Kally/SavvyCharacterBackground

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Information About Savvy's Tribe

The tribe has no problems with the Fair Folk. This was not always the case. At one stage the Fair Folk raided almost nightly, and the tribe was near-death. They prayed and prayed for an answer. Finally, a god came to listen to them. Unfortunately, it was not a powerful or shrewd god. He was tricked into making a deal with the Fair Folk and had to curse the tribe – each woman could bear only one son. But the Fair Folk could never attack the tribe while this curse was in affect. Of course, the Fair Folk just wanted to see the tribe turn their back on the god, but this did not happen. Instead, a young warrior of the tribe came up with the idea that a man should just have two wives and thus increase his chance of having a son reach adulthood and have his own sons. This was trialed and found moderate success. The main problem was that a man would choose a wife, and then another wife – based on his preferences alone. The women did not often get along, causing an unhappy household. No man wanted to come home to this. It was a crone who found the solution: bride-sisters. Two girls brought up knowing that they would share a husband. A (shoddy) form of Astrology was used to find who were more likely not to clash. So began the tradition of bride-sisters (at least, according to the storied Savvy heard)

Bride-sisters. Each girl has a ‘sister’ – not blood relative but a girl they are bonded with from birth. When a man chooses one, he also chooses the other. Sisters are chosen by birth times. Each birth time and date is recorded, as well as weather and location. At the end of the year each birth is mapped out and the sisters are ‘discovered’. It is very rare to not have a bride-sister at all. Losing one through death before marriage is more common. Bride sisters are considered closer then blood sisters – they are destined. Bride-sisters are very rarely half-sisters too. If they are, they are considered especially blessed, as is any man who marries the pair.

Both wives are considered mother to all children of the marriage, so there is little to no distinction of half and full blood siblings.

Society is patriarchal. Men own property, and their wives. It is considered bad form to damage or destroy your own property. Systemically damaged property (including wives) is considered not to be valued by the owner, and therefore it is no injury to the owner if taken. So men who beat animals or their wives find they do not own them for long.

Bride-stealing is a time honored tradition. Each girl learns how defend herself (to a degree) to stop herself being stolen – if she wants to. Since it is impractical to steal two girls/women, usually only one is taken (usually from her father, or sometimes the current husband). The other bride-sister will move of her own accord into the tent. If the bride-sister does not move, it shows that the ‘stealing’ was not necessarily one of choice (or, at least, not the choice of both sisters), and it doesn’t normally take long before either of the sisters is taken again – usually the lone sister as she is an easier target. At that point, a choice must be made. A sistership can be broken, though it is rare and requires the chief’s permission and a full day/night ritual with a crone.

Crones are always without a bride-sister. They may be one of the rare to be born this way (and nearly all girls who are born without a bride-sister becomes a crone), their bride-sister may have died, or they may have gone through the ceremony themselves. Many women who go through the ceremony do it as an alternative to a husband they could not abide. While bride-stealing does occur, virginity is prized in a wife. So it is a fairly rare occurrence. For both bride-sisters to go through the ritual so they may marry different men is extremely rare. When it does occur, it is usually due to the kind of love that great songs are made about – and songs are made for these occurrences. Of course, it rarely works out well. Bride-sisterships have also been broken over one loving the husband more than the other – or both truly loving their husband. The marriages tend to work best when the sisters are closer to each other than their husband. Since most marriages are arranged (whether the ritual of ‘stealing’ is followed or not), and most sisters have known each other and sometimes even lived together for some of their lives, it tends to work out.

Hair style has great meaning in the culture. Children, of both genders, have uncut hair. At the completion of trials, boys cut their hair and are declared men. This usually happens at around 14 years old. Once married, their head becomes shaved. Men usually marry at around 20 years old. This is because it takes several years of raiding before a man has enough strength to take wives, and enough goods to keep both of them.

A girl’s hair is braided at the beginning of her womanhood. This is when either of the bride-sisters begins to menstruate. Once the sisters are married, they cut their hair. Crones wear their hair long to show that they are as forbidden to men as a child.

