Sentyclopedia: Jarah (Patreon)

So an interview, is it? I’ll have you know I am QUITE busy, and-
…
Sigh. Fine, I will humor you, but only for a spell. You did clean yourself before coming in here, right?

Well now, If you’re uninformed on even the basics, my name is Jarah, and I am next in line to become the Sultan of this desert.
…Or this Kingdom, a-at the very least.

Ah, but I know what you must be thinking; ‘A water-type, ruling over a fire-type country?’ Lest you wonder: No, you are NOT the first to ask. Certainly won’t be the last, I imagine.
Truthfully– And this is common knowledge, so don’t think to consider yourself all too privileged– I was not the original heir to the throne. That would have been my older brother Emir, who DID become a Flareon as the rest of our lineage often does, until circumstances took…something of a sudden turn.

…What are you-? Oh, contain yourself. He is alive and well, I’ll have you know, and realizing his dreams as a scholar abroad as we speak.
…It was difficult for any of us not to understand his wishes. If you met him, you’d notice right away. Earnest and kinder than anyone else, sharper than nigh all of our tutors, and ever eager to seek new knowledge.

…Quite a shadow to live besides, b…but I digress.

By the time he’d decided his path in life, I suppose I had already envisioned myself living someplace different, especially after my…shall we say, surprising evolution. Nonetheless, I rose to the role of Crown Prince with dignity and full willingness. I had already gone through several of the classes required, and to claim I don’t have any love for my home would be a bold-faced lie.

…And though once upon a time I might’ve had second thoughts, my subjects have slowly begun to recognize my efforts, and I, too, have started to feel at home with the thought of ruling over this Kingdom.

Why yes, I did notice you eyeing my tail. What, you thought I’m not used to it?  Though it may run in our blood as a proof of rulership, I’ve been told mine is the longest in several generations of our family, and that is quite something I’m proud of. And no, you may NOT touch it.

As for my garden? It’s something of a private oasis here in the palace, as it happens. It was commissioned to someone who is now our very talented botanist and greenskeeper, but he’s another matter entirely, and you’ve gotten me to speak to you for far longer than you had any right to.

Go on, shoo. I’m long overdue for a bath…Especially after dealing with you.”

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Haughty, spoiled, and quite judgmental, Jarah was raised as a prince with little in the way of worries or responsibilities for most of his childhood. He was keen and eager on taking the crown preparation lessons alongside his brother out of a genuine desire to learn, as well as little bit of competitiveness, but as time went on he became more and more selective of which classes he found “worth his time”, to say nothing of how fewer responsibilities he had compared to Emir.
Indeed, being told he was suddenly next in line was a small shock, from which a constant pressure and sense of self-doubt haunts him even today, although you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at the amount of luxuries he lavishes himself in.

Him being a water-type has spurred no small amounts of contempt from the populace across the kingdom, and did act as a hurdle on his road to understanding and associating with his family, retainers and peers, all of which were fire-types themselves, or other equally suited types for the climate of the dunes. This wasn’t for long, however, as his tolerance to the heat, foods, and general conditions in the royal city are far and above what anyone would’ve expected from a spoiled water-type’s.
…Just don’t pay attention to all the fountains and pools he rose across the palace.

One of Jarah’s most infamous characteristics is his extreme germophobia, which well extends through the entirety of the Palace, down to the employment requirements for the royal guards and retainers involving scrupulous hygiene tests and health check-ups. Not many know where it originated, but know that anything Jarah values WILL be kept pristine and immaculate.

Jarah’s tail is not just for show; Though its ridiculous length spans almost entire hallways, its sheer strength and Jarah’s dexterity with it have awed (and even intimidated) any who are allowed to see it in display, although despite how effective it might be at ensnaring, rippling, or even as a self-defense weapon, Jarah’s apprehension towards making physical contact with others keeps it well reserved for its user only, for the most part.

While Jarah is nearly useless by his lonesome, often relegating most every day tasks to his retainers and servants, he is still sharp minded, relatively knowledgeable and open minded, and, past the initial layers of haughtiness, eager to become worthy of the kingdom he loves so dearly.

One talent he possesses above most (besides hygiene) is that of a make-up artist. Already a fashionable prince, Jarah takes great pride in the touch-ups he can do to any Pokemon’s face, and wears his own makeup with no small measure of pride.

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Jarah may be a relatively new character, but the idea of “Emir’s brother who is a Vaporeon” has been in my mind for a LONGGg, long time, and I didn’t end up defining him until just a few months ago! Originally, he was even meant to be a more roguish type of escaped Prince, and not even shiny. Needless to say, I’m way more happy with the direction I ended up taking! Writing his dialogue is a blast!

As an aside, the one colored doodle in the sheet above is not a royal outfit, but actually his casual robe! Something you wouldn’t really get to see very often…

Click here to listen to my headcanon voice for Jarah!!