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❖ VOLUME WARNING: Please turn your volume down. And then some more. ❖
Brief History of the Bhaldurra Family
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In the past, those passing down family history by word of mouth would claim that the Bhaldurra roots ran as deep as Ivalice, though such claims have not yet been proven or outright denied. The root of Bhaldurra comes from the Dalmascan word 'Bhadra' translating roughly to generous, friendly, or brother. Such meaning has not been lost to those in the family as it has become a very part of the family's motto.
A family that is neither matriarchal nor patriarchal, but instead a magocratic-lead family. A magocracy, in this instance, meaning to be lead by mages. As this family head is decided by magical prowess, only taking on the Bhaldurra name by way of birthright, marriage, or adoption is required to go through what the family calls The Rites to then become eligible to become the next Bhaldurra heir.
This was done to uphold both the family's motto about family being more than blood ties as well as being a bit of insurance that should there be none left to carry Bhaldurra blood, that the family's culture still persists.
How strange it is then that the family allows only those of Bhaldurra blood to carry on the secret knowledge locked away within the elusive, deepest levels of the Bhaldurra Vault. In such times that the head of the family be not of Bhaldurra blood, there is then a secondary heir named which then inherits the ancient magicks crafted by Bhaldurra of eld. A Bhaldurra to inherit the secret knowledge of the Bhaldurra Vault goes through a different Rite than the head of the family, some family accounts going so far as to say a single heir or secondary heir has a far heavier burden to bear upon their shoulders than non-blood-related heirs.
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Although not all within the Bhaldurra family were or are mages, the majority are. The family often boasted its family members that were within the ranks of Dalmascan war mages and ward stone enchanters & incanters. However, the family under the lead of Balserron Bhaldurra became much more mercantile and did much more with the land and products the family owned before the Garlean Occupation.
Textiles, wines, magical tools, and much more were among the items that lifted the magocratic family from being but mere mages to becoming "Merchant Princes." Although the family did have a long history of creating such products, such as Bhaldurra Reds, for many epochs before Balserron: they never became lucrative enough for the family to focus on them until Balserron's wit and tenacity overcame that challenge.
During those prosperous times, the Bhaldurra family became far more widespread, having members with homes in various towns and settlements from Rabanastre to Leá Monde and Valnain. Such then, is odd, with how few Bhaldurra there are left.
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DISCLAIMER:
The above parchment is what is on record in Dalmasca. As such, it may not be completely accurate in all information recorded. Some deaths may be inaccurately recorded or not recorded at all. Not all Bhaldurra are present on this parchment either; for example, no wards or adopted Bhaldurra family members are included on this document.
The Rites
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Although not much is known about the process to those outside of the family, the aftermath and danger is common knowledge enough. After completing the first Rite, the heirs receive their first Dalmascan runic marking, typically a tattoo inked by way of magic upon their cheek, neck, or collar. Such Rites completed continually increase the amount of runes an heir has.
It has been noted in a single public text that these heirs typically have geometric patterns upon the palm and back of their hands and often a few arcanic bands about their forearms or biceps towards their final Rites taken.
For a knowledgeable outsider looking in, these characteristic runes are telling of those who might hold some status within the Bhaldurra family as well as offer an interesting insight on the family's take and use on arcanima.
First and Second heirs, however, are not the only ones within the Bhaldurra family to receive runic markings. There are separate Rites for specialized groups within the family. An heir is allowed to take part in these Rites, but often cannot fulfill both the duties asked of an heir and asked of those in these roles.
It should be noted that one does not need to be a Bhaldurra by blood or name to become one of these roles, but only those most trusted are offered a place, officially, within these groups and given the arcane markings associated to each.
Basic Roles
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Antiquaries
Typically skilled in some trade or mercantile work, those in the antiquary role most often deal with growing the wealth of the Bhaldurra family. They tend to spend the most time in the Vault and seek to grow the family's coffers. They also act as the record-keepers and assessors of the family.
Shades
Duties include, but are not limited to information gathering, relic hunting and reclaiming, and rumor-mongering. There is not much known about those in this role group by outsiders, but older Dalmascans might be familiar with the far reaches of Bhaldurra Shades.
Though its signature marking may seem the simplest, this may actually be due to an incomplete artist's representation. Though the existence of Bhaldurra Shades is known, they often conceal their markings from the gaze of outsiders. The reason is yet unknown, and there are few Shades left, if any, to ask.
Wardens
The most plentiful of all roles. Here are where those who have primarily defensive and offensive duties see themselves. Ward-crafters, War Mages, Spell-blades, and so on. Oftentimes, the roles of a Warden will bleed into that of the Antiquaries or Shades.
