#paorach family

[thestressedsimmer]

In Memory of All Those Who Died in 1316

Ealusaid Paorach

1281 - February 7th, 1316

Ealusaid Paorach was a servile woman who served the lands of Baron John Comyn III. By all accounts, she was a loving mother, claiming that her children were her lifeblood. She was known to sing a little too loudly and argue her point slightly too passionately. Her husband could often be found sitting on the outside of his home, joking to the neighbors that his wife would not let him in once again.

She had five children with her husband. Four of them were biological and out of that, they had one living son, Odart. Her fifth child was a "miracle child" that was left on her doorstep in 1312 - but if you asked her, Malise was her blood just as much as any of her children had been.

In 1314 she was widowed, but she kept her head held high and cared for her boys through her grief. And then again through over a year of the Great Famine. Unfortunately, she was murdered by an unknown assailant and her life was cut short at 35 years old.

She is survived by her two sons, Odart and Malise Paorach.

Isaie Picard

June 10th, 1315 - April 7th, 1316

Isaie was born the first son of Éduin Picard and his wife Edelinne. They had desperately been trying for children for their entire marriage and were only blessed once the Great Famine came and ravaged their homeland.

By all accounts, he was a happy and energetic baby who enjoyed being in his mother's back carrier and trying to 'help' her clean even though he could not do such a thing. He also enjoyed sounds and would often soothe himself when his parents were too busy to tend to him.

His is survived by his parents and his older sister, Mabile Picard.

Mademoiselle Genevote Capet

July 7th, 1315 - May 6th, 1316

Genevote was born a lady of the court to her parents, Duke Robert and Duchess Elizabeth of Willow Creek. She was born a twin, however her brother was born sleeping and she was the only one out of all three of them to survive the birth.

While she was beloved by her father, she spent most of her life crying or sleeping. Unfortunately for the babe, she was born during a time of famine and none of her wetnurses were eating enough to nourish her.

She joined her brother and mother in the arms of the Watcher after only nine months of life.

She is survived by her father, His Royal Highness Prince Robert, Duke of Willow Creek.

Adamuccio Ezzo

1282 - June 14th, 1316

Adamuccio was a servile man in the Tartosian countryside who made a living farming the lands of the Holy Tartosian Empire. He was a quiet man - originally married to a woman named Odierna and they created a thriving farm. Unfortunately, his first wife passed away and he was left with no children and with the entire farm to himself.

Thusly, he married a woman named Vanna in 1314 and together, they had a son in 1315 and she fell pregnant again in 1316. While their farm had been thriving, they were unlucky enough to be just in the path of the Great Famine, even as surrounding farms were unaffected, and as such they had to ration their supplies. Seeing as he had an infant son and pregnant wife, Adamuccio sacrificed for the two of them. The stubborn man he was, he didn't express when his health started to fail and he finally collapsed one day when trying to lighten his wife's workload.

He's survived by his wife Vanna Ezzo, his son Neri Ezzo, and his daughter (born after his death) Junipera Ezzo.

His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Frederick of Tartosa

1286 - August 1st, 1316

Frederick was born the second son to a king from a faraway land, his childhood was rather unremarkable in those aspects. After his father's death in 1308, he became the head of his family house and a duke - eventually succeeding him as king.

Eventually, in the year 1314, he was elected the Holy Tartosian Emperor and was crowned shortly afterwards. Of course, that in itself wasn't without its difficulties because there was a dispute over who was the true emperor and another man was crowned at the same time.

Frederick wasted no time making political moves. He invited the royal family of Henford on Bagley to his keep for Christmas and managed to warm himself to both the queen and the queen mother, ending that holiday with a betrothal. He also started to raise his army.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, he never got a chance to realize his plans and he died of an illness that was ravaging the nearby countryside due to the great famine.

[thewolfisawake]

The 'Wolf of the Wastes' is a legend and a cautionary tale to those within the Unseelie. While the title is more known, there are those, particularly within the previous generation of militia and the former nobility that know of the fae named 'Faolan.'

