional Info:
Morrison is often looked among as the Head of the Ackina family and his sister, Elon, as the hands. Though, in truth, the role is very much reversed. Often seen among the Kelvic slaves, Elon is the backbone of the slave trade performed by the family, overseeing the breeding, raising, and training. As a young girl, she often assisted her father with the other livestock, but she soon bored with them; the Kelvic, though, had always intrigued her due to the complexity of their personalities. Thus, when Morrison rose to his position at the head of the family, she exploited her close relation to him to put herself at the head of the business; not that Morrison wished to run it himself.
Elon is best described as gentle, but firm in her beliefs. Whereas the Radacke family brutalizes their property, Elon gets to know them through words instead of whips. She is a true businesswoman, though, and her word is law when it comes to the slaves; very rarely does she seek her brother's permission for anything, since this is her domain. All breeding and raising is approached like a mathematical solution, with the end result [hopefully] being the hundreds and hundreds of mizas that the slaves sell for.
A force on the Clawstone Plantation, anyone seeking an Ackina bred slave will soon get to know this woman.
Name: Morrison Ackina Race: Human DoB: The 47th of the Summer Season, 478 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Head of Household of Clawstone Skills: Leadership 62; Animal Husbandry 40; Tracking 38; Weapon: Net 82; Trapping 52; Land Navigation: Ackina Plantation/Kenash Swamplands 66, Wilderness Survival: Swamp 58; Acrobatics 28 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Ambitious. Driven. One looks into the eyes of Morrison Ackina and some believe that they see the beast hidden beneath the gaze. Young and inexperienced in the realm of Kenashian politics, Morrison casts it aside in favour of action. Expansion, experience, capture. Morrison Ackina leads his Dynasty not through words, but through example His expertise extends from that of a hunter. Ingrained with the art as a child, grown with the talent to capture without killing, Morrison Ackina often leads members of his family on hunting trips to expand upon his sister's store of Kelvic breeds with a surplus of human stock. Hunting is not limited to man, but ordinary game, as well.
Neither the balanced speaker that his sister is nor the experienced butcher or merchant to sell the game him and his men capture, Morrison Ackina finds himself with a talent for delegating. An eye for people as well as game, the man watches his family closely, overseeing the development of talented souls with his blood and guiding them to positions that they will flourish in. Though he does not often oversee the Kelvic side of his family's business, he is certain that it is in good hands, under the watchful gaze of his sister, Elon.
Poets, musicians, stablemen... this Dynasty is rumoured to be plagued with insanity to match their brilliance.
The Askara :
Name: Adym Jemas Askara Race: Human DoB: The 2nd of the Winter Season, 480 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Master of the House, as well as The Boss, seeing that he owns and operates The Crowsortium Relations: Brother of Cherals, Brother-In-Law of Joellen, Cousin of Banjemin the Tenth, Dariq, and Qort, Father of Banjemin the Eleventh and Jerrid, and Husband of Janaphur Skills: Leadership 55; Rhetoric 38; Dancing 32; Weapon: Boomerang 30; Intimidation 28; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 24; Impersonation 20; Disguise 18 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Adym's relation to Banjemin should come as no surprise since they seem to be cut from the very same bolt of silk. Their drastic mood swings at the drop of a miza is just one example of how alike they are. Granted, Adym tends to be far more sullen than his cousin, but with good reason. Banjemin has claimed Adym's oldest son, Brandyn, as his own and deemed him his official heir, renaming his cousin - now adopted son - Banjemin the Eleventh. While most parents would be honored, Adym is anything but. His hope was that his eldest son would take over his Crowsortium, but now that responsibility will fall to his younger and seemingly less capable son, Jerrid.
Often struggling to subdue his pent up frustration and anger, Adym spends a good deal of his time focused on his businesses, as well as perpetuating his outlandish reputation. In keeping with family tradition, he pretends to have two male lovers - the human twins, Bax and Bux - while secretly courting a female - the crow kelvic, Whisper - all of whom tend bar for him at his clubs. In addition, he often likes to go undercover, usually dressing as a slave, in an effort to keep an eye on his son, whom he rarely sees now that he lives at Sweet Home.
Name: Banjemin Cherales Mahtu Askara the Tenth Race: Human DoB: The 72nd of the Fall Season, 487 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Head of Household of Sweet Home, as well as Mystro, seeing that he owns and operates Banjomin's Banickle Mistery Stoure Relations: Adopted Father (and Cousin) of Banjemin the Eleventh, Companion of Syk'el the Seventh, Cousin of Adym, Cherals, Dariq, Jerrid, and Qort. Skills: Leadership 45; Horsemanship 38; Riding 35; Seduction: Male Centric 30; Agriculture: Tobacco and Cotton 28; Weapon: Sickle 26; Musical Instrument: Banjo 24; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 19; Drawing 15 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Banjemin the Tenth certainly knows how to live up to the Askara name. He tends to act wild around those who are reserved and he can be downright volatile to anyone showing even an once of happiness. It is as if he waits to see what the general mood is of either the individual or group he is interacting with and then he behaves in a contrary fashion - just for shykes and giggles! That said, he has managed to cultivate a reputation for being fiercely loyal to his family. He often tries to do the right thing when making decisions that will directly impact either Sweet Home or any one of the numerous business ventures handled by the Askaras.
In keeping with the mandates set before him, Banjemin does indeed have a male companion - an older Drykas named Syk'el the Seventh - who is always at his side. There are rumors that the two are actually lovers, but, more importantly, it is believed by many that the Drykas is the brains behind many of Banjemin's decisions. Regardless, the two can often be found enjoying themselves with a late morning ride, followed by an afternoon of shopping, and topped off by an evening filled with wine, men, and song at any one of Banjemin's cousin Adym's clubs!
Name: Banjemin Cherales Mahtu Askara the Eleventh, Formerly Brandyn Josuph Askara Race: Human DoB: The 31st of the Fall Season, 497 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Heir of Sweet Home Relations: Adopted Son (and Cousin) of Banjemin the Tenth and Syk'el the Seventh, Brother of Jerrid, Dariq, and Qort (also His Half-Brother), Nephew of Cherals, and Son of Adym and Janapher (actually Joellen) Skills: Leadership 20; Dancing 18; Musical Instrument: Banjo 17; Agriculture: Tobacco and Cotton 16; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 10; Weapon: Sickle 8; Horsemanship 6; Riding 5 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Banjemin the Eleventh, for the most part, is a level-headed, decent young man, which is rare for a member of the Askaras. He understands his place in the world, no matter how twisted the circumstances surrounding him may be. His first cousin, Banjemin the Tenth, adopting him as his son, when the boy's father is still very much alive, can certainly be classified as a most unusual predicament. However, he's smart enough to know how to play his part up until the moment he holds the keys to Sweet Home, then, well, all bets are off!
He does miss his father, Adym, and his younger brother, Jerrid, whom he rarely sees; however, since moving to Sweet Home, Banjemin has had the chance to get to know his extended family better, in particular, Dariq, and his son, Qort, who have both taken a keen interest in him. Only time will tell, if Banjemin will come to discover that Qort is his half-brother.
Name: Cherals Jarimee Askara Race: Human DoB: The 30th of the Summer Season, 485 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations: Brother of Adym, Brother-In-Law of Janapher, Cousin of Banjemin the Tenth, Dariq, and Qort, Uncle of Banjemin the Eleventh and Jerrid Skills: Persuasion 38; Seduction 36; Acting 30; Acrobatics 28; Intimidation 28; Forgery 20; Weapon: Bolas 20; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 17 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Adym's younger brother, Cherals, is not just a snake in the grass, but an entire pit of vipers, just waiting for the right moment to strike! The roughish persona that he portrays is exactly just that - an act. While he pretends to be addle minded and irresponsible, he's actually very aware of his surroundings and what's going on at any given moment. He also seems to have a knack for being able to use the people in his life to his advantage. Take, for example, his nephew, Jerrid. By befriending the impressionable boy, Cherals has found a way to hit his older brother in the purse, time and time again. Easily persuading the youth to demand some new fangled trinket or lofty sum of money from his somewhat distracted father, Cherals gets exactly what he wants without having to lift a finger. His forked tongue is usually all it takes.
Name: Dariq Thadeus Askara Race: Human DoB: The 6th of the Summer Season, 480 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Master of the Guard at Sweet Home Relations: Brother-In-Law of Janaphur, Cousin of Adym, Banjemin the Eleventh, Banjemin the Tenth, Cherals, and Jerrid, Father of Qort, and Husband of Joellen Skills: Leadership 65; Body Building 50; Weapon: Battle Axe 42; Organization 38; Seduction: Male Centric 32; Intimidation 30; ; Unarmed Combat 28; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 27 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Don't let the slight smile fool you. Dariq is most certainly the kind of man you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. With his imposing body, amber-colored eyes, and penchant for full body leathers - even on the hottest days - his appearance alone could strike fear in the hearts of those who encounter him. Not to mention, he knows how to wield a mean battle axe!
As a distant cousin to the current Head of Household, Dariq has the ability to remove himself from the inner workings of the Askara Family, which makes him an excellent choice for Master of the Guard. While he cares about the family as a whole, he's able to remain somewhat detached so that he can focus on the job at hand, which is usually keeping those who lounge around all day, safe and sound upon their comfy chaise lounges.
A loner, for the most part, Dariq does have one individual he cherishes more than anyone or anything in his life - his son, Qort. He would do anything for the boy, and has, including cold-blooded murder. Further more, he's not above using his position to occasionally manipulate certain family members, such as the recently appointed heir, Banjemin the Eleventh. His son's interest in the boy is somewhat perplexing, however, Dariq is willing to do whatever it takes to secure a lifelong bond between the two youths. Perhaps telling them that they are actually half-brothers would help move things along?
Name: Elliope Lorak Askara Race: Human mixed (Vantha) DoB: 3rd of Winter, 505 PoB: Kenash Title: Cousin to Lorena and other Lorak members, niece to Adym Skills: Con Artist(15), Medicine(10), Gardening(15), Animal Husbandry(10) Gnosis: N/A Additional Info: Her mother was a sister of Adym and her father was Lorena's cousin. If you asked anyone about her parents you'd find out her mother was like a beautiful Queen and her father was nothing more than a joker who caught her eyes. When she was only five her mother and father we're traveling to Nyka and on the way there, they were attacked by the Rujaro, their caravan was found but their bodies weren't until a few days later.
The Loraks and Askara shared custody of Elli, but she finds herself on the Lorak plantation most of the time during the night. But during the day she is found around Kenash tricking people and just having a good laugh. She hates the Dynasty events but if she goes it to scam people out their money.
Name: Janaphur Brickman Askara Race: Human DoB: The 2nd of the Spring Season, 481 AV PoB: Ravok, Sylira Region Title: None Relations: Aunt of Qort, Mother of Banjemin the Tenth (in Name Only) and Jerrid, Sister of Joellen, Sister-In-Law of Dariq and Cherals, and Wife of Adym Skills: Sewing 45; Acting 42; Cobbling 38; Singing 36; Weapon: Dagger 32; Weaving 25; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 24; Seduction 20 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Estranged wife of Adym Askara and reluctant mother of Jerrid, one would naturally assume that she would also be the mother of Brandyn (aka Banjemin the Eleventh), but, unknown to most, if not all, it was her twin sister who gave birth to the current heir of Sweet Home.
The daughter of a brick mason from Ravok and a seamstress from Kenash, Janaphur and her sister, Joellen, came to live with their crazy Aunt Sophee Askara at the impressionable age of four. Raised to be skilled in a number of potentially profitable crafts, the girls swiftly made a name for themselves as reputable designers of fine shoes and garments. The novelty of watching the young twins sew in tandem rarely grew old, especially when they would add a song to the 'performance.'
In time, Janaphur caught the eye of Adym, who, regretfully, saw her as nothing more than a means to making the family a healthy profit. Courting her, Adym more or less forced the union in the end. However, repulsed by his inability to truly love her, Janaphur swapped places with Joellen for the first few months of the marriage, therefore resulting in her sister conceiving Brandyn. In reality, it would be two full years before the sisters would officially return to their rightful places.
Name: Jerrid Racherd Askara Race: Human DoB: The 30th of the Fall Season, 500 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations: Brother of Banjemin the Eleventh, Cousin of Dariq, and Qort, Nephew of Cherals and Joellen, and Son of Adym and Janaphur Skills: Persuasion 18; Acrobatics 16; Intimidation 13; Juggling 13; Dancing 12; Weapon: Bolas 10; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 7; Leadership 5 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Jerrid is exactly what you would expect from a spoiled boy his age. He's sarcastic, slovenly, and not the least bit serious about anything. And, well, why shouldn't he behave this way if he's permitted to? It's so much more fun than being socially responsible or correct. Life is just one big game to Jerrid, and those around him are simply his little pawns to be toyed with however he sees fit!
Ever since his brother, Brandyn - now Banjemin the Eleventh - was swept off to be the heir of Sweet Home, Jerrid's father, Adym, has completely overreacted to the situation by buying his remaining son whatever he wants, whenever he wants it, and however he wants it. By his father doing this, the man has single handedly created a monster, as well as an individual who shows no sign of ever wanting to work a day in his life. Jerrid's uncle, Cherals, has also played a hand in this, by manipulating the boy for his own personal gain.
Name: Joellen Brickman Askara Race: Human DoB: The 2nd of the Spring Season, 481 AV PoB: Ravok, Sylira Region Title: None Relations: Aunt of Banjemin the Eleventh (also His Mother) and Jerrid, Mother of Qort, Sister of Janaphur, Sister-In-Law of Adym, and Wife of Dariq Skills: Sewing 46; Singing 41; Cobbling 39; Acting 36; Weapon: Dagger 32; Weaving 28; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 22; Seduction 18 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Wife of Dariq Askara and mother of Qort, Joellen would also give birth to her sister's eldest son, Brandyn (aka Banjemin the Eleventh), the current heir of Sweet Home.
The darker, far more ruthless twin, it was Joellen's idea to swap places with her sister so that they could ensure their spot in the Askara family. Understanding that Adym ranked a bit higher than her husband who was a distant cousin of the Head of Household, Joellen leapt at the opportunity to secure the fragile union, seeing that her sister could not bare to be around the man. The ruse worked so well, she was not only able to give him a son, but she remained in her role, on and off again, for nearly two years.
As of today, she has a fairly rocky relationship with Dariq, who seems far more interested in tending to his legion of guards, and she is utterly lost when it comes to her sons who seem to be forming a rather peculiar bond, still unaware that they are actually related. She spends most of her free time with her sister, nurturing their still thriving business.
Name: Qort Metchil Askara Race: Human DoB: The 16th of the Winter Season, 496 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations: Cousin of Adym, Banjemin the Eleventh, Banjemin the Tenth (also his half-brother), Cherals, and Jerrid, Nephew of Joellen, and Son of Dariq and Joellen Skills: Seduction 32; Intimidation 29; Body Building 28; Weapon: Whip 26; Leadership 18; Unarmed Combat 17; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 17; Riding 12 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Following in his father Dariq's footsteps, Qort is certainly someone you do not want to mess around with. His brash, unfiltered personality is evident even from a distance, for his body language alone speaks volumes. When he enters a room, it's known, and when he latches onto a person, it's felt. Just ask Banjemin the Eleventh, that is, if he'll actually admit to there being a problem in the first place.
