Name: Zheria
Age: 43 -- now 44?
Nameday: 3530.02.22
Sex: Female
Sexual Orientation: Whatever she wants when she wants it
Weyr: High Reaches Weyr
Rider Rank: Weyrwoman
Previous Rank/Craft: Don't ask.
Physical Description: Zheria is a beautiful woman and she isn't afraid to show it. She stands 5'11", with most of her height coming from her long legs. Her figure is trim but fit -- while she might not be athletic, she's strong, and it shows. She has ample curves where it counts, with a thin waist, that gives her the epitome of an hour glass figure. Long fingers, long arms, long hands, Zheria is long limbed, and can be graceful when it suits her mood. She is light of foot, and almost feline in nature... but there is a wariness and coldness to her that tends to keep many at bay.
Her features are sharp, with high cheekbones, and a pointed nose and chin. There is very little that's soft about her, and she's just fine with that. Her lips are full, and her eyes large, but often narrowed with suspicion or thought. Her smile could light up a room... if she smiled. When she does, it's often more akin to a predator baring their teeth, ready to go in for the kill. Her dark blue eyes, so dark they're almost black, are framed by dark lashes, and rarely seem to lighte up with humor.
Her dark brown hair almost looks black. It falls in loose waves, and can curl when wet; usually, though, she keeps it tied up and only wears it down for select company or finer occasions. Her skin is naturally tan, which darkens during the summer months.
She does sport a few brands, usually hidden by her decor. (One on her hip, one on her shoulder, and one on the top of her foot.)
Personality: Zheria is an incredibly fierce woman. She is the sort of woman that has no problem getting what she wants, and has (seemingly) little care for what happens to the people who get in her way. Life is tough. Life is hard. And as far as she's concerned she is going to do whatever she has to do to stay on top. This woman is a fighter, not necessarily because it was in her blood, but because she was given no other choice. At this point in her life, Zheria doesn't know how not to fight.
On the one hand, this can make the woman fearless and independent. There is no hurdle that she will not eventually overcome, no setback too great for her to rise up and get ahead. She will do whatever she has to do to ensure that her life is safe and secure. This extends to her (few, and perhaps even unknowing) loved ones, to her dragon, and to her Weyr. Make no mistake, Zheria has High Reaches Weyr best interest in mind -- even when she is at her cruelest.
And make no mistake, Zheria can be quite cruel. She isn't the sort of woman you want to trifle with, as she has no qualms with hitting hard and dirty. The ends will always justify the means, so long as she makes her way on top. She will not hesitate to crush those that would do her harm, or take out those she suspects of doing her harm. If you challenge her, she will inevitably win. Even when she's losing, she will make sure she wins.
Zheria is clever and cunning, and for all that she is known to play politics, she will not play foolish games or take unnecessary risks. She will not be badgered into a response or bullied and threatened into making a move. While she is well known for playing politics in the Weyr, she doesn't do so simply for satisfaction. No, she does this in part because she is the Weyrwoman, a gold rider, and it is her game to play. She is in a position where she must play; if she plans on making a difference on Pern, on doing the most good, than she must stay engaged. Pern is politics, and Thread has only complicated the game.
Though Zheria tends to keep herself aloof from others, there are a small handful who might know a kinder side of the woman. She hasn't lost her empathy, nor is she completely an island and eternally distant. But her trust is difficult to obtain, and once broken, will never be offered again. Every slight against her is tallied and noted; every offense remembered. She knows the dark side of Pern, and she will never let herself be drawn down into the shadows again.
Positive Trait List Fearless, Cunning, Independent
Negative Trait List Mistrustful, Aloof, Machiavellian
History: Zheria's beginnings were nothing but hardship. She grew up on the bad side of Nabol -- whether or not she's actually from the area is difficult to say. Children were brought it frequently, stuffed into packed rooms, and generally left to their own devices. As often as children arrived, others were taken away -- something Zheria remembers keenly. Sometimes she would wake up and find beds empty, and faces never seen again. Those who asked questions found themselves beaten, so she learned to keep quiet, and not ask questions.
The orphanage, if it could be called that, was unpleasant. Those who were too fussy would be beaten until they were broken or killed; those who cried would be toughened up; those who broke the rules would be starved. Honestly, it was an unkind place, where the children were molded into certain tasks. Most were sent to the mines to work. Others were sent elsewhere in Nabol, or sold to questionable individuals.
