Name: I am Tsuko Theras. I live in Taye, but my noble blood gives me the right to say I am 'of Marlas'.
Sex: This should be somewhat obvious by my name, of course. You must be from somewhere far away if you have to ask.
Age: I have 35 years.
Occupation: I do not really 'make a living', but I am High Seat of House Marlas. House Marlas has amassed a sizeable amount of wealth over the years, so my life is pretty easy.
Status & Rank: Have you been paying attention? I am
High Seat of House Marlas, thank you very much. I am a Marlas by right of my mother, who in turn was a Marlas by her mother, and so on and so forth back to Ayana Marlas herself. From tradition, I am also Magistrate of Taye.
Roots & Origin: It has been many, many years since Ayana Marlas was born. It is said she was born of the goddess Lelahiah herself, conceived by Kolvyn who was under the guise of a beautiful stallion. Of course, modern scholars frown upon our 'supernatural ramblings', but we of house Marlas prize dearly our beginnings. Whatever the case, Ayana rose to power quickly as she grew, seizing for herself the title Magistrate of Taye. She used that power to raise an effective army (calvary, of course, as would be fitting). That army swept south, conquering land after land, with Magistrate Ayana herself leading the armies astride a bay stallion, urging her troops onto battle against those of the south...
Oh, wait, you want my
immediate roots?! But, but, the family history of House Marlas is crucial to knowing my origins! I know my entire descent all the way back to Ayana! Let's see, Ayana, Reta, Nethin, Chari, Feldaana-
Fine, cut me off. You want me to start recently? How about grandparents. OK. My grandmother was
an'shanan of the House from when she had about 34 years. You do not know what an
An'Shanan Erava is? Well,
An'Shanan Erava loosely translates to 'Head of the Mothers'. She serves as cornerstone of the family, anchoring it in place. Other than that the title is mostly ceremonial.
(Actually, it's not, but the fact that it's not is supposed to not be revealed to outsiders; the name 'Head of the Mothers' is meant to sound rather innocuous) An'Shanan Reta (named after Reta, daughter of Ayana) had a husband named Zuti, who was
An'Kenin Eravi, Head of the Armies. She also had a brother who was
An'Reyada Eravi, Head of the House, named Reko. You see, here in House Marlas, we do not work like other houses. We honor Ayana by working inheritance the way she deemed it, through the female side, rather than through the male side like others do. After all, it is the woman who gives birth to the child, not the man.
Where was I? Oh right. An'Shanan Reta had five kids, Peret, Fera, Pavala, Doni, and Garon. Peret, Doni, and Garon were uncles of mine, Fera would have been an aunt (you'll see what I mean), and Pavala was my mother. All were impressed with the children she had had; Peret was considered just and fair, Fera beautiful and mature, Pavala shrewd and calculating, Doni handsome and brave, and Garon intelligent and excellent with horses.
All were expecting Fera to be the next An'Shanan. When she had 15 years, she was married to the son of a high ranking Ghayth duke, who also had 15 at the time. It was meant to be a sort of olive branch between the two houses; the marriage was conducted in Taye, but the couple agreed to split their time between the duchy and Taye. I would have expected my mother to have been looking on with eyes filled with jealousy, but my uncles were always adamant that she was truly happy for her sister. I guess my mother was different before... other events took over.
You see, years passed without the couple having a child. It was whispered that he was cheating on her. No, Fera was cheating on him! A Slayer had cast a curse! Rumors ran wild. Meanwhile, my mother was married off to a relatively unimportant baron, who controlled a land with strategic deposits of gold; my father. My uncles, except for Garon, were married too; their marriages had already produced children.
7 years after they married, Fera's husband died. Fera died only a year later, some said of a broken heart. No one was quite sure why they died.
(Anyone want to volunteer to be their assassins/poisoners/what have you? ;)) My mother was said to have been heartbroken, and found solace in drink. Her power-hungry nature quickly took hold of her. Still, that didn't keep her from having children, to maintain the Marlas line. My sister Aleina was born one year after the death of my aunt, and I was born 7 years after that.
Appearance: I'm a Marlas through and through. Just about all I got from my dad was my jaw. But I have Marlas dark skin, Marlas brown hair, Marlas brown eyes... and so on and so forth. It doesn't hurt that Marlases usually stay in our own territory for spouses. Some people say that we look like thugs, but we of course disagree. I'm proud to look like a Marlas, even if that means I must resemble my mother.
I'm rather tall, and of a larger build, though it's mostly muscle rather than fat. This seems to be changing more and more the other way though, as age begins to set in on me. I don't really like that, but I'm resigned to it. I almost always wear clothes with Marlas colors on them: tan and roan (the reddish sort of roan). Usually my clothes are of a fine quality, but they're not very ornate. I like them that way; let others wear their fine garments, but I shall cloak myself with the authority vested in me by House Marlas.
