Ladriani Andrade

== Overview ==
Lady Ladriani Andrade was a female member of House Andrade and Cardinal Inquisitor of the Grenthyx Dynasty in the Capital during the Uprootings, and within the criminal underbelly of the Continent, a famous and highly-skilled thief. At a very young age, she was separated from her parents, Lord Byron and Lady Nirandha Andrade during a visit to the Capital. She was since raised on and by the streets and taught herself to navigate the complexities of life in the capital; sagaciously rising through the ranks of criminal empires. Once mature enough to reunite with her mother in Mystblade, who had recently survived her deceased husband and served as regent of the Chaestish region, Ladriani gained her rightful name and titles and was now qualified to become an Inquisitor - a rank she easily earned thanks to her extensive knowledge of the inner workings of the Capital as well as her physical prowess. She was privy to the 
During the buildup to the Uprootings conflict, Ladriani famously captured the insurgent leader Shoan Delrow after weeks of investigation in 200 AG, presenting him to King Barren II during a hearing of Jorjaeryn's Assembly. Following an encounter with the King's advisor Hadryan Fyth, Ladriani was bestowed the title of Cardinal Inquisitor. Throughout the Uprootings she helped the Grenthyx Dynasty to root out insurgent cells and throughout the Battle for the Capital she fought and arrested many of the rebel forces. She also successfully kidnapped the Duke of Llanoreid, Wilddar Braitbirn (member and benefactor to the military exploits of the Fellowship) and helped to defend Chaesterlyn and Floralys during their battles in 202 AG. 
Ladriani was arrested by the Fellowship along with Hadryan Fyth after the failed defence of the Chaestish capital. The two fell in a confused, supposed state of love before they were each tried in the Provincial Court and soon became wed, having a son, Hadryan II. 
In negotiating for her freedom with the newly-empowered Fellowship of Indepedent Kingdoms, Ladriani successfully made an agreement to indulge the Fellowship in every detail that she knew about the Capital criminal underworld, such as identifying acting figures and repeated practiced methods of criminal activity. It wasn't long, however, before newly-appointed Foreman of the Chaestish Guild Jorjaeryn III Grenthyx altered her deal and tragically the remainder of her life. Jorjaeryn met with her in secret and instructed her to spy on his arch nemesis, Tórval Jävri, whom he suspected was present in the Capital, by any means necessary in exchange for total exoneration of Ladriani's crimes and, Jorjaeryn being aware of her kelptomanic nature, immunity from future offences. Grenthyx was taking great risk to himself by doing so, but sought out Andrade's expertise nonetheless.
Throughout her life she was driven to hold an appropriately unique philosophical outlook; that conflict and change in life was constant and that the best way to survive was not to interfere, overcome or conquer but rather to adapt and embrace.
== Appearance ==
Ladriani was a woman of average height with an athletic build. With a tan complexion, dark hair and amber eyes, she was regarded by many in the Continent to be a striking natural beauty - a feat that she would use to her advantage within the complex underworld of the Capital. She typically wore complimentary, stylish clothes which caused her to be viewed as somewhat of a style icon. Andrade was a highly sought-after art model for fine artists across the Continent due to her attractive appearance. These attributes made her an asset of the late Grenthyx Dynasty, whether to be utilised for espionnage or to draw attention to the Dynasty's lavish fundraising balls which took place in its Royal Palace.
== Biography ==
=== Early life ===
Ladriani was born to Lord Byron and Lady Nirandha Andrade in the castle of Mystblade in the south of the Chaestlands. Her parents were very loving and protective of her and considered her healthy birth a miracle due to their past difficulties in conceiving a child.
In 177 AG, on a visit to the Capital with her parents when she was only six years old, Ladriani wandered too far and was lost in a crowd. Nor her parents or their guards could find her and, seeing that she was alone and afraid, a mercenary abducted her. She was taken to a nearby criminal hideout where she she was enslaved along with other lost children. After four years of forced labour and little food from her masters, Lydia Fletcher, a member of the Grenthyx Inquisition raided the hideout along with her fellow guard and subdued and arrested the criminals. Ladriani was liberated along with the rest of the slaves but did not have anywhere to go and was hopelessly unfamiliar with the city, but was newly inspired by her encounter with the Inquisition. 
