Bio

Sonza was born to a Dragon-Blooded family of artifact dealers and researchers. His mother was a respected scholar who disappeared into the Realm when he was just 6 years of age. His father fell into a slump and began associated with some disreputable elements. This trend faded in a few years as Master Dayne met a new Dragon-Blooded wife and resolidified his artifact business. Surprisingly fertile Master Dayne and his new wife had three children, two boys and a girl before Master Dayne passed away 5 years ago.

Sonza received the Second Breath recently and became a Solar of the Night Caste. Forced to flee before his family could report him to the Wild Hunt he stole the information for several foreign accounts and one distant artifact business which his Dragon Blooded sister Iselsi (His only family not to disown him) runs for him despite her young age of 18.

Sonza’s twin brothers, age 19 were less forgiving of his indiscretions however. They have vowed that they are going to track down their brother and end his disgrace upon their family name. To this end they’ve reported him as a thief to the government of Lookshy, claiming he stole a great deal of money from the family bank accounts. They’re covering the fact that their brother is a Solar, hoping to deal with him without letting it be known that a Solar was born into their family.

Sent on a quest by a Gold Faction Sidreal Sonza found himself in the strange position of looking upon his own dead remains. Taking the orichalcum bracers from her deceased form he re-armed himself with his former belongings. He strung his old rings upon a length of leather for a necklace, something to remind himself of his soul’s dedication to the Unconquered Sun. The Shadow in the Tomb, a dark being that caused a great deal of unease in Sonza alerted them to an approaching Dragn-Blood threat. Letting his hatred of the Dragon-Blood get the better of him Sonza attacked before analyzing the situation, a move that nearly cost Tank and Jaden their lives. The one eyed Fire Blood in charge of the band of Wild Hunters was almost too much for them, causing both Tank and Sonza to almost kill each other. In the end they were able to over power him and drive him away.

After resting for several days to recover from their severe injuries Sonza and his companions traveled for several days until they reached a trade city. The city had few Dragon-Blooded so the Circle decided they were going to look for information and direction. Once in the city however it seemed other Exalted began appearing out of the woodwork. Sonza encountered a Lunar while the others ran into a terrifyingly beautiful Abyssal. They maintained somewhat peaceful contact and in the process met another Lunar and a Solar Exalted. At that point their Sidreal informer reappeared and requested that they take the battle to a God who had gone rogue and was devouring the spirits of the local children. The situation was so dire that the Dragon-Blooded mayor of the city is willing to ignore the presence of Solars if it saves his people.

Following the rumors of the Mayor the Circle made its way to the North and East in search of the wayward God. First encountering strange non-living-non-dead thralls the group made fast work of them. Sonza killed two, one with his new sling and the other by leaping down from his tree ambush to spear it upon his blade. Entering the God’s cave Sonza struck the first blow to the God and dealt significant damage, unfortunately the God’s reprisal left Sonza mentally stunned for most of the following fight. Sonza awoke just as Tank was knocked to incapacitation by the God and he slashed up from beneath it to finish the job Kukka’s arrows had started. Sonza quickly rolled to his feet and slew a strange child-godling before gathering up the Abyssal Exalted and helping the others return to the city. Haven’s wolf Artax was gravely injured during the battle, as was Tank. Jayden, like Sonza and Tank suffered serious mental anguish at the God’s attacks. The Abyssal suffered from being in the presence of so many Solars attacking at full strength and was reduced to a death-like state.

His mind tormented by images of his sister Iselsi being horrendously mutilated by the Neverborn and transformed into a monstrous puppet of Darkness, Sonza was “healed” by Seronia the Abyssal, who drank his blood to stop his nightmares. Awakened from his torment he attacked the Neverborn amulet that he believed was the cause only to damage his mind further. Racing back to the city Sonza did everything he could to arrange contact with his sister, knowing it would take months to hear from her. He took Jaden and Tank into his confidence about the mental anguish he suffered and strengthened his resolve to develop personal power to be less vulnerable in the face of opposition.

