Andromeda

**Andromeda** is a Red Priestess of the Red Faith, faithfully serving her god to fight against the false teachings of the Starry Rites. She is the co-owner of *The Red Masque,* a travelling theater of great renown where she weaves teachings of her god into performances to subtly spread the Red Faith to Saerial.

## Appearance and Character

A beautiful woman by any standard, Andromeda has light hair always in braids, a supple frame, and eyes that glow like polished amber in sunlight. On her back is an odd birthmark almost resembling the shape of a flame. Her most notable characteristic, however, is a tattoo of a wisp of fire over a bloody crescent inked on top of her hand.

Andromeda utilizes her attractive appearance to lure in potential converts. To her this isn't deception, but rather a tool gifted from the Red God to convert non-believers to the one true faith. Salvation through flame, this is a core belief that guides her steps in the foreign land of Saerial. With the waning lives of the dragons through warfare, she considers it more important than ever to save the people of Saerial, and the world itself from darkness. Oranges are her favorite food, and a delicacy she enjoys partaking in if given the chance.

Abandoned at birth, Andromeda was found in the arms of a dead notorious slaver in Xabia when she was but a baby being found by the High Priest Ash and brought before one of the largest flames in the world. When she was presented to the flame the flame turned a beautiful pink tone while it told Ash 'Andromeda' and since that has been her name.

She took dutifully to her new faith, proving herself a quick learner of the mantras and teachings of the Master of Fire. This didn't go unnoticed by the Red Priests in the temple, neither, however, did her beautiful appearance, and these qualities were put to use in the temple. Andromeda proved a capable student of even the more advanced teachings, having little difficulties learning to read the holy books and write prayers. Recognizing that her potential went well beyond that of the average person, Andromeda's training was shifted so that she would become a true Red Priestess.

Life in the grand temple in Iarran and eventually Vakar proved to be both a wonderful and trying experience. The opportunities presented to express her innate talents proved endless time and time again she proved her skills in oration before congregations both massive and intimate. Even the advanced arts of illusion proved little challenge for the up and coming Priestess, though she lacked the true depth of skill of the eldest priests possessed. Truly, it was only in interpreting the future in the flames where her talents faltered, but she made up for it in devotion to her god.

During the waning stages of the conflict in the Foreign Isles, a raiding party stuck the weakened Iarran. They came quickly and bluntly, soon working their way to disrupt a gathering Andromeda was holding a sermon mass of dockworkers. In the resulting confusion she was captured by a blue-bearded raider. Despite her status as a Red Priestess, she was a beautiful woman first in his eyes. There was little she could do other than pray to her god, chanting all the while she was being taken back to the raider's ship. During the long trip, she used the newly found closeness being a captured woman to spread her faith to the raiders. Utilizing her every skill to turn their hearts, one by one they relented to her. As if by fate, the very man who captured her was the captain of the ship, and the one to give most fully into her teachings. Upon their return, the bluebearded captor, Lazarro bought her freedom and spent his free days devoting himself to her and her faith.

They spent months together in the port city, and it was here where she first learned of the decline of the dragons in Saerial, the last and purest embodiment of The Red God's will made flesh. Praying long and hard into the fire, she eventually found guidance. Andromeda was a resourceful woman, and she made her way to the west towards the dragon city itself ensure the dying spark of dragonfire wouldn't be forever lost on the people of Saerial. The Red Masque, a red painted theater building on wheels was soon opened, and from here the she would work to spread the faith of her god to the masses of Saerial. Though the culture proved foreign, the hearts of men did not, and resolute in her purpose, Andromeda tends dutifully to the path set forward to her by the Red God providing miracles when he allows it.