View source for Tiffa/TheFairPriestess

= History =

The West is a cruel place to be born in... if you are a weak child. I am certain that the only reason I was not drowned shortly after my birth was because of my dear older sister. I was, as you could probably guess, one of said sickly children.

Ah, my sister... I remember her well. She was loud, energetic, full of life... everything I was not. And yet, she always took care of me, since our mother couldn't care less and our father was long gone. 

She used to get in trouble with just about every adult in the village. I am certain she did this to keep their attention away from me. She once told me that the one thing she loved above all, was to see me smile. And so, I learned to smile, despite pain, hunger, or disease. I think this endeared me to the other villagers in the long run.

I also remember how she used to look at the sea. She wanted to be a big adventurer, I remember, and be away from the tiny island she probably knew like the back of her hand. For her sake, I lied. I told her I was fine now, and that she should go. She didn't believe me.

But about a year passed without me getting sick at all. This encouraged her. I once again told her that she should leave... I would remain with old Summer Rain, the woman who had cared for us since our mother passed away... ah, did I forget to mention that...? Quite sorry, I don't care much for that woman.

Anyway, she did leave, finally. She was so happy... I was happy for her. This was the first time I had truly done anything for my sister. It was also the last time I saw her... I wonder if she's still out there, alive. Or did the sea claim her... I, who so dearly love death, know that she wouldn't go easily, so she might still be out there.

But, back to my own story... I did not stay better. In fact, A few years later, I was wracked with tuberculosis. How am I standing here then...? Well, good old Summer Rain... she didn't want to face my sister again with the news that I had died in her care. So she did her best to send me to a doctor... and the best one she knew lived a few islands away. The trip there nearly killed me, but I remember little of it.

I remained in that island for the next... few years, I don't remember. I must credit the old woman... I lived. I severely doubted, even then, that I was going to live for that long. In the end, I was right... had something not tried to kill me before my sickness did.

== Exaltation ==

I was not the only one in that little island. Many people, seeking the aid of the doctor (whom I suspect was either a spirit or a god-blood now) also resided in the island. I aided him, in the time I was there, and learned a bit of medicine... it was how I paid for my treatment. It was a little place of hope for many, which is why I suspect it was destroyed.

I had fallen once more to my disease, harder than ever. In fact, many people in the island did. I don't recall much of that time, for I was delirious most of the time. I nearly lost my voice as coughs wrecked my body appart. I believed my time had come...

But I did not wish to die, not yet. It was too soon, there was so much to do... I hated myself then, for my weakness. I hated the island I was on, I hated everybody around me... sad, really. I would do things differently now, I'm sure.

Anyway, while the island was in this state, it was attacked. It was a deathnight, a Dusk caste, I believe, who lead the attack. Suddenly, the tiny little island was infested by undead. I was in one of the larger houses, where many other of the sick were. The doors sudenly flew open, and there stood a beautiful, terrible man.

He advanced towards us. Some tried to flee, and he killed them on the spot. He began to move down the room, slowly, killing those he met in a dance of blood. I thought that he must have been death, and I... found it beautiful. Those who didn't flee died so fast there was no time to suffer, their lives snuffed out in an instant of violence. I now know that to be crass, if effective, but at the time...

He approached me slowly, as I laid by the far end of the house. I watched him approach, deadly yet beautiful, and I finally found my voice.

"Are you death? Are you here to kill me finally?"

This gave him pause. I seem to recall he was amused, and he simply nodded, lifting his great sword.

I gulped down a cough, and looked up at him again. "That's good... it hurts... but... I don't want to die yet... there's so much I want to do..."

And then he killed me.

Or... no, I thought he had. His blade was turned away in the last moment by something. I barely felt its cold tip brushing by me, as I watched the new form in front of me. He towered over the deathknight, and the proud warrior fell to his knees.

He was terrifying. His gaze pierced my very soul. It was exhilarating.

He motioned at the room with a grand sweep. "All this, does it not frighten you?"

I shook my head. "Why...? They suffered for so long... and they died without pain... its beautiful..."

I think he laughed. "True, they have gone to the next world, where they shall be cleaned from that which afflicted their mortal shells. You see the beauty of that, do you not? No longer will they fear that which mere mortals suffer from. Don't you wish that same fate?"

