Comatose

Oooo, that's sweet. I've been wanting to do one of the Leya as well. I thought the same about Mistress when discussing it with KChan and Mosh last night, but Madame seemed a little more respectable to me. However, it doesn't seem very academic when I think about it more, so not sure if it fits after all. I'll keep thinking, haha.

MADAME!!! Of course! I've been looking for an honorific for her, and master sounded too masculine. Don't get me wrong, Master works okay, but I think Madame works really well. My only concern is it sounds a little out-of-setting (probably the french-ness, haha). Do you think it works in world Mosh? If so, I have some minor edits to do to my post. EDIT: The Leya encyclodpedia entry is done! Let me know if I missed anything, if something doesn't make sense to you, or if there is a problem that needs to be changed. Even if it's just a grammatical mistake, it's nice to know.

Nice to meet you! Love the character. And, since they are both in the southeastern portion of the continent, it's interesting that we have two neutral and fairly communal province/countries in the same area. Between what they have in common and the many differences, it will be interesting to see how the Leyari and the Myrullat interact. Oh, I'm Matt by the way, haha. And I play Sayuri.

Sayuri: "Lord Tresting, the resale prices for Versilk are set in stone. The Berelanx don't barter much, and thus, neither can we." Sayuri eyed the plump lord with appraisal. He was very well dressed, but somehow Sayuri doubted the rare garment was meant for him. His wife stood off to the side. A beautiful young woman, with shiny golden curls and bright green eyes. She was also no more than half of Lord Tresting's age. While the Lord's clothing was fine and fashionable, his wife's wardrobe must have cost him half is fortune, if not three quarters. Priceless gems adorned her hair, neck, ears and fingers, and she was clothed in the finest of Leyari silks. It felt odd to see the fabric as a luxury, like an outsider. She had grown up surrounded by the stuff, but outside the Leya, Leyari silk was a treasure. Meeting Sayuri's gaze, Lady Tresting smiled delicately, but Sayuri caught a flash of arrogance in her eyes. He's likely to bankrupt himself on that one. I hope she's worth it. "Of course Miss Tenaho. But surely you can make an exception for and old customer like myself?" Bored with Lord Tresting's blathering, Sayuri let her mind wander. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the ornate doors to the inn open, as three travelers entered. Two mercenaries and a healer, unless Sayuri missed her guess. One had the dark skin and features of a Masran, and another was a woman with fair skin, delicate features, and blue-black hair. A female mercenary. Interesting. The woman certainly looked like she could use the swords she carried, but her delicate frame hardly seemed suited to hazards of mercenary life. She was tall however, and she walked with a predator's grace, so she likely did well for herself. As she took in the others, something about the Masran caught her eye. Growing up a Leyari had taught her to pay attention to details. She couldn't quite place an age on him, which she was normally good at, and something was off about his bodily proportions. "I'm sorry Lord Tresting," she continued, recalling her attention the the man in front of her. "There's nothing I can do..." A fourth man had entered after the three, and was approaching them. "May I help you?" Sayuri asked. Her tone lacked all the charm of a sales person, and seemed cold even to her hears. I'm an accountant she thought, What need have I of charm or smiles? Normally she would not have bothered, but Lord Tresting and his spoiled wife were boring her, and she welcomed any escape. "I'm sorry," said the man. His accent and features marked him as a native of Tolvera, and he was dressed in the livery of the crown prince. "But do I have the pleasure of addressing Sayuri Tenaho, Master of Mathematics?" "You do." Sayuri felt her voice grow colder. This man knew who she was, and from the sound of his voice, he wanted something from her. "But I am Academ no longer. I am an accountant now." Lord Tresting had developed a curious expression that made him look like a toddler, and Lady Tresting had stopped toying with the fringe of her shawl and was listening intently. "His royal highness requests your presence at the palace immediately. Every available scholar and channeler of note is meeting there to discuss the incident." "Well seeing as how I am neither, I suppose you will be content to leave me to my work?" Sayuri tried her best to scowl, but the page took no notice. Even after all these years, her Leyari reserve remained deeply ingrained within her, and she still had difficulty showing her emotions. "Pardon me Maestra, but are you not one of the University's most celebrated mathematicians?" "No. I might have been... once. But now, as I already told you, I am a lowly merchant's accountant. If his majesty's royal books need balancing, feel free to call on me, but until then I have work to do." "Maestra, mere days ago a dead Ohnyrek broke through Tolveran gates and spoke prophecy. The greatest minds of Altieryn are meeting to discuss the import of this event. Your knowledge could be the key to some great breakthrough. You could be a part of history! Among the Tolveran Nobility, men and women are clamoring to be a part of the council, but only those who have the birth or talent are being allowed access. The voice of a distinguished Master such as yourself would surely be valued. How can you refuse such an opportunity?" Sayuri eyed him blankly. "I suppose you have some sort of official order from the crown in case that stirring speech of yours fails." "Yes Maestra." Sayuri sighed. Part of her wanted to refuse anyway, just to be difficult. But another part seemed to cry out from within her, begging to be heard. She looked over the ledgers in front of her. Column after column, total after total, every inch of it was perfect. The sums were added, deductions removed, and notations made, all in her own immaculately artistic hand writing. And none of it had presented even the tiniest bit of challenge. She was fairly certain she could redo the entire thing and barter with Lord Tresting in her sleep. She had heard about the incident. All of Tolvera had by now, perhaps most of Altieryn. Some whispered of prophecy, others of demons, and still others of the mystical Eternal Conflux, which never seemed to stop being a topic of conversation. What would it be like to be the one to discover what was really going on? Or even to be there when it happened? She had not truly challenged herself since her breakthrough with Alexandre, and her mental muscles were itching to be stretched. "Very well," she said, gathering her things. "Lord Tresting, I'm sure our head merchant would be more than happy to resume his discussion with you. I truly cannot say why he chose to send you to me in the first place."

