Name: Nehanda "Luinrildë"
Age: 28
Race: Race of Men - Haradrim, Gondorian
Sex: Female
Personality: Having known the pains of prejudices, Nehanda is often quiet and careful with her words. She shies from excessive company and forms infrequent, but very strong bonds - all of which has contributed to her being an ideal candidate for Ithilien's guard. Her loyalty, if given, does not weaken or fail. She is not without humor and has a subtle, stubborn tendency towards optimism.
Appearance: 5'5", lean of build and almost "boyish" at a glance. Dark hair, given to curl, and brown skin are trademarks of her mother's origins: Harad. The only thing that she seems to physically claim from her father are blue eyes and finer features.
Backstory: Once there was Fuinur, a Black Númenórean who served Sauron and ruled over the Haradrim - some served him because to do otherwise was to embrace torture or death. Some, however, served him happily and fanatically: they were the tools he used against the less willing tribes across Harad. One such tribe, the Madaki, gave their women to Fuinur and many children were born of his dark bloodline. When Sauron returned, the Madaki tribe once more stepped up to answer his call.
The remnants of the Madaki tribe - women, children, elders - did not do well in the wake of Sauron's defeat. Their fervor for his success and Fuinur's strong genetics in their features caused them to be even more reviled by the other tribes. Once considered a boon to share such blood, it became a curse. Eventually, in FA 180, a Madaki woman named Aminah left her homelands for better circumstances and ended up in Gondor. She married a man there and among her brood of children was a girl she named Nehanda. Lingering prejudices against the Haradrim spurred their father into giving them more accepted names, and Nehanda was called Luinrildë beyond the doors of their home - a name inspired by the hue of her eyes.
Once grown enough to venture out on her own, Nehanda made her way to Ithilien and learned the ways of those there - both those of mankind and elvenkind. It was in that way that she became something of a ranger and entered Ithilien's guard. She was not one of those that stood out for excessive bravery or prowess with a sword, but proved herself a worthy member by having sharp instincts and an innate ease with the wilderness. From there, she joined a group of several elves and men who thought her skills could be put to good use for various expeditions. Eventually Mirkwood fell under their uneasy regard.
Reason for investigating the silent colony?:
The Ithilien rangers, once captained by Faramir, have only grown in prowess since the introduction of Elvenkind to their region. Despite Ithilien being its own principality, it still serves Gondor - thus, the rangers are not strictly limited to the borders of Ithilien and ultimately answer to King Eldarion.
With spiders spotted and the attacks on the road, King Eldarion began receiving pressure to find a potential source. Scouts began trickling out, expanding their nets and bringing back the increasingly foul news. Naturally, Dôr-min-Taur falling silent roused concern. Elves residing in Ithilien offered to lead the scouting troop to Dôr-min-Taur, driven by fear for their kinfolk, and Nehanda was among several Ithilien rangers selected to go.
Other:
Although she does not have any affinity for a specific weapon, Nehanda bears the trademarks of any ranger in clothing, gear, and weaponry. Her sword is plain and well worn, her bow of worthy quality but otherwise nondescript. It is only the dagger that has any apparent value, a relic her mother gave her. Despite its age, the blade has an ornate handle that still gleams richly and holds a fierce edge. She keeps it well hidden on her person after an Elf took excessive interest in the blade and pondered over its origins.