Phinnae/PhinnaeInDepth

Did you ever wonder how Phinnae defeated the Kraken?

Did you ever wonder what fu Phinnae used on those four pirates???

Did you ever wonder what feats Phinnae achieved to be named the Western Juggernaut????

Read on for more answers to these and other questions when we explore the inner workings of the awesome being that is .... PHINNAE!!!!

Delpninus "Phinnae" Hydra

Phinnae is the eldest of 5 children ( 2xbrothers, 2xsisters ). Her Father is an excellent fisherman and member of the Council of Elders. Her mother is a medicine Shameness. Both important members of the tribe on the island of Tolinya.

The tribe has an everyday philosophy of family and survival. They are very communal ( raising children, cooking, building ). Belief and worship of the Sun and Water Gods ( Serentus and Aquavarta ) shape their lives. Daily rituals for good and bountiful fishing, cultivation and safety for the community. Phinnae's days are filled with caring for her siblings, sparring with her brother's as they train to be warriors, cooking, farming and caring for the home. The Tolinyans are essentially a peaceful tribe. Over the past 30 years they have had mild disruptions from traders. Skirmishes over land, religion and trade routes with neighbouring islands. Mostly they have experienced bountiful and peaceful times where they have been able to perfect fishing and farming techniques and discover new medicinal treatments.

As a child Phinnae’s father would take her out onto the seas to fish. Showing her the vast expanses of the ocean and even allowing her to go trading. The trips became more and more infrequent as Phinnae’s siblings arrived and she was needed at home.

As Phinnae grew up her parents were often absent due to their commitments to the tribe. Leaving her to care for the younger children. This is common among tribe members as they are all considered family and would band together to help Phinnae. Phinnae loves her family and tribe and is committed to helping as required, but longs to explore the world. She delights in new discoveries. Whenever time permits she heads to the beach to explore the ocean or scale the nearby mountains. She often finds herself gazing at the sky, watching as the gulls float high above, soaring with apparent freedom. Her passion for the outside world is fuelled by stories from distant traders of bustling cities, mysterious strangers and large flying machines. At times she may sabotage her cooking ( ie. Too much spice or salt ), feign illness or manipulate others in attempts to get extra time exploring. She believes that the tribe would benefit from exploring beyond their borders, making friends and gaining knowledge.

In the year of the Ralnim*, Phinnae's world comes crashing down. Tolinya and its surrounding islands experience more frequent attacks by pirates. They kidnap people and ransack villages. Sometimes burning whole towns to the ground. They seem to be looking for something. None of the villagers can tell them what they needed to know. By Phinnae's 18th birthday the Tolinyan people had fared better than most. Repelling some of the small invasions, with their well trained warriors, hiding in deep caverns and superior knowledge of the terrain. But suffer defeat they did. The pirates, more heavily armed, with better weapons and training, and in greater numbers launched a brutal attack on Tolinya. Phinnae's village suffered greatly. They came in the night. Ripped them from their beds and lined them up in the centre of the village. Talking with foreign words and gesturing around.

The tribal Warriors were the first to die. Used as leverage against the elders. With no comprehension of what they needed, no information was forth coming. That night is a blur. She remembers the screams of pain and terror. The smell of burning homes. The smell of burning flesh. Phinnae managed to gather a small group of children together and escaped into the bush. They huddled in pain and fear under the leaves of the giant Kooliac plant. The sound of distant cries and rustling of scrub nearby meant the night was long and unrestful.

Somewhere towards the dawn of day, the exhausted group had drifted into fitful slumber. This would see their flight from the pirates come to an end. From out of the twilight came the resounding echo of an explosion ripping the group from their nightmares and plunging them into panic. The young of the group woke with screams, quickly smothered by the older children, but the damage could not be undone.

From the distance wild dogs barked and tore through the underbrush searching for their prey. Sent by their masters on a mission of search and destroy. The children scattered away from Phinnae and suddenly they were upon them.

Dogs barking.

Men shouting.

Children screaming.

Suddenly she's grabbed, as a hand shoots out of the bush. She rounds on her attacker, screaming, kicking, punching and biting. She dislodges him only to have another push her to the ground. His mistake.

She lifts both legs in the air and rams them into his groin. A strangled whine escapes his contorted mouth and Phinnae is off. Free, she runs towards the safety of the mountains. Suddenly something "whooshes" through the air and wraps around her body tightly. She tumbles forward and into the clutches of the brutal brigands. Struggle as she may, she is bound and taken back to the village.

There she sees the devastation. The smoldering ruins of her home. She sees the bodies of her friends and family, left where they fell. Death permeates the air. Her world is shattered, but in an instant her heart and spirit splinters to oblivion. There, on the pathway lies the battered body of her eldest brother. Blood, congealed at his mouth and ears after repeated blows. His head turned at an angle. His open empty eyes staring back. Phinnae’s stomach churns. She turns away. How could this have happened? Around her, men, women and children are shackled together, herded down to the foreshore and loaded into two large boats. Everyone is silent. Numb to the nights tragedies, fearing the day to come. As they round the headland her eyes widen as she sees the largest ships she has ever seen.

Two giant floating monsters made of wood, with silver barrels pointing out along the sides of their bellies. Giant white sails unfurling in the heavy wind. People milling about on top. Her boat breaks for the furthest one. There is a flurry of activity behind her and someone’s hand from behind rushes forward to guide her eyes up . High above the water on a rope, roughly being lifted over the balustrade and onto the decking. Her breathe catches in her chest as she fights the urge to call out. They board the ship and are sequestered beneath the decks.

Trapped beneath the decks of the Pirates ship, Phinnae lay huddled together with the remaining members of her tribe. They spoke in hushed tones, imparting the horrors that had befallen them. Trying in vain to glean the fate of their loved ones.

Phinnae learned her father was lost in the first wave of the attack, her mother they knew not of. Phinnae remembered her sister, high above on the other boat. It gave her hope. They had all lost someone and were now sailing to who knew where. Phinnae had time to observe. And time to remember.

To watch the way the pirates threw food at them.

Kicked them.

Beat them.

Treated them as if they were animals.

She remembered the way the dogs had ripped apart the children.

She remembered the execution of the warriors in the village.

And finally, she remembered the body of her brother. An image that had been burned into her eyes. Boring its way to her mind until it was the only thing that remained.

She gathered the captives together and began speaking of rebellion. Of taking back their freedom. All they needed to do was wait for nightfall and the nightly drunkeness to take hold. For what they lacked in skill, they made up for in shear force of willpower, fear, rage and numbers ( 4 to 1 ).

Comments

Good place for a character sheet here. :)

Also note her Artifacts.

Artifacts

• Snazzy Bow of Bling (aka: Boris), Moonsilver Long Powerbow.
  • • Deep, forest green in colour with ornate silver markings and edges.

Not in the comments section, you ninny-phinnae! :) nikink