Murdervish

Sahar, being one acclimated to doing such paperwork, quickly fills out her form before passing it to her Félagi, even if it is merely ceremonial.

"The chance of travel--and thus study--and thus progress--is too good for a mali of my field of study to pass up if I were to say that maehr'sae hiylun'ehya was important to me. I just hope no one notices my absence at their Vallah churches."

I acknowledge that's what's going on without a doubt. A creature with dead/no nerve endings shouldn't experience the same sort of knock-back or shock as a creature with very-much living ones, without a doubt. But that's another tip to consider.

Even with the guy with the shiny gold lights, then?

I've actually been either present or fighting at some of the recent events you had done in Laureh'lin, and it felt like every non-aurum weapon did this... [!] The ferrum sword had no effect. [!] The blow from the weapon does nothing. [!] The zombie/wraith/whathaveyou ignores the strike. This would be a fair conversation to have if you actually were treating conventional weapons normally. However, it seems you've already decided lore-wise that normal weapons mean nothing and gold weapons are where it's at. Now gold weapons are to not work? I'm not saying these events weren't fun; they were and I enjoyed them very much, and if you had another one set up for the Grove today, I'm sorry server troubles made us miss it. But it seems to me we've already assumed conventional weapons aren't worth a damn in the undead fight. Also, in the last fight at the Grove, with your two wraiths and one zombie, we had 3 fatalities and multiple casualties otherwise. Any druid present was too drained to even open the roots for us non-druids, our olog died from his wounds, and many of us were rendered unable to fight for several (non-elven) days. I don't think any of us really came out of it unscathed. We had a lovely, brutal funeral afterwards, along with some medical roleplay. It was overall a pretty fun event and you promoted a lot of good RP with it. But if we couldn't use aurum blades, even with the cleric that was at our aid, we would have been massacred, and we even heavily outnumbered you.

Updates: Age: 26 Status: Alive, still affiliated with the Crimson Edict Sahar had joined the Crimson Edict upon the recommendation of Deinalt, believing that the increased protection and resources the guild could give outweighed any inevitable betrayal (and subsequent execution) the girl may need to enact and suffer. She was immediately joined in the rogues quarter beneath Jotosava. However, in ways not entirely expected, Sahar has grown as a person, but not without much difficulty. The recent events in the Void, though disconnected from Sahar due to her lack of magical ability, still put her on edge as it still affected, she perceived, the spirit of Deinalt Mephistaurus. Whether it affected such a spirit or not, she was in this state when one of her sisters in the Edict, Alstasia (bid by the parasitic imp on her person), had cornered her in the storage room of Eastwatch and taken Sahar's blood. Such a death triggered something in Sahar, though she could not remember it, she felt that Deinalt could remember the absolute corruption of her blood (though he would not speak it) and she could feel the anger and injury to his pride wafting off him in waves. So, she took upon the costume again, as being his "tool" was where she felt the most stability in her life: In this state, she ran through the Princedom of the Fenn, as it felt like the closest thing to home that she may have ever really felt. In this trance, she wandered along the mountains and the trees of the Fenn, mostly eschewing the structures of Man and Elf as she felt threatened in this state by the whims of society. It was in this state that Edict Master Naffog found her. Not knowing what she was at first, he attacked and apprehended her, intending to determine what this thing stalking his lands was. It was a bit of a shock to find one of his Edict sisters beneath the *****, pale mask, nearly catatonic and only responding in a raspy, strange voice. He brought her back to the halls of Eastwatch, but her knowledge of the sewer system there allowed her escape. Following her escape, the tales of the weird thing haunting the lands reached the Marked Men, and where the Fenn and the Edict were hesitant to press force on the creature, these mercenaries were not so kind. They tracked down Sahar and, without de-masking her, decapitated her, intending on bringing the head to the Fenn to rub in the Snow Elves faces how they cannot finish a job. As of yet, this "gift" has not been bestowed on any of the citizens or vassals of the Fenn. However, though Sahar did not find her outfit upon her as she awoke in the Cloud Temple, she was none the better for the death. Stripped of her tabard, cloak, and mask, she ran back to the Fenn, wearing nothing that would fit the bitter cold of the lands, and took refuge in what was likely an old Ice Witch cave. Alstasia, the one who had in her way set off the episode, found Sahar in this state, and though Sahar could not remember her death, her disjointed attitude and obvious hostility to her (or anything that entered the cave), seemed to tear at Alstasia and crush the girl with guilt. She left, but Sahar was not alone long: Naffog had just killed some large game, and had decided to drag his prize into this very cave to skin and prepare it. The near-nude Sahar worried him greatly, and though she managed to escape him again, here, it was not for very long; she'd been found shortly after by the walls of the Snow Elf capital, still in an unsuitable state of dress, and was finally cornered with the help of a sentinal of the Grand Prince. The sentinel had sufficient clerical powers that Sahar appeared to be purged of the old wizard's influence. Sahar, upon awaking to this, did not take the emptiness and lack of direction well, but she calmed down relatively quickly with the help of Naffog and his lifemate, Crystal Bel'anoche. They had gotten sister back from Deinalt's clutches, though Deinalt did appear to give Naffog something of a warning, written in Sahar's blood. It was clear that his influence was not going to be gotten rid of so easily. However, it looked like he would be gone for a time, and Naffog, so relieved to have his sister back, easily forgave any transgressions she may have done as she wore the mask. Since then, Sahar has become more and more attached to the Edict. It has now become her family, and as Naffog has become a father to her, she has become his daughter (though they still call each other as siblings, per the custom of the Edict). She has fought along side them, fed her brothers and sisters with her own hands, and had even been present in the birth of Naffog and Crystal's child, Vulthur. And as she has changed, she has been able to cope better with her own inborn troubles, seeming more... human than she'd ever been before. She has become stronger for her time, here. However, anyone who knows and may be paying attention to Sahar may see that things aren't quite done. At the 40th anniversary of Deinalt's death, she disappeared for a month, having prepared much food for her brothers and sisters beforehand to make up for the absence. Alstasia had seen her during this time, and though she later reported the trouble to Naffog, it was not without trouble; Sahar was strange, even somewhat malicious, and though she did not attack Alstasia outright, Sahar's words struck hard, aiming at the elf's obvious guilt until she stood down. Upon returning to the Edict, Sahar did not mention that anything bad had happened during the brief "sabbatical", only that "a deal has been struck" between her and Deinalt, and she seems hesitant to speak any further on the issue.

