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 baggy clothing 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.

Name: Ishara Thumotep

Age: 16

Appearance: https://i.imgur.com/YZZUBFk.jpg

Background:

A girl born to a sacred prostitute working from the main temple of the goddess Ishari, and fathered by an unidentified Sorcerer, Ishara was simply one child among many who was born into these sorts of circumstances. It wasn't uncommon for the temple's sacred prostitutes to get pregnant, it likewise wasn't generally common either due to special practices used by these women and priestesses to avoid getting pregnant in the first place. In the end, however, this left Ishara to be treated and raised as other such children born at the goddess' temple are. For the first few years of her life, she was brought up in the temple itself in the care of her mother and other priestesses there, a probationary period allowed so those like her can grow up enough to be sent off to live with a relative. However, in this regard there was a catch. There were no living maternal relatives left for her to live with...and likewise her 'father' and his family had never even remotely showed themselves or otherwise been a part of her life. The temple could not indefinitely keep her, however, due to the limited living space and supplies there set aside for just the goddess' priestesses/clergy.

Ultimately, however, her mother got somewhat desperate to ensure her daughter a safe future. She eventually took to getting her child tested for a magical potential, as perhaps the path of a Sorcerer would offer her something at least, and in this the surprising discovery of her deep and profound magical potential was made. Had she not proven to have such talents and potential to make her more desirable, her life would have been to go into one of the orphanages of Photep. Even so, her fate was eventually bound to that of an old friend and contact of her mother: Aramina Thumotep, a philanthropic and influential Coptaric-Aemeni blooded noblewoman. The noblewoman pitied the poor child's situation, though it was Ishara's raw magical potential that left the noblewoman feeling confident enough to take her in and truly raise her as her own.

From here came the naturally expected years of magical education programs and preparation to put the young girl into only the best school for a budding potential Sorcerer: Pesedjet. It was her adoptive mother's way to try to ensure "the best possible future for her", and the natural beauty of Ishara seemed to synergize well with a noble upbringing. She was at least allowed to go see her birth mother at times as well over these years, gaining some wisdom and comfort from her in time, but her adoptive parent was otherwise rather insistent on her studies and work to ensure her a bright future. Whilst her adoptive mother notes in hindsight in current times that "I might have put her on the path to becoming a workaholic", at the same time she has shown nothing but pride in her adoptive daughter and has become rather close to her. Ishara did eventually did get into Pesedjet as well, pursuing her studies and excelling in her courses with a sort of grace until she graduated near the top of her class. Whilst some might attribute her adoptive mother and her great potential as reasons, it was through hard work and her own talents combined that Ishara worked her way to nearly reach the top of her class.

However, with the looming Commencement to come and her further magical education...it is safe to say she is a bit nervous about her prospects.

Personality:

A genuinely kind and hard-working individual who respects hard work in turn, all whilst generally being a relaxed and approach-able type of person. The kind of individual who is capable of sitting and listening to others if they need an ear. That being noted, however, Ishara is someone who also takes her work seriously...making her both useful but also potentially rather annoying when it comes to something like a ‘group project’. Likewise she can be rather stubborn and potentially overexert at times, much to the chagrin of those who know her best. She is someone who even feels she has to prove herself, to work hard for it, even if it pushes herself to the very edge or over in the process. In this sense one might call her a "potential future workaholic". Further, to speak ill if those she considers ‘family’ (birth mother and the other priestesses, Aramina) is something that can more easily get under her skin and incite her despite her usually more self-controlled nature. Likewise getting worked up enough about something can tap into her angry side that bit more. She does not hesitate, however, to stand up for what she feels to be right...albeit this in tandem with her stubbornness and getting worked up enough can make her quite the fearsome 'spitfire' indeed.

Ishara feels that magic itself is something that she wishes to push the envelope of out of a personal interest in it, to go further beyond with, and then see what can be used to help others. For, in the end, her philosophy is that magic is itself inherently “a tool by which man can improve the lives of others”. That being said, in regards to the looming Commencement she does feel a bit anxious and nervous about which Cult or Cults might take an interest in her. If any of them.

Aptitude:

A proper prodigy in her own right, drilled to apply hard work to her craft and learning but possessing a potent talent and potential her teachers back at Pesedjet compared to past historical masters of sorcery. As someone who graduated very close to the top of her class, which is rather saying something for those coming from Pesedjet, her grades and skills have been lauded as well as exceeded all expectations initially had of her. While not the topmost ‘prodigy of prodigies’ in all areas, however, Ishara’s talents and aptitude for Divination stand out as the most exceptional indeed.

