Psalmchild
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
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| Psalmchild | |
| Player: @Vandalist | |
| Origin: | Natural, Mutant, Magic |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Corrupter |
| Threat Level: | 50 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Kastka Latif Jal |
| Known Aliases: | Kastka, Keet, Keeto, Songbird, Psalm, Christine |
| Species: | Unknown |
| Age: | Unknown, somewhere in her early 20's, or late teens |
| Height: | 5'0'' |
| Weight: | 110 lbs |
| Eye Color: | Copper/Gold |
| Hair Color: | Dark Violet |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Unknown |
| Occupation: | Associate of Bad Dream, Freelancer |
| Place of Birth: | Namib desert |
| Base of Operations: | Unknown |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Known Relatives: | None |
| Known Powers | |
| Enhanced lungs, extensive vocal range | |
| Known Abilities | |
| skilled vocalist and song spell caster, also skilled with throwing knives | |
| Equipment | |
| Small black sketchbook, vine charcoal, compass, and a necklace with a pendant, Alice Salazar's wedding band | |
| No additional information available. | |
Before you stands a dwarf of a woman - to most human standards, that is! - with eyes as intense as a predator's. Strangely enough, they're even colored as an eagle's, with a brilliant metallic shine of gold on copper. Her brows are elegantly high-risen. More often then not, this strange and silent woman will keep her distance, content to watch the world pass her by as she stands, seemingly in her own world.
There are several responses people have for this enigma of a woman; some fear her, others are captivated, and some.. well, some are just puzzled. The most frightening of all things about her presence is the soothing calm countenance. It is roumered by people who've known her or fallen to feel comfort by her presence that she scents of a sweet, earthy, warming aroma. It has several times been described as lilac, or lavender with a hint of sage.
With a powerful voice, Kastka is definitely a formidable, and fierce advisory from a distance. Woe to those that invoke the wrath of this strange maiden.
Contents |
Red Sand
In the southwest region of Angola, Africa, twenty one years ago in the summer of 1987, a young life was brought into the world. Annually, this arid, barren wasteland receives less than 10 MM (0.4 inches) of rain. It so happened that the day young Kastka was brought into the world a small - by desert standards! - rainstorm swept across the dunes - though more particularly the badlands, showering anything and everything in its path.
Damp dust and the distant scent of scarce vegetation filled the usually arid, almost suffocatingly hot winds. There was also a welcoming cool undertone in the brushing zephyr.
Very few creatures and living organisms dare call this time-old sea of sand home. The Sossusvleians, named after a particularly large group of dunes called the Sossusvlei, just so happened to be one of the minority in such a brutal terrain. Settled in white tents and around a local oasis near predominately perched, this small tribe thrived. Many called them daft, insane times of old loyalists that had never been introduced to sophistication, that, or simply refused it.
Years had passed and like any strong, young being would, the youngest of the tribe, Kastka, sprouted up, learning their strange ways and magic. Kastka's amazing vocal range and lively, warm voice were quickly discovered. Born on a day of rain, hair with an eerie shimmer, elegant eyes and strides with an incredibly calm nature, Kastka was easily seen as a child of the gods...
Age had certainly done nothing for the child save for cause her to grow. She were never considered a 'desert rose', filled-out and elegantly beautiful as her mother and two sisters had been. In fact, she had always been quite opposite, almost abnormally slender and thin. Very shy, and kept to herself. Those were traits that she had virtually born with.
Through the years, Kastka learned what she needed to know to survive on her own in the desert, and how to operate in a tribe where everyone worked, regardless of the conditions - save for the sandstorms(And since they live near a water source, those were exceptionally rare!). She learned about the 'Black' and 'Red' sands - fertile and non for planting. She learned how often times the vast sea of sand were often referred to as the Ocean of Fire, she learned of the devious tricks the desert could play on the naked eye.
Black Sand
“Real loss only occurs when you lose something that you love more than yourself” - unknown
Good things never last forever. They may last a while, maybe even a few generations, but never long enough for anyone to truly become comfortable with their situation. Unfortunately for Kastka, being a child at the time, HAD been comfortable. Bandits. That was what happened to Kastka and her family, her tribe..her people. Raided, and killed. Every. Last. One. Save for her, and her five siblings.
She remembers that night well; out of all her memories, it was that night that is destined to permanently scar her. She had been the one to cry aloud, and wake her slumbering tribe. It is for that reason, and that reason alone, she often feels responsible for the fall of her people.
It had been the courage and strength of her mother that had kept her from being killed, that night. She had forcibly ran not only her, but the rest of the siblings out of the village site, and into the night. Her eldest brother, Nuka, had to literally pick her up, and carry her. Kastka was unwilling to leave her mother's side.
Carried away into the night, Kastka eventually came to her senses, and carried on with the rest of her family. It was a long, solid week of travel before any sort of civilization was found. By then, the group had been cut down to two, and Kastka, the youngest of them all, had been on the verge of death. When she finally found refuge with an old family friend, she faded, and did not awaken for several days.
Vagabond
"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there." -Lewis Carroll
For two years, Kastka lived in Port Swakopmund, Namibia, leaving due to personal issues with her brother, and the family friend they had stayed with. During those two years she had earned money for herself, and then, one day, without any warning...she left. Along the coast Kastka traveled through her home country, to the far nothern regions. From Hardap - where she were born - up into Frongo, Kunene, and finally out of Namibia. She lived off the arid land just as her tribe had. It was not a difficult task, for her. Her light feet and steps made it almost effortless for her to travel along the dunes should she cone across them.
Another year and a half pilgrimage through Africa allowed her to pass through Angola, Zaire, Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, Niger, Sudan Algeria, Libya, and Egypt. She learned various other language in additional to the four she already knew (Portuguese, Arabic, Afrikaans, Khoe). She learned (And now most commonly used!) English, Egyptian, and small bits of Yoruba. Fluently, she can speak Arabic, English, Portuguese, Afrikaans and Khoe.
Another year of travel allowed her to cut through the Mediterranean, landing in Italy. She passed through France, and Spain, and finally through Portugal. It had been in Portugal that she had heard of the Rogue Isles. It had drawn in her curiosity. A week later, she found herself aboard a ferry which landed in Cap au Diable..
The Shift
“Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown.”
This strange, and new world was unlike anything that she had ever seen. Everything about it was curious. She, however, could not help but feel a hint of sympathy for the residents, innocent civilians and corrupt alike. Her heart did not exactly 'sink' as she realized just what kind of place this dreary world was, but she also did not particularly feel the urge, nor desire to seek the source of the issue. Not that she'd do anything about it if she ever did find it, of course!
Two nights later, she found herself on the side of a building, her hood shielding her identity, save for the faint glow of her predator-like, hungry gaze. To her far right, near the ledge, near against the railing, she spotted three men. Two wore trench coats, and wore masks just enough to cover their noses and mouths. They stood with their hands behind their backs, acting as bodyguards for the head of the trio, a dark man dressed in a suit. He wore a leather mask, and had multi-colored hair. This man was Bad Dream.
In past travels Kastka had met many a person, wise men, criminals, farmers, merchants, adventurers, and other vagabonds, like herself. Never before had she met a man like this. Immediately, she was intrigued by him, and lured into whatever trap he had planned for her - which was very unlike Kastka. It was that very night that she were recruited into Black Tie.
Today, Psalmchild (or, Songbyrd!) has become..almost an entirely different person from the day she had arrived in the isles. While she still secludes herself, and hesitates to speak, she steadily is becoming bolder, wiser, and less tolerant of the disrespect she may have taken in years past.
Current happenings
- Has been seen acting suspiciously around an enigmatic man, most recently in Port Oakes
- Has been seen working closely with Scirocco.
- Has been notably suspicious in Pocket D.
The Gossip
This section is free for anyone to leave behind quotes concerning, or about Psalmchild!
- Oh, dear little Christine. Really, I can't say anything too honestly, as that could be compromising. Nonetheless, she knows how I feel quite well, probably better than myself.
Friendlies
This section is for people that Psalmchild is known to be mutual, or on good terms with. Feel free to add your name, if you feel you want to, or need to be here and I'll fill in then rest.
Bad Dream - It is uncertain how Kastka feels about this particular character; she rarely leaves his side, if ever, whenever she's seen in public. There has been notable occasions where she has been seen what would usually be considered uncomfortably close - for her - to him. For someone who is so secluded, and uneasy around people, she certainly is relaxed around him.
Balos Darkdream - More on neutral terms than any mutual understanding of any sort, the newly formed..'friendship' between Balos and Songbyrd(Psalmchild!) is very unsteady. It has been confirmed that Balos is very interested in Kastka.
Crimson Sand - An old family friend, this was the man that had sheltered her and Nuka, saving her life and supported her for a year and a half. It has been confirmed that he also has strong feelings for Kastka. While Kastka has admitted to feeling in return, she has also stated that she doesn't feel that their pairing is right.
Foes
This section is for people that Pslamchild is known to be on bad terms with - usually hostile, or with malicious intent. If you feel you need to be here, or want to, just add your name and I'll fill in the rest.
Psi-Tox - Will write more soon
Arbiter Sarah - Will write more soon
Inspirations
This section is for what drives me to play this character. Songs, ideas, aspirations, whatever.
Helena's Theme - Kamelot This song often reminds me of how Kastka sounds while she sings - and I mean actually sings. I've yet to find the singer to track down any of her other work. But, it certainly makes me happy!
