Valeria Tanessen's page

10 gp worth gems (malachite x10 hematite x10 lapis lazuli x10);
50gp worth gems (bloodstone x2 carnelian x2 chalcedony x2 chrysoprase x2 citrine x2 jasper x1 moonstone x2 onyx x1 peridot x1 rock crystal x1 sard x1 sardonyx x1);
100gp worth gems (amethyst x1 red garnet x1 jade x1 jet x1 pink pearl x1 tourmaline x15)

[dice=Knowledge (arcana)]1d20+8[/dice]
[dice=Knowledge (dungeoneering)]1d20+8[/dice]
[dice=Knowledge (engineering)]1d20+8[/dice]
[dice=Knowledge (geography)]1d20+8[/dice]
[dice=Knowledge (history)]1d20+8[/dice]
[dice=Knowledge (local)]1d20+9[/dice]
[dice=Knowledge (nature)]1d20+8[/dice]
[dice=Knowledge (nobility)]1d20+14[/dice]
[dice=Knowledge (planes)]1d20+8[/dice]
[dice=Knowledge (religion)]1d20+8[/dice]

Born within the rich Tanessen family in Kintargo, Valeria has lived a privileged life, with the best education money can afford.  Military contractors and suppliers by trade, her family had frequent dealings with generals, noble patriarchs, church authorities and government delegates.  Such politics and affairs of trade were endured with relative patience, but her true passion was fully discovered when her parents brought her to the opera the first time.  Recognizing her affinity with the arts, her parents finally stopped trying to involve her in affairs of trade, logistics and combat, and used their influence to secure the best teachers to foster her talent.

Her years at the Kintargo Opera House saw her flourish, and she made several minor parts in which she gained some acclaim.  One of her most precious season was when she served as the understudy of Shensen, the famous half-elf performer adored by Kintargan citizens.  She learned each line by heart, delighted to be in the presence of such an icon!  Along the years, and perhaps in no small part due to the influence of Shensen, it was also there that she opened her eyes to the realities of the world at large.  No longer confined by the sheltered life of the Tanessen Estate, she saw the real struggle and pain brought about by poverty and injustice, and quickly realized that life in Cheliax was a one-sided affair for the ruling elite.  Some of the most talented singers and actresses at the Opera House often came from humble beginnings, and thus never got the big break they deserved.  In the last few months, Valeria voiced her concerns about this unethical selection process, and she has been made aware that if it wasn't for her family name, such talk would see her thrown out of the prestigious institution.

Her parents, while proud of her, have attempted to bring her back to reason and tried to explain that speaking out like this would only bring shame upon the family and attract the wrong kind of attention from either the Church of Asmodeus or House Thrune, both of which have extensive contracts with the Tanessen.  After one soirée at the Tanessen Estate where her father was entertaining guests, including two generals and one admiral, she drank too much, and during one of her singing performance, changed some of the lyrics on the spot to denounce the cruelty of the Cheliax Empire and its 'relentless war machine.'  Her father, furious, came down on her like a lion and slapped her so hard she fell unconscious.  She woke up the next morning in the servant's quarters, her bags had been packed, and a maid gave her a note, in which her father indicated that she should strive to complete her studies somewhere else, far far away.  "You are no longer welcome at the Tanessen Estate until such time when we will inform you that you are worthy of the family's trust again.  This document is legally binding.  Signed, Count Geoff Tanessen." Wanting to get as far away as possible from Cheliax, Valeria, hearing that Oppara had many theatres rivaling or better than those found in Magnimar and Korvosa, decided to try her luck getting stage time there. After sending letters to many institutions in Oppara requesting an audition and not hearing back, she took it upon herself to travel there and meet the leaders of those institutions in person, trusting her force of will and charming influence will get her what she wants. It was not until after her arrival in Oppara that she met Martella Lotheed while sitting in a café. Since then, it seems that luck has been on her side and introductions to many operas, theaters and universities are finally being scheduled!

Valeria is also related to House Karthis via her mother, but she has kept silent about her lineage since her arrival in Oppara. She has requested Lady Martella to remain quiet and discreet on this subject, for Valeria sees many similarities between the Karthis family and her own, most notably their blind devotion to the concept of Imperialism and an over-dependence on military contracts.