[hider=Saint Auges Magnus, The Immortal Saint] [h1][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Auges Magnus[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1] [center][img]https://safebooru.org//images/1638/5074487027f4b2d6bc998c64ca8e980346ff05d0.jpg?1715911[/img][/center] [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Character Summary[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Auges Magnus [b][color=6ecff6]Aliases:[/color][/b] "Immortal Saint" [b][color=6ecff6]Titles:[/color][/b] Saint Auges the Great, Auges of Harena, Doctor Magnus [b][color=6ecff6]Age:[/color][/b] 45, though looks young enough to be a young teenager. [b][color=6ecff6]Time of Death:[/color][/b] Approximately 2,000 years ago. [b][color=6ecff6]Place of Origin:[/color][/b] The Ancient Empire of Harena, Capitol City of Harena (Now modern day Zidel) [b][color=6ecff6]Gender:[/color][/b] "Female....?" [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Physical Attributes[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Eyes:[/color][/b] Red [b][color=6ecff6]Hair:[/color][/b] Blond [b][color=6ecff6]Day To Day Attire:[/color][/b] Auges tends to wear what one might expect of a scholar and doctor. Armor isn't her forte, and neither is really front line fighting or athletics. Though, she is rather fond of fancy attire as expected of a scholar and noble elite. She is fond of wearing a simple, loose fitting long-sleeved shirt that falls to her waist. Red and white tight fitting boots come up to knees, and more often then not a cloak is draped over her body. Oddly enough, heat doesn't seem to bother her a whole lot. She carries a small dagger on her, though it was mostly used for harvesting plants and other scholarly pursuits, rather than combat. Has gotten her out of some sticky situations in the past, though. A [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/81/59/8a/81598afbccb6d9422ba4605a8d826711.jpg] Ornate Ruby Pendant[/url] hangs from her neck. Her Magnum Opus - the Philosophers Stone. She stands at roughly 4'6, and weighs a mere 98 lbs. By no means a physical powerhouse. If anything, she appears very childlike. [b][color=6ecff6]Strengths:[/color][/b] - Her Skills with Transmutation and Evocation. She is an extremely skilled Evoker and Transmuter - Calm in most situations, from a life of having to use her head rather than brute force to solve problems. - Knows anything, and everything about a number of Academic subjects. Even if the magic isn't her forte, she knows how it'd theoretically work. [b][color=6ecff6]Weaknesses:[/color][/b] - Is bothered by what happened between her and her Twin, can definitely cause some contention down the line. Alternatively, is fiercely protective of them. - Can't do physical work to save her life - Tends to be rather aloof about most things. [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Psychological Attributes[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [i][color=6ecff6][center]Calm * Intelligent * Clever * Aloof[/center][/color][/i] [b][color=6ecff6]Sexuality:[/color][/b] Bisexual. Has a thing for great legs. [b][color=6ecff6]Relationship Status:[/color][/b] Single [b][color=6ecff6]Personality:[/color][/b] Auges calm and composed on most occasions. She's a thinker, not an action taker. She is incredibly intelligent and puts it to great use when dealing with magic of all kinds. She likes to use this intelligence and cleverness to great effect when solving problems and dealing with threats...and occasionally messing with other people. She finds a bit of enjoyment in teasing others, often to great effect since she both doesn't know when to quit and is incredibly perceptive about what can irritate/annoy/tease a person the most about, though she hardly takes it too far. That said, she does know that sometimes action will always prove useful over thinking. She learned that a harsh lesson when her Twin was killed. Perhaps if she hadn't overthought things...been more honest, and more open with her things wouldn't have ended how they did. She can be rather somber at times, and perhaps has a cynical outlook on life, always preparing for the worst and expecting it to happen. Mix that with being much to hard on herself should she fail something, perhaps this latent nihilism is what drove her to commit suicide that blazing summer day. As for romance, she has never even considered the option. She spent more time with her twin and studies than anything. [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Skills & Abilities[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [color=6ecff6][i][center]A listing of skills, such as horseback riding or cooking and abilities or magic. You can have a total of ten, but temper them to not be overly powerful - except one can be noticeably more powerful, usually the one skill/ability/magic/item that makes them recognizable.