* NEW CHARACTER *
Icelandic Wanderer
Name: Dýrfinna
Origin: Iceland
Ethnicity: Norse
Age: 18-20
Status: Shieldmaiden, Wanderer
Languages: Old Norse
Religion: Norse Paganism
Theme Song:
"Into The Mist" - Eivør
Historical Plot:
The recorded history of Iceland began with the settlement by Viking explorers and their slaves from the east, particularly Norway and the British Isles, in the late ninth century. According to the Landnámabók, Iceland was discovered by Naddodd, one of the first settlers in the Faroe Islands, who was sailing from Norway to the Faroes but lost his way and drifted to the east coast of Iceland. Naddodd called the country Snæland "Snowland". The first permanent settler in Iceland is usually considered to have been a Norwegian chieftain named Ingólfr Arnarson and his wife, Hallveig Fróðadóttir. According to the Landnámabók, he threw two carved pillars overboard as he neared land, vowing to settle wherever they landed. He then sailed along the coast until the pillars were found in the southwestern peninsula, now known as Reykjanesskagi. There he settled with his family around 874, in a place he named Reykjarvík "Smoke Cove", probably from the geothermal steam rising from the earth.
This place eventually became the capital and the largest city of modern Iceland. According to Landnámabók, Ingólfr was followed by many more Norse chieftains, their families and slaves who settled all the habitable areas of the island in the next decades.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Dýrfinna is one of the first generation of Norse descendants born on the island of Iceland. She grew up in the snowy, winter-bound lands on the settlement. She does not have a specific storyline, other than the fact that she dreams of bigger adventures than just being limited to the growing settlement on Iceland. As she grows from girl to woman, she trains as a shieldmaiden but craves the thrill of war and battle – something she does not have in Iceland. She strays from her settlement and family, travelling north-east back to the homeland of Norway to continue training. There she becomes a fierce shieldmaiden, trained by one of the best women in the Norwegian-Norse army.
Where we place her in accordance to the story can vary. She will be inexperience in battle, but an exceptional fighter (she is just juvenile, and has yet to fight aside from training). I'm thinking she is recruited to raid and continue Norway's efforts to expand. She seeks adventure, and sailing to new horizons would definitely bring her to new places and new battles. There she can meet any number of characters, from other Vikings, to Anglo-Saxons, and etc. However, she will only be versed in Old Norse, and will have no knowledge of any other language. I will consider an option where her leader is versed in another language (most likely Old English) and perhaps has begun to teach her.
* NEW CHARACTER *
Swordsmith of Guthrum
Name: Thordis
Origin: Danish-
Ethnicity: Old Norse
Age: 16-19
Status: Swordsmith, Bladesmith, Blacksmith
Languages: Old Norse, Old English, Anglo-Danish Dialects
Religion: Nordic Paganism
Theme Song:
"Lady of the Dawn" – Peter Grundy
Historical Plot:
In the 9th century, Danish-Norse conquest through the British Isles was successful, leading to the take-over of nearly half of English (Anglo-Saxon) territory. The Danes obtained Northumbria, most of Mercia, and territory that would become the
Guthrum Kingdom. As part of English defeat, Danish territories were ruled by Danelaw. Danelaw can describe the set of legal terms and definitions created in the treaties between the West-Saxon king, Alfred the Great, and the Danish warlord, Guthrum, written following Guthrum's defeat at the Battle of Edington in 878. In 886, the Treaty of Alfred and Guthrum was formalised, defining the boundaries of their kingdoms, with provisions for peaceful relations between the English and the Vikings. The language spoken in England was also affected by this clash of cultures with the emergence of Anglo-Norse dialects. The Danelaw roughly comprised 14 shires: York, Nottingham, Derby, Lincoln, Essex, Cambridge, Suffolk, Norfolk, Northampton, Huntingdon, Bedford, Hertford, Middlesex and Buckingham.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Thordis is an orphan who was found wandering aimlessly in a thunder-storm when she was just a toddler. A widowed blacksmith – a Dane – found her after she had nearly be struck by a falling tree. She took her in as his own, having lost his biological children and wife to illness. He raised her as his right-hand man and bladesmithing assistant, teaching her the ways of steel work in place of his son, who had passed. Although women were not traditionally seen as blacksmith or labourers, Thordis' adoptive father saw interest, skill, and potential in his daughter, and believed women could become as accomplished as men if given the opportunity and training. Although her father would fall ill in the future, he would leave Thordis with all of his fortune, including the family business of blacksmithing. She would go on to become one of the greatest sword-makers in the entire Daneland; serving Guthrum directly and supplying even the finest of warriors and nobles with their blades.
Despite her great upbringing, Thordis does not remember who she is, nor where she came from.
Due to varying business with many different clientele, Thordis is well-versed in Old Norse, Old English, and most Anglo-Danish dialects and cross-over languages from the two regions.
* NEW CHARACTER *
She of Greek and Rus
Name: Damaris
Origin: Kievan Rus'
Ethnicity: Half Greek, Half Rus (Slavic)
Age: 18-25
Status: Princess, Daughter of Vladmir the Great and Anna Porphyrogenita
Languages: Greek, Old East Slavic, Old Norse
Religion: Christianity
Theme Song:
"Everybody Wants To Rule The World" - LORDE
Historical Plot:
Vladimir the Great was a prince of Novgorod, grand prince of Kiev, and ruler of Kievan Rus' from 980 to 1015. Vladimir's father was prince Sviatoslav of the Rurik dynasty. Originally a follower of Slavic paganism, Vladimir converted to Christianity in an effort to gain the hand of marriage of the sister of Basil II of Byzantine, Princess Anna Porphyrogenita. Anna was the daughter of Byzantine Emperor Romanos II and the Empress Theophano. She was also the sister of Emperors Basil II Bulgaroktonos (The Bulgar-Slayer) and Constantine VIII. Anna did not wish to marry Vladimir and expressed deep distress on her way to her wedding. Grand Prince Vladimir was impressed by Byzantine religious practices; this factor, along with his marriage to Anna, led to his decision to convert to Eastern Christianity. Due to these two factors, Grand Prince Vladimir also began Christianizing his kingdom. By marriage to Grand Prince Vladimir, Anna became Grand Princess of Kiev, but in practice, she was referred to as Queen or Czarina, probably as a sign of her membership of the Imperial Byzantine House. Vladmir the Great would go on to have three (unidentified/rumoured) children with Anna.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Damaris would be one of the first ever high-profile Greek-Slavic racial mixes. Vladimir the Great's marriage to Anna would serve as a substantial alliance betwen the Kievan Rus' kindgom and the Byzantine Empire (who previous feuded). The major alliance, fortified through this marriage and through Rus Christianization, would shape the future and history of Kiev. Additionally, many members of Rus/Slavs were also part of the Varangian Guard, an elite military of warriors comprised of Vikings (Norsemen), Slavs, and Greek soldiers.
