Kaia Tau

The Vanishing Kingdom

As Ren waited for the man to be done speaking she listened about Midrill she had never done shopping there before so she wondered about the things she could buy. Meandering towards the wagons Ren looks at the other bounty hunters milling about but there seemed there was someone already seated and alone just waiting to leave. It was a girl swinging her legs in a plain green dress. She seemed very nice, however, Ren was a bit nervous to approach anyone she was technically still on the run and distrusting of others no matter how nice they seemed. Anyways it would be bothersome if Ren had interrupted whatever she was writing. Ren knew the frustration from losing a train of thought.

Seemingly this girl didn't seem to be too bad to travel with so Ren decided to sit on the same wagon but on the opposite side of the wagon as her as to keep some distance. With her bow on her lap she sits down as they prepare to set out. Wondering aloud to herself.

“It's annoying but I must keep moving otherwise something bad might happen. If only Sahale were around I could find out more.”

Shaking her head of the thought she had other things to focus on she had a weird gut feeling that Sahale wouldn't be around forever and it seemed to be in a bad time but no matter. Ren had to carry on. Sitting further back on the bench she brings her knees to her chest and crosses her arms over them. As the wagons are about ready to set off.

The Vanishing Kingdom

Ren was thankful for finally landing a somewhat decent paying job. Smiling to the older bartender she nods reassuringly. “Thank you sir, I really needed some work. I’m alright, no need for anything more an ale would be nice, however I must be level headed for work in a few hours. Goodbye good sir.” She bowed respectfully and trudged upstairs to to the room she had been staying in.

Sitting on the bed and crossing her legs she peers out the window in thought. “I wonder what Sahale is up to what may have happened. After separating in Kalla no contact…” This was never a good sign as Sahale always seemed to check up on her every so often but never a silence this long. Shaking the thought Ren refocused on the task at hand, laying out a map she traced the route with her finger until she landed at Creston.

Speaking aloud to herself she murmurs, “Never been there, and there is some bandits who seem to run the show. This can’t end well for these merchants” Shaking her head in frustration. “If only I wasn’t so strapped for money, I wouldn't have to do these jobs that put me in risk.” A shiver running down her spine as a flash of the reaper’s insignia invades her head. Sudden paranoia overtakes Ren as she jumps up and closes the shades only to peer out a crack and look out onto the street.

“I’m fine… I got to calm down its been 4 years! And they send fodder to get me. It can’t be that serious” Ren was only trying to fool herself as she knew the last attempt on her life she had just barely got out of the situation. They were serious and Ren had fear. She was only deluding herself. With a huff Ren recollected herself. She geared up packing all her things and set out of the inn/bar.

Ren read the job listing and arrived at the location of departure. Asking around Ren located the head of the caravan and used the job listing as proof of acceptance. Asking one of the merchants if she could ride with them. They comply and Ren hops in the back of the wagon, sitting down Ren lays her bow on her lap. The caravan sets off shortly thereafter, and they set off to Creston.

The Vanishing Kingdom

A clash between curiosity and keeping her store open was wracking Ren’s thoughts. She wanted to keep the store open to keep on making money however this crowd gathered around the temple right outside lit a flame of curiosity. Her want of a possible adventure out shined her want for money, but she thought at times like this she could use an assistant to help her out just to watch the shop while she was away. After thinking about it for a while she decided to close up shop in hopes of finding out was going on right outside her doors. Since she hasn't hired a coworker yet to run the shop she couldn't keep it open to the public, noting to herself to start looking for help to run the shop in a way that is constantly profitable. Making some final transactions before ushering people out of the shop. After everyone left she said “Oh magic shop of mine, minimize in this bag and twine” The magic shop disappeared into her belongings, as fast as it can be put up its faster taking it down. She smirked at how easy it was to set up shop efficiency made her feel at ease.

