Rina Krinagar
Wife of Prince Ralindi Virayana of Krondahar
Niece of Prince Urmahid Krinagar of Bramyra
AC 1017
"Of course, milord, I shall do as my lord husband lawfully wishes in the matter."
(A proper and smart response Rina learned from her aunt, Lady Lan-Syn Virayana)
Appearance
Rina Krinagar will be the first to admit that she is not the prettiest of the Krinagars (That honor easily goes to her sister Qara or her cousin Terrigis.) However, Rina has been raised in courtly etiquette and breeding as best as any Krondaharan noblewoman, and she knows that intelligence, sophistication and wit can certainly enhance that alluring quality of charisma. Rina knows how to looking stunning in the traditional Krondaharan del or in the more avant-garde attires of Glantrian fashion. She often plays up her exotic mystique, using kohl to accentuate her almond-shaped eyes or shades of green Krondaharan silk to emphasize her jade-green eyes—a rare trait among those of Ethengarian race.
When riding, Rina matter-of-factly ties up her chestnut brown hair and dons tunics and trousers—a fact that conservative Krondaharans ridiculously consider reprehensible for a lady of her stature.
Background
The birth of Rina Krinagar in AC 999 was heralded by a dream her father had. Lord Khahak Krinagar, younger brother of then Count Urmahid Krinagar of Skullhorn Pass, dreamt he was a centaur and a for a daughter a golden-brown mare with chestnut hair and intelligent green eyes. In his dream, a young Prince of Krondahar (who he thought to be Prince Jherek Virayana IV in his youth) asked to ride the mare, and the horse and rider magically rode up to the heavens and disappeared into the glorious sunlight. Khahak could not dismiss his dream as unimportant, for his first wife, Lady Qulan, who was with child related that she too had a similar dream. Within the year, Lady Qulan gave birth to a baby girl—usually not a cause of celebration to most Krondaharans, but because of the auspicious dream, Lord Khahak knew his daughter would grow up with a special destiny.
Rina Krinagar did grow up special. She learned to walk and talk before she was one, and to read and write within the next year. And despite being a few years younger than the mandated age for Krondaharan children, she was soon magically tested and proven to be an arcaner, much to the joy of her mundaner father. But Khahak did not covet Rina any part of a thorough education; the best private tutors were hired for her to cultivate her natural intelligence in the fields of history, culture, art, etiquette, magic, and, as necessary for all Krondaharan girls, the feminine crafts and codes of womanly behavior.
At the age of four, Rina surprised her father by asking for her first pony, but because she had been so diligent in her studies, Khahak complied and Rina proved to be a natural on horseback. When Rina asked to be taught combat skills and sword fighting, Khahak was diffident but came to a compromise; Rina learned how to wield a knife and dagger, and even how to throw. Later, when Khahak refused that she be taught how use a bow and arrow—calling it improper, ignoble, and unladylike—Rina instead researched archery-like magic (magic missile, acid arrow, and flame arrow) and other long-range spells. Eventually, Rina learned to combine her offensive magic with her expertise on a horse, becoming as deadly as an Ethengarian mounted archer. On one hunting trip in the Bramyran hills, Rina proudly demonstrated her little knack of horseback-casting and thoroughly impressed her father. Since that incident, Lord Khahak allowed Rina certain liberties, though he was greatly criticized by Krondaharan traditionalists. But he knew first hand from his equally willful sister, Lady Lan-Syn Virayana, how futile it was to deny a Krinagar woman! Khahak's only condition was that Rina must strictly fulfill her duties first. But with Rina being so diligent and talented, she often had plenty time for her own pursuits.
In AC 1010, Rina boldly asked her father if she could study in the Great School of Magic in Glantri City—an unheard of proposition as unmarried Krondaharan women never left their own household unescorted! But Lord Khahak knew Rina's talents and ambitions could not be refused. Khahak arranged for Rina's enrollment, on the condition that she would always be escorted by her half-brother Chungkuel Krinagar (Bard 7, LN), Khahak's only son with some spellcasting ability. After a year, when Chungkuel found wizardry too difficult to learn and Rina had achieved top marks in all her classes, Chungkuel returned home and Rina stayed, under the watchful eye of her uncle Prince Urmahid Krinagar, who had now established himself firmly in Glantri City.
After her graduation, like many young noble wizards, Rina spent a summer touring the countryside. She spent much time in Bramyra, riding like the wind on the vast plains bordering the Ethengar Steppes. Once, a misadventure lead Rina deep into Ethengarian territories, where she was rescued by a centaur, Magnai Khan, leader of a centaur tribe on the Steppes. An unlikely attraction developed between the two, and it took all of Rina's devotion to duty, family, and tradition to keep her from riding off with Magnai forever.
