Balladeer Katya Belyaeva

[Poolson]

Name: Katya Belyaeva
Deity: The Fount
Alignment: True Neutral
Level: 10 (Fighter, Executioner)
Final Orc killcount during the war: 9,027 (number would be higher, if they counted orc deaths in Bet Nappahi. Closer to 10,000.)

You're invited to share your own pictures, so many of my pictures got lost!
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Katya was a fun gimmick. I made her to:

1) Help people quest when they got caught in a death spiral.

2) Try Good in a way that didn't require putting boots to asses, crusader style.


Originally an Arelith and Cormyr/Dalelands character where I just fucked around with Improved Whirlwind for funsies, Katya was a want to play a character that interacted with characters of dubious morality and probe them philosophically, if they could defend what they were doing with reasoning. Sometimes I had some pretty good answers out of people.

Katya was born in Ring 238, the Painted Plains. Much like how The King bestowed The King's Commons his royal banner that could conjure miracles for those who won it in combat, their ring was given a brush that would, quite literally, paint their reality, and switch hands, each time the previous artist passed, competing against one another. Niece and apprentice to the great Kapitan Vasiliv Belyaeva, Breaker of Rings, a ringrunner-turned-conquistador, who used his unorthodox style of mass combat and their unique sorcery - pictomancy - to amass fortunes, be they taken from the hands of beast or man.

When the Nothing came, Vasiliv's legend of being a brutal conqueror was betrayed by one unexpected act of selflessness, rallying the survivors of Ring 238 for their flight in-ring, helping them navigate the puzzles and challenges to obtain the keys and allow them to pass through. This rare act of heroism, for a man who let violence destroy him, greed consume him and anger control him, inspired Katya to believe that all men can change their stars, that it was never too late to try again.

Katya was more of a redeemer, who believed that the world was doomed to evil, that she was no-one's hero, but she could perhaps change someone's life for the better before they made a mistake they could not take back. Realistically, this goal went nowhere, but sometimes she could convince Angelique to not do something batshit insane, so, it was all the proof she needed to keep trying.

Her efforts lead her to the company of those who would one day grow to be great and mighty, and create much doubt to where her loyalties lie, but it created an insight where she could both rationalize and even navigate the world perspectives that made these infamous people work, and influence the decisions they made. In this, she could interact with La Banda Rossa as something of a friend, rather than an employer and employee, and even brought her before the graces of the iconic Legate Argent Argryis and his cabal of schemers.

Though the world might have thought of her as a fence-sitter, she knew what she was aiming for, and such efforts bore fruit, small and subtle in the ways they were.

Her time in the Balladeers of the Lost Hearth was evolutionary to her being, for she dared not to just accept the world as it was, but to see the world as it could be, and dare greatly, knowing the risks she took. Under the tutorage of Aeronwy Caddick, she learned this dare from her firebrand of a master, and even the want to take initiative, taking roles of leadership as they formed, creating efforts of her own and amplifying what was already there. A tumultuous time, but one that was expected.

Art students are contractually obligated to be messy bitches.

So it was, that when promoted to Balladeer, she happened upon a host of recruits, the Thorncrest brothers, Quincy, Lyrei, Elrin, Kyria and Nisve. Their ambition and want was similar to her own, and when brought before the face of Iakmes' war, she despaired that they would march to war without ever gaining the chance to mold the future that they were to inherit.

She would dare greater, just for them, that they might be spared the reaper's touch.

She leaves behind a student of her own, Nisve, she who held the foundation of her philosophy Kist' Khudozhnika, and the beginning foundation of her martial art. She shall be worthy for the future to be decided after Bet Nappahi.

Some screenshots:

Her sword. Originally called The Longest Dirk, she treated it with contempt, as she would for all things that are built only to destroy. She came to lament that name, once she understood it to be a living, feeling thing, and lamented more that she shaped it to be a weapon of war. Still, it forgave her and offered her its protection - she always hoped to be worthy of its forgiveness.

A new name was added to it.

Starsundered, The Longest Dirk.

Alongside that, was her helmet. A kind gift by Aeronwy, given emphasis with magic that she had collected come the winter solstice. It was a humble thing, but it was symbolic, representing the kind of people she hoped to serve the most. A Sallet that became the Stewpot.

