Zariaa Astrae
 Zariaa Nellemond
| |
 Zariaa, present day. | |
| Gender | Female |
| Race | Miqo'te |
| Clan | Keeper of the Moon |
| Citizenship | Ishgard |
| Age | Sixteen |
| Weight | 130 ponze |
| Height | 5'6" |
| Profession | Dragonslayer, apprentice Dark Knight |
| Patron Deity | Halone, the Fury |
| Marital Status | Single (Widow) |
Zariaa Nellemond, born Cassia Astrae, is a hedge knight and former Dragon hunter. Born with a Garlean deserter for a father and an Ishgardian mother, her early upbringing was comprised of moving throughout several points around Coerthas, mainly the Western Highlands. When the Calamity hit, however, things changed for the worse.
Brief History
Zariaa was born in the weeks following the destruction of the XIVth Legion and the death of Midgardsormr, the Father of Dragons. Her father was a defector from Garlemald and her mother a servant and citizen of Ishgard. Born in the Coerthas Western Highlands, her early upbringing comprised of constantly moving between Falcon's Nest and a few miscellaneous camps on behalf of her mother's obligation to Ishgard. Coming from a military family, Zariaa was instilled with the values of discipline at a young age, further reinforced by the peaceful upbringing her parents desired but never truly got. Eventually settling down at a small homestead in the Central Highlands.
The years after her family settled down mostly in peace, until the years preceding the Calamity. During this time, her disillusioned father took to the bottom of a bottle to escape his past atrocities under the Empire. As a result, the domestic situation of the home began to turn for the worst, continuing to deteriorate until the Calamity struck. In the Calamity, Zariaa's father was killed in an accident while they evacuated their home, which was buried under mountains of snow in the following months. Fleeing Coerthas, Zariaa and her mother arrived in Gridania and stayed for some time. When it became clear they had no choice but to move or risk starving, they continued southward alongside the countless other refugees from the Calamity, eventually arriving in Ul'dah. There, in a lower class apartment building, her mother also turned to the drink and gained the habit of beating Zariaa quite savagely with household objects, usually a broomstick but sometimes a fire poker or even a shovel. Within only a few months, she passed away, leaving Zariaa alone and with a minuscule inheritance.
The few Gil Zariaa was left with disappeared almost overnight, and she was evicted from her residence. She became a child of the alleys, begging and picking pockets to survive, almost losing a hand on more than one occasion for it. Instead of using what she acquired to further herself and fix her life, she fell under the same curse as her parents, turning to the bottle and becoming addicted to alcohol. This lifestyle continued for three and a half years, until she was found by a former Bloodsands fighter called Mhaya Bajihri. Promising a place to stay and decent pay in exchange for work, Zariaa signed on with Quarry's Run, a Free Company specializing in hunting down monsters and Voidsent. There, she crushed her addiction and began to learn to wield a blade, favoring the heavy Greatswords of some Knights. However, following an internal dispute, the Company disbanded, leaving Zariaa alone again.
Instead of falling back into despair, Zariaa returned to Ishgard upon hearing of another attack by the Dravanian Horde. Signing on with another Free Company along with a girlhood friend, a Knight of Isghard. There, she signed on to fight the Dravanians both inside Coerthas and out. While there, she solidified her relationship with an Au Ra colleague, Ganzorig, and wedded him. Also during this time, she adopted Sylva, the sister of the Ishgardian Knight she signed on with. Following a training accident, she was left alone and without a family. The decision to adopt was not an easy one to make. On one eve, things changed for the worse when their camp was attacked by Wyverns and various other Dragons. By the end of it, her husband, daughter, and sister-in-law were no more than ashes and her Company in ruins. The armsmaster ordered her to return to Gridania. In the following days, the rest of the Company was annihilated. She arrived in Gridania, settling into a state of inactivity and a return to civilian life after two moons. Her saga is still being written.
Personality
Zariaa is noted as being stoic, somewhat sarcastic in the worse of times, and provocative to other people. (To be written.)
Relationships
An "X" marks a deceased character. Letters in bold mark the disposition of that character, as follows. R for Romantic, F for Family, C for Confidant, A for Acquainted, N for Neutral, D for Disapproval, H for Hatred, E for Enemy, and Z for Feared. Up to two letters may apply for a disposition.
