Ash was born during the Changeling Exodus, but she grew up in Seaport. She worked for the House of Secrets as a spy and information-gatherer for much of her childhood and young adulthood.
During a job to eavesdrop on a clandestine meeting hosted by Soulkeeper Kozulek, Ash made a mistake, was discovered, and had to flee for her life. Realizing the gravity of her failure, she grabbed what supplies she could find in the estate and fled Seaport, entirely. Little did she know that the dagger that she picked up on the way out was Kha'mel, a sentient weapon of dark origins.
She spent about a year wandering the lands between Seaport and Solis, looking for a new way of life and discovering some of the magic contained in Kha'mel. Eventually she made her way to the Pythian Plateau, where she imagined the agents of the great houses would be less likely to find her.
Ash is a Changeling, so she shares their ability to shapeshift into other basic humanoid forms. While this allows her basic appearance to change, she can't grow gills, claws, or wings in the way that a mage could. Prior to finding Kha'mel, her other skills were unremarkable. As a child, she primarily used her unassuming presence to eavesdrop on important conversations. As she aged, she developed a silver tongue that opened many doors for her, but she also became familiar with many of the tunnels, sewers, and rooftops of the city.
Upon receiving Kha'mel, magical powers were either bestowed upon her, or awakened within her. She learned that Kha'mel was able to pick up on her intent in combat, and guide itself to her target. She also discovered some magical abilities, though nothing near the abilities she had witnessed in other mages. Over time, her magic and martial prowess has grown, and she has developed other powers, such as the ability to see in magical darkness. As she spends more time wielding Kha'mel, she can feel the power within herself growing.
- Dislikes authority, mistrustful of organizations, flighty.
- Open, friendly, loyal, compassionate.
- Curious, mischievous, creative.
- Everyone deserves a chance to determine their own path in life.
- Unique situations and possibilities deserve more attention that tried and true processes.
- Art and cultural exchange are worth pursuing over personal gain.
- Knowledge belongs to everyone.
- I have a soft spot for outcasts and friendly monsters.
- I will remain loyal to my companions, barring extreme situations.
- I go out of my way to support those who dare to invent, create, forge new paths, or buck against general expectations.
- I will always aid a child in need.
- I believe that the ends justify the means, and I sometime take that too far.
- I have trouble working with organizations and submitting to authority.
- I'm slow to give someone the benefit of the doubt, and even slower to forgive serious offenses.
- I like to put on a show.
- Antia, a thin female changeling - A friend who grew up beside Ash in Seaport. She refused to join the House of Secrets with Ash, and always encouraged Ash to leave that life behind. She still resides in the Conclave in Seaport.
- Soot, a lithe female changeling - A friend who joined the House of Secrets with Ash. Presumably, she still works for the House of Secrets.
- Brick, a bulky male changeling [MIA] - A friend of Ash that got caught during the mission to eavesdrop on Soulkeeper Kozulek. It is assumed that he is dead.
- Durzul, a middle-aged male Half-Orc - A Clubber for the House of Secrets who looked after Ash, Soot, Brick, and the others. He helped keep them safe on the streets, provided them with jobs and supplies, and served as a guide and confidant as Ash grew up.
- Aennae, an overweight female gold Dragonborn - An acquaintance of Ash that runs a tavern in Seaport. The back of the tavern is a secret, high-stakes gambling den, and she pays the House of Secrets for operation and protection. During a high stakes games, she was held hostage by a robbery, and nearly lost their life. Ash was able to intervene and trick the robber into freeing Aennae, though, and she now gives Ash a steep discount on room and board, as well as sharing recent rumors.
- Soulkeeper Kozulek, a male Illithid - A fast rising member of the House of Souls, who wasthe target of a high priority, dangerous mission. Though he discovered Ash before she finished gather the information she was after, Ash still managed to escape his estate with Kha'mel and her life.
- Lady Teale Leavitt, an aasimar woman - A recruiter for the House of Secrets. When Ash was young, she approached the Changeling children she found on the street, wearing fine clothes and carrying a parasol. She used candy, kind words, and promises to bring the changeling children, including Ash, into the fold of the House of Secrets.