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Memories

Memory 1

I am 李秋, the youngest daughter of a merchant who travels the Silk Road. My father was content to allow me to travel with him, but my mother tried to force me into marriage, and I fled from the city of my birth, Chang-an (modern day 西安市) with a Persian caravan one night.

Memory 2

Father took me on a trade journey in my 13th year. Our camp was attacked one night. It was terrifying. I hid well. Father and the other men fought them off. I started to learn to defend myself after that night. I never wanted to feel that helpless again.

Memory 3

When I had my first monthly flow, my mother gave me a jade pendant. She'd received it from her mother who'd received it from her mother. It was said to have special powers, but mostly it just reminded me how little power I actually had.

Memory 4

The first time I met Arash, I bought a map from him of lands I'd never even heard of. He'd told me of a world far more vast than I could have imagined. I wanted to see it all. Arash's caravan was leaving the night my mother announced she'd arranged my marriage.

Memory 5

The screams woke me up. I froze. I swore I'd never be afraid like that night father's came was attacked, but what could make the men scream like that? He seemed surprised when he entered the tent and saw me sitting there alone. I still don't know why he let me live. If you could call this cursed existence living.

Skills

• Negotiation and Trade
• Cultural Adaptability ✅ 2024-10-25
• Survival Skills

Resources

• Silk and Spices
• A Family Heirloom (Jade Pendant from her mother)
• A Map of Trade Routes
• A tent. A gift from her father.

Mark

• Eyes that are clouded over.

Characters

Mortals

• Li Wei (李威) – Her practical, respected father.
• Zhang Yan (张妍) – Her traditional and elegant mother.
  - Arash – The Persian friend who helps her escape and flee into the unknown. Killed by Kallistratos, who slaughtered the whole caravan and turned me into a vampire. Kallistratos claimed most of the property, leaving me with a tent and what a single camel could carry to make my way in this new unlife.

• Arvand - A Yuezhi nomad. Reserved and pragmatic. Most of his tribe was wiped out by war. He travels the Silk Road serving as a guide for those who can afford to pay him. His mother practiced the old spirit ways, and passed those to him. He feels pulled to 李秋 and knows he must listen to that pull.

Immortals

• Kallistratos (Καλλίστρατος) An ancient Greek vampire. Sat in on Socrates lectures. Travels the Silk Road and other merchant trails building networks of influence with grand plans of a vampire trade empire.

Prompt Record

Prompt 6. A mortal Character begins serving you. Who are they? Why are they drawn to you? Create a new mortal character.

I wandered for days after Kallistratos turned me. Kallistratos had told me what he'd turned me into, but I tried to resist giving into the thirst for blood. Temptation became too great one night after a week. The pleasure that came as that warm liquid flowed down my throat is unlike anything I've ever experienced before, and I'll never deny it again.

I didn't think there were any witnesses. I didn't want anyone to see me like that. How would they react? What would they do?

I quickly learned Arvand had been watching. At first, I thought I'd have to kill him, too, or at least have to threaten him into silence. But he didn't beg for his life, he didn't flee in terror. He just knelt before me and vowed to serve me.

He was human, but his smell didn't tempt me like the others, and I wanted to know why. He told me he was a guide. Of the Yuezhi people. His tribe had been nearly wiped out. Most of those who remained had left to settle in a nearby Yuezhi kingdom, but having lost his entire family, Arvand chose to wander the Silk Road and guide those who needed him.

Prompt 3. A loved one discovers your condition and works to help you. Create a Resource which represents their assistance. Create a mortal Character if none are available.

It was only a matter of time before I would cross paths with 爸爸 (father). I'd told him my plans to leave, but didn't know if he'd heard about the camp slaughter. He had. He'd heard rumors of my survival as well. He'd been told storied for years of the ones who haunted the night. He gave me a tent. I'd been traveling without shelter. I didn't need it. But I was touched that he still cared even knowing what I am.

Prompt 4. You are exposed and flee to a neighboring region. Lose any stationary Resources. Check a Skill. A mortal flees with you. What new name do you adopt among these strangers?
I flee to Greece. Maybe after many years have passed, I can return to my home land, but for now, my face is too well known. Arvand flees with me. I don't understand why he's so loyal to me. I worry. He's aging. But he refuses to allow me to turn him. I don't want to lose him. Greece is so different from home. People are people everywhere, they all have that underlying coppery twinge to them, but in a way, my foreignness keeps me safer. I'm already so different from the people of this land, they don't investigate deeper and see how truly different I am. I learn the language quickly. I begin to go by the name Κλειώ (Kleio).

Prompt 5. New laws or social mores make it harder for you to hide among the populace. How are you nearly caught and destroyed? Check a Skill. Create a Skill. Create a mortal criminal who assists you.
There's a strange movement that's gaining ground in the region. Believers are fervent, constantly on the lookout for demons and anything suspicious. One almost discovered me.