After her timely return, Lord Khahak, Prince Urmahid, and Lady Lan-Syn met with Rina for plans of her future. Rina had not needed to be reminded that she was being groomed to be a suitable bride for some politically advantageous marriage—as Krinagar women historically were—and she was hardly surprised that the power players of House Krinagar had planned on marrying her to Lord Ralindi Virayana, the son and heir of Prince Jherek Virayana IV of Krondahar. Rina had little emotional or personal regard to the matter, and took on her responsibility dutifully and efficiently.
One fine autumn day in AC 1014, Prince Jherek and his sons were invited by Prince Urmahid on a hunting trip in Bramyra. That day, Rina impressed the young lord and his father by hitting an impossibly small target in flight by her magic spell cast from horseback. That night, Rina impressed the nobles with her finery and sophistication as befitting a Krondaharan noblewoman.
The marriage between Rina and Ralindi was agreed upon in AC 1015. But with the invasion of the Ethengarian horde that devastated Bramyra and ended Prince Jherek's life—and thrust the mantle of rulership to young Ralindi—the wedding was delayed for more opportune times. The ceremony is slated for the spring of AC 1018.
Personality & Quirks
Rina Krinagar is an intelligent girl with a strong sense of duty and respect for tradition. She is also very self-possessed and independent in her thinking. Rina has no qualms in going against traditions with no purpose, laws with no logic, or rules with no benefit, and she has gotten herself into much trouble because of this. But Rina also knows done a lot of good that she could not have otherwise accomplished playing the blindly obedient docile girl. She hopes to continue persuading Krondaharans and Glantrians to more enlightened ways in the future. Rina is not known for her warmth—she can be detached and rather aloof—but she is known for her passion, drive, and steady determination to accomplish any task even against difficult odds.
Web of Intrigue
The proudest daughter of House Krinagar is loyal to her father Lord Khahak and her mother Lady Qulan, but she credits the wise influence of her uncle Prince Urmahid and her aunt Lady Lan-Syn.
Upon her betrothal to Ralindi Virayana, Rina was only too happy to learn that the young Prince was highly intelligent, noble, kind, rather open-minded and not entirely chauvinistic—not like his canon-toting traditionalist brother, Rejladan Virayana. Rina hopes to influence Ralindi in lighten the oppressive Krondaharan traditions and law on women, and she knows Rejladan would be very much against it. Rina has also been warned (by Lady Lan-Syn, no less!) that Ralindi's Makistani mother, Lady Aleah Virayana, will always try to manipulate the Prince—if not through, then against Rina—but Rina has yet to witness firsthand Aleah's treachery.
Rina is not ignorant of Ralindi's affair with the young Belcadizan Ysabel de Fedorias—and that Krondaharan tradition was the cause of their break-up. Although she harbors no jealousy or ill will towards the elven girl, Rina will not pretend to have any sentimentality about her either. In any case, the two have never met.
During her stay at the Great School of Magic, Rina made some acquaintances with other nobles in Glantri City (mostly introductions by Prince Urmahid), but because of focusing on her studies, she did not make significant friends or enemies. She did have some trouble with racism, particularly with the despicable Master Derghov Loeten, but her performance at school were far beyond reproof to suffer.
One loose end remains in her life—Magnai Khan. The last time they were together, the centaur chief promised his eternal love for her and Rina is unsure of how she will feel should they meet again.
Style of Magic & Combat
Statistics: 9th-level mage; Str 10, Int 18, Con 13, Wis 14, Dex 17, Cha 15; AL N (D&D), NG (AD&D).
Languages: Ethengarian (Krondaharan dialect), Thyatian (Glantrian dialect).
Weapon Proficiencies: dagger, knife.
Skills: etiquette (+1), dancing, reading/writing, spellcraft, riding/land-based (horse), horseback-casting, animal lore (horse, +1).
Rina inherited the Ethengarian love for horses, and this is reflected in her magic. Her two favorite steeds are a pair of twin stallions, Thunderhoof and Red Lightning, and both fully equipped with enchanted saddles, barding, stirrups, horseshoes and other magical accessories. Since her childhood, Rina has been studying the Virayana Tome of Horsecraft, a Krondaharan masterpiece on horse lore, history, rearing ,caring and horse magic. She has yet to master all the spells. Rina is also on a search for a powerful magical treasure, The Carousel of Krondahar, which was crafted by an ancestor of hers, Lady Temulin Krinagar.
As a member of the noble House Krinagar, Rina does not want for magical items. Her father is one of the wealthiest mundanders of Krondaharan society, and being the bride of the Prince of Krondaharan ensure of many more treasures to come.
Personally, she keeps a pair of knives +2 of throwing and returning and a dagger +1 of slicing as her main weapons. She also has a silken kerchief of horsekeeping, one of treasures from The Virayana Tome of Horsecraft.
"They say the Krinagar women are vigorous and untamed as the wild horses from the Steppes, but a worthy addition to any herd, if one is willing to go through all the trouble."
(Lord Rejladan Virayana, not too impressed by his brother's future wife)
References:
History of House Krinagar
Author: Kit Navarro