Strengths:
- My uncles always taught me to look out for the misfortunes of others. For that reason, I've opened up a portion of Marlas family funds for charitable uses. Some members of House Marlas scoffed, but I thought it was a good thing, and would help put down any long simmering tensions.
- I think of myself a relatively good father. I mean, I was pretty active in parenting my children, which is more than could be said of a lot of nobles. I'm especially proud of my first son, Enderron. My marriage, though originally arranged, has turned out to be one of love, and I treat my woman right.
- I am faithful to my gods. Particularly Lelahiah and Kolvyn, of course, but I try my best to honor them. Others make a show of worshiping them, but I truly believe in the sanctity of the gods.
- I have a good mind for abstractions and generalities. I like to plan grand schemes, some of which actually work. Some see them as kind of strange, but I'm proud of my little ideas. The public soup kitchens were one of my 'grand schemes' put into motion.
Weaknesses:
- I have never particularly cared for horses, and they have never particularly cared for me. I am not sure what it is about my demeanor that spooks them, but they have never seemed to like me. This might not be so bad in other lands, but here it is like saying one does not particularly like children.
- I cannot really abide scheming and plots. Oh sure, I said early that my mind is full of "grand schemes", but usually by those I mean things to improve the lives of people. I do not much like dagger-in-the-back-alley kind of plots.
- Relations with women have never been particularly good for me. My mother... well, she was not a good mother, let us put it that way. The reason why I am so close to my wife is that she approached me first as a friend, and then as a lover, not the other way around like women seem to like to do.
- I do not particularly like riding off to war when the Marlas homeland is not endangered. It just does not make sense to send soldiers off fighting some other group of people if Marlas lives are not otherwise threatened. Unless it is the Calendae of course, they are always a threat to my people.
- I tend to be rather forgetful and vague. My mind is not the best with details. One example of this is with money. I am not particularly indulgent with money (except for my schemes, of course), but I just do not have a head for balancing the books. That is why I am lucky to have my wife and sister, who are much better.
- (Despite his charity and sometimes-kindness, Tsuko still likes power quite a bit. Not having it makes him feel weak and ineffectual. Thus, he has attempted to increase his own power, at the expense of his relatives and other officials. Though he is more loved among the common people thanks to his charity, he is somewhat disliked among many members of the nobility and merchants, except for his immediate family, who have more diverse opinions of him)
Magic: I don't have magical skills, nor do I wish to consort with anyone who does, unless I must.
Third Person Time! Personality: Tsuko would like to think he is not as a normal noble is, and he is not completely. For instance, he does not spend money like there is no tomorrow, he does not wear that fancy of clothes, and he does not order peasants around like there is no tomorrow. However, he does think of himself as better than most people due to his nobility, and his charity is more of pity than outright empathy. Still, he tries his best. He is just, but not always fair; he is known for sometimes prosecuting those he dislikes with archaic laws that no one quite remembers. This has made him some enemies, especially amongst merchants, who he seems to particularly dislike. However, the common people like him more than average; city folk for actually somewhat caring about them, and country folk for generally leaving them alone. He has tried to maintain good relations with the dying king, but it's pretty difficult, especially because, as he sees it, Tsuko has a pretty good chance of being king once the king dies.
More personally, a lot of Tsuko's personality is dependent on his family situation when he was young. His mother was not very good (see History), so he's not the most emotionally secure person. His father was rather aloof and distant. This makes Tsuko rather arbitrary in some of his decisionmaking, as he prefers to let others decide important decisions. His bad temper is a 'public secret'; though he tries to keep it in, sometimes it roars out. This is usually one of the first impressions newcomers hear of Tsuko, but when they actually meet him people usually think of him as kind and diplomatic.
As a father, he learned most of his fathering skills from his uncles. This means he usually acts more like a friend to his kids than a parent. He's not very good at discipline, so he relies on his wife a good bit. Luckily for him, this is pretty much expected in House Marlas, so no one looks on him for the worse. His children have come out fine. He also rather enjoys being a husband, because, despite it being an arrange marriage like all nobles' marriages, his marriage has turned into one of love.
