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House Rahl
Within Darkness We Rise
House Description:
House Rahl has been seated in Volantis for generations and as such have excelled at being merchants. So much so that not long after they were called to a position as Triarch. House Rahl firmly set itself as an elephant at this time as their political views were for peace and trade. Members of the House have been named Triarch off and on for generations. During the Doom of Valyria, House Rahl suffered the loss of friends and extended family within Valyria. Thankfully their position in Volantis, which they had secured well before the Doom, was a blessing.
When the fighting followed the chaos of the Doom most of House Rahl was against making war on people whom they relied on for trade. House Rahl was divided and some of the young hotheads fought as well as went on a quest with Aurion never to return from Valyria. While they were mourned, particularly the second son of the House at the time, the pressing issues drove the family forward. There were others that had to survive.
This proved fruitful and the family continued to flourish. Again the House involved themselves in politics pulling for peace and trade for Volantis. With the loss of Valyria the Rahl family dug in and carved out a place in Volantis.
The Rahl holdings are quite spacious and not a generation goes by that has not added to it. There are many levels and wings to the home. It is lavish but tasteful, not over done but subtly wealthy. The gardens, aviary and greenhouses were plentiful and soothing. At the time of Aegon's conquest of Westeros the former Lord Rahl, Erasmus, had finished the aviary and left his children to stock a menagerie within. The home was not without its secrets, which were passed down via word of mouth to only the family alone.
Recent History:
In relatively recent times, House Rahl has begun spreading its influence outwards. Their patience and dedication to setting up a powerful and strong foundation means that their rapid expansion is also carefully planned. The first thing to happen was an increase in their ships. Twenty was a decent trading fleet but why not double that? As of this moment the Rahl fleet sits at exactly fifty-four merchant vessels, and twenty-seven escorts with more always being built and prepared. The increases and builds are done piecemeal as the current Lord is very careful with the families money.
With the fleet comes trade, which means the need for ambassadors. The Rahl household has decided that instead of sending attendants to speak on their behalf, in an effort to kill two birds with one stone the children of House Rahl would be sent instead to spread influence but also learn of the wider world they lived. The twins Lunaerys and Hespaerys were sent to treat with the Summer Islands, Dorne, the Redwynes, the Hightowers, and then the Tyrells along with the Lords of the Reach. The two youngest beneath them, Castor and Pheynix would be sent to Tyrosh, Myr, Lys, Pentos, Braavos, and finally Dragonstone and Kings Landing. They would be accompanied by younger siblings to assist and to also consider potential future matches in the now capital of Westeros. Should any family be interested in a foreign alliance?
The current divisive play is a backing of the Braavos Iron Bank. House Rahl keeps good relations with the Sealords court and supplies it with many gold and jewels it gets from favorable trade deals with Asshai. This trade, nor the business with the Iron Bank is spoken about openly and is tightly controlled. However, the family is aware that it will eventually be revealed and that many within the free cities and Volantis itself know already. They realize that it may cost them their Triarch seat in the next election. But it's a risk they're willing to take for more favorable trading rights in Braavos, and alliances abroad via the Braavosi contacts.
While disliking war, the Rahl's are nonetheless pragmatic traders. Preferably peace and good trade would reign Supreme but when wars break out. The Rahl family is quick to act. Sending a son or daughter with escort to either side and offering to ship arms, armor, food, and other supplies a military might need, all shipped in neutrally. They make a fortune off war but still do their best never to find themselves in open engagement. The Rahl's prefer to work in the shadows, and to that end employ an enormous spy network.
The creation of their spies goes back to the time of the free-hold when the Rahl ancestors served the Dragonlords. The Rahl's took Ghiscari slaves and freed them, taught them a worthwhile trade, taught them how to spy and then sent them en masse back to the Ghiscari Empire where they would report everything. Once their agreed upon time of service to the Rahl's they were left alone to lead whatever life they wished to live and pledge allegiance to anyone they wished to serve.
