[CHAR] Airedale's Rebirth

[Fairess]

I won't lie--this is mostly copy-paste. I edited the history and a few personality tweaks, but she's mostly the same. How do you like it? NameCicely Goldburrow Occupation:Alchemist Age:40 Apparent Age:21 Gender:Female Race:Selkie Height:5'5'' Weight:125 lbs Eye Color:Honey Hair Color/Style:Long brown hair perpetually pinned up Appearance: Cicely has a fair complexion with a clear tan, as well as a figure that knows comfort and exercise. It makes for an overall soft appearance, her figure neither full nor thin. Her gait is something between graceful and child-like, full of refined energy. Her full lips rarely smile, but her dark golden eyes are warm. She tends to favor colors of dark green or blue, and even has a set of robes sewn by Moon Elves. There's always some manner of mud on them, however, and she is perpetually wearing aprons. Personality: Melancholy is Cicely's constant companion. She doesn't hide her sadness, and takes a long time to warm up to anyone. Her disposition is a gentle one, however, and she has learned humility in her unfortunate circumstances. It makes her obedient and slow to speak in conversation, as well as making her an intent listener. She is sympathetic to any amount of suffering, generous and kind to those in need. Thus, she is slow to anger, though she tends to suspect the worst of people's motives. She is not one who trusts others easily, but is honest with her dealings to all. Likes: Herbal Tea, Rain, Spicy Food, Flowers, Seaweed Wraps, fish, Books Dislikes: Thunder/Lightning, Black Tea, Bland Food, Hot Weather, Merchants, Crowds, Noise Fears: Thunder/Lightning, Courtship, Imprisonment Hopes and Dreams: Getting to meet all different kinds of fae, becoming a better doctor, earning her family a more comfortable living. Weapons: Moonstone Dagger: A five-inch blade with a leather-reinforced hilt. It has no guard, and the blade is engraved with elven runes. It's also a soft metal, easy to bend, though it does “heal” itself of fractures over time. It also has a burning effect on the undead/necrotic. Armor: N/A Carried Possessions: Herb Bag- The size of a large purse, the herb bag is made of soft brown leather with a long strap worn on the shoulder or across the chest. It has a special inner layer that houses enchanted salted ginger pieces, keeping all its contents fresh over the course of a few months. There are no outer pockets, only a buttoned flap that opens up. Inside, there are numerous flaps and pockets where herbs, bottles, and tools are kept. Particularly important supplies carried are: ~Herbs, some dried and bottled, and others fresh leaves and roots. ~Charm bag supplies, which consist of 5 tiny leather pockets, a 2 inch needle, and a small brown spool of thread. ~Small well of Brain Ink, as well as a quill and small leather field journal. ~Glass potion vials and palm sized bottles. Some are empty, some are not; all potions that Cicely carries are listed in the magic section. ~ Medicinal and potion supplies, such as gauze, a mortar and pestle, as well as a small glass cup. Companions: Elam:

Hider

A cream-colored palomino from Airedale. He's a young stallion that's learning to become accustomed to travel. Bast:

Hider

A white cat with golden eyes--highly intelligent and capable of shape-shifting into a white panther. Little else is known, save that she is very fond of fish. She can almost always be found at Cicely's side, as long as she's not wandering off somewhere else. Powers/Skills/Magic Cicely wields herbal magic, which means that she draws all of her magical energy from plants. She channels this energy in four different ways, which are listed as charms, runes, transmutation, and potions. Limits: The power of Cicely's magic depends on the quality of her herbs and the depth of her focus. Growing small plants, healing small cuts, and dispelling mild diseases is a breeze, requiring a minimal amount of concentration and a small amount of herb use. The larger and more serious such things become, the more herbs and concentration they require. Healing a fatally wounded person would require the utmost concentration and the freshest chain of herbs. Inflicting a deadly disease would require the same things. Another requirement is direct contact with the subject, so only willing or unsuspecting people are viable targets. In short, herbal magic can kill and heal terrible injuries, but such extreme measures require time, undisturbed concentration, and available supplies. Side-Effects: Because the magic draws her energy from herbs, whenever she uses them as a source of magic, they will die. The herb chains she uses for spells with will wither after use and become useless. Charms and potions derive their energy from plants as well, and though they last far longer than spells, they will drain with time until they become withered and useless. ~Charms~ Charms are made by stuffing particular herbs in a small bag of any material. Once sewn shut, they are sealed with a spell that lasts until the herbs die. The higher quality of the spell casting and herbs, the longer it will last. Once opened or torn, however, the charm will loose its power and its magical effects will cease instantly. Moonstone can also be used to absorb a charm bag's effects, thus creating a permanent charm. Over time, its power can be recharged. Lovely Illusion Use: This charm must be placed on the subject, stuck to the clothes or directly on the skin. If it looses contact, the subject will no longer be influenced. Effects: This charm allows Cicely to influence the mind of the charm's wearer, prompting them to see, feel, and hear things that aren't there. It cannot make any physical manifestations, nor are its abilities completely assured, depending on the caster's concentration and the wearer's state of mind. This spell is generally useful only when the subject is in sight of the caster. Duration: Depending on the force exerted, it can last anywhere from ten minutes to one hour. Implements: Sweet Cicely, Bittersweet, Carob, and a sealed charm bag. Slumber Use: This charm must remain in a proximity of at least one foot from the subject. It is most effective when placed beneath the subject's pillow. Effects: This charm is known to ward off nightmares of the subject, and also sustains their sleep for a desired amount of time. Duration: Once activated, this charm can last for up to fifteen hours. In order to deactivate, it must be commanded by the charm bag's creator. Implements: Rosemary, Hops, Lavender, and a sealed charm bag. Ward Use: This charm must be kept in physical contact with the wearer. Its most popular use is that of a necklace or bracelet. Effects: This charm serves to ward off the magic of other herbal sorceresses (or spell/effects caused by spores, poisons, and chemicals), and also prevents physical disease from harming the wearer. Furthermore, it also is rather effective at repelling pests and insects. Duration: Depending on the force required to ward off magic and disease, it can last anywhere from one hour to several days. Implements: Garlic, Onion, Chives, and a sealed charm bag (these are generally such strong smelling ingredients that this charm is worn only when necessary). Paralysis Use: This charm must be within three inches of the subject. The most common use is sewing or stuffing this charm into chair and bed cushions. Directly placing it on a subject works just as well, though it takes a full minute for the paralysis to set in. Effects: This charm will render its subject frozen—though completely unharmed, the subject cannot lift so much as a finger. As the charm works to paralyze, the subject may feel a slight tingling in the toes or fingers before finding themselves completely frozen in their prior position. Though the subject cannot move themselves, they are completely movable by outside forces. Duration: Depending on the amount of concentration used, this can last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. Implements: Poison Hemlock, Lobelia, and a sealed charm bag. Preserve Use: This charm is most often kept in pantries and traveling bags to keep the contents fresh. It must be within the proximity of two feet to keep its subjects fresh. Effects: This charm will keep organic items as fresh as they were when first placed near the charm. Duration: Depending on the amount of produce, anywhere from 3 months to 3 years. Implements: Ginger, Salt, and a sealed charm bag. Animate Use:This charm is sewn into puppets, toys, or even stuffed animals to animate them. The most basic charm can simply cause the object to talk and move—more intimate charms (those that use the actual blood, hair, for flesh of another creature) can take on their own personalities. Effects: The charmed object moves and speaks at its own whim. Duration: This charm usually animates its subject for a few days before needing new herbs. Implements: Lunar Hood Stalk, Origin hair/blood/flesh, and a sealed charm bag. ~Runes~ Rune of Reading: It requires a portion of the