Kesarī Vasantamalika
- Born
- 167 PD (33 years ago)
- Died
- n/a
- Aliases
- "Saffron"
- Devika
- Family
- Vasanth Arunaya (father)
- Malika Aishani (mother)
- Racial characteristics
- Human
- Rakshasa
- Sex
- Female
- Height
- 5'6"
- Weight
- 130 lbs
- Hair
- Black
- Eyes
- Brown
- Affiliations
- Phoenix Dawn
- Former assassin's guild (unknown)
Daughter of legendary swordsman Vasanth Arunaya and demigoddess (devi) Malika Aishani, Kesarī was born into a life of privilege and expectation. From a young age, she was trained in the arts of combat and strategy by her father, while her mother imparted wisdom about the divine and the mystical. Having built a fortune on his exploits as a mercenary and adventurer, Vasanth ensured that Kesarī had access to the best tutors and resources available.
When the Sorcerer-King of Tyr fell, Vasanth fell on the wrong side of history. While he was a man of reasonable morals, he was also deeply tradition and honor-bound, sworn to Kalak's service. When he was brought down by the combined efforts of Rikus, Neeva, and the others, his wife wisely secreted his daughter away, fearing the worst for her. At first, they fled for Urik, but the Sorcerer-King Hamanu had desires and designs for the two. While unable to fully defeat him, Malika was able to wound and distract him while her daughter escaped, not over her protestations, but with the help of a trusted friend of Vasanth's, an assassin of some renown.
Narsimha, knowing only his former trade, could only prepare Kesarī for a similar life. She could not bear her father's name, nor inherit his wealth, so she would have to make her own way in the world. Under Narsimha's tutelage, she learned the arts of stealth, subterfuge, and assassination, honing her skills to a razor's edge. Over time, she became a formidable operative, feared and respected within the shadowy circles of the assassin's guild of Urik.
The time came when her renown put her before the ultimate client, the very man who'd destroyed the remains of her family: Hamanu himself. The Sorcerer-King desired the unguarded jewel that was Tyr, and needed someone to eliminate the more powerful members of the new government. Despite her hatred for the Sorcerer-King, the opportunity to avenge her family was too great to pass up. She accepted the contract, infiltrating the highest echelons of Tyr's leadership and eliminating key figures with ruthless efficiency. She got her opportunity to square things off with Rikus himself, but after besting him, she paused, as she saw the man's young son looking on in horror from the shadows. Her hesitation cost her, as Rikus' allies arrived moments later, and she was forced to flee for her life.
Knowing she could not return in failure, she became aimless for a time. She briefly sought glory in the arena, but there was none to be had--it was not meant for warriors of her caliber. She was courted by the guild Demon's Hand, who coveted her deadly skills, but found herself visited by Lumi of the Phoenix Dawn. The guildmaster saw the inner conflict and the yearning for purpose in Kesarī's eyes, and offered her a place among the ranks of Phoenix Dawn. Seeing a chance for redemption and a new path, Kesarī accepted, leaving behind her life as an assassin to embrace a new role as a protector of the innocent and a seeker of justice.