Ordo Cruentus
Order amongst the Dead
Rosa El-Hashem
Full Name: Rosa El-Hashem
Associated Names: The Pale Djinn, The Mercenary of Blood, The Black Corsair, She of the Dead Blades, Dam’Rih
Age: 133
Bloodline: Blood Dragon
Sire: Lord Armel Durant
Generation: 5th
Place of Birth: Lashiek, Araby
Physical Description
Possessing a lithe, athletic physique, and average height, Rosa El-Hashem tends not to look as massive or intimidating as most Blood Dragons. Which is just the way she likes it. Beneath her often populous-blending clothing however, her body paints a tale. Hard, scarred muscle makes up her body, though she possesses an easy grace in every step. A long, graceful, many would say pretty, face is visible to the world. Her short, swept back, jet-black hair and dark eyes would not mark her as remarkable, except for the odd, almost predatory stare she seems to have permanently attached to her visage. Often clad in tightly form-fitting clothing, the better to move unhindered and dance between combat blows, Rosa El-Hashem presents a very professional air when she is among her fellow Vampires, and not trying to blend with the humans. The fairly recognizable language of Araby seems to be tattooed onto the flesh of her lower back, though few realize what it actually is due to its faded appearance and the fact that it is crisscrossed with scars, usually obscuring the sentence.
All of this gives of the instinctual warning that she is a very deadly individual. But it is her eyes...her cold black eyes that pull the attention...
This woman is very dangerous.
Personality
Rosa El-Hashem is first and foremost a survivor; as a consummate pragmatist, she will adopt whatever persona she thinks will best assist her in whatever current situation she finds herself in. She can be flirty, cold, ditsy, intimidating, boisterous, meek, etc at the drop of a hat. Her ability to read people nearly boarders on psychic insight, she is so intuitive. However, when the young woman is outside of the presence of others, or is perhaps alone with individuals she really trusts, they would find her to be a contemplative, and tentatively-empathetic person. However, decades of suffering the horrors of the Vampiric condition has doused her altruistic spirit, leaving a hardened Blood Dragon warrior in its place. If anything, Rosa secretly wishes she could identify with the meek and downtrodden humans, and if she has found one that could meet her in combat, has shown a keen mind, or even made her laugh, she usually lets them live. But her survivalist nature makes these instances far and few in-between. Behind her usually unreadable visage, a keen mind thirsting for knowledge is harbored. She often surprises people with her deductive reasoning, and logical thought processes. In another life, she could have been a respected scholar, or a historian. But alas, the Blood-born must make her way through life armed with practical knowledge, rather than academic.
Brief History
The tales of the Old World are many, but few begin with the birth of a half-breed. This one does. Rosa El-Hashem was born amongst the most unusual of circumstances. Clara Gagliardi, a noblewoman from Pavona, was sailing to Martek in order to look over some family holdings in their silk trade, when the dread pirate Bahadur El-Hashem attacked her ship. Capturing the merchant vessel, and plundering her wealth, Bahadur was struck by Clara’s beauty, and spared her both death and slavery. She too found this dashing swashbuckler intriguing, and endured her captivity with him a bit more quietly than most noble ladies might have. It was not long before this attraction blossomed into true romance. Forsaking her family, Clara threw in with Bahadur and the two were married at sea only a few months later. Many were their adventures, but this is the tale of their child. A little more than a year after their joining, Clara found that she was pregnant. Fearing for the life of his child, knowing the danger his lifestyle brought, Bahadur sent Clara back to her family after their child was born in Lashiek, Araby. Naming her Rosa, but keeping the surname of her father, Clara honored the decision, for she understood the reasoning.
