Kayse (prime)
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Kayse Thaellian is an aelotoi rogue that hails from River's Rest and dabbles in a number of different hobbies. The aelotoi loves fashion and is a member of Elanthian Elegance, where she has given many lectures on fashion and culture. She has competed in Bardfest three times becoming a two time Champion and placed 4th one year as well. She has also won 1st place awards during Ebon Gate for her scary tales. Besides performing and writing tales, Kayse manages the events and history for Beacon Hall Archive, where she is the Storyteller. Due to her time in River's Rest, Kayse started learning the ins and outs of smuggling and works as the Negotiator in the Black Hand Trading Co, a mercantile company that buys and sells goods.
Kayse is currently residing in Wehnimer's Landing and Solhaven.
Appearance
You see Kayse Thaellian the Botanist.
She appears to be an Aelotoi of the Vaer'sah Clan.
She is moderately tall and has a curvaceous figure. She appears to be young. She has voluminously lashed, viridian-specked pear green eyes and freckle-dusted, smooth olive skin. She has long, lustrous mournbloom black hair tightly upswept into a flawless rounded bun, her head wrapped in a raw silk headband painted with ivory heather blossoms which reveals straight bangs that touch just above her eyebrows. She has strong and toned features, yet still possesses alluring feminine qualities enhanced by her soft full blush-hued lips. She has a pair of oval niveous-veined sparkling champagne wings.
She has a multi-colored ink splotched lily on her arm, an inked vine laden with blossoms on her waist, a primitively inked white jagged heart on her finger, and a trio of flowers tattoo on her wrist.
Background
Return to Sunder
During the Return to Sunder storyline, ithzir invaded the landing, they probed Kayse's mind and resurfaced a painful memory from her past. Based on this, the events in this storyline contributed to her greatly feeling responsible for Rodnay and began their friendship when she gave him a sprig of lavender that reminds him of his mother.
Eyes of the Dawn
Kayse experienced visions sent by her patron Aeia during the Eyes of the Dawn story line. Her and a small group of adventurers were able to defend the Aeia shrine in the citadel in River's Rest--the first shrine to save any innocents from Chaston's slaughtering. She was also present for the fall of Talador.
Keeping up with the Kestrels
From the moment the Kestrels showed up in Wehnimer's Kayse was suspicious of them--especially of Naimorai Kestrel. Digging into her spy roots, Kayse did a bit of espionage and kept a careful log of the events as well as her thoughts. More information about the Kestrels' stay can be found at Keeping up with the Kestrels.
Her main roles in this story line were convincing Mayor Cruxophim to pardon Stephos DeArchon and his wife Alendrial DeArchon so they could return to Wehnimer's Landing. This arrangement was so Rodnay could be exchanged for stolen Plinite with Dennet Kestrel. Kayse also worked closely with Goblyn trying to find a cure for a poison she discovered and was ended up used on Drandea--that unfortunately Kayse could not save in time.
During this time, Kayse also served as Mayor Cruxophim's counselor in matters of Trade and Negotiation. Officially replacing Rowmi after his departure from the Landing.
Imperials
She paced across the floor of her bungalow, the wooden floors creaking underneath her bare feet as she took slow measured steps. Dappled sunlight trickled in through the window and illuminated the closed ivory envelope on her desk. From across the room, her bright eyes darted back to the desk, eyeing the letter she had just wrote. Growing up in the Rest, she had been taught that Imperials were the enemy. Despite having different beliefs and duties, did any of them deserve to die? A wry grin escaped her lips, there’s some River Rats who would say yes to that. She paused to glance out the window and the grin faded. Chewing her lip, her face was painted with perplexity as her eyes shifted back to her desk. A cloth-bound notebook laid open next to the envelope, names haphazardly written along the page with arrows and lines being connected to each other. There was still so many what ifs. Carenos *thinks* he shot Cyph--what if the humanoid figure wasn’t Cyph? The scarred man seemed so confident. If Cyph did kill Carenos’ daughters, Carenos deserved revenge--in her mind. Something just seemed off and she has always trusted her sixth sense. Moving to the desk, she reached for the quill and jotted down a quick note on the page, before throwing the quill back down. Her wings folded sharply against her back as she twisted her mournbloom hair up into a messy bun, her gaze perusing the page where she just wrote. Why should she help? What did she have to gain? Who am I to get in the way? Glancing down, she idly traced her fingertips over the small black vial. Carenos knows someone took the vial from him. It was only a matter of time till he found out who. She snatched the notebook, vial, and envelope up and slid them into her bag. Slipping her boots on, she moved swiftly out the door.
