Kassai

From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe

Trying to fashion a reasonable facsimile of Mongolian warrior gear is not easy in the character creator system. If only I could put a fur collar around that skull-cap! Still, I think Kassai is a fairly good approximation. It was only after I realized that I had created a Horse character based on a horse archer with no horse, did I wonder about Kassai's history. I believe I came up with a pretty good reason for why Kassai has no horse.

Kassai
Player: Wei Yau
Origin:	Magic
Archetype:	Blaster
Security Level:	1
Personal Data
Real Name:	Aigiarn
Known Aliases:	Shining Moon
Species:	Human
Age:	16 (physical), approx. 800 (chronological)
Height:	Confidential
Weight:	Confidential
Eye Color:	Confidential
Hair Color:	Confidential
Biographical Data
Nationality:	Mongolian
Occupation:	Confidential
Place of Birth:	Ulan Bator, Mongolia
Base of Operations:	Paragon City
Marital Status:	'
Known Relatives:	'
Known Powers
Confidential
Known Abilities
Confidential
Equipment
Confidential
No additional information available.

History

Currently being evaluated by The Loyal Guardsmen

Kassai is a woman without her pony.

Aigiam was born on the Mongolian steppes nearly 800 years ago. She might as well have been born on a horse, as she is a natural rider. She proved herself the equal of any man and soon trained to be a horse archer or kassai.

Aigiam is no happier than when she is riding one of her steppe ponies, the cold sharp wind biting at her face and her heart racing to beat the galloping hooves of her own horse. She also learned to be deadly accurate with her bow, whether on horseback or not.

One fine morning, Aigiam became separated from the rest of her tribe. This was no great concern, as she often rode ahead as a scout or just to be on her own. Little did she know that this action would save her life. While Aigiam was away, her tribe was set up on by raiders in the service of an outlaw sorcerer. Her tribe and her family were captured and enslaved. Any who dared to resist were killed on the spot.

Aigiam returned to the camp to find only burning yurts and dismembered corpses. She gathered a few stray ponies, strung them all to a rope and led them on the hunt. For many weeks, Aigiam tracked the sorcerer and his band of raiders. She would never rest, always moving from one pony to the next. Eventually, she would wear out even the hardy steppe ponies.

At the point of exhaustion, she finally found the sorcerer. He was performing some type of ritual, which required the blood of all of her remaining clansmen. Aigiam drew her bow and aimed for the sorcerer's black heart as he completed his incantation.

Her arrow flew straight and true. The sorcerer fell, shrieking out the last of his dark words. Something stirred in the night wind and something flew out of the cauldron before the sorcerer's body. Together, they encircled the corpse and then issued a disgusted hissing sound. The demon spirits circled the cauldron looking for another living soul. They found Aigiam.

Her legs felt as if they were made of stone, she was rooted to the spot in fear. The wind spirit rushed towards her and she felt a chill deeper than any she'd ever felt in her life. The other spirit uttered a terrifying wail and dove towards Aigiam. Its claws had only just brushed across Aigiam, when she heard the sorcerer scream "No! I was promised immortality, you shall not grant it to my murderer!". The demon spirit whirled around replied to the sorcerer; "Yes, you shall live forever, but I've already touched this one. She will not be immortal, but you will see her again."

Then Aigiam felt herself falling into a dark, endless tunnel. When she awoke, she found herself in Atlas Park in Paragon City.

This new world was filled with beings that seemed much greater than any sorcerer. Aigiam herself had changed, the wind spirit had granted her the ability to wield the icy air of the steppes. Still, even with her newfound powers, Aigiam would be challenged by her new world. She is learning how to use some of the more advanced arrows she's seen in this world.

She still knows how to use her bow. She still remembers her clan. She is still Kassai.

But she is still without her pony.

Becoming Dauntless

Kassai is honored to have recently been inducted into The Dauntless Reverie

At the Place, Aigiam sat on the bed, reciting the words once more:

I was born Aigiam and today I become kassai.
This is my bow.
She is a good bow and her reach is great.
These arrows are her children.
She teaches them to fly straight and true.

She placed her bow and arrows in their boiled leather cases and stored them under the bed. These words were first spoken by her when she became a kassai for her clan. As a horse archer, she now had the responsibility of hunting for her clan and defending it from rivals.

As it was whenever she recited her words, she felt a certain sadness; not only for her lost clan, but for herself. In this new world, what had begun as her duty was now her name. She is now Kassai, the last of her clan and of her time.

Aigiam removed her leather cap and tunic, her nose wrinkled and she reminded herself to ask Nyghtshade if she there were laundry facilities at the Place. A slight smile appeared on her face as she thought of the Nyght's reaction to finding her washing her clothes in the pool of water in one of the chambers in the Place.

The Dauntless were perhaps the most fascinating group of peoples she had yet to encounter in Paragon City. This was no small thing, as the city itself was full of more wondrous creatures and beings than she had ever thought possible. As Aigiam combed her hair out, she reflected on her path and how it had led to this place.