Although Damaris would have grown up religiously Christian, as was her mother, she would still struggle somewhat with an identity crisis – having been raised in two very different cultures (one of pagan origin and one of traditional Greek/ Christian origin). Despite the unique blend of cultures (music, art, languages, customs, etc.), Damaris had the opportunity to learn of many cultures, including many languages. Because her father and his kingdom dealt closely with both Slavs, Greeks, AND Norse, she learned all three languages fluently. I imagine, as royal nobility and the princess of a major kingdom, only the luckiest of men would have the blessing to meet her and the royal family.
Name: Bozhena
Origin: Kiev (Kievan Rus)
Ethnicity: Polan (Slavic tribe)
Age: 17-20
Status: TDB
Languages: Old East Slavic, Old Norse
Religion: Slavic paganism
Theme Song:
"Dawn Light" - Máddji
Historical Plot:
Once of the biggest debates of the early Middle Ages, particular in the Viking Age, is whether or not the Slavs of Kievan Rus were in fact the same group of peoples as those from Scandinavia. One of the biggest debates is whether or not Rurik, the warrior who formed the Rurik dynasty and founded Kievan Rus, was of Slavic background or of Norse. To put it simply, it is difficult and highly debatable whether there was a distinction between the Norse and Slavs during this time period. There is evidence to support both grounds, however in my historical opinion, the nations were similar, though separate in ethnic identity. For sake of simplicity, I am exploring the idea that the Slavic people and the Norse people were indeed two separate communities during this time. However, due to growing colonization on Rus territory, the Viking Age is a time where Slavic tribes began dismantling and joining other nations, especially the Norse community.
Historical obscurity aside, another fundamental aspect of Kievan Rus and the Vikings is the famous formation of the Varangian Guard. Varangians were Viking warriors, Scandinavian in origin, who emigrated to Europe to colonize and rule. During their efforts, the legendary Rurik (Varangian chieftain) and his brothers and army invaded Slavic territory and usurped the Polans (dominant Slavic tribe) from city of Kiev. From this point on, Slavic tribes were defenseless against the unstoppable force of the Norsemen. From this point onward, Kiev became the capital to a new nation, Kievan Rus, ruled by the Rurik Dynasty. Rurik continued his ruling, uniting Slavic tribes with Norse colonies to form a single nation. Kievan Rus soon became an ally of the Byzantine Empire (Greeks/Romans), to which a unique army known at the Varangian Guard was born. Made up of Viking warriors, the Varangian Guard became a military success and political asset for the Byzantine Empire.
Despite initial tensions, King Rurik was a respectable ruler, joining all the Slavic tribes and Norse communities into one unified nation. The union allowed the area to flourish in trade, wealth, and international power. Although the nation was turned upside down, the Slavic culture and religion was very similar to that of the Norse. Despite initial tensions, the integration of both peoples was easier than expected due to peaceful interactions and cultural and religious similarity. Additionally, Kievan Rus was filled with fertile land, allowing for communities to flourish. During this time, the
Volga trade route was established and allowed for commerce between Scandinavia, Kievan Rus, the Middle East and the Byzantine Empire. Kiev became known for trading furs, beeswax, honey, and slaves.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Bozhena is of East Slavic origin, her ancestors belonging to the Polan Slavic tribe. Despite her Slavic roots, she was born into an era of great ethnic change. As a young child, her home of Kiev was besieged and overtaken by Norsemen, soon transforming the nation into Kievan Rus, a new empire made up of Norse and Slavic peoples. She grew up during this transition, becoming completely fluent in both Old East Slavic as well as Old Norse. She would reside right outside of Kiev and work on her family's floral and honey farm, selling wholesome beeswax and honey to traders as well as harvesting the flowers for ceremonious events.
For this roleplay, there are many ways Bozhena can end up pairing with a Viking. Considering the Slavic peoples and the Norse are now unified in one nation, interaction between the two communities would be habitual and constant. We can also explore the idea of pairing her with a member of the Varangian Guard, or even a member of the Rurik dynasty (someone of much higher class). One way the two characters can meet is through her farm. Since she is a harvester, she would rarely leave the land and explore the big city. Rather, it is more likely a Norsemen would come to her farm to purchase goods to trade, and/or fresh flowers for an event.
Princess of the Macedonian Dynasty
Name: Octavia
Origin: Constantinople (Byzantine Empire)
Ethnicity: Byzantine (Greek/Roman)
Age: 18-25
Status: Monarch of the Macedonian Dynasty
Languages: Latin, Greek
Religion: Christianity
Theme Song:
"My Freedom" - Two Steps From Hell feat. Merethe Soltvedt
Historical Plot:
The Byzantine Empire ruled over the Mediterranean for over 1000 years, powers often shifting from Emperor to Emperor, and even Empress. During the Viking Age, several notable figures came in to power. For the sake of simplicity, I am basing the story of Octavia specifically on one ruler - the Emperor Romanos II. He ruled for only 4 years before his death, taking reign between 9 November 959 – 15 March 963. He had three notable children with his wife Theophano, the daughter of Constantine VII. The most notable was his son Basil II, who later took throne. There was also his son Constantine VIII, and his daughter Anna, who ended up becoming the wife of Vladimir the Great. Before Romanos II married Theophano, he was married Bertha, illegitimate daughter of Hugh of Arles, the King of Italy. However, she died several years later and the marriage was never consummated. Although history texts can only identify three prominent children, it is likely he was father to more.
