#athrenna

Their relationship is what fascinated me the most. Forged in respect, admiration and caring for the wellbeing of one another for centuries. The fact that Burdohk has something of hers, the feather attached to his horn, and Athrenna, in a way, has something of his, the scar on her chest during her battle for queenship.

I'm sure it's me and my mental disorders, but considering that his son stated that Burdohk possibly cared more for Athrenna that their society permits and despite both of their sexual leaning, I have always wandered if, in much different circumstances, the king and the queen could have been... something.

Anyway, it's glad to read from you again, and thank you so, so much for creating the grumpy, disciplined king/grandpa of Kurosia.

My goodness, I LOVED this ask! Burdohk was a soft spot for me, the old King and Queen were written to be a successful example of the rulership of Kurosia. Despite their differences, Athrenna and Burdohk sought to find their own way of ruling all the Kingdom. Burdohk was from a hardy, life or death part of Kurosia where water was scarce and the tougher and colder you were, the more likely to survive. While Athrenna was raised in a humble, small fishing village many forgot about. Both had to fight the odds stacked against them to not just survive, but thrive. When they met, they thought very, *very* little of each other just like Kurogh and Feuriah. But each learned quickly how strong their other was in their own rights. Athrenna was warm and loving to her people when Burdohk couldn't express himself, and he was an absolute powerhouse when Athrenna needed it. Athrenna thought she'd live a life forced to a male that was emotionless, but she found out Burdohk did have soft spots that only she could see. She only really saw it when they started to have eggs together. When Athrenna wanted a harem, Burdohk was silent. He left their chambers and the Queen thought she had offended him. But he came back, two hours later, with bundles of female applications to high quality positions he'd taken note of and handed them to her. He listed their best qualities, and Athrenna found herself shedding tears leaving her King silently confused. In his own way, he showed his acceptance of every bit of her even though she wasn't attracted to him because he valued her and respected her. In turn of his acceptance, Athrenna gave him her feathers. For Yinvaht Kuros, that is a sign of *immense* respect, and Burdohk wore her feathers until he died.

MOD: Yes she would have actually! Pania became the leader of the Berit’uch School shortly after Feuriah became queen, but their school had been residing in the Black Sea for many years beforehand. The territory is much sought after, and Schools will sometimes fight for control over certain territories if they can’t reach certain trade agreements. It’s not unheard of for Ibarntang Schools to sometimes almost entirely wipe each other out to take over certain bodies of water, but the Berit’uch School’s numbers always thrived and managed to maintain their place. Pania and Athrenna were in a not-so-secret Mjia relationship before Pania became the School’s leader, and she was known for pulling pranks on the guards, which certainly didn’t exclude Feuriah. Her pranks were rarely meant to cause harm, though when she became queen Feuriah requested that Pania dialed it down a bit.

The Berit’uch School was actually the first Ibarntang School to meet Malefor when Kurogh brought him to Kurosia. Having learned from her child Sligean of him beforehand, Pania’s opinion of him was already sour, and that opinion didn’t change on meeting him face to face. The Ibarntang have a tradition of performing war dances, both on land and underwater, for multiple occasions. Pania and those of her School that had come to meet Malefor performed one that only the Queen and a few of Athrenna’s old companions and consorts knew of, one specifically detailing in the symbolic moves that those performing the dance will enjoy devouring those watching/the target while they still breathe with utmost glee.

Athrenna grew up in Shinnan, a major fishing village by the Black Sea. Being raised in a working class family, she was shown how to fish at a very early age. It was one of her favorite things to do, and since it also fed and earned her family money, she was usually found soaring above the water. Athrenna was very playful, friendly, but being raised in a large family taught her how to also fight and stand up for herself. 

She didn’t have big dreams, nor felt any tug to leave her village. She loved it, it’s people, and her life. Athrenna would often try to provoke Araudan to play with her, though the trickster Goddess didn’t seem to reply. As a child, she thought if she stuck by the water and tried enough, maybe one day Araudan would play.

Kurogh was a big name in Kurosia for many decades given his tactical genius, so for a long time, Feur did respect him. However, his personality is too soiling for Feur to find him attractive at any point. When he started showing his desire to become King, Athrenna found it humorous enough to tease Feur about it (before Burdohk passed, when Feur worked as one of her guards).

PANIA: That brat Kurogh still giving you the business, gaolach? ATHRENNA: Nothing I can’t handle, as you well know, nosy fish. PANIA: Nosy fish, eh? I’ve half a mind to kick Kurogh’s arse until he’s back in the shell and challenge you myself to be King. ATHRENNA: Ahh, dear siren mine....you tempt me so!

MOD: So yeah, Pania and Athrenna were Mjia off and on after Athrenna arrived in Kurosia, and their flame reignited many years later after Burdohk was killed and the title of King was being fought over. Pania pretty much hated Kurogh from the second she met him (before Burdohk was killed) and will continue to subtly antagonize him during his reign.

When Athrenna dies, Pania takes the loss very hard. She eventually gets their pet name for one another, gaoloch, tattooed onto her scales in runes on the inside of her wrist. These tattoos are usually very painful and laborious, especially for an Ibarntang, but Pania is of the opinion that it was worth it.

(( Full biography here ))

One of the many references I’ve been meaning to do for a long time, and was actually able to do it. Athrenna is a character I hold very close, she symbolizes an emotional strength I wish I had, confidence and ability to succeed too. I cherish her so much, that I won’t even do nsfw content with her. Out of all my characters, she’s one of my top favorites <3

I tweaked her design a little, and finally gave her a full backstory, which is on my Deviantart cuz THERE’S A LOT X,D There’s so many refs I need and want to do, but lawd these take a longass time to do X-X’’’

Enjoy!

MOD: Ciar and Athrenna were around the same age, and Ciar (along with Ifreann) became one of Burdohk’s closest and most trusted soldiers. I think Athrenna recognized in others their emotional weak points (as evidenced when Athrenna pinpointed that Kurogh’s desire to become king was due to his jealousy towards Asiirha, which even Asiirha didn’t know about until he returned to Kurosia after Athrenna died/Kurogh was king). She likely pinpointed this in Ciar, multiple times, which I’m sure Ciar found disconcerting. Only Ifreann really understood her wholly, but Athrenna seemed to know that Ciar’s desire to impress her mother was why she pushed herself so far. Ciar thought that Athrenna was a little too smart for her liking, mostly because it made her uncomfortable that someone could make her feel emotionally vulnerable without really knowing her. But they did get along beyond that, Ciar would just always excuse herself whenever Athrenna would try to pinpoint her emotional weakness. (Athrenna likely teased Ciar too about how her eyes would always stray to her own harem.)

As for the previous queen, I’m not entirely sure. I think that they likely knew of her, but never met her; Ciar and Ifreann became personal soldiers around the time of Athrenna’s coronation, meaning she was the one they interacted with the most. I also don’t know what Weird’s plans for the queen before Athrenna were/are.

And as for when Titus was held, it was after Athrenna’s coronation. Titus was held captive during the same few months that it took for Ciar to become pregnant with Asiirha, and Ifreann to become pregnant with Astraeus.