Taleena
From FiranMUX
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Overview
Upon meeting someone for the first time, one of the first questions Taleena asks is "Are you important?" and treats a person according to their answer. Taleena is a woman who, as a little girl, wanted to grow up as fast as possible and who, though she exudes an air of privilege and spoiled indulgence, has in fact lived a somewhat difficult life. She seldom gets to see her parents and has too much of Bear Clan propriety in her to fit in easily with the Ticanee clan of her birth. Taleena is generally disatisfied with everything, a trait she has inherited from her mother. When she is with the Ticanee, she chafes at their barbaric, savage behavior and has often said that she would rather wear a silk sack than a suede dress. But when she is with the Bear Clan, the clan of her father and her precious grandmother, she sometimes wonders why the Bear Clan citizens cannot be more self-sufficient and industrious like the Ticanee. Ticanee are brave and resourceful! Though it would be impolite to express it, there is this vague worry she has that most members of the Bear Clan would not be able to feed themselves if hardships came to them--and being unprepared for the worst is something that Taleena cannot abide.
She has an inbred paranoia, and her favorite game is 'Find the Assassin' wherein she leads her brothers and sisters in a game of make-believe in which they try to figure out which member of a crowd is trying to kill them, with what weapon, and for what motive. Taleena is extremely imaginative that way, and has terrified her nannies as a child on more than one occasion with this game; and has continued to play it into her adult life, something she’s found a resourceful resource in keeping herself on her toes. But then, keeping people, including herself, on their toes is something Taleena enjoys. She is quite self-posessed, and classifies people into categories such as 'Above me' 'Beneath me' 'Equal to me' or 'To be Trusted' 'To be Deceived' and 'To be Watched'.
Taleena is, in some ways, a contradiction in that she loves luxury and anything sparkly. She loves the trappings of royalty, the titles, and the positions. And yet, even when her mother is not making her do run the Clan, she finds something to do with her hands. After all, if you're not doing something, then people don't need you, and if people don't need you, you must not be important, and that is the worst crime as far as Taleena is concerned. And yet, for such a stern and avaricious woman, there is also a soft side. Taleena loves horses. Not small furry creatures, not slobbering dogs, and not even the songbirds of the Goddess her mother dedicated her to. But horses. They are majestic and important. Her family on the Teranzik side has always been horse-breeders, and the Ticanee esteem horses above all. Taleena is in love with them, and tries to sneak away to the stables whenever she can.
Ranks & Offices
Proxy, Ticanee Clan
Ever since her Ceremony of Souls and Rite of Passage, when she was fourteen years of age, Taleena has been serving as a Proxy of the Ticanee Clan. She is, generally speaking, a good proxy, but Taleena has her moments where her youth in such a position still shines. She has taken her various siblings under her wing to teach them what she perceives to be the values of duty and responsibility.
Commander, Ticanee Military
Due to her service within the Republic Military, Taleena is also a Commander within the Ticanee Military, serving as the Commander of Ticanee District security. However, she is chiefly and foremost a Ticanee Clan Proxy.
Commander, Republic First Division
When Taleena first joined the military, she did so under the duress of her mother's manipulations. Her mother, Clan Leader Taria Oshta believes that because she was a General of the First Division that all of her children should also take part in the guard. This caused a particular rift between Taria and Taleena, at least for a time. When Taleena entered, she directly told her commanding officer, then Captain Ronti Garkensen, that she had absolutely no intention of staying longer than a single term. Six years later, she has since been promoted through the ranks from Captain to Commander, each given to her after several fairly successful and high profile cases in which she was the lead investigator, such as the Antonian Apostasy.
Acting High Priestess, Temple of Uf
Taleena joined the Temple of Uf under the tutelage of High Priestess Neesha Istariniad. Neesha was one of Taleena's chief trainers as a Priestess, ensuring that she had all the requisite skills to become a full member of the Temple. Before Neesha went away on a sabbatical, she gave Taleena a bird to raise. Unfortuantely, Neesha never named a successor before she left to visit Uf's Oracle, leaving a void within the Temple leadership. Taleena had gone to High Priestess, Clan Leader Fidelia Ista Aldrik to find new leadership so the initiates of the Temple could continue to progress with their training, and so they could have some official direction. At the time, Priestess Kodiachi, the only active, full Priestess of the Temple, seemed like a good idea for such a position, and so Taleena recommended her to become the Acting High Priestess. She and Clan Leader Torianos, another initiate, were later raised together, as full priests of the Temple under Kodiachi's reign. In the end, the recommendation of Kodiachi's place as High Priestess turned out to be a disastrous move on Taleena's part.
Kodiachi had taken it upon herself to capture Uf's birds in order to sell them to the general populace, without giving them the proper training necessary to care for them, all in the name of spreading Uf's glory to the people. Uf discovered what her Acting High Priestess was doing, and in a fit of disfavor, she sent all of the birds away from the Temple, including Kodiachi's own bird Xavier. The Religious Council met to discuss the issues, and Taleena, being the one responsibile for putting her into the position in the first place, called for Kodiachi's removal as Acting High Priestess. This was not a popular move on the behalf of the other Temples, who decided Kodiachi deserved a trial for her past transgressions. Kodiachi was given the opportunity to speak, but in the end the decision was made to remove Kodiachi from her position. After careful thought and consideration on the issue, Fidelia later named Taleena as the current Acting High Priestess of the Temple of Uf, a position that her grandmother, Lady Velani Oshta once held herself. So, Taleena now finds herself juggling the duties of Ticanee Clan Proxy, Commander of the Guard, and Acting High Priestess, wife and mother, leaving her a very, very busy young woman.
Family Life
Grand Parents
The Dolo-Oshta (deceased)
The Dolo-0shta is Taleena's maternal grandfather, and Taria's father. She knows as little about him as her mother does. He died before Taleena was even born. Before her first son was born, Taleena attempted to find out the true name of the Dolo-Oshta so she could name her son after him. She was unable to find anyone who could produce his name; not even her own mother.