I must confess, Nasir the white dragon is who I thought of when I saw your character app, haha. And now the Nasir I picture looks kind of like the other one (sans blue hair and orange skin). Also, I have him, cuz the black knight went DOWN!!!! Level 20 Ike and Mist baby! That being said, while Nasir the dragon is actually I really neat and kind of complex character, I like your Nasir better

Of course! I was getting to focused. If you look at it in terms of Dor, this makes so much more sense. The Shaod only effects the people of Arelon because Elantris is IN Arelon. Duh, right? Elantris is only a means of accessing the power that is already there, in the Dor. I was equating the Shaod too much with returning, forgetting that it is not necessarily the shard choosing people, but a construct (or the shard through the construct, who knows which). So, basically, whichever shard is responsible for the Dor probably provided the human race on Sel with sentience. I'm not sure Skai and Aona are both responsible for the Dor, but if they are, I suppose they would both be responsible for the sentience of humans. I know the Dakhor monks use the Dor, but remember that Hemalurgists use allomancy and feruchemy, just in a twisted way. The Dakhor bone twisting thing (With sacrifices and such) just seems too similar to Hemalurgy for my mind not to draw a connection between them. So, what if I say this. Aona provided humans with Sentience, and powers the Dor, and it's related powers. The different magic systems (the shaod and clay shan) are different cultures ways of interpreting and using the power that is there. Now, since Elantris is slightly more spectacular than Clay Shan, and more random than Dakhor (the Dakhor choose their monks and change them, the Shaod strikes randomly) I'm willing to bet there's some shard stuff going on there. However, while the Arelish (?) people are the only ones with access to the Shaod, they are not the only ones with access to the Dor, thus Aonoa could still have instilled shardic sentience in the rest of the world. Now the Dakhor, who I believe are using Skai's magic system, I think twist Aona's power, much in the same way that Inquisitors twist the power of Preservation. Wow, that just made things make a whole lot of sense to me. Or am I jsut crazy? I admit it, that was written in a rush of inspiration, and I might look back in five minutes and think, "what was I thinking?" Nonetheless, I'm posting it anyways, and going to supper. Tell me what you think.

I nod thoughtfully, and then take a moment to power down. It seems I won't be needing any forms right now, and I want them to be fresh when I do. "I assure you Varius, " I say when the light has faded. "You will find none of that nonsense with me." Now that I have a better idea of what type of man Varius is, I can speak his language. Perhaps that was the problem. Speaking to rogues in the tongue of paladins is never a good idea. "So why travel with him if he's so foolish?" I ask, keeping my voice low, and keeping my peripherals focused on the crowd. "Or is that part of your plan too? A man who sees you as a servant, even subconsciously, will likely not suspect the knife aiming for his back."

