Meet the character: CONCORDIA

About the Character: Concordia Fortuna

Pronunciation: Con-cord-ee-ah For-tune-ah

City of Residence: Theatis, Corlan

Kingdom of Origin: Yennish

Status: Lowborn

Keep reading for a Q&A with the author of We Outlawed Bloodlines, Vic Massey.

.   .   .

Can you tell us a bit about the unofficial fifth district of Theatis, the Underground, where Concordia is from?

The Underground, a massive cavern and network of tunnels built by earth wielders, has existed underneath Theatis for centuries. Theatis, the Capital City of Corlan, is a massive and unique city sloping down the crescent shape of a mountain valley. The peak of Theatis is called High Crescent. Then there’s Midvalley, the center of the city, and the lowest parts of the valley are referred to as the village and the slums. While Concordia technically grew up in and lives in the slums, her escape is the Underground Caverns where she can be somebody else. There, she can give into her every desire and addiction, fighting in the rings for coin and growing her status as a reputable fighter. A Champion of the Underground. Many know her only by her stage name, and many more recognize her by the one thing that makes her different from every other shade elf around her.

What makes her different?

The colour of her eyes and hair.

What is so drastic about Concordia’s appearance?

In the Nine Elven Kingdoms, there are several races of elves. Solis, her family, and most Corlans are referred to as shade elves, meaning their skin colour varies between shades of violet (the most common skin tone), blue, grey, and sometimes green. All shade elves are born with some distinction of colour in their hair. Sometimes very dark blues and purples can appear black, but never truly are. Concordia—with dark violet skin, icy blue eyes, and hair as black as night—stands out in an unwanted way wherever she goes. Learning how to fight wasn’t just a means to an end for Concordia, but a necessity of her survival. All her life she has been called names far worse than cursed one, or demon. At least now she doesn’t have to worry about being attacked for simply being different. With her reputation, Concordia could rile every black dealer, pit fighter, and bottom-feeder in the Underground. If she wanted to.

What is Concordia fighting for in the Underground?

Freedom. Concordia is desperate to get away from Theatis, her home life, and the ugly world she feels she lives in. Fight after fight, she stashes her coin away in hopes to flee back to Yennish and find the land where she was born. Her dream isn’t only to be free of Corlan itself but to return to the salt of the warmer seas. To learn to sail along the ocean currents and be one with the tides, never truly knowing what’s on the horizon. It wasn’t only her dream, but her sister’s too. Now, it’s only Concordia’s. However, she won’t allow herself to go without first fulfilling the divine promise she swore to her sister.

What promise did Concordia make?

To avenge her sister’s death.

Why do Concordia and Paxem have house names but Solis and Ezek don’t?

That’s a good question. Every child is given a house name at birth from one parent. Usually the child and spouse are given the stronger name of the two, which can cause unbearable tension and strife between families desperately trying to keep their name alive. Solis doesn’t know hers, and Ezek doesn’t know his true name or identity. Concordia and Paxem both have/had families that carry their name. It is something Solis wonders about, Paxem feels burdened with, Ezek is chasing, and Concordia … doesn’t care for. Her name is still her name, but the Fortuna bloodline is a broken one, and Concordia doesn’t want to be broken anymore. The only way she sees to be whole again is to fight to run away.

Does she? Run away from it all?

She tried.

.  .  .

Stick around for more posts about the other characters of Solis's newfound family: Paxem, Ezek, Ira, and Demerrea.

WE OUTLAWED BLOODLINES

An Epic Fantasy Novel Coming Soon

Follow @vicmassey_author on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!