Arderia Harara
Arderia Harara (a.k.a. "Little Flame")
I am Arderia Harara, daughter of a mortal mother and Efreeti father. My father disappeared when I was young and, while my mother refuses to speak of it, I know something tragic happened from her tears. Now, with my magic roaring in my veins, I hear the whispers of his voice on desert wind and the mirage of a lamp in the sands. I must uncover the secret of my father's disappearance. Was he imprisoned in a lamp? Did he make a deal that went wrong? I need answers... and I will burn anyone who tries to stop me...
Physical Description
Body Features
Arderia looks like a young human woman in her twenties with charcol hair and slight ember eyes. Strong emotions however are a catalyst for her Efreete heritage, allowing the hot embers and flames contained beneath the surface of her skin to crack and glow.
She also has a strange birthmark behind her right ear. Its difficut to spot and usually covered by her hair.
She has a long scare on the side of her waist from a tumble she took on the cliffs in the canyon of Desert’s Promise while exploring with Whirl. The scar is from a gash by a sharp rock.
Apparel & Accessories
Like many ifrits, Arderia likes to keep her skin uncovered and open to the air, favoring loose or breathable clothes made in light fabrics like silk and chiffon. She prefers to wear dark colors, allowing the fire inside her to glow more distinctively when visible.
Mental characteristics
Sexuality
Arderia has a fiery personality and is often more attracted to people with less explosive passions. While she perfers the feminine frame, she is open to all sexes and ancestries... or at least she would be if she didn't have to worry about burning them to cinders. Getting past second base is hard when you tend to light things on fire.
Education
Arderia did not recieve a formal education, but recieved the next best thing which was a personalized education from an former preistess of Sarenrae, her mother. Arderia learned through studying the holy text The Birth of Light and Truth and The Book of Ashes for reading and writing. She learned mathamatics through balancing services of her mother's trade.
Employment
Arderia has a lot of experience helping her mother with her various trades and a time or two has assisted in a tavern for extra coin as often her charasmatic personality can earn her a few extra copper. Sometimes in towns, she is able to gain employment as a brazier lighter, lighting up the town in preparation for the watch.
Morality & Philosophy
Arderia was raised to believe that temperence, honesty, and compassion were the greatest virtues in life... two out of three aren't too bad, right? She doesn't have the religious vigor of her mother and will go to questionable moral lengths for the people she cares about.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
"My mother's cryptic warnings and the whispers of my own magic fuel my determination to uncover the secret of my father's disappearance. Was he imprisoned in a lamp? Did he make a deal that went wrong? I need answers."
Likes & Dislikes
Fennec foxes, dancing, exploration, M’hanncha (snake cake)
Virtues & Personality perks
Genie magic holds the potential to reshape the world. I will utilize this power to create a new order, one that challenge the established order and rewrite the rules of magic.
Vices & Personality flaws
I believe that the ends justify the means. In pursuit of my goals, I might be willing to make morally questionable choices.
Hygiene
Water is scarce in the desert and, even when temporarily in abundance, is frequently substituted with oils and perfumes. Arderia prefers magic, using it to clean away what others mask.
Social
Family Ties
Umaima "Heartstring Mirage" Harara:
Arderia was raised by her single mother, Umaima, after her father dissapeared from their lives. Umaima is a kind hearted mortal human.
Malek Harara:
Arderia's Efreeti father who dissapeared when she was a child.
Cactus Flower :
When Arderia was a teenager, she and her mother moved to Desert's Promise, where Umaima met Cactus Flower and bonded. Cactus Flower became a step-parent to Arderia which is a frequent point of tension.
Religious Views
Arderia was raised to respect Sarenrae, the Dawnflower.
Relationships
History
When Arderia was a teenager, she and her mother moved to Desert's Promise, where Umaima "Heartstring Mirage" Harara met Cactus Flower and bonded. Cactus Flower saw the parellels between Umaima and herself, raising a geniekin child and the two bonded as she tried to help. Cactus Flower ultimately became a step-parent to Arderia which is a frequent point of tension. By the time Cactus Flower and Arderia were presented with the step-parent relationship, Arderia was already 17 years of age, and tensions of what the role between them was were high, especially when Cactus Flower tries to fill the role of a parent. It does not help that Arderia puts her father, Malek Harara, on a pedestal in her mind.
