Emerit Nji'Hadi

[Emerit]

Emerit Nji'Hadi

Table of Contents

‡ About ‡
‡ History ‡
‡ Family, Companions and Partners ‡
‡ Housing ‡
‡ Inventory & Money Ledger ‡
‡ Skills, Skills Ledger & Knowledge ‡
‡ Renown Ledger ‡
‡ Thread List ‡

[Emerit]

‡ Basics ‡

Name: Emerit Nji'Hadi

Age: 28

Date of birth: 74th trial of Vhalar, 690th arc

Profession: Fisher(wo)man

Living Expenses: Beggar (4gn/day)

Place of birth: Scalvoris, Eastern Idalos

Race: Biqaj

Languages: Common - Fluent; Rakahi - Broken

Religion: Siera'ja

Status: Alive and free

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‡ Appearance ‡

Emerit is on the smaller side of the Biqaj scale, measuring up to only 5'8". Yet, where she might lack in height, she gains in other attributes, physical or otherwise. She prides herself with her sailor body that constitutes of lean but strong muscles. However, the most prominent feature everyone notices is the scar on her forehead that she explains in more than one way. The next destination for the gaze is her fiery red hair usually brushed with her fingers and with several braids here and there. In terms of clothing, Emerit prefers simplicity. Quality is a luxury she might allow herself at some point, but at the moment she is content living minimalistic and practical life.

Injuries: 8th Ymiden, 718th Arc - bruises to the back and nail long cut on the right side of the neck - heal by 13th Ymiden, 718th Arc

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‡ Personality ‡

Emerit is mainly driven by wanting to understand how the world ticks. She knows the legends but her curiosity leads her to believe there is more to them than what is being told. As such, being granted her freedom to leave the family has blessed her with the opportunity to search for the truths. On top of that, she takes great care in reaching her absolute best in any and every aspect possible as she seeks to live up to the freedom given to her by her family. Alas, her loyalty is also her downfall and perhaps one of her biggest flaws. If someone earns her trust to that point, they can be sure that she won't leave their side even if in mortal danger herself. The idea of fear is somewhat elusive to her as she tends to be a bit of a daredevil and somewhat rash anyways.

Overall, she is your engaging, daring and optimistic Biqaj that over a drink or two will spin various stories herself as if it was her second nature.

[Emerit]

‡ History ‡

Survival of Hope

Before we get to talk about Emerit’s past we need to understand the legends told in her family. It has many quirks and oddities in itself that if they were to be mentioned separately or in just passing in the story if this Biqaj, they would not make much sense. She is part of a mixed tradition of the land where her ancestors found themselves to survive, the lingering traditions of her race as well as traditions that her family has invented over time. As such she is one of many examples of morphed ideologies and solitary evolvement of a domestic culture where the point of reference for understanding is found more often the stories of ancestors rather than in the outside world.

Emerit’s ancestors were the lucky (or unlucky depending on who you ask) people who survived a turbulent night in 352nd Arc when their ship went on a suicide mission through the Tried's Mouth. It was a night of sudden storm and their ship got separated from the rest of the fleet. It deviated from its course entirely with the crew unable to steer it back. The ship was manned by two clans of recently promised loved birds – the Nji’Hadis and the Qy’Gwars. This accident is still considered more a freak of events rather than fate as it caused them to end up on an island that they did not know nor ever heard of. The following story that is shared in the family with each new generation is of survivors, fate and hope that even if once lost can be found again.

The survivor of that crash joined a few others from similar incidents and together they found their refuge in a settlement which is now known and growing as Scalvtown. This raggedy town was their best chance on survival at first.

