[hider=Vierinissa Aleaniryn]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/sSXyHDJ.png[/img]
[img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/249164056261427200/583365182978392064/Vierinissa.png[/img][/center]

[color=a187be][b]|[u] {Full Name & Title} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Vierinissa Sarienna Aleaniryn, Duchess of Aldetera & the Western Sea, Lady Protector of Castle T'puuliniar, Darksong Knight of the Faith, Guardian of the Council of Six, and Heir to the Consular House of Aleaniryn[/indent]

[color=a187be][b]|[u] {Age} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Though she is 236 years of age, Vierinissa's bloodline of the House of Aleaniryn is blessed with exceptionally long lifespans, even by Ilythiiric standards.[/indent]

[color=a187be][b]|[u] {Species} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Ilythiiric Noble (subspecies of Ilythiiri, off-branch of the old Selari)[/indent]

[color=a187be][b]|[u] {Gender} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Female[/indent]

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[color=a187be][b]|[u] {Alignment} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Largely considered to be Neutral Good, though perhaps with a more Lawful bent than usual.[/indent]

[color=a187be][b]|[u] {Appearance} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Ilythiiri are unmistakable to the eye. With dark, oftentimes black skin, bleached snow-white hair, red eyes and typical 'knife-like' ear tips, they are perhaps the last true remnant of the elven race in the world, though a far cry from the Selari of old. Somewhat unusually, Ilythiiri operate on a kind of biologically-driven caste system, with two sub-species of their kind in existence. The majority are simply 'Common' Ilythiiri, who are shorter, slighter and do not boast much magical prowess, if any at all. Such Common Ilythiiri almost entirely comprise the lower classes, such as burghers, farmers, sailors, and soldiers, though even the Common Ilythiir can find themselves in a position of power - though such occasions are rare indeed. Common Ilythiiri born to a noble house, however, are often the object of ridicule and apathy - some are simply disinherited or even murdered at young ages.

Yet, amongst the common folk, every so often an individual is born who is simply genetically and biologically superior - in all likelihood they grow to be stronger, taller, and often can command the force of magic naturally from a young age. Such individuals are termed 'Noble' Ilythiiri, and the epithet is particularly appropriate, as they also comprise almost all of the aristocratic ruling classes of the Ilythiiric state. The occasion of a Noble's birth to a common family is one of great celebration and opportunity, for it is not unknown for the Great Houses of the Ilythiiri to adopt (or marry) such individuals into their own dynasties, with the individual no doubt bestowing favour and prestige upon the family from whence they came. The overwhelming majority of Noble births, however, are amongst the so-called Great Houses, whom, as stated earlier, are comprised of almost entirely Noble Ilythiiri. Nobility, to the Ilythiiri, is not simply hereditary - it is congenital.

Vierinissa, however, is a particularly remarkable example of her race. Standing at just over six feet tall, Vierinissa cuts a most imposing and powerful figure amongst even Noble Ilythiiri. Her snow-white silky hair falls to about her upper back, and is rarely constrained or tied back, except sometimes in battle, where it is tied back into a singular ponytail. Her eyes are sharply pointed oval in shape, with piercing blood red irises, that often glow in times of heightened emotion - particularly anger, and she is never seen usually without purple eyeshadow, and her lips are usually painted red with carmine. In civilian engagements, Vierinissa is often seen clad in a shimmering spider-silk dress, with the silvered ducal ring of Aldetera on her right hand - and a silvered knife at her side.

In battle, however, Vierinissa eschews the traditional modus operandi of the Ilythiiri - that being agility and lighter equipment over heavy plate - and goes to battle in a custom-fitted set of white adamantine plated armour over light mithril mail. Vierinissa's approach is not entirely unheard of, though few take it to her extreme; her armour is capable of resisting almost all weapons on a battlefield short of siege artillery (against which it has admittedly never been tested). In addition, Vierinissa also bears a circlet of black adamantine with a spire at its front - known as the Crown of the Black Guards. This old enchanted item protects its wearer from blows (and projectiles) aimed toward the head and shoulders by use of magical power, and allows its wearer to enjoy heightened senses in the midst of battle to more easily identify weaknesses in the enemy, be it tactical or even whilst duelling a single, or multiple, foes. Offensively, Vierinissa wields a white adamantine two-handed sword - the legendary [i]Divine Reckoning[/i]. The sword is perhaps an item of even greater magical power than the Crown of the Black Guards, and is easily capable of cleaving through mundane materials such as iron or even tempered steel with its enchanted edge. Though lesser Ilythiiri would struggle to even heft such a mighty weapon, Vierinissa's strength and stamina are such that she wields it with almost-consummate ease.[/indent]

