Mayan (Nancy Lee Grahn) was a childhood friend of Delenn and, like her, a member of the Minbari Religious Caste. She was considered one of the most gifted poets among the Minbari, earning the title Shaal (master poet). She traveled extensively, studying the other races in the galaxy, and coming to believe that a common, defining aspect about all races was their ability to love.
In the episode ‘The War Prayer’ she travelled to Babylon 5 to give a series of public readings before going on to Earth. Upon arrival Security Chief Garibaldi offered her a security escort, but she refused, unable to conceive why anyone could mean her harm. After her first performance she was stabbed by a masked assailant and her forehead was branded with a Homeguard mark. Although the brand could have been removed she decided to keep it to ‘remember the lesson’.