#taralin

9. Is your character’s current socioeconomic status different than it was when they were growing up?

despite amaurëa's wages as an incredibly skilled wizard, and as a former adventurer, khajimel's insistence meant that taralin grew up in relatively mundane circumstances. they were never hungry, never cold, always comfortable. people always needed bread, and it was rare for amaurëa's money to come onto the table. most of it -- taralin later learnt -- went into managing her curse.

now, taralin understands why amaurëa wanted so desperately for a calm place to settle. klakaara is beautiful and strong, but the city is full to bursting. the addition of over a hundred gnolls, and the survivors of several decimated villages has filled the town to bursting.

it is good--taralin cannot imagine leaving her clan at this point, and esther has a home here, and so she does as well--but it is hard to ignore the point that they are both known here. neither can walk the streets without being recognised. it carries over to graszha too; it's impossible not to know that the married pair have a daughter, and the goliath automaton is not inconspicuous either. having a safe place to retreat to where they aren't heroes -- or villains -- but people is... desireable.

but then-- life is good. the clan is strong, and learning to live without war in their blood. graszha is growing fast with jinzic's aid, and esther is a key figure in the repair of the region. they move through the portals regularly, and the more distant villages don't recognise them under glamour, and esther is less of a figure there. it brings to mind a slightly different life, not now, but soon. finding a place to settle away from the bustle of it all. phaena joins them more often than not, and their little family unit seems to have gained another member at times. that is a contrast to her own childhood, isolated -- though never lonely -- alongside khaj until aiden came along.

here, now, amos and murgg come by often. murgg is delighted in graszha -- young ones make a clan, you know, -- and amos had become a near permanent fixture in their lives. phaena, after aisling's betrayal, had become a steady presence as well. work soothed her, and they had struck up an odd friendship, but a friendship nonetheless. while hester and veduny both were far more busy than most, they too were often around. letters exchanged with her parents mean a visit is coming soon -- and a part of taralin dreads seeing her mothers again, if only for them to immediately catch the echoes of war lingering in all of their eyes.

it was odd, to have a family to turn to, but it was comfortable. three years ago, they would never have dreamed to have any of this within reach, and yet... these are people they love.

10. Does your character feel more comfortable with more clothing, or with less clothing?

each layer of their robes slipped over their shoulders like armour. the silks a barrier against attacks, both metaphorical and physical alike.

they've always been protection. an image presented to a courtroom can be just as effective as a knife.

they take pride in it too; there is something about entering a room, and having all eyes rest on you, fear or awe inspiring. a threat, an ally, a figurehead. it has never not been intoxicating.

but, taralin cannot help but find peace sitting with esther in the evenings, robes set aside. they've been armour for so long that it is a sign of safety to be shedding them. they sit, human now, at esther's feet. her wife brushes a hand through her hair, now unveiled. neither of them have spoken for a good hour, graszha asleep in the room over. the quiet is peaceful. they are vulnerable here, hair loose, but it feels good.

19. What is your character’s biggest relationship flaw? Has this flaw destroyed relationships for them before?

the first time taralin lashes out at esther, it is a full bodied snarling thing pulled up by fear. it drops into a shameful whine a second later, and they make themselves small--they've ruined it. they've already ruined it.

"i'm sorry," the words are choked, and all of esther's frustration has already bled away.

"my love," she murmurs, stepping closer. taralin cannot help but flinch. esther's face pinches with hurt.

it's something they've spoken about before, taralin's instinct to snap and then flee. the expectation taralin has of abandonment as soon as their rough edges show through, even after esther has stood by them through everything else. (he remembers esther turning away once.) it's hard to remind himself that a misstep is not a failure, and that whatever happens, esther will stay.

they're more steady as they step forward and hug her, voice stable as they murmur, "i'm sorry." the apology is different, and esther melts into them.

31. Describe a scenario in which your character feels most comfortable.

amos plays with graszha with gentle hands. the automaton child is in no way fragile, but there is a reverence to the gnoll which taralin appreciates. a man who dearly wishes to be a grandparent again. a man who has seen far too much war, scarred and grey, and so appreciative of the young ones. it's nice, taralin reflects, to see her gnolls so integrated. graszha is far from the only child amos watches over, but she is the one he is the most engaged with.

graszha, for her part, is delighted by the older gnoll. each bug gets picked up and shown to him -- with an appropriately awed reaction from amos -- before being delicately returns to whatever leaf it was plucked from.

finally, taralin steps towards the door. graszha isn't yet aware of the nuances of gnoll, and taralin makes full use of it as she greets him softly.

"grandparent," she speaks, and her ears tip back respectfully.

he blinks, but graszha lights up and darts full tilt towards taralin's legs. it is entirely prepared practice that prevents taralin from being launched on contact.

"my darling," taralin murmurs as she lifts graszha up.

"flind," amos greets a second later. "i am not..."

"you are. grandparent, elder, guardian." the words are identical, but the difference is clear. amos cackles softly. "you doubt me?"

"i--" he sighs. "forgive an old man his insecurities."

taralin steps forward, adjusting her hold on graszha to brush her cheek against his. "i would trust no other." the words are soft, but genuine.

graszha shifts, and taralin returns her to the ground. "show me what you've been finding?"

"bugs!" and she is off, bolting towards the bushes that line the temple gardens.

she tires, soon after, and returns to taralin's side. her daughter uses very few words, but 'story' is one that taralin adores hearing.

esther joins them part way through, and amos stands guard at the garden entrance as taralin speaks softly to her family. there are some members missing from this evening, but it is soft, and sweet, and home.

41. Does your character feel that they deserve to have what they want, whether it be material or abstract, or do they feel they must earn it first?

it's been a slow morning. taralin lies on their side, one wing sheltering esther from the light that has been slowly creeping into their room. she isn't asleep, taralin knows, but her breaths are soft and slow. graszha is out with veduny and hester, the pair having claimed their respective grandchild/niece for a few days. it allows taralin to trace gentle patterns into esther's side with one hand. it's lovely to see her like this, her face soft and open graced with the soft glow of light dispersed through their feathers.

she's sleepy as she shifts her arm, her eyes not opening as she speaks, "tickles." it's raspy with sleep, and a warm bubble of amusement crests over taralin as they nuzzle into her hair. "what is the time?"

"hmm." taralin doesn't answer for a long moment. "mid-morning." esther moves to sit up, but taralin's arm bars her from shifting far. "stay," they murmur. "the world won't fall apart if we stay in bed."

esther is more awake when she chuckles, moving herself closer into taralin's warmth. "i'd hope not, after everything."

a laugh rumbles very softly in their chest. "at this point, i'm staying even if it is."

so taralin was born an aasimar, but became a gnoll after some blood magic fuckery, except! you'll notice that she doesn't look like a regular gnoll! this is because he is the Watcher of the Morrigan, one of her vassals! this meant that her design had influences from crows, and i wanted to fuck around with proportions and make them look Not Normal. So they have wings, and feathers, and are modelled off maned wolves, crows, and aardwolves!

taralin has an interesting relationship with their warlockhood, they entered the pact willingly, but under duress, and have not had a good time with it (complicated!) but he enjoys the power of it.

she got married recently in campaign to a woman named esther, whom i -- and they -- adore, and they are foster parents currently!