Marino Oceangem

[Marino Oceangem]

Marino Oceangem

Appearance

Race: Sevfra
Gender: Male
Age: 21 years old
Birthday: 20th of Summer, 498 A.V.
Birthplace: Southern Suvan Sea
Height: 6'0
Weight: 190 lbs
Eye color: Light Blue
Hair color: Brown

Appearance: Marino is tall, with short brown hair and blue eyes. He tends to trim his facial hair close to his skin, letting it grow out only slightly on occasion. His skin is tan, and on his left shoulder is a tattoo of his tavan Twist. Above his left hip is an Oceangem tattoo.

Twist - Tavan

Oceangem Mark

Character Concept

Marino is kind, adventurous soul who loves to learn about new things, and meet new people. He is by nature, a open and honest person. Because of this he tends to be very direct with people as well. He prefers to settle business before pleasure and tends to be a good listener as he enjoys hearing about all kinds of things.

Marino's pod has recently come to Syka, and sensing an opportunity, he has expressed interest in offering his ships services.

Character History

Marino was born to Aros, and Nauian Oceangem. Together they raised him with his co-mother, Telia Oceangem. While Marino learned how to swim from his father Aros, he learned how to sail from his mothers, Nauian and Telia. During this time, he met his tavan, Twist, whom is a Spinner Dolphin and they became fast friends after Twist's amusing display of acrobatics.

After the Djed storm of 512 A.V. the Oceangem pod changed drastically. They lost a lot of Svefra that day and were forced to leave the open sea until they could recover. From there, being a contemplative people they decided what to do next. While some desired to go back out on the open sea, others thought they may do better keeping to the coast for now till they brought their numbers back up. The Lia decided to take the middle, leading the pod out into the middle of the sea where they were comfortable while reaching out to the other pods whom had more experience trading with the coastal cities. From them she learned which ones it might benefit her pod to visit, and which ones they should stay away from.

With this new information, and with the help of her immediate family she began to educate the pod about the benefits of going to these coastal cities. It was her opinion that the pod needed to make a significant change if it was to become whole again, and as a people they needed to embrace this change to deal with the change in circumstances. Marino's family, ever close with the Lia, accepted this along with most of the rest of the pod. So, while they prepared to visit one of these cities, Marino's family along with many others began to seek out vessels traveling the open sea's to trade when they could, or just talk when there was nothing to barter. This helped the Oceangem pod decide where to go first and what to bring.

At first, balancing this need with the desire to self isolate out on the open sea was tricky. As most of the pod was not used to cavorting with outsiders, it was usually the same people meeting with these foreigners every time. This is because they felt pulled away from their devotion to Laviku out on the open sea, and spoiled for having to interact with these outsiders. With Marino's family being one of the few willing to go and trade with these outsiders, he ended up getting a lot of experience seeing these people which had a profound effect on his younger, formative years. He became much more friendly to these outsiders than his older siblings, and grew to enjoy the different way they all talked. It instilled in him early on a respect for these coastal cultures.

Eventually others in the pod started taking part in the trading too when they saw the wealth that came from the outsiders. An when they slowly became more whole, they started spending more and more time out on the open sea again. They would still trade with the coastal cites, but less frequently and always with some specific goal in mind. Marino didn't in particular like this change, but he did not argue with it as it was not his place. Besides he now had a Casinor of his own they he was rapidly learning how to sail and that took much of his time. He longed for a test of his skills, and eventually that came when word came from the northern suvan via Avikki. According to the Lia, there was apparently a very good opportunity to improve the pod's resources if they were to travel up the outer ocean to Lhavit, and bring back some rare luxuries.

After some conferring, the pod decided to take the risk, and made the long journey there and back. For Marino, it was one of the most interesting experiences of his young life as he'd never been out on the outer ocean before. Even more captivating was Lhavit which was like nothing he'd ever seen with its massive mountains and otherworldly architecture. He had greatly enjoyed meeting the strange people there with their familiar yet odd sense of fashion. However the strangest person yet was to come back with them. A symenestran woman who went by the name of Selene bartered passage with the Lia. While the addition came as unexpected and was naturally resisted by some of the pod, nobody defied the Lia in this. Still it was a very strange situation as they'd all heard the rumors of the symenestra.

