Anya Venari
Star Queen Tirathana VII
https://pamelastephens.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/2006_one_night_with_the_king_014.jpg
Image Credit: One Night with the King, Tiffany Dupont, 2006
Image Credit: One Night with the King, Tiffany Dupont, 2006
Loyalties: Amikarese Empire.
Role: Shahbânu (ruler) of the largest nation on the planet Tygara.
Development Threads: N/A
Age: 54 (about 27 or so in human years)
Species: Qadiri
Force-Sensitive: Yes
Appearance: Semiramis is of average height for a Qadiri and is thin and shapely. She is always dressed in fine silks adorned with gems.
Personality: Despite her royal upbringing the Shahbânu has acquired a rather pragmatic, even cynical view of the world. This, because of the coup and her brief deposition, made her an adult and shattered her old preconceived notions about the world. She had to fight to regain her crown and learned a lot about loyalty and trust.
Semiramis is fairly conventional in her beliefs compared with the Qadiri. She is extremely curious about new things and has a small zoo with exotic animals. She is also extremely well learned, able to speak 5 languages and has a large library of books and scrolls.
Semiramis, since her struggle for the crown, has proven herself able to get the loyalty. By leading from the front and setting a personally incorruptible image she inspires trust in those around her. Whether she is actually incorruptible is a matter of semantics, but she projects the image well enough regardless!
Weapon of Choice: Despite her status she always carries an ornate blade at her side. After the coup attempt she always carries a weapon at her side. She is also a talented Force user (of Apprentice level) in the fields of pyromancy.
Wealth: Extremely wealthy. As ruler of the largest single state on Tygara, Semiramis has access to vast stores of gold (which is common on this planet), silver, gems and precious items.
Combat Function: Semiramis is no coward. She is brave, even reckless, leading her forces in battle personally. She is skilled in use of sword, shield and bow, a capable rider and an aspiring general. Though lacking experience in leading an army she has had fine tutors and she led her army in battle which defeated her rival for the throne.
Skills:
- Apprentice level pyromancer.
- Skilled fighter with melee and ranged weapons.
- Leader of Amikarese Empire.
- Well learned.
- Able to inspire loyalty in followers.
Other Notes:
Semiramis was born in the reign of her mother Adira IV. She spent her first 40 years learning under the best tutors in the Empire. She developed an understandable – yet unpleasant – entitlement and arrogance in this time. Secluded in the palace, her mother kept her from any responsibility or control so the young Shahzadi (crown princess) was left to her learning and often callous use of those she had under her control.
To give her someone to help guide her, her mother purchased her the beautiful slave Bashiyra. At first their relationship was one of lust, but Bashiyra started to teach her responsibility, but she was still secluded and sheltered.
All this changed when Semiramis’ mother became ill. As the only living daughter, Semiramis was the heir. However, a significant section of the court and military favoured her cousin Jaamini. Finally trying to get her daughter accustomed to rule, Semiramis was sent to the city of Mansura to oversee the tax collection. Whilst she was gone though the Shahbânu died, and certain nobles with Jaamini instituted a coup and sent assassins after Semiramis.
These assassins nearly succeeded in killing Semiramis on board the ship she was on, but Semiramis and Bashiyra escaped but were shipwrecked. Forced to go overland on foot Semiramis had to see how the rest of her people lived by sheltering with a peasant family. Finally reaching Mansura she finally found an ally in the local Satrap Ardashir. This extremely talented male leader had been a favourite of Semiramis’ mother, and now decided to aid Semiramis.
With Ardashir’s help Semiramis marched on Zeheb, fighting Jaamini’s army halfway. In this battle Semiramis’ bravery and a well-timed charge by Ardashir combined for a great victory. Pursued, Jaamini fled but was betrayed and murdered by her few surviving supporters to try and curry favour with Semiramis. Disgusted by more betrayal Semiramis gave her cousin a decent burial and had the murderers beheaded.
Once installed as Shahbânu Semiramis III learned from her mistakes and rewarded loyalty and cultivated an image of justice and incorruptibility. People warmed to her, and only a few months more were required to cement her rule.
As discussed elsewhere Semiramis’ bravery in defeating the alien invaders won her high praise. However, she is always on guard for the return of the space people, knowing the next time she may not be as fortunate.
