Character Interview: Silas Vendine

Introducing Silas Vendine from Daughter of the Wildings:

1. What is your full name? Is there anything significant about your name?
The name I go by, the name I chose for myself, is Silas Vendine. My birth name is Siyavas Venedias. It's an Islander name, signifying that I'm descended from one of the powerful mage families that immigrated from the Islands to Granadaia a couple of centuries ago.

2. How old are you?
I'm 32 years old. But I've done some pretty hard living the last five years or so and sometimes I feel a lot older!

3. Tell us about your family. What do you like and not like about them?
My family and I parted ways years ago, before I came out to the Wildings. They disapprove of pretty much everything I believe in and stand for, and I feel the same way about them.

If you want facts, the Venedias family is of pureblood Island descent, and is considered one of the elite of the elite mage families in Granadaia. My parents are both powerful mages, of course. My father retired from his seat on the Mage Council several years before I left Granadaia and was replaced by his younger brother. I'm the youngest of nine children, which is unusually large for mage families, and which probably explains a few things about me.

4. Who was your first kiss, and what did you think of it?
I... don't remember. I was pretty young - 14? And I must have liked it because there've been a lot of kisses - and a lot more than that - since then.

5. What is your occupation?
I'm a mage hunter, licensed by the ruling Mage Council in Granadaia to hunt for renegade mages in the Wildings. Since settlers began moving to the Wildings about forty years ago, there have also been mages coming out here in search of riches and power. There are even some who intend to establish their own kingdoms out here to try to rival Granadaia. The Mage Council considers these renegades a threat to their authority; I'm more concerned about the fact that their lawless schemes and ambitions threaten the freedom the Plain settlers have found here.

It's an exciting job, and I'm pretty good at it - I've made a good living from bounties the last five years, and I'm still alive, so you can't ask for more than that. I like it out here in the Wildings. I've got no use for mage society in Granadaia and I prefer the wide-open land and freedom of the Wildings. And I feel like I'm making a difference and living up to my beliefs by protecting the Plain settlers here, even though they hate wizards.

6. What are your best and worst qualities?
Not to sound boastful, but just stating facts, I'm a powerful mage, a good tracker and shooter, and I'm not afraid of dangerous people and situations. I also care about Plain (non-magical) people and I'm willing to fight to protect them even though they hate mages and would kill me if they could.

My worst qualities? I said I'm not afraid; sometimes I'm a little too unafraid for my own good. Some people would describe me as cocky and arrogant. I love women, but I'm not especially good at relationships, which is okay because I don't have room in my life for that sort of thing anyway. And I always lose at cards. I don't know why.

7. What quality do you value most in a romantic partner?
I like a woman who is smart and spirited - who can keep up with me. I don't mind some back talk or if she's the one who takes the lead in bed. If she's a good cook, that's a plus, as well. Physically, I like a woman with curves that give me something to hang on to, but the size of the curves is less important than if they're in the right places.

8. What is your favorite thing to do?
I like traveling through the Wildings and seeing all the amazing landscapes out here - everything from deserts to pine-covered mountains. I like riding my horse, Abenar. I like a good fight against a renegade. I like a good tussle in bed with a spirited woman. I like playing Dragon's Threes, even though I always lose.

9. What is your greatest fear?
Losing my freedom and my ability to use magic.

10. What is your most treasured possession?
My freedom, my magical power, my horse, my gun, and my hat. A man can't concentrate properly without his hat.

Have other questions? Feel free to ask them in the comments!

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