Character Roundup: Garden of Smoke
Halaran War trilogy #1
Mage Aryel
(Art by @/magspy)
Gender: ku (associated with the sun deity) Species: human Age: 8-28 Personality: loyal, brave, can be a bit impulsive and hoteheaded, straightforward and down-to-earth Motivation: feels the pressure to win the war and minimize losses on their side, but also has never had much autonomy and frantically longs for the chance to make their own decisions Lore: an ordinary merchant-class child with the magical gift that, through the chance of their gift being unusually powerful and the timing of the royal court needing new mages, was taken from their family at 10 and trained with an eye towards leading the battle to victory as well as serving the current ruler at court.
Mage Desdemona
Gender: woman Species: centaur Age: 12-30 (would have been 10 at the beginning) Personality: bright, caring, people pleasing, cares deeply about taking care of people and doing the right thing but also struggles to say no Motivation: largely to protect her own friends and family; is angry at her kingdom for all the death and pain of the war Lore: grew up in a fairly insular centaur neighborhood, where she hardly saw other beings anywhere besides school. The war began when she was 6, and she got yelled at some for the centaur community's refusal to participate in the fight, but mostly her life was good, until she was whisked away at 12 to be trained as a royal mage
Mage Omri
Gender: woman Species: halfling better name in the works Age: 10-28 (would have been 8 at the beginning) Personality: serious, a bit somber, but kind. Not a natural team player despite not being hostile, but very loyal when she has had time to warm up to someone Motivation: deep loyalty to the kingdom and the Kelesh Lore: the child of a royal guard and an import merchant, she grew up around court and used to its workings. She always loved the grandness and beauty of it all, and it was her greatest dream to have a proper court position. She wasn't picky about it if was physician, artist, or anything else, but she never expected it to be royal mage. They weren't supposed to need new ones until she was too old, but the timing worked in her favor.
Mage Kelstari
Gender: man Species: elm Age: 21-39 (would have been 19 at the beginning—elms have a very long early life but an almost standard lifespan. Early childhood ends at 20, maturity happens around 30, and they live to about 100) Personality: outgoing, friendly to the point of talking over people at times, fiercely independent personally but also always making sure nobody falls behind; struggles to accept help Motivation: is basically doing what he always expected to do, magical soldiering, but with more of a leadership role. It fits his self image Lore: grew up in Halara's second largest city that, when the war started, was relatively close to the front lines, so it all felt more real and tangible to him. He was taught what to expect beyond just fighting, but fighting with his magic, and it was little surprise when he was in the running for royal mage, so he had been prepared to leave him, though not for how homesick he was afterwards
Mage Bairon
Gender: zjigol (associated with the deity of craftsmanship) Species: human Age: 9-27 (would have been 7 at the beginning) Personality: bookish, clever and quick-thinking but so painfully shy they can’t even speak to strangers much of the time Motivation: the greater good of all people (yeah they might be a tiny bit pompous also, but they mean well) Lore: they always seemed a bit young for their age, something indulged by their noble parents out on their quiet estate. They were taught by tutors even as their older siblings attended school in the city nearby. They were never expected to be a soldier. A scholar or scribe, maybe. But every child was tested for magic, and even nobility were not exempt from such an important calling. Aryel and Yiki basically took them on as a little sibling during training.
Queen Wyllawher
(art by @/clickerflight)
Gender: woman Species: human Age: 16-26 (would have been 9 at the beginning) Personality: has a silly and mischievous streak, but knows exactly how much she can get away with and how to be serious and empathetic as needed, and as she gets older pulls more into herself and becomes the mask of duty Motivation: her duty to her kingdom, even when it means giving up her own happiness, health, and safety Lore: the only child of the elderly King of Aled, she was always going to be saddled with a kingdom and a political marriage. She was already practiced in enjoying the moment without building connections when she met Aryel at the summer festival of allies at age 16...and fell in love. The two carried on a secret affair even after she was crowned and married, but eventually she had to give it all up to do what was needed to keep her kingdom safe
General Etlin
(art by @/clickerflight)
Gender: dakal (associated with the deity of wilderness and freedom) Species: human Age: 29-37 (would have been 17 at the start) Personality: living life in the moment because there is nothing else, trying to do his best to make the war not suck for those under his command, but has a hidden contemplative and melancholy side Motivation: to lead their soldiers like a family and to an eventual victory; they really think the war can be won like this Lore: the oldest of several children in an unhappy family, was 13 when the war began and soon after lied about their age to join up. Their camaraderie and excellent leadership meant they rose quickly and by 26 they were working alongside the mages and leading large swaths of the army. They were the only one to look at the new mages and see not a threat to the status quo, but just more young and frightened soldiers. They became particularly close friends with Aryel
Kelesh Korzjin
Gender: kenba (associated with the deity of change) Species: human Age: 54-63 (would have been 52 at the beginning) Personality: expects immediate obedience, hides their grief and disappointment with impatience, but smart enough to rely heavily on expert advisors. A good ruler, but a deeply unpleasant person to know Motivation: just getting through the next complication Lore: they were the only one of several royal children to survive, and a serious young person but with such grand plans. After seeing the unhappiness in the previous generation, they put off having their own child as long as possible. All their grand plans were hardly started when the war came, and the libraries and universities and transport systems fell by the wayside. All of this made them bitter, and they never much cared for the nonsense of the war, which likely drove them to a (slightly) early grave
Kelesh Zjikil
Gender: aig (associated with the river deity) Species: human Age: 14-31 (would have been 12 at the beginning) Personality: impulsive, independent, a bit defensive when their ideas are challenged, but also cunning and good at looking at every angle Motivation: to win the war and leave a grand legacy Lore: they were always weak and sickly, but were also the only royal child, so took the throne at 23 amid a war that had begun the year they learned to read. They had grown up alongside the new mages almost like siblings, so was not opposed to being challenged by them, but rarely changed their opinions or actions. Always felt they had to prove that they were a worthy and wise leader despite being the only option. But also knew they were likely to die young and married at 22, having a child at only 24. This proved a good idea, as they died at 31
Regent Privin
Gender: zjigol (associated with the deity of craftmanship) Species: human Age: 21-30 (would have been 10 at the beginning) Personality: hesitant, easily overwhelmed, good-intentioned but not trained to rule or a natural leader. Wise enough to rely heavily on advisors while remaining the regal face of the kingdom Motivation: to not fail in front of everyone, mostly Lore: they were from a noble family that spent a lot of time at court, and quite social when there wasn't as much pressure to be perfect. But, shockingly, they were betrothed to the royal heir at 14, and thus trained in politics. They married at 21 and had their only child the next year. They socialized with the mages and nobles more than the Kelesh, which was fine until they were left in charge for 13 long years until their child came of age. They floundered, and struggled, and finally stepped back and left their advisors in charge while they put on a regal face
Trescal
Gender: man Species: centaur Age: 15-33 (would have been 13 at the beginning) Personality: easygoing, slightly self-deprecating, good at nearly anything involving his hands, but not at all athletic, friendly but not sure how to go out of his way to be social Motivation: to help people smile as much as possible, and have some fun Lore: grew up in an area where centaurs were much more integrated and never worried too much about the different; at the time, it wasn't cool to be a bigot (just wait a bit). He was an excellent student, and managed to get apprenticed to the royal physician, and he loved the work. He met the new mage students when they were arrived, and Aryel had an instant crush. After the mage apprentices moved to court, the two became good friends. They had a short affair after Aryel got their heart broken by Wylla, but for the most part it remained a light friendship full of laughter even in the dark. Also he was the one who got to care for the mages whenever they were wounded badly enough to need to recover back home