Lady Velani Oshta, Hero of the Republic (missing)
Taleena only knows the public information regarding her maternal grandmother, Lady Velani Oshta. She knows that she was a Republic's representative as the Griffon prophet as one of the original seven heroes who met, and later she married the Dolo-0shta. She also knows that she was the High Priestess of Uf. Beyond that, Taleena knows very little about her grandmother, with the exception that Taria pines from her, much like Taleena pines that her father would come home from the Palace.
Lord Torvahl Oshta, Former Clan Leader (missing)
Taleena does know much about her maternal step-grandfather, Torvahl Oshta, though what she does know is that he was tainted with some sort of madness. Taria keeps talking about the time where she deposed him, ripping the medallion from his neck and declaring herself Clan Leader. Her mother is not particularly proud of that time, as it was associated with a sort of madness on Torvahl's part. Apparently, right before her mother took the medallion from him, he had attempted to adopt the mad Drikkest, Coran, which is what prompted Taria's take over of the Ticanee Clan. Torvahl was sent with his wife, Velani Oshta, to travel to Vreland with the seven heroes.
Lord Drishon Teranzik (deceased)
Lord Drishon Teranzik is Taleena's paternal grandfather. Amongst the Bears, he is considered something of war hero, working as a spy against the Shamibelians. It is said that both Tergus and Taleo got their womaning ways from their father, as he was much endeared of the ladies.
Lady Mauvia Teranzik (deceased)
Lady Mauvia Teranzik is Taleena's maternal grandmother. While Taleena did not get to know her for very long, she has very fond memories of her grandmother, and remembers well being spoiled by her, for she loved little girls; something Taleena has in very much in common with her. Taleena always led her life to what she thought her grandmother would most approve of, shunning most Ticanee ways and as Bear as a woman could possibly be. She loved her grandmother very much, and sorely misses her.
Parents
Clan Leader Taria Oshta
Clan Leader Taria Oshta, Chieftan of the Ticanee Clan, is Taleena's mother. She is a formidable woman, who is sometimes prone to violent emotional outbursts, depending on the topic. She is known for being the former General of the First Division, her governance of the Ticanee Clan, her passion, her spiney fish and her incredible love for her children. Taleena strives to make her mother proud in everything that she does, but considers that she likely falls short in a great number of things. For instance, her mother perfers boys to girls, and Taleena is a girl. That makes her strive harder to be the kind of person her mother can appreciate. Taleena must be doing something right, however, for whenever Taria goes off to Vahloria to take care of matters in their small city, she is the one left in charge most of the time. Taria obtained the clan medallion by ripping it, more or less, from her father, Clan Leader Torvahl's, neck, when he attempted to adopt a known Drikkist, Coran, into the Oshta family. Taria has her own bouts of insanity here and there, likely due to her devotion to Lady Uf, and Taleena hopes that when the time comes for Taria to retire, that none of them ever have to forcibly attempt to remove the medallion from Taria's neck as she did her own father's.
Lord Viceroy Taleo Teranzik
Lord Viceroy Taleo Teranzik, Regent to the Republic Throne, is Taleena's father. He did not start off as a man of importance. Rather, he was courted by Taria to be her second husband, after she had to divorce Lord Jalil Firgalik, the love of her life, so he could take up the mantle of Clan Leader of the Gold Dragon Clan. Taria recognized that, as Clan Leader, she needed to be married to someone who could provide her with heirs. Their marriage was a political arrangement, which has been witnessed over the years by their odd living arrangements, and the fact that he has always remained a Bear Clan citizen, rather than becoming a Ticanee. Over the years, however, the two of them, Taleena would like to think, have grown to love one another. Her father has since risen in the ranks, which has caused some strife on his marriage to her mother. He was made, briefly, Bear Clan Proxy, just after the Alliance War. During this time, he had to divorce Taria, as no two Clan Leaders can hold a medallion, so he could marry Lady Petrina Ista Aldrik in order to make his time as Proxy more palatable to the Bear Clan citizens. His success as a Proxy for the Bear Clan allowed the Clan Council to look at him as a potential candidate for Viceroy, after the populace made it known that Lord Atreides Keniwik would not be an acceptable regent for the Republic, or the heirs to the Elianik family. He served a term of one year, and stepped down, in favor of Sadin Elianik. However, Sadin's time as Viceroy did not prove to be a long one, and Taleo was made Viceroy once more, and has been such ever since, despite the fact that his term has long since been up. Much to Taleena's chagrin, and great dissatisfaction, most of her father's time has been spent educating and teaching the Elianik children to become the future leaders of the Republic. That is time that she considers stolen from her, and while she has made peace with some of the Elianik children, she cannot wholly reconcile the fact that she has many lost years with her father, and she barely knows him.
Siblings
Lord Leonus Teranzik (deceased)
Leonus was not someone Taleena ever knew very well. This was likely due to the fact that they lived in very different homes. Leonus was a product of Taleo's first marriage, and as such was only her half brother. He grew up in the Teranzik Estate and was already a full grown adult before she was even a glimmer in anyone's eyes. She knew he was part of the military as a pilote, and relished killing lions in some sort of contest with Taleo the first time they plagued the lands, but that's pretty much it. He died attempting to protect Lord Xegolus Shadina from the mythical Chimera, as it attacked people in the forum. Despite that she was never close to her brother, she was, however, close to his wife, Lady Pia. She is very fond of the woman, and her nieces, and tries to keep in contact with her whenever she can, even now that she is married to Lord Donos Ista Aldrik and is no longer considered a member of the Teranzik family.
Clan Leader Ojitar Firgalik
Clan Leader Ojitar Firgalik is Taria's first child, with Jalil. He is her son; her golden boy. Taria never lets anyone forget that, and often presses that point whenever he is in the room. Should Ojitar walk into a room, and Taria be talking to anyone else, she would immediately drop that conversation, light up, and warmly greet him. He is the King in the pecking order of the Oshta family, and this is something that is rather distinctly understood. While Taleena is not always thrilled with this, she does understand it, and tries not to let it bother her when Taria is speaking with her when it happens. Of course, often times, Taleena reacts in the same manner, simply because it /is/ Ojitar. He's her brother, her golden brother, and she's rather fond off him. She misses him terribly, and has ever since he moved out of the Oshta Mansion to go live in the Firgalik estate. It was a necessary sacrifice they all had to make, because now he is Clan Leader Ojitar Firgalik of the Gold Dragon Clan. He was always meant to be the heir, and he could not learn to take over the mantle of his newest position were he not under the direct guidance of his father beforehand. So, Taleena simply silently blames Jalil for stealing her brother away from them.
