Tami Ci'hani

Template:Nobility-Box-Female-D Tami Ci'hani (Countess Tami Ci'hani of Varn) (Tami Ducha Ci'hani Varnah) (also known as Kora Valente) was the eldest daughter of Lady Zalin Ci'hani. She was more widely recognized as Kora Valente, the renowned opera singer, accomplished sculptor and artist and the pride of the illustrious Royal Music Academy of Lorell. She was of the generation of young Draconian nobles in the midst of sweeping changes in the aftermath of the Hapan Dark Age. Rather than choosing a life mired in politics, she sought the freedom to express her natural talents and transformed herself into one of the most celebrated figures in Hapan culture today.

She was a tremendous artistic talent, recognized at a very young age and considered to be a prodigy unlike any other in Hapan history. Her beautiful voice, which ranged from mezzo-soprano to contralto, is still described today as one of the best to have ever graced an opera stage, amongst the often demanding Hapan artistic circles. Her life was cut tragically short, however, after an ill-fated affair that led to her death upon giving birth to her only son, Ariath Windcloud.

Early Life

Tami Ci'hani was born on September 9, 3973 in the Varn system. She was the oldest of two daughters born to Zalin Ci'hani, at that time Lady Ci'hani and Regent of the Draconian Union. She entered the famed Royal Music Academy of Lorell at the age of six, and was immediately recognized as a feegharp prodigy. She became an overnight sensation, with her feegharp recitals drawing tens of thousands of music aficionados. In her fourth year at the Academy, at the age of ten, she discovered her love of singing. Once again her natural talents were expressed, and she began her training as an opera singer.

Tami was a media darling as she received rave reviews for every one of the operas or feegharp concerts she performed at. She captured the hearts of the Hapan people as the first artist to perform the ariosio, Requiem for Belgor, a moving tribute to the destruction of Belgor. It was rare at that time for a student of the Royal Music Academy of Lorell to be given such exposure, but the Draconian Ministry of Propaganda capitalized on her voice. She performed numerous concerts which served as backdrops for Draconian propaganda during the Hapan Civil War.

Her family life, however, would be devastated by the encroaching Phoenix Movement, which would ultimately lead to the end of House Ci'hani’s ruling authority. As events began spiraling out of her control, Tami kept a low profile, focusing more on her training and less on her performances. In her early teens, she also began to take an interest in the visual arts. Her gift in clay sculpting was recognized by the top Hapan artists at that time. Upon graduating from the Academy at the age of 14, she continued her private training in both her music and artistic ability.

Artist Reborn

Template:Nobility-Styles-F At the turn of the new era, the Golden Age resulted in sweeping changes for the Draconian nobles. Tami longed to perform on stage once again, but knew it would be difficult bearing an unpopular name such as Ci'hani. Therefore, Tami decided to give herself an alias to serve as her artistic name. Kora Valente, the opera singer, was born. Her feegharp-playing was now more refined, and her near-perfect voice transcended her future performances. Tami was not only gifted in her artistic talents, but she grew into a beautiful woman and the very epitome of grace and elegance, while still maintaining her child-like features and youthful exuberance.

Tami, as Kora Valente, made her professional debut at the age of 28, in the year 4001. She stared in the titular role in the Antiquity Era-styled opera, “Avania and Herugrim.” Her performance as Avania, particularly her virtuoso singing of the aria, “In Little That I Have,” made her a star. She would then star in numerous operas and perform in concert tours throughout the Hapes Cluster. Tami’s popularity skyrocketed when she performed Requiem for Belgor at King Andrew Starfyre’s birthday celebration in 4003. Ironically, she would instantly draw comparisons between her performance as an adult to that of her performances of the same arioso by Tami Ci'hani, the young teen.

Ill-fated Affair

Tami’s celebrity status did not come without a price however. She was constantly hounded by tabloid reporters seeking to know every little detail of her life. Inevitably, the truth of her real name and her heritage was revealed. The news story that Kora Valente was really Countess Tami Ci'hani of the infamous House Ci’hani made headlines. However, it did not tarnish her career. Tami was immensely loved by the Hapan people, and she enjoyed a deep fan base. She even received personal support by King Starfyre himself, who was so deeply moved by her performance at his birthday celebration that he declared her to be a Hapan national treasure.

Her single status also attracted many suitors, but all were turned away except for one man. She caught the attention of Ordin Windcloud, the financial magnate of Windcloud Mutual Incorporated. Ordin Windcloud, even in his fifties, was very much the quintessential playboy, and he often took full advantage of his dashing good looks, charismatic demeanor, and wealth. Ordin, however, as he would admit in his autobiography, had so completely fallen for Tami Ci'hani, that he was willing to risk everything for her, even his own marriage.

Their affair was expertly kept out of the tabloids, although there were numerous speculations. Tami believed she had discovered something within Ordin Windcloud that was unlike the persona he was often portrayed as – ruthless, scheming, and ambitious. Tami would later come to bear Ordin’s fourth son. Upon her pregnancy, she officially announced her retirement from the performance arts, instead wishing to devote her life to her new son. It was not meant to be, however, as the labor in delivering the baby boy on January 9, 4010 would claim her life.

Career & Legacy

Operatic Work

• Avania and Herugrim
• Spring's Awakening
• The Agony of Ta'a Chume
• Across the Hapan Stars
• Thian

Legacy

Tami Ci'hani would leave a legacy behind consisting of one of the most illustrious curriculum vitae for a Hapan artist. Her performances and songs would be remembered by her billions of fans for ages. Her voice was said to possess the mystical ability to illicit a plethora of emotions, many times even in a single song. Even her artwork – her sculptors – would become prized commodities, with many pieces being displayed at the Royal Hapan Palace, along with the very feegharp she used in many of her performances.

Tami, as Kora Valente, remains a beloved figure in Hapan history. The tragic end to her life cut short would be mourned, but her legend continues to grow.

Miscellaneous

Quotes

• "Da'tanah. Tylger. Ci'hani. It matters not to me. Her voice transcends these trivial differences. She is a Hapan treasure.” – King Andrew Starfyre I, on Tami Ci'hani (Kora Valente)

See Also

• House Ch'hani
• Ordin Windcloud
• Ariath Windcloud