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That was most precious:

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The Balladeers of the Lost Hearth was a home when home ceased to exist, and Zina's Emporium was a hub to colorful people that were the light in Katya's life, especially when there were times when the world seemed especially dark. Nigel, Cort, Selwyn, Manta, Ritz and Zina were fast friends, and their antics are immortal, even as the Emporium enters new hands.

But there was more that she cared for, and that list spanned longer than just Mokonnen, or Jamileh, or Gideon, or Garen.

She cared greatly of those who were entrenched in a dark world, for their betterment was not some laurel of glory that she wore, but a genuine link of empathy, where she saw the person beneath the demeanor that the world had come to know them by, from Mirielle's rise to Condottiero, to the Bad Company of La Banda Rossa, ranging from Angelique, Emilia, Rigas, Artabastes, Kazadun and more.

They were worth the hardship. Every last one.

Some other shenanigans, in no particular order:

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And some sick shots of Operation: Fireball Palace (courtesy of Atticus), handed off to her by Arnock Reyer, assisted with Aurelio d'Lyon, they braved blazing sands to remove Iron Titan production from Bet Nappahi, before the last push. A harrowing undertaking, that was pulled through by the skin of their teeth. (thanks for hosting this, Bearic)

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This path, I've walked before, what new adventures lie in store?

[TheShadow]

Goodbye, to the one who dared to dream.

Katya was one of a very few who tried to see the people they interacted with.

She will be missed dearly.

[Moonlighter]

hero

[Wart]

Shout out to this champ. Joining the server and meeting someone with your cool dialogue was a real treat and told me pretty quickly that I should stick around and give this all a go. The College's favourite child ... the gut-punch of seeing that Dead sign under her name is just testament to all that

Owner

[-UnholyWon-]

I really enjoyed questing with Katya, every time it felt like EFU got set to easy mode with Katya in the party. Thanks for being there to help the death spiral folks!

[CrimsonMedicine]

I'm sorry you lost most of your screenshots.

Katya was an inspiration. I was always so impressed when I first way back with how impressive your prayers were, every time, on all my priests, you would offer prayer. I would know I was in for a good read. You yourself are an amazingly creative individual, that backstory is beautiful and so well thought out.



There she is with Noxieos. Ready to protect.



There she is, covered in stone with her beautiful blade.



And then of course. 'Improved Whirlwind Attack'. Her iconic move.

I look forward eagerly to what awaits you and what you will make next. I just hope my priests, whether current or future, can be friends.

[Vax]

Katya was great, wonderful job. She always felt very grounding and real to play alongside. All I ever wanted was for her to hang up her sword, but I knew she wouldn't.

[Loops]

Katya, you may rest now...

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More than just a blade.

[Egon the Monkey]

I really liked that character. Someone who felt like she joined the Balladeers with eyes wide open to the power of a story and an inspiration, but never losing herself to that. Someone with a hard and grimy job to do, who really understood the importance of morale to soldiering.

[Badtothebow]

Ristar was always exasperated with her speeches, but I always found them a delight to read. The struggle she faced with her wish for peace while being one of the most effective blades on the battlefield was so interesting, and I'm sad we won't get to see the full aftermath of it with the war concluding.

[Zambition]

Spectacular PC as always Pool, and ever since Jasper I've admired the way you can bring every PC you play to life. Thanks for being a part of EFU and keeping it real. Good luck on the next!

[Black_TopHat]

Pool always puts a lot of heart and thought into their Characters, and unfortunately I think this PC was just too immersion breaking for me.

Katya was just Pool, being a good person and great friend wanted to help alleviate the struggle of EfU at times and decided to become the Wrap of Struggle for the whole server. By whirling in a circle, protecting everyone and giving them that boost they needed to experience so much more of the server, be it through RP, XP or GP.

Katya was too much like you Pool, and it really ruins the Grimdark.

;)

[Doofus]

she didn't sit on her spurs alright

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

I loved watching her grapple with the dynamics of the Cinquefoil Rose and all our discussions.

I did not love (IC) having to deal with this whirly lady whirling around in a djinn-like fashion.

Great work!

[SilverK]

You were the hammer. I was the nail. That sentiment kept going whenever I had Katya by my side. It felt like nothing could stop us. o7 o7 o7