Maia Drazhar

Maia Drazhar, or Edrehasivar VII, is the current half-goblin emperor of the Ethuveraz. He is the only child of Chenelo Drazharan and Varenechibel IV, and the only surviving male heir of Varenechibel IV. He is currently engaged to Csethiro Ceredin.

Appearance
Maia is a half-goblin 19-year-old. He has "an ugly scrawl of scars on his left forearm, where a blow of Setheris' had knocked him into the elaborate and hideous wrought-iron antlers that adorned the fire screen" when Maia was 15. He has dark skin, knobby knuckles, and Drazhadeise pale grey eyes. His hair is dark, thick, and prone to knotting.

Personality
Maia is a quiet, shy young man, often intimidated by public speaking and responsibility, as he is still adjusting to having to have anything to do with it. Setheris would also punish him for speaking, and due to his isolation at Edonomee, he had little experience with people, so he struggles to carry conversation. He has grown into his role as a new emperor, and is often a gentle but firm diplomat. He has a temper, which he does his best to reign in. He was desperately lonely for much of his life, and mostly just wanted friends. He's curious, and enjoys learning new things. He is also a good listener, at least on a one-on-one basis. He sometimes fantasizes about a better life.

He supports women's and worker's rights, innovation, and generally progressive policies that help those most in need. He has a tendency to go all out in supporting those near him and within his power, particularly his staff. He is compassionate and warms easily to kindness. He can also be canny and slip into the mask of Edrehasivar VII, and cut off feints by courtiers and politicians meant to trap him. He is proud, but also willing to ask for help and apologize, the latter of which aren't particularly popular traits for an emperor, but serve him well.

He is religious, and relies on meditation for calm. He enjoys listening to beautiful music.

He has low self-esteem, based on his father's cruelty and Setheris' abuse and prejudice against goblins. When he arrived at the Untheileneise Court to become emperor, his education was very lacking, due to the limited education of Setheris, which only worsened his low self-esteem. With the help of his staff, family, and government, he has grown his knowledge, and grown more confident.

Life
Maia was born on the Winter Solstice. After Maia's birth, Varenechibel IV relegated him and his mother to Isvaroë. Maia's mother died when he was eight years old. Afterward, Maia was sent to Edonomee with Setheris. He stayed there, largely cut off from the world, under the abusive hand of Setheris.

Maia was 18 when his father and brothers were killed in the explosion and crash of the Wisdom of Choharo. Uleris Chavar, his father's Lord Chancellor, sent Maia a letter informing him about the crash with the Csevet Aisava, a courier. On Setheris' advice, Maia (and Setheris) headed back to Cetho on the airship the courier came on, and Maia arrived at the Untheileneise Court quickly. He met with Uleris and put his coronation into preparation, ahead of Varenechibel IV and his sons' funeral. Maia was assigned his nohecharei, and attended the funeral for the crew who were killed on The Wisdom of Choharo. He appointed Csevet as his secretary.

Maia received a letter and nesecho from Vorzhis Gormened, the Barizheise ambassador to the Untheileneise Court. With Csevet's help, Maia consulted with Oshet on the significance of the nesecho (shaped like a suncat), and how to undo it. Maia was curious about Vorzhis' claim of kinsmanship, and treasured the nesecho.

Maia met with Varenechibel IV's widow, Csoru Drazharan, and had her officially take the title of "Zhasanai" (widow empress).

Maia wished to visit his mother's tomb, along with Lieutenant Telimezh and Dazhis Athmaza.

Maia took Cala and Deret as his companions to his vigil during his coronation. After Setheris sent Maia another letter asking for what Maia's plans for him were, Maia told Csevet, Telimezh, and Dazhis that he hated Setheris and didn't want to deal with him, but also didn't want him punished. He had Csevet find a position for him.

When the Witnesses for the Wisdom of Choharo revealed that a bomb had been used to destroy the airship, Maia was unhappy with Uleris taking sole control of the investigation, and wanted his own, so he took up Csevet's suggestion of a clerical Witness: Csoru's kinsman, Thara Celehar. Maia accompanied Thara to Witness the bodies of Maia's family, delaying their funeral.

At the wake, Maia met with Uleris, who introduced his nephew, Nurevis Chavar. Eshevis Tethimar wanted to speak about Vedero, which Maia cut off. Sheveän Drazharan lectured Maia for his treatment of the body of her husband, and when Maia's attempts to calm her failed, Deret ultimately helped cut her off, and she left, with the promise of an audience the next day.

Maia attended his first meeting with the Corazhas, with Csevet at his side, and was overwhelmed. Afterward, as Maia left the meeting with Cala and Deret, Maia was ambushed by Setheris. Csevet arrived and interposed himself between them, and Maia asked Csevet to arrange an audience for Setheris, and then fled to the Alcethmeret.

Maia visited Dachensol Habrobar to obtain his signet, and chose to use Chenelo's unused signet.

Maia met with Setheris at last, and offered him the position of liaison to the City of Cetho, and refused to back down to Setheris' upset at the lowly position. Setheris accepted it and left.