Lord Proxy Judanus Corinala
Lord Proxy Judanus Corinala is Taria's second child, with Jalil. As much as he is second child, he is also the second brightest light within the Oshta family, and as much as it is made clear that Ojitar first, it is also made clear that Judanus is second. It's yet another thing that Taleena lives with, given her mother's preference for her first two sons over everyone else. Judanus is sometimes a prankster, sometimes sullen and grumpy and sometimes the person who cheers her up after her own bout of sulleness. For as much as she loves Ojitar for simply being who he is, she loves Judanus for the support he's shown her throughout the years. She, in turn, supports him back. Why wouldn't she? While they have not spoken much in more recent times, she does try to watch out for his welfare as much as possible, and alert him to anything that might be of particular interest to him.
Lady Lilana Didoron (deceased)
Lady Lilana Didoron, formerly Shadina, formerly Firgalik, was the adopted daughter of Taria Oshta and Jalil Firgalik. She was always considered the invading step-child to Taleena, despite the fact that Taleena was born long after Lilana had been adopted. Lilana wasn't blood, but always tried to insert herself, in Taleena's eyes, as if she were a true member of the family. Taleena made her dislike, and jealousy, known day after day, month after month, year after year. She never made it very easy for Lilana to get close to her. However, should anyone ever dare to bring harm or malice to Lilana, Taleena was usually among the few to be angry on her sister's behalf, and consider taking action against those who tried to harm Lilana. Lilana was first married to Lord Dedalion Shadina, though no children came of that union. Later, she fell in love with and married Lord Zerasmus Didoron, who started courting her even before her husband was burned upon his funeral pyre, or either one of them were cleared of potential murder charges for Dedalion's death. Lilana died giving birth to her son, Tarik Didoron. Taleena was responsible for writing her will before she did, making certain to put a clause in the will so the Oshta could not take action against the midwife, Mes Neoma, who was on duty at the time of Lilana's death.
Lord Mateo Oshta
Lord Proxy Mateo Oshta is Taria's fourth child. He is loud, boisterous and big. As a child, he always used to tag after Taleena, a matter that always greatly annoyed her. He often blindly did anything that Taleena said to do, which usually got him into trouble. For instance, when the Oshta family was gathering honey several years ago, to show their clansmen that they were not above helping meet the Clans’ needs, Taleean was most reluctant to do so; she wanted no part in dealing with the sticky, dirty mess that gathering honey would be. Taria, in an effort to get Taleena to aid, told her about a time when Queens would wash their hair with honey, to make it shine. Taleena didn’t believe her mother, though she did hatch a plan about the honey. Mateo, during the telling of the story, had knocked over a bucket of the honey, and was working on finding a place to put it. Taleena helpfully suggested that Lilana’s hair could use some, given the story their mother just told them. Mateo thought that was a fine idea, and proceeded to put honey in Lilana’s hair. He almost got into trouble for it, but he was able to charm his way out of whipping that night, instead causing Taria to smile rather than be angry over the incident.
Now that Mateo is older, Taleena is less inclined to get her brother into trouble. Rather, she largely depends on him to help her run the Clan when Taria makes one of her very frequent visits to Vahloria. He is also prominent in orchestrating the Ticanee griffon breeding program, and is now one of the Republic’s top griffon breeders.
Lady Melani Elikista
Lady Proxy Melani Elikista is Taria's fifth child. As a child, she was sunny, cheerful and happy all the time, so much so that the older members of the Oshta family seriously thought something wrong with her. Oshta were loud, boisterous, gloomy or grumpy, never happy; so naturally, she must have just been born slow. This is how Taria treated her all the time, and so it was a practice adopted by most of the family, Taleena included. In order to keep her busy, most of the time, they usually shoved her in a corner with some papyrus scrolls and some drawing materials, and let her be on her merry way. Growing up, Taleena thought Melani was too gullible, too easily trusting and too nice to everyone around her; she thought Melani needed to grow a backbone. When Taleena went to Vahloria for a mission for the First Division, she decided to leave Melani in charge, in her stead, as Proxy for the Clan. While Melani was never a named proxy, as an heir to the throne, she was one by default. When she left, she gave Melani one task, to see that Zaynee, a Ticanee commoner, was married to someone who was a Ticanee and not a Firan, as she had been pressing Taleena to be allowed to marry a Firan and to leave the Clan, or that Zaynee would very likely be killed upon Taleena’s arrival if she had to her another word from it by the girl. Taleena pretty much thinks this one task was pivotal in shaping Melani into who she is today, as it forced her to deal with an unruly member of the Clan and take some force with the issue. Taleena also believes the situation taught Melani that she cannot always be friends with commoners, which was another unacceptable vice of her sisters at that time.
Lord Empyrean Teranzik
Lord Empyrean Teranzik is Taria's sixth child. He is analytical, and likes to puzzle things out logically. He tries to use logic to get out of everything, and often takes things to debate. Taleena finds this annoying. She senses he likes to argue, mostly, just for the sake of argument. Of course, he's still her brother, so she puts up with it to a degree. Quite often, they do not see eye to eye with one another, and equally often he says things to her and about her that quite offend her, when offense is not at all warranted.
Lady Tanya Oshta
Lady Tanya Oshta is Taria's seventh child. She likes to list what part of the family she belongs to, and what number she is in the pecking order among the girls. She is loud, and honest to a fault; she hates it when she thinks anyone is being dishonest to her. Growing up, she was considered quite the hellion around the Oshta family, running around places without shoes and completely embarassing their father. She was so bad that she was sent off to the Ista Aldrik family to live for the better part of a year or more, as part of an exchange program with Fidelia, as Lord Sirio, Fidelia's nephew, went to live with the Oshta family in order to toughen him up. There, she was supposed to be taught the grace and decadence of being a lady, and forced to wear hairpins. To get out of wearing hairpins, she shaved her head completely and was forced, instead, to wear a tiara. In order to ensure that Tanya wore the tiara, one of the Ista Aldriks gave her one made of skulls and crossbones as it seemed most likely the kind of thing that she would wear, given it wasn't too 'girly'. Tanya never quite reformed, and eventually she was sent home right before her Rites of Passage. Now, she is a member of the Guard, and serves under Taleena in her division.