From day one, Qort took an interest in the new heir. Some would say it was borderline inappropriate, but, for the most part, everyone kept their mouths shut and their eyes averted, including Banjemin. Not wanting to stir the pot more than was needed, the two boys became fast friends. Somehow, without even needing to state it, they both came to realize that they could use their relationship to their advantage. While Banjemin worked his magic on those closest to him within the household, Qort was able to work his way into the good graces of the lower ranks. While most slaves loath their overseers, the slaves of Sweet Home actually respect and trust Qort and, in turn, Banjemin the Eleventh.
Name: Sorenson Askara Race: Human DoB: 14th of Fall, 481AV PoB: Kenash Title: Proprietor of Soles for Sale Skills: Cobbling - 35 | Juggling - 10 | Escape Artist - 10 | Gadgeteering - 10 Gnosis: None Additional Info: Sorenson Askara loves three things in life: Esmena, shoes, and recreational drugs purchased from the Sitai family. Whether any of these passions is related, is anyone's guess. Despite the ambiguity, however, Sorenson does run quite a successful cobbler's shop, frequented by nearly all of Kenashern Dynasty - and some few wealthier freeborn.
While he plays no favorites, and pays no attention to who may currently be on the outs with his family, one sure way to get on Sorenson's bad side is to pay too much attention, good or bad, to Esmena. Borderline obsessed with the slave, Sorenson will not hesitate to either kick you out of his shop or heavily price gouge if he feels that you are being in any way inappropriate with the woman. And, since he's an Askara, the definition of 'inappropriate' varies daily - sometimes hourly.
Name: Syk'el Silvertongue the Seventh Race: Human, Drykas DoB: The 72nd of the Fall Season, 477 AV PoB: The Sea of Grass, Cyphrus Region Title: Keeper of the Keys for Sweet Home Relations: Adopted Guardian of Banjemin the Eleventh, and Companion of Banjemin the Tenth Skills: Leadership 55; Horsemanship 48; Riding 45; Seduction: Male Centric 40; Weapon: Sickle 36; Musical Instrument: Banjo 34; Wilderness Survival: Grassland 29; Writing 21 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Syk'el the Seventh has been bound to Banjemin the Tenth for several seasons now, however, from the way they behave with one another, you would think they have known each other for far longer. Exhibiting the Drykas' usual mastery over horses, as well as a body inked with several marks, Syk'el's hair does not follow the traditional long style of his people, instead, it is cropped short as mandated by Banjemin the Ninth.
Beyond spending his time with Banjemin, Syk'el oversees the day to day workings of the family's horse trade, which is a remarkable accomplishment, considering the number of bells he spends with the Head of Household. However, the man is known for his savvy business sense and quick wit. Truth be told, the rumors that he is the brains behind Banjemin's actions couldn't be more accurate.
Sailors, Chocolate Makers, Ale Brewers, this Dynasty of Svefra abandoned their people's ways and found a better life.
The Draer :
Name: Abbi Rebecca Drear Race: Human, Svefra DoB: The 18th of the Spring Season, 508 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations: Niece of Orkat, Novak and Willum Skills: Leadership 11; Sewing 10; Storytelling 8; Botany 7; Acting 5 Gnosis: None Additional Info: Abbi, still a child, is much more innocent than any of the other family members, and treated that way. They watch their tongue around her, and generally try to refrain from punishing slaves while she's around. She doesn't really understand the concept of slavery very well, only seeing them as people who will always do what she asks them to. Relatives? They're another story. They seem to do as they wish.
Being one of the youngest children on the plantation, she's coddled and pampered, not just by her parents. Most of her cousins and siblings find her adorable, which she is. Her mother always keeps her looking as cute and pretty as possible, though for no particular reason.
Despite this careful raising, Abbi still knows, though barely, that she's superior than most, so if she orders a slave to play dolls with her...she knows she's in charge. It's a common sight around the main house for her to be standing straight, hands on hips, and demanding a glass of water from the general public. She enjoys playing around with toys and friends, though the latter are in a limited supply. She does have a personal slave she considers a friend, though their relationship is nowhere near equal, with the slave more or less following whatever silly dress-up idea Abbi has next.
Name: Apselm Draer Race: Human, Svefra DoB: 1st of Spring, 460AV PoB: Kenash Title: Proprietor, Ebb & Flow Skills: Meditation - 25, Philosophy - 15, Birdkeeping - 10, Whistling - 10 Gnosis: N/A Additional Info: Apselm is, to put it kindly, a dreamer. Owning none of the competitive drive that marks most Dynasty-born, and being much less elitist, he is a bit of an enigma to his family. When he opted to withdraw from the political machinations of Kenashern society to better achieve a harmonious balance with nature, the Draer Dynasty was all too eager to facilitate it. He has been overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Ebb & Flow bath house ever since.
Apselm can mostly be found methodically walking the labyrinth behind the Ebb & Flow, a beatific smile on his face. On the rare occasions that he is not meditating and walking, he is probably seated on the ground, engrossed in philosophical discussions with his many songbirds.
Name: Brooke Sayriah Draer Race: Human, Svefra DoB: 82nd of Winter, 485AV PoB: Kenash Title: Proprietor, Crowning Glory Skills: Millinery - 30, Jewelcrafting - 20, Negotiation - 10 Gnosis: N/A Additional Info: Brooke Draer is a non-entity in the Draer Dynasty. A distant cousin with no particular talent of note, she knew early on that she would have to make her own way outside of the plantation. Luckily, she discovered that she had a talent for and a love of fashion design. Thus, she asked her family to back her business venture, busily crafted start up merchandise, purchasing what she could not create fast enough, and opened the Crowning Glory.
In the years since, it has become the place for Kenash's most fashionable ladies to purchase all manner of headwear. Within a few short years, Brooke was able to repay the Draer Dynasty, and now enjoys a comfortable life, modest reputation for style and business savvy, and a good deal of freedom to do as she pleases.
Name: Orkat Draer Race: Human, Svefra DoB: The 7th Day of Winter, 471 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Head of Household of Riverwave Relations: Brother of Willum and Novak, Uncle of Abbi Skills: Negotiaton 87; Persuasion 77; Leadership 72; Politics 69 Gnosis: 1 Oceanus Mark of Laviku Additional Info: Orkat could possibly be said to be the kindest of all the Kenash family leaders. He is ‘kind’ in the sense that he isn’t as ruthless or cruel as the other dynasties, and is in fact quite a helpful person, though manipulative. His complete neutrality keeps him mostly on the good side of the other families, as he tries not to start fights, or be included in them. If two dynasties are fighting, he will completely refuse to help in any way, shape or form. This lack of involvement is not based on his dislike of fighting, but rather the intense loyalty he has to his family, and sense of protection he feels for them. Every member is treated well, and mostly equally, and they often have a lot more freedom than in other families. Even his slaves aren’t as badly treated as some, though are still dealt with harshly. He does have a habit of trying to persuade any rebellious workers into submission, not seeing it as a waste of his time, but a honing of his skills. Sometimes he will take a particularly stubborn slave as a personal ‘pet project’, as a sort of challenge to himself.
If one were to meet Orkat, he would always and constantly be friendly, and seemingly open. Yes, he is always welcome to talk to and meet new people, but will keep as many secrets as possible, often trying to turn the conversation onto the other, and occasionally delving out information that the person never thought to give. Most of his business is conducted personally, and trading and negotiating is seen almost as a game to him, rather than a living. He thrives on information, and is said to have a stock of terrible secrets that he can use at any time to blackmail a family of his choosing. He hasn’t done so yet though, but seems to have them in reserve, just in case he gets himself or the Draer family into a sticky situation.
Name: Novak Draer Race: Human, Svefra DoB: 89th Winter 465AV PoB: Kenash Title: Pastry Chef Skills: Cooking:42xp:Competent, Baking:71xp:Expert, Leadership:40xp:Competent, Sailing:12xp:Novice, Swimming:27xp:Competent, Relations: Brother of Willum and Orkat. In a ménage-a-trois with Adelaide Sitai (PC) Gnosis: None. Additional Info: Novak is the antithesis of how one might expect a pastry chef to be. Although his field of work is making the most delicate of gourmet patisserie, the lightest of whipped cream and fine pastry bases that melt in the mouth, and he does it with precision and care, he is a tall, straight-forward sort of man. Cynical, often considered arrogant and cynical, he is world-weary and jaded, both self-critical and self-destructive. On the other hand, he is a man of considerable charm and charisma, intelligent, sophisticated and perceptive. He is the sort of man one could describe forever without really getting anywhere in assessing his personality.
Name: Willum Draer Race: Human, Svefra DoB: The 69th of the Fall Season, 471 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Captain Relations: Brother of Orkat, and Uncle of Abbi Skills: Leadership 60; Fishing 55; Swimming 50; Sailing 48; Weapon: Harpoon 42; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 32; Juggling 28; Rhetoric 26; Seduction 24 Gnosis:Oceanus 1 Additional Info: Orkat's brother is a bit of an enigma. While he is fiercely loyal to his extended family, immediately coming to their aid whenever called upon, he mostly keeps to himself and prefers his somewhat solitary existence. Spending the majority of his time upon his riverboat, he travels the waterways of Kenash keeping a protective eye on the Draer Family's numerous business ventures.
Rumor has it, Willum's real reason for keeping his distance is a previous affair with a field slave - once a manor concubine - that went horribly wrong. A child came as a result of this dalliance, but the stoic seaman would be the last to admit to any of this.
Builders, Fighters, Tradesmen and women, this plantation hosts both of the mystical races from Riverfall and the Konti Isle,
The Konrath :
Name: Atia Konrath Race: Konti DoB: The 18th Day of Spring, 450 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations: Daughter of Lorenzo Skills: Politics 51; Weapon: Rapier 49; Seduction 47 ; Acting 35 Gnosis: 1 Divination Mark of Avalis Additional Info: Atia was immersed in a variety of subjects from a young age, from politics, to fighting, to art. She has picked up on it all, becoming very rounded in many things. Because of that, and her nearness to being the head of the family, she is held in great respect by many of the sisters, and is often said to be 'perfect.' Despite all this success, however, she holds a deep down uncertainty in all her skills. Whenever competing against her older brother, her only older sibling, she loses, no matter the event. She yearns to be next in line for power, but always sees him as a formidable obstacle in the way. She has considered, on multible occasions, 'disposing' of her brother, but the ingrained doubt has always held her back. Instead, she had forced herself to be content with always being second.
On the outside, however, she refuses to show this, especially to her brother. Instead, she always displays herself as a friendly and confident person, ready to start up a conversation or a duel. Even to slaves she tries to be gentle, though on more than one occasion she has broken before one, storming into a rage, and accidentally harming them. This she mostly avoids, partially because of the obvious evidence, and partially because it's silly to break anything you spend money on.
Name: Lorenzo Konrath Race: Akalak DoB: The 22nd of the Summer Season, 379 AV PoB: Riverfall, Cyphrus Region Title: Head of Household of Boldvine Relations: Father of Atia Skills: Leadership 60; Weapon: Lakan 52; Duel Wielding: Lakan 50; Tracking 35; Weaponsmithing 28; Brawling 22; Agriculture: Tobacco and Cotton 22; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 20; Driving 15 Gnosis: 1 Evantia Mark of Wysar Additional Info: Forthcoming!
Name:Estratia Lynn Konrath Race: Konti DoB: 76th of Fall, 414 PoB: Mura Title: Wife of Lorenzo Skills: Intelligence (67), Fortune Telling (40), Investigation (35), Unarmed Combat (27), Dancing (12), Gnosis: 1 Avalis, 1 Eyris Additional info: The high life is nothing new to the beautiful woman. Estratia has lived a luxury life since she was a young girl, both her father and mother made a comfortable living. Estratia met Lorenzo on a trip to Riverfall. Lorenzo was in deep training while she was there for business. The two took residence in the same hotel, and Estratia actually ran into him. Literally. She bumped right into Lorenzo. In time, Lorenzo would court the Konti woman, and they would marry and produce heirs.
Estratia had taken many responsibilities as Lorenzo's wife and didn't have a lot of time to spend with her children. However, Estratia loves each of her children and unlike her husband who is trying to set them on the right path as a Dynasty member, she encourages her children to be who they want to be. Estratia would do anything for her kids, and the Konrath family. This Konti is not one to cross though and even the enemy knows that. Anyway, she is charming, classy and elegant.
Medics, Healers, Cotton makers and storytellers, this Dynasty comes from Avanthal originally, but the Vantha have adapted well to Kenash.
The Lorak :
Name: Calisha Tariele Lorak Race: Human, Vantha DoB: The 91st of the Fall Season, 491 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations: Forthcoming! Skills: Architecture 51; Drawing 40; Carving 37; Leadership 29; Construction 25; Storytelling 23; Sculpting 18; Carpentry 14; Masonry 11; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 9 Gnosis: None Additional Info: A brilliant mind in architecture, Calisha is probably one of the most talented people in all Kenash. The young woman has a knack in designing impressive buildings, each one unique. Gifted with beauty and brains, Calisha is someone who knows she's good. Well, maybe a bit too much. This young woman is well-known for her pride and had driven some people crazy because of it. Still, no one really cares to do something about it. She does no serious harm after all and her knowledge of structure and constructions is most useful to the Lorak Family. The only one who might challenge her skills is her brother - and he's already dead.
Everyone knew of the story and rumors of the twins. The two children, Caleto and Calisha, were lost to the swampland. Everyone was sent into some sort of panic - after all, what were the chances two fourteen-year-olds might survive the wilderness?
Days went by without any sign of them. Until, a small figure was spotted. It was a girl, Calisha, completely filthy and covered with blood. There was no sign of Caleto anywhere. The girl was brought back and nursed carefully, bringing her back from a state of shock. It didn't take long for a family of doctors to notice that the blood didn't belong to Calisha. When people asked what had happened, she said that she didn't really remember, that some animal attacked them and Caleto died.
But the girl was young and the false note in her voice was noticeable. No one truly believed her story. Some even said that she killed her brother. Calisha had always been jealous of all the attention he was getting. Regretfully, Caleto's body was never found and the only one who knows the truth is a driven, vain, young woman.
Name: Doromer Jalius Lorak Race: Human, Vantha DoB: The 1st of the Summer Season, 468 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Doctor Relations: Brother of Calamur, Brother-In-Law (and Lover) of Yvenna, and Uncle of Lorana, Verena {PC}, and Zorane Skills: Herbalism 53; Gardening 51; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 45; Botany 44; Medicine 40; Philtering 37; Storytelling 32; Musical Instrument: Flute 26; Rhetoric 25 Gnosis: 1 Healing Mark of Rak'keli Additional Info: Known as a madman to the people of Kenash, Doromer is rarely seen by anyone but his own family. He is usually hidden in one of their many greenhouses, doing gods-know-what. For some mysterious reason, this former doctor has clearly lost his mind, but not even his family knows why or how.
