Naiyale Rivulet
 Weapons: 3 |
 Items: 3 |
 Boons: 2
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Character
Description
The first thing that would catch your eye about Naiyalë Rivulet is her hair: a striking, deep crimson red, cropped to a short shoulder-length wavy bob. That might be the only thing you see of her at first, as at 5’3”, she tends to disappear in crowds of those of taller statures. Yet when facing her head on, she appears to possess an air of curiosity and depth. Her large, round golden-brown eyes are somehow both piercing and inquisitive, her glance often giving the impression of an unspoken question. The tips of her pointed ears barely poke out from beneath her hair, giving away her half-elven lineage. Her warm tanned skin appears soft to the touch, as if running a finger across her collarbone would feel as though you were stroking velvet. Upon that very same collarbone rests a necklace with a delicate gold chain and a large kite-shaped diamond pendant. The diamond is flecked with black and white inclusions, giving it a smoky, gray hue that only reflects light from certain angles. Her attire consists of a black flowing dress with long, draping sleeves, adorned with gold and emerald green accents. It is elegant, but a discerning stylistic eye would notice it was slightly out of fashion, hinting at her unique taste or perhaps a disregard for the latest trends. Completing her look is a stiff black capelet draped over her shoulders and back that cascades down to her calves. On the dance floor, the rare glimpses of her arms from beneath her flowing sleeves would reveal her strength and fluidity; although she is short, there is a nimbleness to her, as if she’s not merely following the dance moves, but instead making them her own without missing a beat, a controlled agility that speaks to her elven blood and a level of comfort in her movement. Off of the dance floor and in contrast to her somewhat harsh and dark attire, there is an endearing shyness to Naiyalë. If you trailed her throughout an evening, you’d notice how often she appears to take a half-step back in crowded rooms, an awkwardness that tinges her demeanor with a tentative uncertainty. If you catch her eye in one of these moments, she may return your glance with a half-smirk, half-smile, as if she’s unsure if she’s in the right place, letting you in to a hint of vulnerability as she navigates a world that she has yet to fully grasp.
Storylines
Background
Many in the Cerulite nobility would be astonished to learn that the esteemed Lord Rivulet once had a younger brother, a man whose existence has been all but erased from history. This younger Rivulet was a restless and ambitious soul, chafing under the expectations of his noble lineage and the looming shadow of his elder brother. While others saw duty and tradition, he saw chains. Knowing he would never inherit, he defied his family’s wishes and set out to carve his own path—a decision that brought both love and ruin.
His journey led him to the rugged landscapes of Eldron, where he invested in gemstone mines, envisioning a legacy built on brilliance and wealth. There, amidst the jagged peaks and shimmering stones, he met a noblewoman whose grace and strength matched his ambition. Their love blossomed quickly, leading to a quiet marriage and the birth of their daughter, Naiyalë. For a time, their modest estate was filled with the light of their dreams, even as the mines failed to yield the prosperity they had hoped for.
Yet the younger Rivulet’s defiance brought shame upon his family. His brother, Lord Rivulet, turned his back on him, expunging his existence from the annals of Cerul’s noble history. In Eldron, where the Rivulet name held little sway, the once-hopeful businessman became an outcast, his noble blood carrying only whispers of its former prestige.
Tragedy struck with devastating finality when a fire consumed the family’s estate, reducing it to ash. Naiyalë, away in town having a dress fitted, returned to find her world undone. Her parents were gone, their dreams and ambitions extinguished alongside the flames. Orphaned and destitute, she struggled to survive, her claim to the Rivulet name dismissed as little more than a fanciful tale.
Her father had often spoken of Cerul’s tranquil beauty and the warmth of family that awaited them there, but the dream of returning to their kin seemed forever out of reach. That is, until fate intervened. One fateful day, while patroning the local city tavern, Naiyalë chanced upon a woman who bore the unmistakable grace of nobility. A casual mention of her name—Eviarix Rivulet—unraveled the truth of their shared lineage.
Believing their meeting to be destiny, Naiyalë revealed her story to Eviarix, who, moved by their connection, agreed to bring her cousin back to Cerul, just in time for the matching season. Now, Naiyalë prepares to participate in her first Matching Season, hopeful for a fresh start among the nobility. To some, she is an outsider with much to prove. To others, she is a living echo of a forgotten scandal. But to Naiyalë, this is an opportunity to reclaim her place in the world—a chance to forge a new path and sing her own song.
