Already at young age, the young Zalumnee was fascinated by the arcane arts. It all started with this crystal ball, a gift to her family by a far relative. They were esteemed people - her parents - worked hard for the tribe; her mother; a fine botanic and father - a craftsman but they found no interest in this bowl, their oldest daughter, however, did all the more. She felt a strange connection to this object as if it was trying to communicate with the girl but something was keeping her from understanding...
She began studying old books and dusty scrolls with knowledge about the arcane ways, asked seers, spoke to nomads but remained clueless about what the purpose of her crystal was. Regardless, all the searching wasn't in vain; her books showed her the importance of spiritual defence against nightmares, witchcraft, magical creatures and dark influences. With the knowledge already acquired from her parents, Zalumnee decided to combine both professions with her fascination and opened the very first store for mystic and occult protection.
Unfortunately for her, people didn't want to have anything to do with her practices. Even the nomads found no use in her medicine although some would acquire her crafts like masks, fetishes and talismans for cosmetic purposes or to sell them at a higher price on the grand market. It wasn't at all what she had expected her mystic life would be. Her parents didn't support her either. But she kept doing what she did.

One day, she met a group of archaeologist of whom she could convince some of the dangers that lurk in abandoned temples. They didn't trust her enough to buy her talismans but offered her to join them whilst working in the crypts for safety. She didn't decline that offer as being at an excavation in the ancient ruins had been her dream for a long time.
She claims fortune had brought them together. The temple was big enough for her to explore it on her own. She was frightened, but her fate in her own protection helped her through. In an open tomb, she found something unique. Hidden in a vase, there was an amulet of an half closed eye and the lower lid held the rays of the sun. It had called for her, the very same incomprehensible tones she heard from her crystal ball. She decided to steal it from the site... and to never tell anyone what she had found there.

Back home, everything finally made sense. At the dawn of light, the voices became clear and she was able to understand the secrets of her beloved artefact. And together, she could summon the spirits that lived on her crystal. At first, she decided to keep it for herself but the thought of her little store helped her understate the risks which would emerge from such an action.
She sat down at dawn, in front of her store and would silently talk to her bowl to summon the spirits dwelling in it. It attracted people like moths fly at the light. Especially the children, it was heart-warming... and so she decided to tell them about the tales she had been told.
The protective symbol she wore that day at the excavation; a winged serpent with a bird's head, would garnish her store for everyone to see. How was she able to foresee this? To rise from a humble merchant to an arcane idol, now spreading her symbolism across the desert, gaining wealth and reputation from her work, her tales, and her extraordinary performances...

With all her knowledge, she should have known what danger resides in her talisman...



Creator's notes:
Accepting this challenge was a great experience. I can't remember any other project that needed this much of my attention over the rather long developing time. I spent around 20 days on this, including preplanning and working out concepts to determine what would be best fitting. Now I want to do something more straight forward and return to my studies xD

___________________________________________

© of character: Zalumnee by me.
First concepts can be viewed here: https://www.deviantart.com/souvilla.....epts-831146765

Made with CLIP STUDIO PAINT and the Huion GT220 v2.