I almost said yes. "... No... not yet... There's so much I want to do..."

He looked down at me. I think I nearly died again then. "But your end is near, child... even without my servant, your disease will kill you before the day is over." I didn't want that. I told him so, he seemed amused. "Of course... tell me, would you give up your name, your fate, in order to live? Would you serve me, and bring death like the one you have seen today to others? Give up the glory of death, so you may bestow it upon others?"

Never before, had I considered killing somebody. However, sparing those poor, sick men of a few years of living in pain for a quick and painless death... 

"Yes."

And I didn't die. 

How do I describe Exaltation... Its painful, terrible, its something that would break a normal man. I was familiar with pain, however, and that odd, horrible feeling I was not unfamiliar with... I barely remember meeting the Malfean that ate my name and my destiny, but I see him in my dreams sometimes. He cannot be described with words alone.

And so, I lost my name, and a new one was bestowed upon me. Forever more, I would be The Fair Priestess Wreathed In The Scent Of Aconite And White Lilies... my name and my destiny in exchange for my life and my health? I would do so again.

== On Service ==

The Bodhisattva Anointed By Dark Waters gave me back my life and my health, in return for my loyalty. My mission in this world is to spread the wonder of death to those that would hear it. I do not take the lives of those that don't wish to die... that is the mission some of my Abyssal brothers have taken instead, and I cannot say I agree much.

I travel around on the Skullstone Archipelago and the islands surrounding it, spreading the word of the Deathlords to them. Many villages tend to be unsure of my words at first, but few refuse to listen at all. In my years under the service of The Bodhisattva, I have led about 50 people to a peaceful death, away from their pains in life.

I have also taught them how to honor their ancestors. After all, if they do this, they have a place assured for them in the underworld when they die. My master cares more for politics than for religion, but he knows how powerful a force it can be. I'm happy to say I have served him well, and hope to continue doing so.

Oh, it's not always so easy. Some villages are so poor... they have nothing to offer their dead in the Underworld. But these poor souls are also destined for greatness... after all, what better fate could they ask than to serve the Deathlords and their Abyssal servants as the source of soulsteel's power? An eternity of undeath no better than life...? No, its better that way. I don't tell them these, however... I assume they wouldn't be happy. They'll learn.

And, of course, there are those that react with violence to my words. To these poor fools I reserve my pity and my wrath. I usually let my servants deal with them... they are well suited to the task, and I know Dark Rain and Quick Hare would gladly give their life in my service, and Raging River likes a good fight. I help them from time to time, if the forces are overwhelming. I am also not foolish enough to send them against too powerful an enemy... those, I deal with myself.

== On Family ==

I visited my home island the other day, partly because of my duties and partly because I was curious. I wondered, were there any news on my sister after all these years? 

The little town hadn't grown much. I could recognize nearly everything as it had been all those years ago, when I left. The people were different... older. Most youths were probably sailing now. I must say, I was surprised when I found old Summer Rain still living... she didn't recognize me, which I suppose isn't all that surprising. I asked her about my sister, without revealing her who I was... that's ancient history anyway.

She had, indeed, seen my dear sister again. Why, it would appear that the young troublemaker had become fairly wealthy from her adventures at sea. She had been -devastated- when she learned of... heh... her sister's death on the good old doctor's island. If she only knew...

My sister settled down for a while... why, I even have a niece now! She dissapeared about two years after her daughter was born though, leaving her with an old friend... nobody knows where she is now. Its a shame, I didn't think my sister would do that... I asked about my niece... she should be old enough to be an adult now. It looks like she inherited her mother's taste for adventure and wanderlust, but she left the island apparently indifinitely after the man that cared for her died from old age.

Afterwards, I helped old Summer Rain find a peacefull death... I owed her that much, I suppose, as well as a few of the older people in the village. I might go back there sometime, but not in a year or more...

... now, I wonder, are my sister and my niece still out there, sailing the seas? I so wish to see my dear sister again, and meet my niece. Maybe I could even talk them into aiding me in my task... but if I know my sister, I doubt she would accept that. Maybe I'll have to aid them find death as well... time will tell, I suppose, and I have all the time in the world on my side.  