Biography:
Octavia is the 8th child (fictional) of Romanos II of the Macedonian Dynasty, which ruled for centuries within the Byzantine Empire. Although Ramanos died at the young age of 25, he had many children with his wife Theophanos. Aside from the three identifiable historical children he had, he was also father to several other children. However, Theophanos initially had great difficulty bearing children. She suffered two miscarriages before becoming pregnant with their first son, Basil II. Soon afterwards, she had their second son, Constantine VII. Shortly after his birth, Theophanos became pregnant with twins. Despite the twin pregnancy succeeding to birth, the children were stillborn. The couple suffered great agony, but continued to try until Theophanos was pregnant again in 963. From this pregnancy, Anna was born, just two days before his death.
To fit Octavia into the roleplay, there are four options. She can be a twin to Anna, having also been born two days before his death. A second option is that we stretch history and have Anna born in early 963, and then have Theophanos become pregnant right before the death of Ramanos II. A third option we can also incorporate that she is his illegitimate child, a child also born several months after his death. In the last option, I'd like to have Octavia still raised by Theophanos. Essentially, remorseful on his death bed, Ramanos II would admit to an affair with a poverty-stricken woman. Not wanting the child to grow up the way she did, Theophanos (who also grew up in slums) adopts the baby as her own, paying the biological mother a considerable fee for the child. She would name the child Octavia, meaning, number 8 or "8th one", in honor of her heritage to Romanos II. In this scenario, Octavia would grow to believe Theophanos is her real mother. Theophanos, now the Empress following the passing of her husband, would also fool people into believe Octavia was her own - leading only to a handful of people who know the truth.
The fourth option is a twist on the third. Rather than Octavia being an illegitimate child of Romanos II, instead, she is the illegitimate child of Theophanos. During Romanos' illness, Theophanos had an affair and became pregnant soon after his death. She claimed the child belonged to Romanos, wanting the baby to continue to carry the reign and blood relation of Romanos II. Despite having given birth to his legitimate daughter Anna, just two days before his death, the lie sticks for many years. She even names the child, another daughter, Octavia, claiming she is the 8th child of Romanos II (although in all fairness, she is the 8th daughter of Theophanos, so the name isn't a complete lie).
Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Vikings did travel to the Mediterranean to raid Rome, so we could have part of her city besieged. However, there is also another option. During the late 9th century, the Byzantine Empire had a strong military alliance with the empire of Kievan Rus - with the formation of the Varangian Guard (army of Vikings fighting for the Byzantines). We can incorporate the guard, however we can also incorporate just about any Viking into the storyline. One other option is also to have her discover the truth about her birth and to perhaps run away from the palace/ home.
Name: Pythia
Origin: Delphi (Ancient Greece)
Ethnicity: Greek/Roman
Age: Unknown
Status: Reincarnated Oracle (Priestess/Seer)
Languages: Latin, Greek, Arabic, possibly more
Religion: Roman Paganism, Christianity
Theme Song:
"The Coven" - Peter Gundry
Historical Plot:
A Pythia was a High Priestess that served in an oracle for the god Apollo during the ancient times of Roman paganism. The oracle, situated in the Delphi sanctuary in Greece, operated out of the Temple of Apollo. The role of the Pythia was to provide prophecies, predictions, and precognition of the future. In the classical antiquity age, the job of a priestess, especially the Pythia, was a respectable career for Greek women. Priestesses enjoyed many liberties and rewards for their social position, such as freedom from taxation, the right to own property and attend public events, a salary and housing provided by the state, a wide range of duties depending on their affiliation, and often gold crowns.
According to the archaeologist John Hale, “the Pythia was (on occasion) a noble of aristocratic family, sometimes a peasant, sometimes rich, sometimes poor, sometimes old, sometimes young, sometimes a very lettered and educated woman to whom somebody like the high priest and the philosopher Plutarch would dedicate essays, other times who could not write her own name. So it seems to have been aptitude rather than any ascribed status that made these women eligible to be Pythias and speak for the god.”
At the turn of a new era, the Greek and Roman empire began to convert to Christianity in and around 30 AD. With paganism outlawed for several centuries, the Temple of Apollo (or what was left of it) was subsequently destroyed in 390 AD by the Roman emperor Theodosius I, who sought to eliminate all remnants of paganism. Since the adoption of Christianity, the philosophy of Oracles was rejected, and any mysticism or psychics became forbidden as per Christian teachings.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Pythia was born into poverty to a slave mother and an unknown father. Her mother suffered a difficult pregnancy, experiencing several strange spiritual phenomenons. Although a devout Christian, like all citizens of the Byzantine Empire in the early Middle Ages, her mother knew her unborn child would be gifted. After a lengthy childbirth, a daughter was born with “eyes that glowed for Christ”. She was worshiped by immediate family, having endured incredible hardships throughout the pregnancy yet still surviving. Convinced the child was a reincarnation of an oracle, her mother named her Pythia (a name meaning “priestess”). Her mother's predictions served true, and inexplicable occurrences of spiritualism, even miracles, occurred around the child. As Pythia grew older, her psychic abilities strengthened, and she began predicting events in the near-future. At just 6 years old, Pythia urged her mother to runway from their master - a cruel man - insisting that he was a “snake”, not a man, and that he would kill her. Just days following the statement, Pythia's mother was dead. She was murdered, and she had died of illicit poisoning.
