Chijana

[Chijana]

Chijana Basic Information : Name: Chijana (chee-HA-nah) Race: Chaktawe Birthday & Age : 31st Day of Winter, 496 AV, 14 years old Gender: Female Aesthetics : Fourteen year old girls are not typically large, particularly those who have been weaned and raised in the desert. Though she is not malnourished Chijana is thin, with long limbs sprouting from a torso where the buds of new breasts and hips are slowly becoming visible. Her young body is dressed in rich, creamy brown skin, and covered by a simple waist wrap of hide and a bodice of black feathers. While on the top of Chijana’s head polished bones pin heavy braids into place the rest of her black hair falls straight, brushing against her lower back. Around a face where sharp angles are beginning to leap out from the softness of youth dangle dyed feathers and bright beads, the only color on her. Her eyes are darker than her hair and catch even the smallest lights, shining like black oil in her tanned face. Character Concept : The desert is silent and the Chaktawe share sacred stories often in the quiet nights. As the words of the Abalya float over the sand Chijana can be found listening. It was a fortunate thing she was not born into the sacred bloodline, for the young girl hardly ever speaks. Her voice would not be allowed to mar the sacred stories. Her words tumble out in a stutter, halting, broken and lost. They seem to her so twisted that, though she has recently begun speaking not many have heard her voice. But the silence suits her. She lives in it, walks with it. The young girl is a hunter, and moving across the parched earth in quiet searching is what she is best at. Chijana is respectful of her quarry and Caiyha's creations, the life begun by Kihala, ended by Dira, an important cycle, dependent on ever-changing Matsuki and her moods. To her, existence is a struggle to become the best at living, and each lizard that crawls and plant that grows has collected the clues and solved a bit of this puzzle. They are to be praised for their ingenuity and hard work as they move toward the only logical, reasonable and respectable conclusion; death. For life attempts to solve strife, not death, life and death rely on one another, feeding off of each other as they role toward the solution. Chijana has had enough of strife. To her people she is dumb, or as good as; to the world her people move aimlessly, lost and forsaken. To her mother she is a failure; to her, her mother is blasphemy. These are issues that must be resolved. Despite her difficulties communicating Chijana is intelligent, and life in the desert has given her a strong will. She hunts to survive, and now she is hunting for the missing pieces of the puzzle, and a way to prove her worth without her voice. Pre-Creation : The girl was born into death, and brought through life by a mother long gone, yet refusing to leave. A difficult season in the desert, filled with scarcity and a pregnancy laden with complications ended the strong woman Akaupe was, just as she became mother to her daughter, the second child. But to raise her children had become her life goal and Dira’s call would not stop her. So the girl was raised by her father, as her mother lingered on, an ever watchful ghost. Paochikua was kind, soft and loving, and terribly devoted to his wife. In the meantime his wife was terribly frustrated by her weak form. By passing the calmer methods of materialization the woman began to possess members of her family. It began with the husband. She would approach him, and warn the man she loved of her actions before slipping into him, at least in the beginning she was so courteous. This was her outlet as Jonashi grew and while Chijana was still a baby. When the woman felt her voice was not enough to train the young boy, or she began impatient with the slow tenderness her husband handled the children with. The possessions were crude, but hardly violent, though Akaupe began to use them more frequently as the girl began to walk and talk, moving about the tents of her people. It seemed to drive the woman mad she could not reach her daughter at a time “so crucial in her development”. It was at this point Akaupe seemed to tire of acting through her husband, manipulating with voice and soulmist. Chijana was swimming between four and three, wandering underneath the careful eyes of her tribe and experiencing the world, slowly, curiously. Such a toddling approach was to slow and haphazard to be of any use to the daughter of Akaupe. The ghost possessed her daughter for the first time as she played with a small spear. She sank deep into the fibers of Chijana’s being, twisting the young muscles into the proper motion, moving them at the right speed. The child’s arm was left badly strained and Akaupe was left baffled at her inability to learn once her own body had performed the task, and been guided so wisely through each step. Perhaps it was at this time Chijana’s mother decided the child was weak. Or perhaps it was barely two years later when, after years of possession to ‘correct’ behaviors her father did not handle swiftly or firmly enough the girl began to stutter. At first Chijana stumbled over a word here or there, most often while explaining herself to her mother. It was not long before each sentence was clumsy, crude and butchered before the woman. These anxious stumbles drove the woman to further possessions, leaping into her daughter’s body to force the words from her halting tongue. The little girl began speaking less and less, avoiding the harsh reprimands of her mother and the condescending whispers of her peers through silence. For a long time the little girl spoke candidly only to her brother, the solemn boy her mother prized so much, while Paochikua could coax a few phrases from her lips if his wife was busy elsewhere. But her mother continued her coercive speaking lessons, and Chijana’s lips continued to quiver. The tribe began to speak quietly words like dumb, mute and idiot. At age seven she stopped speaking entirely. The only words the Kalanue heard leave her small mouth for three years came from her mother. Opinions on the girl throughout the Chaktawe vary. Most see her as an idiot and a handicap, she is a disappointment in her mother’s ethereal eyes. The girl’s father is kinder. Paochikua seems to hold out some faith in his daughter, though he has never voiced it allowed, his actions remain kind and understanding. Perhaps the one who understand her the most, and sees the bright mind that has failed so many times to speak, is her brother. Through the years of silence Chijana never stopped communicating. She would often bring him sketches made in bark with sharp stones and show him designs she had placed in the sand. It was he who, after a particularly trying hunting trip with their mother, had noticed her climbing among the Redstone cliffs. Following his sister Jonashi heard a sound unfamiliar, Chijana’s voice, quiet for three years, speaking clear as a desert stream. As he lifted himself over the rocks to see the miracle the gods had visited upon his sister the goats scattered, the girl glanced up with surprise and fell silent. It was hardly a month later that he traded with the Benshirans for a small herding puppy, and gifted Waujaki to Chijana. With the dog at her side the girl has slowly emerged from her silent shroud in the past years. The strength of her speech varies from moment to moment but Chijana once again speak with the people of the desert. Post-Creation : Patience is a virtue.

