Blanche

Details

Full Name	Blanche
Aliases	Kat
Title	Felynn Lampbearer Astral Trekker
Occupation	Guide; Servant
Affiliation	Makers (Servant, Direct Descendant)
Age	3 (cat's age)
Height	139cm
Weight	40kg
Likes	Helping her "meowster", playing around with her lantern, acorns, chartreuse (basically, catnip)
Dislikes	Constructs, bad vibes, the stench of glowing mushrooms around University Ruins
Featured In	Scarlet Record

A shaman lost in The Rift due to a ritual went wrong, now becomes a trusted companion within the Ruins.

A cheerful and ever-steady Felynn, capable of ‘Astral Trekking’, Blanche can slip in and out of the field, spreading chaos and dismay among the enemy’s ranks with her giant lamp.

Far from home, far from her destination, and with a duty unfulfilled, she will be back on her track of noble cause–until then, she happily provides aid for those who deem her worthy of service.

Introduction

A feline companion who carries a big brass lantern around. Looks up to Guillaume as both her master and guardian; never seen alone nor far from her “meowster”. She often sneaks in cat-related puns whenever she speaks.

Believed to be hailed from a feline tribal commune somewhere near Lux Primus, Blanche claimed to be a shaman on her way to find the ancient wellspring of wisdom where she can perform the rest of the ritual that she’s not willing to elaborate.

Stranded in The Rift after a botched dimension-hopping ritual, she wandered alone in The Rift. Harrassed often by Riftborn creatures all the way up to University Ruins, where she met a Mystralite researcher–the one who would rescue her from malfunctioning automatons. Inspired by her savior, she was willing to return the favor by being his companion for a while.

Background

Origin

Blanche hailed from the oldest catfolk tribe ever recorded in the Library’s historical repertoire, the original Felynn tribe. As modern Felynns adapt and embrace the culture and customs of other tribes (mostly customs from other more advanced races), the original tribe still has its grasp on its original root–the quality that Blanche proudly brandishes, one of which is what she called “Felynn Calculus.”

While it seems unusual in the eyes of contemporary occults, Felynn Calculus (which is derived from the Makers’ work of yore) is as accurate if not more precise than any divinations of today’s era.

Blanche serves her people by performing Felynn Calculus; providing divinations and strict calculations that have been culminated from her ancestors’ works. While most divination works would require as little as two copper coins and a bag of chartreuse, a more elaborate work requires a ritual of ‘Astral Trekking’ to the Geber Font–an ancient site sitting at the deep corner of The Rift.

Blanche and other Felynn shamans venerate and maintain their ancestral ground, along with the last gift from their masters: a perfectly cut obsidian obelisk. Only the chief shaman of the tribe acknowledges the property and purpose of the obelisk that stands at the center of their village, and such a secret has been passed from generation to generation.

The Perilous Fate of the Tribe

One day, current Felynn Chief Shaman–Blanche’s grandfather–divined a grim message after he noticed a change in the obelisk’s carvings. Tribe shamans, old and young, were gathered in front of the obelisk. Other villagers were anxious about the portent the chieftain had revealed. Everyone in the village witnessed a ritual that had never been conducted for millennia.

After the unusual ritual conducted by the Chief Shaman, and as the tossed bones revealed their sides, a conclusion revealed itself. Felynn Calculus, precise as ever, showed the outcome that was not in the tribe’s favor.

“The Devourer is coming.”

According to the tribe’s treasured scripture, the revelation is a dark portent for them, and their ancestral duty is required once more. Without the Makers as their master and counselor, however, they are powerless.

After a heated debate between shamans, an agreement was made: they need to find someone–a person, a group, or even a nation residing within the Devourer’s projected course–with the right authority and power to repel the Devourer back to the Abyss where it belongs. As to who said being will be, and which course the Devourer will take, they have to make a counsel to Geber Font. Such a task is usually delegated to the Chief Shaman, but his withering body rendered him unable to.

Astral Trekking is another term for slipping oneself from–and to–our reality. Unlike most common ways to access The Rift (and The Way by extension), Astral Trekking only allows one direction slip, and the ‘portal’ created by it vanishes almost instantaneously. Its hallmark sign is that the user’s afterimage persists for a brief time as they slip through realities.

Instead of her grandfather, Blanche volunteered herself to conduct ‘Astral Trekking’ and make a journey to Geber Font, much to the chief’s disagreement.

Prior to Scarlet Record

A Felynn who embarks to Geber Font must enact the vow of secrecy, as the font itself is one of the Maker’s well-kept secrets that not even the original Twelve Sages were aware of.

Acknowledging the risks of the journey, Blanche began the Astral Trekking ritual, hoping she would find her way to Geber Font without facing dangers. However, the ritual was compromised, and she was thrown into a random location in The Rift, far from where Geber Font is.

Alone, unarmed, and lost, Blanche had no bearings as to where she was. The very first thing she found was a lantern hanging in a war-torn ruin, whose flickering blue flame resonates with “the brightest star in the sky.” Since then, she used it as a utility for navigating through countless patches of destroyed realms until she arrived at what would be called University Ruins, where she was attacked by a couple of reanimated automata and rescued by a certain researcher.

Owing her life to the researcher, she decided to stick around him and help him as long as she could while looking for a clue to the way to her destination.

Characteristics

Felynn is known to be a friendly figure among many races, and Blanche is no exception. Her outward characteristics would draw affection from others, which she returns tenfold. She is more playful towards young people and can behave when a situation arises, especially if her support is much needed.

She’s much less wise than what people would expect from a shaman, especially of her age, but she makes up for it with wit and will to adapt. One such case is when she pulled the lantern out of a ruin’s tower and perused it as a makeshift compass.

One more notable thing about Blanche is her tendency to slip cat-related puns in certain words and phrases. While it’s common among regular Felynns, Blanche exercises her cat puns more often than not.

Capabilities

As a helper, Blanche focuses on offensive means, mainly causing concussions and temporary blindness upon those unfortunate to be her plaything. On top of that, her ever-curious nature and keen senses make sure her cohorts are always at an advantage.

As a Felynn, it’s in Blanche’s nature to help others no matter what the cost. And thanks to her resourcefulness, she has plenty of tricks to fulfill her supportive role.

Utilizing her shamanistic abilities, Blanche can slip in and out of reality, making her almost untouchable by her aggressors while enabling her to set up surprise attacks with her lantern. The lantern’s weight makes it possible to force her foes out of their positions, setting up a more favorable scenario for her allies.

When push comes to shove, Blanche has a trick up her sleeve: a pack of chartreuse, which is a strong stimulant for Felynns. With it, she can boost her physical prowess and be more active at tasks that may require a little boost.

Equipment

Nahel-Hamarun (Flail): Taken from a sanctuary from the nearby University Ruins, this oversized lantern holds a flickering blue flame, similar to that of the Blue Lantern of the Great Library.
With the light it casts, Blanche can illuminate even the darkest reaches of The Rift.
Pocket Chartreuse (Herb): A small pouch containing a handful of chartreuse leaves.
Such an herb is known to be a potent stimulant for Felynn, enhancing their physical capabilities for a short time with little side effect. Doesn’t have any effect on other races.

blanche.md