Maral Oronir

Maral Qayagahara
Gender	Female
Race	Au Ra
Clan	Xaela
Citizenship	Othard
Age	23
Nameday	18th Sun of the 4th Umbral Moon
Occupation	Leader of the Qayagahara
Height/Weight	5'2 / 129lbs
Orientation	Bisexual
Relatives	Kirsa Qayagahara (Twin Sister), Voren Qayagahara (Husband), Bagatur Qayagahara (Son)

Maral is a martial arts specialist hailing from the Qayagahara branch of the nomadic Oronir clan. She was born on the continent of Othard somewhere in the Azim Steppes. She migrated to Eorzea six cycles prior and settled in Ul'dah for a time to improve her pugilist skills. Her deceptively petite body hides a powerful form.

Basic Info

LIKES ■ Fighting ■ Learning new skills ■ Meeting new people ■ Nice clothes ■ Sweets

DISLIKES ■ Being called 'lizard' or other racial slurs ■ Slavers/traffickers ■ Overly aggressive people ■ Overt cruelty ■ Alcohol ■ Ships (naval)

OTHER ■ Alignment: Lawful Neutral ■ Vice(s): Oblivousness. Battlelust. ■ Favorite Food: Tsuivan, Anything seafood. ■ Favorite Drink: Anything honey flavored. Also loves Suutei tsai (butter tea) ■ Favorite Color: Purple

Appearance & Personality

Standing taller than the average Xaelean woman at 5'2, Maral boasts a strong body despite her petite frame due to hard and intense training. Fluffy, dark brown hair has been cut in layers and is laced with natural orange highlights. Midnight scales are scattered along bark brown skin, which save for her scarred and calloused hands, feet and shins is smooth and well taken care of. She wears only a little gloss on her full lips and a bit of eye shadow, but otherwise doesn't bother with makeup. For clothing Maral prefers anything that she feels flatters her figure, or that is loose and would do well for her in a spar. She is proud of her body, and has no qualms about displaying it, being of the belief that all beings are blessings of Azim, and therefore are perfect and beautiful.

At times Maral can come off as oblivious, often not getting what seems even the simplest jokes or innuendos. While she tends to lack common sense, she posseses keen observational skills. Maral's strengths come in her ability to see things through not from an emotional perspective, but from what she feels to be the most logical standpoint to her.

Biography

Childhood

Born in the Qayagahara clan, Maral (Meaning: Deer) grew up with her twin sister Kirsa (Meaning: Steppe Fox). A brash and outgoing youth, she often skipped out on lessons and clan teachings to play, explore, and train. Unless it had to do with training, hunting, or animal husbandry, she was usually uninterested. When at gatherings and doing trades with other clans, she would often pick fights with other children, looking for spars and claiming she was trying to get stronger. Her parents inability to tame their wild and unruly daughter drove the Chieftess of the clan to grow frustrated with the child, and talks began to marry her off into a suitable clan when she came of age.

Teenage

At sixteen summers Maral left the clan and managed to head to Kugane, where she boarded a smuggler's ship headed to Eorzea along with a handful of other Xaela and domans who were hoping to head there to do trade or find family/work in a foreign land. Things quickly went south when their destination abruptly changed and it was discovered their ship was actually a slaver ship and the crew had been hired to take and 'condition' the cargo before presenting them for auction to the black market in Ul'dah. While Maral and a few others attempted to fight back, and even kill a few of the slavers, the first rebellion was quickly - and brutally - subdued with those responsible made harsh examples of. After weeks of mental and physical torture the soon-to-be slaves were about to give up as the ship readied to pull into port. But what greeted the slavers was not the rest of their crew, but a small band of mercenaries. With what little strength left, some of the victims helped fight back once freed. Maral, faced with feeling an unbridled rage and hatred she had never experienced before, also took to the attack, especially when reinforcements did arrive. She fought with such ferocity despite her battered frame that she caught the attention of one of the mercenaries who would become an important figure in her life - Maria Zolts.

After everything that happened, the victims were left lost and without purpose. While the Brass Blades took them in temporarily, Maria took in the young Xaela. The language barrier and Maral's shattered trust in others made things extremely difficult at first. Still, over time Maria taught the girl how to read and write, fed her, and gave her shelter. After a while she even took Maral out on missions with her, simply saying the young girl needed an outlet for her rage.
"Control your darkness, don't let it control you. Rage is a tool, don't let it be your weakness."