[Chijana]

What I have Earned, What I Have Learned Skills   Combat 10 Weapon (Shortbow) (+10 SP)   Handy Abilities 15 Wilderness Survival (+15 SP) 10 Camouflage (+10 RB) 5 Hunting (+ 5 SP) 5 Tracking (+ 5 SP) 5 Land Navigation (+5 SP)   Interpersonal Chijana is not the best at socializing   Creative 10 Drawing (+10 SP)   Magical Soon enough she will begin to learn magic Knowledge   Lores Having An Overly “Possessive” Mother Failure to Communicate   Languages Tawna- Fluent Common- Basic Shiber- Poor In every language Chijana speaks with a severe stutter, which can be nearly unintelligible, particularly if she feels nervous or stressed. Strangely enough she can speak to any animal without her handicap presenting itself. Possessions   Useful Items Waterskin (SP) Backpack containing: Comb, Brush, Soap, Eating Knife, Flint and Steel (SP) Trail Rations for 1 week (SP) 5 Torches (Purchased) 100 ft Hemp Rope (Purchased) 2 Bird Snares (Purchased) 1 Small Snare (Purchased) 1 Tiny Snare (Purchased)   Housing Bedroll (Purchased) Blanket (Purchased) 4 Person Tent (Purchased)   Clothing Leather Leggings, Dark Brown (SP) Animal Hide Wrapping, Tan (SP) Bodice of Black Feathers Woven in Alternating Directions (SP)   Weapons Shortbow (Heirloom) 20 Arrows (Purchased) Medium Sized Knife (Purchased)   Other Female Dynakuva Painted Desert Dog, Waujaki Medium Leash (Purchased) Ledger Amount Reason 100 gm Starting Pack 500 gm Cashed in Housing -1 sm Bedroll -5 sm Blanket -10 gm 4 Person Tent -15 cm 5 Torches -2 gm 100 ft Rope -1 gm Medium Leash -10 gm Various Snares -1 gm 20 Arrows 575 gm, 2 sm, 5 cm Total Thread List Summer, 511 AV : 56th, Ahnatep: This Is Not Our City (Faroul) Unfinished Flashbacks : 23rd of Winter, 508 AV: The Burning Lands, He Made Me Do It! (Ma'ii) Unfinished

[Chijana]