Castleton Part 1
Naiyalë Rivulet arrived at the Castleton Matching Season with her vibrant and outgoing cousin, Eviarix “Evie” Rivulet, by her side, whose charisma and confidence made her a natural star. For Naiyalë, Evie was more than family—she was a guide, a shield, and the anchor Naiyalë clung to in the unfamiliar world of the Castle's elite.
Together, they navigated the grand opening ball with grace and charm. Evie’s gregarious nature quickly drew a circle of companions, including the lively Hexia Mablegrace, the reserved Quinn Ironspade, and Quinn’s perceptive handmaiden, Auréa Pottle. Naiyalë watched in quiet admiration as Evie brought them all together with her infectious humor, even turning a conversation about noble etiquette into a hilarious discussion of everyone’s favorite lizards. For a brief moment, Naiyalë felt a spark of belonging, an unexpected warmth in the cold halls of the castle.
But that warmth was shattered when the ballroom floor gave way, splintering into platforms above a deadly spiked pit. In the chaos, Naiyalë’s world was upended. She watched in horror as Evie, trying to save her by using her magic, fell to another platform, only to be instantly stabbed by Ardena Mace. Evie fell into the pit without a chance to explain herself, her life extinguished in an instant. Naiyalë’s heart broke as she struggled to keep her footing, eventually leaping to a nearby platform where she met Lorelei, a winged and beautiful stranger with a kind smile who quickly became an ally. Lorelei flew Naiyalë to safety, where they watched Xander Belacrois, a dark and enigmatic tiefling, heroically rescue others trapped in the pit.
Even as she reached the stable edges of the shattered ballroom, the chaos around her felt distant compared to the storm raging inside her. Evie, her one connection in this unfamiliar world, was gone. Grief consumed Naiyalë, wrapping around her like a suffocating cloak. She couldn’t help but wonder: Could she have done more? Could she have saved her cousin?
In the days that followed, Naiyalë’s grief deepened, compounded by an unsettling new development—intense headaches and missing chunks of memory. Her sorrow became a lonely spiral as she withdrew from the social whirlwind of the season, spending her days brooding and questioning her place.
It was a surprise, then, when she received a date invitation from Luciano Velasquez. Though hesitant, Naiyalë accepted, desperate for some sense of connection. Their meeting brought an unexpected revelation: Luciano bore a symbol strikingly similar to one Evie had once worn. Before Naiyalë could process this, Evie herself took control of Naiyalë’s body, using the moment to speak directly with Luciano. It was then that the truth became clear—Evie’s soul had been trapped inside Naiyalë.
The revelation was as unsettling as it was bittersweet. For the first time since the ball, Naiyalë felt a flicker of hope. With Luciano’s guidance, she and Evie began to communicate, their shared existence an uneasy truce. Luciano proposed a daring plan: if they could recover Evie’s body, they might be able to bring her back to life using forbidden magic.
Naiyalë clung to the idea, torn between the selfish desire to reclaim her own mind and the growing realization that she genuinely missed Evie. Evie had become a source of comfort and light in an otherwise dark and lonely life.
The upcoming masquerade ball offered the perfect distraction for their plan, one Naiyalë was invited to as the date of Xander Belacrois, the tiefling she watched heroicly save others at the ball. For a moment, the ball felt almost magical, a reprieve from the weight of her grief. But when Naiyalë saw Xander and Lorelei together, their romantic connection clear, she felt her hopes for something more slip away. Any potential feelings Naiyalë had for Xander were set aside for the happiness of Lorelei, her new friend and savior.
The midseason finale ended with Naiyalë descending into the caves beneath the castle, accompanied by Luciano and a group of dubious allies. As they searched for Evie’s body, Naiyalë was filled with a mix of dread and determination. The promise of bringing Evie back was more than just a way to reclaim her mind—it was a chance to atone, to prove to herself that she could save someone she cared about. Determined to recover Evie’s body and finally silence the voice in her head, Naiyalë faced a moment that could change the course of her story—and perhaps the fate of the entire Matching Season.
Credits
Jem (she/her) plays as Naiyalë Rivulet, a sweet and shy songbird just trying to find her place within Cerul's nobility. Jem is a real life elf, social justice druid, and creative director of the New Age Geeks channel, where you can catch her hosting her online indie ttrpg show Goodberry Cafe or playing as the chaotic elf Whisper in Forging Fates, their DND 5e stream. She is also the founder and head of the Nightcrawlers Art Collective, a group of passionate artists working together to create immersive experiences at events such as Burning Man, Neotropolis, and wherever else adventure can be found.
