Ashimar Siril's page

Ashimar Siril presents at first glance, as a petite, meek and unassuming young Chelaxian woman. She appears to be a walking contradiction - arrogant and ruthless - traits common to a Chelaxian simply do not seem applicable in her case. Wavy auburn hair frames a cherubic face graced with natural beauty. She however, appears unaware of this; her posture and demeanor betraying her nervousness of being singled out or of drawing unwanted attention to herself. Her outfit is modest and tasteful. The only obvious decoration visible is a silver medallion around her neck. Etched on the medallion is a bird with intricately detailed tail feathers that arch up and over its head.

Those who take the opportunity to look closer at this demure young lady notice nothing meek about her sharp gray eyes. Her eyes are a window to her soul and they speak of a determined, dogged resolve - someone who will take on any challenge once she sets her mind to it. She is not one to volunteer information to strangers but those who have her trust are treated to an intuitive mind capable of unfathomable leaps of logic.

My father, Tobias Siril, an ordinary member of the Korvosan Guard to the rest of the world but a hero in my eyes. My earliest memory was sitting on the swings with him when I was a mere child with 5 summers behind me. It was the first and the last time I remember finding the courage to tell him what was in my heart.
"You are going to be different Ashi," he had said. "You are special in your own way, destined for great things".
I remember how cold my hands felt clutching a glass of iced water while heat-sweat poured down the back of my neck. "No Da, I want to be like you when I grow up." He was the kindness in my life, the smile that met me every morning and made me eggs with the yolks barely soft.
He shook his head and I remember his wistful smile, "You are luckier than that Ashi. You'll understand when you get older."
His desire for me to be different than him was the deepest rejection possible, and my spirit bled from the wounds unseen.

The Shoanti girl walked over and stood over Ashimar. "You're in my spot piglet. Did you not learn your lesson the other day?"
Different day, same story. Ashimar stood up defiantly and balled up her fists. She only came up to the other girl's shoulders but that wasn't going to stop her. "It's a free city Nuala... and I was here first."
Nuala's face lit up in a cruel smile. It was more fun when they fought back, or tried to at least. "Ohh, little piglet has a backbone today! Are you going to use those fists? Or just go cry to your father? Maybe he'll come arrest me and set things right again"
This is not going to end well... violence would only serve to encourage her to retaliate with greater violence. Ashimar unclenched her jaw and relaxed her fists.
As she headed back home, forcing herself to not break into a run, she heard Nuala's taunting catcalls at her back, "That's right you little swine. Run along home. I'll be right here... waiting."

Ashimar purses her lips deep in thought as she walks a step behind Marcellano Andros. "On the surface, it appears to be a simple right of holdings civil dispute sir. The plaintiff wishes to claim the lion's share of the daily catch brought in by the defendant's group in lieu of berthing fees. The defendants claim the recent increase in berthing fees on fishery vessels is unfairly targeted at them with the sole intention of disrupting their livelihood..." She trails off with words left unsaid. There has to be more to this brief than meets the eye. He would not have questioned me on this if it were that simple. Shelyn, grant me clarity. Help your servant seek the truth behind this.

The older man stops suddenly and peers intently at his protege with a graying bushy eyebrow raised. "You don't sound convinced. Speak your mind child. Talking out loud is at its heart an expression of structured thought."

Ashimar glances over her shoulder to take in the serene Temple of Shelyn the pair had just left, nervously seeking celestial guidance. "The finding of facts seems too simple. But at its core, it doesn't ring true. Why not stake a claim on tangible assets? Why would the plaintiff seek a share of... unless..."

Marcellano stands silent, a tiny smile playing at the edges of his mouth as he watches Ashimar get more animated with each passing moment.

"Unless the goal was not monetary compensation but rather to disrupt the supply! But - why?"

The arbiter starts walking again, speaking a bit softer. "Would it surprise you to learn that the plaintiff is distantly affiliated with House Carowyn?"

"Of course! And House Kroft has a vested interest in the fisheries. Could they really be that transparent, sir?"

Marcellano can't help but feel a small amount of pride seeing the sharp young mind at work. "Korvosa has many layers child. The Dock Families play their games of intrigue and what appears transparent to you or I will go unnoticed by the masses."

Always look past the surface Ashi. Remember what you learned today. Things are often not as simple or cut-and-dry as they appear. "Will you be taking this to Senior arbiter Zenderholm then sir?"

The senior Chelaxian looks pensive as the Longacre building comes into view - the courthouse where he dispenses justice with a firm but fair decree in the name of law. "It's a civil matter Ashimar. I see no need to involve her... yet. Not until they start murdering each other for the sake of their petty infighting."

He turns to the young cleric, a guide rather than a judge. "You did well today child. You have a sharp mind for one so young. I will be away for the next several days doing my rounds to settle disputes in the outlying villages starting with Harse. But in the meantime, perhaps you'll find these to be of some use in your pet project."

