Mother
Alnya Ironyach, middle aged Svefran woman.
Alnya Ironyach, nee. Seagrass is relatively short with a slim figure. She has wavy, brown hair streaked with grey, which she wears cut relatively short, falling against the nape of her neck. Her arms are faintly muscled from work. Her eyes are a pale light blue/green colour. Her face has a naive, trusting look.
Born on the sea, the first thing Alnya did was thrown up. She had a miserable childhood, amongst friends and happy faces but feeling lost and uncomfortable inside. Alnya spent as much time as she could on land, helping build boats. Thus, she is very skilled in woodwork and wood crafting. Alnya however has always wanted to be elsewhere. When she was 16, she had a relationship with another Svefran man, and had a baby girl.
For a while she felt like she fitted in, but she soon grew unhappy again. Her child was well looked after by the pod, so Alnya took to going away. She often went with trading parties and this is where she met Jovern. Their interest in working wood and metal gave them something to talk about, and as they talked more, they got more and more intimate. Both Alnya and Jovern had felt isolated and alone with their families, they were both the black sheep of the family.
Jovern persuaded Alnya to leave with him, and come back to Alvadas with him. In an act which shocked and left her pod reeling, Alnya stole her child away from the pod and cut all ties, living in on land where she felt at home, finally.
Alnya has a negative Oceanus gnosis mark, due to her deliberate leaving of the sea with her child, something which Laviku sees as depriving him of a 'worshipper'. Alnya is now afraid to go to the sea, as she would be targeted by sea predators and almost certainly killed.
UPDATE: Spring 516 AV onwards- Alnya now lives with Jovern in Sultros, after the horrors of Winter 515 AV in Alvadas drove them elsewhere.
Skills:
- 40 points Carving
- 5 points Blacksmithing
- 5 points Cooking
Father
Jovern Ironyach (Clan Pitrius) Middle aged Isurian man.
Jovern Ironyach has dark tinted hair, and he has a somewhat stern appearance. He usually is dressed in a blacksmithing apron, and his hands are usually dirty from ash. His left arm is dark black with silver veins.
His family had always been religious, alongside the scholarly learning traditions of the Pitrius clan. Jovern however, had been an extremely different and unusual child. He was extrovert and always talked with any visiting merchants and traders. He had a passion for learning, which was in keeping with the usual traits of a Pitrius Isurian, but he wanted to explore the world...
His family tried to integrate him properly into Pitrius and Isurian culture, but Jovern did not understand why he had to be there, nor why he had to learn about things which didn't interest him. When he was 43, he left Pitrius Citadel and Isurians far behind and travelled the world, searching for information and knowledge about many different things. His family forbade him from giving away secrets of his blacksmithing trade, and Jovern agreed, as he still cared very deeply for his family, although he now works as a blacksmith in
Kitrean Krafts.
Although not extremely religious, he still had a faith in Izurdin, which he practised whilst on his travels. The Isurian people are deeply distrusting of the outside world and although Jovern wanted to embrace life he still feels some resentment to strangers on occasion. He also often comes across resentment from other Isurians for his alternate lifestyle, thus he lives a life which is often quite isolated. He now lives in Alvadas, having settled in a place which befits his mood and provides excitement in the form of the constant illusions.
Jovern tried courting various Isurian women shortly before leaving Pitrius Citadel, but he was not well received, and he has often pondered if this is another reason why he left. He realised it was when he met Alnya, a Svefran woman, with whom he shared common interests. He fell in love with her, and persuaded her to uproot and come and live with him back home in Alvadas, taking Alnya's child with her.
UPDATE: Spring 516 AV onwards- Jovern now lives with Alnya in Sultros after the horrors of Winter 515 AV in Alvadas drove them elsewhere.
Skills:
- 40 points Blacksmithing
- 10 points Wilderness Survival (Mountains).
