A Time Of The Sword Is Nigh (A Fantasy RP (OOC Always Open))

[The Twelve Isles]

《◊ Character Basics ◊》

The Skrobiana family has held land in Pescala for over two centuries. As their legends go, they were uplifted from common soldiers after a great victory and rewarded with land and influence. Both grew through the years as Pescala reached its height as the Skrobiana family etched a place in the king's court as advisors and trusted military allies.

But their close relation to the king and their duties to provide military support became their downfall. As the fortune of Pescala collapsed in the wars of decades past, so did the glory of house Skrobiana. Their castles were torched and all, but one was torn to the ground and left to ruin. Their family was depleted by war, disease and infighting, leaving only a handful still alive to uphold the name.

One of the many defeats during the wars with Roosk and Kringlandir was blamed on the family, who had led the army during its near total collapse. This battle did not only bleed House Skrobiana of more than half of their fighting aged men, but also their influence with the king and the other nobility of Pescala, for they were blamed for the defeat.

Ever since then, the last master of the family, Lord Janusz, did what he could to repair the family name and influence. Before he dead of old age, the name Skrobiana had regained some of its respect and the members of their house were once again welcome in the court of the king.

But even if the darkest moments of House Skrobiana seem behind them, the future of is all but certain. Pescala has become a weak nation and many of its neighbors look upon it with hunger in their eyes.

And with the death of Janusz, it falls upon the shoulders of his son, and heir, Radzimir, to ensure the survival and prosperity of House Skrobiana.

Character App
Name:Radzimir Skrobiana
Nickname/Alias: -None as of yet-
Gender: Female
Age/Birthdate: 22
Race: Human
Moral Alignment: Neutral-good
Height: (1.87m)
Weight: -Average-
Unique Traits: /
Any Illnesses: /
Appearance: https://i.pinimg.com/474x/68/1b/9f/681b9fef740d752c71f22a6b68f3a6c0.jpg

Personality: Radzimir is still a young man and although he has adopted a strong sense of responsibility and duty to his family and people, he remembers his days of adventure and freedom fondly. He has forced himself to be calculating and focused, knowing that he carries a heavy responsibility to his living family, the memory of his house and the people who live on his lands.

Occupation: Nobleman, Lord of Castle Bedzin, Holder of Fief Belskie, and Captain of a two hundred fifty-man strong Cavalry Towarysze

《◊ Background ◊》

- Mother/Father Names: Janusz and Zofia Skrobiana (Both dead of natural causes)
- Siblings/Other Relatives:
+Kasha (Sister and deemed missing or maybe dead)
+Radoslaw (Brother, died in battle)
+Mirosław (Brother, died in battle)
+ Mikołaj (Uncle, Alive)
+Natalia (Niece, Alive)
- Noble?: Yes
- Nation of Origin: Pescala
- Languages Spoken: Petzyana(primary), A sliver of various languages through education: Altacian, Kriglinder and a host of basic phrases in some other languages.
- Biography:

Janusz Skrobiana had three sons and a daughter in total. Each was heavily trained from youth and given responsibility and an early age and laden with expectations. Radzimir was the youngest and grew up watching his father treat his older brothers harshly, forcing them to reach ever higher and punishing them when they failed.

When Janusz created the Towarysze, he had all his sons join them when they came of age, hoping for them to gain glory and acclaim through victories in the field. But War and glory is a fickle mistress and Janusz did not realize his folly until two of his sons returned home dead after a disastrous border skirmish against the Kringlandir.
Janusz did everything he could to avoid the same fate for his last son, Radzimir, but he was not only the youngest, but also the most stubborn. Radzimir wanted not only to avenge his brothers, but to escape the influence of his father. So Radzimir himself left for the Towarysze as soon as he was of age, leaving his father to his grief and joining the Towarysze on his own, only to return when news reached him, years later that his sister had disappeared.
His sister had been sent to the Pescalan college of magi from a young age and had been groomed as a lady, scholar and magi for nearly a decade. Janusz had even prepared a marriage and future for her, when she suddenly disappeared from the capital. Three of her fellow students were found dead and no sign of Kasha at all. With foul rumors of his sister spreading around the capital, Radzimir took a host of fellow Towarysze to the capital to scour it for any sign of his sister and find out what had caused her disappearance.