Lord Octavian Oshta
Lord Octavian Oshta is Taria's eighth child. Like Taleena's sons, he is very quiet, and very intent about the world around him. He is often observant, and introspective. He often gets so very thoughtful about things that it is easy to sneak up on him, and startle him, not that Taleena has ever done that or anything; she's simply seen her siblings do it to him.
Lady Arianna Oshta
Lady Arianna Oshta is Taria's nineth child. She's happy all the time, and likes telling other people all about why bad things aren't really as bad as they think, and how wonderful everything will be in time. Of course, she doesn't waste her time waiting. She's always seeking out some new pleasure, whether an adventure or a cake. And if she gets hurt, she just giggles and lifts her hands and twirls about. Taleena thinks she's as off as Melani was when she was younger, and will likely need the same backbone training as her sister received; trial by fire.
Lord Decimus Oshta
Lord Octavian Oshta is Taria's tenth child. Taleena highly suspects that Decimus was conceived on the night of her joint Rites of Passage and Ceremony of Souls. So proud was her mother that Taleena had followed both traditions, that Taria boldly declared that she and her father would be going to celebrate in their own way, before everyone, retiring to the Oshta's room. Several long months later, Decimus was born. Like Mateo, he is quite loud, and has no concept of what an inside voice is. That he is quite fond of driving Harvinia Swiftpaw, the Oshta family steward crazy with his antics is something that amuses Taleena greatly, given her own ill feelings toward the woman. He's still too young yet to determine if he could be of use, but Taleena has high hopes for him.
Lord Urtenus Oshta
Lord Urtenus Oshta is Taria's eleventh, and youngest child. Taleena is not sure what to think of her youngest brother, and feels he's too young to form a complete opinion about. What she does know about him, however, is that a star shot across the sky the night that he was born, which seems quite odd.
Marriages
Lord Lotuk Oshta
Lord Lotuk, formerly Dawn, was the son of Lord Radik Dawn and Lady Lotis Dawn, who died giving birth to him. He was raised mostly by Radik and his father’s second wife, Lady Kerasha Dawn. The Oshta made the announcement that Taleena would marry Lotuk in 36 A.U. Rumors suggest that while Taleena was not pleased with the announced match, she did her best to allow Lotuk court her. Both were seen attending balls and parties together, where the young lord taught her to dance and loosen up a little around the people.
However, when it came to duty to the family and the Clan, that’s where Taleena felt he fell short. She did not feel he was prepared to become a member of the Oshta family. Instead of focusing on how to accomplish a problem, he would often complain about being placed in charge of carrying out certain duties and responsibilities. If there is one thing members of the Oshta family do not do, it’s complain about their duties and responsibilities. Duty is their life. This put a large strain on the relationship between the two of them, and they were quite often at odds with one another. Some might even say that there was little love lost between them. That is, of course, until Lotuk’s death in February in the war campaign of 38 A.U., which may have become one of the Republic’s most romantic love stories ever. He had one child with Taleena, a son, Lord Teodor Oshta.
Lord Judanarius Corinala
Lord Judanarius Corinana and Taleena were married on Thu Sep 21, in the year 39 A.U. in a quiet ceremony; only family and close friends were allowed to attend. Taleena has made it clear to Judanarius, or hopes she has, that their marriage is for political purposes only, a union between their two clans. While she respects him, she does not love him, and is not sure she ever could, but she hopes that she can come to have a deeper trust and understanding with him. She's more than happy to support him as much as any wife can, but has made it clear that she expects him to rise above his past mistakes. For Taleena, she's afforded the opportunity for her children to solidify better noble blood, and for Judanarius, as far as Taleena is concerned, it is an opportunity to prove himself the man that he can be with the new opportunity that he has been given.
Children
Lord Teodor Oshta
Lord Teodor Oshta was fathered by Lotuk Oshta nee Dawn, the child of Lord Radik Dawn and Lady Lotis Dawn, who was Taleena’s first husband. Teodor, for all intents and purposes, was supposed to be a girl, a daughter, but he wasn’t. Rumor has it that when he was born, Lady Taleena wanted nothing to do with him for the first few months of his life. She left his care to any nannies and wetnurses that could be found, However, after a time she grew to accept him and forgive him for not being a girl, and as such she’s started to let him weasel her way into her life more and more, most especially after Lotuk died.
Lord Danazir Corinala-Oshta
Lord Danazir Corinala was fathered by Judanarius Corinala, Taleena’s current husband. While Taleena secretly hoped for a girl this time, she prepared herself for the possibility that she’d have yet another son. To her, it’s become some sort of cosmic joke made by the gods that her siblings, Mateo and Melani, continue to bear daughters while, for some odd reason, she is the only one within her family to have sons. Unlike with Teodor, she bore Danazir no ill will when he was born, and has done her best to see to his care when other pressing matters are not taking her attention away, otherwise her trusted nanny, Karima, looks after him.
Accomplishments
Ticanee Quilts
Quilting has been a tradition long since lost to the Ticanee clan until several Eagle Clan children from the Cyrani family set the ancient Ticanee totem pole, the only ancient relic of theirs to survive the Great War, on fire, destroying part of the boar totem, and revealing to the Clan two ancient scrolls that had been hidden there, likely for centuries. These two scrolls were given to the Oshta for review. It was discovered that one scroll outlined the ancient mother-daughter tradition of making Ticanee quilts, while the other scroll outlined another ancient father-son tradition of going off to see the world, and having adventures. Taleena was given the mother-daughter scroll, while Judanus was given the father-son scroll. They were both to do their part to revive these traditions.
