Tahari Aethana

Tahari is the High Priest of Ennera. Wise and compassionate, Tahari is one of the most powerful and beloved High Priests to have ever existed. She is an ally of Cher Amies, having met them through her protégé, Phoenix.

Description
Tahari has very long waves of silvery-white hair that reach down to her knees, with much of the top bound into intricate braids. Her eyes are a piercing gold, and she has long, pointed elf ears. She is radiant, and her Aasimar wings are always out.

She typically wears ceremonial garb: a shimmering white dress that fades into a deep blue. Icy blue floral lace winds around the top of the dress, reaching up to her neck. A tiara winds round her head, with glistening diamonds sparkling even when not in the sun.

Tahari is patient, empathetic, and extremely wise. She is a very thoughtful individual, and is very observant. Tahari deeply loves all of Ennera's children, and will do everything in her power to help any person who asks it of her. She does not discriminate against those with darker pasts, particularly those with backgrounds in the Cult of Falina.

Pre-Campaign
Tahari was born in 2213 to Lord Varan and Thessalia Aethana, a pair of moon elves who lived in Bethana. Varan was a distant relative of the royal family there, and the family enjoyed a high status. They had experienced a great amount of trouble having a child, with many miscarriages and stillbirths over many years. Thessalia longed to have a child, and prayed devoutly each night to both Ennera and Auna. When Tahari was born a happy, healthy Aasimar child, Thessalia knew her prayers had been answered.

Tahari was born when the previous High Priest, Lord Castor, was still alive, though quite elderly. When Tahari was four, she began to have dreams of a beautiful elven woman with large white wings. The woman was very kind, and taught Tahari how to heal with very basic spells. Her parents were astonished at her new abilities, and took her to the local Temple to inquire about Tahari's dreams. Tahari was asked many questions by the priests there, who, after she described the very pretty lady with the white wings, determined she was a very likely candidate for the next High Priest of Ennera.

Varan and Thessalia took Tahari to Feypass, where they met with Lord Castor. Castor knew he was close to death, and agreed to teach little Tahari as much as he could before he died. The family was given a small but comfortable living quarters within the High Temple of Ennera.

Time passed. Lord Castor passed away three years into Tahari's training, at which point she received from the other priests - and from the angels who would visit her dreams. Her parents managed to have another child, Brynleth, when Tahari was eight. Varan became a devout follower of Ennera, swearing himself to her service as a Paladin. Thessalia spent much of her time with the Temple's children.

When Tahari was eleven, Thessalia decided to spend the summer at her parents home in Athadell. She had not seen them in some time, and wanted some time in her home country. Tahari could not leave the Temple for that long of a journey, and Brynleth was still only a toddler, so Varan remained behind with the girls. Her mother never arrived at her destination; Varan received a concerned letter from her parents several weeks after she should have arrived, inquiring if everything was alright. A search was conducted, but Thessalia was not found.

Tahari and her family never gave up hope. Varan continued searching, and Tahari prayed regularly for her mother. More time passed. When Tahari was twenty, she was told it was time for her to officially become High Priestess. She went underneath the Temple into the Deep Crypt to take the Trial of Ennera, taking her father and her friend Verity to protect her. Her wish for the Trial was a simple one: "I wish to know what happened to my mother."

As she successfully completed the Trial, her wish was granted. Tahari saw a vision of her mother, all those years ago, taken captive by members of the Cult of Falina in Athadell. Tahari immediately launched an investigation after formally being named High Priestess. A year later, Tahari's investigation led her to travel to Athadell herself, to a Cult branch that she had discovered. To her immense relief, Tahari found her mother there, and to her shock, her little brother. Thessalia had been pregnant when she left for her family home, and had given birth to a son, Valaris. Valaris had been forced through the Dark Ritual as an infant, and Thessalia had been too frightened to try and escape with him, unsure of what the demon would do to both of them.