alchemist's blood, which is then mixed with ink of any kind. This ink is then drawn in the pattern of a slanted rectangle with two doubly long sides on any surface. The correct incantation activates the rune, preparing a nexus between the alchemist and a desired object or subject. Rune of Binding: This rune is generally permanent, and thus is commonly carved on cauldrons or other common mixing vessels. A sigil is carved by a blade formed from moonstone (which is said to help channel energy from the heavens) at a time when three planets are aligned. As it carves, the moonstone is charged with magic, which melts the metal that forms the sigil. Its power to magically bind wanes the more it is used, and is never effective on the night of a new moon. The power of the sigil charges again on its own at the time of another planetary alignment. Rune of Extraction: Ink made from Azure Lizard saliva is drawn on a mixing vessel. As the substance within is unbound, the mark fades. ~Potions~ Vigor Ingredients: Cinnamon Bark, Hammer Horn Extract, Fog Sulker Extract Effects: One concentrated dose can flush a system with health, invigorating muscle, bone, and skin tissue. The effects are short-lived, however, offering only a temporary reprieve from sickness. Lesser doses are typically used to help nurse a recovering patient back to health. These lesser doses are used in the dough of cinnamon flavored “cookies” (each is roughly two inches in diameter). Dream Ingredients: Black Willow Bloom, Memory Cone, Passionflower Effect: One concentrated dose can induce pleasant sleep on the imbiber for a solid twelve hours. Lesser doses are typically added in tea or milk to aid in uninterrupted rest. Even less concentrated amounts are simply known to induce good dreams. Cure Ingredients: Green Stone Crawler (extract), Memory Cone, Plague Creeper Venom Effect: Cure is used only in highly diluted solutions. It is capable of purging many known diseases, but is extremely potent. The process of its curing requires the destruction of diseased tissue, which is then replaced by healthy tissue. This is extremely painful to endure, effective, but dangerous on those with low stamina. Mend: Ingredients: Fog Sulker (ground), Vision Plant Bloom, Chamomile Effect: Mend can be drizzled on skin externally or imbibed for internal effects. Concentrated doses are capable of closing large wounds and mending entire bones, but overdoses have been known to cause abnormal growths. Smaller doses take care of the typical cut or burn, and very diluted doses can be used to ward against common sickness. Lust: Ingredients: Purple Haze Weed, Lunar Hood Stalk, Cocoa Effect: Strong doses create a sense of joy and longing in the imbiber. Effects typically last four an hour, often causing elevated heartbeat and increasing hormone output. Purge: Ingredients: Hammer Horn Extract, Net Slime, Death Choke Spore, Lemon Effect: A powerful cleaning solution that cuts through grease, dirt, and any manner of grime. It is always heavily diluted (as it is toxic to consume), and rinse after use is always advised. Duration: N/A Reading: Ingredients: Visionplant Leaf, Lunar Hood Stalk, Memory Cone Effect: Diluted doses are imbibed after an object has been placed on a Rune of Reading. The imbiber then touches the object and is then able to meditate, creating mind visions of the object's history. This can also be used on living subjects to delve into memories. Duration: 1-2 hours. Brain Ink: Ingredients: Lunar Hood Stalk, Frillbloom, Sludge Bug Sludge Effect: Any writing utensil dipped in this ink can be influenced by its creator. It will obey the mental commands of said creator, as well as record spoken words. The color of the ink will also change by mental command, and can take on almost any hue. Duration: N/A Calm Use: This mixture is boiled, and upon uttering the word, sedare, it immediately calms and cools into a sweet and creamy liquid. This liquid is poured into tea, food, and various other drinks to be consumed and its affects absorbed. Dry ingredients can also be used as a charm. Effects: This simple mixture merely calms anxiousness, slowing a rapid heart and stimulating the autonomic nervous system (thus calming a person's body and relaxing them). Duration: 3-6 hours. Implements: Dried and crushed Passionflower, St. John's Wort, and Rose Hips. Grow Use: This mixture is boiled, and upon uttering the word, Crescere, the mixture will cool and turn a light brown, smelling strongly of cinnamon. Effects: When poured onto a plant or sprinkled on a bud, the subject will grow. Flowers will spring into blossoms and fertile blossoms will grow into fully ripened fruit. It is also a rather popular cure for baldness in men. Implements: Freshly crushed Cloves, Cinnamon, and Sorrel. Duration: N/A Purification Use: This mixture is boiled, and upon uttering the word, abstergo, the mixture will cool and become completely clear, smelling of honeyed basil. Effects: When poured onto anything dirty, soiled, or rotted, this potion will make it whole and clean again. It only affects the surface it is physically spread onto (thus, a large object would require a large amount of this potion). Implements: Dried and crushed Basil and Bay Leaf mixed with Honey. Duration: N/A ~Transmutation~ Transmute Metal Ingredients: Green Stone Crawler (extract), Rust Spore, Metal Effect: The origin metal is heated, then dipped in a boiling vat of Green Stone Crawler and Rust Spore. A Rune of Binding is then activated, and an appropriate portion of the desired metal is added to the mixture. After an hour of boiling, the mixture evaporates, leaving only the finished metal. While the effects are extensive, the resulting metal is never pure. Success rates vary depending on the metals used. Moonstone Ingredients: Silver, Elemental