Pranati's page

Like most samsarans, Pranati grew up in the mountains of Zi Ha. In her case, the trade city of Babschu-Jong. Her adoptive parents, Amrita and Tenzin, gave her a loving and peaceful childhood, expecting that Pranati would follow in their footsteps and live a quiet life of contemplation and crafting. But as she grew, Pranati began to recall more of her past lives. Many of them were unusually active and even violent for a samsaran. But all of them fought for the sake of the samsaran people and/or their deity. When the hobgoblins of Kaoling attempted to invade Zi Ha, she had an epiphany. Someone had to sacrifice their own enlightenment in order to protect Zi Ha, or else all of them would fall before hostile forces and their peaceful way of life would come to an end. The mountains and their spellcasters' illusions wouldn't save the samsarans forever.

So it was that Pranati joined the church of Shizuru and asked to become one of the goddess' holy warriors. Several of her past incarnations had served the Empress of Heaven; a paladin, two clerics, and a magistrate. The priests welcomed her with open arms and tested the young woman to see which path would suit her best. Her insight, agility, and conviction marked her for the smallest and most difficult sect, that of the inquisitor. Although the inquisitors warned Pranati in detail about the physical, emotional, and spiritual rigors of their work, she decided to accept. This was what the church needed from her, so she would do it. Her parents were appalled at first. But after an elder inquisitor explained the necessity of covert operations, especially for a nation outnumbered by their enemies, they gradually came to accept their daughter's calling.

Pranati has been an active inquisitor for five years now, undertaking missions not just in Zi Ha but in surrounding countries as well. She has cultivated the skill of intimidation in order to make enemies surrender and give up information without unnecessary violence. Given Shizuru's domain over honor and justice, she prefers to take her enemies alive so that a court can judge and sentence them according to the law. For the past few years, unsettling rumors have been coming out of Minkai about the Jade Regent and the unknown fate of the young Emperor. So far, though, the Minkaian church of Shizuru has been unable or unwilling to confirm them.

A few weeks ago the high priestess of Shizuru in Babschu-Jong had an unusually clear vision; a ruined keep in the Avistani style, overlooking the ocean, with a strong feeling of urgency. She chose to send Pranati over the Crown of the World to investigate. An inquisitor's skill at investigation and tracking would be better for this task than a cleric's mystic power or a paladin's sword arm. The samsaran has been working her way down the coast since she reached Kalsgard, searching for the ruined keep described by High Priestess Sabita. A merchant in Jol suggested that she investigate Brinewall Keep when she asked about ruins on the coast. Now Pranati is headed for Brinewall, hoping that this is where she's supposed to be.

An inquisitor of Shizuru must undertake less than honorable tasks for the greater good of their church and country, despite the Empress of Heaven's emphasis on honor and chivalry. They stain their hands so that others' may remain clean. Pranati takes her duty seriously. She knows that she won't reach enlightenment in this life with her often violent lifestyle, and accepts that fact. It's more important to protect her people so that they can focus on achieving harmony and peace. The inquisitor has developed a forbidding, eerily calm mien in order to terrify enemies into surrendering and giving her the information she needs with minimal violence. It's particularly effective on non-samsarans, given most races' reaction to her blank white eyes. Pranati prefers to subdue rather than kill so that she can drag her quarry before a magistrate to face justice for their deeds. She does not shy away from killing if the situation demands it, though.

Only trusted friends get to see beyond Pranati's serene mask. The samsaran has a dry, often morbid sense of humor. She loves animals and children, seeing to her mount and pack mule's needs before her own. The grim necessities of her work take their toll at times. Has she truly done all she can to avoid unnecessary death? Was a particular shady deed really necessary, or is she falling to corruption? Pranati takes solace in meditation and reading Shizuru's holy book, but sometimes it isn't quite enough to allay her fears of not being good enough for her goddess.

Pranati is a tall, slender samsaran woman with black hair pinned up in a high bun. Despite her naturally thin build, her muscles are strong and defined. Most of the time she wears a fine set of mountain pattern armor over a sturdy wool tunic and trousers, with a bandolier over the armor. Her dark brown riding boots reach to her knees and match her sword belt. An enameled brass holy symbol of Shizuru is proudly displayed on her chest, and a matching device is painted on her steel buckler. She carries a katana and morningstar on her belt, with a longbow and quiver on her back.

When not expecting combat, Pranati prefers simple, comfortable clothing in shades of red, orange, and yellow to honor her patron goddess and contrast with her blue skin.