Penelope Harkness

Madame of Blades

An adventurous and fun loving flirt, Penelope is never far from a potential good time. Whether it's setting out on a new journey to see the world, or merely exploring local bars and eateries with her friends. caring and carefree on the surface, she is also possessed of an intense drive to hone her skills, and seek ever more skilled opponents to test them against. To her friends and lovers (her many many lovers) she is protective and kind. But to her enemies she can be as cruel as a dull knife. Beautiful is the sheathe that houses the deadliest blade.

Despite her Ishgardian blood, Penelope was never one for traditions or rules.Born in Gridania to Ishgardian parents who fled in the wake of the war, Penelope was raised in a loving home surrounded by friendly folk of the Twelveswood. Ever adventurous and longing for more, the young woman left home in search of excitement, and herself.Her travels eventually led her to Ishard, where her race and blood meant she was welcomed with open arms. But once inside the grand gates, she found it far from welcoming.These people were elitist and cold to the people Penelope had grown alongside. If these were her people, she wanted nothing to do with them.It wasn't long after her foray into Ishgard that she crossed paths with a curious old man in Ul'dah, who offered to teach her the ways of the eastern swordsmen, the Samurai. Remembering the Ishgardian nobles fetishization of all things Hingan as 'exotic', she was hesitant, not wanting to insult the man's culture by being a foreigner taught in his ways. He persuaded her in assuring her he saw in her a need to challenge herself. To do what others could not. That regardless of race, she would be the ideal student.And so began her journey as a disciple of the Blade. Through her training, she traveled the breadth of Doma and Hingashi, meeting its people and learning their ways. Her love of the culture saw her finally settle in Shirogane where she lives to this day. Not wanting to forget her origins, but now in love with a culture not her own by blood, she styles herself as a blade for hire, both samurai, and Ishgardian knight, and the situation requires.When she isn't honing her skills, she remains the wild adventurous woman that first left home.She lives and loves freely, leaving friends and lovers alike in her wake.Any friend of Penelope Harkness knows that if you have need of a blade, or someone to warm your bed, you need only ask.