Dragonfly Wing (ground), Visionplant Bloom Effect: The silver must be in a liquid state, and moonlight is required (most effective at the time of a full moon). Once the liquid metal is bathed in moonlight, it is placed on an active Rune of Binding. Visionplant bloom nectar is then infused with the metal. After the silver cools, it becomes moonstone, a soft metal that is pure white in color. It never tarnishes, and if it ever bends or fractures, it will mend itself over time. It is also said to repel evil. Sharpness Ingredients: Metal, Ground Axebeak Bones, Black Willow Bark Effect: The metal must be in liquid form. The ingredients are melted and poured into the metal, which turns an opaque black.. One cooled and hammered out into a blade or piece of armor, it gains an edge that will never dull, and also absorbs electricity rather than conducting it. Seeker Ingredients: Lunar Hood Stalk, Shock Plant Root, Ground Elemental Dragonfly Wing Effect: These ingredients are heated together using a Rune of Binding. The resulting mixture is thin and clear in color with sparks of electricity dancing through it. Once placed on metal, the electricity is absorbed into it, shocking anything it touches. It also enhances weapons with a seeking quality, directing itself at the target its wielder chooses. Once it comes into contact with metal, its effects will end within an hour. Storm Sense: Cicely can sense an oncoming storm within 24 hours before its arrival. In addition to this, she can sense what kind of storm and how strong it will be. Fae Sight: Cicely can see through fae glamour, an aura of magic that faeries use to appear invisible or to take the guise of a human. History: Once upon a time, a young man fell passionately in love with a young woman. He saw her only once, walking upon the shore when he knew he had to have her—such is the nature of a selkie’s love. Over the course of a few evenings, he convinced her to leave the wealthy family that had her shackled to an unwanted marriage, and they eloped. It was the evening when they consummated their love when his lover discovered the truth; he was a selkie, a beautiful fae whose true skin was that of a seals. She felt cheated, deceived, and in her disgust, burned his seal skin while she was sleeping. Without realizing it, she made the selkie lose its immortality, and on top of that, he became very weak, unable to ever return to the sea. He had no choice but to stay with his lover and built a cottage by the sea. She was completely alienated from her family, but her husband could fish decently and trade with a nearby village. In that same home, she raised two young women: Cicely and Rose. Both girls were born with seal skin wrapped around them—a sure sign that they were also selkies. The mother again feared that the children would wish only to return to the sea, so she hid away these skins and watched in horror as those skins grew as the girls did. The father insisted on them knowing the truth, but she refused, right up until the day he died. Without his former strength, the father was very prone to sickness and passed away while the eldest girl was only eight. In the face of such sadness, the mother could not bear the idea of her daughters leaving her. She burned the seal skins, and shortly thereafter, both daughters fell ill. Cicely recovered over the course of a few months, but her sister remained weak and sickly. After watching this terrible turn of events, the mother finally confessed to her children the true nature of their father—a truth so harsh even he couldn’t tell them while he was alive. While there was resentment, both girls had been raised as humans and couldn’t imagine a life as a fae seal. Though they retained the strange gifts of their heritage (such as sensing storms and being able to see and converse with fairies), they also mistakenly attributed this to being human. Eventually, Cicely learned that her dual heritage could give her an advantage, and even sought out a nearby tribe of elves to learn about her kind, which had disappeared from the shores ever since her father had lost his true skin. At first, the elves were hesitant to interact with her, but one among them was just as curious about humans as she was about the fae. In exchange for helping the elf with her various experiments, she was taught about the world of monsters and magic beyond civilized life. As Cicely grew, her affinity for herbalism led to the elf taking her on as a full-on apprentice. She learned about spells and medicines that she brought to her family and the village of humans, only to receive mixed results. The village people had always accepted the family for being eclectic, but Cicely’s gift for medical potions was suspicious. Some even speculated that she and her family were all some manner of fae creatures, but the effectiveness of the medicine couldn’t be denied. Cicely later revealed her interactions with the elves and her desire to help the village with its various faerie problems, and after many, many rejections, her work was finally accepted. Although Cicely’s lack of aging eventually became accepted by the village, she learned to hide such facts when she left to work abroad. The Isle of Gesen was expansive and full of more politics than she’d ever realized, but everywhere she went, people feared the existence of monsters and fae creatures. To be an accepted midwife was one thing, to be a medium for faeries was cause for arrest. She learned more roundabout methods of making peace between fae creatures and humans, but was only known for her incredible work as a producer of medicine. For this reason, she was ultimately commissioned by Miren’s mayor to travel abroad and discover even more cures from other countries. She accepted, and has since left the island to fulfill that duty.

