sólnoch
name - Sól of Markarth
age - Twenty-seven | race - Reachfolk | hair - Platinum Blonde | eyes - Silver | complexion - fair
Personality
A quiet woman with a preference for solitude, Sól approaches life from an analytical and measured standpoint. She tends to observe her surroundings carefully, never rushing into action without first weighing the possible outcomes. This cautious nature stems from a strong sense of self-preservation, which drives her to make calculated decisions that serve her own survival, as well as that of those she holds dear.Sól is a reluctant guardian, tasked with the care and protection of her nephew. Although she did not seek out this responsibility, she meets the challenge with unwavering resolve and quiet dignity. Beneath her calm exterior lies an inner strength that reveals itself in moments of necessity, as she fiercely defends those under her care.Though she may not display overt affection, Sól nurtures in her own way—through quiet support and practical guidance. Her even-tempered nature allows her to stay composed in most situations, making her a steady presence in times of turmoil. Quick to adapt to new surroundings or unexpected changes, Sól embodies resilience and quiet fortitude, always keeping a clear mind in the face of uncertainty.
Background
Beginnings
Born as a twin, and abandoned as an infant, Sól was discovered by a wandering Mage on his journey to Markarth. He took her in and raised her as his own, naming her Sólnoch (or simply Sól) in recognition of the light she brought into his once solitary life.
Life in Markarth
In Markarth, Sól lived a relatively comfortable life with her adoptive father, Sigurd. It was far from luxurious but she never knew the hunger or cold that plagued the city's slums and the Reach outside the walls. A life with the Mage's Guild provided a dry bed and warm food.An inauspicious reunion with her twin, Saoirse Bull-Horn, Sól would be forced to become Saoirse's son's guardian in his mother's absence. For more than a year, Sól cared for Aodh on her own until the fateful day that Cadmor Bull-Horn and his Reachmen travelers arrived to follow Saoirse's final wish: to decide the fate of Aodh Bull-Horn.
Life in Spatharia
As the half brother of Aodh, Cadmor chose to take the boy back to his home in Cyrodiil to a land, in the Colovian west, known as Spatharia. As the boy's guardian, Sól followed the pair to this new land.In Spatharia, Sól rejoined the Mage's Guild. She provides basic alchemy concoctions for barter or pay in the city of Bovem. Together Sól and Aodh forge a new life in this land hostile to Reachmen.
Skill Set
Alchemy - Master
For Sól, the act of alchemy is as much an art as it is a science. Each time she prepares to mix, boil, and distill her ingredients, she approaches her work with a practiced hand and a keen eye for detail. Using specialized tools—such as the Mortar and Pestle to crush and grind materials, the Retort to enhance the potency of mixtures, the Calcinator to purify and refine substances, and the Alembic to carefully distill liquids. Every concoction Sól crafts demands patience, intuition, and a deep understanding of the ingredients she works with. A single misstep could transform a healing elixir into a lethal poison. Mastery of these methods demands patience, a deep knowledge of the materials, and an almost instinctive understanding of how they interact.
Auramancy - Novice
Auramancy is an arcane art form that involves evoking memories from the auras left behind on objects by the emotions of those who once possessed them. For Sól, learning this intricate discipline is an effort to harness and manipulate her natural talent for Sight. As a novice, she finds that personal possessions yield the most vivid results, their emotional imprints revealing stories and memories from the past. However, much like her prophetic visions, casting Auramancy rapidly drains Sól’s energy, leaving her physically and mentally fatigued.
Sight - Novice
Born with the Sight, Sól remains largely unaware of the true nature of her gift, as it thrusts her into an involuntary state of semi-consciousness. To her, this ability feels more like a curse than a blessing, leaving her mentally and physically drained after each episode, with no memory of what transpired. Her prophetic visions, seemingly random, can be triggered by something as simple as a word, a scent, or a touch.
Known Prophecies
26 Sun's Height, 2E 592
The Raven tethered together as one
When the fledgling is of age, the deed must be done
With shadows entwined and destinies spun
Fates are woven until the rising sun
Connections
Alchemy
A Mage's Guild alchemist by trade, Sól can produce mundane tinctures, potions, and poisons for everyday uses. The price for her services are reasonably affordable and open to barter.