Today, that same recruitment of spies is done. Slaves are bought and freed instantly, taken to the Rahl lands outside of Volantis and taught a profession such as tavernkeeping, becoming a madame, etc. They are also taught the ways of spycraft, and then when ready are sent with full pockets to create a life in an area the Rahl's need information. The spy lives and acclimates to their new environment and sends back the needed intelligence. And then once the time has come, a final payment is rendered and the agent is released to do as they please.
Besides the spies, House Rahl has also built up a reputation in Volantis and the Free cities as a "fixer". House Rahl employs many trained, talented, and skilled men of the night that can handle. Delicate situations. The fact that they are so closely allied to Braavos means the whispers that they employ faceless men have begun.
The largest Westerosi contact has been with the Lannisters. No surprise considering their own merchant fleets and vessels. Lorelai Lannister in particular is a favorable trade partner and the Rahl's openly assisted the young Lion who came to visit looking for their families sword.
House Rahl is the proud owner of a single Valyrian blade, a Blade that has been passed down since the time of the Free-hold and given to them for their service as spymasters and fixers. The sword, Shadowfang, is given to the single best fighter within the Rahl family and can be won via challenge unlike many families and blades. The current wielder of Shadowfang is Castor Rahl, who won it after decimating his sister Lunaerys in a duel.
All in all House Rahl is a proud, pragmatic, and opportunistic House that has begun spreading their wings and becoming an international player. They are well loved by the small people of Volantis, secure in their position amongst the other Old blood of Valyria and interested in the go-ons of Westeros. They secretly support and assist Targaryen rule as they see the Targaryens as what remains of those they served before. What will happen next?
Family Members:
- Lord Darkin Rahl - Father - Age 55 Born 14 BCThe patriarch of House Rahl and the overseer of all operations, Darkin Rahl is an incredibly intelligent, shrewd, ruthless, and uncompromising man. He has a pleasant and respectable countenance in political matters and rarely speaks first. He is a man that prefers to let others speak first, to let them lead the conversation as most tend to eventually get to where they wish things to go. Darkin has a rule that the less a man speaks the less information one gives and more of an advantage they have in negotiation. But despite his lack of physical speech, he still holds a vast political voice controlling a large contingent of other Elephants. Darkin is a current Triarch of Volantis and more or less controls the Elephant party of the other Old Blood. Their influence has diminished recently due to trade deals with the Braavosi, but it’s mostly for show as all the other families can’t blame anyone who deals in shipping to conduct such things. Darkin is preparing his family for losing their Triarch seat, but to use that time out of the spotlight to once again expand themselves and this time. Truly secure their future.
Darkin loses all of his teeth and intimidating countenance when it comes to his family. He loves his wife, and loves his children almost to a fault. He knows that it’s a weakness, and spends quite a bit of money ensuring the family's safety and training. He knows that he can’t protect them forever but until they reach the age of eighteen they are his to protect and he takes such a role very seriously. Darkin is also a pushover when it comes to Pheynix who he considers his favorite even if he’s not supposed to have one. Other than Pheynix, Darkin has an even more protective hand when it comes to his second born, Cephaeys. Only Lyra understands the reasoning for this, everyone else simply has to guess. His partnership and marriage to Lyra is one for the romance stories as the two form a truly formidable team that props each other up. Lyra covers all of Darkin’s faults and he does the same for her.
While rare, Darkin even in his advanced age is a scary fighter, adopting a more defensive style that boasts his conversational patience and picking apart his opponents defense. Darkin is also a scholar of military strategy and spends good money to have tutors from ALL different locations to teach him and his family. In particular the lockstep legions of the Ghiscari have held his attention for some time and Darkin considers their style to be one of the best he’s seen. It is Darkin’s thought that had Dragons and magic not been born that the Ghiscari Empire would be the dominant force in the world instead. As such, the Rahl household guard is trained in the defensive maneuvers and techniques of the legionnaires. Darkin holds a professional relationship with the current ruler of Volantis, giving his total loyalty to the Dragonlord and even serving as the master of Whisperer’s for the man. This is no surprise as Darkin has continued the Rahl family business of stealth, intrigue, spying, and assassination. - Lady Lyra Rahl - Mother from former Lys Valyrian house - Age 45 Born 4 ACLyra Rahl née Vhassar hailing from Lys and her family took the smart way out from Lys before the destruction that Aegon I Targaryen created. She grew up in Volantis and was good friends with Calytrix and the Rahl family in general. She learned to fight alongside the Rahl family and trained to be more than just a girl. She trained to be a spy for the house. She excelled at tactics and strategy as well as poisons.
