Parents, Parents and more Parents

This one came to me on Fathers Day but I obviously didn’t act on it then so I’m doing it now.

Despite actually being born as fully grown adults of nebulous and unchanging age from the eldritch entity known as Character Creation, by way of the Godhead that is our minds and naked desires, it is safe to assume that their origins are…far more normal than the other parts of this sentence. Everyone has parents; some are more important to a character’s story than others but it’s safe to assume that either way they did theoretically exist at one point or another.

Tell me about these…parents; or don’t, whatever. But actually do it, though.

Also in making this thread I’ve learned that the 10 character bs also applies to titles…bleh.

5 Likes

This is a simple cut-and-paste from my TRP3 (from two unconnected passages). They are not fleshed out character portraits , but then they are not player characters in their own right so…here you go:

Conceived by the error of youthful indiscretion to a father who resented and hated him and his mother, Gulgalogos began his intimate acquaintance with terror, loathing and violence from within his mother’s womb.

His life would be one of striking dualism and constant confrontation with contradiction.

His mother, being the daughter of the local magistrate and a school teacher, was of greater formal education than his father, who, despite exceptional natural intelligence, had known only the harshness of an unpredictable and isolated farm life.

Whereas his mother was patient, gentle and kind—albeit prone to traumatic displays of panic at what would otherwise be considered minor occurrences—the result of the rot that existed behind the facade of her parents’ respectability—his father was short-tempered, intensely aggressive and malevolently cruel—the result of horrors untold within the walls of that small farmhouse—making those traumatic displays by his mother all the more intense and terrifying to the sensitive and frightfully confused child.

3 Likes

when i was 12 and whining at my dad he told me to ‘choose better parents next time’

2 Likes

Jian actually has both parents living (a rarity or norm, depending on how you look at it).

Both reside on the Wandering Isle, with his father a cobbler that runs a “successful” business, mostly for the monks. His mother works at the shop when she isn’t at the home.

Jian is, however, estranged due to running away from home after an arguement where his father essentially told him “stop dreaming about being a hero like Chen. Chen isn’t normal, even for us Isle folk. Start staying in reality, where you’re going to marry this woman and you’re going to become a cobbler like me”.

3 Likes

Oh my gosh, that is incredibly sad, Gulgalogos!

Leah had quite the opposite childhood. Had it been up to her parents, Leah would have been the first of an entire hut full of tusklings, but complications during childbirth nearly killed her mother, and so it was decided that she would be an only child. As such she was doted on her entire childhood. Life wasn’t easy on the Darkspear Isles, but it was good.

Leah’s mother Ayi’da was a hunter, and she taught Leah how to shoot a bow and how to track game, and how to forage during lean times. She also taught Leah how to skin, clean, and cook her kills, as well as to never let anything go to waste by creating clothing and armor from hides and tools from bones, etc. She taught Leah to always to show gratitude to the land that provides. “Your blood for the Loa, your body for the Darkspear,” Leah’s mother would say to her kills (she was very traditional). Ayi’da was firm, but loving. Sternly instruct, but gently chide was kind of her motto for child-rearing (even though gently chiding was sometimes a smack on the back of the head for a stubborn tuskling). Leah most certainly inherited her tenacity, focus, and tendency to smack people that annoy her from her mother.

Leah’s father Zin’Taj was about as easy going as mon could be. He loved his mate and his child, and was highly affectionate to both. He had a loud, boisterous laugh, which could be heard often. He was a big mon - taller and broader than many other Darkspear males - he always told Leah that the males in his family were big, as they were descendants of Gurubashi dire trolls way back in the day (Leah still doesn’t know if this is true or one of her dad’s many jokes). As a fishermon, Zin’Taj taught Leah the ways of the water - how to swim, how to fish, how to watch weather patterns to know when it’s time to head back to land. He also taugh Leah how to dive for pearls and how to make jewelry from shells, pearls, and bone. He would do this on occasion to supplement their family’s income, things like this could be bartered for things they needed.

After moving to Durotar, Zin’Taj went out fishing one day and strayed too close to the Echo Isles, where he was captured by Zalazane’s minions. Ayi’da went off in search of her mate, and herself was captured and turned. Leah was away at training in the Valley of Trials at the time. When she returned home, she looked for her parents. She found her mother, who because of Zalazane’s voodoo, no longer recognized her and attacked her. Leah had to put her own mother down. She buried her at the cemetery in Sen’jin Village. It wasn’t until after the Darkspear retook the Echo Isles that she was able to find her father’s remains and give him a proper burial next to her mother. Leah still misses her parents greatly, even though it’s been years since they both passed. She still strives to do what she thinks will make them proud, and often goes to their graveside to talk with them, particularly her mother, whenever she has a problem.

4 Likes

I’ve written about Lianshi’s parents a few times. Largely to show a distinction to how the Steelpaw family was perceived in comparison to other Pandaren clans and institutions operated. The Steelpaw in ages past were closer to a hybrid of Mongul raiders and wondering monks. Rough, just refined enough to be barely tolerated by nobility, but never really fitting at all. While the courts were filled with dignitaries in fine silks one from the Steelpaw would strut in, wearing furs of a difficult beast that was conquered.

