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By David Wolin

Amhalla is an orphan girl who was purchased into service by the House Riverine. Her devotion to the House and her faith and strength have made her an ideal servant for dangerous travels. Her bloodline is of Thaneeri origin although she has lived her entire life among the civilized members of the Empire.

Amhalla was put to use as a typical house servant in a Merchant House. She was actually happy to have a "family" despite the hard work she was given during the day and "unusual" duties she was required to perform at night for visiting nobles and guests. As a servant she was seen and not heard. Listening constantly to the conversations that surrounded her, she was careful not to join in idol gossip with the other servants. Instead she took notice of the patriarchs of the Guild and how they would listen much and speak little and conducted herself accordingly. One of the elder members of the Guild, Veribor, who had always been kind to her, also spoke to her often in private. He would ask her various details of what she learned through-out the day, what the other servants spoke of, and what the previous night had been like when she was loaned to one visiting merchant or petty noble. He in a sense became her mentor as a spy.

As she matured, her well-muscled body lost its "girlish allure," to be replaced by a more masculine appearance. That look is not to the general taste of most nobles of the Empire. As she grew older it also became clear that her unusual strength (particularly for a female) and her firm devotion to the House were important assets to be put to its advantage in different ways than those of a "handmaiden". She is now for the first time moving into a new phase of her service.

Her agenda is clear in her mind (although she is a bit simple). Although she is wise enough to realize she might be manipulated by someone who wishes to use her loyalties to their own advantage, she might not be smart enough to see it when it happens.

Her ultimate loyalty is to her House and duties that higher-ranking members of the House assign her she will carry out to the best of her ability. She is likely to consult with a member of her monkish order before undertaking something extreme, but it does not generally occur to her to question authority.

Her second loyalty is to her order. She views her god as an ultimate goal of example, not as an omnipotent being of unattainable status. As such she does not "serve" her god but rather his ideals (much akin to Buddhist philosophy). Understanding the teachings of her Order and aiding others who wish to learn of them is important to her. Masters of her Order are likewise of great importance and she is likely to do as they tell her regardless of the consequence (unless she is given conflicting orders she will rarely think twice on this subject). But she has not been raised by her monastic Order, only trained by it.

Her next loyalty is to her companions. Although this may seem that the party is playing "third fiddle" that is not necessarily the case. Since she will spend most of her time with them they will benefit from her loyalty on a more regular basis. Kelliene will be the recipient of near-fanatic devotion; after that anyone who claims the title of "party leader" will be her liege. However, if the party does anything to endanger her Order or the House, she will report them immediately, and take what steps she can to insure that any action directly against the interests of the Order or the House are foiled.

Finally is her honor. She is willing to do almost any task, no matter how degrading in order to further her House's and her Order's interests. She is not, however, without pride. In the event that her word is questioned or her reputation is tarnished, even such simple things as jests at her expense; she will consider it a point of honor. If she is able to incite a duel without bringing a backlash on her Order or House, she will do it. If she has to pay with her life in order to protect her honor, so be it.

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