At the age of sixteen she fell in love with Darkin who was ten years her senior. When they finally married it was after Darkin had established the family. By the time she had Aster it was more than evident that they were both madly in love with each other. When Aster was two Darkin came home with a beautiful baby boy that he explained was the Braavosi trading partner’s son who was the only survivor of an unfortunate accident. Lyra was moved and quickly accepted Cephaeys without question. She wanted to let the boy know that while she was not his natural mother she loved him just as much as if she were, however Darkin delayed this point. He put it off and put it off until Lyra finally brought it up one last time letting him know that if Cephaeys asked she would tell him but otherwise it was Darkin’s tale to tell.
Most of her births were an easy affair. The Twins and Pheynix were the most difficult for her and it almost killed her when they thought Pheynix was still born. If Lyra hadn’t been in love with Darkin the fact that he saved their little baby girl would have cinched it for her. The sudden pregnancy after Pheynix worried Lyra and she prayed to the old Gods that they have a healthy baby for this sudden accident they were, hopefully, blessed with. When Castor arrived Lyra couldn’t help but love the babe that looked so Valyrian. While she loved all her children equally Castor had a part of her that was special since he looked like her father who had died before Aster was born.
The near experience made them closer and this was evident in how they treated their family. Lyra had more of an ability to love all the children equally and was the parent that Pheynix could not get anything past. Lyra is the one that pushed Darkin to train Pheynix as a spy. She knew instinctively that while Pheynix would excel at the spying that unless pushed she would not be able to take a life easily. She was also the first to realize that Hespaerys and Cygnus could fit that bill. Hespaerys is ready to stretch his wings but once Cygnus is back from traveling he will have his test. - Aster Rahl - First Son, Oldest Child - Age 27 Born 14 ACAster Rahl Heir to House Rahl born during the gloaming of one evening. His quiet confidence was apparent at the moment of his birth. He was mostly silent that he panicked his parents. His natural inclination to silence made him a good listener and observer. He quickly learned that people generally like to fill silence. He was educated per the standard like every Rahl child and excelled at negotiating as well as knowing where people are best placed. Difficult arithmetic was easy for Aster and he involved himself in the family business at the age of thirteen and made a decent profit on a risky venture to Asshai. He personally went on the voyage and made the trade with the Asshai merchant.
As much as his silence is unnerving, people gravitate to him naturally. He is fond of having people around and is charming even with his silence. His smile reveals dimples and it isn't hard to make him do so. He keeps his hair long and it hangs in waves just past his shoulder blades. Like his sisters Pheynix and Lunaerys as well as his brother Cephaeys, though he was adopted, as well as Aunt Calytrix have the recessive trait of dark black as night hair and like them, save for Cephaeys, also carries the birthmark of the silvery white streak on the nape of his neck. His eyes are a pale slate blue and thickly lashed. His clothes are tailored to fit his broad shoulders and athletic physique. Predominantly he wears the house colors of purple and black as well as whites and grays in various shades. He is conservative in his clothing choice and makes the statement that his clothing is more adornment to accentuate his physical appearance.
When it comes to weaponry Aster took a liking to pole arms. The spear, halbert, javelins and in particular the glaive. He wields it with confidence and as if an extension of himself. - Cephaeys Rahl - Second Son - Age 25 Born 16 ACUnknown to Cephaeys, he is not actually a child of Darkin and Lyra Rahl. Instead, Cephaeys is the orphan boy of one of Darkin’s trading partners and good friends from Braavos. Named the guardian of the lad when he was born in Volantis during a business trip, Cephaeys, his father, and his mother had just returned to Braavos when tragedy struck. A ship that had been improperly tied down broke free and crashed into the ship carrying the Braavosi merchant lords. Despite the heroic efforts only Cephaeys was recovered, and only him due to the heroics of the lads mother. Darkin personally went to Braavos and spent a year there with the boy and to attend to his friend's estate. It is this friendship that has continued the Rahl friendship and alliance with Braavos. When Darkin returned he passed Cephaeys as his and Lyra’s own, and that matter was final. Whisperings might still exist and Darkin has promised himself that he will eventually tell his son the truth, a truth that Cephaeys has more or less pieced together himself.