She had arrived in the middle of Atlas Park, with her bow clutched tightly in her hand and a few arrows at her side. The abrupt weather change and bright sunlight of a warm spring day added to her disorientation. Only seconds before she was on a rocky outcrop in a bleak landscape. At the time, she did not know that the greater change was her displacement in time.

Several guards in brightly colored red and white uniforms approached her with caution. She would later learn that these were Longbow agents, protectors of the City. Unable to understand their speech, but too weak to resist, she allowed herself to be led to the City Hall building. It was a marvel of white stone and Aigiam believed that she had died.

After some discussion and being analyzed by representatives from the various branches of FBSA, it was determined that Azuria of M.A.G.I. would be best to handle Aigiam as a new case. Azuria placed a minor charm on Aigiam, allowing her to be understood and to understand the speech of others.

Azuria, with gentle patience, asked Aigiam how she came to be here. In fits and starts, Aigiam told her tale. Azuria offered to help, but required some tasks from Aigiam. Though she was without her ponies, Aigiam still had her bow and, she discovered, she had something else. She now had the ability to manipulate ice. She could only surmise that this was due to the ice demon now within her soul.

Aigiam now became Kassai, one of many heroes in Paragon City. She had completed a few tasks on behalf of M.A.G.I., before she was contacted by Nyghtshade of the Dauntless Reverie.

After a brief introduction at Atlas Plaza, Nyghtshade invited Kassai to continue discussing matters at the Place, the home of the Dauntless. Nyghtshade was exceedingly kind and gracious, as Kassai related her tale. Kassai had tried her best to retain her composure, though she failed when Sergeant Djinn had entered the room. She had just described her encounter with the fire demon to Nyghtshade, when the demonic form of Sergeant Djinn came into view.

Kassai leapt away from her chair and drew her bow and faced Sergeant Djinn. Nyghtshade quickly inserted herself between the two. To the side, Arinara (whom Kassai had just met moments before) drew her sword to defend her comrade. Though, in truth, it was Kassai who would be protected, as these members of the Dauntless had powers far beyond even Kassai's demonic-derived ability to control ice.

Nyghtshade successfully took control of the situation and Kassai now felt a flush of embarrassment replace her initial feelings of shock and fear. Kassai felt foolish for behaving as a young child and not as a woman who had already seen so many wonders in this new world and time.

After all in attendance had sat down once more, some with drinks of alcohol to settle any remaining nerves, Nyghtshade asked Kassai the purpose of her contacting the Dauntless. Arinara, Sergeant Djinn, Elysienne and Graverunner fell silent to allow Kassai to speak.

Kassai wanted to join the Dauntless in an effort to help her as the ice demon within her grew more powerful. It seemed that with each day, she would develop a new manifestation of her abilities and Kassai feared that this would lead to the demon becoming stronger. She wanted the aid of these experts in the world of magic to help her contain the demon. Kassai also held out hope that the Dauntless would be able to return her to her time, to before the slaughter of her clan.

Nyghtshade and the Dauntless were willing to help, but made it clear that no assurances could be given. Indeed, it was not clear if Kassai was actually possessed by the ice demon or if she simply had received these powers by its touch. Nyghtshade also made it clear that the Dauntless had many members and some may appear to be similar to the dark magic Kassai had witnessed in her encounter with the sorcerer. Kassai, as a member of the Dauntless, had to understand that this fact and accept each member on their own merits and not solely on their outward appearance.

Sergeant Djinn had already been so gracious and understanding of Kassai's untoward reaction, that Kassai felt that she could comply with Nyghtshade's request. Kassai swore that it would be so and that she would aid others in need, as was the way of the Dauntless.

She had now become one of the Dauntless. She was warmly welcomed by all she met that night, too many to remember. Though, the one known as "Velvet Soul" felt familiar to Aigiam. Nyght and Arinara showed Aigiam around the Place and offered her the use of one of the sleeping quarters. Aigiam was given a communications device to stay in contact with the Dauntless, in case she was ever needed or had need of others.

So, this is how it came to pass. This is how Aigiam found herself preparing for a night's rest at the Place.

She had just completed several adventures with the one called Homerunner (his name is "Angelo", she reminded herself). Together, they had rescued several citizens from the Circle of Thorns in Perez Park. She continued to assist Homerunner, as they retrieved stolen artifacts and fought against the Banished Pantheon in Independence Port. Watching Homerunner in action was to watch a true hero, selflessly devoted to the protection of innocents. He would routinely venture forth into any number of opponents and lay waste to them with a devastating swing of his baseball bat. Throughout the day, Homerunner often saved her from harm.

Unfortunately, she had exhausted her supply of arrows and her arms had grown too tired be of more use to Homerunner. Aigiam apologized for this and retired to the Place. Now, she was tired and had to rest. The quarters in the Place were much more comfortable than the parks surrounding Atlas Plaza. Though, she was used to living outdoors, Aigiam found the near-constant sounds of traffic and battles against assorted Hellions, Clockwork and the like to be too distracting to a good night's rest.

Just as Aigiam drifted off to sleep, she wondered what the next day would bring. She knew that the Dauntless were to gather soon and she would meet many of them for the first time. Had she not been so exhausted, she might have been too nervous to sleep.

