[MelancholyFae]

Note: Figured I'd make a simplistic character sheet for her, without many spoilers, as others have done.

Personal Information
Name/Title/Meanings: Lady Sidian Umbri’tam (descendant of Umbriae) of Clan Mani’Jarach (Blood Moon)
Rank/Position: Knight Reverent (religious warrior of the Xitian Religion)
Gender/Race: female, Xitian
Lineage: bloodline-descendant of the Prophet Umbriae
Age/Birthday: 39 as of the 9th (November)
Birthplace: Dusk Realm (Blackmoor Ridge, Manor of Clan Mani’Jarach)

Family Relations: Korla of Clan Mani'Jarach, and her husband Erdric Umbri'tam, Knight Elder
Jordrin - eldest son - Earth Manipulation
Pinter - second son - Fire Manipulation
(Sidian - third child; daughter - Nether Manipulation)

Appearance:
Dusky-caucasian skin, slender, 5foot9, muscles and curves depict a well-toned body. Deep-set almond-shaped red eyes, slightly slanted inwards. Coal-black hair, straight and long to the tailbone, with two small braids at the temple that are dyed red. The braids double as a way to keep the hair back and bound when needed. “Rite of Passage”-style tattoos (done in black with details in deep purple or red) can be found on her back from the base of the skull to tailbone, around wrists up to inner elbow, around ankles, and around the hipbones from spine to bellybutton. (Due to locations, most are never seen.)
~ Revised Appearance ~
As of late spring, Sidian was rarely seen without her fur coat, silently complaining of being always cold. Around summertime, she stopped dying her red braids, though her hairstyle sometimes changed to either full single braid, or a few smaller braids once more.
Under the fur coat, for quite a while, was her leather armor. Around mid autumn, she stopped wearing the armor under the coat, and anyone who had seen her without her coat would have noticed she was much slimmer than previously.

Dress:
Casual clothing would be shirt, bodice, pants, belt, boots in colors of black, red and purple, with some silver accents. Jewelry is at minimum.

Armoured clothing is dyed leather in deep purple with black or red accents.

Formal clothing adds a clerical stole (with religious symbols) or a robe, in same colors (black, red, purple, silver). Jewelry depending on rank is in silver with garnets, amethysts, moonstones, and onyx. (This would be the norm; she actually has very little/none with her.) Formal can be worn over either casual or armoured.

Personality:
Sidian grew up in a constantly moving environment with the idea that danger was always around the corner, even though she rarely saw any in a direct sense. This caused her to strive for efficiency and being prepared at any time, and unconsciously desiring stability. She may get restless from habit, and uses her physical meditation/chanting techniques to keep her calm, focused, and use up any nervous energy.

Her combined training in discipline and formality and codes of honor are often noticed first, and she appears most comfortable when in control. If she is not in control, she will try to keep things calm anyway, and use whatever advantage she can to not show any weakness.

She holds personal strength in high regards, whether it’s mental, physical, or other. She does show emotion, but it won’t be overly so. This has changed for her the most; she used to show much more emotion with her family while she was younger, sometimes to the point of over-sensitivity and generosity, but now that she is away from her brothers, she tries to stay a bit aloof toward others, even those she’s been with for over a year.

Combined with the skills of intimidation and diplomacy, she’s also learned how to try to manipulate others into doing what she wants done. There are limits to her skills here, due to her code of honor and her views and beliefs of other Xitians, Lucins, and Mesalians. She knows and understands more than she lets on, but prefers to keep things under control with subtlety and may not always correct another person if they misunderstand her intentions or rulings.
~ Revised Personality ~
Her restlessness and nervous energy disappeared since late spring, after Duras' death. At the same time, she had stopped her daily mantras and meditations, sparrings, and physical exercises.
Her emotions have been showing much more than before, as if her diplomatic mask also disappeared.
Her views and beliefs of the other races has changed drastically, along with views of individuals, and she clings to her code of honor as if it was the last thing she had left to her name.
She has all but stopped trying to explain herself to others, feeling there is no more reason to do so.

