name - Mariana Nautius
race - Imperial (Niben) | occupation - Domina; Clergy | age - thirty-six | eyes - Dark Brown | hair - Black | complexion - tanned; olive tone | height - 5'8" | build - hourglass |

Appearance

An elegant woman, and a picture of refinement and charm, Mariana is the epitome of a Dibellite.Naturally warm and good-nature in temperament, a friendly and welcoming smile graces Mariana's painted lips. Long black wavy curls cascade down her back. A tanned, olive-toned complexion hints at the woman's Nibenese heritage. The scent of jasmine follows in her wake.She dresses immaculately with a face full of cosmetics and various jewelry adorning her body. When in season, Mariana wears a fresh blossom of a Dibella's Promise flower in her silky hair. Always around her neck is a waxed Dibella's Promise fashioned into a simple necklace; a treasured possession and token of affection that represents the love and devotion Mariana and Volund Decentius hold for one another.The attire that drapes her shapely form is made of the finest fabrics from across the land. She favors the shades of pink and purple but at formal and political affairs is seen in the colors of her household: black with silver trim.

Personality

With a calm, soft-spoken demeanor and warm hospitality, Mariana offers herself as an oasis, even if only the briefest of respites, from the chaos that is life.A caring individual who pays close attention to the needs of others, Mariana lives her life in service to the teachings of Dibella, the Lady of Love, Art, and Affection.Yet a darkness resides deep within. It is not that her exterior is disingenuous but that a religious zealot raised in a House of Dibella seeks to rid the world of the ugliness that is Daedric worship and influence.

Humble Beginnings

The night of Mariana's conception was not one of passion but marred in violence. In the squalid town of Bravil, a foul man forced himself on Flora Nautius.A Nibenese seamstress by trade, Flora singularly raised her daughter, Mariana, on the outskirts of the Imperial City of Cyrodiil. Surrounded by finery and yet never possessed, Flora deemed her meager earnings inadequate in providing the life her daughter deserved. With words of prayer and sacrificial offerings, she sought the aid and wisdom from the Divine. Her prayers were answered by the House of Dibella. It was they who Flora would come to entrust the care of her only child.

A carefree youth

Given to the House of Dibella upon her first bleeding, Mariana's youth was spent at the Great Chapel of Dibella in the harbor city of Anvil. It was here, as an acolyte, that Mariana began her journey to become a member of Dibella's clergy learning such topics as companionship, etiquette, art (singing, dancing, painting, lute and harp playing), gardening, and basic alchemy.As a youth, the girl from Anvil was wooed by a boy of Kvatch. Many trysts between the young lovers ended at one of the city's two inns. Until one late night, Mariana witnessed her young love commit an act so horrific it caused her to flee their room in terror. Taking the first ship to leave that very night, Mariana left Cyrodiil without word or possessions.

A life in comfort

Eventually, an adult Mariana would settle in Sentinel, the capital of the Redguards. Dibella being popular among Redguard ladies, Mariana found favor among the nobility specifically one, Magnifica Carina Cabral, Tear of Hegathe who was but a child at the time. Under Mariana's tutelage, in poise and grace, the young noble grew into a formidable lady. Mariana was the Magnifica's confidant until the trouble from Anvil appeared in Sentinel. The combined efforts of the Magnifica and her former lover, convinced Mariana to return to her homeland. Her self-imposed exile had come to an end.

A cautious return

Arriving in Blackwood, and then traveling to Gideon, Mariana joined the Battle for Blackwood to aid the village of Farmer's Nook. Her contributions were auxiliary in nature as she provided potions for adequate sleep, and kept the medical areas clean to prevent disease from taking root.Upon returning to Gideon, it was there at the Temple of Dibella a letter was received that would change Mariana's life: an invitation by Emperor-Regent Volund Decentius, seeking a member of Her clergy to spread beauty across his lands through gardening.

The Present

Mariana has made a home for herself in the western region of Colovia known as Spatharia. Originally tasked with beautifying the land, Mariana, through her relationship with the Dominus of House Decentius, has risen to the rank of Domina. She has settled into family life. The Villa, her domain. She oversees the domestic aspects of the household, maintains the gardens, hosts social gatherings as well as fulfilling her religious obligations as a member of Dibella's clergy.

Buccinator Amorian, Deceased - Mourned

"A fellow Niben, and outsider to Spatharia, I felt a kinship towards you, and whom I could relate to when among these cold hardened Colovians. In my earlier days, I felt myself an outsider but that knife did not cut so deep knowing you were near, and had formed a life within these lands. You believed my concerns when the Dominus was on pilgrimage and saw to my safety. You were my friend and now you are gone. We mourn you, and tend to your grave that is next to your wife and child. I pray you found peace, and were reunited in the Immortal Plane of Aetherius."

