Flaneurarbiter - Untitled

Name: Dati (Written below in the Kishite, Apunian, and Knoshic Scripts)

It is tradition among the Safrimtwy (Knoshic: Safr - Snake, Rimtwy- Men) to be named after the various flora and fauna of the island of Knosh. Dati is named for the Carob Tree. The seed pods of the Carob are heavily used within Knoshic and Safrimi cuisine, particularly in drinks and desserts. The Safrimtwy do not utilize family/surnames, however the profession of an individual may be used as a secondary name of sorts.

Examples: Sibr Genmes (First Name: Fox, Profession: Shepherd)

Dati Mahrimt (First Name: Carob Tree, Profession: Sailor)

Continues Beneath the Cut!

Family

Father: Sibr (Fox) (Dead)

Mother: Ihmini (Lotus) (Dead)

Sister: Rweni (Rabbit) (Dead)

Sister: Bimi (Mouse)(Dead)

Husband: Istek (Alive)

Wife: Sihunu (Alive)

Son (By marriage): Lat (Alive)

Homeland/Place of Origin

The Fortress of Mahrwy (Knoshic: Mah - Water, Rwy - Houses/Village), Eastern Knosh

Ethncity/The Birth and Extinction of the Snake Men

Dati represents the last of the Safrimtwy people, one of a small collection of purposefully constructed Forestfolk tribes found within the Green Sea, particularly during and after the Arkodic-Kishite War(See here). Originating during the reign of the Eastern Knoshic King, Kenwat (502 years before Narul, 346 years after the Arkodic-Kishite War). At the time Knosh was split between a Western and Eastern Kingdom, these two groups often waged war upon each other, while also dealing with raids from Kishite and Korithian Pirates. Unlike most Forestfolk, the first Safrimtwy were created via the purposeful exposure of 16 loyal soldiers and their families, a total of 52 individuals to a magically contaminated spring located in Eastern Knosh. This was done with the intent of creating a race of Forestfolk meant to serve as an elite guard in service of the Eastern Knoshic Throne.

These individuals grew far larger than the average Knoshic (the Knoshic people on average are the shortest of the Green Sea people at an average of just 5'0 for men, the average Safrimtwy man is approximately 5'7), they additionally developed slightly larger than normal hands and feet, and a markedly improved immune system showing not only an increased resistance to many common diseases but also a much higher rate of hemostasis (the activation of platelets to seal wounds, the process of scabbing). However their most famed trait is a large tail. While this appears to be scaly at first glance (the source of the name "Snake Men ''), the tail is actually covered in many thick keratinous plates, similar to those found on a pangolin. The tail is completely prehensile and approximately the last 10 inches of the tail is covered in setae, tiny hairlike structures also found on the feet of geckos. These setae allow for the tail to be used for manipulating objects, often with surprising dexterity.

This new group proved to be highly competent warriors, quickly winning renown as guardians of the Eastern Knoshic throne and as hunters of other varieties of Forestfolk. In thanks for the protection of the king during the Battle of Mahrant and for their vicious persecution of other Forestfolk Tribes, the Safrimtwy were given the fortress of Mahrwy, built around the same spring that had created their race. The Safrimtwy served loyally for nearly 400 years, their population ballooning to over 8,600, spread around Eastern Knosh, with only a small group remaining at Mahrwy.

The Age of the Safrimtwy came to a crashing end with the War of Knoshic Unification. The Western King, Hahru, aided by the Apunian throne and his mercenaries invaded the Eastern Knoshic Kingdom, successfully killing the Eastern King at the Battle of Pmnya. While ultimately killed to a man, the 700 Safrimtwy warriors who served at that battle were noted for their ferocity and loyalty. Fearful that the Safrimtwy may foment rebellion against the new unified Knosh, Hahru with the help of his Apunian mercenaries underwent a vicious campaign of elimination against the Safrimtwy. Years of constant warfare and subjugation destroyed the once thriving population. For some time the tails of Safrimtwy warriors became prized trophies, appearing in homes and markets as far away as Namut.

Only one population managed to hold out, those barricaded within Mahrwy. An 8 year siege against the fortress proved unsuccessful in dislodging the remaining 143 Safrimtwy living within. While military actions against the Safrimtwy were lifted at this point, the bounty and market for their tails did not. For the next several decades this last small population, limited to their fortress and the surrounding forest and shore, were regular victims of hunters and slavers. By the time of the birth of Dati, the tribe there had dwindled to 41 individuals.

