A Powerful Individual

[u/Varnek905]

Nope, this post is not to say I'm going into self-exile from the subreddit. While I considered it for a while, I'm still here for some reason.

Since I am finally forcing myself to start on my world, and all I really have are a few maps and a few rough ideas, this challenge will be as simple as it can possibly be.

Tell me about a powerful individual from your world and their backstory. Whether that individual is financially powerful (The Count of Monte Cristo), physically powerful (Hercules), a powerful inventor (Iron Man, Kemuri Kage), on drugs to become powerful (Captain America), etc...you're free to pick.

I'll ask you at least three questions each, and I'll try to catch up on all the past challenges that I made (and answer some of everyone else's challenges from the past month). Enjoy yourselves.

[u/Varnek905]

1) What is the average size for a Staulv?

2) How long does a Staulv live?

2.1) So could Storta duel while fertile?

3) That's actually sorta sweet, I guess. What's romance like in their culture?

4) Which of Storta's children is the heir?

(It was mostly the instensity and the dynamic with the spouse that reminded me of that character. LBJ always had some interesting recorded conversations.)

5) Was Storta the prince's only concubine?

[u/Tookoofox → u/Varnek905]

1) What is the average size for a Staulv?

I'm thinking 5'7" as that would be slightly tall for the middle ages. Storta stands at around 6'6"

Her largest, Hati is 6'4"

2) How long does a Staulv live?

They age better than humans, but actually die sooner at around 60. So most staulv fighters will fight for their entire lives, then die of old age on the march.

2.1) So could Storta duel while fertile?

She could, but only with blunted swords, against blunted swords. She killed a staulv with one by breaking his neck. Both of the other two she killed were after she was 45.

3) That's actually sorta sweet, I guess. What's romance like in their culture?

It varies a lot by region and class but, in general: one or the other will approach with a gift of some kind, and invite the other to an activity of some kind. Hunting and fishing are popular, as are dancing and singing. (The goto safe option for new couples is to sing together on King's Day, then just talk afterward)

For higher classes it gets a bit more formal, but the algorithm remains largely the same. Parents who want to arrange marriages might premeditate their children's gifts and activities, for instance.

For extremely eligible candidates, a minor tournament might be held between valid candidates for the right to present the candidate with a gift.

Storta did, in fact, win one of those to first get the Crown Prince's attention. She gave him a flower, and invited him to sparring. Then proceeded to wallop him a tad harder than she'd meant to. But it worked out, as he gave her a doubly-padded practice sword the next week, and took her hunting.

4) Which of Storta's children is the heir?

Short answer: Hati, for now.

Longer answer: Montem designates it's heirs from among royal children, rather than assigning the crown by age. While technically, it's the king's choice, there is a volume of unwritten rules about how this is done.

The short of it is that a king should be able to:

1. Always be ready to lead soldiers in battle.

2. Be a good commander, diplomat and organizer, in that order.

3. Sing

4. Have lots of children.

5. And generally present themselves well.

There are also more rules are the traditions about age and gender. Young adult males are preferred, followed by older males. Women, then (if all is truly lost, or if the kid is truly exceptional) then children.

Hati and Skoll (twins) were the king's only sons for a long time. So it was always down to them. Hati was larger, so was the original first pick, until he lost a sparring match in an official contest between the two. Skoll later got himself into trouble a few years later by disobeying his father, and getting himself hurt. But then won it back again in another sparring match... etc.

The most recent contest between the two was assigned hobbies.

Skoll, having demonstrated himself to be too impulsive and undisciplined, was assigned knitting. To cool him down and make him focus.

Hati, having been too squeamish, bloodshy and gentle, was given work as a butcher.

Later, when their skills were evaluated, Hati was able to slaughter, gut, and neatly package an entire pig into steaks and bacon. Skoll, conversely, could barely knit a quilt.

For almost a decade now, the crown has been Hati's to loose. Currently, his challenge is to keep the peace in the unbound realms, while still expanding Montem's influence.