Faolan lived in a settlement that was the furthest from the Unseelie. This was where many of the most reclusive of fae and beings tended to go. It was a place regarded with its own mystery and revulsion. As it was thought to be influenced by an Otherworld. Whether or not this is true is a mystery to anyone not from this place.

But there were an abundance of ban-sith fae, most of whom are seers. Usually of ill-omen. This is where Faolan was descended from. Their folks were those that did help in times of need but quite often as soon as danger was averted or mitigated, it returned to this squalor. And Faolan, a rare youth that was born in this area, sought a change.

When she left, her community gave her what little they had. They did not expect her to ever return. After all, she was a child, a daring fae that had no place amongst the decrepit and shadows. So they wished her well so that she may not be tempted to stay. They did not expect her to make good on her word.

Prior to coming to the Citadel, she had actually come to neighboring settlements throughout her life and made connections there. She got the rough understandings of the gentry, the lay and situation of the land, and the concept of 'power speaks.' So she spent until her mid-adolescence outside of the settlements before coming to the Citadel.

Faolan made quite a splash, being branded as an upstart from when she came to the gates. For she had started the fires before she arrived and her name was known before her face was. Now she isn't the first firebrand nor would she be the last but she was one that was difficult to remain ahead of. Because of her clairvoyance and her own wit, she proved to be elusive for most of her enemies.

Guiare. Lobhdain. Caoidheach. Rathais. Paorach.

These are the names of five noble families although it was directed to the main player of that family during that generation. Those that would take her on are those of the dreaded list. Although this did start as merely rivals but as Faolan's favor outside of the settlements grew, the more they had to take her presence seriously. There were all manner of trying to depose Faolan. Seduction, blackmail, and even murder...but she managed to avoid every attempt. But there was one ace in the hole that even Faolan could not predict and that was the relation with Paorach. This is merely the surname as that's all Balmoral really cared about when in pursuit of them. But this person was actually the closest Faolan had to a friend. She held a vitriolic friendship as she was simply a hard to get close to person.

And it was this friendship that led to her failing. Of course Paorach wasn't the only contact she held within her time in the Citadel however they were the one that could get into her effects. And when exhausting the options to get Faolan to leave, it was resorted to getting her ousted. By the most extreme measures possible.

The king at the time was paranoid of betrayal. And for good reason since at least two members of this conspiracy were in on getting him deposed eventually. Faolan had gotten in with this king because of her clairvoyance and that she had been able to foresee immense dangers. Because she was looking for the dangers to the Unseelie, she did not have as much time to look towards dangers towards herself. So getting framed for conspiracy to commit regicide was beyond her.

The evidence was planted that she was an assassin from her home settlement that had become discontent with the treatment of the crown. She was to infiltrate her way into the court and assassinate the king. This way, the settlements could do a coup to undo the Citadel. This was untrue but because of the celerity and connections Faolan did have, it was suspect. And the evidence found in her home damned her.

She was imprisoned and believed to be the ringleader of this attempted overthrow. By the cruelty of her enemies, she had been brought to see them search her home for further evidence...and razed it to the ground when the folks would not assist with the investigation. These were elders and hermits, who had wanted to live okay and had no interest in the Unseelie's politics. Centuries of oral and storied knowledge gone. Many of the settlements were punished through taxations, brutality and other unpleasantness. She further was to witness the trial and execution of allies that she had built. Brought down for the association with her...many denied the return to the land. The terror she had tried to assuage from the king to keep from being drastic, the schism she had been mending, the relations to forge an Unseelie free from the strife she saw was crumbling under the hands of a few's greed and power.

Faolan had gone well and truly mad from it all. And had nearly taken her enemies with her. For one thing that had kept her ahead was her terrifying synchronicity with her aspect. This being from the settlement now wiped out...she was force...and it was only by trickery was she brought down to be tried. But rather than death was the order to be cast into the Abyss....the pit that housed nothing but desolation and wrought despair. She would die eventually but it would not be slow...such was a fae's cruelty.

