Someone mentioned the other day the idea of Sian ferch Rhianneth returning to the Isles. I doubt it, to be honest - she was an enormous amount of work and stress to be, and stress overload was most of the reason I dropped the Isles. I did, however, invent a new persona, and realised when return was mentioned that I'd forgotten her name. Then this morning while, looking for something else, I found my notes on her, and on how she differed from Sian. Some bits (like her sub-group) would no longer work, but let me get them down here in any case.
| Sian ferch Rhianneth ("Jane, daughter of Ruth") | Cymelwyn (a Saxon word meaning "the joy of feasting") |
Origin | Originally early Celtic (and proud of it), having left the mundane world after fleeing the battle of Arderydd 573, then went panhistoric to the point of preferring C14 onwards | Fifth century, Welsh mother, Saxon father |
Education, religion | None - illiterate. First knew Christians as the excuse for the invasion that wiped out her home, and continued to regard them with vague hostility and as a target for raids even after proof from Christopher of Kent that they were pretty good at making mead. | Literate, thanks to church education. Happy to pay respect to whatever god or spirit seems relevant at the time. |
Wears | Lots of bright colours, big sleeves, big houppelandes, and as much jewellery as she can get on at once, in the mistaken belief that this makes her look rich and powerful. Hair held back. | Tube dress and bead string from shoulder to shoulder. Subdued colours. Hair loose. |
Personality | Meglomaniac, social climber, good at everything (in her opinion, and that of a fairly well-decorated baldrick) | Quiet, self-effacing |
Likely to be found | At the centre of attention, shouting, or in the kitchen, shouting | At the back of the feast hall, or possibly in the kitchen chopping vegetables. |
Current location | Unknown. Set off up the Great North Road, possibly to survey her "empire" (Strongoak is defined as "the lands alongside the Great North Road", and Sian's definition of "alongside" is quite large). Has not yet returned. | Was a minor member of the Qnim household, Strongoak, trying to avoid Gaeldricha's attention. Now homeless. |
Offices, honours, etc. | Warchief of Strongoak, former Alderman of the Far Isles, Silver Branch Bard, Grand Master Cook, Master (Autocrat, Needleworker, Herbalist, Crochetworker), Copper Bell | None, nor likely to obtain any. |