It is said that the Nji’Hadi clan had twin brothers – Inhue and Jairo. Jairo was the one promised to a Qy’Gwar beauty of a woman. Inhue had his freedom to do as he pleased. After the ship was run ashore, both clans were uneasy about the fate of the rest of the fleet. Inhue was the strongest voice of them all. He wanted them to restore the ship so they could sail out and rejoin the rest of the clan. Yet, others weren't so convinced. His drive and determnation pushed him to build himself a vessel from the limited resources around. It was not an easy task by any means and it took him two cycles to build a sloop that looked capable enough to sail nimbly out of the Treid's Mouth. The rest of the family had a few boats but those were more rigid, slow to turn and solid enough only for some fishing around the bay. Once he had his own vessel, he was ready to set sail. And so he did. He bid his farewell, promising to return either with the rest of the fleet or at least with some news.

Two more cycles passed in waiting and there would have been more in Scalvtown if only the settlement did not become more of a nuisance than a benefit. Jairo's wife was in first stages of pregnancy and the settlement was growing more dangerous by the day. The clan hoped to stay and wait for Inhue but certain priorities had to be rearraged. In order to secure the safety of the unborns and the clan itself, they were pushed to make a perilous journey around Scaltoth Jungle in a direction of Harvardr. A place that they heard was probably one of the more peaceful spots around the island. However, the journey came at a cost, of course. Qy’Gwar clan was reduced by more than a half and Nji’Hadi’s lost a third, either to the elements or strange creatures of the island who preyed on them as they travelled. The massive reduction in numbers caused the family to stick closer together to protect each other at any cost. This created bonds far stronger than any Biqaj promise would and loyalty to the clan and each other became indispensable and a matter of staying alive. Once they arrived in Harvardr, they found the early settlers more to their liking with their honesty and focus on work for the benefit of the community. It played well into the notion of interdependence that the clan had. The clan united under Nji’Hadi’s surname because of the majority of survivors but also for the protection such unity offered. They took refuge in the hard work just to forget the hardships of the recent past and in such a way, they integrated themselves into the settlement and its daily running.

Few cycles later, Jairo’s wife gave birth to a set of twins and arcs went on. With each passing arc, eyes turned to the horizons more and more often as Inhue has still not returned. Unrest grew in the midst of the family and the twins grew up in an environment which had the desire to look for the man who was now probably lost, but the fear of leaving the island for the waters around it looked treacherous kept everyone from acting upon the need. It was to no one’s surprise then, when one of the twins informed the family that he was to obtain a ship by any means necessary and go look for his uncle. His name was Tonatiuh and he just passed the Biqaj’s Right of Passage and was considered an adult. The response to that decision was mixed. Some of the clan protested, some welcomed it and even praised the man for his bravery to risk his life in order to look for another. And so, history repeated itself. Tonatiuh obtained a ship and left. The other twin left behind found a partner, married and had children...twins. But yet again, arcs passed and Tonatiuh was not returning.

The idea of anyone else leaving the island to pursue the lost man was now hope lost and sadness ingrained in everyone's heart. The men were praised for their noble notions around the family table, but within everyone's mind, they were pitied for their lost souls. So it was only logical that when one of the twins suggested that they go look for their uncle and great-uncle. This time there was more refusal. No one wanted another family member to head out into the world only to be lost forever. It has already taken Inhue and Tonatiuh and the clan could not afford to lose any more of their abled ones who could help with fishing and taking care of the family. It was a tumultuous sequence of trials of arguments. Imagine passionate but stubborn Biqajs and perhaps the ending of that episode won't surprise you. The twin left in secrecy - bitter but all the more determined. The twin was a woman and to this day there are many theories about how she got off the island. One thing is for sure. Her name is always spoken with awe and pride - Ri.

At first, her departure was seen as a betrayal. It is said that it was even forbidden at some point to mention her. And who knows, perhaps the history of the clan would have been entirely different if certain events did or did not happen. One thing is for sure. If it wasn't for Ri, this clan would not have certain traditions that it has today. Why? Because she was the first one to return. Better yet. She returned with her uncle Tonatiuh and a humble ship carrying simple worlds from Idalos then. The bitterness that once gripped hearts of all family members and the hatred that threatened to ensue was extinguished by the relief of seeing two members of the family back, both in good health and with tales of the world of the island. It was almost as if the pair wooed the family's goodwill with those.

