Akin

the nemesis

[yocalio]

[akintheboarman]

The Celebrations of the Festival || Iona & Akin

[ionablackthorn-deactivated20140]

Iona was not excited about festivals teeming with creatures; there were too many things going on, too much to look at, smell, hear. She found the events overwhelming, though beautiful. Years ago, she had loved Cern’s celebrations much more. The Greeting of Spring had been a time for drinking and love and carefree nights spent around a bonfire that stretched arms of smoke up into Asena’s night. 

For the beginning of the Greeting of Spring, Iona had celebrated alone, lying next to Cern’s shrine on the first night under the protection of the veiled God. His shrine had become overgrown and crumbled forlornly in the moonlight; she did her best to pull weeds from its facade and clear fallen trees from the area. When she had finished it looked no better, the cracks in the stone more obvious than before. On the nights following, she brought him tribute of flowers and wild berries, arranging them in the most artful way possible, which ended up making the shrine look even more sorrowful. Her fine artistic skills were absolutely childish compared to the fauns’. 

Finally, Iona knew she must make an appearance in the Hidden Grove as the celebration wore on. The skinwalkers set out as dusk was setting, crossing into the faun’s territory as the moon rose high and the sky bloomed stars. On this particular year, the fauns had outdone themselves. The Hidden Grove sparkled with life and laughter in tribute to the dying God. There was more ale, song, and dance than Iona remembered but she had gone to no festivals the previous year. 

The skinwalkers dissipated and she found herself alone on the fringe of the festival. Beautiful fauns dripping in silks came up to her, offering woven crowns of roses that she accepted in lieu of being rude. When Iona proved less than talkative, they slipped away. She refused all ale; she wasn’t interested in her judgment being clouded. A vast grouping of Godly creatures was a perfect time for poor circumstances to fall considering the new command in Braemer. 

Late into the night, she saw Akin among the crowd. His tall, muscular frame and array of tattoos distinguished him quickly from the other men, the claw mark scars he wore proudly distinguishing him from the rest of the boarmen. He quickly recognized her and came to her side; relieved for his company, she relaxed back against a tree, pulling her pelt more tightly around her shoulders to ward off the chill night. “Cern deserves his tribute. Let them have their fun while they can.” Those celebrating seemed so young in mind. Time would bring wisdom and heartbreak.  

[akintheboarman]

"He does," Akin agreed, though he did so more for the sake of agreeing with Iona than because he felt the same. He respected Cern as he did all of the gods, but he felt time was being wasted making flower crowns and dancing. If the fauns wanted Cern's power restored, they'd have to take it back forcibly from the humans who'd dishonored him.

There was a change in the village that was not going unnoticed amongst the creatures. Fewer and fewer humans came to pay tribute. Rumors of heresy spread throughout Braemar and all of the far reaches of the forest, river, mountains, and quarry. While the gods patiently waited to enact their retribution, their children were growing restless. Akin himself was growing more annoyed with the lack of respect shown to his God with the humans tearing into the quarry feverishly for more than they needed.

"Sometimes, I think that perhaps Rhor was the lucky one. He doesn't have to see the continued degradation of our way of life." They'd been born and lived through a Golden Age, where everyone got along peacefully and the gods were strong and feared. He knew Iona was too young to remember a life so vastly different than the current changing tides, but Akin remembered. He remembered when Cern would grace the godly creatures at the festival, no veil over his face. 

Taking another drink of ale, Akin turned away from the festivities. Now, even the most honorable creatures of all were turned against each other. It was one thing for the humans to be weak and dishonorable, but another boarman? The times truly were trying. 

[akintheboarman]

Through the Forest || Akin & Sage

[sage-fowler]

The smug look on his face only makes her curious, leading her to wonder what prompts such a smirk. Surely it must have something to do with what she said but there is no fault in her words, no logic to be twisted for his own amusement. A subtle glance at her own simple gown reveals no flaws or secret stitching coming undone, nothing for him to find so entirely amusing as to create such a look. Her arm goes to cross over her body, gently grasping the handle of the basket to keep it close to her side. Even though he seems to mean her no harm, she does not entirely trust him and that smile of his. 

His words cause a choked gasp to leave her lips and she quickly takes a step backward, eyes going wide. Did he surely intend to kill her? He was nearly twice her size, no doubt able to harm her simply by lifting her up and dropping her, yet she could not discern his intentions through the gleam in his eyes. Why had she left her dagger at home? It was a small thing, mostly used for cutting bread, but it would have given her some protection. How foolish she was, to think such a place would be safe. 

