Dylena Tenebris

[Dylena Tenebris]

I'M GONNA MARRY THE NIGHT,


"It is not the honor you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind."

I WON'T GIVE UP ON MY LIFE,

NAME: Dylena Tenebris
GENDER: Female
AGE: 26
AFFILIATION: Survivor

GONNA MAKE LOVE TO THE STARS,
PERSONALITY: Composed and devout, Arianna is strong in her convictions of faith above all things, and takes great joy in guiding and assisting others in theirs, especially if they are in need of her services. She can come across as reserved or even distant on a personal level, but she greatly cares for her people and their growing nation. Yet she is not afraid of getting her hands dirty, either, and does have a darker side, unafraid to cut off those who would cause problems before they have the chance, and more than willing to play the games others set up in order to send them toppling down as she laughs. Detail oriented and observant, she has a dry sense of humor that can border on insulting.
LIKES: Twilight, the smell of rain, fresh peaches, candles, guiding others, order, speaking with the dead
DISLIKES: The self-entitled, spoiled food, ignorance, hot and humid weather, baby/toddler shrieks

I'M NOT GONNA CRY ANYMORE,
HISTORY: Arianna was born to a working family, her father a blacksmith as every firstborn son of his family had been for generations. Her family lived in a trading town built on one of the main routes of the land, living their lives as a stationary merchant family with enough to get by with a little to spare. The youngest of two, she would often shadow her older brother until chased out of the forge to learn from her mother. They were a traditional family, devout in the reverence for the ancestors who paved the way for the world to be as it is today, to help guide the loved ones and watch over them as they added on to their family's legacy with each passing breath.

Her skills seemed to come early, though at first Arianna was only watched with a careful eye as she spoke to the ravens and crows that were around. It was possible the girl only had a strong imagination and loneliness, but there was hope that there might be something more to her power, something that might raise her family's standing.

Yet for all their solidarity, the war that tried to tear their nation down also shook the foundations of her family. Her brother went off to war as a soldier, and eventually her father did as well to help supply and fortify their stock before taking one of his own swords in hand.

Arianna was the first to know of her father's death, waking up in tears and shrieking in rage at what the spirits around her revealed. It couldn't just be a nightmare, it was decided, though by then people were already leaving their homes behind, looking for places where there was food, resources to nourish instead of empty bellies and empty hearts.

Her mother sent for a Seeker to confirm Arianna's gift, but died before anyone could come and confirm if the girl was gifted or if something else was at hand. With her own stomach hurting from hunger, Arianna left the two copper coins she had at the small family shrine and took one of her father's creations with her. Though small, she clung to the dagger tight and hid it well, living on the streets for months without no one to stop her. Older children bullied her, stealing what little she could snitch, which was saying something. Fruit that was bruised and ready to burst was already precious, and now worth more than what anyone could afford to lose.

She was found months later on a dark and stormy night, dirty and ragged, by a soldier passing on their way back to the capitol. Originally believed to be stealing from another family's tomb instead of seeking shelter, meager belongings clutched ot her chest as she tried to escape the punishment that awaited her, the flash of steel light by the forked lightning creating an eerie glow that promised pain. Only her ability to communicate with the dead spared her life as she shrieked at the soldier, berating him for things no one outside his family would know, using phrases and eventually the same contemptuous tone he recognized too well. The skeletal remains that jumped to life to defend her may have been another sign...

At six years old, Arianna was taken to the capitol and given to the Priestesses of the Raven, the main sect who honored the dead, provided the rites of those deceased, and caregivers to both those in this life and the one after as needed. Devotion was meaningless without routine and ritual to shape it, to be more than she was. Some nights felt the same as when she'd been on the street, with those from richer families scorning and mocking her; the couple who didn't were from no family, adopted in by another member. There, she found a chance at friendship.

But the friendship meant little when she had to stand on her own feet, both for the training and to defend herself from others. She learned to fight, to use both her body and words to achieve the goals she wanted. Tired of standing against the plots of those who didn't like her, Arianna decided to turn the tables and learn the rules of the game – and use those rules against anyone who stood in her way. There was a rush of power she couldn't deny, a sense of satisfaction at not only meeting a foe head-on in their schemes, but outwitting them as well. The satisfaction and delight were a balm and a joy, a sense of challenge when she caught a thoughtful look or a glimmer of hatred. But always, always, was the need to honor those past, to understand their blessings and to know when they had brought her path to cross with another's, and the reason for it.

