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Background
Talia Geroux was the head of the d'Geroux County, a family with strong ties to the al'Morena House, and vassal to that house. She was killed during the invasion of her fief by the forces of Bitralund loyal to King Reist.
Talia was the firstborn of Andre & Sonja D'Geroux, and from then forward would ever be the favorite of her father, though their mother would find the most favor with the second born, her first son. The two had been distant cousins, and she had married him, the head of the family (and The Family) for the wealth and security, he had married her for her beauty and her wit and the fact she was family - it would make things less difficult when dealing with the business.
It was apparent from the start that Talia was an unusual child, she cried and fussed very little as an infant. As a toddler, she, like others of her age inquired much of the world around her. But the first serious clue to her parents that Talia was indeed 'different' than other children was on their son's fifth birthday, they had bestowed upon him a puppy - just as Talia had gotten a kitten on her fifth birthday. It wasn't two weeks after that Sonja had stepped downstairs and found Talia over the dead form of the puppy, and she had told her mother, with a matter-of-fact expression and tone, "He wouldn't stop barking," Talia had said. "I told him to stop. But he wouldn't." And then Talia picked up her cat gently, and skipped to her room as if nothing had happened.
Her parents knew then the coldness their daughter would exhibit. And while Sonja was faintly disturbed by the event, and this thought and it chilled her heart, Andre was more than pleased. He realized that emotions would never get in the way of his daughter's path, when she took over The Family for him. That reason, and calculation would be her only inhibitions. And from that day on, he began at first to quietly and subtly train her in the ways the importance of a gentle public facade, how to tell when someone is lying, and other secrets and tools someone to be called his daughter, his heir, would need.
Talia was fond, mostly, of her siblings, but her detached mannerisms and emotions did make her younger brother and sister both a touch fearful of their older sister during their youth. And that would foster leadership within the young girl, who quickly caught on that she could make her siblings do nearly anything, because she was father's favorite, and because she simply could.
And always, even though they were not named and ceremonies were hidden in subtlety and charades, Talia and her siblings were taught the tenants of The Many, in secret. Their attendance in church for the One Faith was seen, but Andre had always told them that it was like a play, and they were only 'pretending' to everyone who was not family that they believed in such.
Talia learned the mannerisms of a Lady, as she blossomed into a young woman. Her 'reign' over her siblings lessened, and she began to grow more fond of them, and cultivated them to add to her own retinue, as she saw it. Blood was closest, after all, she had learned. But these were not the only lessons she learned. She found she enjoyed working with her hands, and shunned the bow for the blade, for fisticuffs. She took to learning about human anatomy so as to better hurt those who betrayed her in insidious ways.
Her father began to train her in other things, noting the enthusiasm to which Talia took to her lessons. She underwent the same training he had gone under, long ago. And those that the elite went; she trained to be a Wraith of the al'Slyenthar which was as physically demanding as it was mentally. She learned the truths of The Many, and saw the connections between how her family lived and the power held by The Many, and how strong it made them. And Talia learned the schemes and tricks that her father used to keep so many in line, the secret of The Viper, and in doing so found a fascination in the variety of poisons and the wonderful variety of effects upon the human body. She became enthralled, once she learned the true history of The Many, and the world before, and outside of the Civilized West and the Church with the truth of history, not merely the way the Church had shaped it or demanded it was and quietly began collecting tomes, artifacts from elder days. And most importantly, she began to have a say in the family business, to learn the barbarian speech of White Hall to better trade with them on equal ground for goods, and for slaves.
In these things, she sought to please her father, not only for the praise that came with successfully completing a lesson but with the understanding that the hardships of such lessons would produce in her the mettle and steel, the resolve and intuition, the wit and cunning that her father held. And that, above all else, she coveted. Here was a man to study, who was as dangerous in physical combat as he was with his mind, a subtle man of power and intellect. Like many other girls before her, her father was indeed her hero; but not for the same reasons.
And she knew why her father had changed, with her mother's death. Talia and her mother never really got along; in public they were at least cordial to one another and Talia did respect her mother - it's just they seldom saw eye-to-eye, and her mother often feared her own daughter's coldness. Yet, during the Thirty Year War when the offer came to smuggle in some goods and keep it from the D'Amarz, Sonja & Talia at least agreed they couldn't pass up the opportunity. The profits were too high, and to get one over on the D'Amarz would just be icing on the cake. Andre would certainly appreciate it.
All went well. The goods had arrived, a collection of old jewelry, certainly stolen. And within the collection, Sonja found a rather fascinating golden and jeweled puzzle box that she managed to open. The thing had contained a chaos stone, and Talia had found her mother, dead in a cave in of the floor of the small castle, crushed by the stone. And in her hand, the curious, dark stone. Instantly Talia covered it up, and took it to the Church for disposal.
