General Information 1. What is your Name?
Litani
2. Do you go by a nickname or pet name?
Hmmm! Well, I have heard 'Lit' a few times I suppose.
3. How old are you?
As of the 16th day of summer 513, I will be 33 years of age.
4. What is your height?
I am tall for a Konti, standing at 5'10.
5. What is your weight?
I am approximately 145 pounds. ...if for some reason that matters.
Aesthetics 1. Describe yourself as you see yourself.
I... am unsure what to say.
2. Describe yourself as others typically see you.
To be truthful, I do not spend a great deal of time worrying myself over how I appear to others because, often times, I already know.
3. What is your favorite body feature?
I like that I am fairly tall for a Konti... At times, I have felt it a curse, as my 'sisters' can sometimes appear so fragile and delicate and lovely... but I am glad to have inherited a portion of my father's strength. It has served me well in my line of work.
4. How physically fit are you?
Fairy well, I should think. I have never lived an extravagant lifestyle and am lean as a consequence. I have a handful of kata that I practice, such that my body will remain limber and my Suvai might become more familiar to me. No one would ever mistake me for a giant of strength, but as with my stature, the power of my body has been important when my patients need me.
5. How do you typically dress and what is your style?
Efficient, simple garments are all I can see myself in. Aware of myself as a female, I do own the occasional dress, but only for special events. I prefer flowing articles when I am not at work, garments which allow me to move freely and be comfortable as well as feminine. And when I am working, I prefer closer-fit clothing so as not to interfere with my tasks.
Family 1. Who are your parents and what are they like?
Ah. My parents. Well, my mother is Konti, as with all of my race. Her name is Rosalar. She resides in Mura at present, in the care of our family there. That... is all I wish to say of her.
My father was Akalak, a warrior of both body and mind, named Tromik. What knowledge of the world and myself I have that matters, it originates with him. We were extremely close, no matter the distance... At times, I have wondered if we knew each other from another life. He meant the world to me, and news of his death 2 years ago has... changed me. For the worse or the better, I do not yet know, but I strive always to honor his legacy.
2. Do you have any brothers or sisters?
No. None that are known to me.
3. What is your extended family like?
I do not know. I have only met my mother's family once, during a trip to Mura with my father. They did not speak much to either of us. And, as I had never been to Riverfall until Summer 513, I have not met any of my father's extended family... if they still live.
4. Do you consider close friends as important or more/less important than family?
My life has shown me that blood is not truly thicker than water, as the saying goes... My connection to my father ran deep, but that time is past now. My friends and myself are what I trust now.
5. Do you treat animals like family?
Oh yes! I am honored to keep the company of any animal who chooses to stay at my side. They are easy for me to understand and touch, and I often find myself confiding in my Gildling, Ansem, as we travel. I believe that if an animal is under my care, its life is mine to guard, and I take that as both a responsibility and a privilege.
Location 1. Where were you born?
I was born in Syliras.
2. Where do you live now?
I have recently returned to Syliras from some time abroad.
3. If you could live anywhere in Mizahar where would that be?
I... do not know, truthfully.
4. Do you have a favorite place to vacation or spend leisure time?
To be honest, I've never given it much thought.
5. Where do you fear to be?
Trapped.
Traits 1. Do you have any physical weaknesses (disease, scars, and missing limbs?)
None at this time.
2. Are you right handed or left handed?
Right handed.
3. What languages do you speak? What do you sound like? Do you have an accent?
I speak Common most fluently, followed by Tukant and Konti. The matter of accent is, I suppose, a matter of perspective. No doubt my sisters on Konti Isle would say that I have an accent...
4. Do you have any odd mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics?
Perhaps the most frustrating mannerism I have is my seeming tendency to wear my emotions on my face. It's not enough that I can read others, apparently they can read me as well... though not often correctly. It is something I am trying to work on.
5. Do you have (or want to get) any tattoos or piercing? Why do you have them (or will get them)?
When and if the time is right, I will know.
Occupation 1. What is your occupation?
I am a practitioner of medicine, massage, body manipulation and philtering.
2. Do you like/dislike your work? Why?
I both love and struggle with it. I believe that it what I was born to do, but I do not consider myself strong enough yet to see my full potential. Yet. It is... not easy to feel the way my patients hurt, but that connection gives me an insight that others may not have.
3. If you could be anything you wanted to, what would you be?
Of the few things that I do purely for myself, perhaps harping brings me the most pleasure. Because I have always been impressed with the need to be self-sufficient, I have not given my harp its due appreciation. That is something I hope to change.
4. What occupation do you admire the most? Why?
The musician, the writer, the artist whose passion and life flow so surely that they could dream of being nothing else... Medicine may be a noble pursuit, necessary for life, but art is the soul that makes life worth saving.