The tradition that was started was that after twins in the clan are born and they pass the Biqaj Rite of Passage (not only the Scalvorian coming of age) among them, they can choose who would stay behind and who would go and search the world for wonders like Tonatiuh and Ri brought back. Sure enough as odd as the island is, each generation saw the birth of twins and each generation followed the tradition. Some memberes returned to the island, some did not. Some hopped on and off as they liked. The fact that everyone woman gives life to two children has created over the centuries a belief that if a day comes when a Nji'Hadi woman would birth any other number, a disaster was to happen.

And this is the sort of family Emerit was born into. One of warped Biqaj tradition mixed with the life on Scalvoris and strange family habits that are borderline superstitious.

To this day, no one knows what happened to Inhue.

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The Cost of Freedom

Emerit was born on 74th trial of Vhalar, 690th arc with her twin brother Tunga. She grew up hearing these stories. She saw the wandering clan members returning with tales, trinkets and experiences. Both she and her brother would listen to all of it with mouth agape. For Emerit, she loved the tales of the world outside Scalvoris. She did not care what was truth and was a painted picture with words to impress.

It was these stories and her predisposition for adventure that at first saw Emerit and her brother do little wanna-be expeditions of their own. It was also these that have seen the first looming signs of the future above their heads. The gaunt and rotten fingers of fear of missing out began clawing on her consciousness more and more as she grew. What was going to happen after their Rite of Passage? Who would be the one to leave? Who would be the one to stay?

The little bursts of freedom the twins gained around Harvardr could only satisfy them enough. Or at least Emerit knew she could hardly ever stay content. It was especially few arcs after the Scalvorian coming of age. It was at that time that she met the Bard and their little adventure was the true force behind her hunger for everything new and foreign. She began to hunger for the distant horizons and the secrets they held. It was that one expedition which unbottled something inside, Emerit never knew she had. Something raw and powerful. Passion so strong, she had hard times to contain it. She would say, he was the reason for many good...and bad things about her. But then, who knew if that was true. For aside from desiring her freedom more than ever, she also gave in to spinning stories like her relatives (or pirates themselves) and putting them forth as truths. However, she was never to become a pirate. To this date, she doesn't give a straight story as to why she did not follow the Bard because many would say she was infatuated with the man and would follow him to the ends of the Idalos if he asked. Maybe he never did.

Either way, at some point, they parted. Suddenly, Emerit calmed down, became introspective and quiet. It was a period of few arcs (18th and 19th) when the loud, energetic girl would become more contemplative. She would work hard still, but even Tunga worried. For the first time in his life, he could not read his sister. He could not tell what she was feeling, what was going through her mind. For the first time, she felt to be a stranger to him and that frightened him. Many nights he would feel his chest tighten as he looked at the sleeping silhouette of his twin on the cot. He would recognize the features, the oh so familiar curve of her forehead as it dipped down to the straight nose that ended in a cute little bobble. But he did not recognize the person wearing that face.

Thankfully, at that time, one of their parents was planning a journey to Scalvtown and few other settlements. The whale hunt was fruitful and they wanted to negotiate better conditions for the trade. Emerit was taken on that journey. It's time to distract the girl, many would say. She was just heartbroken, they thought. Whatever the reason, the journey, although arduous at first, turned out to be a good decision. They journeyed peacefully but the caravan was more broken than functional. And even though they tried to fix it in Scalvtown before they would continue, it broke down anyway near Sweetwine Woods. There, the fate turned the tables.

Emerit would find herself strolling along the edges, wandering into the woods. It was mindless wandering bordering with foolishness. She could get lost and eaten by a predator. At such one point, she thought she did lose her way, but felt no anxiety nor fear. Just emptiness. The strangest sense of nothing it resembled peace. Coupled with the calming hush of the leaves, the young woman sat down on a toppled tree and listen to the sounds of nature that once filled her with joy. Now it allowed her to clear her mind of the thoughts that were so oppressing her over the past cycles. It was thanks to that open hearing that the breeze carried to her a weak distressed call which she registered. It was such a desperate call that it immediately caught her attention. And although she knew that she should not advance, she could not leave whatever was suffering behind. Even if it was a trap, she dared the fate and followed. The sight to this day is burned to the back of her mind. It probably is one of the only true stories she tells.