Transparency
Upon closer examination, the mulberry wax is stamped with a series of vines surrounding a single lily--inside is a single parchment of matching ivory vellum. Written with a practiced hand in common, the penmanship is neat and slanted. Dennet, You complained that the citizens of the Landing and those that occupy this area, were not being transparent about our actions and questions regarding your family. I hope that when we come forward with queries we are returned with the same candor. With that said, I have heard rumors ::the word is underlined three times:: that Cyph is...under the weather or possibly injured? I might be able to help. By my hand, Kayse Thaellian
Disturbances
They moved through the Bowels with swiftness scouring the tunnels for Iloke. Daggers drawn at her sides, she stayed within the shadows so she could strike quickly. She was concentrating on being alert for any enemies, but her pear green eyes drifted to watch the man who was always by her side. A smile cracked on her lips as her eyes lightened. She watched the way his muscles moved, his facial expression as he slammed a fist into an Elder, the way his white hair flew around his freckle-dotted skin. He was graceful and elegant, moving fluidly as he danced. Often times, she would take a few extra moments in the darkness to watch him before revealing herself to their foes, just so she could gaze upon his form a bit longer. The half-sylvan suddenly blinked rapidly and paused. Noticing they had stopped, Kayse snapped out of her dreamy gaze, her expression fading back to calculating as she examined Rowmi. His mien was curious as he observed an Illoke Jarl, his eyes suddenly flashing with an intensity she had only witnessed a few times before. “Do not kill that one,” Rowmi said firmly. Surreptitiously she glanced at him and dove for another victim as she slashed a blade through its eye. Turning her attention back towards him, Rowmi closed his eyes to mere slits and stared intently at the jarl, raising his hand slightly. Taking a few measured steps forward she quietly inquired, "What are you telling him?" Rowmi’s eyes flashed briefly but he did not take his gaze off the Jarl as he spoke, "Simply trying to see inside right now." Her curiosity was piqued, albeit she was slightly nervous--something she would never admit, not even to herself. She stood down with her daggers at her side. Observing Rowmi for a few moments, she sidled up to him, her eyes darting between him and the creature. The crumbling and movement of the rocks echoing throughout the caverns was all that was heard as they stood there for what seemed forever in otherwise silence. Rowmi closed his eyes completely in concentration, his brow furrowed; yet he had a rather peaceful demeanor and she caught herself admiring him again. Noticing some movement in her peripheral vision, Kayse averted away from Rowmi and towards the jarl again. The Illoke jarl had turned his head and locked eyes with Rowmi. The aelotoi’s eyes widened as the jarl began to speak, his voice earthen and raspy, but sounding strangely like Rowmi’s, "Brothers, help, to me!" The stone beneath Kayse’s feet began to shift and she leaped out of the way as another jarl appeared from the ground--followed by another one, until five surrounded them. She glanced sharply at Rowmi before muttering a dry, “lovely” under her breath and ducking into the shadows. As she leaped to strike a leg of a jarl, Rowmi’s bright cornflower blue eyes lit up and with extreme fascination he surveyed his surroundings, “Brilliant.” The five were quickly put down, but the loud rumbling from underneath them was only a taste of what was about to come. The rocks morphed and bended and more foes arrived. In a blink of an eye, the stoney figures severely outnumbered the two as eighteen and counting circled around the pair. They fought--fists and blades flying against the stone, the bodies of Illoke piling up. Kayse had already grown tired before this and she felt fatigue