Cosette Guillory

> "Validation is for theories, not people."
>
>

The newest scion of Stygia

Cosette is a displaced aristocrat of Bael Turath whose daydreaming nature is at odds with her desire to retain her position and autonomy in this strange land.

#### Personality

Quiet and naive to the ways of the harsher world, Cosette prefers to sit back and watch drama play out (that she may or may not have caused) from a safe distance, manipulating events in her favor. Much like a spoiled child, she will select her favorite companions and maneuver to win favor while fighting to keep them at her side for use in the Game - to their inevitable detriment in the end. While her goals may seem altruistic on the surface, there is always another reason behind her actions that makes itself clear when someone crosses her or interferes in her plans.

Studious by nature, she seeks to understand the meaning behind her predicament and the existence of the Sunless Sea (a task that some of her current companions are better suited to than others) before returning home.

She enjoys playing politics ("the Game") but not with the goal of earning herself any prestige; instead she prefers to manipulate the social climate to undermine those she dislikes and shore up the positions of others that feel indebted or trusting towards her.

Does not take notice of most common folk though she is wary and distrustful of Fey, human wizards, and Dragonborn.

#### Madness

* Your senses would try to betray you. You always try to thoroughly confirm something’s existence with at least three senses, more if you can. When meeting a new person, you might insist on watching them for a while, shaking their hand or patting their back, and listening to them with eyes closed for a moment. When being given an item, you might feel it all over, examine it in detail, and lick it.
* Choose a colour (blue). You are obsessed with the colour, and seek to surround yourself with as much of it as you can.
* [Redacted]
* You believe [redacted] is destined to lead you all to the colours and freedom. No matter what evidence is presented to the contrary so long as you have this insanity you cannot be persuaded that this belief is not true.
* You are amazing. Any mistakes you make are not your fault. You will push blame onto others and make up excuses for all your failures. You have advantage on Charisma saving throws.
* Randomly select an ally. You are loathe to take an action that they disapprove of.

#### Secrets

* The gods yearn to once again shape this world, but they are locked out. Many can only speak through stars and dreams. Others send their essence through the holes in reality, but only the smallest bits can make it through. The larger ones get… stuck, and require assistance to facilitate complete entry.
* We think now of the Raven Queen, who rules the realm of death, / And how she sought to usher souls from one life to the next, / To give a new beginning when we draw our final breath, / And that her ebon claws cannot reach down to these depths.

* Knowledge of the gods is dangerous, both in its acquisition and its implications. Directly speaking to such a power would end us. Beyond death, we would simply to cease to be. Our minds cannot comprehend what the gods here look like, as we cannot think in the dimensions in which they exist. Our world is incompatible. This makes the gods feel safe. But knowledge *can* be transferred, even just snippets of truth. Pieces of the vast understanding they possess, the lattices of facts and perceptions of reality that makes up our pocket of this universe can be glimpsed, if only for a moment. When we manage these glimpses we terrify the gods, anger them, and draw unwanted attention to ourselves. We call these glimpses “secrets”.
* The veil between dreams and reality is thinner here. By Nihal’s grace, dreams and nightmares can be pulled out through blood. Leeches and wells work best, respectively.
* The icy castle of Frostfound still stands as a living monument to a God’s shame. It has not been allowed to die. Some of those memories of shame have faded over time, becoming as incorporeal as their God, existing beyond texture, colour, and law. Though none would argue their potency has diminished.
* Soul of Copper Heart's-Ease tonic, now just 13gp! Buy it in Nadir, Varchas, or Lendil! Or come visit our headquarters for a special offer! You’ll find us just north-west of Visage and north-east of Nadir. Remember, Soul of Copper keeps your soul your own!

### Gifts of the Stars

Once per tenday, Cosette can see through the deception of reality over the world. Cosette can see through illusions and sense malicious intent of those that look her in the eyes. These effects last for 1 hour and two people respectively. She can attempt to use this a second time in a given tenday.

#### History

The oldest daughter of the main branch of House Guillory in Bael Turath, Cosette was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Not knowing hardship, she was raised to be the pinnacle of Tiefling nobility and promised to a middling prince of the Royal Family before her dreams led her out to sea in the middle of the night. It was here that she was drawn into the games of the Marids, and then through into the Sunless Sea with her new companions.