Doromer had been a good man: lively, smart, and confident. And while he may not have been the head of the family, like his brother, he was almost just as respected. That said, rumor has it that he captured his brother's second wife's heart and had an affair with her, but it was short-lived.
As for his sanity, he was once a brilliant man, but after disappearing for two weeks, he came back muttering gibberish and refused to see anyone. Doromer seemed to perceive everything and everyone as dangerous for a while, screaming at anyone who came too close. It was truly a sad day for the Lorak Family, to lose such a promising soul.
Now, Doromer prefers to keep in the company of his herbs, making him the best herbalist of the family. He has become more lucid over time, having the will to teach some of the younger generation about his knowledge, but they need only be prepared for his sudden mood swings and gibbering every once in a while.
Name: Lorana Lorak Race: Human, Vantha DoB: The 25th of the Winter Season, 481 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Head of Household of Whitesnake Relations: Aunt of Inari {PC}, Daughter of Calamur, Half-Sister of Eyasia {PC}, Verena {PC}, and Zorane, and Step-Daughter of Yvenna Skills: Leadership 45; Medicine 40; Gardening 38; Massage 32; Dentistry 28; Acrobatics 25; Agriculture: Tobacco and Cotton 22; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 20; Storytelling 15 Gnosis: 1 Ice Reaving Mark of Morwen Additional Info: Forthcoming!
Name: Yvenna Talarice Lorak Race: Human DoB: The 77th of the Spring Season, 474 AV PoB: Syliras, Sylira Region Title: None Relations: Forthcoming! Skills: Weapon: Longbow 51; Weapon: Sword 42; Shield 39; Riding 32; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 26; Leadership 23; Rhetoric 20; Cooking 18 Gnosis: None Additional Info: Yvenna was born in Syliras from a knight family. Just as she hit the suitable age, her family shipped her off to be trained as a squire in the order. It was soon clear that the patient, brave girl was quite talented with a bow and a sword and in no time, she was knighted. Yvenna would never know her life would change drastically. During her patrol near Kenash, Yvenna met a man whom she would soon find out as the head of the Lorak Dynasty. Despite their age difference, the couple quickly fell in love with each other. The man, Calamur, had just been parted with his wife by death and Yvenna offered a king of comfort to him. The young knight never actually found out until a week before her marriage. By then, she realized that she was merely a replacement for Calamur's dead wife. Despite that, their marriage went smoothly and Yvenna gave birth to two children - Zorane and Verena. After Calamur's death, she was more than happy to let his daughter, Lorana, to take the lead of the family. The knight in her blood still thick, it is not an odd occasion to see Yvenna dealing with the plantation's security either personally or the chief of their guards.
Name: Zorane Dalore Lorak Race: Human, Vantha (Mixed) DoB: The 2nd of the Spring Season, 491 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations: Brother of Verena {PC}, Half-Brother of Eyasia {PC} and Lorana, Son of Calamur and Yvenna, and Uncle of Inari {PC} Skills: 41 Rhetoric; 37 Intelligence; 29 Poisoncrafting; 26 Philtering; 21 Persuasion; 14 Medicine; 10 Herbalism Gnosis: None Additional Info: Zorane had always been the charming one in the family. He knew what to say and what to do in order to get people to favor him. As a child, he could always talk his way out of everything, even blame others for his mistakes. It had came naturally for him - to save himself - and he rarely felt guilty for the deed. Words were his weapon and it proved to be very potent most of the time. Making people adore him was what he did daily. What most people would not know, though, was that he bear no love for the life in the swamp. He felt trapped and constricted, unable to be free - this fact was only known to his younger sister, Verena. All he wanted was to leave. In his own rebellious ways, Zorane decided to steer clear of the Lorak's business, dwelling in the arts of poisoncrafting instead.
Animal trainers and tamers, this family deals very heavily in the exotic animal trade. The Lynint are the Animal Queens of Kenash.
The Lynint :
Name: Kaljia Lynint Race: Human DoB: The 91st Day of Spring, 478 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Head of Household of Silverbite Relations: Aunt of Adrienna {PC}, and Cousin of Denibra Morealis Skills: Animal Husbandry 73; Poisons 56; Leadership 40; Intimidation 30; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 28; Politics 23 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Kaljia wasn't always the leader of the Lynint Family. Once, she was nothing more than a messenger for the former leader, a hired hand both ignored and watched closely. At the time, the only animals the Family used were birds and small mammals, but Kaljia was the first to find and train young crocodiles to guard her things. Eventually, she managed to earn herself into the good graces of the leader, overshadowing his own children in importance, and revealed a startling amount of understanding in how to lead and to reinforce feelings of obedience in one's subjects. She became the heir, earning a good few enemies, and when the former leader died she rose up to lead immediately.
Her take on things drastically changed the way the Family functioned and how they did business. Under her management, the Family gained footing and acquired more land and business as a result. They expanded their choice of animals to the many reptiles Kaljia had found interesting and useful. She takes credit for the Family's newfound glory. Her rivals have faded into obscurity, but they plot in secrecy.
The Sugar Kings of Kenash, this Dynasty has a tendency to produce heirs with unbridled business acumen and social finesse.
The Morealis :
Name: Amarantha Rose Morealis Race: Human, Mixed DoB: Spring 54, 492 AV PoB: Kenash Title: White Rose of Morealis Skills: Singing 70; Hypnotism 65; Acting 30; Dancing 10; Rhetoric 35; Persuasion 17 Relations: Fiance' of Tahn, First cousin of Remosh and Dimitri, Cousin-in-law of Denibra Gnosis: None Additional Info: Amarantha Morealis is widely celebrated in Kenash for her beautiful vocals and captivating charm. When she sings, everyone who hears her voice is put into a trance. Her performances are highly acclaimed by people of all classes, and seats to her shows are always sure to be sold out. Despite this, she never lets her fame get to her head. Naturally sweet and soft-spoken, she does not distinguish between Dynasty and slave and will treat them equally well, to the disdain of some elitist circles. Due to this image of innocence and purity, she had been dubbed the 'White Rose of Morealis'.
Even though a performer by occupation, the Morealis Head of Household would often include her in very important business dealings, and strangely enough, almost all of the arrangements that are agreed upon seem to be more advantageous to their family. HOH Dimitri would attribute this to the young woman's innate talent in persuasion, but there are some people who are starting to think otherwise...
Name: Denibra Lynint Morealis Race: Human DoB: The 72nd of the Summer Season, 475 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations: Cousin of Kaljia Lynint, Mother of Tahn, Sister-In-Law of Dimitri, and Wife of Remosh Skills: Floristry 50; Singing 48; Sewing 42; Calligraphy 40; Cosmetology 38; Rhetoric 35; Dancing 30; Storytelling 28; Leadership 12 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Denibra is the model wife and mother, which, as you can imagine, is no small accomplishment. Spending her every waking hour either catering to the needs of her somewhat reclusive husband, keeping a watchful eye on their handicapped son, or working to mold their strong-willed daughter, it's a wonder the poor woman hasn't turned to smoking or drinking...or has she? No one, no matter how skilled or dedicated, should be able to naturally accomplish what this woman does in a day. Therefore, it is strongly believed, among certain circles, that she is using some sort of enhancement drug to keep herself up and running at peak efficiency. Either that, or she's a witch.
Name: Dimitri Morealis Race: Human DoB: The 6th of the Summer Season, 475 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Head of Household of Blacksugar Relations: Brother of Remosh, Brother-In-Law of Denibra, Son of Dimeer, and Uncle of Tahn Skills: Leadership 45; Teaching 40; Weapon: Halberd 38; Rhetoric 32; Dancing 28; Riding 25; Agriculture: Tobacco and Sugarcane 22; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 20; Acting 18 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Dimitri Morealis is the eldest son of Dimeer Morealis and has recently stepped into control of the Morealis household. As his father was starting to show signs of age, he opted to allow his eldest son to take the Morealis household in a different position and retire gracefully. Dimitri is a confident and charming man, embodying the qualities of a Morealis male. Unlike his stricter father, Dimitri has begun to reexamine the relationships his family has with the other plantations, even going so far as to extend warmer intentions to some of plantation heads that have long since been Morealis enemies.
Although new to his position, rumors have already begun to circulate that Dimitri has begun to play a dangerous game of politics. He’s the type to make risky decisions and seems to have little of the caution his father had. What this means for the Morealis household is uncertain, however Dimitri has promised that big and bold moves are ahead for his family, much to the chagrin of the older Morealis. Whether Dimeer agrees with his sons attitude or not is largely unknown.
Name: Remosh "Remy" Morealis Race: Human DoB: The 12th of the Winter Season, 473 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations: Brother of Dimitri, Father of Tahn, Husband of Denibra, and Son of Dimeer Skills: Perfumery 65; Herbalism 55; Gardening 45; Leadership 40; Weapon: Heavy Crossbow 34; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 32; Seduction 30; Musical Instrument: Violin 28; Storytelling 18 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: As the older brother of Dimitri, Remosh should have been the one to take on the position of Head of Household, however, he was smart enough to realize it was a role he did not want, nor could he handle. Far more comfortable in his garden and lab, his one true passion is creating beautiful scents for the men and women of Kenash. He can often be found toiling away in either location, with the assistance of his handicapped son, only surfacing to spend time with his lovely wife and charming daughter when they insist upon it.
Name: Tahn Morealis Race: Human DoB: The 3rd of the Summer Season, 492 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations:Grandson of Dimeer, Nephew of Dimitri and Son of Denibra and Remosh Skills: Perfumery 45; Weapon: Staff 40; Herbalism 35; Gardening 32; Singing 25; Cooking 20; Storytelling 18; Rhetoric 12 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Born blind in both eyes, Tahn's body certainly compensated for its lack of sight by giving the young man an extraordinary sense of taste and - since the two are closely linked - smell. Assisting his father, Remosh, in his perfume trade, there are those in Kenash who openly proclaim it is the young man's 'gifts' that bring about the business' many successes. His father, while proud of his son, tends to downplay the boy's talents, any chance he can get, for fear of losing his prodigy.
When Tahn is not at his father's side - which isn't very often - he can be found trailing behind his younger sister, who he absolutely adores, regardless of the fact that she can be downright cruel to him, right in public, whenever it suits her fancy.
A family of Drykas as well as an overwhelming number of Stormwardens, the Paille protect Kenash and excel in guiding it towards prosperity.
The Paille :
Name: Caedmon Paille Race: Human, Drykas DoB: 4th of Spring, 492 AV PoB: Kenash Title: None Relations: Younger Brother of Cassius, Cousin of Steven and Zavic Skills: Weapon: Cutlass 53, Dual Wield 51, Riding 48, Musical Instrument: Gea'tar 46, Tracking 43, Wilderness Survival 37, Unarmed Combat 32, Singing 29 Gnosis: 1 Stormwarden, 1 Evantia Additional Info: While his older brother is known for his wantonness, Caedmon is recognized as one of the most talented fighters from the Pailles. It seemed like he possessed all the discipline and drive that Cassius lacks. The Paille is an honorable, yet playful soul. Caedmon is not particularly charming or charismatic, but there is a certain something about that gravitated people to him - just like his brother. Humble at heart, he never noticed the effects he had on most women, often finding himself flustered at the presence of the opposite sex. This young man also had an affinity for music, often seen with a musical instrument singing.
All his life, Caedmon had been hindered under his older brother's shadow, spending most of his time cooped inside the plantation, forcing himself to train and train. His effort had become fruitful, in the end. As his brother's rep deteriorated, their parents turned to him, hoping that their other son wouldn't disappoint them as the previous did.
Name: Cassius Paille Race: Human, Drykas DoB: The 29th of the Winter Season, 490 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations: Cousin of Steven and Zavic Skills: Leadership 47; Riding 42; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 33; Weapon: Longbow 32; Observation 30; Seduction 26; Reimancy: Wind 19; Rhetoric 17; Persuasion 8 Gnosis: 1 Stormwarden Additional Info: Even before the boy was born, Zulrav had marked Cassius as a Stormwarden - just as the god had done to the other members of his family.
Birthed on a stormy night, no one could deny this boy's affinity for the winds. Unfortunately, he grew into a man who frequents the brothels - more often than the family's fields of tobacco and cotton - a hobby of his that is well-known by everyone in Kenash. It is far from surprising to find him lounging around in one when he has the free time. That put aside, Cassius is actually a decent and honorable man and a good leader. Still, it was hard to find a woman who was willing to put up with him, despite his handsome features.
Then came the idea to join Cassius with Lorana's odd half-sister, Verena. The girl was coming of age and both families figured they could not find either of them a better match than each other. Finally bound to a woman who cared none of his controversial habit, Cassius was not entirely against the arrangement.
Verena rarely gives a damn about what he's doing - even if he doesn't bother to hide it - and that gives him a certain amount of freedom. He occasionally tries to dampen his wants and needs for the sake of decency - especially with the plans of a wedding closing in.
Name: Steven Paille Race: Human, Drykas DoB: The 2nd of the Spring Season, 479 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Head of Household of Stormgrace Relations: Cousin of Cassius and Zavic Skills: Leadership 65; Horsemanship 46; Riding 42; Tracking 32; Agriculture: Tobacco and Cotton 30; Weapon: Crossbow 28; Fletching 26; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 20; Etching 10 Gnosis: 1 Stormwarden Additional Info: Forthcoming!
Name: Zavic Paille Race: Human, Drykas DoB: The 61st of the Fall Season, 458 AV PoB: The Sea of Grass, Cyphrus Region Title: Magistrate Relations: Cousin of Cassius and Steven, Father of Nibil, and Husband of Prilonia Skills: Leadership 75; Politics 60; Riding 55; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 52; Negotiation 50; Weapon: Handaxe 50; Beekeeping 45; Writing 30; Interrogation 28 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Zavic is your traditional Drykas male: hardworking, protective, and respectful, yet firm and, at times, exacting, which makes him the perfect candidate for Magistrate of Kenash. So much so, he's one of the few individuals to hold the title more than once.
A distant relative of Steven, the current Head of Household of the Paille Family, Zavic takes his role very seriously and does everything in his power to make his time as Magistrate as effective as it can be. That said, he certainly knows how to kick back and enjoy himself, and he loves seeing the citizens of Kenash do the same...within reason.
His right-hand man, Nibil, is also his son, who he cherishes greatly, but holds to a higher standard than most, expecting nothing short of perfection from the young man. When Zavic is in office, the two are rarely seen apart. Actually, they nearly become one entity, performing as precisely as an impeccably maintained crossbow.
Born from the binds of slavery, this Dynasty understands what it is to be enslaved, and how to enforce their dominance upon the enslaved.
