The Marchioness

They call her the Swordmother—a title earned not through war, but through quiet fire and forged steel. Zhao Mingyu, Marchioness of the Calaron Sector, is a woman of silence and storm: a master of weapons, a sculptor of fate, and the reluctant steward of a people once bound by chains. Beneath her ceremonial silks lies a soul tempered like the blades she crafts—sharp, enduring, and unbreakable.

Biography

Name: Zhao Mingyu (Written surname first)
Nicknames: Lucia Kessler, Mingyu, The Marchioness, Lu
Preferred Name: Lucia (currently, changes based on who she is with)
Age: 28
Species: Epicanthix
Gender & Pronouns: Female, She/Her
Sexuality: Questioning
Home Planet: PanathaCurrent Residence: Norval II, Calaron SectorAffiliation & AlignmentSide: Neutral, Pacifistic, Occasionally sides with the Empire against the Hutts
Position: Marchioness of the Calaron Sector; Politician
Moral Alignment: Fluctuates between Chaotic Good and Lawful NeutralPersonality Overview
Mingyu is an elegant, composed, and formidable woman known for her cool demeanor and calculated presence. Though she appears delicate and aloof, she is anything but fragile. Mingyu prefers to remain in control of her surroundings, and seldom lets people get close. She’s more comfortable with droids than with organics, and her hatred for the Hutts runs deep.Blunt in speech and unimpressed by pretense, Mingyu masks her compassion behind a wall of detachment. Despite her resentment for politics, she upholds her duty with poise, stepping into the senator role out of necessity rather than desire. Her true passion lies in weaponsmithing, which she views as an art. Mingyu is at her most content when behind a forge, not a podium.Strengths-Intelligent, perceptive, and resourceful-Charismatic when needed-Highly adaptable and quick-thinking-Unshakable resolve-Master of personal weapons design and use-Maintains emotional control under pressure-Compassionate, though rarely shows itWeaknesses-Deep trust issues-Emotionally withdrawn and often cold-Abrasively blunt-Tends to isolate herself-Manipulative tendencies-Holds grudges and struggles with forgiveness-Easily angeredAppearance
Mingyu is a slender Epicanthix woman with waist-length jet-black hair typically worn in elaborate updos adorned with weaponized pins and baubles. Her eyes are a striking amber, and her face is heart-shaped with delicate, regal features. Standing at 5’4", she exudes a quiet confidence and grace.Her formal attire consists of richly crafted ceremonial robes inspired by Panathan culture—often appearing heavy and ornate but allowing for hidden storage and concealed weapons. In her forge, she wears a practical black exercise uniform paired with a leather apron. She bears unknown scars across her back and arms, remnants of an undisclosed past.Face Claim: Zhang Nan (张楠)Weapons & ArmorWeapons:-Hairpins that double as tools and throwing weapons-Decorative but functional ceremonial knife-Empty lightsaber hilt (sentimental or symbolic; non-functional)-Skilled in close-quarters hand-to-hand combatAttire & Armor:Robes inspired by hanfu, often accented with furs and elaborate accessoriesMinimal armor—relies on agility, awareness, and hidden weaponsForce AbilitiesForce Sensitivity: ???Abilities:-Natural resistance to mental influence (due to Epicanthix biology)-Heightened perception—can sense nearby presenceAffiliation: None; she does not align with Jedi or SithBackstory
Early Life on PanathaZhao Mingyu was born on the mountainous, storm-swept world of Panatha—an ancient and proud planet with deep-rooted traditions and a martial culture. Her family, the Zhaos, held moderate social standing but were known for their meticulous craftsmanship in weaponsmithing. Her father, Dan Zhao, was a stern and accomplished weaponsmith whose forge was well-regarded by bounty hunters, warriors, and occasionally even Sith Lords passing through the Outer Rim. Her mother, a quiet but strong-willed woman, died shortly after childbirth, leaving Mingyu to grow up in a cold, disciplinarian household.Expected to manage the domestic duties of the home from a young age, Mingyu’s days were filled with tasks more fitting a servant than a nobleman's daughter. Despite the rigid structure of her upbringing, she found fascination in the sparks and clang of the forge, watching her father shape metal with the intensity of a sculptor. It was only after years of silently observing him and proving her competence with responsibilities that her father begrudgingly allowed her to train in his art. She learned fast—too fast, perhaps. Her natural affinity for detail and design surpassed what her father was willing to admit, creating a quiet, smoldering resentment between them that never fully healed.Isolated from peers her age