Thalanes

[Thalanes]

Thalanes Appearance Race: Human: Drykas. Gender: Female. Age: 14. Birthday: Day 2, Season of Fall, 501 AV. Birthplace: Outside of Stardown, Sea of Grass, Cyphrus, Diamond Clan. Appearance: Thalanes is 5’6”, 128 pounds. She has strawberry blond hair usually worn braided and a small, black, diamond-shaped tattoo in the crook of her left collarbone. There is a small scar bisecting her left eyebrow due to an accident during a friendly wrestling match as a child. Her eyes are a light golden-brown. Character Concept Thalanes hails from the Diamond Clan in the Sea of Grass and thus possesses some natural skill as a fighter, though she is not fully trained. She prefers the sword. Life in the Sea of Grass and especially among the Diamond Clan has taught her some basic Herbalism. She is a novice Rider and has some experience with Animal Husbandry. Thalanes is quiet and serious, but can be blunt when she feels strongly about something. She believes that she has a duty to protect those who are incapable of defending themselves and is filled with compassion for widows, orphans, the poor and the sick. Unfortunately, she is highly susceptible to manipulation, and often does not have clear boundaries in place to protect herself. She also tends to be superstitious and often makes important decisions based on emotional perception. She is fascinated by rocks of different colors and shapes and often collects them, making note of where they are found and what is passing in her life at the time. She often wonders how and why elements converge to create such beautiful things, but has no basis of knowledge on the subject. Thalanes is jumpy and dislikes sudden movements and loud noises. She wishes to utilize her skills as an animal handler to support herself. She is also interested in realizing her potential as a great fighter, and cultivates dreams of using her sword to enforce justice in the realm of Mizahar. Character History Thalanes is the daughter of her Ankal and his favorite wife. When Thalanes’ mother died in childbirth, her father went nearly mad with grief. As she grew up in her pavilion, the Ankal resented her and was more harsh with her than with her sisters and brothers, often pitting Thalanes against them in cruel sparring exercises. Thalanes was close with some of her siblings, especially her older brother Acwuld. She had one true friend in her pavilion; her father’s other wife was a woman named Corubess who treated her kindly and helped to raise her. Now, Thalanes’ Ankal has been hinting that when she is of age, he will take her as a wife. The suggestion is both immoral and against protocol, but the Ankal is clearly not himself. He has been hurtful and abusive most of Thalanes’ life and she has no intention of complying, though rising up against an Ankal is socially taboo. Thalanes has been concerned that when she turns sixteen, her father will follow through and that her brother Acwuld will try to defend her - he has expressed the intention of doing so. She is wary of bringing a curse down on her clan, and so has decided to leave the Sea of Grass. The thought of migrating to another pavilion has occurred to her, but she knows she will have to explain her history, and is loathe to bring dishonor to her pavilion and her clan. Language Fluent Language: Pavi/Grassland Sign. Basic Language: Common. Poor Language: None. Skills Skill EXP Total Proficiency Animal Husbandry 8 SP 8 Novice Riding 6 SP + 10 RB 16 Novice Sword 6 SP 6 Novice Hunting 5 SP 5 Novice Herbalism 5 SP 5 Novice Tanning 5 SP 5 Novice Leatherwork 5 SP 5 Novice Bow 5 SP 5 Novice Singing 5 SP 5 Novice Lores Lore of Drykas Hair-Braiding Lore of Grassland Story-Songs Possessions   Personal Simple Shirt Simple Pants Simple Undergarments Simple Cloak Simple Boots Backpack Soap 100 Gold Mizas   Tools and Weapons Eating Knife Bone Comb Bone Brush Razor Flint and Steel Two-Handed Broadsword   Consumables Week of Rations Waterskin Heirloom: Thalanes carries her brother’s sword, which she won from him in a sparring match. It is sturdy and well-made, and she has named it Maegang. Housing Location: Cyphrus, the Sea of Grass, south of Stardown. House: Large tent. Thalanes begins her story by living with her family. Ledger Purchase Cost Total Starting +100 GM 100 GM Thread List   In Progress None yet!   Completed None yet!