Andre had gotten more distant after that. Colder, like his daughter. And more distant. He took more risks than he should have, Talia foresaw. Including an excursion when Icelandia terrorized and attempted to hit the borders. And that risk did not pay off, and Andre did not come back.
Talia took it all in stride. In public, she grieved openly for the loss of her father. In private was another matter, and she gladly took the reigns of the Family from her father's not-yet cold hands and kept her uncle Killian as the Families councilor. She secretly had her father's Viper costume altered to her fit and frame - the legend, she knew, could not die with him. Just as it had not died with any previous incarnations. That much, at least, her father had passed on. Just like he had passed on the Viper's Fang; the most precious and lethal of family heirlooms, a wicked short-blade of Sidhe-Steel brought down from the centuries from the inception of the D'Geroux House under the al'Slyenthar House.
She kept her siblings close, few she trusted more than they, after all and it showed in the manner to which she gave them leadership within the organization, pampering and doting on them as she pleased - once her own needs were seen to of course.
And now the D'Geroux family is as prominent as it has ever been in the past, she building upon her father's legacy. Training their assassins, or at least overseeing such. And having influence over how the Wraits of al'Slyenthar are trained. Talia has rarely enjoyed life more than she is, right now, with the world and so many possibilities open to the person who merely has the insight to see it, and the skill to grasp it.
On the Grid
A slender 5'8" figure of a woman with light golden skin suggesting she spends, or spent quite a bit of time outdoors. Her hair is long and brown, kept at minimum to the small of her back and it's waves provide an interesting feature to highlight her beauty. Curves she has, from gentle cheekbones to full lips and a wide mouth given to an array of interesting expressions. There are, of course, other curves upon her that a lady shouldn't mention, yet one would not be remiss to call her voluptuous. Still, despite the softness of demeanor, one can see the whipcord muscle beneath the smooth feminine features, or in the way she walks, moves. This woman is no soft Lady.
The clothes she wears are often rich, and extravagant, elegant silks or imported fair linens from far away, and she seems to prefer darker colors, reds, greens, blues, and even black for the gowns she wears. And when she is more leisurely, the clothing is still just as expensive, comfortable leggings and pants, and elegant blouse. Her shoes are no different, often chosen for the event or terrain she would be dealing with on that particular day.
Talia’s true personality may only be known by those who are closest to her.
Publically, she’s a woman of gentle and subtle humor, and witty observation. There is a fierce loyalty and steadfast commitment in her words and actions both to her family, her lieges, and The One Faith. She is, every bit, the socialite, enjoying gatherings be they balls or simple celebrations in taverns and her friendship is generally offered freely and without restraint. She is both a warm and ambitious woman, who seems to have a love for the finer things in life.
Privately, and only known to the highest within the Geroux Syndicate family, and her own blood, is the cold, methodical mannerism of the woman. Known to favor her siblings above all else and deny them little, they are the only two that she seems to have any measure of compassion for whatsoever. She is known to them to have a low tolerance for weakness, and to reward strength and initiative that serves the family, and herself, well. Those closest to her, too, know well of her hedonistic nature and mannerisms and that there is motive for much of her public facade to keep eyes away from which hand truly holds the blade, so to speak.
Family Quirk - Bloodthirtsy: Talia has no scruples. No empathy. No pity. She is actually incapable of feeling a true connection to other people in a positive light. After all, when you peddle flesh and cut people down for a living, empathy tends to get in the way. This does not mean that she cannot have appreciation for someone, or even ‘like’ them. But her ‘like’ will be more an attachment as to how that person can satisfy her own desires rather than any sort of kinship, or friendship. She is willing to kill without a second thought to save losses; including those within the Syndicate family if there is grievous error but also is unwilling to waste a useful man (or woman) - it's when they run out of worth they might find the grave (eventually). Her own bloodline is perhaps all that is safe from such. But that is because she knows it needs to be preserved, and the worth of her siblings.
Family Quirk - Ambitious: Like her father, she is unwilling to settle for the status quo. Unwilling to stay in quiet, little comfortable zone and just let things be, her mind is always working, scheming, and plotting for ways not only to gain more influence and prestige, more resources and connections. Caution is warranted in such things, and she takes great pains to make certain that she and her family are protected always, but she is always motivated to move forwards and to show creativeness and go where the Syndicate has not gone before; like trying to rig the Knight's Tournament for fun and profit. If it can move her forwards in status, the eyes of her lieges, or reputation for her family, Talia is likely to do it.
Family Quirk - Heretic (The Many): A true believer, and worshiper of The Many. Talia often calls upon them for guidance, for power, or thanks them in a scheme gone right or even when failure turns and she learns a valuable lesson. The Many are a foundation for not only how she runs the Syndicate and her own life, but her County as well and the strength of community cultivated there by secret tenants of The Many that are shrouded in her lip-service to the One (and a very good lip-service it is). She gives tithe to Church, often attends ceremony, and has been known to give praise openly to the One in public, offering sage advice to those in doubt or open prayer to Him in the manners of the Church to obfuscate her true belief. This public display however is nothing more than a supreme act, and her true belief is one one of her most closely guarded secrets.