After discovering the swollen and deceased body of her mother, Pythia ran far from her estate. As an orphan, she survived the streets by stealing foods and goods until she was eventually caught by a local couple. The couple felt compassion for Pythia, feeling a strong connection to the child despite being robbed by her. Although the couple was curious about the child's claimed name (Pythia), the two decided to care for the girl, adopting her as their own servant. As time progressed, they soon learned more and more of Pythia's spiritual abilities. Fearing that Pythia would be sentenced to death for mysticism if discovered, they sought to hide her from the world. They attempted to convince her that she was in fact not a priestess, but just a child experiencing bizarre coincidences. Although Pythia was well cared for, as she grew into adolescence, she felt lost in her identity. Knowing full well that she was gifted, Pythia rejected the advice of her adoptive caretakers to stay quiet, and instead, left the farm to venture on to new things.
From there on out, over the years, Pythia would garner an exceptional reputation as an oracle, proving time and time again that she was a psychic and not a fraud. As her identity as a priestess grew and grew, she became profitable, and soon, protected by the Byzantine underworld. Despite paganism being rejected by Christianity and the state, her abilities soon proved undeniable and rather than being persecuted or dismissed, Pythia's abilities blossomed into an illegitimate (but popular) business. Individuals all throughout the Byzantine Empire sought her services. Even noblemen and royalty soon discreetly approached her – requesting her mystical knowledge in privacy and secrecy.
Despite popularity, Pythia remained hidden from the public. She could not be found. She did not have an address, nor a temple. She was simply a being, a woman, who's identity as a priestess was protected. She operated throughout the Empire, only coming into contact with those who sought her services through word of mouth. If you wanted to speak to her, you had to ask around and have the request spread. From that request, Pythia would then find the individual for a session. The common saying would soon become:
“If you seek the Oracle, than the Oracle will seek the truth. With patience and virtue, she will come to you.”
As for roleplay ideas, I would want to pair Pythia is someone who is seeking her service, either to utilize her abilities or perhaps even to capture her and/or kill her. It depends on the plot, your character, and the motives.
* NEW CHARACTER *
Kalára of Magyar
Name: Kalára
Origin: Magyar
Ethnicity: Old Hungarian
Age: 21-25
Status: Mistress, Consort, Spy, Assassin
Languages: Old Hungarian, many other languages
Religion: Hungarian paganism, Christianity
Theme Song:
"Lacrimosa" – Media Music Factory
Historical Plot:
The
Magyars ( Hungarian tribes) were the fundamental political units within whose framework the Hungarians (Magyars) lived, until these clans from the region of Ural Mountains[1] invaded the Carpathian Basin and established the Principality of Hungary. Around 830 AD,[8][9] the seven related tribes (Jenő, Kér, Keszi, Kürt-Gyarmat, Megyer (hu), Nyék and Tarján)[10] formed a confederation[8] in Etelköz,[9] called "Hétmagyar" ("Seven Magyars"). Their leaders, the Seven chieftains of the Magyars, besides Álmos, included Előd, Ond, Kond, Tas, Huba and Töhötöm, who took a blood oath, swearing eternal loyalty to Álmos (the Grand Prince of the Magyars). Presumably, the Magyar tribes consisted of 108 clans. The confederation of the tribes was probably led by two high princes: the kende (their spiritual ruler) and the gyula (their military leader). The high princes were either elected by the leaders of the tribes or appointed by the Khagan of the Khazars who had been exerting influence over the Magyars. Around 862 AD the seven tribes separated from the Khazars. Árpád - the son of Almos - was the head of the confederation of the Hungarian tribes at the turn of the 9th and 10th centuries. He might have been either the sacred ruler or kende of the Hungarians, or their military leader or gyula. Hungarians refer to him as the "founder of [Hungary]". The dynasty descending from Árpád ruled the Kingdom of Hungary until 1301.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Kalára was a mistress of Árpád and his avid lover. The two were deeply in love, but Árpád
was married with a wife who would go on and bear many children. When Árpád
is killed, Kalára becomes convinced that he was murdered. Pregnant with his twins, she would later miscarry as a result of a sexual assault. She begins a bloodlust that would take years to complete – vowing to murder every single person she felt responsible for the death of her unborn children. In the process, she learns many languages (a genius in her own wright) and becomes a notorious spy and assassin. She becomes infamously known as the “Blood Plague”, an unidentified woman and master-of-disguise capable of snaking her way into any and every scenario with use of charm, sensuality, and intellect. She becomes a sort of legend, even folk myth to many soldiers and nobles, and remains uncaught, even years later.
Name: Aruzhan
Origin: Kazakhstan Territory
Ethnicity: Kipchak-Kazakh
Age: 18-23
Status: Eagle Huntress
Languages: Kipchak language, Old Turkic, Some Mongolian, Some Old Arabic, Other
Religion: Tengrism
Theme Song:
"Angel By The Wings" - Sia
Historical Plot:
The current-day country of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are both rich in ethnic history. During the Viking Age, the country of Kazakhstan had not yet formed into one unified territory, but moreso, was divided in to different nations controlled by different ethnic and religious groups. In the eighth and ninth centuries, portions of southern Kazakhstan were conquered by Arabs who introduced Islam. Previous to the Islamic religion, most tribes of the area practiced Tengrism and other shamanistic cultures. The Oghuz Turks controlled western Kazakhstan from the ninth through the 11th centuries; the Kimak and Kipchak peoples, also of Turkic origin, controlled the east at roughly the same time. The large central desert of Kazakhstan is still called Dashti-Kipchak, or the Kipchak Steppe.[3] The capital, Astana, was home to many Huns and Scythians.
