Fantasy The Dragon Princess | Character Sheets

[Isolus]

Eira Snowborn: The Key to the North

"How will this end -- In the screams of the burning flame or in the cold, dark silence?"​

In the early days where the north was nothing but eternal winter, there once was an old and wise people who sat upon the snowy peaks. They tamed the northern highlands through power and justice and their enemies grew to fear the Men who bore the Dragon's fire. Known as the Níðhö Clan or the Dragon Men of Cerodaele, this line of kings endured many trials and tribulations for thousands of years. However with subsequent occupation of the Witcher Kings, the Níðhö was eventually forced to relinquish power.

But when they were once promised mercy, they were instead granted death by the first Wither King, Edwin the Great. For generations, the last bones of the Dragon Men of Cerodaele were believed to be buried deep within the mountain crypts. But as the dark nights came, so did the fire of the dragon return in the morning.

While no longer as powerful as they once were, the last remnants of the Dragon Men were not vanquished. They were merely stirred awake by the cries of the North and these old kings had returned with a fiery vengeance.

Alas, the west's hatred of the Níðhö only further spurred their power and the Men who bore the Dragon's fire began to fall one by one. Agvar Snowborn's bones lay scattered at the bottom of the valley of Eo. Old Valdarr Snowborn now sleeps an eternal slumber in a leper's bed in Noria. And as the days of spring came to Isakar, the head of Aesa Snowborn stands mounted upon the western gates as a warning for all to see.

But Eira Snowborn, the smallest of them all, still lives. And as long as she lives, so does the Northern Rebellion.

• Basics
• Backstory
• Personality
• Inventory
• Skills

• 
  
  
  

  ≫ Name ≪
  Eira Snowborn
  
  ≫ Race ≪
  Human
  
  ≫ Eye color ≪
  Blue
  

  ≫ Nicknames ≪
  Snowdrop
  
  ≫ Ethnicity ≪
  Illyian
  
  ≫ Complexion≪
  Pale
  

  ≫ Current Age ≪
  Eight
  
  ≫ Season of Birth ≪
  Mid Winter
  
  ≫ Hair color ≪
  Ivory
  

  ≫ Gender ≪
  Female
  
  ≫ Occupation ≪
  Apprentice
  

  ≫ Current Residence ≪
  Solantius
  
  ≫ Known Languages ≪
  The Common Tongue, Elvish, Beast Tongue
  
• 
  
  
  It's said that whenever a Níðhö is born, winter comes early that year. And so it was on a snowy night in Meridia, as ice coated the city streets and frost crested the window panes, that Eira Snowborn came into the world. She has no memory of her father -- his face was always dark and absent to her mind's eye. But the child had little to fear for her mother, Aesa Snowborn, was always there to protect her from anyone who might wish her harm.
  
  It was not known to Eira that she was the daughter of a long line of kings nor that she was a direct descendant to the throne of Illyia. Aesa kept this hidden from the girl in order to protect her from those who still hunted the old Níðhö in the name of the Witcher King. Mother and daughter lived a nomadic life in Eira's early years. On occasion they would settle between towns for a few months, only to pack up and leave without a trace.
  
  Not long after Eira's sixth birthday would their fates change forever. They came upon strangers in the woods who spoke her mother's true name. Whispers of a rebellion had already blown on the winds of Isakar and the spark could finally be ignited if Aesa Snowborn, daughter of Valdarr Snowborn and sister of Agvar Snowborn, took up the banner and led them against the Westerners. At first, Aesa refused them -- she knew that coming out of hiding would place a mark on any Snowborn's head and she was not willing to a target on her daughter. But Aesa soon realized that if she didn't fight for their freedom, death may come regardless. What was life if it couldn't be lived freely? The northerner's pleas moved her.
  
  It was decided that for Eira's own safety, she would be sent into hiding until the battle was over. The Witcher Kings were as clever as they were cruel and Aesa had no doubt they wouldn't hesitate on harming a child if they needed to. Eira begged her mother not to leave her. Having only known the safety of her mother, she didn't want her to her to perish in the thralls of war. Aesa parted with the promise that once the war was over and the north had been won, she would come back from her little snowdrop.
  
  Eira stayed in hiding in Solantius, where she was protected by northern sympathizers and organized spies. She was given a safe haven within one of the temples in the capital city, a temple for a goddess known as Karine. The Northern Rebellion raged for two more years and Eira prayed to the goddess every day and every night for her mother's safe return. But as the dawn of spring came, so did a terrible tragedy. At the Battle of Eo, the rebels faced disastrous losses and Aesa Snowborn was taken prisoner. To make an example of the Northerners uprising, The Witcher King had her head cut off and mounted on a spike upon the Iron Wall for all to see. News traveled quickly of the queen's death and upon hearing the news, Eira burned her small wooden idol of the goddess that she prayed to every night and vowed never to bend a knee to another deity again.
  
  With the princess' safety compromised, Eira's guardians attempted to pack up as quickly as they could and move the child to a new safe haven. But their plans will soon be interrupted. A traitor is among them and the king's killers are coming.
  
• 
  While her family's long lineage showcase the commonalities of unbridled warriors and firm-handed rulers, Eira Snowborn is a far more mellow descendant at least in regards to her own kin. Her choices for empathy over judgment whenever possible allude to a more tender nature. Yet the child is careful about whom she is openly kind towards, as her hand has been burned more times than she can count thanks to her gentle heart. In this complicated world, this soft heartedness she carries has proven to be both a blessing and a curse.
  
  But one strength she does share with her bloodline; Eira is a defender at heart, especially to those she warms up to. Her spirit is far from meek and the colors of her soul radiate passionate colors -- A curious and imaginative spirit who seldom ceases until knowledge is gained.
  
• 
  
  
  Starting Gear
  
  ≫ Red Hooded Cloak (it has two pockets on the inside seams)
  ≫ Small Dagger (A little blunt at the tip -- it just needs to be sharpened)
  ≫ Leather Pouch (her trinkets are stored here; buttons, flowers, coins, pins.)
  ≫ Small Straw Doll (Her name is Alvei. It was a gift given to her on her sixth birthday)
  ≫ Candle Pouch (All priests carry them. Mainly used to light their rooms at night to read or write)
  
• 
  TBA
  

 

[Hanarei]

Basics

Name: Vivien Caldweil
Age: 23
Gender: Female
Race: Changling (Human Father)
Class: Witch

Personality

Vivien can come off as a rather cold and calculating. She is very much about thinking things through before acting attempting to improve the odds of success. She is quite inquisitive in nature, always trying to learn more if a particular topic is one she feels might be of importance. She is quite guarded about divulging information about herself. She tends to allow people to their own devices without hassling them if they so desire, though it doesn't stop her from snooping around in order to find things out behind their back. She isn't very empathetic, more often approaching someones emotional problems from a logistical standpoint rather then being able to connection emotionally with them. Despite her dark nature, she generally does harbor a general desire to come to an outcome that benefits the majority, particularly those of good nature. She is focused far more on doing 'her work' over any sort of 'fun' or 'leisure'.

While her motivations might be in ways good, she is willing to do things that might be much more morally questionable if it leads to what she views as a better result. A life in the grand scope of the world is often of little value compared to society as a whole. She is incredibly jaded as society as a whole viewing it in many ways to be rotten, only seeing value in saving it for the sake of those good souls who might be trapped within it. Due to her past she is very uneasy about being open with others. Even with those who she works closely with she will hold valuable information away if she views it to be pointless or potentially detrimental to the success of whatever task she might be trying to accomplish. Deep down the human side of her seeks some sort of companionship even if she might not believe such.

Backstory

Stories of young infants being plunked from the cradle and replaced with another have always been one of those lingering nightmare stories many parents heard of. In the middle of the night dark magic would emirate as that of a hag enters the room often shifted into some dark shadowy form. The hag would take hold of the child taking it and devouring it before placing a child of its own in its place. The parent would wake up the next day often none the wiser holding a child lovingly not of their own flesh and blood. They would raise the child up and as they grew older oddities would appear as the child while seeming to resemble that of their parent's race would have traits that didn't quite seem to fit that of their own. The child would grow older faster then what would be expected outpacing others of their supposed 'kind' by years or even decades in the cases of the more long lived. That feeling of the child not really being your own as time only makes such fears feel more and more true.

Vivien is such a child. The Etenbrooks'' had a child of their own though it was quite weak and frail. Far too weak to likely make it to adulthood Vivien's Hag mother took the child from its crib replacing it with Vivien. The next morning the parents were left baffled finding their child in much better health believing it to of been a miracle. As time passed she was raised as their own though it didn't take long for some oddities to take notice primarily to her foster father. Her appearance didn't seem to quite reflect himself bringing into question if his wife had been with another. It was a situation that as the years passed only grew worst as vivien took little after her father's appearance while having a few coincidental shared features of her mother. It didn't help Vivien tended to be rather anti-social herself not quite fitting in with the other children particularly as she seemed to mature a bit faster then her piers.

