A quick introduction about the character, what they're about, what they do, themes etc. A quick introduction about the character, what they're about, what they do, themes etc. A quick introduction about the character, what they're about, what they do, themes etc. A quick introduction about the character, what they're about, what they do, themes etc.
A quick introduction about the character, what they're about, what they do, themes etc. A quick introduction about the character, what they're about, what they do, themes etc. A quick introduction about the character, what they're about, what they do, themes etc. A quick introduction about the character, what they're about, what they do, themes etc.
"Make each movement show intent and purpose, each flick of wrist show mastery, each sway of hip show strength in softness. To dance is to honor yourself." - Haluu at-Satkb, Dance Mistress
PLEASURES & INTERESTS​
SWORD COMBAT
Though she has never been in a true battle, never slain a nameless enemy nor fought in a war, the young Yokudan Noble known as N'ayla still practices the traditional art of swordsmanship each sunrise.
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She is most fond of the Way of the Snake, favoring agility, grace and sharp strikes. Yet the playfulness and ferocity of the Fox is equally appealing, for it holds a certain allure in the heart of the desert born woman.
She trains knowing that to master the sword is to master oneself. A form of poetry, deadly and beautiful. She may never have taken a life with those blades, yet that inexperience doesn't excuse her from upholding the passions and traditions of her people. A sword is an extension of oneself, and for that it is holy, sacred and a representation of one's spirit.
TEACHERS
TU'HA AT-SETH - ASH'ABAH SWORDSMAN
Many a meeting under the Alik'r skies took place between Tu'ha and N'ayla. Perhaps it was a blossoming romance, or perhaps it was more. Yet she learned much from this desert nomad, including the importance of mind and soul training when dealing with something as sacred as a blade. Their training sessions were cut short when his life ended early during a cleansing of a defiled Yokudan tomb. However his weapon was returned to N'ayla's care, named Abah - she treasures it deeply and continues to practice his teachings.
AZHAR AT-KHAJA - CROWN GALLANT
In N'ayla's youth, there was nothing more important and enjoyable than evenings spent training with her father. Perhaps it was the only way to be close to him, to spend time and learn his teachings. Yet in this regard he never failed her, passing on his knowledge and wisdom with detached yet absolute discipline. He was her first sword teacher, he was her favorite. Yet as the years passed and she grew, the lessons turned infrequent and scarce.
"With this weapon you protect yourself, our people and our ancestors. With this weapon you make way for great things to come, while never forgetting what has been. " - Tu'ha at-Seth
SACRED DANCE
"Dance is the most intimate way we can communicate with the divine." - Mother M'aet
An artform passed from Grandmother to Granddaughter dating back as long as can be remembered. It is known the descendants of Yokuda practice mastery of sword, yet at times the sword takes the form of tongue, mind, and body. To dance is to express one's soul while it remains on this world, it is to celebrate the Gods and all forms of inexpressable existence.
N'ayla most often dances at ceremonies, weddings, births or funerals, yet at times she practices alone and on rare occasions, she has been known to perform for others upon request. Whether in groups or in private, it matters little. But one must understand that dance is always sacred, yet it is also something to be shared with those who would benefit from the vulnerability of the artist and poet of movement, sensuality, intimacy and spirituality.
DANCE OF THE WORLDSKIN
Satakal teaches us impermanence, that all is a cycle of creation and destruction. Satakal is everything, she is this moment, the past, the future. He is birth and death, the rise and fall of empires and the sands that bury them. N'ayla dances to celebrate this wisdom, she dances to savor what she has, what is given and what is to be taken away.
DANCE OF THE MANY-ARMS
Morwha teaches femininity and creation, not just of life but emotion, passion, and lust. N'ayla dances to celebrate this, to explore the sensual and praise the gift that is womanhood. She dances to express the healing power and strong confidence that is shown to us by Morwha, lest it ever be underestimated.
DANCE OF SOULS
Tu'whacca teaches us purpose beyond life, sacred honor and respect for those that have come before. N'ayla dances with reverence, pride and sorrow to celebrate this, she dances to honor the dead as they make their way to the Far Shores and show due respect to all those who have come before her in this world. She dances to mourn, to praise.
DANCE OF THE WALKABOUT
Ruptga teaches us to survive and thrive upon the world created by Sep, though the world is filled with endless hunger, it is inhabitable if one is honorable, strong and willing to follow the stars. N'ayla dances to celebrate the world we are given and the trials we must face as we continue our journey toward the Far Shores by following the paths in stars.
DANCE OF THE SPIRIT SWORD
Leki teaches us to look beyond the blade and see into the heart of the wielder. For a sword held by the ignorant is useless, and thus one must train mind, body and spirit as the weapon becomes and extension of self. N'ayla dances to heighten awareness, to express mind over matter and the strength of the blade.
DANCE LESSONS
Like the sword, to dance is to further master the mind, body and spirit. N'ayla occasionally teaches dance lessons due to her mothers persistence and shameless advertisement of her only honored daughter. Though her teachings are about far more than just the act of movement, but also worship of spirit, the divine, the body as a temple and all things considered sacred and holy. Dance is a lesson in femininity, mindfulness and absolute vulnerability. It is shameless, absolute.
EXPLORATION, HISTORY, DOCUMENTATION
As a child, no one could stop her from taking a camel and hound before heading out into the desert. Even if she did not go far, she still traveled alone outside of her cities borders and into the unknown. It was supposed to be just once, yet as the years passed N'ayla found a deep love and connection with the isolation she faced alone amidst the ruins of civilizations half buried.
There was something daunting yet humbling, seeing how the sand seemed to preserve all yet the wind slowly devoured until stone crumbled. It is dangerous to seek those places, yes. But a risk is taken if only to know what it means to truly live. There she would draw, write and meditate. At times even speak to the murals on the walls that never answered. Her voice echoed in half buried chambers, her heart called out for a reply. But the memories of forever ago remained just so, their texts often too worn to read or out of context. Stone-cast faces broken, statues silent, tombs long since emptied.
One day she would lay in a place similar to those she found amidst the sands, a place bigger than some but smaller than others. Perhaps there was an odd sense of comfort to be found in these forgotten places, a reminder of those gone and yet to come.
"There are entire civilizations beneath the sands, granddaughter. Knowledge, secrets, memories all. Though you may never find them, rest gently knowing they're there and always a part of you." - Mother M'aet's ending to a bedtime story.
"We do not always remember who they are, save that once they meant something. Yet even in death their images remain, near-forgotten in the wild places within the Alik'r and further." - Teacher Rafit at-Uda speaking of ancient crown tombs.
PHILOSOPHY & RELIGION
One should expect no less from a follower of Satakal, The World-Skin. It takes a curious and courageous soul to stare upward at the heavens where the serpent that devours all is said to slither. Where the Hungry Stomach devours all in its path of impermanence. For Satakal is all and all is Satakal, a part of the cycle, consumed and reborn throughout the infinite ages. Though she savors the World-Skins teachings, N'ayla is faithful to all Yokudan Gods. They each have their own philosophies and lessons to be learned. They all bring value, enrichment, and truth to the lives of their faithful. Her mind is young, perhaps not yet aware of time nor morality; and yet like her ancestors of old, thoughts of enlightenment occasionally cross her mind. To one day master her mind, body, and soul like the heroes of old. To one day follow the path in the stars mapped out by Ruptga, his sideways walk through the fallen skin of her infinite Satakal. There beyond existence where the Far Shores await those of honor, strength, and worth. With her ancestors, her heroes, her Gods.