The Gagliardi family was overjoyed to see one of their own returned after so long thought dead, but considered Clara returning with child to be a scandal and embarrassment. They sent her from Pavona to one of their holdings in Luccini to hide her and the child away. Rosa grew up in the Tilean port city, and had no family but her mother. Not wanting her child to grow up in the politicking, pampered lifestyle of the rest of her family, Clara used her minor family stipend to educate Rosa practically, and even went so far as to have her tutored in the art of swordcraft by the Diestro Guiomar Escarrà. For her part, Rosa grew up to be a serious minded girl, though she was always enthralled and inspired by the stories of her father that her mother told her. In fact, in an act of teenage rebellion, she stowed away on a ship and made for Lashiek.
Though barely sixteen winters old, and without wealth or contacts in the city, Rosa was not swallowed by that den of thieves and pirates. Her skill with the blade made sure of that. After weeks of searching, she eventually came across a man who had been Bahadur’s first mate. He claimed the man had died in battle years ago. Though she was crushed, her sorrow was somewhat assuaged when, out of sympathy to an old friend’s child, he offered to take her on as part of his crew. For the next decade, she sailed upon the high seas, and learned the ways of piracy, almost knowing her father by becoming like him. She never achieved the position of captain however, for while she knew enough of fighting to work with others, she was no grand strategist. At the end of this time, the old crew was ready to retire, but she was still young and full of vigor.
Putting into port in Sartosa, as she did not trust any other crew not to take advantage of a woman on the endless lonely ocean, Rosa took to the life of a Tilean mercenary. It was mostly the same as piracy she found, except it was on land, and the governments of the city-states actually liked them. Her adventures with the Free Companies lasted four years, and took her all over Tilea, Estalia, and the Empire. It was during a job fighting Chaos Marauders that she met a man named Borislav Volkov. He was a mercenary from Kislev, and former Winged Lancer. Admiring him personally, and his ability to lead men, she left her mercenary band and took up with him. It was from Volkov himself that she learned the art of horsemanship, for he thought her an incredible warrior, and thought that she would be a great asset to his mercenary rota. She took to being a light cavalier with all the gusto that she had learned her sea-craft, and enjoyed adventures in the north for three glorious years.
One dark winter, she received word from Luccini that her mother had passed away. She rode south in order to attend her funeral, and it was then that she had the most life-changing event that she would ever have. On a moonlit road through the dark land of Sylvania, Rosa came upon a mounted knight in blood red armor. The man introduced himself as Lord Armel Durant, and challenged her for the right of the road. Thinking him some drunk fop from Bretonnia, Rosa obliged him. But this was no arrogant man, this was a mighty Blood Dragon, hunting for fresh prey. Though it was obvious that he could have easily slain her, the big man toyed with her, testing her on every level; speed, strength, agility, technique, and bravery. She must have impressed him, for after he pierced her heart with his sword, he offered to give her the gift of immortality. Never one to give up, or give in to death, she accepted the Blood Kiss.
