Melissa Dupont

"The mind is a tricky thing, constantly seeking to persuade us to believe that which we know is not true. Yet when forced between logic and emotion, so often emotion is chosen, often at the detriment of logic."

## Character Information

### Class

Harbinger Warlock/Shepherd of the Lost + Lichling Soul Weaver

## Physical Description

### Eye Color

Amber

Arriving from the lands of Catania, this mage of rising power wears many titles. From therapist, to governor, to noble, to Chosen, Melissa does her best to help those around her, both domestic and foreign alike. Her study of the mind has led her to intersect with Chosen and regular mortals alike, as warfare, death, plague, and the supernatural creates an almost near-constant flow of business for grief counseling and other therapies that quiet the mind and mend the soul.

## History

Melissa's history is one of interesting experiences, to say the least. Being born in the Kingdom of Catania, Melissa was raised in comforts and wealth of an upper class citizen. Though she was no noble, she associated with many, as her father was a lawyer for the higher courts. Being adopted at birth, she didn't know who her mother was, but lacked particular interest in finding out.

Life was good, with each and everyone of her father's children rising to do something exceptional with their gifts. Her eldest brother, Landon, had acquired as a court clerk for the capital of Catania, while her second eldest brother, Thomas, had gotten a position as a guard for one of the minor houses of nobility. Melissa herself had taken on a respectable role as both the protégé magic user and a therapist.

Her fascination with helping others coupled with her gifts of communing with the dead made it easy for her to reach beyond the veil and get many grieving individuals closure and understanding. With her focus and study of wielding magics related to the dead, however, Melissa had no interest in the profane nature of grave-robbing or reanimating a spirit trapped in the vessel of a corpse.

Her approach was far more classy and refined, as was befitting the daughter of a rising noble. Eschewing such primitive and barbaric practices, Melissa meditated and communed with spirits directly, souls of the angry and the malcontent drawn to her, so that she could give them closure, peace, and usher them into the beyond.

To this end, her first companion to join her was a kindly old spirit, a man by the name of Reginald. In life he had been a charitable noble, but was struck down by the Black Sea during it's invasion. He felt his work of charity unfinished, and Melissa understood how that could feel. A deal was made with the spirit, an exchange of fairness. Melissa would house his body within one of the necrotic marionettes she had come to learn to craft, and in turn, he would continue his work. Thus was the first contract created between the shepherd and the flock.

As time went on, others would come to ask the same of her. And each in kind, was given the same. Some made deals to only finish the work they had begun, others only wished to linger long enough to say goodbye, and yet some still did not wish to pass unto death yet, feeling their virtuous nature of servitude had more to do. And each in turn was honored, though Melissa never allowed those of an evil or corruptive nature to take physical form.

Serving as both a therapist and a proficient mage, it didn't take long for Melissa to answer the call to the New World. Catania's familiarity with the Chosen had not allowed Melissa the opportunity to discover it by accident. Her father had tested each of his children, eager to see if any would bear such a title. Though he held no less pride for those that didn't, his excitement was overwhelming when Melissa successfully caused the Waystone to light up.

It was then because of this test that he had urged her to travel beyond Catania, to the place known as the Helios Imperium. Rumors of the Emperor being Chosen led her father to hoping against hope she might become a noble proper, elevating their family. Though Melissa had no idea if such was possible--nor probable, she did not want to let her family down, and so she travelled, seeking him out.

After initial conversation, the potential and abilities she offered were found to be congruent to the goals and desires of Helios, and thus she was instated to oversee a town that had come to be known as King's Crossing. A place of fabled fairytale and interesting decor, Melissa appreciated the macabre of it all, taking up residency in the castle that had been previously left behind. She had also acquired an office for her practice, named Atomus Analysis, and began assisting the residents close and foreign alike with situations of grief, while she furthered her collection of marionettes and heroic spirits to assist and help her.

## Appearance

Melissa is 5'5 in height, with a slim and lithe build, only weighing 130lbs. Her hair is down to mid-chest, and the wavy, platinum blonde locks are often left to hang loose down and around the back and front, though at times she will style it for work or formal gatherings if appropriate. She wears some jewelry, a black, metallic band with a bright orange pumpkin affixed to it on her middle right finger, as well as a silver bracelet with a single cross-shaped symbol embedded into the metal, a sapphire tint to it compared to the rest of the metal. She also has a second ring, a diamond-studded band, on her middle left finger, and finally around her neck hung an amethyst crystal wrapped in silver wire, connected to a silver chain, creating a teardrop like shape. Her eyes are a light brown color, more akin to amber than a darker hue. Overall she is quite beautiful, and youthful in her image. With a lack of scars and blemishes, she has a comely face and a welcoming smile.

In terms of attire, Melissa enjoys dressing in luxurious fabrics and other wealthy clothing. Custom tailoring of her garments ensure they fit her snugly, complimenting her form and shape while also being easy enough to mov about. Dark colors are a favorite of hers, ranging from black satin to dark and rich colors of navy, olive, maroon, and so forth. In addition to these dresses, she often wears small boots that come up to her ankle, with a few inch heels that are treated to ensure they can survive the harsh climates of adventuring.

Melissa's overall appearance looks lavish and avant-garde, a staple of her upbringing and the way she was raised to care about herself and her appearance. The dark colors serve to only emphasize her class and status, though her notions of wealth and nobility are far more forgiving and kind than some might believe of one who lives among the upper echelons of life.

