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The latest in a long line of feme fatales, the Lady Ash was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and a poisoned dagger in her fist. Of course, the history of the De Winters family is far too well known to be reprinted here. However, as the casual reader may not be familiar with the recent activities of the family, we shall recount a small bit of information. Exiled from Great Britain in 1873 AD, Annabelle de Winters fled to Italy via France, pausing briefly in that country to bilk several wealthy gentlemen of all that they possessed. Establishing herself in Florence, she seized control of the secretive Lodge of the Mandrake (an arcane society dedicated to achieving transendence... and dominion over the Earth) and expanded it into a major criminal organisation. Sadly, this idyllic life ended in 1922 AD when fascism came crashing across the countryside. Annabelle died in a hail of bullets, but her daughter, Simone, and granddaughter, Isabella, escaped the ruins of their mansion and ended up in Malta under assumed names. Simone remained in Malta, organising a smuggling ring that lasted to shortly after her death in 1943 AD, whilst Isabella ventured on to Cuba to establish the 'Nameless Hotel' in Havana. A clearinghouse of illicit information and dwelling place for proscribed individuals (constructs, sorcerers, the undead, exiled noblemen, and even criminals), the 'Nameless Hotel' was run by Isabella until her death in 1949 AD (in circumstances best left undisclosed). From 1949 AD until the hotel burned to the ground during Castro's takeover, the hotel was run by Isabella's daughter, Ophelia. Ophelia fled Cuba and, after wandering the world for a time, settled in New York City in 1964 AD, becoming an assassin-for-hire and socialite. This career choice was echoed by her daughter, Alexandra and granddaughter, Ash. Ash had a successful career ending the lives of those gentlemen deemed too odious to live. In fact, she was so successful that none of her victims were ever reported murdered. (At this point we would like to remind the reader of two things, one: Never antagonise this woman because, two: she doesn't mind killing people...) The turning point in her life was her meeting the disguised Ashermandrabaal in the late 1990s whilst both were attending a class on Advanced Defenestration. The Most Belligerent One was impressed with the young lady's style and grace and introduced her to the Invisible Emperor, who, being a keen judge of character, invited her to fill the vacant Ministry of Communication, Espionage, and Subterfuge. Happily accepting this gracious offer, Lady Ash went, gleefully to work. Recently her relationship with Ashermandrabaal has taken a more romantic turn and this may lead to a most entertaining next generation of De Winters... |
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