M'ihrima Ulei
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Hailing from the burning sands of the island of Thavnair, M'ihrima knew nothing but warm family and great business from a young age. While never living in the city proper, she knew the streets of Radz-at-Han well. Weekly, some of her tribe would pack up a caravan and haul their alchemical wares to the docks looking for trade. Her tribe's Nuhn-- and her father-- M'ulei was a genius in the art of alchemy and he subsequently built up his extended family by passing the knowledge down. Their potions seemed to have no end to the miracles they could perform, the least of which included quickened healing and the sweetest smells that foreigners and locals alike had ever beheld. Truly, the M tribe of Thavnair had much to be proud of.
And M'ihrima grew up reveling in the pride of her family and the things they'd accomplished. Never did she hurt for anything, but also she never let that go to her head. Complacency would only serve to bring her down, after all. However, as she entered her teenage years, M'ihri couldn't help but become disillusioned with her future. She was smart, more than talented enough to sell her own potions at the market, beautiful, well-spoken and brimming with charm-- but unfortunately, the tribal system and her three older full-blooded sisters in front of her wouldn't let her flourish. It wasn't as if she'd be pressured, but the prospect of one day settling down with a future Nuhn to bear his children and to never become the heir due to being a younger child didn't sit well with her. So eventually her mind thought of a life outside of her beloved Thavnair. Part of her didn't want to admit it was a scary prospect, but M'ihrima knew she could never be truly happy staying on the island. It came to pass that she hitched a ride onto a ship bound for Eorzea to make her fortune. Family secrets would be kept safe, of course, but they'd definitely make her a pretty gil or two. The Seeker set off for Limsa Lominsa, spreading her roots over the course of the next several years. Nowadays, she's settled in Gridania after being in Thanalan for a number of years. Though not rich, M'ihri lives a comfortable lifestyle through her humble shop as part of the Sable Tree, even making yearly trips back home to catch up on happenings with the M tribe. Some would refer to her as a witch due to the nature of her business— selling alchemical concoctions and mysterious curios to those desperate enough to seek her out. M’ihri is many things depending on who you ask: exploitative, benevolent, misguided but well-meaning. She would simply answer any rumors with this: those who don’t do business with her have no idea what she’s really peddling.
M’ihrima stands at five fulms even (5 feet/152 cm), at 110 ponzes (110 lbs/50 kg) . Her body frame is very petite, with little in the way of curves. In fact, some consider her rather bony, and she is angular where most would be softer. However, she holds herself in elegant postures, her body always posed and calculated to deliver the best first impression. Slender fingers on small hands are often found gripping smoking pipes.
She keeps her almost stark black hair short, cut to just below her jaw. It has a natural wave to it that accentuates the shape of her round face— with brown, almost red, almond eyes, a small flat nose, and dark, plump lips framed against the locks. It flows longer in the front than in the back. Her bangs hide the silver tattoo markings above her left eyebrow, though the patterns on her cheek are plain as day. M’ihrima will sometimes powder them with make up to enhance their shine against her hickory skin. Unlike Miqo’te seen across Eorzea, Ihrima’s ears are like that of a serval— round and tall, facing forward instead of backwards as is typical. This applies to all of her family. It can be a bit difficult to judge her mood based on her ears, but she will rear them back when angry or threatened. Her tail is long and quite fluffy (but don’t attempt to pet it). Lastly, M’ihrima often dresses herself in lightweight clothing. She isn’t picky about colors, though she does prefer purples, blacks, and silvers. She will typically wear a gown, shorts, or a pair of leggings when simply lounging or when working from home. In formal situations, she has many flowing dresses and skirts, along with an astounding collection of jewelry. There is seldom a time where Ihrima won’t be wearing a ring on each finger.
Many, many generations ago, the M tribe in Ala Mhigo split into two after an internal conflict. The current Nunh was thought of as succumbing to a power trip. Despite pleas for the tribal leader to act, it was simply "just the way it was." As cruel as the Nunh could be, there was no room for weaker blood to breed when their livelihood depended on the strength of all. Disregarding the odds, one Tia wished to change this and to his fortune, he was not alone. However, he lacked the strength to overthrow the Nunh and thus he took a gamble— gathering a few likeminded individuals from his tribe and leaving in search of a better life. With them, they took an oath: to create a society where those in power would respect and treasure those below them. It was the duty of the strong to protect the weak, not to control or exploit them. These beliefs would form the cornerstone of the newly formed tribe.
This new branch of the M tribe and its progeny existed in Gyr Abania for as long as they could, surviving by hunting. Resources were scarce. As they migrated south and eventually settled next to the sea, the ocean became their sustenance. It was around this time they adopted Llymlaen as their patron deity. But with the seas threatening to swallow all and the lack of desire to be driven back into the lands they came from, an idea came about— to master the waters they’d been treading upon for ages. And so they built seafaring vessels and set sail into the unknown. Against all odds, with the ocean levels rising, they found an island that would eventually come to be known as Thavnair. With an arduous journey behind them, establishing a new life when it seemed all earth was shrinking around them seemed an impossible task. As society clawed back again, little by little, the M tribe flourished once more. They were quick to take advantage of Thavnair’s legendary alchemy and they integrated themselves into the local culture. Never forgetting their ancestors’ old way of life— fraught with violence and scarcity— they came to value education and mental capacity above all else. It was almost required for all members of the M tribe to dabble in the art of alchemy and the ways of business in the Hannish streets. Never once did they forsake their patron, feeling her gentleness in the winds that brought them trade ships. In the present day, M’ulei is the Nunh but is nearing his retirement, so to speak. He’s likely to voluntarily give up control once a new Nunh is chosen. Unlike what most think about when it comes to Seeker tribes, Tia will not usually challenge the Nunh for power. Rather, one that is considered a leader that the tribe needs will eventually succeed the current and assume not only the breeding responsibility, but also managing the family alchemy business to an extent. Here, the Nunh is both the main sire and the one those look to for guidance. In the case of M’ulei, his successor would be ideally working alongside his daughter, M’aliya, when it comes to business. Tia typically don’t feel the need to leave due to breeding restrictions and they enjoy the privilege of having families of their own. However, they aren’t immune to leaving to find a mate on the outside (as do the female members, as in the case of M’hadijah and her Raen husband). The females of the family are more likely to leave home for their own desires due to the sheer number of them. The more exemplary women of the tribe (in both mind and body) will be heavily encouraged to have at least one child by the Nunh to help him carry on his duties.
M'ihrima is proud, though takes care to not be overly so. She grew up privileged, and is just as classy and refined as her upbringing would suggest. She is all about composure, body language, and careful choices of words, for it's her belief that a good first impression is one of life's most important matters. Her demeanor is generally agreeable and friendly, though don't mistake this for genuine companionship. In business arrangements, this is almost always to get on a customer's good side. However, if you pique her interest, then M'ihrima will definitely want to get to know you better. She does have friends, as few as they are, but they don't come easily. The woman won't admit it, but she's rather lonely. Longterm relationships are very rare with the Seeker. If you ask her to name a best friend or a lover, for example, she will have no answer for you.
M'ihrima made her own way in Eorzea with her talent in alchemy and shopkeeping, so it goes without saying she's intelligent and hard working. But this is coupled with an equal penchant for spending her days lounging and smoking, sometimes even taking cat naps in the afternoon. Luxury is important to her, as is the need to get out of the house and have fun. Those who enjoy a night on the town to mingle and indulge in simple pleasures like gambling and drinking will find M'ihrima as great company. Life is short and fleeting, and so her personal philosophy tends towards quick gratification. It is in large part why she lives a solitary life despite the desire to do the opposite.
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