Know Your Kindred – Mary the Black

Name: Mary the Black
Clan: Baali
Generation: 6th (Previously 7th)
Embraced: ~1700 B.C.

Mary was originally known as Ma-ri, a beautiful girl who was the daughter of a local ward boss in the city of Ebla. Ma-ri became a loyal disciple to a Toreador named Mi-ka-il (aka Michael). In return for her service, Mi-ka-il gave Ma-ri his blood to drink, keeping her forever young as a ghoul for many years.

Eventually Ebla was assaulted by the Akkadians and Mi-ka-il fled the city, leaving Ma-ri alone. As the city was under attack, Ma-ri spent her last days writing her life story on clay tablets, inscribing her history, knowledge and newfound hatred for her master. As the invaders entered, Ma-ri gutted herself with her sword, spilling her blood on the tablets.

The fires from the burning city baked the tablets, preserving them. They were lost during the invasion, but were rediscovered in Ma-ri’s unearthed home three centuries later. The tablets were scattered across the lands. Finally, a Baali servant discovered some of them and took them to his master, Anaduk.

Anaduk discovered the tablets held more than just words, but also Ma-ri’s memories. Using his Auspex, Anaduk sank deep into Ma-ri’s passion and hate. He fell madly in love with her and wanted desperately to find a way to bring her back to life. He made a deal with his demon master, Anoster, who in return for Anaduk’s remaining soul sent Anaduk a succubus who could consume the tablets and become the product of whatever was contained in them.

The tablets were incomplete and Ma-ri was only partially recreated, full of disjointed and partial memories and corrupted by hate. She slew Anaduk upon awaking and gorged on his blood, becoming a Baali in the process. She fled into the night, searching for the other missing tablets.

Down the centuries Ma-ri had remarkable success locating all the lost tablets along with the sword she used to commit suicide with. In 1204 A.D. Mary the Black, as she was now known, discovered the whereabouts of Mi-ka-il and diabolized him.

Mary turned her attention to overthrowing her demoic keeper, Anoster.  Anoster was a member of the Decani, a group of 36 disease-ridden demons who are typically the masters of individual Baali. By the 18th century, Mary amassed enough power and demon allies to usurp Anoster and become a full-fledge member of the Decani.

Mary is a young woman of 15, her eyes are rimmed with red flames, her skin is pitch black and though she appears burnt, her visage betrays no blemish or damage. She conceals her sinister appearance under a dark hood.

– Sources: Constantinople by Night, pg 87-88, Clanbook: Baali, pg 67-68