Itan Ecrio. Early Prototype. Redundant

[Itanecrio]

secret word:PMed for Itan Ecrio

Name:Itan Ecrio

Age: 18

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Hetero

Race: Na'vi

Tribe: Tuyeteira

Mount: (OOC. it is my intent to write finding a mount in-character. So at the point in time I introduce my character, he has none.)

Physical Description:
Itan is from a long line of the most fiercely traditional Tuyeteira, the far-arctic tribe in whose ancestry is found an abundance of the tallest, most physically imposing, and palest complexioned individuals. True to this ancestry Itan has skin the colour of ash, and matt, not glossy or waxy -sweating or glossy skin is not only perilous in the freezing clime of Itan's homeland, but seen as a sign of weakness beneath contempt.

His markings are ashen, some of them lighter even than the rest of his complexion, with some hinting at lichen green and brown, with a particular abundance about his collar-bones and running down the inside of his arms -markings usually only found in the stronger and dominant females of the tribe.

Further singling Itan out as an abberration of his ancestry, is his short stature: tall only as the Aylukana, the “tree-folk” of the lowland forests. He stands only shoulder height to any of the women in his fierce and matriarchal tribe.

Itan's hair grows pearl silver from the roots, and "sun-bleaches" to a pale gray. It is especially thick and long, so voluminous in fact it is another unmasculine trait that lends a strange "Tuyeteira-femininity" to him. If he were only taller, he would have qualified as one of the most magnificent females in generations. His queue thickened at an especially young age.

Like all of his tribe, Itan's nose is especially long, broad, and flat. This not only is an adaptation to the cold clime, but seen as the most "feminine" trait of all.


Personality:
On a personal and conscious level Itan is very intuitive, and observative of others. But adding salt to this apparent sweetness is a substantial dose of self-serving youthfulness: where it is expected of a Tuyeteiran male to conduct himself in a demure and gentle manner, Itan does not school his markings into a level tone, but allows them to flare and shift as would any of the brashest of the she-warriors of his tribe.

He holds his chin high and lets his eyes blaze wide. He allows himself the warrior-accent when he speaks –a mode of speech normally strictly reserved for the dominant females of the “Amazonian” Tuyeteiran tribe.

But were any to bond queues with Itan, they would plunge into a wellspring of grief and loss. The roots of Itan’s sense of despair go so deep as to motivate much of his arrogant and “feminine” behaviour. His true nature is that of his father, Itan does truly aspire to give heartfelt words of counsel and encouragement, and allows himself some pride at his affinity here. He does genuinely endeavour to be a likeable personage, but has by the same token seen the advantages that playing up his “femininity” lends him, and can allow this prestige to sweep him away. He has often allowed himself to be flippant, and even offhanded, but has always regretted it afterward, seeking to atone and reconcile for his behaviour later –as his sense of penance is very binding. Thusly when one gets Itan alone, and away from public sight, his gentler and more subtle nature asserts itself.


Talents:
Itan, in spite of his short stature, otherwise exhibits all of the physical strength of endurance of any female. His “femininity” encompasses the mastery of all blade-weapons, archery, spear-craft, tracking and stalking.

The subtleties he has inherited from his father is a particular affinity to read moods, and to interpret motives and emotions. It is a talent peculiar to Tuyeteiran males that they can exert a cinscious control of their markings -able to school and guard what is expressed by that medium.


History:
Itan is very much the product of his upbringing: the orphaned son of an especially well-loved Olo'etykan, and reverred Tsahik who came into reign over the tribe at an especially young age.

It is important to note this in relation to Itan’s character, because his parents rose during a time of particular hardship, when many of the elders had perished in accidents and disasters. Itan’s parents had to lead the fiercely conservative Tuyeteira into a new era where much of the ancient wisdom had been lost. In this era some of the more dogmatic culture subduing the males was relieved by sheer necessity.

During this time Itan was born and raised exhibiting many of the traits praised by the Tuyeteria as “feminine”: intelligence, assertiveness, courage, confidence, and physical prowess.
His father, the Olo’etykan, warned his mother that Itan was growing to become too “feminine”, too war-ready, too in love with the hunt and acts of daring –so much so that Itan would find it hard to settle into his role as a proper home and harem Tuyeteiran male. The Olo’etykan sought to have Itan brought at a younger than normal age into the harem of a most promising young warrior. But before the Tsahik, Itan’s mother, could act on his wise father’s warning, they were both lost in a blizzard.