Sonza has spent the last 6 months training hard in the City of Mistvale. He’s worked harder under Jaydin, amazed at the Bureaucrats grasp of tactics and training methodology. In working with the Town Guard and his Circle he’s managed to increase many aspects of his combat skills, his ability to avoid blows in combat. With the completion of the Manse Sonza is curious to see how this will affect his standing among the people of the City. He acknowledges Haven’s obvious skill at First Age techniques, though he still thinks she’s a bit silly.

In response to Jayden’s fears that the city may soon fall under the gaze of the Wyld Hunt Sonza agreed to go on a long distance patrol around the city. Mounting his horse he rode a good 20 miles out from the city and began what he imaged would be a long circuit around the city. Unfortunately, being something of a city boy, Sonza had no real skill at overland navigation. Soon he found himself over a hundred miles off course along the banks of a Great River. Unfortunately he had no idea which one. Prompted by the voices whispering in his head he took the northern route, yet despite traveling for over 200 miles he never found signs of villages. The he came to a place where the land looked odd, then something knocked him unconscious. Sonza has been reliving the same day ever since. Strapped down in the dark while a tongueless man mutters and the voices in his head scream Sonza feels the edges of his mind start to crack, ever so slightly.

Rescued from his soulsteel prison by Tank, Kukka and Spirit Sonza works at recovering from his horrid injuries. Healed twice by his companions he struggles to keep up as they flee the city of Sijan. Exhaustion finally cost him consciousness and it wasn’t until he was healed again that he awoke. Loaded on a wagon and resting for most of the 3 week trip back to Mistvale Sonza has been struggling with his pride and experiences. Upon returning to the city he visited the Manse Haven created and set about meditating within it.

Sonza, Jaden, Marina and Kukka left the Manse to go back to Mistvale, for Sonza it was to see if his sister had replied to his letter. The city was strangely subdued however and Sonza quickly found the artifact shop he had been using as a go-between was closed tight. Deciding to investigate he broke into the shop and began to explore. Slipping bast the owner he made it upstairs only to find something truly unpleasant. His brothers were plotting in one of the rooms, and in the others was a person locked up, yet the lock resisted Sonza’s attempts to open it. In trying to leave Sonza discovered the owner had blocked both the doors, making it impossible for him to depart without making his presence obvious. Sonza attempted to kill the shop keeper in a single blow, but failed. The man managed to cry out and Sonza left by leaping out the window. Sonza’s brother blew the entire wall of the artifact shop out but Sonza slipped away. Meeting up with Marina and Jaden Sonza got them to take positions upon the nearby roofs, hoping that he could draw his brothers into an ambush. Unfortunately his brothers had a number of elite mercenaries with them. Mayor Ico led the Solars to a save place after Sonza sent Spirit to gather Tank and Haven. Sonza disguised Jaden and Tank as Dragon-Blooded and sent them to recon the area where he feared his sister was being help prisoner. Unlooked for susport in the form of Kukka’s Familiar arrived and they were able to free Iselsi and make it back to the sanctuary. As night fell the Solars were working out a plan to help Iselsi raid the mercenary camp and gather back her belongings.

Sonza and Spirit hatched a plan to draw the Blood Raven’s away from their main camp after some advice from Jaden. Spirit flew Sonza to the other side of the city until they spotted a patrol of the Blood Ravens. Landing amongst them Sonza unleashed Peony Blossom Attack using the Grimscythe they had taken from Sijan. 5 of the guards fell dead at Sonza’s feet in one sweeping blow. Spirit unleashed a flurry of his throwing weapons and pinned the 3 remaining guards to the ground. Sonza then used Iron Whirlwind Attack and split a flurry among the three maimed guards, killing them swiftly. His anime going totemic the great silvery-golden Kitsune Sword-dancer rose over Sonza as a shining beacon to his brothers and the Blood Raven’s to come find him. Sonza and Spirit then held their ground until they saw his brother’s flaming anima explode into the air, heading towards them. Sonza, still unwilling to kill his brothers urged Spirit to flee. The two met up with their companions who had successfully raided the camp, felling the Blood Raven’s Captain and several guards in the process. Marina had captured 4 guards and Sonza led them into the woods, trusting Haven’s woodslore to see him home safely. He convinced the guards that they would not enjoy remaining to aid his brother’s further. The Circle then returned to their hideout and made plans to move to the Manse and hold up. Sonza was confronted by a strange group insanity as the Circle attempted to convince him he still had the Soulsteel amulet locked inside the scars upon his chest. He’s not sure why they’re playing a joke on him, but he’s not going to fall for it. While gathering supplies to allow Iselsi to construct an artifact-forge Sonza investigated the destroyed artifact shop and found several jade shortswords for Iselsi to use as raw materials. The Circle then made camp in the Manse and prepared to defend against invasion.

