Novus Ordo Dra-Lachrymnos

[Novus]

Novus Ordo Dra-Lachrymnos Race: Mixed (Human/Symenestra) Gender: Male Age: 22 Birthday: 18 Spring, 491. Birthplace: Kalinor Appearance Novus is tall and slender, with the lithe, graceful build, strength, speed and agility of a dancer. His hair is almost as dark as night, and his eyes are the deepest shade of amethyst possible, appearing almost black. His skin is sallow and he tends to have dark smudges of shadow under his eyes. His nails are black, and he keeps them quite trim. Character Concept Novus is of mixed race, his mother being Symenestra and his father human. Born and raised in Kalinor, he faced the almost universal disdain that the pureblood Symenestra feel for such mongrels. At the earliest age possible, Novus (then known as Dra-Lachrymnos) would take himself away from the main parts of the cavern city and spend his time exploring the cave, thus building up the natural skill in climbing denied to him by his mixed gene pool. As a young teenager, he ventured out further into the Wildlands about Kalinor, and with the help of various traveling visitors to the city, he learned how to hunt with a long bow. They also taught him how to wield a hunting knife, as a weapon, in need. Since the events that lead up to his having to leave Kalinor transpired, he has traveled to Syliras, in search of his human father, who he has never met. Character History Unfortunately for Novus, he was born in a city that holds purity of blood in quite high regard. His father, who was gone before ever Novus was born, was a guard with a merchant's caravan, come to Kalinor to trade. He was human and thus was closely watched by the Symenestra, always jealous of preserving the 'honor' of their females in the face of interactions with such outside races. However, Latch, as he was called, was handsome and bold and a rascal, and he managed to catch the eye of a young Symenestra woman, daughter of a merchant who was doing business with Latch's employer. There wasn't much to it, just a few impassioned moments stolen here and there, and then he was gone. But he had left a piece of himself behind, very unintentionally, and definitely not his heart. Much to Selinor's growing alarm, and her growing belly, it eventually became known to her family what had occurred. If there had been some place to send her to bear the child in secrecy, they surely would have done so. But as it was, stay she must, to the family's shame, and the baby boy was brought forth with no great rejoicing for the survival of the mother. Well, it was not a clear cut case of time heals all wounds. But time did dull the edges of their embarrassment somewhat. Still, the child, Dra-Lachrymnos (so named by his mother as a bitter play on words from the putative father's name) wasn't well favored by anyone in the family except Selinor, who tended to dote on him the more the rest of her family reviled his existence. She coddled him and taught him many, many things of use, for she was well educated herself. And she understood when he began to wander further and further afield, as he grew older. He didn't really have any play mates and his cousins sure weren't going to keep him company. So she wisely let him have his wayward way, yet kept as close an eye on him as she could. Repeatedly, her family attempted to arrange some suitable match for her with 'one of their own kind.' But she steadfastly refused, knowing full well that there was quite a good chance she'd end up dead as the result of any pregnancy that might come therefrom, and then what would become of her precious son? Besides, even for the Symenestra, who so desperately needed children, Selinor was considered damaged goods and no male really wanted her. That suited her just fine. She devoted her love and life and care to her gorgeous little son, who grew soon enough to a bold and rather headstrong teenager. As for Dra-Lachrymnos, or Lachry as his mom called him, he had resigned himself to the utter contempt of most of the residents of the city from a young age, and instead of being bitter or stung by it, he chose to ignore it. He determined to be his own best companion, and spent many a contented hour exploring the cavernous city and its environs. He challenged himself to be the best climber he could be, given that he did not possess his cousins' abilities to cling to the very rocks themselves.What he lacked in genetic advantage, he more than made up for in boldness and balls. If his mother had really had any inkling of the things he got up to and the risks he took she probably would have locked him in his bedroom. When he reached his teen years, Novus discovered the pleasure of the company of non-Symenestra who came to the city to trade. Taking to lurking about the gates of the city, he'd endeavor to meet them before they arrived, or hang out with the guards who often would camp just outside the gates while the merchants did their negotiating. Every single time one arrived, the boy would ask if any in the party knew of his father. But always the answer was no. Novus