Jeasa Seni Galare

Jeasa and her eldest son, Jahir

Matriarch of the Seni Galare.

Appearance and Personality

Pert nose, delicate jaw, and sun-tinted green eyes. When she smiles, she has dimples. A head shorter than Jahir.

She can be stubborn, like Jahir, but like him she hides it well. A free spirit, preferring the wild to the tamed, who likes to stay up late and wake up late, who reads poetry and sings lullabies. Kolvin used to tease her about being his dryad.

Biography

This part should talk about her young adulthood, her marriage to Kolvin and their partnership, the birth of her first child, and the second (a welcome surprise). Kolvin's death, and raising her children as a single parent--her decision, finally, to come out strongly for Liolesa's aims by inviting Vasiht'h to Juzie's betrothal. There is something going on there with that decision, where she goes from quiet serenity and a kind of resignation, to slowly vivifying. Her letters to Jahir, her desire to see the outworld (deferred until she's done being the Seni head). Her interest in Haladir. Her becoming surrogate mother for Aeremina. She's had a busy life for an Eldritch who never left the world!

Family

A third generation Eldritch, she's the daughter of Lashaniel and Sernataila Seni, and the granddaughter of Alari Jesa and Teldor Jesa. Seledor is Jeasa's great-uncle.

First marriage to Kolvin, and widowed. Mother of Jahir and Amber.

Timeline

Jeasa, dressed for winter

• Born in 58 BA. This makes her 240 years younger than Liolesa, who is nominally in the same generation but socially and functionally is part of an 'earlier set', having to do with having been born of Jerisa (the elder of the two Galare progenitors; Alari was her niece).
• She is 280 when Jahir is born.
• At the time of the First Chatcaavan War in 481 BA, she's 423 years old.

Quotes

• "Not many families are so lucky as to have two children so near the same age, my son. You cannot both inherit, but we must never make Amber feel the lesser for it."

• "You are certain you don’t mind if I join you? I know it’s more usual for people who are not Eldritch to say what they actually mean and yet I can’t break myself of the habit of wondering if they are only mouthing courtesies…."

• "I shall leave these for another hour, as it pleases me more to speak to my future daughter about how she had better be here before sunset or I shall be forced to ride to Laisrathera to kidnap her."

• "At my table, in my house, you will always be met with authenticity. You will have real food here, and real words, and real affection."

• "Thank the Goddess, I have never had a gift that required the direction of an empire for consumation"

Letters

During Mindtouch:

To My Beloved Son, Greetings:

I am pleased to hear that you are settling well, and that you find your studies engaging. As you noted, there is a great deal to be learned from our allies, and by all means you must stay until you have had your fill. There is no pressing need to draw you back, and if there is, I shall be sure to tell you.

Your thoughts on your stipend are generous and appropriate. I would follow your wishes if the money were my own, but it is not: rather what you have is a gift from the Queen, who would not have you lack for the funds to embark on any experience you might wish to have while outworld. You may attempt to return it to her, but I do not recommend it! Or if you find no use for it, keep it, and bring it home with you when you are ready to return.

Matters here are very much the same as when you left. You will be glad to hear that Bright the Moon has delivered herself of a healthy foal, and he looks just like his dam. I know you had a special fondness for her and would want to know.

With Much Love,

Your Mother

J

Later:

How wonderful it is to hear you have made such a fast friend in your alien roommate. Despite Galare being home to the staunchest advocates for the Alliance, we have yet to secure the honor of House Jisiensire. Fasianyl Sera Jisiensire was the last Eldritch to have a strong relationship with an outworlder, and that was centuries ago, when Liolesa was new to her throne. Perhaps you will be the next, and the Seni Galare will be able to take up the Queen’s banner, and advance her cause.

During Dreamstorm:

. . . your brother, of course, is not interested in marrying. My refusal to betroth either of you in the cradle remains a subject of gossip, but pay it no mind, my love. I know you will choose wisely when you do, and your brother with you. In the mean, it does no harm and a great deal of good to be here, even without children to settle. The Queen is strengthened by every partisan who arrives to the court. Her enemies remain committed to cutting off what little congress we maintain with the Alliance . . . as if we have so much already! Any less contact and we will be well and truly isolated, and what good will that do any of us, I ask you? You know yourself, my son, how much we have to learn from the other and the alien. Your letters have been a delight to me. I am so pleased to hear that you are spending your time away profitably, and look forward to the day I might make the acquaintance of your offworld associates, particularly your partner. Do you take good care of him, for such gems come infrequently into a life.

Later:

I have been mulling on my last visit to Ontine, during which I gave to the Queen our promises and allegiance, and all that went as expected. What puzzles me were some of the interactions I had in the drawing rooms. Do you find it strange that I was approached by Lady Filiana on the matter of how I make do with neither husband nor sons at my side? She has lost yet another grandchild, alas, and her sole child is now once again without issue. She fears for the succession. Well and again, I hardly blame her in such a situation. What startles me is that I have become somehow a symbol of a woman alone! How ridiculous, do you not agree? I am the least alone of any woman I know on the world. I have no less than two sons to my name, and within the same generation! Such riches have not been often seen since Landing! But we are not so fruitful as we were. Perhaps it is for the best, given our longevity. I am selfishly glad to have the both of you, however. You and your brother are the light of my life, and I do not fear to write it.

And still later:

Liolesa’s enemies are again at her heels, though why I have not been able to divine. Something to do with the heir, if I can trust rumor. But Bethsaida is a young spitfire, and well able to handle any criticisms, I am certain. Anyone who can bear the brunt of our Queen’s frequent attention, as she must in order to take instruction on her duties, will find Liolesa’s foes beneath notice! And yet, I have not seen Bethsaida at court as often as I expected. I know you had little congress with her, so asking you after her mind . . . well. If you know anything, I would be glad to hear it. She used to speak more with your brother, but as you know, your brother is also gone away, out of reach. Poor woman, trammeled on the world while all around her the exciting and eligible are flying from it! Were I her, I’d be rebelling myself!

[...]

I look forward to the day that I might also sample the wonders of the outworld . . . but that day is not yet, and I have always known it. I had goals I wished to accomplish first, and while most of them I have achieved, I have yet to finish the work I have chosen here. One day, though, my dearest, I shall follow your lead and see the wonders you have described with my own eyes! I will have earned it. Until then, how I cherish the sight of the seasons changing the land we have taken as duty, and the way the years turn, patient and measured. I love our home, and am its glad steward until you return.

Trivia

• likes the color green
• likes reading inappropriate romances that are not improving in nature, and similar poetry
• likes biscuits and other unsuitable peasant fare; also has an inveterate sweet tooth.
• also likes to eat cookie dough with Marevhe in the kitchen while gossiping
• has many many jewels that she hasn't stored in Ontine's vaults because Kolvin gave so many of them to her and she likes to look at them to remind her of him