Jaheira

High Harper Jaheira was a half-elf Circle of the Land druid of Tethyrian noble descent who served as an agent of the Harpers during the 14 and 15 centuries DR. Working alongside her husband Khalid, the future Baldurian Duke Abdel Adrian, and other heroes of the Realms, Jaheira continued fighting against those who would defile nature for many years. Later in life, she played a role in the fighting against the Absolute crisis, which threatened Baldur's Gate, and and the lands of the Sword Coast beyond.

"...I'm wise and old enough to recognize a sliver of hope when it crawls out of the dark."

- Jaheira.

Description
Jaheira had the typical youthful of appearance of half-elves during her youth, circa the mid–14 century DR. Due to her Tethyrian heritage, Jaheira did appear older, albeit at a much slower rate. After nearly a century-and-a-half long life on Toril, Jaheira retained much of her youthful vigor but showed notable signs of aging.

She had tan skin that had accumulated a number of scars over the years. Her hair was either a chestnut brown or dirty blonde, which she often wore brushed back, bound in rows of beads.

Personality
"This city is a blight on the landscape! 'Tis better to have let the land grow wild!"

- Jaheira, regarding the cityscapes of Faerûn.

Jaheira was strong-willed and resolute in her convictions whenever she spoke to others. She believed the only way to protect the natural world of Faerûn was to take direct action. She had a acerbic wit and often demonstrated a flippant attitude towards death.

Despite her boldness, there were certain events in Jaheira's life that gave her a great sense of doubt and consternation.

Over the many decades of her life she trusted others less easily, but remained wise enough to know when she could let her guard down.

Possessions
Jaheira kept with her at all times her harper pin, a gift she had received from none other than Elminster himself. She also safeguarded two powerful weapons, a staff of the ram, and a belm scimitar from Kara-Tur.

Abilities
"...when Minsc does as Minsc does, and charges in to make a mess: Jaheira does as Jaheira does, and finds a way to save us all anyway."

- Minsc, the ranger.

As a druid, Jaheira could take the form of several animals, including that of a wolf or bear. From her time spent as an agent of the Harpers, she had access to the spell Harper's call.

When casting druidic magic Jaheira felt different emotions depending on the nature of the spell. She often felt serene when casting healing magic or rage if a spell was especially harmful.

Relationships
"The Harpers' movement grows, but it needs sunlight to blossom. We can be that light."

- Jaheira.

Jaheira had a very different personality than that of her husband. Jaheira was bold and willful, almost to the point of stubbornness, while Khalid was nervous and often lost his wits in battle. Regardless the two were very much in love with one another.

During their time with the Harpers, Jaheira and Khalid became good friends with the sage Gorion and were acquainted with such people as Elminster. Throughout their travels together Jaheira became quite close with Imoen, though at times she saw the young mage as childish and naive. Her friendship with the Rashemaar berserker Minsc remained to strong, that she would readily risk life and limb to see him free from peril or imprisonment. Minsc came to consider Jaheira as the Wychlaran―a wise spellcaster woman―whom he was personally destined to protect with his life. Jaheira did not believe in such superstitions.

As of the late 15 century DR, Jaheira had a house in the city and cared for at least five foster children. Two of them were already grown up, the hammer-wielding half-elf Rion, and the half-orc mushroom druid Jord, while the other three were younger humans, the royalty-dreaming Jhessem, the fighter-in-training Fig, and the stuttering Tate.

Activities
Beneath her home, Jaheira kept small, personal grove - a rare sight in the city of Baldur's Gate. Hidden within her grove was a small cave, in which Jaheira housed her most treasured possessions, all that were greatly sentimental to her.

It was within her sanctuary that Jaheira worked on an ancient druidic ritual, the rite of the timeless body. This would allow her to extend her life even longer than that of other half-elves.

Early Life
Jaheira was born in the 14 century into a noble Tethyrian family aligned with King Alemander IV. She was was but a child during the Ten Black Days of Eleint on the eve of the Tethyrian Interregnum.

Jaheira was orphaned when her parents were killed by a mob of angry peasants. Fortunately, she was saved by one of the serving girls during the uprising, fleeing family's castle with her to the Forest of Tethir. Soon after, they met an enclave of druids, that later accepted Jaheira into their community. She took on the role of a druid in service to the Oak Father Silvanus.