Auguries
The rarest of all roles, big and small. There have been times where there has not been an augury in the Bhaldurra for over three generations. The duties of augury are much more fluid, mostly due to the ephemeral nature of receiving prophecies and visions. They often become advisors to the heirs if they are not already the heirs themselves. They tend to study reading the stars and their education is focused heavily upon politics.
Auguries are celebrated when they do appear; being seen as a blessing.
Abridged Hooks for open use
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۞ What is the meaning of Khadal-Bhaldurra?: Khadal is a title meaning 'Honored Ward' to the Bhaldurra. When there is one with the surname Khadal, it is short for Khadal-Bhaldurra which means: Honored ward of the Bhaldurra. Not all wards choose this name, however. To take on this name or keep one's birth surname is left as the individual's choice. By ancient rules, there should be no difference between Khadal-Bhaldurra, Bhaldurra by blood, and those who keep their birth surnames.
۞ A Wine made by Mages for Mages: The Bhaldurra Red. Some may find its flavor too sweet, oft like many treats for mages tend to be. The Dalmascan wine has hints of citrus, spice, floral notes and a complex blend of red fruits. Once the flavors are left to settle, there is a subtle hint of herbs as well that's easily missed. More notably, however, is the feeling drinking the wine gives. The wine has a warmth which begins to cool at the throat as that cool sensation then radiates from the core to offer some reprieve from heat. One may still drink themselves into a stupor with it, however, if their aetherial reserves be low, they might find them to become replenished after drinking the wine. There it becomes evident: the wine is an ether as well.
۞ The Bhaldurra Vault: An elusive, magicked tower that seems to have a penchant for wandering the Estersands and Westersands of its own volition. Many who see it believe it to be a mirage of a lofty mage tower, seeing as when one gets closer, it often vanishes.
۞ Aetherial Markings: Depending on the standing and role of a Bhaldurra, they often go through Rites in order to obtain aetherial tattoos. Different roles have different markings, and not every individual of the family, blood or otherwise, necessarily have these markings either. More information can be found here. Those traveled and savvy of the Golmore Jungle or of Ivalician ruins might be able to see some similarities between runes there and the markings of the Bhaldurra. Some have noted a few similarities in the strokes and marks with that of Rava runes, but most Bhaldurra would assert this is mere coincidence.
۞ Eccentric Oddballs: Those that lived to see a free Dalmasca around three decades ago may have met one of the older Bhaldurra. Some held positions within the Blue Council, some were regulars or worked in the Great Library of Rabanastre, and others were mercantile or magickal mentors living throughout the kingdom. If any, in particular, are remembered, it might be those who were tricksters. Conducting tours or meetings while pacing on the ceiling or walls, summoning and tossing about small aetherial entities like paper airships, keeping quiet only to have moments of grand and boisterous epiphany, and so on. The Bhaldurra are as odd as they are, and were, varied.
Family Crest
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✒ "With Ties Stronger Than Blood in the Pursuit of Knowledge." ✒
The primary crest of the Bhaldurra family, a phoenix. Most notably, there is the Flame of Magic below the immortal bird, and the symbolic meaning of this Flame of Magic with an immortal bird was not lost on Bhaldurra of eld when they first fashioned the crest.
Though the blood of Bhaldurra may long grow thin, the knowledge of the family shall ever be preserved and passed down as long as there is a single drop to inherit the family's secret magicks.
Such traditions could be broken, of course, but there still yet exists and breathes a Bhaldurra who could claim it once the family's Vault is found and explored.
In such cases where there is a secondary heir, this crest of a hand holding a phoenix quill pen is often used to represent them. They are the hand that continues to expand upon ancient Bhaldurra Magicks, with them, the knowledge is not lost to be forgotten.
...Which it, unfortunately, has become.
✒ "And Knowledge is Power." ✒
OOC Information
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❖ This carrd is currently a work-in-progress and will likely be updated with a family tree once I can get one looking presentable enough! There is now a family tree!
❖ Knowledge in this carrd is free to use in RP for those who hail from Dalmasca, those who may have resided there, or those who could have been potential clients, allies, etc. of the Bhaldurra family. If your character is out of the boundaries of these listings, send me a tell or discord message and perhaps we can work on something if you're interested! There's more information than what is written on this carrd, so always feel free to ask questions if you have any!
❖ Thanks for stopping by and taking a read! :)
Name: Petya Bhaldurra
Home Server: Balmung
Discord: Ramen#8898