Kyralina Licina's page

Despite the fact that the new Lady Licina seemed intent on dispersing the prejudice against her - and indeed the way she spoke and carried herself was little different from most trueborn ladies - there was still some gossip regarding the legitimacy of her daughter. Lord Licinus could do little about the rumours, but he was keenly aware that the rest of his family was likely to dispute the inheritance and things would get rather ugly. In an effort to prevent that, he arranged a marriage between his closest cousin and his daughter, in an effort to anchor her claim to at least part of his fortune, if not his title. This marriage alliance and the liberal sprinkling of bequests for his other cousins smoothed out most of their objections and secured the futures of his daughter and her children.

Now, old Lord Licinus has been dead for almost a score years and his cousin bears that title now. Three of his daughters have grown into beautiful young women, while the fourth has just made her entry into the society. So far, the young ladies' lives have been a string of parties, teas, soirées and formal dinners as they learn to navigate the turbulent waters of family politics and the infinitely intricate web of relationships that are the life and blood of the nobility. It is past due that marriages were negotiated for all of them, yet their father is strangely reluctant to do so, much to their mother's exasperation.

Personality, motivation and goals:
As the young, beautiful daughter of a noble family in good standing, "disadvantaged" would probably not be most people's first choice of terms when describing Kyralina's situation. Regardless, that is precisely how things appear to her. As the oldest of four sisters, she is expected to marry - and marry well. However, while her siblings are eager to find themselves good matches with men rich in both title and wealth, Kyralina is not content with second-hand status and power. She is the eldest child of her father, why shouldn't she inherit the title and wealth of the family, rather than having to chase men thrice her age?

Some search power through wealth; but what good is wealth alone without influence and legitimacy? There are certain things that gold cannot buy. And what good is knowledge and possession of the most ancient and arcane secrets, if one lacks the power and the means to act upon it? To Kyralina's mind, the qualities of leadership and influence are the most precious. An influential, charismatic person can persuade the rich merchant to part with his gold or the wizened scholar to part with his secrets - all for a higher cause, real or imagined. Thus, she has set out to become influential. Very influential. She dreams of a vast web of connections, all strings at her fingertips. A myriad subtleties, schemes within schemes, indiscernible patterns criss-crossing all layers of society - and in their midst none else but Kyralina Licina.

Since her début one year ago she has already made some progress and the budding socialite is well on her way to become a notable feature at balls and receptions hosted by the nobility. Kyralina's grandmother has passed on to her not just some of her legendary beauty, but also her talent for human interaction. She can read others like a book and can play them like a fiddle. Not that a fiddle is an appropriate instrument for a young lady of her breeding. Let's say a harp. Yes, a harp is better. Despite her mother's efforts to overshadow her, Kyralina positively sparkles in almost any social situation. She is well schooled in manners, history, politics and arts, and an avid collector of gossip. Witty conversation partner and attentive listener, almost everyone who meets her is enchanted with her. Subtle adjustments in the little roles she plays and Lady Heliotrope will be praising her for her modesty, young Lord Verdant will be besotted with her sensuous mystery and Dowager Thyse will be impressed with her maturity and level head.

Of course, she only makes these efforts with her equals (although her mother's opinion is that they are her "betters" and Kyralina's private conviction is that they are her "lessers"). The servants and anyone whose interest is not worth pursuing is equally unworthy of Kyralina's pleasant side. She is a spoiled, sheltered, entitled little princess with an overinflated sense of self-value who wants nothing more than to be adulated by all.

Also, while the character is self-serving and individualistic, the player really enjoys collaboration and cooperation. :)

Mechanically, I would like to go for the Lion Blade prestige class via Deadly Courtesan with a dip into plain Bard. I would like to tailor her abilities for social situations as much as possible, and for disabling targets in combat rather than damage/lethality.

Level progression: Bard 2, Deadly Courtesan 3+, Lion Blade when there's a good moment in the AP for it.

"Ah, there you are. Be a dear and help your sisters get ready, the guests will be here soon. We must show well, you know that your father hopes that Lord Tadden will become one of our business partners." Her mother looks rather like an older sister to Kyralina; she is still stunningly beautiful and unashamed to show it. "Oh, and do wear the new gown from your father's sister."

A frown. "Must I, Mother?" She puts the slightest emphasis on the last word and is rewarded with a glint of displeasure in the woman's gaze, quickly masked. "It is so... simple. It makes me look boring. And you know that white has never been my colour!" A different glint in her mother's eyes dashes a bucket of cold water over her rising temper. Of course. That was the intention all along. Kyralina turns a pointed look towards her mother's dress, an extravagant confection of silk and brocade in shimmering blues, greens and purples. "The peacock amongst the geese."

For the past 5 years, the Licinii have been maintaining a town house in Oppara, seeking the best education for their daughters as well as proximity to both the major noble houses and the imperial court.

Kyralina's sisters: Theodota, Destasia, Passara.
Kyralina's parents: Parthenius and Xanthippe.

I shall reach out tomorrow to test the waters.

Out of combat: she will try to discern weaknesses, then use those to influence the target. 9 cases out of 10 she wants to make people like her, so she will use Diplomacy rather than Intimidate.