A Healer in a Desert {Hilana}

Closed - Hilana

Apart from the two major metropolitan centers in the kingdom, The Atraxian Expanse is home to tens of thousands of Solunarians. Some of the Vastii still hearken back to their days as nomads, roaming the open desert and braving its many trials, but most have formed settlements along the River Vasta or around nearby oases. Most of these settlements in the present day are completely self-governing, but there are a few in the vicinity of valuable resources, which are overseen by representatives of the greater kingdom. Unlike the two fortified cities of Solunarium and Tertium, many of these smaller settlements live under the constant threat of desert squalls, droughts and attacks from desert-dwelling predators, like Tusk Titans and wild wyverns.

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Barakael
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2023 1:20 am
Location: Luxium, Solunarium
Character Sheet: https://legendofransera.com/viewtopic.php?t=4134
Character Secrets: https://legendofransera.com/viewtopic.php?t=5544


ϟ Vagos solidified a platform of sand beneath himself and Barakael as they coasted alongside the vastian woman on their way back to the city. Barakael was impressed by her education, knowing she probably could survive out here on her own if she wanted to. He often thought about venturing out into the Atraxian to test himself, see if he could survive the harsh environment, or be swallowed up by it. He envied her in that regard, but not enough to be malicious about it. He liked her gentle disposition as it contrasted with his brash and brutish approach to things.

"I can somewhat relate to your nomadic heritage, though not really. My father used to tell me stories of the Mortallen people, and how they came from the titans of yore, and were saved by Aedrin." he mentioned. Holding onto Vagos, the three would talk about many other things, about life growing up for them, the good memories they had, and some of the bad ones. "That reminds me Hilana, how is your sister? I hope she is well." he asked, remembering the other Vastina woman from their initial meeting in the Umbrium.

"I hope we can reunite one day and maybe train our elementalism together, though I am still learning myself. My studies in Reaving magic in preparation for the Sand Dragon League take up most of my time nowadays." he said with a musing chuckle. Vagos laughed as well as he moved the subject onto the reptilian companions that coiled around the woman. Tell me, my lady, how did you get so good with snakes like that? Is handling them a specialty of your clan? the older gentleman asked, his eyes fixed on the serpents present as he moved the two gladiators forward. ϟ

"Vastian Speech"
"Tallenese Speech"
"Vallenor Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"
word count: 359
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Hilana Chenzira
Posts: 1024
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2022 3:14 pm
Location: Solunarium
Character Sheet: https://legendofransera.com/viewtopic.php?t=3526
Character Secrets: https://legendofransera.com/viewtopic.php?t=3545
Letters: https://legendofransera.com/viewtopic.php?t=5196

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The large camel continued his steady pace, as the rush for Barakael's safety was now past. Still, he chewed up distance quite quickly, and Hilana was quite comfortable on the big piebald beast. Hayima'el did not seem like he was going to allow either of the strange men to get closer to his rider, even if Hilana had been quite close to the younger gladiator while she was treating him. On her part, she corrected any grumbling growls from the humped animal, who continued on his way.

"Those must have been good stories. Our history is important," the young woman nodded at Barakael's comment. "There is no way to change the past, but we can always learn from it." Perhaps with Aeternus it might be tweaked, but whether this current reality was one of them, well... perhaps unlikely. She didn't know, and considering Finn's experiences with it, she wasn't keen to find out. "Lia is well. She had work to attend to in the city, so she didn't come with me today. Just as well, with my new friend," she nodded at the stone container. "She does not like the spicy ones." Though few did, so it wasn't like anyone could blame her. Reptiles were respected and admired in Solunarium, but venomous serpents could be a danger to those who were not prepared for them.

"If the opportunity strikes, why not? Neither of us have Reaving, but I imagine you've decidedly capable teachers for that one. But Elementalism is something both she and I know well," Hilana was amenable to that suggestion. She was always happy to offer advice when it came to Elementalism, even if there was still plenty that she was learning.

