Nymella Toland

Nymella Toland is the eldest daughter of Morra Toland, and though there is some debate over who her true father is, her mother and her mother's late husband, Symon Wyl, have recognized her as the true heir to Ghost Hill and House Toland.

Appearance and Character
Nymella’s copper-brown hair tumbles in bright curls down her back, often set with jeweled headpieces. Her skin, though warm and olive-toned, remains fair and reacts poorly to prolonged exposure to the strong sun of Dorne. The corners of her hazel eyes have finally begun to show the fine lines of age, made only more prominent when she smiles and laughs.

Three pregnancies and a life of relative leisure have left Nymella’s body soft and curvaceous, though her daily activities in running and maintaining a household (as well as looking after her two sons) have kept her from the grasp of obesity. She is taller than many women and some men, standing at five-foot-nine.

Nymella may stand out among Salty Dornishmen, but the Tolands are historically known for the reddish hues to their hair. Most Tolands of modern times use a plant-based dye to attain such a color-- Nymella being no exception as her once-red hair grew muddier with puberty. The only true physical difference between Nymella and most her siblings and cousins is her fairer coloring, which many attribute to Andrey Sand, her mother’s paramour.

Birth and Early Childhood, 385-399AC
Nymella was the first child born to Lady Morra Toland. While pregnant with her first child, Morra was beset with dreams of dragons and ghosts, and became convinced that her ancestor’s prophetic dreams had been passed down to her, and that Nymella was destined to bring their family great success. This deep-set belief colored much of Nymella’s youth.

Born with her fairer skin, eyes and a blaze of red hair most uncommon for the Dornish, many at court called into question whether or not Lady Toland’s husband, Symon of House Wyl, was Nymella’s true father. Instead, it was believed that Andrey Sand, Morra and Symon’s light-skinned paramour, had fathered the girl. Regardless of the rumors, both the Lady Toland and her husband stood firm in their decision that Nymella would be heir.

Andrey continued on as the paramour to both Lady and Lord Toland, and it became clear that Lady Toland would take no further questions of the parentage of her children as Olyvar and Elia were born within the next five years of Nymella’s life. Andrey soon perished after Elia’s second birthday, and it was another five years before Morra’s womb quickened again. Nymella’s youngest sisters were born: Tyene and Teora. Some say they are the only true children of Morra and Symon, while others claim only Nymella and Elia are bastards.

As Nymella reached puberty, the flame of her hair that had made her mother so proud began to dull into a copper-brown. Her mother began to apply an herbal mixture that stained her locks redder than they naturally were.

Nymella received the full education any Dornish lord would, excelling most in matters of statecraft, and as a hobby, basic alchemy. She learned the most simple of salves and balms from her governess, and delighted in applying them to her siblings when they got scrapes or cuts during play.

The War of the Three Thieves 396-402 AC
While largely untouched by the winter and famine that had ravaged northern Westeros, The War of the Three Thieves hit closer to home. Lady Morra Toland had increased trade with the Stepstones in response to the crises in the north, doing her best to balance capitalizing on loss and providing aid. It was important, Morra had told a soft-hearted Nymella, that they were charitable, but not stupidly so.

Recent Events
In the years since losing her infant daughter and with her failed attempts to conceive a child again, Nymella has turned her focus on her living sons and her House.

Family
Mors Toland †, b. 340, m. ??? TBD † In-depth family tree can be found here.
 * Morra Toland, b. 364, m. Symon Wyl
 * Nymella Toland, b. 385, m. TBD
 * Olyvar Toland, b. 387
 * Elia Toland, b. 390, m. Victor Sand
 * Tyene Toland, b. 397, m. Qoren Martell
 * Teora Toland, b. 397
 * Dyanna Toland, m. Mors Qorgyle
 * Trystane Qorgyle