The original Quarrel was a vigilante active in Europe between 1969 and 1978, who used a crossbow as his primary weapon. His first reported killing was in England, in 1969; he disappeared from the public eye completely in 1978.
Quarrel was in fact Stephen Ross, heir to Ross Engineering a European engineering, electronics and computer manufacturing company, based in Paris. He was crippled in a 'road accident' in October 1978 (in fact, by a bullet through the spine, courtesy of Unterwelt). He became reclusive, and retired from the business scene, although he continued to increase the family fortune. At his secluded home in the French Alps he put together a huge database on crime, and organised crime in particular. He also assembled the equipment to train a successor when the time came.
Marion Bradford was 23 in 1985 when she came to the Alps to Ski and relax. A British athlete, holidaying with friends, she discovered a couple among them were beginning to use performance-boosting drugs regularly. Marion threatened to report them and have them disqualified from competition if they didn't stop. Unfortunately, she also tried to discover who was supplying them, and was successful. She was caught and placed in a staged 'avalanche accident'. Her body was never recovered.
In fact, she was rescued from the avalanche by Stephen Ross' people, restored to health and given (necessary) facial rebuilding and plastic surgery, resulting in attractive but essentially 'neutral' features. She agreed, of her own free will, to become Quarrel's successor.
Between 1985 and 1987 she trained intensively, in both athletics and weaponry (especially Quarrels 'signature' weapon - the crossbow), and also appeared as Stephen Ross' secretary and adopted daughter Arden during this time.
On April 3rd 1987 the new Quarrel became active, but with higher-tech weaponry than the original. After a few appearances it becomes established that the new Quarrel is a woman.
In 1988 Quarrel assassinated a leading, and highly respected, Italian politician who was in fact the head of a child pornography ring, and immediately rose quite a few places on the European police 'wanted' list. Proof of his guilt was sent to the Italian government, but they kept it quiet, and only increased pressure for her to be caught. Quarrel went inactive for a while. The Rosses moved to America, and Stephen began collecting new information...
In late 1989 Quarrel returned to action (with a very low profile) in the Americas...
Quarrel acts as a 'vigilante for hire', when illegal means are the only solution to a problem (for example, if the target has a respected position, or great resources, and the law cannot or will not touch them). She is quite prepared to work for no pay, but will not waive her fee automatically. By helping people out over the years (not just by killing - she also provides information or proof needed to convict criminals, or at least blackmail them into inaction, and other similar tasks) she has built up a network of contacts in very varying areas of life. She always acts on Stephen Ross', as she knows he is far more experienced and intelligent than her, but other than this is strong-minded and intelligent.
In appearance Quarrel is 5'11" tall, with chestnut hair, deep brown eyes and a slightly tanned complexion. As Arden Ross she is always immaculately dressed and groomed, with a pleasant but slightly distant manner. Arden has no close friends.
As Quarrel she wears a black body suit with a hood shading her half-masked face almost completely. The half-mask also completely covers her hair. A belt carries a hand crossbow, a thin length of rope, lockpicks and other useful equipment. Quivers are slung crosswise to one shoulder, and on one hip. They carry a mixture of normal quarrels and various specialised types (explosive, gas, rope-carrying etc.).
She always leaves a 'trademark' of a piece of green English silk tied around the shaft of her crossbow quarrels.