Justified Quirk - Stealthy: Talia's natural affinity for the shadows may come to her affinity to Night, one of The Many. Or it could simply be that she, like her father, is gifted with a light step, a knowledge for how shadows can bend and where opportunity lay. It's a skill she's honed, and needed in her line of work, both to surprise and as a method of execution. It always helps if they never see you coming, after all, or, especially, leaving.
Hedonist: Talia denies herself nothing. And she is a woman who does not settle for anything less than what she believes she deserves, has earned, or is her just due. She will take whatever it is she wants, indulge however it is she wishes, be it items of luxury, drink, exotic food, sex, drugs, she is a woman who does not deny herself any pleasure - she is purely a hedonist and her desires are varied, uncaring of social taboo. This does not mean she is wholly without wit or patience in these matters or lacks judgement in how to go about these indulgences, rather she is quite able to balance this need with necessity for her public position and mein that she maintains. She will, however, give in ultimately to whatever desire at the time drives her, or new whim hits upon her, even if she must wait for the proper time to do so.
Infamous: This only applies to when she is in the visage of The Viper, or in reference to The Viper itself. The Viper’s costume is that of black leather and fabrics, patterned with off-black runic and glyphed inlay. The costume covers the Viper’s entire body, including a hood and facial mask that obscures anything beneath and ‘glowing’ pinpoints of light within the eyes. The Viper’s stories are generations old, speaking of the entity as male, female, old, young, tall, short - but one thing is a certainty - The Viper is the lead of a branch of the Syndicate, a cold, and ruthless entity who has absolutely no compassion or kindness. A ruthless assassin. Further rumors consist of The Viper carrying an enchanted Sidhe-steel blade that will poison upon contact in a varied number of ways depending on how brutal The Viper wishes to be, that The Viper moves with the Shadows, and has some strange command over serpent-kind. Whatever one believes, The Viper is an agent to be feared, or hated in even the most tame of rumors.
Well-Connected: Through multiple agendas, Talia is extremely well-connected. Certainly her connections and kinship to the al’Slyenthar family publically and privately and its other minor houses are to be counted among them. But then there are also other connections to be had. The numerous encounters and deals (not to mention competition) with other Syndicate families, the number of agents that the D’Geroux family in it’s Syndicate form has from debtors in various brothels (and we certainly know how much people confess and tell secrets to such women thinking they’ll never see them again and they are in disguise or unknown), plants in other noble houses, those within the Church itself, clients, and contractors. She very nearly has a hand, by direct means or by proxy or only one or two degrees, in nearly every pot. While it doesn’t mean she can find anything and everything out, she certainly has a rather remarkable channel of information available to her, and more influence than a minor house such as hers ought.
Collector: Talia is fascinated with collecting things of the old world, of ages past, before the One. Old tomes, artifacts, anything that remotely suggests to the way things were, or hinted not only at The Many, but of the ways of life in such times. If she learns of such, she will go to great lengths to aquire such a piece. And someone gifting her with such may find themselves on her good side for quite awhile.
Talia d'Geroux as The Dark Lady - her private and secret-kept homage to Night, Goddess of the Many
It is hard to determine just how tall this feminine creature is, much in part due to the costume that covers her from head-to-toe she's within as the masque itself creates the illusion she is taller than she is.
Her full-face mask is that of silver in color, bright and opulent with gold intricate designs that are above each eyes from which her deep brown eyes look out from within the holes of the mask, and further gold designs of spirals swoops down from each eye until they stop mid-cheek. Feminine lips are set into an impassive expression, darkened into a deep gray within the mask.
Jutting from the high brow of the mask, however, is a cluster of large pitch-black feathers that are worn as a crown of magnificent work and design, lending that additional height and stature to her guise and about the high-neck and collar of the costume, high, curving points flare out individually, from low neck to high-head seven on either side. Tiny pinpoints of silver litter the array of almost jester-like points that curve downwards to the earth, and at the tip of each flare a small attachment of a crystal hung from a silver spindle, reflecting and refracting light.
The dress is of loose material, of satin and velvet that is utterly indulgent to both the touch and to look at that gives enough to her frame to indicate the wearer of the costume is indeed that of the female persuasion while seeming more to flow about her person. The wink of black leather footwear beneath sometimes can be seen, but more often than not the dress covers such well.
Her gloves are another matter, however. While fully covering her hands, there is a piece of silver within each fingertip designed perfectly to reflect fingernails, beads of silver wrapping around each wrist - and upon her right hand, a rectangular ring of silver with three rows of six small diamonds, each inset that covers the full lower half of her finger. In the same hand, she holds another 'masque', the portable kind upon a handle. This woven of pure silver, the mantle of which is intricate fillagrie and certainly has a feminine flaire upon it.