A man cannot marry more than a pair of bride-sisters. If he marries a lone sister, or one his brides dies, he cannot then marry another lone sister or bride-sisters. Only once he is truly widowed can he re-marry.

If a bride dies all her belongings are still her husbands, so there is no disposal of property. If the husband dies, most of his property goes to his nearest male relative. His wife/wives get a quarter of the property (between them). This is their new dowry. Any children older than 8 go to the husband’s nearest male relative to care for. If there are any children younger than that, the husband’s nearest male relative is expected to help in the care of them. Quite often, if he is unmarried, he will just marry the widow/widows. Otherwise the separation of obligations of the male relatives (nearest to husband the widow/widows) can become very complicated – and sometimes end up in neglect on one or both sides. Any crone may take this matter to the chief and he in turn will enforce the care. If it is found that the chief has not done this as he should, he is then obligated to care for the widow/widows – or risk the wrath of all the crones. Neglect at any stage of this process is rare, but does occur. The crones can demand that all women reject their husbands until the matter is resolved. Once this step has been taken, matters are resolved very quickly.

(An initial dowry is usually fairly modest.)

The people follow the hundred gods tradition. They worship many local deities.

The tribe believes in an old legend that says that Ahlat once gifted all the cattle of Creation to the tribe – if the tribe was strong enough to take it. So every raid is dedicated to Ahlat.

Savvy's Early Life

Savannah and Nayeli were found to be blood sisters less than a year after their birth. Savannah was daughter of the chief. Both her mothers were still alive, and Savannah was the first girl, and first born from her mothers. Both her brothers were much older as they had been from the chief’s previous marriage.

Nayeli’s father was just another raider. He died before Savannah and Nayeli were declared bride-sisters. Nayeli’s mother had lost her bride-sister many years ago. Nayeli’s mother did get her quarter-dowry, but she wasn’t seen as good re-marriageable material. It would be a long time before Nayeli’s father’s relatives would take Naylei and Nayeli’s mother did not have enough attractive features to overcome this disadvantage – her dowry was similar to most as-yet unwed women, and she was quite a bit older. Most importantly she also had a 6 yr old son – and therefore could give no other man a son.

Nayeli and Savannah spent a lot of time together. It wasn’t long before Savannah had more younger siblings, so they tended to spend time with Nayeli’s mother (Johana). By this time Johana’s son had been taken by the father’s family, so she enjoyed the company of the two girls. Johana survived mostly on her dowry, and she worked hard not to be a burden on her brother (nearest male relative). Savannah was fascinated by Johana because she was so different from Savannah’s mothers. The chief doted on Savannah, and because she would often spend up to weeks with Johana, he would often give Johana goods to help out. He also appreciated how it showed Savannah a different perspective than her own privileged life.

Childhood was a very happy time for Savannah, and she was oblivious to being watched by the men of the tribe. She was a very pretty girl. Nayeli was also quite beautiful. So the promise of two very beautiful bride-sister’s, combined with the likely substantial dowry that Savannah would have, was a very attractive prospect. But Savannah had learnt from Johana very well. Nayeli, on the other hand, was a very gentle, easily-led girl. Johana was terrified that Nayeli’s father’s family would take advantage to Nayeli’s connection to Savannah (since she would go to them when she was 8). She talked to the crones and the chief. It was revealed that Nayeli’s father’s father had not been giving the proper support to Johana and Nayeli. The chief punished them through a fine. He also used the lack of support as an excuse to have Nayeli move in with his wives and Savannah. This suited the girls very well, but Savannah’s mothers were not a big fan of this. They took their displeasure out initially on just Nayeli, but Savannah always stood up for Nayeli and become the target. Nayeli and Savannah spent more and more time with Johana instead until they just never came home. Savannah’s father gave all what he fined from Nayeli’s father’s family to Johana. Johana was much happier supporting herself and practically raised both the girls from when they were 8.

