Ayan Tyeen
Antarand's Most Famous Criminal
Ayan Yehudit Tyeen
"Do you want to know how I lost it?" Ayan had suddenly turned to face Tilli. She bent her right elbow to hold her stump in the air. "It got cut off. When I got caught stealing."
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Ayan is of average height and build with large green eyes and black hair. She is also missing a hand.
Body Features
Ayan stands five feet, seven inches high. She has fair skin and an average build, with slightly broad shoulders and hips.
Facial Features
Ayan has a round face with large green eyes, a small nose, and wide lips. She has black hair, which is about elbow length, and which she usually wears in two braids.
Identifying Characteristics
Ayan is missing her right hand, at the wrist. It was removed when she was eleven, when she was caught trying to steal from the royal family of Antarand.
Special abilities
Ayan has a gift for fabric and fibers. Though she is good with natural and synthetic fibers, she is better with natural ones. She is skilled at sewing, weaving, and even crocheting. She can also work magic through her fabric. Usually, this is done through the creation of a garment itself. That is, through her craftsmanship, she can create such effects as clothing that does not rustle, clothing that resists stains, and even clothing that gives off the illusion of being something it is not. She does also have the ability to communicate with fibers, which she usually describes as conversing with them. She can ask fibers to unweave and reweave or otherwise change their shape. Though this can sometimes ease her ability in tricky parts of what she is making, it is a useful tool, not the primary way in which she creates garments. Though she can make other things (i.e. quilts, teddy bears, etc.) clothes are Ayan's specialty. She is also skilled at recognizing the type of clothing that someone is wearing from the sound it makes as the person walks.
Apparel & Accessories
Ayan makes all her own clothes. Her patron has allowed her to do this, given that she wears clothing that is in style: usually a knee-length skirt with a long top, tied in a knot on one side. Her clothes are often black dominant, with colorful accents. Ayan prefers to go barefoot, but when she must wear shoes, she settles for simple flats.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Ayan was born to a shipbuilder and an excommunicated priestess of the Goddess of Nightmares and Names. She was the youngest of two children. Her brother, Leo Tyeen was one year older than her. Though they were not completely impoverished, they were poor, and unable to seek medical help for her mother when she fell ill. Ayan's mother died when Ayan was a baby, but the death, if anything only brought her father closer to her and her brother. He did all he could for them until he died in an accident on the docks when Ayan was six. She and Leo were immediately turned out of their house, and found themselves living on the streets.
Though their father raised them to be good citizens, Leo felt a need to care for his sister, and began stealing food and wallets to do so. He was caught by Altiane Bakayo who herself was a con artist, and took the two siblings in. Altiane taught Ayan and Leo how to steal properly, and frequently used them as distractions in her schemes. She also tended to them as a mother might, however. She ensured that they were never hungry or cold, and sent them to school.
When Ayan was nine, she began to show not only a natural talent for fabric arts, but a magical connection to fabrics. She frequently spoke of clothing, blankets, and other fabrics as having personalities, and "had conversations" with the fibers. Altiane fostered this ability, and a couple of years later, laid out a plan for the grandest con scheme she had developed. Ayan was to dress as a seamstress attending to the King's sister, Audeni Deneen, and once inside the royal residence, steal Audeni's jewels. Ayan was not recognized by any of the royal staff, however, and the scheme was soon discovered. When she was caught, Ayan refused to name the others she had worked with, and had her right hand cut off for her troubles. She was eleven years old.
Over the next two years, Ayan taught herself how to sew and weave one handed, and developed a new and better plan. Using discarded fabric she acquired at the local Xurugwi temple, Ayan created the most beautiful dress that she had ever sewn--a stunning gown of shimmering gold and bronze fabrics. Ayan had learned upon her previous visit that, while she did not resemble anyone in the staff of the royal household, she bore a remarkable similarity to Audeni Deneen herself. Thus, Ayan sought help from Leo and Altiane in a new plan. This time, she would dress up as Audeni herself, at a time when the king's sister was expected to be visiting a nearby country. She would create an excuse about needing to return to fetch something, and leave as quickly as possible with the jewels she had intended to steal two years earlier.
