Kaino
His Grace Count Kaino Tamverenha ta Sillan (a.k.a. Captain ta Sillan)
House Silla is one of the largest, wealthiest, and most powerful noble houses in Kaleina. The birth of the Head of House's grandson was the biggest news of the season, for this was the child that would eventually inherit all of Silla's prestige. When the news got out that the child in question was born profoundly deaf, the gossip consumed the noble courts of Kaleina for months.
Kaino, born Kaino Tamverenha ta Sillan (House Silla, being expansive, uses patronymic middle names to clarify relationships) is the eldest child of Count Tamvere ta Sillan and Countess Hasäna ta Kolinen, though only by a few minutes - his twin sister Tuulla is only slightly younger. When they were born, his grandfather Niski, the Head of House, was deeply disappointed in his deafness and refused to acknowledge him as his heir, insisting that Tamvere move Tuulla to first in line of succession.
Niski died when Kaino was 12 years old. Following his father's wishes, Tamvere took the title and announced Tuulla as his heir, going against the tradition of primogeniture. They were twins, he reasoned - they could have been born in any order.
Despite not being the heir, Kaino made a name for himself in the circles of Kaleinen nobility as a man who is fiercely competitive, overtly confident, and deeply ambitious for political power. He is a brilliant and talented military strategist and knows it, which is aggravating to more than a few colleagues.
Personal History
Childhood
From birth until age of 9, Kaino and Tuulla were under the care of a nanny, a young woman named Kätti. Kätti had been born and raised on New Räänkia to a deaf mother, and although she was hearing, she was fluent in Räänkian Sign Language. From her, RSL became Kaino's first language. For most of his childhood, Kaino wandered through the expansive Silla estate with only Kätti and Tuulla to talk to. He had no other friends - both his noble title and different language made it difficult for him to interact with other children. He turned to books for amusement and became a prolific reader. Kätti was his constant companion, and he saw her as more of a mentor and support figure than his own parents. Neither of his parents learned RSL and relied on either Tuulla or Kätti to translate for them. When he returned to Fiana later in life, he sought out Kätti, now a grandmother living on the outskirts of Fiana. He still visits her regularly and makes sure she and her family are provided for.Adolescence
At 9, the age at which Veiamic people are thought to leave childhood behind and enter adolescence, Kätti was dismissed and replaced with a tutor, Valto Lisunha. Valto was a Keitist scholar who had studied the silent magic and the culture of the Circle of the Falling Leaf, the druidic circle on New Räänkia. He aimed to give Kaino a formal education in literature, science, and math, along with speaking orally. In addition, Valto was hired by the family to be Kaino's full-time interpreter. Valto was a strict and demanding instructor who often resorted to physical discipline if he felt Kaino wasn't trying hard enough. Their relationship was tense, and Kaino feels that any education he received was in spite of his tutor, rather than due to him.Higher Learning
At 18, he enrolled in the Royal Military Academy. He had always dreamed of being a soldier, but due to his deafness, he was only allowed to take courses on theory, history, and strategy - and his enrolment at all was only allowed due to his family's influence. Despite the school's reservations, he quickly rose to the top of every class.Career in the Rangers
After graduating from the academy, Kaino joined the Border Rangers and received a post as a lieutenant in the Perimeter Control division at Fort Reim in Far North Olla. This branch is responsible for maintaining checkpoints and defensive measures to keep the islands safe. Kaino worked closely with the local outpost of the Royal Kaleinen Constabulary to coordinate containment measures. The interpreter he hired to accompany him to the fort was better than Valto, but still had the irritating habit of censoring any of his attempts at swearing and filtering things said to him into more respectful language. Kaino was eventually promoted to commander of his division, and served for several years. In the year 727, at the age of 31, the Winter War broke out between Kaleina and Falla. Kaino was made Acting Seneschal of Fort Reim when the majority of its rangers were sent to the front lines to fight. His leadership was put to the test in a surprise attack on Far North Olla. Troops from Falla attempted to invade the region while its rangers were occupied on the front lines. Kaino led the defence with his outnumbered skeleton crew left behind at the fort and successfully repelled the attack. He became one of the most talked about heroes of the war.Return to Fiana
Three years after the war, he received news that Tuulla had passed away in a boating accident, and the title of Head of House was to pass to him. Although he enjoyed his work in the Rangers and had no wish to leave the fort, he saw it as his duty to return to Fiana and take over her position in the Assembly. Due to his actions in the war, he was able to arrange a transfer to the prestigious King's Guard, to remain in the military while based in Fiana. He began as a lieutenant in the King's Guard, but within two years had been promoted to captain. As the Red Tower captain, this also came with the responsibility of managing the king's intelligence network, a job he excelled at. Although Kaino had gone to the Military Academy after childhood dreams of being a warrior, his time in the Rangers had taught him that he much preferred the strategic, organizational side of warfare rather than swinging a sword himself. At 36, he was invited by the king to join his Council as his most trusted military advisor.Social
Family Ties
Kaino's relationship with his parents is strained. Neither of them ever took the initiative to learn RSL, so any conversation he's ever had with them has been either through writing or with an interpreter present. His father's refusal to declare him his heir built a lot of resentment in Kaino, as did his mother's coddling and insistence on shielding him from the world. Forgiving both of them took many years for him to work through as an adult, and they remain distant.
He was closer with his sister, Tuula. She learned RSL alongside him when they were children, and was one of the few people who could carry on a conversation with him. When she was 18, she married Kaleina's Prince Royal and eventually became its queen. Her death 6 years ago affected Kaino greatly.
Religious Views
Kaino was raised in a Keitist family, and his tutor Valto was a devout Keitist. It was Valto's dedication to the religion that partly drove Kaino away from it. He is still nominally Keitist and gives lip service to the religion for the sake of appearances, but considers himself closer to an adherent of the Old Religion - he doesn't believe Iemeina deserves all that much praise compared to any other god. He believes the gods exist, but doesn't really pay them mind.
Speech
Kaino uses Räänkian Sign Language almost exclusively. Learning to speak orally was miserable for him, and he resented being forced to learn. He is not very articulate when speaking orally and only does so as a last resort - such as if a friend closes his eyes to tune out an argument or he needs to get someone's attention from a distance.
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
First Count of Silla
Captain of the Red Tower
Date of Birth
5th of Harps
Year of Birth
696 AK
39 Years old
Birthplace
Spouses
Siblings
Tuulla
(Sister)
Children
Current Residence
Eyes
Grey
Hair
Blond
Height
6'1"
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations