[hider=Melori Astaros (Inactive)][color=lightgray][center]
[h3][color=gray][b]┍━☽【❖】☾━┑[/b][/color][/h3]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/Z1OZs5i.jpg[/img]
[sub][color=c3313c][i]Melori Sylvina Astaros (née Sorrel)[/i][/color][/sub]
[h3][color=gray][b]┕━☽【❖】☾━┙[/b][/color][/h3]
[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/230810/be38ac5611a4397a92982520505b35ca.png[/img][/center]
[center]☽ [color=9a9a9a]R E P U T A T I O N[/color] ☾

Even if it was around ten years ago, Melori is still known as the traitor's betrothed. She is [i]clearly[/i] married to the Captain of the Regia Guard but to this day there are whispers, wondering how much she knew of Ergen's schemes. Ikonomancers with a pension for detecting lies have questioned her at twelve, at sixteen, and at eighteen, prior to her marriage with Leon. With her marriage, she is now considered 'off limits'. Those who have full faith in Leonhart believe if she is indeed a traitor, he would send her to the trials or take her life himself. Aside from that? People compare her beauty to her mother and grieve the tragic loss. It's been fifteen years since her mother passed away. Lysabel was known as the one who threw the best parties, the perfect conversationalist, and the purest of hearts who brewed the best tea (with alchemic, healing and ikon properties). When noble people of the first and second ring look at Melori they see Lysabel or they think of the accomplishments of all the men that surround her. Her husband, her father, her brother and her former betrothed.
 
Melori only exists in the image of others. 

Melori is no one.[/center]

[center]☽ [color=9a9a9a]A G E[/color] ☾ 
22[/center]

[center]☽ [color=9a9a9a]D E S C R I P T I O N[/color] ☾ 

[color=white]【 Hair 】[/color] Curly blonde
[color=white]【 Height 】[/color] 5'5" 
[color=white]【 Physical Attributes 】[/color] Soft blue eyes, natural blush, petite and curvy
[color=white]【 Misc 】[/color] Prominent scar on her stomach from an incident with her mother
[color=white]【 Attire 】[/color] Fine linens, wool and silk dresses with rich embroidery and gemstones. More often than not, a neckline that showcases her chest. Red is her favorite color so if she can, she will find a way to put it in her ensemble. She is a high-class, glamorous and trendsetting lady and even when she is riding her white horse, Beleza, in a ruffle hem blouse, tailored jacket, and breeches, she excudes beauty, grace and elegance. Her casual wear is rarely casual but she’d argue it is still practical. She wouldn’t be caught dead in clothes that make her feel insignificant. 
[color=white]【 Prized item 】[/color] Her husband gifted her with his late grandmother's antique ruby and diamond ring four years ago when he asked for her hand in marriage. This was shortly after her 18th birthday. 

[i]While they were arranged, he told her they didn't need to marry until she was ready and if she chose she didn't want him, he would understand. Within the year, she allowed him to court her and they married the following summer.  [/i]
[/center]

[center]☽ [color=9a9a9a]S T O R M - T O U C H E D[/color] ☾  
[SUP][COLOR=GRAY](s e c r e t l y)[/COLOR][/SUP]

[hider=]Before she was born, her father, Radyn, 25 years ago, as he served this city as a Wardena Leader, got caught in a storm saving his charge, and his brother-in-arms, Godric Argyle. Fortunately (or unfortunately), he has been able to keep the incident under wraps because his ailment, his curse, had been seemingly all mental. By chance, or by the amount of awards he got within his long service and the next three years, continuing to fight storms and beasts in the Wardena, he was able to get recognized for his achievements and was offered an apprenticeship into the Regia Guard, under Eddard Orbarrow. He didn't hesitate to take the offer, especially because his wife had been growing more and more mentally unstable.

Melori was seven years old when her mother had a manic episode and tried to kill her. The day Karia was born was the day she realized the severity of what it means to be storm touched. Prior to that? She was naïve and innocent. On that day, her mother saw a monster in her youngest child. The girl with darkness and evil in her eyes. Lysabel knew Melori was storm touched, due to her daughter's black tears, but she hoped she could live a life in denial and paint her eldest daughter's curse as silly 'daydreams' and an unfortunate 'sickness'. Karia coming into this world changed everything. A week after Karia was born, Lysabel took her life, already believing her monstrous family was beyond saving. Death was mercy, death was a kindness, death was her only hope. 