She made her way through the plant life and arrived at a scene where she saw a monkey mutilated and dead. First, the bite and tear marks on the body spoke of a vicious predator. Then, the maggots crawling in the flesh gave her a good idea of the state of decay. The poor thing was dead for a few days now. But that did not explain the call. When Emerit rose her swirling hues of concern and looked around with caution realizing she probably did arrive ina trap, she saw a babe in the tree top. She was no expert at monkeys but the one she saw there on the branch was too small to be an adult. Its voice too...fragile and for a second Emerit felt that she could see tears in the poor beings eyes, or it was hers watering at the sudden rush of empathy and understanding of loss. She would not admit to bursting into tears joining the babe in its desperate call for a moment or two. But as soon as the Biqaj calmed down, her first attempt was to lift her hands to the branch and recover the orphan. It scurried away tripping over itself. Either the age did not permit it the nimbleness of a more grown individual, or it just hasn't eaten for that long. With the latter the Biqaj could help.

She started speaking softly, trying to comfort the poor being laying food on the branches as close to the babe as she dared in fear to not cause the little one run away further. Bits and breaks passed before the monkey gave in. Perhaps overcome by hunger and naivety, it gave in to the temptation and took the offered food. It was already the start of nightfall when Emerit led it to the edge of the woods. Their caravan was stationary for a few trials by the woods before it could continue its journey which gave Emerit enough time to win the favour of the monkey with the delicacies offered. Its skittish nature was soothed and although it did not trust other travellers', it found its comfort in the young woman (and her hair). Emerit named it Ri - for her conquering nature of hardship and the liberating feeling it bestowed on the Biqaj woman. They seemed to have found a unique sense of protection in each other's company.

From then on, Emerit has gradually returned to her previous self until the Biqaj Rite of Passage. Nervousness gripped her on the day and the few following after. One of them could get the freedom now. But it was not something the rest of the family would decide. It was something the twins had to work out among themselves. The awkward silence was the most distressing of it all. The secret looks of uncertainty stolen by each twin were almost too painful to bear, but neither wanted to bring the topic up. It was the longest trials she remembers and the biggest test of their bond for this is another truth she tells - there has never been a man she loved more and she feared losing him if she were to force her desires on him or in any way manipulate him into giving in. At the end, she did not need to do anything. A girl came to them one day. A girl Tunga has been walking around with a lot. She was with a child. Suddenly Tunga was bound to the land with responsibilities imposed on him by Biqaj customs. Much like avoiding the topic of freedom, they never spoke of their feelings upon the discovery. That would turn out to be the biggest mistake they made.

Trials later, Emerit's grandfather, a Siera'ja follower and a skilled boat builder offered to help her build her own sloop. Much like the way their ancestors did in the past. Four cycles later, she had it. Indebted with money for materials and gratitude, but she had it. She could go and taste the freedom she felt deserving off but equally as guilty for having. But now, she could live the stories she's heard so many times. She left the place she knew in order to become who she was meant to be, or so she thought.

[Emerit]

‡ Family, Companions and Partners ‡

Family

Tunga

Name: Tunga Nji'Hadi
Race: Biqaj
Gender: Male
Age: 28 arcs
Languages: Common - Fluent; Rakahi - Broken
Profession: Fisherman
Status: Suffering Ink Bloom

Not actively played by PC

Companions

Ri

Name: Ri
Race: Temple Monkey
Gender: Not determined
Age: 10 arcs
Status: Alive

Occasionally played by PC

Partners

None as of yet.