Walking through the crowd of people gathered at the temple she nudged and squirmed her way to the temple entrance. Feeling a bit claustrophobic she felt the need to gasp for air but she remained silent and moved gracefully through the crowd like an assassin would, she just had to see about Madame Valia and that particular man that carried her there. She knew his face from Sahale’s bounty list it just had to be him but she needed a second look to confirm it. In order to find out everything going on she had to go inside, and if that man that carried Valia was a wanted man then she had to be smart and have her wits about her as well as keeping her guard up.

Upon entering the temple the duo caught her attention immediately they stood out over the others that were there. Recognizing Allanon as one of the bounties when she saw his face she knew Sahale had his bounty in his list. This shocked Ren a little bit what would a wanted man want to do with a dance instructor. She eyed Valia and what a beauty she was absolutely stunning it would leave such a sour taste if she decided to assassinate her so Ren decided to help them. She knew information that can save them. But with her constant businesswoman mindset she approached the duo getting close like she had a secret to tell “Hey I can help you I know a guy with a lot of information that can help save your lives I already know there is a bounty on Madame here and I know a bit about you too… Allanon… If you want me to connect you to him it will cost you some gold though.”

The Vanishing Kingdom

On his way out the door she would reply, “Hey my lucky charm Sahale! Long time but it seems like you always find my ass, I will look into it may or may not do it though see ya next time honey” She smirked slyly at him as she leaned on her desk bending at the hip and folding her arms, she wondered where he was off to as Ren eyed him out the window now walking towards the market area. “That damn guy always a laugh” she silently chuckled to herself moving her fist up to her face covering her laugh.

Ren thought of this target, seemed like an interesting person considering she herself was born and raised like a Sylve and she loved the culture behind dancing. Killing the target seemed a bit sour but she decided to gather some intel on this woman at least. Wondering to herself as she looked out the window, “Will I ever find anything of my Gruskan heritage this way” Shaking her head while scratching the nape of her neck she needed an information broker, “Maybe that flirt Sahale could help out.” She whispered to herself.

Going back to the register now, Ren called some of her little birds over asking them if they knew anything about the dance teacher down the street. With some replies of “She is pretty” She got nothing but asked them again. “Can you guys find out anything more about her and let me know?” A couple of them nodding and running off, others stayed behind for some candies at the front register and looked at gadgets and items she had. Seemed like business wasn’t doing so bad but she could use some coin, she would need it in the future.

Sitting at the register she would make exchanges here and there with various customers all the while reading her tomes, but then one of the children came running into the store gasping while talking “the store *gasp* is in ruin and *gasp* madame is hurt.” The sound of the child's gasping was soon overrun with the murmurs of the crowd outside. Looking out the window she saw a man carrying her target into the temple right next to her shop. Her jaw dropped a little in astonishment of the coincidence of it all. They seemed rushed and really hurt, not wanting to draw the attention they did. It seemed like a mystery and Ren was hooked she just had to find out what was going on and how they were all linked together, Sahale, the Calibris family, herself, and this pretty dancer from kalla. Ren walked to the window and asked the child, “What did you see at the store? What happened here?” As she silently waited for the non existent answer, because the child could not answer. Staring at the massive crowd gathered right outside she smirked, an interesting adventure seemed to be stirring.

The Vanishing Kingdom

Kalla

Ren peeked up from her reading to notice a bunch of kids have started to look around, closing her book she watches them with a smile. The curiosity embedded into the children reminded her of her own adventurous spirit. With a small grin she waved to the kids saying “If you need any help let me know! I also have a small bowl of snacks over her at the register if you get hungry.” She had always been good with kids and been gentle and kind to them. She would also see the groups of people walking around outside and even walking away from her store. Little did they know that if they asked her she could assassinate anyone for a good lump of money, This store although legitimate and made her enough money to get through life, It was a front for her assassination skills being sold.

Coming back snapping out of her head she treated the kids very kindly explaining and showing them all sorts of magic items and displaying them playfully, but carefully. She knew that kids sometimes are good sources of information too and planned for them to be her little ears while she stayed in Kalla. Asking innocently to the children “Where does one put faith in listeners? Can you all be my ears? I can give you treats and show you these cool items everyday I just need to hear the whispers of the town, good information if you will, Now It is not hard to do just relay any little or small thing you notice that makes you question what was said or done. It is a job perfect for you guys and i am putting my trust in you so please don’t break it. Pinky promise alright?” As Ren extended her right pinky offering it to the the children.

