DarkheartOne/MnemonMadal

History

My mother and father were two beautiful people, and they'd had a bit of a working relationship outside of father's marriage specifically for the purpose of having equally appealing children. Mother was a very appealing girl named Sesus Itaka, father was a rather well-to-do businessman Exalt named Mnemon Jijin. My older brother and sister both were quite appealing, and brother Kidal even Exalted in the middle of a mock battle in Primary. I...

No one really knew that I wasn't going to turn out to be all that unappealing until my sixth or so birthday. Up until then, I looked to be well on the way to joining my siblings. Then... I simply started changing physically. Instead of growing up, I grew out. I wasn't exactly fat... just stocky, but good luck telling that to my peers. I heard every joke that you could imagine, well into Primary. I think they kept it going because they knew how much I would just ignore them and try to go on with my life. The avoidance technique for dealing with bullies and being picked on doesn't work, however, and that was my life for the longest time

Exaltation

It all changed when Coenn returned to school after having lost her family and her eye. I remember the day as if it had happened minutes ago. She was practically fuming, and kids were staying away from her during our recess time. I myself tried to hide, but she pretty much sought me out. I remember her saying that she couldn't stand looking at my face, and proceeded to pummel me with her fists. I was a tough girl, but she'd Exalted, and her strength was unlike anything a child should rightly have. The beating lasted... about fifteen minutes, and a crowd had formed to watch. The adults themselves finally managed to convince Coenn to stop, and everyone dispersed. As for me... I simply dragged myself to a quiet little corner of the school grounds to ponder what had just happened. I was aching, my lip was split open, and my eyes were practically swollen shut. Breathing was a chore, and I wondered why... after all that, I wasn't angry. I remember looking at my hands... and then simply holding myself as something.... something glorious rushed through me. What pain there was faded, and I simply lay there, propped against the wall, and rested my tired body.

I was promptly scolded for not getting to my bed before curfew, and simply went to sleep as if nothing had happened. No one actually knew that I had Exalted for... almost fifteen days. I was very quiet about things, and people had assumed that I was simply bearing the pain of that fight in silence. It was only when, during class, that my teachers showed concern after I pretty much didn't even feel an errant cane across my back for being late, once again, to class. In short order, they discovered what had happened, and things changed... a little.

I came home after Primary, and I expected my parents to be pleased to learn that I had Exalted. They were, instead, troubled. It was their intention to simply do away with me after Primary, but now that I had Exalted, that route would only lead to a terrible backlash from those around them. Ugly or no, I was still Dragon-Blooded. They settled on a means of pushing me out of the eyes of the Dynast public; a trip to the Cloister of Wisdom, with my final destination being the Order. I would vanish, and they would be happy.

As for me...

The Way of the Dragons

... I was certain I would not like my new life. And at first, I didn't in the slightest. Even as an unwanted girl, I was well-taken care of, and going from that to the Cloister was a shock. The food was bland, the mats made your back ache, and there were nothing there but monks... I couldn't understand how they lived the life they did.

Well, I didn't understand until I met my sensei, Falling Red Leaf. He was an Fire-Aspect outcaste, and no family would claim him for some reason. When he Exalted, though, he physically brought himself to a monastery and begged to be accepted in. Sensei said that his life was very harsh... he knew more about... er... sexual matters by the time he was fourteen than most courtesans knew or wanted to know before they were thirty. He'd fled after Exalting to the only place he was sure he could escape. And escape he did... sensei gave up much, though. His blood is strong, and he is very handsome, even now. Still, he is a fearsome fighter... and a caring father, in a way. He saw something in me while he taught at the Cloister, and he took personal time out to try and help me adjust. The moment that changed everything for me was, one day, after he had told me his story. I had asked him why he just didn't go somewhere where he could use his powers to fight, since he'd always been good at that. His answer was simple, yet profound.

'I would not waste the gifts that the Dragons bestowed upon me on something as trivial as my own desires."

He made me realize something. I had hoped that Exaltation would give me something to use in order to better myself... but here was a man who had far more than I could ever have, yet devoted it to the common good. He has stepped past self-want and was something greater... and at that moment I realized that I wasn't going to find peace any other way.