Learning to Fly

Aigiam had already seen so many wondrous things in Paragon City, yet every day, every new mission showed her more wonders. The Dauntless were engaged in combat with enemies of a very militaristic bent. Both Malta and Nemesis had similar styles, though from very different ages. Kassai found herself admiring the artwork and craftsmanship in the uniforms and equipment used by the soldiers of Nemesis. Though she did not let this admiration deter her from using her bow with deadly efficiency.

Her bow was a fine weapon; reliable and sturdy. Her arrows, even those supplied by Agent Hou of Wyvern were equally dependable. A message had come for her over her PDA from Paragon City Hall. It seems that her actions in the city had been brought to the attention of an operative for Wyvern. Given the nature of their organization, it was not surprising that archers in Paragon City would be watched by Wyvern.

Apparently, whatever qualities they were looking for were found in Kassai. As such, they offered assistance by providing a steady supply of arrows for her to use. She simply had to report to City Hall where a representative would fulfill her requisitions. Kassai was surprised to see that Wyvern had developed many specialty arrows. Such as, arrows which would detonate upon impact in a terrific explosion. She received training in their use before she could actually use them on the field.

Armed with Wyvern arrows, Kassai became much more effective in her missions. Still, her abilities to manipulate ice and cold remained static. She shook her head sadly. She had joined the Dauntless in hopes of learning how to better use these demon derived powers (or was it the demon itself, she still did not know).

However, she had been wasting the opportunity by practicing with her new arrows and reading books from the Dauntless library. The Dauntless were fascinating people and their history no less so. Still, she had a goal.

With a soft sigh, Kassai rose from the bed. No use in trying any longer, sleep simply would not come to her. She quietly padded to the swimming pool. She did not know if anyone else was in the Place, but she did not want to risk disturbing them. At the pool, she folded her legs beneath her and watched the reflection of light on the water.

She had never been very good at meditation; always preferring to be on horseback to gather her thoughts. The breathing of her pony and the wind on her face helped her to focus. But, in this world, she was without a pony and the wind was fetid with odors of gasoline and other things best not mentioned.

Kassai looked inwards and focused on the feelings she had whenever she would use her powers. She could feel the hard coldness of the ice sword in her hand. She could feel the rush of chilly air as she froze opponents in place. This is what she needed to concentrate on to develop her powers. She needed to accept them and no longer be fearful. She had friends amongst the Dauntless, from demons to doctors, who could help guide her through the dangers of developing her powers. Both Doc Aether and Prof. Midnight were very learned men and had already provided good advice to Angelo. They would help her, should she need them.

Thinking of the Dauntless brought her to mind to ones such as Arinara and Youko. They were such fearsome fighters. Along with Angelo, they would wade into large groups of enemies; seemingly felling them all with a single blow. Contrasted against such might, her trusted bow and even the Wyvern arrows seemed to be no more than the lightest of raindrops in a thunderous tempest.

She was losing focus and concentrated once more on the cold. She had mistakenly thought that Sarah had mastery over cold. But, after discussing the matter briefly with her, Kassai learned that the ice Sarah wielded was not the frigid temperature of the North, but the bone-chilling cold of death. Kassai found it ironic that such a light and humorous spirit as Sarah would have powers rooted in death.

As she thought about Sarah, Kassai felt a chill stirring within her. This chill was not an unpleasant feeling, indeed it was welcome. She struggled not to be distracted by the feeling and instead focused her thoughts on it. But, instead of continuing her ruminations on Sarah, Kassai found the image of Nyghtshade in her mind.

Nyghtshade was the first to welcome her to the Dauntless. Indeed, Nyghtshade was the first person in all of Paragon City to make Kassai feel even the least bit at home. There was a steely strength within Nyght, though it seemed to be colored by a deep sadness. It was not a debilitating sadness, but perhaps one which merely abides as it had been accepted. Kassai found that thinking of Nyght was like feeling the wind on her face. It was gentle, yet firm. It could be the lightest of touches, but one knew that it was capable of tremendous force.

As these thoughts continued, Kassai could feel the actual wind upon her person. A tiny thought about the environmental controls at the Place was quickly dismissed, as she needed to remain focused on this feeling. Kassai knew that she was achieving a breakthrough in her mediation and would not be diverted. Still, even as she resolved herself, the feeling of the wind became more intense. She could almost hear it rushing around her. She could feel her body becoming lighter, as if her very soul was rising out of her. The feelings only became stronger, to the point where a small germ of fear grew in her heart.

Kassai's eyes flew open as she could stand no more. The room seemed different, something had changed. Looking around, she realized she was mistaken; the room had remained the same. Everything was as it should be, but it still did not look quite right to her. Suddenly, she realized the difference. It was not her room, but her perspective.

While still in a lotus position, Kassai looked down. She surprised herself when a short bark of joyous laughter erupted from her. This was entirely unexpected, but nonetheless there it was, she was flying.

Kassai returned to her room and fell into a blissful deep sleep. All the while, with a satisfied smile on her face.