"X" R Ganzorig Ieyasu - This Au Ra was many things to Zariaa. Brother-in-arms, constant companion, and eventually, loving husband. While they met in Ul'dah, they eventually married to war against the Dravanian Horde as one. His death has left Zariaa without a part of herself that she may not regain.
"X" F Sarnai Ieyasu - Ganzorig's sister, and eventually Zariaa's sister-in-law. Served as a voice of reason where Zariaa's fiery demeanor got the better of her. Her death has left Zariaa more prone to impulse than before.
"X" F Sllva Astrae - The sister of a fallen Knight of Ishgard and eventually adopted daughter. Zariaa adopted the Elezen after her brother and only remaining family member was killed in a training accident. Her death, alongside those of Ganzorig and Sarnai, has left Zariaa deeply scarred, hers more so than the others.
"X" F Bellona Astrae - Despite her and her sister's troubled past, Bellona's death has left Zariaa feeling worse than she already has and on the brink of melancholy.
F Sahrnai Ada Astrae - Zariaa's daughter and the last of the Astrae line. Zaria intends to raise her to the best of her ability to become what she never could be; a normal child with a normal life.
F Saralle Nellemond - Saralle's recent decision to adopt Zariaa has left her rekindled and not totally alone in a world so cruel to orphans. Since taking the Nellemond name, Zariaa has become a lot more comfortable and at ease with the world around her.
C Dennia Noirterel - One of the first to welcome Zariaa back to the civilized world, Dennia has stood for Zariaa where few others would. On top of that, the Au Ra tutors Zariaa in things she should know but nonetheless does not. Her recent kidnapping has left Zariaa feeling quite protective.
C Rhaya Luinahe - Also one of the first to welcome Zariaa, Rhaya is responsible for saving her after a close brush with death. Rhaya has shown Zariaa the simplicity of life, and it is not all swinging swords and competing for Gil. While she has been out of touch for some time, she considers Rhaya to be a close personal friend.
C Mhaya Bajihri - This Miqo'te, a former Bloodsands gladiator, pulled Zariaa from the streets of Ul'dah and forced her life back into order. While her methods were rough, they got the job done. Despite the fact she has since gone missing, Zariaa still thinks she owes this woman her life.
C Adalhaid Rask - One of Mhaya's allies and Zariaa's first teacher. She took the Miqo'te on her first hunt and taught her basic swordplay. Recently rediscovered, Zariaa again views Ada with the same respect as Mhaya.
C Mayu Cloudwalker - A calming voice and a Doman, Mayu has begun to teach Zariaa to wield the Aether and accept the world for what it is.
C Yuki Kurenai - Another of the three Domans and always fun to have around. Offered to forge a new blade for Zariaa.
C Lamia Vuinuet - A friend of her parents, but yet unknown to Zariaa. Nonetheless, the Elezen is trusted.
A Lucina Torioi - Another healer responsible for saving Zariaa's life, she does not know the Au Ra well, but welcomes her companionship nonetheless.
A Crimson Elm - Zariaa's teacher in the way of the Dark Knight and a friend in times of need, this Roegadyn gives Zariaa just the right amount of intimidation to perform with the right amount of respect to keep her in her place.
A Kiht'to Moui - Zariaa's former divisional leader in Ceruleum Skies, she respects the Miqo'te despite their factional differences.
A Sizha Molkoh - A dear friend to Zariaa and the mate of Kiht'to, Sizha is quite the adorable individual. She sees Sizha as a sort of distant sister.
A Brimcon Sako - Zariaa's second contact at the Gilded Rose. Referred to lovingly as 'Tired Grandpa'.
A Ciciri Rururi - This young orphan reminds Zariaa of someone she once knew. Her aptitude for machines and association with Brimcom has left her a tad uneasy, though.
A Aeirra 'Dash' Rhua - A capable doctor and Sako's mate. Quite the feisty one.
N Jojotero Lalatero - A seven year old child. Has not interacted much with Zariaa.
D Z Stein Vespyn - This Elezen is an odd one in many ways. Even if he is a capable healer, he is not the sort that Zariaa would let near Sahrnai.
Other Notes
N/A