Ashimar feels her cheeks flush as her eyes drop to the sheaf of parchments thrust into her hands. Her gaze focuses on the title which simply reads 'Gaedran Lamm'. How did he know I was...?
Marcellano finishes her thought for her. "I know all about your dangerous obssession with the cur Ashimar. Consider these leads a reward for your sharp mind. Perhaps they will aid you, perhaps not. If you get more out of them than the guards have thus far, remember to look behind the layers."

The young cleric meets her mentor's gaze with the steely gray of her eyes matching her new resolve. "I will arbiter. You can count on it."

Ashimar Siril was born and raised in Korvosa, the only child in a middle-class family. Her mother (now deceased) was a gifted musician who attributed her success to Shelyn. Ashimar fondly remembers her trips to the Temple of Shelyn growing up and being amazed at the beauty that surrounded her. She learned that beauty exists in all things - living and the inanimate and that it goes well beyond the surface.

Her real hero as a child however, was her 'da' - her father. He served in the Korvosan Guard (now close to finishing his tenure) and Ashimar did everything she could to emulate his behaviour - right down to stepping into his too-big boots and marching around the house in mock parades. Her father indulged her antics, knowing full well his daughter would never be skilled at the martial arts. (see glimpse into Ashimar's personality - age 5 from her point-of-view).

Ashimar's childhood was not an easy one. She quickly learned that the love she was showered with at home was not common out in the real world. The smallest amongst her peers, she was ridiculed and bullied for her diminutive size (see glimpse into Ashimar's personality - age 8). She found solace within the Temple of Shelyn and in the company of books. She wished she could make her tormentors see the beauty in the world the way she saw it - that life didn't have to be filled with cruelty and pain. At least, her books were not cruel - they didn't taunt her but rather, opened a whole new world. She devoured all she could get her hands on. Languages came easy to her and she learned much without ever leaving the safe confines of her city.

As she reached her teenage years, one of arbiters of Korvosa happened to engage Ashimar in a passing conversation. He had the patience to draw her out of the shell she had built around herself and was rewarded with a glimpse of a brilliant and intuitive mind. He took her under his wing and instilled in her a passion for justice. She went on to become the youngest barrister working in the Longacre building in Korvosa's North Point district under his tutelage.

Nineteen years old now, she realizes what her da meant all those years ago. She will never be a soldier or a member of the guard. But weapons come in lots of different forms and her keen mind is the sharpest weapon she knows. She will use that weapon to bring justice to the world around her. She sees the corruption around the courthouse - the bribes, the payoffs, the falsehoods. If she can cleanse the ugliness in her city, the beauty underneath will shine forth for all to see.

A prime example of such ugliness is Gaedran Lamm - she recalls her first few days as a barrister, assigned to defend some poor student who had been accused of sabotage causing death. Digging deeper, she realized her charge was, in fact, blameless and had been framed by a 'Gaedran Lamm' for some unknown motive. (campaign trait - Framed) As she dug into Gaedran's history, she realized just how far his reach really went - extortion, slavery, kidnapping, murder, arson - the list went on and on. What better way to prove her worth than to ferret out the location of one of the most reviled criminals in the region and bring him to justice? (see glimpse into Ashimar's personality - age 19 for a bit of a follow-up if applicable).

Ashimar currently lives in a Studio Flat in Ridgefield Ward of Northpoint District.
Cost: 2 Gold/Month Middle class cost of living: 12 Gold a Month total. (Average) works as a Barrister in The Longacre Building- making average 36 gold a month

Tobias Siril - Ashimar's father. He's had a long career as part of the Korvosan Guard. He is nearing the end of his tenure and getting ready to enjoy his golden years.

Marcellano Andros - Human, Chelaxian. Ashimar's Mentor. Marcellano is an arbiter who primarily passes judgement in civil disputes in Korvosa. He is also responsible for making regular trips to the outlying villages surrounding the city to settle their issues as a travelling arbiter. More details outlined in 'personality glimpse - age 19 write-up.

Nuala Burdon - Childhood peer/rival. I see this one as more of a strained contact. Nuala is likely rough around the edges and hanging with some not so nice elements given her childhood attitude. Ashimar would be hesitant to use her but her philosophy on seeing 'the good in everything' as she matured would make her want to try and mend fences and/or redeem Nuala.

Dana Aronus, Priestess of Shelyn - A senior Priestess in the Temple, she has been someone Ashimar goes to frequently for advice and guidance. You are on good terms with her.

Zenobia Zenderholm , Matriarch of The Zenderholm House and Senior Arbiter - Known as The Hanging Judge for her no nonsense approach to the law. Ashimar respects her, but is a little daunted by her. She knows Ashimar, but would never bend the law for her. However, within the law, she would listen to anything Ashimar had to say.

Senior Arbiter Chase Lorin, of House Leroung. Chase handles petty crime's and civil disputes. He's not known for being punctual or very caring about the people. He quite fond of his position and title though....

Lady Sherice of House Jeggare - bought miniature gold crown - indifferent.

young Naval Officer Tremont of House Endrin - bought Kraken art object - indifferent.

1. Bonus Skill Point - Knowledge(Nobility)