[Thalanes]

Thalanes - Further Character Development General Information : 1. What is your Name? Thalanes of Clan Diamond. 2. Do you go by a nickname or pet name? My older brother Acwuld used to call me Thal. 3. How old are you? 14. 4. What is your height? 5'6". 5. What is your weight? 128. Aesthetics : 1. Describe yourself as you see yourself. I am average height, average weight. I have always liked my own hair colouring. Even though I have some painful memories of my pavilion and my father, I am proud of the diamond design I wear on my neck. The Diamond Clan are fierce fighters, and I am aware that one doesn't have to be engaged in a physical battle to be fighting. 2. Describe yourself as others typically see you. Others generally see my hair first, and then my eyes. I have been told that I have a wonderful smile, though I don't smile or laugh often. 3. What is your favorite body feature? My legs. I have muscular calves from years of riding and running on the plains with my brothers. I have a low center of gravity and move with the grace of an athlete. I think my legs are beautiful because they are strong. 4. How physically fit are you? I am quite physically fit. I grew up around horses and I am a good rider and an excellent handler. There are few things I love more than a good gallop or a pony that needs breaking. 5. How do you typically dress and what is your style? I dress for simplicity and comfort. Muted colors are best for me, and most pieces of clothing I own are white or have white in them. Family : 1. Who are your parents and what are they like? My father is named Idrillo. He is the Ankal of my pavilion. When I was born, he had two wives; my mother, Karra, was his favourite wife, and he loved her to distraction. She died bearing me. His other wife, Corubess, helped to rear me and has always been kind to me. 2. Do you have any brothers or sisters? I have an older brother, Acwuld - he was also borne by Karra. I also have three older half brothers, Corubess' children. Their names are Davro, Kaffat, and Achrallo. 3. What is your extended family like? In truth, I don't know them very well. I have one living grandmother, but she doesn't speak much. My father has an unmarried sister, brothers, and half-brothers who live with us in our pavilion, but I didn't know them very well. I am the youngest child in a large family, and the only girl. My older brothers get most of the attention in the pavilion and I am generally an afterthought. 4. Do you consider close friends as important or more/less important than family? I have never had a close friend who wasn't considered family. Our pavilion is quite isolated. Sometimes, we travel together to the city of Endrykas, and I meet others my age, but always very briefly. I find that I am quite shy with people I don't know. 5. Do you treat animals like family? Horses are very important to the Drykas. Our mounts are many things. But they are not my family. Location : 1. Where were you born? I was born in the Sea of Grass in Cyphrus, just south of Stardown. 2. Where do you live now? With my family in the Sea of Grass. I am not happy here, though, and would like to leave soon. 3. If you could live anywhere in Mizahar where would that be? Lhavit, the Star of Kalea! 4. Do you have a favorite place to vacation or spend leisure time? I love being outside. I am still very young, and have only ever experienced the Sea of Grass. 5. Where do you fear to be? I am not generally afraid of places. I am more afraid of people and specifically peoples' capacity for harm. Traits : 1. Do you have any physical weaknesses (disease, scars, and missing limbs?) I do have a small vertical scar in the middle of my left eyebrow. I was wrestling with my half-brother Kaffat when I was ten. He threw me to the ground and my brow bone struck a piece of stone that was lodge in the sod. It was and accident and Kaffat felt terrible. A woman in our pavilion stitched me back together but I still have my souvenir! I broke two of my ribs when I was twelve and one of them never quite healed properly. I experience a lot of chronic pain because of this. 2. Are you right handed or left handed? Right-handed. 3. What languages do you speak? What do you sound like? Do you have an accent? I speak Pavi and its nonverbal counterpoint Grassland Sign fluently. I also speak common, but with a Pavian accent. My voice is deeper than one might expect for my age, a bit husky. 4. Do you have any odd mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics? Sometimes I find myself humming our loud or talking to myself, often in front of other people. 