Mandy

Mandy is tall for a Star Elf, likely due to their Great-Grandfather being Human. They're still slender and lean though, and they move so gracefully it's like watching a dancer. I almost envy them for that...

Mandy has very distinctive violet eyes, a shimmering blue natural highlight across their cheekbones, and silvery freckles scattered across their nose and cheeks. Their face has a typical, angular Elven structure, and their ears are long and pointed.

Mandy's hair is quite distinctive, as it starts as red at the roots before fading out to a gorgeous silver tone.

Mandy's favourite outfit is a low-cut shirt with a waist cincher, and a waistcoat over the top. They also love to wear tight breeches with lots of flowing drape accessories, and high boots with a small heel.

They keep a pair of poisoned stilleto daggers hidden about their person. They don't like getting into a melee, but they carry them as a just-in-case.

Mandy was born the eldest of twins to a wealthy merchant family. Sadly, it wasn't plain sailing. Their Father was abusive, often raising a hand to both Mandy and their sister, locking them up for perceived slights or wrongs when it wasn't their fault, and regularly verbally abusing them. The final straw came when their Father threw Lettie down a set of stairs by her hair. She was badly injured, but managed to avoid breaking her neck. Mandy took matters into their own hands and poisoned their Father, making him Mandy's first kill. The twins were subsequently thrown out of their house, as the rest of the family didn't want an investigation into the murder, but also felt too guilty about what they had allowed to happen to let them stay.

Mandy and Lettie joined the Dödsgänget in late 1219, the sixth active member (Mandy) and the first support (Lettie). Mandy became known as "Larkspur" due to their trademark poison, made from a unique process of concentrating delphinium and consolida essences, which only they know the recipe to.

They remained with the Dödsgänget until they went underground, after Tord's near-death experience.

Mandy now acts as a bartender for a wine bar called The Foxglove, in Osthaven. They also moonlight as an Alchemist and moonshine brewer.

Mandy identifies predominantly as They/Them, but allows for people they don't know to refer to them as "He/Him", as they acknowledge themselves as Lettie's "brother", rather than her "sibling". "Larkspur" was well known for being androgynous and Mandy is trying to remain under the radar, so I guess using He/Him helps a little with staying under the radar.

I've never known Mandy to be with anyone, though they flirt a fair bit with all kinds of people while working in the wine bar... I feel that's perhaps part of the barkeep persona they've built for themselves though...

Mandy currently works as a bartender at The Foxglove, in the Outer Market District of Osthaven. They also moonlight as an alchemist and brewer, making random shit in their basement. I occasionally act as a tester for some of their... more personal and uniquely focused creations. Cosmetics, actually. They made my lip tint.

Mandy and Lettie were both abused by their Father, up until Mandy killed him when the twins were in their twenties. Their Mother cast them out of the Family, but this was mostly out of shame for not being able to protect the two of them, and she felt they would be better on their own, away from her.

Mandy is a true fashionista; they know exactly what will suit everyone just by looking at them. They're also something of a cosmetics expert, which is weird, considering they rarely wear it themselves. Not that they need to, but it's just so frustrating how good they are...

Mandy loves a good party, being a social butterfly, and they have a fondness for classy wine, something they share with Ruger. Their favourite colours are purple and orange.

They don't like overly spicy food, likely due to their heightened senses, and they really don't like people with overinflated egos, as it reminds them of their Father.

Mandy is loyal and trustworthy, despite their unique personality. They love their sister and found-family very deeply and are willing to put their life on the line for them.

Additionally, they are an alchemical genius with a masterfully creative flair.

Mandy is fascinated with the pain of others, more specifically how they react to and deal with it. They have admitted that they have, every so often, 'conveniently forgotten' painkillers before administering medical aid, just to see how people react to pain.

Mandy has a light and pleasant smile, but it takes on a cruel twist when they're annoyed. If you pay attention you can always tell when you've crossed the line.

Additionally, Mandy's true personality is actually a little more deranged than they let on at the Foxglove. They have a strange fascination with pain, especially the ways that others show it.

If Mandy's hands aren't busy with something, they're twirling something around in their fingers; usually a glass stirrer when they're doing alchemy (which actually also doubles as their Arcane Focus for magic) or some kind of drink stirrer if they're at the bar. If their hands are not busy for more than a few minutes, the twirling starts...

Mandy is very big on personal hygeine, as they are acutely aware of what various poisons, toxins and bacteria can do to a person's body! They also have a very refined sense of smell, and can smell things that most others can't, so hate being overwhelmed with personal odours. While they aren't heartless, they are very cautious about coming into contact with sick people (likely because they know that they are a terrible bitch when they get sick themselves!) and will take all the precautions they can.

Mandy would both kill and die for their younger twin sister, Lettie; though they often admit that they would much prefer the killing part, as it seems more fun.

Their Mother is apparently still alive, but neither of the twins have anything to do with her anymore, as she did not defend them against their abusive Father. They even gave up their surname and took on the name of Gates, in order to cut ties.

I believe there was at least one aunt and uncle, who also knew about the abuse from their Father, but also did nothing.

Mandy is the epitome of the social butterfly; they love parties and getting dressed up fancy, and they're super confident whenever they go out mingling. You can always guarantee that Mandy will have all sorts of people wrapped around their little finger within minutes of stepping into a venue.

In casual or work settings, they often behave in a very effeminate manner when moving, most likely helped by the heels. Everyone is referred to as "Darling" or "Love", but those they like most are called "Sweetie" or "Honey".

However, when amongst trusted friends and in private, Mandy is a little more deranged. They move about the room like a phantom, perfectly smooth and impossibly precise. They also start using terms of endearment in Elvish, rather than Common, and they have more complex, and sometimes creepy, meanings. Ruger once translated something he called me (Coronddu) as "black crown", referencing my horns. He explained that in some places amongst Elves, "black crown" means "sorrow" or "melancholy".

Cards, usually Three Dragon Ante, and collecting scarves. I've never had the courage to ask about that though...

They have a pleasant, androgynous voice, and always come across as soft and polite. Until you're in private. Then they get a bit dark; their tone clearly hinting at a more dangerous aspect of them. They especially like to mix up their Common, purposely mixing up tenses and suchlike to make things sound more creepy. I'm used to them, but some people find them unnerving.

Common Phrases

"Oh Darling, an arse like this is Divinely bestowed, and not for thine eyes..."

"When we're in my domain, Love, we obey my rules. Are we clear?"

"Stick it in and give it a wiggle, Love."

"Darling, if you're brave enough, any liquid can be tasted at least once."

Mandy and Lettie were the children of wealthy merchants, so theoretically they have some of their inheritance stashed away. They were thrown out after Mandy killed their abusive Father, however, so I don't know that they have ties to anything else they may once have.