Name: REAL: Kariyai [karr-ih-yai]
COVER: Kari Brown
Age: 62
Appearance: Kariyai stands tall, just short of six-foot. Her hair falls just below the shoulder, deep red-brown in colour. An Akansu's hair does not grow with age, the cells that make up Kari's hair are, in fact, living. Her eyes, usually a dark brown, awaken to a bright orange colour when her powers are active, her sclera darkening.
In form, Kariyai's appearance is parallel to a 20-something human female. There are small, notable differences that could give her away as an 'alien'. Firstly, the octagonal, gemstone shaped scar on the side of her neck – often passed off as a birthmark, technically the truth, to enquiring humans. Secondly, along her back are distinctive tribal markings, a sign of her family heritage. To most non-Akansu, or someone familiar with similar rituals, Kari's markings are often mistaken for cool tattoos.
Attire: Since coming to Earth Kariyai has, most commonly, donned human clothing which resembles her tribal clothing somewhat. Her typical outfit is a pair of tight, flexible trousers with a loose tank top, vest, or other sleeveless top. Her preferred colour is black, or at least darker colours and she is normally covered in a slick, black leather jacket (for style rather than warmth). Firis, her gemstone, hangs on an ornate, silver pendant and is normally tucked under her shirt, except when in use.
Personality: Effectively undercover, Kari tries to keep both her personality and her actions on the down-low. Despite her living among humans for almost 50 years, Kariyai has found it hard to fit in with humans - her lack of humour meant any colleagues or familiars found her hard to understand. Meanwhile her honestly clashed with the human morals of
politeness.
Kariyai is da very confident woman, sure of her own abilities and able to judge her limitations. She is not one to make a risk unless there is a significant payoff, and she often uses her calculative skills when it comes to taking out criminals. However, this can lead to her being caught out (relatively easily) as her instincts are rather primitive, and she has yet to master 'thinking like a human'. Human actions and emotional responses are complicated.
Powers & Abilities: "The Soul of Fire"
Akansu people are born with magic-imbued jewels attached to their bodies, called Ekzer. Kariyai's Ekzer, Firis, was removed from her as a child to help her blend in to the human world. Instead of being embedded in her neck, Firis adorns a pendant, from which she gains most of her magical power.
Kariyai and Firis are aligned to the fire element. When they are together, Kariyai is capable of conjuring, moving and manipulating fire as well as having a natural resilience against heat and flames. Their combined magical power also allows for small spells and incantations for healing – if she and Firis are together it is almost impossible for Kariyai to die. Meanwhile, the opposite is true. Separated, Kariyai possesses very little magic, enough for one small flame at best, meanwhile Firis has the capacity to be used by any being capable (and knowledgeable) of magic. This often means that the stone's identity must be hidden, and remains on Kari at all times.
Strengths:
- Headstrong fighter
- Creative and tactical magic user
Weaknesses:
- Water
- Lack of human logic
Origin Story: As the second moon faded into the great star's light, the elders began their ritual. The young girl, four years of age, stepped up to the altar and knelt before the ancient carvings.
"Elders of history, begin the ceremony. May we initiate our young one into adulthood."
The most important tradition of the Akansu people, the awakening ritual. The magical energy within Kariyai's being was to be aligned with that of her Ekzer, her enchanted gemstone. The procedure was to take a number of days - constant chanting echoing around the cave, day and night. A thick, musky smell from the burning oils in the corner of the room.
The process was not pleasant. Her magic was forced in and out of her body, into the Ekzer - and vice versa. The incoming magic was intense, scalding, but somewhat familiar. Afterall, this was to be her magic soon. A burning hot wave of blood circulated her body with each verse of hymn. As the final verse was uttered the painful sensations stopped. Kariyai dropped into a slumber.
'That's what happens with an awakening,' she was told. However, she couldn't feel at ease. Since the ritual, Kariyai had felt a growing power within herself, but a whispering voice made her fearful. The weeks passed by and her magic finally stablised, establishing her elemental powers and allowing her to progress to adulthood.
"RUN!"
That day the planet was pillaged. Thugs of the Nemuth race descended on many Akansu towns. They overwhelmed the unprepared, and normally peaceful people - laying waste to many decades of civilisation. Only a handful escaped, scattered to space in a hope they'd go undetected. Kariyai was one of a few, escorted by an elder. She never asked for his name, however as they settled on Earth he requested the name, Benjamin.
On Earth, the exiled Akansu lived a peculiar life. Moving from place to place often, carrying out small jobs to collect human money. In order to cover their tracks and hide their existence, Benjamin destoned Kariyai, gently plying her Ekzer away from the skin, and mounted it on a delicate silver pendant. "Now you can stay hidden, just don't let it out of your sight."
As time passed the pair became more distant, until one day Benjamin disappeared. It was around that time that Kari settled in Hyperia, hiding herself away in the Old Town sector. Here, she was able to go about relatively unnoticed, taking out small-time criminals for money and supplies rather than integrating herself into a human job. She became acquainted with very few humans, her landlord and several merchants, out of necessity.
Any other notes about your character:
Appearance Reference
Clothing Reference
Firis Reference
'Tattoo' reference
Roleplay Sample:
Tales of Altaria:
Part 1 Part 2 