Unlike Judanus, who never fulfilled his part in seeing their traditions restored, Taleena spent countless hours with Dame Urtenia learning the various techniques used in squaring and stitching together quilts, and how it is important to share stories between mothers and daughters in making the quilt. She also learned about the blessing that was required for the quilts, and why such a blessing was necessary. She and her mother made the first Ticanee quilt in decades, something she felt was quite the accomplishment, and she considers that quilt to be her most prized possession, as well it should be. Since that time, she has been the forefront person in making certain semi-regular classes are available to women who wish to make these most sacred objects, for they could not be anything less. The secrets of the quilt are well guarded, and it is said that anytime such a class is being held all men are ushered from the room and forbidden to enter.
Wendos & The Old City
One of Taleena's first big cases in the guard landed in her lap, literally. Mer Wendos, a bookie of the Old City, was married to Dame Urtenia, Taleena's nanny as she was growing up, a marriage that Taleena had orchestrated after being given permission from her mother. Trusting Taleena, and fearing for his life, Wendos went to her with information about crimes that had occured in the Old City at the best of Mer Sangreos, who was the crime boss of the Old City. He admitted to framed for his murder, Mes Ojafi Vettle; an ex-Vrelander slave who had escaped from Ellish many years since. He also gave her other damning information about several high profile crimes that had been commited in the Old City. Originally, she had promised not to reveal the information unless it was upon his death, however fearing for Urtenia's life, who she loved so much, she passed it on to her father, the Lord Viceroy. The Lord Viceroy launched his own investigation into matters, discovering more nefarious things going on within the Old City. This is what launched a wide spread raid of the city that aided in routing out Shamibelian spies, slavers and other extremely dangerous criminal elements, as well as providing the First Division with a plethora of information that was long since forgotten. Unfortunately for Wendos, who was already on a short tether and had been warned if he did anything else outside of the law his freedom would end, he issued orders countermandings those of the Lord Viceroy, thereby committing treason. He was later executed, and killed for his actions. Some say this is what eventually lead to Dame Urtenia's demise, dying of a broken heart; others believe it was simply old age. No one really knows.
Lotuk's Body Retrieval
At first, when Taleena found out that Lotuk had died in the war season of 38 A.U., she was saddened over the event. She made a speech to express her sadness, and lauded Lotuk with her praise for his heroic death fighting the Shamibelian menace. However, she soon learned, while in attendance at a Clan Council meeting, that her husband's body was not returned with the others. Furthermore, that the man responsible, Lord Tagali Shadina, didn't even bother to ask after her husband's body during corpse and prisoner negotiation. She made her irritation and ire publically known, for it was not just some Lord that was left on the battlefield, but a Clan Royal, and this was was not something she could stomach. As a result, in the same breath she declared her ire, she vowed to go back to Ellish, refusing to allow a Clan Royal to wither away on the battlefield like useless garbage, and refusing to allow a Clan Royal to roam Aerval as a lost soul forever. She would put his soul to rest, or die trying.
It took several months for Taleena to organize a group to go to back to Ellish. In the end, several people were chosen to go; Mer Okatik Swiftpaw, Mes Kendra Coyote, Sir Parosh Dilarik, Prince Zaridos Elianik and, of course, Lord Tagali Shadina. It is said that Lady Taleena never gave Lord Tagali a choice in whether or not he would be going, given it was his mistake that allowed her husband to be left behind. They travelled to Ellish at the end of August 38 A.U. and returned at the end of September 38 A.U., having been away for nearly a month to accomplish the task. Little is known about the actual happenings of the trip itself, as scholars have yet to document everything, but it is said that that the group worked well together to make the mission successful. Prince Zaridos also outlined some of the the wonders that they had seen, naming creatures such as dogodiles, and giant spiders, as things they had to battle in order to get to the Shamibelian fortress where Lotuk and others were kept.
In the end, the group accomplished their task, and burned not only the body of Lord Lotuk Oshta, but also the bodies of three other Firans who had died, and were also left to rot in the same location as the fallen lord. In order to honor those brave citizens that aided her, even Lord Tagali Shadina, Lady Taleena held an awards ceremony, bestowing Ticanee and Firan alike with medals for their bravery and valor both for the Ellish mission, and an earlier mission she took to Vahloria in order to find criminals for the Republic. As soon as Taleean returned, she made certain to hold a state funeral and funeral games, in order to honor Lotuk's memory and the bravery that he showed at the war front. As a result of her own bravery and her devout determination to get back the body of her husband, Lady Taleena's efforts were lauded everywhere as a most romantic tale of feminine virtue:
Global Emit - Firan time: 08:58:52 AM on Sun Sep 25, in the year 38 A.U.
Men throughout the Republic will point to Lady Taleena's retrieval of her husband's body from the field of war as the mark of feminine virtue and devotion (think Antigone). Women sigh with pity for the poor heartbroken Lady Taleena--savage though she must be, Ticanee have feelings too, and her unnatural love for Lotuk drove her to such heroism. Surely, their souls must have been married before in another life, and will be reunited once again. (OOC RP Note: Writing poetry, songs, stories for the great library about this event will earn you CP if they're good. @request when you're done. Statues in honor of the event would be IC. You might make a scene of laying flowers outside the Oshta Mansion for Taleena and her dead husband. Perhaps a state funeral should be called for. You get the idea. RP accordingly.)
Antonian Apostasy
The Antonian Apostasy may be a dim light in many people's minds, but for Taleena it is a fresh reality every day. It all started with the interrogation of one half-shamibelian, Beyzo, who insisted that Antonius Marcus was out to take over the Republic government. Were Taleena any other guard, or any other person without the paranoia complex that she has, his desperate ramblings might have fallen on deaf ears, but for the girl who played Find the Assassin as a child, this was something of interest and concern to her. Immediately, she told her superiors about the information, and was almost instantly dismissed out of hand. Given that no one was listening, she decided to take things a notch higher, and talked to her father, the Lord Viceroy. He gave her the okay to launch an investigation, and so she did, sending out people far and wide to infiltrate the Marcus family, and to ensconce themselves within his inner circle. What they found was nothing short of lunacy, for Antonius Marcus and his cohort, Sir Nathim Ista Ankur were neck deep in attempting to recreate the lanesh trial of Clan Leader Firgalas, talking about killing the Lord Viceroy, and those who in power who followed him, upon a balcony in front of the masses, instilling their own form of government with Prince Avahlon Elianik as the new Ranivor, either with or without the cooperation of the remaining Clan Leaders. It was her investigation that aided in the discovery of this group, and the concentrated efforts of the First Division, several Clan Leaders and the Lord Viceroy who aided in bringing them down in the Dawn Raids of 39 A.U.
