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When Mirane Brightfire came into this world, she was suspended preciously on the border between life and death. If she had been born to the lower classes, she would likely have passed back into the cycle of reincarnation at once. Mirane's parents, however, were rich and poweful Guildsmen of the Bastion District in nexus.
No expense was spared; the family hired the best doctors, skilled thaumaturges, and even enlisted the services of a Wood-aspected Outcaste healer all in an effort to save their daughter. Thus, Mirane survived and grew and prospered. She grew into a warm, friendly beautiful young girl and none ever suspected that she had not totally escaped the touch of death. She had always been cursed with strange dark dreams, and whispered half-heard voices she could not understand. These things were normal to her, a simple part of her existance.
She lived a normal, blessed life until her 11th birthday. As she entered her 11th year, the voices that she had always listened for grew louder -- and she discovered that she could understand what it was they were saying to her. They spoke of lost secrets, black lore, and the names of people who should die. Mirane did not fight against these voices; she did not deny them; they did not drive her mad. She was a warm, young, innocent young woman -- and she accepted the words of the Malfaes easily, and in whole. Thus, she set out to do their bidding.
Mirane started off slowly. A young couple of budding artists whose works brought hope and warmth to the world was poisoned. An old man, full of wisdom and lore the world would need in the coming year, was pushed down a flight of stairs. A fire started in Nighthammer district, spreading throughout the poorest sections of the city, killing over 30. Over time, however, she came into her own style: a long stretch of wire, pulled hard across someones neck...
For 5 years, the young girl stalked the streets of Nexus and gradually rumors began to build up around the murders that she perpetrated. "The Cinnibar Stranger" was a true figure to strike fear in the hearts of all Nexus, but none imagined she was a young girl not even out of her teens. None had seen her, no rumors spoke that the Stranger was even a woman. Who would suspect the young loving friendly Brightfire girl?
Such things can never last forever. Mirane never figured out what gave her away. Yet, slowly, she came to the realization that someone had discovered her. He was a figure, garbed in a cloak and concealed with a dark hood. He worked for the Council, she was sure, and followed her often when she went about the city -- either on her own chores, or when she attempted to do the work of Those Below. How could he have found out?
She would never know...
One night, the stranger finally confronted her. He knew who she was, what she had been doing, the only thing he did not understand was why. She was scared; the man was large, strong, and she was certain that she had little chance of overpowering him. Yet, then, a sudden calmness came over her and everything seemed to come to a halt...
"You have done well, my child,"
It was a voice, she knew, much like the ones she had always heard. It was louder, however, and seemed more prominent in her mind. Closer...
"Yet, there is still so much more that you have to do..."
Thus did the Prodigal Daughter come into the service of the Mask of Winters.
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