Khrystian Van Diago

Master Bard Khrystian Van Diago (a.k.a. Khrys)

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Well defined.

Facial Features

Very stark and good looking.

Identifying Characteristics

Tattoo of a blade on his right arm.

Physical quirks

Right-handed.

Apparel & Accessories

Always very opulently dressed in the latest fashions favoring the colors of black accented by crimson red.

Specialized Equipment

Trained with Daggers, Rapiers and Arcane Magic

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Born to Eliad Van Diago a famed Poet and his wife Lyla, Khrystian was loved. He spent his first four years growing up on the road with his parents while his father performed his works and poetry for nobles and commoners alike from town to town. Eliad was famous all along the Sword Coast, providing not only joy for those who witnessed his performances, but also for his family whom he loved dearly. Unfortunately, not all things last forever, and Eliad fell ill. It was not long before the sickness took him, leaving Lyla and Khrystian alone in the world only with what money Eliad had saved.
For the next year they were on their own, it was a simple and poor life, but they made it, they had each other after all. Eventually, Lyla fell in love with a Wealthy Merchant named Vinithas Sellinthon. He seemed a kind man to Khrystian who bought him several toys and always made sure he and his mother had plenty to eat. Eventually the merchant and his mother married, and they went with him and his caravan. Traveling they made their way up the coast, city to city, and town to town, Vinithas always talking about his new shop that was going to be opening in some distant city.
One night, however, while Lyla and Khrystian were in a deep sleep which was the result of a sleeping herb that VInithas had slipped into their food, VInithas picked up Khrystian and took him from the Caravan and gently carried him into an alleyway and placed him on the street. Khrystian woke up somewhat, looking up to the man that had taken the place of his Father, confused and still so sleepy. Vinithas spoke, his words gentle but firm. “Look, boy, I take no pride in this. But I will not raise another man’s son. I have no ill will toward you, you’re a good lad, but as long as you are around reminding your mother of your father, I will never have her full heart.”. Then, Vinithas walked away leaving him there. Khrystian tried to cry out and get up, but his body would not allow him, and he unwillingly fell back asleep only to awake many hours later, alone, abandoned, and having no idea where to go or what to do.
The next several years were hard on Khrystian as he learned the way of the streets, and how to survive as a kid with nothing. He swore to himself that one day, he would put this existence behind him, and he would have everything he wanted. He would no longer be a homeless street rat, but he would be rich, hold vast lands, never go hungry, and all of those who spit on him would grovel for his favor. Yes, one day, he would have it ALL.
Remembering what little he could of his real father, as the memories faded and became unclear, he honed his bardly skills. Starting with his ability to tell believable stories and lies, playing characters and acting, and most importantly forging his Fortune Cards. It was in those hand-made cards that he was first able to touch and channel the magic within him. Through them, he could work wonders with his performances, and aid him in his less than legal endeavors. Even though he found his calling as a Bard, his experience in the streets had honed his body and fighting skills, stealth and reflexes, and using all of his abilities together, he felt invincible. But one day why he was cruising the streets to find a potential Mark, this fancy Elf woman caught his eye. She looked young, much too young of an elf to be on her own, and easy target. But he was wrong.
As he tried to steal from Thia she caught his hand and drug him into an alleyway, blade at his throat. He stared at her with defiance even though he was likely to lose his life. “Do it” he growled, as he stared into her eyes, his own unflinching. If we were going to die, he would do it on his terms, and he would not do it pissing himself with fear. Besides, she had him just where he wanted her to have him.
“Who are you, and are you alone?” She growled, though Khrystian could pick up the subtle hints in her voice when she spoke, this Elf girl wouldn’t kill him.
“Khrystian, and yeah I am alone you pompous pointed ear tree licker.” He said with a smirk, as she proceeded to shove him into the wall blade still at his neck, he noticed she could have pushed him much harder, this was going to be easier than he thought.

