A child of the Underdark, Miz'ri finds herself one that looks more towards the light instead of deeper into the abyss of her home. Possibly forsaking her homeland, she steps into the light, a self-imposed exile to the surface.
There is no place in Matron Zilvra's world for a drow that chooses the ways of the light over the dark. She has no need for a daughter that does not fall into place in the intricate puzzle that she has built.— Miz'ri Baenre
Dueling blades merge and separate, glinting in the dim light cast by candles. Two
Dark Elves dance in intricate patterns, coming together before spinning away and clashing again. One is taller than the other, two pairs of white locks moving in the darkness. The edges of the room are shrouded in darkness, hopefully serving as a magical barrier to keep the others of the house from entering their dance. The shorter one, hair tied high on her head, makes a calculated move, selecting the correct parry, before stopping to watch as the taller man's single blade tumbles to the ground. She lowers her dual scimitars, before dropping them to give a brief hug to the man in front of her. It is the only emotion they allow themselves in the darkness of
House Baenre, the only slice of happiness in an otherwise brutal world.
Miz'ri Baenre is the fourth daughter of Matron
Zilvra Baenre. Like most females in
Drow Society, it was her duty to become a priestess, a spellcaster that would benefit her mother and house. She had no interest in this, preferring the company of her weapons master father,
Nalfein. Attempting to hide from her sisters and ignore the ranting of her mother, she quickly learned the innate magic of the
Drow and used it to hide her training. Hours were spent honing her skills with her weapon of choice, two scimitars of
Duergar make. Her father helped her train, hiding her from
Zilvra when he could, even at the detriment to his own life.
While she was forced into the academy that all
Dark Elf children attended, she did not excel in the arcane arts like her mother expected. She had little aptitude for anything outside the innate magic of the
Drow, but others spoke of her abilities of the blade to be nearly arcane in nature, far beyond what could be gained naturally. But that was far from true with Miz. Her strength and ability came from hours of training, hours that she could spend alone with her father. As she grew older, her time with her father dwindled, and for that she resented her mother even more. Other
Drow females throughout the city had broken the mold of old, becoming things outside of priestesses, but her lot could not waver from the destiny set by Matron
Zilvra.
House Baenre was prolific due to its trading on the surface. Their house ran many of the trade routes through the
Great Tunnel, making a name for themselves in the
Underdark and world above. They hired barbarians from the
Spine of Kallex to protect their goods, which is how Miz found her first friend in a wood elf from above.
Khalsinn Llanowar, a member of the great
Llanowar Clan from the Spine traveled with her grandfather to make deals with
House Baenre. The children were often forced together, but Miz was the only one who took interest in the girl. They became unlikely friends, slowly teaching each other unknown languages and of their homes. As Miz was forced into more duties by her mother, her meetings with
Khalsinn slowly disappeared, often leaving their only means for communication to be cryptic letters hidden throughout their known paths.
Life is not easy in a
Drow city, even for a female. When the opportunity came for Miz to claim her freedom, she left the
Underdark and her family behind. Her mother was outraged, but three complacent daughters were still better than one rebel. Even her brothers fell into line, a line that Miz could never follow. She chose to be a misfit, to become an outcast, rather than stay under the strings of her mother's masterful hands.
- Date of Birth
- 9 Winter's Noon, 250 E.A.
- Eyes
- Lavender
- Hair
- Long, white
- Skin Tone/Pigmentation
- Obsidian
- Height
- 6'1"
- Weight
- 150 lbs
Appearance
Physical Description
Miz'ri is very fit, her lithe body honed and trained through years of blade work against her father. She is quick, like most Elves are, deftly moving through intricate movements to enhance her swordplay.
Body Features
Her skin is a dark obsidian color, a family trait. Her white hair is extremely long, a stark contrast to the darkness of her skin. Both are considered to be exemplary traits of Drow society, and are often seen within her family.
Facial Features
She has sharp cheekbones and bright eyes that watch everything that happens around her. While her family is known for their dark eyes, hers are a soft lavender but are more striking when staring out at someone.
Apparel & Accessories
She prefers to wear dark colors, things that easily blend in when in the Underdark or during the night. She wears the dark armor that her father gifted her, a supple leather that moves silently with her, no matter the movement. Other than her weapons, she wears few other accessories.
Specialized Equipment
Most of her equipment is from the Underdark, made by either the Drow or the Duergar. The only specialty item that she has acquired since reaching the surface was a pair of specially made glasses that allow her to function in the bright lights of the surface.
Mentality
Personal history
Miz'ri Baenre is the youngest of seven siblings, the fourth daughter of House Baenre. Her mother, Matron Zilvra Baenre, led the eighth house in the council of Eryndlyn. From the day she was born, it was Miz's fated lot in life to serve as a priestess of the Huntress, helping her family and house gain a higher seat of power in the Ruling Council of Eryndlyn. She was raised in her early years by her older sisters, very rarely facing the wrath of her mother directly. She was seen as odd, as the lavender shade of her eyes was not that of the rest of the family. Because of this, she was treated differently even as a small child.
In those early years, she excelled at the innate magic that all Drow have. She learned quickly, having mastered many of the abilities by the age of seven, three years before most children were expected to use the skills. This surprised Zilvra, but made the matron believe that this child was destined for great things later in life. Once her early days with her sisters were over, she became a servant for the others in the house, learning about the culture and society that she was a part of. This was the point that her father began teaching her the art of the sword.
