Ozaira Veleth

Ozaira was raised at the jungle's edge by her grandmother, who taught her to read the forest like a second language. At fourteen she was brought to the Coilwild Shrine for initiation, left alone in the depths for nine nights. On the seventh night, fevered and dying, the serpent spirit Ulveshor offered venom instead of mercy. She drank, survived, and became serpent-bonded. Her predecessor trained her until death, teaching her ritual and refusal. A cartographer once stayed, shared her bed, and asked her to leave; she refused, and he called her a coward. She hasn't let anyone stay since. The shrine is her world now, bordered by venom and vow.