Elven; Common; Dwarven; Lizardman; Procyonid; Ursinoid; Draconic

Schools of Magic

Primary Universal, Alteration, Illusion.

Secondary Divination, Evocation, Enchantment, Conjuration.

Opposition Abjuration, Necromancy.

Phen's uncle is Caunwaithon IV, the king (tar) of Yaaranoore, possible the most powerful kingdom on Arvandor, by right of birth a permanent member of the Thanye Omientie (Law Council, the planetary ruling body) and currently holds the position of Caunardhon (World Ruler, an elected position, chosen from and by the members of the Thanye Omientie). Aunt is Taari (queen) Ithilwen, cousins are Haryon (prince) Saeldur (the heir apparent), Haryon Faeron, and their sister, Haryonni (princess) Siladhiel. Phen's father is Arquen (Duke) Arthonnen, mother is Arquenisse (Duchess) Elarinya, his older brother is Heruner (lord) Andaer, Phen is technically Turoner (lesser lord/baron) Arphenion. His estate is Laiqua Tumbale, but is his for lifetime use, not inheritance.

What is your full name?

Arphenion Hirnaeranin Tegalad Dramorion

Where and when were you born?

Taras Derynion (Derynion--the land of oaks--is my father's duchy) in Yaaranoore on DC7490307, a beautiful autumn day, I'm told

Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.)

My father is Arquen (Duke) Arthonnen, my mother is Arquenisse (Duchess) Elarinya; they assist my uncle to rule Yaaranoore wisely and well, a huge responsibility

Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?

My older brother is Heruner (Lord) Andaer, but to me he'll always be Andi, my best friend; we also have a much younger sister, Laisidhiel. By the time she was born, I'd already been accepted as a Hirao, so honestly I don't know her very well.

Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the people.

I am currently serving on the CDN Small Frigate Imirie with one of the finest companies in the fleet

What is your occupation?

Sailmaster and--since the death of Kano Eärfalas--second mate

To which social class do you belong?

The nobility; whilst a member of the Royal family, I'm fortunately a long, long way from the Throne!

Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?

Prone to earache

Are you right- or left-handed?

Right-handed

What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently?

All of them…

What do you have in your pocket (beltpouch)?

A gold compass and matching pocket watch--beautiful, precision instruments (my watch even has a minute hand!)--in a padded bag; my card case; my money-pouch; my wand and a pouch of spell components… (digs deeper) a pencil that wants sharpening; a sheet of foolscap, folded small; a white linen handkerchief; my tinderbox…are those sweets? Uh…a packet of candied fruit and ginger. I wonder how long they've been in there…

Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?

I drink at least half a dozen cups of coffee a day; when researching a given topic, I have a tendency to discover another, related topic which then has to be researched, then another and another…it takes enormous effort to stay on task when everything is so interesting…

How would you describe your childhood in general?

Joyous; whilst I am a child of enormous privilege--and well know it--the love we all shared is not that common at any level of society

What is your earliest memory?

I was very little, so it's more vivid impressions than a coherent recollection, but the first time I went to the seashore. I was entranced by the ocean (so much so that, I'm told, my nurse and at least two of the guardsmen were never more than a few feet away from me, to keep me from drowning). I had fallen in love with the vastness, the movement, the play and contrast of colours, the sounds. I guess I still am.

How much schooling have you had?

I was educated beside my brother and cousins by the very finest tutors and masters. My uncle believed public schools were too dangerous, both in terms of physical risk (kidnapping for ransom, assault, even murder by the vengeful and unscrupulous) and in exposure to the arrogant, greedy, superior attitudes too common amongst the nobility. Once our characters were well established we were permitted to pursue our particular goals through more specialised training. I studied magic for seven years at Taras Ingolë before becoming a Hirao

Did you enjoy school?

Very much, although becoming a Hirao was arduous at first; the first, vital lessons I had to learn were obedience and humility.

Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?

My professional skills I learnt in school and as an officer in the CDN; other things--swimming, riding, my few social graces--whilst growing up

While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them.

My father and uncle set the standard of honour and duty I strive to emulate, for everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required

While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family?

Very well, especially my older brother

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A dolphin. Seriously.

As a child, what were your favourite activities?

Doing everything my brother and cousins did (that's what comes of being a younger child; I think to this day I'm a better follower than I am a leader)

As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display?

Imaginative, a daydreamer, insatiably curious

As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like?

I'm not sure popular fits. I was surrounded by people who loved me, and whom I loved; my family and a few others nearly as close as kin.