Though a great warrior, and only enhanced by her Vampiric blood, Rosa nonetheless made a terrible Blood Dragon. In less than five years, she had completely run through the iron patience of her sire, and he released her from his service. She was too dedicated to winning first by any means necessary, including using dirty tactics and ranged weapons, and honor very second. For a while, she wandered her old stomping grounds, taking to the seas again, before finally becoming fed up with the problems living on a ship posed for her kind. Going back to Sylvania, she began taking on mercenary jobs for the Vampire Counts, most notably the von Carsteins. Before long, she was taking on the role of assassin for any vampire authority with enough coin to pay her, or guile to pull her into their machinations. She would pass through human lands, assassinating specific targets, and fighting anyone who raised her blood. She had some Blood Dragon in her after all. That life changed ten years ago however, when the various Vampire factions united in a concentrated effort to finally rid the world of Nagash. She was often found in the thickest of fighting, enjoying the opportunity to operate in the open once again. She had her fill of blood and death, and more besides. However, as a lowly warrior in the conflict, she was not privy to the greatest spoils of war. Not that she minded, for the war was reward enough for her. And the subsequent invasion of the Empire thrilled her as well, though she took care to hide her features often, for if the war went south for them, she would not be able to move among humans anymore. And it seems that this was the right choice, as the Undead conquest has ground to a halt. Now Rosa wanders, looking for the next great adventure…
Basic Stats
Speed: 4 (8 while on Isra)
Agility: 5
Weapon Skill: 6
Ballistic Skill: 3 (4 with dueling pistols)
Raw Strength: 4
Technique Strength: 6 (7 with Dead Blades)
Toughness: 4
Tactical Knowledge: 2
Magic
Magical Lores Known: None
Raw Magical Power: 0
Magical Skill: 0
Technology
Skillset: Black Powder Weapons
Skill Level: 4
Weapons / Armour / Items
Ferro Morto - Link to picture
A Schiavona that was originally commissioned by Borgio the Besieger for the greatest duelist in his armies, Vespero. Borgio was known for lavishing not just wealth and prestige upon the mercenary, but gifts to increase his chances of survival, and serving the merchant-prince. Being friends with the Supreme Patriarch, this commission was given as a joint project between the Gold Order and the Amethyst Order. The result is a blade that is constructed of a strange, mighty metal that has never been seen before, backed with all the life ending power of the Lore of Death. Never before has a blade of such quality been crafted by hands of man, that was not also empowered by a god or enhanced by one of the long-lived races. However, the Borgio was poisoned just before the Schiavona was transported to his city. Once it did arrive, the true significance of the weapon wasn't realized, as it was a surprise that he would reveal not just to Vespero, but all of Miragliano. The sword was locked in a family vault, and forgotten about as just another tribute from his foreign friends. Rosa only came upon this weapon when she was engaging the Skaven in their latest attempt to take the city. The big rats were a fun way to test her combat prowess without fear of discovery. As she battled through the sewers and catacombs of the city, a blast from a Grey Seer tore open one of the walls of the vault, spilling its long forgotten secrets. After she had dispatched of the Skaven in the room, Rosa claimed the Schiavona as her own. It has been one of the greatest decisions of her career.
Badiya’sikin al-Iblis - Link to picture
At first glance, this Janbiya looks to be the same as any of those worn by the people of Araby. However, Rosa picked up this wicked, curved blade after the war against Nagash, deep in the heart of his Black Pyramid. While not a weapon of that great necromancer, this blade did indeed end countless lives. Wielded by his priests, this sacrificial dagger, constructed of pure abn-i-khat, ended thousands of lives in the pursuit of their evil magics. The Janbiya has drunk fathoms of blood for so long, that it now hungers for it at all times. And it is a greedy weapon. While not the most powerful weapon plundered from that horrible place, it is eternally seeking fresh bodies to thirst upon, and as such makes a perfectly suitable offhand weapon for its mistress. Not many among the living can stand against its draining, corrupting touch. She has bestowed upon it the name Badiya’sikin al-Iblis, and cherishes it as the companion to her other Dead Blade.
Ithilmar Mail Armor - Link to picture
This suit of fine Ithilmar chain was pulled off of the corpse of Vivandrel, a Sword Master of Hoeth, after Rosa defeated her in a titanic dual. The two warrior women met in the pursuit of a Cult of Pleasure that had been welling up in the city of Marienburg. Though initially hostile towards each other, the two put aside their differences to take care of the cult. While Vivandrel was charged by her order with the task, Rosa only wished to fight some of the famed Daemonettes, to test herself further. After a long and breakneck adventure, the two stood victorious over the cult. They had both agreed to kill each other after their task had been concluded however, and both were eager to test themselves against the other. It was the most intense battle of Rosa’s life and unlife. She managed to slay the High Elf only by the thinnest skin of her teeth, and it very easily could have gone the other way, but it was Rosa El-Hashem who stood victorious that day. The excellent armor was simply a spoil of war. She usually keeps it hidden beneath her black riding outfit however, as she does not like how it catches the light so much.
