Campaigns/GK-Austin 10-3-19/Iksholi

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Iksholi was born to a Common family in Jahannam’s capital city, Nar Kabira. The oldest of 7 children, the first few years of Iksholi’s life were almost idyllic. Her father was a merchant who made the three-day trip across the desert wasteland to the only other known oasis city of Almutahar once a month. Her mother was a baker who specialized in all the many flavors and varieties of hulwayat. Because, as everyone in Jahannam knows, the wrong type of hulwayat presented to the gods on holy days could cause insult and catastrophe. Their family wasn’t rich by any means, but they were comfortable, and they were happy.

And then it all came crashing down. Iksholi’s father left one day for his monthly; they waited three days past when he was due home, then five, then a week. After a month, they resigned themselves to the fact that he was likely lost to them forever - another casualty of the great burning desert.

While life was harder for the family after the loss of Iksholi’s father, they struggled through. At 7 years old, Iksholi took on more responsibility caring for her younger siblings as her mother maintained the bakery and also began mending/tailoring clothes late into the night to keep food on the table.

Meals were still a bit leaner than before, but everything seemed like it would work out okay. Maybe they had to be a bit more careful with their spending, had to cut out some of the little luxuries they indulged in before, but they were making it work. And, of course, that’s when the great Light sickness swept through Nar Kabira.

The Light sickness caused great suffering throughout the city. While some seemed miraculously immune to the disease, nearly everyone who did contract it died within a week in absolute agony. Light sickness seemed to burn the people of Jahannam from the inside out, and Iksholi could only watch as it consumed four of her siblings. Then her mother started showing the first symptoms (the skin on her hands and feet drying out, almost leather-like) and knew she had to act quickly. The twins, the youngest of Iksholi’s siblings who hadn’t even had their first birthday yet, found a home with a dear family friend. And just before she died, Iksholi’s mother was able to secure her daughter a prized position in the palace.

Iksholi initially started work in the kitchens with a friend of her mother’s. It wasn’t long, however, before upper-level palace staff took notice of the spitfire little girl and brought her to the attention of the king and queen. The young princess, only a few months younger than Iksholi, was painfully shy and reserved, and they were hoping Iksholi could be the perfect playmate to help.

The plan worked beautifully. Iksholi’s brash confidence and hot temper drew the princess out of her introverted shell, and the princess’s more reserved nature softened Iksholi’s feistier qualities. The girls quickly became inseparable, as close as sisters though opposites in almost every way.

As they grew older, the princess started to take on more responsibilities on her path to eventually becoming queen, and Iksholi decided to pursue a position in the queen’s guard. Through the Guard, she further learned how to discipline her temper and redirect it appropriately. She became adept with the sword and a downright quick-draw with her bow and arrow, and she rose quickly through the ranks. In only a couple short years, she was appointed as the head of the princess’s security team.

As a gift for her accomplishments, the princess - who had spent her time studying history and magicka - presented Iksholi with a pair of leather gloves charmed with Corruption (the element all demons have a natural affinity for) to protect Iksholi in battle. The girls were inseparable once again, Iksholi always at the princess’s side as her most loyal guard.

Prologue
.... == Backstory == ....   