Traiva (prime)

Traiva Verethundi Lady Traiva Verethundi, by Stormyrain Race Aelotoi Culture Mrae'ni Class Empath Profession Healer, Chatelaine of Paupers ("Keeper of Keys and Herder of Cats") Religion Ivasian Affiliation(s) House Paupers, Order of the Sphere and Scythe, The Order of Eternal Light Disposition warm and caring with an innate curiosity Habits fluttering her wings Hobbies music, cultural study, philanthropy Likes luxury, the arts, good conversation over good drink Dislikes hypocrisy Loyalties her husband and household, House Paupers, Aelotian history and culture Spouse Tolwynn Verethundi

Traiva is an Aelotoi Empath residing in Wehnimer's Landing.

History

Traiva was born on Bre'Naere, by her best guess in early Ivastaen 5080, of natural means and not breeding by the Overseers. Her parents were both part of Clan Mrae'ni, Aelotian caretakers, which allowed them to keep her sheltered when it was discovered she registered pain as little more than a glancing touch. Tutored by her parents and other Mrae'ni, Traiva became adept at healing, and spent her days tending to the other Aelotoi in her camp and learning Aelotian lore in the hopes they would live for her to pass down.

The appearance of the portal between Bre'naere and Elanthia and the first days among the Elves in Ta'Illistim are a blur in her memory. Most importantly to her is the kindness of the Elves to the Aelotoi, and she retains a modicum of loyalty to the Elven houses, particularly Illistim and the Mirror Myasara who initially took them in, and to Vaalor where her parents settled into a life of farming.

While her parents were content with the mostly peaceful working of land, Traiva found the "quiet" life boring, and longed for more with her freedom. As she learned of how some could use magic to heal and manipulate spiritual energies, she decided to take up the study herself and set off to the western outpost town of Wehnimer's Landing. Though many complain about the chaos, Traiva fully enjoyed it, and the variety of people she was able to meet while practicing her healing art in the Town Square, and continues to call the Landing home.

Religious Journey

During her life on Bre'Naere, L'Naere was the only "other worldly" spirit known to Traiva, and she respected her as the Life Giver. Once on Elanthia, Traiva began reading all she could about Elanthian history and lore, and texts on the Arkati were favored reading materials. As she learned more, she began to feel a pull under the influence spheres of the Elanthian Arkati, particularly those of Lornon, to great consternation of a Paladin of Kai she often kept company with.

In an attempt to sway her from "evil," he took her on a tour of the Lornon temples and shrines in Solhaven. This had the opposite effect, as she felt the pull strengthen, particularly with Ivas and Eorgina. Some time after that tour, Traiva found herself often in the company of a High Priest of Eorgina, and devoted her path to the Queen. With this, she felt some modicum of loyalty and respect owed to all Arkati who had gone to Lornon, with Ivas still closest to her.

An opportunity to take a tour of the Ivasian Temple in the Vipershroud near Wehnimer's Landing led by Tolwynn Verethundi strengthened the pull of Ivas, and Traiva veered slightly, serving both. When circumstance allowed her to join Tolwynn, first as his consort and then his wife, her service to Ivas was solidified, but through serving Ivas she continues service to Eorgina. Traiva and Tolwynn were featured in the Ivastaen 5120 issue of Elanthian Vogue dedicated to Ivas.

On 20 Lormesta 5124 (January 20, 2024), Traiva presented "Ivas - Two Sides of Temptation", a talk-and-tour of the Ivasian Temple in the Vipershroud and the Garden of Desire in Solhaven. Notes of this presentation are preserved with The Order of Eternal Light in the Keeper Archives.

The Arts

Traiva is a lover and devotee of the arts, particularly music. Favoring the flute and adept at the cittern and bagpipes, she has been known to play music in the middle of town squares, sometimes accompanied by impromptu dancing.

With the Aspis Bardfest at least temporarily retired, Traiva has spearheaded the new Revelia Carnivale Arts Festival debuting in Koaratos 5121, with help from Seomanthe of Argent Aspis, Katara of Silvergate Inn, Katiesa of House Arcane, Xanthium of House Brigatta, and Rohese of House Sylvanfair. The Carnivale is truly a labor of love for Traiva.