Todmeister Dueling Pistols - Link to picture
Standard flintlock pistols have a noticeable delay between pulling the trigger and actually firing the bullet. These purpose-built dueling pistols have various improvements to make them more reliable and accurate, such as longer, heavier barrels, a spur on the trigger guard, saw handles, platinum-lined touch-holes and hair triggers. All component parts were manufactured, hand-finished and then adjusted with great care and precision, which made these dueling pistols much more costly than standard handguns, as Rosa well knows. She actually bought them from Engineer Leon Todmeister himself, or so she claims. Regardless, they are a fine set of ranged weapons that she has great fondness for, despite the fact that most Blood Dragons disdain the use of ranged weapons.
Old Shashka - Link to picture
Rosa's old shashka from her days in the mercenary rota. She keeps the old thing on her horse, mostly for sentimental reasons. It serves as her backup weapon if Ferro Morto is ever lost or broken.
Isra - Link to picture
Isra is Rosa’s current horse, one of the smaller, more agile breeds from Araby. Though not as powerful as some of the Bretonnian Destriers that many of her fellow Blood Dragons favor, Rosa wouldn't trade her for a mountain of gold. The horse nimbly dances upon the battlefield, and can handle terrain that the bigger horses would have difficulty with. This is a light cavalry horse, not a thundering tank tipped by a lance. Isra is a loyal mount, and does her job well.
Other Abilities
Equestrianism
Seafaring
Stealth
Strengths
Blade of the World – Rosa’s combat style is a strange amalgamation that many of her foes find difficult to stand against. Using a dagger of Nehekhara, a Tilean sword, in an Estalian dualist style, with the footwork of a Dervish of Araby, and all the strength of her Blood Dragon bloodline, Rosa is unique in her technique. Not only does this make her an incredible swordswoman in open warfare, but even in a more focused duel, it gives her an edge. Warriors from traditional combat schools have never encountered this unique mix before, and even long-lived fighters like Blood Dragons and Elves have difficulty with it, as there has never been a form like this before. This unpredictability serves her well. When engaging in mounted combat, she utilizes the riding techniques of Kislev, only adding to the mosaic of her combat style.
The Hidden Threat – Rivaling the Lahmians in her ability to blend into the population of the living, Rosa often travels openly, and interacts with humanity on a regular basis. This has kept her up to date on the world, which is why she can hunt so boldly, and carries out missions in the midst of humans without risking discovery. This has not only proved useful for survival, but more than a few Vampire Lord have commissioned her to undertake missions for them in the cities of the Empire, Kislev, Tilea, Araby, and others.
Bat-of-all-Trades – Being a highly skilled warrior, masterful cavalier, artful pirate, and expert assassin, Rosa rarely finds herself in situations that put her at a disadvantage. She is highly adaptable, and very competent, making her very valuable to the armies of the Vampire Counts.
Weaknesses
Outcast – When she was alive, and now that she tries to blend among the living, Rosa has had to deal with the bigotry of those disgusted by her mixed parentage and bold character. And among her own kind, she is seen as a disgrace amongst the Blood Dragons, with her willingness to use ranged weapons, stealth, and other “dishonorable” tactics in order to win. As such, she does not fit in with the majority of humans, and the majority of her Bloodline.
Blade-slave – While Rosa is stronger than any mortal, and could rely on her claws in a pinch, she really is a duelist at heart. Without a weapon in her hand, she could be easy prey for her kind, or enough dedicated humans. She never had any education in the art of unarmed combat, and is just as much of an uncoordinated brawler as most people are.
Magically Dead – While even the most mindless Strigoi can instinctively call upon the dark magics of Necromancy, Rosa cannot even draw upon the lightest breeze of magic. When she become one of the Night’s Dark Masters, she was found weak in power already, and her refusal to even try to learn any magical skill has atrophied her ability to the point where it does not exist. There is simply nothing for her to call upon.