5. Do you have (or want to get) any tattoos or piercing? Why do you have them (or will get them)? I have a tattoo on my lower next on the left hand side, just in the crook of my clavicle. It is of a small diamond, in honor of my Clan in Cyphrus. I love tattoos and would like to get more some day. Occupations : 1. What is your occupation? I don't have one yet, but I am training to be an animal handler. 2. Do you like/dislike your work? Why? I like my work. I love being around the horses, and I don't mind cleaning up after them. It gives me plenty of time to think and reflect. 3. If you could be anything you wanted to, what would you be? A man. 4. What occupation do you admire the most? Why? I admire teachers. I've only ever seen them in Endrykas. They seem to be terrifically bright. 5. What occupation do you least like? Why? Somehow, I don't think I'd like to be a Voider, though the correlation between voiding and cleaning up after animals is palpable. I've also heard that the salary for voiding isn't bad, but I think it would make me sad to spend so much time with old things that no one else wanted. Childhood : 1. What sort of child were you? I was a serious child, always watching people, trying to imitate people, and trying to be older than I was. 2. What is your favorite memory from childhood? My favorite memory is racing mounts with my brothers across the Sea of Grass. 3. What is your worst memory from childhood? Once when I was seven, I found a nest of spiders in our family tent. I was afraid of them and didn't want to go into my room. My father was angry. He hated it when I would cry - Corubess says it's because I look like my mother. In any case, my father kept insisting that I shouldn't be afraid of the spiders - that I was a daughter of the Ankal, that I had to be brave and set an example for the others. He said that he was never allowed to be so craven when he was growing up. He told me I should either kill the spiders or move them outside, but I became more and more agitated. In frustration and anger, he backhanded me hard across the face, then disappeared for a few hours, riding in the fields. We never talked about it afterward, and he never apologized. 4. What sort of relationship did you have with your parents? My father Idrillo of the Diamond Clan, the Ankal of our pavilion, was always a bit icy to me, but I like to think that he was proud of me. I never knew my mother; she died in childbirth with me. My stepmother Corubess did what she could to make sure I was brought up well. I love her. 5. Who was your most influential role model? My father's second wife, Corubess. I think she felt sorry for me, but whatever her motivation, she was a kind stepmother and always treated me fairly. Education : 1. What sort of education do you have? I haven't needed much of a formal education in Cyphrus. Since Pavi has no written form, I do not know how to read or write. We work hard, hunting and gathering so that our pavilion can flourish. I was trained in riding and taking care of the horses. Since our traditions are passed down orally, I can sign, sing, and perform! 2. Do you like/dislike learning? I love to learn! Stories and story-songs inspire me. 3. Where or how did you learn most of your skills/abilities? My older brothers. A perk of being the youngest child in a large family is that you get to watch everyone else learn first. 4. How do you learn best? I learn physical skills from watching someone else. 5. What are your educational goals for the future? I would like to become a better fighter. I know a little about growing herbs and I would love to expand on that knowledge. I would also like to learn how to read. Relationships : 1. Do you form close bonds with people? Why? Why not? I have a close bond with my brother Acwuld. I like being close to people, but in my experience, it takes time. 2. Do you trust people easily? If not, why not? Not generally. I assume that most strangers have bad intentions and I tend to size people up upon meeting them. However, once I have gotten to know someone and they are a fixture in my life, I trust all too easily that they consider my thoughts and feelings as I do theirs. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. 3. Do you consider yourself straight, gay, bi, or something else? I have been attracted to both men and women, but I have not fallen in love yet. 4. Have you ever been kissed? If so, describe the first time. No, I have never been kissed. I can't wait! 5. Have you ever had sex? If so, describe the first time. No, I haven't. I know how to satisfy myself, however. I look forward to expressing my feelings for someone in this way. Drugs and Alcohol : 1. Have you ever been drunk? If so, describe your first time. My brothers taught me how to drink, little by little. The first time, I was eleven, and they laughed at me when I screwed up my mouth in distaste. The older I have grown, the more I have incorporated ale into my meals. I have felt tipsy before, but I have never been completely drunk. 