Bovem, Spatharia
As recent arrivals to the land of Spatharia, Sól and Aodh have taken up residence in one of the capital city's many inns within the trade district. They can be found in the eve apprizing the goods at the various merchant stalls, bartering for end-of-the-day deals.
Sól is a member of the illustrious Mage's Guild having studied at, and worked for, the guild chapter in Markarth of the Reach.During the daytime, Sól and Aodh can often be found in the Bovem chapter studying in the library as the woman teaches the child his numbers, letters, and Imperial culture although she is certainly no expert on the topic; it is a learning process for them both.
Reachfolk
Although she makes a conscious effort to blend into Imperial society, Sól is not ashamed of her Reach heritage. Born in the Reach, and having lived all of her life in Markarth, Sól is open about her past and knowledge on the region and its people.
Bonds
The Bull-Horn
"I call her the Raven. I don't like to say her name," Sól frowned, scowled. "It is like poison on the tongue."
Saoirse, sister | carrd
Sisters by blood, Sól and Saoirse shared a womb. But where Saoirse was fully embraced by their mother's coven, Sól was abandoned in the woods for her perceived imperfections.A chance meeting in Markarth, the physical similarities between the two women could not be denied. They were twins yet polar opposites.Reunited once more, Saoirse would go on to take from Sól time and time again, using her twin, as she had in the womb.Without her consent, Saoirse performed a ritual that would bind both Sól and Saoirse's son Aodh together. A curse that would only end upon Aodh entering adulthood, and prophesied to result in Sól's death.
"He's an angry boy even after a year together. It is a fight, always, to sleep, to cut his hair, to dress him. He's wild like his mother."
"I do care for him. I may not have asked to be his guardian but I will protect him, guide him, and guard him as I must. He is but a boy, how could I not?
We are family."
Aodh, nephew | NPC
Born to Saoirse, Aodh was sired not by her husband Donn but forced upon by Vrannoch, the former leader of the Bull-Horn, making him the half brother of Cadmor Bull-Horn.Aodh is a boy of six years old who resembles his paternal side with ruddy-brown hair and harsh gray eyes.As a son of Vrannoch, Aodh is large for his age. Taking after the worst traits of his parental linage, Aodh is violent like his father and wild like his mother.Aodh is always seen in the company of Sól.
Spoilers: Invisible to the naked eye is a magical tether that binds Sól to Aodh. They are physically unable to be apart beyond twenty-eight meters.
Cadmor spoke at great length, and it impressed her in more than just his ability to string sentences together but to give them meaning and detail. She smiled happily as she listened. She liked the picture he painted. It sounded nice, different from what she was use to, but nice.
"And what of you?" She asked him with an interest in her tone. The Dark One, as she thought him, was more intriguing than she could ever have imagined.
Cadmor, Ard | carrd
Brother to her nephew, Aodh, Sól must be amicable to Cadmor of the Bull-Horn for her own survival and the boy's. Yet there is an innate interest to know the man better.There is a darkness to the man; he did slaughter Saoirse's clan, the Sisterhood of the Shadows. Sól does not rejoice in their demise, the clan that rejected her, however she lacks any desire for revenge.Despite his darker nature and blood-lust, Sól finds Cadmor intriguing and refers to him as Ard out of respect.Noting his armor's blend of Reach and Imperial motifs and styles, Sól follows Cadmor's example to incorporate Imperial attire and customs for herself and Aodh.With the loss of her adoptive father, Sigurd, Sól views Cadmor and Aodh as her family.
Other
Sigurd, adoptive father | Deceased
A wizard with the Mage's Guild, Sigurd discovered an abandoned infant along a roadside path on his way to Markarth. He named her Sólnoch (Sól) and raised her as his own.Sól follows in Sigurd's footsteps as a member of the Mage's Guild.
Gallery
Sól of Markarth
Mage's Guild - Alchemist
Spatharia, Colovia
Inn Room
Bovem, Spatharia
Character Inspiration
Appearance Reference
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Northman (2022)
