Characters
Welcome back, my loyal readers, to another installment of my NaNoWriMo project. As November draws ever closer, it is time to give the players in this little story names, as well as complete the setting on the social and political scenes. All the descriptions and all the plot in the world will mean nothing with characters, after all. So, without further ado, the tope five families of the city of Utawara.
The first family on our list is the Daiki family. An ancient family, the Daiki are the most respected of any of the noble families with a long family record of well known historical figures for the city. Although the oldest house, it is not the wealthiest, or even the most politicly active. Staunchly traditional, the family believes in investing heavily in their impressive landholdings and the farmers there. They have recently invested in advancements in agriculture, but little else. The family is almost uniformly stoic and humble, though not without a sense of humor and ideal that life should be enjoyed. The family supports the ruling family completely, making the pair a deadly combination to deal with. Daiki is known to have a strong, honorable army, as well as a humble demeanor. One of Dryda's sisters has married into this house and the head of the house serves Kesiru as an uncle figure and advisor during the blooming season.
Head of House: Rais
Wife: Fayola
Daughters: Sherise Sons: Onan, Seibei
The second family, the Imari, is the current ruling family, and has been for five generations. They are well known as being rather iron fisted, though not totalitarian. The nation has prospered under their rule, although their army is still called in from time to time. Politically they have largely kept their hands clean with very few dirty deals and scandels. There are grumblings concerning the rate of marriage into the Daiki family (if it were to continue, the families would become one) but nothing serious. The Imari are known as strong warriors and many of the fighting styles in studied and performed today are based on their early teachings. Their family dojo is still in the academic district of the city, preserved only for the family, or for specially invited guests. Their rule is unlikely to end soon, since the family is not only in strong shape politically, but financially as well. The current Emporer, however, has a strong love of woman and the finances of the family are taking a bit of a hit after his purchase of expensive concubines--and then the jewelry and fine clothes to keep his wife content after he buys another concubine. His eldest son, the crowned prince, has taken up this enjoyment of women as well, though it's rumored he is a little smarter about when to invest in a woman. Still, the two young brothers agree that if they can not find suitable marriages for their sisters, they will have to either marry for money themselves, or control their brother's spending.
Head of house: Ruikimn (emporer)
wife: Liull (queen)
Daughters: Cayli, Masumi Sons: Denesh, Goro, Kesiru
The third family, Keru, is only grudingly accepted by the others as a top family. The Kerus are the youngest family to join the ranks of the nobles but they began as a merchant family. The head of house was able to purchase their title as nobles by selling the emporer one of his favorite concubines. THey are, by far, the wealthiest of the families and could easily set themselves up as bankers if any other family could be seen publicly with them without lowering themselves in the eyes of the other families. They are seeking to change that reputation and be seen as a true house, preferably through marriages and political deals. They are known as a very flamboyant house which does not mind showing off their wealth by dressing their daughters in silks and jewels and purchasing their sons fine horses and weapons. Their parties are elaborate and expensive and it is for that reason alone they are so popularly attended. It is at a Keru party that Dryda and Kesiru meet, and Kesiru's expected fiance is the eldest daughter of the Keru house. Although it is kept secert, the house of the house of Keru and Dryda's mother are having an affair. If this information is revealed, it would be damaging to both houses, but worse for Dryda's house.
Head of house: Onslou
Wife: Michiko
Daughters: Misaki, Sarika, Alaqua Sons: Batu
The fourth family is the Seiko family. It is nearly as old as the Daiki family, though with a less elustrious history. Founded by a monk who was obsessed with the search for history, the family usually resides in the comfort of their luxurious home in the high mountains, surrounded by books and aritfacts. The love of learning and study has passed down through the generations. Of course the family has also had its fair share of warriors, but even they have retired early for life of quiet contemplation of philosophy. The investment in history is not made unwisely, however, and their knowledge and continued collection of artifacts and research have made them comfortably wealthy. Politiclly they are seen as valuable confidents and bookkeepers, but are not particularly good lobbyists. Allying with the house shows many good things, but is not a sign of rapid political advancement. Currently the house is facing some drop in regard due to the head of the house's wife's flamboyant affairs and tastes. She came from a minor noble house and was ill suited for the quiet lifestyle of the Seiko family. The house is currently trying to pull attention away from her and highlighting instead the four legitimate children. The eldest daughter has married into the Daiki family, the eldest son and heir to the house has married into a minor noble house, the second daughter has married into a wealthy merchant family, and the youngest son is not yet married.