[Emerit]

‡ Housing ‡

A fore-and-aft-rigged sailing vessel having at least two masts, with a foremast that is usually smaller than the other masts. The schooner has a hold and three living quarters under the deck.Two with sets of bunk beds to house four people each and one with room for a single bed, writing desk, chair, storage chest, and shelf.

Schooner includes:

1 x Hammocks
1 x Gangplank
1 x Table
1 x Chair
1 x Chest
6 x Plates (assorted)
2 x Eating knives
1 x Fish smoker
1 x Lantern
1 x Map of Scalvoris

[Emerit]

‡ Inventory & Money Ledger ‡

Item	Q'ty	Paid	Received	Remainder
Starting Package	...	...	...	...
‡ Set of clothing	1	...	...	...
‡ Set of toiletries	1	...	...	...
‡ Tinderbox	1	...	...	...
‡ Waterskin	1	...	...	...
‡ Compass	1	...	...	...
‡ Spyglass	1	...	...	...
‡ Small fishing net	1	...	...	...
‡ Small anchor	1	...	...	...
‡ Dried food rations	1 week	...	...	...
Ymiden wage 718	...	...	332 GN	352 GN
Debt pay-off	...	300 GN	...	52 GN
Whale meat	1 piece	...	here	...
Skinning axe	1	...	here	...
Common pole with fishing line	1 set	...	here	...
Spinning lures	1 bunch	...	here	...
Small hammer	1	...	here	...
Biqaj tree	1	...	here	...
Trap box	1	...	here	...
Harpoons	1 bunch	...	here	...
Ear cuff earing	1	...	here	...
Schooner loan	1	...	2,500 GN	2,518 GN 5 SN
Saun wage 718	...	...	228 GN	246 GN 5 SN
Loan payment	...	240	...	6 GN 5 SN

Total Currency: 0 ON, 18 GN, 5 SN, 0 CN
Loan: 2885 GN (includes 25% interest rate)

[Emerit]

‡ Skills, Skills Ledger & Knowledge ‡

Skill List

Skill Name	Points Acquired	Points Spent	Proficiency
Seafaring (RB)	25	25/251	Novice
Navigation (FT)	25	25/251	Novice
Fishing	35	35/251	Novice
Field Craft	5	5/251	Novice
Endurance	20	20/251	Novice
Drawing	5	5/251	Novice
Storytelling	15	15/251	Novice
Deception	15	15/251	Novice

Skill Ledger

Skill Origin	Points Available	Points Spent	Running Total
Seafaring (RB)	25	25	0
Starting Package	50	...	...
‡ Navigation (FT)	...	25	25
‡ Fishing	...	10	15
‡ Endurance	...	5	10
‡ Drawing	...	5	5
‡ Storytelling	...	5	0
CS approval reward (+5 Field Craft)	5	5 (Field Craft)	0
[Havardr] There she blows!	10	0	10
‡ Fishing	0	5	5
‡ Deception	0	5	0
Shiver me timbers	15	0	15
Rumours for the Faithful	10	0	25
[Havardr] Oh brother...	10	0	35
Fish for your life - Part II.	10	0	45
[Havardr] Test Run	10	0	55
Spending spree	0	20 Fishing, 15 Endurance, 10 Storytelling, 10 Deception	0

‡ Knowledge ‡

Animal Training

‡ Coaxing with food

Appraisal

‡ Good condition = fair price
‡ Own knowledge for reference

Caregiving

‡ Physical contact brings comfort

Drawing

‡ Perspective: Vanishing point

Deception

‡ Hide true feelings behind a veil of confidence
‡ Keep story twisted even if drunk
‡ Perform a title believably
‡ Hide discomfort behind a smile
‡ Fitting emotions for desired effect

Detection

‡ Observe audience for reaction
‡ Body language speaks of feelings
‡ Anger is shown in eyes

Endurance

‡ Endure extreme climates
‡ Control pain to survive
‡ Hold the contents of the stomach when drunk
‡ High volumes of alcohol don't cause passing out
‡ Fight off sleep for greater purpose
‡ Withstand small pain

