Very strong, muscular and handsome. He typically wears his long black hair loose (falling to about his lower back), and ties it up into a bun while fighting.
His mood can be broody and surly, particularly after the heartache he has endured, although he is also very affectionate and caring to the ones he loves. He is not afraid to show his emotions or admit his fears and failings, not caring what other people think of him. His pretentious name mixed with his high level of skill as a hunter and fighter has given him a certain arrogance, but this is tempered with a more humble side that comes from the influence of his second-father, Galsüxu.
Many tattoos cover his chest, back and arms, most gained through achievements from fighting Pùg’parù.
Each dot on his arms, chest and down the centre of his back represent a single kill of an enemy.
Each vertical line on his arms and chest represents a fight/battle he participated in, the thicker the line, the bigger the battle.
Horizontal criss-cross bands around his forearms represent the 4 Tüb’dün (sabertooth tigers) he killed for his coming of age.
The pointed collar around his neck represents the coming of age
A long line from his right shoulder to the centre of his chest, ending in a thick spiral represents a claw to mark his father's passing.
A similar long line and partial spiral on the left side represent the killing of the Kabxo for his coming of age hunt.
On the left side of his chest is a bird entwined with the spiral of his father's tattoo, which represents his union with Meli'ca, and a sun for the vision he received at his coming of age.
Opposite Meli'ca's bird on the left side of his back, is a spiral with wings to represent another bird, with a spiral surrounding an egg shape - which represents the death of Meli'ca and their unborn child.
His name means “god-like/mighty” - This is an unusually flamboyant name, and was given because he was born during a great thunderstorm and the Ta’naihapi believe that their God of darkness creates thunder. His parents wanted to give him a strong name that would convey a God-like power.
Respected hunter and warrior of the Yil’parù, his courage, skill, and devotion to protecting others has earned him a high rank among his people.
His father (also a mighty warrior) died whenZü was about 16
His first partner, Meli'ca, was killed in battle while defending a farm from Pùg’parù raiders. Taking their unborn child with her.
His age at the start of "Tears of the Warrior" is 20, and the story has intentionally left his exact age undisclosed at the time of Meli'ca's death and the start of "Given to the Warrior" - this is to allow the reader to assign him an age they feel is appropriate for their preferences. You can assume that at least a few years have passed, how many years is up to you.
He rides a black chöglugt, and is said to be the only one to own such a unique coloured one.
Timid and shy, she has a strength of character that can show itself in times of need. What she lacks in physical strength, she sometimes makes up for in cunning, talking her way out of some tricky situations - a skill she learned from her father.
She was born in space aboard the small cargo ship "Thunder Runner". Although her parents were both born on the ground, they have spent all of her life moving cargo from location to location, and have never settled on a planet for longer than than a day. Her father's questionably legal side business dealing in valuable artifacts is likely the reason they never stayed in the one place for very long.
Her blond hair, pale skin and blue eyes are abundantly common among other human-like species of people, yet she discovers that she is considered unique and unusual when she lands on Ta'nai, where many of the people have not seen someone of her colouring before. This leads them to mistakenly believe that she was somehow sent to them by their sun Goddess, a belief furthered by the coincidental naming of her parent's cargo ship that references of the Ta’naihapi Gods.
She rides a light grey coloured chöglugt, called Hus’hosu.
Very stoic and blunt, she is fiercely protective of her people and their way of life, disliking all offworlders and any deviation from tradition. She has little regard for social niceties and sugar coating things, often arrogant and argumentative. However she is also brave and selfless - willing to step up to do whatever is needed for the tribe should she be needed.
Her name means "bee wing", an amusingly delicate name for such a harsh woman.
She wears her hair loose and flowing down her back, with the sides shaved to keep her hair out of her face and to give her a more fearsome appearance to her enemies.
She comes from a long line of very skilled warriors, and secretly feels the pressure to make her family proud and live up to the high expectations they have.
Her exceptional skills as a warrior would have earned her the position of Fasaü early in her adulthood if not for the fact that she is life-partnered with Zhafi. His role in the village means that Yan’chüme is expected to leave behind her life as a warrior and also become Tüm’gortü, but she found it hard to give up what she feels is her whole identity.
Her many accomplishments in battle have earned her many tattoos, and she is among the most highly regarded warriors of the whole tribe.
She rides a chestnut coloured chöglugt, called Kaas.
Charming, jovial and fun-loving, he does not like to take things too seriously (in stark contrast to his life-partner, Yan’chüme). He is also very smart and wise, having spent his upbringing engaging in the studies expected of him, rather than the more physical pursuits of his peers.
He wears his hair in dreadlocks, typically piled up on the top of his head, pinned in place with a wooden comb that has a carves dragon's head design. A hairstyle not common among his people, giving him a somewhat quirky style that is unique to him.
His name means "dragon" - given because he projectile vomited right after he was born, which was likened to a dragon spitting fire.
As Tüm’gortü, he is one of only a few people on Ta'nai who can speak and write the language of the offworlders. He is also able to read and write his own language, something that is uncommon among the Ta’naihapi.
His important service role to the village means he is not allowed to leave the village to go hunting and fighting, lest he endanger his life, so he does not have as many tattoos as others within the village. He does however have special tattoos that mark his status as Tüm’gortü, such as the design on his left wrist and the back of his hand which speak to his ability to write their language, and the design of the collar around his neck. He also has a thick band of tattoos on his right forearm that marks him as Valaa (one of the special service roles for the village)
He rides a creamy coloured chöglugt.
Generous and kind, with a cheeky side, Meli'ca is fun-loving and cheerful.
She prefers to wear her hair in two braids, and likes to adorn herself with colourful jewellery made from pigmented clays and wooden beads.
Although she dabbled in the family role of creating potions and fragrances for the village, and did not come from a warrior lineage, she felt her calling was in battle - wanting to protect and serve her village among the warriors.
While not as skilled a warrior as some of the others, she is adept, having earned herself a modest collection of tattoos for battles and kills.
Her life was tragically cut short in a Pùg’parù raid, but she died bravely protecting children.
