Race: Sylvari
Gender: Female
Profession: Thief / Contract Assassin
Apparent age: In her 20's / Actual canonical age: 4
Hair / Leaves / Flower: Spiky fern leaves of a dark red-black mix
Skin: Light
Appearance details: Red Bioluminescence with big vivid glowing yellow eyes which, at times, glows with the same red color as her petals.
Religious beliefs/philosophy: "While there is honor among thieves, it's best not to turn your back to them."
Physique: Tressa is extremely slender and is remarkably nimble and light on her feet. The woman is adept as making as little noise as possible, and uses such to her advantage. The ability to subdue her bioluminescence is a trait she's always had, and this also lends itself well to her profession and chosen lifestyle.
OOC Intro:
Tressa was like the second Sylvari I made. I always had the idea of having a dark and mysterious Sylvari, in contrast to my other colorful, spirited ones. I wanted Tressa to be shrouded in darkness and the mystery of what she was up to. That said, I struggled with the gameplay of the thief a bit. I was new to doing an up-close melee class, and found myself sent to the mists quite a lot. So, after a bit of deliberation, I deleted Tressa Malesse Noir. Yet, after about a week of trying to force the look I had in mind into other classes, the dark appeal of Tressa just didn't seem to match. And, while I know it's sorta a trope to have a dark character as an assassin, it just fit so perfectly with her look. Thus, I rerolled the character (with a name change), and powered through being a thief. My reward was Heart of Thorns introducing the daredevil. I love the game play with the staff and the flips and constant movement the character has as a daredevil, and I'm extremely glad I kept Tressa just the way she was in her first conception.
Sapling-hood:
Tressa had an extremely turbulent sapling-hood. Most children of the Pale Tree experience the Inner Dream as an enlightenment: a realization of how they fit into Tyria. Memories of the outside from those that came before show the world they will awaken into and how they shall perceive it. Tressa found herself pulled from the beauty of the dream and into that of the nightmare. After awakening, she sought council and guidance, wishing to understand her experience. But, her questions were seemingly ignored by the Pale Mother, whom threw Tressa into a regiment of training; an attempt to thwart any dark ambitions.
While the Pale Mother's intent may have been much more calculated than Tressa could comprehend, the adverse effect transpired: It set her upon a path that would eventually take her into the Nightmare Court's embrace to understand her dream and her place in the world.
Recent history:
No one can truly leave the Nightmare Court. Tressa, however, has waned from some of their philosophies and set out on a quest to find meaning behind her darkness. This lead her inexplicably to the Pact, where she assisted in the fight against the minions of Zaithan. Even though the Sylvari met fellows-in-arms, she turned her back on the Pact after the decision was made to fight against the jungle dragon. Having her own demons within, Tressa knew the dragon's whispers would completely take her and she wisely chose to stay away from the influence.
This decision, perhaps more than any other, established to her that she followed her own path. And, this realization allowed her to blossom of her own accord. She continues to follow her own pursuits, while establishing herself as someone who can 'get the job done'. And has become known (to those who dare whisper it) as "The Dark Rose."
Personality:
Having spawned into nightmare, Tressa often leans to her darker side. Yet, throughout her short life, she has experienced joys and does find pleasure (sometimes in the most bizarre things). She's calculating, prefers to stay in the background and in the shadows, but she is extremely quick to act once decisions are made.
Notable relationships:
Tressa has had no intimate relationships with anyone. It's difficult enough for others to befriend her, and truthfully, Tressa seems to prefer it that way. Only recently has she become accustomed to an under-the-radar group, and she's actually taken a liking to them - although, she'd be hard-pressed to say so. Throughout her time there, however, Tressa has had a bit of a rivalry with a fellow unscrupulous character known as Kimura.
When she was a young sapling, Tressa was best friends with another Sylvari named Mitrian. The woman attempted to 'rescue' Tressa from the Nightmare Court, but the attempt wasn't warranted, as Tressa was wholly involved in the Court's ideals at that time.
Favored alcoholic beverage:
Anything bitter.
Favored food: Unusual for her race, Tressa has found meat - of any kind - most satisfying. She has definitely found herself to be carnivorous.
Favored color: Red/Black. Anything that allows her to blend into the shadows. (It's essential for her line of work…)
Other: Tressa recently found solace in another creature of darkness:
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| "From the depths it strode, sharp teeth searching for its next victim." |
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| "Its hungered gaze turned upon me. It was a snarling, ravenously feral creature." |
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| "I offered the beast a small morsel - my only remaining food. Not being a carnivore myself, I had little hope it the carrot would save me." |
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| "After it accepted my sustenance, I attempted to tame the beast. This task was not without difficulty." |
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| "Now I call upon the beast's servitude as needed. It is a creature of the depths; a creature of darkness..." |
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| "Of this... darkness... I can relate." |
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| "For I am Tressa Solanaceae. In the darkness I awakened; in the darkness I remain..." |