I eye Varius with appraisal. Perhaps this is the sort of man I can use. I decide a different approach is in order now that we are alone. "Well, since your going to be hanging around anyways, why not be useful? Since he didn't bother to introduce himself, why don't you tell me who this old man is? And don't go spouting off about loyalty and what not. You've made it painfully obvious you don't trust me, but you also don't seem to be the type to be at another person's beck and call. What's strong and stoic over there's story, and what's he got over you to make you call him 'm'lord'?"

"Apologies Varius," I say with a smile. "I did not mean to offend you. But, if what you did is not magic, what is it?" I try to sound friendly, but yet again I feel hostility in the words of these others. I get their message loud and clear: I am not welcome here. I glance out at the crowd. As soon as I am done here, I make a note to begin mingling. Whatever the pretenses, it seems I have already made three enemies, and I must make sure they don't poison the rest of the herd against me.

Let me know if my pulse description of her needs work... In the future, we should really work out a system when River is burning bronze, even if it's just an extra line saying "you sense no pulses" when someone arrives, or what pulses he senses.

River: I am still waiting for that introduction when a woman approaches the magic user from behind. She touches him lightly, and suddenly, the atium pulses wink out. Interesting. I wonder if she's a Chromium misting, but then I notice I feel no pulses coming from her. Or rather, I do, but they are strange to me, definately not allomantic. They fade soon after she uses her strange ability. I listen in as she speaks to the magic user. Twenty years huh? Very Interesting. I watch out of the corner of my eye as she walks away with our mysterious guide. I continue to wait expectantly to be introduced. Honestly, I'm becoming a little miffed it is taking so long to get something as simple as a name out of them. True, I gave them a fake name, but then, they have no reason to suspect it is not my own. And if they do, who cares? What is a name other than something to call someone by? Their continued hesitance to give me any name at all makes me suspicious. What are they hiding that they fear to even use a pseudonym? "Magic user," I say, trying my best to catch the man's attention. "Forgive me, but before you depart, might I ask your name. I've been introduced to your Shaman friend Jay-El, but not to you or your lord. I'd like to know what to call you, in case I need to get your attention quickly."

But the original mistwraiths all used to be human. When they get their spikes, they aren't becoming the people they got the spikes from, they're becoming the people they would have been. That's why the first generation maintained all their memories of being Terris Feruchemists when they became Kandra. I'm still iffy about Sel. All the people on Scadrial have a spark of Preservation because creating sentient life is not part of Ruin's shard intent. If both Aona and Skai can create people, why is Aona limited to one particular race while Skai gets the rest of the world? Keep in mind, we're not just talking about Fjordell and Arelon. Opelon contains numerous other countries as well. I guess, if Aona is Devotion (which I strongly suspect. I just spoke with Kchan to clarify. Brandon said we were close with compassion and love, and said it was ironic when someone chose Devotion for Skai. Kchan also pointed out the Seons, which I believe are splinters of Aona's power, are very devoted), it might make sense that she "devoted" herself to one group of people in particular I suppose. But then, we have to ask ourselves why skai provided the sentience to the rest of the world. Preservation, I assume, wanted something to preserve. Endowment simply wanted to endow, and if I'm right, Aona wanted something to be devoted to (or love, or serve, or whatever she is, we know it's something like that). Also, the only Skai magic system we have seen (since we don't know where Shuden's dance comes from) is the bone twisting, which I think can be done to anyone, and has more of a hemalurgy feel to it. Since Ruin seems to enter people with the spikes, I feel like it should be the same for Skai. The people with Shardic Sentience seem to come by their shard magic naturally, if they do (ie: breath, allomancy, the shaod). The Dakhor monks are changed in a similar way that the inquisitors are changed and twisted, and both involve sacrifice. So, I'm still wondering, if Aona only provided sentience for Arelon and its relatives, where did the rest of the world get its sentience? And why?

Can I assume the woman is burning chromium? Or is she not?

