JesseLowe/WiseImbata

Wise Imbata is an old woman, renowned in Kirighast and among her people for her cunning, her wisdom, and her fairness. Though she is frail in her old age, her mind is as sharp as ever, and she has friends everywhere. She is often called upon to judge disputes and criminal cases.

She has been a Drum of the Leopard Seat for many years, and though she knows her death is approaching, she hopes to leave Harborhead safe and powerful after she dies. To that end, she subtly instructs the new Leopard Seat in the intricacies of international politics and woos House Cathak, hoping to bring about a suitable alliance between the weakened Realm and Harborhead -- one that avoids the exploitative relationship of the past and prevents the Leopard Seat from making a hash of Harborhead's international relations.

Motivation: I will leave Harborhead a powerful nation after my death.

Instincts:

• Always do as much background research as possible on potential movers and shakers I meet.
• Never take the first offer; hold out for something better.
• The world is a violent place, so always have a few strong arms around to guard my back.

Beliefs:

• Harborhead is strong - but not strong enough to stand alone against Creation.
• You can achieve more with a word than with a sword.
• The Ishadhi is a false prophet.

Intimacies:

• Cathak Boruta is my old friend, who has always been honorable even as a foe.
• The people of Harborhead are all dear to me, even the enemies of my tribe.

Willpower: 8

Virtues: Compassion 2, Conviction 3, Valor 2, Temperance 3

Talking: 6 dice (8 dice for persuasion and resisting suasion) (Not a sweet talker, but well-respected and with iron-clad arguments)

Fighting: 2 dice (Old and feeble)

Thinking: 7 dice (9 dice when it comes to politics, 11 dice for internal Harborhead politics) (Sharp as a whip and twice as twisty; she's seen everything.)

Backgrounds:

• Allies: 3 (Cathak Boruta and two to be named later. Maybe the infernal exalted? Probably the local Guild Rep. Maybe whoever controls the jade beds.)
• Contacts: 5 (She knows everyone.)
• Followers: 3 (Her household retainers, clients, and slaves, including some bodyguards who have Fighting 6 - three are with her at all times, plus a maid.)
• Influence: 3 (Again, she knows everyone and she's widely respected.)
• Resources 4: She's wealthy and can call on a lot of favors.

Role: Wise Imbata is a point of conflict between the Realm and Harborhead, between the Leopard Seat and Cathak Boruta. She believes she can effect an alliance that will benefit both sides, but she's wrong -- she can't do it alone. If she can sway Cathak Boruta's aides to her cause, she may succeed, but that will be difficult. She will find herself the sand in the gears, and will probably be crushed between duty and friendship.