Cephaeys is a bright lad, and he has always known he was different from his siblings. He loves them, and they him, but something was off. Cephaeys loved the sea, loved to watch the sails from the great bridge and dreamed of a swashbuckling adventure when he was a boy. He had a great mind for math and trade and was a wonder in the warehouses of the Rahl family on the docks. When he turned eighteen, the slender and adventurous lad was given control of all Rahl assets in Braavos and even moved to the manse that Darkin had ordered built before he left. Once in the city, Cephaeys truly felt at home and began piecing things together. He took to water dancing quickly and is a deadly swordsman, his ambition to become a first blade freely spoken. But above all he conducts trade, and makes deals and he’s quite good at it. With Cephaeys running the Rahl estate in Braavos, money quite literally flows in and out with ease and the alliances of Houses that know of Cephaey’s true identity remain stronger than ever. - Hespaerys Rahl - Twin Boy, Third Son, Eldest of Twins - Age 22 Born 19 ACFirst of the twins, Hespaerys is a serious fellow. As a child he was eerily calm and serious. The exact opposite of his sister in temperament it was hard to rile him to anger. However like his twin he grew into his classic Valyrian features with his mother's gray eyes. His golden blonde hair became the signature thing women and men praised him over. The attention was overwhelming to say the least. His calm nature took it in stride and now like then he gives a small smile while thanking the person. He mostly favors black but doesn't mind wearing colors.
While his twin turned to the sword Hespaerys was drawn to archery and throwing weapons. Instinctually he could aim and hit his target each time. If you put something in his hand and it was thrown and it was deadly accurate. His father at the urging of his mother started to train him to not only be able to take out an opponent in combat but before combat. He was trained to be an assassin.
Most of his training was done by an older man that made sure Hespaerys knew what he would be at the end of training, a dangerous weapon. Hespaerys accepted the power that can with the training. Soon he began to relax his demeanor and his severity lessened. His test came and went and was not spoken of other than to confirm his success. He now travels with his sister to Westeros. - Lunaerys Rahl - Twin Girl, First Daughter, Youngest of Twins, - Age 22 Born 19 ACThe second of the twins, Lunaerys has always been a spitfire. Even as a baby, Lunaerys was loud and obnoxious and itching for a fight. The baby Lunaerys even gave the Lord a black eye when Darkin attempted to hold her. That fighting spirit only grew as Lunaerys grew older, and despite that desire for conflict her beauty rivaled that of even her mother. Spoken of for her beauty across Volantis, Lunaerys was an obvious option for many other of the old blood of Volantis’ scions. And more and more families approached Darkin for potential alliances as Lunaerys grew into her beauty. As a teenager, Lunaerys participated in the standard education that all Rahl children were given and excelled in all things physical. She wasn’t dumb by any stretch of the imagination; she simply cared little for things other than how to knock a man off his horse and then stomp him into the dust. She suffered no one, but encouraged the looks admiring her and enjoyed shoving those boys into the mud and gently patting them on the cheeks as she pinned them.
