Imani Paggion
From Crossroads Wiki
| Imani Paggion | |
|---|---|
| Assistant to the Chief Healer | |
| |
| Imani Paggion at 21 years old | |
| Background | |
| Spouse | None |
| Full name | |
| Imani Elisabet Paggion | |
| Titles and styles | |
| Mistress Imani Paggion Healer Paggion | |
| House | House Paggion |
| Father | Gaius Paggion |
| Mother | Tiadora Paggion |
| Born | January 13 485 Healer's Hall, Amphorae, Draught |
| Occupation | Journeyman Healer |
| Biographical Information | |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Female |
| Height | 5'2" |
| Weight | 110 |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair | Auburn |
~ Edward Burke ~
Contents |
Background
| Growing Up |
Imani Paggion is the only daughter born to Lord Gaius Paggion, the younger brother of Baron Jarl Paggion, and his wife, Tiadora. As such, Imani is first cousin to the Duchess Draught and her sisters, although they had only met a handful of times before the lesser Paggion's arrival in Gateway.
Her inborn talents nurtured by her gentle, nature-loving, Purist mother, Imani was never a stranger to Healer's Hall or the college there. Tiadora had friends and relations in the area, and she often brought her daughter with her when she went to visit, allowing Imani to begin her studies there. Her father, by contrast, was cold and quick with his temper, and the siblings were constantly pitted against each other for his limited affection. It was the tender Tiadora that kept the family from ripping itself to shreds.
While she was growing up, Imani was also trained in courtly things. Dance. Music. Horseback riding. Needlework. Things to further her in the social realm and make her a wonderful choice for any nobleman. She took to her lessons with all due diligence and showed herself to be nothing but a model pupil. Alas, her father seemed to only be successful in driving potential suitors from their door.
When the family coffers ran dry, her tutors were sent away, deemed useless by her father. Her horse was sold. The servants were dismissed. The estate fell into ruin. Imani, her mother, and her brothers became little more than imprisoned slaves. Imani was forbidden to ever leave the house and what was left of her self-confidence was tactically shattered piece by piece.
When her uncle, Baron Jarl Paggion, decided to blow himself up, the vibrations shook even through their family. The Amphorae barony was passed down to Khalani and only further slammed a wedge between the two families. At Gaius's insistence, and despite his wife's attempts to dissuade him from his course, he commanded that his household cut off all contact with that of his niece.
However, there was one benefit to his insanity. His four children began mending the tattered remains of their relationships and allying themselves against his tyrannical hold over their lives. Willem and Imani grew close, only for her elder brother to leave her behind after his sixteenth birthday.
At 17, as she passed into adulthood, Imani asked for her father's blessing to leave the house, complete her formal schooling, and make a name for herself. She was violently denied. Willem returned home soon after. There was a reckoning between father and son and an accident of which no one ever spoke. Gaius didn't survive.
| A Scholar's Path |
After years of her mother's quiet urging and shaping, Imani dedicated herself to the Purist faith entirely and took her vows. Then setting herself to a command of the healing arts, it was with her mother's blessing and Willem's nudging that she, with the combined financial assistance of her mother's relatives, enrolled formally at the college in Healer's Hall to complete her studies, no longer needing favors to study at a distance. She very quickly became greatly respected for her work and was offered a assistantship at the Healing College before she turned eighteen. While there, she earned a reputation for being polite and well-mannered, but timid and reclusive. While the extent of her withdrawn nature can be debated, it was no secret that she preferred to occupy herself with her studies rather than socializing.
It was during this time at the Healer's College that she met the baron of Ethos, Athar Soranus, while he sought assistance for his cousin, Ysora Kilgannon. The two were rumoured to have remained in contact by letter after his departure from the college, though they have rarely been seen in each other's company since then.
The experience at the Healer's College was little challenge for her. The young woman, a full healer by a remarkable twenty years of age, came to Gateway under her brother's direction. In only six months of working at the imperial infirmary, Imani had caught the attention of Aithne Corbaine, the assistant chief healer. After recovering from nearly dying for information accidentally gleaned in the line of duty, Imani was invited to serve as Aithne's assistant in exchange for help in slowly preparing for a Master defense, and the younger woman readily agreed.
| The End of Innocence |
Aithne Corbaine returned one last time to her post, passing through its morgue and plunging Imani into a seemingly perpetual state of mourning. Her white healer's robes were abandoned, choosing instead to wear naught but a serviceable high-necked black gown. Imani was then left in the uncomfortable place of having all of the duties and responsibilities of her superior and none of the credentials. For several months, she served as the Assistant Chief Healer pro tempore until, in December of 506, she was finally granted a title with less prestige but with the rank and authority that she could claim by her own merit: Assistant to the Chief Healer.
