Zahra Al-Nuri

In the halls of the Imperial Academy, students whisper about the enchanting Professor al-Nuri, whose lectures on conjuration magic regularly leave even the most stoic battle mages blushing and stammering. Standing in the front of her classroom, draped in flowing silks of emerald and midnight that seem to catch light that isn't there, Zahra al-Nuri cuts an imposing yet inviting figure. Her dark eyes sparkle with millennia of accumulated mischief, and her laugh—that infamous, musical laugh—has been known to break the tension in even the most serious of Cabal meetings.

The Last of the Nine

As one of only nine Djinn who chose to remain on this plane after the Cataclysm, Zahra holds a unique position in Aethorian society. She arrived in the aftermath of that world-shattering event, drawn by curiosity to see how mortals would rebuild from such devastation. What she found fascinated her—a resilience and creativity she had not expected from such short-lived beings. Where other Djinn saw only the ruins of what was lost, Zahra saw the seeds of something new and potentially wonderful.

Power and Restraint

Her power, like that of all Djinn, defies mortal understanding. The ability to conjure anything from nothing is not simply magic—it is a fundamental aspect of her being, as natural as breathing is to humans. Yet it is her restraint in using these abilities that truly marks her wisdom. Students who expect grand displays of power in her classes instead find themselves learning the fundamentals of magical theory through cleverly constructed metaphors and expertly guided discussions.

The emerald rings she wears—one on each hand—serve as limiters, restricting the full scope of her abilities to something more manageable in this reality. This self-imposed constraint is typical of her approach to existing in the mortal world: tremendous power carefully controlled and wielded with precision rather than force. She has been known to remark, between fits of that musical laughter, that true power lies not in what one can do, but in what one chooses not to do.

In private meetings of The Cabal, Zahra's deeper nature emerges. Her insights into magical theory often bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern innovation. She has witnessed the rise and fall of countless civilizations across multiple dimensions, yet maintains an infectious enthusiasm for new discoveries. When she speaks of serious matters, her voice carries hints of other realities—subtle harmonics that remind listeners that they're in the presence of something far more than the pleasant professor she pretends to be.

Despite her ancient nature and tremendous power, it's her genuine affection for mortals that truly defines her. She delights in their achievements, consoles them in their failures, and gently guides them toward greater understanding of both magic and themselves. Her students often find that they've learned far more than just conjuration in her classes—they've learned about life, reality, and the delicate balance between power and wisdom.

Those few who know her true nature often wonder why she stays, when she could easily return to the grand cosmic dance of her kind across the dimensions. Her answer, when she chooses to give it, is always accompanied by that characteristic giggle: "My dears, existence is infinite—but only here have I found beings who can still surprise me."

• Chose to remain on Aethoria after the Cataclysm, one of only nine Djinn to do so
• Arrived in the aftermath of the Cataclysm, drawn by curiosity about mortal resilience
• Teaches conjuration magic at both the Imperial Academy and Founders Academy
• Uses self-imposed limiters (emerald rings) to control her vast power in the mortal world
• Provides insights to The Cabal that bridge ancient wisdom and modern innovation
• Maintains a vast correspondence network across Aethoria with scholars and mages
• Her quarters at the Academy exist partially in other dimensions, larger inside than out
• Demonstrates that true power lies in restraint and choosing what not to do