Full Name: Rosa El-Hashem
Associated Names: The Pale Djinn, The Mercenary of Blood, The Black Corsair, She of the Dead Blades, Dam’Rih
Age: 133
Bloodline: Blood Dragon
Sire: Lord Armel Durant
Generation: 5th
Place of Birth: Lashiek, Araby
Physical Description
Possessing a lithe, athletic physique, and average height, Rosa El-Hashem tends not to look as massive or intimidating as most Blood Dragons. Which is just the way she likes it. Beneath her often populous-blending clothing however, her body paints a tale. Hard, scarred muscle makes up her body, though she possesses an easy grace in every step. A long, graceful, many would say pretty, face is visible to the world. Her short, swept back, jet-black hair and dark eyes would not mark her as remarkable, except for the odd, almost predatory stare she seems to have permanently attached to her visage. Often clad in tightly form-fitting clothing, the better to move unhindered and dance between combat blows, Rosa El-Hashem presents a very professional air when she is among her fellow Vampires, and not trying to blend with the humans. The fairly recognizable language of Araby seems to be tattooed onto the flesh of her lower back, though few realize what it actually is due to its faded appearance and the fact that it is crisscrossed with scars, usually obscuring the sentence.
All of this gives of the instinctual warning that she is a very deadly individual. But it is her eyes...her cold black eyes that pull the attention...
This woman is very dangerous.
Personality
Rosa El-Hashem is first and foremost a survivor; as a consummate pragmatist, she will adopt whatever persona she thinks will best assist her in whatever current situation she finds herself in. She can be flirty, cold, ditsy, intimidating, boisterous, meek, etc at the drop of a hat. Her ability to read people nearly boarders on psychic insight, she is so intuitive. However, when the young woman is outside of the presence of others, or is perhaps alone with individuals she really trusts, they would find her to be a contemplative, and tentatively-empathetic person. However, decades of suffering the horrors of the Vampiric condition has doused her altruistic spirit, leaving a hardened Blood Dragon warrior in its place. If anything, Rosa secretly wishes she could identify with the meek and downtrodden humans, and if she has found one that could meet her in combat, has shown a keen mind, or even made her laugh, she usually lets them live. But her survivalist nature makes these instances far and few in-between. Behind her usually unreadable visage, a keen mind thirsting for knowledge is harbored. She often surprises people with her deductive reasoning, and logical thought processes. In another life, she could have been a respected scholar, or a historian. But alas, the Blood-born must make her way through life armed with practical knowledge, rather than academic.
Brief History
The tales of the Old World are many, but few begin with the birth of a half-breed. This one does. Rosa El-Hashem was born amongst the most unusual of circumstances. Clara Gagliardi, a noblewoman from Pavona, was sailing to Martek in order to look over some family holdings in their silk trade, when the dread pirate Bahadur El-Hashem attacked her ship. Capturing the merchant vessel, and plundering her wealth, Bahadur was struck by Clara’s beauty, and spared her both death and slavery. She too found this dashing swashbuckler intriguing, and endured her captivity with him a bit more quietly than most noble ladies might have. It was not long before this attraction blossomed into true romance. Forsaking her family, Clara threw in with Bahadur and the two were married at sea only a few months later. Many were their adventures, but this is the tale of their child. A little more than a year after their joining, Clara found that she was pregnant. Fearing for the life of his child, knowing the danger his lifestyle brought, Bahadur sent Clara back to her family after their child was born in Lashiek, Araby. Naming her Rosa, but keeping the surname of her father, Clara honored the decision, for she understood the reasoning.
