My History

"In February of 2010, an unexpected discovery – a scroll detailing the history of Yoda. To read of my friend and teacher, to trace the paths he walked, the trials he endured, stirred within me a profound sense of connection. It also sparked a quiet realization: my own story deserves to be recorded, a testament to the journey I have traveled. What follows is a glimpse into that unfolding narrative, a work in progress...

I am Kati Evans, daughter of an Ubar of Rarn, a man of great nobility and stature. Within the protective walls of his city, my early years unfolded, a tapestry woven with the steadfast presence of guards, the gentle care of servants, and the rigorous teachings of the Blue Caste. Those nascent years remain a cherished memory, bathed in the warmth of contentment.

My mother remains a shadow in those early recollections, a figure who, in later years, I learned belonged to the Blue Caste and returned to dust when I was but a child. This fragile piece of information is all I possess of her; my father, shrouded in a visible pain whenever the subject arises, offered no further solace. Long ago, I learned to respect his silence.

During this time, I also had a blue furry friend, a Kur. Remember this: to speak of any Kur, even one held dear as a friend, is to invite peril.

The land was soon convulsed by upheaval, the drums of war echoing against the walls of Rarn. Before I had reached my full height, Father, in his wisdom, sent me away to pursue my training at the finest academy in the land, a sanctuary far removed from the encroaching conflict. Life at the school was a demanding rhythm of scrolls and lessons, discipline and unwavering structure, leaving little room for respite. Yet, even amidst the pursuit of knowledge, a deep ache for my father and my home lingered.

Upon completing my studies, I was directed to the scribes in Fina, where my brother, Kama Seminario, resided. He became my guardian, and I found myself embraced by his burgeoning family. He had companioned, and they were blessed with a precious daughter. Tragedy struck with brutal swiftness when a raid stole his companion and their child, plunging my brother into the abyss of grief. He departed Fina, leaving a void that echoed in my own heart. Sometime later, a stranger arrived in Fina, bearing his belongings and seeking me out. He was a friend of Kama's, entrusted with these possessions as my brother lay dying… now returned to dust.

While in Fina, I diligently served the Chief Scribe. It was there that the keen eye of the High Magistrate fell upon me, leading to my elevation as a magistrate within the city. He recognized a blessing bestowed upon me by the Priest Kings: an insatiable curiosity and an uncanny ability to step into the heart of conflict – more than once finding myself amidst drawn swords – and to guide impassioned individuals towards reason and resolution.

For a fleeting season, I held the esteemed position of companion to the High Magistrate Kael. When he, too, was lost in a brutal raid, I found myself thrust into the demanding role of High Magistrate, presiding over countless cases within Fina, the weight of responsibility demanding relentless hours.

One day, my father, the Ubar of Rarn, journeyed to Fina, his heart burdened by the news of my brother's passing, seeking to assure himself of my well-being. Yet, upon his arrival, the Ubar of Fina offered no acknowledgment of his presence, a blatant disrespect that ignited a fierce anger within my father. Within the hour, we departed Fina, leaving the city and its slights behind.

Returning to Rarn, he placed me in the familiar yet elevated position of High Magistrate, and I resumed the duties I had performed for Fina, though at a more measured pace. During my time there, a man sought to court me, but the city soon found itself under siege, succumbing to a month-long battle that reduced its proud structures to rubble. Few were fortunate enough to escape with their lives.

Rarn, my childhood haven, was no more. I found myself adrift, without a Home Stone, my family's fate an agonizing unknown. For a time, I wandered from city to city, offering my services where needed, seeking safe passage with caravans to unfamiliar destinations.

This nomadic existence eventually led me to Abydos. There, once again, my skills as a magistrate were recognized, and I rose to become their Chief Magistrate. In Abydos, I discovered a semblance of peace and happiness that had eluded me for years. I shared a free woman's house with others, rarely experiencing the sting of solitude. It was here, to my profound joy, that the man I now call Father found me and, with a boundless heart, adopted me, bestowing upon me the name Kati Beattie.

One of my father's companions, a woman of keen perception, once remarked of me:

'Of the Blue Caste… a remarkably talented Magistrate. Don't let her quiet and seemingly shy demeanor deceive you. She is articulate, deeply knowledgeable, and cherished by her father and myself.'

Her words resonated with truth. The pursuit of justice, the role of a magistrate, runs deep within me. To cease this calling would be as unnatural as ceasing to breathe.

The man I call Father was a retired Scarlet Commander, a former Ubar, and a seasoned captain. He had acquired two prosperous merchant houses and possessed considerable wealth. Together with his companion, they oversaw the now-combined enterprises, supported by family and trusted individuals. Father's ventures led us to various cities, and depending on the needs of each locale, I served as either magistrate or high magistrate. Often, the familiar pull of Turia's city walls and the demands of our merchant house would draw the family, and there, the ingrained itch within me would prove too strong to resist, leading me once more to the magistrate's bench.

Father has now journeyed the path to dust, leaving me once again to navigate the currents of life alone. From town to town, I traveled, never finding lasting roots, my compass invariably pointing north, towards the Home Stone and the city of my cherished memories. Along the way, I shed the name Beattie, for it held no recognition in the northern lands, while Evans might still echo in familiar ears. After wearing out more than a few pairs of sandals and earning my keep through various tasks, I finally crossed the gates of Svago. Hope flickers within me that I have, at last, found a home once more. Only the turning of the hands of time will reveal the path my life will now take.

Svago, a beautiful seaside city, rose from a cliff face, its fortifications a stark contrast to the vibrant life of the markets and taverns below, and the serene grandeur of the Halls and housing above. It was there, to my great joy and surprise (believing him dead), that I met Magistrate Kael again. I resumed my duties as Court Clerk and Advocate, and as time unfolded, our feelings reignited, and we became companions once more in May of 2019, for a time. I bore him twins, a son and a daughter. But before we could celebrate their naming, a terrible illness descended upon me, and the world faded to black. When I finally recovered, they were gone. I wandered, lost and desperate, clinging to whispers of their whereabouts, only to confront the devastating truth: Kael was dead, and the children's fate lost in the chaos of battle. Now, I am faced with an unbearable void: What am I to do?

The long years of my aimless journey have unexpectedly blossomed into love, and I have found companionship with a man of wonder, here in Telnus. What threads the Priest Kings will weave into our destiny, only they can foresee."