Or was it? There was someone amongst the king's family that had believed Faolan. They were sure there was a scheme afoot and had suggested the Abyss as a means to keep her alive until they could find a way to assist...unfortunately this king and much of his line were eliminated not long after this. Leaving the intended rescue into a true punishment. Of course, Faolan never knew of this. But she did know of whom caused the downfall for herself and for the kingdom she had sought to save if only for the sake of those she had grown up with. People now gone. People that had suffered. It was a guilt and hatred she could never shake....and one that she ended up passing on.

As for the Wolf of the Wastes...much of the Citadel viewed her as a fool and did not think much on her passing. The gentry viewed her as as a close call but one that could not happen again (ha). To the settlements...the view is split. Some view her as an ill-omen that made their situations much worse than before. Some view her as a symbol of rebellion and hope. Either way she is a fable by the time a certain nameless child ran through the Citadel streets with the sole dream to unite the Unseelie and rid of those that had allowed it to suffer.

[chapterswelove]

A Fading Sun, Book 1 of The Sunpath Cycle by Stephen Leigh

A Fading Sun, Book 1 of The Sunpath Cycle by Stephen Leigh

A Fading Sun, Book 1 of The Sunpath Cycle Author: Stephen Leigh Published: July 4th, 2017 Publisher: Daw Ratings: 4/5 Book Synopsis The problem with ghosts is that they don’t quite realize that they’re dead. Voada Paorach can see the dead.  It is a family trait, but one that has had to remain hidden since the Mundoan Empire conquered her people’s land three generations ago.  But this ghost isn’t…

[thestressedsimmer]

When Ealusaid's body was discovered, the community scrambled to figure out what to do with her two little ones. Her oldest was only six years old - he could not run a farm and care for his toddler brother, but there was not a single house in the village or on nearby farms that could stretch their food any father than they already were.

It was eventually decided that the boys would go to the monastery until things improve and then Baron John would decide who he would put on the land until Odart became of age to tend it himself.

While it wasn't ideal, it was the best that could be done - it ensured their survival for a little bit longer and hopefully, the could find peace in counsel from the Mouths of the Watcher.

[thestressedsimmer]

May Day, 1315: The Paorach Farm

May Day dawned. Usually there was a grand festival in the village green, but nobody felt safe enough to go so far nor was there enough food to provide enough for everyone.

Even if it was on, Ealusaid didn't know how she would feel about walking (or riding) on the roads alone with two children. She had heard rumors about bandits starting to get more bold and formerly law abiding people starting to rob, steal, and fight to survive.

That being said, she wanted her children to still feel festive and bring in the spring.

She still had some lavender left over - a lot, actually - and so she decided that was a great gift for the boys.

She would put in their baths. It would surely amuse them.

She also decided to start teaching the children some songs to celebrate May Day - she wasn't great with the lute but she was stubbornly trying.

She saw Odart, especially, start to brighten and sign at the top of his lungs.

Malise also got involved. It was a grand music making band with mother and sons - for just a moment, they all forgot their troubles.

[thestressedsimmer]

One day, while Ealusaid was still getting ready for the day, she noticed that something was wrong. She heard the door open and shut long before Odart was up and should have been getting to his chores...

One glance out the window told her what that strange noise was. Her toddler, little Malise, was wandering away from their farm and down the hills. He was singing to himself the whole time as if he knew where he was going - but where he was going was to a nearby stream surrounded by mushrooms.

She didn't bother to get dressed. She barely even pulled on her shoes as she chased after her son in her slip, screaming his name.

Her heart was filled with fear. There was no way she could lose another child before the age of five. She could not. Especially not her little miracle baby.

Malise didn't respond to his mother's calls. It was almost as if the boy couldn't hear her.

He just kept walking towards the stream.

Luckily, Ealusaid caught up to him in time. She grabbed him and scooped him into her arms in a tight hug. She didn't realize it, but she was trembling.

"Do not scare me like that!" She scolded as she clutched onto her son, trying to stop herself from crying. She wouldn't let her boys see her cry. "Come on, let's get you home."

