Darkonian Kargatane Record
- Known Name: Dominique Marie Petite
- Alias/Moniker: 'Nique
- Race: Halfling (Dementlieuse)
- Apparent Age: Mid-20s
- Birthday: 15 March, 731 BC
- Height: 2'11"
- Alignment: Neutral Good
- Affiliations: The Three Amigas
- Religion: The Song of the Spheres
- Character Class: Dirge Bard
- Place of Origin: Port-á-Lucine, Dementlieu
- Player/Type: NPC
Appearance
Dominique, or 'Nique as she prefers friends to call her, stands out even amongst others of her race. At just under 3' tall, she is short even for a Halfling - though this may seem inconsequential to most humans, it is quite notable to her own people. For this reason, 'Nique is fond of hats, hairstyles and boots that make her seem taller, typically closer to Gnome-level in height comparison. Most halflings are renowned for their brown hair and eyes, and large, hairy feet that rarely wear shoes, and 'Nique only strays from this stereotype by having uncommon blue eyes. But it is rare to see her true appearance as she always uses a combination of hair dyes and magic to have golden blonde hair and more bright blue eyes and is incredibly fastidious about depilation. The childlike, age-defying features of halflings combined with her fondness for human (Dementlieu) fashion and hairstyles, make it is easy to mistake her for a young human, at least at a distance.
Though her hair is naturally long, loose and wavy, 'Nique typically styles it in manners common with current fashion trends (especially in Dementlieu), leaving her hair it's natural way (or tied up) only whilst travelling. She is fond of fashionable dresses and likes to wear whatever is in vogue. Of course, travelling (and being perpetually on the edge of being broke) don't lend well to having large collections of dresses, and so 'Nique creates her own dresses, modelled on what is fashionable. She is good enough that she sometimes earns coin by making custom creations for the wealthy in whatever area she is in. Her signature leather armour ("Dirgist's Leather") is glamered, and usually resembles fashionable but durable clothing, such as that worn by the upper class fox hunters in Mordent, although this is quickly changed into a bard-like dress when she is in an urban area. She is fond of dresses as she likes to look feminine and is quite proud of her legs, which she claims are her best attributes. Even when glamered the outfit has a tell - the buttons, made of silvers, resemble little skulls.
'Nique suffers from hyperopia and has poor short-ranged eyesight requiring her to wear corrective lenses whenever reading, or carrying out any activities that require her to be able to properly see things up close, such as dressmaking, or noticing details under close scrutiny. As a general rule, if she needs to look at anything within a handful of feet, she will usually don her lenses. This means that, in practice, she wears her lenses more often than not, removing them for travel rather than constantly wearing and removing them in social or working situations.
Most unique, for a halfling, 'Nique abhors her huge feet. Though typical for a halfling of her stature, this makes them nearly human-sized in comparison and she is very self-conscious about this. As such she typically wears human shoes rather than walk around barefoot - either travel boots whilst adventuring, or dancing shoes in most other situations.
As 'Nique is fond of wearing jackets with collars, and using minor illusion magic for glamorous effect when she's wearing dresses, it is rare for people to notice - but perceptive people have noticed that, when unglamered, she has a scar on her neck that resembles some form of small animal bite mark that never properly healed. Those with knowledge of such things can easily recognise it as a poorly healed vampire bite mark, showing that Dominique was at some point bitten and fed on by a vampire - and a vampire with a smaller mouth than a human, likely a halfling vampire. If asked about it, it is one of the few things that 'Nique is reticent to discuss, and it makes her sad to recall, an unusual reaction for a victim of a vampire feeding, who tend to recall the memory with fear. She says only that the one who fed off her had no choice and did what their curse forced them to do, but struggled against it with all their might - and that is the reason why she is standing her today, whilst the one who bit her met eternal rest at Dominique's own hands. There is only sorrow as she states this.
Unsurprising for a bard, 'Nique is rarely far from her signature musical instrument. To most normal perceptions it resembles a high-quality violin made from reddish-brown wood but the discerning eye will identify it as made from yew wood and bone, and has subtle but notable engravings of imagery depicting the dead. (See "Fiddle of Spirit Speaking" in signature equipment). But she can magically summon other instruments as needed and carries a large travel clavichord in her magical haversack, for when she wants to compose, or perform for a crowd and needs a keyboard instrument.
