Ryshassa
| Ryshassa Krauser | |
|---|---|
| Status | |
| Race | Elothean |
| Gender | Female |
| Guild | Empath |
| Instance | Prime |
Ryshassa do'Reshar Krauser is the wife of Alexsei Krauser, former Vice-Speaker of the Order of the White Rose.
Officially, she belongs to both the Empath Guild and the House of the Verdant Lily. When not on healing duty or caring for her children, her days are spent quietly with husband or friends, shopping for clothing and jewelry, practicing musical instruments and adopting new crafts to pass the time.
Currently (Moliko 402) Ryshassa is accompanying Alexsei on his pilgrimage to visit the temples of Urrem'tier and his aspects throughout the Five Provinces. Also with them is their youngest daughter, Mirabelle, as she is too young yet to fend for herself.
Description
You see Empath Ryshassa Krauser, Song Weaver of the House of the Verdant Lily, an Elothean.
She has tilted almond-shaped violet eyes. Her blue-black hair is very long and fine, and is worn braided in an elegant wreath held in place by a stylized white gold jadice flower haircomb. She has pale skin.
A scintillating blue-tinged amethyst rests on her forehead, just above her eyes.
She has a tattoo of a pair of wings with iridescent feathers on her back.
She is wearing a wide silver circlet with a tapered diamond point at the crest, a fine silver wire earcuff trapping a stunning sapphire, a silver spiral pendant hung with a deep blue star sapphire teardrop, a sturdy leather harp case, an ebon silk bag sewn with the image of a unicorn resting in a moonlit glade, a marbleized spidersilk pack adorned with an iolite clasp, a many-layered emerald and sapphire silk brocade robe banded with elaborate embroidery, an elegant platinum anniversary ring adorned with violet's heart amethyst, a wide silver sash and some dark blue spidersilk slippers embroidered with tiny sapphire moonflowers.
Yellow and Jade Ball
She has tilted almond-shaped violet eyes. Her blue-black hair is very long and fine, and is worn in a deceptively careless-looking arrangement of upswept locks held in place by a dainty yellow gold dragon haircomb set with tiny jade chips. She has pale skin.
Skillfully applied cosmetics accent her natural beauty, giving her a hint of warm gold along her lids to emphasize her eyes. Her skin has a youthful glow. A vivid red tint stains her lips.
She has a tattoo of a pair of wings with iridescent feathers on her back.
She is holding a lace-fringed gold silk parasol in her left hand.
She is wearing a fragile crystal tiara decorated with brilliant amethysts, an antique baroque pearl pendant on a slender white gold chain, a full-length cloak of creamy velvet with filigreed pearl clasps, a soft amethyst medium suede case, a cream spidersilk bodice over a snowy white chemise, a small chain bracelet set with dangling crystal teardrops, a creamy white leather handbag with an ivory orchid clasp, a silver-inlaid scrimshaw bonding ring, a small ring of solid amethyst, a flowing gold skirt with rich embroidery, a slender toe ring cradling identically carved amethyst and jade stones and some thin-strapped golden sandals with ivory clasps.
History
A Seed Planted in Shadow
Ryshassa do'Reshar was born in Shard, Ilithi. She does not like to speak much of her true parentage, or even name their names. Her mother and father have prominent positions in the House of the Grey Storm and the House of the Silk Strings, respectively.
A few voices whisper that Ryshassa was subject to significant physical and psychological abuse in her childhood, by one or both of her parents, behind closed doors. The scandalous nature of this is part of why Ryshassa prefers neither to confirm or deny the possibility; to this day she still speaks of her true parents with utmost respect and abject sorrow.
Fragile Flower Blooming
Ryshassa grew up a gentle, fragile and largely underconfident young woman. She had the Empathic spark early in life, and her parents were not pleased by that. They believed in only two types of strength: the strength of warfare, and the strength of political influence. Thus if she would not pick up sword and spell to fight, it was expected that she rise up to a position of social power, whether political, diplomatic or mercantile.
Unfortunately for them, she chose neither. She desired nothing of violence, nor did she show an inkling of interest in profit or political machinations. In return--if one is to believe the rumors--her parents made a cruel object lesson of her. They showed her what life would be should she fail to seize and maintain power, whether by force or manipulation. Fear of failure became her motivator, shame and agony her punishment, and she entered the first dark period of her life.
Whatever the truth of those years may be, Ryshassa endured them in silence, unable to shape herself in the way her parents demanded of her.
Wind-Scattered Petals
Ryshassa's mother was an accomplished Warrior Mage, and her younger sister Atmadja inherited all the penchant for combat but no interest whatsoever in magic. Unlike Ryshassa, Atmadja clashed often with her parents, chafing under their disciplinary measures while raging at her sister's plight. She trained herself for physical excellence, knowing one day her strength might be of aid to Ryshassa.
