Ronti
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General Information
Ronti Garkansen of the Chimera Clan, formerly Ronti Istaperi of the Griffon Clan, was born 6 B.U. to Peri and Addaya. He was an only child, and does not talk about his younger years to just anybody. He has been an Eeshan since his Ceremony of Souls.
He has been married twice in his life. First to Antonia Garkansen, whose family accepted him, thus gaining him status from commoner to middle class. Four years after her death, he married her cousin, Balinda Garkansen. He adopted 3 children with Antonia: Lavinia(f), Madzia(f), and Vasilios(f). With Balinda, he has had three children: Rolinda(f), Anya(f), and Balont(m).
Teen/Early Adult Years
Fed up with home life, Ronti left his household after his Ceremony of Souls. For the most part, he dedicated his days to learning how to make weapons and armor, dedicating his nights to spending what time he could in the White Dove with Madame Zutiva and all the lovely Doves he could. It was during his training that an accident happened in the forge, causing the scar that crosses over Ronti's right eye, leaving it white rather then hazel, like his other eye is. He turned this deformity into his symbol. Any weapon or armor made by Ronti over the years bears his mark of <(*)>.
His early commissions pretty much went to the Doves in hopes some would see his work and acquire about him. This plan actually worked, as soon he was making armor and weapons for many a person, both noble and common.
It was at this time he met many a mes who captured his heart, but, alas, none of them would return Ronti's love. There were four of note. One was, then, Mes Ishani, whom Ronti followed to war for his first tour of duty, which was lackluster for him. The second was a mes named Ziella. Ronti had an interest in her son son, Vellik, but would not see again for quite some time. The third was a Chimeran mes named Malvina, who he did not see again after breaking off relations for quite some time. The fourth was a swarthy tavern wench from the Old City named Susia, whose relationship with Ronti is an odd one for him at times to deal with.
His 20s
By the age of 24, Ronti had gained an apartment in the Griffon Distict, started renting a shop owned by, then, Lord Jalil Firgalik, had it looked over by one Jazayeri Istems, and was sponsored, at first, by a princess named Inaya Elianik, but later went under the sponosorship of Lady Zayes Vasen Darkas, by her request to keep his ties soley with the Griffon Clan.
And then, one day, while sitting on the bath house stairs, Ronti happened to meet a young girl, close to the time of her Ceremony, named Meliha.
The Meliha Years
At first, Ronti was just amused by this soon to be adult mes, but, after her Ceremony, was greatly intrigued by her. For the first time in his life, Ronti had met someone as interested in him as he was with her. He soon fell in love with this young mes. She made him learn to love song and dance. She also made him want to grow up, for she would have nothing to do with an immature mer.
Due to Meliha, Ronti's life had some interesting events. Because of his love for her, he found himself facing the Kraken when it destroyed the ferry to Sarkaren during a Spring Festival, flying a griffon with Latta to be with Meliha because the ferry was broken, and standing up against Draugik, in the Forum, after his return from a long hiatus from the Firan lands, with horns dipped in platinum and jewels.
As a few years went on, Ronti tried to gain permission to marry Meliha, but was turned down on the grounds he was nothing more then a commoner blacksmith. Ronti was heartbroken by this, even more so when he found that he was one of three vying for the attention of the mes. The one was a commoner whose name Ronti soon forgot, but the other was a lord ceturion named Arius Iberik. He remembers that Arius was that rank because he always corrected anyone by saying he was 'Lord Centurion Arius Iberik.'
And then, the night of the fire at the Griffon Wing Insula. It was there that the spear of Lord Centurion Arius Iberik was found, but no body, and a Meliha with amnesia. Ronti tried to help her regain her memory with the help of a Ticanee seer named Urtenia, but it was for nothing. Soon, Meliha would be taken away.
The Air Raid of 24 A.U.
It was the most horrific time in Firan history since the Great War. A mass invasion of Shamibellians came, hurling down death and destruction against all the city during a bitter winter.
Still shaken up by the tragedy of Meliha, Ronti did his best to help all those in his clan by offering all the weapons and armor he had in his stores freely to those who needed them.
It was the same year that Ronti, in a foolish attempt to get himself some food from what was then called the Memory of Ellish tavern, was attacked by a rogue griffon. Though he survived, he was in a coma for almost three months from the bite of the griffon, finally awakening to the site of Lady Petrina. It was shortly thereafter he learned the horrible news of the capture of Meliha by the Shamibellian hordes. Ronti was, again, broken hearted.