5. What occupation do you least like? Why?
Those driven by greed, which value profit over life.
Childhood 1. What sort of child were you?
I was a quiet, loving child. Any sort of cruelty confused and hurt me greatly; I was often in the company of others who no one else would have. I realized early on that I was sharing, often inadvertently, in the emotions of others and found it difficult to understand that others did not see and feel what I could.
2. What is your favorite memory from childhood?
Most of my treasured memories from childhood stem squarely from times spent with my father... Perhaps one of the most significant to me personally is remembering his willingness to travel with me to Mura, when I came of age, to help me create my Suvai. My mother felt either that it wasn't necessary or that I wasn't ready, but... most likely that she did not wish the time and trouble.
3. What is your worst memory from childhood?
One of my mother's longest relationships was with a man who was rather singularly cruel. His ways were insidious and subtle, sometimes painted to cause the blame to shift to me such that my mother nearly never took my side in any dispute. He himself was physically violent, often abusive, but only with me. He never struck my mother that I know of but he seemed deeply resentful that I was the child of another man. I often wondered to myself what I had done so wrong that even my mother would not seek to protect me but... perhaps the worst memory of the lot was the day that he convinced her to partake in his particular form of... discipline. I have never forgiven her for that day, and do not know if I ever will.
4. What sort of relationship did you have with your parents?
That should be all too clear.
5. Who was your most influential rolemodel?
My father. Beside him? I was taught the discrete arts of medicine, philtering and body manipulation by a humble apothecary, Alder. I knew him during the difficult days of my childhood in Syliras, and it was to him that I returned when I came into my majority. He instilled in me the passion for helping others and made me realize that I could put my Gift to use in a unique and profoundly impactful way.
Education 1. What sort of education do you have?
A combination of a mentorship, academy attendance, and self-study.
2. Do you like/dislike learning?
I love to learn! I consider that I will most likely be learning all of my life, and I am proud to say that I am somewhat restless when it comes to attaining new knowledge.
3. Where or how did you learn most of your skills/abilities?
When I was a child, my mother and I lived in Syliras primarily. She worked as an assistant to an herbalist -- this was how we came to meet Alder, my mentor. From Alder, I was able to learn the basics of medicine, body manipulation and philtering... pursuits that, while encouraged by my mother, I feel she was vaguely envious of. When she moved us to Zeltiva to study her own magic, I was able to maintain my knowledge with attendance to classes at the university there, but by far I learned the most when I returned to Syliras and to Alder, as an adult. By that time, my Gift had come into full expression and I was able to understand how better to use it.
4. How do you learn best?
I do not like to fail. I am rather something of a perfectionist and I learn best by studying alone, or with a trusted ally as a teacher. Under duress or when emotional, I do not learn very well at all.
5. What are your educational goals for the future?
I want very much to learn more of self-defense, particularly with my Suvai. I also wish to broaden my medical skills and become proficient with the harp.
Relationships 1. Do you form close bonds with people? Why? Why not?
Yes... and no. It is altogether too easy to form feelings of a connection with another person when you can feel what they feel, for you. Everything is amplified and it can be... confusing. For much the same reason, it is difficult to grow close if you cannot separate your feelings from that of another, and even moreso if you cannot tell the difference between your reservations and theirs.
2. Do you trust people easily? If not, why not?
Once more -- yes... and no. My Gift at least allows me to tell the difference between the healthy and the toxic, but sometimes I rely on it too much and it blinds me to reality. Simply because one feels a certain way does not mean one will act accordingly... Thus, it's complicated. To say the least.
3. Do you consider yourself straight, gay, bi, or something else?
My, ehm, interest is only in males at this time.
4. Have you ever been kissed? If so, describe the first time.
No... I cannot elaborate any further on this topic.
5. Have you ever had sex? If so, describe the first time.
Again, I will not elaborate on this topic. It is a personal matter.
Drugs and Alcohol 1. Have you ever been drunk? If so, describe your first time.
Yes... I have been. Something like intoxication is rather cerebral though; it's difficult to describe a "first" time for something with so many levels.
2. Do you like to drink on a regular basis?
Perhaps too frequently and too fondly. A matter of perspective, I suppose. A slight haze can make the Gift easier to handle, but it can also make it worse... It all depends. I fear less, risk more, feel more. Take that as you will.
3. What sort of alcohol do you prefer?
Wine, generally. White if I want to work. Rum if I want my mind back and quiet.
4. Have you ever tried drugs (mood altering substances)? If so, which kinds and what did you think of them?
Not... as such, no. I have no need.
