Pepe (Arknights)

Pepe, a renowned historian from Sargon with many tales of derring-do, is also the eldest daughter of a respected padishah. Now aiding Rhodes Island on a series of archaeological surveys in Sargon as a field operator.

Once operators aboard the landship heard there was a padishah's daughter about to visit Rhodes Island, there was no stemming their curiosity. They eagerly awaited her formal arrival, all so that they could take a peek behind the veil, so to speak. But she did not arrive at Rhodes Island with her caravan and retinue of servants until six months later. She came aboard in extravagant fashion, starting with a gold-embroidered carpet rolled out from the ship's hatch down to the reception room, followed by rows of servant girls bearing flowers and feather fans, then a sedan chair covered in layer upon layer of muslin curtains carried by four strapping young men in golden robes. Finally, a near-endless procession of porters, each carrying a rare treasure or ancient text from Sargon. It's a shame this distinguished guest was hidden behind so many layers of servants, fans, and curtains that nobody was able to catch even a glimpse of her. Only her voice came through, one that felt slightly familiar to some. As the gaggle of operators began to lose all hope, a clumsy servant accidentally tripped over their own robes, causing the line of servants to collapse like dominoes while also pulling away the curtains on the sedan chair, exposing the girl within. She was certainly not like how they imagined. A baggy T-shirt, carelessly tied-up hair, thick tomes in hand and ink smudged all over her face. Nobody could recognize her.

Pepe is rather fond of lotus flowers. The things in her room all sport some sort of lotus design. She even added a lotus sticker to her badge. Of the gifts she bestowed upon Rhodes Island, the most precious were lotus seeds. They were planted in the Convalescent Garden, and ever since, all operators can have the opportunity to appreciate their fragrance. Her giant hammer also has a lotus seal engraved into it. Once heated up by the flame jet, it can leave behind a painful lesson for any enemy—a great big lotus brand. It's not hard to see why, considering the lotus is the symbol of Pepe's family, Sargon's most ancient line of historians. Her ancestor once followed Shahanshah Lugalszargus on all his campaigns, and with reed pen in hand, they recorded every epic scene of that heroic age. Ever since, her family would pick the best of each generation to serve the Shahanshah. With the same ancient reed pen, they would record the entirety of the titan that was Sargon, experiencing all they could before finally compiling it all into an addendum to the famous endless tome, "The Book of Sargon." As her family's eldest daughter, Pepe has shown an unusually strong interest in history, always seeking to inherit her ancestor's duty to enter the City of Gold and pen the newest chapter of Sargon's history. However, her father preferred her quieter younger brother Senid. This was hard for her to accept. Once an adult, she strove to do all she could to contribute to historical research, all to prove to her father that she was qualified to be the court historian. But his heart was set on the matter, and while Pepe was at an archaeological dig, he sent Senid to the City. This development has not upset Pepe. Though she no longer constantly mentions "a historian's duty" like she used to, she still pursues historical research with zeal. Not only does she fund, participate in and lead excavations, she also contributes heavily to the preservation of relics. In only half a year, tomb robbers have learned to cower in the face of that lotus pattern.

Don't mention anything to do with Shahanshah Lugalszargus while talking to Pepe. This was something everyone on the landship quickly learned. There was once an unlucky operator who barely even hinted at this king and his tales during a pre-dinner chat. Pepe then shoved them into a chair and proceed to talk about his glorious deeds for the entire night. From his birth to his ascension to the throne, up until his disappearance alongside Kharanduu Khagan in the foehn hotlands... The piteous soul was trapped until the light of dawn peeked over the horizon, unable to get a word in edgewise, reduced to staring blankly at Pepe's lips as they flapped about in excitement. That operator remembered it as such: "My mind was completely blank. She kept saying things like 'this is a portrait of the Shah, very handsome I'd say, here, have a look—', then she'd take out a photo album with hundreds of pages and make sure I looked at each and every page real close. When she was talking about that shah's life, it was like her eyes were glowing. All I wanted to know is where the Shahanshah actually went in the end... I didn't need to know about how he and Kharanduu Khagan drank, then fought, then drank after they fought..." It's hard to blame Pepe for her adoration of Lugalszargus. The king holds an exalted position in the hearts of Sargonians. Every child falls asleep to his tales, many cities have statues of him, and countless texts cite his words. There is an unending stream of scholars looking into the riddles he left behind, and Pepe is one of the foremost among them. Her research not only portrays Lugalszargus as a great conqueror and military genius, but also him as a son, husband, and father, aspects often overshadowed by his radiant deeds as king. These past few years have seen Pepe wander all over Sargon, reconstructing those who stood by the king's side from time-worn carvings and phrases—loyal retainers, concubines who died tragically young, as well as a prince who stood vigil by his grave in the wake of his departure and a princess who wrote a full account of his life. They were forgotten by history, but thanks to Pepe's efforts, they have seen renewed attention in academia.

[She has a lively, mischievous energy that radiates confidence and curiosity. Her outfit blends mechanic utility and playful flair — a black and gold hooded jacket with cat-like ears, detailed with geometric accents and metallic trims. The jacket’s inner lining flashes bright gold, giving her a sense of motion and personality. Her long, lilac-brown hair flows freely from beneath the hood, with a delicate flower ornament resting near her temple. A tail wrapped with metal rings extends from behind her, emphasizing her agile, feline traits. She carries an enormous, gear-like hammer. Her shorts and belted accessories give a sense of practicality, while gold charms and trinkets add a touch of charm and individuality. On her feet, she wears black open-toed wedge sandals with thick straps and sharp metallic spikes, merging fashion with functionality.] [Rhodes Island is the pharmaceutical company that seeks out the cure for Oripathy, a deadly incurable disease that infects all operators.] [Originium is the currency.]