Vampiric Gaze Persephone has honed this ability extensively, and all but the strongest of will are powerless against her gaze. Those who know her true intent are not so easily subdued, however.
Shroud of Lies Persephone can walk in the daylight almost effortlessly, having practiced and used this skill quite frequently.
Night's Embrace Once per night, Persephone can vanish into the shadows. This is a highly useful stealth and escape tactic.
Swordsmanship (Rapier) Persephone took this up as a hobby during the 200 year gap. While she is no master, her fast reflexes and tirelessness make her a deadly opponent.
Unarmed Combat, Knives Persephone is extremely fast and has the strength of the undead; it would thus be unwise to engage her unarmed. With a knife, she is even more lethal.
Biography:
Summarized Version:
Persephone was born in Imperia to the noble family Kironis, which was in the midst of an important business venture in the burgeoning town of Kheltus. When she was 12, her family relocated to Kheltus, bringing their children. She was thought to be a disturbed child, and eventually sent back to Imperia, presumably to attend a university. However, she was instead kidnapped by the Elder Vampiress Rumina, who would become her Sire. Over the next two centuries, Persephone strove to enjoy her long life, and also serve Shar, her chosen deity. She came to Surna mostly on a whim, though she had been here before, many years ago...
Massive Version:
The year was 561 MoP. The town of Kheltus was growing, having sprung up from a small farming village deep in the Talibarian wilderness. Its most recent, and beneficial, addition was the Kironis noble family, who had moved there from Imperia.
Their reasons for coming there were simple. Kheltus had great potential in the fields of forestry, mining, and agriculture, and the Kironis family wanted to be the first to invest. Members of the family had visited the region as early as 549 MoP, surveying the area and beginning to plan construction of a large mansion on the outskirts of town.
When at last the structure was finished, Aden and Jocelin Kironis moved in with their 12-year-old daughter, Persephone, and 18-year-old son, Arnicir, to personally oversee the town's development. Arnicir had received the finest education money could buy in Talibar's capital, and was an aspiring businessman. He paid no attention to his younger sibling, instead focusing entirely on his studies and future career.
Persephone's parents, meanwhile, were afraid of their own daughter. Since she was a toddler, she displayed shocking apathy towards many things. She would sometimes vivisect animals to find out how they worked, killing them in the process, and she hardly reacted to the death of her uncle, who lived with her immediate family. Her favorite hobby was manipulating boys, getting them to fight over her, pitting them against each other. It seemed as if other children were mere objects to her, toys for her amusement.
When Persephone reached 17, her parents decided to send her to a boarding school in Imperia. She was made to pack her things and board a carriage which would carry her all the way back to her hometown. She did not react to this decision in any perceivable way, and packed in silence. When the carriage arrived, she boarded it without incident, and it left, soon vanishing into the trees of the forest which surrounded Kheltus.
A few hours passed, and Persephone awoke from her nap to the sounds of the guards screaming. The carriage was under attack! The door came open; it was torn from its bearings by a hooded female figure in a white robe, sullied with fresh blood. The guards and driver of the carriage had been ruthlessly slaughtered by this one woman, it seemed.
She stood there for a moment, completely still, not even appearing to breathe. Then she reached in and grabbed Persephone.
When Persephone awoke again, she was lying in bed. A bed which was not hers, but nonetheless quite luxurious. She was in a richly furnished bedroom, with an ornately crafted vanity and wardrobe, a trunk, a bath tub, and gas lamps which cast a faint light over the walls and the hardwood floor. A pleasant smell pervaded the air; she could not quite place it, but it smelled flowery.
The door opened without a sound, and the woman from before, now in clean robes, moved with peerless grace into the room. She lowered her hood, revealing an Alfarian face, framed by long, wavy, golden hair. Her eyes were a bright yellow, her skin was unusually pale, and her scent matched the one in the room. With an ethereal voice, she spoke, "Ah, you are awake. Do you know why you are here?"
Persephone slowly shook her head.
"Your own family has disowned you," she spoke. "They came to me with an offer. To ambush a certain carriage making for Imperia. Your carriage."