From that point on, Melori gained an awareness of her position and had spent years educating herself and trying to keep her curse under control, sharing with her father her findings, as he shared with her. Behind her older brother's back, she and her father conjured a plan if they were ever to be discovered, Melori, Karia and those that have sworn loyalty to the family (not many, but the staff) would take the family's secret tunnel in their mausoleum and look for 'Sanctuary' which is a network of hidden routes and safe houses. Yes, it would eventually lead to the fourth ring but if they must, for the protection of their family, they must. Until then, they'd enjoy their status and privilege until it inevitably catches up with them. And it will, one day. 

Her father believes, while they are monsters, that they were cursed for a reason, especially because they see things that no other men have. He, with the past of things unwritten, her with ever-growing divinity, and Karia with people and their untold stories. It is their duty to weather the storm and risk their lives, if necessary, for the future of the city. She believes the same. That her purpose could shift the chain of events but like everything else, that is only measured in probabilities. She does know she needs to figure out who she can trust, without destroying everything her father's ever fought for. Based on her 'daydreams' thus far there is an idea that stands out the most to her. Individuals matter, and they have immediate and short-term effects, but the long term outcomes are never in question. The rebellion was fated as was every other momentous event in history. Even if the chances of the end of everything as we know it is nearly for certain, there is still hope and [i]that's[/i] what she chooses to fight for. Not for the Regia, not for the storm touched people. No, she fights for mankind. She fights for the city fated to fall.[/hider][/center]

[center]☽ [color=9a9a9a]C U R S E[/COLOR]  ❖  [color=9a9a9a]G I F T[/color] ☾ 

[hider=]"Divine Knowing" "Hypothetical Predicting" "Sixth Sense" 

These are some of the ways her father described her curse. Not only can she read history, like her old man, but she can see something happening in the present, like a fly on the wall, and has the ability to envision probable future outcomes. Her history reading is not in the same way he experiences his visions. Her father's mental ability is far more like a puzzle while hers is a playthrough of known events in history, like moments before the fifth ring fell. When she is having a lucid daydream of the present, she sees seconds of something of importance, like a clue telling her to chase it. As for her foresight? That comes to her like a bullet, gravity forcing her to her knees as she sees the most probable future. As of now everything seems random when they hit her, with no rhyme or reason and the only way she can control it is to make sure when she is having an abrupt episode to paint it like an illness, rather than her brain going haywire. This curse, or gift depending on how one looks at it, takes a heavy toll on her body, making her fatigue, dizzy and faint. Her husband, while left in the dark, is training her to be independent, training her body to fight the sickness and teaching her how to defend herself. Their sessions often end with her losing consciousness and him carrying her to their bed. It's a slow, painful training regime but over the course of their marriage, it has proven to help her fight the storm in her body. The sickness that is slowly killing her. He loves his wife dearly. [/hider][/center]


[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/hAFIZwX.png?1[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/80lEuKV.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/CTKkELl.png[/img][/CENTER]

[center]☽ [color=9a9a9a]R O L E[/color] ☾

Ergen Ilkin's former betrothed, wife to Leonhart Astaros, daughter to veteran Radyn Sorrel and the fair beauty and philanthropist, Lysabel Barlowe-Sorrel (she is said to have been as clever as she was beautiful). 

[i]Melori is an unknown element to the changing tide of the Nameless City's climate — politically, socially and literally. Her extrasensory perception and predictions of the past, present and future could influence events to come or it could get all those she loves killed. The only people who are aware of her capabilities is her immediate family. Not even her husband knows she is storm touched.[/i] [/center]

[center]☽ [color=9a9a9a]R I N G  &  I K O N O M A N C Y[/color] ☾

[hider=]Melori was born and raised on the second ring, by a family who have served the Wardena and Regia Guard for generations. The Sorrel Family. The men in her family make it a competition to see who can get into the Regia Guard and those who do get a painted picture of themselves hung up in the second floor hallway. Her brother has not been given the honor yet since he is still an apprentice. Their medals and honors, however, along with those that served the Wardena are above the family's fireplace. Her family home has gone through plenty of renovations and has been with the Sorrels for years.