Meeting Antonia
Ronti has a phrase he uses. 'Love happens when you least expect it, usually while sitting on the bath house stairs.' It was there, sitting atop of them, looking down into the Forum, that he met another mes, named Antonia. She was a brash one, and in need of help. Ronti, not one to let a damsel in distress go without help, allowed her to use his forge in his shop, helped her get an apartment, and tried to start a strictly business relationship with this mes.
But, as he came to know her more, he soon fell in love with Antonia, but was spurned by her, at first, because she was in love with another, Lord Philander.
It was about this time that the Griffon clan was in trouble with another clan, most likely the Gold Dragons, causing Ronti to pack up all he had and head to Lurashar with other Griffons, in hope of surviving an attack by them. While in Lurashar, he came to know a mes named Dimitra. He started to fall for her as well, for Ronti's heart is a fickle one, but soon, after returning to Anarinuell, and with the death of Lord Philander, he soon was able to win the heart of Antonia, breaking off his ties to Dimitra.
His 30s
With the beginning of his third decade of life, Ronti had gone through some interesting experiences. With Antonia, he had a chance to get married, finally, and become part of a family; the Garkansens. All was going pretty good for the blacksmith, and then it happened.
'The Dream'
Some say it was nothing. Others claim it was a sign from the gods. Many still hold grudges from what they saw, but all who experienced The Dream were changed somehow. For Ronti, the onslaught of Shamibellians into the city was an eye opening experience. He came to realize one important fact: if he was going to be married to Antonia, he had to make it happen soon.
His Marriage to Antonia
Once he woke up from The Dream, Ronti pushed for his marriage to Antonia. He accepted her name, became part of her clan, and was wed to her in what was supposed to be a small ceremony. It ended up having over twenty people there.
With his marriage official, Ronti broke ties with Lady Zayes. She begrudgingly gave up sponsorship to him, wondering why he had not just stayed a Griffon. Ronti explained it was what he wanted for both him and Antonia, and Zayes, with some anger Ronti felt, allowed him to find a new sponsor. Ronti then aligned himself with Lord Orestes Rissik, at the advisement of Antonia, to strengthen his ties with the Chimera clan.
A Second War Season
Before his second tour, Ronti was in the Fifth Division, under Lord General Baristano Manosik. He worked on some projects in their Research And Development team, but found it lacking for what he wanted to do, so he quit, which ired not only the Lord General, but his Head of House Sir General Vasyklo Garkansen.
He appeased both Lord and Head of House by volunteering to go to war as a smith to help with supplies, but soon found himself on the front lines during the historic 'Fort Sacrifice' campaign where Lady Zayes and a group of heroes gave themselves so that the Firans could take a Shamibellian fort. It was Ronti's first real taste of war, and he decided he really did not want any of that.
Becoming a Guard
Upon his return from the war, Ronti and Antonia had tried to have a family, but, due to medical problems from her past, Antonia was never able to bear Ronti a child. In the end, Ronti and Antonia adopted three children; two girls and one boy. Ronti tries to be a good father to them all, knowing full well that a bad father can hurt a heart for a long time.
It was during this time that the economy of Firan suddenly collapsed, and, with the newly instated tolls and bath fees, Ronti had no idea what he could do to keep him and his family financially secure. He had been working with two mers, Vicdan Vasen-Darkas and a mer named Gustav, soon to be Lord Gustav Didoron, to try to start a shop in the PD to sell all their wares. Antonia herself tried to help the cause by introducing Ronti to Mer Antonius Marcus, a life long friend of hers, who happened to own a shop in the Palace District. His wife, Inea, had owned the shop, but had recently died, so he agreed to rent the shop to Antonia, then Ronti. Ronti and his friends never could get the shop going, even though they had done renovations to it.
It was at that time that Antonia advised him to join the guard, which would allow him free tolls and baths, and, more importantly, the First were not required to go to war, but still were considered military. She took him to meet, then, Captain Lucian Cylisti who, after hearing Ronti's skills, enlisted him and promptly placed him under Antonia's authority.
The Death Of Antonia
A few years later, the city was plagued by lions, attacking anyone who wandered the streets of the districts. The First quickly went into action, trying to find out where these lions came from, with the help of the regular Firan Republic army. Many felt these animals were an attack by Drik, who is sometimes known as The Lion King.
During an attack made by a group of lions, Antonia was struck down and killed in front of Ronti. When he realized she was dead, something in his heart broke. He picked her up, and carried her to the Temple of Unot, where he layed her down, and proceeded to sit with her for almost a week. He left only once, to go tell his children the tragedy that happened to their mother.
During her funeral, Ronti stood and made his remarks for her, giving to her his Iron Sword of the Rose and The Chain, a sword he had carried for almost ten years. To him, the sword was a symbol of his heart, something that Antonia would have with her, even in her death.