The Radacke :
Name: Bice Radacke Race: Human DoB: 43, Summer, 482 AV PoB: Kenash Title: Indigo Farmer, Radacke Dynasty, Brother of Mica Skills: Agriculture 49, Leadership 30, Construction 28, Body Building 23, Intimidation 22, WIlderness Survival: Swamp 20, Drums 11 Gnosis: None Additional Info: The younger brother of Mica Radacke, Bice is only slightly less of a brute, though he is much less conniving and clever. Tall and muscular, Bice supervises labor in the indigo fields, often working his slaves to complete exhaustion and sometimes even physical injury. He enjoys playing the drums and does so spastically and without much rhythm. Five years ago, he was spellbound by a traveling merchant's daughter and he threatened to kill her sister if she did not marry him. He has produced two children with his wife, Fiora, and they have only softened him a bit. Bice has a quick temper, especially when he's been drinking at the establishments in Kenash.
Name: Jaaris Radacke Race:Human DoB:32st of Fall, 463 PoB:Kenash Title:Younger Uncle of Mica Skills: Construction(40), Tracking(45), Politics(23), Wrestling(56), Body Building(50) Gnosis: N/A Additional Info: Most of the Radacke and other dynasties members laughed at the birth of Jaaris. In the past the former Head of the Household and his wife for some unknown reason decided to have another baby although they were slightly too old to have another child. Growing up, Jaaris was raised by his older brothers and nephews because his parents were just too old to keep up with him.
He became a charming man but was no different than the other Radacke men. He is still aggressive and rude at times and often known as a lazy bum unless someone needs construction help. He met Eyasia before she was a dyanasty at a Tavern and she's been there for him as a friend since.
Name: Ismerilda Radacke Race: Human DoB: 6th of Fall, 492AV PoB: Kenash Title: Proprietor of Tressed to Impress Skills: Sewing - 30 | Acting - 10 | Disguise - 10 | Construction - 5 | Impersonation - 5 Gnosis: None Additional Info: Ismerilda Radacke would have the world believe that she is a dramatic prodigy. The truth, however, is that she has a modicum of talent and a highly inflated sense of her own ability. The young Radacke is unconcerned with rumors that she is decidedly lacking in talent, preferring instead to surround herself with people of slightly lower stature than herself - people who will be more likely to inflate her already healthy ego with false praise. It is said that such words will net you a modest discount on her pricey wares.
When not monitoring her shop, she can often be found in the company of hordes of contemporaries, regaling them with tales of derring-do and mischief. Generally seen sporting one of her own colorfully-hued creations, she stands out in a crowd even without the aid of the dramatic flair that she employs. If you can convince her to literally drop the act, she can become quite down-to-earth and pleasant. But enjoy it while it lasts, her personality shifts with the wind and soon enough she will be inflicting bad art on the city once more.
Name: Mica Radacke Race: Human DoB: The 78th of the Fall Season, 460 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Head of Household of Whiplash Relations: Forthcoming! Skills: Weapon: Whip 56; Architecture 53; Leadership 50; Wrestling 48; Intimidation 39; Agriculture: Indigo and Tobacco 37; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 21 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Mica fully deserves his position as head of the Radacke Family, as he is the best example of his descendants volatile reputation. With his various tattoos visible most times of the day and a whip resting at his hip just waiting to be uncoiled, Mica looks the part of a leader. Like former heads of his family, Mica has entrenched himself in the architecture business, funneling his emotions into various projects around Kenash, since rising to his post eight years ago.
Outspoken and loud in public, Mica makes sure everyone knows who he is and what he's thinking. Rude, vulgar, and obnoxious have all been used to describe Mica in the past, but never within earshot of the man. Mica is quick to annoy and very "sensitive" to the things other people say about him. Anger this man and one may just become another feather in the tattoo that decorates his torso, which is his official tally of those he's beaten with his whip and/or wrestling ability.
Name:Yasmine Radacke Race:Human DoB:1 Winter 495 PoB:Kenash Title: Niece to Mica Radacke Skills:30 sewing, 30 Fashion Design, 10 Business Gnosis: Additional Info: Standing at five foot six inches tall Yasmine is an average height but weighing in only at ninety eight pounds her body often looked painfully thin. She was well fed however, and the fullness of her lips and cheeks spoke of that. Her hair is blond that tumbles in a rich honey color down to the middle of her back. Blue eyes stare out between thickly dark lashes, and set within alabaster skin. Her clothing varies, but she favors rich dark colors of Burgundy and reds.
Yasmine Radacke is a beautiful daughter of the house Radacke. Her mother was Mica Radacke's baby sister, and as such she enjoyed a certain spoiled luxury at the hand of her doting uncle. Some say that he was more proud of her then his own son, but that was ludicrous to any who saw. Mica simply enjoyed the innocence that his niece portrayed for she was not spoiled yet by the harshness of the world.
She was an artisan by trade, learning sewing and fashion design and has hopes of starting her own seamstress shop. The majority of the work done by slaves, but she had plans on doing the couture designs herself.
Name: Waite Radacke Race: Human DoB: 45th of Fall, 585 A.V. PoB: Kenash Title: Wood Carver Skills: Carving (wood) 60, Seduction 45, Brawling 50, Management 30, Carpentry 30 Gnosis: None Additional Info: Being a son of Mica Radacke is no easy feat, one has to be able to handle themselves as well as the family businesses, making sure to stay one step ahead of other Dynasty brats as well as your own petching family members. Waite does this all while making it look like an easy task. He can be found training his brawling expertise with slaves in the fighting pits, discussing with his father which slaves seem better and why for fights, but most of his time is spent at the Hammer and Nail. Though he doesn't know how to smith, Waite has extreme talent when it comes to carving wood, so he can often be found upstairs or down perched upon an old bench talking to Liana or Taiyl as he carves away at a chunk of wood, never one to shirk a project his carpentry skills could be utilized in or dealing with particularly high strung customers. If one saw how Waite treats Liana and Taiyl they might think Waite kind to his slaves, yet another side of the Radacke is shown when in the fighting pits, the fields of Whiplash or dealing with other households' property, to which he is a stereotypical Dynasty member.
Producers of the finest tobacco Mizahar has to offer, the Rajor Dhani instill fear into their slaves and works them to their deaths.
The Rajor :
Name: Kilissintrajor Race: Dhani, Constrictor DoB: 45th of the Spring Season, 452 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations: Daughter of Tressy, Granddaughter of Shahess, and Grand-Niece of Senesstia Skills: Unarmed Combat 40; Observation 40; Wrestling 30; Brawling 25; Negotiation 20 Gnosis: 1 Venenum Mark of Siku Additional Info: Kilissint has followed in her father's tail marks by learning the art of unarmed combat. Unlike her father, however, this young Dhani - one of the first of the Rajor's to be born and raised in Kenash - has a drive for power and an urge to climb up the family ladder. In her eyes, she will live long past her Aunt's, Uncle's and other potential successor's to the tile of Head of Household. Trouble is, Kilissint isn't much of a patient soul to wait so long.
Instead, she spends her time by generally causing trouble for her family members, starting fights with other young plantation brats and making up for it with extra rounds of patrol on Smokesend grounds and service down in the catacombs tending to the new crop of tobacco.
Name: Senesstiarajor Race: Dhani, Constrictor DoB: 3rd of the Winter Season, 400 AV PoB: Zinrah, Falyndar Region Title: None Relations: Aunt of Tressyl, Great-Aunt of Kilissint, and Sister of Shahess Skills: Sewing 50; Management 45; Seduction 35; Gardening 33; Persuasion 25; Herbalism 20 Gnosis: 1 Venenum Mark of Siku, 1 Cultivation Mark of Bala Additional Info: Senesstia is the life of the party and the beauty that all aspire to be. Though she is skilled with plants, she would much rather be spending time seducing attractive slaves or other plantation members, playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with all of her victims. Many are charmed by Senesstia, but very few are able to charm her in return.
Despite her power hungry attitude, Senesstia seems to have no ill will towards her sister as head of the Smokesend Plantation. She enjoys taking care of financial and business matters that her elder sister doesn't have the time for, and many times, her associates enjoy dealing with Senesstia more so than her older sister, something that doesn't always serve them the best financially.
Name: Shahessrajor Race: Dhani, Constrictor DoB: The 1st of the Summer Season, 333 AV PoB: Zinrah, Falyndar Region Title: Head of Household of Smokesend Relations: Grandmother of Kilissint, Mother of Tressyl, and Sister of Senesstia Skills: Leadership 52; Poison 42; Botany 40; Weaving 38; Animal Handling 38; Wrestling 35; Agriculture: Tobacco 32; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 28; Musical Instrument: Drum 15 Gnosis: 2 Venenum Marks of Siku, 1 Cultivation Mark of Bala Additional Info: Shahess is a Dhani of exquisite taste, with a calculating mind, and a passion for gardening. Having led a few of her own family and brethren out of the stifling jungles of Falyndar to the fertile land of Kenash, Shahess found her hobby for pipe smoking could flourish in an environment conducive to tobacco fields. With a knack for poisoning the competition and a love of all things green she and her family soon created a few new breeds of tobacco that shot the constrictors straight up the competitive line of Kenash's plantation families. Now Shahess can usually be found with a pipe in mouth and a tapestry in her hand. She oversees the growing rarely, but with an intensity that usually leaves slaves unable to work for weeks afterward if they are seen treating her plants in a fashion she dislikes.
Name: Tressylrajor Race: Dhani, Constrictor DoB: 72nd of the Summer Season, 370 AV PoB: Zinrah, Falyndar Region Title: Father of Kilissint, Nephew of Senesstia, and Son of Shahess Skills: Wrestling 60; Poison 50; Leadership 40; Intimidation 30 Gnosis: 2 Venenum Marks of Siku Additional Info: Tressyl is not the most intelligent Dhani, but boasts a strange charisma and ability to get others to do precisely what he wants...usually through force. Largely in charge of the defense and security of the Smokesend Plantation, Tressyl takes his duties quite seriously, and has an extreme devotion to his mother that dates back to his time before the Rajor's cut out their own little slice of land among the Dynasties of Kenash.
Tressyl is most often seen patrolling the lands of Smokesend personally, bludgeoning slaves who displease him, and occasionally wrestling granidiles for amusement. One thing is certain, despite his cool demeanor and suave appearance, Tressyl is not the sort of individual one wants to be on the bad side of.
Refined perfumers and slave traders, the Sitai Dynasty and name carries an elegance and grace as intoxicating as the drugs they produce.
The Sitai :
Name: Dervain Sitai Race: Human DoB: The 85th of the Summer Season, 469 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Head of Household of Bloodflower Relations: Brother of Rosamay, Uncle of Adelaide (PC) Skills: Leadership 40; Weapon: Dagger 35; Botany 32; Tracking 30; Hunting 30; Agriculture: Tobacco and Hemp 28; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 22; Body Building 20; Singing 18 Gnosis:Unknown Additional Info: Forthcoming!
Name: Roland Jasper Sitai Race: Human DoB: 2nd Winter 455 AV PoB: Kenash Title: None Relations: Brother of Rosamay and Dervin. Father of Adelaide (PC) Gnosis: None Skills: Seduction: 29xp, Writing: 39xp, Perfumery: 12xp, Tobacco: 42xp, Candle-making: 62xp, Leadership: 12xp Additional Information: Roland, is a tall and enigmatic intellectual. He spends most of his time in his luxuriously decadent rooms in the Bloodflower house, chain-smoking and reading dusty books that look as if nobody else has touched them in the last hundred years. Although his permanent mode is 'grouchy', he does have a brilliant sense of humour and knows how to enjoy himself when a pretty slave girl is in the vicinity. Until 500AV, he used to be a scented candle maker, though being a member of the Sitai family, his candles were special. Most were aphrodisiacs, many induced hallucinations and delirium, some caused other emotions such as anger and sadness and a few expensive ones even caused memory loss. Before the death of his beloved wife, he was a lot more fun, bon-vivant and social, the life and soul of a party. He had an illegitimate son with a servant in the year 501. Roland is currently writing a book of metaphysical philosophy.
Name: Rosamay Sitai Race: Human DoB: The 18th of the Summer Season, 454 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: None Relations: Aunt of Jed {PC}, Ex-Wife of Abram Radacke, Mother of Jaadis {PC}, and Sister of Dervain Skills: Dance 53; Persuasion 35; Singing 27; Seduction 24; Negotiation 19; Intelligence 17; Leadership 11 Gnosis: None Additional Info: Rosamay had a future once. A long time ago, the youngest sister of Dervain Sitai was the town beauty as well as the owner of a very popular dance studio. Now, even the greenest of dynasty brats know not to interact with her. What happened? Rosamay’s downfall came about some thirty years ago when, only eight days after marrying Abram Radacke, as instructed by her big brother, she was caught in an affair with another man. The infidelity, while never proven, led to several shouting matches with Dervain about duty to one’s family, eventually culminating in a divorce between Rosamay and Abram. Rosamay’s brother did not take the spite lightly, and the resulting ostracization from her family has not fared Rosamay well. The once witty and carefree beauty has become a surly and foul-mouthed old woman for whom peace can only be found whilst either intoxicated or high. Nowadays, she is kept around only as a reminder of what happens to those who defy the wishes of the family, and everyone with something to lose - which includes her one and only daughter - know to do nothing but ignore her.
Name: Yatmina Sitai Race: Human DoB: 82nd Spring 433 AV PoB: Kenash Title: None Skills: Acting: 21xp, Tobacco: 37xp, Leadership: 40xp, Dance: 27xp Gnosis: A mark from Kelwyn Additional Information: The tough, straight-talking dowager of a woman is the mother of Roland, Dervain and Rosamay, whose hobbies include wearing very strong perfume, smoking, drinking and more smoking... smoking of stuff nobody has any information about. Her room in the Bloodflower mansion is always full of purple smoke, and it's sometimes difficult to find her amidst it. People have been known to search for five minutes, before realising she's actually taking a walk in the plantation grounds or buying new perfume and brightly coloured clothes in the city. She was born a distant relative of the Sitai, of perfect freeborn status and, in marrying the last head of the household, became one of the most famed hostesses in Kenash. Her costume balls were legendary, her soirees elegant and her orgies filled with the most beautiful slaves and the finest food. Now, though, she doesn't get involved in organising anything and only going to the best parties, dripping in jewels.
Name: Jafara Sitai Race: Human, Vantha DoB: 1st of Winter, 475 AV PoB: Kenash Title: Born into the Lorak family and married into the Sitai. Relations: Wife of Roland Sitai, Cousin of Doromer and Calamur Lorak, Mother of Aria and Flavia Sitai, Stepmother of Zuleikha and Adelaide Sitai. Skills: Blackmail (38) Politics (29) Poison (31) Gnosis: N/A
Additional Info: The second wife of Roland Sitai is nothing like his first was. Buoyant, charming and confident, she makes no secret of the fact that she is a woman who amuses rather than intrigues. In fact, she revels in the fact that others perceive her to completely lack mystery or complexity, for it makes her the perfect political manipulator, able to place ideas and make suggestions in all simplicity and innocence. Nobody actively dislikes Jafara, for her personality is moulded to leave even the most irritable completely indifferent. Her interest in people stops short of meddling, she prefers to act in the background rather than take a front seat and, if she seems to know everything about everybody, she doesn't reveal it. As such, many people have made the critical error of confiding rather too much in her and, unbeknownst to them, paying for it. Under the unremarkable surface, Jafara knows the inner workings of the Kenash political system and her ability to blend into the background or remain anonymous has served her, and her circle of friends, very well.
