Anthrak
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
-- AlwaysAPrice
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Last Updated: 6/18/2011
Contents |
Equipment
War Mask
The War Mask is a tradition adapted to the purposes of the many warrior castes of Maradur society, but it is not limited to these castes. The xaia, the nameless assassins of Marad, wear their War Masks for the purpose of concealing their identity so that the deeds they undertake are attributed to all of them. Unlike the Swordsmen of Marad, the xaia may remove their mask at any time they desire to blend into normal society, but Xaia herself has chosen to follow the ways of her father's caste in this respect, keeping her assassin's mask until she has proven herself his equal -- it is unclear whether this is out of regard or mockery, though Anthrak believes it is the latter.
Neural Accelerants
Xaia relies on her stealth and agility to overcome her foes, and she enhances her dexterity through the use of advanced stimulants obtained off-world. These drugs heighten her senses, slow her perception of time, and improve her reaction time to the point that she becomes nearly untouchable, moving around incoming attacks with deadly grace to seek the softest flesh for her own blade to flay.
Swords
Xaia's weapon of choice upon her arrival was a slender, straight blade of blue-gray Maradur steel. Beyond its alien composition it is an unremarkable weapon -- as Xaia has stated before, unlike the warriors of her father's caste, to her a sword is just a tool and if needed she would make do with any weapon at hand. She values the balance, keen edge, and durable construction of her sword, but has no emotional attachment to it; indeed, of late she has largely retired that weapon in favor of the Talsorian sword she has earned as a token of gratitude from the Vanguard.
Armor
As do all Maradur, the xaia wear little into combat. Customarily the Maradur wear only chest and shoulder protection, believing all other defense can be effected by an alert mind and a swift blade -- Xaia's usual battle raiment consists of a snug, scant suit of impact diffusing mesh over most of her torso, with curved, pointed pauldrons and armor plates protecting her shoulders, chest, and abdomen. She also wears plated gauntlets, used to parry and club as much as to protect herself from disarmament.
Personality
I am Xaia.
Xaia is the Maradur word for "nameless". It is not shameful to be called xaia by others when one has yet to earn a name, but to refer to oneself as nameless bears a specific stigma. Xaia is the name claimed by the assassin caste of Maradur society, the clanless outcasts and exiles from the honorable warrior castes, who use the inborn strength and cunning of the Maradur to profit by murder throughout the galaxy.[2] Whereas a more traditional Maradur would proclaim her name often so that her allies know who fights beside them and their foes know who is defeating them, the way of the xaia is to state their "name" as their enemy falls. For the xaia, the proclamation that "I am Xaia" is a warning to those left alive by their surgical strikes, a reminder that their associate was marked for death by someone with enough influence to contract the nameless to eliminate an opponent.
Xaia also employs her name in the more traditional Maradur way of emphasizing the veracity or importance of a statement, though not nearly as often as her father.
Affiliations
League of Misfits
Shortly after Xaia made her presence known to Earth by registering as a hero as her father had done, she was welcomed to the League of Misfits based on her father's reputation -- something that left Anthrak more than a little upset, though he has chosen not to reverse the decision of another Master Misfit until Xaia proves his distrust was warranted. So far she has comported herself honorably around the other members of the League, though she is often abrasive and has been known to order others around more as servants than as allies.
Fiction
- Life in the Misfit Mansion -- A rare glimpse of Xaia at play, indulging Gx the Space Gremlin in a game to exercise her mind.
- Assessment: Anthrak -- Xaia learns of a threat to her father's life and mobilizes, despite having every expectation that she will fail.)
- /Preparations -- Xaia's encounter with a succubus does not go as the demon expects.
