Kalla
Kalla, at the ripe age of twenty-seven, is not your typical courtier. Her dark eyes are sharp and calculating, the thin smile on her lips spreading only when she is plotting something sinister. She possesses an unusual beauty, the kind that radiates not from mere physical appearances, but rather from the dominance and cunningness that her personality radiates. Kalla has more than once used her dulcet charm and wit to her advantage, molding the minds of the gullible and manipulable courtiers to orchestrate schemes that unfold exactly the way she wants.
Looking back at her childhood, nothing about her past would suggest the direction she'd take later in life. She was born to an average family of hardworking artisans in the heart of Midlandshire – a place known for its vibrant green landscapes, windswept hills, and a serenity that was at constant odds with Kalla’s restless spirit.
Growing up, Kalla exhibited an uncanny knack for weaving intricate webs of carefully crafted words - a skill that would later establish her as the most formidable manipulator of the royal court. Her unique gift didn't go unnoticed by her parents, and hence, after witnessing their little girl’s peculiar talent, they decided to send her to a prestigious academy for courtesans to hone these skills, painfully bidding farewell to their humble abode.
It is at the academy that Kalla finds Al’Manta, her beloved pet snake, who was a crucial part of her later life. The snake, with its sleek green skin and hypnotic gaze, was shunned for its potential danger. Yet, it caught Kalla’s attention. Not only does she keep the creature by her side, but she also learns to extract its venom, employing the toxin as a silent weapon to eliminate her adversaries at court.
As Kalla’s name becomes known throughout the kingdom, she earns a string of epithets trailing behind her name – “The Serpent,” “The Silent Slayer.” Yet, she prides herself most on her self-assumed title, “The Puppeteer,” indicative of the control she wields over the court, pulling the strings of destinies, both big and small.
However, even Kalla isn't devoid of flaws. Her profound fear of vulnerability stands out primarily among others. It's a fear she masks under her confident façade, yet one that surfaces when she's alone.
Outside of her dangerous pursuits, Kalla delights in reading arcane lore, submerging herself in stories of old wars and forgotten magic. It is not merely a hobby but a source of knowledge she often turns to when the court's intrigue proves challenging to unravel. A silver amulet, shaped like a coiling serpent – a miniaturized replica of Al'Manta – is her favored accessory, deemed by her as a protective totem and symbol of her power.