setting in. As she was about to creep back into the shadows to attack again, a jarl flicked a wrist at Kayse, casting a magic she couldn’t resist which forced her to her knees. As she struggled against its control, the stone fist of an elemental slammed into her abdomen, sending Kayse into a wall--her body slumped to the ground in a thud. Her vision was fuzzy as she just saw the blurred feet of Rowmi as he danced, a metallic taste filling her mouth and indistinguishable noises ringing through her ears. Her body became cold and she inhaled sharply then could see nothing but darkness. The faint scent of a jungle after a freshly fallen rain invaded her senses followed by a gentle voice on the wind, reminding her of something. Rowmi picked up her body and fogged back to the streets of Wehnimer’s in just brief moments. Her consciousness returned and her essence hovered over her fallen body and her amin. Excitement was painted on Rowmi’s face, but his eyes darkened to a worried and concerned tone as he looked over her lifeless body. Before the two could utter a word, the ground began to rumble, and Rowmi toppled over as the vibrations shocked the dirt beneath them. A scream pierced the night nearby and loud shouts echoed throughout the streets of the town. As the quakes continued, dozens of stoney arms breached the surface as if summoned and a group of Illoke minions appeared before the duo. Tilting his head upwards to gaze upon the figures, Rowmi said quietly, "I think I may have insulted Illoke."
Details
The square bustled with the typical business of the late evening. The candles burned brightly in the street lamps, the flickering vaguely illuminating an empath hovering over a wounded human. A pair of pear green eyes shifted to the human, whose hand was covered in blood from applying pressure to the wound. The substance barely had a color to it because of the darkness, but the faint coppery smell and sheen in the moonlight gave clue to what it was. Her ears perked as she heard a shuffling from the west--clothing against dirt and cobblestone--then a scrambling of feet. A halfling emerged from the direction of the bank panting heavily, a large arm draped over its shoulder as the body of a giantman appeared behind the winded hobbit. She quirked an eyebrow as a smirk curled upon her face at the sight. Paying attention to details was always a game to her--a test even, but lately every action was over analyzed and thought over in meticulous detail. Her facial features relaxed, but her bright, yet calculating eyes continued to survey the area. Since the arrival of the Kestrel family to Wehnimer’s Landing, she had felt on edge. She was never one to trust new people at the ready, but something about the family made them even more suspect. A figure approached the square and stood near the oak tree, the silver streaks of the moon reflecting briefly on her raven black hair. It took Kayse’s own eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness, but a quick grin flashed along her lips as her face lit up in recognition of Shinann. Kayse regarded her for a moment from the shadows. Over the past month or so, the Captain and her had spoke at great detail about the happenings in the town. It felt good to begin trusting someone else besides Rowmi, but it made her feel vulnerable and she felt even more on guard. Stepping out into the street light, Shinann caught a glimpse of Kayse and nodded affably in her direction. A warm smile painted Kayse’s lips as she nodded back. It was nice to have a new friend--though even Goblyn had remarked the militia captain and herself had seemed quite the unlikely pair. Perhaps that is why it worked. The Shinann leaned in and whispered to Kayse and in response the aelotoi cocked her head in the half-elf’s direction. In a matched whispered tone, Kayse answered, “I see. We do have much to catch up on then.” They both nodded in sync, their figures disappearing into the darkness as they walked off towards the Hendoran Outpost.
