Rindo

Rindo was born to a lower middle-class family of foxes in the Old Country, and was immediately singled out moments after birth for not just bearing white hair and fur, but also brands of divinity on her face -- such markings of sacred lineage almost always appear in the head and branch families of kitsune high nobility, but in exceedingly rare cases have been known to surface in families that claim descent from them, of which Rindo's was one. Well, close enough to at least be plausible without outward accusations of infidelity and bastardry, anyway. The socially-approved method of dealing with such anomalies was to have the individual thus blessed marry into the clan which controlled the fiefdom they lived in, and as such Rindo was betrothed at a very young age in an arranged marriage to the nearest branch family of fox-nobles. This was an acceptable outcome for her and her family; given such expectations, her family received from their fiance's clan considerable privileges and a more comfortable life than they otherwise would have had, and Rindo herself received some measure of education in order to prepare her for her future standing in both a noble household and in the civil service.

However, when she was thirteen, a fire broke out in her bedchambers while she was sleeping, seemingly caused by a toppled lamp. No one else was hurt, but Rindo herself was considerably disfigured and left blind in one eye before being pulled out by her brother and a strange passing wanderer. The local magistrate was unable to find any evidence of foul play, especially since the helpful wanderer had vanished, and eventually ruled it a misadventure. Still, the damage was done -- the engagement was quickly called off, and the money and privileges dried up like thin spit on a hot stove. Still suspecting malice, although not knowing who, Rindo's brother suggested that she exile herself to the colonies, for the sake of her own life if nothing else; once she was recovered enough to be tran