Lark Kohl, the Darksinger

[Kirthag]

Sex: Female
Age: Eternal (unknown, seems in early 30's)
Stats: 17 Hand (5'6"), 9 stone (about 120#)

Visage:
The girl is slender and toned. Hair is pure black to match her likewise dark eyes. She is nimble, with long fingers and neatly manicured nails - she can pluck a lute with ease just as she can pick at a lock on command. Her skin is dark, the color of earth, and is a healthy glow that smooths her features and gives her an air of eternal youth and splendor. She is quick to laugh, always offers a sincere smile, and will lighten any mood with her breathy presence.

Everything she carries is pure white, except for a broken ankh which hangs from her belt and is mostly hidden by the folds of her robe - this is as black as the Void and is always on her person.

Philosophy:
Lark is a child of the earth - or at least is such now. And it is the earth and the Spirit of Sosaria from which she is reborn. It is because of her rebirth that Lark is a most joyous person, and it shows in her good nature and eagerness to help others find their own happiness. The Light which granted her life once again glows within her eyes. 

If anyone understands balance, it is Lark. She knows that without Death, Life cannot be enjoyed. She also knows that Light must always embrace the Dark. This is part of her understanding of the multiverses, and something she hopes to help those around her to understand. Lark is a child of Spiritual Balance, owing her very existence to the Universe which allows her to dwell in Sosaria.


She knows she has a purpose.

[Kirthag]

Early Life:

Lark Kohl was born into the realm of the Abbasid Caliphate as the final child of the caliph's master poet, Sa'id ibn Jahm. She fell under the complete adoration of her father, and was thus taken into the court of the caliph soon after her birth. Lark was noted for her raven hair and eyes which starkly contrasted with her porcelain pale skin. She was fawned upon at court, constantly cuddled and showered with gifts for her youthful beauty. Lark was most favored by the harem, where she was nursed and grew as a toddler.

As soon as the girl could speak, Lark was taught to sing. She would thrill and sooth all who heard her while she accompanied her father's lute playing. By the time she was of six years, Lark's voice was known throughout the Arabic world.

As with all great kingdoms, war came upon the Abbasid Caliphate when Lark was in her ninth summer. A poet and his prized daughter are not very helpful in battles, so Sa'id took his child from the city far into the desert until the wars were over - or at least that was his intent. Sa'id, a courtier, knew nothing of desert survival; he and his daughter were quickly consumed by the desert sands.

How long Sa'id carried his precious child, only the sands know. Long since had his camel perished. Then, too, the water skin dried. Sa'id lay prostrate under the blazing sun with his turban draped over the frail form of his beloved Lark. She had since fallen into a slumber and wouldn't wake up. Sa'id thought to cry and water his daughter with his tears.

Some say a djin found a dying father trying to cry life into his child. The djin felt a pang of pity at this sight, and decided to end the pair's suffering there on the spot until he noticed the beauty of the child. The father, too weak to even cry out, only stared as the djin took up the comatose girl. It is said, the djin promised to raise the girl, if the man would only nod once. Did he nod or not? No one truly knows.

Lark speaks little of her time in the desert. All that she says is she remembers the flight from the great city of Baghadad [sic] and how she tried to sing to those she was with, but for some reason could not. The death of her father is something she does not speak of, ever.


Adulthood:

Lark next comes into public attention while entertaining at a watering hole for food. Although garbed in drudgery and rags, the young woman's string plucking of a lute would set toes tapping and heads swaying. Her dark hair flowed to her hips as her eyes would watch her music's effect with merriment. No one knows the girl's name, for she is a mute and cannot speak of such. She does know a bit of writing, who taught her no one would venture to guess (for it is against the law for women to do such a thing), and she had written her name only once - Lark Kohl - for a merchant at the oasis. She would earn her bread while keeping the crowds calm which is the only reason the merchant did not report the young woman. He was fond of the girl, and so let her sleep in his stall while he went home to his wife in the evenings. 

When asked, the merchant would say the girl staggered in from the sands during a most terrible dust storm. It was any wonder her flesh was not flayed from the bone, being as it were a most terrible tempest of sand, dirt, rock and dust in the air. Many camel died that were caught in it, and yet this frail little woman was complete if a bit thirsty. 

The watering hole served as an oasis upon the Great Silk Road. Caravans from all over the world would stop for respite from the heat of the sands. These caravans would bring peoples of all sorts - traders and thieves, rich and poor, mages and warriors. 

It is at this watering hole where a young woman of dark hair and eyes would play her lute to entertain the people of the caravans. And it is at this watering hole where a warrior woman of Inisfail came to find rest from the desert. As the young musician played her tune, the red-haired barbarian became entranced.

Thus, Lark met Kirthag for the first time - although they wouldn't know one another just yet.