"If you kill me, you won’t get to find out. I’ll toss it in the river and you won’t get it." 

[akintheboarman]

"Don't worry, girl. I have no intentions of harming you," Akin replied, his eyes shining in amusement. He enjoyed playing with weaker creatures, sure, but killing wasn't fun if it was easy. Nor was it honorable. 

He let his hand fall from his hatchet as his eyes gazed again to her basket. He was curious. What could she have to offer to the creatures of Braemar besides flowers? What made her think her gifts would be well-received? The fauns liked all things that were pretty, but they were the least of the creatures she should fear.

"You should leave your offerings and return to your village. There are scarier things in this forest than me. Bears, wolves, wild cats. Skinwalkers. Boarmen." His smirk returned to his face at the last word. Had she even thought of his kind as she trekked through the woods? No - humans rarely did unless they were stuck in the mines. Then they cried out for Varahk's sons, pleading for their help. 

His eyes glanced up to the hillside, knowing his clan was on the other side. Perhaps they were watching this interaction, far less amused than he was. Interacting with the humans wasn't forbidden, but it was frowned upon. The more mystery there was surrounding the gods and their famed creatures, the more likely the humans were to keep their faith.

[akintheboarman]

[makebeliever]

[akintheboarman]

Through the Forest || Akin & Sage

[sage-fowler]

"I didn’t hope to find any, if I’m lucky. I only wish for them to leave me alone if they’re not very friendly, but I haven’t really seen any." In truth, she only remembered little of the fauns and mermaids and didn’t know how to find skinwalkers- those remained a myth to even the bravest of men. She’d be lucky if she so much as saw anything that wasn’t human, though it would be easier than way. "Anything but the mermaids. Though I’m sure they’re sweet sometimes, I’d rather not risk drowning today." She looks a bit sheepish at that, wishing there was a better way to phrase it. 

His words make her pause and she stares at him, feeling her cheeks turn red. “I..oh. I suppose I deserved that.” Sage winces, trying to summon what courage she has, and draws herself up to appear as tall as she can and as in control as possible. “Well now you have to tell me. I was kind enough to give you information, I’d like to return the favor.” 

[akintheboarman]

Akin had to admit, he was amused. There she was, hoping not to find any of the godly creatures of Braemer, yet she stood in front of one presently. The woman had no idea what he was. There was a part of him that wanted to tell her just to see the look on her face, but he knew better.

Of course, she focused on the mermaids - mermaids were dangerous to humans, sure, but only if you got too close to the water. Sometimes they'd come onto land for the purpose of seducing a human, but the immense pain it caused them made it a rare occurrence. No, the creatures she should fear were the boarmen like himself or the skinwalkers. Easily hid among her people and capable of striking at any time - they should be the ones most feared amongst the villagers, especially with the spread of heresy.

"Hunting," Akin replied airily, motioning to the woods around them. "I am hunting. Perhaps my prey has actually found me this time?"

His fingers curled over the top of his hatchet as a smirk began to play on his lips. He meant the human girl no harm, but he did enjoy watching her squirm. "So... what is it that you're offering these creatures of yours? Flowers? What would any of them do with flowers?"

[akintheboarman]

Akin's hatchet.

[akintheboarman]

The Celebrations of the Festival || Iona & Akin

Akin didn't want to give The Greeting of Spring any more than the smallest of acknowledgements. The fauns' festivals were renowned for their parties where ale flowed and all the creatures of Braemer lost all inhibitions, dancing and feasting and fucking under the stars as a tribute to Cern. In the past, Akin looked forward to these festivals and drank his fill of ale, happy to pick out a pretty faun, mermaid, or even drunk human to take with him to properly celebrate.

But that year, he simply wasn't in a celebratory mood. Akin wanted to stick to the deep forests and give a small tribute in recognition of Cern out of respect, but even the taste of the fauns' ale and the promise of a woman wasn't enough to drive him to the heart of the Black Forest and participate. It was only a dream that changed Akin's mind. Rhor came to him, telling him that if he wanted to keep the small clan he had, he would have to do things he did not always like. And so, begrudgingly, the next morning, he led his clan to the site of the festival.

For their offering, the boarmen brought several birds for the feast - ducks, quails, and turkeys - enough to feed a large clan of boarmen (which was no small feat). Once the celebrations started, Akin mostly stayed on the fringe, only drinking a few cups of ale through the nights while he watched the fires burn.

A couple of nights into the celebrations, however, he noticed another figure standing on the fringe of the celebrations. Walking toward her, he recognized her quickly as Iona, perhaps the only other creature underneath Asena's moon that understood his reluctance to join the festivities. 