Radzimir returned home a month later, empty handed, but with the knowledge that his sister still lived, but had fled the country to regions unknown and for reasons he dared not tell his father. Nobody knows the full story about what happened in the capital during Radzimir's investigation, but rumors are abound of his sister being dishonored and anyone who was remotely involved ending up dead or missing.

Upon his return to the ancestral home of House Skrobiana, Castle Bedzin, Radzimir finally accepted his responsibility as heir of the family and became the master of House Skrobiana a year later, upon the death of his father. In the two years since, Radzimir has combined his duties as the master of House Skrobiana and as Captain of his own Towarysze Chorągiew.

But things are not easy for House Skrobiana, for their lands are not rich and depopulated after decades of war and strife. The grand Castle Bedzin still shows many signs of the siege that nearly broke its walls, nearly five decades ago, the repairs too costly for the family to bear.

Radzimir has inherited a difficult future to bear. His father had already repaired much of the damaged family reputation, but House Skrobiana, as with most Pescalan nobility, struggles with poverty, a depopulated territory and eager enemies beyond the border.

《◊ Affiliation/ Additional Info ◊》

House Skrobiana and its head, Radzimir, have sworn loyalty to the King of Pescala and have been a member of Pescalan nobility for over 2 centuries.


- Affiliation: Union of Pescala
- Specialties:
+ Mounted knight and bowman
+ Talented warrior with Shield, Lance, Bow, Mace and sword
+ A skilled Tactician
+ A good grasp on history, the general sciences and statecraft
- Magi?: No
- Schools of Magic:
/ / /
Owned Equipment:
+ A proper set of plate armor, chainmail and gambeson
+ A full set of various arms crafted to his liking.
+ An expansive and ancient library collected by House Skrobiana over the centuries. Filled with various tomes of primarily scientific, historical and bestial nature.
+ Owner of several horses, including breeding stock. Along with barding and saddle makers, primarily to help outfit his own Towarysze.
+ Holder of the Fiefdom Bełskie and its subjects.
+ Ownership of Castle Bedzin and its retinue, a near two century old fortress that started as a rather simple castle but saw extensive expansion through the decades of its first century. During the great wars that shattered Pescala, this once great 3-ringed fortress was nearly shattered to its foundation. it' outer walls were breached and much of its defenses destroyed. Decades later, much of the damage is still visible and only rudimentary repairs have been made.

《◊ Optional Info ◊》

- Strengths:
+ A strong, focused man with a clear will. He is an accomplished warrior and has fought in several skirmishers and field battles, both at home and abroad and for multiple different lords as a mercenary.
This, along with the early impression of his brothers defeat on the field of battle ensured that Radzimir has a clear and level head on the field of battle. His time as a headstrong glory seeker are long since gone. He demands and fields discipline on the field of battle as his greatest asset, ensuring that he approaches every battle from a direction that gives him the greatest advantage.

+ He wields strong loyalty from his Towarysze, having proven himself to be a fair and capable commander, who cares for the lives of his men.

- Weaknesses:
+ House Skrobiana is poor and cannot support Radzimir his Towarysze and his garrison without extra sources of income. Castle Bedzin needs repair and much of the lands he has inherited are depopulated and many fields lie barren. Much work is to be done, before House Skrobiana can regain power and influence.
- Fears: To see his house destroyed or fall into obscurity
- Dreams: To find his sister / To bring House Skrobiana and Pescala to glory once again
- Personal Beliefs: The defeat of Pescala was a sign of failure, of enemies taking advantage of a lingering weakness. If Pescala is to rise again, the peasantry must be convinced to be loyal, not only to king, but also to the country. Radzimir is a true nationalist and believes this nationalism could be brought to the regions taken by foreign lords in decades past.

- Anything Else:

ACCEPTED

Pescala will rise again brother

[Kelmet]

I want to be able to say I mean it this time when I say I am back.