=== Alone in the Capital ===
Ladriani was homeless but made do on her own by stealing from markets - taking food for herself to eat as well as other goods to sell and barter with travelers. She was careful not to make friends beyond doing business in hopes of avoiding betrayal. Once she grew more experienced and her methods in thievery enhanced, she was capable of committing burglary in affluent Capital estates; taking items that were much more valuable and lucrative on the black market. Ladriani quickly became very accustomed to the Capital, being more familiar with its layout and secrets than many of its residents. She also became recognised as a targeter of wealthy visitors to the Capital as she, upon spotting their either foreign-looking or simply extravagant clothing or carriages, would quickly find a way to swindle them out of some gold and perhaps swipe valuable objects from under their noses. While still only young, she attracted the attention of the infamous underworld criminal empire known as the Symbiance of Silver, by whom she was hired for her fruitful services.
=== Adolescence ===
Andrade often relied on her youth to convince people to give her what she wanted. However, as she matured and became more beautiful she was forced to substitute her youth for her looks in order to persuade her targets. To her fortune, Ladriani discovered that this method was much more successful - she did not bother to concern herself over any qualms she had about these dubious means as her manipulation of this phenomenon was too gainful to question. When push came to shove, she often lied about being a covert Inquisitor to intimidate victims into doing what she wanted.
She became very athletically and acrobatically able as she would have to pull difficult stunts in order to reach her prizes. Being skilled with a wide range of weapons was also a forté of hers as she not only received training but also took an interest in experimenting with weapons and forms that she deemed graceful or beautiful. As she became more aware of the political scene of the Capital and realised its significance as the heart of a much greater continent, she came to believe that the Grenthyx Dynasty was in no true way different from any gang that plagued the Capital - it was simply the most evasive and powerful; 'the crown jewel of the underworld' as a young Ladriani regarded it.
=== Rising Through the Ranks ===
While employed by the Symbiance of Silver, a Capital-based crime family, Ladriani took many jobs performing heists and accompanying mercenaries in their duties. In 186 AG, as a gang war between the Symbiance of Silver and other syndicates loomed, Ladriani took no chances and used her skills to escape and abandon her employers. She retained a low profile for a few days before being certain that the conflict had destroyed the Symbiance. Licking their wounds but also adjusting to their newly claimed authority in the Capital, the Cobalt Spectres were eager to hire new muscle. Ladriani intended to take advantage of their circumstances eventually, but saw it fit to wait out any further potential upheaval before making any moves. She meanwhile tided things over by taking a few odd jobs for the disreputable among the Capital elite, such as Umar Anderon, who coveted each other's priceless works and heirlooms.
One day, Ladriani noticed she was being followed by two figures, who turned out to be fellow adolescents and aspiring thieves. They had tried to rob her unsuccessfully weeks before but since realised that she was a thief herself and were intrigued by her advanced methods. Ladriani taught them that a target being a thief should be no deterrence to another, especially since thieves have no recourse in the way of seeking justice for their stolen riches - before revealing to them that she had swept their gold from under their noses and handed it back to them. Touched by their amateurishness, Ladriani offered to let the two accompany her on her next heist. She decided to independently target House Anderon for the excursion, aiming to steal riches she had eyed on a previous job. Due to the greed and selfishness of her protégés, the three were caught in the act by guards - the first of only two times Ladriani had ever been caught. Lord Umar, who was familiar with the young thief, decided to take matters into his own hands and ordered his guards to retire for the night. The trio were tied up, gagged and escorted by Umar to the Undercity where he convened with the Cobalt Spectres, to Ladriani's horror. Umar explained the situation to his associates in the syndicate and left them to do their job. The matriarch of the syndicate, Dana Sanco, was present and took control of the proceedings, allowing Ladriani to speak. Ladriani explained that she was a covert Inquisitor and was investigating petty thieves by posing as one herself to gain their trust. Sanco was unconvinced and after lengthy negotiation, agreed to spare Ladriani on the condition that she committed herself to truly becoming an Inquisitor so that she could serve the Cobalt Spectres as a useful tool, and until her training was complete she would perform odd jobs for the syndicate. She agreed and was untied before going to untie her associates, but was prevented by Sanco's burly son, Holis. She futilely tried to argue they should be spared, and fled the scene as they were seemingly beaten to a stain. She swore then on that she would only work alone.