The Gagliardi family was overjoyed to see one of their own returned after so long thought dead, but considered Clara returning with child to be a scandal and embarrassment. They sent her from Pavona to one of their holdings in Luccini to hide her and the child away. Rosa grew up in the Tilean port city, and had no family but her mother. Not wanting her child to grow up in the politicking, pampered lifestyle of the rest of her family, Clara used her minor family stipend to educate Rosa practically, and even went so far as to have her tutored in the art of swordcraft by the Diestro Guiomar Escarrà. For her part, Rosa grew up to be a serious minded girl, though she was always enthralled and inspired by the stories of her father that her mother told her. In fact, in an act of teenage rebellion, she stowed away on a ship and made for Lashiek.
Though barely sixteen winters old, and without wealth or contacts in the city, Rosa was not swallowed by that den of thieves and pirates. Her skill with the blade made sure of that. After weeks of searching, she eventually came across a man who had been Bahadur’s first mate. He claimed the man had died in battle years ago. Though she was crushed, her sorrow was somewhat assuaged when, out of sympathy to an old friend’s child, he offered to take her on as part of his crew. For the next decade, she sailed upon the high seas, and learned the ways of piracy, almost knowing her father by becoming like him. She never achieved the position of captain however, for while she knew enough of fighting to work with others, she was no grand strategist. At the end of this time, the old crew was ready to retire, but she was still young and full of vigor.
Putting into port in Sartosa, as she did not trust any other crew not to take advantage of a woman on the endless lonely ocean, Rosa took to the life of a Tilean mercenary. It was mostly the same as piracy she found, except it was on land, and the governments of the city-states actually liked them. Her adventures with the Free Companies lasted four years, and took her all over Tilea, Estalia, and the Empire. It was during a job fighting Chaos Marauders that she met a man named Borislav Volkov. He was a mercenary from Kislev, and former Winged Lancer. Admiring him personally, and his ability to lead men, she left her mercenary band and took up with him. It was from Volkov himself that she learned the art of horsemanship, for he thought her an incredible warrior, and thought that she would be a great asset to his mercenary rota. She took to being a light cavalier with all the gusto that she had learned her sea-craft, and enjoyed adventures in the north for three glorious years.
One dark winter, she received word from Luccini that her mother had passed away. She rode south in order to attend her funeral, and it was then that she had the most life-changing event that she would ever have. On a moonlit road through the dark land of Sylvania, Rosa came upon a mounted knight in blood red armor. The man introduced himself as Lord Armel Durant, and challenged her for the right of the road. Thinking him some drunk fop from Bretonnia, Rosa obliged him. But this was no arrogant man, this was a mighty Blood Dragon, hunting for fresh prey. Though it was obvious that he could have easily slain her, the big man toyed with her, testing her on every level; speed, strength, agility, technique, and bravery. She must have impressed him, for after he pierced her heart with his sword, he offered to give her the gift of immortality. Never one to give up, or give in to death, she accepted the Blood Kiss.
Though a great warrior, and only enhanced by her Vampiric blood, Rosa nonetheless made a terrible Blood Dragon. In less than five years, she had completely run through the iron patience of her sire, and he released her from his service. She was too dedicated to winning first by any means necessary, including using dirty tactics and ranged weapons, and honor very second. For a while, she wandered her old stomping grounds, taking to the seas again, before finally becoming fed up with the problems living on a ship posed for her kind. Going back to Sylvania, she began taking on mercenary jobs for the Vampire Counts, most notably the von Carsteins. Before long, she was taking on the role of assassin for any vampire authority with enough coin to pay her, or guile to pull her into their machinations. She would pass through human lands, assassinating specific targets, and fighting anyone who raised her blood. She had some Blood Dragon in her after all. That life changed ten years ago however, when the various Vampire factions united in a concentrated effort to finally rid the world of Nagash. She was often found in the thickest of fighting, enjoying the opportunity to operate in the open once again. She had her fill of blood and death, and more besides. However, as a lowly warrior in the conflict, she was not privy to the greatest spoils of war. Not that she minded, for the war was reward enough for her. And the subsequent invasion of the Empire thrilled her as well, though she took care to hide her features often, for if the war went south for them, she would not be able to move among humans anymore. And it seems that this was the right choice, as the Undead conquest has ground to a halt. Now Rosa wanders, looking for the next great adventure…