Eventually, it was Zheria's turn to disappear, and she was taken one night away from That Place, to one of Gansley's diamond mines. She worked there for four Turns, doing what she had to do survive. She was thin, and hard, and did not cry when whipped. She watched other children die in the mines, others lose limbs, or turn into savage beasts; though she attempted escape a few times, it was never successful. Living in the wilds would be better than the hell in the mines.
As she aged, it was during one of the many sweeps through the mines that she and a few of the prettier boys and girls were seemingly spared their awful fate. They were brought up from the earth, and sold. They were ushered into a wagon, and sent closer to the Hold Proper. She was quick to find out that she wold now be serving Nabol in a different way. Overnight, she went from sleeping on a lice infested blanket, to a bed all her own. She was washed, cleaned multiple times, given a hair cut, lotioned, powdered, and fed. She, and the others, were promised a new start, a better way to honor their Hold. That first sevenday was heaven, and Zheria let her guard down.
She was given warmth, tenderness, and promises. All she had to do was be a good girl, and do what she was told. She could do that, couldn't she? To get out of the wretched mines, Zheria would ave given her right arm -- though she knew all the promises would come with a price, she was young, and stupid, and naive. Surely, this life could not be as bad as the poor fools stuck in the mines.
Unfortunately, Zheria found out quickly exactly what was expected of her, and the other "pretties" that had been swooped up. She interested a certain type of clientele, and was expected to give them what they paid for. Into the hands of one of Nabol's brothels she went, and this is where the woman spent much of her life. While she was educated, and cultured, she grew up cold and detached. As she aged, her clientele changed, but the acts she had to perform did not. Feelings, she discovered, would do her no good; anger and rage would only get her beaten or whipped; tears would draw too much unwanted attention; and apathy the back of the Madame's hand. So she faked it -- she smiled her pretty smile when asked, laughed at the right jokes, turned when she was supposed to turn -- and did everything that she was asked to do.
But anyone who thought her gentle, clueless, and nothing but a brainless, pretty face, was sadly mistaken.
Zheria remembered every slight against her; every unspoken wound; every curse she wanted to say. She grew up angry, bitter, and cold -- it was the only way to survive. She didn't know how, but she would one day be free of the shackles upon her. From one brothel, to another, to another, the woman decided that the only way to the top was to be the best. The prettiest, the smartest, more clever than her enemies. She needed to convince them all that she was harmless, so she might be given to the right people, and make her escape.
As she grew, and aged, and matured, her plans, her dreams, her goals, her desire grew with her. She would one day find her freedom; one day get out of the cycle. Women and men of the brothels disappeared all the time; some wound up dead, others simply disappeared. Those who attempted escape were too easily found, so she knew she had to plan something different. If she could but seduce the right man, the right woman, the right pawn... Maybe she'd get out.
Thankfully, a miracle happened. She seduced a brownrider visiting the Hold. He promised her freedom, he promised her Search, and you can bet Zheria took it. She didn't care if it was but a lie -- she didn't care if his intentions were to simply to bring her back to the Weyr so he might bed her free of charge. All she needed was one foot out from Nabol, and she could do the rest.
So it was, she took the man up on his offer. She played the game -- just because she was at the Weyr didn't mean she was completely free. She humored the rider for a spell, until she found out exactly what rights as a Candidate she had. As soon as she discovered that the Weyr would not simply throw her back to the streets of Nabol, she did more than cut ties with that brown rider -- she sent him immediately to the healers after sticking him with a knife, and ensured he'd think twice about taking advantage of his position.
While what she did was grounds for getting her kicked out, the Weyrleadership at the time was, perhaps, a bit more understanding of her situation. It was obvious she came from a rough background, and (much to Zheria's good fortune) this was not the first time the rider had been in trouble with women. It was decided she'd be given another chance -- mostly because the Weyrwoman Lisella vouched for the girl.
While she didn't necessarily take her under her wing, she offered Zheria hope. Any further provocation against riders would be taken seriously, and she would be returned to Nabol. But, if she went through the right routes, if she trusted Lisella, and the Candidatemasters to do their job, she would not have further problems or trouble.
It was enough to stay Zheria's hand. Though she was stuck scrubbing the latrines and doing some of the more less enjoyable tasks as punishment for her attack, she settled in relatively easy. She was feisty, mistrustful, and aloof... but she was not cruel for the sake of being cruel. Those who worked with her found her a reliable and hardworking individual. She might not be the most friendly, and she certainly had no problem telling off any man that overstayed his welcome, but she was no worse than some of the other mine kids that inevitably got Searched.