However, seeing her so sick and frail on the voyage, and full with child, Marino at least grew comfortable with the idea that she would be traveling with them for some time. After observing her from afar for some time, he would occasionally chat with her about the voyage, while staying obviously away from her heritage and his own for that matter. When they finally made port in Syka, they parted as acquaintances.

To his pleasant surprise, he found that there were quite a few Svefra who made their home in Syka, and he soon could reason why. It was beautiful, with plentiful meat and fruit available. There was also an intriguing wildness to it all that you didn't see in the more settled cities. An air of adventure that he so desperately craved. An idea struck him then. He could make a place for himself here like those other Svefra, and actually have the time to do some exploring of his own. Marino knew that he wouldn't get the chance again for a long time as the Oceangem pod was due to spend at least a season back out on the open sea. So, with that settled in his mind, he approached the founders about finding work, and integrating himself with the community.

Language

Fluent Language: Fratava
Basic Language: Common

Skills

Please list skills in alphabetical order by competency

Skill	EXP	Total	Proficiency
Endurance	1	1	Novice
Fishing	8 SP	8	Novice
Land Navigation	1	1	Novice
Logic	2	2	Novice
Negotiation	1	1	Novice
Observation	5, 4	9	Novice
Sailing	26 SP, 5, 1	32	Competent
Socialization	5	5	Novice
Swimming	10 RB, 16 SP, 5	31	Competent
Teaching	5	5	Novice

Gnosis

Oceanus - 1st Mark

Lores

- How to do a breaststroke
- How to secure a line to a cleat

Lost in the Rigging Lores:

- Location: Tazrae's Inn
- Tazrae: makes good sandwiches
- Lore of the calming effects of a water pipe
- Teaching: starting with the basics
- Teaching: hands on learning
- Tazrae: sincere gratitude
- Tazrae: the reason she left Riverfall
- Tazrae: scared of small spaces
- Using soothing words to calm a panic attack
- Swimming: supporting a thrashing woman
- Teaching: throwing your students into the deep end
- Tazrae: of desert descent
- Swimming: diving
- Location: Uta's Place
- Uta: Syka plant specialist

So that settles things..

- Lore of the challenges of self-sufficiency
- Location: Overwater Rancheros
- People: Stuvantis Alkamar
- Stuvantis Alkamar: worships Sivah
- Stu Wisdom: how to be a true part of Syka
- James Chaliva: Syka founder
- Randal Zor: Syka founder
- Mathias Okavis: Syka founder
- Negotiation: jumping the gun
- Uta: expert on plant life
- Location: The Bungalows
- Location: Sharktooth Point
- Land Navigation: memorizing landmarks
- Syka Fauna: Ashta
- Ashta: beasts of burden

Possessions

1 Set of Clothing

-Simple Shirt (Linen, White) *
-Simple Breeches (Linen, Green) *
-Simple Undergarments (Linen, White) *
-Simple Cloak (Rami, Blue) *
-Simple Boots (Leather, with a copper buckle) *
-Scarf (Crimson, with bells woven through, made with Isuas)
-Shirt (Linen,White)
-Breeches (Linen,White)
-Belt pouch

1 Backpack * which contains:

-Comb (Bone) *
-Brush (Bone) *
-Soap *
-Razor *
-Rations (1 Week's worth) *
-1 eating knife *
-Flint & Steel *
-Iron Pot Containing:
- Hammock
- Butcher Knife
- Fishing hooks, and small roll of line (Survival Kit)
- Whet Stone
- Small First Aid Kit (Survival Kit)
- Insect Repellent
- Needle and Thread (Survival Kit)
- Small Compass (Survival Kit)
- Waterproof tin+ with tinder soaked in oil
- Waterproof tin+ with dried rations
- Bedroll

