Sour Sadness Tiger

"Say, haven't we met?"

Who is Sour Sadness Tiger?

Well, lemee tell you who he's not.

He's definitely not Teresu Traal, once a Terrestrial of Lookshy who found he had a distaste for war and buggered off during his first combat action.

He's also definitely not the mastermind behind the Twelve Diamond Pickup, where several of Gem's nobles freely handed over several virtually irreplacable gemstones for promises of vast returns.

He's also very definitely not the deflowerer of the Despost's only daughter.

Nor has he ever been known to operate out of Harborhead or the Lap when things were a little too hot in Gem.

But, hey.  He gets around a fair bit.  Have we met?

What does he look like?

     Sour Sadness Tiger blends in with most crowds- indeed, he is plainness personified.  His hair if solid black and always looks wet- slicked back as if he just rose from a bath.  His eyes are deep blue, and his mouth turns upwards in a smile.  His nose is small, his lips full, his ears close against his head.  His skin is well tanned, testament to the Southern heat and sun, but not as rough as a real workers.  Curiously, his face is also half-covered by a jade mask- but never mind that now.  Lithe and reasonably well muscled, but not an outstanding figure.

     He is dress sensibly- a light silk of deep grey shirt and brightly dyed crimson pants of heavier cloth.  A brilliant azure sash ties the ensemble together, from which hangs a small leather pouch and a pair of three tined sais.

     You also get the /damndest/ feeling that you've already met this guy...

What do I know about him?

     If you're from Lookshy, you know that Teresu Traal, a Water Aspect, broke and ran like a coward during his first engagement.  He was tried in absentia, found guilty of cowardice and desertion, and sentenced to death if he ever shows his face in Lookshy again.  His family has vowed to not wait that long- more than one bounty hunter has chased this elusive prey.

     If you're in the criminal element of Gem, you know that Sour Sadness Tiger is a small time hustler with a silver tongue and a knack for knowing people and getting favors.  Not a boss, but no great shakes either.  You also don't know he's Exalted, although you might suspect.

     If you're in the lower society of Gem, you know that Sour Sadness Tiger has a real soft spot for 'em, and tends to make small dontations to a lot of charitable groups, even directly helping people out from time to time.  If someone coutned the money, they'd surely realize that the Tiger's given away more than he should have.

     If you're amongst the nobility of Gem, you know that /someone/ has been perpetruating schemes of great audacity- and (thus far successfully) counting on the pride of the scammed to keep them from talking.  That individuals have had great fortunes in gold and silver handed away and never seen again.

What is Sour Sadness Tiger's Motivation?

     Sour Sadness Tiger wants to bring down the Despotism of Gem, creating a Republic in the city- sharing it's great wealth in an equitable fashion.

     His Intimacies are towards his lover, Whispering Heaven; his best friend and chief fence Moliaraionaol Mo (Or Molmo for short); and his Anger at the Nobility of Gem.

     Why is he so angry at Gem?  Why isn't he focused around Lookshy?

     Lookshy is what it is.  It's a society dominated by Terrestrial Exalted.  He's not gonna change that.

     But Gem?  There's no reason for it to be the soul-crushing wealth extraction machine that it is, save for the avarice and apathy of man.  There's no reason for the suffering, the fights, the brothels, the oppression.  And /those/ he can do something about.