Meliliguin
Name: Meliliguin Val'Erendrel
Race: Hyr'Norai
Sex: Female
Age: 26
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 156 lbs
Birthdate: 4th of Sundered Rise, Searing, 4596
Birthplace: Ithiron, Vendigad
Profession: Aspiring tailor and druid
Housing: Varied
Partners: Often
Titles: Secret
Factions: -
Fluencies: Common, Kyriac
Conversationals: -
Ineptitudes: -
Mageblight: -
Corruptions: -
Race: Hyr'Norai
Sex: Female
Age: 26
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 156 lbs
Birthdate: 4th of Sundered Rise, Searing, 4596
Birthplace: Ithiron, Vendigad
✦
Profession: Aspiring tailor and druid
Housing: Varied
Partners: Often
Titles: Secret
Factions: -
✦
Fluencies: Common, Kyriac
Conversationals: -
Ineptitudes: -
✦
Mageblight: -
Corruptions: -
Personality
Meliliguin has vanity in profusion. Though this isn't unusual for her kind, those outside of Vendigad might notice immediately how the Hyr'Norai female is obsessed with her appearance, whether hair, face, clothing or accessory.
In demeanor, Meliliguin is as quick to praise as she is to scorn, though insults are typically veiled and carefully worded so as to not come across as an outright challenge. Criticism does not come from a place of cruelty so much as the strong sense of opinion and confidence born to royalty.
Additionally, Meli is curious and bold in nature, often poking her nose where it doesn't belong, and caution is only considered while in the midst of trouble, not before. She is quite naive to the ways of the world outside Vendigad and because of this can come across as air-headed, but what she lacks in experience she makes up for in an instinctual resourcefulness and drive for survival.
Appearance
Like most of the Hyr'Norai, Meliliguin is tall and healthy, with fair skin and hair like sunlight. Her eyes are a shade of blue which can appear dark as sapphires or pale as the Searing sky, depending on the light, which of course Meli uses to great effect.
Fond of cosmetics, Meli will take great care to emphasise her high cheekbones and the angles of her jaw. Her lips are always painted, her eyes always rimmed with kohl and at least a hint of colour.
Fingernails are kept sharpened and perfectly laquered, and if she smiles wide enough, observers might notice her teeth might be just pointed enough to discourage an unwanted advance. Of her pointed ears, Meli is proud, but canny enough to cover them in areas which might be dangerous for her kind. The same can be said for her gold accessories, of which she wears in profusion when in environments safe enough to allow them.
The gold embroidery which grows on the pale skin of the Hyr'Norai people was gifted to Meliliguin as well, decorating the delicate skin beneath her collar-bone with white-gold vines and scrolls. The shape follows her clavicle, coming to a slight downward point at the sternum.
History
Meliliguin was twelve years old when she first encountered the old Druid.
It was on the return from a visit to a country estate that her family's carriage crawled to a stop, in the wood outside the city. The curious girl peeked out the window to see the elder and four younger Hyr'Norai vacating the narrow strip of road.
"We will halt here," Mel's father had declared, his voice distant from where he rode ahead. He had a reason for stopping, but Mel wasn't listening; she'd tumbled out of the carriage at his first words. What had they all been doing on the road? Upon vacating her rolling prison, she saw that the path diverged, winding around either side of a giant oak, knotted and gnarled gloriously. They must have been doing something with it or to it or in it or something.
Leaves crunched underfoot as Meliliguin slunk close to the small group.
"While we wait for the travelers to pass," the elder's genial voice danced like a playful breeze, "we will perform an exercise. Child, will you bring over that rock there, by your feet?"
They all turned to look at Meliliguin, who started in shock for the briefest of moments before hauling the stone from the ground near her slippered toes. It was easily a grown male's doublefist in size and the task wasn't easy, but she managed.
"Well done," praised the elder and Mel glowed. "Now, hold it straight out in front of you with extended arms and walk it over to this young male. Felaric, please receive the stone from our new pupil with extended arms."
Mel's twelve year old arms shook to keep the rock lifted while she shuffled over to Felaric. He took the rock in the same fashion, and the rest of the students passed it around with arms outstretched. Meliliguin rubbed her arms with relief to give it up.
"Now, create space between yourselves again. Then, return the stone in reverse order, only this time, pull it close to your middle until you pass it along. That's right – good." He observed them, smiling wisely. Now, young lady, bring it over to me, please."