Commander of the Guard
Lady Taleena was promoted to the rank of Commander of the Guard after her involvement in several high profile cases, ranging from her involvement with Wendos that lead to the First Division raid in the old city to the Antonian Apostasy, where several members of the Republic were discovered to have been in a conspiracy to bring down the Viceroy and several Clan Leaders. She has served in the guard for at least six years, showing nearly the same devotion and dedication that her mother, the Oshta, did during her time within the guard.
Acting High Priestess
While the circumstances that led to Taleena gaining the position of High Priestess of the Temple of Uf, even temporarily, were unfortunate, Taleena considers it an honor to gain the position as leader of the Temple. This means that she gets to follow in her grandmother, and Republic hero, Lady Velani's footsteps. Her grandmother once lead the Temple of Uf, and so it stands to reason to Taleena that she, naturally, ought to as well, given how Uf favors and honors their family. She strives to do the position service as best she can, given her other duties with the Ticanee Clan, and with the First Division.
Accomplished Athlete
Lady Taleena, over the years, has entered several competitions, such as brawls, battle royales, races, pentathalons and the like. She finds that she enjoys the competition of the sports involved, and while some such things are not quite lady-like, she prides herself in the training she's received, and views these times as excellent opportunities to practice against other individuals and oppnents. She has, on occasion, brought back a medal or two from such competitions.
Enemies
Lady Xamori Teranzik
Taleena has never liked this upstart of a neo-noble, who comes off, quite often, as thinking she is better than everyone else, including Clan and Republic royalty. She owns more plantinum than most nobles put together, and even more she owns more elianosite, a gem that is reserved for largely for royalty, than most royalty has put together. If that isn't enough, for a time she was placed in charge of the Teranzik family, as their acting Head of Household; something Taleena seriously considers a slap in the face to the memory of her Grandmother, Mauvia, who was largely against neo-nobility. Were Mauvia still alive, Taleena is nearly certain that she would have had the heart attack so many people keep saying she was so close to having while in life. Still yet, if that were not enough, Xamori has encroached upon the one very thing that is very close to Taleena's heart; horses. Xamori made the mistake of breeding Taleena's mare to some other animal, stealing a potential foal from Taleena. This is something that Taleena will never, ever forgive this woman for, and still yet no sort of compensation has been made to Taleena for the theft of the animal. So, when Xamori keeps sending things to Taleena, stating she's sorry for whatever it is she has done to get into her bad graces, Taleena simply scoffs and sets those things in the garbage heap.
Lady Rianna Teranzik
It’s not so much that Rianna and Taleena are enemies, as it is that Rianna is yet another neo-noble in the family who sometimes thinks she’s better than everyone else. She’s all RAR, I’m the best warrior in the world because of who my daddy was. It’s not exactly a good thing to advertise that her father was Caracallo Teranzik, nee Firini, convicted traitor to the Bear Clan. He was sent to Caldera City in exile for crimes against Taleo as a Bear Clan Proxy, and the Bear Clan, after failing as a noble. But, aside from that, Taleena and Rianna constantly seem to be butting heads, but unlike Xamori, Rianna seems to at least have the decency to be less than contrite and guileless about it. She understands her place in the pecking order, even if she decides to challenge it on occasion. They last encounter with each other was over Rianna’s choice of Lord Zerasmus Didoron, the man that her sister Lilana loved, as a marriage prize. Of course, that choice was later usurped after it was discovered that Zerasmus and Lilana had married in secret prior to the festival from which he was chosen. Taleena had originally challenged Rianna to a duel over hero sister’s hurt feelings, which Rianna accepted, but then later apologized to the woman after she discovered her sister had tricked everyone, and then called off the duel, but offering Rianna to counter challenge her. Rianna made no such counter challenge, which was probably for the best.
Lord Inarus Elikista
Taleena has an undeniable of hatred for Lord Inarus Elikista, formerly Iberik, considering him responsible for an incident that nearly killed her first husband, Lotuk, in 36 A.U. She and Lotuk had not yet married then, but they were close to getting married. Lotuk was a member of the First Division, his first step on his way to becoming a pilot, and was on a routine patrol with Inarus when they brought in Mer Galeus for insubordination. When they were checking Mer Galeus into the jails, Inarus had failed to retrieve the man’s weapon, so he waited for his moment, and then took Lotuk hostage. The actual details of the situation are fuzzy, however the outcome was that the then Commander Inarus had allowed the man to get the upper hand, and not only put Lotuk’s life in danger as a result, but ended with actions that nearly got him killed. For this, Taleena has always had a blinding hatred for the man, especially when the First Division did little to fully investigate the situation or see to it that it was properly resolved. She fully believes Inarus tried to have Lotuk killed, either that or he was completely and totally incompetent, neither of which makes her have any love for the man. As such, when the Antonian Apostasy came around, she took no greater pleasure in seeing this man fall to his knees and be pulled out of any position of responsibility.
Princess Thaddia Elianik
One might say that Taleena and Princess Thaddia Elianik got off to a rocky start. First, she made a speech about being the only "princess' within the Lord Viceroy's life, as some sort of apology or something, setting off Taleena's ire that someone would have to so publically rub the fact she never gets to see her own father in her face. Second, she duelled Taleena's little sister, Tanya, and then gloated about it to the people, and to the rest of the Oshta family, when she did some serious harm to her, breaking Tanya's arm. Not only that, she continued to attack Tanya even after Tanya had asked for quarter, showing just what sort of a dishonorable woman she could be. Other people might be fooled by Thaddia's guile, but Taleena is not, and dislikes this Princess immensely, who thinks, perhaps, one day to become Ranivor; something of a joke at best.