But till this world settles down a little, I can make no gaurentee about my activity.

But I will try.

[Wallenburg]

《◊ Character Basics ◊》

Character App
Name: Rivar Orshaltha
Nickname/Alias: Shorty
Gender: Male
Age/Birthdate: 34 / 3 Month of Whaling
Race: Aelmen
Moral Alignment: Chaotic Good
Personality: Rivar is a fundamentally friendly person, who wants to do good by people. Even when he doesn't feel like socializing, he will put on a friendly face for strangers. He is slow to form friendships, but those he does see as friends he is loyal to unconditionally. He lives for the opportunity to please and entertain people, himself included. Often he will play tricks on others for his own amusement, but he tries not to do anything mean-spirited. He prides himself on his education, especially given his poor background. Buried underneath all of that is a constant anxiety that he is a failure as an ael and as a friend. He also bears a quiet but intense hatred for the nobility, especially the kings and queens of warring nations.

Occupation: magician/musician

《◊ Physical Traits ◊》

- Height: 5'4"
- Weight: 125 lb.
- Unique Traits: None
- Any Illnesses: Bipolar
- Appearance: Rivar has very exaggerated elven features. He is slighter and shorter than most adults, and retains the persistent boyish face of a young elf. His pale complexion is severe compared to that of most elves and men. His youthful, slight exterior reflects a fiercely energetic demeanor within. Rivar carries himself confidently, perhaps haughtily. His golden green eyes dart every which way, taking in all they can of whatever mysteries or opportunities might surround him.

Rivar takes care of his hair, weaving it into a pair of thick, lengthy braids that wrap behind his head and down to his shoulders. His hair's strange shade of white often draws curious eyes, especially given his otherwise youthful appearance. Rivar's face is smooth and free of any hair. On the road, he wears his sturdiest clothes, a simple tan tunic with blue embroidery and a long plaid skirt, patterned in blue and black. Orshaltha's slight build vanishes somewhat under a voluminous blue cloak.

《◊ Background ◊》

- Mother/Father Names: Ealwen Dweneteth (mother), Wemer Orshaltha
- Siblings/Other Relatives:
Older Sister: Lin Orshaltha
Younger Brother: Erhye Orshaltha
Wife: Els Meltbrokke
Daughter: Katarine Orshaltha
- Looks Like Mother Or Father More: Father
- Noble?: N
- Nation Of Origin: The Aelmen Tribes
- Langues Spoken: Aelntalh (fluent), Kriglinder (fluent)

- Biography:
Rivar grew up as one of the Liravinoga, an impoverished tribe of three dozen elven families constantly traveling in search of markets for their wares and safety within the territory of their hosts. Their people are skilled weavers, woodcarvers, herbalists, and trappers, but they are best known as entertainers of every variety. When without any goods to sell, the Liravinoga provide any services likely to please the locals. And when work too is in short supply, equal parts charity and thievery keep the Liravinroga alive.

The government and social structure of the Liravinoga is unlike that of the settled peoples. Individual wealth is unheard of, and even ownership of such things as tents and clothes is a matter of opinion. The various families have adopted hierarchies whose leaders choose from among themselves who commands them as “king”. The king and their advisors resolve all matters the families cannot settle among themselves or that are considered too severe to leave to family negotiations. Traditionally, the older and larger families pressure the others to support their “right” to the kingdom. While the king customarily rules for life and usually negotiates succession of the kingdom to a family member, political turmoil has made for many exceptions to this rule.

The Orshaltha are one of the larger and more powerful families of the kingdom. Being the eldest son to the Orshaltha patriarch, Rivar grew up in a deeply political environment. Even so, he worked for food and shelter like any other common elf. As soon as he could put together sentences, he was collecting alms. By the time his brother was born he was finding jobs. When he could choose how to make coin, he preferred to entertain people through music and theatrics.

Rivar’s mother, an ael blessed by the Stranger, came to realize her son had the Mark as well. She practiced amateur conjuration of the elements with him during his early childhood. As he grew, she trained his mind to focus on and manipulate the Aether permeating the material world without any material assistance. With careful training, Rivar came to understand the fundamental nature of the Aether, and began to tap its energy directly to produce a variety of illusions.