One aspect of Tsuko often not well known is his eccentric mind. Plans and ideas are always whirling around his mind for how to make Marlas lands a bit more liveable. If universities existed, he would've loved to have gone to one, but he contents himself with trying to make House Marlas's library one of the best in the world. Right now he's playing with a couple of plans in his head: one to found something like an academy in Taye, and another to secure Maloren for Marlas, perhaps with a wall or something similar.History: The earliest memories I have are of my mother. I remember her shouting and screaming about something or other. She shouted and screamed a lot, I think. Always something about how she was going to be An'Shanan, so things should be so-and-so way and if they were not that way people would pay. Most of this screaming and yelling was directed at my older sister, who is 7 years older than me, but all of us received some of the blame for why she thought her life was so bad. For me, it was always that I was not a good enough horseman. For some reason I have never got along with horses
(Actually this is due to a rather traumatic accident that Tsuko does not remember. The first time his parents put him on a horse, despite the horse being picked due to its placidity, he was bucked off quite painfully. Tsuko wasn't permanently injured, but the memory still imprinted itself on his psyche, despite that it took place before Tsuko's first real memories) but my mother did not understand that. "My son will not be like one of those Calendae nobles!" she screamed often.
I tried to find refuge in other activities. I quickly discovered I had an aptitude in the sciences, much to the delight of my tutor. I soon tried to ask for extra lessons from him, which I enjoyed a lot.
However, my primary refuges were my uncles. The oldest, Peret, was my mentor. You see, he was heir to the post of High Seat when I was born, so it was expected that we spend time together, for him to teach me all he knew about being High Seat. We bonded quickly, both of us realizing that we shared a love of abstract ideas and theories. He taught me a lot of his philosophical and theoretical ideas that I gobbled up enthusiastically. Garon, the youngest of my uncles, was the fun loving carouser in the family. "Boy," he would always say, "women are shifty types, but you just have to deal with them." Then he would go into lengthy explanations of how to deal with women, always with a sad little smile because, as I have heard, his relationship with his wife was not a happy one.
But my very favorite uncle was the second youngest, Doni. Doni was two years younger than my mother, and 7 years older than Garon, but he always seemed like he was more like a brother than an uncle. Big-hearted and jovial, he always seemed to be smoking a pipe and talking of all the things he had seen in the world. Uncle Doni had always been a valiant fighter, so he had helped his father to lead some of the campaigns to increase House Marlas's territory, especially against the Calendae. But the places he had seen! By his telling of it, Doni had spent half his life in the roughest taverns of Maloren, trying singlehandedly to bring good lawful Marlas order to the Calendae-infested city. I knew the stories were fake... perhaps.
(Yeah, they're pretty much fake) It was also clear that Doni loved his kids very much. He had 5, all boys, which was bad for Marlas inheritance. Doni brought my cousins over occasionally, but mostly just talked about them in glowing terms.
Meanwhile, at home, troubles continued. When I had 11 years, my mother's moment of triumph became a reality; her mother died, leaving her as An'Shanan Erava. She immediately attempted to strengthen her hold on power, by forcing the entire family to live all in the same location on the Marlas estates, and to stay there all year. The wives of my uncles were furious; how were they to stay in place all year? What about their parents? But she stayed firm. Uncle Garon and his family left Marlas lands entirely, and began living at his wife's homeland year round. Uncle Doni confided in me that he was afraid for the integrity of House Marlas. And mother just became more power-hungry, seeking to declare war against the Calendae, as she was convinced they had connived to poison her sister. Ultimately, her father had the final say, and he said no.
But, four years later, at the age of 15, one of the finest days of my life happened. I was married. My sister had been married some years earlier to an important count, though their marriage had not yet borne fruit. Thus, it was a matter of pride that I be married soon, and have children. Thus, a suitable bride was found for me. She was 4 years older than I
(in Marlas lands the bride tends to be older than the groom), and the third daughter of a northern duke. I remember her standing at the front of a hall in the palace, smiling shyly and beautifully in a radient dress of the purest tan
(No law says that white is the purest color ;))... am I boring you again? I will stop.
(You'll hear more when he son is married, of course XD)I cannot say I fell in love with Emeila that day, or even that night, for it was rough going at first. But then she discovered my love of the sciences; as it turns out, girls in her duchy were not educated in much other than the intricacies of court. Here in Marlas we at least give
some introduction to the sciences, even if a woman's mind is unable to fully comprehend such advanced topics
(Tsuko's opinion, not mine :P). But she grabbed on just as well as any man, and we soon fell in friendship, as it were. It was fitting that the relationship soon progressed to that of love. I felt freed.
Four years after our marriage, our first child was born, Enderron Kelesi. A year later, my Uncle Peret became High Seat of House Marlas, and my father became An'Kenin Eravi. This posed a problem. My uncle was much too absorbed in his books to overwhelm my mother, and my father was never that strong with her anyway. That left no one to stand in the way of her ambitions to declare war against the Calendae... no one but the gods. For one reason or another, all of the male members of House Marlas were 'busy' at the time. Uncle Peret was with his books, of course. Uncle Doni went on an extended 'vacation' to his wife's family. Uncle Garon was gone, of course. I claimed that I wished to spend more time with my family, which soon grew with the birth of my daughter Gresa Liona two years after the birth of my son. And my father, though basically controlled by my mother, was never much of a general.
