Name: Chione Shesep of Aemeni and Photep, son of Addaya and Appepi of the Photepian Cask Makers Fellowship

Age: 16

Appearance: 5' 6", Shoulder length black hair with a straight cut. Dark blue eyes, short nose, light brown skin.

Background

Chione was born to two very loving parents. Addaya his father, and Appepi his mother had both worked as cask makers within the city of Photep for most of their lives. When Chione was born, they were both ecstatic and disappointed. Ecstatic because Chione was such a miracle to them, but disappointed because they had hoped and prayed that Chione would be a girl. As a compromise with the Gods they chose to give their newly born son they name they had picked out for him had he been a girl. They also named him Shesep, which being interpreted means palm, because when he was born, he was small enough to fit in their palms. Thus, Chione grew up with a girl’s name, was teased for it, and never quite forgave his parents.
Regardless Chione loved his parents. They were ever so good to him. They gave him all of the opportunities that they could afford, which wasn't much considering what they made as cask makers. Chione had never asked them to make and sacrifices for his sake but was such a curious child. He wanted to try everything just once! So, they sent him the best school they could, hired a tutor, and enrolled him in any extracurricular he asked them to. Chione was happy, as far as he knew they were living the good life. After all, they had never once mentioned any financial struggles to him, so surely all the things they did were fine, right? One day when Chione was still eight or so, he left his tutors home early and decided to go straight home. He felt very tired that day and thought a nap would do some good. As he walked in the front door of their home, he heard hushed voices coming from the dining area. He realized it was his parents talking. He thought it odd that they were whispering to each other, and he couldn't remember a time that he had heard them sound so tired, and worried. He decided to eavesdrop and see what they were talking about.
"Appepi, how much do we have this week? Will it be enough to keep paying Chione's tutor?"
"Yes Addaya, but only just enough. We still have our taxes to pay, and I'm not sure where it is coming from this month. There haven't been as many orders lately at my shop. What about yours? Do you have any promising leads?"
Addaya sighed, "No. Business is slow there as well."
There was silence for a moment. Chione could feel himself shaking. Money? There wasn't enough? But why, his parents always made it seem as though there was plenty!
Addaya spoke again, "Alright my love, there won't be any need to purchase food for my lunches this month." There was a pounding sound, Chione thought his father must have pounded his chest as was his custom right before he said his catchphrase, "A man isn't a man without struggle." He said to Appepi.
"I do love you dear." Appepi said, "I guess I won't be eating lunch either."
There was another pause.
Then in unison they said, "Everything for our son."
Chione had his hands over his mouth now, to cover the sound of his sobbing. He waited till he was sure they had left the room and then he ran out the front door again. He ran and ran until he came to an open field near their home. His mind was raging with more thoughts than he could handle. But one set of thoughts stood out. He latched on to them, seeking reprieve from the tempestuous sea within his head. He couldn't let his parent’s sacrifices be in vain. Nor could he dishonor those sacrifices by letting them know that he had discovered their secret or asking them to stop. He grit his teeth. It was decided. He would be the most dedicated student and son he could be. He would aim for the greatest height he could! He frowned and felt his face scrunch up. But what did that mean? It wasn't as if he could become king, after all their king had been king for... well forever! Then he thought of the magic the kind wielded. That was it! He would become the greatest mage he could! As great as the king himself! And he would serve the country with honor. This was how he would honor his parents.
Chione stood up and began walking with a brisk decided pace. He came to his tutor’s door and knocked on it politely. When the door opened Chione bowed and apologized for his carefree behavior. He asked his tutor to please allow him to come in and resume their lesson. The tutor frowned at Chione but bid him enter. Once Chione was seated the tutor asked him why the change of heart? Had his parents told him to come and apologize? Chione tried so hard to be strong, to keep from crying and let his parents secret come bursting out of him. But he could not. The tutor sat quietly as Chione sobbed and explained his situation. His parents were poor but were choosing not to even eat so that he could do as he liked. The tutor frowned, at first feeling angry with this spoiled child. Granted he seemed genuinely upset, but why? likely because he did not like the idea of being poor. He shook his head. He had seen it to many times.
But then Chione surprised him. He said, "And so I am here again so that I may finish our lesson. I will not leave early ever again." Chione began wiping at his tears with his sleeve. "I cannot dishonor my parents great sacrifice." He sat up a bit straighter, "I will not dishonor or tarnish the gift they have given. I will honor them by becoming the best son and man I can be." He paused to gather his breath as he had not quite stopped sobbing yet.
The tutor was shocked. Such composure and language from one so young. And he had decided this on his own? What eight-year-old child felt such things?
