Shahnaz of the Singing Wood
Grand Princess of the Singing Wood
Shahnaz is the Grand Princess of the Singing Wood and the mother of princesses Kohinoor and Alizeh Sattari.
Personal History
Shahnaz was born just minutes before her twin sister, Zulaika. This tiny span in time made all the difference in the world; Shahnaz was to be given all the responsibility of ruling, while Zulaika would have the freedom to do whatever she pleased. Fortunately, this difference in roles never became an issue between the sisters. In the end, Zulaika would take on the role of Shahnaz' Vazīr--her chief advisor. The girls' mother Minu had been her generation's attendant of Anzû. Shahnaz was never chosen for that honor. Shahnaz took the throne relatively young and always felt the need to prove herself to her many courtiers, who questioned her every decision. Though a prideful woman, she was willing to accept losses if the outcome would be in her favor in the end. Shahnaz always kept her eyes on the prize and played for the long game. Shahnaz met her husband Jahan when he took part in one of the Singing Wood's annual summer tourneys. She was drawn to how serious Jahan was, and was impressed by his passion and integrity. At that time, he was fairly quiet and intense. Shahnaz, who is highly competitive and loves nothing more than proving people wrong when they underestimate her, was touched by Jahan’s story of being cast out by his peers and his desire to return to his own court triumphant. Shahnaz made the decision to aid Jahan in his ambition by marrying him and petitioning for the Singing Wood to be added into the Empire as an elector seat. When she proposed this to him, Jahan tried to talk her out of it, unwilling to be the sole reason for the annexation of an entire kingdom. However Shahnaz believed in Jahan and his purpose, and she wanted to take a chance on him. It was as simple as that. Jahan had not had someone on his side in a long time, and so this act of faith struck a strong chord with him. Shahnaz earned Jahan’s utter admiration and loyalty. The two became a team dedicated to one another’s success, and from this partnership grew a genuine love--and two children. Shahnaz' decision would prove to be unpopular among many of her subjects, who didn’t necessarily want to be governed by the Empire, susceptible to foreign influences--and human influences, at that. Their Queen, answering to a Council of Princes instead of acting by her own authority. However, Shahnaz, with her fiery temperament, would not have her authority or leadership capability questioned. There was design to it all; the alliance was the right move. Perhaps Shahnaz foresaw something that no one else could. One thing was clear; she had a long reign yet ahead of her. All would become clear in time.Interests and Personality
Shahnaz is a huge fan and patron of the arts. She is also known as a skilled hunter with her bow and her falcon companion. Shahnaz never forgets a slight, and relishes putting people back in their place, to the point of being vindictive, at times.Social
Family Ties
Relationships
Species
Currently Held Titles
Age
403
Spouses
Jahan Sattari
(Husband)
Siblings
Children
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Ruled Locations