Field Craft

‡ The state of decay in an animal
‡ Getting a lay of the land

Fishing

‡ Whales: Non-valvular structure of the blood-vessels
‡ Whales: Flensing methods
‡ Whales: Size determines the age

Immortals

‡ Immortal: U'frek

Interrogation

‡ Asking straight questions
‡ No skirting around the issue might bear results

Leadership

‡ Encourage when hope is lost

Location

‡ Scalvoris
‡ Layout
‡ History
‡ Laws
‡ Customs and Festivals
‡ Scalvoris Town
‡ The Glass Temple
‡ Mismatched streets equal labyrinth
‡ Glass Temple: Fitted with inconspicuous climbing structures for Stan
‡ Glass Temple: Uncomfortable benches
‡ Glass Temple: Mosaics of light
‡ Havardr
‡ Different to what I remember
‡ Growing town of yurts

Navigation

‡ Celestial layout
‡ Remember the way when drunk
‡ Pick reference points for orientation

Negotiation

‡ Buying as a set lowers the price
‡ Don't bother with low value items
‡ Price versus condition
‡ New category, new price

People

‡ Linca: Havardr representative
‡ Linca: Family friend
‡ Ade: Old whaler leader
‡ Ade: Has a grandson
‡ Ade: Is massive for his age
‡ Friell: The Spirit of Adventure's shopkeeper
‡ Friell: One of the best swordsman in the world
‡ Friell: Seems to like redheads
‡ Friell: Somewhat charming
‡ Mute: Extremely quiet
‡ Peeter: Weird and dangerous
‡ Stan: Head Priest in the Glass Temple
‡ Stan: Small but powerful
‡ Stan: Shifty eyes that see into the soul
‡ Stan: Mysterious little twig

Persuasion

‡ Make them believe your words with believable story
‡ Impress strangers

Physics

‡ Pull of gravity

Races

‡ Race: Biqaj
‡ Customs and Traditions
‡ Creation legend
‡ History
‡ Negotiators by birth

Seafaring

‡ Different job, Different boat
‡ Securing gankplank well
‡ Direction of the wind
‡ Strength of the wind determines speed
‡ Waves are dangerous

Shipbuilding

‡ Weight of the ship slows it down
‡ Simply wedging wood into wood is not strong enough

Storytelling

‡ Every story has to have a hook
‡ Gestures add ambience
‡ Stories have climax

Stealth

‡ Avoiding attention

Stories

‡ Immortals' arrival
‡ Death of Daia and Leviana

[Emerit]

‡ Renown Ledger ‡

Origin	Renown	Total
"[Havardr] There she blows!" - ending a rumour	+10	+10
"[Havardr] Oh brother..." - telling your story to a crowd	+5	+15
"[Havardr] Test Run" - being a total bitch and destroying a perfectly good boat	+5	+20

[Emerit]

‡ Thread list ‡

Arc 718

‡ YMIDEN
‡ 2nd - [Havardr] Oh brother... ~ Reviewed
‡ 8th - [Havardr] There she blows! ~ Reviewed
‡ 18th - Shiver Me Timbers ~ Reviewed
‡ 28th - Tide goes in, Tide goes out ~ Ongoing
‡ 32nd - Fish for your life - Part I. ~ Started
‡ 34th Day - Fish for your life - Part II. ~ Reviewed
‡ 34th Evening - Rumours for the faithful ~ Reviewed
‡ 41st - [Ishallr] Fish for your life - Part III. ~ Started
‡ 54th - Fish for your life - Part IV. ~ Ongoing
‡ 57th - Fish for your life - Part V. ~ Ongoing
‡ 61st - [Havardr] Lovestruck ~ Ongoing
‡ 66th - [Treid's Mouth]Fish for your life - Part VI. ~ Ongoing

‡ SAUN
‡ 24th - [Havardr]Test Run ~ Reviewed

‡ VHALAR
‡ 100th - [Havardr] Calms of the sea ~ Placeholder