Desperate Attempts
Leaning over her notebook, a pair of pear green eyes skims over the contents of the inked page. The seagull feather quill moves with a flourish as Kayse signs her name at the bottom of the letter and gives a brief nod of satisfaction. Tearing the page out from the spine of the notebook, she quickly rolls the parchment up and slips it into an empty bottle of rum. "This has to be one of your more desperate attempts to get information," she thought to herself. Sighing heavily, she slipped out the door of her bungalow and headed towards the docks. Captain Jellybeard, When we crossed paths in River's Rest for Tick--Picklefest last month, you spoke of an arbiter who has been paying Rooks to join the Bayrunners. I assist in running a mercantile company out of Wehnimer's and I am hoping to expand our business to the South. I was curious if you had met this arbiter and if you could introduce me and perhaps my fellow associates. As a thank you, I would be more than happy to give you a percentage of the profits of our goods we would be moving in that direction. I feel this partnership could be rather favorable for us all. Please let me know if you would like to arrange a meeting. Written by my hand, Kayse Thaellian, Negotiator for the Black Hand Trading Company
Upon closer examination, the mulberry wax is stamped with a series of vines surrounding a single lily. When breaking the wax seal, you remove a single parchment of matching ivory vellum. Written with a practiced hand in common, the penmanship is neat and slanted. Stephos, As promised, you should be receiving word that Mayor Cruxophim has issued you and your wife, Alendrial, a full pardon to the town of Wehnimer's Landing. Time is of the essence in order for the rest of the plan to function fluidly. Tonight a brick written with the word "traitor" on it was thrown through the mayor's office window. Angry citizen? Or Rysus not thrilled with the news of your homecoming? You know how to reach me, I expect the location of the plinite to be disclosed shortly. I have kept up my end of the bargain--and in a very timely fashion. I have full confidence you will keep up yours. By my hand, Kayse P.S--For the record, I came to you on my own accord and priorities--I do NOT work for the Mayor. Although, once the change you are offering to the Rooks is in effect, I would be interested in offering my services to yourself and the Brotherhood.
How Badly?
Kayse walks into the Pie Shop and brushes the snow off of her jacket swiftly, sending a pile of white powder onto the floor. Her wings follow suit and flick the thin layer of snow that has accumulated on top of them. Inhaling deeply, the scents of vanilla and cinnamon brush her senses and for a moment she pauses to take in the atmosphere. Making her way through the customers, she moves into the backroom, a couple of bakers pausing a moment as the Aelotoi enters the area. Shrugging her off, they continue with their tasks--her pear green eyes shooting them a calculated look before browsing the blackboard. Her eyes move to her vanity case and her right hand side of her lips curve up into a slight smile. She snatches up a piece of chalk and quickly scribbles on the board, "Goblyn, Thank you for your analysis of the situation and the...sample you provided. ~Kayse" Stepping back into the cold night, Kayse ducks down an alley and carefully removes a glass that has been secured inside of her vanity case. She slowly brings the liquid to her lips, just enough to coat them with the contents--the drink thick with a metallic smell. She licks her lips, brushing the rich sanguine color off of them before tucking the glass back inside for safety. Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath of the cold night air and holds it in, a small wave of euphoria passing over her whole body. Her knees buckle beneath her and her body drops into the fluffy snow. She awakes a few moments later, her stare vacant as the snowflakes fall upon her warm skin. Turning her head to her arm laying out besides her, she wiggles her fingers slowly..."I'm not dead?" Pushing herself upward, she cracks her neck as she turns her attention towards her vanity case, "Perhaps this--craving will be manageable in small doses." A wicked grin forms on her lips, then her brow furrows as she makes a realization. Her voice echoes in her mind, "You will eventually run out, Kayse." Frowning, she quickly grabs a notebook and quill and begins to write: The handwriting is neat and slanted save for the phrase "...do you want it back?" The writing seems to be cut off and not as fluid as the other words and letters. Naimorai, Judging by your expression the other evening, I got the answer of what I needed to know. I have the vial...do you want it back? ...And how badly? ~Kayse
Failed Responsibility
