Jetra Rosilee Toherel (a.k.a. Pink Flame)
"The people of Xeoti can tell you more about Jetra's escapades and of the heroes she sings about than they can tell you about the royal intrigue in the heart of the city. The matters of the Emperor of Moudon matter not to people that would rather embrace trumped-up stories than the 'empire' ruled by posturing fools."
-Zimman Hopetiller
Jetra is a jill of all trades, in a way. Jetra can dance, she can fight, and she can dance while she fights. Her skills as an astounding orator and storyteller has also extended into her ability to be a diplomat and advocate. Classically trained in her youth, Jetra is also quite skilled with a lute and a duduk playing haunting melodies that can sway even the Emperor. To top it all off, Jetra is also quite the wit and known to use a bit of magic from time to time. Jetra Toherel could probably run the whole of Moudon better than the Emperor but she would never be so bold as to suggest that herself. All of this skill does come with a bit of ego, though, make no mistake. Other bards and talents would begrudgingly admit that they were bested by Jetra and somewhere along the way it may have gone to her head.
Skills and defects aside, Jetra's reputation in Moudon is legendary. Rich and poor alike would pay (or kill) to make their way into her stories because to do so is to gain immortality through song and lore. Those that have fought alongside would tell you that she always has your back and those that she has helped save would say that she was willing to risk it all for them. This may or may not always be sure. Jetra is genuine even when she is not. This narrative has helped Jetra gain access to many inner circles and has allowed her to influence the shaping of some of the city-states over the years.
With a story that inspires many a re-telling at a bar over drinks, Jetra cannot go anywhere without being recognized and for the most part, this has never posed an issue. As she gets older, however, Jetra has begun to see a deeper issue that she wishes to unearth and tackle. While the Emperor and his lot have grown complacent, there is a discontent building between the city-states and Jetra is not blind to it. Nor is she blind to the recent advancements that have led to some of the cities losing the monopoly on what brought them the most wealth.
Jetra enjoys sterling notoriety and a cushy existence, but war could ruin all of it. Worse yet she could die in obscurity. So now a 'humble' bard must try to correct years of corruption and lax leadership. She knows that she could use a little help as well too.
Mental characteristics
Though Jetra started out classically trained as nobility through her private tutors, that stopped when she was eight. Since then Jetra has never turned down a chance to learn something new but she has largely learned from experience and travelling with various adventurers.
As an official member of the Reszich Order and an On/Off Lodge Leader, Jetra has a hefty resume of diplomatic and humanitarian experience. She as also worked at several establishments and theatres as an entertainer.
One of Jetra's chief accomplishment is in brokering continued peace between Juram and Grivaltir. Their rivalry as city-states is nearly as old and profound. Though the emperor in Xeoti makes a show of trying to make it seem as though the two places are friends now, every few years civil unrest breaks out. In one such instance, a batch of riots broke out into a fire that burned down a whole district in Juram. When the government rose troops and came looking for Grivaltir blood, it was Jetra's command of diplomacy and tact that gave both sides pause enough to look at signing a contract for continued ceasefire.
I like the idea of a bard holding the world together with her diplomacy skills, also her song and exploits. All around a good read.