She did not Impress the first time she stood. The clutch was modest, at 21, but like many of the Candidates, she found herself alone. If the rejection hurt, she said nothing. In fact, Zheria wasn't sure she even wanted to Impress -- did she dare let someone know her secrets? Could she be so vulnerable? Zheria knew her search was, more or less, phony -- the brown rider had wanted her to return solely for his benefit. She was a fake, a fraud, and yet, she clung to the lie as a lifeline. Even if she aged out, that would give her almost ten Turns of freedom. Surely, by then, she would be free to live her own life, and go somewhere far, far, from Nabol. If nothing else, she might be able to seduce someone at the Weyr for security. Either way, she would not go back.
It was during her second Hatching, when she was 20 Turns old, that she Impressed -- and to the shock of all, it was to the golden egg. As soon as the golden egg cracked, the beautiful creature that stepped out moved directly to her. The other Candidates were spurned -- they were not her most precious, most beautiful Zheria.
My most precious Zheria! I am here now, and together, we will rule the world. I promise you, your Eveleth will never let you down.
In that instant, the woman's world changed completely. If she had ever wondered why she might need a dragon, she now wondered how she'd lived live without her precious queen. Suddenly she had all the emotional support, love, and affection she could handle; her walls were broken down by a beautiful, rainbow gaze; her flaws were accepted, her fears reassured, and her confidence renewed.
Eveleth was her missing piece -- both the healing she needed, and the power she craved. The game that she had been playing all her life suddenly looked easier than before. She was no longer a lone pawn; with Eveleth at High Reaches Weyr, she suddenly had a new advantage.
The Weyrwoman Lisella was delighted. She favored her almost as if she were one of her own, taking her under her wing, and ensuring she matured into a capable queen rider. Zheria, for her part, was a good student. She could be charming, she had no trouble asserting her (or Eveleth's) desires, and she did not tolerate fools. She didn't care if she was liked or not -- she had Eveleth, what more was needed?
While Zheria had always desired an escape -- she hated being so close to Nabol Hold -- Lisella desired that she remained. Furthermore, the woman did like the power that High Reaches Weyr afforded her; suddenly, she had more control over her life, her desires, her wishes than she ever had before. Life was good at the Weyr, and most importantly, Eveleth liked it. These were her clutchmates, her loves, her friends. This was their home, and as the Turns passed, eventually Zheria came to call it home, too.
As she aged, she would periodically do what she could against Nabol Hold. She hated the Lord Holder, and though she begged Lisella to do more against Nabol Hold, the traditions were clear -- Weyrs did not get involved in the politics of the Holds. Unless it disrupted life at the Weyr, the Weyrs let the Holds alone, just as the Holds left the Weyrs to their own devices. Lord Gansley was not a well liked man, but he also supported High Reaches Weyr with fine tithes, and discounted resources. They needed him as much as they might despise him.
So it was, the woman did what she could, when she could -- privately, secretly, and quietly. She took children from the mines and brothels and streets, either to the Weyr, or to differing Holds; she would Search men and women of appropriate age, or send down trusted riders to spirit away those who needed it most. While she could not save everybody, or even a fraction of those who needed it, she did what she could.
At 24 she had her first child, a young son. Unsure what to do with him, she sent him to the creche; and though she was not always the most maternal of creatures, she did try to give him some attention when she could. At 26 she did the same when she gave birth to a daughter, Zyamel. While she was more certain of the parentage of the girl, she found her maternal instincts lacking. While she could ensure they were educated, provided for, and loved - it was better they grew up Weyrbrats.
Eveleth, for her part, was more or less disinterested in the small children. She preferred her riders attention, and the children were nothing but a distraction.
At 36 Turns, Zheria was given the Weyr. Eveleth was due to rise, and was already acting proddy. The gold was flirtatious, and far more forgiving to the males of the Weyr. Lisella, the Weyrwoman of High Reaches, officially stepped down from her position.
As was tradition, the next queen to rise would be considered the Weyrwoman. Everyone knew it was to be Eveleth, which was a slap in the face to Caracath's rider. Sure enough, not quite a sevenday later, Eveleth screamed a challenge to the Weyr, and took the skies.
The choice for the future Weyrleader turned out to be D'mon of bronze Thistreth, and a new era for High Reaches began.