Shared Acquaintances
Umaima "Heartstring Mirage" Harara: Arderia's mother and Cactus Flower's partner
Nicknames & Petnames
Umaima calls Arderia "Little Flame" lovingly. When Arderia isn't calling her mother "Mama", she refers to her by her given first name and refuses to use her chosen commune name "Heartstring Mirage". It is a tension point between the two at times.
History
Melek dissapeared when Arderia was a small child for some unknonw reason. Arderia does not remember him but has put him up on a pedistal in her mind from stories her mother has told her.
History
Arderia and Breeze have never met, though Arderia knows of Breeze through Cactus Flower stories of her child. She's supposedly some hero in Manadh, the Darkened Peninsula and Arderia wouldn't mind meeting her some day. Her step-parent, Cactus Flower, seems proud of Breeze but there aways seemed to be something a little off when she talks about her.
History
Arderia had initially found Kai irritating. He’d greeted her arrival with an overly enthusiastic hug and a rapid-fire barrage of questions about the "outside world," his curiosity bordering on manic. But Kai was persistent, and beneath the surface hyperactivity, he didn’t try to offer her platitudes about inner peace or the interconnectedness of all things. Unlike the others, Kai didn't seem to notice or care about the faint heat that sometimes radiated from Arderia when she was agitated. He'd simply squint at her and say, "You feeling alright, Arderia? You're looking a bit flushed, like you wrestled a sun lizard." His obliviousness was strangely comforting. He even taught Arderia the local sign language used for silent communication across the distances of the canyon.
Nicknames & Petnames
Kai sometimes calls Arderia "Ember" as a sutto nickname until she chooses her own second name. Arderia continues to refuse to have a second name, but she begrudgingly allows this. She, of course, calls him “Whirl”.
Commonalities & Shared Interests
Both friends have a knack for exploring the canyon, stargazing, and enjoy discussing the world beyond Desert’s Promise.
Unleashing Potential: Genie magic holds the potential to reshape the world. I will utilize this power to create a new order, one that challenge the established order and rewrite the rules of magic.
Character Location
"She's a fiery one, that girl, and I don't mean just her spunk. I remember when she just came into her father's magic, the little mephit used to run around lighting all the watch braziers with glee. Saved me time, I'll tell you, three months I could go straight to my post not having to worry." -- Amir Osman, Night Watchmen
Alignment
Chaotic/Neutral Good
Date of Birth
Sarenith 20th, 3974
Spouses
Siblings
Breeze
(Step Sister)
Children
Current Residence
Gender
Female
Eyes
Embers
Hair
Charcoal
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Olive Brown
Height
5'6
Weight
140
Related Reports
Geas
Arderia’s fire still burns fiercely beneath her skin as she walks away from Whirl, each step accompanied by the intense heat that refuses to fade completely. Although the molten burn has subsided significantly, the raw emotional damage still lingers, gnawing at her heart. The trust that had gradually formed over the last few years, despite her initial resistance, has now shattered into a thousand grains of sand. That is, perhaps, what hurts the most. She could have expected such betrayal from the outside world, but not from Desert’s Promise. Everyone here insisted it was different. There was a magical ward around the community to protect it. Arderia throws another blast of fire at the canyon wall. It blackens and transforms some of the stone back into molten form. That enchantment clearly doesn’t affect those already inside. And just when things got a little inconvenient, Desert’s Promise proved as corrupt and immoral as the rest of the world.
She continues down the canyon passage until she finds a small clearing where she can see the stars beginning to ascend the night sky. Arderia stops and sits in the still-warm sand against the canyon wall. She runs her hand through the tiny grains and watches as they tumble back to the canyon floor. Her mother is on the council. Her mother chose to do this. Arderia’s heart bleeds at the thought. That hurts her more than anything. She may have been a fool to trust Desert’s Promise, but mother…
Water is invaluable in the desert dunes of Galda. People kill and die to safeguard sources of this essential liquid. Conflicts have erupted over the blazing sands for regions rich in water. The fact that Desert’s Promise isn’t really that different doesn’t surprise her now that the heat has cooled. She looks at the stars between the canyon walls.
