I got to use this character for only like [...]
Time to bring out my characters from the 'box of potential fate'. :3
((Totally Tagalog in name. Unsure if the Empire encompasses the 'East' in this time frame...given the 1900's tech?
))
Name: Hiraya Mawari
Physical Description: Hiraya is Eastern in appearance, though without knowing her heritage, this would differ to the onlooker: She has round eyes, an ovalesque facial contour, light brown skin hinting at a more tropical line of descent, and stands at 5'5" tall. Her body is slender in appearance, yet possesses toned muscles, remarking on her training and upbringing--a subtlety that goes unseen due to her clothing and graceful mannerisms; something learned rather than innate. Her clothing is a mix of silk and sun-colored fabric, a forest-tan mixture of green and straw-yellow, conforming to the idea of a traveler or explorer, following the fashion of those in the outer reaches of the Empire.
Job: Hunter/Guide
Personality: Hiraya is an optimist, said to be insightful yet meek, and shy, preferring others to speak unless she feels confident in handling the situation--something very common to her, albeit only if familiar with patterns or analogies of a certain parallel beforehand. She is easily trusting of others, though cautious when presented merely with bargains or trades, deeply empathic despite the facade of business professionalism running from parent to child. She is a tenacious and strong-willed fellow who derives strength from the mere ounce of hope and chance.
Biography: Born to merchants of the eastern roads, Hiraya lived a semi-nomadic life--a storm tempered by the balance of opportunity, experience, travel, trade, communication, and the happenstance of fate all intertwined. She took education when it was available, and focused on trade skills when they needed their due, learned how to live off and with the land and interact with the people along the way. Her parents were opportunists, though caring of heart and of warm disposition towards any they'd meet, including bandits--in terms of avoidance and shrewd detection.
In the shadow of the Succession Wars, Hiraya found out a lot about her world through her parents; they were kindly folk, and instilled in her the power of survival and hope by their actions onto others, teaching self-autonomy through unity of nature--working together, even with disparate and desperate folk, learning how to bargain and plan for the future, as well as create creative exchange which would benefit in other ways than currency, as many they met had little to trade and much to earn. This also included communicating via body language--to an armed man or woman, or to a feisty vagabond, and how to diffuse the situation without tending to use judicial force. Being knowledgeable merchants, their reputation came ahead of most and let the family avoid many a fight in exchange of information and guidance.
As time passed, retirement came like a boon onto the wise--Hiraya found herself free with the wishes of her family on her back, to either continue their work (mainly as a guide to the needy, as the elderly merchants lived on profits from business which were enough to see them through in their years), or to follow her own path in life. A gift not bestowed lightly. Following her character, she ventured farther into the west to alleviate the effects of the Succession War, providing guidance and aid for pilgrims and travelers alike--in part, curious, especially onto the Legends of the Rangers, as most of those legends were only given more merit the farther west one went.