== On Mortals ==

Aah, our little brothers and sisters. I love them so. They are frail and weak and yet they cling to life with such a tenacity... its sad. I wish to show them all the glory of death, and the happiness they will have once they are free from the limits of the living body. Those that are sick and dying, I offer a quick and peaceful death. Those that are healthy... well, they mere serve their ancestors before they are ready to join them. I hope some of them decide to speed up that process as well.

== On Dragon-Blooded ==

Our poor, wayward little brothers and sisters. So proud, so haughty, so full of life. They claim to be the most powerful beings in Creation, but they cannot see the truth that lies before them. That silly religion of theirs is a sham. They might find peace and prosperity in their life, I'm sure... but what then? What when they die? They have not their might nor their wealth in the underworld, for they are buried and burned without possesions.

I saw the ghost of a Dragon-blooded once. He was trying so hard to understand how he, a so called Prince of Earth, could have become a pauper in his death. He was so sad... I couldn't bare it. So I tore his spirit appart and sent him to Oblivion where he wouldn't suffer ever more.

My master does not like the Dragon-blooded. I cannot blame him, for in their hubris they have forgotten their proper place in life. I pity them so.

== The Wyld ==

So chaotic. So full of life. Its the antithesis of Creation, but its even more so for the Underworld. Can you not see how so much life can hurt humanity? It, and the Fair Folk that dwell in it, are so quick to destroy a man... they must be stopped, and destroyed. I'm eager to learn those Charms that will allow me to destroy these beings of chaos... but, for the moment, I do the job my master asks me to do.

== On Undead ==

Ghosts are truly the most wonderful beings I can think of. They are forever free of the limits of the human body, and can shape themselves at will. They don't get sick, they don't hunger, they don't need to breathe... what more could they ask for?

Now, Hungry Ghosts... they are dangerous. They are especially common in the West, where the people foolishly send their dead into the sea with nothing on them. I oppose these ghosts whever they treaten human lives or ghosts, but I also know they can be useful tools... its better to send them against your enemies and let them destroy each other.

As for zombies, skeletons... what care I for them? They are just an empty shell, and a tool to be used. Its a waste to burn a good dead body when it may be useful later. But they, unlike ghosts, lack any feelings, and you may use them as you please.

== On Abyssals ==

My brothers and sisters! We don't agree in all thing, of course... I have gotten into a discussion with a Dusk or a Day caste here and there, but we all have the same objective... to spread the word of death into the world. Some are more direct that others, I suppose...

And those that have abandoned our masters... foolish brothers. Do they not realize they cannot escape their destiny? They were made with a purpose, and they will serve it, whether they like it or not. A few actually anger our masters enough that he is destroyed... it serves them well. What could they expect by betraying those that gave us life once more?

== On Deathlords ==

Our masters, our... fathers, I would say. The Bodhisattva Anointed By Dark Waters is like the father I never had. A distant, cold, and terrible father, but one nontheless. He has taught me much, he gave me back my life and my health... I love him as I have only loved my older sister. Its a shame to see them fight each other over some reason or another. Would it not be better if we all worked towards the same goal?

Of course, I do not question my master's motives. I am his ever faithful servant, and I always will be. If the other deathlords wish to make war with him, I shall stand by his side forever.

== On Solars ==

If the Abyssals are my brothers and sisters, I can only call the Solars our twins. They shine so bright, its an amazing thing to see. However, they are... incomplete. They lack a purpose, unlike us. Those Solars that serve my master are more complete than others, having a true calling in life... that pirate, Morgan Darktide, for example. I hope they join us... although I don't think those of the Zennith caste ever will. They are completely opposite to me, as I understand it.

= Personality =

The Fair Priestess Wreathed In The Scent Of Aconite and White Lilies acts towards the world at large with an almost unending compassion. She loves everything and everybody, and wishes nothing more than to show them the beauty of death. In particular, she hates seeing sick people suffer, and will offer them a chance to end their lives painlessly if they so wish it.

Her wrath is only reserved for those that won't listen and seek to stop her with violence. Then she will use her power to kill them, wether they wish it or not, summoning skeletons and using Crypt Bolts against them, only using her throwing daggers if she has to. She cares deeply for her bodyguards, and won't send them to attack anything she doesn't believe they can't handle... of course, if they die, then they died gloriously in her protection. She will then kill whomever struck them down and send their souls to oblivion.