While Sonza installed a Jade Essence Cannon (which tried to kill him) for his sister and maintained the temperature of her bellows Kukka, Haven & Marina went into town to gather some supplies and information. Sent to the Mayor’s mansion by her medical students Haven fell afoul of Kathack and Raggarak and was forced to heal several of the Blood Ravens. Unable to resist demonstrating her powers Haven used a charm to heal the second in command, saving him from a lingering death. Kathack decided he couldn’t allow this power to slip from his fingers and arranged for Haven to stay as his men’s healer, threatening the life of a small child if she didn’t cooperate. Kukka and Marina returned and explained the problem to the others. Marina composed a letter that would leave the brother’s to think that Sonza had been captured by a rival and managed to lure Raggarak & several of the Blood Ravens out of the city. The Circle traveled to the Mayor’s Mansion and found that Haven and the girl were being tortured. Unable to listen to the screams of pain Jaiden charged the office and he and Tank burst through the door only to find Kathack holding a knife to the girl’s throat, a throat linked to Haven by a magical collar. Sonza used his sling to disarm his brother from the stairwell and Kukka nearly killed him with an arrow to the chest. Unfortunately Kathack stumbled back and knocked the little girl out of the window. Kukka leaped from the window and managed to catch the girl, cushioning her fall enough for her to survive, though the injury knocked both the girl and Haven unconscious. Sonza negotiated a business arrangement with Kathack and sent him and the Blood Raven’s from the city.

Back at the Manse Haven seems to be suffering some extreme emotional stresses from her experience. Experiments in getting the collar off her have only resulted in injuring her and the girl to one degree or another. Tank decided that trying to touch Haven’s collar to the scars on Sonza’s chest might have some affect, unfortunately his attempts to tell them to “hug” had little affect. After he spoke to Iselsi the circle got distracted by the return of Ico, who seems to be suffering the affects of severe injuries and a very damaging poison. While the others left to deal with Ico Sonza remained and continued assisting Iselsi at the forge. The circle returned with Ico who was, unfortunately, a bit mad. Iselsi and Tank managed to connive Haven into being willing to hug Sonza, who did it just because they thought it was important. Unfortunately Haven’s collar reacted poorly to Sonza’s scars. The collar drained Haven’s essence and give the little girl Jenna severe frost burns. Sonza on the other hand was struck with some kind of internal explosion of heat which caused 3rd and 4th degree burns all across his chest. Grimacing at the pain Sonza watched Haven have a mental breakdown and begin screaming at everyone before she ran off. Marina bandaged his chest for him and he sat by the Manse water, contemplating the fact that the Abyssal’s had obviously done SOMETHING to his chest that caused everyone to wrongly perceive that he had a soulsteel amulet embedded in his chest. Frustrated by the fact that they were fooled by the illusion he took comfort in the fact that they didn’t seem to take it badly. Haven eventually returned and the Circle tried to contemplate what to do about Ico and the fact that Jaiden has been left on his own in charge of the city of Mistvale while Ico heals.

Sonza trained Jenna for most of the day, impressed by her dedication and quick study. Iselsi raced upstairs towards the evening and announced that Ico was having another episode. Sonza’s attempt to capture him failed when the man dodged surprisingly well and Tank distracted him by announcing he was a demon. This inspired Ico to join forces with the forge and begin throwing coals at the warrior. Having had enough Sonza lopped the head off Ico’s flaming mop and slapped him in the face several times with his sword. Waking up Ico took a bath and when he returned to his room Sonza attempted to lock him to his bed, though he managed to free himself without any real problems. Jaiden was met in the city by a mysterious woman who appeared to be an Air-Aspect Dragon blooded decked out in beautiful robes trimmed in masks. Jaiden explained how Ico was indisposed and offered Marina to escort her to the Manse to meet with him. Sonza saw the women coming and confronted them, demanding to know who the woman was and who vouched for her. His precautions in the face of a stranger apparently being too much for the others they recklessly opened their home and led her to Ico, ignoring any threat the woman might represent. After Ico and the woman spoke in a strange tongue Haven escorted her back to the city, neglecting the fact that she couldn’t travel more than 2 miles away from Jenna. Sonza, considering this fact led Jenna to a horse and SLOWLY made his way to Mistvale. Once he settled the sleeping child into a good room at the Inn he wandered the city, making his way to a sanctified common building to attempt to pray.

