Basics
Name: Thssalisenai, daughter of Esnethssali, sister of Thssalirassu, commonly referred to simply as Senai
Race: Dhani - Constrictor
DOB and Age: Summer 14th, 414 AV - 97 years
Gender: Female
1st Language: Common (most fluency, as it is the most used)
2nd Language: Snake-tongue (first language learned, though it has become less natural with disuse)
3rd Language: Myrian (very poor, only understands a few words)
Home: She hails from the dhani city of Zinrah, though she left because of past incidents (explained under history). Now, she resides in the city of Ravok, having survived a long journey, rooted in exile.
Job(s): Thief, smuggler, bar maid
Physical Description
Human: Senai is a relatively normal looking human, with no dramatic traits, be they attractive or unattractive. She blends quite well into the woodwork. The only thing that takes away from her ability to disappear is her height. She stands at 6'3", though is relatively light on her feet (with exception). Her shoulders and hips are broad, and her chest full. Her hair is a dark brown, with the slightest red tint in the brightest of sunlight. Her skin is neither fair nor dark, and her eyes are a clear brown.
Physical Ability: As a human, she is quite nimble. She moves quickly, and has deft hands. She can climb quite well, and is at ease with knives. She has very little experience with other weaponry. In fist fights, she is decent, employing her greater strength on her enemies. Compared to other dhani she is not the strongest physically. But, she is faster (than other constrictors; vipers have her beat).
Dhani: Not particularly outstanding as a dhani, compared to others of her race. She grows to about 20ft, and her snake tail lends less red then her snake form. Instead, it's a myriad of copper and crimson. As far as general dhani description, her middle section gives way to scales right beneath her navel while the rest of her skin takes on a rough texture. She is hairless in this form, and her ears shrink dramatically. Her eyes slant, and her nose pushes in, as do her lips. Her teeth give way to fangs, though she still retains some of her human teeth. Her fingers are webbed, a half way point between fully functioning human hands and non-existent snake hands.
Snake: She stretches out 42ft completely, though she occassionally appears shorter when scrunched up. In this form, her eyes give way to acid green. Her body is tan, banded copper until her tail, which is banded red.
Notes on her Biology: Because of the temperate climate of the Syliran region, Senai has to deal with particularly cold winters. During these seasons, she struggles to appear active, and spends almost all of her time indoors, rarely venturing out to steal. During the summer is much more active, where she is out and about, causing mayhem. Therefor, her habits are comparable to those of a snake residing in temperate climes- she retreats into a type of 'hibernation' during the winter, and is predominately active during the summer. It was more difficult in the beginning, especially when she didn't have a home or occupation, but she has since become used to the climate, though it still provides her occasional discomfort.
Other: Senai dresses simply, in browns and greys. When she carries weapons on her person, they are usually hidden. All in all, she looks like a servant girl. Though, this belies a wicked cunning and determination that others wouldn't expect. She also possesses a slight lisp, attributed to her roots in the snake-language.
Character Concept
Senai is a very conflicted character, as well as the slightest bit convoluted. She struggles daily with many desires: the desire to return to her mother and the nest, the desire to fully exemplify everything Caiyha represents, the desire to be true to her dhani roots, and the desire to become something greater. She feels a sense of peace in nature and has always felt much love for Caiyha, something her closest family frowned upon (as she showed less devotion to Siku). Unfortunately, while she has much love for Caiyha, she also possesses dhani instincts and sadism. She often feels herself wanting to torture others, to inflict pain just for the sake of it. Often, she feels a sense of being rent in two by her conflicting patrons, and finds it difficult to grasp inner peace.
Outside of the spiritual, she is cunning and witty to those who approach her. Many dismiss her as dull or inane, because of her size and mannerisms. Yet, when they talk to her, they find themselves either lashed by her quick tongue or charmed by her clever canter. Because of the secret of her race, and her nature in general, Senai rarely opens up for deep relationships, be they platonic or otherwise. She is always ready for conversation, but easily cuts others off from more invasive topics.
