The Clan of Ava




The Clan of Ava (Clan of Blaise)

This Clan consists of warrior Blaise, the head; warrior Jodah, the second; hunter Daven; medicus Killian, and Soft-born Ava, the bride. As with all Wildlander  Clans, they are called by their head’s name until they acquire a bride. As the bride is the center of the Clan group, they take her name as an identifier for the whole Clan.



Ava, Daughter of Maryne Cosgrove, Bride in the NorthWest Wood

Ava was born in the North-West Valley City of the nation of Arcadia, the eldest daughter of Petar and Maryne Cosgrove. Her mother died when she was four years old, her father just after her twenty-third birthday. She has one younger sister, Lorien. Ava was engaged to Sim Harrick.

Several months before her wedding, Ava had a chance meeting with Blaise, Guardian of the NorthWestern woods.  Though she found herself deeply attracted to the handsome Wildlander warrior, she put him out of her mind, knowing that such feelings were shameful within Arcadian society.

Ava was devastated when Sim left her at the altar, claiming that he’d only proposed because she’d begged him to save her from becoming a Tribute. Upon her exile, she was relieved to be given to Blaise. Her joy was short-lived however, when she discovered he intended to share her with his Clanmates. This hurt has led to a deep rift between Ava and Blaise, which is still in the process of healing.

Ava is described as being tall for an Arcadian-born woman, larger-boned, full-figured, with pale skin, dark hair, and dark eyes. She’s outspoken and sharp-tempered at times, and extremely stubborn. Being thrown over by Sim and sent to the Wildlands has left her with a deep-seated fear of rejection and feelings of inferiority. Her Clan is doing its best to help her heal from this and find happiness with them.


Blaise, Son of Barrowen, Guardian of the NorthWest Wood

Blaise

Blaise is the eldest son of Barrowen, a Wildlander woman from the Western Steppes, and her Clanmates Drax and Hargel. He grew up to be a warrior, like his fathers, who were killed in the line of duty, fighting a fierce Dark creature called a Deragon. Barrowen was unable to bear the grief and died a short while later. Blaise, age twenty-four, was judged by the Elders as ready to start a Clan of his own, and he chose his best friend Jodah as his second. Unwilling to leave his gentle younger brother Killian in anyone else’s care, Blaise took the unusual step of including Killian and his lover Daven in the Clan. After Clanning, the whole group moved to the circle in the NorthWest Wood to start their lives.

Blaise is described as being tall and muscular, with dark brown hair and a thick, neatly-trimmed beard. His most memorable feature is the piercing blue shade of his eyes, which seem to see right through a person at times. He’s meticulous in his planning, but tends to get frustrated when things don’t work out. Deeply steeped in Wildlander tradition, he has trouble understanding the mindset of those who disagree with their ways. During the early weeks of his Clanship with Ava, this becomes a point of tension between them, as she struggles to accept a way of life so different from how she grew up. Blaise tends to believe he always knows best, and will often override the wishes of others if he feels it’s in their best interests. His Clanmates affectionately call him ‘the Tyrant’ behind his back.

In spite of his shortcomings, Blaise is a strong Clan leader, and very protective of those under his care. He always insists on being the one to place himself in danger, and will willingly give his life for any of those he loves. He’s deeply spiritual, always attending the religious rituals of the community circle, and takes great pride in being what he is, a warrior of the Wildlands.


Jodah, son of Valena, Guardian of the NorthWest Wood


Jodah


Jodah was the eldest son born to Valena, a Wildlander woman from the Western Steppes, and her Clanmates Fredor, Scarman, and Bil. He has younger brothers, twins Victor and Saber, and a sister Danna. He chose to follow in his father Fredor’s footsteps and become a warrior. His hunter father Scarman died of illness when Jodah was sixteen. Though it was difficult for his Clan, they pulled together and managed to go on, partly thanks to the strength of Fredor’s leadership. Growing up, Jodah’s best friend was Blaise, who eventually became his Clan leader. Jodah wasn’t thrilled when Blaise decided to include his younger brother Killian and Killian’s lover Daven in the Clan, but chose to accept them for the sake of remaining with Blaise.

Jodah is described as being taller than Blaise, but sinewy, rather than bulky. A run-in with a fennaris (a Dark, wolf-like creature) has left him with severe scars along the right side of his face and body. He has brown eyes and short, reddish brown hair. It’s a running joke among his Clan and friends that he’s too well-endowed, his cock often referred to as the ‘beast’ or the ‘monster’. Jodah is known for being fierce in battle, absolutely without fear. He’s very much a ‘lone wolf’ who does not feel comfortable leading others, so he’s happy to have Blaise as his Clan head.

In spite of, or perhaps because of, his antisocial reputation, Jodah has always been a desired sexual partner to both male and female Wildlanders. He more often chooses females, though, like many of his people, he will engage with both sexes. Since his Clan formed, he’s considered exploring intimacy with Daven and Killian, but has chosen not to, largely because he fears the change in Clan dynamics. The younger men interpret his distance to them as a lack of caring, which makes relations strained.

Ava’s arrival has brought out a much gentler side to Jodah. Unlike his Clan head, he somewhat understands their bride’s struggle with adjusting to Wildlander ways. He attempts to quietly ease the way for her where he can, and enjoys having someone to defend, coddle, and cherish. Out of all four Clan males, he’s the first to find comfortable, equal footing with Ava, where he can be both her protective mate and her forthcoming friend.