Mel received the stone from Felaric, tucked it close to her stomach, and walked it over to the elder. It was much easier.
"Thank you, child. Now, who can explain to me the lesson behind that exercise?"
One of the females spoke up in a clipped, matter-of-fact voice. "To demonstrate an efficient transfer of energy."
"It is an analogy for proper Cultivation technique," another volunteered. "By bringing the energy inward – "
Felaric interjected, "No, it is a demonstration of how difficult proper technique is and how easy the temptation to do things the easy way."
The elder nodded thoughtfully. "The Law of Druidic Exchange is a crucial consideration when performing any Druidic abilities. We must be careful to preserve the Verdant Equilibrium. The temptation will arise to draw the energy into oneself as we have done with the stone today. But imagine if each time you passed the stone along you needed to define the boundary between the stone and yourself. Imagine getting that boundary wrong and passing along your own stomach instead."
The gruesome image reflected disgust on each of the students' faces. Mel herself giggled nervously, finding the concept a bit ridiculous, but she thought she understood what he was saying.
"Though it is more difficult, one must exercise patience and grow the muscles necessary to hold the metaphorical stone at arm's reach."
All considered his words.
In the silence Mel asked, "What is Cultivation?"
The pleasant smile returning to the elder's face, he reached for a nearby bush, laying soft fingertips on one of the thorny branches. Ash hadn't grown late enough for the berries to ripen, though they were hard, pale buds waiting to mature. The elder closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Then the immature fruits on the branch he touched became the deep purple of bittersweet dewberries. And as they grew, the male's breath misted and grew visible as it escaped his lips, as if the air had become a biting cold.
The Druid picked one and held it out for the child to take.
It tasted as sweet as any berry Mel had ever had and left dark juice staining the palm of her hand.
"Meliliguin, come now!"
The call was an admonishment from Raphavis Val'Erendrel, whose tone tended more toward Lordly than fatherly, and Mel knew she was in trouble.
"I have to go. Thank you for letting me uh, play!" the child chimed eagerly. Wide eyes darting from the berry bush to her father, the child dragged her feet back to the carriage, the taste of the little fruit lingering on her tongue.
Meliliguin learned two defining things about the world on that short rest:
First, whatever she had trespassed upon – no, been invited to – she wanted to be part of it. She would be a part of it.
And second, as a Lady in the land of Vendigal, Melililguin was expected to walk a different path, one which didn't involve the Druidic ways and its lifelong study. There was nothing wrong with Druidism, her father had explained, which heralded back to the days of old and rooted in tradition. But it was not the pursuit of nobles so she had best get it out of her little head.
As hard as she tried, though, forgetting what she'd seen proved impossible. Paying attention to the things she was meant to be learning – how to run a household, how to manage the family business, how to conduct oneself as a lady – well, she picked up pieces, enough to evade complete hopelessness, but her thoughts were always elsewhere. As she grew through the years, she became resentful that her peers in the city, young Hyr'Norai without the same responsibilities, could travel and adventure and do exactly as they pleased.
At some pursuits, Mel thrived naturally, particularly those within the family trade. The aesthetic arts of clothes and cosmetics were staples in their line and this drove a passion for Meliliguin's own wardrobe and presentation. But still – none of it provoked the same fascination as seeing the flora of the forest bloom out of season. Anyone could wear pretty clothes. Only some could wield magic.
At seventeen years of age, Meliliguin sought out the old Druid. He wasn't too difficult to find, but she had been unintelligent about her approach, sending those in her family's employ to ask around and find him. Word reached the Erendrel family too quickly. Though Mel learned a few things from the Druid Anatiel about the principles of the practice, the theoretical basics, her tutelage was cut short. They forbade her to see him again or attempt to learn more about magic – it simply wasn't proper.
Years later, Meliliguin had a plan.
Through discrete letter correspondence with Anatiel, she learned of a tutor in Lorien who may be willing to teach her. Anafiel had included a recommendation to improve her chances.
She also knew of a distinguished clothing designer located in Lorien; his specialisation obviously leaned toward cold-weather garments using thick fabrics and furs. Her family congratulated her for her interest and approved of her proposition to reside in Lorien for a time.
If all went well, Meliliguin would study under both and her parents would never know about the most important one. A small retinue was to accompany her on her journey, three others to keep her safe. Two would return to Vendigad, but her personal guard and friend, Amara, would remain with her in Lorien.
It was time for her life to begin.