Bei Hua, in spite of her husband leading the clan in name, was the real head of the family. Strong, stern, and an attitude that didn’t budge for anyone’s BS. Though she struggled with adopting customs that more refined households adopted. They were elephants in a room of cranes, largely only welcomed because of their martial ability and they would bully everyone else otherwise.

Still she successfully raised three children, Gao Ro, Lianshi, and Xiaolan. All who would become significant fighters throughout the many periods of conflict on Azeroth, save for Gao who died during the sundering.

Lianshi’s father Tsaohan is still alive. I’ve haven’t decided the fate of Bei Hua though I’ll figure something.

“This is stupid mother…”

Gao Ro Steelpaw’s head snapped forward from the knuckle that careened into it. He didn’t dare raise his paw to nurse the soreness.

“This is your future,” Bei Hua remained facing forward into the chestnut doors even as she scolded her son through a snarl. “And ancestors save me if I have to beat that into you again.” The Pandaren’s hands slipped into the sleeves she brought together which had the odd effect of making her appear even more stern and dangerous.

“Don’t embarrass yourself.” Bei Hua sharply, swiftly tugged Gao Ro’s collar back in place before their escorts had time to turn around, her stern eyes piercing through the boy akin to sheathed daggers. Even more than Gao Ro, she too was out of place in this cloister of refinement. She was careful in her steps and the gown she wore accented her grace well enough, but the hardiness of her heritage would not be masked with fashion and a well practiced smile.

“Jia Li,” the elder Lotussong woman began, her voice light, eerily tranquil. “Could you show Master Steelpaw the rest of the courtyard? A walk would do our nervous fellow some good.”

“I’m not nevo-”

“I agree, a walk would be excellent,” Bei Hua cut through her son’s protest before the air had grown warm in his lungs, her voice almost losing her published decorum for the curtness that came much more naturally. “And you and I, Xiuying, can talk about other arrangements.”

3 Likes

Comparing this with Ju’s history I’m beginning to feel like she was destined to serve such a family.

More to the point of the thread, it’s occurred to me that I don’t think I’ve elaborated much on Ju’s parents. Admittedly, unlike Zhao and Zhihao, I never gave too much thought as to Ju’s immediate family; other than the rift between her and her mother.

I do recall writing the Moonblossoms as a brewing family, specializing in fruit wines, ciders and other similarly fruity spirits. Ju’s mother, Wen Yi, was a Monk before settling down and has rarely put forth anything about that past to her children. She was adamant about Ju upholding the family legacy with her brothers, and that is partially what prompted her to leave home to train in the jungle.

For a while I’ve wanted to expand more on Ju’s family, her relationship with them, and on them as individuals; especially her father, Bohai, as he pretty much only exists in name currently.

2 Likes

I had no parents…
notably all Fae are born of Ardenweald itself, much like the Stewards of Bastions.

1 Like

I hadn’t factored in denizens of the Shadowlands when making this.

Juspion’s parents are “deceased”

However this is intentionally vague because I like the idea of having this open ended. Juspion might say his parents are deceased but that’s because it’s easier to say and admit that instead of the truth that they are Man’ari serving the Legion.

Anyway I never put a ton of thought into this for Juspion. The most I had expanded on is he has a number of siblings and blessed to have a big family, even if some are lost. He is an Argus born Draenei and I pictured him coming from a commoner family and a mostly unremarkable life.

2 Likes

Thomas is the son of a horse breeder from Lordaeron who came to Stormwind in search of opportunity. …Which is how I justify someone having the last name Bates in Stormwind when the rest of the NPCs who have the last name Bates are in Lordaeron.

1 Like

Kenixx’s parents are dead. Not like, tragically or anything, but due to being very old. Also, there was nothing particularly special about them, they were the most normal goblins that ever goblined. Goblinned? I dunno.

1 Like

Altielle never knew her father. I leave it vague on purpose and have no intention for the time being for Altielle to ever learn her heritage on his side. The only real hint I’ve left is that Altielle’s mom claimed to have met a noble and had a child with him in hopes of being taken to live in the Nighthold out of obligation. Great reason to have a kid, of course.

Her mother on the other hand, was homeless upon Altielle’s birth. She doesn’t know how her mother found herself in poverty, but the pair lived on the streets for a good amount of her upbringing. When the father never came back, Altielle’s mother found a new use for her. Begging. Nobles loved to show everyone how charitable they were, especially with children. So Altielle would beg for arcwine, bring it home, and her mother would drink most of it.

When she was around 8, her mother succumbed to the hunger and withered. Chased Altielle through the alleyways until the Duskwatch subdued her. Altielle lived on her own for another year until Nalissan, an arcanist instructor heading an academy, found her.