[thestressedsimmer]

Young Odart wasted no time in helping around the farm. His mother was constantly rushing around and doing all sorts of things; there was just too much for one person to do alone. Especially now that food was scarce and she had to spend much of her time scrounging for it.

He was five years old now! That meant he could do helpful things like making candles, tending to the horse, and fetching water. He even tried his hand at fishing on the day that their lord opened the stream for serfs to fish in. He wasn't great at that but it's a skill that he would try to get better at.

He did know what he was good at, though. He was great with horses.

[thestressedsimmer]

February 7th, 1316: Finchwick, Henford On Bagley

One of the downsides to living on their property was that they were far away from any village - the shops were quite the trek for anyone to make. When their farm was thriving, of course, it wasn't as big of an issue. They can sustain themselves with what they don't hand over to the baron. But during the famine, it had become quite the issue.

Ealusaid had to leave before the sun came up to hope to get there on time; but then she winds up waiting outside in the winter chill for the shops to open.

While she knew crime was on the rise, nobody expects to be grabbed from behind and to have a dagger up against your neck. She froze, doing her best not to move and slice her own throat.

"Alright, darling. Stay very quiet." The woman crooned in her ear. "I just need all of your coin and I'll be on my way."

While she knew the best thing to do was to comply, Ealusaid also knew that she needed her coin. Her children would starve if she didn't bring home something that she could cook up today. They were already skin and bone, little Malise constantly lethargic and unable to keep his eyes open and Odart irritable at all hours of the day.

Fire filled her soul at the thought of her children skin and bones. Her miracles wasting away to nothing.

"Get off of me." She growled against the hand on her mouth, managing to push the dagger away from her throat and turn around to shove the woman off of her.

Her strength surprised even her. She had been surviving on her children's scraps and there wasn't much there.

Unfortunately, this time a mother's strength was no match for a blade in a skilled hand. She felt it sink into her chest and let out a halted gasp - the pain hadn't hit truly yet, but she felt the blood running down her skin and she knew there was no surviving this.

Perhaps it was for the best. Somebody with more means could save her children. They would live on, even if she was gone.

Although, she also felt rage. Rage that she would not get to see her boys grow, get married, and hopefully have families of their own. She would not be there for their growing pains and when they needed advice.

So with all of her strength? She said her final words to her assailant: "May... The Watcher... Curse you..."

The dagger was pulled from her chest and she was dropped to the ground, only to be discovered when the shops opened their doors in the morning.

[thestressedsimmer]

[thestressedsimmer]

Odart Paorach

Generation: 2 Gender: Male Date of Birth: September 2nd, 1309 Status: Alive Current Age: 5 Years Old Current Life Stage: Child Country of Origin: Henford on Bagley Class: Serf Traits: Evil Aspiration: Social Butterfly

[thestressedsimmer]

Although the crops and animals were concerning, there were two young boys to worry about. One who had a birthday! She didn't have enough for any special meal for him, but she still wanted his day to be as special as ever.

This is her only child to make it this far. All of her others had died either as babies or toddlers.

So after a day playing outside with his brother, and a cry of "hopple borfna!" from his mother?

Odart aged up.

[thestressedsimmer]

April, 1315: The Paorach Farm

At first, when the fields were barren? Ealusaid worried that she didn't know what she was doing on the farm. Her sons were too young to tend the fields and she had only ever done it when her husband was too busy or sickly to do it himself.

But when months passed and the animals, always her domain, started to die off? She realized it wasn't her fault at all. Something was very very wrong.

[chapterswelove]

A Fading Sun, Book 1 of The Sunpath Cycle by Stephen Leigh

A Fading Sun, Book 1 of The Sunpath Cycle by Stephen Leigh

A Fading Sun, Book 1 of The Sunpath Cycle

Author: Stephen Leigh

Published: July 4th, 2017

Publisher: Daw

Ratings: 4/5

Book Synopsis

The problem with ghosts is that they don’t quite realize that they’re dead.

Voada Paorach can see the dead.  It is a family trait, but one that has had to remain hidden since the Mundoan Empire conquered her people’s land three generations ago.  But this ghost…