Rucksack Containing:

-Underclothing (Isuas) - 2 pairs)
-Linen, Breeches
-Linen, Shirt
-Slicker

Weapons

-Bowie Knife
-Hatchet
-Shortbow, Composite
-Quiver with 20 arrows
-Halfspear

Spice Box Containing:
-Swallowbell tobacco (1 oz)
-Calisye (1oz)

Assorted Supplies:

Fishing Kit Containing:

- Tackle, fishing cord, and bait

Preserving Kit Containing:

- Salt, a variety of sheets of varying layers, a tool for making sawdust, jars and other assorted preserving supplies. (+ Denotes part of this kit that shows up elsewhere)

Survival Kit Containing:

- 2 simple snares
- a waterskin
- a small tent
- a small compass
- a small first aid kit
- flint and steel
- small roll of fishing line, 6 basic fishing hooks
- 2 candles
- a blanket
- a needle and thread
- a simple knife

-Fishing Pole
-Fishing Net (25 sq.ft.)
-Grapple Pole
-Harpoon bolts (2 bundles of 10)
-Oil (1 pint flask)
-Anti-fungal Ointment
- Sealing Wax
- 2 Mesh Bags
- Water skin *
- Mortar Pestle
- Tinder (9)

Heirloom: Dark, oak wooden traveler's pipe[/googlefont][/color]

Housing - Currently docked at Syka

A Casinor: A small, personal ship no longer than 30 feet with a single cabin. More than twice the size of the average rowboat, this ship is capable of traversing inland seas and coastal areas though it is unequipped to travel on the open ocean. The most common personal ship found among the Svefra. These ships are often found employing heavy harpoons for defense. Much of the free space on the ship has been converted into living quarters thus cargo is limited to 500 lbs. While it may carry a number of passengers, these boats are designed for a single person spending extended periods at sea. Crew: 1, Passengers: 5 Equipped with a mounted harpoon.

Ledger

Purchase	Cost	Total
Starting	+100 GM	100 GM
Scarf	1 gm, 3 sm, 5 cm
Shirt	1 sm
Breeches	8 sm
Fishing Kit	10 gm
Fishing Pole	1 gm
Fishing Net	4 gm
Rucksack	1 gm
Hammock	5 gm
Grapple Pole	15 gm
Halfspear	1 gm
Swallowbell	8 cm
Calisye	2 sm
Spice box	5 gm
Harpoon Mount	50 gm
Harpoon Bolts	2 gm
Order Summary	- 96 gm, 5 sm, 3 cm	3 gm 4 sm, 7 cm
68th of Spring Purchases	- 2 gm, 8 sm	6 sm, 7 cm
Spring of 520 Wages	+ 637 gm	637 gm, 6 sm, 7 cm
Seasonal expenses	- 135 gm	502 gm, 6 sm, 7 cm
Bowie Knife	- 5 sm
Butchering Knife	-5 sm
Hatchet	- 6 sm
Shortbow, Composite	- 75 gm
Shortbow, Arrows (20)	- 1 gm
Quiver	- 20 gm
Iron Pot	- 5 sm
Oil (1 pint flask)	- 1 sm
Tinder (10)	- 1 sm
Pouch, Belt	- 1 gm
Mesh Bag (2)	- 1 gm
Sealing Wax	- 1 gm
Whet Stone	- 10 gm
Slicker	- 5 sm
Insect Repellent	- 1 sm
Mortar Pestle	- 1 gm
Bedroll	- 1 sm
Undergarmets (Isuas)	- 4 sm
Preserving Kit	- 5 gm
Antifungal Ointment	- 25 gm
Survival Kit	- 25 gm
Total of Purchases	- 169 gm 3 sm
Total		333 gm, 3 sm, 7 cm
Summer Seasonal Expense	- 135 gm
Total		198 gm, 3 sm, 7 cm

Thread List

Tavan - Spinner Dolphin

The spinner dolphin is a small dolphin found in off-shore tropical waters around the world. It is famous for its acrobatic displays in which it spins along its longitudinal axis as it leaps through the air. It is a member of the family Delphinidae of toothed whales.

