Description
Full Name: Vaiven De Massi
Alias: The Lord of Coin, The Silk Prince
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Race: Mystic. It is said that the Massi have a faint trace of Fey blood.
Occupation: Duke of Maslona and Leader of the En Lome Merchants Guild.
Level of Education: Well educated in Math, Natural Philosophy, geography, business, trading, combat, and politics. As it comes with being born a Massi.
Age: 21
Height: 6'1'' (185 cm)
Weight: 190 lb (86 Kg)
General Appearance: Vaiven has curly locks of hazel hair and green/blue eyes. He has a muscular slim build, a sharper than average nose, and a full coarse beard. The Massi House Sigil is tattooed onto his chest with all of its hidden prints.
Combat experience: He is trained archery, riding, knife throwing, javelin tossing, and very basic magic.
Beliefs: Nothing, actually. Vaiven doesn't believe in a higher power.
Aspirations: The Massi have always been sour to the crown of En Lome ever since they were brought into the fold. Vaiven wants nothing more then to declare Maslona a free Kingdom, but he can't do that so long as it has no allies or soldiers. He has been reaching out to Ashnaes in secrecy for friendship as well as slowly building up his own army.
Possessions: Silk Clothing embedded in jewels, two bags of coin, fine leather shoes, House of Massi Sigil Ring, a dagger with a silver hilt. A bow when traveling or in battle and chain mail.
Personality: Strong willed, deceptive, cunning, and at times violent. Vaiven is more than willing to let his family name and wealth speak for him when he needs to. He is also puts wealth above honor and courage. He hates being ordered what to do and dislikes royalty, as his family are a merchant family and not of noble blood.
He treats commoners better in his city as he allows Maslona to have an abundance of freedoms spanning from speech to thought to even some more questionable activities. He feels that the city and its lands would be better off if they were independent though.
History: Vaiven De Massi was born under Piero De Massi. His family had been ruling Maslona since before it was incorporated into En Lome. Since then the family had always been begrudging towards the royal line. That didn't effect their business, however. Under their rule Maslona served as a powerful port that merchants from all over stopped at. When Piero handed the Dukedom over to Vaiven, there were many reforms regarding taxes, policies regarding indentured servitude, and security.
The Duchies security was expanded from 900 soldiers to over 3,000 standing. Storage units containing war material were expanded and a small navy was formed. The amount of guards in the city doubled and the outer limit tripled. Small forts and outposts were created within the Duchy limits too. Within a few years Maslona became a beacon for mercenaries and any willing to sell of their combat expertise to the Massi.
Taxes were expanded as well. Although low, many taxes were created regarding tariffs, grain, sales, property, levy, roads, and security. It also affected those who traveled to the port. Since it accumulated from small amounts, it effected the citizens little, but had a large impact on the treasury. Illegal crimes such as smuggling or slavery were also permitted to carry on, so long as they paid the Massi a cut of their profits.
Vaiven continues to build up the treasury and security of his Duchy in hopes that one day he can declare Maslona an independent and sovereign nation.
So begins...
he country of En Lome is a quiet one. They have never felt the rumble of revolution, never suffered defeat in war but never experienced the power of a victory, and their greatest scandal fell under the rule of their last king; their history is generally calm and pretty, but it lacks the raw emotion of a masterpiece. They are not an incredibly interesting people and, with their lack of eventful news, history may not remember them well. It is a dull morning, such that are characteristic of the country, that brings with it the beginning of their only great story.
. For a time, the only sounds are the soft, sleepy murmurings of a waking castle. The cooks set to work on the morning meal, the first cycle of night guardsmen are sent to their rest by the morningmen, and the princess' lady-in-waiting comes tapping at her door. But there is no princess within. In response, a call rises up and the castle is soon in uproar; all off-duty guards are called to the search, whispers of foul play run through the court, a din of agitation to break the classically still air.
. The queen tries to keep her poise, though the tumult of voices and footsteps does little to help her composure. Her face is drawn tight in frustration but she tries to look thankful for the flock of noblemen now competing for her regal attentions. Her daughter is missing, her husband is out of reach, and the normal order of her castle is in shambles. This is dangerous and she knows it all too well. She is already scheduled for a journey to Maslona for... negotiations and putting them off any longer would be more than unwise. Her daughter could be anywhere now.
