Castalia🥀

Although Castalia typically carries herself with a rather severe demeanour, she is not as cruel as her heritage would indicate. She might not have the astuteness or social skills to properly express it, but she can be deeply caring, demonstrating this in her meticulous management of The Wicked Lady's various paperwork. Despite her approach to training new crewmates being strict (and her just generally having an intimidating presence) she is not without mercy, often surprising people with how understanding and accommodating she is. She might be cold, but she is certainly not unkind.

Carrying no weapons, she relies on her claw ring to draw blood, from which she then fashions a weapon. She prefers to use as little blood as possible, often creating tiny needles which fly through the air and seek opponents. She much rather prefers not to fight at all.

• beware, beware, the bloodhunter rare
• who trades her life for power
• with scars on her wrists and spells on her lips
• she makes even monsters cower

Growing up, Castalia hated blood training. Being a weakly small-framed child, she seldom had blood to spare, spending many arduous lessons feeling sick and dizzy (as well as the few days following). Much preferring her studies of history, arithmetic, and literature, she (perhaps foolishly) weakened her constitution further by often reading late into the night, forgoing sleep. Although her physical training wasn't wholly disappointing, even adequate at times, her haemomancy suffered considerably and was nigh always a threat to her health. As much as this frustrated her teachers, Castalia was largely indifferent to her poor combat grades. Her elder brother excelled at all the things she found a struggle and naturally, being the firstborn, was heir to the family noble title. Castalia wanted nothing to do with it, entirely content to let her brother take up that mantle.

Castalia couldn't neglect her haemomancy forever, though; after he failed to return from his pilgramage, Castalia's brother was assumed dead and all responsibilities and expectations of heir fell to Castalia. Her family renewed her blood training with a vengeance, bordering on punishing. Needless to say, Castalia bore no love for her family, nor the ability granted by her bloodline.

It is no small wonder that Castalia fled her family. Striking out on her own, she eventually found her way onboard The Wicked Lady, sailed by Captain Talan and his crew. Welcoming her into the crew, Castalia used their voyages as a refuge from her family, finally able to choose her own life. Despite being generally reserved and unsociable, Castalia found a place amongst the crew. Upon proving her skills at paperwork she soon took over Kell's role as Quartermaster, becoming an invaluable overseer of the ship's expenses, inventory and other things.

• Being both albino and anaemic, Castalia is exceptionally pale.
• Due to being albino, she doesn't form visible scars.
• She is prone to feeling fatigued, which at times can make her irritable.

Ryne

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sibling

Ain't no bond like a trauma bond.

Talan

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friend

Captain of The Wicked Lady, Talan warmly welcomed Castalia on board, offering her refuge from her overbearing family. Talan's incessant friendliness bypassed Castalia's defensive persona and coaxed her to relax, playing a key role in her feeling at home aboard The Wicked Lady. Unlike her family elders and the tutors hired by her parents, Talan is encouraging and nigh endlessly lenient; Castalia admires this about him.

Kell

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friend

Formerly the quartermaster of The Wicked Lady, Kell was grateful to pass the role to Castalia who bears a greater affinity for meticulous record keeping. Although they are prone to clashing with each other, no real animosity is intended or develops between them and they get along well enough. Should things come down to it, both know they can trust the other with their life.