Bio
The Blackshore Pod was started in 494 AV by Balsha Blackshore. Years ago, Balsha and her mate Alez sailed all over the seas, as Svefra are wont to do. The pair had a lust for adventure and free-spiritedness, and often found themselves wandering from their family and their pod to explore inlets and beaches. One bright day, the two of them discovered a beach in the Middle Suvan, made entirely of black sand. That in itself was a wonder, but as they explored, the two stumbled upon a disastrous scene. Three dolphins, a young mother and two calves were beached on the shore, flapping and gasping for air.
Although Balsha was heavily pregnant, they decided to help out Laviku's creatures, and brought the dolphins to safety. To their surprise and happiness, the dolphins started following them and their ships. A few days later, Balsha gave birth to their first child. If that wasn't a sign, they said, then what was? From then on, the Blackshore Pod was born.
Since then, Lia Balsha and her family have sailed all over the Suvan, finding beautiful places and making friends with the local wildlife (although this has almost cost them their lives on many occasions!). As soon as they heard of Syka, the pod sailed to the foundling city and found it to their liking. Although they do not stay there all year, through Autumn and Winter the Blackshores are a common sight around Syka, alongside their two ships: the casinor, the Lovely Joan, and palivar, Laviku's Leisure.
The pod are firm worshippers of Caiyha as well as Laviku, and often have parties dedicated to the deities. They believe that being joyful is the most important thing in life, and as such they live with soul. They are kind and caring individuals, who would never hesitate to help an animal in need, as long as said animal wasn't trying to devour them. As such, they get on especially well with Kelvics. If there is one thing the pod hate it is slavery and despair. They have had a few near misses and narrow escapes with some of the crueller slaver ships before, and wouldn't hesitate to help a stranger in need. That being said, they are not overly trusting of everything, and have managed to survive because of their good problem-solving and teamwork.
Timetable:
Svefra are as a whole an adventurous race, and the Blackshores are not an exception to this rule. However, they do have certain places that they are stationary in for certain times of the year. These are:
All Autumn & Winter: At Syka, moored. Before 516 they overwintered at Riverfall instead.
Spring 1st-5th: Syka, celebrating the Valterrian
Spring 75th-90th: Syliras, getting supplies
Summer 50th-60th: At the Anchorage Flotilla
The rest of the year, the pod sails all over the Suvan. They rarely stray to the Outer Oceans, preferring instead to explore the many inlets and coves of the Suvan coastline. However, as they are moored for half a season at Syka, they are often considered a Sykan (previously Riverfallian) pod.
Lia Balsha
Name: Lia Balsha Blackshore, nee. Farcaster.
Race: Human, Svefra
DoB: 23rd Summer, 473 AV
PoB: Northern Suvan
Title: Ma, but mostly just Lia.
Skills: Sailing, 70, Leadership: 48, Swimming: 69, Cooking: 34, Unarmed Combat: 50, Medicine: 45
Gnosis: Oceanus, mark 1
Additional Info: The Lia is a soft-hearted yet firm individual who cares very strongly for the creatures of the sea. She can't deny someone in need... unless that someone disrespects her culture, her family, or the sea. Then they will be cut out cold. However, for the most part, the Lia is a very capable woman who enjoys the simple pleasures in life.
She is always ready to attempt to heal someone of their woes, whether through careful listening, or through medicine. Though she often acts as a kind of grandmotherly figure, Balsha doesn't mind getting stern if it's needed.
Alez
Name: Alez Blackshore, nee. Farcaster
Race: Human, Svefra
DoB: 59th Fall, 469 AV
PoB: Middle Suvan
Title: N/A
Skills: Sailing, 45, Fishing: 65, Swimming: 60, Hunting: 35, Storytelling: 70
Gnosis: Oceanus, mark 1
Additional Info: Alez, although grizzled and somewhat scary to people who have never met him, has a heart of gold. A simple man, all Alez wishes for in life is a calm ocean in which to fish, and family and friends to tell stories to. During his youth, the man was a bit of a pirate. His days were full of adventure, his nights full of passion, his pockets full of mizas. Yet now he has put (most) of that behind him. Alez lives for his family, and wouldn't be happy with anything else. His greatest pleasure in life is fishing, and he can often be seen encouraging others to come sit with him and catch fish together.