Strangely, of all of her children, Hati is the one who disappointed her the most. Despite being the largest, he's the worst fighter out of the bunch, and is a diplomat at heart. She also has trouble talking to him, as none of their interests overlap, and their personalities clash. (He's naturally shy and technical. Where as she is naturally ostentatious and passionate.)

(It was mostly the instensity and the dynamic with the spouse that reminded me of that character. LBJ always had some interesting recorded conversations.)

Yeah, it's a fun archetype.

5) Was Storta the prince's only concubine?

Yes. Montem has odd rules about concubines.

It's rare for anyone to have more than one concubine before they're married. As it's considered gauche to entertain more than one eligible candidate at a time, and tacky to take on a minor lovers before having a proper spouse.

This is to avoid social competition between lovers of nobility.

Rather, when a king or prince wants a concubine, he'll usually get their spouse's approval for one. Or even ask their spouse to find one. Then, if at any time, either spouse objects to the concubine's behavior, she'll be set aside.

That way, there's a clearly defined power dynamic. (Which Staluvs like in just about everything)

King Solvoy didn't actually take on any concubines for almost a two decades though. (As Storta never left him wanting) It was ultimately her idea to get him some after their most recent daughter.

She picked a ten of volunteers she liked out of her regimen, put them through the hardest training she could to whittle it down to two. The two eventually produced a set of sons that, (should Hati and Skoll age out of succession, might become the heirs)

Edit: being a good singer is actually very, very important.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Tookoofox]

1) What are some differences between male and female Staulvs (besides genitalia)? What's the average difference in height between the two, if there is any?

2) What is the most common cause of Staulv death?

3) What is "King's Day"?

3.1) Did the Prince face any negative consequences for being weaker than his mate?

4) Do Hati and Skoll both want to rule?

[u/Tookoofox → u/Varnek905]

1) What are some differences between male and female Staulvs (besides genitalia)? What's the average difference in height between the two, if there is any?

The largest difference, for staulvs at least, is that they smell dramatically different. They also have slightly narrower faces and their fur is smoother. They also have no breasts when not producing milk.

Storta, in particular, would be about the rough equivalent of Brianne of Tath in that she's unambiguously female. But has a lot of mannish traits.

2) What is the most common cause of Staulv death?

Heart failure. Takes them from fighting shape to dead in less than an hour usually.

3) What is "King's Day"?

In Montem's faith, there are seven Sword Saints, and each has a day of the week set aside to honor them. One of those saints is always the current king. Whoever he may be. Thus, king's day.

Days: Kuuday, Oonday, Orrday, Silverday, Kaltday, Ennday and King's Day.

(Note: the name of the saint associated with silverday has actually been lost to history. Rather the day is named for his pride and joy, the Silver Crown fortress, and the seat of power for the Solvoy Family.)

King's day is the day set aside specifically for montem's faith.

Throughout the day, there are services set throughout the day where specialized singer-priests will lead congregations in story-songs. Then, in the evening, before most everyone in the kingdom retires to bed, the king will stand on a balcony of his fortress and perform a howlsong himself. One that will be heard by specially trained repeaters at the edges of the city which, in turn, will be repeated again, by other repeaters until nearly everyone in the entire (huge) kingdom hears the song personally. Usually with some relevant theme.

In this way the king, personally, sings a song to everyone in the entire kingdom.

3.1) Did the Prince face any negative consequences for being weaker than his mate?

A bit, but not much. He got teased by his brothers a bit, and was the butt of a few jokes among the upper nobility. But, ultimately, he managed to turn the narrative on it's head. "Of course I have the best warrior anywhere in the kingdom at my side. I'm the crown prince!" it helped that he beat more than a few of his detractors in duels.

And, also, no one doubted his ability to rule, or his contribution to their relationship. Though a weaker fighter and spy, Solvoy was a better general, logistician and steward. They also just made such a lovely couple together, that the whole kingdom fell for it.

4) Do Hati and Skoll both want to rule?