Traits:

• Keen senses and intuition
  
• Formal in speech and mannerisms
  
• Well-disciplined and even-tempered
  
• Follows a code of honour
  
• Strong-willed and deeply set in her beliefs; with some open-mindedness
  
• Prefers organization and preparation
  
• More agile than strong; uses this to advantage with her chosen weapons

(Beginner > Basic > Average > Advanced > Expert > Master)
Skills:

• Nether Manipulation (offensive, defensive, utility-healing - Advanced+)
  
• Fire Manipulation, Earth Manipulation (Beginner)
  
• Combat - double-weapon (bladed quarterstaff - Average <defensive>)
  
• Combat - twin-weapons (bladed rings - Average <meditation>)
  
• Diplomacy, Manipulation, Intimidation (Average)
  
• Natural ability to sing (mostly religion-based mantras, chants, songs - Average)

Knowledge:

• Reading/Writing (Mesalian - Basic, Xitian - Average+)
  
• Language (Mesalian - Average, Xitian - Average+)
  
• History (Xitian/Dusk Realm - Basic)
  
• Religion (Xitian - Advanced+)

(Pinkie drew this for me!)

[MelancholyFae]

This is her backstory; also added family names in above post and updated age.

Mani’Jarach and Umbri’tam: The Clan and Clergy

Spoiler

The Clan of Mani’Jarach was an old one and prosperous one. Merging with the Umbriaec bloodline was more a political power move than of love. Together, the two families desired strength beyond normal means - what they considered a surefire way to rise up in ranks, even after death, and serve their God for eternity.

Sidian was the third child of this family-clergy merger, and was born in the Dusk Realm, along with her two older brothers. They were all given three roles to follow; one of the training of the Xitian Race, in which all Xitians learned of themselves and of the elements; one of the training of the Warrior, depicted by their Clan side; and one of the training of the Faith, demanded of them by the Clergy side.

At age four, Sidian and the others had gone through the Dusk Portal to visit the Clan’s Manor deep in the Blackmoor Ridge, mainly for the older boys to get a good personal look at the Middle Realm that they would eventually call their second home. Even though the War of the Veld had been going on for about ten years, a lot of the Xitian families were overconfident in their abilities, and with the winning of a few key battles, and therefore saw no real danger in still using the portal on their whims. Unfortunately, due to bad timing and the terribly unfortunate incident of the destruction of the Dusk Portal, the parents were left on one side, while the children were stranded with only a few loyalists and clan members on the more dangerous Middle-Realm side.

Without a way back, morale was rather low for those stranded, but it wasn’t until two years after the closing of the portal, that danger was closest. Lucins and Mesalians had begun to band together and started indiscriminately killing anyone of Xitian blood.

The clan had to quickly leave their manor, their second home centuries old, and started their almost-constant travel to keep the children safe while they were trained. They avoided the Purges as best as they could by staying out of sight and out of mind, never venturing within three days’ of any city or town, and only letting the most successful hunters away from the group to gather food and supplies. This wore down everyone, especially the children. They were constantly unhappy and tired, and training them to exhaustion only prevented them from complaining or running away.

Even after the Purges were said to have ended, the small clan kept moving, having no one to trust on this side of the Portal. On occasion, they were able to find another small group of Xitians or Xitian-supporters; news, plans, hopes and dreams were always passed between them, but the clan never stayed in one place for long.

For Sidian and her brothers, training was still a constant thing - in the Ways of the Xitian race, in the Way of the Clan Warrior, and in the Way of the Faith. The elders of the clan also came to realize that for them all to survive their exile, they also needed to learn about the Mesalians, their cultures and customs and language, and so the children were well-rounded and prepared by the elders for almost any circumstances that could arise in their adulthood.

Bitter arguments arose when the two older brothers wanted to go out and fight for their way home before they had reached the age of eighteen, only five years after the end of the Purges. A compromise had to be reached for the sake of the clan, and the two brothers joined a different group of Xitian camp, with the promise of keeping in touch. It was there they learned how to use the local bats as flying messengers, and quickly the Clan Mani’Jarach and the Clan Tor’amar shared what knowledge they could while still allowing the freedom of travel.