The resent built up as she found herself in the center of the conflict her adopted father quick to lash out verbally at her as she acted out getting herself in trouble and dabbling in what appeared to be the witchcraft as if innately attuned to such things even if at the time often that of much more pretend nature. Her adopted mother on the other hand always defended her going so far as to step in her fathers way when he seemed rearing to strike her. Her luck around others was far from better with the fact she seemed to age faster then the others and having a strange 'air' about her with her practicing of 'witchcraft' leading many parents to forbid their children from approaching her. Things only got much worst when her little games of witchcraft turned much more real.

Upon turning that of twelve her familiar came to be. A shadowy black raven like bird. The creature itself would not speak, yet despite this Vivien could hear its voice speaking with it. What was silly little show ceremonies turned into actual magic of often light origin though quickly growing as it seemed the familiar itself taught her. On one day Vivien found herself caught out in the woods by three young teens who picked on her. As a form of retaliation and to put a stop to it, she put a curse upon the one boy as he suddenly found himself unable to speak normally only able to talk in tongues. While she managed to scare the children off it only lead to further problems with several in the town coming to her home demanding she be brought out practicing the dark arts. Her father despite his disdain for his daughter defended her, perhaps more so out of ego then anything else with the incident causing a mark to be placed upon the family even after a day later the child regained his ability to speak.

Her adopted father locked her in her room forcing her to be kept indoors. What had been harsh words calling her a monster turned into pure nothing as it seemed he had turned to complete denial over her existence. Only her adopted mother sought to see her often yelled at by her father that she was a devil child not of their own who would curse her for doing so. For nearly two years she was kept locked away, only seeing her mother from time to time who would give her food and leave her books or other materials she would sneak in. It was one day only a few days from her fifteenth birthday in which she heard a voice... not words she understood yet their meaning came naturally to her. It was that night she broke out from her room leaving but a note for her unwitting foster parents and setting out into the world.

Vivien managed to make her way out from the town that had served in many ways her prison into a world she was unfamiliar with. Despite the unfamiliarity, she found herself managing to slip in under the cracks of society quite well. While paler skin she found without the stigma of being a witch completely evident she could at least draw the sight of a few who would be quite willing to help her out at least to some small extent. What had started as begging shifted into more business as she found ways to use her abilities with others in the right areas able to act as a fortune-teller or to perform simple magic to aid those who needed it. It was far from money enough to settle down on though for Vivien she was able to sustain herself not having many needs of her own to spend on. In the cases she required more wealth, she was always capable of finding someone gullible enough that she viewed had enough wealth or was of unsavory character to give their coin to her.

Vivien managed to travel a good bit of the southern and central reaches of West Isakar many of which lead her briefly into Meridia finding many of the caravans she traveled on often heading there. She learned much more of the world sating her own curiosity able to see both the good and the festering evil that seemed to lurk beneath the cracks. It was quite clear to her how much evil layed deep under the surface the more she saw and really began to look into things. While she felt enlightened by the experience, she still felt that strange calling toying at her in the back of her mind beckoning her somewhere she wasn't sure of... but yet strangely felt as if she might know. The nineteen year old headed back to her homeland, though rather then the cursed town she ventured into the woods deep into what was a desolate swamp. It was there that she met her true mother, a hag named Merleb.

The young witch learned of her true heritage as a changeling, being the daughter of the long since twisted fae though maintaining her human façade in her presence. She had called her there in order to tell her the truth, so she might help her develop her abilities more fully and embrace the darkness in which the changling would be able to fully transform into a hag and become whole combining with her familiar into one complete being. Despite being a what she was, Merleb showed herself to not be of pure malevolence. What was know to her as a Monster was far from as vile of some of what she witnessed in her own life and travels. To take what is needed but do so in a way that has the least cost for all. To come to an outcome which one can live while allowing the most to thrive as all things are connected. For the blood her real mother might spilt was of that who had not long of this world, and of which something of value might be left for those left behind to better prosper mutually. The world was rotten, but you can also survive in it and make it 'better' for yourself and others in the process.

Vivien spent years under her true mother's tutelage. Learning far more cursed magic and the dark arts. It was over that time she accepted the fact she was coming closer to her own 'ascension' to be like her mother. Even if she felt it was right for her to be there, there was a part of her uncertain if it truly was the place she wished to be. Fate itself though seemed to conspire as a vision of the future came to play during her and her mother's ritual. A prophecy of dark days for the world like no other, and the key to a potential future to avoid it lying in the hands of a young girl of which must be seated upon the throne should there be a chance for salvation. A prophecy she viewed it in her duty to make sure came true before she could fully embrace her heritage.

Items

Etched Ritual Dagger
A relatively rather small dagger meant for ease of carrying discretely with a small wooden handle. The wooden handle itself hides an inscription designed in order to retain blood upon the blade for ceremonial purposes. Cuts with the dagger will naturally will have the wound sealed once the blade is withdrawn with traces of that specific cut disappearing completely within a day.

Bag of Holding (Small)
A belonging few could ever go without. The bag itself acts as a little pocket dimension storing several small goods for Vivien. Not the largest version of said back it is limited holding primarily her survival goods that would be too bulky for her to hold. it cuts down on the weight she caries as well a bit though the bag itself is quite full and a hassle to get things out from at this point.
Containing
Bedroll x1
Blanket x1
Candles x10
Chalk x8
Soap x1
Rations x3
Iron Pot x1

Belt Pouch
A decent quality pouch designed to hold various spell casting components she might need to use on the fly or she feels safer carrying on her.
Containing
Chalk x 2
Flint and Steel x1
Small Wooden Charms (innate) x4

Small Pouch
A pouch primarily designed to hold odd and ends objects for certain
Contains
Inkpen and Ink Bottle x1
Various Minor Spell Components

Small Ritual Book
A book hand written in Tongues containing various rituals for a witch to perform laid out in steps in order to be performed on a whim. The book itself is latched to her belt typically covered away from sight purposely meant to appear as a normal wizard's tome as to avoid suspicion from those who might not be aware of its actual dark uses.

Skills

Spellcraft - Master
Being a witch Vivien is rather knowledgeable about the Arcane and various forms of Magic. Even if it might not be a particular type of magic she is adapt at using, she is likely to be able to identify the type of magic it might be and potentially the spell itself should it not be too obscure.

Detect Magic - Master
A rather common trait particularly for those who are able to use magic. Vivien's affinity with magic allows her to sense magic in her vicinity with relative ease so long as it is strong enough to warrant such detection. Much more proactive types of magic meant to disguise its effects or the magic from the spell being highly diluted may require more concentration on Vivian's part to possibly detect.

Knowledge (Nature) - Expert
In part due to her travels as well as her time learning from her real mother, Vivien has a good degree of knowledge about nature in the region. It isn't at the degree of a expert druid, but if needed she should have a general grasp on things that might be encountered naturally in the wilds.

Perceptive - Skilled
It is important one is very observant of their surroundings to get a better picture of what they have to contend with. Vivien tends to be rather skilled in terms of picking out things with her sight better then the average person. That said, she is far from an expert and as such isn't quite as in tune with spotting the physical realm as she is with the Magic.

Woodcarving - Adept
In the creation of various ritualistic objects or charms, a moderate degree of woodcarving can be required. Vivien is about on par with the average woodcarver in the craft, able to create objects of moderate quality though none likely to ever be considered a masterpiece. She can create objects related to her craft relatively quickly, though other things might take a bit more time to complete.

Bonecarving - Adept
Like woodcarving, certain magic involves the use of bone. Her skill in bonecarving is around average. Her speed working on it again being more adapt to creating her ritualistic items over other works.

Languages
Common, Tongues

Magic

Hex
A type of magic that is created upon a etched symbol on the ground or placed directly upon a special charm. In the case of the circle its effects are actived while within the circle once stepped inside or activated by the witch. The charm when activated (whether actively or triggered through being in the radius) the spell upon the charm activates with the effect immediately going off. Through the use of a part of a persons body (typically a hair) the Hex can be set up to not activate or effect the individual in which the charm was made for.

The charms must be made of specific material and engraved with the right markings to work. Once the spell is cast it can no longer be used again after. In the case of a draw magic circle, the circle must be drawn out correctly to work with its effect still temporary though constrained to within the edge of the circle for it to work or applied directly to the object it might be drawn upon. The chalk itself can be washed or wiped away with enough effort disrupting the effect.

Curses
A form of dark magic designed to inflict a supernatural ailment on the target. Curses act in many different ways with the effects of the curse being stronger the more specific the curse might be. For example cursing someone to be clumsy might cause them during the day to stumble around a few times seemingly at random or drop something they hold a few times, where as a curse with specific conditions such as being unable to hold and drink from their favorite cup of tea they might consistently drop it every time they attempt to take a sip from the cup. A curse only lasts so long depending on the ritual used in casting it, lasting anywhere from a day to potentially years.

