Information

Name: Francis Mẹẹd

Title: Sbälyän
Birthday: 23rd of Ashan, 659
Race: Human
Familiar: Boar
Marks: Sevrath (Exalted)
Skills:
Construction: 84
Leadership: 93
Meditation: 91
Carpentry: 78
Blugeons (Mace): 67
Singing: 46
Shield Combat: 59
Politics: 24
Defiance: 63

Details:

Francis has lived in Desnind his entire life. His mother and father came by ship to the southern region in hopes of a plot of land for themselves. Having lived in Rynmere for most of their lives, they had come to understand that land meant power. If they could get it first, there was a chance they could become new nobility in the south. They would finally be respected. They came to find that the south was unforgiving in this endeavor. Francis' parents would eventually leave to return home.

When he was barely 10 arcs old, his parents attempted to take him back to Rynmere. He refused. Desnind was his home. It always had been and always would be. So, when his refusals became violent, his parents gave up. They took his younger sister, Valerie, and left Desnind. They never returned. Francis thought he would be left to his demise. Desnind and the Sevir had other plans. The beliefs of the Sev'ryn meant that everyone helped everyone. They all worked as a collective unit to ensure Desnind's prosperity and longevity.

Her name was Yi'vi. She loved children and they loved her, but she had never had any of her own. Many hard-working Sevir parents would leave their children with her while they went into the Makubwa Lori to hunt or forage. Francis found his way into Yi'vi's arms. It did not take long for him to find his way into her heart.

If someone were to ask Francis now how he was as Yi'vi's son, his response would be simple: perfect. Yet, even if he was a saint for a growing boy, Yi'vi would add one word to his response: almost perfect. Having been told no multiple times that he was not to go into the Makubwa Lori until he was older and better trained, it is not surprising that he defied her and went. Each night he went deeper into the forest. Each night, he would walk with a slightly older boy that had found him.

This boy had named himself Os'ẹ. It was a modified spelling of the Xanthean word for ghost. Francis and Os'ẹ would play for long periods of time in the forest. Francis taught Os'ẹ some building tricks to make it easier for him to live in the wild. In return, Os'ẹ inducted Francis into Defiance.

Francis managed to keep their secret for a long time until things began to get out of control. He loved the earth and refused to learn to manipulate and control fire. It was forbidden in the city or the forest, punishable by death. Os'ẹ loved to destroy and claimed fire to be his closest friend. Eventually they parted ways and Francis was forced to go to the Oludïbọ Cïkäkkẹn and report Os'ẹ. Their mage hunters never found him.

Since Francis was already inducted into Defiance, the Cïkäkkẹn brought him into the fold quickly. He worked very hard to impress his mother, who had become concerned early on for his behavior. Even though she explained that he did not have to prove to her his abilities, Francis always strived to be a functional and productive member of Desnind's society. With his skills as an Earth Defier, he helped build great things and fix old ones.

One night, Francis came running into the temple with his mother in his arms. Something had happened placing Yi'vi into a coma. No one could get the story out of Francis. He was believed to be too traumatized. Yi'vi never woke from her coma despite Ephi'ta's effort. She passed away after several trials. He never even got to say goodbye.

He and Ephi'ta became inseparable. Although Ephi'ta states confidently that 'they have no secrets between them,' Francis knows that to be a lie. What happened to Yi'vi was his secret to keep. No matter how much a person claimed to be a saint, he knew that everyone had skeletons in their closet. In efforts to stay busy enough to forget the past, Francis poured himself into his work. His efforts were rewarded as his fellow Cuzraj elected him into the Sbälyän position after the passing of his predecessor. Ephi'ta was moved into her many arcs later and they have since been an influential pair in the city.