With her new title and a few quiet side projects under her belt, Imani found herself growing ever more lacking in the 'free time' department. As Iorwerth's second-in-command, she was often found scurrying around the infirmary or handling the mountains of paperwork that no one else seemed willing (or able) to do. It was this latter function that found her drafted to follow Iorwerth and the Imperial Court to Seal's Cove. Thanks to her brother, Marek, she 'volunteered' to ride in the dangerous Lucitania race where she and her brother, Willem, were among the few riders to actually complete the course.
| What Comes After |
She is seen with perhaps a little less frequency in the infirmary now, rumours abounding as to the cause. Anyone who knows her, however, is well aware that she spends a nearly inhuman number of hours working in her office. She also has been known to travel on occasion, using her position to arrange the infirmary shifts and calling in favors to free up time to be able to visit other isles. She even went to Pais, once, as the Empress's personal healer. Furthermore, there was some small amount of controversy when she -- a Purist -- began making fairly regular check-up visits to the Grinning Guardian to help care for the prostitutes there. Controversy, however, comes with the territory for many when they choose to live at court.
Personality
While Gaius may be dead and his children are doing all in their power to correct his influence, none of them escaped their youth unscathed.
Imani grew up to be what many mistakenly think to be emotionally cool or distant, due in no small part to her ridiculously high standard of public behavior. She isn't unlikeable by any stretch of the imagination, quite the contrary, but she's painfully timid, reserved, and withdrawn. After all, she has her future to think about and a household's reputation to restore, and the bottom of the barrel never rises to glorious ends without much effort. She is quick to find allies, but slow to make friends. At least having few friends left much time for her studies, and when paired with her ability as a quick study with a memory that borders on eidetic, this has sent her rocketing past many of her peers.
Desperate for approval but driven to break out of the shameful mold that her father created for his heirs, Imani often falls back on propriety, formality, and rigid morality when unsure of what is acceptable behavior. Perfectionistic and harder on herself than she would ever dare be on anyone else, she will be — by everything in her power — above reproach. If there is someone with greater authority or experience than herself, she gladly hoists decisions off on them and generally looks for their lead in order to avoid being caught in a mistake. In the absence of such authority, she has no issue with taking a lead and acting upon her best judgment.
As time has passed, she has grown increasingly comfortable with things that many others commonly take for granted. Things like speaking. She finds now that she hesitates less, asserts herself more, and is more willing to take risks. This likely has much to do with the arrival and successes of her brothers — Willem and Marek — in the capital, and also a purported once-close friendship with the Imperial Venator, Cynara Dhaval. There are few that she genuinely trusts, and her trust in anyone — save those select few — is easily shaken.
Connections
Click here to see Imani's growing list of connections.
Trivia
- Imani has a soft spot in her heart for gardening, particularly for healing herbs and roses. Since coming to the capital, however, she has been relegated to other past times to spend her off-hours: namely reading and embroidery.
- After nearly dying in a particularly nasty run-in with an assassin, Imani now has a strong, visceral aversion to the smell of vanilla.
- Imani loves to dance and is remarkably graceful when she does, but rarely does for the simple fact that the newest social dance she knows is nearly ten years old.
- Out of practice she may be, but Imani does know how to sing and play the harp. She doesn't admit to that, either.
- Imani is a quick-study and has a gift for rapid memorization; she prides herself on both talents.
- It is something of a tradition that Imani gives embroidered gifts, and her embellishment work is something on which she prides herself.
- Imani, for a number of reasons, dislikes surprises. She is also compulsive about locking doors.
- Imani's brothers are a tad protective.
Roleplaying Logs
March 23, 506. But Your Servant. Imani accepts an invitation for a brief meeting with Baron Ethos.
April 12, 506. Scrapes Do Seem to Abound Here. Imani tends to Leon's wounds in the infirmary, and they discuss another patient, Valentine.