The two brothers became crucial messengers for a few of the known clangroups that were scattered around, and helped organize what small delayed fights they were able, while staying away from the cities themselves. Sidian continued her training, envious of her brothers and their newfound freedom, pouring her excess energy into learning anything she possibly could, as fast as she could, preferring her Nether and Religious training to any other.

As Sidian turned 19, news of the subtle manipulations the Xitians were having on the Mesalians, in their towns and cities and groups and guilds, finally blossomed into riots and battles worthy of being called a Civil War. She helped in any way she could without being directly involved, usually coming up with creative ways to do mundane things, trying to prove her worth to Clan and Clergy, as well as to others. It wasn’t until later in her 19th year that she learned that her goal of achieving the highest rank possible in the Umbric Knights was cut short - and so she decided to switch her priorities for now, and focus not on power and glory, but on getting back home to the Dusk Realm.

She used her ‘youngest sister’ wiles to convince her two brothers to assist her in gathering all the information they possibly could about both portals and the three realms, to see if they could discover alternate ways home if fixing their Dusk Portal was impossible. Rumors were followed, myths and legends were discovered, books were unearthed, and tales were listened to and deciphered, leading the entire clan often on dangerous journeys across the lands, into tombs and sacred sites, near Lucin-based cities now chaotic from the riots and corruption, and in old, almost forgotten Xitian ruins from when they ruled the areas. The middle brother, given a set of his own bats by the other clan as tokens of appreciation and gratitude, created lines of communication between them when they did separate, and the elder began to keep everything they did written down. It was now Sidian’s turn to explore, travel, and find her niche in the Xitian culture on this side of the Portal.

Five years, and finally the group traveling with Sidian found a few interesting leads, all pointing toward the Forbidden Lands. Having exhausted all other possibilities, she led them across the waters, determined beyond almost all reasoning to continue her quest. Her brothers followed her, though most of the clan stayed behind on the mainland, preferring to not travel across water, and preferring to stay close to the other clans. Unfortunately, the bats were unable to cross the large span of water, and so communication was limited to written letters delivered by loyal and trusted Clan servants. Before she left, she was given the honor of being Knight Reverent, one of the youngest by far at the age of 23, and the highest she could hope to reach until she was able to go home.

Another six years of almost constant travel, with letters sent back and forth, and no new leads left Sidian frustrated. Nothing much changed on the mainland, and her elder brother had fallen in love with a daring young woman of another clan, and they’d decided to settle down and act as another stable point for communication. She continued on with her middle brother and a few others for another year, occasionally coming across other Xitians; rarely coming across any new information, but often leaving behind trails of hope.

It was at the end of that year, that Sidan struck gold, and her perseverance paid off.

Sidian and her Brothers: Training in the Way of the Bloodmoon Warrior

Spoiler

The main basis of training as a Clan Warrior was fighting techniques, though there was Clan history thrown in for references and knowledge - it was a proud thing to know your Clan’s history, and the heroes that came from the bloodline.

A Mani’Jarach Warrior was also known for their code of honour and diplomacy; a bit unpopular, but no Xitian could argue that it made the Clan any less powerful. It gained them enemies when battles were fought and the defeated went home alive and disgraced, and it gained them friends when favors were called in and the clan assisted another as if blood-related. Workers were not considered slaves, but more indentured servants - and this mindset created loyalty when comparing to some of the other Clan families.

Warrior training always started early - usually by the age of seven they would know the rudimentary weapon skills (swords and daggers are sharp, staves can reach, chakrams can fly in the air if thrown right) and then choose their favorite. This didn’t quite work as they all wanted to practice with each other, and so Sidian ended up at age three playing with sticks and toys while the two boys learned the actual tasks of how to hold, thrust and swing weapons, punch and dodge, and other fighting techniques. At first it was without weapons, then with simple wooden ones, finally graduating to their weapon of choice. Even though she was smacked around more often than not by her brothers, she stayed determined as a true Xitian warrior would, and learned her best.

Her eldest brother gained preference with heavy curved blades, and opted to learn the more fiery style of slashing in a windbane technique. The middle child was less of a show-off, and with his strength also in fire, had chosen a bladed metal staff only for defense while he chose flames as his weapon of choice. Battling each other often led to cuts and burns, but they reveled in their experiences and excelled in their warrior skills.

Sidian wasn’t able to make up her mind when she was younger, and therefore her skill in weapons wasn’t able to match her brothers. She often stopped in the middle of the mock fights to heal up any cuts they had, and it took years for her to break the habit of being -too- generous and sensitive to others being hurt, even her brothers.

As she grew older, she liked the defensive abilities the staff could give her, but also fell in love with the way she could move and look intimidating with a set of bladed rings twirling about her hands, somewhat bluffing her skill in them. She practiced with the rings more often as a way to meditate than for fighting, and began to incorporate them into her daily routine.

Like her brothers, she was given weapons at her Rite of Maturity that she keeps with her at all times - a bladed metal quarterstaff etched with Xitian script, and two metal rings, their blades forming complex curves and flames.

Sidian: Training in the Xitian Way

Spoiler

All Xitians were taught the history of the Dusk Realm; specifically about Xitian history, their conquers, and other monumental occasions. The Xitian language was also important; which included reading, writing as well as speech. Some other subjects that were touched upon were the Xitian way of intimidation - often with stances, speech, choice of weapons, or the use of their elements - and the Xitian creeds and ways of life. The largest chunk of training was personalized, and depended on the Xitian’s strength in an element and their personal temperament.

Sidian’s strength was entirely in the element of Nether, and due to her joint training in the Faith, she was taught how to use her Element for more than just offensive and defensive reasons. Combining this healing element with the mantras and religious discipline was relatively easy, and her creative ways of utilizing her element had her excel in training easily and quickly, advancing and becoming stronger in the use of Nether before hitting maturity.

All Xitians were supposed to train in all elements to prevent ignorance and unpreparedness, but she really had no desire to learn much of how to wield fire or earth effectively, and so they stayed at minimum skill. In fact, a hidden belief of hers was that they actually hindered her personal strength. She did not look down upon anyone who did use them to their full effects, but there were times in her earlier years she’d made it clear to others that to her, Nether was the only real power for a Xitian to wield. This way of thinking could have been influenced by her Faith teachings, but she never really explained herself to others why she felt this way.

Sidian and Her Brothers: Training in the Way of the Faith

Spoiler

Those of the bloodline of Umbriae are trained from an early age to follow the Faith as well as any other Clan or Racial teachings they’d be subjected to. It is a strict teaching, but it can blend well with other trainings as it deals with the core Xitian beliefs of personal strength, history, and the afterlife. Not everyone who follows the Way of Faith can trace their bloodline back to Umbriae himself, but those who do are usually the ones who reach the highest ranks within the Clergy.

On the father’s side of Sidian’s family is the direct ancestral trace of the Prophet Umbriae, and it was her uncles that were able to train her and her brothers the Way of the Faith, when the family was separated due to the destruction of the Dusk Portal. Not many others of the Clergy were stranded on the Middle Realm side, and so as they came across any small religious groups, her uncles doubled as traveling clergymen, spreading what information they could, acting in place of judges and authority figures, and conducting ceremonies for births, deaths, rites of passage, and other things.

The Way of the Faith was not just about Xitian religion; it was also about the Prophet Umbriae and his teachings, it was about being strong in all aspects of life, it was about excelling in everything, it was about -living- the teachings. Through the words of the Prophet, they learn that strength is not only in the physical form, but also in the spiritual and mental form; through knowledge as well as skill, and to never stray from one’s ideals or back down from one’s beliefs.