Yet in truth, her interests lie in a desire to go to the “bleeding edge” of magical studies at some point. She has an especial curiosity about the effects of magic on the passage of time to boot.

Tutelary: (She has not yet summoned her Tutelary)

A leaner jackal-shaped creature with an...odd form to say the least. Its body is very defined in shape indeed, but is on the other hand composed of a strange, mysterious, inky black and shifting darkness like unto the darkest of nights. Within the darkness of its body is reflected the appearance of the clear night sky and the stars and cosmos scattered about within it, so crystal clear and vivid in appearance that some could call it “truly breathtaking”. Its two ‘primary’ eyes are outlined with a gold-colored runic symbol design and are as red as crimson blood spilt upon ruddy dunes, though at times other red eyes like these can suddenly appear upon the rest of its body without warning and open and close and look about seemingly at the creature’s will and own behest.

It has a long, Sha-like whip-like tail that forks into a "V" at the end with these two 'end segments' each having a golden tip on their ends that is as sharp and dangerous as metal (this tail can be literally used as a whip too, dangerously so). Golden bands engraved with odd runes and glyphs are also worn on each of this creature's four paws as well, and it is of note that its mouth is filled with sharp golden teeth of a deadly and carnivorous-looking sort. His claws, too, are that deep gold color to boot.

Taking the name of "Sekoth", this being is an oddly proud yet calculating creature more akin to a noble or a king than anything. He holds himself with a sense of pride no matter the situation, naturally carrying himself this way, and despite the circumstances of his master's birth and life he frankly seems to care for her rather genuinely. He also is also the Tutelary once wielded by her great-great grandmother, a Sorcerer herself, though his reasons for seeking out to partner with Ishara (a descendant of his original master) will remain for the time being ultimately unspoken and frankly unsaid on his part. He is an enigma, truly, in that regard.

Sekoth is also apt to observe situations and goings-on in general silence, at least before sometimes piping in or commenting on things (whether others want him to or not) as he pleases. Even his master is not free from this commentary and behavior. Though beyond this behavior, however, his attitude can lead to him being...inconsiderate for others when either riled up enough or stubbornly set on something in particular. It is a trait surprisingly similar to that of his own master in some respect. Albeit does have a particular taste for dates and date-based foods, however, when it comes to mortal treats he claims to enjoy. Sweets in general are a joy to have, in his mind, and help soothe stress.

Other:

-Extra Lore: The Goddess Ishari: The Coptaric-originated goddess of fertility, war, love, the flow of time, and power, she stands at the head of an otherwise long-forgotten pantheon she was once a part of when the Coptaric were nomads. She is represented by chains, spears, doves, wheat, and the phases of the moon, with her primary major temple and smaller shrines being scattered throughout Photep itself. Her worship includes the likes of scared prostitution and various rites and ceremonies, and her clergy is a strictly matriarchal system. While children being born to those priestess participating in sacred prostitution isn’t unknown, it also isn’t rather common due to the use of various practices to try to avoid pregnancy in ceremonies and rituals.

Such children are not seen as bad, and are at least given leeway to stay in the primary temple for a time to grow up just enough to leave their mother and be sent to go live with some other maternal relative. They are not barred from seeing their mothers, but likewise the temple cannot accommodate all of these children (and especially growing ones who are extra mouths to feed) on their sacred grounds. These children by far normally tend to get into good homes with relatives to their mothers, or their fathers if said fathers or father’s families step out to take in or help care for them, but in rare cases other measures might become necessary. The rare case of such a child going to an orphanage has been documented in the past, as have been the rare adoption by a family friend or other person to simply try to give them a home.

The worshippers of Ishari are also well-minded for the poor, and seek to show them love as their goddess feels for all downtrodden. Donations to orphanages and such groups are common, among other things, to show this alongside things like rudimentary “soup kitchens” organized for the worst off in the shantytowns.

-Extra Lore: The Coptaric People: An old and long-lived people of the deserts, former nomads who were among the very first peoples to migrate to Photep and settle down there after its founding. Their very hardy constitution and skills with metal and various crafts led to them becoming valuable workers and craftsmen, with some families even rising up into the rank of nobility. Even to this day there are still numerous Coptaric noble families within the population, as well as a Coptaric presence in a myriad of crafting Fellowships. Their lighter skin and odder hair colors are indicative of an even older and even farther history, however, and in only their most disparate and hard to find old legends they say they originated from a rumored “Land of the Frozen Wastes” to the extreme far north. Though whilst they do not recall those roots otherwise at all in public memory, the Coptaric people also brought with them a matriarchal hierarchy in their religion alongside the worship of a goddess known as “Ishari”.

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