Selina deLuna's page

About Selina deLuna

Before you stands a lithe half-elf wearing a shimmering breastplate under loose-fitting silken garments of blue and silver, with eyes the color of aquamarines. Her dark blue hair gently waves in the breeze, and almost seems to sparked like the heavens above. Her movements suggest the subtle grace of a trained combatant. She speaks in a smooth voice, somehow gentle yet powerful at the same time, that cuts through all else.

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Selina's mind is a fractured one. Having grown up in the country of Nex without family, she found herself a member of a cult of Groetus, obsessed with bringing on the endtimes. Their failed ritual accidentally opened a portal to Limbo, bringing them face-to-face with a powerful reptilian protean, wearing a crown of light. In a rage, the creature violently slew the cultists. It was only by chance that Selina escaped its notice, though her mind was still rent by the mad utterings of the creature as it departed the material plane. It was at this point Selina first claims to have spoken with Father Moon, and to have been shown her true path and ultimate destiny.

Selina deLuna (a name taken on to honor her patron) could tell you much about her dealing with Groetus, her royal ancestry, and the throne she one day hopes to claim. What she likely can't tell you, is of the insignificant little girl that existed before the enraged Keketar tore at her consciousness and opened her senses to the teachings of Father Moon...

Selina was born in Nex's capital city of Quantium, to a poor Shoanti exile. How Selina's unnamed mother come to bear an elf's child, none can say, but the lack of a supportive spouse only furthered her downward spiral. The Shoanti woman had been forced from her home for some serious transgression, and wandered south until finally forced to stop in Quantium due to pregnancy. Selina was born shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, Selina's young life was not to last. Her mother was a drunkard, and often left Selina alone to care for herself. Even worse, her mother died when Selina was only 6 years old, having finally drunk herself to death. At that point, Selina was on the streets, alone.

This harsh life bred bitterness in Selina. She resented the world for what it had done to her. It's no surprise then, after she had followed a shrouded man as a potential mark, that when she found a pair of men speaking purposefully in an alley about their "plans for this city and beyond," she was intrigued. She followed them underground, through ancient tunnels long forgotten to a small cabal of cultists gathered around a moon-shaped crystal. They were surprised to see Selina when she revealed herself, but having heard of their plans for wordly destruction, she had little problem convincing them to bring her into the fold.

Selina's involvement went on for many years. She learned about the boundaries between the planes, and how the powerful magical energies wielded by Geb and Nex had weakened them. The cult (who called themselves the Knot of Madness) believed that they could use these weak points to break through and unleash a terrible apocalypse upon Golarion. Selina listened and learned, delving deeper into the darkness.

After almost a decade of preparation, the Knot departed Quantium to a special location in western Nex: The Well of Lies. These wells played an important role in the rise of Nex, and served as mirrors into alternate realities. It was a harrowing journey, but the Knot survived the trek and eventually found the entrance they sought.

Down in the depths of the earth, surrounded by mirror-like pools of crystal clear water, they began their ritual. It took a fortnight, but they were undeterred. At the climax of their ceremony, a high-pitched sound echoed through the caverns. The large pool they were surrounding quivered and began to glow brightly, until they could no longer bear to look. It was then that a horrifying screech rent the air, and the Protean lord burst forth, his rage palpable. Selina ran, hiding in some of the dark, smaller passages only she could access. Whether the creature didn't notice her, or didn't care to look, Selina was spared. She waited in the dark long after the sounds ceased, long after the inward popping sound of the Keketar closing the portal finished echoing. Even so, the sound of its insane murmurings persisted inside of her mind. She could not shut it out, and eventually Selina lost consciousness.

'In my dreams, I saw a man. He was pale, wearing tattered robes, and he smelled faintly of burnt papers. He did not walk, but floated inches about the ground, his toes dragging as he went. He and I stood outside, under the stars of the Nexian desert. He pointed north, so I followed his gaze. There I saw a woman, whom I barely recognized as my long-dead mother. An elvish man stood beside her solemnly. I could sense that he was my father, though I did not recognize him. Behind them stood another Shoanti couple, seemingly older, though they did not appear so. Behind them stood another, and another, and another... I began to walk, following this line of stoic humans across the desert. I walked for what seemed like eons, though the moon and stars never moved. When the Inner Sea blocked my path, the line turned westward, following the coastline. I left Osirion, crossed through Thuvia and into Rhahadoum until the Abarai Ocean loomed before me. Still, the line continued. I could sense that these strangers family, though I never knew them. I stepped into (or rather, onto, as I did not sink) the water, continuing to follow the line of my ancestors. As I crossed the open sea, the people began to grow taller, fairer, more noble. By the time I reached land, my ancestors towered over me, standing more than thrice my full height. The line continued inland, though I could sense my goal was near. Shortly, I arrived at a great white throne, intricately carved from solid quartz. It pulsed with an eerie light. Upon it sat a man, pale as a ghost, at least twice as tall as the other ancestors. Not comprehending, I turned about, looking for meaning or explanation. My gaze moved upwards, towards the full moon. Within it, I could see the sunken face of the pale man who sent me on this journey, and suddenly I understood. This was the ancient lost civilization of Azlant, and this was its king. Turning back to the King, I saw that he was now looking directly at me, the first of any of this mysterious line to do so. He wore a warm, almost imperceptible smile on his face. His mouth opened, and he spoke a single word... And I understood.'

