Meryem is a Sun Elf originally from Koshtur. When she was younger, she was a famous actress and in high demand. She's travelled to several places all over the known world in order to entertain people -- from common folks to important dignitaries.

She's left active touring behind of her own volition by now, and teaching acting classes wherever she decides to settle down. Well, "settle"... she stays in a town for a few years, teaches people, gives a few performances mostly for charitable causes, and then gets the itch to travel somewhere new.

Meryem has been on Marrow Isle for just over a year at this point, having last lived in Drakeport. Though she doesn't volunteer the stories herself, if someone asks about her experiences she'll happy to share.

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I'm very deliberately contrasting Mary's canon backstory (her stardom was limited to a single sitcom that typecast her hard, she was forced out of acting and was the subject of ridicule, most people don't care if she has experience to share when it comes to acting, and she wasn't able to be as independent and carefree as she wished).

Oh, also, she's like 5'8" in the AU and is going to cherish the memories of being able to look people in the eye when this is all over.