Savannah showed her womanly signs at 13. Johana was worried about protecting both the girls from the men. She arranged for Nayeli’s brother to teach the girls to defend themselves. It came so naturally to Savannah that she soon outstripped her teacher. Savannah practiced defense for 2 months before actually braiding her and Nayeli’s hair – declaring them both woman and ready for marriage. Nayeli and Savannah would talk about who they wanted to marry. Meanwhile Johana and Savannah made sure Nayeli was never alone. Only once did a man try to steal Savannah – Savannah crippled him. Not because the man was mean, cruel or even ugly. Savannah beat him badly so she would not have to fight again for a long time. Nayeli’s and Savannah’s brothers became their protectors. One man tried get close by pretending interest in Johana. Johana would have none of it. To protect the girls she declared herself a crone. The chief walked a very thin line. He could not openly condemn any man for following the traditions of the tribe, but he made it clear in other ways that his daughter was not ready for marriage.

Savannah’s life was very tense for the next two years. Nayeli had not yet shown her womanly signs, and Savannah knew that gentle Nayeli would need a very understanding husband. While there were strong, brave men who caught Savannah’s eye, there were none that would understand Nayeli. Nayeli was different. Nayeli was very easily confused and seemed to see and hear things that weren’t there. So Savannah watched for a man that would not break Nayeli, but would not hate Savannah for being strong. Sometimes she thought of having Nayeli declared a crone, but she did not want to lose her bride-sister. Savannah was devoted to Nayeli.

Savvy And the Slavers

The tribe was attacked not long before the Savannah turned 15. There had been raids and attacks in the past, but nothing like this. It was a massacre. All the men and women over 30 were killed. Everyone else was taken. Johana was murdered in front of both Savannah and Nayeli. Only the need to keep Nayeli safe stopped Savannah from attempting revenge. She was sure she would have been able to kill the one who held the knife, but she also knew that she would not survive it long. For Nayeli, Savannah allowed herself to be chained.

It soon became apparent that these slavers knew many things about the tribe. They separated the married and unmarried women with ease. Married women were forced to entertain the guards, while the unmarried women were kept separate and completely forbidden. They called some of the tribesmen and women by name. They spoke the language. Someone had given this information to them. Savannah felt hate deep in her heart, but she never acted on it. The shock of everything had done something to Nayeli and Savannah spent most of her time keeping Nayeli quiet to avoid any unwanted attention.

The trip took weeks, and many times they stopped and people were added and removed. Soon there was only Savannah, Nayeli and three other girls left from the tribe. At times men would come and look over them all, shaking heads or pointing to a girl who was then taken. Savannah did her best to make both herself and Nayeli as dirty as possible each time she heard the door open. She lived moment to moment, waiting with growing dread. She dreamed of escape, but Nayeli had been refusing to eat and Savannah knew that Nayeli would never survive any escape attempt.

They came to a city. On the first night a man came while they slept. He looked over them all. Savannah only awoke as they dragged her away from Nayeli and out of the caravan. She screamed, fought and bit but she was weak from the small rations and exhausted by caring for Nayeli.

Savannah was dragged to a bath then dunked and scrubbed. She watched as all the girls were dragged from the caravan and given the same treatment. They were all dressed in simple, pretty dresses. One of the men looked over them and then gave orders in a tongue Savannah did not understand. 4 of the girls, including Nayeli, were taken away. Savannah tried to fight the men as they dragged Nayeli away, but to no avail. The man watched her smiled nastily. He said something to the other men, who laughed. Savannah was dragged away by two men into a carriage. They forced a drink down her throat and she blacked out.

When Savannah awoke she was in a bedroom, tied hand and foot. It seemed forever, and only moments, before a door opened. A man entered and started to disrobe. Savannah struggled against the ropes. He said something, again in words she did not know. (later, once she had learnt high realm, she realized he had said something about his pleasure in her struggle). She struggled harder. Savannah knew what would happen. She decided she would not allow it. She had allowed too much, given in when she wanted to fight so many times, and this time she would not. As he climbed on the bed, Savannah went still. He hit her. She did not react. He ripped her clothes off and hit her again. Savannah prayed to any god that was listening, and then twisted her arm out of its socket, then used the leverage this gave her to get one of the ropes around his throat. He struggled, and then went limp. Savannah loosened her agonizing hold. He dove off the bed smiling, then cautiously moved closer, all the while saying things she couldn’t understand.