[color=a187be][b]|[u] {Physical Abilities} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[list]
[*]A Peerless Swordswoman: Vierinissa is one of, if not [i]the[/i], finest fighter in the Hexarchy. Her skill with a blade is unmatched in her homeland, and she has dispatched countless foes in service to the Six, and she is perhaps one of the greatest warriors the Ilythiiri have ever seen. Be it arming sword, zweihänder, or dagger, Vierinissa is a fearsome force to be reckoned with.
[*]Strength and Honour: Vierinissa's physical prowess extends further than simply her skill with a blade. She is in peak physical condition, with her strength and stamina in excess of all save a few of her peers. Though it is not her primary method of combat, Vierinissa is no less dangerous when she is unarmed, having also trained herself in hand-to-hand fighting.
[*]Basilisk Rider: As a noble of the Hexarchy, Vierinissa is also trained in the art of mounted combat - more specifically, the riding of an ancient and most-feared creature; the basilisk. Reputedly able to kill with a glance, basilisks have long been hunted by the Hexarchy's noble families for sport, but a select few are also raised from egg to maturity to serve as mounts for the Hexarchy's most powerful and influential servants. Vierinissa's basilisk, Ktonos, has served as Vierinissa's loyal steed for over twenty years.
[*]A Font of Wisdom: Vierinissa, for all of her other abilities, is also... well-travelled, let us say. Though she hates to admit it, there does come a certain amount of wisdom and intelligence when one has been alive for 236 years, and she has been known to act as advisor, counsellor and simply companion to those who require her aid. She is also no stranger to acting as a liaison between individuals as well in times of conflict, strife and crisis, and though not always successful, Vierinissa strives to smooth tensions and calm heads when necessary.
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[color=a187be][b]|[u] {Magical Abilities} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[list]
[*]Divine Might: As a devoted - and high-ranking - servant of the Faith of the Ilythiiri, Vierinissa can almost-freely call upon the divine power of the goddess Eilistraee to smite her foes in physical combat, or to tolerate injuries that would otherwise lay her low. With but a thought and a prayer on her lips, Vierinissa has slain mighty wild creatures with a single sweep of her sword, and endured much pain and hardship in the service of the Council.
[*]A Gentle Touch: Vierinissa's main magical prowess and power, however, lies in the art of restorative magics. She is a master healer, able to staunch the flow of blood and heal even grievous wounds with the simple act of laying a hand on the injured person and reciting a prayer to her goddess. Those suffering from sickness or poison, too, can benefit from Vierinissa's ministrations, as the healing power of the Darksong Knights extend beyond simply that of battlefield injuries into other realms such as disease and poisoning, as well as mental injury or illness such as stress, hallucinations, insanity or melancholia.
[*]The Vengeance of the Faithful: Vierinissa's magical ability is not just limited to restoration, however. By calling upon the power of Eilistraee directly, Vierinissa can bring forth extreme displays of violence, be they coruscating storms of cleansing flame, an earthquake that splits the ground asunder, or the so-called [i]Holy Word[/i], which has the capacity to obliterate any demonic or evil entity against which it is spoken.
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[color=a187be][b]|[u] {Limitations} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[list]
[*]A Race's Reputation: Many in the world see the Ilythiiri as dangerous, reclusive, and above all, evil. Tales of their infamous slaver raids on the shores outside the Sea of Storms abound from coast to coast, and those who have survived such ordeals are invariably those most eager to spread tales of such wanton violence, bloodshed and destruction, the cackling laughs of the Ilythiiri corsairs still ringing in their ears, along with the terrified screams of their victims as they are hauled away into the depths of the slave ships, almost certainly never to be seen again. Such actions tarnish the reputation of the Ilythiiri, and have done to such an extent that they are considered persona non grata in many civilisations, and even in those areas where they are legally tolerated, fear and hatred abound towards them, even in the face of beneficence and kindness.
[*]Fearless And Unbreakable: Vierinissa knows no fear, and will never surrender. Facing down a situation of certain death with hopeless odds to allow her companions to escape, even if it meant sacrificing her own life? Consider it done. Where another might exercise caution and retreat, Vierinissa refuses to countenance such actions. For as long as she draws breath, the enemy will die.

[/list]
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[color=a187be][b]|[u] {Personality} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]As stated before, many in the world see the Ilythiiri as dangerous, reclusive, and above all, evil. Tales of their infamous slaver raids on the shores outside the Sea of Storms abound from coast to coast, and those who have survived such ordeals are invariably those most eager to spread tales of such wanton violence, bloodshed and destruction, the cackling laughs of the Ilythiiri corsairs still ringing in their ears, along with the terrified screams of their victims as they are hauled away into the depths of the slave ships, almost certainly never to be seen again.

So what, then, would they make of someone whose word is honour, whose intentions are noble, and whose heart is kind? For despite the presence of such barbarism, the Ilythiiri are not a monolithic race of evil sadists, whose sole purpose is to rape, pillage, burn and enslave - indeed, there are powerful factions within the Hexarchy that would see the corsairs hanged for their actions. Vierinissa is one such proponent. Corsairdom is illegal in Aldetera, and it is one of the few crimes that merit an automatic death sentence, for it is "an irrevocable assault on the freedoms and rights of other living beings", according to Vierinissa herself. She is devoted to helping others, even when perhaps the laws of the land might dictate otherwise, and if confronted, will not hesitate to speak out against injustice or the curtailment of individual liberty. Indeed, such matters are apparent in the manner of her rule of Aldetera - though by law she is an absolute ruler, Vierinissa carefully manages her realm through the use of councils of lesser noble families, clergy and aldermen from the urban areas, and takes note of any petitions for redress directed at acts of injustice or tyranny on the part of local powerholders. This has the impact of not only reducing any popular discontent towards the ruling class, but also empowering local citizenry to take (albeit limited) charge of their affairs, free from the chafing restrictions (like sumptuary laws) that dog other areas of the Hexarchy - a combination that has made Aldetera rich and stable indeed. Others see Vierinissa as weak and incapable of ruling alone. Vierinissa simply points to the ledgers and smiles.[/indent]

[color=a187be][b]|[u] {Place of Origin} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Castle Mithniar, Duchy of Aldetera[/indent]

[color=a187be][b]|[u] {Background} [/u]|[/b][/color]
[indent]Vierinissa is a woman born under auspicious signs.[/indent]
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