During quiet evenings around the campfire, Alez delights in telling elaborate tales of woe and hardship. Although, he always makes sure that the hero wins at the end of the day.
Satavia
Name: Satavia Blackshore
Race: Human, Svefra
DoB: 18th Autumn, 494 AV
PoB: Middle Suvan
Title: 'Tavia'
Skills: Sailing: 46, Carving: 40, Leatherworking: 50, Fishing: 35, Swimming: 63, Dance: 48, Astronomy: 33.
Gnosis: Oceanus, mark 1
Additional Info:Satavia is the first-born child of the Lia. She is a beautiful, blonde woman who is somewhat quiet during the daytime at least. She goes about her day to day tasks with a simple joy, but it is the evening when she truly becomes alive. Ever since childhood, Satavia has relished the rising of the moon above the surface of the glimmering sea and the shining of the stars in the sky. During the daytime, she loves making jewellery, especially from driftwood and seashells. Then, during the evening, all her senses come alive and the woman lets loose her thoughts, opinions and laughter. Every colour is a blessing, every sensation of evening a delight. She especially enjoys watching the sun go down, and offers a blessing to Syna every day at this occasion. Satavia is fond of dancing, and will often do so dressed in her jewellery, dancing around the campfire.
She is expecting Forbennen's child (a girl, due 50th Spring 517 AV).
Forbennen
Name: Forbennen Blackshore
Race: Human, Svefra
DoB: 70th Spring, 493 AV
PoB: Northern Suvan
Title: Ben, Bennen
Skills: Sailing 45, Fishing 10, Swimming 37, Investigation: 32,
Gnosis: Oceanus, mark 1
Additional Info:Bennen was born to the Seagrass Pod. He had a younger sister who disappeared when he was just a boy, and this moment defined much of his adolescence. He was always on the lookout for her, until his eyes fell upon Satavia. He fell in love with the young woman whilst at the Anchorage Flotilla, and their lives have never been the same since. Ever since that moment, Ben has firmly anchored himself in the lives of the Blackshores. Although probably the most serious member of the family, he's probably the one most likely to end up in some risky situation due to ill-given advice, or simply because his natural curiosity gets him into trouble.
He values the simplicity of friendships over drama any day. If there's one thing that he hates, it's personal drama and arguments.
Ben was born to Alnya five years before Karin came on the scene. His life with her was much the same as how Karin had it, except that Alnya gave the lad the attention he needed during his younger years. However, upon the arrival of his little sister and the subsequent rending of the family, Ben soon became a sullen child, upset and angry at his mother for leaving. He escaped being taken away from the pod merely because on the day that they left, he was out fishing with family friends.
For most of the rest of his life, Ben sought to find his sister and return her to her rightful home. However, life got in the way, and he left his family's pod to join the Blackshores.
(PC sister:
Karin Ironyach, born Saeunni Seagrass)
Elesi
Name: Elesi Blackshore
Race: Human, Svefra
DoB: 9th Winter, 497 AV
PoB: Southern Suvan
Title: N/A
Skills: Sailing: 49, Fishing: 7, Swimming: 67, Animal Husbandry (Dogs): 36, Play Musical Instrument (Flute): 55
Gnosis: Oceanus, mark 1
Additional Info:Elesi is the younger sister of Satavia. She is excessively energetic, and finds enjoyment in almost everything. A creative soul, Elesi is the most sociable of the family, and she's usually the one to greet people and invite them onto their casinor. She's an honest individual, but a lot of the time she doesn't really understand the finer points of emotion and feeling. Because of this, she sometimes comes off as insensitive. However, she has a very loyal heart, and everywhere she goes she is accompanied by her faithful hound, 'Gis.
