It needn't be a small post, per say, but the plot cannot be progressed significantly without @KazeXDZ unless @IcePezz chooses to. I suggest that if you do post, elaborate on your character to give us a bit of enjoyment in our time of waiting - there's always something interesting to learn about a character, after all.
@Jon Y you're welcome to post if you'd like. I know my character hasn't really interacted with anyone, so I haven't really given anyone much to go with. But if you'd like to post, go right ahead.
My thanks to both of you for the fast and clear responses, I'll hopefully post tomorrow.
Hmm, basically, to get to the roots of Ioannes' psyche, one has to know/remember that the Giray System combines the brutality of enslavement and harsh military training, but justifies itself by saying that the slaves live better lives and have more power than freemen. A friend of mine objected to slaves having money and power, but that was because he believed that I was trying to export Ioannes out of a High Fantasy setting. In a High Fantasy setting, however, an oligarchy of nominal slaves, who rule over lower ranks of actual slaves whose job is to replace them once they die, is possible.
What I want with Ioannes
My disjointed thoughts:
- My main inspiration for Ioannes came from the fact that IRL, the Mamluks funded churches in the Caucasus, while Janissaries sent aid back to their home villages, while keeping many Christian customs (that last part isn't as important as the first).
- Ioannes sees his enslavement as justified, because it meant that once he was 18, he can reclaim his name, his diety (or choose a new one) and furthermore, send money and aid back to whatever relatives he has left, should they accept it (they did).
- Ioannes' main relative is an Aunt in the Kingdom of Hellas; she's a kind person who accepted Ioannes despite the fact that Giray is sort of an enemy (though not to the extent of the IRL Turkish-Greek hate).
- Ioannes, despite seeing his own enslavement as justified, wants to find another way, because he's realized from the stories of his fellow slaves that being taken away from one's parents is traumatic, and thus, if another way is found, then that would be a moot point.
- Because Giray Slaves are bound by a pain-inducing slave collar for the first two years of training, Ioannes would see stuff around his neck, even something as innocent as scarves or necklaces, as a trigger for trauma (assuming I'm using PTSD).
- The oligarchy wants the Mamlukes and Slave-Bureaucrats to see each other as a team, to be loyal to each other, because the slaves would one day replace the masters, and once that happens, they need to work together instead of being at odds. While 'weakness' isn't tolerated, slaves are expected to look after each other's needs outside of training or battle. When they are sick, other slaves are expected to take part in taking care of them; same for hunger and thirst and even other needs. To encourage this, the slavemasters do not directly help the slaves, except to give them instructions and the approrpiate supplies; they may watch the slaves to prevent them from escaping, but cannot interfere unless one is on the verge of death.
- Slave training is harsh, back-breaking (not literally) and demanding. One has to master multiple weapons, fight as both Infantry and Cavalry, and also be proficient a number of scholarly subjects (history, engineering, and medicine are 'recommendations'). Not merely that, but acts of kindness from the trainers are rare, and mostly kept hidden and subtle, to be revealed only once the training is over.
- Giray, despite being a slavocracy, does have redeeming, even laudable qualities that the slaves are frequently reminded of. Basically, Giray is a multifaith, multiethnic, and multicultural state that works, and it's because of the Mamluks and Slave-Bureaucrats. While the rest of the world is divided in petty, self-destructive divisions, Giray is diverse but united, and the Slave System is justified because it protects this diverse unity (that last part is exaggeration and propaganda).
- Any slave found to have kept the 'weak' emotions of kindness and empathy, or exhibit the capability to fake them, are assigned to Public Relations, Diplomatic Offices, or various missions requiring interaction with others. Ioannes is one of those slaves.
I think that Ionathan would be in awe of Ioannes half-plate and musket, personality wise I think that Ionathan would treat him with respect and called him sir as he seems to be one of the more civilised of the group.
Ionathan did not know whether to be confused or angry, he thought at the time that it would be a good idea to at least try to sound uncompromising when delivering his authoritative line but all the confidence that he had just moments ago was destroyed when a man who looked like he had come straight out of myth gave Ionathan a stare that instantly froze him on the spot fortunately another member of the group distracted Ionathan. "We're gonna go slay a dragon" Ionathan, looked at the man, did he have a third eye? Ionathan thought of asking by then scolded himself for even thinking that, it would be too rude to say that to him, it might be a sensitive subject. "Why? Does the king's men want in?" The snide comment brought Ionathan back to earth and through listening a bit more to the rather heated conversation Ionathan learnt that the group was deciding on whether or not to try to kill a dragon which is in possession of an item that "could" stop the incursions, but where did that leave him? he could try to stop the group from going but if the item could stop the demons then Waeldeshore would be saved, plus if he did try to stop them they could easily kill him, 'no' and with that Ionathan decided that it was worth the risk. "You each have a half hour to get your shit together and then we leave." Those words snapped Ionathan back from his thoughts he looked at the lady walking away 'so she must have some authority in the group I'll ask her then' He straightened his back and checked his mail 'For Waeldeshore' He let the lady answer the question of the little gnome that, rather awkwardly sprinted after her when she left, it looked like it was a bad time to do this but he guess this is better than just stalking them for all of their adventure, he then cleared his throat and said "sorry for intruding my lady but my orders are to accompany this group of yours if you like I can show you my letter of authority straight from the guard captain, oh and I'm afraid I cannot take no for an answer” Ionathan put his hand on his chest and did a semi-bow “at your command my lady” @The Harbinger of Ferocity@Letter Bee@The Fated Fallen@Belwicket@IcePezz@boomlover@KazeXDZ
@IcePezzSorry I haven't posted in a while, had to sort some things out about the use of the Guard Captain, I was only going to use him for the first post so there won’t be any further issues. I should post in the evening tomorrow when I get home from work. Again sorry for the lack of posts.