Though no one in the household questioned Ayan's insistence that she was the king's sister, Audeni herself had returned, having had to postpone the trip due to weather. Thus Ayan was caught by the very person she was there to impersonate. Audeni was taken, however, both with the girl's daring in attempting the same thievery she had several years earlier, but also with the artistry involved in creating the dress and the impersonation. Thus, Audeni spoke on behalf of Ayan, insisting that rather than being punished, she should be sent somewhere that would foster her natural talent, and perhaps create a true citizen out of her. She applied to Faraday School of Wizards on Ayan's behalf, and made Ayan the offer--to go to school, and keep her hand. Naturally, Ayan accepted the offer.
Audeni's deal with Ayan also meant that Ayan was to move into Audeni's home with her, where she could be properly taught, both in academics, and in social graces. Audeni also insisted that Ayan learn to speak proper Cugbo before she went to Faraday. Though Ayan was wary of Audeni's patronage at first, the idea of getting to properly learn sewing and weaving and magic enticed her, and she dreamed of one day owning a shop of her own, and being able to take care of Leo and Altiane without resorting to thievery. She also quickly took to Audeni's dog, Watson.
When Ayan shared her newfound luck with Leo, however, she was treated like a traitor. She believes that this is the way her father would have wanted her to live, not stealing and conning, but Leo has lived so long this way, that he did not believe Audeni's motivations to be honorable, and warned Ayan against trusting her. Ayan nevertheless decided to continue in her studies under her new patron, hoping to prove her brother wrong, and eventually, to reunite them. This is the last time she saw her brother.
Education
Ayan's father died before she was old enough to attend school, but after being adopted by Altiane, her foster mother insured that she and her brother could read, write, do arithmetic, and "speak proper." Though her interests in sewing and weaving were fostered, she was entirely self-taught before being caught in her scheme by Audeni Deneen. Afterward, Audeni saw to it that Ayan was tutored in all the usual academic subjects, in addition to learning about fabric arts and studying the Cugbo language, until it was time for her to leave for Faraday.
Intellectual Characteristics
Ayan is exceptionally clever and dedicated in any task that she takes on. She is observant and knows how to wait for the ideal moment to make her move. She carefully plans out her actions, and prepares for possible events to go awry. She is patient, and usually waits to get involved in social situations, so she knows what she is getting involved in before she does so.
Morality & Philosophy
Despite having spent most of her childhood as a thief, Ayan has surprisingly strict morals. She often reflects on what she was taught by her father, and wants very much to live up to what she believes his expectations for her would have been. She feels that rules should only be broken when they absolutely have to be (for example, when they are wrong) and secretly hopes that may be able to open her patron's eyes as to where the rules of her own country are wrong.
Taboos
Ayan was raised to believe that the worst thing one can do is to tell one another person who has been engaged in illicit activity, but this is at odds with her father's strong moral code, and she frequently struggles with this. Nevertheless, she also has a strong desire to remain loyal to her family, which so far has kept her from snitching on Leo or Altiane.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Ayan has always been motivated by her family. As a child, she followed Leo and Alitiane to please her brother and stay close to him. After winning the patronage of Audeni Deneen, she decided to focus as much of her energies as possible on developing her fabric art skills, with the eventual goal to own her own shop as a seamstress and be able to support her brother using the income from the shop.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Ayan is very good at all things related to fabric, magically or not. She is an excellent seamstress and weaver. She also has the same level of patience for people that she does for sewing. She approaches social situations in a way similar to the way she approaches garments. That is, she familiarizes herself with all of the elements before she begins, and moves quickly, but carefully, being sure of her actions when she does so, and stopping when she no longer feels confident to double-check her work.
Ayan is an avid fan of Lightning Ball and despite missing a hand has become quite a good player, utilizing her elbows shoulders and head more than most players. This has made her a deceptively difficult opponant.
Likes & Dislikes
Though Ayan was not particularly interested in literature of any variety as a child, she's developed a strong liking for rock 'n' roll. She is still not an avid reader, unless it is a sewing magazine. She only has a passing interest in TV and movies. Ayan is fond of the outdoors, and of animals. She also has a weakness for chocolate, all varieties.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Ayan has a good relationship with the royal family of Antarand, through her patron Audeni. She could probably even get an audience with the king himself, if she wanted to, but she has never tried it. She floats in many high-social circles, where she is an exotic oddity. She could likely call on favors from people in these social circles, but these people are more acquaintances than friends.
Ironically, Ayan also has connections with con artists and criminals through Leo and Alitiane. If she needed something done outside of legal means, she could easily find someone who could do it... for a price.