32 years before the events of The Testaments, Eastern Knosh was struck by a highly destructive earthquake. This caused the collapse of the great gateway of Mahrwy, killing a further 13 of the Safrimtwy in the process. Not long after, slavers and raiders attacked the survivors, killing all, save for one, Dati. Dati was instead kidnapped with the intention of being sold as a curiosity, the last of a once proud people.

History

Dati was born 46 years before the events of The Testaments, born to the shepherds Sibr and Ihimni while the two were tending to their small flock in the hills outside of Mahrwy. Dati was the youngest child, sibling to his sisters Bimi and Rweni.

From a young age Dati was noted for his strength and beauty, Sibr believed that Dati was destined to be the Lord of Mahrwy and would be ultimately responsible for the rebirth of the Safrimtwy people. As such Dati was heavily educated in leadership, the ways of fighting, and a range of other skills including the playing of the mnfar, a revered stringed instrument.

His mother took him regularly to the spring from whence their people had come, to bath and to commune with the spirits. As with most non-sages, Dati is not capable of seeing spirits. However he held a particular reverence for the spirits of the Spring as it was believed that they were responsible at least in part for the continued protection of the Safrimtwy against the machinations of the Knoshic hunters.

At the age of 12 Dati was engaged to his second cousin, Tebi. The two were close friends throughout childhood, and neither had much problem with their planned marriage.

At the age of 13 Dati was given his own flock of 8 sheep and given the responsibility of tending to them, as a sort of spiritual precursor to guiding his people.

Shortly after his fourteenth birthday, the earthquake struck. Among those killed in the collapse of the wall was his father, Sibr. Dati was among the individuals working on repairing the wall. However, at the urging of his mother he abandoned this instead to track down his father’s lost sheep who had fled after the earthquake. At the time the rest of the Safrimtwy were gathered in the ruins of the fortress, caring for the injured and tending to the dead.

The raiders struck while Dati was searching the hills. Slaughtering or grievously injuring the remaining Safrimtwy in their eagerness. Upon returning and bearing witness to the carnage, Dati attacked one of the raiders. Dati was ultimately bound and beaten, however before the killing blow was struck, another raider intervened, pointing out that the endling may instead be more valuable if sold alive.

Dati was sold to the Korithian merchant, Baros, at the Knoshic port town of Kherwy as a deckhand and curiosity. Dati spent the next 7 years primarily aboard the trading vessel, The Golden Hound, bouncing from port to port. Along the way Dati picked up an understanding and fluency in both Kishite and Korithian.

When the Golden Hound was attacked by the pirate ship, The Westwind, Baros was killed in the scuffle and Dati taken as part of the booty. It is there that Dati came into contact with the eccentric pirate captain, Istek. Istek immediately freed Dati from his bondage and gave the forestfolk the option of remaining in his crew or being dropped off at the next port. Dati was not keen to be left in a strange land alone, a dangerous prospect for any forestfolk, and so he agreed to remain aboard the Westwind.

The two almost immediately fell for one another, and soon became partners, Istek the Captain, and Dati the First Mate. They two would go on to earn a reputation as devious and eccentric pirates. About 6 years later while the Westwind was docked for repairs on the island of Ninetu Istek became acquainted with Sihunu, the daughter of a carpenter. Her sharp wit and wild temperament had scarred off all suitors that her father had brought before her. Yet it was these very qualities that caused first Istek to fall deeply in love with her.

Ashamed by these feelings, Istek confessed to Dati. While initially angry, Dati insisted on meeting with Sihunu himself. While his initial intention had been to scare her off, Dati was enchanted by her beauty and her wit. A four month long whirlwind relationship held between the three blossomed. The three purposefully sabotaged the repairs of the Westwind in order to lengthen their time together, however this could only go on so long, and after nearly four months, the repairs were complete. After much discussion, the two men decided that they would both propose. Sihunu accepted both proposals. The three would be secretly married to one another by an Ikopeshi priest (paid in wine) and would sneak away on the Westwind that same night, though not before raiding several of the other docked ships.

Their reign of adventure and thievery would go on for several years, as they now stalked up and down the coast, capturing ships, raiding villages, and even fighting the occasional sea monster.

This came to an end when Sihunu became pregnant. The three agreed that the life of a pirate was no life for a child, and though somewhat hesitant, they put down their swords and spears. They came under the employ of the merchant Wadikir, a highly powerful and wealthy figure in the hierarchy of the Kishic city of Chibal.

Shortly after arriving in Chibal, Sihunu gave birth to their child, Lat.

The four of them now live in the dock district of Chibal. Sihunu has elected to remain on land with Lat until such a time as the boy is old enough to join the crew. Istek and Dati meanwhile take semi-regular jobs for Wadikir and other merchants.

