Naralk gra-Logurma

by Hyperionwitch

Naralk is a young Orsimer woman who is a Journeyman at the Wayrest chapter of the Mages Guild. She completed her apprenticeship under Magister Haakon Stormblade.

## Appearance

A young woman of 21 years, she stands at roughly 6 foot in height and has a slim build that, surprisingly for an Orc, isn't very muscular. In fact, her skin is a pale brown with only a hint of green but her stubby tusks definitely mark her as one of the Pariah Folk. She has auburn hair that she often styles in loose waves or pinned back away from her face. Her wide, light blue eyes often betray her emotions well ahead of her quick tongue. Though she isn't too curvy, she does have a subtle hourglass figure.

She has a deeper voice, compared to human women her age, with a husky quality to it. When she laughs politely it is more of a throaty chuckle, but her real laugh is a rich and vibrant sound that carries.

She is fond of wearing a circlet and often sports cosmetics - most notably lip paint and kohl - as well as jewelled hair pins and earrings. She vacillates between wearing long, refined dresses and simple work clothes, depending on whether she is minding the shop, visiting the guild hall, or busy in her alchemy workshop. Her clothes often tend towards dark, rich hues of red, green, or blue. While she is a member of the Mages Guild, it is rare for her to wear guild robes or clothes in the signature guild blue.

Though her hands are soft from years spent reading books and other tame activities, her fingers are often ink-stained or bear temporary signs of recent alchemical work.

## Personality

Naralk is kind and good-natured but incredibly head-strong. In the past, she's been described as argumentative and stubborn, seemingly for the sake of it. Between a temper that has often leant towards petulance and a childish mischievousness, she often vexed her elders. However, maturity and the guiding influence of these same elders has finally brought a measure of temperance to her disposition.

She is filled with a natural curiosity - for anything from alchemy to what makes people behave the way they do - and when she encounters something that interests her, she is quick to supply a battery of questions. When faced with a problem - or better yet, a secret - she won't rest until she has done everything she can to resolve it.

She tries not to upset anyone intentionally, but has been known to be forthright and has the unfortunate habit of speaking before she considers the full impact of her words. As of late, she has tried to employ more diplomacy in her dealings with people, with middling success. While she tries not to judge others too quickly, once she's made up her mind, it can be difficult to dissuade her; she will exhibit a wary apprehension towards anyone whose motives appear uncertain or suspect. And in the Orsimer tradition, she keeps an active Ledger of Grudges, though it is mostly filled with petty grudges and similarly trivial retaliations.

Naralk has a deep-seated sense of justice and will strive to do "the right thing" as dictated by her own personal code. She abhors slavery and oppression, and will go to great lengths to protect people from harm, if she knows there's anything she can say or do about it.

### Beliefs

Naralk is an avid devotee of Malacath and unlike many city Orcs in Stormhaven, has never felt a strong compulsion to keep this a secret. She tries to follow the Code of Malacath as much as possible, though her life as a city Orc has dampened her fervour somewhat.

### Loyalties

Fiercely loyal to those she holds in high regard, Naralk is prepared to defend her friends and family both verbally and physically, if need be. Chief among her loyalties is Countess Jhalnu the Ruby-Eyed, who has acted as her adoptive mother since finding her in Wayrest, with Magister Haakon Stormblade being a close second, despite her many past grumblings about him. Despite joining the Mages Guild, she does not defend the guild when it comes under scrutiny and has been openly critical of the institution in the past.

## Skills and Attributes

Naralk has a varied set of skills reminiscent of a dilettante, flitting quickly between fields of study that hold her interest. She has never had a great fondness for the arts, and while she does like music, she can't sing or play any instruments. But she does love books, and will just as eagerly read a tome on High Rock history as she will the latest Investigator Vale book. She speaks, reads, and writes Orcish fluently. She speaks Common fluently though was not literate before coming to Wayrest, and still has room for improvement with her writing.

Though she has been somewhat of a reluctant mage, perhaps owing to her clan's views on magic, she has managed to learn a number of spells, and has a genuine interest in alchemy for protective purposes. She also has experience with physical combat, and has trained in the use of swords and daggers. Though it has been some time since she used the skills she learnt in childhood, she also knows how to shoot a bow and use hunting traps.

## Career

Even before completing her apprenticeship with the Mages Guild, Naralk discovered a passion for experimental forms of alchemy. Inspired by the theories of transdermal magic, she began her research into combining alchemy and cosmetics, a topic she discussed at a symposium in Eyevea and on which she has since published a book, Magickal Cosmetics.

In addition to academia within the guild, Naralk has worked for a few years as a shop assistant at Sorcerous Sundries in Wayrest, owned by Magister Haakon Stormblade. As her alchemy skills developed, she began taking on more of these duties and now acts as resident alchemist for the shop. She also runs her own business, Magical Maquillagery, which she manages from within the shop as a separate venture. Though not widely known, Naralk has taken on a position as Research Associate to the magister working on undisclosed research.

### Publications

* Magickal Cosmetics
* The Language of Flowers: High Rock Edition

## Family and Backstory

Naralk was born into a clan with a loose social structure when it came to traditional clan roles. Unlike more orthodox clans, the women were allowed to marry men other than the chieftain, and children other than the chieftain's progeny were common. Naralk was from one of these unions. Unfortunately, her father died when she was only four years old.

Despite their relaxed social mores, the clan were highly suspicious of magic and only the wise woman had any knowledge of the arcane arts, which she guarded jealously. When Naralk's burgeoning magical ability could no longer be suppressed at the onset of puberty, she was exiled from her clan and her home.

Though her mother was always very caring, she did nothing to protect her from the wise woman's wrath, choosing to stand by the clan's rules over her daughter. Her mother's only support in Naralk's defence was to arrange a visiting merchant to take her to Orsinium.

## Timeline

* **2E 569, 14th of Sun's Dusk** - Naralk is born in Lower Wrothgar.
* **2E 582** - Exiled by her clan. Sent away to Orsinium.
* **2E 583** - Arrived in Wayrest and is found by Jhalnu the Ruby-Eyed. Entered apprenticeship with Magister Haakon Stormblade.
* **2E 584** - Returned to Jhalnu following the presumed death of Haakon. Began her travels aboard the Drowned Lamp.
* **2E 585** - Arrived in Vvardenfell and took on trade post duties in Gnises.
* **2E 586** - Resumed apprenticeship with Haakon in Lillandril.
* **2E 587** - Returned to Wayrest and took on shop duties at Sorcerous Sundries.
* **2E 588** - "Officially" becomes a Mages Guild apprentice.
* **2E 590** - Begins relationship with Erikur Windborn. Passed her Journeyman exam with the Mages Guild. Starts her business, Magical Maquillagery.
* **2E 591** - Ends relationship with Erikur Windborn. Relocates from Wayrest to High Isle.