Basic Stats
Speed: 4 (8 while on Isra)
Agility: 5
Weapon Skill: 6
Ballistic Skill: 3 (4 with dueling pistols)
Raw Strength: 4
Technique Strength: 6 (7 with Dead Blades)
Toughness: 4
Tactical Knowledge: 2
Magic
Magical Lores Known: None
Raw Magical Power: 0
Magical Skill: 0
Technology
Skillset: Black Powder Weapons
Skill Level: 4
Weapons / Armour / Items
Ferro Morto - Link to picture
A Schiavona that was originally commissioned by Borgio the Besieger for the greatest duelist in his armies, Vespero. Borgio was known for lavishing not just wealth and prestige upon the mercenary, but gifts to increase his chances of survival, and serving the merchant-prince. Being friends with the Supreme Patriarch, this commission was given as a joint project between the Gold Order and the Amethyst Order. The result is a blade that is constructed of a strange, mighty metal that has never been seen before, backed with all the life ending power of the Lore of Death. Never before has a blade of such quality been crafted by hands of man, that was not also empowered by a god or enhanced by one of the long-lived races. However, the Borgio was poisoned just before the Schiavona was transported to his city. Once it did arrive, the true significance of the weapon wasn't realized, as it was a surprise that he would reveal not just to Vespero, but all of Miragliano. The sword was locked in a family vault, and forgotten about as just another tribute from his foreign friends. Rosa only came upon this weapon when she was engaging the Skaven in their latest attempt to take the city. The big rats were a fun way to test her combat prowess without fear of discovery. As she battled through the sewers and catacombs of the city, a blast from a Grey Seer tore open one of the walls of the vault, spilling its long forgotten secrets. After she had dispatched of the Skaven in the room, Rosa claimed the Schiavona as her own. It has been one of the greatest decisions of her career.
Badiya’sikin al-Iblis - Link to picture
At first glance, this Janbiya looks to be the same as any of those worn by the people of Araby. However, Rosa picked up this wicked, curved blade after the war against Nagash, deep in the heart of his Black Pyramid. While not a weapon of that great necromancer, this blade did indeed end countless lives. Wielded by his priests, this sacrificial dagger, constructed of pure abn-i-khat, ended thousands of lives in the pursuit of their evil magics. The Janbiya has drunk fathoms of blood for so long, that it now hungers for it at all times. And it is a greedy weapon. While not the most powerful weapon plundered from that horrible place, it is eternally seeking fresh bodies to thirst upon, and as such makes a perfectly suitable offhand weapon for its mistress. Not many among the living can stand against its draining, corrupting touch. She has bestowed upon it the name Badiya’sikin al-Iblis, and cherishes it as the companion to her other Dead Blade.
Ithilmar Mail Armor - Link to picture
This suit of fine Ithilmar chain was pulled off of the corpse of Vivandrel, a Sword Master of Hoeth, after Rosa defeated her in a titanic dual. The two warrior women met in the pursuit of a Cult of Pleasure that had been welling up in the city of Marienburg. Though initially hostile towards each other, the two put aside their differences to take care of the cult. While Vivandrel was charged by her order with the task, Rosa only wished to fight some of the famed Daemonettes, to test herself further. After a long and breakneck adventure, the two stood victorious over the cult. They had both agreed to kill each other after their task had been concluded however, and both were eager to test themselves against the other. It was the most intense battle of Rosa’s life and unlife. She managed to slay the High Elf only by the thinnest skin of her teeth, and it very easily could have gone the other way, but it was Rosa El-Hashem who stood victorious that day. The excellent armor was simply a spoil of war. She usually keeps it hidden beneath her black riding outfit however, as she does not like how it catches the light so much.