It is during one such job that the pair first meet the giant, Narul.

Appearance

Dati stands at just over 5’6. He is tall and fit from a life of moving cargo and working the oars, Istek is particularly fond of his arms. with a rich brown complexion, further darkened by the sun, though the sun has also caused some premature wrinkling on his forehead and around his eyes. His eyes are hazel, mostly brown with occasional flecks of green and gold. His curly dark brown hair and beard have started to show hints of graying. His tail is usually hidden beneath his long Korithian style linen skirt while at port. He wears golden earrings, bronze bangles, and has a necklace of silver beads.

Personality

Dati is a kind-hearted though somewhat stiff person. He is prone to sarcasm and his temperament is short at times. He is a far less eccentric individual compared to Istek and even Sihunu. He is an introvert at heart, taking some time to get used to most people. Compared to Istek he is cautious and level-headed, though he is not lacking in bravery. Dati has little time for superstition and shows an active distaste for matters of religion, likely as a result of Isteks own fraught past with cultic activity. He is a highly affectionate person, though typically not in public settings.

Gender/Pronouns

Cis-man He/Him

Sexual Orientation

Bisexual Polyamorous

Relationships

Dati is married to Istek and Sihunu, the three are close-knit and affectionate. He also serves as a father alongside Istek to Lat (biologically Istek's child).

Dati retains a friendly relationship with much of the crew of the Westwind.

Upon meeting Narul, he and Istek in some sense, take up a fatherly role in the life of the giant, acting as a source of comfort and guidance.

Favorite Color

Green

Favorite Food

Pemrwy genmesen : Stuffed Dates (Shepherd's Dates)

Biggest Fear

Outliving both of his partners, being alone.

Sage?

Literate?

Somewhat (Can read receipts in Kishite and Korithian but not poems or other more complex literature)

Excerpt

Narul sighed and looked around the deck and then froze. A scaly serpent of sorts was slithering across the deck, crawling up Dati's skirt, a snake or something similar. It must have crawled into the ship while it was docked, or else it was something from the sea itself. Narul stood and crept towards Dati, attempting to be as quiet as possible, no easy task for a man of his size. " Dati, don't move." He whispered. Dati, who had been dozing off, glanced up at Narul and raised an eyebrow. " What's wrong? Narul?" Narul didn't respond, focused on the thing slithering across the ground. He then sprung forward, and though it attempted to flinch away he successfully grabbed whatever it was and hoisting it into the air in hopes of quickly moving it away from the sailor. Dati was quickly pulled up into the air with it, dangling from Narul's fist. " What the...what is this, a tail?" " Let go of me you bastard!" Dati roared as swung around angrily, trying to punch at Narul’s torso. Narul quickly dropped the man and stepped back, in a flash Dati was back on his feet, knife in hand. Narul took another step back, eyes flicking from the knife, to Dati's face. He knew that Dati’s knife could likely do little to harm him, but the seething look in the first mate’s eyes alone threatened to burn through the giants thick hide.

@patternwelded-quill @flaneurarbiter @skyderman @blackblooms

@roach-pizza @illarian-rambling @dezerex @theocticscribe

@axl-ul, @persnickety-peahen, @surroundedbypearls, @elsie-writes

@mk-writes-stuff, @kaylinalexanderbooks, @elsie-writes

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flaneurarbiter

2 years ago

I thought this was about worms for a second

Imagine you're just some funky little dude living in your society deep underground, perhaps the place of your birth (from dust we come and to dust we shall return, right?), perhaps just a last refuge from the invaders above that come into your domain and slaughter your people and take your resources. Although, as you get older, you begin to realize that your people do an awful lot to encourage it and very little to actually stop it, and regardless of who started it--a childish line of reasoning given that the answer is lost to time--the fact of the matter is that they are scared of us, and we are scared of them. They can survive conditions we can't, and so can we. They are monsters to us, and we are monsters to them.

So your people creep out of what shadowy hiding places they have left and slaughter the Others from above and are slaughtered, and you....you are left curious...? You aren't a warrior, like so many of your people. You don't want to fight the Others. You don't really mind them, at all. You think they could be interesting, if they weren't so scary and/or scared of you. You are both the monsters under one another's beds. You don't get into magic either. Fighting the Other by those means appeals to you just as much as by brute strength. No, you get into collecting, and selling, and trading. Money has its uses, be it money from the Others, or money from your people. And maybe you're a bit more curious then you expected, because one day....oh, one day you don't just creep out of the shadowy hiding places like the rest of your people. One day, you leave the ground. It's rainy, or dark, or snowy, maybe. Humid enough for you to be comfortable, and in conditions that the Others don't seem to like at all.