So great was the sense of loss at the untimely death of the Olo’etykan and Tsahik, that Itan’s “femininity” was further over-looked, and not corrected, nor was he arraigned into the harem.

Rather than being schooled into the proper endeavours of a male, crafts of the home, diplomacy, and arts -Itan trained amongst the warriors in the skills of war and of hunting, and since the charisma and the beauty of his strength reminded those that looked upon him of his parents, none would gainsay him.

The one taboo he has dared not cross, is to seek a mount. A Tuyeterian male is strictly forbidden to be borne by any mount save one that has been loaned to him by the female in whose harem he resides.

RP Sample:

One small aspect of Itan’s thought passed to a small tinkling sound echoing through the passage from outside, that of the hoarfrost breaking up in the brief sunlight of the early-spring day. Such a good omen, and sound of hope and happiness was it to Itan that he allowed his ears to shift, though he knew if he was being watched it would give away the ruse that he was sleeping. The sleeping chamber of the long-house was largely thrumming and whispering with the sleeping sounds of the tribes people –the dominant females laying with the males of their harems blanketed about them. But there were some few of the most powerful huntresses readying for the long run to the far-flung valleys that still promised any prey after the especially long winter. Sleeping in her customary place, the especially dominant Fya'otakuk, Pathcleaver, stood stretching. Itan could hear the masses of air being drawn into her mighty chest through her especially broad and flat nose. In his imagination he could see the iridescence of the markings across her collarbones as she stood resplendent in her nudity for all to see. A mighty huntress, boasting one of the highest pelt-counts of any in her generation, and whom had made no secret that she intended Itan to become the first flower of her harem. He smiled shamelessly at the edged click of her tongue, that she had seen his ears move, and that she knew he was awake. If his little pretence irritated her, Itan rationalised, then let it.
“Come Itan, ready my morning brew since you are awake.” Fya’otakuk asserted her right. “Come, here is my hand.” Her voice softening as she reached down to help Itan to his feet, openly appraising his equally naked form. “ I will bring you another fine pelt this day, perhaps the last of the winter-whites, since I am running north again.”
Itan schooled his face to show thanks and servitude, an expression that was at odds with the flaring and colouration of his markings, as bountiful and vivid as any female. He allowed his markings to betray his distaste and ongoing resistance to Fya’otakuk. If it were not for the rumours that his father, the late Olo’etykan, had beseeched his mother, the most revered Tsahik in remembered history, to have him arraigned to Fya’otakuk –he doubted she would have paid him any notice at all. But now it was as if he was her due, and if she did not assert that right, she might somehow lose face. Itan had seen Fya’Otakuk bring down game, and how she wielded spear and knife. If she approached mating with the same brute force and lack of grace, he doubted he would survive their first coupling, let alone enjoy being bound to her harem. His only hope in that respect was to ensure that she disliked him so fully that even should she assert her claim for him, if only to prove that she could, that she would soon trade him away to another of the females.
“White as the pelt might be, and brave as you are to dare the ever-snows of the utmost north, the pelt will still be struck with any many holes as a pincushion.” Itan replied tartly.
One of the other she-peers snorted, overhearing their exchange. “Itan has the right of it Fya’otakuk! You do so savage your prey!”
Fya’otakuk’s face was within an inch of Itan’s within an instant. The heat of her rage felt across the distance between them. She didn’t need to voice her thoughts, Itan read them in her markings, blazing like dark fire across her entire body. He would be hers, her conquered prey, if she had to stab him so many times. Itan smiled easily. Too easily had she forgotten the last time they sparred during training –a carefully engineered situation on his part, having ensured days had stretched to weeks and years since he had humiliated her in front of the Tsahik with his victory. Too easily had she forgotten that his shorter stature belied the steel-cord strength of the least of his muscles, the effortless deadliness that had become his hard earned instinct. This line of thought he did ensure could not be discerned in the colours or patterns of his markings. It seemed he might also be headed out into the wilderness that day, for it seemed his last chance to escape had arrived. He could read Fya’otakuk’s intent, she was going to hunt the unhuntable, and she would succeed, of that even Itan had no doubt, there was no beast she could not kill, and over its white pelt she would demand that he be granted to her. But by that time he should have run far enough that they could not catch him. Should have, he wrestled with the uncertainty, allowing his eye teeth to glint in an all too feminine smile.

