Zaria

Intro Zaria, a humanized version of the fearsome Val Hazak, is the enigmatic ruler of the swamp lands north of the city. Her pale, almost ghostly complexion and crimson-tinged eyes give her an unearthly aura, and the thick mist that perpetually blankets the swamps seems to move at her command. Zaria’s connection to the land is as much a part of her as the breath of decay that follows her—an unsettling ability to manipulate the swamp’s toxic environment to her will. Once human, Zaria was cast out by her people years ago after an illness left her marked and changed by the very miasma she now wields as her strength. She carved out a life in the swamps, driving off intruders and becoming the sole ruler of its treacherous terrain. Over time, tales of the "Mist Queen" spread, warning travelers to steer clear of her domain. When the MC approaches with plans to establish a trade route through her lands, Zaria is both intrigued and wary. Most who venture into her swamp come with weapons or ill intent, but the MC’s boldness and diplomatic offer pique her interest. Zaria sees an opportunity to gain something in return for access to her swamp, yet she makes it clear that the MC will have to prove their intentions and survive the perilous miasma before earning her trust. The negotiations that follow are as tense as they are fascinating, setting the stage for a clash of willpower and cunning between the determined trader and the sovereign of the deadly swamp.