[Hank]

I have edited the sheet to reflect the changes that occurred to Gideon's character during our conversation. Name: Gideon Eisenhorn, Earl of Airedale (real name unknown). Age: 41. Gender: Male. Appearance: Reference image Tall, dark and handsome, "Gideon" has made himself the very image of the respectable nobleman. His eyes are pale gray, fiercely striking despite being deep-set. Master Eisenhorn is a broad man, and his well-to-do lifestyle is starting to show, but most of his bulk is still muscle. There is a large pattern, like a wheel with speartips set into the spokes, burnt into his back. He hides this mark obsessively as it would betray his true nature. Background: The man now known as Gideon Eisenhorn was born far away on the continent of Wraeclast, across the vast and dangerous Sea of Ghosts. It is a wretched land where humanity constantly struggles to survive, beset on all sides by monstrous creatures and hordes of the undead. Very few ships are ever able to reach it, and even fewer still set sail from there to arrive in safer lands. Wraeclast is separated from the rest of the world by a particularly violent ocean, the Sea of Ghosts, that claims the lives of almost everyone that dares to sail through it. The race of humans that cling to life on Wraeclast are some of the toughest and most dangerous on the planet. Whenever one does manage to escape the continent with his life, they are like wolf among sheep. Many of them have learned how to harness powers of the occult to defend themselves against dark creatures, powers that would make the skin of any civilized man crawl. Using these powers, they summon demons, hellish creatures from a nether realm that are powerful enough to combat the foes they face on Wraeclast with fire and darkness. Gideon was one such man. However, sometimes a demonic summoning goes wrong. If the demon isn't controlled properly, he can lash out, break free of his bonds and wreak havoc. Most potently, however, is their power to infest a human body and dominate its mind entirely. Whatever human lived inside that body is long gone, his soul consumed by the demon, a malicious being called Ravenor. Fleeing retribution from other occultists, who hunt down such possessed men with an obsessive drive, he arrived in Airedale by boat shortly before the war. He was caught and imprisoned, as Wraeclastians are universally distrusted. Such men and women usually only serve as mercenaries or assassins, if they retain their freedom at all. Resentful and ambitious, the demon seized his chance when war came. Airedale was ruled by the Eisenhorn family of nobles, who all perished during the initial invasion. Nobody knows exactly how, or how one of them, a relatively little-known brother of the family patriarch Gregor, claims to have survived the purge. The man who claimed for himself the name of Gideon Ravenor emerged from the castle at the height of the battle, brandishing the family blade, and rallied the defenders. They were overrun and went into hiding. For months, Gideon and his band fought against the enemy invaders in a guerrilla war, where Gideon used his demonic powers liberally. He put every dissenter to the sword until only those who acknowledged his claim remained. He blamed their deaths on the occupying enemy force; who was to prove him wrong? Gideon left no witnesses. When the liberation came, nobody was left alive who contested Gideon's claim to the family name of Eisenhorn and he was universally supported by the survivors; thus he became the Earl. In the years since, he has learned to dress, speak and behave like a noble lord, though his true, brutal nature still lurks beneath the polished surface.