Daven, Son of Sylvie, Hunter in the NorthWest Wood

Daven

Daven is the youngest son of Sylvie, an Arcadian-born woman who was given to the Clan of Josep, Winter, and Vaughal of the Rivermouth circle. He has four elder brothers. As the youngest child, Daven learned early to develop a sense of humor, both as a method of gaining attention and a means to cope with his mother’s frequent bouts of melancholy. Though she truly loves her husbands, Sylvie has never fully recovered from being exiled from Arcadia. 

After training as a hunter, Daven moved with his family to the circle in the Western Steppes when he was fifteen. There he met Killian, and it was love at first sight. The first years of their relationship were rocky, as Daven, who enjoyed the company of both males and females, slept his way through much of the teenage population of the circle. He saw no moral issue with this, as young Wildlanders often experiment sexually. Killian, however, could not handle Daven’s promiscuity, and threatened to leave him unless he promised fidelity. The threat of losing the one he loved forced Daven into a period of self-reflection, and he agreed that Killian’s love was worth giving up all other sexual partners. They became monogamous when Killian was sixteen and Daven nearing eighteen.

When Killian was seventeen, his fathers were killed, and his mother died shortly afterward of grief. Daven was shocked when Killian’s elder brother Blaise invited him to join his Clan, but agreed quickly for the sake of remaining with his lover. After the Clanning, they moved to the circle in the NorthWest Wood.

Daven is described as of average height for a Wildlander, and muscular. He has long black hair that he tends to keep braided or tied back, and gray eyes with long lashes. His sense of humor is still very much intact, and he much prefers to be laughing and joking. He indulges in the ale a little more than he should at times, but he’s an excellent hunter and brings in more game than is expected or required of him. His skill in hunting has helped furnish the Clan home with some luxuries, as the Wildlanders rarely use money, preferring trade goods. Though Blaise was not entirely fond of Daven when they started the Clan, he’s warmed up to him, and the two have bonded over a shared interest in hunting large and dangerous game.

The one place where Daven is truly serious is his deep, abiding love for Killian. He cares about all his Clan, but truly believes that Killian is the other half of his soul. He does not sleep well unless his gentle Clanmate is in his arms. Though he's abided by his promise of fidelity for Killian's sake, Daven is not naturally monogamous, and struggles to keep his attraction for Jodah and even Blaise hidden. He knows that Blaise would never consider intimacy with him, but he knows that Jodah would, and he has to fight that temptation. He does it, though, for Killian's sake, believing that his lover will open up in time and allow for those natural explorations within the Clan. He secretly hopes that Ava will be the start of that.

Daven has coped with Ava’s arrival well, easily opening his heart to include their lovely bride. He’s secure enough in his feelings for Killian that he doesn’t feel threatened or overwhelmed by the fact that he’s come to care deeply for Ava. Privately, he’s pleased to have the opportunity to have sex with a woman again, as he’s foregone this for many years out of respect for Killian's feelings. He’s approached Ava as a friend and playmate, happy to indulge her and keep her smiling.


Killian, Son of Barrowen, Apprentice Medicus to the NorthWest Wood
 
Killian

Killian is the youngest son of Barrowen, a Wildlander woman from the Western Steppes, and her Clanmates Drax and Hargel. He has one elder brother, Blaise. Killian, always a gentle soul, chose to apprentice as a medicus (a healer) rather than follow in the footsteps of his warrior fathers.

Raised in the Western Steppes, Killian was a happy child, fiercely protected by his elder brother and fathers. When he was fourteen, he met Daven, a newcomer to the Circle of the Western Steppes, and quickly fell in love with him. Where it is customary for young Wildlanders to experiment sexually with their peers of both sexes, Killian is an anomaly in that Daven was his only lover. When he was seventeen and his fathers died, Killian accepted his elder brother Blaise’s offer to Clan with him and Jodah, on the condition that they also take Daven into the Clan.

Killian is described as being the smallest and slimmest of the Clan males, with lean, defined muscles. He has shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes. His youthful appearance and delicate facial features often lead to him being called ‘pretty’ rather than handsome, a label he resents. Normally, he’s happy with his role as caregiver and healer, but he gets very annoyed when someone suggests that he lacks ability or intelligence because of his youth.

As a medicus, Killian is well-lauded, the Clan Mother describing him as one of the most gifted of his generation. In the early years of his learning, he saved the life of the Soft-born Sarina’s child by turning it in the womb, a feat few female midwives are capable of simply because of the muscular strength required. The experience was so profound to him that he asked the Clan Mother for permission to train in the art and science of delivering babies, which is traditionally considered to be within the realm of women. The women of his circle quickly became accustomed to having him on hand, and many of them have appreciated his gentle demeanor and steady calm during their labors.

As the years have passed, Killian has only fallen deeper in love with Daven. He does not sleep well without him, and they spend almost every moment they are not at work in one another's company. Killian is certain that Daven is the other half of his soul, the one who fits him so completely that he'd never be whole without him. Killian has often been jealous of others who show attraction to Daven. There have even been times he's resented Jodah, whom he feels would like more from the hunter than Killian would want him to give. This all comes to a head when Ava arrives.

When Ava joins the Clan, Killian is distressed when he realizes he's physically attracted to her, as he's never been intimate with anyone but Daven. Blaise's reassurance that there's no shame in love within the Clan, and Daven's suggestion that they simply love Ava together goes a long way in helping Killian accept the situation. Opening up to Ava helps him realize that the heart can open more, and he is able to start accepting that he can love those within his Clan without losing what he has with Daven.

1 comment:

  1. In Ava's book it was suggested numerous times that she had gifts that she and her clan were unaware of, so I thought their story would continue- will it???? I want to know more about them and see where it goes. I loved the ending of her book with Lorien's discovery.

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