Blood curses on the other hand require the blood of the victim in order to be enacted. Upon retrieving their blood the witch can conjure a much stronger form of the curse that can last permanently upon the individual. The effect of the curse as well can be much stronger causing more severe side effects should they go against it often in the case when its made in terms of a 'contract'. In certain cases such as cursed objects, the curse itself is applied through the blood of the witch itself in which once the object is picked up by another it creates a 'contract' binding the cursed object to the individual and forcing them to be bound to it, though these forms of blood curses while still permanent tend to have a lesser effect on the user while being more draining to the caster. Blood Curses can be removed by those who are skilled enough to counteract them dependent on the power of the curse.

Elemental Magic
Much like a typical wizard or sorceress, a witch is able to channel the alchemical magic of the elements. Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth are all receptive to a skilled witch. She is capable of using spells of the raw elements at her bidding to do her work and support her. While Vivien has trained herself quite well particularly with her mother's aid, her primary affinity is to that a Fire where as her talents with Water magic a bit weaker then the others.

Dark Arts
The source of a Witch's power, manifested typically in that of a shadowy familiar unique to the witch. The Dark Arts are a form of magic comprised of Darkness similar in many ways to necromancy in a way functioning very similar to that of the Divine. Dark Arts tend to twist and turn the laws of reality in corrupt ways often labeling it to be the Antithesis of life itself. Despite the use of said magic, those who practice the Dark Arts tend to do so in seeking to control it, as even a user of such arts can easily be twisted and turned by the chaos as not even those adapt at the Dark Arts have any hopes of coexisting within it should its corruption be laid lose to consume the world.

Familiar
A shadow figure in the appearance of a raven. The raven itself is actually part of Vivien acting as the 'dark' portion of herself fractured from her body in its own form. The raven itself can be interacted with physically though it is for all intensive purposely invincible, unable to be killed. Vivien is able to channel her magic through the shadow raven allowing her to use magic that might have a close proximity that would put her in danger at a range. Being connected to vivien she is able to always know where the raven is in terms of direction or distance and can focus her senses to see through it.

Despite being invulnerable,. the familiar can be knocked away or to some extent restrained temporarily (though it can in part disperse itself into shadow to slip free should it have some opening to escape albeit losing any spell placed upon it when doing so). The raven can be restrained through certain uses of spells that directly counter the dark being.

Rituals
A magic often requiring the creation of a magic circle with the use of various objects within it in order to be cast. Ritualistic spells require a much larger amount of time and preparation to perform with quite specific actions done in order without disturbance in order to work properly with any slight deviation risking for the ritual to fail after all the time used to prepare it wasted. What they use in extra resources and time investment they however make up for in the scope of magic able to be cast. Ritualistic magic is able to achieve great feats such as being able to see glimpses into the future or to change the very land around it into cursed land. Due to the complexity of a ritual, some may require several members actively engaging in a ritual for it to work, often of a moderate degree of magic influence themselves in order to contribute though more difficult rituals may require all users to be adapt in understanding the ritual in order to complete it. Certain dark rituals are known to require things that might be far more morally questionable to use.

Limitations

Arcana
While a witch is capable of using many spells like that of a Sorcerer or a Wizard, their bond to darkness leaves them unable to utilize the full assortment of magic. Arcana in particular while many feats can be achieved though altered means others might simply be outside the Witch's reach. Abjuration, Conjuration, and Divination fields of magic are generally incompatible for a witch with only certain effects being achieved through their dark magic. Enchantment magic is limited mostly to the manipulation of others with effects that bolster allies being limited only to what dark magic may accomplish.

Holy/Healing
With magic powered through the Dark Arts, spells of a Holy or Healing property are unable to be used by the witch. Effects of negative energy CAN work in healing creatures that might be susceptible to it such as the undead. While there are spells that do exist a witch can cast that can recreate such feats, they are often done through dark and more devious ways one might consider a 'false' spell. Much of the witch's magic besides their elemental magic is susceptible to Holy magic, making such effects stronger against it.

Mana
As powerful and wonderous as magic may seem, the laws of equivalent exchange will always reign true. Witchcraft requires a source of power to draw from in order to be used and that is none other then the resource known as Mana, a source existing within every living being. Each use of a spell drains a part of the Mana from the witch (or an unwilling victim in certain cases) with certain magic requiring much more precious and life staining elements from a person that might not be so renewable. Given enough casts a witch will be spent of her resources and limited in the magic they are ab le to cast, and without their magic a spell-caster is often limited on what they are capable of doing.

Familiar Bond
A great boon to the Witch is also a potential flaw. A familiar is the source of magic of a witch's power. While it can be used as a tool to delivery spells that might be dangerous for a witch to approach directly to apply the familiar itself can be attacked. While quite resilient to the physical its not fully immune able to be disrupted. Worst off, the familiar itself can be caught up in spells that might restrict it leaving the witch generally defenseless. Should the witch be more then 666 meters away from the raven she will be unable to use her magic at all beyond the use of rituals.

 

[Lazaro1505]

• Basics
• Personality
• Backstory
• Inventory
• Skills

• 
  
  
  

  ≫ Name ≪
  Eindride Herleif
  
  ≫ Race ≪
  Human
  
  ≫ Eye color ≪
  Hazel
  

  ≫ Nicknames ≪

  
  Ein, Leif, The Lion’s spirit
  
  ≫ Ethnicity ≪
  Endorian
  
  ≫ Complexion≪
  Tanned
  

  ≫ Current Age ≪

  
  25 years of age
  
  ≫ Season of Birth ≪
  Early Fall
  
  ≫ Hair color ≪
  Black
  

  ≫ Gender ≪

  
  Male
  
  ≫ Occupation ≪
  Wandering Gladiator
  

  ≫ Current Residence ≪

  
  ???
  
  ≫ Known Languages ≪
  The Common Tongue
  
• 
  Glory and the thrill of the battle, the thought of defeating a worthy foe in fair combat and celebrating this victory is thing to be cherished for Leif. He is known to be a savage and focused individual in the heat of battle, focused more upon unleashing his wrath on his foes than focus on any of his allies in battle, as its alien for him to have allies, and is unsure of how to work properly with them. His old life of being a Gladiator providing entertainment for his people within the arena made him a bit of a show off, going with a high risk attacks that yields not only a great payoff, but also to please the ‘crowd’ of his efforts and encourage him more to continue on. Of course, while he is not the smartest individual around with his lack of academic knowledge, helping someone train for the unexpected as well as hunting beasts for food is what he enjoys the most, and calms down built up stress within his mind. And he knows when to become serious in battle, focusing even more at the task at hand and going with more safer options.
  
  But the roar of the crowd and the scars of the past have left their, even today, usually fidgeting around and acting nervous in extended periods of peace, waiting for the next battle, awaiting the return to action. But he calms down if he focuses his efforts upon something else, even talking about the past victories and stories about the Arena is enough. In the social aspect, he knows little of how to properly act, mostly relying on examples made to properly act, and can be confused quickly when it’s more complicated than normally, but he doesn’t back down from a challenge, and would take it personally to him. Slavery in his eyes, is but another sin to be abolished, wanting to do more for his fellow men falsely imprisoned and turned into mere items by their people to throw away once their usefulness have disappeared. He wishes to fight for a greater cause... having a true purpose other than the roar of the crowd, fighting to change fate itself... and for his friends... till the very end...
  
  
  Memento mori ​
• 
  
  
  "The roar of the crowd can be intoxicating. It can give you the edge you need to defeat an opponent. It can also seal your fate should you lose favor. The arena is not a battlefield. The thrill of the fight has waned. But it is now time for Eindride to fight for something greater than himself."
  
  Ever since he was a young child.... he had heard stories of powerful and brave individuals who fought against the odds themselves... even the Gods, and come out victorious in the end... with much twist and turns within their journey for the goals the seek. Was it the very thought of achieving those goals that caused him to become more than ever wanted to be in life... or was it thought of the glory he would gain as well, and the cheering of the crowd chanting his name. Still, even as much as he wanted to have a choice within the world... it seems to harbor a different purpose meant for the young Leif, every since that faithful day... that the night had turned into a blazing infernal and the souls of freshly reaped souls still wailing within the night sky, as if in constant reminder of who did them many wrong. The same day that he was taken from his Father’s grasp, and left with nothing but the burning marks of fate itself bringing justification for this chaos to what was essentially his entire world.
  
  From there, he was thrown into a world he had barely knew about... only knowing about it from his Father’s hunting trips outside of his home village, trapped and dragged around with a few other of his surging villagers as nothing but mere merchandise and potential tools.... ‘things’ that would provide a good profit in the end. Leif imagined himself making a daring and impossible escape with him both freeing himself and the rest of his people from their shackles, running under the night sky as they barely escape the ‘monsters’ who had captured, but no matter how many times he willed himself to do so.... he was too scared to make a change, to confused and pure in the world of ‘beasts’ to do anything. Then, he entered the first city in his life, and while some sections looked like his old Village, it was much more larger than his home, and had much more advancements than he couldn’t even understand.
  
