LU MEI XING: AMBASSADOR, SPY, ENVOY
{ li qin, 28, cis-female, she/her } ** whispers dart through the streets of kærholt. was that LU MEI-XING that was spotted? they’re an AMBASSADOR OF THE LAOZHUN EMPIRE in the city and are known for being COURAGEOUS and OBSTINATE. they DO have magical abilities. the whispers say they are NEUTRAL to the eldrkirk and are AGAINST the laws about magic. may the fire keep them warm. **
QUICK HEADCANONS FOR YOU
Mei-xing is from the Laozhun Empire - a distant land that is dominated by a fierce magocratic society. Power and magic defines an individual’s potential. If you were born without the spark for magic, then you were destined for low and difficult work.
The Lu Clan are part of Laozhun’s magocratic elite and are stalwart supporters of the Imperial family. They trade in magical potions and enchantments, and use ships to travel across the waters in search of magical ingredients.
Mei-xing is also a cousin to the Lovelowe family. She frequently spent time in Kaerholt during childhood and adolesence. Thus, many of her informants are old friends and allies in the infamous free city.
She found Kaerholt to be a thrilling and interesting place. It was so different to her homeland. However, she quickly learnt to be cautious about exposing her magical abilities, as Kaerholt’s atttiude towards magic changed and the Eldrkirk grew more influential.
The Laozhun Empire are curious and sceptical about the Eldrkirk's movements. More importantly - they are concerned about Eldrkirk's laws and views regarding magic. Since Kaerholt is a bustling trade city, they believe that that influence could travel overseas and cause issues within their own territory. There has been a growing resentment towards magic, Mages, and the unfairness of society in the Laozhun Empire. So, they sent Mei-xing to Kaerholt for an extended mission - to gather intelligence on the Eldrkirk’s movements, to gauge if their influence could travel to other areas, and to make political alliances where necessary.
Mei-xing’s placement in Kaerholt was also due to her connections with the Lovelowe family. Mei-Xing's mother was a cousin of the Lovelowe family and met Lu Yuyin (Mei-Xing's father) on a merchant voyages. However, there is no mistaking that her primary loyalty is to her birthplace of the Laozhun Empire, even if she has fond memories of Kaerholt’s ‘liberal’ and wild ways.
Amongst friends, she is called Mei or Lu Mei.
Her striking white hair is a birthright feature of the Lu family. Some say it is because of their magical power, whilst others say it is a sign that they have been over exposed to too much magic and will suffer from weakening ailments in the future. The latter gossip infuriates and frightens Mei-xing because there is a growing madness in her clan which haunts her dreams.
DESIRED CONNECTIONS
A CHILDHOOD BLURRED
(This is vague but I would love to have childhood/adolescent friends of Mei-xing! Whether they are part of the Merchant families, the criminal underworld (which Mei-xing frequently uses as a source of information), or fellow sorcerers - anu would bewelcome! During Mei-Xing's visits to Kaerholt, she often travelled around and enjoyed exploring the interesting free-city.)
SECRETS FOR TRADE
(Mei-Xing is not scared to dabble in the underworld of society. They usually hear the best gossip. She'll have a contact in Kaerholt's crime world and she'll trade her clan’s magical potions for information regarding the Eldrkirk)
THIN BLOOD, THICK BLOOD
(Familal connection within the Lovelowe family - someone she grew close to during her visits or perhaps a rival who she clashes with!)
FORBIDDEN ARTS
(A possible pen-pal, apprentice, or sorcerer friend who Mei-Xing has kept in touch with over the years)
PERSONALITY
+ RESOURCEFUL
Alert and attentive. Mei-xing has been trained in the arts of subterfuge and deceit. She has explored lands from the Laozhun Empire to Kaerholt, learning languages, cultural customs, and political scheming. Now that she has been charged with this dangerous and extended mission in Kaerholt, Mei-xing must use all of her skills of persuasion to create a foothold in the social elite and the grim underworld.
+ BRAVE
Courage and fearlessness are forged into a mage’s bones during training. They are the soldiers, spies, and guardians of the Laozhun empire. Thus, they are all trained to become weapons. Mei-xing does not shirk away from duty or danger. Whilst this may come across as arrogance or recklessness, but to her - she was forged for breaking and being broken. She refuses to bow down to fear, as that is how a mage’s power fails, and she will continue to challenge anything in her path.
+ FIERY
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- BLUNT
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- STUBBORN
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- HAUNTED
White hair started to appear in the Lu clan’s bloodline a few centuries ago. At first, it was regarded as a striking and unique feature which they proudly showed off, but as they investigated its roots, they learnt that it was linked to an omen for their bloodline. Too much magic ran in their veins, and some of their children were growing weaker - not just in potential but also in body and mind. An ailment was quietly and softly spreading through the clan, and Mei-xing has watched many cousins - even siblings - fall prey to madness because of this strange side-effect. She is desperate for a cure and is becoming increasingly paranoid that she too would fall ill. Sometimes, she catches the shapes of shadows twisting and turning into monsters from the corner of her eye, and her dreams are rarely ones she would like to remember.
ABILITIES
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LAOZHUN EMPIRE WORLDBUILDING
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