It doesn’t matter where you were born, how wealthy you are, or how strong or tall you are. Anyone can become a protector. A person others can depend and rely on. That’s what Pahi Dhurma thinks, anyway.

Pahi Dhurma was born in Mantle, the daughter of a woodcutter and a huntress. The family maintained a modest living, the earnings gained by her mother as a huntress allowing them to live comfortably in the lower-middle class. Their conditions would turn for the worse, however, when Pahi’s mother embarked on a mission when Pahi was three, and never came back.

Unable to meet the financial demands of their living situation on a woodcutter’s salary, Pahi and her father fell into poverty. Exchanging heir single-family home for a rundown apartment, Pahi’s father often had to engage in various gigs and odd jobs alongside his work in order to put food on the table. Not to mention to pay for the faulty heating, the failure of which could be deadly in the freezing temperatures of Atlas.

Pahi was fifteen when one such failure was widespread around the neighborhood, Pahi’s father was begged to acquire firewood late at night by a local widow and single parent. Begrudgingly, he set off to obtain it, Pahi at his side. The duo were in the process of bring the wood back when disaster struck. A grimm pounced on Pahi’s father, while another chased after her. After getting cornered, Pahi fell down to her knees and accepted her fate; when suddenly, a apparition appeared and struck the grimm down. The figure then dispatched the grimm which had injured Pahi’s father, and the trio returned to the widow with the promised firewood.

Feeling guilty after being powerless to help her father, and given new hope in the form of a semblance, Pahi dedicated herself to becoming a huntress. Her father paying for whatever training was necessary to gain entry into Beacon Academy.

Now, Pahi hopes not only to become a capable warrior, but to provide for her father. And maybe, just maybe, find out what happened to her mother all those years ago.

Pahi can be shy sometimes, but she can be quite talkative and cheerful once you get to know her. She has some fire in her, unafraid to raise her voice and harden her tone in an argument. Her propensity to argue has earned her the nickname “Matches” from Pearl.

Pahi is very interested in student drama, especially those concerning relationships. Inquiring Lilac on her relation to Kari, badgering Pearl about her feelings on Slate, and projecting romantic intent onto Rumo and Tawny’s relationship.

Such interest might stem from her own romantic inability. She has a crush on Clementine Kahel, leader of team CLYR, but considers herself too inadequate to pursue her. Rarely does she make the first move, with Clementine leading most interactions between the two.

Pahi is a semi-capable fighter. She’s not the strongest, or most durable. Her attacks with her staff are effective at warding off grimm and defeating bandits, and it can spout fire dust at the ends.

Pahi’s semblance spawns a facsimile of Pahi’s mother. The details of her face are blurry, but the form is maternal in nature. It glows, and emanates physical warmth, helping Pahi to survive to harsh, cold climates. It is a powerful being, dispatching grimm and bandit with ease using its spear. Pahi cannot summon it on command however. It only appears when Pahi is in great need or distress.

Pahi’s road to becoming a huntress has always been filled with doubt. With her abilities being called into question by the likes of Pearl, and the fact she always seems to be in need of saving, either by Rumo or her semblance. She hates how dependent she is. She doesn’t want to be a drag on others, the way she considers herself a burden for her father.

Her incapability makes her feel less and less like she belongs in a place like Beacon Academy, especially when she’s surrounded by such competent peers. Pearl and Clementine being the shining examples in her mind. They’re confident, determined, and powerful. Pahi fears she’ll never be on their level.