Background
Dominique, or 'Nique as she prefers friends to call her, was born and raised amongst the Dementlieu musical troupes, and whilst respected for their stagecraft, her family were poor and had little to their name. Nonetheless, raised in the shadow of the musical theatre, song and dance became her first loves and she learnt to sing before she could talk or walk, and in time became a talented performer in her own right.
In her early teens tragedy stuck with the murder of her parents. The killer was a rich human and the death of two halflings was considered no more serious a crime than killing a few rats, so no justice was to be found, Left orphaned and in charge of her little brother, Raoul, 'Nique fell in with a notorious street gang to survive. At first, they were taken in by the seemingly kindly man that run the private orphanage, offering food and shelter in return for work - but soon realised it was a loosely-disguised street gang. Children being perfect for his purposes, the orphans were made to either pick pockets/steal or assist in shell games, or simply serving as distractions. Dominique and Raoul became quite skilled as street thieves and con artists, with Dominique generally using her singing/musical ability to distract whilst the nimble-fingered Raoul would approach and cut their purse. Nonetheless, their master would always keep the lions share and they had little more than a mouldy room and stale food - and if they failed to bring in coin or profit, their master would beat them black and blue. Even to this day, Dominique only ever refers to him as "the cruel master" and not by any name. The master would claim that he tracked how much they earned for him and that, like others who worked for him before them, when they became older and had paid off their debt to him they could leave. As they got older, they began to suspect that no-one ever actually left... that simply once they got too old and outlived their usefulness, that they were eliminated by their cruel master but the naïve younger orphans would always believe the "he got big and left" tale much as a child would believe the "he's gone to a better place" story parents give about dead beloved pets. Possibly worse, the prettier female orphans often seemed to end up in underworld brothels run by even more cruel masters, and more successful male orphans would end up in disreputable street gangs as thieves, thugs or hitmen.
A close call served as a wake-up call. In their usual method Dominique sang a distraction and Raoul cut the purse - but this time the mark's purse had a magical ward that immediately set off a magical alarm and alerted the merchant and his guards. This forced Dominique and Raoul to have to flee through the market streets, initially from the merchant's private guards but soon also from the Port-a-Lucine constabulary. Their faces were now known faces, and - suspecting they might be getting too old for their cruel master's desires anyhow, and fearing being sold off to a life of slavery in a brothel or otherwise increasingly more dangerous lives within Dementlieu's criminal elements - decided that making their fortunes on the dangerous open road would be safer.
And so they used the coin in the pouch they had stolen to buy their way out of Dementlieu, smuggled out hidden in freight boxes, to the relative safety of Mordent, where they began singing and performing in taverns to earn coin for food and shelter, before moving on again - both hoping to find a new home, and for fear of being pursued.
They had many adventures on the road, and met many people - other travelling entertainers and a bard or two, and quickly learnt both how best to apply her natural charms and good looks, and that Dementlieu, Mordent, Richemulot, Borca or Barovia, one thing most people rich or poor had in common was an appreciation for music. She sang rousing jigs in bars and on the street and performed tear-evoking ballads in theatres and private salons - doing well enough to provide for their needs. Although Raoul was smart and nimble like 'Nique (a family trait), he had little interest in arts and knowledge which often inspired 'Nique, instead applying his aptitudes to the larcenous arts with much the same ease that 'Nique took to music.
Over time they travelled various realms together, having many adventures (and misadventures) until a sojourn to Barovia ended in tragedy. They made some good friends, but these friends had enemies, and the two halflings were caught in the middle. One of their enemies, a vampire working for a vampire lord who was making plays for the throne of Barovia, captured 'Nique and Raoul to use as bait to lure their friends, holding them in a dungeon in one of Barovia's best guarded and worst-reputed prisons, of which he was the Warden. The Warden subjected them both to physical and mental torture - but the stubborn and brave halflings would not break. Realising that 'Nique suffered the most anguish whenever Raoul was harmed, as opposed to fear for her own life or personal torture, the vile monster turned Nique's brother into a vampire spawn, leaving him starving and trapped with her until he would inevitably succumb to hunger-induced madness, and then feed off his own sister. Whilst Raoul's love for 'Nique was strong enough to control the worst of his hunger to restrain from killing or turning her, the regular feedings weakened her and brought her to the brink of death - it would only be a matter of time before she weakened too much before his eternal hunger, and then died or possibly joined Raoul in undeath.