“Where are your parents, why are you on the streets?” She demanded, peering into his stark green eyes. He stared back into hers, the same defiant resolution. As he answered, he slipped the coin pouch he snatched from her when she shoved him onto his belt.
“Dads dead, Stepfather was a dick and ran off with my mother. They left me here, and I have been here ever since.” He pauses for a moment, as his dagger slips into his hand from his coat sleeve, and then he added “You self righteous moss petting dilapidated plum.”
“Aren’t you afraid of dying?” she chuckled, gently pressing the flat edge of her dagger into his neck. He could feel that it wasn’t the edge, she wasn’t serious but I am he thought.
“Not really Elf. Are you?” He replied, pressing his own dagger he had slipped into his hand to her side.
Her eyes shifted, and before he could react she had already snatched the dagger from his hand, she was fast, much faster than him. Damn, this one has me he thought, this is the end. But I won’t be afraid. But what happened next surprised. She pulled him into an embrace and hugged him tightly, shocked and not sure what to do, he just stood there. To this day he can remember the lavender scent to her hair and skin that day, and it still remains his favorite scent even now.
After a moment she spoke, still holding onto him, her voice soft “You are my ward now, and you are coming with me. This is your punishment for trying to rob me. You need not to be afraid ever again, nor will you go hungry.” she sniffed at the air “And you will have a bath”. Khrystian was confused, and emotional, but thought to himself well, this gives me a better chance to rip her off later, as he pocketed the coin purse he managed to lift while she hugged him. Besides, he needed a good bath anyways.
Over the next 7 years, Thia had brought him into the fold of the Shadow Thieves guild under the management of Meirin Cyndane. Thia and Khrystian learned a lot from each other, both teaching the other what survival and life hack they know. The bond they formed was that of family, blood, love and utterly blind devoted loyalty. To this day, she is the only person he trusts, everyone else has some motive he just hasn't seen clearly yet.
One night while skulking in the shadows of the Guild Hall, one of Khrystian’s favorite pastimes as he was blessed with an amazing ability at Stealth much at the envy of many Rogues, he overheard Mierin and another higher up discussing him and his sister.
“As well as they work together as a team, their inability to take jobs or tasks as an individual is something we cannot continue.” Mierin said coldly. “As such, we will mandate them to be separated, and work in different parts of the city. It is more profit for us, twice the work, same team.”
“And if they refuse?” Gorfen asked, scratching at his oily bald head.
“Oh dear, they don’t have a choice, if they refuse, they die” Mierin mused.
The conversation continues for a short while but Khrystian really didn’t pay attention. He snuck out of the area and concocted a plan, a plan that not even his sister would be privy to until it was happening, and he had to do it fast.
Two days later, while Thia was at their safehouse enjoying her day off so to speak, Khrystian went to visit Meirin. As per usual during their private meetings, Khrystian allowed Meirin to “seduce him”. She really wasn’t his type after all, despite how beautiful she is, but this always gave him an advantage when dealing with her. Upon allowing her to do get jollies with his body, as she lay there, and him getting ready he spoke.
“It’s not going to work you know.” He said smoothly, fastening the last of his clothing.
“What’s not going to work toy?” She replied musingly, stretching her body on the bed “Things worked quite well from my standpoint.”
“Separating Thia and me.” He replied, “We would rather die first.”
Meirin’s eyes grew cold, and she jerked her head toward him “How dare you to eavesdrop street rat.” The words as biting as her expression. It wasn’t until then she noticed he was gone, he had already slipped out, that quickly, how dare he! Then her eyes fell onto the jeweled glass case she kept her most prized possession. Her Tiara, made of gold, silver and numerous gemstones, once said to be the property of some queen or princess. It was gone.
As Khrystian bolted through the shadows, hiding in nooks and side passages, he could hear her scream to alert the Guild Thugs to immediately apprehend him and his sister. Everything was going to plan, this would work, he thought as popped in and out of alleyways, making his way to the safe house. He would have arrived much sooner, but he was trying to not be tracked. He was surprised when he saw three thugs already approaching the door leading to the inner dwellings. He had to act quick, and deftly producing his Moon card from his deck (his focus) he put them to sleep. Even as their now sleeping bodies were just hitting the floor, he slipped through the door and into the room with Thia.
There she was, his ‘sister’ lounging about and reading one of her fantasy romance novels, this one called ‘Tusk Love’. He never understood why she liked those so much. He flipped his card behind him, it lands with perfect precision in the crack of the door. The look of pure innocence and nonchalance on his fact, he reached up with hand and scratched the back of his head.
“Good book?” He remarked, immediately moving around the room and collecting the more valuable of his possessions and starting to shove them in his pockets and bags. “I think we need a break, don’t you? Let’s take a vacation!”
“What have you done Khrys?” Thia hissed. She never used his name unless she was really upset or pissed off. He knew that was a warning from her, but he ignored it as he continued gathering his things, and she started to gather hers as well.

“Why do you always think I have done something?” he asked, a faint forced chuckled escaping his throat as he looks around the room making sure he got everything. “I don’t always get into trouble.” he finished.