Religious Views
Ayan's mother was a priestess of the Goddess of Nightmares and Names, and her father always followed this religion. Once Ayan learned, however, that her mother had been excommunicated upon breaking her vow of celibacy, she turned away from the faith. She always blamed the priesthood for her mother's death, thinking that if they had let her leave with any amount of money or anything other than the clothes on her back, they would have had the money to see a doctor when her mother had grown ill. Ayan has since sought ought other religions. Though she has never enjoyed books a great deal, she does bear an interest in religious texts, and has been known to study them avidly. She also frequents services of a variety of faiths in Forgecard Falls, though she is more likely to attend those that offer her a decent meal. For this reason, Ayan has actually developed an affinity for the local Epaluno group, which not only offers her a meal anytime she visits, but also did not change their treatment of her after she had her hand cut off for attempted thievery. Ayan has been to the local temple so many times that she has even picked up some Epaluno phrases, such as the ritual greetings that Pelan give when meeting each other.
Social Aptitude
When attending a social gathering, Ayan is quite charming. She is quickly able to win people over, whether she is convincing a new person to work a con with Alitane, or entertaining Audeni Deneen's friends. She is also good at taking charge in a situation, and can quickly and effectively organize a group of people.
Speech
Ayan's native dialect is a low-prestige dialect of Imk. Though she has learned standard Imk, she rarely uses it, even when in the company of royalty. In fact, Ayan used standard Imk more when working a con with Altiane than she does when interacting with Audeni's friends. She has learned standard Cugbo, however, and speaks it with almost no trace of an accent. Therefore, while Imk speakers tend to look down on Ayan or treat her like a strange, but interesting pet, Cugbo speakers usually assume that she is highly intelligent and treat her with a good deal of respect.
Relationships
History
Matsias and Ayan meet at Faraday School for Wizards, through Mat's adopted sister, Key. They primarily eat meals and study together, but they bond over the fact that they are both missing limbs. Ayan is appreciative of the fact that Mat doesn't seem to be bothered by her criminal history.
Relationship Reasoning
Mat and Ayan are both freshmen at Faraday. They have some of the same classes and they live in the same dorm. Ayan's roommate is another student who befriended Mat and Key on the train to school.
Shared Acquaintances
Key Truuit Ilionori Lumo Tilli Todetse
History
Tilli and Ayan meet at Faraday school. Upon meeting, Tilli recognizes Ayan, but cannot think of why Ayan's face is familiar. It is not until Ayan reveals that she had her hand cut off for stealing that Tilli realizes that she has seen Ayan's face in the news. Being from different countries, Tilli is well aware of Ayan's story. She also secretly admires Ayan.
Relationship Reasoning
Ayan and Tilli go to school together. They have mutual friends, and frequently eat lunch and study together.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Though not from the same country, Ayan and Tilli are both from the area of Nideon considered "the Southern Isles," two larger islands in southern hemisphere.
Shared Acquaintances
Mat Truuit, Key Truuit, Ilionori Lumo
History
Key and Ayan met at Faraday School. They frequently eat lunch and study together. They share at least one class.
Relationship Reasoning
Key and Ayan have at least one class together. They meet through a mutual acquaintance.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Ayan and Key both make their own clothes.
Shared Acquaintances
Matsias Beleed, Ilionori Lumo, Tilli Todetse
History
Miriam and Ayan meet at Faraday School for Wizards, where they share a room in Victoria House. Ayan quickly likes Miriam, who does not make a fuss about her missing hand.
Relationship Reasoning
Ayan and Miriam are roommates at Faraday School for Wizards. They also frequently share meals together, and have some classes together.
Shared Acquaintances
Mat Truuit, Key Truuit, Tilli Todetse
Wealth & Financial state
Ayan has never been wealthy, and has depended on others all her life to see that her needs are met. As a child, this was Leo and Altiane, until she won the patronage of Audeni Deneen. Audeni's patronage means that not only does Ayan now have the finest fabrics to work with, and could potentially have all of her wants met. But she is wary of this wealth, as all her life, gifts have meant something. Any offer of wealth comes with a need to return it at some future time, in some future way, and she worries what Audeni might demand of her in the future.
Current Location
Year of Birth
1948
14 Years old
Birthplace
Forgecard Falls, Antarand
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Current Residence
Forgecard Falls, Anatrand
Gender
female
Eyes
green, large
Hair
black, elbow length, worn in braids
Height
5'7"
Ruled Locations
Comments