. With heavy heart, and an unwelcome band of noblemen gathered near, the final preparations for the queen's short journey are made. All she has to offer her missing daughter for now are prayers and a search part organized by her loyal constable.
Chaos. Chaos reigned in the quietest realm in the world, disturbing its quietness. Men's voices shattered the calm, demanding answers, and it was into this mess that the Silver Knight strode in. He was garbed in shining steel that morning, with only dents won in honorable combat marring its sheen. Valeryn stepped into the main hall, towards the Queen and her entourage and called out "Your Majesty! I have heard of your daughter's disappearance, and I offer my condolences, as well as my vow to you. I hereby swear by blood and by title that I will locate your daughter, and bring her home swiftly! I have ten good men, and fast horses. We can set out within the next half hour." And as he talked he gave a deep bow. His face was thus hidden as he gave a small smile at his fortune. For if he found the princess then his prestige would be unmatched, and the Queen would have to give him her daughter's hand in marriage...
Orders and cries shouted across the fields outside the grand city of Maslona. Hundreds of new recruits were gathered on the fields to do drills while being supervised by senior commanders. The duke himself was overlooking the training. He stood on top of a wooden platform made specifically to overseer the fields. At the table in which Vaiven sat at, he debated with his advisers over the coarse of the future budget for the Duchy.
"If the army continues to increase in size, then we must cut other expenditures or at least raise taxes." Marco, the treasurer of Maslona suggested to his lord. "I say that we raise taxes on prostitution, grain, trade, and tariffs."
Vaiven looked through the financial logs with a puzzled look on his face. Their were numbers missing. Fifty thousand silvers over the coarse of the decade to be exact. Marcus' work as always. "I could always raise taxes or cut expenses, but..." His dagger came down on the man's hand with force. "I would rather cut you out of the picture entirely. Take him to dungeons to rot away." He told the guards, who hauled the screaming man away. The duke planned to give the man's property to the citizens of Maslona as a stimulus and without Marcus laundering money the funds would have room for more recruits. He wanted at least ten thousand by the end of the year.
He let his blade fall into the sheath. He took a moment to look over the bodies of the men who had foolishly tryed to rob him.
Worthless killing, over nothing but coin He allowed a small "Hm" at the thought and began to walk again.
It was when a troop of soldiers decided to take him to their city for questioning... Yet they let him keep sword...weather it was out of fear or respect has yet to be seen.
The roads of Maslona were so beautiful, so peaceful, so serene. Vaiven enjoyed riding down the main highway that connected his lands to the capitol. With his favorite horse, Maximilian, of coarse. He loved the feeling of wind rushing through his curled locks. There wouldn't be anybody traveling the roads on a day like today, especially since it was great bandit weather. Vaiven, however, was safe. No bandit would dare to attack the Duke of Maslona on his own road, especially when their lord had a bow on horseback. He brought his horse to a stop when he saw a massive figure in the distance, like a walking oak.
After observing the figure that was slowly coming closer, Vaiven decided to approach his horse slowly. As the distance between the two slimmed, it was clear that the figure was Kapre, and a large one at that. Large was an insult even. Giant was a fitting term. He stopped fifteen feet from the giant. It was obvious that someone of that size wouldn't be following a road to only Maslona unless he was going there to do something. The giant resonated strength, so maybe that something was a bad thing.
"Greetings friend!" Vaiven shouted towards the giant. "What brings you to Maslona?" He asked out of curiosity.
Herast bowed his head slightly in greeting, acknowledging the man who now stood fifteen feet from him atop a horse. He had watched calmly as the man drew closer, sure that a bandit would not be dressed so finely or riding such a steed. His eyes noted the bow, but he felt confident that should this man be some sort of well-dressed bandit that he could close the distance easily enough even with arrows flying at him.
"Work," Herast finally said, rather simply. His voice sounded like an avalanche, vibrating the air violently and resonating with one's eardrums. He raised his massive sword and placed it against the ground, a hand on-top of the hilt to keep it in place. A small gesture of non-violence, or so the giant intended it to be. His eyes settled on the man's own, the fact that he was on horseback not presenting a problem to eye contact for him.