"I grew up in the sands, and I learned from the older boys how to catch and handle snakes. You had to, because if you weren't careful, you could lose livestock. So we had to pay attention and if we found one, relocate it. There's a number of non-venomous species out here, and I always had a lot of fun with them. Over time, you learn the ins and outs," the Vastiana explained. "I picked up my first pet python, Tiaz, some years back, and I've raised him since he was nearly a hatchling," she indicated the thick, muscular snake that was sitting quietly in the basket at the front of the saddle. He may well have gone unnoticed, because he was lazy and he was quiet, content to be still and snuggle in where he was. "When you're in the sands, you do not have terrariums to put them in, so he was with me constantly or hiding in my rucksack or a basket when he was shedding or digesting. Animal handling is one of those things you really have to learn by doing."

She left out the fact that her family, with the exception of herself, did not like a lot of snakes due to the death of her elder brother from an Atraxian cobra. Considering Barakael's brush with a decidedly dangerous beastie, it wouldn't do to bring up such things.

As if to prove her point, the smaller python stuck her head up from where she was wound along the young woman's bun, her tongue flickering as she tasted the air. Hilana brought up a hand to offer Fiya support, and gradually, the smaller python eased her way out of her hiding spot. There was no normal serpents like the white one with feathers, so that one was surely a spirit or something else, but whatever he was, it was smaller than the thicker python, but longer than the smaller one. Still, whether it was Hilana's experience, or perhaps the fact that the three snakes were not inclined to argue or struggle, each of them was calm. She had chosen snakes for their temperament, and her summoned spirit was not inclined towards a foul temperament.

word count: 686
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Hilana Chenzira
Posts: 1024
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2022 3:14 pm
Location: Solunarium
Character Sheet: https://legendofransera.com/viewtopic.php?t=3526
Character Secrets: https://legendofransera.com/viewtopic.php?t=3545
Letters: https://legendofransera.com/viewtopic.php?t=5196

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It was a conversation as they made their way back to the city - the young woman seemed to know exactly where they were going, and as a nomad, that did at least make sense. There was a blood history in these sands, pathways that the ancients taught their young, and she and her camel were surely used to this area. It didn't take much for those who weren't familiar to get lost, even out here, especially once you ventured off of the marked roads - blowing sand could disorient you, and it was not uncommon for the unfamiliar to die within 30 minutes' walk to safety.

They got back to the road, the camel moving at a good clip while Vagos surfed the sand with Barakael. When they got to the city, Hilana waved, and headed off towards the Port Vasta district to unload her foraging there at work, and found Lia and Kalor on the way, who had figured to come and see her at work. Beautifully made little hands made grabby motions as the golem and spirit requested Uppies, and the sisters shared a laugh as Kalor was brought up into the saddle, greeting the snakes by name, and nodding solemnly at Sviras, who nodded back to him. While the golem sat on Hilana's lap, Lia used a bit of manipulation of sand to boost herself up into the saddle behind her, and the younger sister deftly helped Kalor transfer to Lia's lap.

"Salve Hay-im-a'-el," Kalor was pleased with the new vantage point, and Lia smiled down at him. "We ride! Sparks joy." the little spirit waved at a child who was staring at him, and Hilana got Hayima'el moving once again. Back to work, for now - but it was nice that there was always a magic to be found on the back of a camel.


word count: 331
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Talisman
Posts: 319
Joined: Thu May 11, 2023 9:39 am

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Review

Name: Barakael

XP: 10 Points, no magic
Injuries/Ailments: Snakebite, though it has been treated. Will take a week of rest to finish recovering.
Loot: None


Name: Hilana Chenzira

XP: 10 Points, no magic
Injuries/Ailments: None
Loot: Atraxian Asp


Notes: It has been a while since this one has been posted to, so I figured it was best to close it off. Hoping Barakael has a smooth recovery.

word count: 86
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