Finally, The Fair Priestess is not -aware- of the final goal of the Deathlords and the Malfeans. She honestly believes death is for the best of mankind, and the honesty with which she speaks reflects this. She would deny just about any comment on how the Deathlords are trying to -destroy- Creation completely, unless it came from the mouth of a Deathlord or the Malfeans themselves. The Silver Prince, of course, hasn't told her a word. 

= Appearance =

The Fair Priestess has not yet attained the level of cold beauty Abyssals eventually get. Still, she's a pretty, pale young woman with long silverish hair. Her silksteel robes appear to the common eye as nothing but an elegant, if simple, black and white robe. Her robes cover her arms almost completely, hiding the soulsteel hawk bracer in her right arm well enough. Under the black, silken belt in her waist, she has several throwing knives, for those ocasions where she most defent herself. She can reach them easily, but they are hidden from plain sight well enough.

The only jewelry she wears openly is the Hearthstone amulet around her neck, where she usually keeps the Ghost Latern gem (she switches it to the Gem of Gentle Repose when she neends it). Her last gem is in her bracer.

As her name indicates, The Fair Priestess often -is- accompanied with the smell of Aconites and White Lilies. While the name and smell of said flowers mean nothing to most people, they just might to somebody that knows about flowers and their meaning... Aconite warns of danger and a close enemy, while White Lillies are often associated with death.

Finally, the Fair Priestess is always smiling. Her gentle smile hides the coldness in her eyes, and it tends to ease the people to who she speaks with. Few things can make her stop smiling, and when that -does- happen, it is usually accompanied with summoned skeletons and zombies and Crypt Bolts.

= CHARACTER SHEET = 

Name: The Fair Priestess Wreathed In The Scent Of Aconite and White Lilies<br>
Concept: Death Preacher <br>
Nature: Caregiver<br>
Caste: Midnight<br>
Anima: A wilting black flower
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PHYSICAL <br>
Strength 2      <br>
Dexterity 3    <br>
Stamina 2     

SOCIAL    <br>
Charisma 4 <br>
Manipulation 4<br>
Appearance 3

MENTAL<br>
Perception 3 <br>
Intelligence 3<br>
Wits 3 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

DUSK        <br>
(*)Thrown 3

MIDNIGHT  <br>
(*)Endurance 1 <br>
(*)Performance 3<br>
(*)Presence 5<br>
(*)Resistance 1

DAYBREAK    <br>
(*)Lore 4  <br>
Medicine 2 <br>
(*)Occult 4

DAY	<br>
Awareness 1 <br>
Dodge 2


MOONSHADOW<br>
Bureaucracy 1<br>
(*)Linguistics 3 <br>
(*)Socialize 3

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BACKGROUNDS <br>       
Abyssal Command 1   <br>
Artifact 3 <br>
Influence 1 <br>
Liege 3 <br>
Necromancy 3 <br>
Resources 3 <br>
Underworld Manse 3 <br>
Whispers 2 

CHARMS

Name | Cost <br>
Hungry Missile Technique | 1 mote/die<br>
Ox Body Technique	<br>
Pain Eating Focus | 1 mote	<br>
Haunting Inflection Trick | 1 mote/2 die	<br>
Morbid Fascination Style | 5 motes		<br>
Elegant Tyrant's Mastery | 6 motes		<br>
Command the Dead | 5/10 motes, 1WP, 1/3 motes	<br>
Crypt Bolt | 1 mote/ 2L damage	<br>
Shadowlands Circle Sorcery | 1 WP	<br>
- Raise the Skeletal Horde | 3/5 motes per zombie<br>
- Iron Countermagic | 10 or 20 motes<br>
- Rune of Sweet Passing | 15 motes<br>
Spirit Sensing Technique | 5 motes		

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WILLPOWER: 5

VIRTUES<br>
Compassion: 3<br>
Temperance: 2<br>
Conviction: 2<br>
Valor: 2   

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Essence: 3<br>
Personal:  14<br>
Peripheral: 35

Anima Effect: <br>
Spend 5 motes to raise dead body as a Zombie. Deal her Essence in Aggravated damage die to a mortal withing 10 feet for 5 motes.