From there on, I accepted what I was, and saw to become what I could with what I had... but I also promised to remember his words. They drove me to excel in the Cloister, and pushed me headlong into the grueling test that was the actual Order, and my entering into the Earth Dragon Style path. I was comforted in knowing that Falling Red Leaf was there was well, having been transferred, and helped me along where he could.

Now... I have stepped away from the monastery for the time being, in order to see the world for myself... to see just what good I can do, and to find out just what really is out there. My peace had to be out there somewhere. And I would find it, one way or another.

The Gang of Five

I still do not know how I was accepted into this sisterhood, but I was. I believe... it was Coenn who suggested I join, perhaps out of guilt for that beating so long ago. As for me... I felt that the circle would be incomplete without a Wood-Aspect, so I had suggested a girl I'd met a while ago during my travels, and who I still spoke to from time to time. Nellens Altana... she... well, perhaps she and Red Leaf are the only people I could call kin without them actually being of my blood. She was nothing like the fiery, headstrong Coenn... or like Glica, who balanced between her duties and her own deep lusts... or like the aloof, distant and distracted Irran. She was... like a sister to me.

I felt torn apart when word of her death reached us. Coenn allowed anger to consume her, and Glica immediately tried to find a way to pry me out of the circle. Irran... was Irran. It's... strange. I think I was the only person who actually cared more about her death than the feelings that came because of it. Is this.... is this what has become of the Dynasty? Dragons save us all...

Personality

Madal is a quiet, watchful and distant lady, the sort who isn't readily willing to greet someone unless it would be a matter of insult not to. Even though she's somewhat over her growing years, she's still aware that she's not a terribly graceful person, and does her best to simply disappear when she's not needed or wanted. Deep down, there's a spark of self-worth and confidence that refuses to let her completely cave in emotionally, but it doesn't show up too often in her life. She is capable of great kindness, fearsome violence and solid resolve... but only when pushed to act.

Appearance

Madal is in no way, shape or form a pretty girl. She's short and wide, no more than five feet tall and built like a fighter, all muscle and generally lacking the usual womanly curves. Her eyes are a solid grey, and her skin a light brown, while her face is somewhat square and compact, almost mannish. Her light brown locks have long-since been shaved away, and she wears the robes of an Immaculate monk along with a wide-brimmed travel hat.

CHARACTER SHEET

Name: Mnemon Madal
Aspect: Earth
Nature: Explorer
House: Mnemon

Attributes

Strength ●●●●, Dexterity ●●, Stamina ●●●●
Charisma ●●, Manipulation ●, Appearance ●
Perception ●●●, Intelligence ●●●, Wits ●●●

Favored and Aspect Abilities

Awareness ●●●
Endurance ●●●
Martial Arts ●●●●● <Against Spirits ●●●●>
Resistance ●●●

Lore ●●●
Occult ●●●
Investigation ●●●

Non-Favored Abilities

Linguistics ●
Archery ●
Performance ●
Ride ●
Athletics ●●
Dodge ●●
Melee ●●
Presence ●
Socialize ●●

Backgrounds

Allies ●●●
Artifact ●●●
Breeding ●
Manse ●●●
Mentor ●●●

Merits and Flaws

-Sworn Brotherhood (-2 BP)

Madal is part of a Sworn Sisterhood that at one point was a perfect Terrestrial Circle, only to be broken when the Wood-Aspect of the group was slain during a Wyld Hunt. The remaining four cling to their bond, even as fate and their own lives pull them away more and more often as the years pass.

-Destiny (-5 BP)

Madal is destined for truly fearsome things, and simply can't escape this fact. The strings of Fate are wrapped tightly around her soul, and there's nothing anyone can do. Further information on Madal's intended destiny lies below.

-Diminished Attributes (-3 Social dots; 9 BP)

Madal simply wasn't much of a forceful person personality-wise... and her appearance doesn't help matters, either. Partly the reason her family quickly handed her off to the Order, she's come to terms with her lack of social grace and doesn't let it bother her as much as it did before.

Virtues and Other Stats

Compassion ●●
Conviction ●●
Temperance ●●●
Valor ●●

[Willpower] ●●●●●●
[Essence] ●●●
[Personal] 10/10 [Peripheral] 9/22
[Committed] 13
[Soak] 4B/2L

[Health Levels]
-0 ■ / -1 ■ ■ / -2 ■ ■ / -4 ■ / In ■

[Anima Effects]
5 motes to allow Lethal soak with entire Stamina rating.