You collect more of their things. A magnifying glass, maybe, or some of their money. You are religious, and maybe this came from the Others as much as it did your people, though your devotion is from yourself. You go out more and more often, braving the Others' domain just as they brave yours, sneaking around where they drive through throngs of your people in a violent effort to claim/conquer/escape. You never could tell. You still can't.

And one day you find a nice place very similar to where your people live, all humid air and dark corners, but lonely, deserted of both your people and the Others. You set up your shop here, amongst these abandoned tunnels. Sometimes your people come. Sometimes those that are neither your people nor the Others come. The world is full of mysteries and magic, and many of them visit you, and you are well on your way to becoming another spectacle too. It's lonely. Maybe. You never fit in with your people, though, and you'd much rather have this ease of exploring the Others' world at night without a brash of warriors yelling slurs at you as you go up, so you shoulder it when you can't relish in it.

And explore you do.

Up you go at night. In winter. During the rain. Anytime the Others have deserted their town, you'll be there, collecting, exploring, buying and selling.

Until one day, one of the Others finds you.

They startle you.

They take your magnifying glass.

It's your fault. You dropped it. But not just that! They take your privacy, as it turns out, because they find a way into your tunnels not long after they start peering into them and rattling the chains, and what's more, they want to do business with you as much as any of the other curiosities that frequent your shop. They're one too, you begin to realize. A curiosity.

They begin giving you gifts. They come to talk sometimes. Not to look at your wares. To talk. In a way, this is even more befuddling than the gifts. And oh, what gifts they are! They honor you. Pamper you, if you're allowed to say it, and you hope that you are. This Other is kind to you and swiftly becomes your friend. They protect you as a secret, hide you from their people.

And you know....

....you know somewhere, in the back of your soul, or more blatantly when it comes up in conversation, that this is an Other that goes Down and battles your people. Not just that. They slaughter your people. Hunt them for sport. Eradicate them for the safety and sake of their people.

But maybe you love them, in as much as you love anything, and in as much as your people love, which seems, from what you have seen on your hauntings, a very different thing than how Others love. But even so, you start to love them, and your Other starts to love you too, finds it in them to show it to you as you would one of your people, even if this is not what they feel or how they feel.

And one day they do you the greatest honor of all. It took them toiling. It took them time. It took them travels. It took them blood--theirs and that of your people. But they bring you this gift, a very precious gift, and ask you to live with them, up out of the tunnels you've dwelt in, ask you to live with them as a secret. One they want to keep as close as possible.

You have heard the Others chatter the word marriage to one another through the open windows of their shops and tavern at night, and you don't know what it means, or what your Other has to do with it--though when their name comes up in This Sort of Gossip you do not like it--but you think that maybe it means something like this. And you hope that your Other treats it as such. You will leave if they do this thing, this marrying, to someone else, and it might not break your heart because you are not an Other and you do not experience that way, but O, you would live with them no more.

But that hasn't come to pass yet, if it ever will. So you go to their lands. You build yourself a home. You see them work. They see you work.

And sometimes they gather food and potions and weapons and go down to your old home, to the mines, and you know they are slaughtering your people, and you know they must pass through where all the other Others live to get there, and you know your existence is their precious secret that guarantees your safety only so long as they keep it faithfully, and you stay. You stay there. Because this Other knows you better than your people and better than solitude, and because you want them there. And your Other stays with you, even as they face, each time, a cousin of yours, or an old neighbor, or a sibling, or a mentor, or a peer, or a stranger, and are attacked, each and every time, and see it in you that you could attack, could creep into their house easily at night and lay waste to them while they rest as Others must. And your Other stays.

Anyways, I think Krobus is a fuckin crazy character.

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flaneurarbiter

1 year ago

delicately cutting this recipe out of the screen in order to save it for a time when I'm not broke

As Promised! A Recipe for Kipsha (Sort of)

Hello everyone! A few days ago I said that, as a way to celebrate reaching 100 followers that I would make one of the dishes from the setting of my WIP. And I did that! Kind of. You see it turns out that Sainsbury's or at least Google, lied to me, and so I was unable to find barely which was a necessary component of this recipe. Even worse when I returned home I found that the only wheat flour that I had was self-rising. And so, I did not make Kipsha (recipe here) which is eaten in the western and central parts of Kishetal, rather I made Kipisa which is eaten on eastern border of Kishetal and Makur in cities like Kutar and Nabi (shown below).