would be disappointed, but not about to give up hope of hearing some news of him. With a friendlier disposition towards these outsiders, perhaps, then many of the pure Symenestra, Novus cajoled a few of them into teaching him things - how to use the long bow, how to hunt, how to wield a knife or dagger in self-defense. Still, even as he approached his adulthood, a time when purebloods were contemplating their first gleanings or harvests, Novus had no real thought to leave Kalinor. It was his home, after all, for good or bad, and more importantly, he loved his mother too dearly to wish to separate from her or to cause the pain that he knew his absence would cause her. He'd become a good enough hunter, that the powers that be grudgingly allowed him to work as such, and he was happy to be able to spend his days and nights out hunting, for the most part. His world was destined to come crashing down about his ears, though. During the early part of the Winter season, in 512 AV, there came a suitor for his mother's hand who was much more persistent than any other had ever been. Selinor was by this time approaching 40 years of age. Her suitor was much younger, barely older than Novus, and determined to have a purebred child off the "useless old woman" before she could no longer contribute to her race and city. He didn't mind her age, as long as he could mate with her enough to get her pregnant. She'd die giving birth of course. Then he'd marry again. It was a perfectly reasonable plan. His family brought a lot of pressure to bear on Selinor, and her family as well. To give them credit, her parents resisted as best they could. But when push came to shove, it seemed they might not have the 'political' clout to withstand what had basically become a demand. They even feared that the would-be groom might resort to kidnapping his bride. Novus, who heard his mother's tears and shared in all their fears, decided to take matters into his own hands one night, when the young suitor came to call on Selinor and her son. When Novus told the pretentious and murderous suitor to get the hell out, things got nasty, really fast. Weapons appeared and when Selinor jumped in the way of flashing blades, Novus went a little nuts. Exit one dead suitor. Mother and son had just time to fling the body into the pit of the cavern, in hopes that his disappearance would not be noted for at least a day, maybe, and then Novus was making his way with great care and stealth, out of the cave, out of Kalinor and out into the Wildlands, to do his best to preserve his hide. Luck was on his side, for a caravan had just been leaving the city, one of the last of the season before winter set in in earnest. Having a few friends amongst the company, Novus was able to sign on as a hunter, for the duration of the trip to Alvadas. From there, he managed to get passage on a ship for the voyage to Syliras, where he arrived towards the beginning of summer, 513 AV. He has come to seek out his father, though he has no idea if the man yet lives or where he might be living, if so. He has cast aside his birth name, for now, both as a precaution, in case his mother's suitor's family is searching for him, and as an outward acknowledgement that he has set his feet on a new course - a new life, for a man who is no longer bound by the constraints of his city of birth. Or so he thinks... Language Fluent Language: Symenos Basic Language: Common Gnosis Silakrov (Viratas) - pending a write up and approval Skills Skill EXP Total Proficiency Climbing 10 RB, 5 SP 15 Novice Hunting 15 SP 15 Novice Weapon (long bow) 15 SP 15 Novice Weapon (dagger) 15 SP 15 Novice Lores Lore of Kalinor Geography Lore of Religion: Viratas Possessions 1 Set of Clothing -Silken Shirt -Silken Pants -Silken Undergarments -Silken Coat -Simple Sandals 1 Waterskin 1 Silken Knapsack which contains: -Comb (Bone) -Brush (Bone) -Soap -Fruit Rations (1 Week's worth) -1 eating knife -Flint & Steel purchased: Long Bow Long Bow Arrows (20) Daggers (2) High Boots Breeches (leather) Belt Jacket (leather) 16.5 Gold Mizas Heirloom: a leather quiver, gifted to him by a human hunter, one who taught Novus many things, before leaving with the caravan he came with Housing Location: Syliras House: a 20x20 apartment with the furniture listed in the Housing section. As it is the cheapest housing available, the apartment is situated deep within the interior of Stormhold Citadel and does not include any windows, only ventilation shaft to bring in fresh air. Each hallway is lined with torches which are kept lit at all hours of the day, allowing for light and giving residents free access to something to light their hearth from. A diagram is included below: Ledger Purchase Cost Total Starting +100 GM 100 GM Long Bow -75 GM 25 GM Long Bow Arrows (20) -1 GM 24 GM Daggers (2) -4 GM 20 GM High Boots - 5 SM 19.5 GM Breeches (leather) -16 SM 17.9 GM Belt -2 SM 17.7 GM Jacket (leather) -12 SM 16.5 GM Thread List Vermin of the city Summer 15, 513 AV, Ninus They say the apple doesn't fall so far... Summer 16, 513 AV, Ninus