"Surprised that you are here," Akin commented, taking a sip of ale. "I can't decide if I hate them all for celebrating so freely or if I am just deeply envious that they can..."

[akintheboarman]

Through the Forest || Akin & Sage

[sage-fowler]

She balks at his suggestion of her with a lover, eyes going wide and a soft noise leaving her lips. Was she pretty enough to draw a man into the woods? Perhaps if he was drunk and thought her another woman but she did not believe such a man would come willingly to her. The festival was such a time to catch a man and keep him close to her heart but even then she knows she will be eclipsed by the prettier girls that did not shy away from shedding their modest gowns. Even now, the sight of such a man half-naked in front of her is almost as far as she’s seen a man on her own and the sight is still enough to make her blush. “It’s not really your business, is it?” Her words are clipped but not unkind, her embarrassment making her fumble for words.

Yet she realizes just how rude he must think her for stumbling upon him and making a rude comment so she forces herself to relax and places a shy smile on her lips. “Apologies, that did not come out the way I had hoped. No, there is no lover. I only..wished to give a gift to the creatures out here. For their own celebration.” An unnecessary explanation but she did interrupt him in a time of privacy and so it’s only right that she repays him in information. 

With his back to her, she’s able to see much more of his skin displayed than she had thought and so she allows herself to look. The muscles on his arms are nearly as large as her thighs and they speak of impressive strength, a barely contained savagery seeming to hum beneath his skin. Had she not seen the smile upon his face earlier, she might have the good sense to be frightened.  His lack of dress only leaves his skin bared to the elements and revealing small black carvings traveling across the expanse of his back. His words snap her out of her unabashed staring and she clears her throat, willing her cheeks to refrain from growing pink. “I know. But I’m hoping the creatures will be too drunk to wander close and the animals will hide if I make enough noise. Only the prettiest flowers grow out here and I need them for my garlands.” 

He turns to her, a massive hulk of flesh and muscle, nearly a foot taller than her which only makes her have to tilt her head back a bit to look him in the eye. “What are you doing out here?” 

[akintheboarman]

Ah, creatures. Akin supposed that the woman specifically meant the fauns, perhaps the mermaids. Those tended to be the most famed among the humans because of their noticeable attributes. Boarmen were large with tattoos covering their gray hued skin, but they looked the same as humans. Skinwalkers were human for the most part - they were blessed by the goddess Asena and given a wolf pelt, but they came into the world as human and could blend in with the humans easily if they cared to.

But beautiful scales of a mermaid's tail and the fanciful antlers that adorned the fauns' heads caught the humans' eyes, making them the subject of most humans' fantasies. Akin thought it was a pity that the humans were drawn to aesthetics more than power. 

"To the creatures? And what creatures do you hope to find, girl?" Akin asked, his eyes twinkling in mischief. If she thought he was a creature himself, she gave no indication. The village was small and the residents few, so he assumed she thought he was an outsider. Perhaps a human from another village in the Isles, wandering around the forests.

"It's not really your business, is it?" Akin's answer was less snipped than the one the woman had originally given him. He was testing her on purpose, hoping to make her flustered and uncomfortable for his own amusement. It'd been a long time since he felt like playing such games.

[historychannelvikings]

[akintheboarman]

Through the Forest || Alric & Akin

[alric-lighteye]

Alric’s day comprised of nuisances upon nuisances. Foundlings that insisted on being far too rambunctious for their own good, spats between wolves over this and that. It was typical life within the pack, but Alric grew weary of it today. So, he had slunk away from the pack once he’d deemed that they would not be at each others’ throats. Alric had shifted into his wolf form as soon as he’d gone, breathing a sigh of relief as the subtle sounds of nature surrounded him and put him at ease.

The wolf trotted through the brush with no particular destination in mind. For he did not fear the creatures in the forest, nor was he hunting, so there was no true reason for him to be silent. His ears were perked as he moved through the brush, though. They served as a way to make up for his blind spot. Though Alric had no intention of being attacked, nor any reason to fear an attack, it was always best to be somewhat wary of the forest - especially when it was so quiet.

His wanderings led him to a small brook, but the wolf gave the water a rather large berth, not wanting to step foot in it even though it wasn’t extremely deep. It would’ve gone up just above his paws, but Alric didn’t trust it. Besides, he could hear something up ahead, and while he’d intended on coming out here to be alone, as he often did, he was intrigued. It smelled of the boarmen that roamed the mountains, and he couldn’t help but wonder what one would be doing so far into the forest.