Two cycles later, Maral parted ways from Maria. Armed with knowledge on how to read and write in Eorzean, along with some basic history and anything else Maria tried to cram in her head that would stick, she set off on her own to continue training her body. During her time with Maria she felt a change come over her, a need to settle the disquiet within. Maral spent the next five cycles traveling alone throughout Eorzea, meeting others, fighting, studying other martial art styles, getting lost, working odd jobs so she could feed herself when hunting didn't work out. As she traveled, saw wonderous sights, meditated and learned, she began to find an inner peace within herself.

With the Bairon

Eventually traveling alone with limited interactions with others can lead one to seek out company. In Maral's case she sought out a free company. For a very short time she joined Soul of the Sword, but did not remain for long and continued her travels, so did not connect with any of the members well. Deciding that a free company was probably not what she sought when it came to companionship, she left her letter of departure with Maria, to whom she had recommended the company to - hoping she'd be able to find bonds (and she did). After that she wandered about, briefly meeting Arik Mierqid, a Xaela blacksmith. During her travels she hadn't met too many others of her kind, nor many who complimented or praised her on her appearance. After a brief conversation and one night together they parted amicibly, and she took the fond memory of her first night with her, unsure if she'd meet him again.

Moons later Maral ran across a flyer regarding recruitment for a Xaela clan, the Turuk Bairon. Greatly intrigued, she travelled from Ul'dah to the Shroud to meet Algun Bairon and learn more about the Bairon and what he was trying to accomplish. Being back among other xaela, in an encampment, even in the Shroud, brought back pleasant and fond memories for her, along with a sense of nostalgia. What convinced her to remain and take on the trial, however, was Algun's ambitions, kindness, and convictions toward his goals. Maral sees strength in him and over time has desired to become a part of that strength in her own way.

After some strife with their ally the Sarandtuu, Algun called a council meeting and asked kin and friends to put to vote on whether or not the alliance should remain or if he should part ways. He listed the pros and cons of the act and claimed he would go with the majority rule as he believed tensions had risen high enough between the two clans that it was not a decision he could make alone. The decision was unanmious - Maral personally believed the alliance did not feel like one and that the Bairon were treated like lessers from her limited interactions from dealing with the Chieftess of the Sarandtuu. <"An alliance is between equals,">, she said to Algun, <"There is nothing equal in the way she treats you. I do not see the benefit in this."> After listening to everyone he decided to sever the alliance. However, before that could happen, after the meeting someone left to the Sarandtuu encampment and told Kulain all that had transpired. The Turuk Bairon were condemned as traitors to the Sarandtuu-Qalli and are now considered to be on hostile terms.

That ordeal passed, the Turuk Bairon continued on. During this time Maral took her trial to become a Bairon. Maral also met and became involved in her first relationship with Choban Kha, a bartender who she came across while trying to find people for the clan to forge new friendships with.

Soon after they were paid a visit by Natigai Mol who eventually spoke to Algun of a vision - the clan would be destroyed if he did not move the encampment from the Shroud. And so without a word to anyone else he left the encampment to Thanalan. After a week he returned, still injured and weak, to report to his kin that he had found them a new home at the Western Oasis in Southern Thanalan. The clan migrated and shortly after Maral was promoted, finally becoming a warrior for the clan. More and more people began to migrate to the clan and Algun began to grant more responsibilities to Maral. While she takes these responsibilities seriously and is eager to prove herself, she remains secretly apprehensive on whether or not she will do well by the clan. Still, her goal is to become a general, and she feels no personal sacrifice too great in the grand scheme of things. It is her goal, drive, and desire to become the clan's strength, for it will need that strength for the ultimate challenges it will have to face.

Saranaa Bairon, one of the generals to the Khan has visited the Bairon encampment, and that seems to have stirred up tension and confusion. It turned out she was there to test the Bairon, but after some internal strife and the presence of a spy, the test was derailed. Saraana returned to the Steppes, and the clan prepared for their return as well. After claiming a slaver ship during a mission given to them by the Flames, it was repurposed for migrating the clan to Othard. The clan is now looking for a place to settle in the Steppes.