Cadmor Bull-Horn, Deceased - Former friend

"I once called you friend. I taught you the ways of the Imperial, our Gods and culture. I thought it would help you weather the storm against the evils of the Reach but a witch lured you away and returned to us a beast. I watched you closely. You struggled to maintain control. No longer could I trust you to be around Severus and myself. If you had been worshiping the Daedra, I would have seen you beheaded as you once soiled Altgrad but now you are gone. The darkness won. The tragic war against your own mind lost."

Caius Lavinius - cautious

"A shiver passes down my spine when you are near. You unnerve me. There is something off about you. Something that is wrong. Volund trusts you, however. He says you are loyal, and I believe him. You give him advice that seems to bring him peace of mind, and for that I am grateful. At the Old Life ceremony in Craglorn, you surprised me. Did we see a genuine side of you? The man beneath the mask and not the immoral I fear?"

Casephona Aionos - trusted

"A lovely young lady in both appearance and personality, and intelligent in a way I am unable to follow but encourage and applaud your studious ways. I enjoy the time we spend together and hearing your latest discoveries. You are a boon to the Decentius court and to Spatharia."

Cornelia Calpurnius - acquaintance

"You hate me and reject my friendship. I reminded you of home when we were both in exile in Sentinel. Now we are in Spatharia, together, and still I annoy you with my mere presence. I know your heart is heavy with loss, I only wish you peace."

Decortius Ducurio - respected

"You remind me of my insecurities, that I am not pious enough, not devout enough. It is unfair of me to paint you with that brush. Never once have you made a disparaging comment against Dibella or her teachings. I would like to know you better. Our ways of worship differ but perhaps, through such a friendship, we can grow to know the Aedra better."

Eva Bishop - cordial

"You are a respectful woman. A Breton that comes to Imperial lands to aid the people. A familiar story that I hope plays out differently. Stay positive."

Fiaenavar - Friendly

"Our initial meeting could have been better. A simple 'I do not worship the Daedra' would have sufficed and we could have avoided so much hostility towards each other. You were a fixture at my Imperial cultural lessons, and in that time, I have come to see you as another example of our cosmopolitan society."

Flora Nautius, Mother

"You gave all you had to provide for me and still you felt it not enough. I ran away from all that you sacrificed. I was scared. For you. For me. For the babe growing in my belly. Even upon my return to Cyrodiil I could not bare to face you. I was and remain ashamed.""Now you reside on our grounds. You are safe and want for nothing. Still we keep our distance to some degree. A cordial acquaintance rather than the bond of mother and daughter. Neither one of us sure how to pierce the distance that time has wedged between us. Does that make me a failure? As a Dibellite should I not know how to bring us together?"

Finnidor Giordant - friendly

"Always on the go, as much energy as you have an appetite. I am appreciative of the effort put forth for my recovery. You kept me fed both in body and mind. You are a good person. However, I caution you to be careful with your tone. I enjoy your company but public disrespect will not be tolerated. There is a time and place to express our disagreements. Be mindful."

Indahlia Vantius - cordial

"A noble lady who enlisted in the Legion, you remind me of Legionnaire Lucianna who shares a similar story. But perhaps, unlike her, there is a desire in you to be more than a sword. Only time will tell."

Kaecilius Corin - respected

"The Legate of the Legion and Volund's longest supporter. I respect you. We clashed at Kastron Buccinia but you understood my plight to save my love's life and did not stand in my way. A war between palatina and legion avoided. My advice to you, Legate, open your heart. The Gods have gifted us one large enough to love many and at once. Those who have passed can be loved alongside the new. The latter does not sully the former."

Lucius Parthax - cordial

"A surly individual, a brute, who's presence I do not particularly enjoy but you are loyal to the army and house. For that I will give you the benefit of the doubt and keep our interactions, rare as they may be, polite and cordial."

Lucianna Lonusiso - trusted

"I have wanted to offer you more, perhaps a position in the palace guard or my own personal retainer, but you seem content to be a foot soldier. I will not push you. I will cherish the friendship we have and the time, as limited as it may be, that we spend together."

Magnifica Carina Cabral, Tear of Hegathe - former Benefactress, weary

"It has been a pleasure to watch you grow from a girl who witnessed horrors no child should ever experience into the strong, independent woman you have become. I am so very proud of you and honored you considered me confidante. It pained me greatly to leave you but I thank you for pushing me to return to Cyrodiil. Yet, my allegiance with House Decentius has likely put me at odds with your own interests. Do you resent me now? Should I be concerned of retribution?"

