Tirzah Tessori
From Crossroads Wiki
Tirzah Tessori, Imperial Herald
| Tirzah Tessori | |
|---|---|
| |
| Keeper of Heraldry and Genealogies | |
| Imperial Herald | |
| Herald | 500 – present |
| Background | |
| Marital Status | Old Maid |
| Full name | |
| Tirzah Corinne Dorcas Tessori | |
| Titles and styles | |
| Mistress Herald | |
| Father | Rhydian Tessori of Mists |
| Mother | Camille Tessori of Mists |
| Born | Arden Vale, Foxfire Cradle, Mists |
| Occupation | Imperial Herald Genealogist Master Mage |
| Biographical Information | |
| Gender | Female |
| Height | 5'2" |
| Weight | Don't ask if you want to live |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair | Gray |
We, today, stand on the shoulders of our predecessors who have gone before us. We, as their successors, must catch the torch of freedom and liberty passed on to us by our ancestors. We cannot lose in this battle.
- -Benjamin E. Mays
What Is Written
Tirzah Tessori has become something of a permanent fixture in Gateway; in an Imperial capitol that is the often the site of change and life-altering decisions and events, she remains. Yet, she is no relic from a previous regime. In 500, the newly-crowned Emperor dismissed the previous Herald, a man who had long served his father, Maximillian, and it was at that point that Tirzah left her home in Polaris Port to accept the post as Imperial Herald. In the seven years since then, she has maintained her independence and reserve, accomplishing her duties with excellence and precision, and serving the Imperial Household with distinction.
The Herald speaks little of her past, but not out of secrecy. Usually, those who come to her have an interest in someone else's past, or their own, and there's little occasion where someone asks after Tirzah's. But it can be said with certainty that she was born in Arden Vale to common parents, though she somehow came to be raised in Polaris Port from a young age by a Master Mage, Jessanne Kigatra.
Tirzah advanced to the rank of Master MetaMage a bit later than some, but no less adept for it, and her studies in magic were balanced by studies in history and genealogy. She became a noted author of those subjects, of the Mistian bent in particular, long before her appointment as Herald, and that expertise surely played a role in her recommendation for her current position.
What Is Said
"She's a fearsome old bat. I mean have you /seen/ the way she frowns down that nose of hers like you're something a rat wouldn't eat?"
- -A castle page
"She's dedicated, I'll give her that. You give her a question or a mystery and she won't let it go until she's resolved it. She handed me a file on a question I asked her about my da about two years ago - I'd forgotten I asked it, to be honest, but she found the answer. Too bad it didn't change my inheritance."
- -A landless noble, who remains landless, and unnamed (the latter at his request)
"She's not as old as she looks, you know. She looks about seventy, and acts that way, too. But I heard she's not that ancient. Got some kind of problem with her hip that makes her use a cane, and some magical accidents when she was younger or something aged her. Doesn't mean I'd wanna cross her cane, though - my cousin's still got a bruise from where she whapped him with it last week for talkin' back to her."
- -A castle maid
What Is Whispered
- Tirzah seems to have no true friends or confidantes, though she is pleasant enough when approached with care for her age and station. She seems to know just about anyone worth knowing, however, and is familiar with all of the persons of note at court.
- Upon meeting someone new, Tirzah tends to request that person's surname and commence to whisper their lineage and Isle of origin to herself (if notable), as if categorizing them, before engaging in conversation.
- Tirzah has never been seen to imbibe alcohols or drugs, either legal or illegal.
- She maintains a private abode in Polaris Port and vacations there on occasion.
- It's curious that someone born to common parents with no known inherited wealth was able to study so long and rise so far. This point has several theories:
- Tirzah is actually a bastard of a noble line and the parent of note paid for her education.
- Tirzah's funds are gathered through blackmail of families whose family secrets she knows and holds over their heads.
- Tirzah is a member of the Order of Icarus and they have extreme interest in the outcomes of her work for their own purposes, and thus fund her research.
RP Hooks
| Keeper of Bloodlines | Are you seeking
|
| Intrigue | An old hand and a familiar figure at court with connections and resources aplenty but unknown. Tirzah has a position in the Imperial household with access to noble ears, rare records and unusual sources. She might be your best friend, or worst enemy. |
| Match-Maker | Looking for the perfect spouse, or just want advice on current familial situations to help you make your decision? Tirzah has been consulted before many a betrothal, and also had a hand in the cancellation of a few. |
| Burning Questions | Tirzah loves a good mystery, and she is a consummate researcher. Make it intriguing enough and worth her while, and she might take on your stubborn research problem. |
| Meta-Mage | Need the services of an experienced Meta-Mage? Tirzah can offer spells and mentorship to interested individuals. |
| All in Order | Some say Tirzah is a member of the Order of Icarus. Is she? Is it another Order? No Order? Approach her and find out. |
| La Familia | Is Tirzah your sister? Your great-aunt? Your second-cousin once-removed? She could be! |
| Ties That Bind | Tirzah is a well-known author and spent a long time in Polaris Port teaching, researching and writing before she came to Gateway to become the Imperial Herald. She's seen a lot. Maybe she saw you, or your papa, or your grandpa even, in the Academy, in diapers, in a compromising situation. Any and all ties to the past are welcome. |
| Blackmail | Are there secrets your family doesn't want known? Are there secrets you'd do anything to keep? What would you do if someone uncovered them...and threatened you with them? |
| Oh, Doc... | Tirzah has a load of health problems, and has since childhood. Are you her healer? Her herbalist? Her toe fungal inspector? |
| Reflections |
 |
 |
 |
 The Woman |
 The Mage |
 The Herald |
 The Teaphile |
 |
