PROFILE
CHARACTER
NAME(S): Laksha
PB: Jessica Stam [picture]
OCCUPATION: Sorceress to King Alastair
BACKGROUND HISTORY:
Laksha was born in Mkweli, a promising child in the realm of magic. A quarter Gryp, she had a set of crane wings on her back, but they were too small to do much good with the line so diluted. Naturally talented with Simplistic magic, Laksha soon mastered the abilities as a child, and delved into becoming a Ritualist. At her birth, a beloved guardian was assigned to her, who was at her side from infancy. They grew up together as a pair, and she loved him deeply as a friend, and as a young girl with blooming romantic feelings.
Overconfident with her magic, Laksha preformed a summoning spell. The violent spirit killed her guardian, who threw himself over her body to protect her. The Gods were briefly satisfied, deciding her love's death would be a fitting punishment for her foolishness. However, stubborn and willful, Laksha conjured the deepest magic taboo. On the eve before his burial, instead of casting the blessing spells that allowed the dead to rest in peace, Laksha attempted to necromance him, dragging him back from Death's door. The Gods had had enough. Only moments after her lover could blink awake and smile at her, he was slain before her, forcing her to watch his last moments in pain.
As a punishment for their sinful priestess, the gods struck the girl down, transforming everything about her body to a ghostly white. Her skin became porcelain, her hair the color of snow, and even her wings, once colorful, became white and dusty grey with her sin. As a final reprimand, they tore her sight from her, and threw her to the mercy of her people.
White is the color of the dead, the color of spirits. When Laksha stumbled back into the city, she had become an untouchable. Her white visage had damned her as one condemned by the gods, and one who had committed a great sin. Instead of being sacrificed for her sin, she was sent to the wilderness to allow the gods to kill her as they saw fit. As she had been ritually blessed, it would have been an equally great sin to spill the blood of someone touched by the gods.
Laksha wandered the coasts, blind and helpless, a ship arrived, bearing the young Alastair, on a journey along Ce Monde's rim. After accessing her skill and her situation, he brought her into his court to become the court sorceress. Laksha was taken by his kindness as he rescued her from death, and followed his orders unfailingly, even if the morality seemed questionable. Among the northern islands, Laksha was an exotic import, fair and beautiful, and all too easy to mold.
At first, Laksha was fearful the gods would soon finish the job they started and kill her. She spent many months lying still, awaiting death to come and strike her down. However, soon she felt as if she had outrun the gods, or perhaps, outlived their wrath. Disillusioned against Mkweli and its people, she soon forsook all of the culture she had come from, embracing the northern, more refined culture as her own. Instead of leather and feathers, Laksha clothed herself in silks, chiffon and delicate lace. As a lady of the court, she could easily get what she wished, and what was unreachable, she conjured.
Where Laksha had been condemned by her own people, she was embraced by the court. Where her magic had been forbidden, it was allowed. She threw aside the sacred acts as a Ritual priestess and her "barbaric" heritage to become well-versed and well-read. Soon she was indistinguishable from the finest countess and duchess. Instead of hiding the color white in shame, Laksha welcomed the color white as her persona, changing everything about her to be snowy white, jewelry, gowns, shoes and all. Even her eyes, which had been burned red and bloody by the wrathful gods, she charmed to be white, and empty, like a pair of moons. Among the courts she was the "White Enchantress," or simply the "White Lady." Her wings gave her an angelic appearance to those unassociated with Gryps, which she used to her advantage to get what she needs.
However, Laksha was extremely lonely. Her heart still ached for her lost guardian, and she has never finished mourning him. Instead she devotes her love, if unrequited, to the elusive Alastair, hoping one day he would see her as something beyond a sorceress of convenience and tactical advantage. The gods also stole from her something Laksha desperately wished for- the chance to have children. In a court where a woman's worth was measured by her ability to produce an heir, Laksha was valuable only for her magic. She still seeks a natural cure, in the vain hope that she will find something that will allow her to conceive, and raise little ones on her own. The courts still made her wild heart restless. After the death of Alastair's mother and the order for him to leave, Laksha found herself afraid her use was over. When Alastair presented the possibility of seeking the "New World" of Rivelata, she wasted no time and packed her trunk, to follow her Prince Charming, in hopes he might look her way, and that she might find a cure for herself on the island.