She won't make the same mistake twice.
Sandy Oasis
The winding canyon paths laid before me. Sunlight blazed on the sandstone walls, baking the rock to a fierce warmth that shimmered in the air, though it never quite touched my skin. The shifting sand whispered beneath my well-worn sandals as I moved, each grain a tiny story carried on the gentle wind that snaked its way through the narrow passages, a cool caress against the dry heat. Jagged cliffs clawed at the sky, their shadows creating a dance of light and darkness that shifted with the sun's relentless journey. For a year, Desert's Promise had been my base, but these canyons? They were where I truly came alive. My sandaled feet knew every rise and dip, every hidden crevice.
Today, my pack was satisfyingly heavy. I'd gathered rare desert blooms, their petals shimmering with an otherworldly iridescence, something the dry soil of Desert's Promise could never nurture. I also had a cluster of crystals that caught the light like captured stars. The blooms were destined for Dune Singer, whose tapestries sang with the colors I brought back, and the crystals... well, Whirl, ever the inventor, would probably turn them into something wonderfully chaotic.
A grin tugged at my lips as I thought of Whirl. He was my age, with the same restless spirit and a knack for seeing the world in a million pieces, all waiting to be fitted together in some new, exciting way. He could practically become one with these canyon walls, scaling them with an ease that made my head spin, and he knew all the hidden springs where the water tasted like liquid moonlight.
Sometimes, though, even with the vibrant life of the desert swirling around me, a different kind of pull tugged at my thoughts, a half-formed question that lingered like heat haze on the horizon.
Emerging from the canyon's mouth always felt like stepping into a different world. Desert's Promise unfolded before me – dwellings carved into the rock, colorful fabrics dancing in the breeze, the scent of cooking spices mingling with the smoky aroma of incense. It was a place of community, of shared laughter and quiet moments of connection.
Umaima's smile was a warm beacon as she stood waiting, but beside her, Cactus Flower's expression was a mix of frustration. I knew that look. I'd slipped out early this morning, eager to explore a new canyon trail, leaving before they could insist I take Cactus Flower with me. The woman had recently started insisting on being by my side when I went into the canyons so I could help her get certain medicinal herbs. She was getting harder to dodge in the early mornings.
Desert’s Promise
The firelight cast dancing shadows on the rough-hewn walls of their new home burrowed into the canyon wall. Desert’s Promise, a name that still felt strange on Arderia’s tongue. Here, nestled precariously amongst other carved-out dwellings, the smell of sandalwood incense replaced the familiar dust of their old village.
Across the small space, Umaima knelt by a pile of brightly colored cushions, arranging them with a soft smile. Arderia sprawled on the floor, fiddling with a half-mended sandal, her brow furrowed as she allowed her genie magic to flow into the fabric twisting the threads back together.
“And Cactus Flower, she has the most incredible touch with desert flora! We planted these little firebushes yesterday, and already they look livelier.”
Arderia winced at the name. Cactus Flower, a woman whose attire seemed permanently stuck in a bygone era of flowing silks and headbands, had become a fixture in their lives lately. She’d taken a particular interest in Umaima, showering her with unwanted hugs and whispers of “universal energies.”
“Firebushes, huh?” Arderia said flatly, avoiding her mother’s gaze. “Sounds… thrilling.”
Umaima’s smile faltered slightly, a prick of disappointment in her eyes. “Little Flame, try to be open-minded. This is a chance for a new experience, a new way of living.”
Arderia sighed, the sound pronounced in the small space. A new experience, more like a new detour. They always moved on, her and her mother, drifting from village to village like tumbleweeds on the desert wind. It wasn’t a bad life, exactly. Arderia enjoyed the novelty of each new place, the different faces, the different customs. But this… Desert’s Promise felt different. Here, the focus wasn’t on survival or trade, but on a kind of peacefulness that made Arderia’s skin itch.