Atmadja had planned for many years to escape their home with Ryshassa and make a run for the Segoltha, crossing the river into Zoluren Province. The young spitfire bade her time and practiced until she felt confident she could pull off the feat unhindered. This moment came the day their brother was born, a child that neither Ryshassa nor Atmadja have ever met. Distracted by the welcome of a new family member, their parents considered their two daughters a distant second to their attention.
Seizing the moment, Atmadja bade Ryshassa to pack light and follow her for an excursion beyond the Shard gates. The journey took them much further up the Southern Trade Route than Ryshassa had imagined. At first she protested; she wasn't prepared to be brought away from all she had known, and the thought of it frightened her. But Atmadja continued to walk swiftly despite her protests, nearly carrying Ryshassa at times as the wind began to rush and the storm clouds gathered above them.
They reached the ferry northwards, but Atmadja realized that she had brought only enough coin for one person. She gave that handful of Kronars to her sister and pushed her aboard, pleading with her to be silent, and to find a better life for herself in the Crossing. The last Ryshassa saw of her sister for many years was the sight of her bright red, windswept hair as rain poured down between them, blurring her vision as did her quiet tears.
Flourishing at the Riverside
Ryshassa's first days in River Crossing were a bewildering rush. Before she ran away, her path had always been chosen for her, and her punishment for refusing it was a life of shame. Now she found herself faced with the prospect of finding her own path in life, her own niche in this new and vibrant city she has arrived in.
Overcoming her crippling shyness was a difficult task, and at first she simply watched and observed, listened to the wisdom of her elders when offered. Eventually she found the nerve to ask about professions, and which would be most suited for her. Those who answered her inquiries, mindful of her pacifist tendencies and her desire to learn while improving her social skills, suggested the Moon Mage, Empath or Trader guilds.
Oddly, Ryshassa's first choice was the Moon Mages, not for any deep interest in astrology or lunar magic, but because she had a guide: Saedrian, who would eventually be her first adoptive father. However, after her first death by the hands of a goblin, it became clear that her pacifism was not a mere phase, and killing life would forever be detestable to her. This led her to the Empath guild, and ever since then, she has found empathic healing to be her true calling.
Belladonna and Nightshade
Secure in her profession, Ryshassa began to make friends among fellow empaths and patients. Her best friend at the time was a ranger named Saeris, whom she still remembers dearly. She was introduced to her new relatives through Saedrian, who at the time was in a relationship with a woman with an extensive family. An older empath named Hanafae took Ryshassa under her wing, and taught her how to be a better healer while coping with the chaos of the infirmary.
Then one day, during a break from guild healing duty, Ryshassa met Legian. He was cleaning out some items from his vault and thought to give them to her. She had only met him once before that, as a mysterious friend of the family. But she found herself completely enchanted by this well-traveled Moon Mage who seemed to know everything about Elanthia. He swept her away with him from province to province, seeking new creatures to hunt and challenge his skills, and she learned how to be a field healer by keeping him alive.
In this way Ryshassa swiftly fell in love with Legian, and it caused a schism in her first adoptive family. Eventually she was disowned by all but Saedrian, but that would not stop her love for the man her heart was set upon. Thus began the rocky relationship and eventual marriage between Ryshassa and her first husband.
Inexperienced with love, Ryshassa was too emotionally needy for Legian; this ultimately alienated him, leading to a long separation. On the other hand, she developed a strong and long-lasting friendship with Philomenta, the cleric who wed them.
The years to follow would be the second dark period of her life.
Winter Frost - Hibernation
Ryshassa spent those years withdrawn and despondent, disinterested in involving herself even to practice her healing trade. Her husband was all but lost to her; her adoptive father and friends had gone away on distant journeys, some never to return. In some way she wished to bury herself, to forget she was alive.
It was at this time, though, that family emerged unexpectedly to be the strength and support she could not give herself. Ryshassa was finally reunited with her beloved sister, Atmadja, who had remained under the yoke of their parents in Shard for several years. Before escaping for good and cutting ties with her former family, Atmadja had sent what news and monetary support she could, but these missives came few and far between. Now they could be together in Zoluren, and nothing would come between them again.
Unlike her depressive sister, Atmadja was an energetic young woman who harbored a quiet rage for those she believed caused her sister pain. She entered her Barbarian training in the Crossing in the hopes of one day growing strong enough to protect Ryshassa properly. At the same time, her friendly and easygoing nature led to befriending the couple that would be her and Ryshassa's second adoptive parents. The antics of Atmadja, Siduire, Svidran and their friends offered Ryshassa brief moments of respite from her constant state of mourning.
It took Ryshassa many months of contemplation to finally sever her bond with Legian. Not until her short-lived relationship with Saulomin did she manage to do so, but it took another, more enduring love to eclipse the unresolved feelings that lingered in her heart.