Persephone only nodded.
"We were told we should kill you. My children, and I. But I do not take orders from mortals. I am keeping you alive, for purposes you will soon discover."
Persephone nodded once more, her eyes betraying a little fear.
"You need not be frightened, child." The Alfar woman stroked her cheek. "I will let you rest, now. I am sure this has been quite a shock."
For the next two weeks, Persephone was locked inside that room. It belonged to the Alfar woman. At dawn she would enter the room, and chain Persephone to the floor. She would then disrobe and sleep in the bed, rising at dusk. After a short bath, she would drape clean robes over herself, unchain Persephone, and leave her alone with the door locked. Throughout the night, she would visit, bringing Persephone food and drink, bathing her from time to time, and otherwise bringing her whatever she asked for, besides escape.
Persephone learned the woman's name - Rumina. She was the leader of a small community nestled deep in the woods, self-sufficient and comprised of men and women, united in their worship of her. Rumina was the Goddess of this community, and everything she desired was granted to her.
Rumina also learned about Persephone. She asked about her home, her family, her studies, anything that was on her mind. It was more attention than Persephone had ever received - and to her surprise, she found herself trusting Rumina more with each passing day.
Soon, their relationship lost its innocence. Rumina showed Persephone a great many things she never would have learned anywhere else. She was shy, at first, and Rumina taught her lessons at a slow pace. But eventually, she was participating in many of the community's rituals, and beginning to understand what it meant to be part of this group. Rumina loved them, and they loved her. She was ageless, wise, and powerful, beyond imagining. Perhaps she really was a Goddess.
Persephone lost all perception of time; the days faded in and out in an unbroken sequence. In reality, she spent over 7 years in the community, getting to know its inhabitants, and being tutored in various subjects by Rumina, who possessed an advanced education. Persephone felt she must have been Rumina's favorite; of all the simple peasants of the community, she was the most intelligent, the most interesting, the most refined. She stood out among her peers, who incidentally were starting to get on in years, having lived in the community a great deal longer than its newest inhabitant. And most importantly, she was the only one allowed in Rumina's chambers, and to live with her in her comfortable home.
During the last of her years in the community, Persephone noticed a change coming over Rumina. She first lost her grace, beginning to move about stiffly and weakly. Her skin lost its youthful smoothness, beginning to wrinkle. She kept her hood over her face when dealing with her followers. Finally, Rumina entered her (and Persephone's) room one night, and sat solemnly on the bed.
"I am afraid I have not told you the truth, Persephone."
"What do you mean?"
"I am not divine. I am what is called a 'vampire'. I take life from others to sustain my own life. I have lived a long time in this fashion, such a very long time... but I can not live forever. My ability to draw life has weakened; now I can not possibly sustain myself.
Before I died, I wanted to tell you what I was, and offer you an opportunity for a life like mine. Hundreds of years of youth, centuries to indulge in the pleasures of life... does this tempt you?"
"Yes, yes it does," Persephone stammered, visibly upset. "But what will I do without you?"
"You no longer need me, child. You have become a beautiful woman without equal. I have taught you all that I can; now I will bestow upon you things which can not be taught, talents only a vampire possesses. It will be our last act together. I will drink of your lifesblood, and you, of mine. Drink deeply, I have no more days left in me."
Rumina opened her mouth wide, her teeth sharpening into pointed fangs. She sank them into Persephone's neck, puncturing her carotid artery.
Persephone felt a sharp pain, but then a numbness spread through her body as her life waned. Her vision blurring, she felt Rumina nudge against her mouth, a bit of warm blood dripping in. Persephone suckled the blood, taking as much as she could, before blacking out.
Persephone woke up in Rumina's arms, but the Alfar was stiff, cold, and dead. She laid Rumina on the bed, kissed her one final time, and left the room.
It was a morning like any other. The peasants went about their business, harvesting crops, feeding livestock. They were unaware their deity had passed during the night. Immediately Persephone was struck by intense pain. The sunlight burned her skin as if she had plunged into a fire. She stepped back into the house immediately. Confused, she put her hood on and walked back out. The sun still burned when it hit her face, but as long as she sheltered it, she felt fine.
