Tara Kazaku

Her Most Graceful Tara Kazaku Skala Bashnina

Brothers lend ears and sisters draw swords
We came here to fight the empress's hordes
We fight not for glory, but right to be free
A war for the future of Skala Bashni
Finish your meals and pray to your god
This war has just started and our journy is hard
And speaking of hard things, this might be obscene
You should drink blood, because we're fucking a queen

— Tara declaring the dracunyer's allegiance to Arvernfel.

Tara Kazaku is the Grand Duchess of Skala Bashni. Known for her political skills and combat prowess, she's the ruler Skala Bashni for the past four centuries, following her brother's death in 1174. She supports artistic individuals, and is also a talented performer in her own right, posessing a unique vocal range that allows her to perform both contralto and mezzo-soprano roles; though proficient in virtually every musical instrument, her favorite is the harp, or lyre if performing where a harp isn't available.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Early Life

Tara was born to a noble Skalani family, to a formerly human mother and a dracunyer father; her older brother, Costache, soon replaced their father as the lord of Kazaku Keep, following the latter's death in a duel. Tara, however, was guided towards a less political path; she was sent to ACU, Caeris, where she studied art, philosophy, and majored in music.
She greduated in 1117 Virtuoso, and a year later she relocated to Akidos, where she sang in a tavern in return for lodging. Word of her outstanding performances spread fast, even when compared to the fast paced life in the city state, and eventually drew the attention of Raxis himself; less than a month after her arrival in the city, she was offered, and accepted, to permanently stay as a guest within his lair. In 1173 AC, her brother was ordered to join the war against the Hegemony of Xesian with a contigent of 450 soldiers, by empress Veronica Dislerf's decree. As he departed, he sent Tara a letter, informing her of the increased levies and appointing her as his successor should he fall in battle.
In 1174 Costache was killed in an ambush that supposedly could have been prevented had his retinue of dracunyer was with him, and not assigned to seperate units by an incompetent relative of Veronica. The same day word of Costache's death reached Akidos, Tara made all of the necessary arrangements and departed back to her home, where she was entrusted with the role of duchess.

General of the Dracunyer

As tensions in Osternfel grew, Tara swore allegiance to the grand duchy of Mirkas in 1199, whose arch-duchess, Regina I Mirkasna, later joined the eastern rebellion. The arch dukes recognized the immense advantage Tara and her kin provided, and she was assigned as a military general under Shvat the Great during the Osternfel Civil War of 1201.
Even though in practice there were at most three hundred soldiers under her command, her presence on the battlefield accompanied by a detachment of the legendary dracunyer, provided morale support to such an extent that many victories are attributed mostly to her. As a combatant in her own right she is arguably even deadlier: she won every duel she ever fought, with some estimates claiming that she has personally killed over a thousand combatants in varying circumstances; her long lifespan and eternal youth help her to further capitalize on her experience, rendering her increasingly deadlier as the years go on.

Tour of Triumph

When the war was over in 1206, Tara began traveling throught the new nation in celebration of the victory and performed in a variety of venues, from local taverns and up to amphitheaters; people flocked to hear her singing and playing, though more than likely most of them just wanted a glimpse of the usually reclusive denizens of Skala Bashni. Prior to the tour, dracunyer were regarded as a rumor and Tara herself was sometimes dismissed is a fictional character created for war propagenda; by some accounts, her old friend Raxis even appeared in several performance, further increasing the popular appeal.
The tour took a dramatic turn when inequitars sent by Veronica Dislerf attempted to assasinate her following a performance. Unarmed and unarmorded, she killed an assailant by punching his throat after deflecting a blow with her forearm, grabbed his heavy two-handed sword with her uninjured right hand and proceeded to kill all remaining three; needless to say, this injury ended the tour, though the show of strength gave it a somewhat positive note.

By Blade and String

Nowdays, Tara is regarded as a living legend; the public image of her is that of an immortal general-musician that befriends dragons and beats all odds, wether as a commander or as warrior. In addition to her responsibilities and duties as a grand duchess, in 1345 she established the Concertivish Ostigi, an academy dedicated to the teaching of music. In stark contrast to the reclusive nature of her kin, Tara is often found on the conservatorium's grounds, where she serves as the dean.