The wolf held no fear as he moved closer to the form that was bent by the water, though his tail lifted and his head lowered as he inspected the situation with caution. He couldn’t identify this one or tell which clan he paid homage to. So caught up in his own thoughts, Alric took a step without looking - causing the leaves beneath his paws to rustle just enough to catch the creature’s attention. He stepped out from the shadows at the boarman’s affront, his lone eye regarding the man. Alric simply stared at him a long moment, and once he’d deemed that he was in no danger he shifted and became his human self once more.

"Not particularly," he answered airily, offering a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders. He looked at the hatchet calmly, his dark eye flickering back up to the boarman’s face. "Though I wouldn’t call what I was doing sneaking." Alric wondered if he had met this boarman before - if he had, the name was escaping him. "What clan are you from?" he asked, figuring that would be the best way to deduce what he desired to know.

[akintheboarman]

Akin was surprised to see a skinwalker wandering out by himself. Usually, they, like they boarmen, preferred to travel in groups. It wasn't rare to see a lone skinwalker much like the occasional lone boarman, but it was uncommon. He cocked his eyebrow as he waited for the skinwalker's next move - either to shift back into his other form or remain a wolf.

The skinwalker didn't make Akin wonder for long. After they'd both regarded each other as a non-threat, he shifted back into a man. Akin didn't miss the quick look the skinwalker had given his hatchet. Shrugging, he hooked his thumbs into the belt of his waist, regarding the skinwalker as calmly as he was being regarded.

"If you say so," Akin replied. The skinwalker wasn't lying - if he'd been purposely sneaking, it was doubtful that he'd ever been noticed. "I'm from my own clan. I am Akin."

It felt strange to claim a clan as his own. It felt even stranger to not say he was from Rhor's clan. It was easier to say now than it had been a few months ago, when he constantly tripped over the words. Now, he was a more confidant leader and was able to assert himself clearly to others, even if it still didn't feel quite right.

"And what's a skinwalker doing hunting all alone?" He had questions of his own - a simple curiosity really. His clan was close by at the small camp they'd made and Akin suspected the skinwalker wasn't too far away from his own kind either. Their kinds stuck close to their own.

[akintheboarman]

Through the Forest || Open

[sage-fowler]

While festivities were only beginning back at the village, Sage was busy planning a small celebration of her own. A basket remained looped around her arm, heavy with flowers already, yet they only hid the delicious bread loaves she had hidden beneath the heavy load. They were dribbled with sugar and small bits of honey pooled inside for a delicious surprise, the smell of it inviting enough that she almost gave up and took one for herself. Yet she knew she could not be selfish when they were destined for a more divine purpose than that, lest she be punished by the gods for her greed. No, the treats hidden beneath remained as a special offering to the creatures that lived deep in the forests, in hopes of earning their gratitude. 

Sage had never seen them for herself, having only glimpsed mermaids once in her entire life, but she had heard stories of plenty of others roaming the woods as well. Though they remained hidden and unseen, every year they were heard through song and dance as the creatures performed their own festivals to their gods. Many villagers had heard the wild animals calling to one another and laughter echoing in the woods but few were brave enough to seek out the source themselves, fearing of punishment rather than acceptance. Tensions were already strained enough, what with the village elders seeking permission to break from the gods. She hoped, rather foolishly she knew, that even such a small gift might be enough to ease their anger. 

Even as she convinced herself to keep it for the others, she could not help but look at her basket with longing. Her stomach grumbled and the sweet scent of honey lingered with the pollen that hung heavy on the ground and in her arms. The flowers were for herself, a range of them to be crafted into garlands, but even they were sickly sweet and turned her head in circles. Sage knew she needed to clear her head and she could already hear a small creek ahead, a quick place for her to stop and splash some cold water on her face.

Yet every thought of that halted at the sight of the large man crouched beside it with a hatchet pulled from his belt, the beginnings of a snarl on his lips. Had she any breath in her lungs, she would scream at the sudden sight. Her mouth opened and closed only for her to blurt out, “I wasn’t expecting anyone to be here!”

[akintheboarman]

Akin's eyes settled on the woman in front of him as he took the sight of her in. She looked afraid, or, at the very least, very shocked to have found him in the woods. But what had she thought she would find out in the forest? If she hadn't found him, he had little doubt she certainly would've found a hungry bear interested in the basket around her arm.

The last of the tension in his body left as his shoulder finally relaxed. His expression softened into a small smirk, as he looked again at the basket. "What is it that brings you so far out of your village then? Were you expecting to find a bear? No - perhaps a lover then?"