My mother was frustrated into a war by proxy. She funnelled funds from the Marlas family chest to mercenaries and thugs, through some rather unscrupulous merchants and bankers, who started a campaign of intimidation and fear throughout, starting with Calendae-controlled sections of Maloren. Now, do not get me wrong- I have problems with the Calendae as much as the average member of House Marlas. But her tactics were questionable. Having House Marlas be represented by a group of the worst street thugs and toughs did nothing for our reputation. The tactics used were reprehensible; often, being mercenaries, our ragtag 'army' plundered and pillaged the countryside, stealing from peasants that could hardly afford their own rent. In Maloren, people with Calendae-sounding names were dragged out of their homes, robbed, and then killed- or worse. This gave House Marlas a bad name, among our own people and among those of other lands, but my mother persisted in her insanity. This proxy war lasted for six long, pain-filled years.
In the mean time, my family grew and changed. By the end of the war, my wife had given birth to another daughter, this one named Mindre Tsama. Enderron had 7 years, and was already showing some of his boisterous athletic nature. Many a night was spent running he and his mother restless looking for him while he was off playing at dueling with a kitchen boy or discovering a little nook in the Marlas castle that no one had visted for centuries. Gresa had 5 years, and was already awkwardly attempting to curtsy like a proper lady. Mindre only had 1 year.
And how did the war end? One night, I was looking over reports of the war; my mother tried to keep reports secret, but my Uncle Doni had told me of the importance of not only spying on enemies, but also on my (supposed) allies. It was dire, I remember; the treasury was running low, and was resorting to loans in order to stay afloat. Then, a page came rushing in, breathing heavily. "Sir," he said hastily, "you must come at once." He immediately ran out the door, meaning that Tsuko had to hastily burn his reports in the fireplace before hurrying out the door after him. Eventually, they made their way to Uncle Peret's quarters. There guards were stationed at the doors. My mother was walking out of the apartments, her face a grim mask. "Tsuko," she said, looking at me. "Your uncle has died. You are to be made High Seat immediately."
And so, within a day, the preparations were made, the feast proclaimed, and the horses were procured. The first moment I was alone after being made An'Reyada Eravi, I proclaimed an end to the war with the Calendae. This, as you could expect, displeased my mother, but as High Seat I have ultimate control over foreign matters, and I would not relent. In order to get money back in the treasury, I canceled all of House Marlas's debt to the merchants and banks of Taye. Needless to say, they were not pleased
(House Marlas retains bad credit amongst banks to this day), but I felt House Marlas needed a strong financial backing for some of the 'projects' I was about to create. One of my first was the creation of soup kitchens in Taye; it helped cement me as a popular leader amongst the commons, placating their unease with the generally savage nature of the mercenaries used in the war with the Calendae.
Three years later, my mother died. I observed all the proper form; prayer to the gods, solemn clothing, not using her name for a year... but I could not help a small flutter of happiness inside of me. Marlas's long nightmare was over. Two years later, my fourth child, another daughter, was born. She was named Tala Berun. My family felt complete. I tried my best to be a good father; I was there for their first steps and most of their first words (though of course Mindre had to utter her first words during some of my preparations for becoming High Seat!). Now, they all seem so old. Tala has 4 years, and spends most of her time trying to be just like both of her sisters. Mindre has 10 years, and takes after her mother; she can perform sums just as well as many of the clerks that are in Marlas's hire. Gresa is 14, and talks constantly of fashions and silks and the most exquisite marriage she will have... I hope the husband I choose for her will be acceptable, though I do not know yet who he is. And then, of course, there is the oldest, Enderron. Enderron is 16, a year older than I was when I was married. He shows promise with his sword, and can run laps around the entire castle without being winded. But at the same time, he loves playing with his sisters, so matter how girly the activity is. I cannot wait, for soon, very very soon, he is to be married. It will be a joint ceremony; my nephew (and heir to my title of High Seat) Jenin is also getting married. I know my son will do his new wife proud.
*whew* Done, I think! I should put some more about Tsuko's time as High Seat, probably, but it's been pretty boring as of yet... he hasn't had any major revolutions to deal with or that kind of thing. Plus, I think Something Bad ™ is going to happen at the wedding (what happens is to be decided, depending on whether anyone joins as one of Tsuko's relatives), so I decided to end with that ;)