A Family With Troubles OOCThese are currently just brief write-ups of the people in Chijana’s family to help myself with her history and development. I plan on offering them up for others to use as PCs (and they can change them accordingly then). If no one wants them they will become NPCs if I can get permission, but until then I won’t post with them. ;P Akaupe : Relation: Mother Age: 26 at death (42) Concept: Never one to sit still, never one to be silenced, Akaupe flourished in the desert. The harsh land offered challenges, and she eagerly attacked one after another. The young woman was a hunter, and a very successful one. The young woman was growing in prominence in the tribe when she married Paochikua. It was a decision that baffled many, the strong, outspoken woman settling down with such a quiet man, and at such a young age. Though perhaps settled down is not the proper word. She still often disappeared into the dunes to hunt, vanishing without a word, save perhaps a reassuring whisper to her husband. This was how she carved a name for herself from the red rocks that the Kalanue call home. Until a new gift was given to her. At nineteen, after a little more than a year of marriage Akaupe became pregnant. The Chaktawe praise women who bring new life to the desert and the proud huntress relished in the powers of her body. Not only would she bring sustenance to her people but she would herald in strong bodies and minds. Jonashi was born healthy and strong, soon to be, in her eyes at least, a most gifted Chaktawe. He became her greatest treasure, and she eagerly watched him grow, teaching him to be the strong soul she could take pride in. A new goal seemed to be over taking her previous ambitions to become a great provider for the tribe. Akaupe’s dream seemed now to raise a family. And she approached this goal with the same tenacity and fire that had filled the rest of her life. Though Jonashi was her pride and joy, he was not coddled, nor would her next child be. But when the boy was three the family suffered a tragedy. Akaupe’s baby was stillborn. Sadly this was not the last hardship they suffered. Though the death of the newborn was a hard blow on Paochikua Akaupe seemed determined to ignore her ‘failure’. So little did she seem effected by the lost child that the Kalanue began to speak of the woman in whispers. But Akaupe continued to hunt, and so no truly hurtful words were ever spread. Besides, the most notable change was almost hidden from the tribe’s eyes. In the Akaupe’s eyes her love for Jonashi grew stronger. To an outsider’s eyes it would have looked like obsession. An obsession that continued until the boy was six and Akaupe was pregnant once again. For a woman of such intensity and determination it was not a difficult struggle to remain after her death in childbirth. She would raise her children to become the Chaktawe she dreamed they would be. It was her goal in life and the one thing that keeps her from reincarnation. With the disappointment she holds in her young daughter she has become nearly abusive, while Jonashi can do no wrong and is doted over and praised. Paochikua : Relation :Father Age:42 Concept: Paochikua is a calm man, and patient. He never gained much notoriety among his people because of his profession, but, until turmoil surrounded his family his reputation was a good one. As a man among the Chaktawe Paochikua is a crafter. He possesses some skill in weaving and sewing, enough to cover his children against the harsh rays of Syna’s desert light, however, his true skill and lively hood comes from carving and crafting. Though a nomad’s life rarely calls for trinkets who serve no purpose beyond their beauty Paochikua is an artist at heart. He has often embellished the more useful items used by his people, and his creations have brought him trade goods through exchange with the Benshira. As a father he is patient and forgiving. Paochikua has never missed an opportunity to teach his children something, and has never dealt with them in a cruel way. Though the occasional harsh tone has been used when merited Paochikua’s much more likely to discuss and reflect the consequences of actions with his children than to scold them. He is an encouraging man and far from a disciplinarian. As a husband Paochikua was a devoted man, now he is a beaten one. His wife was strong of body, mind and, most clearly, spirit, and perhaps it was their countering natures that attracted the two. Indeed, he and Akaupe lived well together, feeding from on another’s strengths and balancing each other’s weaknesses. While she was excitement, motivation and the explorer of the two he was the voice of reason in the relationship, heard clearly until her death. Now he rarely speaks loud enough to be heard over her, and often waits for private moments to speak to his children about something she disagrees with. Nonetheless, he loves her very much and holds the habit of running his fingers across the raised and shining Lacun mark clearly visible on his chest when worried or concerned about something. Jonashi : Relation : Brother Age : 21 Concept : Jonashi is a kind soul, much like his father, though he has never been as calm as the older man. This is perhaps a result of the obsessive attention and perfectionist ideals imposed on him by his mother, ideals so strong they hold her even after death. He has become a perfectionist himself, though softer and far more hesitant than his mother. In many ways the young man is self-depreciating and humble, reprimanding himself severely for minor errors. As his mother wished Jonashi has become a competent hunter and tracker, though the trade never truly attracted him. He does well enough to find his own food but the boy’s true gift seems to lie with Caiyha’s other creations. He understands well the desert fauna, knowing where certain plants grow and the properties of their bark, roots and leaves. He has often said the plants offer a serenity he struggles to find at home or among the dunes with the dangerous creatures of the Burning Lands. Perhaps he sees a glimmer of the same calm in his silent sister, for he cares a great deal about her, ever venturing to confront their mother about her wellbeing on several occasions. Though it may be that his interest in her is more medical, as he finds her stuttering difficulties intriguing and has often given her concoctions he calls ‘cures’. However, this is doubtful. None of his remedies have ever given her more than a mild stomach ache, in fact, the young man seems afraid to try anything more drastic on the child. He is protective of her, and patient, never treating Chijana in a cruel manner. But Jonashi is a solemn person, and seems to struggle with the emotional burden of his mother. Distant and disappointed with his father, he is rarely, if ever, tender toward his little sister, but rather a sturdy guardian for the girl. Though he was the one who brought her Waujaki as a puppy when he noticed she could speak to the animals without stuttering.