California Sunanda Zendenga

*"At their core, vampires are simply predators. Keep them in their natural habitat away from civilization, and they are only a threat to the stupid and careless. Allowing them into your homes, however, is no different than letting a fox into the henhouse."*
*~California Sunanda Zendenga~*

California Sunanda Zendenga is a Mizulen vampire slayer loyal to the Kingdom of Shioru, and has long since fought to keep vampires and other predatory creatures out of her lands. While the deaths of her siblings and turning of her parents into vampires fuelled her ambition, she cites multiple reasons for taking up the line of work she did, including her faith and her love of country, and a hope that none would experience the fate she did.

She adheres strongly to her own moral code which aligns closely with the Scaylzé Faith of the Forest Mizulen to the south in East Aurum. However, she does not rule of law get in the way of morality, although she will do what she can to ensure the two are not at odds with one another.

## History

### Early Life

California was born the 4th of 5 children to Arkando and Jocasta Zendenga in the city of Zimahzhen in the south-southeastern reaches of Shioru. Being situated so close to parts of Korziña, she spent a lot of time among the Dorenzu, and took up multiple different types of combat training with some of their finest warriors.

When she was barely 15 years old, she and her family were attacked by vampires, and none of her siblings survived the ordeal. Her parents survived and were turned, and only California herself managed to get the affliction cleansed by priests of The Church of Alaric, in Shioru. As such, the Renkida faiths became prominent to her, particularly the Alariczé branch.

### Renkida Vampire Crisis

California was a major player in the Renkida Vampire Crisis, and while it did not change her opinion on vampires, she seemed more willing to reach a compromise involving giving them their own territory.

## Appearance

### Physical Appearance

California has dark brown skin, sky blue eyes, and fiery orange hair, worn lank and hanging around her lower shoulders. As a Mizulen, she is not an overly tall woman, although she harbors a lithe, athletic frame under her often protective clothing. While difficult to notice due to her already very dark skin tone, California has dark, almost-black freckles on her upper cheeks as well. While she cannot transform the way some Mizulen can, her lithe form, long ears, and somewhat angular features are all clear reminders that she has fairy blood. Her darker skin tone and shorter stature imply a northern ethnicity, likely hailing from the same northern desert region that Tzakani's ancestors originated from.

### Clothing

California usually wears dark but rich colours in shades of blue, green, and brown, despite her affinity for Light. With a loose and warm tunic, breechs, and travelling boots, she is often dressed for adventure, although she rarely goes out unarmed or unequipped if she is actually travelling.

## Abilities

### Combat Prowess

California relies heavily on her Lightforming due to the ability to have it blessed against Vampires and other threatening predators.

## Trivia

* California originally appeared as an adolescent protagonist of *The Crusade of Zulera*. However, with the advent of Tzakani as the central character of the series, California's role was changed to that of a vampire slayer.
* The age which California lost her siblings and parents is a reference to the original *The Crusade of Zulera*, a book written in 2013 during a world where Mencu was inhabited solely by Serenghe.
* California's friendship with Nevada is a reference to the two U.S. States with the same name, and being geographically adjacent to one another.
* While the year of birth is different, California shares a birthday with Eka-Katara.

## See Also

* Arkando Tapiwa Zendenga
* Jocasta Chandaki Zendenga
* Vampire
* Isikiro Sherazi Anazalrok
* Renkida Vampire Crisis
* Isikiro's Purge
* Nevada Esmeralda Valencia