Vaiven's eyes followed the mountain sword as the giant brought it down. It was unbelievable that even this hulking individual could carry such a weapon. He was impressive even though he hadn't even used it. With his size the Kapre could strike Vaiven down with only a single stride, before the horse could even react. He came to Maslona for work no less. The Duchy of Maslona was fielding a large army in a short amount of time, which must have brought in word from all over the world.
"Work, eh? Soldiers work?" Vaiven began. "Maslona has plenty of that these days. Hundreds come each week, looking for some kind of employment. Yep, the states growing alright." He glanced back up the road, then to the man again. "I work for the Duchy. In fact I personally know the Duke of Maslona. I'm sure he'd love to meet you. I know he's been trying to find a new whip. Pays good, the Duchy provides housing and living. Interested?" He paused for a moment. "By the way, I didn't catch your name?"
Herast listened dutifully, nodding when the man on horseback asked if it was soldier's work he was looking for and once more when he asked if he was interested. He looked thoughtful while listening and his eyes never strayed from the man's own, not even to blink. He tended to unsettle people when he stared unblinkingly at them, although he didn't ever intend to.
"Herast," He finally said when the man finished, bowing his head and shoulders as he stated his own name. He looked at the horseback man imploringly, silently asking his name in return.
"Herast." Vaiven repeated to himself. "My name is Vaiven, it's a pleasure to meet you." It was indeed. He had been looking for a new whip for quite some time, ever since the flux of new recruits increased so drastically. This man could intimidate anyone into following orders from their superiors, maybe even Vaiven.
"How about we continue to Maslona? There's an outpost only a mile or so up the road. I'll walk with you." He said as he got off his horse. He didn't like to ride when others had to be on foot during casual times like these. He looked up at the giant. "Let's go."
"Mhm," Herast grunted, nodding at Vaiven. He waited a brief moment before starting to walk, keeping his strides short so Vaiven needn't stretch his legs far to keep up. Not that Herast moved very fast to begin with, though. He expected the man would want to discuss something as they walked, and wondered briefly what it would be about, deciding that he would eventually find out in time.
"You can continue riding on horseback if you'd rather," He finally said, the longest sentence out of the giant's mouth in weeks. It's not like they would have trouble speaking face to face even if he was astride a horse, after all.
"I'm fine." Vaiven said as they walked. The walking continued for about an hour until they reached the outpost. He ran his mouth on the beauty of Maslona, since he loved the city so much. It probably got on Herast's nerves though. The outpost was a rather large one actually. It was called Raven's Post. It guarded the main highway and prevented bandits from roaming with regular patrols down the roads. The outpost consisted of sixty men, an inn, a supply shop, and a blacksmith. It was quaint, but fitting.
He led Herast to the inn where he ordered the most expensive items on the menu. Prime beef and tivian wine. The wine came first and Vaiven drank the glass with a few quick gulps. He looked at the wine, then to Herast.
"When you work for the Duke, every meal is fine. What we're about to eat is only five silver, cheap. I'm personally accustomed to wine imported from Ashe. It has a certain sweetness, yet dry as well." He said. Then he got back to business. "I suspect you'll get a starting salary. Does ten thousand silver a year work for you? That is after you've proven yourself, of coarse." A whip to shape up the army would be well worth the pay. Besides, the treasury was in no danger of ever depleting any time soon, especially from a few thousand measly silver.
Herast listened intently as Vaiven talked about Maslona, keeping silent for the most part. He knew little about the city, so he didn't have any he could add to what Vaiven was saying. He looked at Raven's Post with not awe but respect. It might not have been the most impressive outpost he had seen in his travels over a hundred years, but it was definitely up there.
Herast felt slightly awkward as he had to crouch down a bit to fit inside the inn, and once more when he actually sat down. The chair groaned under his weight, which he was very glad held. He would pay the craftsman his respect should he ever cross him on the street.
"Of course," Herast added as Vaiven finished talking, only having taken a few sips of his own wine. He wasn't much of a drinker now-a-days, but he felt it rude to not drink any at all when his companion was already doing so with gusto. It was an odd change of pace given the travel food he had been eating for a large portion of his existence. Which was really whatever he could scrounge up on the road.