Persephone crept beyond the fence, and then quickened her pace, hoping no one was following her. She left the community behind, and roamed the forests.
During her time in the woods, she was forced to learn how to be a vampire. Rumina had left that topic out of her instruction. Persephone found that if she imagined the sun as harmless, and concentrated on this idea, she could avoid being burned. She discovered how to use her fangs, and hide them, if necessary. She would feed on whatever she could catch, and sometimes tricked hunters and bandits into thinking she was a lost, helpless woman, before draining them dry. She noticed that she could manipulate them with far greater ease, urging them on with her own mind.
Persephone eventually found her way back to Kheltus, which had changed considerably in her absence. It was 575 MoP, and Kheltus was bustling trading post. And at the center of its business was the Kironis family, now considerably wealthier.
She only stayed for a few days before vanishing back into the forests. She was sure not to let anyone know who she was, or what she was. She heard tell of a gang of bandits which were plaguing Kheltus' businesses, and set out in search of them.
The bandits were led by a hulk of a man named Morsus the Ender. Unlike his predecessors, he was a brilliant tactician, and his gang was one of the most feared in the land. Persephone would use this to her advantage - after falling into Morsus' good graces, she manipulated the man into uniting various other gangs. Morsus became the leader of a small army of bandits, and he was tough enough to keep them all in line.
2 years this took, and crime rose in the lands around Kheltus and Jheran. When finally enough resources were gathered, Persephone initiated the next stage of her plan.
Kheltus was attacked. Men were slaughtered, women violated, homes emptied and burned to the ground. The army of thugs quickly surrounded the Kironis mansion, killing the guards and letting none leave. Persephone entered alone.
Her mother and brother were cowering in the master bedroom. Her father stood in front of them, and looked at Persephone in fear and confusion.
"You... you did this?"
"Yes."
"You were dead... we all thought you were dead..."
"You thought wrong. Your scheme didn't work. I am alive, more alive than ever before."
"Scheme? What scheme?"
"Don't lie to me!" Persephone grabbed Aden's throat with impossible speed, and held him above the ground. He choked, gasping for air. "Rumina told me everything you did. Everything!"
"Rumina?" he said hoarsely. "Who is Rumina? I don't know her! I don't-" he was cut short by his neck snapping. Persephone let his body thud to the floor.
Jocelin screamed, rushing to his side. Persephone grabbed her by the shoulder, and shoved her hard against the wall. She slumped to the ground, sobbing. "Please! Please don't hurt us! We're sorry! We're sorry for everything!"
"You were never my mother." Persephone grabbed Jocelin by the hair, pulling her sharply to her feet once more. She pressed her against the wall, and bared her fangs. Jocelin screamed in horror, but fell silent as Persephone tore her throat out. Blood spurted onto the floor boards.
Persephone felt a knife pierce her shoulder. Dropping Jocelin, she spun around to face Arnicir, who had stabbed her. Her eyes were a fierce red, her mouth was full of fangs, and her dress was soaked in blood. Arnicir backed away, eyes bulging, as Persephone, without reacting, yanked the knife out of her shoulder.
"Don't do this, Persephone, please, don't do this, don't do th-" his words became choked gasps as the blade entered his throat. Persephone wrenched the knife right, and then left, nearly beheading him. He, too, she let thud to the floor.
Persephone took a trunk, emptied it of its contents, and loaded it with valuables, clothes, and the necklace Crimson Avarice, which she yanked off of Jocelin's corpse.
She walked out of the house in fresh clothes, and gave the order for the bandits to enter. They eagerly looted the place, and set fire to it like everything else. Persephone walked on, dragging her trunk, the flames of Kheltus rising behind her.
Eventually Persephone found her way to a town known as Surna. There, she went about her business, earning favor with the guards, manipulating businessmen into giving her shares at discounted prices, and trying to sustain her insatiable appetite.
For many years this continued, and Persephone gradually accumulated wealth and influence, though she was often hindered by the capable people of Surna. Some were not easily manipulable, and many of them were far more powerful than her. It wasn't until 586 MoP that she would be given purpose.