But that fate was not to be as their friends came to their rescue in a daring assault on the prison. However, it was too late for Raoul who was too far gone - sheer instinct and will may have prevented him killing his sister, but he no longer recognised his former friends as anything other than food. Barely able to move and crying with sorrow, Nique brought her brother in to a loving embrace and kissed his cheek as she pushed a silver dagger into his heart, ending his unlife but releasing his soul from the curse of undeath. Her life was shattered. Although she did not blame her allies for Raoul's death, but that he died as a means to hurt them meant remaining with them was too painful at that moment. As they made permanent roots in Leiksburg and were granted status for their actions in thwarting the plans and killing most of the traitors to Barovia, 'Nique went back on the road.
For the first time in her life, Dominique truly felt alone. It has always been her and family, or her and her brother - no matter how dark times were. But now all her family were gone and she was alone, and even some of her friends had died or had their own concerns. She never really knew what being alone really meant until now. She was pulled into depths of sorrow by the agony of grief. Her music took a darker turn and she travelled dangerous roads - which she now admits was essentially attempted "suicide by misty roads" in the hope of encountering some danger she couldn't escape from. But just as she was at her weakest, she met a wounded Outlander on the road (See "Song of the Spheres" below for further info) which led to a religious epiphany and conversion to the faith of the Starsong, which rejuvenated her spirit.
Just as her ballads and performances kept the memories of the dead alive, she was determined that she wanted to dedicate her life to ensuring that none would forget the dead, and sought out the legendary dwarven Dirge Bards of Darkon she had heard tales about. After a long journey, she found the dwarves and managed to gain their acceptance. They taught her beautiful tragedies and tales that resonated to the loss in her soul, turning her into a Dirgist herself. When the time was right, and music healing the worst of the pain in her soul, 'Nique went back on the road, eventually returning to see her friends in Barovia. Though things had changed, she found her old friend Audrey-Halloway now the Burgomaster of Leiksburg, and the young orphan that her friend Marcus the Cleric had dies saving had been mist-travelled back in time and was now a full adult and a paladin of Ezra. The three girls quickly bonded, becoming best friends, and working together to protect their adopted home of Leiksburg and fight the resurfacing evil of The Amaranth in distant lands. Although this would be a dangerous time for all three, Dominique refers to it as "the best year of my life" because of "the best friends I've ever known" who treated her like a friend and valued partner, and not a halfling to either scorn or pity.
Personality
'Nique acts carefree and makes the most out of life - but there is a darkness and anger rooted deep within her, and her carefree actions mask her anger, sorrow and the fact she subconsciously often feels she has little left to live for. As those she once loved are now dead, 'Nique dedicates herself to remembering the dead - and walks a fine line between using her increasing knowledge of death and how music can affect the undead to protect the innocent and comfort their grief, and losing herself to the darkness and rage within and becoming what she strives to protect others from.
Her grief did more than just alter her personality, it changed an aspect of her soul that, with the knowledge gleaned from the Dirgists, allows her to use her songs to affect the dead and undead in ways that normal Bards and Enchanters cannot, commonly only possible by Necromancers. Dark voices whisper in the corner of her mind, telling her to just let herself be angry, and use the magical power her anger can unlock. They promise everything she ever wanted and the power to control death itself - even bring back her Raoul. But although she is in pain, her heart is pure, and she knows it is a lie. A promise that smells sweet and promises all she wants - but she has sung too many tragedies of greater people than she who succumbed to that temptation, and then fell to their corruption, and their corruption then inevitably ruined the lives of many innocents in their wake. She is determined not to become what she hates, and battles the anguish in her soul every day.
For all the darkness in both her life and the world around her, 'Nique loves life and people. She has always admired humans since she was young - glamoured by their arts, fashions, music and theatre. She loved the stage, and loves art of all kind - seeing it as a form of magic. A melody can bring back memories, take you to another place and time, even change your state of mind. Songs and tales can impart wisdom and knowledge to even those too stubborn to be willing to listen to sage advice. She sings the songs of the dead for both the living and the dead. Her songs lift the spirits of those who mourn, which in turn lights her own spirit. But the dead whisper to her, even as she sleeps. Telling her things and secrets that are not known, and she can see and hear the immaterial dead - and sings their tales to help them finish their unresolved affairs and allow them to find peace in their afterlife.
