Adarnerse
Adarnerse was born in a small, shabby hut atop the Three-headed Hill. His mother spoke of the royal Tsiskari blood flowing through his veins. The blood of the dynasty that centuries ago was overthrown by the wretched Bagvushs. She presented him with a morning star, the weapon Nerse’s father left to his children.
The boy paid no mind to Keke’s ramblings, deeming them a poor woman’s delusions. Keke was an innkeeper, and young Nerse often noticed her entering the guests’ rooms at night. Yet, the mother told the same story to his younger brother, Malkisaidek.
The boy paid no mind to Keke’s ramblings, deeming them a poor woman’s delusions. Keke was an innkeeper, and young Nerse often noticed her entering the guests’ rooms at night. Yet, the mother told the same story to his younger brother, Malkisaidek.
One day, Keke showed Nerse a torn book with no cover. It detailed a method of linking to a Nature Anraakh, a star granting might over the surrounding flora. Nerse was terrified and didn’t dare tinker with such a powerful star. Several years later, Keke presented the same book to Malk. The younger brother’s eyes gleamed and he demanded Nerse to teach him how to read.
Initially, the older brother refused and warned of the book’s danger. Yet Malk’s persistence won over and Nerse complied. For the following months, the young brother connected to the star and gained its magic.
The Mentor
As Keke’s health deteriorated and Malk began working in construction, Nerse felt indebted to the younger brother. The older brother was frail and couldn’t help in physically demanding jobs. He buried himself in books, hoping to become a scholar’s apprentice and support his family.Several months following Keke’s death, Dayani Royal Scholar Al’Arikh noticed Nerse and offered apprenticeship. The youngster agreed with no hesitation. Gaining royal patronage ensured Nerse and Malk would lead fulfilling lives.
Nerse started living in King Kole's palace. Al’Arikh became a father-figure, ensuring the orphan felt comfortable in the intimidating castle. Nerse met the other apprentice, young Prince Joaqim. Initially, the commoner kept a distance from the boy. But the prince’s soft and easygoing nature ensured the two grew close.
Joaqim often sneaked sweets to the library, and the two gobbled them up behind Al’Arikh’s back.
Species
Life
2071 AR/ADF
2095 AR/ADF
24 years old
Circumstances of Death
Throat slit by Kole Bagvush
Children
Sex
Male
Eyes
Brown
Hair
Brown
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Olive
The Runaway Prince
The prince spoke of Speri King Klaeon, who offered him an alliance against King Kole. Malk asked Nerse if he wished to lead the rebellion, just as their mother envisioned. Nerse deemed the plan suicidal and refused.
“Well, then I’ll be the king!”
The young brother formed roots underneath the home, buried it underground and, together with Reon, headed towards Sper.
The Spy
Nerse wanted to refuse. He couldn’t play a role in Al’Arikh and Joaqim’s demise. But Malk’s power and delusional determination terrified the older brother, and reluctantly, Nerse agreed.
“I'm so afraid. Brother scares me. Sometimes wish I’d been born Joaqim's brother, but I know it's too much for a peasant to ask for. I'm stuck. Don't know how to carry on from this point.
Maybe there's still a chance to bring Malk to his senses. If not, can I still enjoy the little time I have left with Joaqim?”
Maybe there's still a chance to bring Malk to his senses. If not, can I still enjoy the little time I have left with Joaqim?”
The Glasses
One day, Nerse noticed Joaqim stare at him. Without saying a word, the prince wrote a sentence on a piece of paper, walked several steps and asked the friend to read it. After Nerse failed to do so, Joaqim ran to Al’Arikh and whispered in his ear.Several days later, Joaqim brought in a stagyar glassmaker and gifted custom-made glasses to the friend. Now he could read book titles from faraway shelves and see individual leaves rustling in the garden. Happiness and guilt overwhelmed Nerse and tears flowed down his cheeks.
Unrest
As months passed, Malk’s raids spread throughout Dayaen. Nerse wanted to put an end to the brother’s madness, and warn Al’Arikh and Joaqim of the impending war. But no matter how much Malk scared him, Nerse cared for the little brother and couldn’t betray him.Joaqim noticed Nerse’s unsease. The prince showed him a secret passage from the palace. Kole made it solely for Joaqim, but the friend vowed to bring Nerse along if things turned for the worse.
Nerse learned Reon’s father, King Rhamas, was planning to visit Kole in the following month. He informed Malk, and the brother declared the visit as the day of his rebellion.
“Why did I mention the passage? He just pries the truth out of me. Without trying. I know he’d never hurt me. Has never threatened either. Then why does he terrify me so?
