Shintilo Odevran


Shintilo is the son of the swordmaster for clan shandilar of the Sea Folk. He was the average Sea Folk child, perhaps a little more of a troublemaker than the others, and joined the crew of a ship with surefire ambition when he finally reached that age. At this time, as custom requires, his relationship with his father changed. No longer was he a son to be played with and to spend time with. He was now just a lowly deck-boy to be ordered around and who should show proper deference. Ultimately this was a change that Shintilo could not adapt to. Eventually he jumped ship in the port city of Tear. He took with him all of his belongings including his gold and meager possessions.

An immaterial possession he took with him that turned out to be his most valuable was his knowledge of shipbuilding and operation. Hw worked at the shipyard there in Tear, while living modestly, until he had earned enough gold to fulfill his Dreams for this land. He hand built a low-rigged Sea Folk Soarer. He had the sails to set it up half-rigged but he couldn’t manage to sail it on his own if it was.

He set himself up as a small time trader and was making good profits when he came quickly to the realization of why there were very few solo traders. One night, bandits attacked intent on killing him and taking all of his possessions. He had learned much of the sword from his father before he left his clan and was well able to defend himself . . . against reasonable odds. There were at least 10 of the bandits and he was certain he would not live but he refused to give up. Eventually they had him backed into a corner with his blade lying behind them. Shaking his fist at them he cursed them and, to his surprise, fire shot from his fingertips annihilating the men.

He sat there for several hours just staring at his own hands as if they were possessed. He eventually decided that the rumors he had heard of a new city built on the location of the destroyed Tar Valon held his destiny. If the rumors were correct there was now a so-called Black Tower established for men who could channel. Until now he had thought the idea rather frightening but he now realized it as his only hope of restoring some sort of sanity to his life. He turned his ship north and began his journey.