Altielle will always insist it was the usual reasons-- nobles loved to be seen doing charity work. Whatever it was, he took her in and began training her.

He was a rough person, had little time for nonsense and had high expectations for his students. When Altielle lost function in her legs due to an accident, she thought he would have swept her aside. Instead, he made her a wheelchair and continued to train her. Another charity work, Altielle will always say.

He basically raised her for the next two thousand years until the Legion occupied the city. The loyalists at the Nighthold saw her master as a potential rebel sympathizer and left demons in his academy to “protect” them.

The close proximity exposed Altielle to the Legion, and she proved to be an excellent candidate for becoming a felborne with all her resentment towards everyone. Her first test of loyalty was turning in Nalissan, and he was exiled.

When the occupation was broken and Altielle was detained, her master used his influence to have her transferred to his custody as a sort of “rehabilitation” deal. That night, Altielle stabbed him in his sleep and burned down the academy to fake her death and fled to Orgrimmar, where she would blend in with the newly arriving Nightborne.

1 Like

sint vaporized her dad

1 Like

Vanndrel’s the son of a fisherman and a lady in waiting for a minor noblewoman of Ghostmist Village. As far as Vanndrel knows, they were both killed (Along with his wife and infant daughter) when Arthas rampaged through Quel’thalas. He doesn’t know for sure since it’s hard to get an accurate read on who has actually escaped the Scourge or not, and he’s not keen to go looking around Ghostmist presently to see if any of the lingering dead are familiar to him. But it’s been well and truly over a decade at this point in-universe and he’s not heard anything from any of them (and for a good portion of that time he was a resident of Silvermoon), so it’s safe to say they’re dead.

(Author’s Note: They’re functionally dead. I’ve toyed with bringing in Vanndrel’s daughter - who was just an infant at the time - but no class really sparks my interest and female Blood Elves have no animations I really enjoy)

Vanndrel’s dad is sort of the reason Vanndrel smokes the pipe (His dad did, and he picked up the habit from him).

Axiann was left on the doorstep at Falthrien Academy at 5 years old, with a spell having wiped his memory. He was raised, a bit coldly, by the Masters/teachers there.

I have no idea if he’ll ever find anything out about his folks. He considers himself an orphan and doesn’t think about it much. It happened, after all 130 years ago.

1 Like

Dorax has an interesting relationship regarding his parentage. Being a red dragon born and hatched on Kezan who was found by a goblin family and raised by them. His goblin parents raised him with the story of him being a half-son from one of the father’s previous relationships. His adoptive parents were semi-famous and prolific engineers and gunsmiths of the Boombarrel family, his father handling the tinkering and inventing and the mother covering the more social aspect of the job, the selling, the demonstrating, etc.

They raised Dorax as a gob along side their daughter, training him in goblin engineering and gunsmithing and encouraging him to take up the family business, while encouraging him to keep his draconic nature a secret to prevent from him being taken advantage of or being made into a target. He ended up not following the family business and becoming a south seas trader, but thanks to his adoptive sister taking up that mantle they weren’t too upset. All in all, they were surprisingly charitable and kind for goblins and this shaped the way Dorax approaches the world by trying to meet their example.

As for his dragon parents… Doraxstrasz has no idea so he usually just says Alexstrasza is his mom and treats her as such, and so does his best to follow the duty of his heritage and be a guardian of life on Azeroth.

Rosyllyn’s biological mother, Philippa Montebont, was a scion of a minor Kul’tiran noble house based in Drustvar. She was a powerful and viciously ambitious sorceress, with few notable opportunities to express said ambition in her own country, thus leaving her free to seek power and prestige elsewhere.

Despite being orphaned at around age 5, Rosyllyn remembers little of her mother and nothing of her biological father. What few memories she does possess range from nebulous and neutral to viscerally negative.

Rosyllyn and her sister Leandra were eventually adopted by one Dante Jonston, an independent Warmage living in the city, who also served as their mentor in the arcane arts. Dante is most notable for being a stern and patient if demanding teacher; traits that would inspire Rosyllyn’s own enduring desire for discovery. He now resides in Dalaran, having had ties there before the Greymane Wall was built.

Philippa eventually resurfaced among the Forsaken, and it was among their ranks that Rosyllyn met her again for the first time since she was a child. While serving the Gilneas Liberation Front Rosyllyn managed to uncover bits and pieces of information regarding Philippa’s activities in Gilneas, as well as observe some of her actions in the then present conflict; none of which she liked. She found a definite reason for why she or her sister were born in the first place, or what prompted them to be abandoned after five years; assuming they were truly abandoned at all.

Some related side notes:

Rosyllyn uses her mother’s surname, Montebont, out of a desire to redeem it from her misdeeds.

I never put much thought into the exact nature of Philippa’s misdeeds. Perhaps one day I may flesh out such details but I kinda doubt it.

Since meeting her mother again Rosyllyn has on and off researched her heritage, eventually prompting her to visit Kul’Tiras independently during the Fourth War.

Baenura is her own grandma.