Character Profile: Ryaah Bystrom

By Xanxa Symanah

Name: Ryaah Bystrom

Origin: Malvanian

Appearance: Tall, slender and elegant.  Pale skin with a slight hint of tan from her years of living on Varathusia.  Long white hair, usually worn loose.  Prefers to dress in elegant understated Carpathian style but wears black sorcerer’s robes when visiting her family on Malvania.

Personality: Her direct forthright manner contrasts with her kind and nurturing side.  Keen intelligence and biting wit.

Family: Parentage unknown.  Murdered her own husband after suffering years of violent abuse.  One daughter, Agnylda.  One grandson, Caratacuus Helvellyan.  Later on, one great-granddaughter, named Ryaah after her.

Abilities: Master level sorceress.  Talented seamstress.  Agile mind, honed by years of living in a Carpathian household.

Strengths: Sorcery skills.  Good grasp of politics.  Adept at reading people.  Extremely protective of her loved ones.

Weaknesses: Can seem abrupt and aloof at times.  More damaged by her husband’s brutal treatment than she cares to admit.  Ashamed of her lack of parenting skills.

Likes: Her undercover work for her Carpathian employers.  Enjoys garment-making and embroidery.  Loves spending time with Caratacuus and encouraging him in his artistic pursuits.  Appreciates the fine arts.

Dislikes: People who make assumptions about her.  Reluctant to talk about her troubled past.  Can’t stand weak-minded ditherers.

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