There was another thing that made her uneasy, a subtle shift in her mother’s demeanor. Umaima’s laughter seemed lighter when Cactus Flower was around, her eyes held a spark Arderia hadn’t seen since… well a very long time. Usually, only the barest of hints when she’d talk about papa. The thought of her mother moving on, finding solace in someone else, twisted in Arderia’s gut. It felt like a betrayal, a step towards leaving behind not just their old life, but the memory of him… as faint as it is.
“Look,” Her mother continued gently, “we haven’t stayed anywhere this long in a while. But this place offers… something different. A chance to explore new ways of being.”
They were constantly moving from village to village, where her mother could find work as a failed priestess. But this commune, with its endless chanting and insistence on oneness with nature, felt like putting down roots. It felt more permanent. It made Arderia restless.
“Do we have to stay, Mama?” Arderia finally asked, her voice quiet.
Umaima’s gaze softened, and she sat down beside Arderia, her hand resting gently on her daughter’s shoulder. “We don’t have to do anything we don’t want to, Little-flame. But give it a chance, darling. Maybe, just maybe, this place can offer something we haven’t considered before.”
Arderia felt a pang of guilt. Maybe her mother craved a sense of belonging, a community to connect with, like the temple. Perhaps this commune, with its free-spirited ways, offered that comfort. Maybe, just maybe, Arderia could find something for herself too, even if it wasn’t chanting or meditating under the desert sun.
With a sigh, Arderia leaned into her mother’s touch, the warmth a comfort against the chill of the desert night. “Alright, Mama,” she mumbled. “I’ll try. But if Cactus Flower tries to braid my hair with wildflowers again, I’m running away to the next village.”
A soft chuckle escaped her mother's lips, but it faded quickly, a flicker of sadness passing through her eyes. “Deal. Now, how about we build a proper fire outside? I hear there’s a full moon tonight, perfect for stargazing.”
Arderia smiled, a flicker of solace chasing away the shadows in her heart. Maybe Desert’s Promise wasn’t all bad. Maybe, just maybe, there was room for a girl with fire in her veins amongst the peace-loving whispers of the desert wind, even if it was just for a little while.
Burning up for You
The desert wind whipped around Arderia's ankles, carrying the scent of baking sand and the promise of a coming sandstorm. Yet, her focus was far from the encroaching weather. Her gaze was fixed on Layla, a girl with eyes the color of twilight and a laugh that could brush away even the harshest Galda sun. Layla was helping her father mend stirges nets, her movements practiced and graceful. Arderia, despite herself, found her heart hammering a frantic rhythm against her ribs.
At fifteen, Arderia was already a whirlwind of wit and fire. Her dark hair danced around her face and her smile could charm a sand viper out of its burrow. But beneath the easy confidence lurked a secret – her Efreet heritage. Strong emotions, especially those tinged with longing like the one blossoming for Layla, caused her skin to radiate heat and, if she was not careful, burn as hot as the Galdan sun within her veins.
Today, the warmth was creeping up her arms, a slow burn that threatened to erupt into a full-fledged inferno. Arderia forced a casual smile, hoping to hide the prickling sensation beneath her skin. "Looks like you've got a handle on those nets, Layla," she called out, her voice a touch louder than necessary.
Layla glanced up, her smile as warm as the desert sunrise. "Just helping out, Arderia. Thought you were off with Umaima to learn about desert herbs?"
Arderia winced internally. The prospect of dusty herbs paled in comparison to spending time with Layla. "Mama can wait," she declared. "There's much more to learn from a master net-mender like yourself."
Layla chuckled, the sound shimmering in the hot air. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Arderia. Especially with these stubborn knots."
As Arderia approached, the warmth beneath her skin intensified, a silent scream trapped within her. They were close enough now for Arderia to feel the gentle breeze ruffle Layla's hair, to see the flecks of gold in her twilight eyes. Panic choked her. If she didn't get herself under control, she'd set Layla on fire, literally.
With a forced laugh, Arderia stepped back. "Actually, I just remembered something urgent I need to do for Mama. Raincheck on the net-mending lesson?"
Layla's smile faltered slightly, a flicker of disappointment crossing her features before it was quickly masked. "Of course, Arderia. Another time, then?"