When and with whom was your first kiss?

Erulissë Tawar, one of my Cousin Siladhiel's best friends, at the harvest cross-quarter festival, right before the start of my CDN training. She's a beautiful girl, and a very nice one; she's married now, with two children, but we're still good friends

Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?

I am not. It was my first year as a Hirao; Her name was Círtolthiel--I never learnt her surname, if she even had one--and she was unequivocally the finest harlot in Caras Kaane. Her speciality was introducing young, green, eager Hirao to the erotic arts, and she treated it as a responsibility, teaching without shame how to give and take pleasure, to relish the sensual, to master the feather-light touch as well as the bold thrust…and how to avoid disease or pregnancy. She was a remarkable, lovely woman; I remember her very fondly.

Describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today.

I was raised with a strong tradition--an expectation--of service. The combination of circumstances, affinities, and abilities made the CDN the logical place for me to serve my fellow man

What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?

My commission as a CDN officer

Who has had the most influence on you?

My father

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Getting the Arya Tâl Ompa home safe.

What is your greatest regret?

Not getting to know Laisidhiel as she was growing up. She turned 145 her last birthday, practically an adult, and we're still almost strangers; letters and anecdotes related by others are not the same. I think she feels it too. I always bring her presents, and we spend time together very happily, almost frantically, when I am home (trying to cram as much as possible into a few weeks or even days), but when I compare our relationship to the closeness I share with Andaer, Saeldur, Faeron, and Siladhiel, I feel sad.

What is the most evil thing you have ever done?

The greatest evil is not what I've done, but what I haven't done--walking past the hungry, the cold, the homeless, smug and oblivious; allowing injustice to flourish without taking a stand against it; allowing my voice to be silenced. Nukano Vanrina-Cuvanthor has her faults, but I am coming to sincerely respect and admire her determination and boldness. I've known the threats against Erden for years, albeit without specifics, and have done nothing more than murmur polite objections; she did not know, but as soon as she discovered them, did not hesitate to put her career on the line to fight against them. She is truly inspirational.

Do you have a criminal record of any kind?

No

When was the time you were the most frightened?

When the Arya Tâl Ompa got lost

What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you?

First ever assignment, the large lineship, Harnagil Tamuril…I was one of a dozen Hirao newly assigned to her. We were marching up her brow when I tripped and fell, knocking down the boy in front of me, and then we both started slipping, taking out the three behind me and one to the side. I was mortified, and my mates were furious with me. Fortunately, Kaimelar Faucheux--bless him--didn't even crack a smile (although everyone else on deck did), just marched down the brow, made sure we were on our feet and back in place, and requested permission to come aboard, easy and procedural as you please, making nothing of it…I don't even have words to express how grateful I was

If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why?

Nothing. Everything is too interconnected, and if I changed one thing, what else would change?

What is your best memory?

Worst, best…how about most vivid, with elements of both?

What is your worst memory?

I was senior Hirao on the sloop, Arya Tâl Ompa. It was supposed to be a simple courier run, Phocira to Blackhollow, but when we came out of transition, nothing felt right. To start, it had taken twenty-five minutes where five was customary, and then once we settled into flowspace, the stars were all wrong; not a single recognisable constellation. Nukano Alphege was calm, controlled, but, no question, he was deeply concerned. He ordered me to go get Shaalth Lubbert, the Sailmaster. I hurried to the chart room and saw him slumped over his desk, his face grey, his breathing…I learned later it is called a death rattle. At the time, it was the most chilling thing I'd ever heard. I ran as fast as I could for the chirurgeon, a skilful healer, but it was too late. Shaalth Lubbert lived long enough for us to realise that he'd been critically ill and in steadily increasing pain whilst he was plotting our course through the DP…not that he regained consciousness, but Ann Angwedhu Cathair could tell he had to have been. The cause of death was recorded as morbus cordis--heart disease. Shaalth Lubbert was an honourable and good-natured man; the whole ship grieved his passing, but…well, a grumble from the crew really summed it up best: if he was ailing, why didn't he have us hold station?

