Name: Johanna Valerivicus
Age: 24
Gender: Female
Background: The Valerivicus’ once belonged to the higher ranks of Sevitel, they once belonged to the groups of nobles, the inner circles where the wealth of those most noble and royal were set out to be enjoyed. The Valerivicus rode in carriages gilded with silver and gold, and drawn by steeds of pure white. But that was long ago, over a century and a half. Now the Valerivicus are but a poor family of merchants, and Johanna is amongst them.
Johanna’s brothers Chezaré and Thalien are trying to regain their family nobility. Chezaré works under Queen Athelia Talone-Asicci. He makes a meagre living, despite the noble title.
As for Thalien, he is a jeweller. When Johanna turned 14, Thalien asked their mother to send Johanna to him so that he could teach her a trade in which she may support herself in the future if she couldn’t settle with a husband. Although Chezaré is older (34), Thalien (29) makes far more coin than his older brother. He taught Johanna how to identify precious gems and stones, and how to set them for jewellery.
But this is not about her brothers, this background. This about Johanna. So allow me to tell you her life:
Johanna grew up in a cold and dark home. Her family resided in Valerivicus Hall, built four-hundred years ago by Lord Fredrick Valerivicus. The domain which she called home was a two-story stone manor that was hidden away in the backwoods of Sevitel. Valerivicus Hall is located 25 miles south of a small hamlet called, Tyrim. With its large, expansive rooms, Johanna often wandered the halls in her childhood, roaming from one abandoned room to another. Why were the rooms abandoned, you may ask? Over the last two hundred years, the Valerivicus have fallen from their high status in society as nobles. They were prosperous traders, and eventually became respectful merchants. Over the years, the Valerivicus worked their way to the top, which they accomplished in forty years after the hall was built. The family was known for their extravagant and lucrative behaviours. They were the talk of Sevitel in all inner, and private circles.
The women in the family were known for their grace, beauty and knowledge in the arts. The men? They were rambunctious and wild, infamous for those late midnight frolics in the meadow with the farmer’s daughter. Much ale, and spiced wine was consumed during feasts and parties. For a while, the Valerivicus were in charge of the annual Hunt that took place in Tyrim. To be married to a Valerivicus was highly desired amongst both the men and women in Sevitel. Many suitors came to ask for the hands of the Valerivicus offspring.
One could say that over time the Valerivicus became prideful, rude and slovenly in their manners. Money could buy everything right? Wrong. The family itself became corrupt, gambling away their land, their money as if it were infinite. When it did run out, it was too late for them to recover any of their losses. They began to sell off more of their belongings, trying to pull themselves out of debt. They sold their dressers, rugs, mounted trophy heads, even several pieces of the family crest set.
That is why those rooms were empty. By the time Johanna had come into the world, the Valerivicus were nothing more than once-noble people trying to make a living like they had four hundred years earlier. Johanna was brought up like the other Valerivicus women, educated, full of grace and etiquette. However, Johanna despises such necessities. Some would consider her to be rude, or abrasive in the noble life of Sevitel. Johanna chooses to openly debate with men and women, even with her superiors. She is extremely defiant and stubborn.
However there was one person that Johanna respects and refuses to disobey. That person? Her aunt, Esme. She is a refined woman, someone to be revered. Esme lived with Johanna for many years until Thalien was able to purchase her, her own personal abode. But while Esme lived with Johanna and her family, Esme offered the only relief for Johanna. Late at night when the wind howling against the window panes frightened Johanna, Esme would come sing her to sleep. She read to Johanna, and encouraged her always to think. Think opposite of what the sheep do. Johanna had no idea what that saying meant at the time, but as the years wore on, Johanna began to understand. In order to break away from the flock, Johanna had to open her mind and think different, approach situations and ideas from different angles.
It was Esme who instilled in Johanna her talent for crafting. It had started when Johanna asked Esme to teach her how to weave. From there, Johanna expanded her talent. She learned how to make jewellery, sew clothing, embroider. Johanna could even craft a chair, hard labour doesn’t scare her. She embraces it readily.