  Of course, this curiosity and confusion was replaced, as he, among the remaining survivors were put onto wooden platforms, as individuals from all around were betting their money on the healthiest and most useful ones... treated as mere property to sell. Luckily or not... with Leif, a man who seems to scream out the words of a veteran just of appearance alone, had gotten ownership of him... and was officially the time he had began his training to fight in where his teacher had once did, as a Gladiator for Glory. He was told he needed to earn his freedom, fighting for him and turn in the profits while being able to live peacefully outside of combat, but his training comes first. In all honesty, Leif have never expected training such as this in all his years, and while the many heroes in stories of ages old have done their fair share of preparation for what comes ahead... it can be shortened up as well as the effects being unable to be shown and left to interpretation. He had gone through years of tough and grueling work, all in order to get ready for even surviving the road ahead, and while his Teacher knew of this and how tough it would be, but spared no mercy for the individual.
  
  This has caused the man to become more quiet and obedient, Leif knowing better than go against the man who was giving him a chance of being a free man once more... still, he wasn’t like mother or father, who gave the same sense of actually being there aiding and help shaping him up to prepare Eindride for the future.... he could only see him as but a mere obstacle to overcome, even after everything he did. Nothing could replace the true parents he had.... not even the Gods themselves, he had only a short time with them, yet, he wishes for their return, hoping they were not the ones who had unfortunately become killed off. Still, he could only focus upon the strain and stress put onto him everything he failed a task, and retold to do it oncemore until finished or unable to continue on, giving him much needed rest, but it was never enough to prepare him for the next day. Many times he had thought he will die, others he will prevail, his brain in a constant struggle between the two and seeing whether or not he will succeed and become a free man.
  
  His training had changed his body to become that of a warrior, hardened, strong, and agile, key traits of being able to properly stay alive and use his weapons to their absolute best, and with his diet, he had grown to surprising height, taller than any average man at his age of 18, (standing currently in the present at 6’5”), and was when he began his first days of the arena, his first few matches growing from against inexperience fighters until the risks increase with each year, becoming more dangerous than the last, the toll of the Crowd’s cheers echoing within his mind and the blades slashing into his flesh leaving scars that last until the end of his days. At this point.... he had believed that this was all he needed... he had proper food, a challenge that keeps him on edge for battle, and the people’s respect within the arena, everything he had wished for at an early age... seemed to have made itself a reality in his eyes.
  
  It was like he would be here forever, but not all things last, and a few months before his next birthday, he has received news that would change the very life of the man once again. His now far older Teacher was proud of him.... a man who fared far much more within the arena and impressed him greatly with his skill, and thus, as promised years in the past, he was given his freedom... and, Leif, unsure of what to do, merely accepted his Teacher’s words and had left his old life.... now free to travel as a man working under no one once more. But, it had felt he had made the wrong choice, because even with everything he had every wished for.... it felt.... wrong, as if he didn’t belong anymore with the outside world, but he couldn’t go back now... he had promised his Master, or rather, ‘friend’ that he will accept his newfound freedom and used it wisely. The wounds were too deeply cut to simply forget, and forget he did not, as he traveled the lands.... providing his aid wherever he goes, unsure of what to do next with his life.... as if it had gone through its course already. But now... he had a new purpose... as some events later, he was now brought into a civil war between the people and now left with guarding the last hope for the Northern Resistance... as he would then find that this was the much greater purpose he would fight hard and long to achieve in the end.​
• Starting Gear
  ≫ Trident (A sharp three prong spear like weapon, it is often coated in a venom to make it much more dangerous, but remains pure as of now)
  ≫ Buckler Shield (Instead of using it for defense, it is rather used offensively, using it to punch it into foe’s faces and deflecting blows when charging at an opponent. It seems to be rather well decorated, as well as bearing multiple scratches and dents of past battles.)
  ≫ Gladiator armor (Another essential piece of equipment that he cherishes deeply, he never seems to take off the helmet even with allies, most likely preferring to be alone for this, and does not look like it would provide much defense with a well-placed strike, but it is light enough to allow him to use his agility to its fullest, dodging and weaving away from strikes and sending forth his own attacks.)
  ≫ Bolas (a type of throwing weapon made of weights on the ends of interconnected cords, used to capture animals by entangling their legs. But it is sometimes used for opponents by Leif..)
  ≫ Flask (As Flask usually holding some sort of alcohol substance for Leif to drink when celebrating a victory or for fun. It is attached to the side of his right waist.)
  ≫ Coin purse (A small bag of coins that Leif brings around with him... doesn’t have much more purpose other than holding his currency, but seems to be rather old looking.)
  
• 
  -Skilled in agile combat, dodging blows from foes and using his movement to his advantage. As well as parrying and blocking blows with both his shield and trident. It has come with years of experience fighting in the rings for his people.... but how far would it carry him now?
  
  -Knows multiple close combat moves, mostly dirty tricks in order to gain an advantage in battle such as stabbing his opponent’s feet or punching them in the side of the head with his Buckler... while not the ideal traits of a warrior known for glory, in the midst of war, one must use every advantage to their best.
  
  -His trained body is not only fast, but strong as well, and while his armor is near minimum, he is able to make it work in battle and not only run around but also but force behind his strikes as well.
  
  -Hunting is a favorite skill of his other than combat, and with his Bolas, it is made rather much easier for him to catch up to prey animals caught by it.
  

 

[Obsidian]

Adrian Hearth

"For every burned out home, for every murdered innocent, for every orphaned child, and for every cry for freedom. This is why we fight. This is why any of us fight. To see a brighter dawn, a better tomorrow. And to see the end of Thalantian tyranny. This was never meant to be easy, not for any of us. And alone, none of us would have any chance against the Thalantians. But together, united in common purpose, with our Dragon Queen leading us, we can show all of Isakar that we are not slaves to be collared nor vermin to be purged. We will show all of Isakar what it truly means to be Neörnian. We will suffer no more, and we will have justice."

"​

• Basics
• Backstory
• Personality
• Inventory
• Skills

• 
  
  Name: Adrian Hearth
  Nicknames: Farm Boy (derogatory)
  Current Age: 34
  Gender: Male
  Race: Human
  Ethnicity: Illyian
  Season of Birth: Early Spring
  Occupation: Dragon Knight
  Eye Colour: Light Blue
  Complexion: Pale
  Hair Colour: Blonde​
• 
  
  Spoiler: Early Life

  Early Life​

  
  Adrian started out in life as the son of a simple farmer, growing up in a small farming hamlet close to the town of Etchiter, south of the city of Varde and close to the vast forests of southern Illyia. Spending his early childhood in relative peace, Adrian learned the farming trade from his father's knee, with the rule of the Witcher King being a very distant thing for Adrian and his family. And while Adrian's father and mother spoke in positive terms of the fabled Dragon King's of old, even here it was often done so in private, and only in hushed tones. It was not until he became a teenager that fate would bring about a chance encounter, one that would change Adrian's life forever.
  
  At the age of 14, while on a trip to Etchiter to sell the year's harvests at the town markets, Adrian would meet a young woman close to his age, a nomadic traveller who came to Etchiter with her parents for supplies sold at these very markets. The two noticed each other, introduced themselves, and they very quickly grew a fondness for one another. But it would not be until the young girl returned to Etchiter again, the following summer, when the pair would truly become close. Adrian and Aesa would spend many warm Summer evenings together, enjoying the break from the cold and the blossoming of summer fauna, even showing to one another a little of their lives that the other never came to know. For Adrian, he showed Aesa a little of what a charmed and comfortable family life in the country would be like. For Aesa, she showed Adrian a little of what a life of adventure and travel had in store.
  
  After one particularly long final evening together, on the day before Aesa and her parents were set to leave Etchiter once more, Adrian returned to his small farming hamlet late into the night only to find something he never imagined he would ever see. He returned home to find his parents and their neighbours dead, their heads cut off and stuck on the tops of pikes, their homes and fields put to the flame and burned to ash. In an instant, Adrian's little bubble of innocence burst forever, scarring him for a lifetime. Unable to bear such a sight of such horror, Adrian ran from his ruined hamlet all the way back to Etchiter in tears, hurrying to where Aesa and her parents had been staying in the town and telling them all of what he witnessed. And while this was clearly new to Adrian, such things were hardly uncommon for everyone else, and he quickly comes to learn of the reality of the Witcher King's rule of Illyia. Aesa, of course, did all she could to comfort her grieving friend, but after losing everything and everyone in his life, little could she do to console him.
  
