Najhia Haldeth D'Marothek

> *"Pssh, who needs family, anyways?"*
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> *"Some of us **need** family, Noonan!!"* (Noonan Lockheed and Mariss D'Marothek discussing Tribula Cochlea's disownment, session 18)
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>

**Najhia Haldeth D'Marothek** (pronounced /nɑːʒ-i-ɑː hɑːl-dɛθ d-mɛər-oʊ-θɛk/ *NAHZH-ee-ah HAHL-dehth d-MAIR-oh-thek*) was a yuan-ti pureblood noblewoman. She was Mariss D'Marothek's mother. She passed away in 1488 from sewer plague.

## **Description**

Najhia D'Marothek was a yuan-ti pureblood that stood at around 5 foot 5 inches (165 centimeters) tall and weighed around 167 pounds (74.7 kilograms). She had brown skin, a round, kind-looking face and a flat nose. Like most yuan-ti, she had snake scales on her face; as typical of the Haldeth clan, they were red and black like a coral snake. She had long, thick black hair that she liked to pin at the top of her head in a bun, and golden, reptilian eyes that glinted in the light. She was slightly heavy for her height, and was not physically fit.

Najhia typically wore fine clothes of Haldeth clan make, in shades of black, dark red, and gold. Her go-to outfit was a black *qipao* patterened with golden clouds and light sandals. She typically wore a simple golden hairpin and golden earrings, and she was not often without a full face of makeup. Najhia dressed as impeccably as she could manage, as expected of her as a noblewoman.

## **Personality**

Najhia's personality is immortalized in the tales of her family. According to her son Mariss, there was no person more kind, loving, gentle and understanding than Najhia D'Marothek. She was a gentle, forgiving woman who preferred to take life slowly and patiently, and found joy in making others happy. As a noblewoman, she lived a comfortable, quiet life, and enjoyed the many luxuries she had.

Najhia's family remember her as a kind, sweet woman. She was somewhat gullible and could easily be deceived, and her patience and empathy could be easily taken advantage of with the right kind of words. She fell in love hard and fast, and put her whole life forwards toward her family and loved ones.

Najhia struggled with assertiveness, and was easily walked over by her family and spouse. It is one of the many regrets the Haldeths had when she died.

## **Abilities**

Najhia was a mundane person, but if it is any consolation to her, she was an extraordinary empath who could truly care for others.

## **Possessions**

Najhia, as a young adult, held a large share of Jian Haldeth's fortune, as well as an heirloom passed down through the clan: a tube of poisoned lipstick. This tube of lipstick, known as Haldeth's Sleeping Death, as well as all of this money, was stolen by Shulssu D'Marothek, shortly before her death.

## **History**

Najhia was born in 1450 to Jian Haldeth, a yuan-ti pureblood, and Chuil Haldeth, his human wife, in Port Nyanzaru in Chult. She has one older sister, Sselu, and two younger brothers, Huang Fu (who she grew up with) and Kwalu (who she did not). Najhia lived comfortably until adulthood in the Haldeth family home, the promising heiress to the estate.

In 1469, at age 19, Najhia married a 25-year-old yuan-ti named Shulssu D'Marothek, and then the following year, on March 14th, 1470, Najhia gave birth to a baby boy who she named "Mariss". During that early morning, the worst storm Port Nyanzaru had ever seen raged outside the windows. Despite access to a midwife being difficult, both Najhia and her baby survived the storm.

Najhia lived comfortably with Shulssu and Mariss until 1488, when, in the summer, after eating contaminated food, she unexplainably fell ill with sewer plague. Shortly after, anticipating his wife's death, Shulssu gathered all of their riches in the night and stole away on a boat, disappearing without a trace. Unable to afford the property tax on their home, Najhia and Mariss were forced to live in the slums, and without treatment, Najhia passed away, effectively orphaning her only son.

## **Relationships**

### The Haldeth Clan

Najhia was Jian's baby, and her family truly loved her. She kept up as much contact with her family as she could, ardently bringing her young son to every gathering they had. When Shulssu left, it became almost impossible for her to contact them. Mariss was left with the burden of telling her family that she had died. The loss of Najhia was unexpected and hit the clan very hard.

### Shulssu D'Marothek

Ever the charmer, Shulssu wormed his way into Najhia's heart by appealing to her sympathy. As a D'Marothek, Shulssu lived under the stain of his forebearer, Timaeuss D'Marothek's, atrocities committed in Chult, where he wiped out entire civilizations from his floating tower solely for the fun of it before vanishing without a trace. His last name has carried that shame for a millennia. Even though Timaeuss's actions are long forgotten, the distrust felt by the people of Chult towards that name remains. Shulssu used his misery to appeal to the kind Najhia, who wished to make his life better.

And she did. Shulssu lived comfortably under the social protection the well-loved Haldeths provided. His business flourished and he gained more contacts overseas than he ever had before. He repaid her by taking everything away from her and leaving her to die. She never hated him for it, either, and died without a single grudge in her heart, not knowing that their marriage had meant nothing to him.

### Mariss D'Marothek

Mariss's mother was his most loved person. Mariss was a lonely child, but Najhia was always there for him. Shulssu was an expectedly distant father, he had no siblings and he did not play well with the children in Port Nyanzaru. However, he always was able to rely on and come home to Najhia, who would wipe his tears, get him a cup of hot milk, and play him lullabies on the lute. Najhia would listen to Mariss's woes and give him advice, and encourage him and make him feel like he was an accomplished person. When she passed away, Mariss blamed not only his father, but his own failings. Her loss is a stark reminder of how everything he achieves should have gone to her.

## **Appendixes**

### **Gallery**

The Haldeth clan.Najhia teaching her son to wear makeup.Najhia and her young son, Mariss.Najhia and her young son, Mariss, as he displays his storm magic.