Of the Winding Trail
"The wind carries all voices, darlin'. Jus' gotta learn to listen."
Down-to-earth Shetona storyteller and naturalist on Balmung (Crystal, NA). A free spirit seeking to trade tales, protect the land and all within it, preserve the past and explore new horizons.
About the Character
| Full Name | Ahyelota "Lota" Nepyani |
| Race | Shetona |
| Gender | Cisgender Female |
| Age | Early 90s (approximately early 30s in other lifespans) |
| Nameday | 15th Sun of the 4th Astral Moon |
| Birthplace | Nepyani Village, on the border between Shaaloani and Yyasulani, Xak Tural |
| Languages | Fluent in both Common and Turali, knows basic Shetona phrases and exactly one Tonawawta curse word |
| Voice | Warm and slow like molasses with a gentle drawl |
| Talents | Animal Handling, Archery, Guitar, Singing, Storytelling, Woodworking |
| Weaponry | Longbow, Hunting Knife |
| Personal Effects | Beaten up guitar, well-worn leather journal, bag of trinkets (carved wooden animal figurines, small bones and stones), pouch of dried sage, waterskin from the Niikwerepi River |
| Likes | Tall tales, open spaces, discovering unique creatures, rainfall on canvas, handwritten letters, the scent of old firewood and sage, alpacas, xibruq pibil, bitter coffee |
| Dislikes | Confinement, greed, bureaucracy, hasty words and actions, stone buildings, late mornings, eating the last bite without sharing, moogles, bananas, sweet tea |
| Virtues | Amiable, creative, easygoing, empathetic, generous, inquisitive, resilient, strong sense of justice, unpretentious |
| Vices | Avoids difficult conversations, compulsively leaves pieces of herself behind, distractible, fickle, flexible with the truth, forgetful |
| Occupation | Storyteller, Naturalist |
| Family | Ehyeluashi (mother), Cauhepyo (father), Lyaati (half-sister), a large extended family and Pikpik (an armadillo companion) |
| Motivations | Preserve stories, especially of those whose names are forgotten, honour the natural world, help the helpless and forgive herself for what she could not stop |
| Spirituality | Believes all are connected by the Great Tree and that her travels are not escape but devotion |
| Alignment | Chaotic Good |
| Personality | ISFP-A: The Adventurer |
| Orientation | Bisexual and Polyamorous |
| Relationship Status | Single |
Roleplay Hooks
Trades Tales for Tales: Ahyelota happily shares rare folklore in exchange for songs, stories or rumours -- the more implausible, the better. She forgets where she heard them half the time but that doesn't matter. "A good story is a livin' thing, darlin'."
Wanders After Wonders: She drifts through the world in search of unusual creatures and curious companions. She'll watch them for hours or name them before knowing what they are. Ask her how she met her armadillo. Maybe the version she tells you is even the true one. "There I was, half-dead on the dunes an' face to face with the biggest aspis you ever did see..."
A Soft Touch for the Hurting: Though no warrior, Ahyelota steps in when folk suffer, especially at the hands of slavers, poachers or those who abuse the land. She may seem relaxed and carefree, but when her voice goes quiet, something old and rooted speaks through her. "Somebody's gotta do the right thing an' I'm gonna make sure it gets done."
Follower of Dreams: She's been known to vanish after a strange dream and follow where the wind pulls. She always finds something: a song in the stones, a voice in the river or someone in need of hearing. Perhaps one of her visions led her to you. "I ain't never questioned it. Feels like I was meant to follow, for better or worse."
Forgetful but Never Unkind: She may misplace her waterskin or forget the name of the town she's in but she never forgets a kindness. Or a face. She'll repay both, sometimes with a handmade charm, sometimes with a story so odd it changes how you see the world. "Jus' a little somethin' to remember me by, darlin'."
The Stranger's Companion: Ahyelota is the one who sits beside a traveller alone by the fire and asks them what they're thinking. She's drawn to outsiders, wanderers and those who don't quite fit. She never tries to fix them; she just makes space for them to be. "Ain't seen your face before. What's your story?"
Gallery
About the Player
My pronouns are she/her, I'm 21+ and live in the GMT time zone. My availability is best at weekends. I consider myself a heavy roleplayer with a flexible style that can easily adapt to the circumstances. I'm lore compliant, although I don't mind a little bending or head canon to fill in the blanks. If you're unsure, please don't hesitate to ask!
Yes: Adventuring, bars and taverns, exploration, found family, friendships, performances, slice of life
Maybe: Criminal activity, dark and disturbing themes, pre-established relationships, romantic relationships (will fade to black for physical intimacy)
No: Character death, fetish characters, gratuitous pain and suffering, overpowered or lore-contrary characters (including warriors of light, ascians, voidsent, in-character fantasia), sexual assault
🌈Trans Rights are Human Rights.