Of all Rivar’s pursuits, the performing arts have consumed his life more than any other, although the troupe lifestyle was no easier or profitable than his life among the Liravinoga. Gambling on a kind reception at each town he visited, Rivar often went hungry or without shelter when the troupe could not find patrons. Nevertheless, the fellowship he forged in music and spectacle inexorably tied him to his troupe.

Rivar’s familiarity with various troupe members blossomed into important friendships. One friend, a human alchemist, worked alongside Rivar in illusion shows. Rivar came to think of him as a mentor, and gradually adopted many of his opinions on the ways of the civilized world. The alchemist stirred in him buried resentment against the corruption of the rulers of the landed realms. This resentment grew as multiple lesser lords exploited the troupe’s precarious finances for their own profit. In retaliation, the alchemist and Rivar conspired with others in an attack on the hall of the Duke of Savoi, who had deeply wronged them. This act split the troupe along internal faction lines. The conspirators all either vanished into the wilderness or stuck with those few who cared for them more than the remainder of the troupe. This second, smaller troupe took work where it could, but by the nature of their crime had to keep relatively quiet and avoid the Confederacy of Southern Lords.

The alchemist, however, was not Rivar’s only friend in these years. He befriended Els Meltbrokke, a human mercenary whom the troupe had hired as security. The two grew close over years of travel. Shortly after the troupe split in two, they discovered a love for one another. After five years of friendship in the troupe, they gave up their travels and try their luck with a sedentary life. In settling with Els, Rivar exchanged his elven customs for those of the local humans. Because neither Els nor Rivar are accomplished farmhands, a common life of tending to crops does not offer much to live on. Even so, with a great deal of work and the occasional handiness of magic or a blade, the family keeps a simple home with a few comforts and a strong young daughter.

Rivar, while not an expert in the performing arts, gathers a modest supplement entertaining at the village tavern. However, Rivar is dissatisfied with the common life, and dreams of pursuing musical talent, perhaps elevating his family’s financial status in the process, Rivar left his family in the village while he accompanied musicians on the road.

《◊ Affiliation/ Additional Info ◊》

- Affiliation: Free Magi
- Specialties: Smallsword and dagger, instrumental music, social dancing, prestidigitation, aetheriomancy
- Magi?: Y
- Schools Of Magic: Aetheriomancy
- Owned Equipment:
Blue traveling cloak
Simple clothes
Smallsword
Dagger
Backpack and waterskin
Hammered dulcimer
Flute
Pipe with herbs for smoking
Research notes
Bear tooth
Small tent
Gold wedding ring
A cairn terrier named Henry

《◊ Optional Info ◊》

- Strengths: Rivar is incredibly friendly and takes pleasure in helping others. He finds strength in his friends and in a clear understanding of what he wants. He has a strong sense of justice predicated on mercy and restraint. He has had to defend himself many times in his life, but has never taken the life of another person.
- Weaknesses: In his search for knowledge, Rivar is easily distracted by any significant curiosity. He is also willing to lie about anything, whether out of convenience or merely as a method of entertainment. This gets him in trouble often. He is vain and can't let go of past grudges. Despite all his kindness, he nurtures boiling hatred for a select few people, and can't bring himself to forgive them for their actions.
- Fears: He fears for the wellbeing of his wife and child. He also fears that he is not strong enough to achieve his dreams, or that along the way he will lose sight of what he truly wants.
- Dreams: Rivar wants to lift his family out of poverty, and dismantle the hierarchies that manufactured his poverty in the first place. He also seeks knowledge in all things, including answers to the nature of consciousness and reality.
- Personal Beliefs: Rivar believes that a life of service done freely to one's family, friends, and community is the most rewarding life. He detests violence, especially that exercised to defend authority. In particular, Rivar would see all the kingdoms toppled if he were to have his way. He considers war and class structure the two great plagues spread across the world by the kings of men and aelmen.

Please do not remove
Seven Lamps, To Guide Us Towards Salvation