## Personality

Melissa's personality is quite extroverted, with eloquence and social graces coming easy to her. At times, Melissa's analytical nature as well as constant study of others can leave some feeling like she is being judgmental or scrutinous, as it is difficult for Melissa to not try and analyze the people she meets. Melissa's ability to quickly identify patterns of behavior, coupled with a general understanding of people and her empathetic nature can have some feel as though they can trust her, while others might fear how quickly she will learn their truths. Melissa has also developed a degree of caution and withholding after meeting so many, understanding that while some are business, and others are pleasure, things such as trust, vulnerability, and intimacy are best reserved for those of truly good qualities, that best sit with Melissa's own views.

Melissa likes to be entertained and entertain others, so while her professionalism may at times bleed into her fun, she does have an air of happiness, enjoyment, and general optimism about her. She doesn't have pursuits to the polarized extremes of others, but nonetheless she does her part to bring a little bit of light to a world so suffused with darkness, figuratively and literally. She is, in a word, resilient, as she in unwilling to let the traumas of death, war, plagues, and more stop her from enjoying the good things in life.

Melissa is best described as a truly neutral person. She believes in the ultimate balance of forces, and she refuse to see actions as only either good or evil. Since the majority of people in the world make judgments, it is difficult to remain impartial and understanding, though Melissa being truly disturbed and upset with someone is extremely rare. She does her best to avoid siding with the forces of either good or evil, law or chaos. It is her duty to see that all of these forces remain in balanced contention.

However, this doesn't mean Melissa is incapable of understanding when a situation requires a personal touch, nor is she unable to act in situations where those she cares about may be threatened. Though Melissa does not ascribe ontological beliefs onto mortals, she understands the extremities that those of the planes can embody, as each one is polarized their own belief. As such, Melissa will often typically gravitate towards a being of good over evil due to the sheer nature of wanting peace and to live versus death, but Melissa is not adverse to working with creatures seen as evil if good can come of it.

Overall, Melissa still holds the contentions of a mortal person, with her own beliefs and judgment. She just suspends them when the situation calls for it, and takes an analytical approach, most often in therapy or when asked to participate in courts and such. Facts preclude feelings in some situations, and even though she may feel a certain way, she will act to the interest of what is best in the given situation to ensure balance, fairness, and stability.

## Powers and Abilities

**Death**: Melissa's ability to tap into the powers of death and reanimation allow her to create and raise necrotic marionettes, a fusion of magical constructs and living souls. Done so willingly, these marionettes serve as vessels for the spirits that Melissa shepherds.

**Enhancement**: In addition to the powers of death, Melissa has the ability to empower her own focus on particular skills, expanding the possibilities and also raising the quality of work she is able to do.

**Arcane:** More generalist, Melissa's pact with a patron of great power has seen to it that she is able to wield the raw essence of arcane magic itself, tapping into the powers of the ley and the natural mana of the world to deliver striking blows of magic to those whom might cross her.

### Equipment

**Cape of Resistance (+2):** This cape is often worn when Melissa travels about, fashioned of a fabric that looks akin to satin, yet seems almost as resilient as leather maybe. A matching hood accompanies it, and embroidered on the back is a starry night sky, with a crescent moon in the center, pierced by a wand.

**Constellation Belt:** This magical belt is adorned with various constellation designs, and when activated, they glow softly, allowing a single object to float nearby. In many cases, this is Melissa's favored dagger, Inkspell.

**Doctor's Bracelet:** Made to enhance Melissa's abilities to understand people better, this bracelet is worn as a reminder that people, like the world, have subtle changes, and it takes someone of truly exceptional skill to understand and see both. Objects such as this, make that possible.

**Handy Haversack:** This magical backpack is able to hold a plethora of things, and is often filled with what might be most important to Melissa, namely coin and extra clothing, as well as a few knick-knacks here and there of necessity or enjoyment.

**Inkspell:** This +2 dagger is the object of choice used by Melissa for her magical craft of the warlock arts, it's very essence fashioned from that of her patron. Though she knows not whom the specific individual may be, the dagger itself seems to be made of a metal that has shifting colors. Uniquely, this dagger seems to always be the colors of the sky depending on the time of day. A brilliant hue of dawn to the inky twilight of night, it is as though the metal is a canvas, constantly painted by the magic of the cosmos.

**Philosopher's Third Eye:** This amethyst wrapped in a silver wire hangs at the bottom of a silver chain, and was fashioned as a part of Melissa's desire to enhance her own powers of perception and understanding, able to be aware of even the smallest changes in the environment around her.

**Sorceress' Diamond:** This diamond-studded band was a gift from Melissa's mentor in academic studies, imbued with a portion of his own magical sight of the world. Treated with great care, the magical charm allows Melissa to have a greater understanding of the arcane arts, and magic itself in a generalist capacity.

**Wicked Witch's Signet (+2):** Fashioned in the likeness of King's Crossing, this black band has the signet of a pumpkin attached to it, and helps expand the intellectual capacities of one's own brain, be it in relation to magic, linguistics, or knowledges of the universe.

## Family

* **Unknown (Mother - Unknown) -** Adopted at birth, Melissa has no knowledge of her mother, and at the time of adoption from her father, he also had no wife to speak of, both her brothers born of a different mother who's fate was undetermined long ago when she abandoned them.
* **Percival Dupont (Father - Alive) -** The father of the family, Percival currently presides in Catania as a lawyer for various sessions of court help in the upper courts of the kingdom.
* **Landon Dupont (Brother - Alive) -** The eldest of the Dupont family, Landon served as a court scribe to the government of Catania, aiding in all manner of legal affairs from copying documents to transcribing court sessions.
* **Thomas Dupont (Brother - Alive) -** The second eldest brother, Thomas had taken up work as a guard for a minor nobility house, and is now captain of their house guard.