One thing, about Elantrians. The Shaod only effects people from Arelon or Teod while in Arelon (as well as some Dulas who have Arelish blood). Now, I know there is more than one shard at work on Sel, but I don't think we can necessarily tie the Shaod to Sel's "Shardic Sentience" because only a select race of people in a certain area can be affected by it. What about the Svordish or Jindoese? We know other nations have their own magic systems, but none of them are transformative like the Shaod. Now, on Scadrial, the race division came from genetics. The nobles having descended from people who used Lerasium were closer to Preservation physically, and passed that physical characteristic down, but when Preservation began snapping people directly again, anyone, even a full blooded skaa was eligible (like Demoux). I'm not really disputing the theory, I actually kind of like it, I'm just not sure how to fit our friends the Elantrians in.

Can't wait to see that character app .

Ooo, that reminds me. In terms of the 'human' race, what's the convention with Xaneth and Xanethi? I noticed both were used. I spoke to Jess a bit, and our guess was that Xanethi would be the plural form of Xaneth, but I'm not sure. Clarification please?

River: I raise an eyebrow at Jay-El's terse introduction and hasty departure. It seems this lot is a suspicious group after all. Not that it will do them much good. Life with my sisters taught me to read social situations very well. If that was the best Jay-El could do at hiding his true thoughts, I don't think he would last three days in the courts of Riverheart. I shouldn't have any problems with him. At least, not in terms of subterfuge. He is still a spheremorph, and with a spheremount even the most naive can be dangerous killing machines. His departure makes me wonder, however. Aside from my hasty reaction to the trio's arrival at the cross, I don't think I have done anything to arouse so much suspicion. Did I slip in my expression, or say anything offensive? I have not travelled to all of the major cities, but I have seen many of them, and as far as I know I have broken no cultural codes. Have I lost my touch perhaps? Or is this group more discerning than they appear? Using blatant suspicion and distrust to cover up savvy seems like a stretch, for false naivety would work much better, but I keep it in mind anyway. It always pays to be careful. Unlike Jay-El, I try to keep my troubled thoughts hidden behind a mask of polite interest, and wait for the other two to introduce themselves.

Sounds supa dupa cool! Can't wait to see more!

River: I smile, even though inwardly I am groaning. The leader of the group is a little too much like Artur for my taste. Nontheless, if they are willing to trust me so easily, that's their mistake. He begins to speak softly to the others in his group. While I can't hear what they are saying, I keep an eye on the bronze pulses, and watch for any sudden moves. When the leader is finished speaking with the man who cast that strange sort of magic at me before, I answer him. "I would be happy to work with you," I say. "It's nice to see someone here is honorable enough to put suspicion and back stabbing aside. I really am sorry about before. I feel like we got off on the wrong track, and so I'm glad you are willing to put it behind us." I extend my hand for him to shake. "You already know my name, but I haven't had the chance to be introduced to any of you. Might I ask the names of the people I will be working with." As I finish speaking, I notice a new pulse. The magic user seems to be burning atium Ah, I think, remembering the leader's hushed words, Perhaps these three are not as trusting as they seem. Atium burners are difficult opponents to face, and to keep away from. I resolve to watch all three of these men very closely. I let none of my suspicion leak out, and keep my facial expression bright and charismatic.

Okay, as a prominent kingdom, would it make sense for Sayuri's university to be located there?