Name: Aria Sitai Race: Human DoB: 49th Autumn, 495 AV PoB: Kenash Title: Member of the Sitai Family and professional slave-hunter. Relations: Daughter of Roland and Jafara Sitai, twin of Flavia Sitai, half-sister of Zuleikha and Adelaide Sitai. Niece of Dervain, Marshal and Rosamay Sitai. Skills: Hunting (48) Torture (31) Tracking (41) Interrogation (29) Intimidation (33) Riding (18) Gnosis: She may or may not be marked by Krysus (level 1)
Additional Info: The third child of Roland Sitai, Aria is a young woman of considerable strength of mind and ambition, her dominance and lust for power only curtailed by her twin sister, Flavia. Aria and Flavia are two sides of the same coin. Both completely different yet entirely similar. Aria is the dark, dominant side. Tempestuous and bitter, cruel and manipulative. Some people have called her a psychopath, others a sadist. Of course to do so would be to let her callous, vicious side define her, which would be wrong. She is a woman of considerable intelligence and culture, capable of playing the lute, speaking multiple languages and keeping the state of her finances in check with ease. She can be a lot of fun to be around, quick witted and daring. When she does express degrading behaviour towards other people, it is a means of proving what she perceives to be her natural superiority as well as a manifestation of her desire to cause pain to others. Luckily, most of her ire is taken out on any slave who dares to cross her rather than mere unsuspecting individuals. This did not, however, stop her from being kicked off the Sitai plantation, supposedly for reasons of lack of space, but one supposes that Dervain had more than enough of his niece's lack of basic human decency and, more importantly, lack of respect for other members of the Dynasty.
It is, however, important to note, that Aria can be incredibly charming when she wishes to be and her depth and intelligence means that she is invariably a perfect dinner guest.
Name: Flavia Sitai Race: Human DoB: 49th Autumn, 495 AV PoB: Kenash Title: Member of the Sitai Family and professional slave-hunter. Relations: Daughter of Roland and Jafara Sitai, twin of Flavia Sitai, half-sister of Zuleikha and Adelaide Sitai. Niece of Dervain, Marshal and Rosamay Sitai. Skills: Hunting (38) Tracking (22) Riding (18) Agriculture: Tobacco (41) Farming (30) Gnosis: N/A
Additional Info: The fourth child of Roland Sitai, Flavia is entirely different to her dominant twin, needing very little to be happy. In fact, she has two ambitions: to live on her family's estate, cultivating and experimenting with the tobacco that she so dearly loves the smell of and, since the age of fifteen, to quench the more than incestuous lust she feels for her uncle, Marshal Sitai. Flavia is a great deal kinder than Aria, so much so that she's practically a pushover and ends up involved in Aria's dark schemes. It is for this reason, and nothing else, that she trained to become a slave-hunter, as a hobby then as a profession, at her twin's request. Flavia is the only person able to calm down her sister and probably the only person that Aria loves, or as close to love as Aria is capable of. Although a skilled huntress, Flavia is relatively spineless and submissive in everything but her sex life. It is no secret that Flavia has had membership at 'The Caged Sun' since the age of sixteen and if one is unable to find her at the Bloodflower plantation or at her sister's apartment, she spends a great deal of her free time there.
Name: Sylvia Sitai Race: Human DoB: 11th Winter 540 AV PoB: Kenash Title: Dynast Skills: Food Preservation (43) Massage (31) Storytelling (51) Floristry (28) Gardening (26) Relations: Mother of Caspar and Ivan Sitai. Aunt of Roland, Dervain, Marshal and Rosamay Sitai. Great Aunt of Adelaide, Zuleikha, Flavia and Aria Sitai. Gnosis: Unknown Additional Info: Yatmina is a spritely and witty woman in her seventies, whose energy can outstrip even the fittest of young men. She has settled happily into an active old age surrounded by family, but she wasn't always flavour of the month at the Bloodflower Plantation. The younger sister of the last head of the Sitai household, Sylvia left the Bloodflower plantation aged only twenty when she declared that, "I can't be around that woman one moment more!" and promptly packed her bags, that woman being Yatmina Sitai, her sister-in-law and the woman considered to be the 'dowager' of the Sitai household.
Their rivalry is the story of a fifty five year game of trying to get one up on the other. As soon as It became known that Sylvia was hosting a party, Yatmina would be sure to organise one for the same day while Sylvia herself would never waste a moment in telling anyone who would listen that Yatmina was addicted to gambling (true) narcotics (also true) and more interested in a new dress than the family's affairs (very true)and therefore incapable of performing her role at the head of the family's Household. Her final revenge on her old rival is her perfect health compared to Yatmina's - fragile after years of substance abuse and chain smoking.
She married a distant cousin in 465 AV, but unfortunately had no children for seventeen years, which left her depressed for a while. Then, as if by a miracle, Caspar was born when she was forty-two, followed by Ivan when she was forty-seven. For this reason, there are rumours that both Caspar and Ivan were actually born following an affair rather than legitimately, something which Sylvia has never denied - though purely out of a belief that to make any word on the subject would purely fan the flames of gossip. At Ivan's birth, her husband took one look at his new-born son and promptly died, something which Sylvia likes to recount with a lot more relish and humour than properly called for. Since then, Sylvia has devoted herself to her sons and the three still live together in a private house within the city of Kenash itself.
Name: Caspar Sitai Race: Human DoB: 62nd Winter 582 AV PoB: Kenash Title: Dynast Skills: Seduction (67) Flirting (44) Organisation (32) Leadership (34) Weapon - Dagger (22) Relations: Son of Sylvia Sitai. Brother of Ivan Sitai. Cousin of Roland, Dervain, Marshal and Rosamay Sitai. Uncle of Adelaide, Zuleikha, Flavia and Aria Sitai. Gnosis: None Additional Info: Caspar Sitai was a miracle child just as hope was fading that his mother could ever have children. He was sickly for the first few years of his life and still suffers from the haemophilia which has haunted him since birth. As such, the boy was spoilt even more than most Dynasts are spoilt and was given anything he wanted except for his freedom. Any toy he wished for was immediately granted and his parents were at his beck and call but, unlike other children, he would never be allowed to climb a tree or run. Even the pages in the books were especially cut to limit the possibility of his receiving a paper cut. Naturally, his haemophilia was overemphasised and soon Caspar grew tired of his heavily sheltered existence and started rebelling. For his tutors, he became impossible to teach while his parents closed their eyes to his misdeeds.
At the age of fourteen, he had his first child with a slave girl, the first in a long line... and from that age onwards, he just kept getting further and further into trouble - wisely picking his fights with the freeborn rather than with the Dynasts. He was a womaniser but was just as likely to pick up handsome young men or, as Ivan put it, "Jump on anything that moved." while still battling his affliction. At the age of nineteen, Caspar first started seeking out Viratas and worshipping him, even committing the Viratassa to memory and sacrificing childhood pets - hoping that the god of Blood himself would be able to cure him of his terrible disease.
Name: Ivan Sitai Race: Human DoB: 85th Summer 487 AV PoB: Kenash Title: Dynast and Hairdresser Skills: Cosmetology (73) Bodybuilding (21) Meditation (46) Storytelling (36) Unarmed Combat (43) Relations: Son of Sylvia Sitai. Brother of Caspar Sitai. Cousin of Roland, Dervain, Marshal and Rosamay Sitai. Uncle of Adelaide, Zuleikha, Flavia and Aria Sitai. Gnosis: None Additional Info: Ivan is the apple of his mother's eye, an unashamed mummy's boy who takes great pleasure in practicing an Art, as he calls it, which many originally judged beneath him. As a child, he was wrapped up pretty much in cotton wool because his Mother - wrongly - believed him to suffer from haemophilia just as his brother did. Therefore, he was quite introverted and ready to amuse himself. It was when his technical niece, Adelaide, asked him to cut her hair (after he had just turned eleven) that he discovered his true calling. While his brother spent his teen years chasing after girls, Ivan started to cultivate his talent and, finally, opened his first Salon when he was eighteen, before moving up to his current, larger premises not long after he turned twenty-two. Ivan cuts hair, styles it and sends happy customers on their way with a boyish half-smile because if there's something he understands intrinsically, it's hair. For him, it's both an Art and a Science. Something creative through which he can express himself, but also something meticulous which has to be done exactly right.
Otherwise, Ivan has a very caring personality, a good sense of humour and, in spite of what some people think, possesses a quiet brilliance that bubbles constantly under the surface, intrinsically visible but not altogether evident. He is a teetotaller and a vegetarian, with no inclination to try either meat or alcohol. His brother teases him for this and often calls him 'soft' whereas, in fact, Ivan has a good knowledge of how to defend himself and train his physique. Another thing that sets him apart from other Dynasts is that his mantra towards slavery is: "A happy slave is a hard-working slave." For this reason, he has got into trouble before for opposing certain punishments and laws that he deemed draconian... leading to his being told to stay out of politics and earning him more of his brother's ridicule. Still, he loves his elder brother and has always looked up to him, a love that is requited even if Caspar likes to play at being the 'tough guy'.
Eternal, wise, and cunning, the Nuit of the Zulaca Dynasty possess incredible knowledge of both the plants they cultivate and the culture of Kenash.
The Zulaca :
Name: Carthrys Zulaca Race: Nuit DoB:Unknown PoB:Unknown Title: Head of Household of Godstouch Skills: Leadership 78; Botany 70; Philtering 68; Embalming 62; Persuasion 60; Weapon: Bladed Rope Dart 58; Agriculture: Modified Tobacco and Cotton 48; Wilderness Survival: Swamp 46; Philosophy 40 Gnosis:Bala 2 Additional Info: Carthyrs came to Kenash originally in the employ of the Askara. He was Nuit at the time and his origin and age are completely unknown, nor will he tell. If asked, Carthyrs will change the subject to history regarding Godstouch plantation. After helping the Askara sow their fields, he asked them for a chance to have land of his own. A negotiation took place, ending in the Nuit's favour, and the first seeds of Godstouch were planted.
He moved a distance away from them, and away from prying eyes he began planting and harvesting on his own time. Carthyrs is not a harsh Nuit, and lacks any of the coldness that seems integral to most Nuit in Mizahar. Instead, the old creature is delightful to speak to, enunciating in a rich, slow tone.
Carthyrs began to collect slaves only after his garden got too large for him to handle on his own. Since then it has grown exponentially. Carthyrs personally believes that much like his own journey, slaves can only earn their right to freedom through hard work and merit. Not many possess the 'spark' that he had and those that do are, in his opinion, the more worthy of a dynasty title in Kenash. That is not to say that the old Nuit is soft or forgiving. Some have observed that Zulaca has little tolerance for cruelty. The Radacke treatment of slaves is deplorable in his eyes, who sees the world as something that must be gently cultivated, encouraged, and even pruned if necessary.
The conscious decision to dehumanize is a terrible crime in Carthyrs’ eyes and he does what he can to buy Radacke slaves for his own plantation… at the least to liberate them from their suffering. There is a measured peace to the intelligence of one who can think in decades and centuries rather than the limited scope of those with ordinary lifespans. Carthyrs always makes his moves slowly, gradually, but they produce dramatic ripples in the social climate of Kenash.
It is easy, perhaps, to underestimate Carthyrs as simply a glorified gardener, but those who have had the time to accrue perspective see Carthyrs as the only soul that has been with Kenash since its founding. He has seen its direction, he has personally experienced all its major events, and perhaps no one is as prepared for its future as Zulaca.
Name: Saliero Zulaca Race: Nuit (Formerly Human/Benshira) DoB: Winter 453 PoB: Ekytol Title: Seneschal Skills: Finances 76, Persuasion 62, Intelligence 57, Weapon: Crossbow 49, Poison 34, Gnosis: Unknown Additional Info: Before he was bought by Cathyrs, Saliero was a field worker for the Sitai. In the field he was attacked by a creature from the swamp and sustained crippling injuries to his right leg. The condition would impart a permanent severe limp to his right leg and the Sitai deemed him unfit and useless to continue in the fields. Cathyrs bought him from the Sitai for two thirds of his original price and brought him to his own plantation. There Saliero was treated, but the prognosis remained the same, he would have a permanent limp. It was around this time that Saliero revealed to Cathyrs that before he was taken, he was a merchant in Ekytol. His small domain was long since gone, but the keen mind of a mathematician and businessman remained.
At first, Cathyrs was content to keep Saliero as a house slave, cleaning with his limited means and sometimes consulting him for financial matters. As time went by, Saliero suggested several notable methods by which Zulaca could cut expenditure and increase profitability, even going so far as to suggest some of his own experience with Syliras and alternate ways to make deals with them. Cathyrs was impressed enough to grant Saliero his freedom by adoption into the Zulaca family. Lusting after his former life of riches and lavish comforts, Saliero took to the position perhaps better than Cathyrs expected. Of the two of them, sometimes it seems Saliero more looks the part of a rich plantation owner than old man Zulaca. Personally, Saliero is responsible for a notable increase in profits to both Zulaca and Kenash as a whole. With his limp gone and his body replaceable, Saliero has taken to life as a Nuit far better than most. Though his ability to enjoy the pleasures of Kenash have faded, he instead prides himself in his acumen and the ability to, like Carthrys, shape Kenash over the generations.
While he was initially looked down upon by the other plantation families for his former status, his ingenious insight into finances brought an efficiency to Kenash in the last ten years that it did not know before. Not that he is solely responsible, but of all the slaves Cathyrs has elevated, it is Saliero who is at least tolerated by the other dynasties, if not respected. Every three years, Saliero takes a trip to Syliras in order to see to contract negotiations and other dealings with the castle city, and always seems to return with freshly minted mizas for the city to enjoy.
Name: Fedozya Zulaca Race: Nuit DoB: Spring 34, 346 AV PoB: Sunberth Title: Caretaker of the Zulaca Household Skills: Leadership: 73, Socialization: 61, Organization: 55, Teaching: 62, Ocarina: 65 Gnosis: N/A Additional Info: Fedozya Zulaca was born in Sunberth, more than 160 years ago. She never knew her parents, who sold her as soon as she was weaned from her mother. The first twenty years of her life were spent going from city to city as she was sold and traded into different kinds of slavery. Field work, house work, pleasure work, Fedozya has done it all. She had often thought of ending her own life, should she get the chance. But then she met the Zulaca. She was purchased by a traveling slaver headed to Kenash, hoping he could pawn her off as a pleasure slave to one of the dynasty families. However, upon their arrival, she was purchased by the Zulaca family, and set to work as a house slave.
Over the next decade, she proved her worth twice over. Showing great aptitude not only for learning new tasks, but for teaching them, she was allowed greater and greater roles of leadership among the slaves. As time went by, she proved herself to be a true professional in terms of organizing and leading the Zulaca house slaves. Suspecting there may be even more lying beneath the surface, Carthrys had her trained in other disciplines as well, to see if she truly had the potential she appeared to have. She was set to work learning to play host to visiting friends and families, as well as tasked with learning to play an instrument, to make things more pleasant on the plantation.
