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Contents
Who She Is
Voreyn Zahir is a noblewoman of Fastheld known for her utter devotion to House Zahir and all things political. Her ambition is evident in her rapid rise from minor peon to Duchess and overall ruler of her House, and she is known to rule with an iron fist.
She roams Fastheld accompanied by handsome young guardsmen, and is often seen mixing business with pleasure in tavern liasons and trade deals.
Quintessential Description
This noblewoman is surrounded by an air of pride and nobility, subtly emitted by her perfect posture and raised chin. Soft folds of rich black hair have been pulled back artfully into a loose bun, leaving wavy wisps of hair loose about the back of her neck and her temples. The raven hue serves as a stark contrast to her pale, nearly translucent skin touched only by a hint of colour about the cheeks. Her sharp green eyes are framed by thin black lashes, and they bear a sort of hawkish gaze and a "sizing up" air, as if she were constantly gaguing the worthiness of those around her. Her features are otherwise sharp and somewhat angular, narrow in the face to match the slimness of her form.
She is generally dressed in a lady's ensemble of complementing colors and many layers. Corsets, petticoats, velvet and lace, brocade and bone stays, and glittering adornments. On special occasions, she is known to don The Crowning Serpent - an elaborate bejeweled tiara.
What People Think Of Her
(Please feel free to write character opinions here as if they had been asked.)
Biography:
Early History
Born on the 17th of Lightfading in the year 601 ATA to parents Adona Seamel and Noryn Zahir of Fanghill, Voreyn spent a childhood unnoticed beneath the shining example of her accomplished older brother, Eldan, and the spoiled innocence of a younger sister, Marina. In the shadow cast by her outstanding siblings, she dwelled in quiet contemplation and attended to whatever duties she saw fit considering she was largely ignored.
Her parents tended to dote upon the younger daughter who was much more of a soft, demure beauty who excelled at all things thought natural to a female; she was a clever and skilled artist and she painted dishes and embroidered silk pillows better than most; she was a graceful dancer; her manners were polite and laydlike to the utmost degree, and her eloquence and sense of etiquette and propriety were known to bring tears to the eyes of those around her. In essence, she provided an exact example of everything that Voreyn aspired not to be.
On one hand, her parents put a fair amount of energy into incorporating Voreyn into these same tasks, but on the other the girl's very being rebelled against such things as embroidery (her fingers were a little too large for such small, deft work) and cooking. She learned to dance, though quite unwillingly, and took any opportunity to smash the toes of her instructor; nevertheless, she learned. Any other domestic artistry, however, was shoved to the side as Voreyn pursued other avenues of interest.
Through her brother Eldan, Voreyn was introduced to archery, horseback riding, and hunting. Much to her mother's dismay, Voreyn also furthered her martial skills with daily sparring with her brother; while she isn't particularly handy with a sword, she can manage a whip well.
Rise of the Serpent
After waiting the appropriate month of mourning following the sudden and violent death of the former Zahir Patriarch, Voreyn Zahir requested an audience with the Emperor. In what some have cited as "the gutsiest move committed by any female", she applied to the Emperor for the position as interim Duchess of the House; when asked what qualities she possessed that would serve to elevate her above her peers, she replied only: "I am here."
The Emperor did not deliberate long on the matter before electing Voreyn to the position. These days Voreyn spends her time wandering among the citizens dwelling on Zahir land, assisting in such roles as tax assessment and minor dispute mediation.
Meta
Logs
The Mean Streets of Hawk's Aerie
Circling Vipers
A Chat in the Dark
Quotes
"Well, it seems I have assumed wrongly about your duties," she replies after a moment of silence, letting her gaze drop to eye-level once more. Her lips quirk upward at the corners with a polite semi-smile, and she reaches with her fingers to pull her cloak around her body once more. "I thought perhaps by your greeting that you came to me with some degree of authority and personal merit, but I stand corrected. I do beg pardon for assigning to you a duty that is most obviously not yours. Do not let me interrupt your shopping, Lady Zahir; it would be a deplorable state of affairs to show up to the next ball in outdated attire."