Maral was being plagued by nightmares, learned to be attacks by her cousin, Torgan Qayagahara. Upon entering the Steppes she was seized by nausea and headaches, learned to actually be signs of a curse by her cousin. Olivia Mysyrn was able to free her from said curse, and Maral eventually sought out her wrathful cousin with Voren's aid. After a heated and emotional confrontation, Torgan relented in her attacks. Maral after learning the truth behind what happened to her birth clan, the Qayagahara Oronir, has decided to revive her clan as an independent force, and has situated herself in Kugane after separating from the Turuk Bairon.

The Present

Having settled in Kugane, Maral and Voren have been slowly expanding their company, the Sunset in Stone. They were married in the Valley of the Rainbow in Yanxia and recently Maral gave birth to their first child, Bagatur. The two plan to open a branch in Eorzea to expand, although that branch will be ran by others while they maintain the Kugane branch.

Miscellaneous

Quirks & Habits These are things you wouldn't be able to find out through normal IC means and/or just fun facts to know! ◢ Quirks ■ Gets very excited whenever a topic is about fighting. ■ Is honest to a fault, even when she probably shouldn't be. ■ Driven by logic moreso than by emotion. ◢ Habits ■ Tends to tap her fingers against her lips when thinking about something. ■ Scratches her cheek when embarrassed. ■ Trains a lot. ◢ Fun Facts ■ Maral is very open and adventurous about sex. ■ Would be open to the possibility of an open or polyamourous relationship if she met/found the right person/people. ◢ Darker Tidbits ■ She had a vicious temper that she tamed through medition along the years through her travels. ■ Is a highly logical person and at the moment tends to put what she feels is right before emotion.