Tahari managed to save her mother and brother, bringing them back to Feypass. She tried for months to cure Valaris, but ultimately failed, and the demon – who caused extraordinary pain – claimed his life. Thessalia passed away soon after, weak after ten years of horror and torture, and grieving the death of her baby boy

Tahari struggled with her duties as High Priestess while mourning her mother and brother. At this time, High Priest Inian of Viella stepped in to help as much as he could. Inian, twelve years older than Tahari, was nothing but kind to the young High Priestess, and the two became close friends. That friendship developed into a deep love, something they have kept hidden from the people of Aavalin; they both know that their duty must come first, no matter what.

When Tahari was thirty, Ennera visited her, giving her a vision of a little human boy. Ennera asked Tahari to find the boy and bring him to the temple, to be raised there as her future Champion. She advised Tahari not to tell the boy of his destiny just yet. Tahari asked why he had to be taken from his family. Ennera told her of the boy's father, and his cruelty; if not removed from his home, he would never be allowed to train as a Cleric, and would never be able to fulfill his destiny as a Champion. Additionally, Ennera pointed out that his leaving would lead to the gears of destiny beginning to move for another child, too.

Ennera found the boy, who she learned was named Phoenix. Phoenix was a sweet, gentle boy; Tahari saw herself in him immediately. She was disgusted by his father, who insisted that he be paid for the child, as if he were a slave to be sold. Nevertheless, the money was given, and Tahari took Phoenix back to Feypass, which became his new home. She loved and cared for him as if he were her own son, teaching him magic herself. As Ennera requested, she never told him of his destiny, waiting until the time was right.

Campaign
In early 2255, Phoenix approached Tahari with a request. He had found his sister, who he had been separated from as a child, but she seemed to have no memory of him at all. In fact, she felt a great deal of physical pain upon reuniting with him. He wondered if Tahari could help at all. Tahari agreed to meet with Raevynn, and thus encountered Cher Amies.

Tahari used several spells on Raevynn, but was unable to completely reverse what had been done to the young woman. She suggested that Raevynn try to undergo the Trial of Ennera - a Wish spell would be able to restore Raevynn's memories. Tahari was also intrigued by the presence of a young half-elf man travelling with Raevynn. She had spent enough time with her brother before he died to recognize the presence of a demon within someone. She met with Matthew privately, and was kind and gentle to him. She told him that if she could help him in any way, she would do so. She also advised him to tell the truth to his friends.

Soon after the party left, Tahari journeyed to meet with another of the High Priests. She has not yet returned, but has been in contact with Phoenix (who she left in charge of the Temple) to assure him of her safety.

Ennera
Tahari is, as Ennera's High Priest, extremely devoted to her. Ennera's presence in her life gave Tahari purpose, and she still fondly remembers the very first time she met the Goddess as a small child. Tahari's wisdom and kindness mirrors Ennera's own, and many see Tahari as the absolute ideal High Priestess with such a close resemblance to her Goddess. Ennera is immensely proud of Tahari, and continues to guide her.

Inian
Inian is Tahari's lover, dearest friend, and soulmate. The two understand each other more than anyone else, both being High Priests. Their Temples are directly across from each other. Their relationship is kept secret from most. It is not prohibited for High Priests to have families, and even children, but Tahari worried that to publicize their relationship at a time when the Cult of Falina was growing stronger may be inadvisable, as they could be used to hurt one another. Tahari hopes that one day, she and Inian may actually marry and have a family of their own. The only people who know of the two High Priests' relationship are their families and Phoenix, all of whom are very supportive.

Phoenix
Tahari saw herself in Phoenix immediately. She became very attached to the child, and was a strong maternal presence in his life growing up at the High Temple. Tahari has taught him a great deal, and not just about healing - she has also taught him history and theology, and what it means to be a Priest of Ennera. Tahari loves Phoenix, considering him a son, and wants to protect him as long as possible. She knows that Phoenix is destined to be Ennera's Champion, and is waiting for a sign from Ennera to inform him of his destiny.

Family
Tahari has always had a good relationship with her family. Her father is extremely protective of her, becoming one of her two sworn protectors (along with Tahari's friend Verity). Brynleth saw her sister as a role model, becoming a Paladin of Ennera. She, however, desired independence from her family (particularly from Varan's protective nature), and moved to Bethana, working at a Temple of Ennera there. Tahari loved her mother dearly, and blames herself for her suffering and her death. She considers her failure to save her little brother to be her darkest moment, and her biggest regret.