2. Do you like to drink on a regular basis? Yes. 3. What sort of alcohol do you prefer? I prefer ale, but have also tried wine and liked it. I have never tried anything stronger. 4. Have you ever tried drugs (mood altering substances)? If so, which kinds and what did you think of them? I smoked a pipe once. I don't remember anything out of the ordinary happening. I think I would try a substance if someone offered it to me. 5. What do you think of drugs and alcohol? Be specific. I understand why people become addicted to substances. I have come to realize that generally one doesn't simply pick up drinking. One usually has a draw, a breaking point. I believe that if enough of a tragedy befell me, I might become one of these people. Likes and Dislikes : 1. What are your hobbies? I love to ride, of course. I also enjoy singing and listening to music. I am extremely curious about Herbalism - I only know a little bit, but I would like to learn more. The idea that we can grow and cultivate something that can then be used to help or heal is fascinating to me. 2. Do you like to read? I don't know how to read. But I love stories! 3. What annoys you more than anything else? I become annoyed when people ignore, underestimate, or belittle me. I have just as much potential as the next person, and sometimes my ideas are even better! It doesn't matter who a person is; they deserved to be heard. 4. What do you find the most relaxing activity to do? Watching the sky during a storm, or watching clouds on a temperate day. 5. What kinds of things embarrass you? Why? I am embarrassed by compliments from others. I know I should simply own my abilities and say 'thank you', but for some reason, I find that hard to do. Favorites : 1. What is your favorite color or colors? Green! 2. What is your favorite time of day? Late afternoon, just before the sun begins to set. 3. What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen? Once, I sat for hours watching a cat in Endrykas. It bathed itself using only its tongue. The fluid motion of the animal stretching, rolling over, and then suddenly stopping to stare at me was breathtaking. I have never touched or held a cat, but the idea of owning one, taking care of it, feeding and petting it - is completely mesmerizing. 4. What do you like to eat? What do you hate to eat? I love to eat most anything. Poultry, grains, vegetables. There are some dishes I like better than others, but I will try nearly anything. 5. What is your favorite type of weather? Does any kind scare you? I love long, luxurious rainy days. I am not afraid of storms or any other type of weather. The windier, the better. Outlook : 1. Are you optimistic or pessimistic? I am melancholy at times, but largely optimistic. 2. What are your religious views? Our pavilion put great stock in the goddess Eyris. Asking for wisdom is something I do often - it is often the larger answer to many various questions. Rhaus, the god of music, is also important to me. At various times, I have perceived my world as largely ordered or largely chaotic, and I have either thanked or blamed Rhaus accordingly. I hate chaos. 3. Would you be able to kill? I would kill in self-defense without hesitation if I needed to. 4. What are your views on sex? I believe that it is healthy and right for humans to engage in these activities. We all need to consume matter, excrete waste, and make love. I too will pursue a physical relationship when it is my time and when I find a partner I love and trust. 5. What, in your opinion, makes a successful life? The only way to ruin a life is to waste it. Actions : 1. What is the worst and best thing you’ve ever done? The worst thing I ever did was steal a piece of jewelry from one of my aunts, L'ana. It was bronze in color - the shape of a scarab. I was perhaps ten. I had always admired it on her and decided one day that I wanted it for my own. I was immediately overcome with shame and guilt, and I lied about taking it. I later put it back among her possessions, as though she had simply overlooked it before. The best thing I ever did cannot be contained in one story, but my happiest memories are laughing and having fun with Acwuld, Corubess, and my brothers and cousins. 2. What is your greatest regret? My greatest regret is not having the opportunity to meet my mother. I have a feeling we would be good friends. 