'Gis
A pastavik water dog (see
Dogs lore page), 'Gis is 5 years old [b/d: 511 AV]. A relaxed dog around those he's familiar with, he will often growl warningly at anyone he doesn't know. However, it usually takes about 20 days of regular contact for him to get comfy with you. He loves barking at parrots, and sneaking up on ducks. 'Gis is quite good at hunting, but only up to a point, as he tends to distract himself easily. Elesi doesn't mind- she keeps him because he is a good guard-dog, and she trusts his sense of a stranger's character.
Fabia
Name: Fabia Blackshore
Race: Human, Svefra
DoB: 92nd Winter, 511 AV
PoB: Middle Suvan
Title: Fab!
Skills: Swimming: 25, Dancing: 15, Sailing: 10
Gnosis: Oceanus, mark 1
Additional Info: Fabia is a small girl who loves to pull pranks on others. Her cheeky grin and infectious laugh usually sets the whole family off. She greatly enjoys playing in the sand, and most especially loves dressing up in fancy clothes and dancing with her family.
Silven
Name: Silven Blackshore
Race: Human, Svefra
DoB: 25th Spring, 505 AV
PoB: Northern Suvan
Title: N/A
Skills: Swimming: 25, Fishing: 10, Drawing: 20
Gnosis: Oceanus, mark 1
Additional Info:Silven is Fabia's older brother, and is very protective of his little sister. He's probably the quietest family member, and so gets along well with his father Alez. Most of the time, the two can be seen dangling their legs over the side of the ship, fishing lines cast out into the sea they love so dearly.
The Lovely Joan
The Lovely Joan
The
Lovely Joan is a casinor, so named after a monkey Elesi made friends with when she was just five years old. The monkey is long gone, but she did so love the monkey that her mother reluctantly re-named the ship, from the
Oceana to the
Lovely Joan.
The
Lovely Joan is usually decked with blue sails, and is a well-loved if cluttered ship. It is the home of Forbennen and Satavia, bedecked with fishing gear and trinkets their family have collected over the years. Inside, the sleeping quarters are small, but plushly furnished, with heavy throw-rugs and brightly coloured blankets covering hammocks. The kitchen is barely used as the two usually get their food in
Laviku's Leisure, however it still functions as a kind of kitchen. You will usually find Forbennen and Satavia on the decks, or in the rigging fixing the sails or fishing over the side. During difficult weather, all of their belongings are quickly stowed inside, but during the time the two have been sailing together, a few of their treasured possessions have become home for the coral and the fish that live on the seabed.
Lavikus Leisure
Laviku's Leisure
Laviku's Leisure houses the rest of the family, being a palivar measuring roughly 75 ft. The ship is their pride and joy, being relatively new, tidy, sturdy yet swift as a storm. The deck is sun-bleached pale wood, and one is never far from a pile of rope. During calm weather or when docked,
Laviku's Leisure usually houses a collection of seabirds who have come to appreciate the Lia's kindness towards them. Comfy, exotic pillows from all over Mizahar are brought out onto the deck and on lazy days are used as seats as the occupants chat and share stories together.
Below deck, there are several rooms, although most a quite cramped if cosy. The living quarters are shared by the whole family, and hammocks are stringed up and put away in an open-plan interior which also houses 'Gis and a collection of different clothes and half-built jewellery, flutes, or other assorted nick-nacks. The galley is the largest room, with a good cooker in one corner that provides warmth in the winter, and a large table and stools bolted to the floor in the centre of the room that act as an eating place and a food preparation area. The only other room is a tiny cupboard that is used as a storage room for tackle, spare rope, sail repair equipment, dried food and water. Although the room isn't too small, the amount of stuff crammed into it more than makes up for it.
The Podkin
The rescue of a small family of dolphins in 494 AV has meant that the Blackshores have a small pod of dolphins accompanying them almost everywhere. The two aren't always together, and it has been known for the dolphins to swim off by themselves for up to half a season, but they are usually swimming about in the waters nearby. They have especially strong connections with Satavia, Alez and the Lia, as these are who they've grown up with. Satavia's tavan is Abella, Alez's Vitoria and the Lia's tavan is called 'Iksa.
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