Lirilazula, or "Lazula," comes from a long line of priestesses. Her mother, however, did not answer to the call of the priesthood, preferring to live her life indulging in one pursuit of pleasure: breeding. And breed Nesphyriliri did, hatching four daughters before Lazula and one after.
Lazula's older sisters are all just that: older, and much older, and had children of their own even before Lazula was born. Lazula was born very late in her mother's life, and thus spent most of her childhood left to herself and to her own desires. While this sort of carelessness had bred "lazy, indulgent wenches" of her older sisters, Lazula sniffed her nose in disgust at them all, for all they did with their lives was produce snakelings: something any Dhani woman could do. While reproduction is widely celebrated and viewed as admirable, one of Lazula's foremost flaws was formed as an indifference to producing heirs. Her sisters, in turn, treated her with contempt, if they acknowledged her at all, resentful and jealous of the young Dhani who was showing such promise.
She spent her childhood in longing. She grew fiercely devoted to Siku as a mother figure, and vowed to continue the cycle of priestesses in her family legacy. Bringing herself up hardened her. As she flourished into a young woman, she became confident, self-sufficient, and opinionated.
Lazula does not know of her father, though she suspects he is alive and well amongst the elders. Her mother used and discarded him, as Dhani women are known to do. In fact, when Lazula was 66 years old, her mother hatched another daughter. Perhaps it was the excessive breeding, or just a weakened life cycle, but the girl was born a runt. Nesphyriliri named her Sylthea, and left her to die. Then, in old age, she shriveled up and died herself.
Lazula cannot explain, nor does she even understand, herself, why she spared Sylthea, who would certainly prove useless, weak as she was. But when she found the little hatchling left for dead, she took it into her care. Though Sylthea grew to be mute and sickly as a child, Lazula seems to have a tender spot for her - though she will hardly admit it - and lets the girl trail in her wake.
Throughout the rest of her young womanhood, Lazula stood her ground, and stood it well, honed her intellect, and was made a priestess and teacher of medicine at the age of 100.
Her intellect is balanced with her fascination with ritualism, a cruel and passionate practice. Her blood beats in her veins for sacrifice. If there is one thing she wants to be known for as a priestess, it is this. She aspires to be a ritualist favored by Siku amongst all others.