Sonza finds himself conflicted. His entire life has been dedicating to finding the secrets of the Realm and what the Dragon-Blooded did to his mother. To find out why he lost her as a child and find out the truth behind the corrupt aristocrats. Yet even as an Exalted he seems to have come no closer to this goal, in fact he seems to be traveling farther away. Now with the repeated threat this Soul-Steel has been producing among his Circle and the torture he endured at the hands of the Abyssals and the Neverborn, he’s starting to wonder if there might be a greater threat to Creation. Spending several days in prayer to the Unconquered Sun in hopes of getting a sign Sonza waits for his friends to send word that he’s needed.

Experimenting with Soul Steel to find a way to remove Jenna & Haven’s connection erupted in disaster. Sonza embedded a soul steel arrow into his forearm so that his sister Iselsi could test her item destroying techniques to see if it could safely remove the soul steel without harming the girls. Unfortunately the soul steel exploded sending shards everywhere. Tank & Iselsi were both struck by shrapnel and things seemed to go mad. Jaiden came down and suffered some form of nervous breakdown, falling into a ball and sobbing like a madman. Haven seemed to go berserk and began attempting to beat Jenna to death with her bare hands. Sonza does not recall what happened next, both the others assure him that he attempted to cut the soul steel from Jenna’s arm which forced Tank to flee with the girl. Sonza apparently knocked Haven unconscious and then set off in pursuit of the girl. Tank was said to recruit Kukka to aid in protecting Jenna but it wasn’t enough. Sonza supposedly struck once, nearly severing the girl’s arm. According to witnesses he then simply walked away when his attack failed.

The next day all the Solar’s seemed to return to their senses. Sonza spent the day in prayer, contemplating the madness that seemed to be creeping over his Circle, the result, he believes, of the spell cast in Sijan that causes everyone to hallucinate his Soul-steel pendant. Sonza sacrificed an eye and his jade trophies to the Unconquered Sun, hoping for some kind of cure. Instead he was given a jade an orichalcum eye to replace the one he gave away. Meanwhile his companions struggled to come to terms with a changing reality, trapped in the denial that prevents them from accepting that they’re all under a spell. Jenna and Jaiden began training, but were derailed by Jenna’s possession of several Masks that allow her to change form. Tank and Marina came to confrontation of appropriate table manners and Haven continued attempting to learn civilized etiquette and behavior.

Sonza’s continued prayer was interrupted by the First Shadow, warning him of a danger approaching during Calibration. Sonza lamented that the team’s problems kept them from receiving the warning in time to do some good. Attempting to pass the warning on to Jaiden Sonza then returned to his praying. Unfortunately the warning was no match for the stealth of the creatures which infiltrated the Manse. The clawed beasts apparently arrived hoping to harvest the soul steel connected to so many of the Circle.

