The Characters - Gypsy Dawn Rising

Character Bios

Gypsy Dawn Rising centres on two warring Gypsy clans, the Dalerash and the Pagya. Both live on the Rock Traveller’s Site in Cambridge, UK and have been engaged in a tribal war for over twenty years. But there are other characters and entities who also have a powerful impact on the world of Gypsy Dawn Rising.

The Dalerash Clan

Athalia Dalerash, 21

Athalia is the eldest of Jago’s twin daughters. She is highly intelligent and fiercely independent. Unable to stand her father’s controlling ways or the business he is involved in, she moved out of the family home. Athalia wants to become a scientist and is currently studying Quantum Physics at Cambridge University.

Sinnaminti Dalerash, 21

Sinnaminti is the younger of Jago’s twin daughters. She is highly volatile with a fierce temper. She is very traditional and wants nothing more than to be Queen of the Dalerash clan and help turn her father’s business into an empire. She is constantly vying for her father’s love and respect.

Jago Dalerash, 45

Jago is king of the Dalerash clan, a notorious crime family with enormous power and influence. Jago has ambitions to build his crime business into an empire and become a major player on the international stage. A Godfather-type figure, Jago will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

Nilly Dalerash, 45

Nilly Dalerash, 65

Nilly is Jago’s mother and Chief Elder of the clan. The Elders make the laws and rules in The Kriss or Gypsy Court, so as Chief Elder, she wields tremendous power in the community. Nilly is tough, deeply traditional, and will stop at nothing to keep her family together.

The Pagya Clan

Khulai Pagya, 46

Khulai is the head of the rival Pagya clan. He, too, leads a notorious crime family, but they are often in the shadow of the Dalerash clan. He wants to overthrow the rival family, but there is a growing feeling in the community that Khulai lacks the ambition and ruthlessness to do it.

Eldorai Pagya, 41

Eldorai is Khulai’s wife. She is, in many ways, tougher than her husband and more ruthless. But the patriarchal nature of the community means she has never been in a position to show it. That may soon change. She knows what she wants, is sharp and cynical, and dangerously ambitious.

Kenza Pagya, 22

Kenza is the only child of Khulai and Eldorai. He is desperate to take over the reins from his father but lacks the mental toughness and calm authority needed. He knows he is perceived as weak and spoiled by people and is willing to do whatever it takes to rectify that perception.

Awkie Iona, 27

Awkie is a half-blood Romani and adviser to the Pagya clan. Little is known of his past, only that his mother was Romani and his father was not. He fought his way up through the ranks to become Khulai’s right-hand man. Kenza is jealous of Awkie’s status in the family.

Others

Lisbee, 91

Athalia and Sinnaminti’s Great Aunt. She is very mysterious and deeply traditional. She has dealings with the occult and seems to be able to see into the future. Some regard her as a dark witch, yet Athalia loves her dearly and always turns to her in times of crisis.

Charlotte Applin, 22

Charlotte is non-Romani and a fellow student of Athalia’s at Cambridge University. She is drawn to Athalia in a way she can’t explain. The more she gets to know Athalia, the more she gets caught up in Athalia’s unconventional persona and her family’s web of danger and intrigue.

The Creature

Very little is known about the creature—neither what it is, what it wants, nor where it’s from. The only thing known for sure is that it is tremendously powerful and seems to know Athalia and Sinnaminti better than they know themselves.