The Leya (Cherry Valley) Introduction: While most of the information on the Leya was included in Sayuri's application, it is more of a snapshot of what life is like for a Leyari than a true culture profile. And so, without further ado, I've decided to continue the Encyclopedia (begun by KChan in her profile of the Vhaskari Highlands) with this entry. History of the Leyari and The Leya: No one knows who built the peace line, its original use, or how it works. All that is known is that no being bearing arms or meaning harm may enter this protective circle. The Leyari settled in this protected land of peace soon after the disappearance of Xan's city. Worship of the Eternal Conflux, or Ley-Heart as they call it, has been the Leyari religion since they were a wandering nomadic tribe in the early days of Altieryn, and all channeling was viewed with suspicion. Even the peaceful Berelanx and Earthshells, who, on the whole, the Leyari have a great deal of respect for, were often seen as fey creatures, who could be both helpful and kind, as well as dangerous. They realized early on that they could not protect themselves from the Ohnyrek with violence. So, instead of playing the Ohnyrek's game, they decided the play their own, and a strong pacifistic movement developed. Where other tribes and clans banded together to form armies and towns in an effort to defend themselves, the Leyari learned the silent way of the woods. It was said that, during this time, the only way to find a Leyari in a forest was to burn the thing down (And some particularly persistent Ohnyrek did try this). Their life was hard and without luxury, but their skill at hiding and finding safe spaces helped them survive where others perished. Of course, everything changed on the Eve of Awakening. As Altieryn began it's rapid advances, the Leyari soon became lost in the shuffle. Seeing the new 'Xanethi' channeling as more vile than any that came before it. As a people, the Leyari chose to forsake channeling, and all the wonders it created, trembling at the thought of what these strange creations and discoveries were doing to the sacred Ley-Heart. Left behind by the rest of the world, they began to dwindle in their forests. Young people began to desert, seeking an easier life, and the old began to die, taking their old ways with them. Still, those who remained persevered, and refused to call themselves Xanethi. Things changed when the wars began. Suddenly, the Leyari had proof of the dangers of channeling, and confirmation that their shunning of it was just. They wandered the land, dismissed by the growing towns and cities and treated as wandering brigands, even though they bore no weapons, and fled the violence the consumed the land as best they could. As nodes were being destroyed, and Xan's fabled city vanished, the Leyari, along with the rest of the world, began to lose hope of a better future. And then they found the Leya. It was like an answer to their prayers. A land of vibrant fertility, untouched by the later stages of the war. There was evidence that the beautiful forests had once been mistreated, but with their skill and dedication, the Leyari soon soothed even the oldest of hurts, and set about creating their paradise. All ready skilled with forests and plants, the Leyari adapted easily to living off the rich valley, and discovered how to make use of nearly every part of their new environment: from the cherry blossoms to the silk worms. Used to overcoming great hardship with industriousness and determination, the Leyari flourished in their new paradise. As words spread of their luxurious silks, delicious cherries, and colorful dies, traders began to flock to The Leya, hoping to sell these exotic items at markets around the world. The Leyari continued to flourish, and the Leya grew rich and prosperous. The called their valley The Leya, after the Ley-Heart, and soon came to see it as their peoples' promised land. Kings, envious of the Leyari's wealth, tried to take the Leya for its valuable resources and nodes, but soon discovered their armies could not enter. They tried everything from burrowing under to arming their men with kitchen knives, but nothing seemed to work. The Peace Line, a relic from ages past, likely invented in the early years of Xan's reign, refused access to anyone bearing arms or meaning harm. And so, the Leyari began to develop a complex and sophisticated culture, and steadily rose in terms of wealth and prestige. Though they could have used their new found wealth for power, the Leyari have continued to hold themselves apart from the rest of the world, and rarely venture outside their home. To this day, the so called "Cherry Valley" remains an exotic locale of secrecy and mystery to the outside world. The People: Leyari skin is more tanned in tone than typical Xanethi, but that does not mean they are dark-skinned. In fact, Leyari skin can be quite pale, especially when compared to the skin of a Masran. Their features are elegant: smooth in some places, and accented in others. Their eyes are tilted, dark, and mysterious. Occasionally, a Leyari child is born with pale coloured eyes, but this is fairly rare, and many Leyari see pale eyes as an ill omen. Leyari have dark black hair that is sleek and glossy. In terms of build, most Leyari are relatively short compared to other nations. Leyari men are often portly, with rounded faces and bellies, while Leyari women are very thin and delicate looking. Leyari men dress in silk robes, and usually wear their hair in braids hanging all the way down their backs. For accessories, they usually wear hats, dangling chains, and finger rings. Leyari women also wear silk, although some wear wool or cotton when