Category:Thayndor Zahir Web

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Who do I like? Who do I dislike? These are questions I will not answer -- it's not seemly for a Noble man to be gossiping in such a way. But I will tell you who I know and how well I know them.

[edit] The Frequently Visited

Because you keep your friends and enemies closest of all ...

Sahna Nillu - We were engaged once. I haven't said anything negative about her in public since shortly after that little plan was foiled, and I've been seen talking to her in public more recently. The rumors name me, a little-known Seamel, and Norran Lomasa as her onetimes suitors. Did I mention she's likely one of the most powerful mages in the realm, and the head of her House?

Voreyn Zahir - The Duchess of my House. I've said I believe she's capable and have encouraged others of my House -- and others of the Duchy -- to seek her counsel. I once used polite but thinly-veiled excuses to extract her from a knot of supplicating Nobles. She bargains with the Regent and with the others of the Duchy, so she must be aware of and competent with her political power.

Celeste Mikin - I have said that she can be frustrating and heavy-handed at times, interposing herself where it is not necessary for her to be and causing more trouble than good. I have also said that she is, at her core, merely trying to do the right thing. She is Sunkissed and has a few holdings, which means she has some measure of power.

Duhnen Seamel - I have expressed concerns to the Duke Seamel. I have been seen to cooperate with him. But I have also been heard making barbed comments about the prison that is Northreach. He is a quiet Duke, but a powerful mage. And quietude does not mean weakness.

Norran Lomasa - Now the head of his House, an Imperial Knight, and known to me as deadly with a sword and a level-headed fighter. He went with me beyond the Wall, but has spoken ill of my leadership there. He was also involved with my onetime fiancee at around the time our marriage plans collapsed. This was all a long time ago, and we've been seen speaking to one another cordially since. Just the same ...

Lucius Nepos - My second in command beyond the Wall. He led a rebellion out there against my command to continue north into the unknown from Crown's Refuge, and joined the others in electing instead to return, mission incomplete, to Fastheld. Again, troubles a long time gone. Again someone who has been spoken to casually since. And I have said in public that I made only the best decisions I could at the time and nothing better -- but I have also warned the Freelander not to forget his place and criticize too much the affairs of those above him.

Kael Firelight - Another, perhaps more loyal expedition companion, and a fellow Mage. I've been seen pulling Kael aside for discussions in confidence, as if to receive information ...

[edit] The Relevant

Who have my attention and who I know, but not closely.

Rowena Mikin - She has saved my life with the healing arts. She is the head of House Zahir's ancestral rival, but has been willing to speak with me personally, and not speak down to me. I believe she respects me -- or fears me. If asked I would doubtless say that I respect her. But if that is because she's the head of her House and to say otherwise would be impolitic, or if that's how I really feel, I won't say.

Varal Mikin - Perhaps something akin to my opposite number in House Mikin. Varal has had as many tangles with Wildlings as I have, and quite likely more. At any rate, his have doubtless been more personal, and he suffers for it. The man has conviction and, for better or worse, attracts followers. I would not lightly insult him in public -- but he is a Mikin, and acts the part.

Milora Lomasa - Bosom-friend to the head of my House, and a woman who I have observed as smart and able to defend herself in a fight. Married to Norran Lomasa -- why is unclear.

Syton Temple - He may have mentioned me in discussion of how he came to know his true identity. It may not have been the most flattering depiction. He also went with me beyond the Wall, and if he thinks less of me now than he did when we left, makes no sign.

Godric Lomasa - I publicly chastised him for his behavior towards a Freelander recently. But before that, when a gargoyle attempted to attack me, I told him he was a brave man. And I've said as much to others as well. He is landless, which can't put him terribly high on a list of the politically powerful.

Nayla Zahir - A cousin. The conversations others might have seen or heard about between us have been largely formal and guarded. If other conversations exist ... I'm not telling.

Gefrey Seamel - Another young, landless Noble with sword-swinging aspirations. He was somewhat more tactful in the handling of his affections towards one of my cousins.

Ailith Kahar - A sun-kissed Ordinator cannot easily be dismissed. However, she seems to have a level head and no specific nose for trouble -- which means she will likely stay out of my affairs if I stay out of hers.

Taran Songbird - The former Bard and would-be Ambassador, Songbird seems to revel in the new powers he has -- both political and arcane. He is another one who I've spoken with quietly, behind closed doors.

Meian Firelight - Wife of Kael. I have spoken with her in person very rarely.

Caprice Firelight - A retainer of Varal Mikin's. Seems better at getting into trouble than anything else, but seems to have come back with blood on her sword as many times as with blood on her face.

Karell Mikin - The man likely chiefly responsible for tensions between the Nobility and Crown's Refuge at present. Others are not as harsh in their estimations of him as I am. I doubt he has much sway anywhere -- but if he has friends, then perhaps there is some worth in him I do not see.

Vhramis Wolfsbane - A Freelander who is more than he seems. More reclusive now than he once was. Perhaps something has happened, and we won't know until he returns. He is involved with powers far greater than all of us.

[edit] The Distant Powers

Each one is an axis, a fulcrum, on which the affairs of the world pivot.

Zolor Zahir - The Regent did not get to be the Regent by behaving foolishly. What we see as gaffes are deliberate moves that surely benefit him. He is of my House so I should be aligned with him -- but I did not go to see him upon the return of our strangely-fated expedition, in part because I had nothing to say that Lucius Nepos could not provide, but in part because I do not want to come before the Regent without having something I'm willing to offer that he would need or desire. News of a risky proposition not going according to plan does not fall into that category.

Serath Kahar - Does he abide Zolor because he believes in what the Zahir is doing, because he does not care, or because he is not sure he could really defeat Zolor if he had to do so?

Soravyn Zahir - Where, I wonder, is my enigmatic older cousin?

Faeyd - I remain beyond his circle. And I think, given the power he likely wields, this is not a bad thing.

Tshepsi - The Archmage is cryptic, and powerful, but acts, I think, with good intent. This is not always enough ...