Minfilia Diaz
Minfilia Diaz is a talented necromancer who had worked previously in the Mehicanian Military as part of its magical corps, and presently, spearheads the reorganization and renewal of the Machado estate with her fiancé George Machado. Originally born male as Minstrel Hermes, she was subjected to necromantic experimepts by renowned doctor Iluvia Wunderplat, who transferred her soul into the preserved cadaver of a 16-year-old girl. After years of struggles with gender dysphoria as a result, she was able to fully embrace her female identity during her time as the quartermaster in the Rozenmaiden.
Early Life
Section titled “Early Life”As Minstrel Hermes, she grew up in a small town in Mehicania with her loving family. However, her yellow eyes, which were considered a mark of demonic association, caused locals to view her with suspicion and hostility.
Her early life was marked by tragedy when her brother invited his girlfriend to live with the family. The woman, who appeared perpetually sad and depressed, took her own life in the brother’s room. Minfilia discovered the body and panicked, as no one else was home. Strangely, the next morning, the woman appeared alive at breakfast, later confessing her affection for Minfilia. During an intimate encounter, one of the woman’s eyes dislodged, revealing veins and emitting a foul odor, yet this aroused Minfilia, leading her to realize her own unusual nature.
Mehicanian Military
Section titled “Mehicanian Military”During the tail-end of the Poasan-Apgarian Conflict, the Mehicanian Military, under the supervision of the Poasan Thirteen, started building up its magical corps and began a nationwide search for magically-inclined individuals.
A recruitment officer saw Minfilia’s yellow eyes and mentioned that it was instead a mark of magical ability. Minfilia was immediately drafted into the military and was assigned into the Ejercito della Salamanca (Salamanceros), the Mehicanian Magical Corps.
Her latent necromantic abilities were recognized by one of the founders of the country’s magical corps, who had been searching for and training necromancers. Adelberto Leonidas took her under his wing and trained her personally. Leonidas led the infamous Guerreros de los Muertos, a special unit of necromancers within the Salamanceros.
In the final years of the conflict, Minfilia’s abilities to raise the dead and command them were put to the test. She and her contingent were deployed to the remaining Apgarian-controlled territories in the northwest to bolster the land forces there. They raised legions of undead from the fallen Apgarian soldiers and used them to fight alongside the joint Mehicanian-Poasan forces. This had a devastating effect on the morale of the Apgarian forces, who were forced to fight against their own dead. This had a significant impact on the outcome of the conflict, as the Apgarian forces were unable to hold onto these territories.
After the conflict in 1255 AI, Leonidas’ Guerreros de los Muertos, were officially disbanded. The newly formed government, El Govierno Magocratico de la Tierra Mehicania, under the behest of the Thirteen, viewed necromancy as not only unnatural, but dangerous. Leonidas’ influence within the Salamanceros slowly eroded, but was able to form a secret cabal within it. This cabal formed a covert intelligence group adjacent to, but separate from the military, with the tacit support of the Hermanos Tradicionales. The Los Illustrados, controlled entirely by Leonidas, was staffed by former Muerteros including Minfilia.
While working for the Los Illustrados, Minfilia was able to continue to hone her necromantic abilities, but she was growing increasingly disillusioned with the military, and her role within it. Leonidas was opposed to her departure, but she had gone above him and convinced the leadership of the Salamanceros to allow her to retire, citing her distinction during the war. She was officially allowed to retire shortly after.
Lady Whiskers
Section titled “Lady Whiskers”In 1270 AI, Minfilia left her military life behind and begin a new one. She found herself aboard the Lady Whiskers, a smuggling ship owned by a man named Ishmael. She joined the crew as a quartermaster. She used her necromantic abilities to preserve meat from rotting. This not only allowed the crew to have access to “fresh” meat during their travels, but also to sell exotic meats between far-off ports typically too far to be practical to transport.
Eventually, the Lady Whiskers became well-known in the region for selling necrmantically-preserved whale meat as provisions to fellow smuggling ships. This notoriety however, tipped off Leonidas, who was able to track Minfilia down.
While at sea in the summer of 1273 AI, by the shores of the Freehold of Uyama, a contingent of Los Illustrados attacked and boarded the Lady Whiskers. Minfilia was able to destroy the enemy vessel, but not before her crew was severely wounded. Ishmael lost his left eye and leg in the incident, and most of the remaining crew members feared that association with Minfilia would lead to their death, either by her own magical abilities, or by the Los Illustrados.
Ishmael and his first-mate Lincoln, with a small handful of others, stood by Minfilia as they sailed to Racos Palma to seek refuge. It was well-known to smugglers that Racos Palma was home to the Wunderplat Hospital, where wanted criminals were not only healed, but for a large fee, could have their faces altered to hide their identity from authorities.