Twist is the name of Marino's Tavan.

[Marino Oceangem]

Thread Tracker

Spring Threads (520 AV)

- So that settles things.. (61st of Spring, 3,438 words)
- Twist under the sun (65th of Spring)
- Lost in the rigging (67th of Spring)
- Jungle Basketcases (Marino) (68th of Spring)
- Dinner with danger (69th of Spring)
- Delve Deeply (Tazrae) (70th of Spring)
- Closehauled Beating (82nd of Spring)
- Dead Run (88th of Spring)

Summer Threads 520 AV

-Arrival of the Stormriders Part 1 | Astride the Sea Part 2 (1st of Summer)

-Where the sea meets sand (2nd of Summer)

-No hope for the willing (3rd of Summer)

-Freedom under the sun (5th of Summer)

-Beam Reach (7th of Summer)

-Through the storm (11th of Summer)

-The calm to be had (12th of Summer)

-In Irons (13th of Summer)

-Getting Aquainted (14th of Summer)

-Giving it a once over (15th of Summer)

-Pieces and Parts (16th of Summer)

-Oh its a beautiful thing (18th of Summer)

-Around the bend (23rd of Summer)

-Overboard (24th of Summer)

Flashbacks

The world we've left behind (2nd of Spring, 512 A.V.)

[Marino Oceangem]

General Information
What is your Name? Marino Oceangem
Do you go by a nickname or pet name? No
How old are you? 21
What is your height? 6’0
What is your weight? 190 lbs

Aesthetics
Describe yourself as you see yourself. Lean, fit, and unashamed of showing some skin.
Describe yourself as others typically see you. A lanky sailor with a penchant for rosey cheeks when he imbibes.
What is your favorite body feature? I’m more than passing fond of the dimples in my cheeks when I smile.
How physically fit are you? Average.
How do you typically dress and what is your style? In little to no clothing if possible. When I do wear something it is preferably sheer and colorful.

Family
Who are your parents and what are they like? They are kind and loving as any Svefra. My two mothers were instrumental in my upbringing while my dad was less so involved but still readily available to me. It was the way my mothers wanted it so I don’t dwell on it too much.
Do you have any brothers or sisters? 2 sisters and a brother.
What is your extended family like? They are as plentiful as they are close.
Do you consider close friends as important or more/less important than family? Close friends are family.
Do you treat animals like family? Of course.

Location
Where were you born? Southern Suvan Sea
Where do you live now? Syka
If you could live anywhere in Mizahar where would that be? Skya has been pretty ideal so far.
Do you have a favorite place to vacation or spend leisure time? Once again, Syka. As far as places go touching the Southern Suvan, Syka is prime for a passing Svefra to pass the time.
Where do you fear to be? Far inland where to sea cannot be heard or smelled.

Traits
Do you have any physical weaknesses (disease, scars, and missing limbs?) No.
Are you right handed or left handed? Left handed.
What languages do you speak? What do you sound like? Do you have an accent? Fratava and the common tongue. Naturally I prefer Fratava for the way it sings off the tongue and makes talk of business sound almost musical. I also feel that any language that neglects the usage of your body lacks any soul to it and is dull in comparison. I’ve had to indulge in more common of late. It isn’t half bad when you get used to it.
Do you have any odd mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics? I have a tendency to blush at the slightest provocation and fidget when my hands are idle. My fondness for drink and smoke is problematic at times.
Do you have (or want to get) any tattoos or piercing? Why do you have them (or will get them) ? I have a tattoo of my pod and my tavan.