working if they are clumsy. They pile their long hair up on their heads in complex knots and arrangements, and ornament it for special occasions. They paint their faces whenever they go out into public. Most of the face is painted white, using black eyeliner with red accents to emphasize the eyes, and red lip paint with a red stripe running down to the point of the chin to emphasize the woman's unmoving lips. Culture: Life among the Leyari can seem decievingly simple, but Leyari culture is actually very complex. There are a strict set of gender roles that govern the lives of the people, and the Leyari are known for their discipline and piety. The Leyari have no formal schooling system. Children are instructed by their parents, and the elder members of their gender from within the clan. Children are taught cultural traditions, and the basics of all the crafts and arts available to them, before they choose their specialty or specialties. Boys are taught bargaining, diplomacy, politics, law theory, debate, and the arts of story telling, music, poetry, and oration. All women will eventually harvest and tend the cherry trees, but we are also taught gardening, the harvesting and spinning of silk, dyeing, dye making, animal husbandry, accounting, food preparation, and the arts of painting, calligraphy, and dance. The power of the men and women in the Leya is balanced. A woman’s power is the power of the body. She is in charge of her family’s wealth and livelihood, and is taught to excel in all her crafts at a young age. It is the women of the council who set the prices for our exports, and distribute wealth among the clans. The men, however, hold the power of the voice. They hold sway over relations with the outside world, make laws, and uphold cultural traditions within The Leya. They also administer justice. And so, they are balanced. In times of conflict, however, it is the women who take control. Once a girl becomes a woman, she begins to paint her face whenever she leaves the privacy of her home, and will refuse to speak. The Leyari say a woman's words are more valuable than those of a man, and thus must be saved and treasured. A woman's silence in public is not an arbitrary restriction placed on them. It is a statement of power. By keeping silent, the Leyari women provide their men with a constant reminder that men cannot exist without a body, but a woman can exist without a voice. The Leyari are ruled by a council of women and men, one of each gender from each of the nine clans. The members of the council are chosen by their clan, for their age, wisdom, or skill. Decisions are made rarely, if ever, and most Leyari are content to let life go by as it always has, choosing conservatism and tradition over radical ingenuity time and time again. While this sytem may seem simplistic to outsiders or even Leyari who are not entrenched in politics, an ambitious Leyari must be both cunning and subtle. In a world where virtually anyone could end up wielding power, everyone must be treated with respect, and if there are conflicts, they are played out far beneath the surface. Each clan is headed by a matriarch and a patriarch. When a couple is married, they both forsake the clans of their birth, and join one of the seven others. Because of this, while the clans remain distinct, all Leyari are interrelated in some way or another. Each clan operates as an independant unit, however, because they are all interrelated, there is a strong movement towards cooperation among the clans. The Leyari worship the Eternal Conflux, which they call the Ley-Heart. They view all Leyht energy as sacred, and even though they have a comparatively high channeling potential, they refuse to use it, viewing channeling as blasphemous. Their religious teaching include a strong respect for the natural world, and their duty to care for it. The Leyari respect all life, and refuse to shed blood. What domestic animals are kept in the Leya are used for their milk, eggs, or wool. The Leyari do not eat meat, and are pacifistic in all of their dealings with the outside world. International relations involving the Leya can be complex at times. All nations are welcomed and encouraged to trade with the Leya. Merchants from around the world come to purchase the exotic Leyari cherries, jams, juices, and wines, as well as their exquisite silks, and these goods are in demand across the world. Because of this, the Leya has grown very rich and prosperous. The Leyari spread out their wealth, but there is still a gap between the rich and the poor. It's just much less pronounced than in the rest of the world. Because of the hardship of their ancestors, and the work-together attitude it created, all benefit from the plenty of the Leya. The poorest families are about as wealthy as a prosperous merchant from another country, while the richest families have the wealth of a minor noble. While in the Leya, outsiders are expected to obey all Leyari laws. Any channeling or violence is not tolerated. There are inns on most of the major roads into the Leya, where the opportunistic locals have made a business out of storing the weapons that will not be allowed across the Peace Line, and providing a home for the more rowdy travellers, who don't trust themselves to keep the peace after a cup or two of fine Leyari cherry wine. When there are incidents with violence, any one breaking the law is banished from the Leya for life, and everything they have on them (including clothing) is demanded as a fine. If there, the Leyari do their best to avoid conflict, often relying on other travellers hoping to earn a bargain to subdue difficult guests. In extraordinary circumstances, if someone refuses to obey the