Her mother's side is split between the second and third ring, with her grandfather being an exception. Melori's grandfather, Cassemir Barlowe, is a mathematician, researcher and scholar, for the crown, and can be found on the first ring. The rest of the Barlowe family can be found in the second ring and at the Academy, constantly seeking to advance the study of ikons, science and technology. It was Cassemir's idea that the Academy use Karia as an experiment. The first blind girl to be accepted at the Academy. Surely that could make a difference in how lesser rings perceive them but also, potentially, open opportunity for advancement. Ikons reaching even those with disabilities. Meanwhile, her grandmother's side, the Collymores, are third ringers and are some of the most sensible and friendly artisans in town. With blood and sweat, they produce some of the finest furniture and weaponry in the city. 

Lysabel decided to be both an intellectual and a maker, combining her families chosen professions into one creative pursuit. She studied ikons and blended it with foodmaking, specializing in teas, combining quality ingredients to help “center” the body, bringing balance to life. While she didn't start a tea shop, she did have a home business and brewed blends that even the Regia Consort went out of her way to order months in advance. With Lsyabel no longer around, her remainder supply is scarce and people hope Melori will follow suit eventually. Melori did go to school and studied ikons but is currently a stay at home wife expected to bear Leonhart's children. Her exploration of ikons focuses around geography, science, mathematics and cartography. The Academy is aware of her ability to enhance her navigation skill, never getting lost, like a walking compass. They also know she can figure out the name of plants and other physical features of earth/atmosphere with her ikons. 

Intriguing, yes, but not tea.  

During her free time, Melori hopes to produce ikons that can track people and bring a map to life like... a navigation system that everyone can utilize. Even better if it can track those you love. This is an ongoing study.[/hider][/center]

[center]☽ [color=9a9a9a]A B O U T  T H E  G I R L[/color] ☾

[hider=]Melori Sorrel, now Astaros, has played her part dutifully. She has been a good daughter, a good sister, a good friend and now a good wife. All her life she has felt limited and caged because someone has told her how to walk, what to say, when to be coy and who to be. Ergen, a boy she grew up with and learned to love, didn't trust her enough to tell her his schemes so that must mean she meant nothing. Logically, she gets it. She understands he didn't want her to fall with him but at the same time, why? Why do people call the shots for her? Why can't she live for herself? Why is her intelligence because of her Barlowe lineage and not because she has a penchant to learn and discover? 

Why can't she just be?

She knew the answer, of course. The world she lived in was full of darkness, where society continuously tries to extinguish the growing light. The hope for a better tomorrow. She firmly believes knowledge is the key to lead to truths that could enlighten and unite those in conflict. The storm didn't live in just those touched by it or blessed with it through blood, like herself. Chaos lived inside them all and she was simply a walking example of what this chaos was doing to everyone, though more visibly to her. Darkness flashed in her mind in fragments, slowly eating at her, her body growing weaker and weaker and her mind constantly on high alert, waiting for the next stressful vision. Too much light could blind you, make you forget the foundation of what built this city. Darkness needs to exist for everyone to appreciate the light. The sole purpose of why she existed was to kindle a light in the dark. 

If there was anything that forced her to grow up, and to grow up fast, it was the fact that she was one with the storm. She could run away from it or she could embrace. For now, she chooses to study it. That's all she can do as she keeps her silent oath and never reveals what she is to those around her. As strong as she wants to believe herself to be, she knows she is a worthless monster; something her mother called her throughout her childhood, behind closed doors. 

All her life her worth has been measured by others. Melori can't help but find herself in a dark place, unable to escape, but it is because of the dark, she's learned things she could never in the light. Without this curse, she would be like her brother, battling with himself and hating the sight of his own family.  She would live a life entitled and full of judgement. She would be mean spirited and selfish. She would not think about the consequences of her actions and she would lack empathy for everyone and anyone, especially those different from her. Melori chose to quietly live her life compassionately, and not in the showy way her mother chose to live her life, like she was some celebrity that everyone adored and loved to watch. Wisdom goes a long way when one tries to listen and discern the truths of the world. Of people. 

She won't lie, she is terrified of her curse and those like her. It's hard to breakdown this drilled notion that storm touched are monsters but she is no coward and she will approach who she is and what others are pragmatically. The Royal family could throw her into the trials without hesitation. Why should she be scared of something full of unknowns and uncertainties? That only means there's room to educate herself. Her current dilemma is her wanting to have Leonhart's child but frightened at the idea of bringing a baby into this world and cursing them when they never asked to be alive. How could she protect her child when she was playing pretend? How could she protect her child when she may not live past twenty five? How could she protect her child when society has already given her unborn baby predetermined titles and a role to play? Did she really want to put that on a pure, innocent being? Did she really want to bring a baby into a city where there was a high probability that a storm would destroy it or that someone would try to kill it because there was no way to hide the storm?