  In his grief, Adrian swore bloody vengence upon the Witcher King and all those who serve him, something that drew attention of Aesa's mother. Taking something of a gamble in this moment, Aesa's mother revealed what they truly were to Adrian, before then offered him a chance at something greater in his life. He could learn, grow, become strong, and to become a warrior that the Dragon Kings will one day need to help them free all of Illyia from the Witcher King's tyranny. Adrian eagerly accepted, and was ready to swear an oath to her, but she stopped him. She would not be the one he serves, she told him, and so she cannot be the one to accept his fealty. One, however, could. The woman looked to her daughter, and Adrian turned to Aesa. This weedy farm boy, all scruff and muck, dropped to one knee before Aesa, looked her in the eye, and he pledged to see Illyia freed in her name, or die trying. Aesa did not like the dying part.
  
  That night, Adrian fled with the Dragon Kings, quickly leaving Etchiter to escape any further purges and Thalantian inquisitors. Adrian was taken to the city of Varde, where he would be left to the instruction of an old friend of the Dragon Kings, to be trained in the ways of a warrior within the dark places far beyond the reach of Thalantians. Adrian's training would struggle at first, but his natural courage and determination pushed him through this new challenge, and he transformed over the years from a simple farm boy into a warrior of great skill.
  
  Adrian's devotion to the Dragon King's became of particular note to his instructor, and one day he would be summoned to speak with his instructor privately. After an invasive conversation, to which Adrian seemed to meet some unknown criteria, his instructor would begin to speak of something Adrian had never heard of before. The Dragon Knights. A largely forgotten order of elite knights, unmatched in their sheer martial skill, the Dragon Knights were fanatically loyal to the Dragon Kings, and particularly to the ruling monarch of Illyia. One last Dragon Knight is rumoured to still yet live, hidden deep within the mountain ranges to the east of Varde, the only one who could train Adrian any further and teach them their ways of true mastery.
  
  At the age of 21, Adrian had completed his training, but the fables of the Dragon Knights filled his mind. He needed to become a Dragon Knight, he needed to find this one last remaining Dragon Knight, and he quickly prepared for a long and dangerous expedition to the eastern mountains to find this Dragon Knight.
  Spoiler: The Last Dragon Knight

  The Last Dragon Knight​

  
  It took months of harsh travel, in blistering cold of the the steep mountain peaks of eastern Illyia, before Adrian would finally find signs of life, an old monastery hidden away so very far from anywhere anyone might find it. Upon reaching the monastery, it soon became clear that this was no simple place of worship, with depictions of dragons shaping the stonework of the outside walls, indicating at stories of ancient Dragon Kings now forgotten. Someone clearly went to great care to build this place, the stonework both beautiful and haunting, leaving quite the impression on Adrian.
  
  Upon entering the monastery, it soon revealed itself to be a dark and unforgiving place, hardly warmer than the inside. But the walls inside were beautifully decorated with illustrative murals, brightly coloured and vibrant paintwork, showing places and people and even a language that Adrian could not recognise. These were not mirels dedicated to Thalantis, or any other foreign nation of Isakar. These were murals showing Adrian's history, Illyia's history, shown to a level of detail that Adrian wished he could appreciate. These histories have been forgotten, destroyed and buried by Thalantis, leaving only places like this monastery to only indicate at all that has been lost. Adrian could not help but wonder the grand halls of this monastery, simply absorbing everything from these murals that he could, even though he could hardly understand any of it.
  
  Suddenly, out of the shadows of these ancient halls stepped an old man, long into his late 80s, giving Adrian a fright for his life. Immediately, the old man drew two swords, one in each hand, and proceeded to commence combat with Adrian, much to his surprise. Despite his age, the old man handily beat Adrian within moments, knocking the young man to the floor before holding him down with a sword to his throat. Just when the old man was about to finish him, he began to cough, then retch, all strength suddenly leaving him, before the old man collapsed to the floor in fits of shaking.
  
  Adrian, after regaining his composure, quickly rushed to the old man's side, and it soon became clear that the old man was terribly ill. Adrian took the old man to his bed, made him as warm as possible, then turned to light a fire. Only to find there was no wood to burn, nor was there any food that had been eaten, or water that had been gathered for drinking. The old man was on his last threads of life, unable to gather wood or hunt food or fetch water anymore, simply grown too old to take care of himself. Adrian decided to do what the old man no longer could, and he cared for the old man into recovery.
  
  A year Adrian spent looking after the old man; cutting wood, hunting for food, keeping the monastery warm, and even making minor repairs to the old monastery. All the while, the old man's health ebbed and flowed, at times growing stronger and at times growing weaker. He was also less than gracious in the moments he was strong enough to speak, often hurling gripes and insults Adrian, nickpicking everything he does, and never offering a kind word. But Adrian bore it all, keeping himself calm and collected, continuing to help, and finally the old man eventually recovered to full strength.
  
  Adrian asked only for one thing; to be trained in the ways of the Dragon Knight. The old man refused, of course, declaring that Adrian was unfit to serve the Dragon Kings, for no one was worthy of that honour anymore. No matter how much Adrian tried, no matter what he said or did, the old man simply would not budge. That was until Adrian found something.
  
  Within the depths of the monastery's basement complex stood a door that could not be opened. Adrian tried to open it, but it was for naught. He tried to find a key all over the monastery, but none found could open the door. Old man said, in one moment of recovery months ago, that the door had been fused shut for decades and cannot be opened. And yet, after another heated exchange of harsh words with the old man over Adrian's desired training, the young man stormed into the basement only to suddenly find that the door that cannot be opened had actually opened.
  
  Stunned, Adrian stepped through the doors into the room beyond, finding it clearly had not been entered in a very long time, and then he found something. A set of dark black armour, fitted to a wooden mannequin, standing at the back of the room all by itself. And the moment Adrian saw it, something reached out to him, something that reached into his very core and pulled him towards the armour, and, as he drew close enough to touch it, he was overcome with an inexplicable desire to wear the armour. Unable to resist, locked in a bewitching sense of confusion, Adrian took the armour off the mannequin and laid it upon himself, piece after piece until Adrian wore it all. The armour provided him with an amazing sense of power, like he could take on all of Thalantis by himself.
  
  The old man came down into the basement to find Adrian, hours had passed in mere moments for Adrian, and the old man came upon the opened door as well. Stepping inside, he would give a look of despair coupled with betrayal, forcing him to stumble back against the wall in a sudden fit of weakness. Adrian soon felt the old man's presence, and turned to him, seeing that look on his face. Before Adrian could speak, the old man raised his free hand, silencing Adrian before beginning to speak.
  
  He spoke of the armour. It is the armour of the Dragon Knights, perhaps the last of its kind left in the world. Once, all Dragon Knights would wear these ancient suits of armour, said to have been forged and blessed by the ancient Dragon Kings themselves, and each set of armour is said to possess a will of its own. It is said that the armour chooses the wearer, and no matter the size or shape of the wearer, the armour would always fit perfectly to those it chooses. For Adrian, this was certainly true, for the armour felt as though it had been made for him alone. Long ago, the old man had been denied his armour for decades, when he allowed cowardice into his heart and ignored his call of duty, choosing to hide away here in this monastery rather than fight for the Dragon Kings he swore to serve. The armour no longer allowed the old man to wear it, disgusted with him utterly, and in bitterness the old man locked the armour away down here, never to be found again. If he could not wear the armour, the old man thought, then no one else ever will.
  
  But the armour of a Dragon Knight is no ordinary set of armour. It is clearly magical, with a will of its own, and it had monitored Adrian for all this time, assessing his worthiness to wear it. And it seems, today, the armour had finally chosen him.
  
  Adrian asked one final time to be trained as a Dragon Knight. And this time, when confronted with all his shame, the old man could no longer refuse. Adrian began his training, learning everything that the old man knew about the ways of Dragon Knight, and not just in the Dragon Knights martial abilities. Adrian was also taught the true history of Illyia, actually named Neörn, throughout its many thousands of years before the invasion of Thalantis. Adrian would be taught the ancient Neörnian language, taught about the ancient cultures and honour codes of their people, of the greatest and the lowest of the Dragon Kings, and how fabled Neörn could fall to the Thalantians.
  
  Adrian was also taught much about the Dragon Knights as well. It is a Dragon Knight's faith in the Dragon Kings that gives them their strength, their speed, and their ferocity. Once, in Neörn's golden age, the Dragon Kings were something far greater than they are now, for they were true Dragons once, powerful beyond measure and feared throughout all Isakar. The Dragon Knights were human warriors that swore fealty to the Dragons, and became warriors without peer, second only to the Dragon Kings themselves. But all things are worn with age, and the Dragon Kings withered over the centuries as all things do. Regardless, Adrian lapped up these lessons eagerly, and they inspired him to greater levels of exceptionalism in his training.
  