Todmeister Dueling Pistols - Link to picture
Standard flintlock pistols have a noticeable delay between pulling the trigger and actually firing the bullet. These purpose-built dueling pistols have various improvements to make them more reliable and accurate, such as longer, heavier barrels, a spur on the trigger guard, saw handles, platinum-lined touch-holes and hair triggers. All component parts were manufactured, hand-finished and then adjusted with great care and precision, which made these dueling pistols much more costly than standard handguns, as Rosa well knows. She actually bought them from Engineer Leon Todmeister himself, or so she claims. Regardless, they are a fine set of ranged weapons that she has great fondness for, despite the fact that most Blood Dragons disdain the use of ranged weapons.
Old Shashka - Link to picture
Rosa's old shashka from her days in the mercenary rota. She keeps the old thing on her horse, mostly for sentimental reasons. It serves as her backup weapon if Ferro Morto is ever lost or broken.
Isra - Link to picture
Isra is Rosa’s current horse, one of the smaller, more agile breeds from Araby. Though not as powerful as some of the Bretonnian Destriers that many of her fellow Blood Dragons favor, Rosa wouldn't trade her for a mountain of gold. The horse nimbly dances upon the battlefield, and can handle terrain that the bigger horses would have difficulty with. This is a light cavalry horse, not a thundering tank tipped by a lance. Isra is a loyal mount, and does her job well.
Other Abilities
Equestrianism
Seafaring
Stealth
Strengths
Blade of the World – Rosa’s combat style is a strange amalgamation that many of her foes find difficult to stand against. Using a dagger of Nehekhara, a Tilean sword, in an Estalian dualist style, with the footwork of a Dervish of Araby, and all the strength of her Blood Dragon bloodline, Rosa is unique in her technique. Not only does this make her an incredible swordswoman in open warfare, but even in a more focused duel, it gives her an edge. Warriors from traditional combat schools have never encountered this unique mix before, and even long-lived fighters like Blood Dragons and Elves have difficulty with it, as there has never been a form like this before. This unpredictability serves her well. When engaging in mounted combat, she utilizes the riding techniques of Kislev, only adding to the mosaic of her combat style.
The Hidden Threat – Rivaling the Lahmians in her ability to blend into the population of the living, Rosa often travels openly, and interacts with humanity on a regular basis. This has kept her up to date on the world, which is why she can hunt so boldly, and carries out missions in the midst of humans without risking discovery. This has not only proved useful for survival, but more than a few Vampire Lord have commissioned her to undertake missions for them in the cities of the Empire, Kislev, Tilea, Araby, and others.
Bat-of-all-Trades – Being a highly skilled warrior, masterful cavalier, artful pirate, and expert assassin, Rosa rarely finds herself in situations that put her at a disadvantage. She is highly adaptable, and very competent, making her very valuable to the armies of the Vampire Counts.
Weaknesses
Outcast – When she was alive, and now that she tries to blend among the living, Rosa has had to deal with the bigotry of those disgusted by her mixed parentage and bold character. And among her own kind, she is seen as a disgrace amongst the Blood Dragons, with her willingness to use ranged weapons, stealth, and other “dishonorable” tactics in order to win. As such, she does not fit in with the majority of humans, and the majority of her Bloodline.
Blade-slave – While Rosa is stronger than any mortal, and could rely on her claws in a pinch, she really is a duelist at heart. Without a weapon in her hand, she could be easy prey for her kind, or enough dedicated humans. She never had any education in the art of unarmed combat, and is just as much of an uncoordinated brawler as most people are.
Magically Dead – While even the most mindless Strigoi can instinctively call upon the dark magics of Necromancy, Rosa cannot even draw upon the lightest breeze of magic. When she become one of the Night’s Dark Masters, she was found weak in power already, and her refusal to even try to learn any magical skill has atrophied her ability to the point where it does not exist. There is simply nothing for her to call upon.
