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Hello students and graduates of Ravenwood! Every other month we’ll be giving a “quest” to our new scholars in the Arcanum. What’s the quest? To fill out a QUESTionnaire for us! We’ve heard from Zander, Baba Yaga, and Ione, but now it’s time to hear from a scholar you talked with when you entered Mirage . . . Qismah . . . a very mysterious cat indeed!
Name: Qismah Shasa
Likes: The smell of a fresh poison steeping in the pot, a blade sharp enough to split a whisker, and the satisfaction of knowing a contract was fulfilled without the target ever seeing my face. Oh, and fresh-polished golden cutlery.
Dislikes: Senseless violence, the cry of a newborn, dull blades, and sloppy work in general.
Favorite Spell: Qismah’s Curse
Favorite Food: Grilled Filet of Babble Fish, Extra Rare, with a pinch of Turmeric for seasoning.
Bio:
I was born the third daughter of the Duchess of Parajj, the highest ranking noble in House Bumbai… before it became a vassal to House Sayameez, of course. Being third-born, it was unlikely I would ever inherit the title, and thus I was committed at an early age to the order of the Silent Sabers. There, I learned the arts of poison and subterfuge, eventually becoming a Master Assassin. But I had seen enough by then to realize that to truly master Death, one must learn Necromancy as well. Though my nights were spent fulfilling contracts for the Silent Sabers, my days were dedicated to learning the laws of Magic. Once I had learned all of the Necromantic rituals that were available in the ancient tomes of Mirage, I began to experiment on my own.
I had only just scratched the surface into what was possible, however, when I learned of a tragic accident that had befallen my mother and my two sisters. I had now inherited our family’s title. I dutifully returned to Parajj and assumed the mantle of leadership. I expanded our holdings and our influence ten-fold, earning the title of Emira, but deep-down, I longed to return to my studies in the arts of Death. When I was soon thereafter approached about joining the Arcanum, I decided that it must be fate. I appointed a Regent to manage my family’s estate, and I joined right away. I have never regretted that decision, and I do not anticipate doing so in the future.
Favorite quote?
“Death needs Time for what it kills to grow in, but Time needs Death to mark its passing.”
My friends describe me as . . . ?
Friends? I suppose you could call them that, though I would call them “colleagues”. And I should hope they would think of me as being very… cultured and professional. That’s certainly what I strive for.
How I feel about Magic?
Magic is not to be toyed with, nor should it be wielded by those who are unwilling to pay attention to detail. Sloppy use of magic will always lead to catastrophe.
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