Equipment

White-jade Grand Goremaul (Artifact ●●●)
Speed +13, Accuracy +1, +9L Damage, Defense +1, Rate 3, 8-mote Commitment

White-jade Hearthstone Bracers (Artifact ●●)
+2 Initiative, +3 to all dodge attempts, 4-mote Commitment
Set with Stone of Humble Glory (Earth ●) for [lowest Virtue] dice to Social rolls when speaking truthfully

White-jade Hearthstone Amulet (Artifact ●)
1-mote Commitment
Set with Stone of Circulation (Fire ●) for 1 extra die to help against extreme conditions affecting the circulatory system

Precision of Form Gemstone (Earth ●●●)
Unset; Decreases all essence costs of a particular martial-arts style by 2 when its Form-type Charm is activated.

Charms And Such

[Dragon Paths Basics]
-Spirit Sight
--Spirit Walking

[Earth Dragon Style]
-Force of the Mountain
-Unmoving Mountain Stance
-Stone Dragon's Skin

Expanded Backgrounds

Allies ●●●

During her travels, Madal has come across a curious lady known by many as Iron-Scoring Voice. Ravishing, buxom and possessed of a harsh, nasal voice, Voice has seemingly taken a bit of a liking to Madal, amd shows up from time to time to help her out with various things here and there. While Madal's not bothering to figure out exactly who or what Voice is, it's obvious that the girl is something unique; she is, in fact, a Sidereal of considerable power, charged with watching over and guiding Madal. While she's trying to avoid an emotional attachment to her charge, she's grown quite fond of Madal, if only for her demeanor and gentle spirit.

Artifact ●●●

Gifts from Falling Red Leaf after her first departure from her home monastery, Madal came away with a brand-new grand goremaul she named Ivory Pillar of the Earth, a pair of hearthstone bracers (and wrappings to cover them with), and a heirloom heartstone amulet that belonged to Red Leaf's mother, an Earth-Aspect from one of the Great houses. She cherishes these, and will fight to the very death to keep them in her possession.

Breeding ●

Beautiful or not, the blood of the Dragons is a bit potent within her. This is undeniable, but a bit hard to see since her skin is naturally brown.

Manse ●●●

Her travels have led her to a few manses, and she's acquired a number of hearthstones for use during her travels, as well as on for future use once she's better-skilled in the Earth Dragon Path. (see Equipment)

Mentor ●●●

Falling Red Leaf is her sensei and perhaps the only man she can call family now. A strikingly handsome and powerful martial artist, Red Leaf's vibrat red haid is shot through with gray. Nonetheless, he's not lost a step, and takes part in instructing both on the Paths of the Fire and Earth Dragon when he isn't busy with the task of hunting down Anathema.

'Will The Circle Be Unbroken?': Madal and the Gang of Four

Madal poses no real threat to the circle's integrity... in a way, Madal might as well not even exist in the Gang. She's useful for being able to take on spirits fo masterfully well, and puts forth a good face for when an Immaculate will do well in a certain situation. Still, she's simply not very forceful of a person personality-wise, and really goes with the flow of things. She would fight to keep the circle together, but she doesn't have too much say in 'real' Dynast society, and this hurts her in many ways.

What Will Be: Madal's Destiny

Madal's intended destiny is two-fold, and rather simple. She will become a frighteningly powerful Immaculate, and will eventually walk all five of the Paths... before going on to apply herself to learning other martial arts as well, all while developing her own tricks. She will also, through a combination of investigative talent, curiousity, hefty luck and the watchful eye of the Bronze Faction, become a premier hunter of First Age relics. She will, however, turn what she finds directly over to the Order, on the simple grounds that she remain anonymous.

Once she's uncovered truly unique artifacts, her Destiny is up in the air. Someone like her, who is a reliable source of amazing tools from the time before, can find herself in much trouble from rival hunters, greedy relic collectors and perhaps even Mnemon herself, who would be insanely upset that one of her own blood would refuse to honor her House (ironic, no?) with all that she's found.