Ifa Nemni

File:Yournamehere.jpg

Yourname Here

Vitals

• Name: Ifa Nemni
  • Udul (nickname):
  • Dimir (Lady's Name): Ramarima
• Player: Josh
• Class: Hand of the Dead
• Gender: F
• Age: 27
• Hair:
• Eyes:
• Height: 5'10"
• Weight: 190 lbs.

Role

Ifa's main role at the ulajeta is to welcome, get to know, and get information about guests, new acolytes, and anyone who is not yet well-known around the ulajeta. This would include, to some degree, pilgrims and others visiting Ancestors, although the specifics are all left to the Voices to sort out. Ifa is not a recruiter of new acolytes but aids Nemnu in the selection of acolytes, especially those from further away or from noble lineages of the province. As a former ward of Borgegus she is expected to keep abreast of what is going on in Khutu more broadly, including politics. She has priestly duties which would include prayers at the small chapel (there is no formal Hand temple here), coordinating with the major temple of Birgoje in Naftusa for ceremonies and events, and (especially) dealing with things like marriages, betrothals, and the like, which bridges her priestly duties and her duties to Nemnu specifically. (Note that because you are a Nemni, she can call you telepathically from anywhere, at any time.) She doesn't do hospitality in the sense of food, entertainment, etc. but does make sure that she knows what things new arrivals will need. She uses bubun to get things done, but doesn't have primary responsibility for them here.