The Faith’s long history is taught, as well as discipline, mantras, meditation techniques, rites and ceremonies - though the more detailed and difficult rites and ceremonies are taught only if they decide to continue the Way of the Faith, and embrace it as a fully fledged Umbric Knight. The three children did well to learn the history, as they learned other knowledgeable skills at the same time, and Sidian especially enjoyed learning the different techniques of meditation; joining the physical and mental with the spiritual made her feel more complete as a person. Mantras and chants were her second favorite thing, as she had a natural talent for singing as did her brothers and mother, and it was one of her few joys to hum and practice singing quietly as they traveled.

Another large aspect of the Faith was its display - at certain ages or as certain Rites were reached, the occasion was marked with religious tattoos as part of the ceremony. As bloodborn, when the children reached the ages of seven and fourteen, they received a set of tattoos marking them as such - being trained in the Faith as well as being an ancestor of Umbriae. Her brothers were thrilled to be marked in such a way as to show their ancestry, and often ran around without shirts to show off. Sidian was a bit more modest, but no less thrilled, believing the pain of getting one was just as important as the Rites themselves. The eldest brother even decided to learn how to tattoo, so he could pass the tradition onto their descendants.

Even as the two brothers went on to other clans, they still came back on occasion, to visit and catch up on stories and trials. They no longer pursued further into the Clergy Ranks due to personal preference, but Sidian’s dream was to become Matriarch.

The disappointment came when Sidian turned 19, and she was finally told that due to restrictions, the highest ranking she - or any of them - could go until they crossed back to the Dusk Realm, was Knight Reverent. This was the ranking of their uncles, and one could not surpass the teacher, no matter their accomplishments. Throughout their travels they had not come across anyone higher in ranking, and this made the desire to get back to the Dusk Realm stronger than before. She knew then, she had to change her priorities so she could get back home and continue her dream.

[MelancholyFae]

Character Relations
Yeah, I'm a bit rusty in this. Might take a few tries to get it looking right. Apologies now.
ALSO: updated her personality and appearance in the main page.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Trusted Friends / Trusted Allies - people she has, or had trusted as good friends or good allies.

Lyrxi - Sidian's most trusted Mesalian friend. His teas, his meditations, his advice and his presence helped her through more than she realized.

Elizabeth - Sidian doesn't understand Liz well, but believes her to be a good friend none the less. Liz is one that gives as well as receives, and pushes Sidian to be less reserved.

Mercedes - A hard worker who held no reservations about Sidian being Xitian, she quickly gained Sidian's friendship. Liz and her are currently trusted friends within the citadel. Without these two close by (and without Lyrxi), Sidian would be much more reserved and moody.

Zarkaylia - Sidian had considered her a good trusted friend, even with their differences and clashes from their first few years. Currently, she has no idea how their relationship stands - formal, polite, professional, political.

William - One of their first long discussions about religion, as well as their sparring practice, has stuck with Sidian, and she considers him a trusted ally. She feels she understands him a bit better than she understands some of the other Mesalians, though whether this is true or not, is not known.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friends / Allies (gone)

Lady Cassandra

Scarlet / Silver

Duras

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Neutral / Allies - people she knows and considered allies, but may not know well enough to be called good friends; perhaps aquaintances.

Dusken & Jie - Lyrxi's family; she does not know either well, but both are cheerful and friendly, and always willing to be help.

Julius - he was willing to help her with being mediator during council issues, and defended her against Daulton.

Hector - his willingness to help research herbs and incense, that Sidian had asked mostly on a whim, had endeared him some to her.

Arua & Fiore & Celyn - the healer's openness to offer help to anyone was a great asset in Sidian's eyes. Her children, though young, appear to have good influence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wary - Those she does not trust or does not know (or understand) fit more into this category.

Orvich - Due to Orvich's willingness to side with Daulton, Sidian no longer trusts the guard as she first did. She does not hold any ill will toward her; she just considers it more of a matter of consequence.

Margretha - Sidian has no idea what to think of this woman, but does not want others to get angry at Marty for what was done and said. She will not trust her, but holds her in neutral (yet wary) regard.