Kazakhstan has a well-articulated culture based on the nomadic pastoral economy of the inhabitants. Kazakh culture is largely influenced by the Turkic nomadic lifestyle. Because animal husbandry was central to the Kazakhs' traditional lifestyle, most of their nomadic practices and customs relate in some way to livestock. The traditional Kazakh dwelling is the yurt, a tent consisting of a flexible framework of willow wood covered with varying thicknesses of felt. The open top permits smoke from the central hearth to escape; temperature and draft can be controlled by a flap that increases or decreases the size of the opening. A properly constructed yurt can be cooled in summer and warmed in winter, and it can be disassembled or set up in less than an hour. The interior of the yurt has ritual significance; the right side is generally reserved for men and the left for women.
Despite historical fluctuations in diversity, cultures and religions, much of the native-indigenous culture and traditions survived (even to this day). One predominant tradition of this time was a practice called eagle hunting, where men would hunt for foxes and other animals in the snowy steppes and mountains with the help of a trained golden eagle. In both Kazakh and Kyrgyz, there are separate terms for those who hunt with birds of prey in general, and those who hunt with eagles.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Aruzhan is the daughter of a famous Kazakh eagle hunter and chieftain. As his only daughter and favorite child, Aruzhan's father brought her along on many eagle hunts in the snowy steppes. Despite the eagle-hunting being traditionally only pursued by men, Aruzhan's loving father submitted to her constant requests to learn the trade. In essence, he taught her all of his ways and the ways of their people, inspiring a deep passion in Aruzhan to become not only the first female eagle huntress in her community, but one of the best her community had ever seen.
Although she had training and talent, Aruzhan's dreams were soon destroyed as Arab influences began sweeping across her nation. Surrounding tribes, including the Kyrgyz, Kipchaks, and Mongols, became disrupted by Islamic forces. Although Aruzhan and her family had lived nomadic and independently for generations, their lifestyle became threatened. Her father, chieftain of their tribe, refused to convert to Islam as a indigenous to his lands, but unfortunately, suffered dire consequences. With the Arab forces too great to combat, Aruzhan and her family fled the region, seeking solace and refuge in Mongolian territory. Despite their efforts to flee, her family was captured, and Aruzhan enslaved. As a result, she could end up anywhere en route with Arab traders, who will sell her as an "exotic" slave for her Eurasian and Turkic features. Additionally, Aruzhan has much beauty, riding a high price for her service. Taken against her will, Aruzhan is left vulnerable and susceptible to falling into the hands of evil.
* NEW CHARACTER *
Dynasty Damsel
Name: Princess Aruna
Origin: Gurjara-Pratihara
Ethnicity: Indian
Age: 16-19
Status: Princess, Bride-to-be, slave
Languages: Sanskrit, Prakrit, Persian
Religion: Hinduism
Theme Song:
"Choli Ke Remix" – RANIDU
Historical Plot:
The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, also known as the Pratihara Empire, was an imperial power during the Late Classical period on the Indian subcontinent, that ruled much of Northern India from the mid-7th to the 11th century. The Gurjara-Pratiharas were instrumental in containing Arab armies moving east of the Indus River.[2] Nagabhata I defeated the Arab army under Junaid and Tamin during the Caliphate campaigns in India. Under Nagabhata II, the Gurjara-Pratiharas became the most powerful dynasty in northern India. The power of the Pratiharas was weakened by dynastic strife. It was further diminished as a result of a great raid led by the Rashtrakuta ruler Indra III who, in about 916, sacked Kannauj. Under a succession of rather obscure rulers, the Pratiharas never regained their former influence. Their feudatories became more and more powerful, one by one throwing off their allegiance until, by the end of the 10th century, the Pratiharas controlled little more than the Gangetic Doab.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Aruna – the female form of Arun - derives from Sanskrit meaning "dawn light" or "rising sun". According to Hindu scriptures, Aruna means the rising sun, which is believed to have spiritual powers. Aruna is thought to possess a deep spiritual connection to a higher power. She is rumoured to be able to accurately predict the future, and has helped her father keep an iron rule through her wisdom. Because of her conceived abilities, Princess Aruna is kidnapped and captured after a group of Persian-Arab men attack her temple. She is taken out of Pratiharian territory and into the Saffarid dynasty (Muslim caliphate) and enslaved in their Kingdom. Although she is a captive, she is not reduced to slavery or ruins. In fact, the Saffarid Emir (ruler) sought instead to form an alliance. Enthralled by her beauty, her verse in the Persian language, and her rumoured powers, her offers an undeniable offer – marry me or face beheading. She reluctantly agrees, with seemingly no other choice for her life. Though, her strong character will not be reduced to slavery, and instead, Princess Aruna plots an epic escape.
Golden Assassin of Iberia
Name: Tzipporah
Origin: Midian (Arabian Deserts)
Ethnicity: Midianite (Descendant)
Age: 22-27
Status: Hailed Assassin
Languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Mozarabic, Latin, Asturian Castilian, Persian, Old Norse (maybe, but not likely)
Religion: Jewish (Druze), Shia Islam
Theme Song:
"Forsaken" - Peter Crowley
Historical Plot:
The Midian is a desert region along the Arabian Peninsula, east to the shores of the Gulf of Agaba (and the Red Sea). It is a region where a band of peoples - made up of different Jewish tribes - are known as Midianites. In ancient history and biblical lore, the founder of the Jewish-Druze religion is the prophet Jethro. In the Hebrew Bible, Jethro is Moses' father-in-law, Moses having married the Druze prophet's daughter, Tzipporah.
Using the same historical recounts as below (see "Daughter of the Emir of Córdoba"), throughout of the Late Iron Age and Early Middle Ages, regions of modern-day Spain and Portugal were referred to as the Iberian Peninsula. The territories of the Iberian Peninsula were widely malleable, the fight for dominance a constant struggle between two major religious states (Christian Kingdoms vs Islamic Emirates/ States). During this struggle, the Iberian Peninsula was distinctly separated in the 8th-10th century between the Kingdom of Asturias (Christian) and the Emirate of Córdoba (Islamic). When the Islamic Conquest first struck the Iberian Peninsula, Christians fought hard to hold command but ultimately failed. The failure was attributed, in part, to the aid of the Jewish community in Iberia, which sided with the Islamic efforts to conquer. With the Jews joined in forces with Muslims, much of the lands were lost to the Emirate. In turn, Jews were granted religious tolerance and freedom to practice their religion (rather than be forced to convert, which was what ensued under Christian rule).