Spring Renewal - Wartime
When Ryshassa met Alexsei, it was not an immediate turning point in her life. She was not ready to love again, though Alexsei treated her with kindness and sensitivity, winning over even her over-protective sister. Talliska (who started out a young Empath, only to become a Ranger soon afterward) and Philomenta (who served as Alexsei's cleric mentor when he first joined the guild) were their mutual friends.
At this time, the Outcast War was beginning, and the events of that war ultimately drew them both into political, and later military involvement. This also had the effect of drawing the two of them closer together. Their first child, Estrelia, was conceived not long before their quiet wedding ceremony, which Philomenta held for them in the Crossing Temple's wedding chapel. It would be one of the last times they would see Philomenta in the realms, much to their sorrow.
After a small sabbatical to give birth to the child and see her through her first year, Estrelia was given to the care of a nanny. Shard had been occupied by the Outcasts, and Ryshassa and Alexsei spent many of their waking hours educating the young and unaware about the war, occupation and reasons for the conflict. This purpose encompassed their short-lived project, Elota'i Ailirelitan'a, meaning "Children of Tomorrow" in Gerenshuge.
Late in the war, Alexsei and Ryshassa were both enlisted in Zoluren militia, serving in the Phoenix Triage Unit until the liberation of Shard. Outcast King Raenilar withdrew back to his lands in Therengia, and Prince Vorclaf rallied the people of Zoluren to help Ilithi oust Raenilar's remaining followers who refused to give up Shard.
During the rebuilding, the couple lived in Shard with their young daughter, and Ryshassa chose to formally join the House of the Verdant Lily. However, Ryshassa's discomfort with Ilithi politics, and the ever-present fear that her parents would re-emerge into her life, led her to return to Zoluren permanently with her family.
Belladonna Blossoms Anew
For a time Alexsei and Ryshassa faded into obscurity, choosing to concentrate on raising Estrelia and her younger brother, Thealan, born 8 years after Estrelia. These were quiet, peaceful years, during which their love had time to grow and mature into what it is today.
Then Alexsei was recruited into the Order of the White Rose along with their family friend, Talliska. Ryshassa chose not to join herself, content to be a part-time Empath and mother to her children. Eventually, the association with the Rose would bring her husband back into the public eye, which Ryshassa has been more than happy to support in her own small fashion. She socializes with the Rose members now and then, but is closest to Halcier and Mialeigh, whom she and Alexsei befriended before being involved with the Order.
Ryshassa and Alexsei welcomed their younger daughter, Mirabelle, into the family on the 21st day of the 9th month of Dolefaren the Brigantine in the year of the Crystal Snow Hare, 398 years after the victory of Lanival the Redeemer.
A Journey of Faith
A recent crisis of faith and purpose led Alexsei to step down as Vice-Speaker of the Rose. As of Spring 402, Ryshassa and Alexsei are on an extended pilgrimage to visit the temples of Eylhaar, Urrem'tier and Aldauth throughout the provinces. She provides healing duty and moral support, and cares for Mirabelle, whom they brought on their journey so as not to separate her from her parents at such a young age.
Estrelia and Thealan remain in Zoluren in the meantime (the latter likely giving the former incredible headaches, given his temperament.)
Family
Ryshassa is not truly a traditional Elothean, as she places neither Ferdahl and Three nor her House as primary to her responsibilities. However, she does respect both.
Her family, on the other hand, is of utmost important to her.
Immediate Family (Krauser)
Alexsei and Ryshassa affirmed their vows before the gods in the 6th month of Arhat the Fire Lion in the year of the Crystal Snow Hare, 377. Their love is a deep and enduring one; they have recently celebrated their 20th anniversary, and are certain to have many more.
Alexsei Krauser, husband
Estrelia Krauser, older daughter
Thealan Krauser, middle son
Mirabelle Krauser, younger daughter
Sister's Family Branch (Asher)
Ryshassa's sister Atmadja is something of a wild child. She has changed careers several time, gone on adventures throughout Elanthia and generally hates to be kept still. Fortunately, her husband Iluun is cut from the same cloth--and is a moon mage, at that!
Atmadja s'Elevi, younger sister
Iluun Asher, brother-in-law
Mirko Asher, niece
Adoptive Family (s'Elevi)
The woman that ultimately adopted Ryshassa and Atmadja is a Bone Elf Barbarian that worships Asketi. Despite how questionable that may sound, she has been nothing but kind, supportive and protective to the pair when they were estranged from their family.
Siduire s'Elevi, adoptive mother
Myrril s'Elevi, adoptive uncle
Adoptive Family (Wildclaw)
Talliska is an old friend of Alexsei's, and the two of them are like siblings. By association Ryshassa also considers Talliska her sister, and Talliska's family part of hers.
Talliska Wildclaw, adoptive sister
Saisen Vilhelmas, adoptive brother-in-law
Nealie Wildclaw, adoptive niece