We all knew we were in bad trouble, but I didn't realise how bad until I was summoned to a meeting in the wardroom with every officer on board in attendance, and saw the gravity in their faces: none of them had any experience in navigation. I was just beginning my training, but I was the most qualified…a frankly terrifying thought. Nukano Alphege solemnly handed me Shaalth Lubbert's spellbook and the log and said, "Sailmaster"--Sailmaster--"do the best you can." I began studying and practising and studying some more, but before it would do any good, we had to find a recognisable star as a reference point. To involve everyone in the solution and prevent panic, Nukano Alphege divided the crew into sections, each supervised by an officer and given a copy of the ephemeris, and ordered them to search for a familiar pattern. I don't know if it was through force of personality--the Nukano was a very able commander--or because we had a well-seasoned and loyal crew, or both, but it worked. There were a few fights and break-downs--understandable under the circumstances--but no real threat of mutiny, and then, three months and twelve days after becoming lost, Quanta Navrátil, one of the Signalmen, spotted a tiny speck that proved to be big, blue, brilliant, beautiful Gilnarthan. Nothing hammered home how far we were from Known Space than the sight of the mighty Beacon reduced to the merest glimmer, but spells detecting the spectral signature unmistakably proved the identification.

After that…whilst it wasn't easy, it was, at least, familiar. I plotted a course and prayed (along with everyone else on board!). It took us a while to finesse into just the right position for insertion, but five months and three days after getting lost, we entered nullspace, and twenty-five nerve-racking minutes later popped back out into flowspace from PDP: Ph3⁶-RS2.g76.2⁴, the exact point where we'd been before getting lost. The whole ship's company cheered.

The story didn't end there though. Although we were back in Known Space, we were still far from any Dominion port. We'd already been out for ten months, it might be another four until rescue could reach us with a replacement Sailmaster, and four on top of that before we could land dirtside; we didn't have provisions for that long without going on mighty short rations. Nukano Alphege asked if I could safely get us to any Dominion harbour…and the honest answer, without hubris or bravado, was yes. Instead of the tricky PDP that would take us to Blackhollow (the one we'd gotten lost through), we could use the singular portal just five AUs away and go back to Phocira. Which is what we did (Nukano Alphege told me later that if I'd suggested using the PDP to go anywhere…we'd have held station, gone on subsistence, and waited for rescue. By suggesting the course I did, I proved to him I was not overestimating my abilities.)

The rest of the trip back was blessedly calm. We landed on Phocira three months and fifteen days later (met by brass bands; the Phocirans don't need much of an excuse to throw a party) and laid over until a new Sailmaster could arrive. When we returned to Arvandor I was awarded my commission, and the Elenath Oioantha Medal for Meritorious and Distinguished Service.

Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?

Realistic

What is your greatest fear?

To be measured against the standards of valour, honour, and achievement, upheld by the Dramorions for generations, and be found wanting

What are your religious views?

Devout, worshipful; my walk of faith is a major part of who I am

What is your political ideology?

I support rights of life, liberty, opportunity, and property ownership for all people, not just those that benefit from hereditary privilege; I support a free press and oppose censorship; I believe that everyone should be equal before the law

What are your views on sex?

Currently undergoing some re-evaluation since landing on Erden

Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?

Self-defence; to protect the innocent, especially children; to destroy evil, but I could not act as both judge and executioner without absolutely compelling evidence and urgency

In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?

Several crimes come to mind…I'm not sure what the absolute worst is. Genocide or mass murder

Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?

True love, yes, indeed; soul mates, meaning people destined to be together, no; soul mates, meaning a lover or friend with whom one is attuned on many levels, yes

What do you believe makes a successful life?

Leaving the worlds better than they would have been had you not been born, to the fullest extent of the talents and advantages you've been given

How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e., do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)?

Always honest, but sometimes not forthcoming; I don't usually volunteer information about myself

Do you have any biases or prejudices?

I hope not; I try to guard against any such

Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it?

Murder, betrayal, rape, intentional wanton cruelty all violate every principle of honour I value above life itself

Who or what, if anything, would you die (or otherwise go to extremes) for?

My family, my country, my world, the CDN and all the people it protects, or in other words, for love, for duty, and for justice

In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how?

Everyone politely, but I'm more open and relaxed with those few I know and love

Who is the most important person in your life, and why?

I have several people who are of enormous importance to me, not just one

Who is the person you respect the most, and why?

I deeply respect several people, all for different reasons

Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people.

I'm closest to my family and the people I grew up with, then several people I went to school or served with--Melcindómien Ondo and Decebal Aemilius are like brothers. On the Imirie, my best friend is Gruffydd Heddwyn

Do you have a spouse or significant other? If so, describe this person.

I have a melethril, an alluring, strong, intelligent girl

Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.

I've loved many times, but I don't think I've ever been in love, not the "forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live" kind anyway

What do you look for in a potential lover?