Current Date: 2^nd of Latsum, 1572

Current Location

Skala Bashni

Species

Dracunyer

Conditions

• Immortality

Ethnicity

Ostian

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Virtuoso (ACU, 1117)
Duchess (1174)
General (1201)
Grand Duchess (1206)
Dean (1483)

Year of Birth

1091 AC 481 Years old

Gender

Female

by MM (edited)

A portrait of Tara during the war.

Numidius

Tara Kazaku

Medium humanoid, any

Armor Class: 21 Plate and Buckler

Hit Points: 78 ( 12d8+24 )

Speed: 30 ft

STR

22 +6

DEX

20 +5

CON

16 +3

INT

18 +4

WIS

15 +2

CHA

20 +5

Saving Throws: STR +10, WIS +6, CHA +9

Skills: Perception +7, Stealth +9

Senses: Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 13

by MM (edited)

Unnatural Alertness. Tara gains the following benefits:

• Cannot be surprised while conscious.
• Gains a +10 bonus to initiative.
• Other creatures don’t gain advantage on attack rolls against it as a result ofbeing unseen by Tara.

Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If Tara fails a saving throw, she can choose tosucceed instead.
Powerful. Tara has advantage on grappled checks and can move while grappling a creature her size or smaller. The grappled creature is forced to move with her.
Inspiring Presence. Allies of Tara within 30 ft. of her have advantage on saves made against being frightened.
Lead by Example (2/day). Whenever Tara is within melee range of an enemy, she can give all allies that sense her within 30 ft. temporary hit points equal to one roll of their hit die. This effect lasts for an hour, and the temporary hitpoints are lost after the ally finishes a long rest.
Graceful. Whenever an effect forces Tara to end her movement, she can move upto 10 ft. in another direction instead. This trait cannot cause Tara to move morethan she otherwise could have.
Commanding Presence. When Tara makes a Charisma (Intimidation), a Charisma (Performance), or a Charisma (Persuasion) check, she can add a 1d8 to the result.

Actions

Multiattack. Tara makes two attacks.
Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. On Hit: 15 ( 2d6+8 ) slashing damage.
Grab. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. On Hit: the target is grappled (Escape DC 19). On a roll of 19 or higher, the grappled creature begin ssuffocating as Tara grabs it by the neck. On a critical hit, Tara may choose to stun the creature for 1 round by punching its throat.
Noble Charm.
Tara can cause up to four creatures that can see or hear her to be charmed by her. If she or her allies attack or are otherwise hostile towards an affected creature, the effect ends. A creature may attempt a DC 20 Wisdom or Charisma save (their choice) to resist this effect. In active, violent combat, Taracan only charm one creature within 5 ft. of her.
Press the Advantage (Recharge 5-6). Tara makes a single Greatsword attack. On ahit, she may choose to deal half damage instead, move her and her target 5 ft. in the direction of the attack, and attack again. She can repeat this effect indefinitely. If the creature's path is blocked in at least two (out of four) directions not including Tara, she immediately lands a critical hit with either her Greatsword orher Grab ability and the ability ends. If Tara lands a critical hit with a melee attack, she can choose to trigger this ability.

Bonus Actions

Feint. Tara gains advantage on her next attack on a creature she chooses within 5ft. of her.
Bait. Tara makes a Charisma (Deception) check and causes a creature within 5 ft. of her to attack her. Before the attack, the creature rolls an opposed Wisdom (Insight) check; if Tara wins the contest, the attack is made with a -10 to hit and -5 to damage; if the creature wins, the attack is made with a +10 to hit and +5 to damage. Regardless if the creature was bated or not, Tara and the creature switch places.

Reactions

Riposte. Whenever a creature misses Tara with a melee attack, she may attack it and add 1d8 to the damage rolled.
Parry. When a creature damages Tara with a melee attack, she can reduce thedamage by 1d8 + her Dexterity modifier (usually +5).
Withdraw. When any source deals 20 or more damage to Tara, she can move up to half her movement in any direction.

Legendary Actions

Tara can use 1 legendary action per round.
Reposition. Tara moves up to 30 ft., without provoking attacks ofopportunity.