NPCs

People

• Afra Sortusai: AKA Firesnatch (used only in insult) or Ikhi (you call her this often, familiarly). A noblewoman who was an acolyte at the same time as you, considered very beautiful and refined. You had a relationship with her during your time together as acolytes, but that ended when you went to Onighus for Hand training. Although it's a bit awkward now that she's pregnant with the hengi Hojon's baby, you still get along well with her.
• Aibil Katerinolai: AKA Headwind. Hand Aibil is one of the senior priestesses at the big temple in Onighus, and during your training, she was your closest mentor. Having come from a rather quiet rural background at Nemnosti, you learned a lot from her about how politics works in the Hand, and gave you a taste for that kind of work. She's never visited Nemnosti in person but keeps promising in her letters that she will.
• Avrubai Dusmanis: You always call him Estuki; or playfully, Earwax. A big, sociable personality like you, you trained as acolytes together and were good friends, with him taking the mystic's path eventually and training in Ardukh in northern Khutu. He comes from quite a poor background and has never had much to his name. Returned about a year ago, still friendly but really just getting to know one another again.
• Bistu Borgegi: The current ward of Nemnu sent by Borgegus Ula, a Voice a few years younger than you. You first met him in Onighus when you were there, and then when he was sent here about a year ago you helped him adjust from urban life. That's a work in progress - he's still got a bit of an attitude, but you try to be patient.
• Bura Hazh: AKA Zephyr or Larar. Bura is the main recruiter for Nemnosti among her own folk, the Ravre. She is a skilled reckoner with a deep knowledge of the history of the region, and a teacher at the ulajeta. Because of your role in helping new acolytes get socialized here, you interact with her especially when she brings newcomers.
• Dadim Nemni: Your big brother; you definitely call him Dumpling, less often by his dimir of Zhinozh. The Coathook in Naftusa is a great neutral place to meet folks before inviting them to the cloister, and Dadim knows his role is to serve the Lady through you and others. You can trust him to tell you the truth, but not to keep confidences.
• Ghegra Honogh: A young(ish) hengi, one of few women in the role. Was an acolyte, friends with Kuspir, but her lineage duties have taken priority, and she is now on the marriage market to try to improve her family's fortunes, which have been in decline. Her father left so many debts and enemies that it's not exactly clear how you can help her find a good match, but you will try.
• Hojon Nemni: AKA Sinews or Taishukh, or as his title 'Osper'. He relies on you even over his own daughter Mususi as the Hand responsible for Nemni lineage stuff (a source of some tension). Has been a good leader since his father's death around a dozen years ago, but more recently has been somewhat embattled over interpersonal issues.
• Ikhesi Nemni: An acolyte and distant cousin who, after his training at the ulajeta, became ward to Borgegus Ula at the Maze in Onighus, just as you did several years ago. Like you, friendly, given to thinking about politics and lineages, and figuring out what his place is in the world.
• Jaivu Nemni: A former acolyte who now manages a great farming estate on the outskirts of Onighus, where he lives with his noble wife and family. He is Hojon's younger brother but hasn't been back to the ulajeta in a long time, although his son Ghalaimi is now an acolyte here. You met him a few times as he extended appropriate lineage hospitality during your wardship, and he has always been friendly and warm towards you.
• Jesa Kerteroki: AKA Gossamer or Imara (you could call her any of these); the highest-ranking Hand at Nemnosti. You have a very good working relationship with her but she is hard to get to know and to have a warm relationship with - very formal.
• Keruna Kaisastelovis: High Priestess of the Hand at Birgoje, the great Temple of Naftusa, and a major political figure among Khutu's Hands. Despite being of the nobility which is sometimes in tension with Nemnosti here in the province, Keruna has positive relations with all of you and is interested in your career progress.
• Mususi Nemni: AKA Reject or Rokha. Around your age and a distant cousin, Mususi was an acolyte with you, and now works at the temple in Naftusa. As the daughter of the hengi she might be expected to hold high office but while she has such aspirations, she is fairly minor so far in their ranks. Not a close friend, you sense that she resents how her father Hojon, and others among the Nemni, seem to trust you more than her.
• Naka Igriz: Your mom, herbalist and teacher at the ulajeta. Taught you healing and always aspired for you to become an herbalist, sometimes still urges you in that direction. Lives at Nemnosti with your dad, but takes long trips into the Ghengom when not teaching new acolytes. Full of curiosity especially about the natural world, and an amazing source for anything to do with nature.
• Nanga Nemni: AKA Chimis or Bristlenose. A distant cousin who was an acolyte around the same time as you. She got in a bunch of trouble during her time as an acolyte and if not for being a Nemni, would have surely been expelled. Has relatives in Onighus who you know are not fond of Nemnosti, but you never met them during your time there.
• Pospor Borgegi: A Voice around your age who comes from wealth and now serves Borgegus Ula at the Maze as a kind of landlord / fixer / manager. He was (kind of?) your property manager for your place when you lived there, and you and he had a relationship for a while, which ended only because you were returning to Nemnosti. Still friendly, a reliable kind of guy though you know better than to ask about some of his potentially shadier activities.
• Rembes Kaisastelovis: Known as The Lion, a powerful elderly sentinel based out of the town of Bemnes, where he is the hengi of his wealthy and powerful noble lineage. Father of Keruna, you know him through that connection but also through his efforts to meddle in politics in the province. Very (over?)confident, an expert on military and political strategy, a bad person to have as an enemy.
• Rosem Dendorfi: Known as The Chimney, a powerful elderly nobleman, hengi of the most powerful lineage in the province, based out of the great iftibal in Naftusa. Once the Dendorfi married often into the Nemni lineage, but lately the two have been in opposition, which may be changing back, slowly. His son Verga is a middling-power Voice here at the ulajeta. Seems to respect those who stand up to him.
• Sakasa Nemni: AKA Vivid-red, Vivid, Viv, or Vinda. A distant cousin who serves the Lady as an envoy, messenger, and herald, a useful task for someone who She can speak to directly. While not much at Nemnosti anymore, especially since her divorce, Sakasa was and is a friend, especially because she was once a ward of Borgegus Ula, just as you were. A bit frivolous sometimes, but very well-informed on the business of the ulajeta and anything that affects it.
• Sholtishoghor: A middle-aged Hand of the Ravre, who serves the various upland and isolated communities where the priestesses from Naftusa rarely go. You know she was born in Akapa Sogo and is believed to have been originally from the Ususam lineage, but has no known family connections now. She is friendly with your mother and then, by virtue of your common Hand membership, is relatively warm towards you, although you know she treats Nemnosti with mistrust.
• Tagezhai Etergoldi: Known as Odyssey, he is very old but has a magic artifact that keeps him from aging, by virtue of being hengi of his lineage. Through his marriage to Hojon's older sister, he has powerful Nemni connections which he hopes to exploit in the future. Unlike the noble lineages, the Etergoldi are commoners and so cut off from other obvious sources of power in the province.
• Uklai Akhamai: Your grandmother, aka Lisava. Born in Taizi, and was the second in her family after her father to be an acolyte here. Worked as a merchant for the cloister for years, but now largely retired to her pleasant home in nearby Hertu, where you visit her often.
• Veruve Nemni: AKA Mosaic or Nifin. Veruve was an acolyte just before you were, a powerfully gifted mystic who was Nemnu's apprentice and is now her Vessel. When you were an acolyte yourself she had a bit of a 'big sister' relationship to you and was great friends with your sister Zurusha. Was adopted by Hojon a few years ago, thus now a distant cousin. In her new role, has taken on a more standoffish/aloof demeanor, probably to fend off suitors, you imagine.
• Vuruma Uklorofte: AKA Tuturg. Vuruma is a middle-aged hengi of the Uklorofte mirifti - a lineage who reckon descent through the female line. Has been working with you, and Nemnu, to find marriage partners among the acolytes or Nemni for her son and daughter. A major donor to the ulajeta who visits frequently, but lives in Naftusa.
• Zali Dendorfi: An elderly noblewoman who is also, through multiple lines of descent, a Nemni, and has lived at the iftibal as a Nemni at various points. It was kind of a thing last year when her husband Faruzh Sortusai died and was rendered bubun - you took part in that ceremony, and handed her the bustul that she wears to this day. She lives in Naftusa but comes to Nemnosti fairly regularly to consult ancestors.
• Zaren Nemni: Your dad, aka Zesty or Ronu, but you just call him dad. Now retired due to an injury after a fall, he was hit hard when Zurusha's revival went wrong. A loyal family man whose kids are important to him. Friends with Hojon, who is the same age as him, and a group of male acolytes all about the same age who now play major roles here.

