"Any time, Voren. We all have moments of weakness," she says with a nod
Marleeri listens to Jens' tale intently, her tail defining sweeping waves parallel to her stool's legs. "Kenabres needs more people like you, Jens. I can't say I seek death- though some would say we do merely for coming here- but the fact that you're willing to devote yourself so fully and risk so much to defend others tells me your heart is pure." She speaks quickly and with fervor in her voice. "I hope you change your mind about dying, but if your death does find you, I'm certain it will be a worthy, glorious one. I don't think you'd allow anything less."
Marleeri glances at Voren and Impatiens, before giving her a sheepish smile and shrugging. She wasn't interested in competing for Voren's attention. "Not a problem."
Her smile fades into concern and her brow furrows as Voren starts to shake. She reaches out slowly to lay a hand on his arm, to try and stabilize him somehow. "It's alright, friend. You're not in the Worldwound, you're here in Kenabres. Safe, warm, surrounded by warriors who would defend this place with their lives. There's nothing for you to worry about."
Marleeri drains her cup with a contended sigh and rests it on her lap. "Thank you," she responds to Aurica, "I try to speak as clearly as I can. When your blood makes your first impression for you, misunderstandings can be terrible."
"The same to you, Voren," Marleeri responds with a smile.
Her gaze wanders to the motor-mouthed gnome- as if there was any other kind- and she attempts to answer what questions she can, though she finds herself unable to keep up with the sheer volume of his speech. "I'm part demon, not devil. I suppose it's as fun as being any other person, though sometimes the attention it draws is less than pleasant. I'm hot whether you touch me or not. A sentient child, no, but some nice boiled eggs, perhaps."
When the elf interjects she falls silent and blinks a few times, before refocusing on him. "I'm afraid I couldn't tell you much. I was a child in Barstoi, and I've left it behind." Marleeri returns the empty mug to the bar behind her and sits quietly, scanning the room and all its varied inhabitants.
So many tieflings all in one place. I heard Kenabres had a large tiefling population, but I didn't expect anything like this. I should get to know them better, they're my kin after all. And... wow, she is an excellent singer.
I hope not! It's a fun way to pass the time while we wait, and we get to learn more about each other's characters.
Marleeri nods pensively. "Perhaps I was too aggressive. To suffer at the hands of demons, only to have their children chide you for not being more accepting... I am sorry. If it is any consolation, I respect your strength and dedication. Few people could handle a decade of war, let alone three."
Her expression lightens and she snatches her drink from the bar behind her, raising it. "I'll drink to that."
That makes no sense. Why would they use tieflings, creatures suspect for their very heritage, for something like that? she thinks, before deciding not to press the issue.
"Ustalav. I can't say what memories I still have of the place are very fond. I lost my father to a superstitious mob."
And they paid for it with their blood. Marleeri grimaces and shakes her head.
"I can't really blame them, people do horrible things when they're scared. 'A person can be compassionate, loving, and kind- but in a group, disrupted by terror, those traits can turn to single-minded hate and reactionary attacks'," Marleeri recites, before smiling and shrugging. She shifts in her seat and crosses her legs, laying two gauntleted hands in her lap.
"Kenabres is much better. Considering its history with demons, the people are are downright hospitable to tieflings."
"Fighting doesn't always mean bloodshed. A demon's manipulations are just as deadly as their claws. If you want to fight the forces of the Worldwound you're going to need to trust your allies- and your manner makes it clear that you trust Voren and I about as much as you trust an empty sheath in battle."
Marleeri sits back on her stool and sighs, her tail curling around the stool's leg. "In any case, I should apologize. I didn't mean to be so confrontational, and I'd much rather be your friend than your rival. My name's Marleeri. I'm a smith too, though I doubt I could match your father's prowess."
Overhearing the rising conversation, another woman turns on her bar stool and leans in. Her skin is a red-tinged tan, and a pair of horns juts from her brow. Large wings with thin, patchy webbing give the impression that she's wearing a cloak. One of her eyes is ruined- the socket and vertical scar glow yellow, as if molten.
"If you've got a problem with half breeds you'd best get past it," she says, addressing Aurica. "We're on the same side, fighting amongst ourselves is tantamount to admitting defeat."
Here's Marleeri Debal. She's a warpriest in the service of Nocticula, and member of a small cult that believes Nocticula is trying to redeem herself. I welcome any critique or questions.