Fire At The Garkansen Insula
Shortly after the funeral of Antonia, the Garkansen Insula was set ablaze by arsonists. With the help of clan members and friends, Ronti was able to rescue all the children out of the compound, including his three adopted children, some of the adult members of the household, and a ferret named Philly, a gift from Antonia.
Due to the destruction of the insula, many of the Garkansen's who lived there had to find alternative shelters. It was at that time that Clan Leader Inaya Elianik offered Ronti, who was by then a Centurion in the Republic First Division, a position as Head of Securuty for the Chimeran Compound, under the supervision of the current Head of Security, Captain Damocles Montigo.
It was this twist of fate that brought Ronti into day to day contact with Balinda Garkansen, his cousin-in-law.
Nivada and Balinda
During the year after the death of Antonia, Ronti met two extraordinary meses. One was Balinda, who he had known for a while, and the other was a blind mes of the Bear clan named Nivada Dilark.
Nivada was introduced to him by the legendary healer, Wylma, at the Training Center, when she dared Ronti to spar with the blind mes. Ronti did, and was suprised to find the mes was capable of protecting herself, even in her condition. Soon, he was taking her out to dinner, getting to know her better, when finally he realized he could see himself married to such a woman. He started to petition his clan and hers and both families for a wedding, which slightly dismayed Clan Leader Inaya Elianik, as she had designs on marrying Ronti to her lady-in-waiting, his cousin-in-law, Balinda.
At first, Ronti was not sure what to make of Balinda, as he was kin by marriage. She was a nice mes, but the thought of being married to her didn't sit right. Instead, Ronti went on a campaign to get her married to the son of an old friend. He had recently started a new relationship with a mer named Vellik, the little boy of Ziella who he used to call 'boy', and decided he was the right mer for Balinda. He was rising in the ranks of the First, becoming a captain by age 17, and he knew he would care for her, and she would care for him. So, he got them married, which made him quite happy. And then Vellik went to war, and got captured, which made Ronti quite sad, for he had lost a good friend and had broken Balinda's heart as well.
Years later, and still unwed to Nivada though everything was put in motion, Ronti soon came to realize that Balinda was the kind of mes he wanted in his life. He also felt an obligation to her as it was he who pushed for the marriage of her to Vellik. Finally, he admitted his feelings to her, and she to him, and they discovered that they both felt the same. Ronti then took it upon himself to marry Balinda, though he hated to have to leave behind Nivada, even though they had distanced themselves from each other over the years.
Marriage to Balinda
Balinda, being still married to Vellik, who was missing in action from a war against the Shamibellians, had to wait for the Religious Council to approve standards for when those with spouses captured at war could file for divorce. It was five years since he was taken when the Religious Council stated that after three years, people could petition for divorces, but would have to wait three months after the divorce to honor the captured, like traditionally done for the dearly departed.
The three months went by slowly to Ronti, but the day finally arrived. For the second time in his life, Ronti walked the wedding maze bound to a mes. He was as happy on that day as he was with Antonia. He was pleasantly surprised when Clan Leader Inaya, a priestess of Elik, presided over the ceremony.
A Third War Season
During the War of 34 A.U., the First Division was called up to help the soldiers on the Ellish front. The main effort for the First was a rescue attempt at the recently retaken Fort Sacrifice. A strong push was given, while those able to use stealth went forward to try to make a two front attack. The soldiers were able to get most of the prisoners from the Fort, but were unable to retake the fort itself. Ronti's accomplicement that season was simply to grab Lord High General Zafir Junik and get him back to the safety of Fort Triumph.
His 40s
With a career in the First solidified, a new wife by his side, and the promise of children, Ronti's life seemed to be on the up and up. Ronti should have learned that you never say things are going good. The gods don't like that.
Lost For A Month
Months after the Hydran-Eagle conflict, which resulted in the death of Clan Leader Zeysani and her executioner, the haffie Draugik, Prince Vahlgellan Elianik was found dead in the Bear clan's cells. Ronti, along with a group of guards including General Firuell Aurik, Prince Captain Torianos Elianik, and Centurion Abayos Mink, went to investigate the crime while supervised by First Proxy Fidelia Ista Aldrik.
A month later, they were discovered missing. A few days later, the group arrived from the cells looking half starved. Many wonder what happened to the group, but no one will say exactly what happened. The only story that was given was of a secret passage and a cave in.
The Return of Meliha
After years of being out of his reach, Meliha finally returned in full force to Annarinuell, proclaiming herself to be a prophet of Lord Unot, claiming he marked her with lips and fingernails of silver. Her message was a simple one; kill all twins.
