In the desert canyon city of
Scald the
Al Zaeim rule over the populace, and their chosen representative is the princess of that fair city; one of the most beautiful women who ever lived, 'amira Aaliyah, the Desert Rose.
The princess dwells in
The Awakened Palace, a huge extravagant edifice of marble and gold, where her every whim is waited upon by eager servants. She is surrounded by incredible riches and served the best and most flavoursome foods and wines anywhere in
The Known World.
Yet, despite all this, her power is somewhat limited. She still answers to the
Majlis al Zaeim, the council of
Scald, and is rarely permitted to leave her palace, let alone the city.
Such vast wealth and beauty has attracted a wide variety of suitors, who regularly arrive at the palace and offer all kinds of incentives for the princess' hand. As yet, none have been deemed worthy however.
Whilst her upbringing may have been cloistered, the princess had some of the best teachers oversee her education. She learned swordsmanship from the best warriors in the
Jundiun and literacy from the leaders of
The Stargazers Guild. She understands well the arts of literature and war.
Appearance and Mannerisms
Despite reportedly being one of the most beautiful young women in
The Known World, the princess is normally seen in long, flowing robes that hide her form. Her face is covered in public, apart from her eyes, which hint at the stunning beauty hidden below.
Despite the modesty of her clothing, it is richly appointed with embroidered silks of the highest quality and flows and ebbs as she moves.
'amira Aaliyah speaks in a quiet, carefully considered tone. Her movements are delicate and precise, like those of a dancer.
Notable Achievements
'amira Aaliyah is worshipped like a deity by the populace of the city of
Scald. Tales say that in her youth she served as a healer and fought in the front lines against attacks by the beasts of the
Barren Wastes.
One tale tells that during an attack on the city by a group of powerful
afārīt, 'amira Aaliyah was watching the battle from a ridge when she saw the leader of the
Jundiun get knocked from his horse and dragged off as a prisoner.
Rather than sit back and weep over such a loss, the princess ran to a supply tent, grabbed a suit of armour, threw on a black robe with a red sash, turned a black strip of cloth into a mask that concealed everything on her face except her eyes, and rode out into battle on horseback carrying a heavy spear and a scimitar.
She is said to have chased down the
afārīt, and staged a daring rescue of the warrior, making their escape on the back of a giant Roc. She was only 12 years old at the time.
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