These actions put Darkin in a true dilemma. He had plenty of offers for Lunaerys but in the end decided that he would not decide his first born daughter’s fate. The girl was willful and only her twin could keep her in line and it was decided that Lunaerys would find her own way. And what a way that became. Lunaerys became famous for tavern brawling, dueling random crew members of various nationalities, and serving in mercenary companies. She claimed Shadowfang from her oldest brother Aster when she was nineteen, and then began to train in New Ghis. When she returned she lost Shadowfang to her younger brother who she loved deeply and then was instructed to take her twin and become an ambassador and potentially find what she was searching for in Westeros. Lunaerys agreed, the young woman still not really knowing what she was seeking but more than willing to explore. Her twin Hespaerys at her side, Lunaerys feels like only the gods can stop her and can’t wait for her next good fight. - Pheynix Rahl - Second Daughter [See Below CS] - Age 20 Born 21 AC
- Castor Rahl - Fourth Son [See Below CS] - Age 19 Born 22 AC
- Cygnus Rahl - Fifth Son - Age 18 Born 23 ACCygnus the fifth son announced his arrival early. Lyra was not due for a week but apparently Cygnus wasn't waiting around to see the world any longer. His squalls were heard as far as the opposite wing of the household. Despite being a week early he was healthy and energetic.
Growing up Cygnus kept that energy and was a bit of a handful. He was constantly getting into tight places and climbing up places he shouldn't be able to. Somehow no one saw him get into these places so they were baffled as to how it happened. Hours later he’d be finally found in his room as if not everyone in the house had been looking for him frantically. Capitalizing on these talents his education not only included the normal Rahl children education but also included a turn with an acrobat from some mummers as well as the same older man that had trained Hespaerys.
Cygnus caught on quickly and is running his final test on the journey that he will be making to Westeros with his siblings. - Pyxis Rahl - Sixth Son - Age 15 Born 26 ACThe sixth son, Pyxis came into the world quiet and inquisitive. The boy rarely cried, and compared to his older siblings didn’t cause anywhere near the same fuss. Pyxis had an ethereal calmness about him as a baby and toddler, the boy finding contentment with even the smallest action and that action able to keep him occupied for some time. As he grew he became obviously gifted beyond his years. He had a wisdom and understanding of the world that even those well into their adult years didn’t have. He could console people with a touch, could radiate inspiration to his siblings when they spent time with him and could figure out what was bothering people without even being told. His perception, and spiritual hand at things could only be described when he was visited by a Priest of R’hllor who stated that the boy had a gift for the rarely seen things of the world and could perceive that which others could only dream.
While many of his siblings preferred to stick to physical matters, Pyxis instead preferred the histories and more academic arts. He excelled at all the subjects given to him and can speak High Valyrian, Low Valyrian along with all its dialects, westerosi, old Ghiscari, Dothraki, and has even began dabbling in Asshai’i. Pyxis dreams of going to the East and exploring Yi Ti and Asshai itself but has first been requested to accompany his older brother, older sister, and younger sister on a diplomatic route through the free cities and Westeros. Despite going the wrong way, Pyxis is excited to get a chance to see how Westeros operates. - Cassiopeia Rahl - Third Daughter - Age 12 Born 29 ACGrowing up in a family that supports you can do wonders to any child but for Cassiopeia it was truly needed. A shyer child, Cass even as a baby needed a lot of attention and constant handling by her parents. She refused to let anyone but Lyra and Darkin hold her for longer than a few minutes and until she was five she constantly clung to the legs of her parents or siblings in social situations. Her reliance slowly withdrew and Cass blossomed into a young lady with a love for animals, fashion, and dreaming of fairytale love. Cassiopeia is a dreamer and while she likes to think she is ready for adventure, in reality, she needs a few more years to understand herself first. Until then her ability to work with the elephants and other animals of the House or help design new patterns has made her popular with many of the shops. She has recently been given the chance to accompany her older siblings on a tour of the free cities and Westeros, which the young Rahl is extremely excited about.
- Sirius Rahl - Seventh Son, Youngest Child - Age 10 Born 31 ACSirius is the baby of the vast House Rahl. Doted upon by his parents AND older siblings has meant that Sirius has had it easier than any other. Each sibling has imparted something different to the impressionable lad and as such Sirius is growing to be an amalgamation of each. He has a good head on his shoulders and a love for his home. He has proven to be exceptionally adaptable and able to handle the many personalities of his family better than any other, except perhaps his mother. Out of all the Rahl children, Sirius seems to have taken after his father the most. He has the similar dead calm, patience, and ability to adapt to the situation at hand. Darkin has begun to think that it will be Sirius who next becomes a Triarch for the Rahl family and hopes his other children have prepared the way and expanded enough for Sirius's turn at the head. That is if things go to plan.
