Tos'Lenari Tomassoe

Over the years, Lénari has established herself as a capable and venerated Matriarch. She has successfully steered the To'mássœ family during times of glory- and of ruin and in doing so, she has earned the admiration and respect of many. What her supporters neglect, however, is that Lénari's reign has been far from perfect. The annals paint the picture of an anchor; a rock that has supported the family through some of its greatest struggles. What they do not mention is that her triumphant legacy has been grifted through failure - and paved in blood, sweat and tears.

Lénari's life is long and fraught with stories but it is possible to divide it into 3 distinct chapters.

Though she possesses primarily Khah' blood, Lénari has always been a daughter of Püertagœ. Born in the city, she was raised trailing her mother's skirts, picking up every behaviour and mannerism that fell her way. Teasingly referred to as IÞ'clet-Aëstyra (on account of her being a bitesize version of the Matriarch), she was well aware of her grand destiny and grew into a confident (and bossy) young woman. Of course, this feisty attitude was never directed towards her mother who - in Lénari's eyes - could do no wrong. She was her teacher, caregiver and hero. And then abruptly, she was gone.

The family had been crossing the sea to visit their allies in Uwhang when a change in the air suggested that a storm was inbound. Matriarch Aëstyra ordered her children to be placed on the escort vessel and taken back home to Püertagœ. Meanwhile, she would press on to Uwhang for the sake of business. As it turned out, the incoming storm would be recorded as one of the worst in living history - and Aëstyra and her ship would be lost forever.

Lénari had fully intended to take over the To'mássœ mantle - but she had not expected to do so at such a young age. With the weight of leadership suddenly thrust upon her - not to mention the intense pain of losing her mother - the new Matriarch struggled to find her footing during the first few Months. Contracts were mismanaged, assets neglected; it was only out of sympathy for her situation that the family's traditional allies stuck around.

But given time and grim determination, Lénari eventually settled into her role. She consolidated the family's position and recovered whatever political favour had been lost during her inaugural period. From this newfound security, she was able to think about the future and ultimately, settle down. To further strengthen their bond with Uwhang, Lénari strategically married a member of the Tos' family. This union would result in four children: Mõrtani, twin boys Korisan and Vigñai and lastly, Aëstyra.

Motherhood suited Lénari well, although she quickly showed that no one was as important to her as her young family. Starkly contrasted against her affable charm, she developed a ruthlessness; a short-tempered ferocity reserved for anyone who stood to harm her offspring or their interests.

For a time, peace and prosperity reigned. But such precious, naive happiness can attract the worst misfortune, luring it forth from the fog of future like a predatory beast scouring the blind deepwater. Indeed, in 13CE this monster arrived in the form of Ush—tepz'; disease.

The plague began its feast in the outer rings of Püertagœ, as an invisible and unkillable terror, haunting the lower classes. All those who were safely ensconced in the upper districts might therefore have been safe - if not for the reckless bravado of Môsa To'mássœ. After journeying thoughtlessly through the infected areas, Môsa returned with the seed of disease, sprouting a sickness that swept through the To'mássœ and their followers. Quarantine ensued - and death followed soon after.

Hemmed in by plague, festering within their vaunted estate, the To'mássœ could do little but pray to the Gods for salvation; but there came no answer.

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The epidemic had already claimed the life of her husband, though it had not yet been satisfied. The twins, Korisan and Vigñai, lay side by side on a sweat-stained sickbed. Their bare, glistening chests, heaved with pained breaths; their eyes, red and glassy, stared upwards at the ceiling. All the while, a congregation of masked healers stood solemnly by the doorway, their prognosis given; their abilities outmatched.

Lénari knelt beside the bed, pressing a cool cloth to Vigñai's forehead. Her face was ashen and gaunt with exhaustion - yet not a single tear hung from her lashes. Wringing the flanel out over a pail of water, she soaked the cloth again and applied it to Korisan's brow. Her tail lay draped over the boys, tucking them in, just as it had done when they were little.

Searching for a way to ease their suffering, Lénari thought to sing. But on trying to muster a verse from a lullaby, her voice became choked in her throat and she tore her gaze quickly upwards, blinking back tears. She had never liked for her children to see her distressed, as it might worry them.

A touch then grazed her and Lénari glanced down to see Korisan's fingers weakly grasping her palm. She sobbed and snatched his hand up, tightly pressing it between hers. "You'll be okay," she promised, desperately. "You're going to be okay." But no matter how hard she uttered this, it would not come true. Staring hard into Korisan's eyes, she repeatedly whispered three words - even as the strength in his fingers melted away.

Neither of the twins would survive that night and indeed, something of Lénari departed with them; never to return. She allowed herself to scream just once and with absolute, abject despair before burying her sorrow deep within her heart. There would be a day, perhaps, that she could indulge her grief but the immediate concern was ensuring the survival of the family.

Though few would suffer quite as greatly as the To'mássœ, the family were nevertheless tarnished by the tragedy; their noble image stained by the blood of the sick. But Lénari manged, in time, to marshal their revival. Diversifying their interests to take advantage of their newly renewed relationship with Uwhang, she developed a successful shipbuilding branch of the dynasty. Using this new source of income, Lénari was able to invest in charity programs and painstakingly restore their name in high society.

As she now steps into the latest chapter of her life, the matriarch is chiefly concerned with memory. For the memory of those she has lost - as well as how she herself shall be remembered. Family and legacy. Ghosts of the past and future.