Hilana - Chenzira
Details
Full Name: Matsi Chenzira Hilana
Race: Human - Vastian
Sex: Female
Age: 23
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 130 lbs
Birthdate: Ash 61, Year 100
Birthplace: Atraxian Desert
Profession: Herbalist/Botanist
Housing: 2-Bedroom Apartment in the Antiquine District, Solunarium Proper
Partners: None
Titles: None
Factions: House Phaedryn
Fluencies: Common, Vastian
Conversationals: Vallenor
Ineptitudes: None
Appearance
Perhaps on the lighter side for a Vastian, Hilana stands 5'10" tall, with dark brown eyes and long, jet black hair. Despite the deceivingly wavy top layer, it is quite thick and curly. Her hair is generally worn up in a bun or tied up, or wrapped with a colourful scarf. She has many piercings in both ears, from the lobe to the cartilage, sporting a mixture of small rings and studs in them. She has a tendency to dress comfortably in brightly coloured clothes, from saris to skirts to pants to vests. She has an outline of a sun on her right palm that seems to be made of molten gold.
Personality
The baby of the family, Hilana was essentially allowed to run wild after her mother passed away. Raised mostly by her childless aunt and other relatives, she was an utter brat growing up, desperate to get attention from her older siblings and her father. Despite all odds, she has matured into a hard-working, headstrong young woman who puts a lot of emphasis on her chosen family, her animals, and her people, caring very much for all three. While she can still be very much the hell-raiser, Hilana, for the most part, is rather calm and relaxed in her demeanour. She finds joy in the simple things - a sunset, a bird in flight, brushing her camel, letting a snake climb on her, inhaling the fragrances of fresh tea and herbs... She can be creative, and enjoys what outlets she can - dancing, baking, cooking... she likes it all. She is proud of her people and their culture, but she can be stubborn to a fault.
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History
Hilana is the daughter of a wealthy Vastian merchant, Lebaoth, and his wife, Maruth. Originally nomads, traveling along the River Vasta and building up the business, the family settled in Tertium after tragedy struck. Just after Hilana’s second birthday, her mother passed in childbirth while the family was traveling between settlements. Maruth’s sister, Sarala, who had never been married because of her barren state, was taken in by Lebaoth to help care for the children - Namah, Marah, Athalia, and Hilana... four girls. There had been a son between Athalia and Hilana, Yael, but he died in infancy, shortly before Hilana was born. Lebaoth moved his family to Tertium, and focused on growing his business while employing others to take over the traveling aspects.
Hilana, being the youngest, was a spoiled child. Wild and uncontrollable, Sarala did her best with her youngest niece, but Hilana was so difficult that it was easier to just throw her at the mercy of the older children herding and guarding livestock. It was hardly appropriate, but outside of the demanding expectations and standards of her father, Hilana learned plenty, especially about the flora and fauna of the world around them. This way, Sarala could focus more of her attention on the other girls, as Lebaoth was inattentive to his youngest at best. This worked off at least some of the girl's energy and made her relatively useful. But even still, Hilana managed to get into perhaps far too much mischief in her quest for attention and to a small degree, approval. Being the youngest wasn't easy, after all, especially when you had three older sisters... Namah, the eldest, was the apple of her father's eye, and gentle and proper Marah and Athalia were nearly as perfect. But Hilana... Hilana was the one who stole their mother's veil that Namah was supposed to wear for her betrothal, and rode away with it on her camel. That veil was never the same... nor has it ever smelled the same. It is doubtful that Namah, nor the middle two sisters, ever forgave her. But at the time, that hardly mattered to Hilana - because she had the veil that she wanted to wear.
Much to her family's shock and relief, Hilana settled down in her own time - not because of anything they did, but because she decided to. Whether it was because the wild hairs got smoothed out or just hidden away, Lebaoth didn't know. But there was much praise, prayers, and thanks to Avaerys and Varvara that the wild child seemed a little more tractable and just a little more biddable. He could set about to arranging a marriage between his youngest daughter who showed promise and skill as a herbalist, and with Ahroan, the head of another merchant family of Tertium, a match was found. After plenty of back-and-forth discussions, a match was made between Hilana and Ahroan's middle son, Salin. But before the betrothal was officially announced, Lebaoth broke it off as information came to light about Ahroan's business deals and trading with the Ecithian Commonwealth. After that, he decided to take the advice of one of his aunts, and sent Hilana off to Solunarium to continue her education of botany and medicine. Not because of a lack of suitable instructors and mentors, but to ensure there could be no visible ties between his own family and business and the downfall of Ahroan's.
Not at all fazed, Hilana made her way to Solunarium, ready to make the most of it.