*General universe info found here. Read this first: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/15763132/

NAME: Pandora
TITLE: The Aspect of Family
-Also represents: Nichtvren
SPECIES: Nichtvren (vampire)
SIGIL: a rearing bellowing horse with a fiery mane and fangs


HISTORY: It has only been within the last century that the general opinion of the Nichtvren has started to turn more positive. Many of the more powerful covens have turned to a more civilized way of life, interacting and participating in Telmarine society rather than leeching off of it. Pandora bears the brunt of the responsibility for this change. Since time immemorial, Nichtvren were seen as dangerous monsters, and they lived up to that reputation. They were savage creatures, feeding at will and skulking in the shadows. The former Aspect of Family did much to encourage this, spurring her people to take what they wanted. But unlike the Straxin, who could take without much in the way of challenge, the populace actively fought back against them, and their methods of hunting and killing were vastly effective. The Nichtvren race was slowly being driven to extinction, as anger and thirst for revenge would usually cause the transgression of one to be paid for by the entire coven. Nichtvren hunter was a viable career for many centuries, and those skilled enough to be successful received their rewards often.

Pandora was a member of the largest known coven, the plains-dwelling Ponderosa clan. Her mother, the ancient female Alieu, possessed a love of horses, and the Ponderosa raised and trained the best animals to be found in Stormhold. Alieu could see the direction her species was headed, and began a long campaign to force the Nichtvren to change their ways. It was not long before other established covens began to follow the Ponderosa's example, but there were still many more individuals that lived wild and uncontrolled. And the more covens that turned away from her, the more their Aspect instilled bloodlust in the rest. Pandora made the suggestion to rebel against their Aspect, and Alieu agreed.

Aspects are not always set for life. There are many cases in which the bearer of the title can be replaced, either by stepping aside when a more suitable candidate comes forward, or they can be challenged. The Nichtvren had always had one of their as the Aspect of Family, because the bonds of a Nichtvren coven could not be broken. "Love as strong as a Nichtvren bond" was and continues to be a popular saying among the Telmarines. No matter what their thirst for blood, each and every Nichtvren is loyal to those they consider family and friend, and when one is in trouble the whole coven will rise in defense. When the Ponderosa and their allies challenged the Aspect, her coven and allies rose to her aid. A battle commenced between both sides that lasted for three days, and the streets of the Telmarine capital city ran red with Nichtvren blood. Finally, Pandora managed to break through her defenses and enter the Aspect temple. The Aspect tried to call for help, but Mephala and Sheogorath sealed the temple doors, forcing her to face Pandora alone. Without aid the Aspect was all but helpless. The fight was brutal but very brief, and by the time the temple doors were reopened, it was to find the former Aspect torn to pieces, and Sheogorath draping the black cloak of her new title around Pandora's shoulders.

Under Pandora's rule the influence of the Ponderosa has spread throughout the land, and the Nichtvren began to rein in their savage ways. Many that were once wild were able to form covens of their own, and slowly a nervous sort of peace was established between them and their once prey. From time to time the peace is broken by the occasional fight and disagreement, but wholesale slaughter is now extremely rare. Pandora in fact encourages Nichtvren hunters to seek out those who refuse to reform, and as her rewards were far more than their old employers had ever offered, most were happy to adjust who they were working for. Recently, the Ponderosa clan earned for itself a seat in the Telmarine governing council, showing just how much the species has progressed.


PERSONALITY: Pandora is not the easiest person to get along with, for she has little patience for fools. Her primary focus is on her own clan and her species, with little desire to play the sort of part in the affairs of the general populace as most of the other Aspects do. However, her sympathies can be occasionally swayed, particularly when it comes to orphaned children. She will always seek to help an orphan find a new and proper home, and she is so efficient at this task that there are almost no orphanages to be found anywhere in the Telmarine nation. Children who are abused can also garner her support, though in this case it usually does not bode well for the parents in question. In a strange sort of twist, Pandora has made an orphan for almost every dozen she helps. She is not inclined to give second chances. If her temper is triggered, the cause is unlikely to live long enough to regret it.

Among the other Aspects, she is not afraid to stand her ground. She particularly hates Marishka, and will often interfere when she attempts to take advantage of her position. She remains good friends with Sheogorath and Mephala, but unlike Mephala she finds Sheogorath's antics to be very entertaining. If Sheogorath is enjoying some sort of pandemonium, then Pandora is usually watching it with him. But despite being an Aspect, Pandora maintains a fierce dedication to her mother and clan, and can almost always be found doing what she has always done. Becoming an Aspect did little to change how she prefers to live her life. Some of the other Aspects scorn her for this, but the rest find it appropriate. After all, why shouldn't the Aspect of Family dwell with her family?


POWERS: Being the Aspect of Family grants Pandora no additional power than what she already has as a Nichtvren. Like the rest of her race she is unnaturally strong, swift, immune to all poisons, and is not affected by the passing of time. If she remains strong enough to defeat any future challenges, then Pandora can technically remain an Aspect forever.


ARTIST'S COMMENTS: Overall, I'm fairly happy with how this turned out, considering I knew I had to attempt to draw her face. Though this really does not represent her age, or even her ethnicity. To me, this drawing sort-of looks like a young Asian woman. Pandora is an older woman, and I usually see her as more Indian. And no, I had no awareness of the Anne Rice character when I first came up with her. I don't read Anne Rice. I MIGHT have read something about Anne Rice's Pandora at some point in the past, but I certainly don't remember when, or even what. I have a habit of coming up with ideas (usually names) that I find out later on I took from things I don't even recall seeing / reading. In any case, my Pandora isn't about to change. When I decide on a concept, it is hard for me to change it. So she's staying the way she is.

But I DO remember that I borrowed the term Nichtvren from the Dante Valentine books. So I take no credit for that.