Arderia didn't wait for a reply. With a mumbled goodbye, she fled, the desert wind whipping at her back, carrying the phantom scent of twilight and the sting of unconfessed feelings. Reaching the outskirts of the village, she collapsed beneath the meager shade of a lone scraggly bush, the red glow visible beneath her skin.
When the heat beneath her skin finally subsided, leaving behind a cold emptiness. Her fiery heritage, a source of both power and pain, felt like a curse today. She looked at the glass formed in the sand from her panic and sighed.
As the first tendrils of the sandstorm painted the horizon a reddish-brown, Arderia knew she had to find a way to embrace the fire within, to control it, and maybe, just maybe, use it to forge a connection that burned brighter than the desert sun.
Slavers
The midday Galda sun beat down mercilessly on the dusty marketplace, but that didn’t deter its occupants from its daily haggling. Arderia, at fourteen, navigated the throng of people with practiced ease, her eyes darting for a glimpse of cool shade or a scrap of gossip. Today, however, her usual curiosity was tinged with unease. A group of men, clad in the dull brown robes and chained prisoners, had entered the marketplace earlier, their presence a heavy weight in the normally boisterous atmosphere.
They weren't criminal prisoners. These men, with their hard eyes and calloused hands, were mage slavers – notorious for sniffing out magic users in foreign lands to fuel the ever-hungry distilleries of the elite. Foreigners used as a resource to be siphoned and bottled for the wealthy cities that used magic to conjure water.
Arderia's hand instinctively stuck to the side of the marketplace. Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the far end of the marketplace. Arderia, drawn by a surge of morbid curiosity, edged closer. There, huddled amongst the crowd, stood a young woman, her eyes wide with terror. Two slavers flanked her, their hands clamped around her wrists. Her clothes hung loosely, revealing strange markings etched onto her skin, symbols that pulsed with a faint blue light.
Arderia felt a pang of empathy for the woman. Yet, the slavers were five and heavily armed. Arderia, despite the simmering heat in her palms, knew a direct confrontation was out of the question. A hand clamped down on Arderia's shoulder, startling her from her internal debate. It was Umaima, her mother, face etched with a calm that hid the worry in her eyes.
"Come, Arderia," her mother said, her voice low. "We need to get some spices for tonight's stew." Arderia cast a pleading glance back at the scene unfolding before them. Umaima's grip tightened ever so slightly. "Don't," she whispered, her voice laced with a hidden steel. "It's not our place to interfere."
Arderia felt a surge of frustration bubble within her. It wasn't fair! These were not willing mages like genies. But she knew better than to argue with her mother. Umaima had a way of seeing the bigger picture, a cold pragmatism honed by years of survival in the harsh Galda desert.
As they walked away, Arderia stole one last look back. The marketplace was already returning to its usual noisy chaos, the woman's plight seemingly forgotten.
Light Up the Town
The last embers of the desert sun bled into a bruised purple sky as Arderia, twelve years old and a whirlwind of flame-kissed energy, tore through the dusty streets of the desert town. Her bare feet barely touched the sand as she weaved between stalls and scurrying figures, a mischievous grin plastered on her face.
In her right hand, a ball of fire danced playfully, swirling and pulsing with an orange glow that cast dancing shadows on the mudbrick walls. With each joyous skip, Arderia flicked her wrist, sending a fiery ember arcing through the air. It landed with a satisfying sizzle in a nearby brazier, igniting the kindling within.
"Whoa there, little flame!" boomed a gruff voice. Old Amir, the town watchman, lumbered out from under a rickety awning, his weathered face creased in a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
Arderia skidded to a halt, sending a flurry of sand swirling around her ankles. "See, Amir? All lit up before you even blinked!" she declared, her voice sparkling with pride.
Amir chuckled, shaking his head. "Careful now, child. Fire's a fickle friend. One moment it dances for you, the next it burns." He gestured towards the brazier, the flames licking at the dry wood with a comforting warmth. "There you go, old friend. Thanks to Arderia's fiery spirit."
Arderia beamed. This was her favorite time of day. As dusk settled over the town, casting long shadows and painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, she'd race through the streets, her newfound powers turning her into a living lighter for the night watchmen.