The being Sevim appeared to her, bringing the message of Shar. Shar was gathering her forces together, preparing for an event which would change the face of Aeria. It took some convincing, but Sevim got Persephone to serve Shar after a display of power. From that moment on, Persephone would be loyal to her new Goddess.
In 589 MoP, Shar's Tower was destroyed by Alyssa Munroe, who ironically was one of the few survivors of the Kheltus attack. Persephone was enraged by this, but powerless to do anything about it, especially since Alyssa vanished immediately after. Disgruntled, Persephone left Surna, in search of better prospects.
For 200 years, Persephone went to various cities, primarily Jheran, beginning to work on building a "community" of her own. Whatever she needed, she used her power of persuasion to acquire. Money, businesses, advisors, muscle, power, it was all hers for the taking. Being a vampire, she took many long-term investments, claiming them decades later under aliases of invented family members. Her most trusted inferiors she Sired, building a small group of vampires. To feed them, she would buy slaves on the black market, or hire prostitutes and drug them. Her empire grew, until she became the secret owner of Jheran, with a hand in every business and organization.
No one ever challenged her, because no one even knew who their leader was. She was an order written on a slip of paper, passed on through several different couriers, delivered to each member of her group. She might have been one of the mysterious individuals who seemed to possess more power than anyone else. She might have been disguised as a common member. Hells, she might have been one of the couriers. There was no point in betrayal.
When the year 789 MoP arrived, Persephone planned a return to Surna, this time, much more prepared to face it than ever before. Or so she hoped.
It went just as she had wanted - quiet and unnoticed. She discreetly purchased several properties around town, quickly securing an alliance with its most powerful figure, Vorn Tyrr. Her machinations led her to several distinct goals: uncover the secret of a mysterious set of dwarven ruins beneath goblin-owned lands, destroy the sword of Cyril Dedrick, and appease her more powerful allies.
While initially successful, she was not able to completely elude detection. The monster-hunters are on her tail by order of the goblins, and a mysterious apparition, identical in appearance to the late Marius Shire, stalks her.
Enemies:All who stand in the way of her schemes.
Deity:Shar For two centuries now, Persephone has been a devotee of the Shadow God.
Inventory:
Mithril Rapier: This lightweight, remarkably stout blade is of the finest quality.
Sacrificial Dagger: A curved dagger with a twisted hilt and a black blade made of solid Truminum. Like Magite, the dagger creates a bubble in the Weave, and is thus impervious to magic. A smooth, purple stone adorns the hilt, with a black center, mimicking Shar's symbol. Persephone keeps this dagger hidden on her person.
Push Dagger: A very small, very easily concealed dagger.
Crimson Avarice: A gaudy ruby necklace set in gold, with a gold chain. The exquisite ruby seems to demand attention, and all who gaze upon it are subtly influenced. The necklace can create strong feelings of attraction towards its wearer, particularly in men.
Sharite Robe: A dark purple robe which conceals all distinguishing features of whoever wears it. It also possesses a curiously strong weave, which can turn blades and hinder bullets. This does not prevent damage from blunt weapons or sheer force.
Achievements / Titles:
Defiler: With the assistance of Lady Silverspine and Daemon Tria, Persephone has defiled the resting place of fallen heroes and disabled the protective wards around Surna.
Last edited by Munroe on Tue Feb 07, 2012 1:55 pm; edited 7 times in total
Christoph
Posts : 113 Join date : 2011-03-19 Location : Down Norrland Way
Subject: Re: Persephone Kironis Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:45 pm
Good solid interesting character.accep♂
Zaku
Posts : 315 Join date : 2012-01-09 Age : 29 Location : USA
Subject: Re: Persephone Kironis Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:08 pm
I didn't even take the time to look at what section this was in. Personally I feel like Persephone is fine either Special or not, but given her power Special is the right place for her to be.
Kain
Posts : 1427 Join date : 2009-03-24 Location : Somewhere Pat doesn't want me to be
Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:19 pm