Chione continued, "I will become the best gift I can ever give back to my parents, I will become the greatest mage I can, even as great as the king himself if I can!" Chione had stopped crying now, his face was set in a proud and confident stare, locking eyes with his tutor. There wasn't a hint of defiance or pride there, nor any malice or fear that the tutor could see. He couldn't break eye contact with the boy. He meant it. Every last word and believed that he could do it. The tutor smiled and thought to himself, such a sentiment deserves to be fulfilled. So long as this child remains true to his aspirations, I think I shall support him as best I can. Moved rather deeply, the tutor held out his hand to Chione. Chione looked at the hand, puzzled. The tutor laughed at his confusion.
"My name is Buneb, I don't believe I've ever shared it with you." He said with a smile. "It's nice to formally meet you Chione."
Chione's face slowly began to light up. His look of determination to one of happiness. This one person thought his decision was a good one. With a beaming smile Chione took the hand and shook it, "It's nice to formally meet you as well Buneb!"
From that day forward the two were very close friends. Buneb wanted to cut the cost of his lessons for Chione's parents but felt that this too would dishonor them. Instead he secretly agreed with Chione that he would help him in his goal however he could. Their lessons had no time limit, and often carried late into the night. When asked why he had been out so late, Chione would often explain he had been studying at the library, or with friends. If his parents ever doubted the validity of his studying, he would openly welcome a quiz on the subject of that study. He never disappointed.
Buneb taught Chione more than simple arithmetic as well. Buneb had studied at the best schools when he was younger and had a great wealth of knowledge concerning many things. He taught everything from proper etiquette to magic and physical combat. Chione couldn't believe that Buneb knew enough about magic to teach him so much, but Buneb waved it off. What he knew was all book learning and word of mouth. He'd never been able to do more than produce a small breeze. Chione on the other hand turned out to be quite skilled with magic. Buneb couldn't call him any sort of prodigy, but he was certainly one of the lucky few who had the potential to learn powerful magic. Easily enough potential to petition to enter one of the Cults. Chione practiced and studied relentlessly, occasionally becoming ill due to exhaustion. When he would see how this pained his parents, he would feel daggers in his chest. He had to become strong enough that he could withstand the demands he put on his body, so that his parents didn’t have to worry, and he could honor their sacrifice!
And so, the years passed, with Chione training and studying to honor his parents, his parents working and sacrificing to allow him to chase his dreams, and Buneb observing and aiding where he could. Chione caught the attention of the local Rehati due to his impeccable performance in schooling and extra curriculars. At the time Chione was attending the best school his parents could afford, however this school was far from the best.
The Rehati sent a representative to pay a surprise visit to Chione’s family. They were all shocked. What could the Rehati want with them? They had been paying their taxes reliably, and they observed all state laws and celebrations. The Rehati representative set their fears to rest, they were in no sort of trouble at all. In fact, they had come to offer to sponsor young Chione. Everyone was stunned. He went on to explain that the Rehati had noticed his exceptional performance, and felt it was in the state’s best interest to support the young lad. He had clear potential and the state would lose out on an exceptional man if he was not allowed the very best education available. Of course, everyone was ecstatic, so Chione began the process of moving up in schools. The Rehati would not enroll him in a school they did not feel confident he could succeed in. It didn’t take long before they were satisfied that he deserved to attend the Pesedjet. Everyone was ecstatic, and the Rehati praised Chione for making it so far. They encouraged him to continue to work hard and prove that they had been right to invest in his future. Chione promised to work hard.
Finally, after years of tireless preparation the day that Chione's proud parents have been waiting for has arrived, and they could not be more excited for him. Chione to is excited, though Buneb remains reserved. Chione has asked him why, but Buneb refuses to answer, instead scolding him for paying more attention to his tutors’ mood than to his studies.
Chione laughed and responded, "But Buneb don't you remember I'm studying psychology and doing a refresher on manners this month? So, you are part of my studying! Everyone is! I noticed you seemed worried about something and thought it would be polite to ask if you were alright." Chione gazed up at Buneb with a cheery smile.
Buneb stared into Chione's unblinking eyes. Was he wrong to worry? Chione was such a dedicated boy, surely, he would be fine within the Cult's. They ought to accept and welcome his enthusiasm. But then Buneb noticed the weariness evident in creases of Chione's face. He looked older than he was. And there was something else, something Buneb couldn't put his finger on. A growing concern, or perhaps dread that had begun a few months before. He had sought council from one of mages who practiced divination, and they said it was likely an innate ability of his sensing some impending event in the future, though they refused to say if it was a good or bad event. Buneb had left more worried than when he arrived. Now looking down into Chione's eyes he had to wonder, was everything really going to be alright? Was this day really one to be celebrated?