- Calytrix Vhassar - Aunt - Age 43 born 2 BCCalytrix is a strong independent woman that has lost her husband and oldest sons. She is a very proficient water dancer and assists her brother Darkin with training the newly freed slaves in tavern keeping as well as making sure that they can read and write. She is tall and slender with inky black hair that she shares with a few of her nephews and nieces. Pheynix looks most like her and could be taken for her own daughter. But in truth Calytrix looks identical to her mother Klyena and in turn Pheynix looks like her grandmother.
Calytrix fell in love with Raegulus Vhassar whose family fled Aegon’s battle with the Valyrian houses there during the conquest. They married and were living happily with their five children, two of which were grown enough that they were starting to venture out to find their own niche. A terrible tragedy happened that during a skirmish with the Dothraki her two sons were killed protecting the body of their mortally wounded father. The boy's bodies were recovered and Raegulus was delivered to Calytrix only to die in agony days later.
Calytrix spent days neither eating nor sleeping until her daughter six year old Andromaeda slapped sense into her. Her relationship with her daughter has suffered since and she has taken to Pheynix as more of a daughter figure. She moved on for her children though the process was difficult because her heart was broken. The realization that she was pregnant buoyed her spirits and little Caelum was born. Like her other children he was also spoiled but the boy seems to take it in stride. Probably because of the stable influence of his Uncle, Aunt and older cousins.
Calytrix has recently had lovers but they fill a craving her body demands and there is no love or tears when they leave. SHe has had the love of her life. She is discreet so no one outside the family, those paying particular attention in the family, knows anything about the men she takes to bed. Doubtless certain family members like her brother and sister in law know and a few of the older nephews and nieces but none have brought it up. - Finlay Vhassar - Cousin [Male] - Age 15 Born 26 ACFinlay is a brooder. He has experienced a lot of loss in his young life, two of the hardest losses being his oldest brothers. His heroes, and guides in life. A natural talent when it comes to dealing with people, Finlay can empathize with people and understand them. Finlay works exceptionally well with the slaves of House Rahl and is one of the main reasons they are so content. In addition, Finlay has slowly begun to take control of picking which slaves to free and to send for training as a spy. He is a struggling teenager but knows what he’s good at. He loves his mother and his siblings and struggles to do his best for Andromaeda and Caelum and to be a guiding hand like his older brothers were for him..
- Andromaeda Vhassar - Cousin [Female] - Age 13 28 ACAndi is a thirteen year old girl that wants to be a Knight. She takes after her mother in temperament, hotheaded and confident. As the only girl of Raegulus and Calytrix she is spoiled. While her mother is confident she mourned the loss of her husband as well as her oldest sons and in turn was not there for her surviving children and at the age of six slapped her mother out of it and threw a fit. This act of violence frightened Andi with how much she enjoyed it. From then on she fell into fits of rage when not given her way but was able to be pulled out of them by her older cousins. Mostly these fits would be directed toward something her mother attempted to educate her on. Andi felt more at ease with her Rahl cousins than her own family. She emulated Lunaerys and like Castor wants to be a Knight.
- Caelum Vhassar - Cousin [Male] - 7 Caelum is a young boy of 7 who enjoys chasing cats all around the home. He has three cats that he considers his and only his and the felines can be found following the boy around as he goes from lesson to lesson. Caelum was young enough to bounce back from the hardships of his older siblings and hasn't felt the loss of his oldest brothers quite yet. Caelum seems to be a great student, excelling in all of his studies and still inquisitive and wanting more. Sailing and geography seem to be the boys primary passions and even small ship trips will get him excited.
