Nique (Ravenloft)

Darkonian Kargatane Record

• Known Name: Dominique Marie Petit
  
• Alias/Moniker: 'Nique
  
• Race: Halfling (Dementlieuse)
  
• Apparent Age: Mid-20s
  
• Birthday: 15 March, 1344
  
• Height: 2'11"
  
• Alignment: Neutral Good
  
• Affiliations: None known.
  
• Religion: Ezra (Dementlieu Sect)
  
• Character Class: Dirge Bard
  
• Place of Origin: Port-a-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. Whilst halflings are renowned for their brown hair and eyes, and large, hairy feet that rarely wear shoes, 'Nique always uses a combination of hair dyes and magic to have golden blonde hair and 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, speaking to people at a close distance or carrying out any manual activities, such as dressmaking, or playing instruments. 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.

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 "Doomfiddle" in signature equipment)

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. No justice to be found for people of her station (especially being non-human), Left orphaned and in charge of her little brother, 'Nique fell in with various street gangs to survive - either picking the pockets or assisting in shell games, or serving as distractions. A close call served as a wake-up call and 'Nique decided that making their fortunes on the road would be safer than the increasing involvement with Dementlieu's criminal elements and the dangers of the dark alleys, and so left Dementlieu, taking her little brother Raoul with her. On the road she 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 Mordent, Dementlieu, Barovia, or Darkon, 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 Leikburg 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.

With only music and song left, she carried on her journeys, although her songs and tales took a darker turn. Although an orphan, she was young when her parents died and, despite frequently encountering death on her adventures, in the ballads she sang, and performances she acted, she had little personal experience with it and what it really meant until now. She was new to the true agony of grief. 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.

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

'Niques nearness to death during her capture, combined with her learning under the Dirgists, has granted 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, undead react to her as if she were one of their own, rather than one of the living. Whilst intelligent undead such as vampires can quickly ascertain the truth, she can waltz past mindless undead without fear of them attacking her. With a little care, illusion magic, and fast-talking, she has even been known to make intelligent undead believe she is one of them - at least long enough to lure them into her allies' trap or escape danger.

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

• Dirgists Leather: 'Nique's signature +2 Deathless, Easy Travel, Glamered suit of Leather Armour. Resembles a Mordent-style coattailed riding coat and trousers in its natural form, but frequently glamered to resemble more socially appealing attire.
• Pistol: A masterwork flintlock pistol.
• Rapier: A masterwork Dementlieu-style rapier sized for halflings.

Magic Items

• Doomfiddle: This elegant but simple violin is made out of reddish-brown yew wood and human bones, and engraved with imagery and symbols symbolising death. It allows any bard to perform the Dirge of Doom and in the hands of a bard such as 'Nique, it extends the range of her Dirge of Doom to 60ft when she uses this instrument to perform it.
• Bustier of Alluring Charisma: This bustier grants 'Nique a bonus to Charisma. It also has a secondary effect - keeping 'Nique constantly under a Minor Disguise spell as a permanent effect. This makes Dominique's hair appear blonde, her eyes blue, and her make-up always seemingly perfect.
• Necklace of Blending: This fashionable necklace can be used once per day to let 'Nique assume the form and native language of another human creature common to the area, as if using Alter Self and Tongues, for up to one hour. This is commonly used when she needs to pass through or integrate in an area that may prejudice against non-humans.

Mundane Items

• Corrective Eyeglasses
• Fine Dress and dancing shoes
• Masterwork Makeup Kit
• Small steel mirror
• Nice perfume

Signature Quotes

• "Fear not death, for I will tell your story. And, one day, your grandchildren shall proudly tell the tale of this moment."
• "Your anger does not scare me. The stench of your breath does, however."
• "Once, I made the decision to stand by your side, my friend. And I make that same choice again now."
• "Everyone else is watching you, doubting and underestimating you. That is why they will not succeed, and you will. "
• "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 tell this tale of this moment one day, I'll leave out how you would have failed spectacularly without my help."

Gallery

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  Dominique Petit

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