[Fairess]

~NPC'S~

Dinner Party Guests

When I was writing my post, I thought up these various characters sitting around Cicely. I don't know if they may be important or not in the future, but should you wish to control any of them for your posts, feel free to do so. Hopefully these profiles will be helpful to you, too!

Hider

Name: Matthew Eriador Age: 48 Occupation: Cartographer Appearance: Starting to get later into his years, Matthew has a full head of grey hair and mild wrinkles on his brow. He is a wiry being and keeps a trimmed mustache. His usual attire is closer to a merchant’s than a noble’s, sporting long, fine woolen coats and practical linen shirts with the occasional vest. History: Matthew was born in the capital city of Astley. His family could afford private tutoring, and he was eventually apprenticed to a trading guild, where he followed the work of a cartographer. During the occupation of the country, he worked for the residing government and surveyed all the surviving towns and villages. His latest work has been commissioned to the Earl of Airedale to map the wilderness and ruins throughout the earldom. Personality: Matthew is a relatively conservative man, but he is also a thinking one. As far as anyone knows, his family consists of a sister and two brothers (all with children), but he has no wife or children of his own. He blames this fact on the amount of travel his job has always required, but he isn’t ever one to complain about being lonely. He seems happy to sit in the corner with his own thoughts, occasionally showing interest in the political feuds of the nobility between their fiefdoms. Name: Alex Gerthrod Age: 32 Occupation: Metalurgist Appearance: Alex has a stout frame and trimmed beard, and it’s obvious to anyone that the suits he wears as formal attire are more than a little uncomfortable to him. His broad shoulders and sheer height make him an intimidating figure, but his gaze is thoughtful and distant most of the time, leading most to believe he’s relatively clueless. History: Alex was raised in a family of miners working in the mountain village of Pendle. Though he came from a very humble background, his genius was obvious even as a child. He had a knack for quantifying and identifying the properties of ores, proving himself a valuable prospector. When war broke out, he lent his abilities to the rebels, refining metals into fine weapons to fend off both human enemies and monsters. Personality: Alex has gained a comfortable living from his work, but still maintains a number of intellectual pursuits. He has tried to build upon mathematic understanding in the country, as well as more scientific pursuits, which makes him more of a thinker than a talker. Even so, he is passionate about the conversation when war or weaponry is brought up, and can hardly stop talking. Name: Erin Gerthrod Age: 27 Occupation: Housekeeper History: Erin was born in the mining village of Pendle. There, she cared for her constantly sickly mother, looking after four younger sisters and a younger brother. She knows how to make a meal from almost nothing, and her loyalty and support towards her first crush, Alex Gerthrod, led to her eventually marrying him. Though he was mostly self-taught and far from the recognition his work deserved, the war through his efforts into a better light, and both he and his wife were given titles by His Majesty. Appearance: Red-haired with long curls and a freckled face, Erin is the picture of a hard-worked village girl. Her skin has been tanned by the sun, her arms are taut with muscle, and she looks downright awkward in the latest, tight-fitting dresses for the nobility. Personality: Introverted and quiet, Erin prefers to watch her husband talk when in the company of others. She has a perpetually polite smile on her face and still struggles to keep up with the etiquette expected of her position. That being said, her gaze is known to be rather intense, and unlike most women of the noble courts, she is never the first to look away when eyes meet. Name: James Ichabod Age: 42 Occupation: General of Penshaw (retired) Appearance: True to the appearance expected of a soldier, James has a hard-muscled body that has only recently started to gain some fat. He enjoys wearing the finest silks and jackets, making use of vibrant colors that compliment his pale complexion and dark brown hair. The most notable of his features, however, is the long scar that runs across his nose and all the way to the corner of his jaw. History: James was once nothing more than a humble farmer boy in the village of Stanmore. He lived his life peaceably, but always