The past seven Turns have been a bit of a blur for the woman. D'mon proved to be a competent Weyrleader, and they found they agreed on how the Weyr should move forward. While Lisella had been a good woman, the Weyr itself was run a bit sloppily by her old weyrmate. Zheria, who enjoyed being in complete control, was not going to let the Weyr simply forget its traditions. D'mon was also a traditionalist, and was also a firm believer in Thread's return. While Zheria wasn't entirely sold, if it kept the Weyr militant and strict, than she wasn't going to argue.
Additionally, the traditionalist views and old ways did ensure that her power was secured. Once given the name of Weyrwoman, unless something happened to Eveleth, she would be in complete control. This was where she had wanted to be, wasn't it? In a position of true power, at the top of the food chain? She might never have been granted this opportunity if Lisella hadn't retired when she had -- and that, too, had been part of Lisella's game.
There were other queen riders, others who could have been chosen to be Weyrwoman, but Lisella had purposefully picked Zheria.
She wasn't going to spurn this golden opportunity.
So, Zheria made sure that High Reaches understood who now ruled the roost. D'mon and she were strict with their changes, but the Weyr certainly benefited. Holds that used to push the Weyr around found themselves fighting a beast. Tithes were expected to arrive on time, and don't even think about trying to cheat Zheria out of her Weyrs due. And while this did mean having to work with Lord Gansley, Zheria did so for the sake of the Weyr . . . She wanted to kill him, but as Weyrwoman, she discovered just how much they relied on Nabol's riches. His firestone, his metals, the cattle and resources they sent up to High Reaches Weyr was ample and generous... Cutting him off wouldn't do the Weyr any good no matter how she sliced it. No, Lord Gansley and his predecessors had made sure that the Hold itself was terribly useful and accommodating to the Weyr. . . likely, she realized, for the Weyr to turn a blind eye on its abusive and inhumane practices.
It's a sticking point Zheria hates, but she will bide her time. Two can play the long game, after all.
As the Turns passed, Zheria found herself more and more comfortable in her position of power. She used it, but tried not to abuse it - - she did not want to turn into another Gansley, after all. While she knows some in the Weyr hate her, or wish it to be more like Western, she doesn't care -- what they have works. If they don't like it, they don't have to stay. The more people push her to change, the more she'll dig in her heels. This is her Weyr, thank you, and she will damn well do whatever she must to ensure its success.
Now that Threadfall is back, Zheria is grateful that they had prepared the Weyr. Their losses weren't as great as others, and now, Pern looks to them to lead.
Other: She hates diamonds. She hates Lord Gansley. She sleeps freely with men and women, and sometimes multiples of them, at any given point. She tends to have an entourage of supporters, and will not hesitate to kick out those who are considered problems.
Has a 20 turn old son - ??? (???)
Has a 18 turn old daughter - Zyamel (Masterharper)
DRAGON
Name: Eveleth
Age: 23
Color: Gold
Size: 51'
Physical Description: Eveleth is as large as a queen can get, and then some. She has good proportions, with extra long headknobs. While she might not be as graceful as some of the queens in the air, due to all her bulk, she is strong and capable, and that's what matters. She knows she's a queen of great beauty, and isn't shy about showing off to others, be it on the ground or in air.
Personality: Eveleth is a queen, and doesn't she know it. She has always been a proud creature, and is the sort of gold who knows exactly what she wants. As soon as she hatched shell, she had no need to bother with the other girls -- Zheria was the only one for her. This queen is cordial, but has expectations of how she should be treated -- she deserves the best of everything, and can be quite particular about whom she shares a ledge with, or who she allows touch her. If she does not want your company, and you press your advantage, you will feel her scorn as well as her fangs. She is not a queen who will be pushed into anything she does not like or desire.
This is, perhaps, why she has settled on Thistreth as her current favored clutch bronze. She doesn't necessarily call him her mate, but she is friends with the older bronze, and certainly seems pleased by her clutches with him. His rider makes her rider's life more simple, and so, she has no need to settle for another during her flights. But rest assured, boys, he is not her true mate. And even if it's all but guaranteed he will win her flights, she will remember if you do not at least try to chase.
But this does not mean she isn't fond of the other males of the Weyr. Bronzes and browns are always welcome to court her between flights. On her best behavior she is charming, clever, and intelligent. She knows how to charm men, and if she's paying you heed, you had best understand that it's an honor. Be good to Eveleth, and she can be very good to you... but beware. On her bad days, she can be jealous, savage, and cruel.
Dragon Art or Proof of Obtainment: Staff NPC
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