[Silmaneero]

- There are several aspects in this bio, generally denoting certain physical characteristics or cultural reference, that will need editing. Specifically: "-sweating or glossy skin is not only perilous in the freezing clime of Itan's homeland, but seen as a sign of weakness beneath contempt. "; "markings usually only found in the stronger and dominant females of the tribe."; "where it is expected of a Tuyeteiran male to conduct himself in a demure and gentle manner, Itan does not school his markings into a level tone, but allows them to flare and shift as would any of the brashest of the she-warriors of his tribe.

He holds his chin high and lets his eyes blaze wide. He allows himself the warrior-accent when he speaks –a mode of speech normally strictly reserved for the dominant females of the “Amazonian” Tuyeteiran tribe. "; and "A Tuyeterian male is strictly forbidden to be borne by any mount save one that has been loaned to him by the female in whose harem he resides."

All of the above denote traits that potentially apply restrictions to other peoples characters should they make them of this clan. In terms of the cultural applications, we do appreciate the details, but not all of them are necessarily true when applied to the Tuyeteira. I am aware that we have not cited everything implicitly in the clan information thread, and so little of this is an actual fault so much as a learning experience for all involved. To address each individually as best I can:

- There are no truly definitive markings that signify a warrior of specific repute or skill within the Tuyeteira. Except for in the case of the Tsahik's daughter, who is specially trained almost from birth for the potential to step into that roll herself, all clan members must prove themselves equally. Being the child of a well respected clan member does not automatically confer respect in and of itself.

- No Na'vi can control their bioluminescent markings. They are a product of hormonal and emotional shifts within the Na'vi themselves, not something that can be mentally turned on or off.

- There is no warrior accent that I am aware of; the Na'vi as a whole share a single universal language, and while different regions might denote slightly different dialects, there is no such differentiation in the Tuyeteira tribe.

- While males do generally end up tending to more domestic tasks around the clan home, they themselves are also trained to hunt and to fight. It does little good to have half of your society unable to defend itself or help provide for the clan in such a harsh environment. To that end, males are also permitted to bond mounts, though they may only claim the dire viperwolf. Arctic thanators are forbidden to them.

-Any male, regardless of bloodline, would be strongly brought to heel if he stepped out of line. It matters not if his mother was Tsahik and his father the once-Olo'eyktan of her harem. Getting lost in a blizzard is also probably not a terribly glorious death to meet, particularly for the single most powerful male and female in the entire clan, so while the rest of the tribe would mourn, there might also be some quiet questioning as to their worth as leaders if they could not survive one of the most common conditions of their home.

- Acting feminine is not necessarily a good thing within Tuyeteira society. Men have their place, and they are expected to act within it, but they are still males. A female will want the strongest, most virulent male to sire her offspring, and if a male appears weak, he is likely to be overlooked. Even if the females ignore this, however, he is likely to make a victim of himself for other larger males seeking to prove their dominance and worth to the rest of the tribe. I'm not saying that this should be changed, merely pointing out potential social repercussions.

[Itanecrio]

Thank you Silmaneero!

Before I forge ahead:

Thank you so very much for taking the time to help reign my world-building into a suitable shape as befits Paradise lost. I do so recognise you're investing time you could be spending enjoying your own writing. So thanks a one more time on that note.

I am a littleunsure which details of my application you would feel more comfortable seeing edited... You've been so kind and delicate in your choice of words, I don't know which bits you are saying you ned to have changed. Call me thick. But as my leader and guide please feel absolutely free to just tell me "that bit needs changing, that bit I'll let slide if you justify it appropriately..." and so on.

Will it be acceptable to let any of thoe points slide based on an acceptable justification?

If not, that's just fine too! No harm intended on your part, I'm sure, and no offence taken in any way if you would prefer to see characters kept within established parameters.

f it might be acceptable to bend cultural forms a bit, -or in other words to permit me a bit of world-building- I have made an earnest endeavour to quantify each of the daring cultural assumptions I have taken liberties with...

While I have not explained in closer detail, for example, how Itan's parents came to their untimely demise, I though to leave it unsaid, in the confidence the reviewers would be comfortable lending me the benefit of the doubt.

I easily recognise the relevance of the comment that two figureheads of a society should not ever put themselves in a position so flippantly as to perish in a blizzard, and I daresay I could come up with a rich story in relation to that in time...

