Saint Miral

Saint Miral (a.k.a. Saint of Mysteries, Lady of Lanterns)

A Saint worshiped by the Fellowship of Saints, Miral is easily the most mysterious of the Saints, more so than even Yolde. In truth, there is next to nothing known about her early childhood or history prior to meeting Aloria. However, there are, of course, theories.

History

Apocryphal Origins

None know the truth of Miral. Some whisper that even the Saints didn't know. In time, it has become one of history's greatest mysteries. Dozens of historians have proposed possibilities, but none have come closer to finding the truth.
One theory states that Miral was once a Crystal Scholar before being captured by the Sutherland Brotherhood, who desired her for her esoteric knowledge, and thrown into slavery where she first met Aloria and Tagara. While this would explain why she was captured as well as her foreign magic, it does not explain why she was set alongside common slaves as opposed to taken to an area of importance.
Another theory proposes that she was an avatar of Altri put on Valkosh to guide Aloria and the Saints. While this might explain her aloofness, there is little to truly suggest this. It also seemingly contradicts Miral's reported apathy towards all known gods; Miral is described as many things, but a devout religious figure is not one.
Dozens of other theories exist, from Miral being a Sutherland plant who then betrayed them in favor of the Saints to even being some sort of immortal and extra-planar being. It is likely that none will ever know the truth of the Lady of Lanterns.

Meeting Aloria

At some point in the late 1400s ED, Miral was taken into captivity by the Sutherland Brotherhood, a union of southern powers led by Sygmaer and Turgstan. She was held in an encampment in one of the northernmost regions within Brotherhood territory. This is where she met her fellow future Saints, Aloria and Tagara.
Despite her reclusive nature, the three would bond over their time in chains. It was during Aloria's time with Miral that she reportedly had a vision in the flames, a vision that prophesied the fall of the Sutherland Brotherhood and the rise of a mighty Empire. Strangely, Miral, a reported skeptic, supported Aloria, though it's unclear when she believed in the veracity of Aloria's vision or simply saw her as a means to an end; the latter is unlikely due to Aloria's lack of political power, combat prowess, or knowledge of military strategy at the time.
After some planning, the three managed to escape their captivity, thanks in part to Miral's magic and Tagara's skill.

The Moon and Sun

The trio traveled for some time before crossing into northern territory, just barely beyond the reach of the Brotherhood. It was Miral's suggestion that they seek out a powerful family to get aid from and the local power was the Kildre family, a bloodline of Fyrians.
They were welcomed into the Kildre house, who were similarly seeking information upon the encroaching southern forces. A servant of the family, and Fyrian under the tutelage of Lord Kildre, took interest in the group. This man was Horis, Miral's future lover.
The two were similar in many ways; both reclusive and scholarly, both highly-skilled in the ways of magic, and both seemed to possess an otherworldly knowledge. During the party's time with the Kildre family, the two grew close, often spending long evenings talking and debating about all manner of subjects. Aloria, the most socially adept by far, noticed the two's closeness as well, saying to Tagara, "It's like two stars have come together. Both have struggled for so long to find a light as bright as their own."
It was Miral who Horis confided in after having a dream or vision that seemed to encourage him to join the party on their quest to defeat the Brotherhood. Where some would take advantage of an indecisive mind, Miral encouraged Horis to not let a vision decide his future. After some discussion, Horis decided the vision was not prophecy, but it was a reflection of his own intent: fate or not, he would join Miral and the party.

A War Through Hollow Eyes

Miral's part in the war effort was an advisory. Her keen intellect and almost militant pragmatism aided in the war against the Sutherland Brotherhood.
Perhaps one of the most fabled moments was Miral's defense of Fort Bradvick, a distant location in Fellend. For years, it sat poorly-defended due to its distance from the frontlines. While it was an important blockade, none believed it would ever see combat. However, during a council meeting, it is said that Miral simply walked out and left on horseback. Over a week later, she arrived at Fort Bradvick. A day after her arrival, a Sutherland force was spotted, heading for Bradvick.
The force was helmed by Count Diernok, one of the Brotherhood's chief strategists. Miral and Diernok met a mere hundred feet from Bradvick's walls. It is said Diernok boasted of his countless victories and elite force he commanded. Miral was famously attributed with saying, "Past deeds cannot win the battles to come. If they are your only strategy, then I have already won."
The next day, Diernok's forces advanced on the fort but came to a halt when they saw the gates opened wide. In the gateway sat Miral, a book laid out in front of her and a cup of wine. She appeared lost in her book. Immediately Diernok grew suspicious. He order for a volley of arrows. Fifty strings were pulled back, followed by arrows firing. None found their mark. A second volley, and a third. All shots missed.
Still determined, Diernok ordered several men to go forward and capture Miral. When they approached, however, Miral stood and appeared to breathe flames at them, scaring them off. In the end, Diernok decided to siege the fort, setting up camp a short distance away.
Every day for a week, Diernok would send advance parties, but all of them would face similar, astonishing resistance. A conjured army of wolves, ear-shattering music, even copies of themselves that hounded them. When a week passed, a new army arrived, reinforcements for Fort Bradvick. The new force managed to catch Diernok off-guard, capturing him.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Miral's tall stature and piercing gaze came together to form an intimidating figure. She was a skilled enough warrior, though she paled next to Saints Tagara and Rajke and she, of course, could not match the destructive power of her apparent lover, Saint Horis.

Body Features

Miral possessed fair skin and long grey hair. Her grey hair gave the impression of agelessness. Depictions of Miral can differ greatly due to her mysterious background, not allowing artists to base a piece on anything but descriptions of Miral herself.

Identifying Characteristics

The symbol often associated with Miral is the upturned crescent. It was, apparently, tattooed or emblazoned on her forehead. It is not known if this traditional for her people or if it was a brand of some sort during her time as a Sutherland slave.

Mental characteristics

Accomplishments & Achievements

• Was a large part of Aloria's rise to power and convincing leader's to accept her rule.
• Repelled a siege on Fort Castick by fooling the enemy and delaying an assault until reinforcements could arrive.
• Held temporary command over the Alliance while Aloria was stricken by poison.

Gender

Female

Eyes

Yellow, piercing

Hair

Stormy grey hair, long and sleek

Height

6'2''

Weight

145