  Once Adrian had mastered everything that the old man had to teach, the old man called for one last duel, and Adrian defeated his master as easily as he had been beaten himself when he first arrived here. With a sword to his throat, the old man begged for Adrian to end him, to allow him to die as a warrior in battle rather than be left up here to wither away in disgrace and cowardice. Before Adrian could decide, however, the armour chose to decide for him. With a suddenly thrust, the old man's throat was run through, and all too quickly left this world for the next. Despite the shock of Adrian killing his own master, something within the armour changed, a weight upon it had suddenly been lifted. Adrian did not know what had just happened, or why, but perhaps, in some way, this was all for the best. With a new set of armour and new martial abilities, Adrian took his lead of the monastery, to finally return to Illyia and to return to his Queen.
  Spoiler: Returning to His Queen

  Returning to His Queen​

  
  Properly trained and ready to take up his duty as a Dragon Knight, Adrian searched throughout Illyia for Aesa, finding her again just after the beginning of Adrian's 25th Spring. He had changed considerably from the weedy boy that once swore fealty to her, now growth and shaped into a man, just as Aesa had now grown and shaped into a woman. Though their reunion was somewhat overwhelming at first, both Adrian and Aesa soon rekindled their old friendship, and perhaps even something more. And for a time, they stayed together, travelled together, and spoke of Rebellion together.
  
  While Adrian eagerly craved rebellion against the Witcher King, Aesa was not so taken by the idea just yet, a realisation that took the wind out from under Adrian's wings. He had always expected that Aesa would want to rise up as much as he did, and he could not do it without her. No one could do it without her. He would plead with her, telling her that she and she alone could lead a rebellion, that only a true Dragon could inspire popular revolt throughout Illyia to throw off the Witcher King's rule. And while other Dragon Kings yet remain, only Aesa is the true legitmate heir to the Neörnian Throne. Eventually, Aesa would be convinced, but not just by Adrian's wishes. Also by the burned out villages, the despairing people, and the orphaned children left with nothing but the clothes on their back. It soon became clear to Aesa that Adrian was right. It is time to right up. It is time to end Thalantian rule over Illyia forever.
  
  Aesa, as the last true legitimate heir to the Neörnian Throne, directly descended from the great Valdarr Snowborn himself, was crowned in secret ceremony as the Dragon Queen of Illyia. Adrian was there by her side throughout it all, of course, and nothing made him happier than to see this day come. A Dragon rises again. The Rebellion had begun.
  Spoiler: The Rebellion

  The Rebellion​

  
  The Rebellion started small, finding like-minded people and organising them into an underground resistance, spreading the word in whispers to the downtrodden across Illyia that a true dragon rises again. Over time, the Rebellion grew, in trickles of people at first but soon more and more flocked to Aesa's banner. And not just people came, but money, supplies, and weapons were donated to the cause by 'interested parties.' Many of those that joined had many a sad story to tell, each seemingly more terrible than the last, and each one only deepened Adrian's and Aesa's determination to see the Witcher King's head on a spike.
  
  Soon enough, the Rebellion's ranked swelled to the point when forming an army became a viable option. Adrian, due to his martial expertise, was appointed general of Aesa's army, and he did not waste any time. Taking to the eastern mountains, Adrian set up rebel bases across the mountains, taking advantage of the remote location to hide the growing rebel army. Adrian soon organised military exercises and started training his troops for war. The Queen would visit the bases, of course, boosting morale wherever she went. But it would be during this time that the Queen suddenly fell pregnant.
  Spoiler: The Princess

  The Princess​

  
  As soon as her pregnancy was known, rumours spread like wildfire about the Queen's relationship to Adrian. They two were known to be close, both personally and professionally, and rumours had circulated about them before, but such things were of no consequence back then. But when the Queen fell pregnant, the rumours quickly spread and spirelled, engulfing the ranks of the Rebellion with hot debate. There were two main issues with the possibility of Adrian being the child's father.
  
  The first is that the Queen is not married, and thus an heir born out of wedlock is illegitimate, unable to inherit the Throne. The second is that Adrian is not only a peasant, being the son of a farmer, but he is also a mere human, not even a Níðhö. The Snowborns have bred pure within the Níðhö for thousands of years, and this blood purity is a large part as to why the Snowborns are respected and considered legitmate above all other remaining Níðhö. And many groups reacted differently to this possibility within the Rebellion. Many, particularly commoners, were inspired by the possibility of a commoner becoming the consort to the Queen. Others, such as the nobles and the Níðhö, found the very idea a disgrace, and, if true, the Queen is no longer fit to rule with such poor judgement.
  
  To quell the rumoured and growing tensions, the Queen was forced to give an official line, one adopted by the rest of the Rebel leadership. The Queen was in fact married, to a Níðhö, and the affair was kept secret because he had recently been caught and killed during a Thalantian purge. The Queen spoke of her the loss of her beloved husband, how she laments that her child will never get to know him, and how she will miss him always. This was enough to quell the rumours, placate the nobles and the Níðhö, and, while certainly disappointed, the commoners would not abandon their Queen over it. The Rebellion survived, and unity was restored. Some still whisper that the Queen lied, and Adrian is the father, but such vindictive whispers are quickly and loudly shouted down as vicious slander.
  
  Shortly after peace was restored to the Rebellion, a deep winter set in, and all knew what was coming next. Aesa gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. Adrian, as ever, stood by the Queen's side throughout the ordeal, and the newborn Princess was briefly handed to Adrian before being given to the Queen. The whole ordeal left a deep impression on Adrian, reminding him of everything he is fighting for, and solidifying his devotion to his Dragon Queen even further.
  Spoiler: The Queen's Travels

  The Queen's Travels​

  
  The birth of the Princess, though a wondrous event, brought with it concerns. The Princess' safety became of utmost importance, and if anything ever happened to the Queen, little Eira would have to ascend to the Throne. After hot debate, the Queen decided to resume her old life of travel, for the she desperately wanted her only daughter to have a childhood far away from the dangers of the Rebellion, and of the coming war. This decision hit Adrian the hardest. After being away from her for nine years, the idea of being parted from the Queen again was intolerable, even driving him as far as to threatened to leave the Rebellion to be with his Queen, and with his new Princess. But Aesa managed to talk him down. The Rebellion needed him more than Aesa needed him, for the Queen was a capable warrior herself, and knows all too well how to travel across Illyia in safety. As long as no one came to know who the Queen truly was, Aesa would be safe, though she knew none of this could last forever.
  
  Of course, Aesa and Eira would not become strangers to Adrian. There were times when they could meet, under great secracy, for Adrian to update the Queen on progress and for the Queen to give her orders. Or rather, that was the official line, though certainly not a lie either. What was not spoken of officially was that Adrian and Aesa came to truly miss each other, and Aesa even wanted Adrian to be part of little Eira's childhood.
  
  At first, the little Princess was terrified of the large and scary man in his black armour, coming to see her and her mother in the dark of the night. But over time, Eira would grow used to Adrian, and even come to enjoy his visits. Aesa's and Eira's travels were isolating, even lonely, and while both royals had each other, it was also nice to have another as part of their little bubble away from the world. And Adrian would always make a fuss of the little Princess, even calling her such, though Aesa frowned on the moniker. But many call their little girls princesses out of simple affection, and, thankfully, that is exactly how Eira took it as well. Eira came to know Adrian as her mother's friend, and nothing more than that.
  
  This continued for six long years, until the Rebellion was finally ready, and the time to rise up had come. Adrian informed the Queen of this, and so their plan for Eira would be put into action. When the Rebellion rises up, Eira is not to be anywhere near Illyia, and everyone agreed on this ever since Eira was born. For the Princess, safety, she was to be taken to a temple in Solantius, far from Illyia and all the troubles of the war. Parting from her beloved daughter broke Aesa's heart, and Adrian fared no better, but it had to be done. With the Queen's return, her armies mobilised, and they marched on Varde.
  Spoiler: The Liberation of Varde

  The Liberation of Varde​

  
  Great care was taken in the formation of the Rebellion's strategy to liberate Illyia. It was worried that the Rebellion would not have the military strength necessary to win a conventional war against Thalantis, a very real possibility, and so they planned their strategy with cunning. The first step in the strategy was to quickly secure the Illyian capital, Varde, and move the Rebellion into the city to resupply the army. The liberation of Varde happened surprisingly easily. Rebel spies and agents had long infiltrated the city and organised rebel civilians in preparation for a popular uprising upon the day of the Queen's return. Plans were put into place to secure key gatehouses and eliminate early warning systems within watchtowers across the Varde's walls, allowing the Queen's army to both approach and breach the city without warning, which was essential for a strong early victory. No one within the Rebellion wanted to get stuck besieging their own capital while Thalantis raises their army and closes in.
  
  The operation, years in the making, went off better than expected. No warning of an approaching army went out, the gatehouses were open, and the Thalantian garrison in Varde were completely surprised when a massive enemy force swept into the city in the early hours of the morning.
  