Allies
Clan Leader Fidelia Ista Aldrik
Ever since Taleena can remember, Clan Leader Fidelia Ista Aldrik has been a presence within her life. She's been a strong guiding force for Taleena, in all things that are Bear, and proper. Fidelia and Pia, both, taught Taleena how to use her first set of hairpins, and while Taleena had, at first, wanted to chose to become a member of the Bear Clan, Fidelia was there to support her and give her aid; and was there even after she chose to become a Ticanee instead. They have a lifelong, lasting relationship, and often enjoy a drink of tea together on occasion. Taleena has extended her a permanent invitation to the Oshta Family Dinner, as she is like family.
Prince Savaren Elianik
Taleena and Prince Savaren Elianik were not always the close friends that they are now. In fact, they got off to a rather rocky start. As a child, Taleena attended a birthday party held by Princess Selene for Prince Savaren, which ended in some bit of disaster. Savaren was abrasive and uncouth, and not very proper at all! Taleena had written him off then and there. But then, through his brother Prince Rislan Elianik, Taleena got to know him a bit better, and has since changed her mind about him. He is often insecure about things, a thing which she tries to bolster time and again, which she can understand from her own sorts of leadership experiences. Taleena was responsible for pairing Savaren up with her cousin, Lady Teonia Teranzik, who later became his wife, and one of the Republic's Princesses.
Prince Rislan Elianik
Ever since childhood, Taleena and Prince Rislan Elianik have been close friends, unlike the rocky start she had with his brother, Savaren. The two often spent time studying in the library about law, and other topics of interest to the Replublic. Now, as adults, they work closely together within the First Division, he as her General, and she as his Commander. There's probably nothing she wouldn't do for him, if asked. She would easily consider Rislan to be one of her closest friends.
Mes Karima Wolfhawke
Karima Wolfhawke is Taleena's closest commoner confidante. She was apprenticed to Taleena in her childhood to become her lady's maid, and had been apprenticing to Dame Urtenia, the steward of the Oshta family at the time, to learn healing and midwifing. During the time of her apprenticeship, she and Taleena have become close friends, and Taleena considers her an extended part of the Oshta family. Only Karima may attend to Taleena's children, as Harvinia, the current steward and nanny, is forbidden from going anywhere near them.
Scandals
The Taleena Tea Incident
During Taleena’s formative years as a child, she met and made an enemy of the then Lord Sabinar Ista Zayes, the son of Lord Draugik Ista Zayes and Lady Ranazeel Ista Zayes.. He was a young quarter-shamibelian Lord that was fond of terrorizing children within the city of Anarinuell. Taleena made it her personal responsibility to teach this foul-blooded boy manners. Unfortunately, plans did not go as she had planned.
She met with him outside of the Temple Distict, after giving her prayers to Uf that day, and confronted him about his bullying tactics. Having just learned a bit about the sword from her brother, Judanus, she decided to engage Sabinar and attack him. The young boy was quick on his feet, and was able to turn the tables on her, however. Before she was even able to land one strike against his person, he had her captured, and sat her down in a puddle of water, pouring the dirty liquid all over her. He then made an announcement that he was selling Taleena Tea out of the water that he poured over her.
Choosing the Bear Clan
It is a little known fact, but a fact none the less, that Taleena had, in actuality, been soliciting her parents about what Clan it is she should be joining. Given she had the blood of both the Ticanee Clan and the Bear Clan, and because she adored and admired her grandmother, Lady Mauvia so much, she very much desired to join the Bears and help reign the Teranzik household. At least, that was her dream. Her dream was not to become reality, however. When Taleena had informed her mother she wanted to become a bear, the Oshta gave her an ultimatum; either choose the Ticanee Clan, or join the Bears and give up her life forever as part of the Oshta's household. Taleena, not one to abandon her family, did not have to think about her decision for long. She made her apologies to her mother, and chose to stay a Ticanee and with her family. Sometimes, however, when Taleena is feeling particularly grumbly about things, she brings this up from time to time, about how she'd always wanted to be a Bear instead. After that, Taleena has made certain to work hard in the clan, to ensure that, despite her grumblings, no one ever really gives pause to think too closely about who she represents, chosing her moments carefully to make certain that everyone remembers that she really, and truly, is a member of the Oshta household.
Announcement of Urtenia's Death
Through the last years of Urtenia's life, especially after the death of her husband, Wendos, Urtena had been going through several bouts of illness that had made her rather fragile and frail. In October of 36 A.U., Dame Urtenia of the Ticanee Clan, trusted nanny and midwife for the Oshta family for decades, collapsed in the Temple of Elik from yet another those bouts of illness. Messengers were immediately delivered to family and friends, detailing the grim news that they were not certain that she would make it through the evening this time. Several notable figures, such as Lady Taleena, Lady Proxy Fidelia, Ronti Garkensen, and others, made it to her bedside to ease her into Unot's realm. Some say, even Elik, her patron deity, made an appearance, for it seemed as if she were talking to him in her delerious state, and telling others his wishes for them during their grief over his most loyal servant.
After Urtenia passed away, Taleena sent several messengers off to her family, and publicly made an announcement that Urtenia had moved on to Unot's world. As a result, several Clan Leaders and officials speeched their condolences. However, the Oshta had been out of town at the time, and had only just returned to hear that the woman, who was as much a mother to her as her own mother was, had passed away, and not only that, but her daughter had stolen from her the opportunity to make the announcement of her death herself. In her upset and grief, Taria stated that the messengers who came to her must be wrong, for otherwise her daughter was attempting to steal the medallion before her time, and that was not something she wanted to consider.