Selina woke to find herself in the same cave she fell asleep in. Emerging from her hiding place, she found the bodies of her former comrades. She was the only survivor, though now Selina understood why. She steeled her resolve, gathered what remained of her belongings, and set out into the desert. Selina finally knew her destiny. The world was a flawed place, yes, but destruction was not the answer. Father Moon showed her that trying to bring about the endtimes was a fools game. No... what the world needed was a powerful and benevolent ruler who could unite all races under a single banner, like the ancient kings of old. She also knew that she was in a unique position to do so. The world thought the Azlanti were dead and gone, they called Aroden "The Last Azlanti." She now knew better.

Despite her understanding, the exact details of Selina's new path still eluded her. Not wishing to return to Quantium and her memories, she wandered north, eking out a living on the desert plants. It was here, a few nights later, that Father Moon once again visited her dreams.

'I stood upon the desert sands once again. I could see my meager camp, and my body sleeping beside. Turning, the pale man was once again present. "You've shown me such things," I said to him, eager for answers. "But how am I to accomplish these tasks? They will think me mad." His ashen face didn't move, though I swear a felt a smile behind those sunken eyes. Like the Azlanti King, he opened his mouth to speak. But instead of words, I heard nothing but a low 'thump' echo from deep in the earth. My consciousness expanded, and I felt myself being pulled into the heavens... I could see Nex, the inner sea, and all the land besides. The pulsing sound continued, growing in intensity until I could hear nothing else. I began to see what I recognized as Osirion, the sands shaking from the sound, shifting until they revealed an intricate silver and obsidian seal. I knew this was my answer... However, as the vision faded and I began to return to reality, I heard another sound, this one clear and crisp, like a small bell. I could see it echoing from an island surrounded by a shallow sea, though I knew not where it was. It caught only the briefest of glimpses before I woke once again.'

Selina awoke with a start, though all seemed calm in her small desert encampment. A glint in the sands caught her eye, however. She arose to investigate. A short distance from her camp, illuminated by the moon above, was a small piece of worked stone, obviously unnatural. She dug, and in short order uncovered a well-made yet timeworn stone chest. It was shallow for a chest, and rather long. There was no lock. Inside was a gleaming longsword, sitting beautifully on well-preserved velvet in stark contrast to the windworn exterior. She took the blade in hand, admiring its mirror sheen. In it's reflection, she almost swears she caught a glimpse of the pale man, this time wearing an actual smile on his face, though she cannot be sure. Selina chose to take this as a further proof that she was on the right path. Too eager to wait, she packed up camp and began to follow the sword: north.

Selina arrived in Osirion after another month. Luckily she had encountered numerous villages and caravans with which to trade for supplies, though she did not care to stay long. She practiced with her new sword each night. It was exceptionally well made, and she quickly grew accustomed to the balance of it. The fact that it had been preserved so well for millennia only further reinforced her feelings of purpose.

After setting up at an oasis outside of a small village, Selina began her search. She sought out ancient caves and tombs in the desert, read whatever tomes she could get her hands on, and spoke with anyone she could find with knowledge that could help her find what she sought. She knew that somewhere under the sands of Osirion lay the piece that would not only prove her royal claim, but unleash her power so that she could fulfill her destiny.

Three years passed.

Selina found herself wandering farther and farther afield, eventually moving her base of operations when she ran out of promising leads in southern Osirion. She had survived countless dangers, thanks to the protection of the Mad Father, but she felt no closer to her goal. Still, Selina was determined and wouldn't give up.

One day, she happened to be exploring the mausoleum of a minor Osirion noble family who had died out long ago. This time, however, she encountered another explorer, this one wearing a compass bearing the symbol of the open road-- a symbol she had come to recognize as belonging to the Pathfinder Society. Their encounter was brief, however, as the restless dead arose to attack them. Selina was able to fight them off, saving both herself and the Pathfinder. He thanked her profusely. He was a small halfling with large spectacles. He called himself Timet. He was so impressed by Selina's performance, that he invited her to Absolom to join the Pathfinder Society. At first she refused. Her work here was too important for distractions. Timet pleaded with her, saying the Society would benefit greatly from one of her caliber, and would pay well to boot. Selina was about to refuse him once again, when something occurred to her. A memory surfaced, of the dream she had the first night after leaving the Well of Lies in Nex.

'...and as I began to return to reality, I heard another sound, this one clear and crisp, like a small bell. I could see it echoing from an island surrounded by a shallow sea, though I knew not where it was...'

Suddenly, everything came into sharp focus. The bell, the island, the ancient sword pointing northward. The answers she sought lied in Osirion, she was sure of it, but the path to those answers ran through Absolom! Marveling at her foolishness, Selina abruptly faced the halfing. She agreed right there to head to Absolom and join the Society, knowing that she was one step closer to her destiny.

* Believes herself to be descended from ancient Azlanti kings
* Speaks in the "Royal 'We'" when addressing those of "lower station" (which is pretty much everyone)
* Utilizes an eclectic fighting style combining swordplay with rapid punchs and kicks
* Favorite Drink: traditional dark, dry, red wines from the desert
* Favorite Food: Extra-sweet white cake