Katropthaea

My name is Ghyalomoira and I am - or was - the greatest sorceress this world had ever known. Unfortunately the world that once knew me is long gone now. Most of humanity is dead, and those that are not are so sparse and impoverished that they have lost themselves in the struggle for survival. There is no more civilization. Language, art, music and culture have all begun to die. And it is by my own doing that the world has been all but destroyed. All that remains is rubble and my own regrets.

I was not born evil, or at least that's what I tell myself. I often wonder if things could have been different in another life, if I could have used my immense power to change the world for the better. But wishful thinking does not change what I've done. Whether or not I was born evil I was born a prodigy, a prodigy among prodigies even. My talent and natural aptitude for magic surpassed anyone who came before me by far. But I was also young, foolish, naive, and far, far too powerful for my own good.

My first sin was an accident. I didn't realize at the time that I was special, nor did I realize how frail normal humans were. My older sister and I were playing some mundane game, and she was so much faster than I was stop I tried to stop her with magic. I didn't mean to hurt her! I remember holding up my hand and giggling as I halted her in her tracks. I remember calling her name and being met with only frail choking noises. I remember that bloated, mutilated face, the way she looked at me with blood gushing out of her eye sockets as she shriveled like a prune. I learned then that magic is for destruction. No magic can bring someone back to life.

My parents were understandably distraught, and the things that called me on that day would stick in my mind forever. My sister's body hadn't even been buried before they cleaned their hands of me. I was sent away to live with a respected elder wizard who was to mentor me into better controlling my powers. He took advantage of my brokenness. I learned I was stupid, horrible, worthless, and a blight upon the world. I believed him entirely and came to love him as a father despite the constant abuse.

But everything changed as soon as I became of age. The wizard - my father as I still considered him then - began to demand things of me I was not prepared to give. He made me let him touch me places I didn't want him to. I was disgusted. He was a father figure to me and at least sixty years my senior! But I didn't have the self-respect to stop him until one day he went too far. He put something in my food, something that made me feel dizzy, tired, and warm all at once. I tried to get away, but I started to black out as he dragged me towards his room. I had to kill him then. I don't regret it.

By now I was well aware that I was different. I had only been taught suppression, but I was already stronger than the foremost wizards of the world. For the first time in my life I became self-interested, trying to learn the extent of my powers. I contacted creatures from beyond the mortal veil. Some would call them 'demons', but I know firsthand that there are things out there so much stronger than mere demons. It was with one of these creatures that I made a pact, becoming a warlock. The thing referred to itself as the Whisperer, and from it I learned much.

At this point I had become jaded to betrayal, and I always made sure that I was holding every string. My self-security was my undoing. It knew our deal was poor for it, that I was using it, and it gleefully accepted anyway. In my confidence I failed to notice how it preyed on my insecurities and sheltered mind, filling me with fear, doubt, and hatred for humanity. I relished in my third murder, finding ironic joy in the 'whisper' screaming in agony as I ripped it apart. I stole its power and ended our contract unscathed. I really thought I had won, but I was becoming the very person it wanted me to be.

My campaign against humanity was as thorough as it was merciless. It was all so political and performative, kingdoms condemning me as evil or rallying to curry my 'favor'. It was all shallow self-interest. I lied about my objective, lied about utopic ideals. I used every unwitting ally I could, only to stab them in the back when I had no more need of them. In the end all I really wanted was power, the power to never be hurt again. More than that though I think I wanted revenge, catharsis. I wanted everything to end.

And here I am, in the ruins and the ashes of civilization. I've won. I had thought I would feel complete, but I hate myself more now than I ever did before. And then there is the crystal...

I still don't why I did it, but when a 'hero' arose to defeat me I trapped them inside of a crystal. I suppose I was cynical enough to think it would be humorous for some self-righteous prick to be stuck in a 'quest' to defeat me for all time. An entire fake world exists inside the crystal, where they work tirelessly to defeat a fake me. They have no idea that the real world has already ended, but still they fight. I used to watch them for entertainment, but it has shifted to pity and envy. They are richer in spirit than I'll ever be. They still think they have hope.

It's pathetic of me, I know, but I've decided that I want to visit them inside the crystal. I want to join them on their pointless quest, if only to cope with what I've done. The inside of the crystal is a strange place, made up of thousands of different rooms connected in a non-Euclidian way. One might be in a great library and open a door to a vast desert on the other side, then discover a burrow that leads to a beautiful garden. There are many fake monsters and challenges along the way, beautiful vistas of exploration and adventure, puzzles and traps, and little quiet alcoves to unwind in. It adapts to the hero's current strength - a well-rested hero might be faced with a monster, while a starving and tired hero might find food and safe place to rest. It's meant to be engaging.

However, I cannot enter the crystal as myself. I am hated, and justifiably so. Instead I have created an alter-ego: Katropthaea. I want live as Katropthaea to be everything I am not. I want to be kind, generous, soft-spoken, and unguarded. I'll claim that she's an ex-sorceress who was humiliated in a duel when she tried to stop Ghyalomoira. Her magic was stolen and Ghyalomoira imprisoned her here to leech off of her power forevermore. She's low on courage and hope and is too weak and scared to try to leave on her own. She doesn't claim to know or recognize the hero at all, completely isolated and oblivious to happenings outside of her room. My motive for these lies is simple: I want to have friends for once. I want join the hero on their endless quest, even if I never tell them that the quest is fake and meaningless. I don't think I have the heart to ruin what little they have left.

My behavior Katropthaea is a refraction of myself. I am not well-versed in social arts, and no matter how well I lie I cannot falsify charisma. I am quiet, I am shy, I am even slightly awkward at times, but I hope that I am also warm. I also want to be weak in this world, an afterthought instead of a god. I have decided that Katropthaea has only minor mending magic and nothing more. Additionally, I am a proponent of stopping and smelling the roses. So much of my life has been a scramble for power or ambition, I think it will be nice to unwind in good company. It doesn't help that I secretly know that continuing this quest is ultimately pointless. That said, I will be very encouraging to the hero about their chances of being able to slay the witch, claiming that I know they can do it and that I believe in them.

In terms of appearance I am a young woman with fair features and an innate beauty that has been trodden upon somewhat by the world. My long hair is a dark shade that appears near black but is actually a deep purple in bright light. My eyes are a rich shade magenta, though often somewhat puffy from tears and marred by stress lines prematurely. In figure I am tall, thin and shapely, with rolling curves, wide hip, and large breasts, though I have never felt comfortable with my own body. I tend to wear dark silk robes in real life. My powers far exceed the need for any armor. In the crystal I am purified and radiant, bearing the same figure but with brighter teal eyes that look like they've never known pain. My hair is pure white wavy with a hint of fluffiness and slight waves. I favor robes here as well, but they are lighter and more ethereal. I look near angelic.