Minimus Merus - tolerated

"There is pain in you that you mask with barbed remarks. A parent's love you crave as all children do, no matter the age. You are one of us. An example of the cosmopolitan nature we strive to forge in Spatharia. You are an Imperial. I will defend that to my last breathe."

Nero Horatius - neutral

"I was scared of you upon our reunion in Sentinel. Then you left me in Blackwood. I no longer fear you but suspect you will hate me for the secret I keep. You're a man grown now, with the experiences of life behind you. Surely, you will understand why I fled that night with only a nightgown on my form and my feet bare."

Revikus-Adi - Trusted

"Your culture and ways are strange to me but they seem harmless enough, and more importantly they are deeply rooted in family. I trust you, trust you to protect Volund, Severus and myself."

Rhiannon Auclair - cordial

"I have seen you at court lingering on the edges of the shadows. You seem genuine but I know not enough about politics, or you, to determine if that is true or a mask worn."

Salacia Wilderland, Daughter - Estranged

"You are my daughter but I am not your mother. That privilege belongs to another. I do not regret my decision. I would never have been able to care for you on my own. In the past, I have watched you from afar, seen you grow into the woman you have become. I wish I could share in your accomplishments but that is not fair to you or the family that has cared for you as their own. Please know you are loved."

Saoirse Bull-Horn - hated

"A heathen witch. A blight. A curse. You took from me a friend and returned a broken creature consumed by rage and pure hate. If you remain alive, I will see you burn. If you are dead then may you find torment in Oblivion for all of eternity. There is no mercy for the merciless."

Severus Decentius, son - loved

"My little sweet roll. I did not set out to replace your birth-mother, and when you are of age to understand better, I will share what I know of her. My heart swells with joy and happiness to hear the word 'mama' from your mouth. I treasure the time we share, and lament when we are parted. You are my son. I love you with all my heart."

Sól & Aodh Bull-Horn - Distrustful

"The sister to a witch, and caretaker to her spawn who is an ugly child in both appearance and demeanor. If you worship the Daedra you hide it well."

Theodorius Decentius, Deceased - Mourned

"I pray for you and think on how I never had the opportunity to know you better or watch you grow. I recall you were a good child, rare to cry. You were but a babe when brutally taken from us. Life can be cruel. You remain in our hearts. Always."

Ulrik Dragonsbane - Trusted

"You are of good-nature and jovial in demeanor. A pleasant presence to be around. You are also a soldier. A loyal one and a guard I trust with my family's life. When Volund goes into battle, with you by his side, I know he will return to me."

Unknown Father - Hated

"Dibella preaches, 'No matter the seed, if the shoot is nurtured with love, will not the flower be beautiful?' I have had plenty of love in my life and continue to enjoy such without you. I hope we never learn of each other. I do not want your pity. You do not deserve my love."

Valethyne Feldren - trusted

"You call me sister, and I am honored by that title. I trust you. You are not oath bound to do so but I know you will keep our family safe. I need not ever fear you."

Volund Decentius, Betrothed - loved

"You welcomed me into your lands and into your home. For more than twenty-years, I lived away from Cyrodiil in self-imposed exile. You gave me a place to truly belong and for that I am grateful. Spatharia is my home.""You opened your heart to me and together we mended your broken soul. You are a provider and a protector. I know I am safe in your presence and within your embrace. I trust you implicitly.""Passion courses through you as hot as the flames you emanate during battle. You are the love of my life, my greatest love, and a gift from Dibella. From now to all of eternity, you have me, all of me: heart, body, and soul. Know that it was never difficult to devote myself fully and only to you. I await the day I take your surname as my own. That I may call you husband, and you may call me wife. We will be joined together under Mara's love, two souls united as one for all of time. Volund Decentius, my love."

Domina

As Domina of House Decentius, Mariana oversees the household staff within Villa Decentii and hosts social gatherings at their home.

Dibella

As a member of Dibella's clergy, Sister Mariana is available for public worship and private counseling.

Arts

A patron of the arts, Mariana paints, sings and dances, and plays a variety of instruments namely the harp and lute.

Alchemy

Mariana is skilled in stamina potions as well as tinctures, tonics, and soaps for both cleanliness and beauty.

Gardening

When in Spatharia, during the spring and summertime, Mariana is often found in the Garden of Dibella. She has cultivated plants from across Cyrodiil and Hammerfell to flourish in the mountainous Colovian climate.

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