I can't put this off any longer. Must warn Joaqim. Or Al'Arikh. But why do I hesitate?”
I can't put this off any longer. Must warn Joaqim. Or Al'Arikh. But why do I hesitate?”
The Rebellion
On the day of Malkisaidek’s rebellion, Nerse barged into Joaqim’s room. Trembling, he clutched the friend’s hands, apologised and begged Joaqim to flee. The prince looked puzzled, but before he could utter a word, Al’Arikh rushed in, saying the capital was under attack.
The insurrection soon reached its peak. Joaqim’s older brother, Prince Ashot, led the defence, while Al’Arikh guarded the palace gate. Kole ordered Joaqim and Nerse to use the secret passage, only for Nerse to reveal that the rebels had already surrounded its exit. Upon realising the slip up, Nerse froze. Joaqim’s confused eyes tore at his heart. But before he could explain himself, Kole darted behind the spy and put a dagger on his neck.
The insurrection soon reached its peak. Joaqim’s older brother, Prince Ashot, led the defence, while Al’Arikh guarded the palace gate. Kole ordered Joaqim and Nerse to use the secret passage, only for Nerse to reveal that the rebels had already surrounded its exit. Upon realising the slip up, Nerse froze. Joaqim’s confused eyes tore at his heart. But before he could explain himself, Kole darted behind the spy and put a dagger on his neck.
Suddenly, Malkisaidek barged into the palace, holding a bloodied golden morning star in his right hand while clutching a head in the other. The intruder tossed the head at Kole’s feet in a loud thud. Nerse glanced downwards, only to meet Al’Arikh’s faded purple eyes. With trembling hands, Joaqim raised the sword and stood between Malk and Kole.
Weeping Nerse cursed the rebel, calling him a delusional child who believed in their sick mother’s ramblings. His screams turned into muffled whimpers as Kole pressed the dagger closer. The King promised Malkisaidek he’d spare the rebels, including Nerse. All Malk had to do was walk away. But Nerse knew his brother wouldn’t back down.
Weeping Nerse cursed the rebel, calling him a delusional child who believed in their sick mother’s ramblings. His screams turned into muffled whimpers as Kole pressed the dagger closer. The King promised Malkisaidek he’d spare the rebels, including Nerse. All Malk had to do was walk away. But Nerse knew his brother wouldn’t back down.
“There is no way back!”
Cried Malk and swung the morning star towards the prince. The last thing Nerse saw before Kole slit his throat was Joaqim glancing back and his head shattering upon the impact.
Notable Relationships
Keke
As years passed and Malk’s thirst for the throne grew, Nerse came to despise Keke and blamed her for the brother’s madness.
Malkisaidek
Malk’s broad and tall stature bore no resemblance to Nerse. The young brother often reassured him of the bright future ahead of them. Nerse felt indebted to Malk for supporting his studies without an ounce of complaint.Deep down, Malk’s potential for magic and the ease he mastered the Nature Anraakh scared Nerse.
Malk’s plans to usurp the Dayani throne took Nerse aback. He never expected the brother to believe in Keke’s ramblings. Love and fear prevented Nerse from opposing Malk.
Al’Arikh
Al’Arikh’s halo and tails surprised Nerse, and his vivid purple hair and eyes differed from the usual menes’ha red. The man’s calm and caring demeanour comforted Nerse and helped him familiarise with high-born life. The boy studied day and night to make Al’Arikh proud.Nerse felt guilty after entangling in Malk’s schemes, and deemed himself unworthy of being Al’Arikh’s apprentice.
Joaqim
Nerse was anxious when meeting Joaqim, fearing the prince would mock his humble beginnings. But instead, the boy was excited to befriend his peer and showed no disdain towards Nerse. The two enjoyed each other’s company, whether discussing controversial historical records or simply reading in silence.Joaqim’s kindness fueled Nerse’s guilt. In the end, he could only hope for Joaqim to survive the rebellion, however unlikely it was.
I'm really excited to see when we'll see a family tree. With all the names in your stories, which show a great spectrum and never cease to impress me and offer so many background stories, it's sometimes easy to lose track, as I often have problems remembering names or remembering: "ah yes, that was the brother of that one..." etc. Was it intentional this time not to put all the quotes in your lovely quote boxes?
Hah we have lots of characters so it's understandable. Maybe we should try integrating the family tree function. The paper quotes are meant to be excerpts from Nerse's journal.
Yes, cheers for the family tree function, even if it will certainly take some time. I'm looking forward to it.