  By dawn, Varde was taken, the Thalantian garrison had been eliminated, and the Witcher King's puppet government of Illyia were quickly arrested, tried, and executed for crimes against the people of Illyia. Sheer joy rang out across Varde, that finally hundreds of years of misery and oppression were over, and all hailed Aesa Snowborn, the Dragon Queen of Illyia. Of course, the Rebellion had just begun, and much of the country still lay in Thalantian hands. The second part of the plan was put into immediate action. Many Illyian towns and cities were held by Thalantian garrisons, and they all need to be liberated. Meanwhile, another larger force would need to intercept and defeat the Thalantian army that will be coming to retake their fallen colony.
  Spoiler: The Thalantian Expulsion

  The Thalantian Expulsion​

  
  Aesa and her Dragon King relatives prepared to meet the approaching Thalantian army, while Adrian was tasked with freeing the people of Illyia, and organising the supply of resources and men to Varde to continue to feed the war effort. Aesa took most of the rebel forces for herself, but Adrian still held enough for the purposes of his mission. One after another, towns and cities across Illyia were liberated, and each cheered for their liberators. Many eager men and women volunteered to join the Rebellion to fight for their Dragon Queen, and freed towns offered all they could in supplies to help in the war. The ranks of the Rebellion swelled, a war economy was building, and news came of Aesa's victory in southern Illyia, where she and her army fought a bloody and brutal guerilla war against the Thalantian army within Illyia's great southern forests. The news brought great hope to the Rebellion, morale soared, and it very much looked like the North might actually win. The last Thalantian-held town fell, and all Illyia had been liberated. Adrian returned to Varde in triumph, gathering reinforcements and supplies, and heading down south to join with Aesa's forces now marching on the Thalantian capital of Eo.
  
  The final aspect of the war strategy was for Aesa's army to split into three, and take advantage of the Thalantian defeat before the Witcher King could truly mobilise his forces in full. One army was to go to the Iron Wall and take it before it could be reinforced, taking out a major military stronghold out of the Witcher King's hands, and using it as a forward base to project Illyian power across all north-western Isakar. Another army was to push out to Noria to counter any Western advances against Varde, and the last army, led by the Dragon Queen herself, would march down to hold the Thalantian capital of Eo at seige, before waiting for Adrian's reinforcements and resupply before making a final push to take Eo. And without Eo and the Iron Wall, the Witcher Kings positions would collapse, and he would lose to war. Perhaps even taken alive and tried for all the crimes that Illyia had ever suffered. A dream worth fighting for.
  
  But, as Adrian would be on the march down to Eo, he would start getting reports.
  Spoiler: The Fall of the Dragon Queen

  The Fall of the Dragon Queen​

  
  First was the defeat at the Iron Wall, then came the defeat within Noria, but the hardest of all came the one report that Adrian never wanted to see. The Queen, Aesa Snowborn, had been defeated and killed in battle. The news came like a warhammer to the chest, and Adrian barely held himself together, his rage and grief threatening to overwhelm him. Morale within the Rebellion instantly crashed, disciplined within the ranks collapsed, and Adrian was in no state to be the aspiring war leader right now. The deaths of the other Dragon Kings worried the Rebels, but the death of the Queen signalled the end of the Rebellion. Without a Snowborn to sit upon the Throne, all is lost, and everyone knew it. But one yet remained. Princess Eira Snowborn herself.
  
  As his last act, and as the sole remaining leader of the Rebellion, he ordered his army back north to Varde to prepare the nation for another Thalantian invasion. He appointed one of his trusted corporals to lead what remains of the Rebellion is his stead, and promised that he would return with their new Queen. Word of a hidden princess spread, and a small flicker of hope sparked. The rebels marched north, while Adrian rode hard and fast down south, heading to Solantius with all haste. The Princess is all that's left now. The Rebellion, and hopes of freedom for Illyia, hangs by a thread now. The Princess is the only thing that can keep it all from falling apart, the fate of an entire nation and people depends on the beating heart of a small eight year old girl. But she is no longer just a little girl.
  
  She is Eira Snowborn of Old Níðhö, the true Dragon Queen of Illyia, the very last hope. Architects help us all.
• 
  Adrian is perhaps most characterised by three major aspects to his personality; his devotion to his Queen, his hatred of the Thalantians, and his courage in the face of incredible hardship. While Adrian has not always dreamed of freeing Illyia from Thalantian oppression, he certainly took to the cause with passion when presented with it, and now it is all he aspires to do beyond his duties to his Queen. Years and years of seeing and listening to the horrors that the Witcher King has brought upon his people has left Adrian with a bitter and deep rooted hatred for the Witcher King, and all those who bow before that wretched creature. Few things would give Adrian more pleasure than to take the Witcher King's head himself, something he hoped to do with Aesa, but fate decided differently for the both of them.
  
  Despite all the loss and heartache Adrian has endured, first with the brutal deaths of his parents and destruction of his home, to now the death of his beloved Queen and perhaps the end of the Rebellion they built together, he endures. Aesa cared deeply for the people of Illyia, and it was her wish to see her country free, her people free, to never suffer as they have ever again. Adrian, being a commoner, felt especially grateful that the Gods gifted Illyia with such a Queen, knowing that her rule would be good and just. Not all Dragon Kings were good ones, and there were some as wicked as the Witcher King himself. Now with Aesa gone, and her body so disrespectfully treated, only anger fills his heart. For as long as Thalantis stands, there will be no peace for Illyia, no end to the war and the misery. No end to the pain.
  
  Thalantis will be made to suffer for all it has done. In fire and blood.
  
• 
  
  Dragon Knight Armour - Mythical​
  
  The Dragon Knights were an order of elite warriors sworn only to serve the Dragon Kings of old Neörn. Through long lost practices, the Dragon Knights were gifted with a unique set of armour crafted by the ancient Dragon Kings themselves, and these sets of armours were passed down throughout generations of Dragon Knights from master to squire. These sets of armours are said to have a will of their own, that they choose who wears them, and only those worthy to serve the Dragon Kings would ever be chosen by such legendary armour. When the armour chooses a wearer, such a person is inexplicably drawn to the armour and bewitched into putting it on, and no one yet has been known to have resisted the armour's pull.
  
  Definitely magical, the armour is exceptionally well crafted and very strong, able to protect the wearer from almost anything, including swords and hammers to even magic and the elements. The armour never needs to be changed or altered, for it shapes itself for the wearer, whoever the wearer may be. Adrian's armour is all black, covering his entire body, and allows for capes or cloaks to be worn over it.
  
  
  ~~~
  
  The Tears of Illyia - Masterwork​
  
  When the Dragon Queen, Aesa, sent her general out to liberate the occupied cities of Illyia, she did not doubt for a moment that he would be victorious. As such, Aesa commissioned a twin set of swords to be made for him, both as a reward for his service and as token of her affections for him. The blades were named the Tears of Illyia, to illustrate the misery that Thalantian occupation has brought to her country, and that he who wields these blades also wield the pain and despair of an entire people. The flat sides of both blades are adorned with stylised illustrations of the Thalantian occupation, of purges and pillaging and the fall of dragons, a remainder to all for why the Rebellion fights for freedom.
  
  The blades are of incredible craftsmanship, severe blacks blades made from ebony, a particularly rare metal found in few places in Isakar, Illyia being one of them. As black as the night and stronger than steel, these blades are perfectly light and balanced and sharp, swords made by true masters of the craft and certainly worthy of a Dragon Knight. Being the last gift from Aesa, Adrian treasures these swords deeply, and will wield them for the rest of his days in her name.
  
  
  ~~~
  
  Common Items:
  Dagger
  Horse
  Satchel
  Rations
  Water Skin
  Coin Pouch​
• 
  
  Strengths
  
  Swordsmanship - Exceptional - Adrian is a warrior without equal, a master of the use of the blade, and has achieved a devastating level of proficiency. Very few in all of Isakar could ever be a match for him.
  
  Strategy - Excellent - Planning wars, both offensively and defensively, is a skill that Adrian has honed alongside his martial training. He is an excellent strategist, not just in the planning for battles, but in the formation of armies, training, logistics, and how to maintain a war machine pushed to its limits. And while his theoretical studies taught him much, the realities of war have taught him so much more.
  
  Leadership - Expert - While not the strongest leader within the Rebellion, Adrian is hardly the worst either. He has led armies into battle numerous times, often earning the confidence of his troops not with words but with actions, standing on the front lines shoulder to shoulder with his troops, facing down their enemies together. And seeing Adrian cleave his way through entire Thalantian platoons by himself is more than a little inspiring.
  
  Weaknesses
  
  Broken With Grief - Adrian has come to lose much in his life. It does not seem to matter who it is, all those he cares for seem to meet a horrible fate. First was his parents, then with his master, and most recently his beloved Queen. Not to mention seeing the wounds inflicted upon his homeland at the hands of the hated Thalantians. Adrian grieves for them all, an emotion is to forced to endure with ever greater severity. Now, all he has left is his Princess, Eira. Above all others, her death cannot come.
  
