Anastasia Markova

The halls of government and ivory towers of finance are not the only places that hold power. In the modern era, information, entertainment, and the media have begun to trump the others in terms of raw might. The self-titled "Queen of the Media" is Anastasia Markova, a domineering, awe-inspiring woman of incredible beauty, charisma, and ruthlessness.

In truth, Anastasia is a drow that passed through Shadow early in the 20th century. She quickly surmised that information was to become the "currency" of the coming era. She used her charm, cunning, and utter lack of scruples to climb the social ladder and gain seats on the boards of several newspapers and periodicals (the only mass media of their time). As years passed, she gained control then ownership of the companies, and used their financial backing to begin other businesses. She has invested vast amounts of money in every up-and-coming communication medium since the radio until now Anastasia sits at the head of a media empire that spans print, television, radio, recordings, and the Internet. She uses her influence to manipulate and guide the masses, reaping vast fortunes that she passes along to her clan of drow kin.

In her public persona, Anastasia is regal, cultured, and very chic. Her suave, businesslike manner is tempered with a disarming elegance that can tie the tongues of even the most glib conversationalist. She is the undisputed matriarch of a small band of drow that act as her servants and minions. Among her many enemies, it is whispered that she has made pacts with dark powers and has lost her soul in a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal. In truth, she is a dark power, and the webs are all of her own spinning. Creatures of Shadow know her secret, but not all of them are happy to see a drow achieve such success

Anastasia appears as a stunning woman in her late 20s. She has the dusky skin and brilliant eyes of a drow. Her snow-white hair falls to her ankles, usually worn up in an elaborate and expensive hairstyle. She dresses in the cutting- edge of fashion and generally wears several magic items discretely disguised as jewelry. As a drow, she cannot abide sunlight and is never seen out during the day. However, the hip crowd, who rarely see daylight themselves, never questions her nocturnal lifestyle.

Anastasia Markova: Female Drow, Fast Hero 4/Dedicated Hero 5/Charismatic Hero 9; CR 20; Medium humanoid (Drow, Shadowkind); HD 4d8-4 plus 5d6-5 plus 9d6-9; hp 69; Mas 8; Init +7; Spd 30 ft.; Defense 24, touch 24, flatfooted 21 (+3 Dex, +11 class); BAB +10; Grap +9; Atk +9 melee (1d3-1 nonlethal, unarmed strike); Full Atk +9 melee (1d3-1 nonlethal, unarmed strike), or +15/+10 ranged (2d6+2, +2 SITES M9), or +16/+11 ranged (2d6+2, +2 MP5); FS 5 ft. by 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.; SQ Darkvision 120 ft., light blindness, spell immunities, SR 29; AL any; SV Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +15; AP 9; Rep +10; Str 9, Dex 17, Con 8, Int 16, Wis 18, Cha 20.

Skills: Bluff +20, Computer Use +8, Craft (visual arts) +13, Craft (writing) +13, Diplomacy +22, Disguise +12, Drive +7, Gamble +13, Gather Information +20, Intimidate +15, Knowledge (business) +18, Knowledge (current events) +14, Knowledge (popular culture) +18, Knowledge (streetwise) +11, Profession +21, Read/Write Elven, Read/Write English, Read/Write French, Read/Write Infernal, Read/Write Spanish, Read/Write Undertongue, Sense Motive +16, Speak Drow Sign Language, Speak Elven, Speak French, Speak English, Speak Spanish, Read/Write Undertongue, Spot +6.

Feats: Advanced Firearms, Archaic Weapon Proficiency, Creative, Deceptive, Defensive Martial Arts, Educated (Knowledge [popular culture] and Knowledge [business]), Dodge, Elusive Target, Heroic Surge, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Personal Firearms Proficiency, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Renown, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Trustworthy, Unbalance Opponent.

Talents (Fast Hero): Evasion, opportunist.

Talents (Dedicated Hero): Skill emphasis (Bluff), Aware, Faith.

Talents (Charismatic Hero): Charm, favor, captivate, fast talk, taunt.

Possessions: +2 SITES M9 (9mm autoloader), 100 rounds of frangible 9mm ammunition, +2 HK MP5 (with laser sight), concealed carry holster, fabric of style, 3 potions of charisma, cell phone, business outfit, briefcase.