Head of House: Zakiya
Wife: Kalonice
Daughters: Alima, Ramira, Dryda Sons: Samuru, Paven
The fifth and final family of the big five is the Tetsu family. Once the ruling family, the Tetsu house was brought down by the bloody war for the throne five generations ago. After the war the Imari showed mercy by banishing the remaining members to an isolated island, hoping they would simply disappear and would not be a bother. Instead the Tetsu family took advantage of their dire situation and began exploring the idea of ships and sailing. They are now widely regarded as the finest shipbuilders, fishermen, and sailors and their family has continued to survive, though remains small and with few strong political connections. They are given respect, in accordance with their former standing and it is not longer politically questionable to be seen with a member of the house, or to use their ships as it once was. The Tetsu are greeted always more warmly than the Keru. Recently the head of the house died, passing the responsibility to his only son. The son is considered to be a little touched in the head and there are rumors that he is plotting a take over to restore his family to the throne. The truth is that he does desire revenge, but does not wish for the throne. He simply wants to see the fall of the Imari family in scandel and corruption. His sister, however, does not agree with this course of action.
Head of House: Shyam
Wife: none
Daughters: Asu (sister of HoH)
There are many other minor noble families, but none important enough to be given the credit that these five are given. All of these families have mansions in the Imperial district and all will be present for the blooming season. The names were chosen or amalgameted from many cultures so that a name as obviously Western as Dryda does not stand out nearly so much. Any suggestions for name changes will be welcomed, though not necessarily followed.
That's all for now. Unless I get inspired by something else, the next entry on NaNoWriMo should be exerpts of the novel.
The first family on our list is the Daiki family. An ancient family, the Daiki are the most respected of any of the noble families with a long family record of well known historical figures for the city. Although the oldest house, it is not the wealthiest, or even the most politicly active. Staunchly traditional, the family believes in investing heavily in their impressive landholdings and the farmers there. They have recently invested in advancements in agriculture, but little else. The family is almost uniformly stoic and humble, though not without a sense of humor and ideal that life should be enjoyed. The family supports the ruling family completely, making the pair a deadly combination to deal with. Daiki is known to have a strong, honorable army, as well as a humble demeanor. One of Dryda's sisters has married into this house and the head of the house serves Kesiru as an uncle figure and advisor during the blooming season.
Head of House: Rais
Wife: Fayola
Daughters: Sherise Sons: Onan, Seibei
The second family, the Imari, is the current ruling family, and has been for five generations. They are well known as being rather iron fisted, though not totalitarian. The nation has prospered under their rule, although their army is still called in from time to time. Politically they have largely kept their hands clean with very few dirty deals and scandels. There are grumblings concerning the rate of marriage into the Daiki family (if it were to continue, the families would become one) but nothing serious. The Imari are known as strong warriors and many of the fighting styles in studied and performed today are based on their early teachings. Their family dojo is still in the academic district of the city, preserved only for the family, or for specially invited guests. Their rule is unlikely to end soon, since the family is not only in strong shape politically, but financially as well. The current Emporer, however, has a strong love of woman and the finances of the family are taking a bit of a hit after his purchase of expensive concubines--and then the jewelry and fine clothes to keep his wife content after he buys another concubine. His eldest son, the crowned prince, has taken up this enjoyment of women as well, though it's rumored he is a little smarter about when to invest in a woman. Still, the two young brothers agree that if they can not find suitable marriages for their sisters, they will have to either marry for money themselves, or control their brother's spending.