Hashashin was the Arabic term for "Assassin", a band of Nizari Ismailis (sect of Shia Islam) who formed the Order of the Assassins which originates in Medieval Persia. Historically, the Order was formed in the late 11th century, in year 1090 by Hassan-i Sabbāh, who retreated to the Mountains of Persia and formed what would become infamously known as the Hashashins (Assassins). The Order continued and thrived for 2 centuries, until its leader, Alamut, was a besieged by the Mongols in 1275. From that point on, the Order of Assassins had lost their power forever.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Tzipporah is named after Jethro's daughter and Moses' wife from the Hebrew bible. Although an orphan from a young age, and with her origin unknown, Tzipporah's caretakers believe she came from the Midian. As a baby, Tzipporah was born to an unknown Midianite father and mother. She grew up in the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, having been found by travelling Jewish merchants as a toddler. Although her Jewish adoptive caretakers kept her origin a secret for most of her life, Tzipporah later discovered that she was found in a ransacked community of nomadic Midianites. Her parents had been massacred, along side other Druze-Jews, and she was the sole survivor. The reason for their massacre lies unknown, even to this day.
Like many Jews throughout the Middle Ages, Tzipporah was raised in a thriving trade culture. As a result of her many travels and merchant roguery, she became fluent in many, many medieval languages. Despite abundant travelling, her caretakers soon came to settle on the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), where religious tolerance was standard. Her community was one of many, all residing peacefully in the Emirate of Córdoba (under Islamic rule). However, for Tzipporah, that peace was only short-lived. At just
10 years old, Tzipporah's caretakers were brutally murdered before her eyes by a troupe of masked men. Despite their diligence, Tzipporah managed to tactically fight back, severing the Achilles' tendons of one man to which she savagely stabbed to death. By the time the other men could get to their shrieking comrade, he was already dead and nearly dismembered. Tzipporah was found covered from head to toe in blood, with nothing but her piercing golden eyes spared from the red. With his face unrecognizable and torn to shreds, the leader of the men - seeing a fury in the child he had never seen before - decided to spare her life. Instead, he adopted the child into his band which would later become infamously known as the Order of the Assassins. He trained Tzipporah assiduously for years, molding her from a little Midian girl to a fierce, ferocious female
Hashashin. Dedicating her life to the philosophy of the Order, Tzipporah became one of the band's biggest assets. Trained impeccably in mixed martial arts, acrobatics, swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat, Tzipporah grew to become known as the
Golden Assassin.
In the Vikings TV show, Ragnar's Son, Bjorn Ironside alongside his younger brother Hvitserk sail to the Mediterranean and end up on the shores of Algericas, Spain (under Islamic rule). They rage a vicious attack on the port village, killing many. We can perhaps tie my character with that plot line. If not, I'm open to just about anything!
Daughter of the Emir of Córdoba
Name: Intizara
Origin: Córdoba, Hispania
Ethnicity: Spanish-Arabian
Age: 19-22
Status: Emir's (Sultan) Daughter
Languages: Arabic, Mozarabic, Latin, Asturian Castilian
Religion: Sunni Islam (Muslim), Christianity (Soon to be converted)
Theme Song:
"The Two Thrones" - The Prince of Persia
Historical Plot:
One of the most notable struggles for territory in the Middle Ages is the Spanish Reconquista. The Reconquista, starting in the late 8th century and spanning for hundreds of years, was the religious, war-raging battle between Christian Kingdoms and the Islamic State for large territories in the Iberian Peninsula, specifically for Hispania (modern day Spain and Portugal). During the 8th-10th century, Hispania was primarily divided into two major territories. First was the Kingdom of Asturias (Christian), and second was the Emirate of Córdoba, established by the Umayyad Caliphate. Ancestors of the Umayyad dynasty first formed as a state against the dominant caliphate of the time, the Abbasid dynasty, and thus separated from the Middle Eastern territory to later conquer Hispania.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Intizara is the daughter of a Sultan, the Emir of the Emirates of Córdoba. She is the youngest daughter, one of 12 children. Although she grew up in wealth under the rule of her father, Intizara was a troubled child. She was extremely defiant and rebellious, often sneaking out of the palace to explore the city as a free woman. During one of her escapades, she garnered the attention of a entitled man, the Prince of the Kingdom of Asturias. He became infatuated with Intizara; her quick wit, acrobatic talents and her striking beauty leaving him smitten. He became completely obsessed with her, refusing to marry anyone but Intizara. With a brewing war between the Christian Kingdom and the Islamic Emirate, their fathers saw this as an opportunity. Forging an agreement unlike any other in Hispania's history, the two states agree to form an alliance through the arranged marriage of the Prince and Intizara.
However, there was just one problem. By the time the arrangements were made, Intizara had fallen madly in love with a noble Arabian man, her teacher. Although the fate of the territories lay in her marriage to the Prince, she became conflicted. Although she attempted to deny her feelings, the romance continued to blossom into a passionate affair. The two were destined for each other, unable to live without one another. Where she felt weak, he made her strong. And that was how she remembered him. But fate would change when the adultery became exposed. Her father, outraged by Intizara's naive and treacherous ways, sentences her lover to death. Furious at the man for exploring his daughter, her father arrests him, humiliates him, tortures him, and gruesomely kills him - all in the public eye. Hoping to oppress his daughter, Intizara's father sought to make an example out of her lover. For all those who dared to touch Intizara, they would end up beaten, bloody, castrated and dead. She became untouchable, unwanted, and unconsummated - reserved for one man and one man only... the Prince of Asturias.
