Description:
Alheri Deepwood stands at a fairly average height, at 5'6'' and with a thick and curvy body. She carries herself with a careful touch, her every movement an economy in motion - until she gets excited, or worked up.

This is not as rare as one might think.

When so animated, Alheri is expressive in both her face and body, from bright smiles to deep, expressive frowns. She frequently wears her hair in thick plaits or braided twists, or just loose and curled, and she favours presenting a cohesive look - a schooled look.

Perhaps even a perfect look.

Personality: She cares. She really does.

It's just that reality is disappointing. You talk to someone and there's a flaw in their plan and you're either complicit because you say nothing or a naysayer if you do. Someone's dress is beautiful but a stitch was dropped and that gemstone is just a fraction misaligned and you know they'll laugh at her if you say nothing. Far better to help out. Of course, people are never grateful. They'd rather be laughed at by a thousand behind their backs than told they were wrong to their face. So she takes the brunt of that. It's a heavy burden.

And somewhere along the way she started to like it.

Background: Alheri was born to the Melaeris family, far from Old Oak. Her mother served as lady-in-waiting to Princess Kellen Grayson, and when the Princess married the Marquis Melaeris, Lady Maira struck up a friendship with his cousin, Maleck. After a few years there was a proper courtship - and after that, a marriage and eventually four children, of which Alheri is the oldest.

And then there was the tragedy of Old Oak.

For as long as she can remember, Alheri has faced various disappointments in life - early dreams of romance were quashed by the pragmatic love her parents held for each other, and for their children. Her desire for a sister never quite manifested. She didn't quite have the aptitude for blade and battle that would let her be a storybook knight. And her friends would fail her in various ways as well.

In short, Alheris accentuated the negative. The world was a disappointment. Only in her dreams - and in her ideals - could she find the perfection she craved. But even that wouldn't last long. She had a natural touch for brush and clay, but despite others declaring her genius, she could always find a flaw. Always find something to be unhappy with. She has striven for all of her (admittedly short) adult life to chase perfection. Eventually, she decided that she'd rather seek it at Deepwood. The Conscience of the Peers was far from perfect, but in Samantha, Alheri saw someone who might wish to attack the flaws she saw, rather than be made uncomfortable with them.

Besides, Deepwood needs the numbers, and Alheri is happy to oblige. And her family, of course, were happy to return her and strengthen the bonds between Melaeris and Deepwood, and the two fealty chains (in theory).

Alheri has barely been in Old Oak for a year, but she's ready to make changes. And ready to assist the Marquessa in making changes.

And maybe, just maybe, she'll set aside some time for herself, to chase perfection.

Arx is the melting pot of the Compact. If it can be found anywhere, it can be found here. Right?

Relationship Summary

Friend:

Ilvin - Everybody needs a friend, sometimes, and Ilvin, well, Ilvin is just the kind of guy that one feels safe with

Emele - We have our art in common.

Family:

Samantha - The Marquessa's place as conscience of the Peers is one that gives hope.

Emily - As distant branches of the family gather up, we discover what it means to be Deepwood

Jessa - Forging a brighter future together.