dreamed of a world beyond the fields and stables he worked day after day. When he was old enough, he joined the regiment of Baron Penshaw. His military performance for bravery and tactical mastery quickly upped him through the ranks, and when the occupational war began, it was his troops that stood firm against the first assaults of the enemy. After the war, he was given leave to retire. He married into a wealthy family by merit of his rank and has since taken to writing philosophies of war. Personality: Boisterous, proud, and lively, James is clearly a man who has spent too much time around rowdy, unrefined men of war. He’s softened up a bit since his retirement, and rumors say that his wife has strong-armed him into learning actual manners. He does seem to be tamer when his wife is around, and seems mellow enough that most insults and blunt remarks don’t bother him. Name: Stella Ichabod Age: 18 Occupation: Housewife Appearance: Flushed with youth and grace, Stella is in many ways the opposite of her husband. Her tastes are simple, yet refined, and she wears only the fashions that suit her rather than keeping up with the latest trends of the capital. She has hair of gold and vibrant green eyes, which are usually in some state of tension when she’s around her husband. History: Stella was born into the family of a baron. They were quite well off until the war hit, and rather than putting up a fight and loosing soldiers and civilians, they surrendered early on into the war. Though they were taxed heavily for years, her parents handled the family’s finances expertly, keeping them all afloat and comfortable even with the occupation. This launched them into sudden prosperity at the end of the war, though her stingy parents were also quick to marry her to a colonel who had quite the comfortable income. Personality: Stella is both polite and social, reflecting in many ways what the true image of a lady should be. Though she does occasionally break from this appearance to scold her rambunctious husband, she generally gives off a calm, soothing air, which is further enhanced when she opts to sing at parties. She also has a savvy sense of both politics and economy, making her a valuable friend for advice to those lucky enough to be able to call upon her. Name: Odell Jaques Age: 46 Occupation: Nurse Appearance: Odell has aged gracefully with grey hair that still holds tints of blond. She has a relatively thin build, but also has a healthy flush to her skin. Her face is a kind one, and she wears very modest clothing despite her station as a duchess. History: Odell was privately tutored during her childhood and experienced the very finest things in life. She married into the family of another duke and raised several healthy children. That world, however, was shattered when the war hit, and she watched her own husband be executed by the invaders. She managed to escape with her children, only to find that there was nowhere to run to. Ultimately, she spent her days during the war aiding the wounded, and soon found that she had a gift for caring for those poor souls. When the war ended, her title was reinstated and she was allowed to keep her estate. Personality: Odell is a kind, if somber woman. Though her skills with taking care of others are relatively new, she’s taken care even after the war to practice them. She finds that helping others eases her own pain, and she is one of the most sympathetic ears a person can hope to chat to. Her smiles are rare, but warm, and she has never been known to have an insultive demeanor. Name: Brian Jaques Age: 22 Occupation: Druggist Appearance: Brian’s frame is fairly thin, but much like his mother, he also has a healthy flush to his skin. He has rather wild blond hair that he gave up taming long ago, and he fits into the suits of a gentleman with ease. He smiles frequently. History: Brian was comfortable and educated in his childhood, though he also witnessed the death of his father during the occupation. When he escaped with his mother, rather than joining the troops, he joined the effort of aid and followed in his mother’s footsteps to care for the wounded. Long before the war ended, he developed a fascination with medicine, and has since become one of the leading students in the field. Personality: Warm and kind, Brian believes that no time spent in the company of friends is wasted. He treasures his relationships and works tirelessly to make his family proud. Though he is not the head of his family (his elder brother is), he has no resentment, happy to spend his days studying and speaking with other practitioners to learn the best and latest cures.