[/center][/i][/color] [list] [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Alchemy Master (Master):[/color][/b] What most know Auges for, is for her Alchemy. Her magic with Transmutation and Evocation. Years of hard work and dedication saw to it that Auges became the foremost power in most magical areas in her time. She is most known for her skill in both Transmutation and Evocation magics. She was said to be able to do what all alchemists eventually aspired - turning lead into gold, and is even rumored to have tampered with creating artificial life via Homonculi. It is said she herself, could change her appearance at will and could even mimic the forms of legendary beasts. How true these rumors are though, have yet to be seen. She has some skill with Necromancy for healing, and was used in part to create the Philosophers stone but isn't entirely adept with it. She has minor skill in Abjuration, and using barriers for self defense should she have need of them. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Medicine, Physiology and Poison: (Expert)[/color][/b] Secondly, Auges is a practiced physician and doctor, and medicine maker. Even with the stone, she prefers using her hands for anything non-life threatening. The stone must be used sparingly after all, and while it can heal the blind and make the frail walk again it is no substitute for actual medicine. She can stitch people up, craft medicine vials and potions and otherwise make a variety of concoctions to keep people healthy. This however...also gives her a natural understanding of poisons and various toxins. While she doesn't like using her knowledge of this subject very often, her knife is usually coated in a fast-acting nerve agent. It can usually incapacitate people fairly quickly. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Scholar: (Expert)[/color][/b] Thirdly, Auges is a scholar. She is knowledgeable about a number of scholarly topics and pursuits. While things may have changed from her time, some things never will. She is incredibly intelligent and can speak, read, and write a number of different languages. Even those that are long dead. Language may change, but certain roots will remain the same. She can easily pick up new things, and has a knack for learning of all kinds. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Fulmen (Spell - Evocation):[/color][/b] Auges most basic spell. A bolt of lightning slams into the target. It's power is wholly determined upon the mana input in it. It's rather hard to control, but boy oh boy does getting hit with electricity hurt like hell. Can be very powerful if used with a lot of mana. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Mulcent Aurae (Spell - Evocation):[/color][/b] A simple spell that makes ones body as of wind, basically allowing them controlled levitation and flight. Allows one to travel extremely fast, without having to deal with terrain. Allows her to safely take out foes from a distance. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Deglutitio Terra (Spell - Transmutation):[/color][/b] A simple spell that turns the ground beneath a foe into a deep puddle of mud, leaving them trapped and slowed. The range of the spell depends upon the caster. More mana means deeper or larger. It can swallow entire people, should it have too. Extended use can be exhausting, however. The 'Mud' can be changed to other liquids, depending on how much mana is used. Acid, water, etc. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Recrudescant ea Aquam (Spell - Transmutation):[/color][/b] Essentially, this spell turns water or any similar liquid into a highly explosive substance. She keeps a number of empty vials of water on her, for easy access to quick thrown grenades that will explode violently upon impact. The effects of the liquid can vary, however, depending on needs. Liquid that burns, liquid that rapidly freezes something upon impact, etc. Just have to get a little creative. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Corpus Clypeus (Spell - Transmutation):[/color][/b] A simple spell that makes ones skin as hard as a suit of plate armor, making a person able to withstand much more brutal blows without the need for heavy armor - though it will never be an adequate substitute. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Forma hiatibus Hydra (Spell - Transmutation, Master):[/color][/b] Her second legendary feat that Auges is known for. When Harena was in trouble, surrounded by enemies and besieged they called upon the immortal saint for help, one last time. Using the stone to draw upon the massive reserves of Magic and her own skill with Transmutation, she turned herself into a [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/91/3c/00/913c004dbea9134d1c9648589e2c4fe2.jpg]fearsome, terrible beast[/url] and slaughtered the enemy forces. The beast itself is similar to a dragon in physiology, with many, many heads that can independently work from each other. Its scales are tough, and act as a natural armor. It can shoot jets of highly pressurized water from its fearsome maws, and is strong enough to crush most things with a single slam. Unfortunately the form is incredibly dangerous to use. It requires an immense amount of Mana and concentration to use, and changing back is a matter of even more effort. Only used in the most desperate of times. It has incredible regenerative ability, thanks to the amulet. