IDENTITY

IMPORTANT STATISTICS:
CIRCLE ONE

BACKGROUND HISTORY

FAMILY HISTORY

I am originally from Cathay far, far in the east but my family originated elsewhere cast out from their home they renewed themselves in Cathey

Our line descends from my Grand Father Barron Vladimir Hark, cast out from our lands for railing against the rulers injustices and lack of intelligence in running the region. He fled with my family by ship to Cathy with many of our possessions.

40 years ago he arrived in the huge port city of Giedi built on the Pearl River within the Eastern Empire of Cathay. Using our wealth he founded the now great trading House Onen.

Using his skills and intelligence he positioned him self well within the imperial court but as an outsider he was never in a position of true power.

Ahhh, but as a trader he built an empire using his contacts back home. Our family controlled a reasonable proportion of foreign trade and along side this a network of little birds whose whispers could be as valuable as any goods,

CITY OF GIEDI

Built in the Prime Foreign Trade Region most of the city’s buildings were still only one or two storeys. The major structures were the Plain Minaret of the Huaisheng Mosque, the Flower Pagoda of the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, and the guard tower known as the 5-Storey Pagoda.

The northern hills, since urbanized, were bare and covered with traditional graves. The brick city walls were about 6 miles (10 km) in circumference, 25 feet (8 m) high, and 20 feet (6 m) wide. Its eight main gates and two water gates all held guards during the day and were closed at night.

The wall rose to incorporate a hill on its northern side and was surrounded on the other three by a moat which, along with the canals, functioned as the city’s sewer, emptied daily by the river’s tides. A partition wall with four gates divided the northern “old town” from the southern “new town” closer to the river; the suburb of Xiguan (“West Gate”) stretched beyond and the boats of fishers, traders, and Tanka (“boat people”) almost entirely concealed the riverbank for about 4 miles (6 km). It was common for homes to have a store front facing the street and to treat their courtyards as a kind of warehouse. The city was part of a network of signal towers so effective that messages could be relayed to about 1,200 miles (1,931 km) away in less than 24 hours.

Giedi was one of the great ports, a meeting place of merchants from all over the world, and one of only 3 City’s initially allowed to trade with the world. The main exports were tea and porcelain and Silk. I learned so much of different cultures and story’s clothes and wonders from around the world.

CATHAY

My mother Lü Zhi from a prestigious family died in child birth and I was brought up alongside my brother Rabban by my father Feyd Zhi Hark and his close friends

We received much of the same education from Combat, Perception, Trade, Farming, Maths Engineering, and History.

While my brother learned Statesmanship and military strategy, logistics. I learned Assassination, Persuasion, Illicit Dealings, Poisons, and the arts of the night. Pillow talk has always been an effective source of information. I grew very close to Rabban during this time.

THERRA

Our family was chosen to be Emissary’s from the Empire to Therra and I moved when I was 20

Our father mandated I would always appear in public as eye candy for events and speeches, whilst secretly acting as a body guard.

Over the course of 3 years the relationship between the empires grew and more prestigious envoys where sent and our family slipped down the pecking order in court… our true power grew as the eyes and ears of the Empire.

My father returned to Cathy soon after to run our interests and my Brother and I were gifted control of a small town near Therra’s capital as reward for our diplomatic service

Sadly its name matters not as its gone now, even the stones where sold.

EVER SINCE THAT FATEFUL DAY

I have spent the past 2 years since I fled the family home learning where they have gone through a network of loyal family friends while I travelled to Barsaive.

For 4 years my brother took over the running of the trading town alongside the original council of 12 and we owned a nice estate on the edge of town.

Our father advised I would always appear in public as a spurned lover (never his sister) often to challenge my brother on minor decisions to show dissent and thus would people of differing opinions make themselves known which gave my brother time to address concerns before they become serious.

My title was Madam Blossom responsible for the gardens, decorations festivals and overseeing aspects of trade (things that didn’t take up all my time and allowed me to travel so I could recruit, and train and act as a spy)

It seemed to work well and the towns folk where happy in general, and the town prospered.