law, and there is no one who will subdue them, the Leyari flee to their towers, and wait for an opportune moment to take their fine and move the criminal to the other side of the peace line. One of the funguses that grow in the cherry forests can be refined into a powerful narcotic, and the Leyari use it only for these types of situations, and only after careful deliberation. This rarely happens, as most people with violent temperments are kept out by the peace line. Channeling is also forbidden in the Leya, but outsiders who channel are merely asked to leave immediately the first time as the Leyari realize that just as an aversion to channeling is indoctrinated into them, it comes naturally to people of other cultures. If they return and channel again, they are banished for a period to be decided by a council of men, and a third offence results in banishment for life. Of course, resisting any of these sentences is treated as violence, and everything that the person brought into the Leya is demanded as forfeit. Because most visitors are merchants by trade who depend on the fine Leyari wares for their livelihood, problems of this sort are rare, occuring once or twice a year. A merchant who deals with wares that the Leyari make often finds his career is ruined if he is banished from the Leya, when he is unable to supply what his customers demand. The Leyari treat foreigners as outsiders, ignorant of the proper way of doing things. They do not travel often, and when they do, it is in a male/female pair, often, but not always, a married couple. They hold a sort of diplomatic immunity in most of the countries they have dealings with, and a Leyari woman with face paint accompanied by a Leyari man with a braid can be treated as diplomats if they know who to talk to and how to act. Geography: The Cherry Valley is located in the south-eastern portion of Alteiryn, only a day's journey away from the eastern sea, making it excellently situated to trade with both Masran and the other countries of Altieryn. The valley is not large by the standards of nations, but it is large enough to contain three closely situated nodes. The two outer nodes are of middling strength, while the center one is really quite powerful. Joining them is a strong ley line that traces the valley floor. This arrangement, along with the adjacent ley lines that create the nodes, and the protection offered by the peace line and surrounding hills have made the valley a lush and fertile paradise. The peace line is a small wall like structure, about a foot high that runs along the hilltops that surround the valey. It is made of a white marble-like material that has yet to be identified, and continues for some distance underground. The barring of anyone bearing arms or meaning harm effect the line creates extends seemingly forever both up into the sky, and down into the ground, as all attempts to burrough under or fly over have met with failure. No one knows who put the line there, or for what purpose, but the Leyari see it as a gift from the Ley-Heart rewarding the Leyari for their conservation of Leyht by not channeling. The entire valley is blanketed by a forest of the famous Leyari cherry trees, fed by small springs and streams throughout the valley. Throughout the valley are the slender tower-houses of the Leyari, built to take up as little land as possible. While there are three cities in the Leya, situated on the three nodes, all are wildly spaced, and are seen as a continuation of the forest. Most of the Leyari remain a rural people. The climate in the Leya is warm all year round, and so the cherry trees bloom and bear fruit in every season but that of the Serpent. In the growing season, the entire valley is blanketed with beautiful pink blossoms, and the paths are littered with fallen petals. During harvest, the famous Leyari cherries grow ripe. It is not until the end of winter that the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and yellow, in preparation for the dark season. It is always warm in the Leya, and there is never a true winter, aside, of course, from the Season of the Serpent, when nothing grows, all plant life seems to shrivel up and die. The trees are pollonated by beautiful moths and butterflies, unqie to the valley. The cacoons of the worms and caterpillars can be harvested and used to create the fine silk that the Leyari are famed for making. Leyari cherries are among the finest, and can be used to make jams, juices, and wines. Along with the pink blossoms they can also be used to make fine dyes.

I see her as a good guy almost entirely. While she's a little bitter and untrusting, she not as cold as I originally saw her being. As for the other thing, I suppose it would depend when the RP starts whether it is flashback or not. EDIT: I see what you are saying. How about they meet up in Tolvera? Side note: Where and what exactly is Tolvera? From your post KChan it seems to be some sort of capital...

Yay for shortness! Side note, I said "about" to give me some wiggle room. I'm picturing Sayuri as somewhere between 5'00" and 5'4". Most likely 5'2", but we'll see. Hence wiggle room. I refuse to put an exact height on her until I am absolutely forced to Sayuri was originally going to be kind of an antagonist, but she came out much nicer than she was in my head, so I guess it's up to Chaos and Kuri. We'll see what happens as the RP progresses though. I'm sure some things could change

I'm excited to see the group dynamic as a whole, and how we all end up together. I know we've begun figuring that out, but it should be interesting seeing our individual characters form into a group.

Yay! Our first non Xanethi character! Can't wait to get started!