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Lapis Philosophorum (Artifact):[/color][/b]The [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/81/59/8a/81598afbccb6d9422ba4605a8d826711.jpg] ornate ruby pendant[/url] that hangs from her neck. Her Magnum Opus - the Philosophers Stone. Years of blood, sweat, tears, and betrayal went into making this self-proclaimed accursed stone. The legendary stone is her entire life, and the thing she absolutely loathes the most in her life. She would destroy the thing and get rid of it if she could, but that is seemingly not for her to decide. The stone itself was created after years and years of tireless research by her and her Twin, and their master Julius. The effects of the stone are widely rumored, but as of now there has never been concrete evidence about it. The most notable affect, is that the stone acts as a powerful battery and conduit for mana and magic. It has massive reserves of magical energy any mage is able to make use of and call upon to power and fuel their own spells. It is not infinite, however, so one must keep that in mind when using it. After being used, the amulet will charge itself by draining mana from the surrounding area. One however, can quicken this process by offering the blood of another. Now, this is where the legends start becoming a bit more known. The Amulet secrets a reddish liquid upon command - the Elixir of life. The thing that can grant one immortality. This liquid, if drank, can heal all manner of wounds. It can even bring those back from the brink of death. It however, [i]can't[/i] grant immortality simply from drinking the liquid. It can slow aging and give one the peak human physical health as possible - but it can not completely make one immortal, though it can come extremely close to it via slower aging. The stone can be used alongside Transmutation to increase Transmutation's magical effects. Healing severed limbs, [i]growing new ones[/i] knitting wounds closed at a moments notice. It is an invaluable, and the best healing tool one can get their hands on. The stone seems somehow connected to Auges, and seems to never be able to leave her. The magical energy in the stone causes one to simply slow aging from being near it, as its excess energy constantly seeps away from it and into those around it - simply enhancing those who are near and bringing them to the peak physical condition. [/list] [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]History[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Backstory:[/color][/b] Auges' history begins on a calm night within the desert nation of Harena. By all means, her and her twin was born to what passed as an average family. Auges and Ante were inseparable from the start. Auges being the more level headed one, though adventurous one and Ante being the more rambunctious and emotional one. Auges often spend time reading and exploring around the city, with Ante right behind her. It was when they were around eight, did they start being tutored by a man name Julius - an old friend of the families in magic. Auges already had a bit of a fascination with it by then and had already started to practice by herself by doing some self teaching. Ante however, was not to be outdone and quickly took to learning both magic as well as swordsmanship and physical pursuits. Auges quickly took to her studies, learning everything and anything she could learn about magic. She started spending more and more days in the temple, dedicating her life to learning absolutely everything she could about everything around her. She even made frequent trips to the neighboring country of Naasha. It was when she was Ten, did her and her teacher, Julius, make the discovery of a lifetime. They did it. They made it. It was only a rough version and prototype, but by using transmutation, Necromancy, and a bit of luck they finally did it. They created what would later become the Philosophers stone. She didn't know it yet, but this little artifact would later become her lives work. For now though, they kept it under wraps and continued to refine it - not knowing the effects the raw, magical, energy seeping from the stone would half on them. Essentially, it slowed their aging to a point where they aged at a much slower rate than a human, while the raw mana enhanced their physical abilities, stamina, and other things to much greater levels than what would be normal. Thankfully, the side effects paid off even if they didn't know it. There was an eventual war with Naasha, when the twins were sixteen. An eventual outcome, since the two countries absolutely hated each other. The war was brutal, fierce, and Ante was out there fighting on the front lines while she was sitting cozy in the back attending to the patients via magical or mundane means, putting her knowledge of biology and medical practices into good use. Despite the war though, things were good. Julius and her kept the people healed and healthy, and Ante made sure the Naashan's didn't get to the city. Unfortunately, after the war things...didn't go as planned. During the time after that though, Auges made great progress with the help of Ante on the stone during what hours they could find. Auges continued