Meimuna Kyree

Meimuna Kyree
Necharan Matchmaker

Background:

My lady Cholan of the House of Red Birds,

After weeks of travel and investigation, it seems my efforts may finally bear fruit. Here, in the eighth locale on my itinerary, I’ve caught the trail of a band of travelers whose heroic deeds and artifact blades bespeak some supernatural bloodline. Rumor hasn’t sufficed to untangle the specifics of their lineage, but no matter. My bearers and I are on their heels, and once I meet them in person, I’ll ply them with gifts and promises until they relent and return with us to Nechara. Surely one of them will make your daughter a fine groom, or your son a strong bride.

Your faithful servant, Meimuna Kyree

Image: Meimuna Kyree’s rich robes and headdress befit her elevated status as a Necharan matchmaker, fit to treat with spirits and outcastes. Red and gold gardas painted on her brown skin bespeak devotion to her patrons in the House of Red Birds. Bells woven into her long black hair bring luck. She seems graceful and dignified; only if her composure cracks under pressure do her youth and limited experience become obvious.

Intimacies: Defining: Lady Cholan (Devotion); Major: “A true matchmaker shows each client the utmost discretion.”; “Gossip is my lifeblood.”; House of Red Birds (Loyalty); Potential Suitors (Gallantry); Minor: Nechara (Homesickness)

Secrets: Kyree knows much regarding the habits, likes, and dislikes of numerous Eastern spirits, god-blooded, and outcastes, including their web of relationships with one another. She’s also privy to gossip regarding Nechara’s noble houses and grandees.

[TRAVELING TO NECHARA
Should well-bred characters accompany Kyree, the city-state of Nechara offers many intrigues. Other noble
houses wish to woo the characters away from the House of Red Birds — or to outright sabotage relations with
that family. Meanwhile, Necharan genealogists pry into their backgrounds, potentially uncovering damaging secrets.]

Equipment: fine clothing; golden bells; tanpura with mother-of-pearl inlay; baggage train laden with gifts of clothing, liquor, perfume, etc.; maiden tea

Roleplaying Hints: Kyree has yet to develop an elder matchmaker’s subtlety. She gleefully corners potential divine consorts for her patron’s family, expounding on the House of Red Birds’ wealth and on the luxury and status that accompanies begetting a god-blooded heir as spouse or consort. Though carefully guarding her patrons’ and clients’ secrets, she gladly gossips about other subjects.

Should she catch a potential spouse’s trail — and she assumes that covert Solar or Lunar characters are god-blooded heroes — she’s equally direct, inquiring widely as to their whereabouts and activities. Others who might wish to use or harm the characters need only follow in her wake.

She offers small gifts to attract a potential suitor’s attention, and larger ones to sway the undecided. If tricked into giving away rich treasures to someone who never intended to go to Nechara, she spreads dreadful rumors about that character for the rest of her trip. Characters can dissuade Kyree by pointing her to more obliging potential suitors, or revealing that her target is totally unsuitable — though she’d be publicly horrified to learn he’s Anathema. Antagonizing, ruining, or slaying her results in negative attention from nobles, bankers, merchants, and spirits who wish to remain on good terms with Nechara’s aristocrats — and retain access to Necharan business and largesse.

Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Stamina 2; Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 4; Perception 4, Intelligence 3, Wits 2
Essence: 1
Willpower: 5
Join Battle: 4 dice
Health Levels: −0/−1x2/−2x2/−4/Incap.
Abilities: Awareness 2, Bureaucracy (Assess Wealth) 2, Craft (Tailoring) 2, Dodge 1, Integrity (Loyal Service) 3, Investigation 2, Linguistics (Invitations) 3, Lore (Eastern History) 1, Martial Arts (Dreaming Pearl Courtesan) 2, Occult (Spirits) 2, Performance
(Singing, Stringed Instruments) 3, Presence (Matchmaking) 3, Ride 1, Socialize (Assess Interest) 3
Merits: Backing (House of Red Birds) 2, Influence 1, Language (Native: Forest-tongue; Riverspeak, Flametongue, Old Realm) 3, Martial Artist, Mentor (Lady Cholan) 1, Resources 2, Retainers 2
Attack (Unarmed): 8 dice (Damage 9); Tags: Bashing, Brawl, Grappling, Natural
Combat: Soak 2, Hardness 0; Parry 2 (Martial Arts); Evasion 2; Rush 2 dice; Disengage 3 dice
Social: Resolve 3, Guile 3
Escort: A dozen assorted chefs, musicians, and dancers accompany Kyree’s travels, delegated by the House of Red Birds to help sway a potential spouse into returning to Nechara to taste that city’s splendors. They’re escorted by porters, drovers, pack animals
laden with supplies and gifts, and a dozen guards (a Size 1, average Drill battle group of medium infantry — Exalted, p. 496). Her taciturn uncle Meimuna Mayan serves as her bodyguard; he uses grizzled veteran traits (Exalted, p. 497).