Additionally information: Intizara is a skilled acrobat, having obtained many skills from her adventures on the streets. She is also a talented belly dancer and singer. In the Vikings TV show, Ragnar's Son, Bjorn Ironside alongside his younger brother Hvitserk sail to the Mediterranean and end up on the shores of Algericas, Spain (under Islamic rule). They rage a vicious attack on the port village, killing many, but later discover a shrine of women being guarded in a temple. They siege the temple, taking most of the women as captives/ slaves. Perhaps one of those women is Intizara. We can perhaps tie my character with that plot line. If not, I'm open to just about anything!
Name: Almira
Origin: Middle East (Baghdad, Iraq)
Ethnicity: Arabian
Age: 18-23
Status: Slave/ Servant
Languages: Arabic, Mozarabic, Latin, Old Norse (possibly)
Religion: Sunni Islam (Muslim)
Theme Song:
"Yearning" - Raul Ferrando
Historical Plot:
During the Viking Age, the Middle East flourished under the Abbasid Caliphate, lead by numerous Caliphs (often referred to as Sultans) throughout this period. The Abbasid Caliphate and its rulers were known to engage in trade among many nations, despite cultural and religious differences, including a particularly strong relation to the Frankish monarchy. Thriving merchant culture and a rich community lead to many international interactions during the Middle Ages. Growing evidence - such as a ring with Arabic inscription found in the grave of a Viking - suggests travels and trade between Arabs and Norsemen. Although the Vikings were most famous for their notorious raiding, pillaging and colonizing throughout the Early Middle Ages, their involvement with the Arabian peninsula was mostly in regards to trade and business. Items such as furs, honey, leather, ivory, fish, and most of all, silver coins, were exchanged between the two nations.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Almira's character and her backstory are somewhat malleable. There are different options, depending on who we pair her with and the plot, that would be fitting. The first option is to have her be the daughter of a well-traded merchant. Merchant trade was highly valuable and the culture had Arab merchants travelling all over the peninsula. Almira would be multilingual, with a linguistic basis in not only Arabic, but also Old Norse, and Old Frankish. In this situation, her father would be in trade negotiations with the Norse and she would come to meet them through that trade agreement. Similar, we can also make her a Sultan's concubine. The difference, however, is that in old Muslim culture, concubines were like secondary wives, not so much mistresses. They were given wifely duties and were not to be shared with other men. However, if we want to introduce adultery, Almira could be an unhappy concubine and have a saucy affair with a Norsemen. A third option - one we can mix with one of the first two options, as well - is to make her an Arabian entertainer and belly dancer. She would be performing and catch the eye of a Norsemen through her hypnotic hip movement and extravagant coin-embellished dance attire. Similarly, I can also make her an even poorer character, perhaps a escaped slave who is now living meagerly on the streets off of cheap change earned through street performances such as belly dancing. We can have her come into contact with Norsemen when Vikings wash ashore and sack the town she's living in.
Name: Zafira
Origin: Persia (traveller)
Ethnicity: Radhanite
Age: 20-25
Status: Merchant
Languages: Hebrew, Persian, Arabic, Mozarabic, Greek, Latin, Old Norse, Old English, Old Franconian
Religion: Jewish
Theme Song:
"You" - Ofra Haza
Historical Plot:
The Radhanites were guild of Jewish merchants in the early Middle Ages. Jewish merchants operated in trade between the Christian and Islamic worlds during this medieval period. Many trade routes previously established under the Roman Empire continued to function during that period - largely through their efforts. Their trade network covered much of Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and parts of India and China. The Radhanites harbored valuable business relations throughout medieval Eurasia, having close ties to numerous communities. Although Jewish in faith, their reputation as incredible traders was a business common ground that lead to religious tolerance.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Zafira is the daughter of a prestigious Radhanite merchant. Although her father's business left her family with a nomadic lifestyle, the international travelling allowed her to flourish into a multitalented and culturally rich individual. On top of her cemented Jewish faith, Zafira also grew to appreciate and admire the cultural and religious differences of people from around the world. She became fluent in many languages, like her father before her, such as Hebrew, Arabic, Greek, Latin, Old English, Old Frankish, and even Old Norse. Like her father, she is a skilled socialite and businesswoman, "capable of selling mule's shit at the price of gold", as her father would often joke.
Her father would have had close relations with the Norse peoples, often distributing and selling precious amber from the Baltic seas and turning a profit for many Norse Kings. Whether or not trades between the Radhanites and the Norsemen still continued can be discussed. We can have Zafira meet your character through such trade deals, however I am also willing to have Zafira enslaved. This can occur many ways, be it through a deal gone bad or even through a betrayal. In this scenario, her family would be killed and she would lose her wealth and status at the hands of the attacker. She would become a slave and servant, something she would be terrible at.
Name: Amaruq
Origin: “Vinland” (North America/ Newfoundland)
Ethnicity: ”Skraeling” (Natives of Newfoundland)
Age: 19-25
Status: Chieftain's Daughter, Norse Slave
Languages: Native language, Old Norse
Religion: Native Beliefs
Theme Song:
"Electric Pow Wow Drum" - A Tribe Called Red
Historical Plot:
Throughout early medieval history and during the Viking Age, many Vikings traveled from Scandinavia to form settlements on the northern island of Greenland. From Greenland. Viking culture continued its reputable crusade across the seas to new territory in order to raid. Along with the more commonly known Viking attacks on Eurasia, Greenland Vikings made travel to new, untouched territory. Rather than targeting Europe, they traveled even further west to the shores of North America. Raiding what is now known as modern day Newfoundland, Canada, the Vikings named this new land "Vinland". However, this new land was strange to them, unlike anything they had ever seen. Although still brisk with cold winters, Vinland was also blessed with warmer seasons as well. It was also inhabited by its own occupants, a nation of vastly culturally different peoples that were referred to by the Norse community as "skraelings". Skraelings - the native people of East Canada - did not welcome the Vikings. In fact, as the Norse foreigners invaded their land in order to build colonies across the shores, the "skraelings" met the Norse with great hostility. Fighting for territory that was rightfully theirs, the natives of the lands fought viciously with the Vikings, gaining a reputation as fierce warriors and savage men. The Norse settlements barely lasted a few years before the war between Norse and Natives ended in an arrow to the heart. With the leader of the Vinland Norse King assassinated by the "skraelings", the Norse retreated from Canada, abandoning the nation of Vinland and never returning.