Other Notes
Secrets of the Grave
'Niques nearness to death during her capture, combined with her learning under the Dirgists, has given her a closeness to death that grants her the ability to speak and hear incorporeal undead, a degree of resistance to fear, energy drain, and death/necromantic effects, and ability to use her enchantment spells and abilities on the undead, who are normally immune to these magics. Additionally, the dead whisper to her in her sleep, telling her of their woes, often leading to Dominique knowing things about the deceased or their plight, even things that are impossible to know.
Song of the Spheres
After the death of her brother Raoul and some of her friends, Dominique hit a morale all-time low. Although life had always been hard and tragic to her, she'd always had her brother. After his death, and that of some friends thwarting the vampiress Lyssa von Zarovich, Dominique felt that she was cursed to always end up alone. With her remaining friends settling in Leiksburg, she wandered the road on her own. A dangerously foolish thing to do that she will now admit that, in a way, was giving in to despair and seeking death. I her wanderings she encountered a wounded man that, at first, she mistook for a vistani (or half-vistani). Kind-hearted, she helped the man the best she could, using her limited healing magic to heal his wound - but it was for naught as the wound was supernaturally infected, and beyond her ability to help. They were too far from any source of magical healing and he was too weak, so Dominique did all she could - she helped keep him comfortable and used her song and magic to sooth his pain and soul. In the few hours they were together, she learnt much about Zandu Poienaru and his home, learning that he was a "pathfinder", an Outlander from a world known as Golarion, and of a nomadic people known as the Varisians, who she believes have much in common (to her outsider knowledge) with the Vistani of the land of mists, wondering if there may have been some ancestral connection. He claimed that her world was not a real world, but a demi-plane connected to other planes, from which it seemingly poached people somehow. This, she realised, would explain a lot about some of the strange historical events and lands. But the big impact for her was learning about his faith in "The Song of the Spheres" - an elven-like butterfly star-goddess who, in his world, was the patron of travellers and musicians, and particularly a patron of varisians like himself and halflings like her back on his world. Zandu claimed that he believed that his goddess had led him in his final moments to encounter Dominique so that she could sing him to the next life, letting him leave with hope and comfort. Zandu gifted Dominique his magical amulet as a dying gift in thanks, saying he believed his goddess had plans for the halfling, that she had been chosen for some greatness, and to never give up hope and her love for travel, freedom, and song.
This touched Dominique in a way she never expected, and the little she learnt resonated with her. To turn her misery into hope, to spend her life on the road just for the love of it and to sing her way to new adventures and find joy in travel and song, and even when facing death to believe in an afterlife of a land of song and freedom... it sounded like something she could hope for. Sure, most would claim that it's a fool's hope, that there is no proof that this Song of the Spheres actually exists but, from Dominique's point of view, she hadn't seen any evidence that any of the gods in the lands of mists existed or were benevolent either. But one thing is for sure, although she has had friends with magical knowledge examine the amulet, she is the only person who can tap into all its abilities. Perhaps, there may be some truth to it all? The knowledge that the world she knew was possible some cursed hellhole and there are other worlds out there, at least after death, is both a source of hope and a sadness that they are trapped in it. Perhaps, if others can come in... there may be a way out too?
Dominique's Songs
Dominique has written and performs songs about herself, her allies, and notable legends and events.