Accidentally double-posted when posting update.

Thank you very much. Edit: I updated the main post to give hints on the sorcerer's magic, and made a timeline.

In Athera, on the outskirts of The Reformed Kingdom of Oren, a settlement was formed, mostly human, on a fishing wharf. It was out of the way from major roads, and it's population wasn't high, so it's not hard to believe that the economy was so stagnant that the majority of the population lived in little more than mud huts along the small fisheries and make-shift dock. There was one exception: a powerful wizard, likely of dark magic, held a tower that loomed over the little village. His name was Deinalt Mephistaurus, and he enjoyed the power he held over the peasants and fish-mongers. He relished in it and exercised it as a tyrant. The villagers had little choice but to comply with his demands. The years drew, however, and they saw no way out, his demands becoming harsher and harsher as he pushed their limits. Sometimes, they were even summoned into the tower itself, either to never be seen again, or as a dry, pale corpse. Secretly, they sent messages out, begging for help from Oren, but Oren had been caught up with politics and, most importantly, wars, and their resources were stretched thin. The request went unheeded. When war erupted in 1483, the villagers knew they would not receive help soon, if at all, and sought instead to hire mercenaries who would take the job for the meagre coin they could scrounge up. They eventually found some who agreed, and the group stole in at the dead of night to ambush the wizard as he rested, for they knew frontal attack upon his tower would avail little except their own deaths. They did not kill him as he slept, as the wizard did wake, but he was still caught flat-footed and with his magical components outside of his reach. He cast what he could, but blind-sided as he was, the fight was intense but short. Deinalt Mephistaurus fell backwards upon the bed he had woken from, but not before cursing the traitorous villagers with his dying breath, promising pain and destruction to them as long as they lived. In the end, the village rejoiced in the victory of their saviours. After much celebration, the heroes parted and Rahult enjoyed their new freedom. They found some measure of prosperity now that they were no longer bogged down with the unrelenting and unfair demands of the wizard. Ten years later, on the anniversary of the wizard's murder, the Plague hit the town, and much of the population died over night. It was no coincidence, the villagers moaned as they mourned. Deinalt's grip still strangles them today. His curse continues! Some of the villagers suggested seeking clerical help, but this idea was shot down for its massive cost. Besides, the Plague hit them hard; if this were truly the will of the mage, would it not be satiated? Another ten years passed, and upon the anniversary, the village was torn with a localized earthquake. Many died in the fallen rubble. Many more lost their homes. Calls for holy intervention increased, but so did the flight from the village. Nothing could be done to circumvent the next tragedy but to wait. When the 30th anniversary came, the villagers waited with baited breath, waiting for a swoop that would likely kill them off for good this time. But the night passed with no unholy intervention, and they all breathed a collective sigh... until the next morning. Several people (men, women, children) were found dead in their beds, throats slit. A couple people were confirmed missing shortly after, but it was unknown if they were still alive, or if they were, whether they were fleeing justice for the acts or fleeing the curse before it could hit them. The villagers would have loved to follow up these events with a witch hunt, but their seeking was cut short; the Flood had overtaken Athera and their wharf was one of the first to drown below the constant rains. Those who were left had no choice but to leave their homes to be swallowed by the waters and go to Vailor. Some of those villagers may still yet live, as could the Heroes of Rahult... as could the unknown murderer. And though the village is gone, no one knows for sure if the wizard's curse is done. Known Former Villagers: Sahar Tha'un Known Heroes of Rahult: Timeline: 1468 - Athera was settled 1469 - Rahult was successfully settled, building watched over by Deinalt Mephistaurus 1475 - Mephistaurus's demands become strange. Citizens begin to disappear 1483 - The Kingdom of Oren becomes Galahar. Rahult citizens look elsewhere for aid. 1483, Sun's Smile - Mercenaries are hired to kill Deinalt Mephistaurus, a contract is drawn 1483, The Amber Cold - Deinalt Mephistaurus is killed in his tower. 1493, The Amber Cold - Plague hits the town overnight. Many citizens die. 1503, The Amber Cold - A localized Earthquake hits the village 1513, The Amber Cold - Many citizens are found murdered in their beds End of 1513 - Rahult is abandoned to the Flood