  Seething With Vengeance - Seeing the miseries that the Thalantian occupation has wrought upon the people has filled Adrian with a sense of bloodlust and hate for all Thalantians. Nothing would please him more than to take the Witcher King's head himself, and ensure another like him never rises again. But something even darker stirs within Adrian, a desire to make all Thalantis suffer as Illyia has suffered, to make Thalantians feel the pain all Illyia feels every single day. Only time will tell if this darkness consumes him.
  
  Striken With Guilt - In many ways, Adrian feels personally responsible for the death of his Queen, blaming himself for failing to protect her. Whenever he has a quiet moment to himself, his mind wonders to his Queen, and agonises on all he could have done differently. If only he was stronger, he would think. If only he had been quicker. If only he stayed at her side, then she would still yet live, willing to sacrifice his life to save hers. Everything that has transpired is down to his failure, and he alone must bear the burden of it.
  
  Languages
  Common Tongue
  Old Neörnian (The Language of Dragons)​

 

[Bronco]

Name: Rasp

Current Age: 30

Gender: Male

Race: Parrot Kenku

Ethnicity: Provinborne

Occupation: Peddler of oddities and occasional smuggler

Personality: Rasp is all business now a 'days. After being betrayed by his business partner of many years he tends to avoid lasting relations with others, unless said others are automated warforged like his current partner. He prefers that his jobs occur with a minimal amount of interruptions, though his background in treasure hunting means he's rather well at improvising these speedbumps away. Little is peculiar in Rasp's eyes, as he's traveled far and seen much come through his care. His jaded outlook on life has awoken a bluntness in him, bordering on snarky when he gets testy. All in all, he's got a good heart, though acting on morality is often costing these days and he doesn't ignore that.

History:
There is a business, performed by criminals in service of kings. It is not lucrative, nor safe, but still payment is adequate for the fortunately unfortunate who are called upon. This is the business of seeking and few live to retire from it….

The West was changed forever after the First Crusade, introducing the first world superpower to not only embrace dark deities but also wage war against those who prefered the light. This was mainly accomplished through the clashing of steel and men, but when the dust settled there was the matter of dealing with heretical behavior off the battlefield as well. Enter the Witchers’ Watch, aka the Kings’ Thieves, aka the Crooks of Crusade, aka the Seekers. Established with one job in mind, erase any trace of the Architect Gods they could find. This would entail tracking, stealing, and then transporting powerful religious artifacts to Inquisitorial headquarters across the West. It was unpredictable work dealing with the magics of the Architects and those who wielded them, not to mention the general populous seldom divulged information to Thalantis officials. This line of work would require different operatives, and it didn’t take the Witcher Kings very long to find a potent source of them.

Enter Rasp, orphaned street rat and aspiring thief. His kind was a dime a dozen behind the walls of Provin, a city ruined by the second crusade and barely able to uphold order. Falling in with a lesser known band of burglars, The Songbirds, Rasp found himself amongst other ostracized or abandoned Kenkus forced out onto the streets. While unique they also proved to be reckless when contracted to steal from a subsidiary of the Emerald Bank. Ultimately, Rasp took the fall and was swiftly imprisoned after a speedy trial.

It wasn’t long before the Inquisition approached him, revealing that they had set up the job in order to procure a Kenku into their ranks. A deal was presented, one that could eliminate his 30 year sentence and any black mark that would remain on his record. If accepted, Rasp would be partnered with a mentor and begin his career as a Seeker. If declined, he’d become photographically familiar with his cell. Needless to say which option he took.

He was brought to the Inquisitorial headquarters in Provin, where he met a dark elf named Mosusksa Yuldu. Rasp quickly learned this man was one of the sternest, and most practiced, Seekers in the inquisition’s employ, demanding a partner that could keep up with his methodical style of thievery. The elf did not deny that he was handicapped without a partner, but many had been paired to him and an equal number had perished. The inquisition figured that perhaps a kenku, with their reputation for being stealthy, could hang in a tad longer than the other replacements...at least long enough to track down an more infamous burglar.

They expected stealth and received recklessness, something that caused a great deal of frustration between Rasp and Mosuska. Despite this, it seemed the pair were learning from each other, with Mosuska trading his knowledge of stealth and planning for Rasp’s lessons in improvisation. If the two could continue to resist drawing swords on one and other, perhaps there wouldn’t be the need for another replacement.

Even though the duo had fallen into its own unorthodox rhythm, Seeking remained a risky and unusual trade. No artifact was as it seemed and every artifact was hidden well. Aside from the promise of a fresh start, the findings of seekers became rewards in themselves. The inquisition ensured the loyalty of their agents through releasing bounties if quotas weren’t met, but regulating what they chose to turn in was near impossible. Seekers far and wide would hang on to more useful artifacts, ironically putting them to use in hunting down others. Some would even go as far as to trade information on larger finds for a portion of another’s current stache. Rasp and Mosuska took part in this tactic frequently.

Eventually they would be told of an artifact of great importance, one that could end Mosuska’s service if delivered successfully. The duo quickly traded for the information, traversing to the High Inquisitorial Headquarters in Thalantis for instruction. Upon reaching the city they’d quickly learn what made this artifact so important to not only the inquisition, but the Witcher Kings as a whole. The item in question was a mask, one of ancient origin hidden away in the frozen east. Its lore varies per culture while its creator is agreed upon universally, Nepherion. Supposedly forged long before the Dark Father unleashed the apostates, this item was a part of his original plan, to sow the seeds of chaos on his own as a god in mortal form.

Through this mask, and a wearer, Nepherion could walk the mortal plane in their place while retaining his powers. Scarier still, the Witcher Kings intended to utilize this artifact in hopes of gaining an invincible ally. With this terrifying prospect, Rasp and Mosuska were sent northeast. Intercepted by pirates before making landfall, the two were separated. It was at this time that Rasp was approached by Illyan rebels, who offered to help him disappear from the Inquisition’s eye if he destroyed the artifact. Thinking of this, Rasp and Mosuska reunited and the journey continued. The rebels would be in contact.

Perilous as it was, the duo found their relic, but not before Mosuska caught on to Rasp’s dealings with the rebels. They fought, Mosuska justifying his actions by saying it was his only way out and that only enemies of Thalantis would be affected. Finally understanding Mosuska, that their bond as partners meant nothing and he’d see most the world burn to simply secure his own future, Rasp did his part in ending it all. “Anything but seeking,” were the final words of Mosuska before donning the mask in a final effort at securing a future. Rasp managed to wrestle it off, but his friend’s soul was forever claimed by Nepherion and his dark pantheon.

The rebels held up their end of the bargain, once destroyed they sent numerous notices of Rasp’s death to the Inquisition. He faded into obscurity, though handling artifacts had become a way of life. He now peddles oddities, starting his business from the stache himself and Mosuska had gathered years before. Occasionally he’ll find himself transporting folk from one place to another when times are tough, and it seems those times have come.......

Gear:
- Hand Crossbow: Fitting a magazine of roughly eight bolts, a lever on the opposite side of the weapon can be quickly hit back to load in a bolt. With skill, this weapon allows a user to fire eight consecutive bolts in quick secession.



- Cutlass and Kukri Combo: The cutlass is a saber like weapon, meant to sweep and slash. The Kukri is a weapon used more for striking, and also sports a concaved build unlike most blades. With this combo, Rasp can deal damage and parry with the cutlass, while also trapping the blades of others on his concaved kukri.



- Bandolier: Strapped across his body and under his jacket, the bandolier provides a fine space for storing money and trinkets.

- Flask: You know why

- Quills and Parchment: As a Kenku, Rasp's is skilled in forgery. This can come in handy when attempting to fool authorities.

- Bullhorn: Usually dangling from the rear end of his belt, this device allows Rasp to make proper use of his other racial ability. As a Kenku he can mimic most any sound he hears, including voices. This bullhorn allows him to fool others without getting to close.

Appearance:


Assets:
- The Wanderlust: This carriage is extremely unique, hence why it was seized and then never turned in to the Inquisition by Rasp. Utilizing the powers of an enchanted pendent of Toria, the goddess of moons, it can propel itself from destination to destination without horses. There are some draw backs to the carriage's fuel source though. Firstly, it has a charge that must be rationed throughout the day, as the pendant recharges by moonlight. Secondly, the pendant will not charge as well if moonlight is obstructed. This means that the next day's charge will be limited if the carriage is made to rest in heavily wooded areas, the same will happen if the night is overcast. Lastly, and most odd, the carriage refuses to travel through towns inhabited by werewolves or playing host to a signifgant number of cultists. Toria detests these individuals, and she will ensure the occupants of her mobile haven either divert around or expel them if around their vicinity.



- Five: A Warforged (wip)