The children responded back with their pinkies and nodded in agreement with each other, seemed like a simple trade sweets and entertainment for what they hear around town it was a fair exchange. Ren tied an invisible imaginary string amongst them all. “See were all tied together and we can’t break the promise now or your severing ties with your new little band we started just now by doing that.”

The children felt like they were part of something bigger now and had each other to back them up it is an empowering feeling and Ren used that to her advantage, She had her little birds system set up and now it’s a waiting game for something interesting to stir.

Meanwhile, she could just run her shop normally and if the right customer comes in offer her skills of assassination to the client. She thought of bounty hunting again just for the buck but she would rather not go back to doing that again unless absolutely necessary.

The Vanishing Kingdom

Kalla

Ren wakes up from a deep slumber in a nearby lodge, furrowed brows and bag under her eyes, it seemed like she was still exhausted from her travels to finally arrive here. Rolling out of bed she drifted into the shower lazily shedding of her night clothing to bathe in the wooden tub they had set out. Scrubbing her body clean she gets out and drys off then using her magic she concealed her white hair to a brown as well as her eyes. She puts on a light tan sundress and combs her lions mane of hair before making a meal for herself.

Eating up some simple beef stew with carrots and rice she takes her belongings and heads towards the market district she has to open up her shop to make some money. Walking across the market district she eyed a tailoring shop, some of her clothes needed some attending to so she kept the thought in the back of her head. She saw a girl attendant and some people gathered at the tailors shop so in an effort to get more customers she finds a nice, sizeable space nearby. Pulling out a small coin purse she threw it open on the ground in front of her and magically done her shop had popped into existence in front of her. A sign dangling as an aftereffect reading VESPER’S TOMES AND MAGICAL ITEMS. With a smirk and a swash of nostalgia she walked into the front door, a dusty collection of books and items strewn about it was like an old antique shop where every item is someone's treasure. She sat at the cashier awaiting some customers, with nothing better to do she opens up a tome and starts to study the magical properties within.

Since a kid she loved reading and it brought forth a safe space for her diving into a whole new world. When she found her first tome and learned magic through it a whole new world was brought forth where she could adventure. Sitting in this lonely shop that can move wherever like a gypsy she sat and reminisced as she read a tome about black magic and the consequences of using some of them. As she read a smile from ear to ear formed as her adventure continued.

The Vanishing Kingdom

Name: Renestrae Vesperr
Nickname: Ren
Age: 35
Race:Sylphan/Gruskan
Gender: Female
Height: 5’11’’
Weight: n/a
Hair color: White, dyes to brown often
Eye color: White, has contacts
Occupation: Assassin

Likes: Adventure/Exploring, collecting tomes, horror/terror films, learning magic (one of the reasons for her love of adventure), Interior Design, Money, Dark Arts, hard work, Entrepreneurship, Always likes a good cocktail or beer with a meal, fine arts, history, calming singing, dancing, anything graceful, and underworld organizations
Dislikes: Laziness, shallow people, ambitionless people, inefficiency, not being able to read people or intentions, paranoia,

Personality: An adventurous and truly curious sylvan since she was young, It fed her ambition to go out in the world and explore. A sophisticated and well versed mature lady, she is thoroughly observant in a calm and collected manner, but can also be flirtatious and happy go lucky. Very witty and her self reliance got her rich and well known within the underworld she knows how to stay humble though.