Health: -0x1, -1x3, -2x4, -4, I

Soak: <br>
B: 5 <br>
L: 6

Linguistics: Seatongue, Low Realm, Old Realm, High Realm

Weapon: Throwing Dagger (x10)<br>
Thrown: Accuracy +0, Damage +2L, Rate 3, Range 15<br>
Melee: Speed +2, Accuracy +0, Damage +1L, Defense -2 

= Expanded Backgrounds = 

Abyssal Command (1)   <br>
The Fair Priestess keeps a small guard of 1 ghost and two soldiers with her. <br>
The ghost, that of a man once called Raging River, usually only accompanies The Fair Priestess when she's traveling in the underworld, the shadowlands, or close enough to them. He appears in death as a pale yet strong looking man.<br>
The two soldiers, Dark Rain and Quick Hare, usually only accompany her outside the shadowlands, although they will follow her through one if she asks them to. These two, in particular, are head over heels over the young maiden they serve. The Fair Priestess Wreathed In The Scent Of Aconite and White Lilies rewards them with her smile.


Artifact (3) <br>
The Priestess has several artifacts in her posession, and they are: <br>
Whistle of Ghost Summoning (2)<br>
Silken Armor (2) (5L/3B, 6 motes)<br>
Soulsteel Hearthstone Amulet (1)<br>
Bracer of the Hawk (2)


Influence (1) <br>
The Fair Priestess is known in the islands of the Skullstone Archipelago and some islands after that as a young woman who is more than happy to relieve the sick and old from the pain that is life. In a couple of said villages, the people are fairly glad to see her coming.


Liege (3) <br>
The Fair Priestess is a faithful servant of the Bodhisattva Anointed By Dark Waters, and she travels at his behest here and there to spread the teachings of the dead. She usually travels alone, although she's accompanied with one or other Moonshadow caste from time to time.


Necromancy (3) <br>
The Fair Priestess, despite not being a Daybreak, has a great understanding of the magic of the dead. She knows three spells: Raise the Skeletal Horde,	Iron Countermagic, and Rune of Sweet Passing. The first is the one she uses the least, while she uses the Rune quite often.


Resources (3) <br>
The Bodhisattva Anointed by Dark Waters grants The Fair Priestess access to a good deal of wealth. However, she often prefers to leave this behind when traveling, the better to appear as a humbre priestess. She -does- own a few throwing daggers though. Just in case.


Underworld Manse (3) <br>
The Fair Priestess is well trusted enough to hace acess to several Underworld Manses. She has three hearthstones, and they are: 

Ghost Lantern (by Ikselam) (level 1)<br>
This cylindrical, matte-finished gem glows with a pale green light. When attuned, it causes all ghosts who approach the bearer to glow with a similar radiance. This causes immaterial ghosts to be become visible, but does not allow interaction with them without the appropriate magical powers. Materialized ghosts' entire bodies glow; if a ghost is possessing a person, or animating a dead body, only his eyes will glow.

Gem of Gentle Repose (level 2)<br>
This gem imitates the Medicine charm Touch of Gentle Repose, in that it lets the user helps somebody die peacefully. The target must be willing, and he must spend a point of Willpower to die. This decition cannot be coerced in any way, or the hearthstone fails. The target won't necesarily become a ghost (and he will never become a Hungry Ghost), and those that do become a ghost aren't necesarily loyal.

Stone of the Dread Speaker (Level 3) (Based on the Gem of Grace from Bo3C)<br>
The possesor of this gem evokes mild feelings of awe and dread. This gem affects intelligent undead, mortals, and Abyssals. It's nearly impossible to not notice the user. This gives her 3 die to relevant Charisma and Manipulation rolls. Other kind of Exalted, demons, and gods, are unnafected by the power of the gem.


Whispers (2) <br>
The Fair Priestess is still learning to listen to the voice of the Malfeans, but she only sees wisdom in their dark secrets and wishes to learn more.

= Comments = 

<b><i>Scytheus:</i></b> This character is so cool.  While reading the background story and exaltation, I could hear her voice in my mind.  I might introduse her in my campaign one day.  Only with permission granted of course.