5. What do you think of drugs and alcohol? Be specific.
When used well, they are like any other chemical in a philterer's tool kit... And, in much the same way, when they are used improperly, they can be devastating.
Likes and Dislikes 1. What are your hobbies?
I have always adored the harp. Something in the way the strings float against my fingers just... soothes me. It is a small way in which I can express, rather than simply receive, emotion.
2. Do you like to read?
I adore it. It is one of the principal ways that I have had to learn.
3. What annoys you more than anything else?
Hypocrisy. Manipulation. Lies. Shallow words with no meaning. I can always tell the difference anyway... don't waste my time.
4. What do you find the most relaxing activity to do?
That is very much mood dependent, especially if I've been with patients. Exercise of one kind or another can be very good for the soul, harping as well. And when those fail, I usually turn to writing or reading.
5. What kinds of things embarrass you? Why?
Being chided in public. Few things make me bristle more.
Favorites 1. What is your favorite color or colors?
Oh heavens. I like all sorts of colors... Blue, I think, is one of my favorites. And green.
2. What is your favorite time of day?
Hm. Interesting question. This depends... usually on how much sleep I was able to get the night before. *chuckles softly* I am fond of the dawn, the time before the rest of the world rises. When all is quiet. But I also find a strange solace in the thinnest hours of the evening... Something about the way shadows move after midnight can be... inspiring.
3. What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
My father's eyes.
4. What do you like to eat? What do you hate to eat?
I am quite fond of fresh vegetables and light poultry meats, as well as some forms of seafood and most types of fruit. ...what do I hate to eat? Hm. Does my mother's cooking count?
5. What is your favorite type of weather? Does any kind scare you?[/color]
I find the patterns of the sky to be most comforting, yet most intimidating at the same time. They are the patterns of our lives - changing, shifting, always something different even when they move in the patterns of seasons. The storms terrify us, yet mesmerize us with the crashing of thunderous lightning and we keep coming back to the window to watch. The wind blows us from place to place, from thing to thing, yet we bless it in the sweltering heat and curse it in the cold of the winter. Clouds give us shelter from the punishing sun and yet... when we haven't had enough light, we frown at the sky and beg it for the mercy of dawn.
Nothing of life's weather scares me.
Outlook 1. Are you optimistic or pessimistic?
I have been hurt many times, I have healed many times. And yet I find that despite a growing thread of cynicism which I continually do my best to excise... I attempt to believe the best about others. I want to believe the best about them. It is something of a personal tragedy that they do not let me believe that for very long.
2. What are your religious views?
I am deeply devoted to Rak'keli and Laviku. I bear Rak'keli's Gnosis mark and have done since my birth; I am Laviku's child, marked by the sea in skin and scales.
3. Would you be able to kill?
I am vowed to Rak'keli never to harm, never to withhold healing... I do not know that I could break this vow, as I have never been in a position to answer such a question. I would fight to my own death for what I believe, for those that I love... would I fight unto someone else's death? I do not know. I just do not know.
4. What are your views on sex?
Sex is... a powerful biological force. The capacity and need for it exists in all of us. It... can also be an incredibly distracting force, beautiful but dangerous.
5. What, in your opinion, makes a successful life?
To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to everyone I meet. To make all my friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make my optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and expect only the best. To be enthusiastic about the success of others as I would be about my own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature I meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of myself that I have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. If I can do these things... then I successfully honor my father's memory, and I am complete.
Actions 1. What is the worst and best thing you’ve ever done? 2. What is your greatest regret? 3. What is your best/worst memory? 4. If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be and why? 5. What are you the most proud of doing in your life?
Emotions 1. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings with others? 2. Do you have any biases or prejudices? 3. What makes you happy? 4. Who or what, if anything, would you die for? 5. What makes you angry?
Relationships 1. In general, how do you treat others? 2. Who is the most important person in your life, and why? 3. Who is the person you respect the most, and why? 4. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If not, describe an ideal lover. 5. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
Group Situations 1. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict? 2. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations? 3. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not? 4. Do you care what others think of you? 5. What do you think of others, in general?
Self Image 1. What is your greatest strength as a person? 2. What is your greatest weakness? 3. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? 4. Are you generally introverted or extroverted? 5. Are you generally organized or messy?
Beliefs 1. What God or Goddess do you find most appealing, if any? 2. Which God or Goddess do you fear, if any? 3. Do you have any Gnosis Marks? If so, how did you receive them? 4. What lengths would you go to to please your deity? 5. Where do you draw the line at pleasing your deity? What is too much?
Life & Death 1. What do you absolutely live for? 2. What is the best part of life? 3. What is the best part of death? 4. If you could choose, how would you want to die? 5. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death? |