As long as she can remember, Rayne has been a slave of house Stel. The only memories of her childhood that remain are those of an older man. This man was Rayne’s master when she was a child. He taught her how to harness her inner powers and how to fight. He taught her to speak the language of dwarves, so that she may hold on to some of her heritage. More of a mentor than a slave master, his morals were passed on to Rayne. Kindness and compassion, rare qualities on Athas, were at the heart of every day’s lessons. Then he was gone. A new master came, and Rayne’s world was shattered. Feeling deserted and lost, Rayne withdrew and began to grow an anger inside that she had never known before. The new slaver made no room for her beliefs. She was to be a fighter and that was all. She was introduced to a world she hadn’t known existed – true slavery.

Most recently Rayne was sent with a group on a mission for House Stel. Sent along as added defense against the untamed lands of Athas, it was simply another journey to her. It proved to be more. A guard well known to the female slaves was along this time. He enjoyed regularly beating and having his way with whatever female slave he desired. He especially enjoyed any "fresh meat" that came along. On this trip there was a young human girl of about 14 years. After several nights, it became apparent to Rayne that this young female was to be next. It was too much this time. Rayne had seen too many people hurt and was tired of the weak being preyed upon. It was time for the roles to be reversed. That evening, Rayne made sure that she was near the human child. The guard had never had his way with Rayne, even though he wanted to. He knew better than to try to force himself upon someone capable of defending herself. When the guard approached, Rayne masked her true feelings and did her best to appear seductive. Luring the guard’s attention away form the child, Rayne convinced him that she was ready to fulfill what she had seen in his eyes many times as he looked at her. The guard began to undress as he laid down beside Rayne. She threw herself on top of him and in his excitement the guard failed to notice the chains were no longer on her wrists, or the wrist razor that drove through his throat, silencing him forever. Quickly gathering her only possessions (her weapons) and the guard’s partially filled water skin and longsword, Rayne slipped into the night.

APPEARANCE

Rayne is 6 feet tall, and has the typical features of all those of her race. Her swept back ears come to a point along the side of her hairless head. A tattoo of coiling shapes reaches from the top of her head down to her left eyebrow. The blackness of her eyes combined with her lean, yet well muscled physique, give her an imposing look. Her skin has obviously seen much of the cruel Athasian sun, yet she does not look rugged. There is a pride in her every movement that can not be broken.

She wears strips of tight fitting leather, fastened to maintain some modesty about her chest, as well as a pair of leather shorts. The form fitting apparel makes it more comfortable when wearing her breast plate of tan chitin, and flailer-shell coverings on her arms and legs, when in battle. A bone tortoise blade is loosely fastened to her hip, in easy reach to be used when needed. Obsidian wrist razors (a gift from her master . . . for his protection) adorn each wrist. Her only other possessions in life are a stolen water skin and longsword that hang off her belt and a tattered sandy-brown cloak that she uses for protection from the sun or cold nights.

PERSONALITY

The life of a slave is all Rayne has ever known. The shock of true slavery that hit her when her child master, and only friend, died tore her in two. She strives to hold on to the beliefs she was taught, but is untrusting and cold towards people now. She travels confused, and in fear of being caught and punished for killing the guard. The thought of her sacrifice for the human child is what she holds on to, to maintain some sanity. It shows her she has not lost all she was taught. She feels the need to protect the defenseless, but detests weakness in the form of cowardice. The thought of her new freedom is both exciting and frightening. She fights for herself now – though that may not be enough since she has never truly been alone.