3. What is your best/worst memory? Once, after having gotten in a fight with Acwuld, I sought comfort from Corubess. I was crying, and she invited me to come into her sleeping pallet and stay with her. I had my arms wrapped around her womanly body and my head was snuggled in between her breasts. This was when I was seven or so. She smelled good, like leather and soap and clean sweat. My hair was matted and damp and my face was wet with tears. We stayed like that until I fell asleep. She stroked my hair and whispered that all would be well - that Acwuld and I were friends and that we would reconcile once more. It is at once a wonderful memory and a horrible one - I remember missing my mother acutely then, but receiving such warmth and comfort from Corubess was like drops of bright water falling on the parched earth of my heart. 4. If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be and why? 5. What are you the most proud of doing in your life? I am proud that my troubled upbringing with my father has not embittered me too much. Sometimes young girls who are mistreated have a dark streak and behave meanly. While I am prone to melancholia, I don't feel the impetus to hurt others in order to soothe myself. Emotions : 1. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings with others? I tend to be honest, but gentle. I may downplay things for the sake of sparing someone dramatics - e.g., I might say, "I am in a fair bit of discomfort," instead of screaming, "I'm in pain!" 2. Do you have any biases or prejudices? I think that women are wonderful. We have untapped potential to influence the world as teachers, rulers, speakers, priests, and artists. Because our minds are so faceted, I sometimes respect or listen to a woman before I will listen to a man. 3. What makes you happy? It takes very little to make me happy. A clean room, a sweet smell, a delicious meal, a warm place to sleep. 4. Who or what, if anything, would you die for? I would die for someone or something that I truly loved. 5. What makes you angry? Injustice. Relationships : 1. In general, how do you treat others? I treat others the way I would like to be treated. In my experience, one never knows who one is actually encountering. Also, one never knows when one might need a helping hand, and others will be more apt to help one if one has been kind in the past. 2. Who is the most important person in your life, and why? Acwuld is the most important person in the world to me. We have the same mother and the same father, and he makes me laugh like no one else! 3. Who is the person you respect the most, and why? I respect Corubess. She knew that my father never loved her as much as he loved Karra, and yet she continued to bear him children and be a good wife to him. And she was kind to me, though she didn't have to be. She knows about foraging, and about using the bow to hunt game. She knows about how to be a woman, how to move in a graceful manner and how to speak in a way that is pleasing to the ears. Above all this, she is a warrior and greets pain like an old friend. If I reflect her in any small way, I will be satisfied. 4. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If not, describe an ideal lover. I am too young to marry and I have not met someone I care deeply for yet. My ideal lover will be gentle and kind, brave, loyal, intelligent and strong. 5. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why? I trusted my brother Acwuld to protect me, but I didn't give him the opportunity. Group Situations : 1. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict? I would rather avoid conflict if I can. There have been a few notable times in my life when I have shakily but bravely told someone exactly how I felt. No one seems to care as much as I think they will. 2. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations? I don't like leading groups of people, but I will if no one else is stepping up. I find that the pressure to make decisions that involve a lot of people bothers me after a while. 3. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not? I don't mind interacting with large groups of people, but only for short amounts of time. People sap energy from me the way the sun steals moisture from grapes in a vineyard. 4. Do you care what others think of you? It depends on the person, but if they are important to me, I probably care too much what they think of me! 5. What do you think of others, in general? I think of others as being more important than me. Self Image : 1. What is your greatest strength as a person? My compassion. Because of the way I was raised, I have the ability to recognize others' hardships. The pain from my broken rib troubles me but I think that living with it has given me a kind of resilience and extra empathy for others who may be hurting. I believe that love is the most powerful weapon. 2. What is your greatest weakness? My greatest weakness is my vulnerability. I am a bit of a bleeding heart, and easy to manipulate. 3. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would wish to be more confident, more winning, better with people. 4. Are you generally introverted or extroverted? I am generally introverted. 5. Are you generally organized or messy? Generally organized! Beliefs : 1. What God or Goddess do you find most appealing, if any? Eyris, the goddess of wisdom, is my favorite. 2. Which God or Goddess do you fear, if any? Sometimes I fear that Rhaus has sinister designs on my life. He composes the music of the world, and so far, my song has been unpredictable. 3. Do you have any Gnosis Marks? If so, how did you receive them? I don't have any Gnosis Marks yet. 4. What lengths would you go to to please your deity? Sometimes, I hear small whispers in my mind encouraging me on to certain actions, but I am always confused as to whether it is a god or goddess, or my own conscience. At the end of the day, I will always do what I believe is right. 5. Where do you draw the line at pleasing your deity? What is too much? If a deity expects me to perform an action that violates a law of society or could culminate in my death or the deaths of others, I will not comply. Life & Death : 1. What do you absolutely live for? I live for extraordinary moments. Corubess calls them Retina Burns - they are those instances that are forever imprinted on your psyche; watching a baby laugh for the first time. The powerful flash of lightning across the sky. The taste of fresh picked mint, the feel of a sage leaf rubbed between your fingers. Because we live, we can experience. 2. What is the best part of life? The human experience. Relationships. Sharing moments together. 3. What is the best part of death? In death, you can finally complete chapters with no conceivable end. You can rest from toil and pain. I believe I will see my mother in the next life and I cannot wait to talk to her. 4. If you could choose, how would you want to die? I would like someone to sneak up behind me and quickly chop my head off. No lingering. No goodbyes. 5. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death? My kindness.

[Thalanes]

NPCs - Permission Pending Idrullo Stormchase (Father) Birthdate: 16 Day of Winter, 480 AV Karra Stormchase (Mother) - Deceased Birthdate: 78 Day of Spring, 482 AV Corubess Stormchase (Stepmother) Birthdate: 22 Day of Fall, 473 AV Acwuld Stormchase (Brother) Birthdate: 89 Day of Spring, 499 AV Davro (Stepbrother) Birthdate: 4 Day of Fall 500 AV Kaffat (Stepbrother) Birthdate: 65 Day of Summer 497 Achrallo (Stepbrother) Birthdate: 65 Day of Summer 497 B'ua (Horse) - Not a Strider Birthdate: 8 Day of Spring 511 AV NPC Request : I would like to write about Thalanes' family and why she is leaving them, but I am not sure if I am allowed to have a bank of NPCs like this. They won't be helping her in any way, and I haven't decided if she will have contact with them again. I have submitted a request to the Help Desk about it. Any guidance is welcome!

[Astator]

I have noticed a few issues with your character sheet: In order to be considered a Drykas (born or otherwise) she must be bonded to a Strider. As she has no strider (see next bullet) she will have no Windmarks. No Windmarks she isn't a Drykas. You are lacking a housing package. I would highly suggest getting it, even though you are starting with your family you still need a housing package. There is a special one specifically for Drykas that gives them everything they need for riding their horses as a Drykas and such. This includes a Strider for your character. Also, if you continue with the Drykas Character, please mention when she got her Windmark and where it is located. Even though your skills are added up correctly, you need to be sure that all Weapon skills are denoted as: Weapon: or Weapon(). IE – Weapon:Dagger or Weapon(Dagger). The skill must be a specific weapon, can't just be 'Sword' or 'Bow and Arrow' as use and techniques are different per weapon of the same type. I am assuming said weapon is the two-handed bastard sword you make mention of in your possessions, because of this I also recommend you make note of that exactly in your Heirloom description, as you just mentioned sword. (I am assuming that it is said heirloom) On Skills, I know this is an odd thing to mention, however please mention what sort of animal you are proficient in riding. I know it should be obvious (Horse). The setup for that is the same as the Weapon skills above. Note: You have 'Bow' but no idea what kind of Bow you are implying as a skill. You also do not owe any sort of bow. So I am curious as to how you are able to learn said skill without owning said item... Once you have fixed that error, please PM me by using the envelope on the side below my name and let me know. Thank you, Astator