Akin didn't give the woman a chance to respond before turning his back to her, crouching beside the stream as he resumed splashing water on his face. He knew he should leave. There was no law against humans seeing boarmen - in fact, Akin thought they should make themselves more visible, remind the humans what befell them if they continued to turn their backs on the gods. But the other creatures kept to themselves and the boarmen had followed suit, resorting to disguise on the occasions that they did mingle with humans.

"You should be careful walking alone," Akin continued as he rose from the side of the stream. "There's plenty of dangerous things in the forest for a girl with no escort." Although, truthfully, he felt the woods were too dangerous even for a human male by himself. Varahk had blessed humans with some strength, but certainly not enough to take care of themselves with.

[tvshowsistheshit]

[akintheboarman]

Through the Forest || Open

Akin knelt by the small stream of water trickling through the woods. Cupping his hands into it, he splashed the cool water across his face a few times before taking a drink. The snows had melted and the the trees were beginning to turn green again, a sign that Spring had finally arrived.

For Akin, Spring didn't mean much at all besides better hunting. The fauns lived for the Spring and he knew that the Black Forest and village would soon be erupting in the yearly festivals to mark the coming season. There was a time when Akin would've been more excited, when he would've stolen a linen shirt from the clothing line of a villager and wore it to cover his tattoos, blend in, and participate in all of the displays.

But this year, Akin planned to trek to the mountains with his clan. He had no real plan, no real reason why he wanted to skip the festivities. He would be missing out on a spectacular feast, fresh-brewed ale, and tits - so many beautiful tits of females whose inhibitions had been loosened by the arrival of the new season. Despite all of the promises the coming season held, Akin still wanted no part of it.

He appreciated the small amount of time he had away from his clan. He felt a great deal of loyalty to both of his clansmen, but neither of them were Rhor. And despite being surrounded by his clan, Akin never felt more alone than when he led the two other boarmen through the countryside of Braemar.

While contemplating his thoughts, Akin remained crouched, his hand absently ducking in and out of the water as he stared ahead. But when he heard the crunch of the leaves behind him, he quickly whirled around, wielding his hatchet. 

"Don't you know not to sneak up on others?" Akin asked pointedly at the intruder, frown on his lips as he put his hatchet back into his belt loop.

[godssof-old-blog]

B O A R M A N [ T A K E N ]

“I’ll seek you out, flay you alive. One more word and you won’t survive.”

Akin ↳ the nemesis.

AGE: 356, has the appearance of someone in their late twenties or early thirties. MARKINGS: Tree root marking on this chest to symbolize the importance of loyalty, the shape of a bear’s jaws on his bicep to commemorate a great hunting achievement, tattooed marks to signify defeated opponents, numerous other scars and tattoos. FACECLAIM: Travis Fimmel (preferred)

Basics:

Nothing is more important to the boarmen than the bonds of brotherhood and loyalty that dictate their alliances- some of these bonds are formed early on in a boarman’s life, and are so strong that they last for centuries to come. Such was the case of Akin and Rhor, brothers in all but blood. Rhor was the Kham- the undefeated champion and leader- of the boarmen clan they both belonged to, until he was challenged by another member. Defeat of the Kham is an impressive feat in and of itself; but killing them to take thier place is a step too far. When Rhor was killed and Reuc became the new Kham, Akin did not forgive him for the blood of his friend that had been spilled.

So instead of remaining under Reuc’s power, Akin made the decision to split away from the clan and form his own. Only one other boarman joined him; Akin felt the betrayal of another friend when Lyen, another boarmen he had fought side by side with many times, decided to remain with Reuc’s group. In forming his own clan, Akin knows this was an outright declaration of rivalry. That’s what he wanted- to challenge Reuc and avenge the unfair death of his “brother”. But besides this righteous anger, his own dangerous ambitions began to rise- to not only defeat Reuc, but become the Kham in his place.

Connections:

Akin’s clan is smaller than Reuc's, and only has two other members: Yeven, who left initially to join Akin because of his moral disagreement with Reuc’s choice of killing the previous Kham, and Boran, a nomadic, mercenary boarman who had never been a part of a clan before they encountered him in the mountains.

Akin and his boarmen are friends of the skinwalkers of Amira’s pack, but in particular Akin has forged a friendship with the she-wolf Iona Blackthorn. After hearing her story, he had readily promised to help her idenfity the human who slayed her mate- vengeance is a desire he knows well.

[godssof-old-blog]

Accepted- Akin

Congratulations Amanda, on being accepted as Akin! Please set up your character blog and send in the URL within 24 hours. Please also make sure that you following the member’s checklist and that you’re tracking all of the update tags!

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[sikanapanele-deactivated2018121]