The hall echoed with various voices but the emptiness of the barracks caused the sound to be distorted against the stone walls. It had been two days since she voluntarily went into custody after Drandea’s death and the constant boredom had only given her more time to analyze and overthink things. She had been too late and not fast enough. She fidgeted on the makeshift cot and mumbled to herself annoyedly, the guard standing watch shifting his gaze in her direction. Her pear green eyes met his and her inscrutable features failed to mask the glint of vexation in her return glance. Raising his eyebrows, he quickly turned away from her. Kayse grabbed her notebook from her case and flipped through the pages, the creamy vellum brushing against her fingertips. She perused the writing, stopping now and then to take in what she wrote. Many of the pages were scrawled with notes from over the past ten months of what she had learned from the Kestrels. At one point, the writings had stopped when she realized that the secrets she was discovering were too dangerous to be kept written down. Her eyes skimmed over a passage and the name “Shinann” showed up. Exhaling a forceful breath through her lips upward caused wisps of mournbloom black hair framing her face to fly about. She had willingly let Shinan take her into custody not just because she was her best friend but also knew it was the Captain’s purpose to uphold the law. Despite the fact she WAS innocent the evidence surely didn’t point to that. Did I build up a tolerance? Was the decanter poisoned as well? How did the whiskey get poisoned? An exasperated look flooded over Kayse’s face as she tossed the notebook aside, its pages fluttering as it landed on a random page on the cot. She quickly stood and paced the room, her wings tightly closing on her back to show her frustration. “Eight months,” the aelotoi hissed under her breath. The guard turned, jolted by her sudden vocalization. She paid him no attention as she continued to walk back and forth--like the caged animals she had seen at the Solhaven zoo. She rested a hand on her back and stopped abruptly. She had been so compliant to Shinann when she was “arrested” that she had even turned over her daggers and the empty sheath against her back was a reminder of how vulnerable she was. Drandea was the only one of the Kestrel group that I cared for and I couldn’t save her. Eight months carrying around an antidote to save someone that I couldn’t. I never wanted the responsibility of that. Her eyes narrowed but beneath the frustration was sadness and a tinge of regret. At least Shinann had a purpose, Kayse had missed hers to truly make a difference. Perhaps the journal would have been in their possession had Drandea been saved. At least she had helped rescue Rodnay, but even his future might be jeopardized in the next coming weeks. Heavily she sat back on the cot as she reached over to grab her notebook and glanced down at the page. It was the first excerpt that she began writing about the Kestrels coming to Wehnimer’s and it stared up at her as if burning a hole through her soul: Written at the bottom of the page in beautifully scripted common were the words, “You are not a hero” as three lines underlined the word, “not.” Reaching for her quill, she quickly added “...and you were never meant to be” before sharply closing the notebook and tucking it away.
Loss
She wandered the streets of town until sunrise, the sun casting an orange-hue on the blood splattered snow. Occasional shouts of militia personnel echoed through the streets as clean up of Wehnimer’s continued. She had no authority over them, but seeing as Shinann was--not herself momentarily, Kayse thought the least she could do was keep an eye on things for her friend. Moving through the North gate and into the forest, the bustle of town faded off. The pink and red snow eventually turned to white again the deeper into the woods she traveled. The aelotoi found herself at Halcyon Hills, a place she often would disappear to and take refuge in the oak tree there. She sat on the edge of the platform, her legs dangling off the side as she thumbed flower petals between her fingertips. The events of only a few hours prior replaying in her mind. I couldn’t get there in time. It seemed to be a constant theme lately and she grimaced at the thought. It was a painful reminder, but then her eyes narrowed. ...But others had and they still didn’t stop him. Why WERE they there? How did they get there so quickly? Her fist clenched and crushed the flower petals. The secrets over the past year had only caused trouble. It created enemies and mistrust--but it had also helped form alliances. Shinann and her became friends over sharing information and trying to unravel the Kestrels’ plans. Her pear green eyes became glossy and she allowed herself to finally let the sadness she had felt for months take over her. First for Rowmi and now for possibly her best friend, Shinann. Everyone I let close--eventually leaves in some way. Her lungs burned as each inward breath brought the cold sting of winter. The fresh tears that coated her rosy cheeks made her shiver as the wind blew through the treetop. This is not the time to feel sorry for yourself, Kayse. Maybe something can be done. A gloved hand tossed the flower petals over the platform and she made her way down the snow-covered ladder. A mix of lilacs and white geranium petals floating quietly to the ground. As Kayse entered back into town, a new snow began to fall, coating the signs of war with a pure white innocence again. She decided once again to see if Rodnay had returned to the hidden garden. Upon finding it empty, she decided to stay. At least here felt familiar, the barracks were sterile and dark--with someone who didn’t recognize her anymore. Her pear green eyes scanned the piece of ivory vellum in her hand. Exhaling a long breath, the aelotoi stared upward, the snowflakes decorated her eyelashes as she observed the wispy clouds in the sky. Taking out her quill, she began to write: Rodnay, You have helped us numerous times over and I do need to extend my gratitude for finding Shinann. I do have one more favor to ask of you and it is hard to write this because I am not one to ask for help. She paused. Her pensive expression turning to one of concern as she contemplated if she should finish the letter.
