"There is no unity that tyranny can mend.
It is better to break in mutiny than bend."

Beltaine is a seeker of truth and student of theologico-political philosophy. Should she detect a fallacy in the cornerstones of her culture, regardless of any imposed sanctity, she will scrutinize it just as she did the social structure she was raised under.Unlike many of her countrymen who yet harbor xenophobia as was perpetuated by their tyrannical Archbishop, Beltaine had grown disconnected and discerning the more involved she became with the war. She quickly takes to the company of outsiders, finding their perspectives and experiences enlightening.

The air was brisk and sterling. A limitless sky stretched over miles of coniferous forest and mountainous terrain. In all her grim experiences, never had she thought even the remnants of death could beckon her amid snow-laden markers and the hush between them. The whitening veil shrouded the earth’s scars.She nestled atop a rotting log and drew her knees to her chest as biting dampness seeped through the layered fabrics of her garb. Hair prickled on the nape of her neck, though trivial discomforts no longer mattered. An icy hollowness stung her sinuses while frost warped in her ears.This was her private crystalline sphere, where wildlife stirred the stillness with puffs of snow. Like the soft descent of Nymeia's own stars, flakes kissed her flushed face. She sought to remain as unshaken as the surrounding headstones, to savor the frailest sensations.The perpetual winter throughout Coerthas had not always held dominion here. She remembered springtime before the frost. Verdant hillsides peeking through snow. Streams murmuring free from ice. Wildflowers perfuming gentle winds. Impossible to imagine now. The memories had faded with time, dimmed by cycles of cold, yet they remained unyielding.There were moments when she searched the endless white for some trace of what had been lost, but none ever came.The snow continued to fall, silent and indifferent, the land in stasis. It was not the season she would have chosen. Yet after enough cycles, she no longer waited for the thaw.She sat among the drifts and watched the snow gather upon the stones.

ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜ ᴡᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴇxɪʟᴇᴅ
ᴀɴᴅ ᴏᴜʀ ɴᴜᴍʙᴇʀꜱ ᴛʜɪɴ
ꜰɪᴇʀᴄᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ
ʜᴇɪʀꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴡʏʀᴍ ᴀɴᴅ ᴋɪɴ.ᴍʏ ᴡʏʀᴍ ꜰᴀᴛʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴀɪᴅ ᴍᴏᴛʜᴇʀ
ꜱᴏᴜʟꜱ ᴇɴᴛᴡɪɴᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴏɴᴇ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ
ᴇᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟʟʏ ʙᴏᴜɴᴅ ᴀꜱ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀꜱ
ꜰʀᴇᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴀᴛᴇ ᴏꜰ ʟɪꜰᴇ'ꜱ ʀɪᴠᴇʀ
ᴜɴʙᴇᴋɴᴏᴡɴꜱᴛ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜱᴜᴄᴄᴇꜱꜱᴏʀ
ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɴᴇɪᴛʜᴇʀ ɢɪᴠᴇɴ ʙɪʀᴛʜ ɴᴏʀ ꜱɪʀᴇᴅ
ꜱᴛɪʟʟ ᴘᴀʀᴇɴᴛꜱ ʙᴏᴛʜ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ.Where words fail, music speaks.To beguile the time,
Look like the time —
bear welcome in your eye,
Your hand, your tongue.
Look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under't.Beltaine is known as an ariose pariah. While allowed within city walls, she is ignored if not outright avoided. Labelled a traitor to Ishgard for joining Iceheart's harriers during the Dragonsong War, as well as a traitor to heretics for attempting to reintegrate into Ishgardian society post war.In recent times, she has forgone the glamours which hid her draconic features acquired from partaking in the blood of Nidhogg's brood. Considering her unfavorable reputation, she doubts such visual changes were hardly noticed.She hears the dragons' songs, and counters its lure with songs of her own. Songs that proclaim the everlasting love of Shiva and Hraesvelgr with beauty and joy.Likely due to having lost her own beloved to the Holy See, when Beltaine hears Nidhogg's song, instead of rage she becomes overwhelmed with his grief for his sister, Ratatoskr.An electric and existential energy pulsated throughout the atmosphere when she entered the grand, stone temple halls of the Arrzaneth Ossuary.This was where she coaxed herself every day to face the reality of mortality, appease the macabre but compassionate deities of these domains, and spend intimate time with the remains of their new vassals. Ceremoniously cleansed and dressed them for viewings with their beloved, and lastly lay them in their final resting place.To make the repercussions for their death the mission of her life.For her, when one addressed the departed, their souls heard. They were the precious children of the Star and deserved equal treatment of respect and dignity post-mortem as they did alive. As silent victims, she appointed herself responsible in ensuring their voices carry over.The Dragonsong War's impact on her culture's system of death had made her more attuned with her own transience, as well as the transience of those she loved. It readjusted the tenor of her grief and reintroduced power into that which had once left her utterly powerless.There was a strange peace that surpassed understanding the moment she learned how to embrace the bittersweet inevitability of the Lifestream and the darker facets it encompassed.

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Terms

✒ Beltaine was designed to be a supporting character and is largely reactionary. I'm not apt at weaving plots on my own, but I am open to collaborative brainstorming.✒ Mature content such as violence/gore, ideologically sensitive themes, and suggestive situations are permitted so long as they’re not gratuitous.✒ However, under no circumstances will I partake in erotic role-play.✒ Any other actions that may have a direct and severe negative impact on my character (e.g., physical/psychological damage) must first have my expressed approval. God-modding and meta-gaming will not be entertained.✒ Otherwise, I fancy sharing an adventure, philosophy, or even a drink.✒ Lightless/PlayerSync codes are available for those involved in recurring rp with me.Thank you for respecting these preferences.

Credits

✒ Gifs were edited by Assassin1513

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Hooks

SONGBIRD
She is a proficient harpist who, on occasion, graces (or curses, depending on one’s perspective) taverns with impromptu performances. Her repertoire leans toward classical and folk traditions.The fearless few who linger are invited to draw near and, should the music move them, to dance.WOODKIN
Through her mother, Beltaine has long-standing ties to the Black Shroud, where she has made her home. She is often found in places such as Buscarron’s Druthers, offering music to any who will listen.WARHOUND
At some point during the Dragonsong War, Beltaine allied herself with the forces of Nidhogg and Ysayle, directly aiding in schemes against the Holy See of Ishgard.Other harriers—former or otherwise—might recognize her.