Race: Human
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Homeland: Harlemont
Appearance: Mariette is a rather petite young woman, standing at a mere 5'4" and weighing no more than 110 lbs. Emerald green eyes are framed by thick, dark lashes and set into a rosy-cheeked face. The girl's hair is dark chestnut-colored and falls to just above her waistline. Mariette's feminine wiles are subtle. Her hips are slim and her chest is modest, a fact that she is somewhat self-conscious about. It is partly due to this fact, perhaps, that she carries herself somewhat meekly. Indeed, her appearance suggests a frailty that her inner strength belies.
Personality: A lifetime of duty to protecting the Mirror of Akyel has instilled a great sense of respect in Mariette. She is humble and honest, often pushing off her own needs to meet the needs of those she cares deeply for. The girl also has a very strong sense of justice and is known among her peers for being quite bullheaded. Indeed, her stubbornness is as much a boon as it is bane and has gotten her in and out of trouble more than once.
A sheltered life in Harlemont has left her with a rather naive view of the world. While she is aware of current state of affairs in Ter'Ciel, the fact remains that she has very little experience with anyone or anything outside of her simple hometown.
Mariette believes in making the best of any situation and often wears a smile on her face, even if her inner emotions are conflicted. The girl is openly friendly and enjoys the company of close friends and new acquaintances alike. Although Mariette has close relations with only a handful of people, it is safe to say that none of them dislike her.
Talents/Skills: Mariette has been sporadically trained in swordplay since she was a child. Due to the inconsistent manner of her tutelage, her swordsmanship is somewhat lacking. She knows her way around a blade well enough to stand a chance in a fight, however. Mariette is also a very proficient cook and enjoys cooking and baking for others whenever the opportunity arises.
Weaknesses/Vices: Lack of confidence is Mariette's biggest weakness. Completely aware of her naiveté, the young lady often feels overwhelmed by the happenings around her and has a tendency to allow herself to be troubled by trivial matters. Other weaknesses include her lack of true combat experience and her petite size.
Likes/Dislikes: Mariette likes cooking, housekeeping, sewing, and other domestic duties. She also loves hearing stories and always eagerly awaited when traveling bards would visit Harlemont. She dislikes fighting and confrontation, is afraid of thunder, and despite her love of stories, finds reading to be terribly boring.
Equipment: While not particularly suitable for protective equipment, the young lady takes pride in her personal appearance and considers herself well-dressed. She wears a short, white dress with long, puffy sleeves with a green, double breasted vest over it. Long stockings and calf-high boots cover her legs. To complete her look is a long, brocade cloak of rich green and black tones. This cloak was a gift from her aunt and was said to have belonged to Mariette's mother.
Background Story: Born and raised in Harlemont, Mariette was taught the importance of protecting the Mirror of Akyel at a young age. She grew up an only child in a large, albeit empty house with her aunt and uncle. Her parents went missing soon after the girl's birth and are presumed dead. Despite the unsolved mystery of their fate, Mariette never felt compelled to know more about them. Her aunt and uncle were as close to true parents as could be, which seemed to be enough for the girl.
Befriending the other children in the neighborhood, Mariette had a happy, average childhood. As she grew older she accepted more responsibilities with caring for and protecting the Mirror of Akyel. Her uncle, Jacques Renard, was a highly respected man in Ter'Ciel. As the head of the "Akyelites" he oversaw any and all business involving the sacred mirror. As such, nobles and high ranking officers from Valexia were common visitors in the Renard House, as were the tribal chiefs of Ata'hua. This exposure to cultural diversity helped Mariette grow into an open minded, accepting individual with respect for both nations and their way of life.
As a potential successor of head Akyelite, Mariette was privy to intimate knowledge regarding the sacred mirror. While her uncle could not say he knew exactly what the mirror's true purpose was nor what would happen if its powers were ever activated, he did explain to her the importance of never letting it fall into the wrong hands. He believed that the mirror reflected the true intentions of whomever held it. The Mirror of Akyel could serve as salvation during Ter'Ciel's most dire time of need, or it could bring about a disaster even more fearsome than the poison of legend. Perhaps it was this knowledge that led Mariette to make the decision that would change the course of her life, and the world, forever...