May 2, 506. A New Lesson. When Imani and Cynara make good on their promise to follow up with Lord Ambrose Maritus's lead physician, Imani finds herself drafted to help find his antidote.
May 4, 506. Public Discussion on Miller's Isle. Imani attends a debate where Purism features prominently in discussions concerning the future heir of Miller's Isle.
May 6, 506. As Promised. Imani tracks down Cynara to deliver information on Lord Gwencalon's poisoning.
May 8, 506. Crazyland. Athar's ominous warning about the trials of Gateway did not sufficiently prepare Imani for the lunacy that awaits in the infirmary.
May 10-16, 506. Death of a Squire, Kidnapping of a Healer, The Burning of Coibran Chandlery. Imani responds to a desperate call for a healer, too late to help. She is just in time, however, to get herself into a very dangerous situation. Fortunately, help comes in time to save her life.
May 18, 506.The Quiet. One of Imani's first visitors upon waking is none other than Baron Ethos, Athar Soranus.
June 15, 506. A Matter of Station. With Aithne Corbaine still missing in action, it is up to Imani Paggion to keep her word and speak to Alessia after an unpleasant exchange of words between the apprentice and the Baroness Consort Landry.
June 19, 506. What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor?. When somebody 'helps' Lord Timothy Crestwood by giving him alcohol, only confusion, embarrassment, and hilarity can ensue.
August 8, 506. Catching Up. With her second brother in town, Imani finally gets a chance to talk to him about his search for work among other things.
September 9, 506. Lecture on the Hunt.
March 10, 507. Forgive Us Our Trespasses. A trip to the Temple in Ethos turns bloody.
April 29, 507. Volunteered. How did Imani get conned into signing up for the Lucitana? One Word: Marek.
May 7, 507. The Lucitana is Run on Gateway
May 13, 507. "You know, Cooper, I think you're crazy."
July 26, 507. Happiness is a Stuffed Pineapple. Because Iain Arx is a jerk.
August 3, 507. Ho Down, Part 3 (Infirmary).
December 26, 507. The Plant. How Imani came by a farting plant from Mists.
Gallery of Images
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Soundtrack
| Song | Lyrics | Full Lyrics | |
| Hope on Fire Vienna Teng | Gotta fight. Gotta strike. 'Cause there's no turning away from what you don't want to know. Gotta see. Gotta be. If they're all going astray, don't let them take you in tow. | Full Lyrics | |
| Hands Jewel with the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra | I won't be made useless. I won't be idle with despair. I will gather myself around my faith for light does the darkness most fear. My hands are small, I know, but they're not yours, they are my own. | Full Lyrics | |
| Gravity Vienna Teng | Look, love, they've given up believing. They've turned aside our stories of the gentle fall. But don't you believe them. Don't you drink their poison, too. These are the scars that words have carved on me. | Full Lyrics | |
| Russian Roulette Rihanna | Say a prayer to yourself. He says, "Close your eyes. Sometimes it helps." And then I get a scary thought: That he’s here, means he’s never lost. And you can see my heart beating. You can see it through my chest. And I’m terrified, but I’m not leaving. Know that I must must pass this test. So, just pull the trigger. | Full Lyrics] | |
| Held Natalie Grant | This is what it means to be held. How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life and you survive. This is what it is to be loved and to know that the promise was when everything fell we'd be held. | Full Lyrics | |
| When I Am Laid in Earth The Swingle Singers | When I am laid in earth, May my wrongs create No trouble in thy breast. | Full Lyrics | |
| Bliss Tori Amos | Father, I killed my monkey. I let it out to taste the sweet of spring. Wonder if I will wander out, Test my tether to see if I'm still free from you... Lately I'm into circuitry, What it means to be Made of you but not enough for you. | Full Lyrics | |
| Won't Back Down Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers | Well, I know what's right. I got just one life In a world that keeps on pushin' me around, But I'll stand my ground and I won't back down. | Full Lyrics | |
| Stare at the Sun Stare at the Sun (Acoustic) Thrice | Cause I am due for a miracle. I'm waiting for a sign. I'll stare straight into the sun and I won't close my eyes... 'Til I understand or go blind. | Full Lyrics | |
| Underwater Vertical Horizon | It's not so bad down here Once you get past the fear. | Full Lyrics |