The Circle proved to be too much for the strange soul-steel laden demons, shattering their attack. An argument quickly rose as they discussed what to do and several felt compelled to leave the Manse. Before any could depart however a messenger from the Mayor of Mistvale arrived, a Fire Aspect who had burned clear the road on his way through the snow. He reported that Ico wished for them to arrive in Mistvale to help protect the city during Calibration and to enjoy the rewards with their friends. The Circle traveled to Mistvale and encountered a great deal of celebration. Jenna, poorly watched and in the guise of a Fire Aspect vanished into the crowd and immediately started drinking heavily, causing a great deal of distress to Haven. Haven also chose to drink a great deal and vomited repeatedly due to her inability to hold her liquor. Marine and Jaiden searched for Jenna while seeking out the celebrations and finding out why they were summoned. Kukka went his own way and Tank immediately sought a bar, only to encounter a strange Lunar bearing a Moonsilver Wavecleaver. Sonza decided to take hot tea to the men serving up on the wall to bolster their spirits. While climbing the wall he got into a pick pocketing contest with a Lunar and was bested. The Lunar reported that she was searching for a Solar and Sonza decided to help her. Based on her descriptions he guessed the soul she was searching for might well be Tank, so he arranged a public display that would be sure to draw him. Sonza paid a crowd a solid months wage to chant about a Fight! and a Chick FIGHT! knowing it would bring Tank to him. When Tank arrived he did so with another Lunar, who made a dramatic entrance. Disappointed that there was no fight the Lunars showed a degree of disdain for the Solars, Jaiden attempted to converse with them but it fell somewhat flat when a drunken Jenna attempted to duel. Sonza attempted to get into the spirit of the celebration but just ended up looking stupid. The Lunars left to go to the tavern with Spirit, thinking him a Lunar himself. Jaiden also retired to the Tavern. Sonza went to examine the artifact shop to see if it had been rebuilt. Kukka was talking to Ico on the roof and discovered that he hadn’t sent a message. The two left to talk to the messenger only to discover they had been murdered. After meandering Sonza returned to the tavern and listened in on Jaiden & Spirits conversation with the Lunars. Kukka investigated the murders while Marina ran into a deeply intoxicated Haven & Jenna. She attempted to guide them only to lose track of Jenna once more. Haven had to purge herself of alcohol several times while they tracked Jenna down. They finally found her fighting a duel with the Wavecleaver bearing Lunar (Sarra) and Tank and Marina brought it to a halt. Haven was knocked unconscious by a combination of drink and Jenna’s impact with the ground. Tank took Haven and Jenna to the tavern to get them out of trouble while Marina took Sarra on a walk to interrogate her. Kukka arrived at the Tavern to inquire whether Shari (The other Lunar) was the murdered. She claimed not and Sonza left to investigate the murder himself with Jaiden, Kukka and Shari close behind. Investigating the paperwork Jaiden discovered a likely entrance into the Barracks. Using his keen senses Sonza was able to get an idea for the unusual weapon they were looking for. Kukka spoke with rats and Shari both discovered a strange scent to the crimes. Jaiden tracked his lead to a blacksmith shop where he discovered the man murdered by an anvil falling on his head. The others caught up with him and also joined in to investigate. Sonza determined that the man was killed with the same weapon and the anvil was an attempt at covering it up. He also realized that the murdered must be a very large or very strong man to have dropped the anvil the way he did. Putting the pieces together the group was puzzled when it didn’t fit together. Sonza began cleaning the murder scene. Tank arrived soon, then Marina & Sarra. The Circle was surprised to find a dagger in Tank’s boot and experiments soon proved it to be the murder weapon, which harmed any who tried to attune to it, except Tank. The Circle was able to determine that Tank was being set up as a murderer and summoned Ico. When Ico arrived they began explaining the situation, he was doubtful until his guards arrived to announce that Tank had apparently murdered a woman in a crowd of people, while standing with the Circle. Ico agreed to help banish Tank in an effort to draw out his framer. Marine went to get Jenna, Spirit & Haven to decrease the chances of something untoward happening. Jaiden, Haven & Marine played the part of accusers and defenders against Tank’s banishment in the public square. Sonza hid himself on the wagon Tank was chained too. As Tank was being led out of town, showered with snow balls and fouler things, Jenna leapt onto the wagon and attempted to free him, but was foiled by her cursed bond to Haven. Sonza, salvaging the situation fooled the crowd into thinking he recaptured Tank and continued leading the procession towards the gates.

The wagon crashed through the gates due to Sonza’s inability to rein in the horses and overturned just outside the gates. Tank was attacked and Sonza and Tank immediately began to chase down the assassin. The Lunar attempted to get away but was swiftly subdued by the two Solars, who left her alive for questioning. Jayden and Sharra arrived to examine her and realized it was Sari. Before they could come to a full decision Kukka (having followed through the trees) shot the unconscious Lunar with a number of arrows, killing her. The Exalts created a funeral pyre and burned the Lunar’s body, wishing her well in her next incarnation and then Sharra departed. The Circle is left facing grave decisions and seems to be splitting and going its separate ways.