Occupations
What is your occupation? I work as a ferrier for Syka.
Do you like/dislike your work? Why? I love my work. It gives me a strong sense of fulfillment. Plus I get to meet new people and socialize with old friends.
If you could be anything you wanted to, what would you be? Am satisfied with my position. That said, I wouldn’t mind becoming a better sailor.
What occupation do you admire the most? Why? That of an Innkeeper. It seems that the position requires you to wear a lot of hats in order to been an effective manager of an Inn and I find it endlessly interesting learning about the ways they impact their community.
What occupation do you lest like? Why? Menial labor/drudgery. I don’t feel at all challenged doing such tasks and life seems a little more dull when forced along such a route.

Childhood
What sort of child were you? I’d like to think I was a pleasant child. I was raised by my pod and always had someone there to indulge a whimm that was within bounds.
What is your favorite memory from childhood? When I met my tavan Twist.
What is your worst memory from childhood? When my boyhood tavan Pale Belly died. He was an older otter when I bonded with him, and my mothers decided not to tattoo him on me because of that.
What sort of relationship did you have with your parents? A good one, full of laughter and memorable experiences.
Who was your most influential rolemodel? My mother Nauian Oceangem. She taught me much and more about ailing and everything else I know today.

Education
What sort of education do you have? A sound one. I was taught how to read and write while I learned at my mother’s knee about the sea and what dwells beneath.
Do you like/dislike learning? I like it well enough if it is properly demonstrated.
Where or how did you learn most of your skills/abilities? People in my pod usually showed me how to do something when I was keen on something or needed to help out somewhere.
How do you learn best? Hands on.
What are your educational goals for the future? I’d like to better my common, and learn more about a few of the names I’ve heard passed around in Syka.

Relationships
Do you form close bonds with people? Why? Why not? I form attachments frequently but they rarely go deep unless there is some synergy between us.
Do you trust people easily? If not, why not? It is an unfortunate tendency of mine as my mother calls it. For me it is hard to enjoy life without trusting people.
Do you consider yourself straight, gay, bi, or something else? Straight.
Have you ever been kissed? If so, describe the first time. Yes. It was in the Winter of 511 A.V. A girl I had been sweet on for a while sought warmth next to me one night on the beach. We kissed under a seal skin blanket.
Have you ever had sex? If so, describe the first time. Under that same blanket we made love. It was the first time for both of us. After an awkward blending of limbs and bodies, we rested underneath the stars, counting them together before falling asleep.

Drugs and Alcohol
Have you ever been drunk? If so, describe your first time. Many times. My first was the Spring of 512 A.V. towards the latter half of that wretched season. I felt as if I could drink the whole of the Southern Suvan dry if my family hadn’t been there to restrain me.
Do you like to drink on a regular basis? Yes, when the occasion arises.
What sort of alcohol do you prefer? Whatever the sea provides which of late has been flavored wine.
Have you ever tried drugs (mood altering substances)? If so, which kinds and what did you think of them? Yes. My smoke mix offers a mild euphoria without affecting my judgment too much.
What do you think of drugs and alcohol? Be specific. I think that they are fine in moderation.

Likes and Dislikes
What are your hobbies? I enjoy fishing and learning how to make it in the jungle. Uta has been teaching me about ways to harvest the various bounties from the jungle while I practice utilizing that knowledge in other ways.
Do you like to read? Not particularly, I prefer to be shown.
What annoys you more than anything else? People who are domineering who take control of you without any input from what you might desire to actually do.
What do you find the most relaxing activity to do? I enjoy smoking off the deck of my Seasilk on certain nights and just enjoying the beautiful night sky while the waves lap at the side of my ship.
What kinds of things embarrass you? Why? When I misinterpret a situation and trip on my own tongue. When I don’t actually know something I thought I did.
Favorites
What is your favorite color or colors? Blue.
What is your favorite time of day? Evening.
What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen? Nothing but the sea all around me with the sun setting on the horizon, dazzling the world in a rich array of colors.
What do you like to eat? What do you hate to eat? I love to eat fish, shellfish, this sweet pork that the Sykans make and all of the fresh fruit that they provide.
What is your favorite type of weather? Does any kind scare you? Blue skies with a strong wind at my back.

