☀️ Arselia and Akonia

There once was a wealthy merchant who had three daughters, all good and comely, sensible and well-made.

One day that merchant prepared to travel to distant lands and said to his daughters, good and comely:

-- Now, I am setting off to distant lands to trade and expand my coffers. How about, when I return richer than before, I bring you gifts from those lands? Here, my eldest daughter, what shall I bring you?

And his eldest, beloved daughter answered him:

-- Bring me, father, a crown. All set with emeralds, and diamonds, and tourmalines, and other gems, and let it be so beautiful that it shines like the sun by day.

-- Of course, my dear, I shall bring you what you ask. I know of such a crown. And you, my middle daughter, what shall I bring you?

And his middle daughter, of middling belovedness, answered him:

-- Bring me, father, a crystal dressing table. It need not shine like the sun; it is enough that it be, well, pretty, and with a carved table and stool.

The merchant pondered, whether long or short, and at last spoke:

-- Oh, what a task you have set me; I know few craftsmen on the surface who can make such dressing tables. There is plenty of ordinary glass about, but crystal... I know of one such, but for it to cost me reasonably, I shall have to hire men to carry it out of those halls while the owners know nothing of it. But never mind, I shall get you such a dressing table...

The merchant glanced at his youngest daughter, coughed, and was about to set off on his way, but his youngest, unloved daughter stopped her father and spoke a word:

-- Dear father, have you truly forgotten about poor me? I need little from you; I know your coffers are not bottomless. All I would ask of you is a little scarlet flower... Well, something to your taste, but one that would stand long in a pot and not wither by morning.

The merchant thought for a long time; an hour passed, then another; it became awkward for everyone to stand about, and the porridge in the kitchen grew cold, and at last he answered his youngest daughter:

-- What a job you have given me; here underground we have almost no light, any flower will wilt...

-- Then I shall ask my elder sister for her crown; she can shine her crown upon my little scarlet flower, and it will live longer.

-- Enough, enough, forgive me, my daughter, but my coffers, as you said yourself, are not bottomless. I have no money left for flowers. If I see a poppy along the road, I shall pick it for you; otherwise, do not be cross — you are nothing but expense as it is.

The merchant waved farewell to his daughters and rode off to distant sunlit lands.

The merchant's youngest daughter could not bear such treatment, and above all she does not understand what fault of hers it is that she was born into this darkness and became for her dear father the fourth line of expenses after his wife and two daughters? She had tried, it seemed, never to burden anyone, to work harder than the others about the house, to learn the stonemason's craft; but the mercantile nature of some folk will, now and then, break free, howl like a wolf, and poison their whole ancestral nest like a predatory serpent. And how many years already must she wear her elder sisters' hand-me-down shirts and stitch up the little holes in their old coats with thread? As if she, the youngest daughter, did not exist in this world at all.

The youngest daughter took her things, gathered all her modest belongings into a knapsack, and left for the surface to earn her own living.
Aiko Viresenser left her parental nest at a young age and started from the very bottom in Kridear, fortunately the people there were kind-hearted and appreciated the diligence of the gnome girl at its worth. She taught herself to stand behind the counter, taught herself to develop her national craft of enchanting items, was her own courier (carrying things as best she could), taught herself to defend herself, and tried many things. When Aiko began traveling to other regions of the empire, she was not welcomed warmly everywhere. Thus, in one city, competitors nicknamed her — mannered and serious beyond her years and race, with a certain weakness for luxury goods — the "Mole Queen." However, Aiko not only took no offense; she turned that nickname into something like her own trademark, a mark of quality. And the magnificent crown, once given to her for free by an antiquities collector, completed the image of that brand.

Perhaps, if Aiko did not have a tendency to spend money on all sorts of trifles, jewels, and flowers, she would have already amassed a small fortune; however, reality was somewhat more disappointing. The last deal especially undermined the young merchant, when her goods — fine furs — were ruined on the road, caught in an unprecedented hailstorm. On the other hand, Aiko somehow came to the attention of the princess herself, which lifted the girl's spirits but also gave her much to think about. Of course, any contract with the imperial court not only promises great profit but would undoubtedly cement her reputation as the "Mole Queen," yet will everything go smoothly and according to plan? The life of non-humans in the empire is sometimes difficult and fraught with more risks than for an ordinary common citizen; one could only hope that the important personage would be sincere and good-natured in her intentions.

Without delay, Aiko Viresenser set off by airship to the capital.

	Attributes Strength 10 Endurance 10 Perception 10 Agility 10 Luck 11 Spirit 10 (22) Intellect 10 Speed 10 Faith 10 Beauty 5 Charisma 13 (25) Origin bonus Noir: -5 to beauty; the character can enchant equipment using precious gems.  Experience +3 charisma -330, +1 luck -130, one-handed weapon (two weapons) -1000, remainder 40  Merchant Cost of goods and services -1% per point of charisma. Luensian ethics The merchant may buy one item for free (chance depends on luck), only once per shop. One-handed weapon Two weapons [1000] The character gains the ability to use two weapons simultaneously.
	Slots Weapon 1: broadsword (~=shashka) with an ornate guard Weapon 2: broadsword with an ornate guard Head: crown of King Sidjmort +12 charisma +12 spirit Body: scarlet dress with a jacket and bow Shoulders: scarlet cloak with fur Hands: bracelets Footwear: cute yet travel-appropriate red boots Accessory 1: earrings with red crystals Accessory 1: an elegant purse on a sturdy dwarven chain Other 1: flawless ruby Other 2: flawless sapphire Other 3: flawless emerald Bag with other gear: money, tools for setting gems, a hat, various odds and ends (spare clothes, a handkerchief with initials, writing implements, etc.) If possible, some reliable chest or suitcase with a lock to hide the most valuable things.