From the age of ten onward, Miz often trained with her father in secret, learning intricate movements and sword techniques. This training was hidden from her mother, but Miz was often reprimanded by her sisters for falling behind in her regular schooling. She had very little interest in the teachings necessary to be a priestess, instead she preferred studying strategy and swordplay, expanding upon the skills her father taught her.
After three decades serving as a servant to her family, Miz was sent to the Drow to become a priestess. The first year of general studies went well, although she did not believe in portions of what was being taught to the nobles. She saw no need for the conniving behavior and the constant violence that plagued the noble houses. When it came time for her to take the exam to find her class ranking as she moved into the classes for priestesses, she failed, surprising everyone. Beyond the innate magic of the Drow, Miz had no aptitude for magic. Through some coercing of her father, she was allowed to stay in the academy and take part in the fighters course.
For ten years, she trained at the academy. During the few instances that she could get away from the strict rules there, she returned home to train with her father. Once her time at the academy was finished, she returned home, and was granted the title of Swordsmaster by her father. This displeased her mother more than Miz already had and Zilvra attempted to force Miz into her ideals and Miz's place as a priestess.
Already tired of the treatment from her mother, Miz decided to flee the Underdark, heading toward the refuge of the Llanowar Clan and her trusted friend, Khalsinn. During trade negotiations between the two families over the years, the two had formed a lasting friendship. Miz found safety and a new family in the Spine of Kallex with the Llanowars, where she would soon be sent to the Human Empire with Khalsinn on a trade mission.
Education
Miz's education was a piecemeal one, coming in spurts from various people. As a young child, she was often taught the basics of Drow magic and other duties of the noble family by one of her old sisters. As she grew older, her father would often call her to the training room to teach her weapon fighting, an occupation often left to the men in noble families. This training was often done at night behind closed doors, so as to keep it a secret from her mother. These late night sessions would remain a secret up until Miz's entrance into the Drow academy in the city.
Upon coming of age, Miz was enrolled in the Drow academy. All children of noble houses were required to attend this academy, whether it be to train as a priestess, a wizard, or as a fighter. The latter two courses of study were often only for males as it was seen as a female noble child's duty to become a priestess and serve the matron of their house. Throughout the first year of general schooling that all at the academy received, it was assumed that Miz would follow the path to become a priestess starting in her second year. When the placement exam came to establish rankings within the individual courses of study, Miz failed the priestess exam miserably.
Through coercing from her father, Miz was eventually allowed to join the fighter course where she excelled. During her bits of time away from the academy, she continued to train with her father in secret, honing her skills to match that of a master swordsman. Her mother continued to force her towards a path of the arcane, hoping that she would eventually stray from the path of fighting that Miz was so hell-bent on following. This was not the case.
Employment
Her employment has stemmed mostly from her training. She served as a maid or aide for her older siblings before she attended the academy, fulfilling the role that all young children of a noble house must. After completing the fighters course at the academy, her employment was greatly stunted as her mother still attempted to force her to become a high priestess. Due to this disagreement, Miz left the Underdark.
After leaving the Underdark, she was employed with her friend, Khalsinn Llanowar, as a diplomat for the Llanowar Clan. This job has led her to find other employment with the Dagger Guild.
Morality & Philosophy
Miz strays away from the philosophy that was beat into her head as a child. Zilvra and her sisters often preached that Drow women were required to be strong and conniving, looking out for no one but herself and taking power every chance she could. There could be no status or pride without power.
Miz believes that it is better to help others if possible and believes in the power of friends that are closer than family. She does not believe in killing others or creatures blinding, bringing logic to the situation before rushing into a somewhat blind, emotional killing state that Drow are trained to do against certain creatures. Her training means discipline, which she practices stringently, using that discipline and logic to remove herself from the philosophy she was taught.
Known Languages
Miz is fluent in Common, Elvish, and Undercommon, but in most instances, especially with Khalsinn, wishes to use the Drow silent language of hand signs.
Personality
Motivation
Her biggest motivation for what she does is to be anyone but the daughter that her mother wishes her to be. She struck out on her own so that she was not forced into the life of a priestess and possibly a matron mother in later years. She works to make her father proud as he is the only one that has supported her endeavors.
Hygiene
Being of a noble background, hygiene was held in high regard. During her travels, she attempts to stay as clean as possible, making sure that her blades and equipment are kept clean and rust-free. Her immaculate hygiene is often more for her equipment than herself.
Social
Birthplace
Eryndlyn
Contacts & Relations
While she is the fourth daughter of House Baenre, she has since given up that title when she left the Underdark. The loss of the title also brought the loss of any contacts or affiliations that would give her.
She is now considered a member of the Llanowar Clan. That name carries some weight on the surface, but she has not yet made any contacts with that name.
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Swordsmaster of House Baenre, Rebel of the Underdark, Traitor (to her family)
Family Ties
Her family ties in the Underdark were severed when she left. Her communication with her father is now nonexistent, although she still has ties to him. Since being brought into the Llanowar Clan, she has a new family but has spent little time with them so far.
Social
Birthplace
Eryndlyn
Contacts & Relations
While she is the fourth daughter of House Baenre, she has since given up that title when she left the Underdark. The loss of the title also brought the loss of any contacts or affiliations that would give her.
She is now considered a member of the Llanowar Clan. That name carries some weight on the surface, but she has not yet made any contacts with that name.
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Swordsmaster of House Baenre, Rebel of the Underdark, Traitor (to her family)
Family Ties
Her family ties in the Underdark were severed when she left. Her communication with her father is now nonexistent, although she still has ties to him. Since being brought into the Llanowar Clan, she has a new family but has spent little time with them so far.