Melori's mind is a gift but also a curse. The cogs constantly turning as she thinks of so many things, some with importance and some with absolute no merit. Everything all at once or nothing at all. Emptiness has a presence and she sees the end. What is she to do about this madness? Will she end up just like her father? Speaking in tongues or will she be a ripple effect in a series of events, all predicted and expected, all in due course? Regardless of her purpose, which she is so desperate to find, she knows one thing. She has people worth a damn to love and to protect. That is more than enough reason to enter the battlefield and make a difference and she hopes she doesn't have to do it alone... she hopes she can make change, good change, with Leon and her family at her side. Melori hopes to do good, in whatever way she can, even if it gets her killed. And that doesn't mean she's going to choose sides. Her side is where truth lies and her goal is to unravel it.[/hider] [/CENTER]

[center]☽ [color=9a9a9a]F A M I L Y[/color] ☾

[img]https://i.imgur.com/6qTluOF.png[/img]

[hider=][color=c2a042]Radyn Sorrel[/color] - Father; Retired Regia Guard & Wardena Leader. Radyn served both the Wardena and Regia Guard for many years and is seen as a remarkable soldier and a heroic man. He was released from the Regia Guard when his body could no longer carry out his duties. He is rumored of being a mad man nowadays. People do not go near the Sorrel Estate out of fear they will be infected; gossip being a cautionary tale of the fall of Radyn Sorrel. While they don't think he is storm touched, people entertain the idea that his illness (since they haven't seen him in years) was caused because of long exposures with storms. Radyn is believed to not have directly been caught in one but they do wonder... could exposure cause the brain to malfunction? The talk is mild and hasn't been enough for Radyn to be sent to the towers or the fourth ring. There is no point when he is a deadman walking. The sickness will take him soon. 

[color=C24264]Lysabel Barlowe-Sorrel[/color] - Late Mother; Loved by many, Lysabel's death impacted most citizens of the second ring and even the Regia Consort. It's been fifteen years since she passed away and people still can't believe she's gone. She was the perfect example of everything right in this world. Everything a young woman should be. On top of that, she made the most exquisite tea. She died by an ikon-tea-ceremony gone wrong. Cassemir has a hard time believing his daughter failed to produce exactly what she wanted to make and he wants to know [i]why[/i] she created a poisonous tea with arsenic at the base and tested it on herself. No one wants to believe Lysabel took her own life so those who know her time and time again say she died from natural causes.  The Regia Guard confiscated the vial that was in her hand and seemingly the remainder of her concoction. Little does anyone know, Karia with her psychometry found a stash of this poison and hid it in a secret place.   

[color=3185c3]Llyris Sorrel[/color] - Older brother; Apprentice to Godric Argyle of the Regia Guard. In charge of his father’s estate, funds and affairs. That includes his sisters. Well, now just Karia. Thankfully, Leon accepted Llyris' offer after the uprising and married Melori shortly after she turned eighteen, which means she is no longer his problem and responsibility. Llyris is the current face of the Sorrel name and is believed to go even further than his father ever did, seeing how he gained his apprenticeship a lot younger than his old man and seems to have great, unwavering conviction. Society expects great things from the son of Radyn. 

[color=3cc331]Karia Sorrel[/color] - Baby sister; ikonmancer-in-training. The Academy’s “Experiment”. She has an unfortunate disability. She is blind and to make it more known to the world, she wraps her eyes so it leaves little room for assumptions. As the Academy’s new project, they hope to make ikons more accessible to people like her. Since she does come from the Barlowe line, there is hope that she will succeed with flying colors just like her grandfather and mother. Even her older sister, who has chosen to intertwine her ikon knowledge with her everyday life as she prepares for motherhood. It doesn’t change that although Karia is beautiful and kind, she gets bullied for her differences. The world is her oyster and with Karia, her grandpa sees plenty of promise. She is a clever girl and could change the world. All without eyesight. Marvelous. [/hider][/CENTER][/color][/hider]