It was in the prelude of another small conflict that Ladriani considered offering her knowledge of the inner-workings of the Spectres to their rivals for a price. While tempted by a potential prize, it had dawned on her that such interferences were helpless; not in any futility but rather the fact that it would serve her well to not make any strong enemies given her precarious situation.
Ladriani continued to serve the Cobalt Spectres until 188 AG at age 17 when she had gathered sufficient funds to be able to travel back to the Chaestlands.
=== Homeward Bound ===
Ladriani left the Capital for the first time in eleven long years having earned enough money to travel to Sen Varus, home of the seat of the oppulent Andrade family, Mystblade. She hoped to receive a sponsorship from her parents in order to qualify as an Inquisitor serving the Grenthyx Dynasty. Her mother, Lady Nirandha (who was believed to have been the final Andrade), was in deep shock to see her missing daughter return and remarked on her great pride to see how beautiful a woman she had grown. However, the reunion quickly shifted from joyous to tense. Lady Nirandha explained to her daughter that her father Lord Byron had died earlier that year, which elicited very little emotion from Ladriani, and she did not hesitate to segue the conversation onto the topic of her sponsorship for becoming a Grenthyx Inquisitor. Nirandha refused and Ladriani begged for her help, stating that she was being threatened by dangerous criminals. Betrayed, Nirandha coolly requested that Ladriani vacate the premises and remarked that her young daughter was still lost. An upset Ladriani cursed her mother and departed Mystblade, not to return for many years.
Heading back up the North Road to the Capital, Ladriani had a fateful encounter with Lady Lydia Fletcher in an inn near Thrushfall, whom she recognised as the Inquisitor who freed her from slavery years prior. The two conversed about their experiences, and Ladriani felt comfortable speaking freely and truthfully with the Royal Attendant, who had only retired as Cardinal Inquisitor the previous year. Fletcher appreciated the interaction with her young admirer, sympathising with her familial situation, and wrote down the address of her Rusella Hill residence to give to Ladriani, so that they may reconvene a week later and she can sponsor Ladriani's Inquisitor training. Ladriani was elated and embraced Lydia, marking the nascence of a dear frienship and mentorship.
=== Grenthyx Inquisition ===
In early 189 AG, Ladriani began her training at the Inquisitors' Academy in the Capital under Lydia Fletcher's sponsorship. She was leagues above her colleagues physically and mentally, proving herself a star pupil and she was soon given the rank of Junior Inquisitor. Lydia complimented her abilities, and mentioned them in private to her close associate Prince Jorjaeryn III, claiming over a glass of wine that she had found a new champion for their political agenda.
While Ladriani was a Junior Inquisitor, Fletcher caught her attempting to steal from an advisor's chamber in the Royal Palace (though the chamber had turned out to be empty, since King Rickon only had one advisor on his staff, Thadylia Laydern, who resided in the royal chambers). Fletcher scolded and warned Andrade, prompting her to make a confession. Ladriani admitted to her mentor that she was indebted to the odious Cobalt Spectres and had promised them value from her role as an Inquisitor, but as she was still merely a Junior Inquisitor she had very limited options of what to do. Lydia was disappointed but understood that Ladriani had little say in the matter. She promised to the young woman that she was safe on royal grounds and she wouldn't let the syndicate hurt her - but made her promise herself that she would no longer attempt to steal anything, or she would be forced to report Ladriani to her superiors. Nevertheless, Ladriani continued to thieve in secret, fuelling her compulsion.
In 192 AG, influence of the Cobalt Spectres was waning and Ladriani was finally promoted to the role of Grenthyx Inquisitor, continuing to nobly serve the Grenthyx Dynasty.
shit hits the fan in 193
=== The Uprootings ===
Category:Characters
Category:Chaestlands Character
Category:Capital character
Category:Síroc character