Backstory: Ren was born a misbegotten baby in an ancient part of the forest in the Scar, her parents were a highborn sylven man and her mother was always a mystery. Renestrae Vesperr was born on a new moon night deep in the darkness of the ancient cherry tree forest with a gleam in her white round eyes and patch of white hair. Her mother, someone who her father would always mention when drunk on wine telling Ren that she had her mother's eyes and should be careful of it. Her father made sure she was brought back to the ancient castle he lived in since he loved the mother and told everyone her mother was from the Tundral, even though he knew she was a Gruskan. Ren was treated as an exceptional kid because of her pearl white eyes coupled with white hair the lords of the sylvens thought she was a special born bringing power and good fortune in her life. As a child she was treated to a harsh regiment of exercising and practicing to become the top assassin from an early age. Her Father was heavily involved with underground organizations in the surrounding areas, held a say in the sylven lords as well as a vice grip on the best retainer assassins. Since she was affluent her father put her through vigorous different teachings on assassin techniques drilled into her the four core principles, always taught her the pride of being the top in the reapers, the military force of the sylves.
Formal etiquette, culture and arts, how to use money as power, Hunting with a bow and arrow, Medicine, Cooking, Martial Arts, dancing. The list was countless and the different private tutors were even more countless. Through her early years Ren was an explorer and creative with a high affinity for magic teaching herself on tomes she read, exploring the library, or even on exploration trips she did with her father finding all sorts of magical items on these trips, she then made smart investments in the sale of magical items and let her money multiply as she started to grow her connections with the black market using her father’s influence, the trade off however for doing everything she wanted to do with her father’s power there was an agreement with her pops that when she turned 18 she would do what her father required her to do.

When Ren was 18 that year a lot of things happened, Not only did she join the Retainer Assassins group in a special unit organised of special operatives working directly under Ren’s father she joined her brothers and sisters to take up arms against war or any possible threat to the village in the reapers, taking out other petty criminals and her skills in combat helped her become exceptional in skirmishes for the reapers. She dived into the jobs the Reapers needed her to do quickly, gaining momentum within the ranks. She was different amongst the reapers, She had been gifted in shadow magic rather than wind. So others quickly took note of that. As she gained more experience Seiryu took note that he could use Ren for jobs that the Dark Arts were to be utilized. She engrossed herself becoming a very notable reaper amongst the ranks as well as learning to compartmentalize her memories and tasks. She always heard stories of the Yasamura family. The strong leader of the reapers, Seiryu, his younger sister who disappeared and left the reapers, Suzune, and the youngest who was a bit older than Ren, Akarui. People always talked about how they were beyond exceptional and Ren only tried to live up to that standard. After a while Ren even had the pleasure of doing a few missions with Akarui; one was a search and destroy mission that went extraordinarily well in the lower levels of the Scar. He even gave her a tip that stuck with her for the rest of her life, Keep your head on a swivel.

Another person Ren would develop a striking relationship was with Tsukihana since both the only half born sylves in the reapers they connected. Ren wasn't happy with how Tsukihana was treated, It made her feel uneasy because in all honesty Ren deserved the same treatment, but she was treated as a prodigy child. Ren would confide in Tsukihana at times ranting about problems in passing conversation. Ren felt connected to her even though she knew Tsukihana was a bit sore on the difference in treatment.

Things went smoothly, Ren frequented missions and sometimes would bump into Akarui and Tsukihana during them. Things went well and they got along quite well when they ended up together, forming a bond with them. Ren would even rise in rank after a while as she was gifted and very adept at going above and beyond.

Suddenly a year later, Ren’s father got terribly ill to the point of needing to step down in his position of power, and Ren had to assume his position. Ren used everything her father had taught her as tools to complete a mission in all sorts of manners. She was taught all those things in the past so her father could create a well versed assassin. She took on various roles for the Shogun, it was endless and consumed her time completely enacting various different roles like a musician or dancer to complete her mission. Her Father used her like a tool or weapon to increase the noble family’s prestige.