For the next few years, the suspicions harbored by the wise and far seeing head of the household proved to be true, as they often do. Fedozya proved an excellent hostess with a little training, becoming adept at identifying social cues and operating with finesse and pleasantness in myriad different situations. For an instrument, she took up the Ocarina, having been fond of it as a young girl. It wasn't long before she was memorizing songs, and has even tried her hand at writing a few. Having proven her worth and potential to the family, she was offered the chance to become one of the Dynasty, an opportunity she accepted with unending gratitude. Since then, she has served as overseer to the house slaves of Zulaca, seeing to it that they are well trained and pleasant hosts to whomever graces the family home.
Fedozya is a woman who often seems rough around the edges when you first meet her. Over 100 years later, there are still lingering effects from her years being passed around Mizahar as a pleasure slave. Often times she is cold to those she has just met, men in particular, though if you are a guest on the plantation she would never let that show. She has a soft spot for young women and often takes a very maternal position in the lives of the female slaves on the plantation, proving to be very firm but effective in producing slaves who are both emotionally, mentally, and physically fit for any duties that they may be assigned to.
Additional Info: An enigma. An unknown. Hidden and sheltered from the world beyond Godstouch, Elesaiyah Zulaca has faded into obscurity as her social stability began to decay. An age of unlife, an existence of pursuit, the Nuit is all but lost in the magic that she relentlessly pursues. Power without fame is the highlight of her existence, though she plays an irreplaceable and fully necessary role in the house of Zulaca.
Elesaiyah speaks very little to those who would know of her, yet when she does converse, one would notice an incredible intellect hidden behind dead, emotionless eyes. A product of a different generation of Daek-nuit, she is one of the Everwalking, a life cast aside in favour of knowledge. She speaks in an unfailingly cold, direct tone, casting upon those who breach her domain with a spiteful gaze. She warms up only to Fedozya Zulaca, and rarely so; however, some note a relation with Carthrys Zulaca, as well.
The history of Elesaiyah is complex and when pressed, she will reveal it only to those with sufficient knowledge to provide for her in return, though she has lived a life of research. Brought into the tutelage of one of the progeny of Yovinkus Wotch and the Everwalking as a young girl, she showed immediate and prodigious talent in the craft. Though her mind was able and her ability present, her hands never showed the talent for gadgeteering or woodworking that could rise with her ability.
So she took to re-animating the dead. She began with animals, infusing into them inferior soul cores, watching as over the years, as a living human, her ability developed. She persuaded her master to turn her into one of the Everwalking like himself. He obliged, but on the condition that she take a grand oath binding her to his service. And it was then that her true life, an unlife, began. Her master would fall to suicide after centuries of joint research, leaving behind both the culmination of their research and a note left to the destitute Elesaiyah, and with it, her freedom.
No longer bound to a master, Elesaiyah debated the very same suicide that had freed her, but she found purpose. She met Carthrys, a Nuit who divulged to her a plan. She would leave him to his devices for years, but when he sent for her... she answered. And since that day, Carthrys Zulaca and Elesaiyah have presided over the Zulaca Dynasty, though the latter's influence is lost to secrecy. Only the Zulaca whose unlife has been purchased with her talent know of her talents and her influence.
Higher than slaves, the Freeborn experience a glass ceiling in Kenash, but with effort... a free man can overcome all boundaries.
Freeborn :
✥ Business Owners
Name: Jakeepa Race: Chaktawe DoB: 29th of Winter, 466AV PoB: Eyktol Title: Owner/Instructor at jakeepa's School of Feminine Arms Skills: Weapon, Dagger - 76 | Weapon, Iron Fan - 60 | Weapon, Atani, - 54 | Teaching - 30 | Politics - 20 | Wilderness Survival, Desert - 10 Gnosis: None Additional Info: Jakeepa, formerly of the Suli tribe, found herself in Kenash through a series of unlikely events involving her husband's death and a strong worship of Makutsi. When pressed, she will respond that she feels Makutsi more deeply in the swampy rivers and marshes of Kenash than she ever did in Eyktol's lands.
Desiring to keep herself useful (and free), she began to study many of the more subtle weapons, discovering in the process that she had a knack for self-defense. With the remaining gems from her bridal pouch, Jakeepa purchased a dilapidated building on the edge of Kenash proper and began to officially offer her lessons to any free woman in Kenash - for a fee.
✥ CRAFTERS & ARTISANS
Name: Anneal Lorak Gillain Race: Human, Vantha DoB: Summer 5th, 483 AV PoB: Kenash Title: None Skills: Teaching 42, Botany 40, Singing 39, Writing 34, Intelligence 33, Cryptography 29, Cartography 27, Medicine 23, Gadgeteering 18, Wilderness Survival: Swamp 11 Gnosis: None Additional Info: Anneal Lorak is a curious soul, always wanting to learn new trades of skills, yet never truly settling into any of it. This younger sister of Lorana can be counted as a jack of all trades. She is always eager to study and to share her knowledge, but had never been one to settle. Anneal did not mind not to excel in particularly anything, always in the shadows of someone. That's how she preferred it, actually.
The Lorak is sweet and friendly and well-liked throughout the city. Occasionally, Anneal will over her skills to teach some Freeborn kids informally. The rest of her time was spent exploring the city, meeting new people who might teach a thing or two for her. It was actually how she had met her husband, Rhysander Gillain. Now that she is married, the woman is more settled, staying at home most of the time.
Name: Rhysander Gillain Race: Human DoB: Spring 39th, 480 AV PoB: Nyka Title: None Skills: Gadgeteering 60, Drawing 52, Metalsmithing 51, Carpentry 42, Mathematics 37, Carving 34, Sculpting 33, Etching 26, Intelligence 19, Rhetoric 16 Gnosis: Izentor 1 Additional Info: Rhysander Gillain had lived a harsh life in Nyka, leaving with an abusive father who is far too devotional to the gods - so much that it had scared Rhysander when he was younger. Sick of it, the intelligent young man ran away from the city, slipping away unnoticed with a merchant caravan. It had been the greatest decision he had ever made. Rhysander later settled in Zeltiva, studying many arts in this city of knowledge. He proved to be quite brilliant, especially in the fields of gadgeteering. After years and years, Rhysander decided to travel around Mizahar to sell many of his creations, figuring that there might be remote areas that might appreciate the technology he offers.
When he traveled to Kenash to sell his creations, he met a charming woman who turned out to be Anneal Lorak, a Dynasty member. It didn't take long for the pair to fall in love and marry. Rhysander is well-liked by the Lorak, because of his intellect, offering state-of-the-arts gadgets for the family. Some say that Rhysander only married Anneal for the sake of the status. It was waved away almost immediately, seeing how smitten the couple was. As he was from outside the city, Rhysander had always disapproved of the slavery in Kenash, not seemingly shy to share his thoughts. He had been warned time to time that this attitude of his will get him into trouble one day. One day . . .
✥ HIRED HANDS (SERVANTS)
Name: Belquey Hass Race: Human DoB: 4th day of Fall, 456 AV PoB: Kenash, Cyphrus Region Title: Measure of the Ano Cult Skills: Politics 68; Rhetoric 55; Intelligence 51; Logic 39 Gnosis: 2 Severing Marks of Gnora Additional Info:
The Ackina family had never been versed in the art of politics; slave traders from Ravok, trained in business and negotiation, not rhetoric and subterfuge. Yet their patriarch of the family sought Dynasty status none the less. Instead of training themselves, they sent word south, requesting the assistance of the Ano Cult to help them rise to power in the Swamp City. In response, an Measure, skilled in politics, rode northward with his wife and young infant in tow, ready and willing to help them achieve their goal.
Belquey was this child.
He was raised in Kenash, leaving only for a two year study in Ahnatep when he was eight. For the rest of his life, he aided his father as he guided the Ackina towards their goal, all the while learning the tools of his father's trade. Belquey was granted access to meetings and events that even full-blooded Dynasty members were forbidden from, standing off in the shadow, stirring only when his father requested him; by the age of twenty, he knew Kenash better than the back of his hand, even more than several of the Dynasty members themselves.
When his father passed away in 492 AV, Belquey was asked to remain at Clawstone and act as adviser to Morrison just as his own father had acted before him. Thus he remained, forever serving the Ackina household. He is a shadow to the head of the household, constantly watching for the hints and details that others were blind to. As an Ano Cultist, he had no desire for personal power, only to aid the Ackina as they tried to maintain the power they had only just acquired. He is quiet, intelligent, and a danger that didn't require a sword to ruin you.
Of course, he's always watching for his goddess and his Cult as well, in case his position in Kenash is ever required to keep the balance in Mizahar.
Name: Iora Race: Human, Inarta DoB: Fall 88, 498 AV PoB: Wind Reach Title: Personal Servant of Katherine Morealis Skills: Gardening 15, Cleaning 10, Persuasion 10, Running 5, Organization 5, Storytelling 5 Gnosis: None
Additional Info: Before she had practically forced her services upon her current employer, Iora was roaming the streets of Kenash in search of a stable means of living. Her money all but used up, the Inarta knew it was only a matter of time before she ends up a slave, a fate she had ran away from in Wind Reach.
One Summer day, her body tired and her stomach protesting in hunger, an impassive Katherine Morealis chanced upon her and disgustedly shoved food into the girl’s hands. It was the most exquisite thing Iora had ever tasted in her whole life. Mistaking the lady’s gesture as an act of generosity, she tailed the young Morealis for days, stubbornly asking for a job. An exasperated Katherine finally gave in and hired her as help at the cosmetics shop. Iora’s job description includes being her mistress’ gofer, entertainer, and product tester. The young Inarta doesn’t mind though, even when she gets punished a lot for no reason at all. Her life was easy compared to other slaves of her age forced to work in the fields. The main reason she refuses to quit, however, was her huge girl crush on her mistress, which Katherine fully knows and often uses to manipulate the younger woman for her own amusement.
Name: Luca Ranolus Race: Human, Vantha DoB: Spring 78th, 477 AV PoB: Avanthal Title: Head Guard of Whitesnake Plantation Skills: Weapon: Bastard Sword 65, Leadership 59, Intimidation 45, Unarmed Combat 43, Weapon: Crossbow 39, Acrobatics 34, Body Building 30, Tracking 27, Wilderness Survival: Swamp 26, Riding 26, Running 21 Gnosis: 2 Evantia Additional Info: Born as Luca Snowsong, he grew up surrounded by music and carvings. But neither art had caught his interest. Instead, he sought to learn the arts of fighting from various merchants and travelers that happen to cross Avanthal. Luca would often ditch his music lesson and sneak out in order to practice. His father was furious when he found out and an argument broke out. Being a rash kid, Luca ran away and hid inside a merchant caravan until they left the mountains.
His life from then consisted of moving around, sneaking from one caravan to the next. When he was old enough, he started to gain money with his fighting skills - either as a guard or a mercenary. Luca never stayed in one place for too long. Until he reached Kenash, at least. Here Luca found the group of Vantha who did not hold onto the traditions, that dared to be different. Things never could have gone better. He got his status as a freeborn, starting as a mere guard for the Lorak Family slowly climbed up their ranks and at some point, he gave himself a new name.
Name: Nessala Oleander Race: Symenestra DoB: 26th, Winter, 491 PoB: Kalinor Skills: Mathematics 10, Glassworking 5, Philtering 5, Seduction 15, Persuasion 15. Gnosis: None Additional Info: Nessie is a sweet, youthful Symenestran girl barely in her twenties. She is a cut above the average Freeborn in terms of looks which come from her genes. Because of this, she has a knack for persuading or even seducing others, especially of the opposite sex. Nessala came to Kenash from Kalinor in search of knowledge, adventure and potential victims to glean. Instead, she stuck out like a sore thumb and nearly got in a tangle with the law. The shop's proprietor, Acteon Zulaca, spared her from imminent slavery by pretending that she came from afar to learn from him. He offered her a job clerking his glassware shop and she was in no position to decline. After a couple weeks of impressive work, she was offered a solid pay rate and decided to stay in Kenash as D&D's clerk and apprentice. Her natural charm and better grasp of mathematics makes her an essential piece to the business, enrapturing potential customers and improving sales.
✥ MISCELLANEOUS
Name: Enhidde Felliger Race: Human DoB: 14th of Summer, 477AV PoB: Ravok Title: Fortune Teller, Odsgrace Skills: Fortune Telling - 68 | Rhetoric - 51 | Observation - 32 | Philtering - 29 | Intelligence - 26 | Seduction - 18 | Weapon: Knife, Wrist - 16 Gnosis:Chaon, L2 Additional Info: Twice marked by Rhysol, Enhidde is a compelling woman. Though not conventionally beautiful, there is an air about her that nearly everyone - men and women alike - is drawn to. Scarves wrap her head, and metal coins and bells drip from her skirts. Eyes filled with dark mystery command attention; the effect is such that one often fails to immediately notice the ghostly cast of her left eye. It might be assumed that she suffers from impaired vision, but the milky trace is merely a result of Rhysol's touch, and his gnosis: Chaon.
Enhidde is not evil - ask her, she'll tell you. It is simply that she sees much can be gained by encouraging uncertainty, fear, and paranoia in others. Her work as a fortune teller affords her every opportunity to spread doubt and plant the seeds of chaos in citizens at every level of whichever city she finds herself in.
Recently, Kenash has caught her eye. The sparkling wealth, dynamic politics, and ever-present hunger for power have drawn her; Rhysol has blessed her with increasingly potent tools with which to spread his influence, and Enhidde is eager to bring a certain level of chaos to bear upon Kenasherns citywide. One should be wary when visiting her shop - Enhidde will reveal a truth in some manner or other, companionably nestled amongst convincing lies. Occasionally, temptation is too great, and Enhidde calls upon the power of her gnosis marks to make life in Kenash just the tiniest bit more... Interesting.
Name: Lusiq Joral Race: Human DoB: 49th day of Summer, 485 AV PoB: Ravok Title: N/A Relations: Fiance to Kaljia Lynint Skills: Seduction 66; Business 58; Politics 49; Intelligence 45, Unarmed Combat 33 Gnosis: 1 Mark of Rhysol Additional Info:
Lusiq had always been a manipulator in life. Born to a whore in the House of Immortal Pleasures, he had grown up in an environment where seduction was the name of the game, where for just an hour at a time, you ruled over the lives of others. And at age fourteen, when he began working in the House himself, he proved to be talented in the art of seduction; not that the beautiful looks his father had gifted him didn't help either. But Lusiq learned early on though that he enjoyed secrets more than the sex, the knowledge more than the experience. His mother had always told him he could be great, like the wealthy father he had never known. He toiled over his future for years, undecided on just what he wished to do with his life.
Rhysol decided for him, though.
The God of Chaos came to Lusiq one night and marked him oddly, on the bottom of his foot of all places. Soon after, an Acolyte of the Black Sun visited the House and told the man that he had been chosen to serve the Defiler. Lusiq did what most people Ravokians would've done, too; he agreed. Once a whore, now an Agent, always a manipulator.