She finds herself resourceful, something she attributes to her dedication to Caiyha. While she is not in possession of the goddesses gnosis, she feels at ease in deep wilderness. She couldn't survive living outside of civilization for any long period of time, but she has avoided one or two lethal situations with a canniness that can only be called divine.*
She enjoys stealing, finding pleasure in the challenge of it, as well as the power it gives her over others. Occasionally, she feels guilt towards her actions, seeing them as disrespectful to Caiyha. But, she also sees thieving as a decent middle ground: she isn't killing needlessly while still indulging in her distaste for humans. In fact, she hates humans (derived from her experiences with the Myrians). She feels they deserve nothing, and that hate gives her even more pleasure in her thievery.
When she came to Ravok, she was unfamiliar with human customs. The only exposure she'd had to humans was her interactions with the Myrian, which wasn't exactly the best foundation. As such, she occasionally struggles with simple human customs. Generally, she acts appropriately, thanks to a combination of intelligence and observational skills. With extensive development, her conversational skills have become sharp, and she easily disguises her resentment of humans.
Lastly, she struggles with her hunger. Human food is rarely enough to keep her properly satiated. She began employing her stealth in the beginning to gather food, stealing livestock and the rare drunk or beggar. As for this aspect of her relationship with Caiyha, she feels this human refuse (along with Myrian scouts) are justifiable. It's not needless violence, as she must feed, and in killing the scouts she was protecting her home and family.
Faith
Caiyha - This goddess is such a big part of Senai's personality, I feel little need to expand on this. However, there is an aspect of her devotion I feel I do need to add to. Senai is an extremely convoluted character. Without consciousness, she bends ideas and philosophies to her own will. She has twisted the idea of Caiyha to suit her own needs and desires. Even with the personality the goddess possesses, Senai has a tendency to enjoy killing, and stews in her own hatred. Though her basic intentions are good, and her love is rooted in truth, her devotion has turned away from Caiyha's ideas. Whether this comes back to bite Senai has yet to be determined.
Siku - Even though Senai professes more love for Caiyha, she still feels much devotion to Siku. And generally, though she doesn't see it, her actions tend to reflect Siku's personality more than Caiyha's.
Yshul - Being a thief, Senai feels some gratitude towards Yshul. She learned of the (as she puts it) 'human goddess' on her journey to Ravok, during a brief reprieve in the city of Riverfall.
Still unfamiliar with human customs, she slept in an alleyway between a shack of a home and a dingy general goods store. In the middle of the night, she awoke, for no reason, and turned to find a small statue illuminated by a sliver of moonlight. It was a simple thing, a carved woman, with a few gemstones (she later learned were called mizas), and even a bikka laying at her feet. Engrossed with the statue, and still only half awake, she failed to notice a figure hiding in the shadow.
"Find the Lady beautiful, do ye?" Startled by his gruff voice, she let out a great hiss, that was met with laughter. "Funny sounds ye make, girlie. Might want to stop that, people weh think yer strange." He stepped forward, into the sliver of moonlight, obscuring the strange statue. Senai found herself unsettled as the figure was cloaked in shadow. She gazed up to observe the man, his brown, leathery skin and his thin mouth swallowed by a steel grey beard. He didn't even look at her, instead watching the statuette just four feet from his scuffed boots. "Tha's Yshul yer looking at. She steals, and loves those tha' steal. She likes tha shadow, and likes her people to be in shadow." He paused, grinning wide, revealing yellow teeth interspaced with gaps. "But yeh steal from her, and she's not too happeh. Jus in case yeh were considering snatchin up that coin. I know yeh're knew here an all."
Senai hadn't even considered it, and before she could ask more, the man had left the alleyway, whistling jauntily. She considered snatching the coins, just to spite him, but the lady's eyes, hidden behind a mask, were watching her and she couldn't bring herself to do it. So, she curled up once again in the damp hay pile she'd stumbled upon, and fell asleep, drowsiness aided by the chill in the air.
Rhysol: Senai feels no love for Rhysol. Unaware of his presence in the city when she first arrived, she is now quite familiar with his sphere of influence in the city. And while she does not worship him, her entire spiritual life revolves around him. She doesn't keep any idols of the three goddesses she does worship, as they might be found by the Ebonstryfe, ending in her death. Instead, she worships in relative secret, and definitely pays no homage to Rhysol. Because she doesn't openly defile his name, she is not ostracized for her apparent disinterest.