The primary difference between Kipsha and Kipisa is the grain used. Kipisa is made with rye while Kipsha is made with barley. In addition, Kipisa is often served with butter. Butter as a culinary ingredient is almost entirely limited to the eastern plains, where it preferred to or eaten alongside olive oil. Saramuk Ukishiya, meaning "Butter Eater" (Saramuk coming from the Lakuri word for butter, Shayram) is a common derrogatory term used to refer to those people living in the region shown above. The recipe is below the cut!

Kipisa

Kipsha or Kipisa or Kipcha is a kind of cake or biscuit commonly eaten by the wealthy and poor alike. It can vary wildly from soft and spongy to harder and more cracker like. It is a popular form of street food and can be served as savory or sweet. In savory applications honey is typically forgone and olive oil may be replaced with various varieties of animal fat. All varieties contain some amount of barley or more rarely, rye, however examples meant for nobility may contain up to 70 or even 90%.

The name Kipsha is a reference to the sesame and/or poppy seeds used in and sprinkled over the top. Kip being the Kishic word for seed or grain. Though it may also refer to an infant, thus part of the cake's association with fertility.

This recipe is for Sweet Kipisa, as it is enjoyed in the city of Kutar. A similar varient is eaten just across the mountains in Labisa, though here they make use of barley rather rye. It is this barley variety, Kipsha, which is my MC, Narul's favorite dish.

This particular variety of Kipsia is cracker-like, with a slightly chewy interior.

Ingredients

Note: For those ingredients which are not available on earth, approximate substitutes are provided.

The Cakes

(Note that Kishetal has no distinct set of measurements nor are recipes recorded. Recipes are typically passed down orally and differ greatly between regions and even families. Adjust ingredients to one's own liking)

1 ¾ cups Rye Flour

1 ¼ Unbleached Wheat Flour

½ cup Water

1 Tbsp Olive Oil or Untoasted Sesame Oil

2 Tbsp Sweet White Wine (Riesling or Muscat are suggested)

3 Tbsp Kafa (This Kishic yogurt drink can be substituted with equal parts plain greek yogurt and whole milk)

2 Tbsp Honey

1 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar

2 ½ Tsp Untoasted White Sesame Seeds

½ Tsp Sinrian Cinnamon (Substitute Cassia Cinnamon)

¼ Tsp Ground Black Pepper

Toppings

1. This are meant to reflect Narul’s Preferred Toppings, though with the addition of more typically eastern additions

1-2 Dried figs chopped (Fresh figs may be substituted)

3 Tbsp Honey, warmed

2 Tbsp Regula Juice (Substitute 1:1 parts orange and lemon juice)

Ground black pepper to taste

Sesame Seeds to taste

Chibalan Salt to taste (Substitute: Flake Salt)

Torn mint leaves

Goat Butter, melted (Cow or sheep is also acceptable)

2. Other Toppings

Unsalted soft cheese such as ricotta

Yogurt

Dates

Crushed nuts (typically walnuts or pistachios)

Chopped Cherries or other fruits

Preparation

1. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl.

2. In a different bowl combine all liquid ingredients and whisk thoroughly.

3. Combine wet and dry ingredients, knead using your hands to form a firm ball, add water and flour as needed to achieve this.

4. Cover the dough with a damp towel and allow it to rest at room temperature for a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 4.

5. Preheat oven to 400 F or 200 C (fan 195 C).

6. Liberally dust a counter or large cutting board with rye flour. Dust a rolling pin or similar instrument with flour.

7. Place the rested dough onto the floured surface and roll out to approximately 1/4 inch

8. Using a biscuit cutter or knife, cut dough into cakes, these can be any number of shapes, delicately score the surface.

9. Place cakes on a covered cookie sheet making sure that they do not touch.

10. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden or lightly browned.

11. Remove and immeditately apply melted butter, honey, and regalu juice to surface. Allow to sit and cool for at least 5 minutes (Kipisa is not eaten hot. The more time is allowed for the absorption of the toppings, the better)

12. Once cool, add additional toppings. It is not unusual at this point to add additional butter and honey, nor is it unheard to dip the cake in the regalu juice and butter while eating it.

13. Enjoy!

I probably should have a taglist but I don't know who all would be on it, whoops. So I'm just tagging my followers that liked the original post @patternwelded-quill , @skyderman , @flaneurarbiter , @jclibanwrites , @alnaperera, @rhokisb, @blackblooms , @lord-nichron , @kosmic-kore , @friendlyshaped , @axl-ul , @talesfromtheunknowable , @wylanzahn , @dyrewrites , @foragedbonesblog