Sahar Tha'un Basic Information Nicknames: Age: 24 Gender: Female Race: Human (Farfolk) Status: Alive Description Height: 5'4'' Weight: 110 lbs Body Type: Thin Eyes: Yellow Hair: Black Skin: Dusky and dark Markings/Tattoos: None. Health: Variant. Personality: Sahar can interact with people like a normal person for a while, but will become disconnected and appear distracted if any interaction or conversation lasts too long. She is often compelled to don her disguise and act as the dead mage's hand, believing herself to be a mere tool in this state. There are things she genuinely seems to enjoy, however: music, poetry, and puzzles especially. She does seem to form attachments to certain people. Inventory: She has recently taken to carrying human bones around and using them as tools. Further Details: Life Style Alignment: Chaotic Neutral / Chaotic Evil Deity: None. Religion: None. Alliance/Nation/Home: The Crimson Edict Job/Class: Cook/Rogue/Tinkerer Title(s): Edict Librarian Profession(s): Chef Special Skill(s): Sneaky sneak Flaw(s): Whether or not Sahar is actually being controlled by the ghost of an evil wizard, Sahar is definitely mentally ill. Because of this, she is not reliable, often acts against her best interests, and is very suggestible. Magic Current Status: Curious/searching for a teacher Arch-type: Sub-Type: Rank: Weakness(es): Strength(s): Seems to have very strong "blood" Current Spell(s): Weaponry Fighting Style: Rogue Trained Weapon: Small Melee Weapons Favored Weapon: Short Sword Archery: Decent Biography Parents: Ojore and Zafirah Tha'un (Deceased) Siblings: Izem Tha'un (Deceased) Children: None. Extended Family: None she is aware of. Pet(s): None. History In a town at the outskirts of the Reformed Kingdom, there was a village which suffered misfortunes. A mage of darkness and strife kept his grip tight on the village, strangling its growth with his overbearing and his demands. Where most of the buildings were mud huts, his lab was a tower, and he liked it that way. In 1483, after many years of begging the seat of Oren for help, the village commissioned adventurers to take care of the mage, and so he fell, but not without cursing the people with his last breath. Ten years later, the village was nearly wiped out by plague in the space of a day; the anniversary of the mage's death. Another decade passed, and an earthquake ripped them apart on that very day, and it took years to put themselves back together. Now, 30 years after the curse was uttered, the villagers breathed a sigh, for nothing seemed to come upon them from the horizon when the anniversary passed. For a few, that was their last breath. A peasant girl named Sahar, daughter and sister of two men who were crushed in the earthquake, was tormented by dreams as the day of the mage's death approached. The mage spoke to her in her sleep, hissing to her his hatred, telling her why these people must suffer. The stories are wrong, he said. The villagers were mere savages, afraid of what was happening and blaming it on the wizard. And they have not changed; still they are ignorant, backwater clodhoppers. Sahar's mind twisted in these words, and though she was never quite... right... what humanity finally drained. She believes herself not to be Sahar any longer, nor is she the mage, but the extension of the mage's rage, cold and ruthless, as if she were a spirit of justice. And, as he bid, she struck exactly one night after the anniversary. For her work, she wore a costume, slipped into the open doors and windows of her sleeping neighbors, and slit the throats of a few she could before fleeing into the wilderness, not even staying long enough to see how things ended up. Luck struck for her even as it soured for the other Descendants, for they were overtaken by more grave matters as they were nearly washed out by the Flood, and young Sahar managed to blend into the baggage train for Faiz Kharadeen as they crossed the Door of Eternity. Though she has escaped arrest thus far, Sahar has not returned to being Sahar. She does not feel the need to murder any longer, but she is still the extension of the mage's anger. When his mood strikes him, she will perform errands as he wills it. She is rarely compelled to kill, but she often stalks people into their houses and watches them as they sleep, trying to determine something that is only known between her and the voice in her head. Artwork More info about her former village and the wizard who haunts her: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/topic/132691-history-the-small-fishing-village-of-rahult/