Personality: Chione is a bright and energetic young man. His greatest wish in life is to become the very best mage he can, whether that means becoming as strong as the Crimson King, or as strong as the average scholar mage. He is loyal to a fault, foolishly optimistic, a try hard, and prone to pushing himself to far. He is ecstatic that he has been accepted into the Cults and can’t wait for the commencement ceremony to end so that he can begin his studies in magic.

Aptitude: Chione has found he has a great affinity for Telekinesis and hopes to be inducted into the Cult of the Scarab.

Tutelary: Chione hasn’t summoned a Tutelary yet. He believes he is capable of doing so, but Buneb had very limited knowledge concerning Tutelarie’s, and Chione decided to wait to summon his until he could discuss the matter further with one of the mages of whichever Cult he is inducted into.

Name: Khotanebre Bekenamun

Age: 16

Appearance: Kho's appearance puts his less than pure Aemeni heritage on full display, with carmine hair and a complexion far more olive than it is tan. He still has a boyish fragility to his features, with feminine eyelashes and narrow shoulders only serving to make him look more diminutive despite being around average height for his age. He typically dresses in brightly dyed robes to create less of a jarring contrast with his hair.

Background: The House of Bekenamun is an established but relatively unimportant facet of the aristocracy from the earliest waves of non-Aemeni tribesmen to Photep, more known for their military contribution to the Red Orders than any political influence or exceptional wealth that other noble families might hold. The family produces magically-inclined children fairly regularly, much to the chagrin of many Bekenamun patriarchs trying to choose their successor, and quite a few of them throughout the lineage's history have had the distinction of serving in the Orders Sekhmet and Khenetai. Khotanebre is the secondborn son of the current Lord Bekenamun and was raised in a comfortable manner befitting a young noble, as he would've been next in line for inheritance should his older brother have ended up presenting an affinity for sorcery. Coincidentally, it was Kho that ended up showing magical talent instead, and his family wasted little time in pushing him into the Pesedjet with every bit of influence they had. He was a diligent and capable student of magic, though he didn't particularly stand out amongst the impressiveness of his peers at such a prestigious institution. Not that it bothered him; Kho had few aspirations aside from a vague familial hope that he'd be selected for one of the Red Orders and a desire to be simply be useful to the Photepi people wherever he was assigned.

Personality: Kho is generally polite and superficially mild-mannered, though there's a restless energeticism bubbling just under the surface, waiting to erupt in animated movements and enthusiasm whenever he finds something that excites him. Politically, his Lion upbringing clearly shows through; as far as Kho is concerned, Photep is the greatest civilization that will ever exist, its prosperity is of the utmost importance, and none are more fit to lead it there than the aristocracy that have led the city this far to begin with. He sees the academics that compose his political opposition as important, but ultimately arrogant. Not because he considers them trying to rise above their station, but because his view on magic is a decently humble one, believing that sorcerers are - and likely always will be - the metaphysical equivalent of children playing with blocks compared to the entities of the Aether. He truly believes in the heaven-sent origin of the Crimson King, and yet even His Majesty must draw his power from that realm; which Kho takes as reason to believe that even stronger entities exist out there somewhere. Nevertheless, he's excited for his role as a sorcerer and to be able to twist the energies of the Aether to Photep's benefit.

Aptitude: Kho's excitability lends itself well to pyromancy, with his magic manifesting just as explosively as his sudden episodes of enthusiasm do. He's a fairly average practitioner of magic in other fields, but he picked up on shooting little flames around remarkably quick.

Tutelary: Recently summoned, Tekenkhasut takes the form of a stern-eyed falcon, typically adorned in a colorful little scarf to match with his master. Despite what his rigid appearance may suggest, Tekenkhasut has a propensity toward acting mischievous, if not outright obnoxious. He exhibits a certain fondness for destruction and mayhem, constantly pushing Kho toward the more combative aspects of pyromancy and magic in general. While this may sound sadistic, the familiar is self-admittedly more interested in the resulting light show than deriving any satisfaction from hurting people, and his suggestions are usually harmless beyond minor property damage.