He served in Ravok, honing his current skills and gaining new ones, for two years before he was assigned to an Acolyte who sought to establish Rhysol's presence in city of Kenash. Donning the guise of a slaver, Lusiq was tasked with the goal establishing himself in Kenash politics, and manipulate it towards chaos whenever possible.
He realized, though, that the city was already chaotic when he arrived there in the Spring of 512 AV. A mere month later, the Acolyte he served under perished from illness, leaving him alone in a foreign city with weak connections to his home city thousands of miles away. It definitely was a difficult situation.
A situation which Lusiq flourished in.
For a year, Lusiq delved into the politics of the city, trying to breach it any way possible; all the while, he was making a name for himself by selling slaves exported to the city from Ravok, usually surplus Kelvics from the Research Institute with a few other undesirables. It was through this that he met Kaljia Lynint, who took an interest in the man. Over the months, a relationship budded between, Lusiq utilizing the skills he had learned years before in the House to win the woman's heart. His efforts, long and tiring that they were, paid off when she accepted his betrothal in the late Fall of 513 AV. He had finally achieved the initial goal laid down to him over a year ago.
Now the real fun could begin.
Name:Markus Harbinger Race:Human DoB:21 spring 478 PoB:Kenash Title:Fisherman (Freeborn) Skills:50 Fishing, 30 teaching, 10 Business Gnosis:None Additional Info:Freeborn who provides fishing lessons at Glass Beach
Markus Harbinger is a freeborn male from Kenash. His mother was freeborn, his father was supposedly a slave but he was never certain. Thanks to his mothers status it was easy to get his papers in order to retain his freeborn status. He has lead an unremarkable life, staying out of the politics of the Dynasty, and managing to avoid getting too involved with the slaves. He is happy to continue his simple life, fishing, selling his fish, and teaching the occasional person how to fish.
Name: Oscar Myope Race: Human DoB: 4th Winter 485AV PoB: Zeltiva Title: Freeborn - Lawyer Skills: Politics:42xp:Competent, Persuasion:57xp:Expert, Riding:12xp:Novice Relations: In a ménage-a-trois with Adelaide (PC) Gnosis: None Additional Info: Oscar is as poor as a church-mouse. Training law in Zeltiva before arriving in Kenash, and the son of wealthy merchants, he finds the dynasty system very restrictive and is opposed to it, using his legal training to help those who don't have the money to pay the legal fees. Although he does take on wealthier clients, and they pay for his common upkeep, he is known as a defender of those who can't defend themselves. Unfortunately, the law of Kenash being the way it is, he usually loses his legal battles in spite of his expertise. What most people agree on is this: He is a good, likeable man.
More revered than Freeborn of any other station, these talented and influential individuals have earned the right to tutor Dynasty heirs and heiresses in their field of specialty.
The Tutors :
Name: Olivia Knollis
Race: Mixed Blood (Human and Dhani Blood)
DoB: Spring 19th, 481 AV
PoB: Kenash
Title: Tutor of the Magical Arts (Projection and Reimancy)
Skills: 62 Projection, 52 Teaching, 53 Reimancy (Fire, Water and Air. Para-elements: Lightning), 32 Persuasion, 21 Seduction, 15 Weapon: Dagger.
Gnosis: None.
Additional Info:A child born from a Rajor male and one of his many toys. This Mixed Blood was born outside of the influence of the Rajor family. Forgotten and forsaken publicly, the Olivia was granted mercy from her father by means of a new life. She was put into the care of a Freeborn family, raised in status by means of bribery. She was, as a result, spoiled by her new family, who considered her to be a gift from the Gods themselves, and raised to be educated in the magical arts. Initiated into both Projection and Reimancy, the woman was given tools she needed to be coveted and wanted in the city of Kenash, if feared, as well.
Upon reaching adulthood, the woman proved herself to be a powerful mage, and has amassed wealth as a tutor for the Dynasties. She provides her services free of charge to the Rajor Dynasty on the condition that they prove to be intelligent and pass her assessment. For all others, she charges a flat rate for tutelage in Projection and Reimancy.
Olivia is well-known in Kenash for her eccentric personality, her accent clearly marking her Rajor heritage, which she insists on maintaining despite the obvious fact that her name and her appearance clearly dictate otherwise. She is extremely vain, and lashes out at her pupils incessantly if they fail to follow her indications to the letter. She is a harsh instructor, teetering on the edges between sweetness and brutality, her extreme personality likely a side effect of overgiving. (Ask the local Storyteller for the fee, it is subject to change. Initiations into Reimancy and Projection must be moderated due to the volatile nature of Olivia Knollis.)
Name: Cassandra Rossierre
Race: Human
DoB: 17th Winter, 494 AV
PoB: Kenash
Title: Renowned Gambler/Tutor (Hypnotism and Auristics)
Additional Info:This woman is an enigma in every sense of the word. Known as a magus only by the members of the Dynasty, who she exclusively caters her services to, she is allowed to run amok in the city of Kenash, earning her fortune through the card games she flourishes with. She frequently sits in the gambling hall of Towery's Gambling, taking home a portion of their profits as her own personal winnings. She has developed a taste for manipulating others, tormenting their minds and ravaging their thoughts for the sake of her own pleasure. Her dress is purposely provocative, the intent on driving the lust of men and women alike, using Hypnotism to further invoke these feelings upon those that catch her eye.
She is a wily soul, uncontrolled and uninhibited by things such as morality or compassion, driven to fuel her desires and swell her fortunes, which she lavishly spends on herself and the pleasures of chocolate, clothing, drink, smoke and excess that makes itself so available in the city proper. She prides herself in having never left the city, for to her, there is nothing the world beyond the swamp city can offer her, in her own opinion.
She gladly takes on students, intent on manipulating them, not for profit, but for amusement, and allows them to study her methods after initiating them into the magicks that she prides herself in so. (Rates are subject to change, please ask your local Storyteller for details.)
Additional Info: Something of a legend in the city of Kenash, Alfred Lancaster is a mercenary, taking jobs primarily from the Draer Dynasty, though his reach expands beyond those confines. Known for fighting Zith with his bare hands, the Gray Fist has shown himself not only to be an extremely effective combatant, but a fair tutor in his own right. His lessons are, without exception, individual, lasting for no more than two bells a piece, and he insists on direct application of learning through example and combat. The Gray Fist shows himself to be an extremely likable fellow, keeping in with the fashions of Kenash as a Freeborn, speaking eloquently and ably to the Dynasties. He sports a trademark gauntlet on his right hand, both a Freeborn Mark visible at the back of his left, as well as a mark of the Kuvan on his wrist.
The Gray Fist was born in Riverfall, spending the first twenty years of his life learning what it was to fight and defend. Earning Kuvan status in the city, it was not until he turned twenty-seven that he heard of a new place, a grand pasture where a man of the sword, or in his case, the gauntlet, could make a true name for himself. He decided to go, become Freeborn and quickly found employ within the Draer Dynasty, the influence of which, in a matter of just two years in the city, allowed him to gain the influence to reach the point of prestige where he could become a tutor.
A fair man in all respects of his life, the Gray Fist is keen on values of Integrity and Honour, quick to anger in the presence of those who fail to keep their word, though he is intelligent enough to know to hold his tongue.
Rates for tutelage are subject to change, please consult your local Storyteller.
Name: Bardas Mulch Race: Human DoB: 43rd of Autumn, 450AV PoB: Zeltiva Title: Tutor (Rhetoric, Negotiation, Persuasion, languages) Skills: Rhetoric 63, Negotiation 54, Persuasion 49, Teaching 48, Writing 42, Weapon: Dagger 27 Gnosis: None Additional Info: This man is one with much experience, far more than the standard fare of Kenashians. After seeing so much of the world, Bardas has settled in Kenash to enjoy an easier life of relative peace, disrupted by the occasional dynasty spat he has to witness during his tutelage. His vast wealth of knowledge is highly sought after for teaching the progeny of each dynasty, and he knows every human language along with some non-human ones as well. The social guidelines that define Kenashian culture are not his liking, but he has come here to settle down for the remainder of his life, rather than make a ruckus. Similarly, he doesn't tolerate people trying to weasel him out of a deal or uncooperative students, but he does get along well with those who show an eagerness for studying under him. When he's not out on a job, he's at his home and trying his best to ignore the noise outside.
The Zeltivan left the cramped quarters of his home for the vast world he knew was out there, and for thirty years of his life he traveled around Mizahar, spending time in each city he could to study the people and their language. He became a caravan scholar, selling his teaching services and using the money to pay for the next voyage. As much as he came to love the world he lived in, in his later years he knew that his days of traveling were numbered, and so chose to settle in a city where he felt would be a comfortable place to spend the rest of his life.
So, in 488AV, he bought a home in Kenash and has made a very successful living tutoring the dynasty brats around the swamp.
Fees are subject to chance and should be consulted with the local ST.
The runaway slaves of Kenash often have one goal in mind: exacting revenge upon their former masters!
Rujaro :
✥ Qintal
Name: Jarrick Race: Human DoB: 21 Spring, 490 PoB: Syliras Title: Creator and Leader of Rujaro Skills: 90 Wilderness Survival, 85 Brawling, 75 Hunting, 65 Land Navigation, 55 Leadership. Gnosis: None Additional Info: Jarrick is an NPC that should not be Self-Modded without AS approval as he is central to the Rujaro. If you want a scene with Jarrick PM Vice and we will work something out
Jarrick was a simple man, he had grown up in Syliras and had taken a trip on a whim. His friend had a can't lose idea of trading. The problem was neither he nor his friend were particularly skilled at trading. He was only seventeen years old when he and his friend stumbled into Kenash penniless. Because they had no ready means of support the then Magistrate did not give them the normal 30 days of grace before they were given over to the slave auction.
House Radacke purchased Jarrick, while his friend went to house Draer. Another unfortunate turn of events happened when the house Radacke realized that Jarrick did not particularly like being a slave. Their -unusual- methods of breaking slaves did not work on Jarrick and only made him hardened. They shifted him around to find the spot that they could use him best, thus allowing him ample time to learn the swamp and its inhabitants that were not of the two legged variety. Five years of slavery found Jarrick jaded and disabused of the kindness of civilization, and one night he escaped into the night. Rumor has it that he is still alive out there in the swamp, eluding capture though there is a high reward for his head. It is rumored that should a slave bring Jarrick's head to a Radacke Magistrate that they might even earn their freeborn status but that is just rumored.
What is fact is he did begin to gather other slaves, but unlike popular belief he does not take in just any slave who runs away. He helps those when he can, to escape out of the swamp perhaps to meet up with the Drykas in the Sea of Grass, or perhaps just to die...but to die free. No he gathers like minded slaves, who's sole purpose for living now is to bring down the Dynasty's. He called them Rujaro.
✥ Roonitza
Name: Cass
Race: Human
DoB: Winter 42, 494 AV
PoB: Kenash: Radacke Plantation
Title: Roonitza: Headhunter. ('Recruiter' for escaped slaves.)
Additional Info: Raised under the tyranny of the Radacke Dynasty, Cass was exposed to the dark side of Kenash from a very young age. Abused and beaten by her master, her life was made, purposely so, a nightmare, none of the blissful content present in the minds of the better treated slaves allowed for her. When Cass became of age to be useful as a vehicle for sexual pleasure, she was sent to the Caged Sun. Two seasons of being passed between there and having to surrender to the sexual depravity of her own master passed before Cass, sixteen years of age at the time, decided to leave.
She stole the sturdiest weapon she could find from her Master's quarters, and bashed him over the skull with it once before fleeing Kenash and into the swamp. She was captured by the Rujaro and pushed into her trial immediately, something she was all too willing to do. Seven days later, she found the Rujaro encampment herself, and was liberated from her chains. Before being allowed to participate in raids, she was forced to learn how to use her club, a process which took several seasons of trial and error. To this day, she keeps the same weapon, calling it "Moira" in times of distress or before she leads over a raid.
Despite the woman's young age, Jarrick took notice of her fire, allotting her a rather high-ranking position as one of the Roonitza's 'Headhunters', leading the team on rescue, capture and raid missions that are dedicated to the liberation of slaves and encouraging them to swell the ranks of the Rujaro.
Cass is a decent leader, though her tendency to swear incessantly and insult those beneath her alienates her from those she commands, creating friction outside of a life or death situation. Though, when a mission or a life is on the line, Cass focuses entirely on the mission and does her utmost to ensure that her allies survive the encounter, at times putting herself in serious danger. She cares nothing for the material reward that the Rujaro accumulate, her lot in life self-imposed with a singular intent: Destruction of the hierarchy of the Dynasties. Her determination for this is, by some, said to be equal to Jarrick's.
Cass has a tendency to coat her face and body with mud as a sort of war paint, at times choosing to form designs on the skin, at others using it simply out of habit. She has found that it helps her blend into the swamp and predators tend not to bother her nearly as much as others.
Leader : Steven Paille Race : Human, Drykas Plantation Name : Stormsgrace Symbol : Swirl of Wind Description :
The Paille family has an overwhelming number of Stormwardens in it and is perhaps the most volatile yet easily necessary family in the Swamp. The Paille seem, for all their restlessness, to be more accepted as committee leaders and the most trusted to be fair in decision making. They really do tend to get along with all the other dynasties despite their numerous stormwardens. Helping to control the weather and thus the flooding of crops, this family has an equal number of men and women within its depths. The Paille can trace their linage back to the Drykas of the Grasslands. Their founding father was a striderless Drykas who came to help with the settlement of Kenash and become a farmer. It was discovered that his ties to the land ran deep and this family was the first to introduce cotton to the region where only tobacco was attempted prior. His Stormwarden lover, a true bonded Drykas, followed him into exile, and together they built a legacy that still stands today. In fact, within the city, the most profitable shop is Paille owned where stormgems are sold.
✥ The Konrath Family
Leader : Lorenzo Konrath Race : Akalak & Konti Plantation Name : Boldvine Symbol : Vine Description :
The Koranth family is made up entirely of Akalaks and Konti. There are occasionally human women taken to wife by the Akalak patriarchs, but most do not last more than a pregnancy or two before they vanish. All illegitimate children gotten on slaves are kept and embraced in this family with open arms. Ruthless, with extremely good fighters, the Koranth boys are a force to be reckoned with in the actual city itself. Being one of the only families without its own security force, the Koranth Dynasty needs none. Each and every boy, trained in farming or no, knows how to fight. And quite a few of the daughters do as well. The Koranth estate is famed for its huge tracts of bamboo that it grows as a crop alongside the more standard Kenash crops.
✥ The Askara Family
Leader : Banjemin Cherales Mahtu Askara the Tenth Race : Human Plantation Name : Formally, Sweet Home Askara and, informally, Shara Symbol : A Banjo Crossed Over a Sickle Description :
While the roots of most Kenash Dynasties run fairly deep, it is the Askara's that run the deepest. Ten generations old, it was Banjemin Askara the First who sowed the seeds of the very first tobacco crops in the region. It was he and his wife, Elisaba, who opened the doors to their then very humble home to members of the Paille and Morealis families, as they came seeking a different way of life. And, as would be expected of such a long-lived family, one needs to look no further than the Askara's to understand where many of Kenash's traditions and values - most of which are upheld to this very day - originated.