As a result, Taleena fled from the Oshta Estate, and stayed in hiding for several weeks. Lady Fidelia attempted to entice Taleena to go and stay at the Ista Aldrik Estate, but rather than involve Fidelia in matters regarding her mother's grief, and as a result her mother's ire, Taleena politely refused Fidelia's offer, and several other offers to hide her made at that time. Instead, Taleena moved about from place to place, never staying the same place in a single night, waiting for her mother's grief to subside long enough for her to realize she meant no harm. In the meantime, Taria stole Urtenia's body from the Temple of Unot, with Fidelia's full knowledge, and told the world that she did not give Urtenia permission to die, therefore she was not dead, and that any Ticanee caught smiling within the Clan would be beaten by Taria herself, in the following judgment:
Taria made the following judgment on Firan time: 02:53:04 AM on Mon Sep 21, in the year 36 A.U.: There shall be no laughter in the Ticanee district until further notice. I will whip anyone who smiles at me. Mes Jafira will cover all the mirrors in my home with black cloth. If anyone is seen to come to me not wearing mourning clothing, I will beat them with my own fists. And if anyone burns Dame Urtenia without my say so, I will burn them alive with their family. I did not give her my permission to die. I will not let her go
After several weeks of mourning, Taria finally gave Urtenia permission to die, and in doing so ordered Taleena to attend the funeral. At the funeral, during her speech, Taria publicly for gave Taleena for her decision to announce Urtenia's death, and the two women put things behind them.
Living Arrangements
The Oshta Family Mansion has been declared a no-Man sort of zone of the Oshta family, and those others who live within the estate, save for any boy children Tari, or her children, might have. As a result, neither Lord Taleo Teranzik, Taleena's father, nor Lord Judanarius Corinala, Taleena's husband, live at the Oshta mansion. Taleena, for her part, stays at the Oshta mansion because her duty, as a Ticanee Proxy, is to her Clan, and she is quite often busy with Clan business while her mother is off in Vahloria, which is more frequently lately, taking care of matters in their capital city, now that the Ticanee have one. However, it has been said that Taleena quite frequently visits the Corinala Estate to stay for an evening or two, and she maintains a room at the Oshta Estate for Judanarius that he frequently resides within.
Naming of Children
The last time Taleena gave birth, she announced that her son, Lord Danazir, was taking the name of Corinala-Oshta. While she realizes that hyphenated names are quite quixotic in nature, she chose to name her son this way because of the uncertainty of which family he will belong to when he comes of age; something that will be decided when he has his Ceremony of Souls. Taleena's own name was somewhat hyphenated between Oshta and Teranzik growing up, so she does not personally see this as an enigma or bad thing in any sort of fashion, as far as royalty is concerned. She holds commoners to different standards.
Miscellany
Habits
Find the Assassin
Having Clan Leader Taria Oshta for a mother and Lord Viceroy Taleo Teranzik for a father, makes for a very worrisome lifestyle, as both have managed to garner, what Taleena perceives to be, a large load of enemies throughout the years. As such, from her earliest days, people who know Taleena also know that she's somewhat paranoid about everything and everyone around her. She keeps lists of who can be trusted, who can't be trusted, who's of equal level to her, and who's beneath her. She also keeps lists of potential assassins, and she is quite often checking those lists once, twice, three times over, if not more. Her favorite game, even now, is Find the Assassin. When she was younger, she played it most with her siblings. Now that she's older, she applies those techniques she trained herself in playing the game to her every day work, which has successfully lead her to uncover large scale plots to bring down the Republic, where hte guard might have otherwise turned a blind eye to things given who was giving them the information.
In Find the Assassin, two people are picked from the crowd; one is the assassin and the other is the murdered victim. Taleena, and whoever she is with, surmises how the 'culprit' killed the victim, what occured during the crime scene and why that assassin did the things that they did. It may sound easy from the get go, but beneath the surface the game has many complicated levels to it.
Likes
Flaming Cheese
Flaming cheese is a delicacy that Taleena discovered when she was in Vahloria looking for criminals for the First Division. The local Ticanee there were proud to serve it to her, explaining that they had discovered the concoction one night, during some drunken revelry where someone had spilled a bottle of whiskey atop some cheese, and it had been burned off the top. Later, they made making flaming cheese into an art form that can be somewhat dangerous to make, sometimes causing eyebrows to get scorched. Despite that, the cheesey gooey mess is a wonderful delight, and one of the few things Taleena looks forward to during family dinners.
Horses
Horses are beautiful, majestic creatures, or so Taleena thinks. She has always loved horses from the day she first laid eyes on them, which was likely within the Teranzik Stables as the Oshta family has no stable of their own. Taleena owns at least two horses herself, having obtained her very first one at the age of twelve. Her first, a mare, is Teranzik Tempest, a gift from her father, Taleo. Her second, a stallion, is Char Do Neigh, a gift from her late husband, Lotuk. Taleena is determined to learn how to properly breed horses, as it is not only in her blood from her Ticanee heritage, but also in her blood from her Teranzik relations. Her Uncle, Tergus Teranzik, was a legendary breeder among the people, before his downfall in the Alliance War.
Stuffed Meatballs
Taleena has developed a distinct fondness for stuffed meatballs over the years, and it has been known to be said that she gets quite sullen when their table is without them during their family dinners.
Whiskey
While Taleena does enjoy wines and other alcoholic beverages, it appears that she has picked up her mother's fondness for this rather strong drink. It is said that she keeps a store of the very best that she often gifts to friends and family on occasion.
Dislikes
Nudity
Much like her mother, Clan Leader Taria Oshta, but for different reasons, Taleena very much does not like nudity, likely due to the influences of Lady Mauvia Teranzik on the household. Taleena strives to uphold to the things she thinks Mauvia would approve of, and she's most certain that nudity is not one of those things. She refused to go to her wedding dressed in only blue paint, which is a Ticanee tradition, and instead insisted on wearing a blue outfit. She also refused to allow either of her husbands to do dress in only blue paint. They had to be properly clothed. Others blame her Bear heritage, and the influences that clan has had within her life.
Yappy, Drooling Dogs
Unlike most people, who are currently crazed over the new 'dog' sensation that's come to town, Taleena finds dogs horrid and destestable. They are annoying, useless creatures that do nothing but sit there and drool. She may suffer one in her presence, as some Clan Leaders, and friends, have them, but she's deigned she'll never get one for herself. Useless beasts! She dislikes the spaniels most of all.
Griffon Animals
Taleena dislikes griffons. This is mostly because she blames them for taking her brothers away from her; and the fact that they are so dangerous to ride that one could be killed while doing so, and still leaves yet another thing that allows her brothers to be taken away from her, though more permanently. While she does consider them a necessary evil, she will not willingly get on one, or support her brothers' sordid activities with them, unless it's deemed absolutely, completely, resolutely required to do so.