It had all started a few months ago. A surge of anger, a careless word, and suddenly her hand had erupted in flames, scorching the air. Fear had given way to wonder, then to a cautious exploration of this hidden ability. Now, lighting the braziers was her nightly ritual, a way to channel her burgeoning power and bring a touch of magic to the dusty town.
She continued her fiery path, weaving through the maze of narrow streets. Here, a flick of her wrist sent a flame dancing into an old woman's lantern, dispelling the gathering shadows from her doorway. There, a playful nudge with her foot sent a stray ember rolling towards a watchman's brazier, earning her a wink and a grateful nod.
Laughter bubbled up inside her. This wasn't just about lighting fires. It was about feeling different, yes, but also special, powerful in a way she didn't quite understand.
As she reached the outskirts of the town, the last brazier waiting, Arderia paused. The air here held a different kind of energy, a wildness that resonated with the flames dancing in her hand. Taking a deep breath, she cupped her hands around the fire, focusing her will. The flames responded, leaping higher, swirling in a miniature inferno.
With a mighty cry, Arderia flung her hands outwards, sending a wave of fire towards the brazier. It erupted in a glorious blaze, casting dancing shadows on the dunes beyond. Arderia laughed, a sound both exhilarated and lonely, echoing into the vast desert night. The flames were a part of her now, a wild and wonderful secret she longed to share and unleash.
Turning back towards the town, the warm glow of the lit braziers painting a comforting path, Arderia knew this was just the beginning. The flames within her burned bright, and their true purpose, like the vast desert itself, remained shrouded in mystery.
Strange Flickering Lights
The desert night pressed down on Arderia, eight years old and bundled in a thin robe that offered scant protection against the chill. Outside their small mudbrick home on the outskirts of a Galda trade town, a million stars glittered like scattered jewels across the inky black canvas. Arderia sat nestled between the rough, calloused hands of her mother, Umaima, gazing up at the endless expanse.
"Mama," Arderia whispered. Curiosity danced in her eyes, a stark contrast to the usual calmness of the desert night.
Umaima, her face etched with the faint lines of a life lived under the harsh desert sun, brushed a stray strand of hair from Arderia's forehead. "What is it, little flame?" she asked, her voice a low murmur filled with warmth.
Arderia fidgeted. "Look!" she exclaimed, pointing towards the distant dunes. Tiny specks of light, like fireflies trapped in a jar, flickered on and off against the backdrop of the night sky.
Umaima followed Arderia's gaze, a smile gracing her lips. "Ah, the desert's nightlights," she said, her voice laced with amusement. "Those are fireflies, little one. They come out to dance when the sun goes to sleep."
Arderia's eyes widened with wonder. Fireflies? They were unlike anything she'd ever seen before. The tiny flames seemed to pulsate with an otherworldly glow, beckoning her closer.
"Can I go see them?" Arderia pleaded excited.
Umaima chuckled. "Of course, little flame. But stay close, alright? And don't go past the date palms."
Scrambling to her feet, Arderia raced towards the dune, Umaima's watchful gaze following her every step. The closer she got, the warmer the air became, a strange comfort against the desert night. The sand crunched beneath her bare feet as she neared the source of the twinkling lights.
As Arderia reached the line of date palms, the "fireflies" seemed to dance with renewed vigor. They swirled and dipped, their tiny flames painting intricate patterns in the darkness. Reaching out a tentative hand, Arderia brushed her fingers through the swarm. The tiny flames tickled against her skin, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake.
Lost in the mesmerizing display, Arderia didn't notice the time slip away. The sparks continued their fiery dance, their gentle glow a stark contrast to the night sky. Until they faded, the flames flickering out like magic. Arderia watched the night desert where the lights once were. She breathes out a small sigh and then heads back to her mother.
Umaima stood waiting for her, a gentle smile on her face. "Ready for bed, little flame?" she asked.
Arderia nodded, a dreamy look in her eyes. The memory of the dancing "fireflies" and the strange warmth they brought lingered. It was a secret wonder she held close to her heart, a tiny spark of magic in the vast desert night.
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