With the birth of each generation, came the need - nay, the blinding desire - for additional wealth and power, which, in turn, resulted in the classes growing further and further apart. The harder the family pushed its agenda - usually with great success, since, at the time, there was very little standing in their way - the deeper the divide grew between those who were blood and those who were not. By the time Banjemin the Third was in power, there was a clearly defined line drawn in the rich soil of the swampland. The opulent upper class stood proudly on one side, while the petulant slave-class groveled on the other.
Yet, as with most families - big or small, rich or poor - the Askara's began to suffer more and more from inner turmoil and angst, which, in this particular case, was fueled by greed and corruption. Although, to the family's credit, those gazing in from the outside would never be the wiser, for the Askara's had a certain knack for covering up their sins with colorful diversions in the form of flawlessly-executed, lavish parties and expertly-crafted, luxurious goods, as well as fanciful tales and scandalous - often self-created - rumors.
Bizarre and unusual mandates soon became the norm around Sweet Home Askara, starting with the family utilizing only human slaves between the ages of eighteen and thirty-six. To further enhance this strange notion, the females were relegated to the fields as the males remained inside, serving as attendants of the manor or keepers of the family's business ventures, of which there were many. Then, to draw even more attention away from their numerous secrets - which included the likes of murder and incest - Banjemin the Second, nearing his demise, decreed that the leader of the family would forever more be bound to a partner of the same sex. As for the nature of their relationship, it mattered not if they actually consummated it or simply lived as siblings did. In one form or another, they would be committed to each other until death.
Seizing the opportunity to heighten the family's already eccentric reputation, Banjemin the Third immediately took a Drykas lover; however, in his mind he initially saw the union as an excellent business venture, reasoning that their reputation as proficient horse handlers would serve the family well. Little did he know as he signed the binding contract that he would eventually fall madly in love with Syk'el Silvertongue. Therefore, upon his deathbed, just as his father had before him, he decreed that the leader of the family would forever remain a male, take the name Banjemin Cherales Mahtu, and be bound to a Drykas male as well, who would also take the name Syk'el, in honor of his soul mate.
So, several generations later, the Askara Family is primarily known for four things: bountiful crops of grade one tobacco, opulent shops of exquisite wares, expertly bred horses, and whimsical - sometimes utterly ridiculous - traditions and decrees.
"Don't be such an Asskara!" -- a derogatory remark often muttered among the slaves when someone does something silly or stupid
✥ The Sitai Family
Leader : Dervain Sitai Race : Human Plantation Name : Bloodflower Symbol : A Rose Description :
The Sitai Family deals in addictive substances more than any other crop normally grown in Kenash. They primarily deal with tobacco and hemp and run businesses dealing with perfume and aphrodisiacs. However, they are most notable in the tobacco business and make a great deal more money than other plantations with tobacco do. The amount of land the Sitai possess is a good testament to just how much tobacco they are able to grow, although some parts of their land are more suited to hemp and sugarcane.
Their extracurricular dealings include selling recreational drugs and mixing them with many different types of food to cater to the tastes of their clientele. They have discovered plants in the swamp that release pleasant odours when crushed or distilled and use these to make their perfume and soaps with. They are unmatched in their talents with making tobacco actually taste different, although it remains relatively weaker than the tobacco produced by the Rajor Family.
Surprisingly, the slaves sold by the Sitai Family are in better condition than a lot of others often for sale. They are typically adept in seduction and have been used for some of the parties thrown by the Sitai Family in the past. Sales of these slaves usually amount to much money and greater attention to the person who buys them. Owning one is often reason enough to have more guests than usual during parties.
✥ The Lorak Family
Leader : Lorana Lorak Race : Human, Vantha Plantation Name : Whitesnake Symbol : A Coiled Serpent Description :
The Lorak hail from the far north, however their reasons for coming as far south as Kenash has always been the source of rumours and controversy. Even so, they have risen up to becoming a strong Dynasty in their own right within the last fifty years, brought up from slavery by the sheer will of trust in their own abilities and their unparallelled talent with medicine.
They settled on the banks of the Suvan where they could take seaweed and use it in tonic brews. They chose to farm tobacco and cotton on their land, finding that both had some use in medicinal practices, and went to work building up a massive dynasty with these two crops alone until they attained the amount of power they currently hold. Once settled with their wealth, and finding they had no room for another crop to grow, they began to look into working the position of doctors and healers on the side as a way to increase profit without having to cull some of their crop and grow something that would make them more money. They hold the positions of the city's best doctors now. It has been rumored that some of the members hold gnosis marks from Rak'keli, but if it weren't for the considerable skill most of these members have with medicine the rumor wouldn't be around at all.
✥ The Draer Family
Leader : Orkat Draer Race : Human, Svefra Plantation Name : Riverwave Symbol : A Wave Description :
The Draer family's plantation may seem to be in an unfortunate location at first, but to the Svefra that live there, it's practically paradise. There is quite a lack of dry ground in the area, instead filled with tall water growing plants, especially trees. The soil under the water, however, is quite possibly even better than the land on other plantations. So to solve this problem, the inventive Draer family grows it's crops on floating gardens of sorts. The same technique was also used to create sturdy pathways in between the wide spread isles that dot the swamp. Though some houses are built on dry ground, quite a few of the members live in houseboats, finding them an excellent combination of transportation and living areas. A by-product of the gardens is that they eventually create their own little island, now not floating. Instead of continuing to grow their usual crops on these islands, they have small groves of cocoa trees, which flourish on the nutrient-filled soil. The chocolate derived from the beans is said to be some of the best.
✥ The Morealis Family
Leader : Dimitri Morealis Race : Human Plantation Name : Blacksugar Symbol : A Black Diamond Over Three Tall Black Pillars Description :
The Morealis family has existed in Kenash since it was first formed. They were one of the original families to take a swathe of land for themselves, growing bountiful harvests of sugarcane that they’re so well known for. One of the richer families in Kenash, although they do not have power over weather, dominion over assassins, or a corner market on beasts and addictions, they sport the most owned land of any family in Kenash. Their dynasty remains a financial pinnacle in Kenash’s economy. They began with sugarcane, which is how their plantation received its name…but have since expanded to produce cotton and tobacco as supplementary crops.
The family is well known for their celebrations and strict code of honor by which they appear to conduct their business. None have ever seen a Morealis act anything less than polite to even a hated enemy, but somehow this perceived weakness does not prevent them from gaining many goals on their agenda, and even perhaps some…less known to the other families.
The Morealis are the sugar kings of Kenash and make good on that perceived royalty. Those of their immediate family are always trained in rhetoric and speaking from an early age, along with other aspects of high culture they use to try and distinguish themselves from the other dynasties. Some have said that to join a Morealis dinner party is to memorize a complex dance of form and instrument so difficult, it is any wonder why they bother at all.
✥ The Radacke Family
Leader : Mica Radacke Race : Human Plantation Name : Whiplash Symbol : A Diagonal Tilde (~) Crossed Over a Hammer Description :
Of all the families in Kenash, the Radacke are perhaps looked upon with the most caution due to their volatile nature and unusual crops. The land they own is the least fertile of the lands around Kenash, and many of their fields skirt the grasslands just outside Kenash where very little of value can be grown and attacks are constant. They make a modest profit on their tobacco fields, but are better known for their crops of dye plants. The Radacke are the only family that has fields for indigo...a particularly durable and valued dye.
Tyrus Radacke was an ex-slave from Sunberth. Before that, he served as an architect and builder in the city of Zeltiva. He and several slaves surprised their captors while being taken to Kenash in the early days and ended up selling the captors as slaves for land when they finally reached the city. Theirs has been a long road up. With meager means they were one of the smaller and most easily bullied families. Even with the extra coin Tyrus made designing superior, if not Zeltivan themed structures in Kenash, it was barely enough to keep his line afloat. Their land could not contend with some of the plantation giants and so Tyrus made the decision to involve himself in the slave trade, a market he knew about first hand. Recruiting slavers from outside Kenash, Tyrus worked to breed them into his family in order to ensure loyalty and family ties. Centuries later, the Radacke are brutal slavers.
The Radacke way is to brutalize their product mentally and physically to ensure the ‘fight’ is removed from them. While not the prettiest, it can be argued that the Radacke slaves are longer lasting and often hardier than the Ackina kelvics. Predating the Ackina family, the Radacke own the building where the slave trade is conducted from, designed by Tyrus. Much of the brutish Sunberthian is still in this family and the way they are viewed. Despite being a dynasty, not many of the Radacke family dress the part. They prefer heavy tattooing, making their bodies a tapestry to their accomplishment and rank within the family.
Tyrus taught his family what he knew about architecture. He believed that if Kenash was to survive on such marshy grounds, strong structures would need to be erected with powerful foundations in order to keep them from sinking into the marsh. His children and now his line share that belief and it is said that if you want a new building built, you go to the Radacke.
✥ The Lynint Family
Leader : Kaljia [KALE-gea] Lynint Race : Human Plantation Name : Silverbite Symbol : A Crocodile Description :
Historically, the Lynint family has existed since the founding days of Kenash, but it has been only in the last decade that they have become far more renowned and intimidating. Kaljia Lynint takes full responsibility for the newfound respect her family has garnered and this is often echoed among several of her meeker peers.
While their trade rests almost exclusively with the growing and selling of sugarcane, the Lynint are also liable to take animals from the nearby Uvic Lake and other places in the swamp and train them to help make money on the side as well as double as an additional incorruptible security force.
While they have a great deal of land put aside for growing sugarcane, they have parts of their land separated for the tending of animals. Shallow pools for crocodiles, otters and beavers rest beside a small creek where snakes inhabit. They make the most of their money when it comes to what they make off of animal sales by selling their venomous serpents. Even with these sales, though, and their exclusivity with animals, the Lynint have made most of their fortune with sugarcane than anything else and will continue to do so.
✥ The Rajor Family
Leader : Shahessrajor Race : Dhani, Constrictor Plantation Name : Smokesend Symbol : Billowing Smoke Description :
Sick of Myrians, dank living conditions, and the oppressiveness of Zinrah, Shaessrajor set out from Falyndar over a century ago to find a new land for her and her brood to settle and serve Siku on their own terms. Known for their incredibly strong tobacco, the Rajor family has rarely had to use their superior strength and size to get what they want, for their cunning and wit has brought them quite far among the families of Kenash. They are known for creating elaborate cruelties to impart upon those slaves that do not serve them accordingly, and if one was to ever ask a Rajor what the secret to their tobacco was, the response would be something like this...
"Why, the fear in the blood of our ssslavesss of courssse."
✥ The Ackina Family
Leader : Morrison Ackina Race : Human Plantation Name : Clawstone Symbol : Three Vertical Slashes Description :
One of the most recent families to claw their way up the food chain in Kenash, the Clawstone plantation has risen up in the ranks due to a distinctive ability to create a demand in the dynasties of Kenash. They supply the main source of meat to the city, but also provide another valuable service as well that all families are eager to look into: Slaves
The Ackina family is one of the newest Dynasties, and has raised themselves up from a small, but fertile plot of land, to a whole gamut of property in about a half century. The original purpose of the plantation was for corn, alfalfa, and the meat products to feed off of it, namely swine and cows. This is still a major part of the Ackina's profits of course, and now they use their funds to run another quite valuable asset they have maintained, which is their Kelvic slaves. Treating their property well, but ensuring obedience and loyalty over all, the Ackina family are able to breed and raise a reliable stock to tend to their herds and fields, as well as share with the surrounding families...for a price. The best of their crop are kept as guards, overseers, and companions for the family, but let it never be said that any of the Kelvic brought to the market or bought and sold in clandestine meetings with other dynasties are of any lesser quality. After all, they wouldn't be so successful if their product wasn't sound...
✥ The Zulaca Family
Leader : Carthrys Zulaca Race : Nuit Plantation Name : Godstouch Symbol : A Starburst Description :
The Zulaca family is perhaps the strangest dynasty currently in Kenash. They hold a moderate amount of land for their dynasty, but their conduct and crop elevate them to the upper tiers of the dynasties. Zulaca is particularly known for their hybridized crop, colored cotton, sweet tobacco, and other strange combinations of the staple exports within Kenash to create a niche market no other family can adequately touch. Most insist that the old nuit is using some form of magic to alter crops and then seed them through his lands, but if there is truth to that, Carthrys keeps it coyly hidden. Zulaca wasn’t always a nuit, but a gardener and botanist. He was among the first people to come to the lush land and has been experimenting with the hybridization of crops ever since.
Becoming a nuit has only leant him more time to perfect his methods and pass them along. Cathrys is not a typical nuit. There is little shifty or cold about him and he often takes the bodies of large men, bathing the bodies in fresh perfumes and oils to give him the allure of life. To any who have met him, they would call him warm and approachable, always quick to dispense snippets of wisdom or offer a joke. It is that nature that causes him to be easily underestimated by the other families as a harmless old man with a few secrets…however, what the families do not possess that Zulaca does is perspective. Zulaca makes his plans and acquisitions spread out during scores of years, while most families only plan within their lifetime. His is the only dynasty that can say their progenitor still guides it with the steady and thoughtful hand it had since the beginning. That vision is enduring, and his defenses against the wiles the other dynasties can produce are legendary and Machiavellian in scope.
Perhaps strangest about Carthrys is his policy on slaves.
The old nuit has no progeny of his own, nor can he produce any. In this absence, he’s taken a policy that allows slaves to elevate themselves to members of his dynasty with the same rights as the other upper class in Kenash. Trusted slaves that catch his interest, either with special talent or particularly fervent passion are chosen by Zulaca to become members of his family. They become tattooed with the white starburst which names them as Zulaca, rather than slaves. Although many of the dynasties still look down on them and refuse to consider themselves in the same class, Zulaca’s power has forced the families to at least adopt a modicum of respect for those he chooses. Of course, to be elevated, one must be exceptional. Zulaca prides himself on immediately identifying the potential of a seed. He is sometimes known to visit other plantations and buy particularly difficult slaves…sometimes even slaves who would be considered worthless otherwise.
Few, however, can match the passion by which the Zulaca dynasty protect their own. Innately, most of the slaves hold a strong disdain to the other families, which makes it a city against them. Their bonds are nearly unbreakable and it has never been heard of for a member of the Zulaca family to reveal a secret or to plot against their own. Zulaca saved them from perdition and gave them purpose, and for that, he earns their devotion.
.
✥ The Plantation Family Brands ✥ :
This brand is normally displayed prominently on the face of the individual slave.
The Paille Swirl
The Konrath Vine
The Askara Sikanjo
The Sitai Rose
The Lorak Serpent
The Draer Wave
The Morealis Diamond
The Radacke Hammer
The Lynint Croc
The Rajor Billow
The Ackina Claw
The Zulaca Starburst
✥ The Freeborn Brand ✥ This brand is normally displayed on the palm of the right hand.
Examples of Brandings and Inkings :
A Lynint slave with a Croc branding or tattoo
An Ackina slave with a Claw branding and a Morealis slave with a Diamond tattoo
* Credit goes to Banickle for the design of the entirety of the Plantation Brands.