Historical recounts of the Viking Age regarding North America and the "skraelings" do not clearly define which native peoples of Canada. During that time period, there were many possible ethnic groups that the Norse could have come in contact with and referrred to as "skraelings". Possible native groups are the Dorset peoples (proto-Inuits), the Innu (also of Inuit ancestry), the Beothuk ancestors, as well as possible First Nations ancestors. Because of the many possibilities, I will be blending aspects of many native cultures of that time to better suit the story.
Biography an Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Amaruq is the eldest of 6 daughters of the Chieftain of the Innu tribe. Although culture dictated that daughters should be married in order of birth, Amaruq defied her father time and time again and refused to marry. Instead, her family have been forced to break tradition, her sisters unwilling to wait for her any longer in order to marry their own match-made partners. Because of this, all sisters below her are married, with the exception of the youngest who is only 10 years old. In turn this unintentionally made Amaruq undesirable in her own tribe, gaining a reputation as the "one who will not submit".
Her independence and dominant character have instead lead her to become a fierce warrior among her tribe. Although traditionally armies were made up of strong men, Amaruq refused to conform to that norm and in turn developed an impeccable skill at archery. Her defiance proved time and time again to be problematic culturally, however within the tribe's military, translated to immense bravery and tactical talent. Despite being older and unmarried, she continued to prove herself as a valuable asset to the tribe.
For the roleplay, there are several ways we can incorporate her into the Viking Age. She can be one of the warriors who wages war and multiple attacks on the upcoming Viking settlements. She would be one of the contributing factors for the Viking's failure in Vinland. We can also have her be the one to assassinate the King. I'm thinking she is also a superior spy. She could be the mastermind who figured out who the King was simply through many weeks dedicated to sly observation. Another way we can incorporate her, too, is that upon the final battle between Natives and Norse, perhaps she could become enslaved by the Vikings. During their retreat back to Greenland, they take many "skraelings" as hostages and slaves with them. Amaruq could be one of those captured.
Name: Sithara
Origin: Maldives Islands
Ethnicity: Maldivian
Age: 18-22
Status: Slave/ Servant
Languages: Maldivian language (Dhivehi), Indian, Arabic, Old Norse
Religion: Buddhism
Theme Song:
"Dhenneveemey Gislaa (Dhivehi Song)" Cover
Historical Plot:
The Maldives, formerly known as the Maldives Islands, is a nation formed of 26 atolls compromising of over 1100 islands. An atoll is a ring of coral that originally grew completely around the shoreline of an island, and which continued to grow upward on top of itself as the island subsided or eroded away. As reef building corals thrive only in warm waters, atolls are only found in the tropics and subtropics. As such, the Maldives nation is a beauty place, with hot tropical weather and crystal clear ocean waters. Historically, the Maldives were first settled by Buddhists originating from Sri Lanka and India in the early 5th century BC. Over the centuries, the nation grew to the like of Buddhist culture, being ruled by Kinds and sometimes Queens. During the early Middles Ages, the Maldives close proximity to Sri Lanka and India, as well as its ties to the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, made it an increasingly popular trading route. Although commerce of that time consisted of mostly metals, furs, and foods, the Maldives became famous for their unique cowrie shells. These shells, beautiful in their patterns and colours, became a popular currency in India and the Middle East. Because if it's increasing value, it garnered the attention of Arabian traders, who frequented the islands for the shells, and who soon realized value of the Maldives' strategic location. During this period, the Islamic Empire had began taking over the Maldives nation, converting the Buddhist monarchs to Islam, and in 1153, last Buddhist King to converted to Islam (forever cementing the religion of the islands). Despite Islamic relations, Maldivians still developed a culture prominently influence by Buddhism.
Biography and Potential Roleplay Ideas:
Sinthara is native Maldivian who was enslaved by Arabian traders when her family was reluctant to convert or embrace Islamic tradition. Just a young child at the time, she was taken from her home and shipped from her native islands all the way to India then subsequently the Middle East. There her and her family fell into the hands of several owners. Her and her many siblings were split up, and her mother and father would killed. After her mother' she death, Sinthara kept her mother's traditional red gown. Constantly being sold from one culture to another, Sinthara eventually fell into the hands of a Norse slave dealer at the age of 12. Although abused by many of her previous masters, she stumbled upon the hands of a kind Norse Earl and his family, becoming their servant and farmer. Sinthara quickly learned the Norse language and cultural customs, becoming an illegitimate member of the family and a loyal slave. Additionally, Sinthara was a wonderful singer, often humming or singing a Maldivian lullaby her mother used to sing to her. The
[theme] song is about loving someone, even through tears.
From this point, there are many options we can take. Sinthara can grow up with the family, gaining the attention of the Earl's son, or any other Viking male in the community, because of her stunning ocean eyes, dusky skin and infectious smile. Another option is that her master's Earldom is usurped and her Norse family either killed or banished. She would become the slave of a new Earldom, or perhaps her dark skin and foreign beauty would repulse the new Earl or his wife (greedy and without compassion) and Sinthara would be sentenced to death or sold again (or even banished). Your character can be pretty much any Norsemen, and we can assign any role to his character which would allow him to come across Sinthara. Either he finds her at a slave auction, finds her roaming a winter storm (and on the verge of death) or perhaps he comes across her on the estate of the new Earl and is intrigued by her unique appearance. We can also incorporate her enchanting voice as a method of attraction. There are endless possibilities with this character.
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