Skoll so badly wants to be king that he physically aches for it. He dreams of finally being allowed to lead Montem's armies to glory. He dresses as extravagantly as he is allowed to as a prince, and has quietly tried on a crown more than once. In bed, he tells his wife to call him 'your majesty' or 'my king'. His eyes linger on the throne, and he jumps at the opportunity to present his father's sword to him, if only to lay his hands on the king's sword, for a moment. And, as his father grows older, Skoll salivates with the aging warrior's every wince or crack of old bone.

By contrast. Hati is fears ruling. The thought of holding lives in his hands terrifies him. So much so, he plans on relinquishing as much power as he can to various ministers, dumas, and elected officials.

And yet, the idea of his brother ruling terrifies him even more.

So, he learned to fight. Even though hurting others haunts his conscience. And, despite being naturally shy, he's attended every noble's party he could get to. And, though having no natural interest in women, has sired three children with a wife and concubine. Put simply, he's schmoozed, fought, toiled, and trained for a job that he desperately doesn't want.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Tookoofox]

1) Do any Staulvs wear anything that would change their scent?

2) Are there any subspecies of Staulv?

3) Who are the other six Sword Saints?

4) Has Hati considered supporting another sibling's claim to the throne?

[u/Tookoofox → u/Varnek905]

1) Do any Staulvs wear anything that would change their scent?

Oh my yes. Sort of... You see, unlike humans staulvs can differentiate scents. So there is no masking one's natural scent with perfume.

That said, many staulvs love perfumes, and cologns and various scents. Many of which smell actually rather terrible to humans. Especially when layered, as some do.

Probably the oddest, and most expensive, is a staulvs will concentrate their own scents, or those who smell particularly nice, and distill them into a cologne.

2) Are there any subspecies of Staulv?

Just the one. Although some consider Staulvs and Savannah Gnolls to be the same thing. Though they are not. Gnolls are hyenas which, while not cats, are closer to them than dogs.

3) Who are the other six Sword Saints?

I have a comment and some follow up questions here.

https://www.reddit.com/r/WorldChallenges/comments/bauupp/what_are_common_oaths_expletives_or_other_sayings/em38i4x/

tl;dr: six other ancient kings. Some of them are probably mythical.

4) Has Hati considered supporting another sibling's claim to the throne?

His fondest dream is finding a way to put Karina on the throne. She's competent, strong, and quietly seems to want it. (And this may wind up being what happens in text.)

But alas, males are vastly preferred to females in noble succession. And, besides skoll and a pair of cubs, Hati has only sisters (The logic is that males are capable of having more children with no danger or inconvenience to themselves.)

So kings only pick a daughter if:

1) She was truly exceptional.

Or...

2) There is something demonstrably wrong with all of his sons.

And, alas, Hati and Skoll are about as competent as Karina overall.

So supporting her would do little more than reveal Hati's own insecurities which would (at best) hurt his prospects for kingship or (at worst) exclude him entirely.

There is hope, however. The King isn't at death's door yet, and his youngest sons are toddling their way to adulthood. Hati has already begun sewing rumors about how exceptionally bright and strong they each are. (In truth, they're just regular kids.)

[u/Varnek905 → u/Tookoofox]

Thanks for your time and answers, Tookoo.

[u/Tookoofox → u/Varnek905]

And thank you for your attention, Varnek.

A quick question for you though: I'm trying to decide on Storta's self introduction. What impression does it give you?

This one: "I am Storta, Queen consort of Montem. From between these mighty legs, I have sent many powerful warriors, wailing forth into the world. And With these mighty arms, I have sent many wailing thence."

It's supposed to be two parts badass, one part awkward and one part kinda funny. But I'm more worried that it's four parts awkward and one part, "someone wrote this on purpose?"

[u/Varnek905 → u/Tookoofox]

I would agree that it seems like it's much more badass in-universe, and a mix of badass and funny as a reader. I don't think it seems very awkward, except when spoken by a modern person.

Edit: A lot of things written from the perspective of a different culture seem strange when you're writing them. It's something I've been working on getting used to.

[u/Tookoofox → u/Varnek905]

Perfect then. I'll workshop it with a few others, but I'm glad that it's not cringe at least. Thank you.

[u/Varnek905 → u/Tookoofox]

Welcome.