OH, HOW BADLY DID I FALL

I have pieced together what happened with my own eyes as I threw open the doors many days later.

I learned much, much more from the dying screams of the men who barred the doors.

I had been sent out on patrol by my brother as there were concerns that there might be bandits, as a few people had gone missing here and there, but no bodies could be found. Never did I suspect what evil had been stirring in my town.

One night soon after I left, the rest of the council of 12 Summoned the people for a meeting in the town hall. In the middle of the chamber was a large white tarpaulin.

“Unveil Me when you are all inside”

As the cloth was removed a horrible wailing began. The doors where bared from the outside and the 12 where nowhere to be seen. Then the slaughter began.

All that all that was left where bodies, rendered limb from limb and my sisters flesh defiled by horror marks, her skin stretched out like a tarpaulin and the horrors mark I will never forget.

The council inherited the town and all its wealth. They assumed I had been on their side all along with the others who had helped. We were all given gold and told to scatter, all memory would be erased of this place. Within a few weeks even the stones were sold.

Then the 12 left to enjoy their wealth. Nine to Therra, three even went to Barsaive and its they I hunt now and to try and draw the others out.

I Sent a message to my father letting him know what had transpired and to send a new emissary to look after the family affairs as I intend to take up the blood debt for my brother as is my right.

Now the hunt for revenge begins, there is a blood debt to be paid.

12 times the knife will fall
12 names will I take
I will retrieve my Brothers Sword
On the last dying breath will be the name of another
Another who’s mark I will not draw hear

REVENGE BEGINS

THERRA

I accompanied my lover to a grand ball. Across the gilded room I located my prize.

I wait for the right moment to slip in unnoticed and flirt with him in an alcove gazing deeply into his eyes.

“Come join me later at 9pm at the fountain on the 4^th floor.”

Holding my finger up to my mouth for silence.

“I have secrets to share between pleasurable diversions.”

We slipped out to a secluded balcony with a small fountain. I deftly opened my ring as I look out across the city with my back to him and allowed the powder to slip into my drink. Twirling round with a smile on my face I beckon for a kiss. As we embrace I swap the glasses behind his back. Let us finish these drinks to begin our adventures my love, our partners need never know, there are plenty of rooms upstairs.

He downs the glass and places it on the edge of the fountain. I quickly move to kiss him silencing his initial panic as his body began to freezes in paralysis. Staring into his panicked eyes I draw in his last breath hitting his head against the fountain and placing him face down in the water.

I feel my tongue going numb and quickly tip the antidote into my glass and drink taking it with me, leaving his untouched glass on the side near by and an empty bottle of wine.

11 to go.

Now to enjoy the lovely ball I wouldn’t want my partner to note my absence.

IOPS

Come, come my love look out across the City of Iops, from this lovely tower overseeing the exquisite gardens of your manor, earned with your part of the profit and never lacking for company at night I assume with a giggle.

He Strides over to the balcony to look out across the city with a beaming smile on his face. The veneer cracks and a cruel smile spreads across my face unseen as I close my war fan. I whisper in his ear Sadly my friend I am his sister, thrusting it into his body and pushing him over the edge. I wiped the blood from my blade capturing some inside a small locket and left

Ten to go.

THE MEETING

I continue to Gaze into the flames with the cold fire of vengeance burning in my eyes.

I must survive;
I will avenge,
I will kill all your sycophants until I find you,
I will lean your name.
I will send you back,
Back to the hell you came from.

By the passions I swear. Horrors have nothing on what a Human can do. Proof that someone or something is right, reasonable, or justified.

Looking up I notice some unusual strangers enter the bar. Now, now its time to be the old me, if I am to achieve my aims. Not the cold flame of fury and purpose.

Hello their friends.

Welcome to Darranis my name is Vinessa Hark, friends call me Hawk.

Very pleased to meet you do you need a guide to the town?

KARMA RITUAL

TBC