Description:
The woman before you is dressed in chainmail under a simple leather outfit with a skirt, and is bristling with weaponry. Her beauty is marred- or perhaps accentuated- by demonic features: a pair of curling horns, scaled extremities, a long sinuous tail that whips back and forth impatiently, and a pair of large wings. Shoulder length oddly purple hair drapes over a scarred, ruined eye and a cocky smirk is etched into her features, just above a thick red scarf.
Backstory:
Marleeri's parents are relatively normal, and live in a small town in Ustalav. Her father is a hedge wizard who makes a living off of crafting and selling minor magic items, mostly potions and scrolls. He specializes in a special brew he claims is superior to any healing potion, that regenerates your wounds before your very eyes. Marleeri's mother is an enigmatic adventurer. She's in and out of town frequently, but spends almost every moment in town with her husband. She's renowned as a great warrior, though nobody in town claims to have ever seen her fight, and rumors suggest she has magical powers and might have even slain a dragon.
Then Marleeri is born... and little changes. She's a beautiful, human, baby girl. Her parents were stressed before the birth, but are relieved. They live happily for a few years, with Marleeri's mother settling down. She still occasionally leaves for business. Marleeri's father tries to teach her magic, but she has no aptitude for it. She grows incredibly slowly.
On her 6th birthday, disaster strikes. Scales grow from Marleeri's flesh around her hands and feet, a sinuous tail extends from her spine, and a small pair of horns erupts from her brow- she is clearly a tiefling, though her demonic nature has manifested late. Her mother is out of town, and the superstitious villagers are horrified. Marleeri is sequestered away, and her father is taken by a mob, tried for dallying with demons, and promptly executed. Marleeri is left imprisoned while they decide what to do with the abyssal child. Her mother returns, and learns about what happened in her absence. In a rage she abandons her disguise and reveals herself to be a succubus. She reclaims her child, and in the process leaves a large portion of the town in flames.
But Marleeri's mother is afraid now. Her child has been damaged, her innocence tainted by the murder of her father and the sight of her mother killing and destroying. She doesn't think she can be a good mother alone, so she leaves Marleeri with the only people she can trust to teach her daughter properly, and hopefully not to hate her for what she had done, but to understand her; the heretical cult of Nocticula.
Personality:
In three words: Optimistic, Naive, Loving
Marleeri follows the doctrine of a cult of Nocticula worshipers who (correct or not) believe Nocticula to be in the process of redeeming herself. Her philosophy boils down to a few key points:
Life is to be enjoyed to its fullest. Boundaries are important, but must serve a purpose.
Harming others, especially for one's own enjoyment, is unacceptable. Harm must be tempered with a pure purpose.
All beings possess a spark of good in their heart; they simply must be willing to draw it out.
Darkness can conceal good as easily as it conceals evil.
She is willing to grant mercy to almost anyone, but understands the regrettable necessity of fighting and killing. Marleeri is touchy about people 'slandering' Nocticula, and no longer tells people what deity she serves unless asked directly. She's affectionate with close friends, and thinks of physical contact as a good way to bond. Superstition frustrates and annoys her. Marleeri knows she's no scholar, but still wants to learn about the world and understand things that perplex or confuse her.
Character Flaws:
Excited and passionate about Nocticula... behind closed doors. Marleeri is afraid of people hating her, and worships in secret. She won't lie if someone asks her, but she's hesitant to be honest about her faith.
Knows little about the outside world. She had the opportunity to read about it and learn, but never got around to it. On one of the rare occasions she ventured far from the Cult, she lost an eye to a group of thugs who targeted her for being a tiefling.
Sample Quotes:
"I've been blessed with a good, if impure, heart. It's my responsibility- my privilege- to help others on their path to redemption."
"The demons of the Worldwound have crossed a grave line. They have an infinite world to themselves, but they greedily claim what is rightfully Sarkoris'. They slaughter indiscriminately, they seek to corrupt the minds of the righteous, and they continually march towards future, greater evils. They must be stopped- and if my words cannot halt them, then my blade will. I go with fury in my heart, but mercy in my soul."
"Nocticula has a reputation as a terrible force of evil. As the first of the succubi, one would certainly expect so. But her actions do not speak to me as those of one committed to destruction and oppression. She fights the other demon lords, slaying them and imprisoning their souls where they cannot be recovered, and according to my knowledge strives for redemption. To be better than her demonic identity would suggest, to feel the intrinsic desire to make others feel better. Much must be done for a being forged of evil to find redemption- but if a demon lord can seek it, I cannot deny it to anyone."
"You're an all powerful wizard, hm? You watch my back and maybe when this is all over we can play 'Binder and Demon'."