Also, in relation to warrior-accents: I would assert that this would surely exist, especially in a rigid and formally gender oriented culture. Within our own culture each micro-cosm of society develops it's own choice of words, and inflections of delivery. Take for example how downtown New York gangsters speak compared to your average Wall Street stock broker...

Your comments about males being equally important are duly recognised also, but I return to the quantification that in my premise the Tuyetiera are undergoing a bitter if brief upheaval due to a period of disaster... a period which has created the unique situation to create my unconventional and troubled character. A character which needs must undergo a massive journey of discovery... a writers dream as it were in terms of character development.

Anyone else wanting to write from a Tuyeteria perspective could have come from before the troubles, or safely afterward. I am not asserting a fierce new cannon. What I have done, building this character, is to establish one just destined for exile... one who will not fit in at home, but whom might undergo the right growth to return there one day.

So I would say, in summary, your observations are all correct: and normally everything you noted ought to apply...especially if I wanted Itan to fit in at home. I have tried to justify Itan's premise with a period of cultural upheaval and difficulty. His exile (if self-imposed) would be an indicator that traditional Tuyeteira values are re-establishing themselves. I do intend for Itan to travel, as an exile, and not to co-exist in his own clan until all of your observations have been addressed in character...

let me know, with all said and done, which points you would very much like to see edited. I really am content to edit any part of the character profile you'd like. So let me know what you're content to let slide, and what I should tweak.
Thanks!
Talk soon!

[Silmaneero]

It's not so much a matter of comfort but a matter of plausibility. Much of what I asked to be edited I did so because it would pose significant restriction on other peoples characters. The markings that you indicated are only present on the strongest of the tribe's warriors, for example. By indicating such a thing here, you thereby impose a restriction upon any other player who wishes to make a Tuyeteira warrior. If they want them to be one of the strongest, then it would be required of them to have these markings, whether the player wanted them to or not. The same can be said of the rest of what I pointed out; the Tuyeteira will sweat if given reason to do so, so I hardly see how that could be considered a contemptible weakness. By saying so you then bind others to the notion that their character will be considered weak if they sweat. By suggesting that the males of the tribe can somehow control their bioluminescent markings, you bind anyone who dares make a male Tuyeteira in the future to that same restriction. By saying that males are not allowed to bond a mount, you bind others from giving their character a mount in spite of the fact that it is allowed and plausible. The only restriction males have in terms of their chosen mount is that it is forbidden for them to attempt or bond with the arctic thanator.

As to the accent; it hardly seems relevant to compare a gangster and a stock broker to the Na'vi. Those two terran stereotypes are worlds apart, while the Tuyeteira are a single clan. A single functioning clan, might I add, where the males are not treated as slaves. Something akin to property, yes, but they are not openly degraded or mistreated without good reason.

The death of the Tsahik and Olo'eyktan would be cause for grief, I agree, but I cannot see how it would cause the sort of upheaval you wish to happen. Death is a natural, intrinsic part of their society and culture. Given the harshness of the environment in which they live, the Tuyeteira could ill afford to let something like death shake their very social structure; such a thing could prove catastrophic for the entire tribe. They would mourn, yes, but they would also be quick to have a successor named in order to keep the tribe strong and fit. Rather than let their values be shaken loose, they would cling to them more tightly than ever.

Perhaps I may make an alternative suggestion... is it absolutely necessary that Itan be Tuyeteira bred? There are other northern tribes on Pandora; the Tuyeteira certainly aren't the only ones, and given the extreme isolation they would be prone to nearly year round, there are bound to be some cultural differences between tribes. Perhaps Itan's tribe of origin suffered this fated upheaval, and either he himself was exiled or the ramifications of the loss shook the tribe to pieces? They scattered, and he happened to end up with the Tuyeteira, which could also allow for a regional accent difference. Being exiled twice could also provide additional development potential; if he is outcast so many times, where, if anywhere, does he truly belong?

[Itanecrio]

Reading you loud and clear!
Thanks!
Will get underway with my re-write.

Just a last clarification: you would find it okay if I wrote Itan as belonging to a clan not listed in those of the PL cannon? And perhaps he tries to fit in with the Tuyeteria, but only estranges himself?

Again, heartfelt thanks for the huge amount of effort you've given to me.