Esmerelda the Fair

Ezmerelda Lyhtanverk /ˈlʏx.tɑn.vɛɾk/ later known as Saint Esmerelda the Fair, was a maiden from Treviso in the Fallo, active in the 1100s. She was patron saint of beauty, love, swords, and lightning - quite an unrelated repertoire!
== Story ==
Esmerelda was born near Treviso in a small village, Deralth, in 1099. When she was in her 20s, she was very beautiful, and many young men and women from the surrounding voyvods (city-states) came to court her. She demanded that she would only marry anyone who could beat her in a sword duel. Her sword was named Whisper, for it was a sharp thin ornate foil that made no sound when it cut the air. 
She defeated - so legends say - over a hundred suitors, with none even drawing her blood or breaking a sweat. News travelled of her power in battle and her enthralling beauty and grace. The voyvod of Cahay asked her to help defend the town from an attack by coastal pirates one stormy autumn.
Esme faced down the raiders alone on a rocky crag as their boats drew near, eager to plunder the rich monastery of Cahay. Esme brandished her sword to the heavens, praying to the fire of Maiona and the storm of Malini, and the destruction of Make. In an instant, a huge bolt of bright silver lightning crashed down over her, only superficially burning her, but then sprang down the beach, winding over rock and crag until it smote down the raiders. The few who survived turned their faces in terror and fled. 
== Sainthood ==
For her legendary beauty, her skill with a sword, and her command over lightning, Esmerelda was canonised as a saint after death. Statues of her showed the characteristic Lichtenberg Figures she suffered from the lightning - like tiny red veins or tree branches.
On her holy day, which was the first autumn night with thunder, lightning, and rain, her followers would meditate or celebrate. Her symbols included swords, lightning bolts, reddish Lichtenberg figures, lightning-burned trees with no leaves, and objects of beauty like blush powder or rouge.
Category:People