Personal History

       Bright and pure, the moonlight
       spills upon the earth beneath a shroud of cloud.
       Its silvery radiance
       dispels the heavy mist.

       So gentle is your smile;
       the land beneath your gaze still lies asleep.
       Only Narodanya's icy peak pierces the heavens,
       standing alone against the raging western wind.

       The Zarab Mountains is a region of rugged terrain and a patchwork of intermingled ethnic groups, that have endured violent clashes over territory and water, the "Secret War" between the Union and the Entente, the rise of the warlord Mazdak (backed by the Entente), and the encroachment of the Walentia Kingdom's forces. Politically, the region is now a chaotic, interlocking mess of conflicting powers. Yet, to the Circassian people (known as "Elves"), the only true, legitimate rulers are the scions of the "Royal Houses" that have endured for millennia.

       During the Secret War, these royals became "prey" for both the Union and the Entente, held captive in conditions akin to kidnapping; Mazdak’s tyranny even sought to exterminate their bloodlines entirely. Yet, one young woman slipped through the net and rose to become the most renowned Wandering hero of the Zarab Mountains.A legend celebrated in the songs of wandering bards: Princess Vanalletta Khatuk. Although Circassian royals possess long lifespans and ageless beauty, the Princess remains, in truth, a young maiden.

       Traditionally, the Circassians dwelt in cave-dwellings carved into the mountainside, though today, only the wealthiest and the poorest among them still live there. For the poor, a dwelling might consist of nothing more than a single hollowed-out space, whereas the caves carved by the wealthy feature magnificent halls and complex, ant-hill-like layouts.

       Princess Vanalletta's rule extends only over four or five villages and towns in the Khatuk Valley, a population of merely two or three thousand souls, and the Khatuk cave-complex where she was born has fallen into such disrepair that it is little more than a ruin. While the locals who watched her grow up would gladly welcome her into their homes for meals and lodging, the Princess rarely has the opportunity to meet them in public. The Hatuk Valley has been seized by Mazdak, and Vanalletta herself has been marked as a prime target, with a massive bounty placed on her head by the usurper.

       Vanalletta possesses the appearance of a peerless beauty from ancient poetry, a testament to her noble lineage. Her conduct perfectly embodies the standards of ancient nobility celebrated in verse: she is approachable yet dignified, hospitable, fond of hosting gatherings, skilled in song and dance, fearless, and incredibly generous. What makes this truly remarkable is that she maintains this lifestyle despite being utterly destitute, penniless and without a fortune to her name.

       Determined to reclaim her homeland, Vanalletta constantly strikes at Mazdak’s minions. While the enemy wields weapons and supplies provided by the Entente, along with a vast array of Earth technologies incomprehensible to the Circassian people, Vanalletta relies on her own fearlessness, spirited nature, and poetry. The resistance against Mazdak is fragmented, and while Princess Vanalletta is not their commander, she is undoubtedly the figure who commands the most respect and influence; wherever she goes, be it a guerrilla unit or a village, she is welcomed and revered.

       Vanalletta's fearlessness and generosity often defy reason. She frequently appears in public, strutting openly in magnificent, eye-catching robes; this has made her a target for snipers more than once, yet she has always managed to deflect the bullets using the power of her EGO. She often ventures into cities heavily guarded by Mazdak’s forces to attend lively events like weddings, or nonchalantly approaches the very armies hunting her, singing and dancing until bullets land right beside her, only then withdrawing, seemingly reluctant to leave the stage. Though she possesses little beyond what she carries on her person, she frequently gives away money and belongings to those in need, often impulsively gifting away her cherished firearms, swords, and even her beloved horse.

       In a sense, Vanalletta isn't truly fearless; it is simply that the things she loves, bustling crowds, poetry, music, dance, fine wine, ice cream, and the chance to be the center of attention, are luxuries far beyond her meager means. That is why she takes such risks just to join the festivities. She will even brazenly crash Mazdak’s banquets for a free meal. While her rashness and audacity often land her in perilous situations, they also frequently catch her enemies off guard, ultimately keeping her safe.

       However, luck and popularity alone cannot explain how she repeatedly ventures into danger yet emerges unscathed. Vanalletta is exceptionally knowledgeable, possesses an uncanny memory, and learns with remarkable speed, traits that drive her to seek out the company of bards and traveling merchants. Yet, her excessive eagerness to help others is a significant weakness; fortunately, the militia of the Zarab Mountains and her fiercely loyal maid, Bari, are always there to quietly clean up the mess she leaves behind. Otherwise, Vanalletta might well have given away the very clothes off her back.