Keket
Appearance
Of small stature and slight frame, Keket still possesses a sinewy strength developed by a hard life in the desert. Her complexion is a deep mocha, her features set with an amber gaze and framed with dark locks that drape over her shoulder, or are captured at the back of her head. Several tattoos of ancient Abtati design adorn her body, most notably her arms. These share Keket's skin with a number of small, almost surgical scars. No scar intersects a tattoo, as if the wound was deliberately inflicted.
Skills and Abilities
Hemomancy- This is a rare, ancient form of blood magic that had been part of her family for generations. Spells that magically charge her shed blood include those that allow her to use her blood as an lethal weapon, to track a target, and to summon the dead for interrogation.
Desert-Born Killer - As an Abtatum Keket is fearless and lethal. She employs a discipline of martial arts honed in the desert. Well suited for her body type, it leverages agility, quickness and balance manipulation to defeat a foe. Further training as a Hand has further honed her into a crafty, lethal instrument of the Empire.
Raider's Instinct - Keket's experience in hunting and raiding tactics such as stealth, tracking, archery and various means of killing including natural poisons and traps had been honed in the desert. These nefarious skills have been adapted for use in urban environments as well.
Keen Observation - Hyper-awareness and a gift for noting subtle movements and differences in her surroundings, and in people, serves Keket well in her duties.
Desert-Born Killer - As an Abtatum Keket is fearless and lethal. She employs a discipline of martial arts honed in the desert. Well suited for her body type, it leverages agility, quickness and balance manipulation to defeat a foe. Further training as a Hand has further honed her into a crafty, lethal instrument of the Empire.
Raider's Instinct - Keket's experience in hunting and raiding tactics such as stealth, tracking, archery and various means of killing including natural poisons and traps had been honed in the desert. These nefarious skills have been adapted for use in urban environments as well.
Keen Observation - Hyper-awareness and a gift for noting subtle movements and differences in her surroundings, and in people, serves Keket well in her duties.
Personality
The tradition of loyalty to family and tribe have been ascribed to Keket's devotion to the Empire. She performs her duties with the same efficiency as she did as a member of her tribe. Stoic, distant and eccentric, Keket is as enigmatic as she is exotic. While she intentionally keeps most at arms length, she remains bound to many traditions of her desert tribe, which includes hospitality and respect in the appropriate settings.
Biography & Lore
Born to a small, nomadic Abtati tribes roaming the Amol-Kalit desert, Keket was born the night of a stunning meteor shower. This unusual phenomenon was seen as prophetic by the eldest of the tribe, and they expected exceptional things from the young baby girl. While the amgic in Keket's blood was unknown at the time, she was lauded for her exceptional athleticism, intelligence and fierce determination.
Her grandfather eventually discovered that his granddaughter possessed the ancient magic in Keket's blood and began to train her secretly in an ancient art that had been part of their family for countless generations. Blood Magic. A discipline not well understood or accepted by others, she was encouraged to keep her knowledge of the magic guarded.
By the time she reached womanhood, Keket was well-known for her prowess as a hunter and raider. But the respect and honor she had earned would soon turn to suspicion and fear. While her grandfather was teaching her Keket an advanced ritual, there was an accident. Keket's grandfather died as a result. The curious art that they were practicing was discovered, and Keket was blamed for the death of her grandfather, even if accidental. The tribal elders exiled Keket from the tribe.
Word spread fast, and no other tribe would welcome her, even in spite of the firm traditions of hospitality. One could not survive the desert alone, and Keket went to the city. A fateful encounter and the revelation of Keket's unqiue abilities lead to her recruitment into the Imperial Hand, where she was further trained.
Her grandfather eventually discovered that his granddaughter possessed the ancient magic in Keket's blood and began to train her secretly in an ancient art that had been part of their family for countless generations. Blood Magic. A discipline not well understood or accepted by others, she was encouraged to keep her knowledge of the magic guarded.
By the time she reached womanhood, Keket was well-known for her prowess as a hunter and raider. But the respect and honor she had earned would soon turn to suspicion and fear. While her grandfather was teaching her Keket an advanced ritual, there was an accident. Keket's grandfather died as a result. The curious art that they were practicing was discovered, and Keket was blamed for the death of her grandfather, even if accidental. The tribal elders exiled Keket from the tribe.
Word spread fast, and no other tribe would welcome her, even in spite of the firm traditions of hospitality. One could not survive the desert alone, and Keket went to the city. A fateful encounter and the revelation of Keket's unqiue abilities lead to her recruitment into the Imperial Hand, where she was further trained.