Head of house: Ruikimn (emporer)
wife: Liull (queen)
Daughters: Cayli, Masumi Sons: Denesh, Goro, Kesiru
The third family, Keru, is only grudingly accepted by the others as a top family. The Kerus are the youngest family to join the ranks of the nobles but they began as a merchant family. The head of house was able to purchase their title as nobles by selling the emporer one of his favorite concubines. THey are, by far, the wealthiest of the families and could easily set themselves up as bankers if any other family could be seen publicly with them without lowering themselves in the eyes of the other families. They are seeking to change that reputation and be seen as a true house, preferably through marriages and political deals. They are known as a very flamboyant house which does not mind showing off their wealth by dressing their daughters in silks and jewels and purchasing their sons fine horses and weapons. Their parties are elaborate and expensive and it is for that reason alone they are so popularly attended. It is at a Keru party that Dryda and Kesiru meet, and Kesiru's expected fiance is the eldest daughter of the Keru house. Although it is kept secert, the house of the house of Keru and Dryda's mother are having an affair. If this information is revealed, it would be damaging to both houses, but worse for Dryda's house.
Head of house: Onslou
Wife: Michiko
Daughters: Misaki, Sarika, Alaqua Sons: Batu
The fourth family is the Seiko family. It is nearly as old as the Daiki family, though with a less elustrious history. Founded by a monk who was obsessed with the search for history, the family usually resides in the comfort of their luxurious home in the high mountains, surrounded by books and aritfacts. The love of learning and study has passed down through the generations. Of course the family has also had its fair share of warriors, but even they have retired early for life of quiet contemplation of philosophy. The investment in history is not made unwisely, however, and their knowledge and continued collection of artifacts and research have made them comfortably wealthy. Politiclly they are seen as valuable confidents and bookkeepers, but are not particularly good lobbyists. Allying with the house shows many good things, but is not a sign of rapid political advancement. Currently the house is facing some drop in regard due to the head of the house's wife's flamboyant affairs and tastes. She came from a minor noble house and was ill suited for the quiet lifestyle of the Seiko family. The house is currently trying to pull attention away from her and highlighting instead the four legitimate children. The eldest daughter has married into the Daiki family, the eldest son and heir to the house has married into a minor noble house, the second daughter has married into a wealthy merchant family, and the youngest son is not yet married.
Head of House: Zakiya
Wife: Kalonice
Daughters: Alima, Ramira, Dryda Sons: Samuru, Paven
The fifth and final family of the big five is the Tetsu family. Once the ruling family, the Tetsu house was brought down by the bloody war for the throne five generations ago. After the war the Imari showed mercy by banishing the remaining members to an isolated island, hoping they would simply disappear and would not be a bother. Instead the Tetsu family took advantage of their dire situation and began exploring the idea of ships and sailing. They are now widely regarded as the finest shipbuilders, fishermen, and sailors and their family has continued to survive, though remains small and with few strong political connections. They are given respect, in accordance with their former standing and it is not longer politically questionable to be seen with a member of the house, or to use their ships as it once was. The Tetsu are greeted always more warmly than the Keru. Recently the head of the house died, passing the responsibility to his only son. The son is considered to be a little touched in the head and there are rumors that he is plotting a take over to restore his family to the throne. The truth is that he does desire revenge, but does not wish for the throne. He simply wants to see the fall of the Imari family in scandel and corruption. His sister, however, does not agree with this course of action.
Head of House: Shyam
Wife: none
Daughters: Asu (sister of HoH)
There are many other minor noble families, but none important enough to be given the credit that these five are given. All of these families have mansions in the Imperial district and all will be present for the blooming season. The names were chosen or amalgameted from many cultures so that a name as obviously Western as Dryda does not stand out nearly so much. Any suggestions for name changes will be welcomed, though not necessarily followed.
That's all for now. Unless I get inspired by something else, the next entry on NaNoWriMo should be exerpts of the novel.