- Raegulus Vhassar - Uncle - Married in from former Lys Valyrian house same as Lyra [is Lyra's brother] Died 34 AC
- Sabik Vhassar - Cousin [Male] Died 34 AC
- Astraeus Vhassar - Cousin [Male] Died 34 AC
- Cernys Rahl - Uncle Died 27 AC
- Daenyha Rahl - Aunt - Married in - From Asshai Died 27 AC
- Vesper Rahl - Cousin, Twin [Female] Died 20 AC
- Hesper Rahl - Cousin, Twin [Female] Died 27 AC
- Erasmus Rahl - Grandfather Died 15 AC
- Kleyna Rahl - Grandmother - from Asshai Died 20 AC
Pheynix Rahl
Age: 20 Born 21 AC
Appearance: Pheynix resembles her Aunt Calytrix; and like her older brother’s Aster and Cephaeys received the rarer dark hair, as well as her sister Lunaerys. The inky black hair that is reminiscent of shadows that lie in the shadow lands. As long, knee length, and thick as her hair is Pheynix likes to keep it pulled up with intricate braids ordered around her head like a crown. She will leave it down for important occasions so that it will wave and curl. She has a silvery white streak that is at the nape of her neck and with her hair down you don't notice it. With her hair up the birthmark is in full display and is something she shares with her Aunt Calytrix, her brother Aster and sister Lunaerys. Her complexion is pale like her siblings that resemble the Valyria heritage with a sprinkling of freckles. Her eyes are a golden hazel color with long thick black lashes. Her mouth is in a soft cupid’s bow and a pale mauve.
Pheynix is a confident imposing young woman who towers over most men, other than her family. Standing at 5' 10" she is athletic and curvy. She moves with the cat like grace of a water dancer. She likes to wear light weight fabrics in a variety of colors and wears dresses as well as pants. Volantis is typically hot so outfits ride the line of decency or outright cross it. Pheynix doesn't have the latter but it's not uncommon to see people pushing past the boundaries of society because of the heat.
Description & biography: Pheynix Rahl, Second Born Daughter of Lord Darkin Rahl and Lady Lyra Rahl was born on the twenty fourth night, of the the third month, of the year 21 AC. When she was born she was not breathing until her father held her and breathed life back into her. He says that she opened her eyes and he felt an instant connection as she blinked; then shrieking like a bird of prey she let the world know she was just fine.
Pheynix, or Nix as her family refers to her, was the favorite of her family. Most obviously her father, no one held it against her but she got away with more but consequently was also sheltered a bit more than the others. When she was little her older siblings doted on the younger ones and especially on her. She took her cues from them and did the same to the younger ones as well. She grew up in a very loving home. She was especially close to Castor who would follow her around as if she were his guiding star. They would get into trouble more often than the twins and typically were instigating little adventures that would have given their mother white hair if she didn’t already have it. Needless to say that Pheynix would be able to smile at her father and all was forgiven for the two.
The family was well educated and spared no expense on education. They were taught the languages of Essos and Westeros as well as the Summer Isles. Astrology, astronomy, navigation, sailing and swimming. Weaponry and warfare, strategy and tactics. Politics, etiquette, dancing and the art of the fan. Each of the children excelled in particular areas. The areas that Pheynix particularly excelled at were languages, astronomy, navigation, sailing, swimming, politics, etiquette, dancing, art of the fan and one thing only a few others in her family were known for; water dancing. Education started early with the Rahl children and continued even into adulthood by applying skills taught at a level of thought and ingenuity that one expected from an adult fluent in their craft. Masters in areas that the Rahl children proved to be exceptional in were sought out and highered so that specialized tutoring was available to hone and refine that skill.
A few things stood out in Pheynix that struck her father as unique to her, besides the water dancing. Capitalizing on her ease with languages, politics and etiquette; her parents decided that she could learn a few more things that would benefit and further the spying that they practiced. From the age of twelve she started to hone skills to observe, move silently, recall information and listen while filtering for importance. This turned out to be a great investment and Pheynix excelled at this training. At the age of twenty she became proficient with these added skills that her father decided to put them to the test and is sending her on a mission to find out what exactly going on with the royal family.