They can be accessed here:
Dominique's musical repertoire
Songs specifically about or featuring Dominique:
- "I'm Just a Girl" - Dominique singing about herself
- "Raoul" - Dominique singing about herself and her brother
- "One Hundred Songs" - Dominique singing a song introducing herself to a tavern crowd
- "Les Trois Amies" - Dominique's song about her new travelling companions
- "There are Moments..." - Dominique singing about her temptation to give in to the dark promises whispered in her dreams
- "Lament of Love & Loss" - Dominique musical reflection of the tragedy and pain of all the love she's known and lost in her life
- "I Believe" - Dominique singing about her faith and her religious conversion to a Outlander faith
- "Dark Tavern Songs" - Dominique singing a song introducing herself to a tavern crowd for a night of songs of dark tales
Combat Style
As a halfling, 'Nique is blessed with nimbleness, and most humans consider her a harder target to hit, but she is comparatively weaker in build. Raised in a Domain of high cultural level, where light armour, fast weapons and firearms are the norm and heavy armour and weapons considered brutish, it is only natural that 'Nique learnt to fight in similar manner. Stage performances gave her the rudiments of fencing and other weapons, and an adolescence of working with criminals has given her familiarity with a handful of other weapons and short bows. She carries a halfling-sized rapier with her which she is familiar with but never really learnt how to maximise its usage alongside her natural agility, mostly because she feels that there is little point in training hard to poke big people with a sharp point if you're not strong enough to do any serious harm. Instead, she chose to focus on her magical and bardic abilities to support her allies and/or overcome dangers, with her weapons being employed to either support her allies or last-ditch defence. Her weapon of choice is her pistol. Even resized for a halfling's stature, it still allows her to put her high hand-eye coordination to good use with accurate shots that can do respectable damage against human-sized opponents, levelling the playing field. Of course, the time it takes to reload means that it is not a weapon she can fire frequently, and so typically used to soften targets for her allies, or to help her escape.
'Nique's main benefit to her allies is supporting their actions. As a bard, her magic has a mixed repertoire of spells mostly from the schools of illusion and enchantment. Whilst many of her spells are utilitarian in nature, they can also be helpful for stealth or as distractions, easily being able to enthrall or charm others, or similarly affect how they may act. She has shown the ability to weaponize her voice to a degree with limited sonic evocation spells but she is far from a war wizard. Like most bards, her songs have the ability to distract enemies, inspire her allies with competence and/or courage, or subtly influence enemies to action or inaction, but she can also play tunes that strike fear into the heart of her enemies and leave them shaken. Unlike most bards, her enchantment spells can affect the undead, meaning that she is often able to entrance and pacify a whole room of mindless undead that would otherwise have had to be fought. She has also displayed some Necromantic magical abilities, such as on one occasion singing a song that caused nearby corpses to animate and attack on her behalf. She is seemingly reluctant to use these abilities but it is a reminder to not underestimate the talented little halfling and her uncommon abilities.
Social Style
'Nique is generally very easy to get along with as she is a people person. As a travelling bard, there is little she enjoys more than meeting new people, making new friends, enjoying a song and tale with them, and learning their local tales and legends. She is quick to burst into both song and dance, and loves any situation that gives her an excuse to wear a nice dress or fancy cosmetics. A lifetime of performing has made her a skilled diplomat and negotiator (as well as liar, some will note), and so she is able to navigate even complex social situations with ease, wielding her grace and diplomacy as a fencer would a rapier. Her race or social class may hold her back amongst some company but with a little prep time she can fool virtually anyone into thinking she is of any social class or common race imaginable. Combined with both her naturally respectable command of languages and her ability to cast divinatory language magic, this often leads to her serving as a translator or intermediary between people.
She has a kind heart and is initially nice to virtually everyone. Those who reciprocate in kind by showing kindness to others, being polite, respectful and friendly - especially to those who may be socially considered inferior - quickly gains her respect and friendship. Whilst she can bite her lip and tolerate the most arrogant Mordentish or Barovian noble who berates her or her allies, she will never go beyond being civil and polite as a means to her current purpose; whilst a beggar who gives tells her she looks very pretty on one day and offers her a flower that grows in the street corner, will quickly find her becoming a friend - and 'Nique looks out for her friends and tries to better their lot. She may frequently be broke, but she knows how to get people to do things - typically willingly (though not adverse to unwillingly if she feels there is need, or they deserve it) - and this can be beneficial to those she favours.
Once someone has truly proven worthy of her friendship, her loyalty and kindness are absolute. It is not an exaggeration to say that she will willingly accept torture and death to protect those she cares about - and has already proven this to be true.
Signature Equipment
Armour & Weapons
- Field Bard's Dress: 'Nique's signature +2 Easy Travel, Glamered suit of Silken Armour. In its natural form, it resembles a Renaissance-style dress with padded interior and silk exterior, but it is frequently glamered to resemble more socially adequate attire such as elegant dresses or riding suit. The magical enhancement ensures comfort in all forms and allows her to carry heavier loads and travel for longer without ill effects than she could possibly do without it.
