Citizen Characters :
Ruth Green
Josh Salter
Jovanna Starr
Devon Byreoth

Ruth Green
Born:

Ruth is the second child of blacksmith Joseph Green and his wife Naomi (Anderon) Green, who was cast out of Aquilan court society when she married him. Ruth's older brother Sam is in the Aquilan city guard; her younger brother Ira has a congenitally crippled leg.

She is a tall woman, taller than many men, very much taller than the fashionable ladies of Aquila. She is built to match her height, strong and solid.

Ruth learned various sorts of builder's work and craft from her father, whose smithy she frequented from a very young age. Proud of his daughter's skill, Joseph set her up with a tinker's shop when she attained majority, and she worked like a dervish to repay him.

Visiting Ira in the hospital (Ira has endured a long string of useless operations on his leg), Ruth chanced to witness a kidnap attempt on an infant. She downed the would-be babynapper and returned the infant to its mother -- who proved to be none other than Lilly Clover. Fearful of further attempts on her or her son Harry, Lilly seized the opportunity to employ Ruth as bodyguard, disguising her (rather thinly, it must be said) as lady-in-waiting. The incident was a nine-days'-wonder; hardly anyone remembers it now. Ruth proved an efficient and loyal if rather dour attendant.

When Lilly married Lucius Tremontaine, Ruth asked to be discharged; her wages had paid her father in full for his investment in her shop, and she was more than ready to abandon the confinements of court life. Strenuous efforts by Lilly and Lucien convinced her to stay. Over time,
she rather unwillingly developed a genuine (though ineluctably platonic) liking for Lucien.

Ruth eventually accepted that she was not returning to the tinker's shop, and sold it to a journeyman of her father's. She bought a small tumbledown house near the Tremontaine estates and spent every day off she had for some time to rebuild it inside and out for the comfort and convenience of her brother Ira, who had never before been able to manage on his own. She lives there herself when not in attendance on the Tremontaines, and she has a small workshop in back.

Josh Salter
Born: 3465

Josh Salter is the notorious editor of the much scorned but eagerly read Aquilan newspaper - Aquila Awake! He is also the brother of Bea, Lady Anderon (and thus brother-in-law to the Regent, Delan, Lord Anderon - to which fact many attribute Josh's almost miraculous escapes from the forces of justice and irate clients).

One of Josh's most popular reporters (or, as she waould say, 'weporters') is Bella, Lady Rostay, who still writes under her maiden name of Bella Oswestry, much to her husband's relef, and her brother's fury. Bella now edits the Society supplement to Aquila Awake!

See an example of Josh's working methods.

Jovanna Starr
Born: 3503

In a world of tight bodices and rigid propriety, Jovanna bursts forth, full of energy and purpose and the vitality of youth.

She knows that in the universe behind Aquila, there is technology fantastic and wonderful, blocked by the tariffs written by Auquila's nobility. She doesn't buy the party line of technology doing nothing but pollute and bring in subversive elements.

In the midst of Aquila's university, she stands tall in her breeches and loose shirts, gathering voices to shout down the Nest, and open up the skies for Aquila's people.

Devon Byeroth
Born: 3506

Some people have a chip on their shoulder -- Devon Byeroth carries a 2x4.  He is prickly.  Sullen.  Biting.  He does not talk about himself, but has no difficulty expressing his opinion with an acerbic tongue, no matter his company, and their class or situation.

Devon is a first year student at the University, studying Economics, and hoping to make it through the year.  He is not known as a stellar student, and has had his struggles with classes, resulting in Alexander Tremontaine being assigned to mentor Devon in his understanding of the library and research.  Once he speaks, Devon is intelligent, but his research capability leaves something to be desired.

Devon has a passion for swordplay, and seeks entrance into the elite dueling league.  While he realizes his social status restricts his entrance, he hopes to prove his way in with his skill.