After Maia spoke with Vedero herself, Maia had Csevet send messages to Duke Tethimel and Count Bazhevel, telling them that due to Vedero and House Drazhada's mourning, negotiations for her marriage would be put off for at least a year. He told Vedero to study the stars, as she wished. The announcement infuriated many at court.

Maru Sevraseched, the Great Avar of Barizhan, sent word that he would be visiting the Untheileneise Court to celebrate Maia's birthday and Winternight, and Vorzhis Gormened, the Barizheise ambassador, invited Maia to a dinner gathering to prepare.

Maia attended Vorzhis' dinner, and was overwhelmed (in a good way) by the sheer number of goblins. Maia made a brief speech, voicing his support.

Maia was there to greet Maru when he arrived at the Untheileneise Court, and observed Maru's first inspection of his rooms. He asked Maru why Maru never responded to Chenelo's letters, and then noted they were expected at luncheon in Vorzhis' dav.

Skills
Maia is a good arbiter and judge. He is also skilled at navigating the difficulties of court and complicated relationships. He is also supremely patient and compassionate. Due to his heritage, he lacks at least some of the prejudice of his elven forebears, which serves him well in politics.

Arbelan Drazharan
Maia and Arbelan are close, and enjoy each other's company. She tells him court gossip and lets him practice conversation.

Cala Athmaza
Maia appears most fond of Cala of all his nohecharei, and is most comfortable with him. Cala is fond of Maia.

Chenelo Drazharan
Maia deeply loves his mother, and misses her greatly. Her treatment is the principal part of his ire for Varenechibel IV and the Untheileneise Court.

Csethiro Ceredin
Although things between them started rockily, Maia has a firm friendship with his fiancee, and enjoys her company.

Csevet Aisava
Maia relies heavily on Csevet for much of his duties, and has a close relationship with him. Csevet is fond of Maia, and often confides in him.

Csoru Drazharan
Maia disdains Csoru.

Dazhis Athmaza
Maia seemed to have a good relationship with Dazhis, and was deeply hurt by his betrayal. Dazhis participated coup against Maia, and aided in Maia's kidnapping and likely eventual assassination, had there not been an intervention while Maia was held hostage.

Deret Beshelar
Maia is often intimidated by the weight of Deret's expectations, but enjoys his support and values his friendship. Deret is, in his own way, fond of Maia.

Eiru Berenar
Eiru reached out to help Maia learn more about the politics of Court, and Maia appreciated his guidance, to the point that when Uleris was arrested for treason, Maia recommended Berenar for the Lord Chancellor position to replace him.

Eshevis Tethimar
Eshevis seemed to forget Maia's existence in pursuit of his goal for the throne of the Ethuveraz, and as more of the Tethimadeise Conspiracy unraveled, Eshevis came to despise Maia entirely, to the point of attempted murder. Maia greatly disliked Eshevis, particularly for his presumption and bullying, his sliminess, and how awful Eshevis had been to Csevet.

Hesero Nelaran
Maia was friendly to Hesero. Hesero was shocked by the knowledge of her husband's treatment of Maia.

Idra Drazhar
Maia has a good friendship with Idra.

Ino Drazhin
Maia has a good friendship with Ino.

Kiru Athmaza
Maia has a good friendship with Kiru, and appreciates her background as a hospital worker.

Maru Sevraseched
Maia has a good friendship with Maru, albeit one built on regret and some anger. Maru has gone out of his way to attempt to mend bridges with Maia.

Mireän Drazhin
Maia has a good friendship with Mireän.

Nadaro Gormened
Nadaro was friendly to Maia, and supportive, and possibly worked to help curry his favor on behalf of her husband/Barizhan.

Nedaö Vechin
Maia was infatuated with Nedaö for some time, but fell out of it after she used his affection to obtain an audience for her sister, and out of his own shame. She apologized for her actions, and they have a warm friendship.

Nurevis Chavar
Maia and Nurevis had a comfortable friendship before Uleris' treason, and Maia regretted Nurevis' suffering.

Setheris Nelar
Maia and Setheris hate each other. Setheris abused Maia, and Maia has done his best to avoid ever seeing Setheris again.

Sheveän Drazharan
Sheveän despises Maia.

Lieutenant Telimezh
Maia has a good relationship with Telimezh, and Telimezh reveres him.

Teru Tethimar
Maia greatly respects Teru, and often notes how beautiful he is.

Thara Celehar
Maia and Thara have a warm friendship, and Thara approves of Maia's actions as emperor.

Uleris Chavar
Uleris disliked Maia, and disproved of his progressive policies.

Varenechibel IV
Maia has a difficult relationship with the memory of his father, hating him for much of his own life, and attempting to bury it since Maia's coronation.

Vedero Drazhin
Maia was afraid that Vedero hated him, or at least viewed him with distrust and skepticism. At the celebration of Maia's birthday, she evidenced a fondness for him and his compassion. She was still nervous around talking candidly to him about her interests, expecting condemnation. They came to an understanding, and Maia noted that they had something like friendship.

Vorzhis Gormened
Vorzhis was sympathetic to Maia's position, and wanted to assure Maia that he wasn't Maia's enemy.

Trivia

 * Maia's augury of favor is Cstheio Caireizhasan, the Lady of Stars.