Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Created from a union of a priestess with one of Mitra's angels, Rose was spoiled and venerated by the Church of Mitra from birth. Growing up in the Church meant an abiding confidence that Mitra was the One True Light, all-powerful and all loving, and that as long as Rose worshipped Mitra, she would receive blessings beyond all asking. For most of her life, this was true. The angelic child was treated as nobility by the Church, and Rose got anything she desired.
There came a time when Rose sought something the Church could not gift, the love of Prince Hadrian, a son of King Markadian the Fifth, and a handsome and brave knight. She swooned when Hadrian won a grand tournament and dedicated the prize to her. Soon, they were in the throes of a secret love affair. Such a union outside of marriage was contrary to the teachings of Mitra, and yet Rose was sure it was no true sin. For Rose herself was born from a joining with an angel, where no marriage was to be found. Rose had found love.
But Hadrian was no angel. He started to spend less and less time with Rose, claiming he had work and duty and obligations. In truth, his lust had begun seeking other conquests. In the meantime, Rose became fearful as she came to the dawning realization that she was with child. Rose needed Hadrian to marry her. It was now a matter of her honor! She sought Hadrian out, determined to tell him the news. What she discovered instead was Hadrian in the arms of another woman!
Her heart shattered, Rose came home and prayed the most fervent prayers of her life, pleading for Mitra to bring Hadrian to her and strike down the harlot that had taken him away. But Mitra did not answer her prayers. And as the days, weeks, and months passed by, the little life inside her was growing. She could not hide it for much longer. She came to Hadrian with one last plea. But he said he could not dishonor himself by acknowledging Rose and her child. Rose became infuriated. She was about to lose everything she had, and all the prince could think of was himself?
That night, Rose came home and began a dark, frightening prayer to Eiseth, the Whore Queen. Rose knew much of Eiseth, the Queen of the Erinyes, servant of Asmodeus, and reputedly a fallen angel. In fact, she had seen an exorcism done to drive out her presence over a wild and wrathful woman. And yet she had never even spoken the name, until now. "Eiseth," she breathed, in a barely audible whisper. She cringed, fearful that Mitra would strike her down, yet nothing happened. "Eiseth," she spoke with greater confidence. A darkness began settling over the room. Her presence was near. "Eiseth!"
* * *
Rose gave herself to Eiseth in a way she had never done with Mitra. For she had lived and breathed Mitra's presence since birth, to the point where it was as unnoticeable as the air itself. It was never a choice, but rather an assumption she had never questioned. But now, as she immersed herself in the darkness of Eiseth, she knew. The gods and goddesses did not live to bless their human worshipers. If Rose wanted to set things right, if she wanted to get the recognition she deserved, she would have to seize it herself. So it was that, with power from her new Goddess, Rose murdered the scheming slut that had taken away his love, piercing her heart with an arrow. She sought to do the same to Hadrian too, but he was only wounded before guards arrived. She was lucky to even escape, and still bears the scars from the encounter, scars that mirror the wounds in her heart. As for the child in her womb, Rose gave birth to him, and then sacrificed him to Eiseth. For she could think of no better fate for a child stained by Hadrain's blood.
Now, as a servant of Eiseth and by extension Asmodeus, Rose had a new purpose. To overthrow the rule of King Markadian and seize Talingarde for herself.