After fighting with illness for 12 long years her father passed away with a slow degrading death, On his deathbed, he told her of her original gruskan ancestry and who her mother really was and to go out and explore her heritage. He saw the rise of the monster he created boasting 100% mission completion rate, the one of the richest sales women of magical items, and an impressive tome and relic collection as well. Ren even created a new business called Vesperr’s Tomes and Magical Items., They create copies of texts found on her trips with her dad and her dad’s massive collection in his library and such and sell it in stores! It was also the day Ren turned 31 since she has established herself now in the Scar and Underworld. She set out to expand her business leaving on sometimes long journeys across the planet gaining information along the way of course of gruskan lore but really to complete high stakes kills for the reapers. She created an ability to store her magical item store within a magical item to take with her wherever she went.

After returning from one of these long journeys. Akarui, now the red messenger, had approached her at the orders of the Shogun. There was a rebellion group in the Scar defying the Shogun and she was to lead a mission to completely exterminate them. Akarui had said the rebellion may be quite sizable so take at least 4 others. Gearing up and getting to work you pick 2 rookies as well as 2 other reapers that needed something to do, they were quite skilled at the whole mass slaughter side of things. After gathering information the team went to go hunt and kill them all. Arriving there were 10 men and women outside guarding the perimeter upon silently taking them out you hear voices coming from within the building. There were no way to peer inside except for the backdoor entrance, looking in there were more men and women in a kitchen looking area. Rushing in Ren and the reapers slew them all, some surprised started reaching for their weapons but none were prepared except for 5 of them. The leader of the rebels jumped forward with his sword striking down one of the veteran reapers who had just saved one of the rookies. Ren came from behind using her scythe she struck down in a swift slice, cutting off the leaders head. No one else came through the passage way but Ren had heard faint whispers. Moving down she came into a larger front room all children 15 or younger cowering and hugging each other. It was a whole bunch of them 30 in total. Ren’s heart dropped in no way could these children also be the rebels. The veteran spoke up saying we must honor the Shogun's orders. The Shogun’s orders were wrong, to massacre children in cold blood was no way things should work. Ren spoke up saying how the children couldn't have been involved. An argument ensued. After some debate one of the rookies flinched and was about to move, the desire to kill filled the room. Swiftly and with surprise Ren took out her fellow comrades killing all the rest of them. The rookies were easy, however the remaining veteran proved a slightly more challenging task. He had a disadvantage although good at mass slaughter he was bad at one on ones. Saving the children no greater than 15, Ren used her Invisibility and disappeared.

For 4 years Ren had been on the run. She knew she had to keep moving since over the past 4 years there had been 2 failed attempts on her life by reapers. Ending up at Kalla she set up shop to advertise her items and on the lowkey assassinations, while gathering intelligence on gruskan heritage.

Weapons: Magic Tomes, Reaper Scythe, Silver short dagger, Claw Chain, bow and arrows, crossbow, and her magic items

Abilities:
The Dark Arts: The ability to use shadow based magic, but there is a direct limit to difficulty of spell and mana consumption

Dark Arts Claw Chain: Item Type: Enchanted Chain Claws: Adding Dark magic to her fingers to extend like talons it enhances physical prowess

Dark Arts Invisibility: Turning Invisible for 5 minutes. She can only use her Chain Claw in this form she can’t do any other ability in this form and if she gets touched her cast will be nullified and she can be seen. Her Invisibility also has perception masking where the enemy cant hear her move to well or smell her.

Dark Arts Shadow Arrow: Item Type: Enchanted Bow: A Shadow Arrow is procured on her bow It flies straight and true making it the best for sniping from a long bow at maximum distance.

Dark Arts Tonal Dischord: Item Type: Enchanted Necklace: using sound waves mixed with Dark Magic, a shriek will confuse those without the astral mark for 10 seconds

Dark Arts Astral Mark: Item Type: Paper Talisman: Ren can place the Astral mark upon someone this protects from Tonal Dischord.

Ultimate Move: Dark Arts Nether Step: Item Type: Orb of Darkness: Using Dark Magic to quickly travel in shadow flashes teleportation in succession

Physical Prowess: A master archer she was taught to hunt since she was little, hunting with these weapons is in Sylvan blood, They are just naturally good with them. She was trained in a Claw Hand martial arts developed by her ancestors (like tiger style kung fu i guess) She uses it for silent kills needed for assassinations.