and discouraged from forming friendships, Mingyu found solace in the droids her father maintained around the household. They became her companions and confidants—predictable, loyal, and unburdened by emotion. These early bonds laid the groundwork for her ongoing preference for machines over organics and contributed to her guarded and calculating demeanor in adulthood.The Betrothal and LossAt the age of sixteen, without warning or consent, Mingyu was betrothed to Silvo Kessler—the aging Marquis of Calaron. A man of reputation and wealth, Kessler had recently lost his young wife under mysterious circumstances and was seeking a replacement to raise his son, Vanir. The arrangement was political in nature, designed to secure influence between Panatha and the Calaron Sector and their benefactors, the Hutts. Mingyu was devastated by the decision and briefly rebelled, but resistance was futile. Her protests were ignored by her father, who saw the marriage as advantageous and an escape from raising her himself.Forced to relocate to the Kessler estate in the Calaron Sector, Mingyu found herself an outsider in every way—an alien wife with strange customs, locked in a world of diplomacy, backdoor dealings, and Hutt-influenced corruption. She remained silent and obedient in public, but observed everything. She learned. She adapted. She grew increasingly suspicious of her husband’s past, and quietly began collecting information—though no proof of wrongdoing ever surfaced.Less than a year after her arrival, both Silvo Kessler and her father died in a tragic hyperspace accident en route to a weapons expo on Corellia. The timing was suspicious, but no evidence of foul play could be found. With both men gone, Mingyu—now going by Lucia Kessler for diplomatic purposes—was left as the sole guardian of young Vanir and heir to the Kessler fortune and title. The Republic launched an investigation into her involvement, but the case was quickly dropped. In truth, she had nothing to do with the deaths, but the incident hardened her distrust of the Republic and made her wary of the power of perception.Rise to Power and Rebellion Against the HuttsAs Marchioness of the Calaron Sector, Mingyu quickly learned that the region had long been under the shadow of Hutt control. Silvo's role was limited by their control, ceremonial at best and to keep the Republic looking the other way. Located along a crucial hyperspace lane near Kessel, the sector was strategically valuable for smuggling, spice trade, and illicit cargo movement. While the local population suffered under economic disparity and criminal oversight, the Hutts grew fat off their suffering. Mingyu despised them immediately.Rather than confront them openly, she devised a careful plan over several months. She used her diplomatic authority to impose sanctions on non-essential trade, blockaded ports that cooperated with Hutt runners, and redirected resources to local communities. When the Hutts attempted retaliation, she called in favors—quiet ones, exchanged for rare weapon schematics and old contacts from her father’s trade connections. With calculated precision, she forced them into a stalemate. Trade froze, but the people were provided for. Pressure mounted.Eventually, the Hutts capitulated. The Calaron Sector declared its independence from criminal oversight, and Mingyu emerged as a hero of the people—albeit a reluctant one. She accepted the role of political leader only because no one else was capable or trustworthy enough to assume it. She harbored no love for the spotlight and longed to return to the forge.Present DayNow 28, Mingyu—still known publicly as Lucia Kessler—continues to lead the Calaron Sector as Marchioness. Her reputation is one of mystery and elegance, feared by enemies and admired by her people. She is never seen without her signature robes and ceremonial headdresses, though within the confines of her personal workshop, she returns to the comfort of her blacksmith’s apron and her beloved tools.Mingyu cares for Vanir diligently. While she is not his biological mother, their relationship has grown complicated and layered with genuine care—though she would never admit it aloud. When he reached an acceptable age, she arranged for him to learn the ins and outs of politics at a private academy on Chandrila. Believing this is the safest place for him to be educated, she arranged for him to go to school full time and live on the campus. The two of them communicate frequently.Despite her dislike of politics, she continues to watch and wait—her mind as sharp as the blades she forges, and her will just as unbreakable.

The Crimson Lilies

COMING SOON

The Calaron Sector

COMING SOON

Relationships

COMING SOON

Rules & Info

This section will be redone eventually.