At some point Jaheira met Dermin Courtierdale, the man who introduced her to the Harpers and mentored her in the ways of their teachings. While with the Harpers, Jaheira met and fell in love with Khalid, a fellow half-elf who hailed from Calimshan. Despite the stark contrast in their characters, the two married in short time.

At some point Jaheira and her associates exposed the Calishite businessman Baron Ployer as a breeder of slaves, destroying his reputation within the realm.

Sword Coast Adventures
In the, Jaheira and Khalid were sent on behalf of the Harpers to investigate the iron crisis and the Nashkel mines. They stayed at the Friendly Arm Inn and awaited the arrival of their friend and fellow Harper, Gorion. Unfortunately, Gorion was slain as he tried to smuggle his adopted son Abdel Adrian out of Candlekeep to safety. Jaheira and Khalid welcome them and shared their plans to investigate the troubling goings-on that afflicted the Sword Coast.

Jaheira accompanied Abdel to the Undercity of Baldur's Gate, during the young Bhaalspawn's final confrontation with his half-brother Sarevok Anchev. After Sarevok's schemes, and those of the Iron Throne were foiled, Jaheira and Khalid traveled to Boareskyr Bridge. They were tasked with investigating the growing Shining Crusade and its leader, the charismatic Caelar Argent. When the crusade invaded, Khalid led the nearby townsfolk into Bridgefort while the chaos left Jaheira stranded outside.

In order to get inside the fort, Jaheira sought an abandoned abandoned temple of Bhaal that had recently been repurposed by Cyricists. During her journey she picked up the warrior-skald Voghiln and reunited with her ally who was then regarded as the Hero of Baldur's Gate.

Time in Amn
Following the defeat of the Shining Crusade in the, Abdel Adrian was framed for murder, briefly imprisoned in Baldur's Gate, and discreetly released from holding. Jaheira and Khalid were quick to join up with them once again, alongside their friends Imoen, Minsc, and Dynaheir. Soon after they set out from Baldur's Gate the adventurers became clouded by mist, and captured by a group of Shadow Thieves.

Jaheira woke up in a dungeon deep beneath the city of Athkatla in Amn. Some of her fellow companions were also imprisoned while others, such as Khalid, had already been killed. Their captor was the elven wizard from Suldanessellar who had fallen from their grace, Jon Irenicus. The exact role Jaheira played in the lives of her allies after fleeing from the dungeon was unknown, but her adventures continued on far and wide across west Faerûn.

Return to the Heartlands
"It is every Harper's hope to be a light that drives out darkness. But I've lived long enough to see so many of those lights burn out, while the shadows cling stubbornly on."

- Jaheira.

About twenty years after her time with Abdel and his companions, Jaheira and her fellow Harpers fought alongside druids of Emerald Enclave in their crusade against Ketheric Thorm and the forces of Shar at Moonrise Towers. In the, the unified force managed to defeat the malevolent Thorm and imprison him within his family's mausoleum in Reithwin. Unfortunately, the united army was scattered when Ketheric Thorm brought down the shadow curse upon the lands, permanently twisting them for well over a century.

Some time later, Jaheira made herself a home in Baldur's Gate. Due to her life's calling, she was forced to spend much time away from her adopted and foster children, much to their chagrin. It was because of her children that she continued to live within a city that remained such a blight on the natural world.

In the, Jaheira and Minsc fought alongside each other once again. The duo were the first to uncover information about the emerging threat posed by the cult of the Absolute. Unfortunately, Minsc raged head-first into battle and they lost any opportunity to rally greater numbers. Jaheira unfortunately, was forced to leave Minsc behind in order to share news of the cult.

Afterwards, Jaheira led a group of Harpers out of the Last Light Inn, within the shadow-cursed lands. She understood the grave threat the cult of the Absolute posed to the folks of the Sword Coast and beyond, and did her part to maintain a safehouse near their headquarters at Moonrise Towers. Her family had only heard from her once during her stay, a mere nine words sent over by sending.

Behind the Scenes
In the first two games of the Baldur's Gate series, Jaheira is voiced by Heidi Shannon, sometimes referenced to as Hidi Shannon. In Baldur's Gate III she is voiced by Tracy Wiles.