Savannah felt herself change. Her hands became claws and she ripped through the ropes with ease. Her legs became hooves, and she kicked out at the man as he tried to attack her. She was still in pain, but it was bearable. He called on water, and his element answered. They fought, water tearing at her, her claws tearing at him. Finally she bit his throat and tore it out. Blood poured over her and she was afraid. People were running and screaming throughout the house. Savannah changed again into her totem animal – a simhata. She ran.

But she did not run for long. Soon she was in sight of Tiraktou. Nayeli had to be somewhere in there, Savannah was sure of it. She lurked in sight of the city for the rest of that night. She was scared, hungry and sore. She changed back into her human form, only to realise that she was still naked. She lurked, staying away from everyone but always staying in sight of the city. The day passed frustratingly. Finally, as night fell, Savannah allowed herself to sleep for a few hours. She woke in full dark. There were very few lights from the tents outside the city walls.

Savannah snuck up to the very outer tents, listening for any sounds. She finally found an empty tent and she entered it, quickly grabbing some clothes to cover herself. She grabbed some fruit and hurried out. She heard shouting from behind her so she kept running, just glad to have clothes on her back and food in her hand. Once she felt far away enough to be safe she stopped and ate. She slept some more. She woke the next morning. She it had been 2 nights since she had last seen Nayeli. She tried not to think what had been done to Nayeli in that time, but Savannah knew that the more she hesitated, the worse Nayeli would suffer. Savannah walked back to the city, but before she could get close, she was grabbed by a sliver-tattooed man.

Savvy and the other Lunars

The man garbled at her while she fought him, but he was stronger. He tied her up and made camp. Three others came, a woman and two other men. They all were silver-tattooed. They talked, and each tried to talk to her, but there was no understanding. Finally, sounding very frustrated, one of the men yelled at the girl. The girl changed into a horse. Savannah was tied to the horse and they left. They traveled for 18 days, over the edges of the Summer Mountain Range and into the jungle.

The entire trip Savannah tried to escape. Three times she almost succeeded. First when she loosened the ropes enough so that she could fall off the horse-woman and ran – only to be soon caught. The second time was while they were camped and one of the men kept watch. Savannah had noticed this man watched her with a different look on his face. She spent several nights talking to him soothingly, in reality calling him all the vile words she knew, but he could only hear her tone. She started to cry on the 4th night and he held her. She kissed him and he kissed her back. He undid her ropes and she hit him as hard as she could before taking off. She managed to stay free for almost an hour before she was caught by a jaguar – who then changed into one of the men and dragged her back. The 3rd attempt involved grabbing a burning log from the campfire and trying to set the trees on fire, but it was a half-hearted attempt really – by this stage 11 days had passed and Savannah knew that she would never be free again.

Finally they arrived at Ashen Lion’s lair. Savannah was dumped there. She watched as they added to the first tattooed-man’s tattoos (colouring in a circle). Savannah was then drugged and also tattooed (including her armor). She was named Dances in Savannah Winds (Ayita-Savannah-Solana in her native language) So began her fostering.

Savannah learnt her lessons quickly – or was beaten harshly. Ashen Lion had little patience for Savannah’s ignorance. She spent 6 months learning what she needed, so she understands the rules of her new society (mostly) – including the debt she owed Ashen Lion. She was also inducted into Seneschals of the Sun Kings (as a level one member – all she knows is that Dragonblood are evil for overthrowing and murdering the Solars – and that she has a Solar mate that she must find). But she never forgave him the way he treated her and the lack of empathy he held for the missing Nayeli.

Ashen Lion declared the price of her debt to be the death of a Dragonblood – a particular one called Peleps Dakura. Savvy was never given an explanation why. She did not particularly care. She just wanted to fulfill her debt and so she could begin her search for Nayeli without feeling bound by Ashen Lion. Savvy left for Nexus, glad to be away from Ashen Lion.

coming soon (or eventually) ... Savvy's trip to Nexus

Link back to Savvy and Promise of Ages

Comments and Pervs

Someone had to say it... ;) nikink

Jade Wisdom waz ere ;) - Jade Wisdom was then deleted. If he is not careful he may find that happening in game too :P Kally