Ronti is no twin lover, but he knows that the murder of babies is abominable, and that was what she was advocating. He and the First Division soon apprehended her and threw her in the Republic Jails. The place was soon thronged with avid followers, clamoring to hear the words of this prophet. Ronti believes she was indirectly responsible for an attack on Clan Leader Zeysani during her brother's duel in the Forum. They are also responsible for the burning of the jails trying to help Meliha escape.
During his investigation, he discovered two facts. One, witnesses claimed they knew she had relations with Lord Arius Iberik. The second, Meliha claimed to be a virgin and was kept that way for the chance at a more powerful sacrifice for the Shamibellians.
This confirmed something to Ronti. Something he knew for years. Before the fire, Meliha claimed she was a twin. She also claimed that her twin had come to the city, and wanted to talk to her. He always had a feeling that this Meliha was not his Meliha. And now he knew it.
At her trial, Ronti confronted this false Meliha with the facts. She would not budge from her story, and was condemned to death for the murder of Lord Arius Iberik by Judge Akiva Ista Aldrik. Ronti himself performed the execution with a knife loaned to him by General Firuell Aurik.
The Birth Of His Chidren
During the first year of his marriage, Balinda was blessed with a child. Ronti nervously awaited the days until, at last, Balinda gave birth to a healthy baby girl they named Rolinda. Ronti was happy to see that his daughter shared his eyes.
A few years later, Balinda gave birth to his second daughter; a green eyed, blonde haired, olive skinned beauty he named Anya, after his mother and Balinda's grandmother, Anastashia.
His third child, born a few years later, was a boy, who had a difficult childbirth. He, too, has hazel eyes, and was named Balont.
Their forth child came about nine months after Ronti's stay amongst the Ticanee. They named her Dalina, a play on Balinda's name.
The Death Of Dame Mother
Ronti would do anything for Dame Mother Urtenia, though normally she would ask him to dance the Bad Bunny Foo Foo in a loincloth. She seemed to like men dancing in loincloths. So much so that Ronti once danced with a group of mers and Lords for the Dame Mother at a special birthday party.
So when Ronti was called to the death bed of Urtenia to dance once more for her, he could not, and would not, refuse her. Though he was in the presence of First Proxy Fidellia Ista Aldrik as well as Urtenia, he did the dance, as asked.
Urtenia also asked for all to tell jokes, and Ronti complied, telling a joke about a great flood and a man's misguided faith in Elik's temple. When she died, Elik made it snow during the warmer parts of the fall.
Strangely enough, two months later, Firan was blanketed by a great blizzard, which in turn flooded Anarinuell and the lands surrounding the city. To this day Ronti often wonders if Elik really was listening too closely when Urtenia died.
Raid On The Old City
During this time, Lord Viceroy Taleo Teranzik authorized a raid on the Old City, looking for spies, haffies, and traitors. Though Ronti himself kept his men in order, others went too far, as rumors of looting and pillaging were rampant. On the second day, when Ronti and a group of soldiers tried to make it to the house of Sangreos Tabernik, Ronti's was attacked and Ronti was stripped of all his possessions. If not for the backing of his group and the help of Commander Wendos Aedilik, Ronti would have died in the place he had almost called home in his earlier life.
A Fourth War Season
Once again, during the war season of 37 A.U., the First was called in to help on the Ellish front. This time to help retake Fort Triumph, which was captured by the Shamibellians.
During a heavy push into the fort to take it back, Ronti was taken prisoner after being knocked unconscious. When he awoke, he found himself in the prison cells of Fort Sacrifice. He was then stripped naked and his head shaved. This was also the first time that he had ever had to deal with Shamibellians.
Though he knew their language, and could understand what they said, he never let on. Instead, he listened to them, and was shocked to hear what they would do to them. He was even more shocked to hear of the things they believed in. He also met Hralib, the Shamibellian slave master of Ellish, and was surprised to see him carrying a knife he made back when he was a much younger mer.
At the end of the season, Ronti found himself being given back to the Firans, along with Prince Rislan Elianik and a Hydran named Elachi who soon became a hero for his actions during the war.
A Rise In Ranks
Upon his return from being captured by the Shamibellians, Ronti was promoted to the rank of General of the First Division. This was made possible due to the discharge of High General Firuell Aurik because of his actions during the Scirlut Conflict, and the promotion of Sir Lucian Cylisti to High General, thus leaving the position open. Ronti often wondered why he got the promotion. The other two commanders, Lord Urminius Manosik and Lord Inarus Iberik were both good soldiers, and people he both trusted and capable of doing the job.
