Name: Jali
Age: 75 (going on 30!)
Gender: Female
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Craft: Bakercraft / Wherhandler
Rank: Master equivalent

History: Certainly nothing spectacular, she was born of two bakers to a family of three. All three children went into Bakercraft, and as the eldest she eventually assumed her mother's position as Kitchen Co-ordinator once her mother was too old to hold the position. Though she was allowed to touch the eggs at twelve she never Impressed a dragon, something that to this day she does not regret. After all, had she Impressed, she could have not had the life she leads now. Both of her sisters married fairly well to do craftsmen, though neither of them ended up with other bakers. Jali firmly insisted on having a Bakercraft husband, and got her wish she married a bluerider whose father was a Baker. Thus, all of their children continued on the tradition, Jali doing the majority of their training as their father was frequently busy with his dragon. Her children have long since grown up, marrying and having children of their own, and Jali continues to serve as Kitchen Co-ordinator of Ghenza, working hard to ensure that all is well in their little haven.

Appearance: A short, squat elderly woman, Jali certainly gives the impression of someone who's been around for almost as long as Ghenza has been standing. There are deep wrinkles around her blue eyes and the corners of her mouth, giving the impression of someone who not has seen tough times, but has also had their fair share of smiles as well. Her hair is almost pure white and falls just past her shoulders, though she keeps it in a bun most of the time to keep it out of her work. She has a slight stoop to her shoulders and a gnarling of her joints (especially her fingers) as a result of age, but that certainly hasn't stopped her from continuing her work. Her clothing is always neat, though generally fairly inexpensive, with subtle designs and soft colours. Rarely does she get "all dressed up" as it were, however she seems to enjoy nice clothes.

Personality: In the small town life of Ghenza, Jali is like the Weyr's grandmother to all. Every child can come to her and receive a small treat from the kitchens. Anyone can come to her and confide in her about their problems. Though she is certainly no mind healer, the old woman is a patient listener, and has had enough life experience on her stooping shoulders that she can bestow good advice when it is asked of her. She seems to be knowledgeable in almost everything, from livestock to relationship issues to how to quiet a fussy baby, but in reality those skills are all what she considers 'life skills.' Ask her about a particular hide or a Harper-taught song and she'll tell you she hasn't got the slightest clue. She was never a good Harper student, but some believe that is what makes her wise. One cannot be good at everything, after all.

While she is not quick to criticize, she never beats around the bush, especially when dealing with people's problems. If you love a girl but don't want to marry her then you best keep it in your pants. She is very firm when it comes to Ghenza rules – though as a child she often tested their limits – and never hesitates from being completely clear about the repercussions of someone's actions. If it is one thing she dislikes in other people is those who think that nothing bad will ever happen to them. That kind of naivety is something she is very quick to point out, even at the risk of sounding more harsh than her usual self. More often than not, however, the people of Ghenza have come to expect her sometimes outspoken viewpoints. Whether they rely on her for her truthful tongue or choose to ignore her as an outdated old bat is entirely up to them, however Jali changes for no one and nobody. This is the way she was raised and this is the way she's going to raise others. A strict traditionalist in that sense, she believes very firmly in Ghenza rules. They've worked this long, so why change them?

Able to hold her own in a crisis, Jali thinks through everything she does with a kind of single-minded slowness. She is not the type to simply throw herself into a dangerous situation higgly piggly, and she certainly will not be rushed. There is nothing spontaneous about Jali; only diligence, discipline and honour. Disgrace is one of the highest sins in this woman's mind, and she will never forgive someone who brings disgrace to Ghenza, or worse, her family.

In her youth she was a very active young woman, always bustling about and making sure there was always food to grow around. Her old age has slowed her down but she refuses to stop. Jalisk was a gift from her eldest son in an effort to get her to settle down and retire a little, but she refuses to accept retirement until she can no longer kneed bread.

Newcomers to Ghenza will find her slightly more tolerant than the usual group, if only because she sees those from High Reaches as children and is willing to be more lenient with them. They would be wise to stay out of her kitchen, however, as she expects perfection from those who work under her.

Other: Bonded to green wher Jalisk

Wher
Name: Jalisk
Color: Green
Task: Assistance wher
Appearance: Fo shizzle
Personality: Jalisk can usually be found lying outside the entrance to the kitchen, watching those who come in and out much like one would expect of an old dog. Though she's certainly no older wher, she's got the temperament of one, placid almost to the point of being immovable. She rarely talks to anyone, especially other whers, and doesn't seem to be interested in much of anything really. Children, however, seem to catch her fancy more often than not, and with the proper bone or large stick she can be coerced from her napping spot to play a game with the younger members of Ghenza. She doesn't seem to mind them touching her, and it is not that rare to find a gaggle of children poking and prodding the green wher in an effort to discover something new about it. Jalisk has only ever snapped at one child when she'd had enough, but she has yet to actually bite someone.

Sometimes – it seems to be when the mood strikes her – she can be found prowling around the back of the kitchens looking for tunnel snakes. This is the only real time that Jalisk actually seems predatory or even remotely dangerous. She hunts tunnel snakes with a single-minded determination (probably because she must devote all her brain power to do so) and will not stop until she has found what she is looking for.

To Jali she is a ride whenever the old woman is too tired to walk home, or at the very least someone to lean on when she needs a break. Jalisk seems to exhibit a kind of affection towards her handler, which Jali returns in full. The green where is always in good condition and is clearly very well fed, which may be the reason why she's so decidedly mellow.