- Light Crossbow: A masterwork light crossbow sized for small users.
- Dagger: A masterwork Dementlieu-style dagger that once belonged to her brother Raoul, sized for small users. She keeps it as a memento and for utility rather than as a weapon.
Magic Items
- Bustier of Alluring Charisma: This elegant bustier emphasizes 'Nique's figure and grants her a boost to her self-confidence and charisma.
- Fiddle of Spirit Speaking: This elegant but simple masterwork violin is made out of reddish-brown yew wood and human bones, and engraved with imagery and symbols symbolising death. It allows any skilled user to play a melody next to a mostly intact corpse and summons the spirit temporarily back to the body to be able to briefly converse with them.
- Barrette of Disguise: This apparently normal but stylish hair barrette allows 'Nique to alter her appearance as with a disguise self spell. As part of the disguise, the barrette can be changed to appear as a comb, ribbon, headband, cap, coif, hood, hat, helmet, or other head- or face-wear, such as Bindi jewellery.
- Pendant of the North Star: This elegant blue star sapphire pendant is encased in silver in the form of butterfly wings, and strung on a fine silver chain. It grants the wearer the ability to cast magic missile once per day. In the hands of one of the faithful of the Song of the Spheres, it can additionally be used to cast a cloud of silver stardust (as the Glitterdust spell) and can be made to glow faintly and leave a trail of harmless glowing illusory starry motes that shed light equal to a light spell in any squares the wielder occupies or moves through, which fade away after several seconds.
- Traveller's Translator: This stylish earring has a blue prismatic crystal set into a platinum bezel and provides the wearer a basic limited ability to communicate with intelligent creatures that speak unfamiliar languages.
- Handy Haversack: A large red leather satchel-like haversack in Dementlieuse fashion that can be carried on the back or slung on the side. It has two side pouches, each of which appears large enough to hold about a quart of material, in addition to a main pouch. These pouches are magically enhanced and open into nondimensional spaces, making them larger on the inside than the outside. Each side pouch can actually hold material of as much as 2 cubic feet in volume or 20 pounds in weight. The large central portion of the haversack can contain up to 8 cubic feet or 80 pounds of material. Even when so filled, the backpack always weighs only 5 pounds. Whenever Dominique reaches into it, whatever stored item is desired always appears to be at the top, making retrieval quick and preventing the need for fumbling and searching.
- Windsong Travel Clavichord: This elegant gold-inlaid darkwood travel clavichord is unusually light and compact for an unfretted instrument of its type, occupying about 4 cubic square feet when folded for travel. Music played from this instrument travels farther than that of any mundane instrument of its type, as if carried by the wind. If a bard uses this clavichord to play a bardic performance with a limited range (such as 'Nique's fascinate or distraction bardic performances), the range of the bardic performance increases by 10 feet. It is nonetheless quite large and heavy, but fits comfortably within 'Nique's Handy Haversack, allowing her to take it with her on her travels with ease.
Mundane Items
- Corrective Eyeglasses
- A range of fine dresses for every occasion, most of which she has made herself
- Dancing shoes
- Masterwork Makeup Kit
- Small steel mirror
- Nice perfume
Signature Quotes
- "Fear not death. One day, your grandchildren shall proudly tell the tale of this moment."
- "Your anger does not upset me. The stench of your breath, does!"
- "Once, I made the decision to stand by your side, my friend. And despite everything that occurred, I now choose to make that same decision once again. Together until dawn!"
- "Yes everyone is watching you. But that makes you careful, whilst they doubt and underestimate you in their arrogance. That is why they will fail, and you will achieve victory."
- "Do you fear this monster? You should. But even more, it should fear you! The fire burning within you is as great as a thousand suns!"
- "Worry not, when I sing this tale of this moment of heroism one day, I'll leave out how you soiled your pants and would have failed spectacularly without my help."
Gallery
Dominique using glamer and make-up for glamorous appearance
Dominique Petite natural appearance without any glamer or cosmetic alteration
Dominique Petite typical adventuring look, dyed hair but little or no use of glamer magic