RELATIONS ♥ Romantic Interest ♥ Platonic Love ♥ Sexual Desire ● Good Standing ● Neutral Standing ● Poor Standing ● Unknown FAMILY & LOVERS ♥♥●Voren Qayagahara - A Xaelan bounty hunter who came across their encampment and eventually stuck around hoping to find work. He eventually grew closer to the Bairon and subsequently, Maral. As time grew their friendship turned into something more, and he found himself confessing his love for her. Not long after they began their relationship, and have only grown closer since. Voren is her equal in all things, and leads the Qayagahara by her side. They eventually married and now have a son. ♥●Bagatur Qayagahara - Voren and Maral's baby boy. He looks a lot like Voren, save for his skin and eye color. Surprisingly, Maral has taken to spoiling him and showering him with affection. ♥● Kirsa Qayagahara Oronir (Twin sister) - Her identical twin that tried to get her out of an arranged marriage by sending her away to Eorzea (and disguising it by telling her sister to go on a journey to train her mind and body). Kirsa eventually left the clan on her own to seek out her sister and they met briefly, but left soon after. She did manage to tell Maral the real reason for why she had her leave, and the two sisters spent some brief time together catching up. Kirsa was the more studious of the two and had more common sense than her somewhat tunnel vision/oblivious younger twin. She has recently returned to Othard and has settled within the company, hoping to gift her sister and her husband with the secrets of the Qayagahara that she knows. ●Torgan Qayagahara Oronir (Cousin)(NPC) - The shaman of Maral's small band of Oronir and cousin. She blames Maral for the death of their group, and is using an ancient type of blood magic to send nightmares and curses her way. Given that Maral left her band 6 cycles ago, she is confused as to why her cousin holds so much hatred toward her. ASSOCIATES AND FRIENDS ●♥ Algun Bairon - Chief of the Turuk Bairon, and someone Maral looks up to and admires. She joined the clan when it was still a small encampment in the Shroud and she was just trying to find a sense of community among her fellow kin. Algun began to trust Maral and open up to her regarding his ideals, his vison for the future of the Xaela, and his ambitions. Over time, however, Maral became worried he was losing sight of his goals and not taking proper care of himself (and in some ways the clan). With the betrayal of his closest companions, she felt him becoming more reclusive and withdrawn toward others. As he began to lean upon her more to handle clan matters, various incidents began to crop up that tested her and her faith in the clan. When her own birth clan was decimated she was forced to choose between staying by Algun's side, or rebuilding what was lost. She spoke with Algun and he released her from her vows, insisting she revive and focus on her clan. Although tensions rose between them after before he went on his personal campaign to acquire the Bairon Khan title due to deception on his part, he returned to Kugane to personally apologize to Voren and Maral. Slowly, their relationship is rebuilding. ●♥ Tentan Bairon - Ekhner of the Turuk Bairon, Maral met Tentan at a hidden camp shortly after her exile from the Sarandtuu. Tentan originally hails from the Qalli and still keeps her heartsong close. Maral admires Tentan's inner strength and was elated when they became clan sisters. While Maral has few immunities to Tentan's teasing, she takes it all in good fun and enjoys spending time with her. ●♥Natigai Bairon - Former shaman of the Turuk Bairon and now a khatun of her own clan. Maral considers her a sister. She enjoys being in Nati's presence and finds her comfortable to be around. ●Bala Malaguld - A young girl who found herself at the Bairon encampment feeding the animals. A bit standoffish at first and seems to prefer animals over people. She was eventually adopted into the Bairon as Algun's sister. Maral likes Bala, although they're not particulary close, and is pleased that the girl seems to be growing close with Jarnimgur. ●Maria Zolts - Maral met this highlander five years ago when she first came to Eorzea. Maria was a completely different woman back then, but it was because of her that Maral and some of her people avoided a series of unfortunate circumstances. Although it had simply been a job for Maria, to Maral it was a debt that she will never be able to repay. She looks up to and admires Maria, and wants the older woman to find happiness. Recently, she called upon Maria's aid and services to help her reestablish the Qayagahara. ●Naranbaatar Dotharl - This one came into the encampment one day following Natigai, and she told the clan he had saved her once. Maral finds him to be an unorthodox Dotharl, but every Dotharl she's officially(note: officially) met has been this way. At first she thought she would have to throw him out of the encampment when he teased Natigai so much she became incredibly unhappy and she had to soothe the gentle shaman. He seems to have eased up on Natigai, however, although they are still at each other's throats. She has sparred with him and lost, however, although through that they have become friends, which has made her happy. They did grow close, and she even grew a crush on him. For the first time Maral had genuine feelings for someone, but he left before she could come to terms with or understand them. Naran has recently come back into her life after being gone for moons, and she is currently trying to settle him into the company. ● Arik Mierqid - A Xaela blacksmith Maral met in Limsa Lominsa. He was kind and charming, and after a brief exchange they ended up having a one night stand. Maral has recently met up with him again and they have become friends. ●Chagatai Bairon - Formerly of the Vashti, and currenly holds no official position. Maral did not trust Chagatai's claims to wanting to join the Bairon at first, because of his motivations for doing so (to change the Vashti). After seeing him fight for the Bairon and observing him earnestly working hard, however, she began to slowly change her mind. She respects Chagatai and trusts him, and enjoys his playful nature. ●Sechen Bairon - Torol of the Turuk Bairon and formerly of the Qerel. Maral holds mixed feelings about Sechen, as she initially believed the other woman was a power-grabber and didn't care about the welfare of the clan. At best, she finds her confusing during their conversations, but respects her as a warrior and understands Sechen simply wishes to have a place to belong. Learning this eased her suspicions toward her considerably, and Maral holds a more neutral opinion toward her. She has a bone necklace that she wears from when Sechen threw bones at her that she fashioned into something wearable, however. It is one of her few possessions that she cherishes. ●Ren Utgard- A xaela who grew up in Ishgard, Maral doesn't know a whole lot about him, but she finds him to be an intriguing man. He has a daughter named Ane and a wife named Hel. ●Ane Utgard- Ren's daughter. An energetic girl who seems eager to learn, train, and prove herself. Maral thinks fondly of her, and is flattered that Ane seems to like her. ●Olivia Mysyrn - The person who discovered and cured Maral of the curse Torgan placed upon her. Maral holds no strong positive or negative opinion toward Olivia, but is grateful toward her for her aid...and is possibly a little wary of her abilities. ●Choban Kha - A Xaelan bartender she met on the docks of the Mist near the HA-RP house. They had a brief chat and she thought that'd be the end of it. They met again when he approached the Turuk Bairon encampment seeking her out. They had a spar and began to get to know one another. A few days later, after another spar and spending time together, he expressed romantic interest in her. While Maral did not understand love and struggled with understanding such things, she accepted his proposal. After a moon Maral eventually became unhappy and restless without knowing why, and after a few talks with Choban eventually decided she was not ready for a relationship, or whatever her poor understanding of that was. She has not seen him since their break up. OTHERS | NEUTRAL STANDING

Footnotes

Maral Qayagahara can be found on the Balmung and Mateus servers

Updated: 8/26/18

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