Atlantic Roleplay Community Boards

[gypsy_merrique]

---

Merrique came to the city of Umbra during the process of hunting down her lost twin sister. The pair were separated at birth in the Minoc gypsy camp. Her sister, Xana, was kept with the family proper and raised accordingly. Merrique, however, was shipped off to live with distant cousins who tended to stay in the lands of Ilshenar.

Through the years Merrique developed a loathing for her twin--the one THEY wanted. It was never said to Merri that she was blessed to get to go live among the gypsy wise women, and learn the language and magic of the old ways; those blessed with such favor learned the many secrets of the land, its magic, and its magical creatures. Meantime, the Minoc twin grew up believing her twin to have died at their birth, and ironically, often mourned her lost sibling.

Merrique's obsession with confronting her sister the bard evolved into something ugly, and finally reason snapped. She left the cocoon of the gypsies she knew and loved, in search of her due pound of flesh.

In the town of Umbra it came to pass that Merrique ran afoul of a Lycan who lived there, and incidentally somehow knew her sister in some passing fashion. As was often the case, she was mistaken for the bard and a conversation ensued. Merri soon realized that it was not she whose ideas were being asked for, but her sister. Her blood boiled and rage seethed within her. Less than friendly words were exchanged and an all out old fashioned street brawl soon erupted.

It was probably a combination of luck and cunning that allowed Merrique to recall to safety just as a deadly blow was being landed to her person (of course blinding her opponent with a magical dust did not hurt her cause). Umbra behind her, she languished for days in the city of Luna, enjoying the attention and affection of the paladins there (an arrogant and silly breed, yes, but often with pockets lined well and deeply with gold).

A day came that it was necessary to travel on and Merrique stepped into the circle of the Luna moongate. Without warning, she was punched in the head, her hair grabbed, and she found herself being dragged into the moongate. Before the arrival, she knew when she opened her eyes she would be in the dark city. Merrique took a beating that far exceeded what she dealt in the fight she was in previously, and she when she awoke, she found herself locked in a prison-like space in a home not far from the city. At least, judging by the trees she could see in the distance from her rooftop cell, she was fairly certain the journey was not far to Umbra. The truth was, after the blow to her head reality became fluid and memory blurred.

Gradually, as she came to her senses, Merrique discovered that she was covered in her own drying blood. This is a woman terrified by the sight of blood, more-so when it is her own. She tore at her dress, screaming, hysterical, badly enough that her captor brought her a new dress--probably just to quiet her screeching. This fear often caused Merrique to avoid rituals and magic that required any type of blood.

It was not long after that the Matriarch Ceinwyn came to see what was going on. Word had traveled about the gypsy, and secrets that she may or may not have harbored. This woman terrified Merrique--Merrique, who had seen many strange things, Merrique who was in many ways a stranger to the feeling of fear. In a strange turn of events, the Matriarch offered her safe harbor and removed her from her prison.

Merrique was offered, and accepted, work and quarters at the recently built Den of Sin. In exchange for her work there she would have a real bed (not a straw pallet!), nice clothes, gold to spend. Stability. Safety--at least to the degree Umbra could offer. Her anger with her sister at least temporarily forgotten, Merrique settled into life at the Den easily enough. It was not long before she met several gentlemen friends to keep herself occupied with, and she enjoyed her new routines.

The personality of Merrique is often complex. Though she often appears relaxed and easy going there is often a turbulence just below the surface. She has never been in a relationship with any true meaning, and often views sexual relations as one of two things: a hobby, or a way to get something she wants. More than once she found herself shocked at the hurt expressed by lovers, at her dismissal of them. The concept of material possession is vague: the truly valuable things were her magic, the ancient magic of the gypsy clans. Why, she was often favored by the queen of her tribe, the one whose magic was the strongest. The one whose blessing was paramount. The one who taught her the deepest secrets of the land, its people, its magic.

Merrique often intentionally ignores the warnings in her own fortunes, warning her that she will be the means of her own destruction.

=======

Appearance: A smallish woman, barely five foot three inches in height. She's got long dark brown hair that has hints of copper running through it, as she spends much time in the sun working her tan when possible. Her eyes are a dark brown, nearly black. Merrique is prone to wearing jewelry of all descriptions, including ankle bracelets with or without charms, as well as charms woven into her hair--usually depicting magical runes or symbols.