Name: Marchesa, the Black Rose
Universe: Magic the Gathering (Fiora)
Appearance: Marchesa is an older woman, perhaps in her mid-forties, but she has retained her looks well throughout her years. Not stunningly beautiful, she maintains a presence of dignity and grace; in some ways resembling a woman even older than herself. Her raven hair is typically worn up, fastened with ornate pins, with trailing locks that frame her tastefully made-up face. Eyes the color of smoke always seem to know more than they let on, and her expression usually hints at a greater scheme in the works. Her clothes match her aura, as they are more in fashion for women older than herself, but she wears them with elegance and mystique. Quite notable is the amount of jewelry she wears, as her fingers are practically gilded with rings at all times. Though given the rumors surrounding them (which happen to be completely true), many quickly become nervous when she idly rubs and plays with her rings.
Personality: Marchesa is ambitious to the core. She allows nothing and no one to deter her from her goals, and will not hesitate to destroy any in her way. Ruthlessly cunning, Marchesa is a brilliant schemer, and her mind constantly bubbles with the possible subterfuge of her foes, and possible counter-subterfuge of her own. Though she has a considerable taste for the finer things in life and prefers to keep her hands clean when she can, Marchesa is not above doing her own dirty work, and will take any opportunity presented to her. A distinct streak of vanity runs through her outward persona, preferring to flaunt her wealth and status to her rivals.
Powers/Skills: First and foremost, Marchesa is a skilled manipulator and conspirator. With little more than threats, bribery and charisma, she alone built the largest criminal organization in all of Fiora. The Black Rose has a particular knack for reading people; their intentions, their motivations, and most usually how to use the both of those against them. Despite her venomous intentions, Marchesa is completely amiable in public or with esteemed company, and is even pleasant and polite in the midst of murdering a rival. Many other skills have grown in the wake of her empire. She can manage money masterfully, multiplying it when she can, and making it disappear when need be. Politics are a simple matter for her, as she far less often fears for her life against mere nobles and senators. Even sleight of hand is an acquired talent of hers; all the better for slipping a rival a dose of poison in the drink.
More overtly, Marchesa is a wizard of some repute. While far from the usual idea of a spell-slinging arcanist, she can use magic aligned to Black, Red and Blue mana. Her most frequent use of this is in raising undead bodyguards, which she hides in the walls of her estate. Her magic is used to concoct the poisons for which she is so feared, and is also used to aid herself or her agents in stealth, espionage and evading enemy attacks.
Brief Bio: Born to a lesser noble family in the High City of Paliano, Marchesa began her climb to the upper echelons of society early on. As an ambitious young girl, she quickly edged out her incompetent older brothers as heirs to their father's estate, and inherited the majority of it after his "tragic" passing. Knowing that she needed to build a base of power, she used her newfound wealth to establish a network across the Lower City, as well as the seedier corners of the High City. Criminals, outcasts, rebels-- Marchesa recruited to her cause anyone who stood to gain from a change in regime. Once her network was in place, she slowly established a stranglehold on the criminal enterprises of the region, bringing every service from smuggling to assassination under her control.
Today, the Black Rose is known as the leader of the most powerful crime syndicate in the High City, even among her fellow nobles and other such respected members of society. Though none are foolhardy enough to air such accusations in her presence. Her next goal is a mystery to many in Paliano. Some claim that she seeks to usurp Brago, the spectral king of Fiora. Others claim that the Black Rose is already the most powerful person in the High City, and that a throne would merely tie her down. Whatever her intentions, there seem to be few capable of stopping her.
Equipment: Each of Marchesa's many rings is a compartment filled with exotic and virulent poison. Not all are inherently lethal, some bringing about mere sickness, or even temporary madness. Even so, one would be particularly mindful to watch one's food and drinks carefully in her presence, lest they end up in a shallow grave in the Lower City.
Others: The Black Rose is the symbol of her crime syndicate, worn openly by its more valued members. Onesuch member is Grenzo, the warden of the Royal Prison, whose depths are said to have swallowed as many of Marchesa's enemies as it has spat out criminals under her employ.
