Jiang Tai's page

About Jiang Tai

Tai is the third daughter of the wealthy Jiang silk-trading family. She loves her parents and three sisters dearly but found them and their adherence to tradition stifling. Her sisters look almost exactly like her which the other three don't mind. Two are already married so they need not worry. Meanwhile if Tai hears another person call her by one of her sisters' names again, she'll choke someone.

This need for attention and recognition has driven Tai all her life. It pushed her to become an extroverted, snarky, and outgoing girl. It pushed her to become a master of the Jian sword. It pushes her to wear flashy clothes and fight in a performance-minded way. This does *not* mean she is stupid or just a pretty face. She can outduel people with 10 years experience on her. In terms of war and monster-slaying, she is green but in a one-on-one duel, she can't be beat.

Her parents, despite wishing that she'd at least think about the family business or even settling down, have always supported her. They paid for her to attend a prestigious sword-fighting school and gave her a beautifully carved Jian as a graduation present. They don't approve of her adventuring ways but they will always have their door open for her.

Tai grew up in Goka, a Merchant Republic in a Golden Age. She doesn't think much of Monarchies and is intrigued by Democracies. She knows of Communism but has also heard the horror stories. She basically thinks that people should have a say in the government and that a government that oppresses the people is no government at all. She laughs at nobles who have never had to work a day in their lives as she has had to sell her family's silk before. As such she has some knowledge of math, reading, writing, and negotiation.

As much as she loves her home and her family, Tai has an irrepressible wanderlust. She has heard so many stories of the Inner Sea and wants to explore its exotic cultures. She's heard most about Taldor and Qadira through Amanander and of Andoran through Goka's Pathfinder Lodge. She wants to walk through a crowd where no one looks like her. To see new species and monsters, battle evil, and save Damsels/Lads in distress.

Tai is fundamentally a good person who loves the underdog. She would love to help a weak person get strong and beat up a bully.

The Academy called Xuéxiào de xiānhuā (School of Sharp Flowers) is a prestigious finishing/prep school in neighboring Lingshen. The Lingshenese are military-minded but have an active and privileged aristocracy. As someone who is new money, Tai was looked down on but she quickly impressed her teachers with her dedication and skill. Her classes dealt with the arts of the nobles such as history, heraldry, flower-arranging, dancing, and, of course, fencing. Tai is an educated lady but prefers action to words. Having diplomatic training is a useful skill to have in her back pocket.

Her proudest moment in the academy was knocking a jerk down a few pegs. After a blistering verbal rebuke, he challenged her to a duel. He left in his smallclothes. The man was from the "brother school" called Sī jiàn xuéxiào (School of Silken Swords). The two schools had regular inter-school functions including dances and tournaments. It helped the students learn courtship, politics, and subtle mindgames. Tai didn't do as well in these areas. She was too blunt for the political areas yet too unsure to be successful at dating. She had a few flings but her need to be the best and be seen as the best led her to have commitment issues.

After turning down a marriage proposal her parents laid out for her, she decided to leave Goka behind and realize her dreams. She gathered what money she could and hired a ship to take her to Absalom. On her way to the Inner Sea, her ship was attacked by vicious pirates led by the ruthless Shen Xiu.

Tai lept to the challenge and ended up dueling Xiu herself. The pirate had experience and fought dirty but was surprised by Tai's skill. She pulled back after capturing some lesser cargo and swore revenge on Tai and the ship's captain Zheng Lei.

Note: Backstory intended for a level 7 character.

https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1168501