Performing Arts

Traiva was a multi-Bardfest competitor - winning in 5112 and placing second in 5111 and 5115 - in addition to judging Bardfest on multiple occasions. In 5118, she assisted with a "How To Win Bardfest" seminar Aspis hosted as a lead-up to the annual competition.

Bardfest Performances:

5120 Bardfest Semifinal performance

5120 Bardfest Final performance

Additional Performances:

Hunger of the Pines - Ivasian Tango (with Tolwynn)

Carnivale Concert 5121 - Blade Dancer

Carnivale Concert 5121 - When the Sun Goes Down (with Tolwynn)

Carnivale Concert 5122 - Define Dancing (with Tolwynn)

Visual Arts

In Olaesta 5121, Traiva branched out to the visual arts, entering a tapestry in the Solhaven Grand Art Exhibit. She followed with the entry of a quilt in 5122 and tapestries in 5123 and 5124.

5121 Entry
a woven silk black horse tapestry - A muscular horse in profile commands the tapestry, its black coat a stark contrast to the pristine white background. Subtle variations in the black threads give shading to the lines of musculature, and dark grey threading draws out the flowing mane and tail. One foreleg is lifted slightly, letting the foot flex so the edge of the hoof rests down at a sharp point. A simple bright royal blue saddle rests across the horse's back, adorned only by an emerald green dragonfly highlighted with gold threading.

5122 Entry
a colorful dragonfly quilt hung from a polished walnut dowel - Cobalt sheened pewter taffeta scraps form the outline of a large dragonfly on a lush forest green wool background. Curving stitches fasten pieces of gold brocade and velvet to the body, the threads causing the material to pucker slightly. Swathes of silk chiffon and organza in varying shades of iridescent blue and violet fill the wings, the dark green background peeking through the sheer strips where zig-zag stitching attaches them to the quilt.

5123 Entry
a bright needlepoint tapestry hung from a blued steel dowel - Lengths of woven cerulean, azure, and pale blue threads stretch across the top of the tapestry, forming a sky that blends into the dowel capped with imflass dragonflies. A canopy of vivid jade and emerald treetops frame a scene of elves and aelotoi gathered within the forest. Though clearly dressed in rags, the aelotoi are still stitched in deeply saturated hues, with a glint of silver woven into their wings. In stark contrast, two slain kiramon of pale, dull grey sprawl across the lower left corner.
Dyre Tla Ayd (Night To Day)

5124 Entry
a sailing sloop tapestry - Draped from a simple blued steel rod, the tapestry hangs nearly seven feet tall and four feet wide. The bow and sails of a narrow sloop dominate the scene, with silver and gold threads scattered about to catch and reflect any visible light. Glimpses of a powdery blue sky and white-capped cerulean ocean waves are visible between the sails and over the edges of the sloop's hull. A golden-beaked sea eagle roosts high at the top of the mast, its piercing gaze fixed on a horizon somewhere behind you.
Sea green script is stitched along the foresail's edge, reading, "On To Where The Sky Meets The Sea by Traiva Verethundi."

Other Pursuits

Traiva is often referred to as Chatelaine, a nod to her position within the House Paupers. As the "Keeper of Keys and Herder of Cats," she works hard to create and maintain a warm and welcoming environment, and is seen at most of Paupers's events and as a Paupers representative supporting events hosted by other groups.

She has joined with the Order of the Sphere and Scythe as their first Dream Weaver to bring Aelotian dream interpretation to more of Elanthia. This is a practice she, like other Mrae'ni, learned as a child, and has continued quietly since arriving on Elanthia.

In early 5123, Traiva joined The Order of Eternal Light as a Seeker.

Traiva's Outfitting in the shop district of Wehnimer's Landing provides additional income for pursuing her interests.

Traiva was again featured in Elanthian Vogue for Summer 5122, discussing her thoughts on The Season and Revelia Carnivale.

Vignettes

Answering the Summons