Ionathan was just relaxing in the barracks, enjoying some time to clean his boots and mail when the guard captain requested that he join him in his office.
"Reassigned, Sir?" Ionathan looked at his captain with confusion, have I done something wrong? The captain cleared his throat and looked over various papers, "It seems that there is a group of so called adventurers that have been causing a ruckus in town recently, he looked Ionathan in the eyes and handed a piece of parchment over. “That's the list of all the acts they have committed, Ionathan read the acts out load "they're are under suspicion of: Breaching the peace on multiple occasions, Arson, using magic without licence and in public without jurisdiction, and reports of a member of these so called adventurers as being a known criminal. Ionathan wondered what kind of people would do this, especially now in a time where the guard were hard pressed keeping the law and order with all the unrest about the demon incursions and other demonic instances, now was not the for some over curious up-jumped commoners strutting around and interfering with the law.
Ionathan jerked his head upright "Orders, Sir?” The Captain handed a letter of authority over to Ionathan "Tag along with these adventurers and if they question your authority read this out to them, they keep on moving around so just ask if they've seen a Gnome with green hair lately and you'll find them soon enough" the Captain smirked and snapped a salute to Ionathan "Happy hunting" Ionathan returned the salute and after arranging for his daughter to be sent to his parents for a while, he went off in search of the group of so called adventures and soon enough, after asking a dozen citizens spotted a green haired gnome wearing a hat. He narrowed his eyes at the group the gnome was with, 'they seem to be having a disagreement, not the best time to introduce myself' Ionathan thought, 'but if it makes the town a little more safe, then so be it. Ionathan breathed deeply, walked up to talking distance to the group, then in his most uncompromising tone said "By order of the guard State your intentions".
Description: Tall, Honourable and kind-hearted. Age: 28
Gender: Male
Appearance: Dark Green eyes under black eyebrows and short, black hair. At 6 foot Ionathan is above average height for humans and easily stands out with his sharp, elven like features including elf like ears but more rounded and less pronounced, he has a Light skin colour with a small scar on his right cheekbone
Clothing/Armor: A standard issue Guardsman attire which consists of a Tabard with Chainmail and padding underneath. He has a few satchels upon his belt consisting of first aid supplies. Atop his head is the Standard issue guardsman’s kettle helmet. When off duty Ionathan wears a plain brown tunic.
Weapons: Ionathan wields a spear like other guardsman, the spear itself is the same height as Ionathan (6 foot) he also carries a balanced longsword, Ionathan wields the sword two handed for extra power but is usually equiped with his spear and a shield that he carries on his back with a Guige when not using it. The shield is a standard kite shield with the Waeldeshore heraldry for a coat of arms.
Skills/Abilities: An experience fighter, Ionathan's experience in the army has not left him as he remembers the battles he was in and how to take on opponents of different measure. As part of his soldier training the iron discipline is still embedded in Ionathan's mind. Ionathan knows basic first aid with some advance understanding of the significance of wounds.
Backstory: With a human father and a elven mother Ionathan got to learn about both human and elven cultures from an early age. However, His father was a wealthy landowner so his marriage to an elf was most scandalous, this left Ionathan with a resentment of the nobility and few friends. Ionathan in his childhood and adolescents spent his time reading and received a good education via private tutors. When the war broke out Ionathan had just reached Adulthood and being in a noble family he was enlisted as an officer cadet, Ionathan's training at the officers training camp was harsh but effective, at the start he was like any other who had just reached adult hood, full of energy and always cheerful, but by the end he was a disciplined and skilled officer who acted with knowledge and calculation rather than gut feeling. After The training he was assigned to be a Lieutenant of the 35th regiment of foot where he served throughout the war. The 35th served with valor and duty with their most famous action taking place when a strike force went to strike a supply town near the border and the 35th held the road despite repeated enemy assaults until reinforcements arrived, the officers were personally kissed on the cheeks by the ruling official of the town and were offered the best rooms in the taverns while the regiment was resupplied.
After the war Ionathan adopted a girl made orphaned by the war and settled down and bought a cosy 2 bedroomed house in Waeldeshore were he became a guard for the town. Over the years he reflected on his life in the army while growing to like the town and became a respected by his colleagues and the town for his by the book approach to handling situations and his good relation with the Guard Captain. Throughout the years he made sure that his daughter was given the best education he could afford her with his salary, even on the weekends giving lessons himself. He remains in close contact with his parents who visit every month. Ionathan is looking forward to a life of keeping law and order while letting time heal the wounds of war.