First, knowing that I am what she is looking for in a lover; second, compatible personalities (I despise fighting and dramatics, all angst and alt); and third, a great ass

How close are you to your family?

Exceptionally close

Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not?

I have not, but I do want a family of my own someday

Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?

Depends on the circumstances: on the Imirie, Gruffy; back home (or in a situation where political power was key) my father or my uncle

Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?

Many people, starting with my family

If you died or went missing, who would miss you?

Mostly my family, I think

Who is the person you despise the most, and why?

Right now, E. Maanaekko Kemie, the wholly corrupt and vicious director of ICLEC; that might change if I can put name to anyone worse…the Ysethi Exalted might qualify

Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?

I'll stand up for myself (or try to) but if push comes to shove, I'll avoid conflict

Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?

Not unless I have to

Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?

I can interact with large groups, but my preference is for few enough to gather around a single table

Do you care what others think of you?

Yes

What is/are your favourite hobbies and pastimes?

Writing poetry, listening to music, discussing philosophy, reading, swimming

What is your most treasured possession?

Probably my watch and compass, although my signet ring, a gift from my father when I turned 100, is quite close

What is your favourite colour?

All of them, depending on my mood; who can choose between the ultramarine and seafoam of the ocean, the purples, orange-pinks, and golds of a sunset sky, the deep, cool greens of a summer forest glade…the worlds are made beautiful by their rich and varied palettes

What is your favourite food?

Coffee…is coffee a food? Otherwise, fruit, eggs, and dairy products. And pie, because PIE.

What, if anything, do you like to read?

Everything…I'm a rather voracious and omnivorous reader

What is your idea of good entertainment?

In no particular order, reading, writing, listening to music, attending a play, talking with friends, stargazing, riding…actually, under the right circumstances, there are very few things I don't find entertaining

Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit?

I drink and smoke pipeweed occasionally, because they are enjoyable. I feel no need to quit or moderate my consumption

How do you spend a typical night without work the following day?

That only happens when we're in port. On those rare occasions I look first for a musical performance, then for a theatrical one, and lastly for a convivial public house with good food and drink in the company of friends

What makes you laugh?

Witticisms and wordplay; the absurdities of life

What, if anything, shocks or offends you?

Cruelty and dishonour

What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself?

Read, write, or go weatherdeck and look at the stars

How do you deal with stress?

Annoyances I talk out with a good friend over a drink; in more serious, situational matters, I try to stay focussed and balanced, and I pray, which always makes me more hopeful and relaxed

Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?

I prefer to have a plan, but I can act spontaneously

What are your pet peeves?

Hypocrisy, snobbery, and self-aggrandisement

Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?

I am OOW for Arinya; that means I'm in charge during Minëtir (0600 - 1000) and Cantatir (1800 - 2200) but I work from 0600 to 1400, the first half on watch, the second half on other duties (Attatir, from 1000 to 1400, is when I take care of my navigational duties). When that routine is disrupted it usually means the ship is in danger (from storm or attacker) and it's "all hands to weatherdecks" or "general quarters". How I feel depends on the cause and severity of the disruption.

What is your greatest strength as a person?

My intelligence

What is your greatest weakness?

My lack of leadership ability

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I'd like to have the personal magnetism, the presence, that conveys authority without having to say a word, that inspires trust and confidence, that makes people listen

Are you generally introverted or extroverted?

Somewhat introverted

Are you generally organized or messy?

I don't think those words are opposites. My spaces tend to be cluttered, but I almost always know where everything is

Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.

Good: navigation; analysing a situation; writing poetry. Bad: this is going to sound horribly vain, but I'm not "very bad" at anything; there are many things I've never done that I'm sure I'd do poorly, at least until I learned, but anything I must do, I work at until I can do adequately

Do you like yourself?

Overall, yes, although I have many faults I need to mend

What are your reasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons…)

I'm not an adventurer, I'm a CDN officer

What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?

I want to be a force for good

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

As a Sailmaster, either on a CDN ship or a private merchant vessel

If you could choose, how would you want to die?

In the fullness of years, with my family gathered around me, secure in the knowledge that I leave no responsibility unmet, that whilst out of affection I might be missed, I have served my watch with honour and distinction, and no one will need me after I'm gone

If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.

Write to my family, make love to one special girl, and pass along my grimoire with the particular navigation spells needed to get the Imirie home safely--I don't think anyone else on board can cast them

What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?

"He always behaved with honour and valour"

What three words best describe your personality?

Compassionate, intellectual, curious

What three words would others probably use to describe you?

???