Character History
As stated prior, Thssalisenai was born to Esnethssali. Her mother was particularly promiscuous, and had many lovers. Therefor, her father was never explicitly stated, and her sister might as well have been her half sister. As a result, she had many 'fathers' who would dote on her.
Senai had a very close relationship with her sister Thssalirassu (Rassu), who was closest to her age. While Thssali raised many young, Senai never grew as close to them. She and Rassu would often hunt together, creeping from Zinrah under the cover of night to devour prizes of Tskanna wandering to far from their keepers in Taloba. Often, they would be scolded for so needlessly risking their lives, though Thssali would still gaze upon them with pride. As they grew older, their recklessness would prove to be their undoing
Rassu was 10 years younger than Senai, and for her 50th birthday they decided to stage a grand hunt. It was, as always, under the cover of night. Senai had gone on a few raids with her fellow dhani, striking out in their huge half-snake forms to crush and sacrifice foolish Myrian scouts. But she'd never hunted the men with one other companion. Rassu was adamant to perform such an act to celebrate her ascension to adulthood (or at least, young adulthood). So, Senai conceded, and on 9 Spring, 472 AV, they left the safety of their home to hunt down as many scouts as they could to bring home, or eat completely themselves. They slid through the underbrush with a sense of elation and invincibility, doubting that anyone could stay them in their powerful forms.
Their excitement was abruptly cleaved into two when they all but stumbled into a Myrian hunting party, their bright colors and large sizes obvious signs of dhani. Rassu was struck immediately, fatally wounded, crying out her last words in snake-language. Senai fled, darting around trees and through flora, back to Zinrah. The hunting party followed her, attacking the city as she escaped into it. They were quickly pushed back by constrictors keeping watch, and the only casualty was Rassu, whose body was left in the jungle. Thssali refused to speak to Senai, staring at her with mute, empty eyes. The other dhani didn't act particularly disdained about it, rather patronizing, condescending.
Senai recieved the punishment quietly, feeling she deserved it. She had let her dear sister die. When summer rolled around, she left Zinrah, her mother not saying a word. The journey across Mizahar was slow and arduous, and she almost touched death many times. These tales may be addressed in flashbacks, as they're stories for another day.
Roughly two years after her sister's death, with stops in various cities (though more often than not, sleeping in underbrush, hiding from beasts prowling foreign terrain), Senai arrived in Ravok. She felt much culture shock, and in the beginning slept on the streets with the beggars, hunting in the dead of night in back alleyways and dark canals. Eventually, she adjusted to the human life, and found jobs serving ale in grimy ale houses.
Throughout a long series of domestic trials, she's become who she is today, familiar with the human way of life. She still has to feed, and does so often (though not often enough to draw attention to herself). During her time in Ravok, she's become ingrained in the seedy underbelly of the city, the smugglers and thieves. She's gone on a few heists herself, as well as pushed smuggled goods through the tavern she now works at (and has, for four years).
Lore
- Knowledge of tracking in the Falyndar region
- Tales told by dhani since the Valterrian (legends passed down through the maternal line)Possessions
- Clothing: simple tunic, threadbare skirt, worn boots, cloak.
- Waterskin
- Essentials: toiletries, 1 week of food, 1 eating knife, flint and steel
- Small leather pouch designed to carry miza (to replace starter backpack)
- A rudimentary bone-knife brought with her from Zinrah
Skills- Persuasion - 5/100 (5 from starter pack)
- Climbing 5/100 (5 from S.P.)
- Stealth 15/100 (15 from S.P.)
- Intelligence 15/100 (15 from S.P.)
- Daggers** 10/100 (10 from S.P.)
- Poison 10/100 (racial bonus)
Ledger
-100 Gold Mizas added (starter pack)
Total: 100 gold mizas
Gnosis
None***
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* I stated it wasn't a gnosis because Senai doesn't have any particular tie to Caiyha outside of her devotion. I imagine Caiyha might show her favor in little ways, but it's insignificant. I'll remove this if preferred.
** I didn't see any weapons skills listed, so I just slapped one down. Will change.
*** Unless Siku automatically gives dhani a gnosis at birth. I wasn't sure, so I didn't put it down.
(I'll remove these little notes once they're addressed.)