Castor Rahl
Age: 19 Born 22 AC
Appearance: If one ever doubted that the Rahl family came from Valyrian blood one only had to look at Castor. Ethereally handsome as if from another time Castor boasts the typical features of Valyria, a head of messy pale blonde hair, violet eyes, and pale skin. He has soft edges on the tips of his ears and nose instead of the standard sharper, while his jaw and chin blend together with his cheeks flawlessly. Everything simply seems to fit perfectly together for the young man. His eyes are piercing which changes color based on the lighting. They also shine brighter when he is thinking or concentrating, and the same eyes become cold and calculating when in combat or pushed to anger. Castor is normally seen wearing fine clothing of black and purple, his sword constantly strapped at his hip. A tall lad, Castor stands at six foot-two,and when he was in his teenage years was quite thin which did cause some health issues. But as he went from being a boy and into being a man Castor’s form filled out and his muscles from constant training and drilling turned to wire which made him deceptive in his strength. In fact his entire being seems to be misconstrued to what he is, a deadly warrior.
Description & biography: The fourth born son of Darkin and Lyra Rahl, Castor was not a planned child. A result of a celebratory feast and the forgetfulness of a serving woman for Lyra, Castor came screaming into the world later that year, the last bit of that year, the twentieth night of the twelfth month. Despite being an ‘accident’ all rejoiced at his birth and Castor even started a tradition of the Rahl family sharing their new child with the city of Volantis and feeding the hungry and giving all their slaves a day off to celebrate. Of course, this tradition was heavily protected, but it still gave the Rahl family great favor with the smallfolk and since Castor was the first, he and his Valyrian looks are always spoken of fondly and with smiles by the common folk. Castor was also the first child to be blessed by not only the old Valyrian gods but also the Lord of Light which had begun to gain popularity in Volantis.
As a young infant and toddler, Castor was inseparable from his slightly older sister Pheynix. There was stories of the two children crawling themselves into all sorts of trouble but getting out of it due to Pheynix’s ability to get their father to forget everything and the servants all covering for Castor. It could easily be said that the two were the absolute favorites of their siblings thus far and even Castor’s older brothers and sisters wouldn’t debate that statement. Aster in particular spent many a day with the young boy and taught him all sorts of things in an effort to show Cas that even though he was the fourth born son he wasn’t any less loved and cared for.
While Aster taught the young boy of many things, Cas was still given the exceptional education that the Rahl family could provide with their wealth. Like Pheynix, Castor was taught the languages of Essos, Westeros, and even the Summer Islands. Out of the many subjects that were taught, Castor cared little for Astrology, navigation, or sailing instead preferring politics, tactics, strategy, and weaponry. The sword, in particular, did the young Rahl have raw natural talent with. It was a common occurrence for Castor to forgo some of his less favorite lessons to instead sneak into the training yard and train for countless hours even when exhausted. His trainers, consisting of Westerosi Knight that once was considered for the Kingsguard, a Braavosi water dancer, a Volantene champion of the wars against the coalition of other free states, a Meerish gladiator, and a Ghiscari Legionnaire.
Despite the many influences, Castor became obsessed with the ideals of Knighthood and that of Westeros. He dreamed of fighting alongside someone like Aegon the Conqueror, Orys Baratheon, and all his Knights. He read everything he could on the continent of Westeros, hired tutors from the continent and spent a lot of time on the docks to catch information on the western land. He kept up with all the different battles and replayed them in his head and tried to come up with various ways to change the outcome. Unable to make his way to Westeros, Castor instead began to train even harder than before to the point that even his instructors began to worry. Despite his thin and tall frame, Castor’s talent with the blade allowed him to routinely beat other Volantene noble sons five and six years his senior. And at sixteen when his build finally started to fill in he beat his own sister in combat to claim Shadowfang, the families Valyrian steel sword which always went to the families best fighter.
When Castor turned eighteen, his father, Darkin Rahl, instructed his son to prepare as he would be finally getting his chance to go to Westeros. Castor and his sister Pheynix would take their younger siblings Pyxis and Cassiopeia first to Myr, Tyrosh, Lys, Pentos, and then to Braavos to continue securing the alliance with the Sealord and one particular Braavosi house. After this, Castor and his siblings would go to Dragonstone and then Kings Landing itself, able to act as ambassadors for their family and giving Castor a chance to see the land he had fallen in love with.