Revenants

• Aru Ninderulai: AKA Lodestone or Sadal. A noble Hand of the ardames tradition who abandoned that path to get married in their middle years, but then after that failed (and they became a revenant) returned to Nemnosti. Though no longer a Hand (because they left the order), helps Jesa and others in teaching acolytes about theology. You talk to them a lot about the future of the Ninderulai lineage and trying to restore it to some of its former stature.
• Emno Migantonos: The reckoner appointed by the nobility in Naftusa to Nemnosti - basically, the only official government intervention in day-to-day stuff. In your role, you have to deal with him a lot when it comes to any interpersonal things with lineages or conflicts. He is a little bit too fond of the ladies but keeps his hands to himself (with you).
• Lona Tinef: A gardener from Hertu who arrived in this area around 10 years ago with her husband. You found out a short while ago that she used to be a Hand, and she helps out at the cloister with everyday rituals and keeping the place looking nice around the little Hand chapel. Quiet and keeps to herself.
• Zurusha Nemni: Your older sister, born Lamna; you used to call her Geme or Whimsy, and still might. You were closer to her than anyone other than Izu, as a kid. Since her death and revival it's been impossible to spend time one on one with her - her aversion is that serious. She lives basically in a chamber where people bring her books to repair, and communicates with her family via letter.

Ancestors

• Ramarima Nemni: Your dimirabas, after whom the Lady gave you Her Name. A noblewoman from Onighus adopted into the Nemni, technically your great-great-grandfather's brother's granddaughter (you worked it out once). You met her when she was an old lady and you were a little girl, but don't remember her really from that time. But if you want to know the gossip from, say, 680 to her death, she is a deep repository of wisdom, and to explain the parts of her notebooks (which are not quite in code, but definitely not clear) that don't make sense.
• Songaseli Nemni: Your paternal grandfather (Zaren's dad), who came to Nemnosti after a career as a merchant and became a stoneguard. You only knew him when you were little but he is a good person to talk to about spiritual matters, or just to get advice.

Saints

• Borgegus Ula: You met Him a few times when you were His ward during your Hand training in Onighus. He set you up with a place to live in his ulajeta, The Maze, and introduced you around, through His intermediaries. You know saints can't move but the best description you have of your encounters is 'twitchy'. Very smart, very fast-thinking, has His hands in everything going on in the city. You definitely got the sense that among Nemnu and Him, there is a relationship of obligation going back to when He helped Her found Nemnosti.

Special Notes

• You are one of only a handful of people to know the secret ingredient in the queenshook, the drink popularized at Dadim's popular tavern, the Coathook. In fact, you were the one who suggested it, a powdered mushroom your mother introduced you to as children, the 'kneeling queen'. But Dadim has sworn you to secrecy on the matter and you don't want your mom to find out anyway and get the idea that you are interested in herbalism.
• You and Afra don't talk as often as you used to, but she confided in you once recently that her relationship with Hojon, while based on real affection, is at least in part a way to allow her to stay at Nemnosti rather than getting married.
• While you were not privy to most of the oldest and deepest secrets of the Maze during your time as ward to Borgegus Ula, you certainly did learn about a set of underground pathways between various buildings, shared with you by Pospor originally. One of these pathways has a locked door that, you were told, leads to the Mausoleum, Eluli Ula's own residence.
• The hengi, Hojon, had a twin sister Oldoka, who died suddenly at the age of sixteen. As a twin yourself you always wondered about their relationship, but it is Definitely Not a Subject of Discussion among the Nemni. Ramarina's notes describe that at the time of her death, Oldoka was about to be betrothed to a nobleman from Sharai, immediately in the wake of the Bone War.