Outlook
Are you optimistic or pessimistic? Optimistic.
What are your religious views? I revere Laviku above all else.
Would you be able to kill? I don’t think so.
What are your views on sex? People are free to love who they want.
What, in your opinion, makes a successful life? A life spent trying to make things better for others while being the kindest you can get away with is they key to a successful life.
Actions
What is the worst and best thing you’ve ever done? The best thing is when I got the chance to teach a dear friend how to swim and sail, two of my great loves. The worst thing was when I got blind drunk after burying the bodies of my kin. I did some questionable things those following nights that I still regret.
What is your greatest regret? Not checking to see if my first love was still alive after the storm.
What is your best/worst memory? My best memory is of being rocked back and forth by my mother while she sings me a lullaby of the sea. My worst was the morning after the djed storm of 512 A.V. when the bodies started to wash up on shore enmass.
If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be and why? I would have looked for her after the storm, just for a peace of mind.
What are you the most proud of doing in your life? Learning how to sail which eventually allowed me to get a job as a ferrier for Syka. As of recently however, that has been supplanted by the appearance of Kihala.

Emotions
How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings with others? I am an open book in most cases.
Do you have any biases or prejudices? I try not to.
What makes you happy? The company of the dear friends of my friends and family.
Who or what, if anything, would you die for? I would die for my friends, or Laviku if necessary.
What makes you angry? People who disrespect the sea or my people. Those who judge us before having ever met us, and those who try to cheat us when we are just bartering for necessities.

Relationships
In general, how do you treat others? I try to treat them well, with respect and love provided they don’t give me reason not to.
Who is the most important person in your life, and why? After my mothers, Tazrae. She has been very important to my transition into the swing of things in Syka and I don’t think I would continue to stay here if it wasn’t for her.
Who is the person you respect the most, and why? Also Tazrae. She came here on here own, risking everything in pursuit of her dream. What is that if not admirable.
Do you have a spouse or significant other? If not, describe an ideal lover. I do. She is kind, smart, determined, and ever curious which are qualities I adore.
Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why? I have come to trust many who could protect me. Aside from my family, there are the founders and a handful of others I am in contact with around Syka that I feel more than safe amongst their capable company.

Group Situations
Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict? I tend to avoid arguments when I can.
Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations? No.
Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not? Of course, the more the better.
Do you care what others think of you? Not particularly. People are going to think what they want to think.
What do you think of others, in general? I think that in general people want to do good in this world and they can be depended on to an extent.

Self Image
What is your greatest strength as a person? I’d like to think my friendly nature is my greatest strength.
What is your greatest weakness? It is also perhaps my weakness as it allows me to be duped by more malicious personalities.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My weakness for drink and other intoxicants would be a potential change I would make.
Are you generally introverted or extroverted? Extroverted.
Are you generally organized or messy? I tend to lean on the messy side of things.

Beliefs
What God or Goddess do you find most appealing, if any? Laviku. I have recently come in contact with Kihala but I have only begun to explore those roots.
Which God or Goddess do you fear, if any? I do not know of any I should fear.
Do you have any Gnosis Marks? If so, how did you receive them? I am marked by Laviku.
What lengths would you go to to please your deity? I would do anything for Laviku, provided it didn’t harm my friends or family which isn’t something he would ever ask of me.
Where do you draw the line at pleasing your deity? What is too much? Anything that actively puts myself and others into the path of near certain disaster.

Life & Death
What do you absolutely live for? I live to savor life and all of its intricacies. From food, to drink, to pleasant conversation passed between friends and the calm nights in between.
What is the best part of life? Sharing it with friends.
What is the best part of death? Passing the torch forward to rejoin those who have went before you.
If you could choose, how would you want to die? With the deck of the Seasilk underneath my feet and in the arms of a lover.
What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death? That I was a good man, who was kind to those he met and brought people together with his spirit.