Shinann
Stormyrain, Shinann is currently being watched in the barracks. I imagine she will sleep for quite a bit of time after the excitement of last night. I have no authority over your men, but I did ask them to watch her and make sure she didn’t leave unattended. She is not herself--whether it’s temporary or permanent…well, I suppose time will tell. Stephos also provided part of Naimorai’s journal in the late hours. Most of it had been burned and Andrew was found dead. Stephos read us the pages and the Mayor currently has them in his possession. He did say he would make them public… Let me know if I can fill you in further. By my hand, Kayse Thaellian
Goodbye
The temperature had warmed slightly and instead of snow falling, the soothing sound of pitter patter on the roof of the ivy-covered bungalow echoed throughout its walls. A female figure sat at the desk with boots propped up on the surface. She faced the window, the grey light slightly illuminating her front side as she lazily watched the rain drip down the glass. Her forehead was furrowed in a pensive expression. This is the first time she had been back in her home for an extended stay since Rowmi had left. The walls no longer felt familiar or welcoming--it was no longer a home. An idea that she had gotten accustomed to no longer knowing. Despite her attempts at being a part of the Landing community she always felt like the outsider. Perhaps that was just her defensive nature. Part of the reason for leaving River’s Rest was to change and grow. The past two years in Wehnimer’s had transformed her dramatically--whether it was good or bad, she didn’t know, but it was something that weighed deeply on her lately. She still had no idea what her purpose was. The Aelotoi shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Perhaps Wehnimer’s wasn’t the place for her to find it. People had come and gone in her life in those brief fifteen years she had been in this World. Maybe it was time for her to leave first for once and concentrate on herself. The storm began to subside as Kayse emerged from the door of her bungalow. The flora and trees of the area still dripped with water. The air crisp with the smell of fresh rain. The mounds of snow, albeit melted, still dominated the landscape not yielding yet to the signs of spring. Her pear green eyes scanned the meadow and her gaze settled on something popping through the snow. Approaching cautiously, the bright yellow center of a dryad bloom was desperately trying to peak above the slush. Carefully digging around the plant, Kayse brushed the snow away, a brief smile painting her lips as she admired the flower. Kayse leaned forward and whispered to the plant, “I will take you as a sign.” Giving the dryad a brief wink, she took a deep brief and walked towards the town of Wehnimer’s Landing for possibly the last time...
Stories & Tales
Below are a few links to Kayse's written work and performances.
5117 Bardfest SEMIS Piece: With Love and Flowers
5116 Bardfest SEMIS Piece: The Star Collector
5115 Bardfest FINALS Piece (1st place): Fleet Captain's story
5115 Bardfest SEMIS Piece: Winterberry Tale
5115 Ebon Gate Scary Story Contest (1st place): The Story of the Beacon Hall Archive Ghost
5115 Ebon Gate Costume Contest (3rd place): Cotuil's Song