Caius - he had gone from a possible ally, to distrusted at Duras' trial. She still does not trust him, but is much more wary and confused by his odd shenanigans and actions and words. She has no idea what to think about him anymore.

Gideon - he had been a neutral ally, though she did leave him at Ravenna when her Xitian group left for the winter. However, his vandalism against the citadel has caused her to be angry and wary of his presence.

Daulton - She completely distrusts the boy and his conflicting words and actions to the point of it feeding into irrational fear. She will ultimately go to lengths to not let him near if she can help it, especially alone. There may be hidden anger underneath, and it can swiftly change to notion of labeling him as enemy.

[MelancholyFae]

~ Lady Sidian's Escape ~

She had spent the last few weeks tired and listless, even with Elizabeth and Mercedes living in the citadel with her. She kept considering it temporary; Liz so that she could have some time away, Mercedes so that she was closer to where she was working. They most likely didn't realize how well they had kept her relatively sane while they were around, but Sidian knew her time to leave was approaching ever quicker. Even with their presence there – she felt like they needed her – the disruptive, consistant thoughts of persecution and that last, threatening look of hatred from Daulton outweighed the desire to stay.

The day the guards showed at the citadel – Zark, Orvich, and Daulton – was the day Sidian knew she finally had to leave Ravenna. She knew that day was coming. She had been preparing it for a while by putting things in order before she left. Letters to various people had been written; explanations, apologies, last requests.

She had told them more than once, that she had no place to go, though she never really had any hope that these words would change how she was viewed. She still saw herself as being forced out; an unwanted criminal, thief, enemy... only good to either execute or lock up, and she knew she would rather die than get locked up again.

That left only one choice – to leave Ravenna. She had no actual destination in mind, and since it was winter, she knew she'd not make it far anyway, but she would at least die on her own terms. Sidian's plan was to send the two on errands – delivering the letters to the loower city, and she would make her escape then, out into the wilderness. Those plans were interrupted when Zark showed up in the office, wanting to apologize, and hoping for more explanations.

Rather than explain everything twice, she just gave Zark's letter to her, even while in front of Mercedes and Elizabeth. The conversation turned solemn, and quickly the three had agreed that Sidian would not travel alone, refusing to let her say no. They were going with her, to make sure she made it to her destination. Her plans had to be altered to accommodate.

There were last minute changes with her preparations with Lyrxi, and saying goodbye with a mug of mulled wine with her friends. They were to head out early the next morning, and Zark used this time to guard right inside the citadel to keep others from finding out their plans.

That night, Elizabeth had informed Sidian that she'd be going with her on her entire journey, not knowing Sidian -had- no actual destination in mind. The Xitian woman wasn't able to change her mind, and after hearing her reasons, reluctantly agreed.

The next morning and the four set out, Sidian leading and Zark taking rear guard. The way was rather steep hills, snow, and dense forest for much of the journey, and the Xitian woman stubbornly pressed on even through the cold, wind-blown plains, only stopping under a tree at the top of a small hill, when she was unable to move further.

A quick fire lasted long enough to get Sidian moving once more, and they reached the abandoned village after the sun had set, with Sidian just collapsing inside one of the buildings.

The other three boarded up what they could, made a fire, and rested with warm food and silence while Sidian, bundled up in borrowed furs, stayed unconscious for most of the night.

Morning dawned and the four set out once more, with the Xitian woman recuperated enough to continue, though at a much slower pace. Luckily the area they were walking into, though still with snow, was much warmer, and after midday, the snow was gone and a large mesa could be seen.

They finally stopped at a set of giant gates that bordered the desert, and it was there that Elizabeth finally informed the other two that she was going to continue on with Sidian. A few more moments of explanations, solemn farewells, promises of sending letters, and hugs, and the groups split, with Sidian and Elizabeth heading into the gates, and Zark and Mercedes taking the snowy journey back home.

~~~~

It would take Sidian two more days to actually recover from the cold ordeal, having stayed at the desert gate with Elizabeth caring for her.