But Ronti was not one to let opportunity slip away, so he took the promotion, and proceeded to try to lead the First Division, keeping them the law enforcement machine he had helped strive to make.
The Downfall of a General
But Ronti seems to take two steps forward, and then three steps back at times. In the end, his time as General was relatively short lived because of two factors; the Sacred Path incident and the Chimeran Conspiracy.
The Sacred Path Incident
Back when he was a commander, just before the war season, Ronti was in charge of security at Prince Torianos Elianos' wedding to Lady Melani Oshta. He was happy to see the two wed, but, unfortunately, some weren't, and a mob organized to protest the marriage of the two, citing Melani's Ticanee heritage.
Whether it was the presence of the First or the words said by Prince Torianos that caused things to get violent, know one really knows. All that is knows is that blood was shed on the Sacred Path that day, and Clan Leader Taria Oshta put the responsibility at Ronti's feet, because he was in charge of security.
Eventually, when things finally calmed down, Ronti agreed to stand trial before the Oshta for what had happened at the Sacred Path. His punishment was to live in a tent amongst the Ticanee and try to bring relations with them and other clans closer together.
After close to three years of living amongst the Ticanee, Ronti was asked to write a scroll for the Oshta detailing what he learned by staying amongst them. His essays, written in both Firan and Ticanee, was given to the Oshta, who then freed him of his obligations, and allowed him to return to his home.
The Chimeran Conspiracy
The Chimeran Conspiracy has also become known as the Antonian Apostasy, and involved many high ranking nobles and officials in the Chimera Clan in an attempted coup against the current Republic order.
It was the arrest of the haffie Beyzo that started the whole investigation rolling. He claimed things about Antonius that Ronti found hard to believe. He let Lady Captain Taleena Oshta lead the investigation, but asked her to keep it quiet, just in case the haffie was trying to damage the name of a friend.
A few months later, it was found out that the haffie was indeed speaking the truth, and Antonius, along with Sir Nathim Ista Ankur, tried to get a group together to kill Lord Taleo Teranzik in a dramatic recreation of the Regime's trial of Clan Leader Firgalas. They recruited many Chimerans to this cause, including many Rissiks.
But Ronti can be a strong headed mer, and when the Clan Council seemed to attack the character of his clan leader and new sponsor Inaya Elikista, for he had broken ties with Orestes way before all these acts had come to light, he became indignant and mouthed off to the Clan Council. This did not bode well for him, and the majority of the Clan Council wanted him punished for his impudence. He was eventually demoted to the rank of captain, but was allowed to keep the right of wearing iron armor for his years of service.
Retirement
After being allowed to come home again, Ronti and his wife, Balinda, embarked on a journey to The Oracle with Kodiachi, the former high priestess of the Uffians, and Jericho, her husband. Upon his return from the trip, Ronti discovered his enlistment was up for renewal. After ten years of service, the former general decided to leave the service. His time was done. The new guard had to come in and take up the reins of justice. Besides, he had a new duty: teacher. Throgana's daughters, Arinsana and Zutani Zutivik, were his new apprentices. He was also a minor minister for the clan as well. Though old, Ronti still had things to do, though some could still see a strange look in his eyes when he looked to the Palace District.
The Liberation Of Ellish
Just before the historic Liberation of Ellish campaign of 42 A.U., a call to the citizens of the Republic went out to help supply the troops like they never had done before. Ronti answered the call by doing what Ronti does best: making weapons and armor, as well as smelting ore into ingots. What was different for Ronti this year was the fact that he was involved in the assembly of two new weapons for the Firan army: a siege engine and firebombs. He made only one siege engine, just so he could make one, but he was responsible for helping to make five firebombs for the republic to use. For Ronti, it brought back the old thrill of weapon making. He was glad to do what he could for the effort as he was too incapacitated to really do any fighting.
It was also the worst time in Ronti's life as his wife, Balinda, went with the campaign to be a front line healer. When not working, he would sit and stare in the direction of Ellish silently. When he received letters from his wife, he would look less grieved for a while, only to become nervous again the next day. When she finally came home, being delayed to help ease the passing of Prince Savaren Elianik, Ronti held her tight in his arms and uttered, “Don't ever leave me again.” It was then that he heard of the disastrous end of his former friend, Vellik, upon the walls of Fort Triumph. Later he heard of the death of Kendra Coyote, someone he had made friends with during his time in the Ticanee District. All the deaths caused a great pain in the heart of Ronti, yet, the only thing he was heard to say about the retaking of Ellish was the cryptic message of, “What will we fight over now?”