“What. Have. You. Done?” Thia growled here eyes narrowed and glinting with danger as she finished packing up her own items.
“Well we definitely have the means to get somewhere, and I know where, but this will give us a little extra to set up don’t you think?” he replied, still not answering her question out loud. He tosses her the Tiara, and upon catching she looks at him, confused, enraged, and agast
"You fucking. You did what. What the fuck Khrystian. What the fuck. We need to go. Now. Right now." she exclaims. She shoves it into her bag and takes a brief glance out of the window in the room. "The safe way. Go. There are at least 8 out there." She's snarling out her words, she's furious, betrayed, thoroughly confused and shutting it all down into getting The Fuck Out mode.
Khrystian already has the trap door open and is dropping down into the passage below as she says this. “Are you coming Sister?” he quips descending into the narrow tunnel. 8 outside and 3 in the hall, this is better than I thought, he thought to himself. He could hear Thia drop down behind, closing the trap door as she does so, “Be careful, I made some improvements while you were out yesterday.” he whispered, leading the way past the clay jars filled with lamp oil and moonshine which he had affixed haphazardly along the wall with a thin rope connecting them along the passage.
As he exits the passage into the sewer and at the moment Thia exits as well, he pulls the rope which causes a domino effect of breaking clay jars and pots along the entirety of the passageway they just traversed. Striking his tinderbox, he sets it ablaze, sending a roaring flame through the escape tunnel which in moments would turn the safehouse, and depending, a good portion of the nearby buildings on fire. It would be days before they would discover their remains are not in the ashes.
He turns, back to Thia “They were going to separate us, and that is not something I would abide.” he says quietly, yet still loud enough to hear over the roaring flames whistling out of the tunnel entrance into the sewer where they now stand, and he starts walking the path they take to make their exit.
She stared at his back, tears prickling in her eyes. "Alright, Little Brother." She whispered, softly but it carries to him before she follows. She feels a bit hurt, still. A bit betrayed, that she hadn't been let in beforehand. Hadn't been told what was going on. A bit blindsided by everything. But she did swear that she would do everything in her power to protect, love, and support him in many ways she needs to - and this is just one more way she needs to do it. She catches up to him and gives him a little hip-check, all smiles and smirks now. "So where are we headed, huh? Got any more plans, oh glorious leader?" she says with a soft chuckle.
Khrystian grinned at this, he knew that Thia would not stay mad at him for long. "Waterdeep. We are going to Waterdeep, and you are going to love this part." He produces several pieces of parchment he had been working on and fills her in on his plan, and thus was born the Black Lotus. (Black Lotus Detailed at the end of Background)
So they left, making their way to Waterdeep, spreading rumor and fabricated ‘Information Wanted’ posters along the way. His plan was simple but brilliant, they would go to the one place the Shadow Thieves would not dare venture to until they had a lot more numbers, numbers he was sure he had cut down by burning several alive, and on top of that, cast himself and Thia as ranking members of a guild which far surpassed the Shadow Thieves. (Alot of this time is detailed in Thia’s description so I won’t make you read it again, will just add that Khrystian did work as a traveling Bard and took to using his father’s last name of Van Diago, a rather famous family name among entertainers. Or it uses to be at least.)
Khrystian and Thia eventually ended up working at a Bordello in Waterdeep, both as bartenders and entertainers. Thia was sleeping with the Owner, and Khrystian occasionally took on a client for the night, but only if they met his standards. He was very picky. They both continued their own goals, Thia playing Politics, Khrystian spreading rumors, stealing and entertaining. They met the Dwarf son-in-law of Taeral Silvertongue, his name was Boulder, he was nice enough, but Khrystian did not trust him, nor Taeral, he didn’t trust anyone but his sister very far.

Gender Identity

Male

Sexuality

Bi-Sexual

Education

He was trained as an assassin by Thia Thuranni and self-learned the Bardic Arts as part of his blood heritage.

Accomplishments & Achievements

In the end he felt that he protected his sister from himself.

Failures & Embarrassments

He felt that he constantly failed to protect his sister.

Mental Trauma

Too many to list, but to name a few:
* Growing up on the streets and having to kill other children to survive. * Being Sexually used by Meirin. * Having to kill Thia Thuranni's Lover Taeral Silvertounge

Intellectual Characteristics

He was a Prodigy, especially good with numbers.

Morality & Philosophy

As long as it protects my sister, or elevates my status, the ends justify the means.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

To elevate his social status and protect his sister.

Personality Quirks

Constantly his food in his pockets, even without thinking.

Hygiene

Always clean.

Social

Family Ties

Tanner Diago - Brother

Religious Views

He was a follower of Sune.

Social Aptitude

Extremely charismatic and manipulative. He was an avid plotter and often used emotional manipulation to get what he wanted.

Wealth & Financial state

He earned a very lucrative income from the The Tongue & Cheek and the Black Lotus.

View Character Profile

Current Residence

Waterdeep

Gender

Male

Eyes

Stark Green

Hair

Medium Brown perpetually mussed in a chaotic stylized manner.

Height

5'11"

Weight

130

Quotes & Catchphrases

"I will always protect you my dear sister, even from myself."

Known Languages

Common, Elvish, Undercommon