Years passed, and the desperation of war eased as the nation went from survivor to conqueror, key figures turning their dying world into a counter-strategy that allowed them to expand. Twenty years of training, devotion, and rising in the ranks brought Arianna to one of the highest positions possible, leading those in the capital and guiding them, communing with their loved ones to bring closer and understanding as needed. Sometimes she even lost the game, though some of those who had plotted against her had...disappeared, or had left. She stood ready to lead a young widow to understanding what her ancestors willed of her, what she needed, but the meeting was cut short before it began by a summons fro the highest of their order. The aged old priest was respected by even her, and though the demand was a surprise, it was not the only one. A royal knight stood inside the audience room, and with them was her newest task: to travel to a new world, to bring order to the chaos that the barbarians clung to and bring glory to their nation. To leave everything she had and strike out in a new world, whatever may come of it.

Unsure if this was reward for her service or a maneuver against her, Arianna had no choice but to accept the dispatch and set out to see with a fleet of boats headed for a new world, and whatever awaited them.
FAMILY: None living
POWERS: Necromancy/Death Magic used by those who serve the dead. Her magic can be applied as:

Speaking with the dead: As any priest/ess who works with the dead, Arianna is able to speak with the dead. She can also compel weaker spirits or those with poor willpower to performa n action for her.

Death Siphon: Drawing energy from the dead around her, or to drain life energy from the living. Drawing too much energy from will weaken her for a time afterward, lowering her strength and constitution similar to burning herself and adjusting back to having her own energy as its only source. Draining the life from the living requires physical contact.

Aura of Fear: Fear of death is a tool well used in battle. She can create an eerie aura of fear and let it spread out to others. The aura is stronger the closer you get to her. She can reanimate corpses for a brief period of time, but refuses to acknowledge this power in front of others. If used, Arianna will only use the bodies of those not of her culture or people; using one of theirs will seal off this power as the ancestors abandon her due to blasphemy, and will not return until properly repented, if possible.

Animate The Dead: Much as it states, Arianna can animate the dead for a short period of time (3-5 posts depending on the number of bodies raised). This applies to all life forms, animals and human/humanoids alike. If possible, she will ask permission of the spirits before using their remains, but if push comes to shove or there's no response, she will do so anyway and offer penance later. Doing so without permission or an offering for any of her nation's people will result in her power being sealed off for a time, and may not come back until serving penance for desecrating the dead.

Animal Communication (Corvid): Arianna's second power allows her to speak to and understand carrion feeders such as crows and ravens. People interested in her end of these conversations may or may not be amused by what they hear.

WEAPONS: Staff of the Raven – a symbol of her standing in the priesthood, made of raven beaks and bones fused together with magic in their last moments of life. A gem that fell from the heavens (meteor) sits at the top. For the sake of practicality, she also carries a dagger and a hunting knife.

DOWN THE STREETS I LOVE,
OOC NAME: Muse of Doom (Muse)
HOW DID YOU FIND US:Recommended by The Rylander
PASSWORD: Moon Cookies
CUSTOM TITLE: The Raven's Eye
ROLEPLAY SAMPLE:

Mona remained quiet during the drive to the hospital, lights flashing through the glass as silent marks to guide them. Her pale eyes remained on Jade and Helina, her breath knotting in her throat at the still forms that seemed to grow paler with every passing second. Mother and son, once again in her life. At least Jade was safe for now – though she still worried that the voice in the back of her head that worried it wouldn't last long. Her hands clenched into fists, oblivious to the pain as her thoughts hurled themselves at her conscience. How long until that, too, changed? Until she failed him again?

The world threatened to spin as she dwelled on the thought, pulled free only by the hand that settled on her shoulder, Pushing the thought aside, the angel shifted her shoulder so that the hand had to fall away or latch on, nodding at the concerned father who looked ten years older than he had an hour ago before her gaze fell back on the glowing symbols that cursed the two, frowning as she tried to sort through what she could of them. The caster had considerable strength, and she could think of some demons were powerful enough, but most wouldn't bother using them unless it was personal. More importantly, the potency of this particular case suggested someone who knew what they were doing, perhaps stronger than her. Her stomach clenched with heat at the thought.

“It's not your fault. You were trying to protect your family however you could.” The words felt hollow as she looked at the man she had nearly called her father in law once. It hurt to look at him. They'd both done all that they could, but it wasn't enough. Her gaze fell back to still forms laid out in the back of the van, watching her ex-boyfriend's chest rise and fall as he continued to breathe, chest rising and falling, unaware of the danger they were still in.

“We still have options, but I can't promise anything until I can be sure what was used for the curse, or who cast it.” She frowned, fingernails tapping on the fabric of her jeans. “You have some powerful enemies, Sage. It may be time to think up some new strategies.” Almost to herself, she added, “There are only so many places in the world to run to before you run out.”

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TEMPLATE MADE BY PANDA.
MODIFIED BY LOTTI.
LYRICS FROM LADY GAGA'S "MARRY THE NIGHT".

[Yue]

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