PERSONALITY:
At her core, and despite her faults, Laksha is kind. She took her vows as a priestess in order to help her people and heal wounds. To those she loves, she is gentle and sweet, tenderhearted and understanding, adopting younger people as little brothers and sisters, and taking little mages under her (quite literal) wing. She is a dainty, blushing maiden, still virginal and chaste, often flushing at the idea of anything improper. She is a mentor and guide, often taking time to teach her youngers spells and proverbs, or even just charming toys for them as gifts.
However, for all of her sweetness, she is equally stubborn, opinionated, and brash. If someone crosses her or her loved ones, she is just as likely to kill her enemies, or turn them into small animals- which is one of her hobbies. In her escape from the more naturalistic Mkweli, Laksha has embraced an opulent, indulgent lifestyle, enjoying the pleasures of the court. However, from time to time, she does enjoy a walk by the sea or a frolic in the forest and fields. It reenergizes her and makes her feel closer to the magic inside of her. As one who has been nursed by the court, Laksha can at times be quite spoiled, and her blind handicap occasionally places her at the mercy of others.
Laksha's greatest longing is for a family. After her own disowned her, and the death of her Guardian, most hopes for a normal, family life were dashed. She is desperate to be a mother, and often takes children in to care for and love since she cannot be one. As independent as she can be, she also longs for he protection that her Guardian once gave her, wishing for a chance to let her guard to allow someone else to carry the shield for a time.
Her heritage as a Mkweli now seems shameful to her- considering their native culture only a few notches above savages, even though they are quite advanced. She seeks to distance herself from her own birthright, going so far as to pick the feathers from the delicate rounds of her ears. She even attempts to disguise the birdlike feathers in her hair with more fashionable plumes and baubles instead. While she does not outright condemn the Mkweli, she no longer identifies with them, blaming them for abandoning her to die.
This conflict leaves her identity confused. She no longer identifies as Mkweli, but she is still an exotic trinket to most from the northern isles. Rivelata offers a fresh start where he can be herself. Or so she thinks.
STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES:
Laksha's most powerful strength is her magic- however, her magical prowess is weighted by the physical disability of her lack of sight. She was still quite young when her sight was stolen from her, so she is aware of what things look like, however, this awareness has convinced her she has no need of a guide, which often lands her running into things, or entering closets instead of parlors. Where she is very powerful in spirit, Laksha is quite weak physically, and if she were attacked suddenly, she would not likely be able to deflect without using magic. Her history as a Mkweli has made her superstitious and somewhat paranoid, as if death is hanging over her head, waiting to finish the job. Her lack of fertility also serves as a blow to her confidence, particularly with her standing with the court.
Her greatest weakness, even beyond her blindness, is her trust. She is easily swayed by Alastair's sweet words, and even if it causes others damage, she would be willing to preform the magic according to his wishes. In essence, she exchanged her gods for Alastair.
SPECIAL ABILITIES:
Laksha had extensive training with Naturalistic magic at a young age, so she has the power to bend the elements to her will. While she does have power over Ritualistic magic, she never finished her training, so her use of it is erratic and yields unpredictable results. She is far better suited to charms- such as a love charm, or an illusion charm- she even wears a charm herself, that changes her bloody eyes to white. One of her favorite hobbies is turning her enemies into small animals for a short amount of time. Ever since her exile, she has not attempted to necromance. Occasionally, she might hear the whispers of the dead, condemning her for denying the souls' right to rest. Cool as that might sound, it disturbs her greatly, and the reminder of her lost love breaks her heart.