Somra Family/History

Founding

Clever and quick-witted, even as a child, Rylan Somra quickly found how to manipulate affairs to his benefit. This skill allowed Rylan to gather a stable amount of wealth and arrange for his rise to the ranks of nobility. Unfortunately, the details of how this was achieved have been lost to time. Rylan married a middle-class merchant's daughter named Madeline Ruchens, with which he had two sons. After the deaths of his sons, Rylan helped raise his grandchildren.

First Generation

Salazar was an accomplished archer, writer, and merchant. Salazar had a daughter and a son, named Tamrin and Opal, with Miranda Tezar, a merchant's daughter. Salazar's efforts helped solidify the Somra Family's noble image and create a stable, well-defended estate. This would help the Somra family survive the constant power struggles in Tarasac. Salazar was killed at the age of 25 in a duel to avenge his brother's death.

Demetris was a swordsman of average skill, but with a quick wit that allowed him to manipulate events to his benefit. Demetris was a hothead, but otherwise goodnatured. Demetris kept himself active in Tarasac warfare, which was a convoluted, capricious game. This involvement helped make the Somra family noted amongst the common man, which would also help their family survive. Demetris had one son, Victor, with Iris Mashani before he was killed in a minor combat with some mercenaries at the age of 21.

Second Generation

After Salazar and Demetris' deaths, the second generation was raised by their mothers and grandparents. The time period after Rylan's death and before Tamrin's adulthood was one of the most stressing in Somra history. Had it not been for the strong will of the Somra females the family would not have survived as well as it did.

Tamrin was a well-educated man who was responsible for the writing of the early records of the Somra family. Tamrin was responsible for expanding the Somra family's influence out of Tarasac, as well as arranging several interactions that would keep the Somra family neutral and somewhat protected from outside military engagements for many years after his death. Tamrin wed Dinah Weston, a jeweler's daughter. He had two children, Carrak and Nalia.

Opal was an accomplished artist and singer who was wed to Sir Ralen Whitestone, a minor noble. Opal had just been conceived when her father died.

Victor was raised alongside Tamrin and Opal as a sibling, but eventually set out on his own. Victor wed for love to Carinthia Alexander, with whom he had three children: Sylis, Oria, and Marek.

Third Generation

Carrak is an accomplished warrior, and was wed to the daughter of his commander Sir Jaxil Blythe, Harolyn. Carrak and Harolyn have two sons, Arazek and Takal.

Nalia is an accomplished warrior as well, having led a notable archer regiment under Sir Jaxil Blythe. Nalia is still called on to discuss strategy with current military leaders. Nalia has a son and two daughters with Allister Garvos.

Sylis was a brilliant painter, mathematician, and inventor. He had two different colored eyes and a history of health issues, which led to his being outcast by some, but his enthusiasm and brilliance won him respect from many. Sylis married his love, a talented tutor named Lalia Fyrel, at the age of 35, with whom he had two daughters. Sylis died to pneumonia at the age of 42. Lalia was 29 when Sylis passed away.

Oria could sing and dance with such beauty that all took note of her. She was brutally murdered at the age of 18. Her father and Marek set off to avenge her, but it was the usually peaceful Sylis that found Oria's killer and had him tortured in return. Noone in the family ever recovered fully from these events.

Marek was a shy, thoughtful writer. After Oria's death he grew bitter, cold, and suicidal. Marek was wed to a local shopowner named Tara Arden, with whom he had a son and daughter. Marek grew exceedingly shifty and drunk for a time, though it seemed he was starting to get over it. However, some time after Sylis's death Marek disappeared. It is believed he comitted suicide, but the Somra family refuses to acknowledge this in any way.