to refine her magical abilities, and Ante continued to be respected as a powerful soldier and warrior. However, years after that though. Julius was murdered when they were around 18, on the way to Naashan. On a peace mission to help the beaten country to recover. It would later be used as an excuse to start a second war by Harena, to finally crush the country for good. Auges was crushed that day. She loved Julius like a second father almost. She would bury herself in her work, working tirelessly on the stone to make sure she never lost anyone again. By the time the second war started in full swing when they were 22, she had refined the stone to such a state that it could actually be used on people, albeit with some difficulty. This, is where the myth of the Immortal Saint started. People talk. Especially about people who don't appear to have aged in a number of years. Her and Ante both are accredited with being the key two people to brutally beat Naashan in the second war. The war was however, quick dirty and brutal. It lasted for a number of years before they finally won. Auges' troubles were only getting started, however, but they wouldn't come to light for a many few years after that. By now, both her and her twin were considered to be saints blessed by the goddess. Many, many years passed in thankful peace, with Auges able to bury herself in her work with her twin. Things however, eventually fell apart like they always do. She didn't realize it herself, but as she got older she started for whatever reason, trusting Ante less and less. In fact, the more she worked to refine the stone the more she felt like she shouldn't tell Ante any of her research at all. She knew it was silly, and she was being paranoid, but...she couldn't help it. For whatever reason, the thought of sharing her research with others was simply crippling. When they were 42, things took a dark turn. She finally finished it. The stone. She finished everything, and it was hers. But there was only a catch...it wasn't complete. There was just one thing that she needed to complete the stone - and it would only work for [i]one[/i] of them. Despite the promise she made that she would make the both of them truly immortal - it couldn't happened. She told Ante this, and her dear twin flew into an angry fury, believing that she intended to keep to for herself. She did what she had to, to defend herself. She buried them, alongside Julius in the graveyard. A few years passed and she took the now complete stone, healing those she could to make up for her guilt for slaughtering her twin, thinking she failed them and blaming both herself and the accursed stone. Eventually, another ware broke out between Harena and Nashaan, and she had enough. In a fit of rage, she used the stone to wipe out the Nashaan's army by taking the form of a legendary beast from the area. After which, she simply left. And wandered. Eventually, depression and apathy got the best of her. Stone in hand, she ended her own life near the far northern mountains as the summer sun scornfully watched her actions. [b][color=6ecff6]Myth:[/color][/b] The Myth of the Immortal Saint is known in any history book of Zidel, or any mage worth their salt. In the once prosperous ancient land of Harena, Auges was known for many things. A healer, a scholar, a doctor and a wisewoman. She was born to an average family, and tutored in magic at a young age alongside her Twin, the two of which were inseparable. While Ante focused on physical and magical pursuits, Auges focused primarily on scholarly studies and other such things. What she is most known for, however, is the creation of the Philosophers stone. They said she created it after a divine vision from heaven, and often traveled around Harena healing the sick, poor, and everyone for free. She was lauded is an extremely powerful Saint, who was said to never age and be immortal. In times of war, she used the stone to heal people mid-battle, and with her help they were able to crush enemies and defend their homeland. In one legend, in her later years she fended off an entire army by herself, using the blessing of the stone to turn into a fearsome beast and lay waste to those foolish enough to invade. After, of which, she quietly disappeared from public view. Some say she grew tired of the constant wars and fighting. Others say the goddess raised her to heaven. Some said that in Harena's hour of need, she would return and smite their foes. ...but it never happened, and Harena and the location of the stone was lost, as was Auges and her final resting place. No one knows how she died - many of the more fanciful mages still believe she lives to this day. [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Relations[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [color=6ecff6][center]* ☠ Enemy * ⚜ Unfriendly * ☯ Neutral * ☮ Friends * ღ Ally * ♥ Crush/Significant Other * [/center][/color] [list] [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name: Ante Magnus (⚜ Unfriendly)[/color][/b] Auges' Twin. After what happened between them, she was crushed. She is apprehensive about meeting them again, and doesn't think it will go well. Blames herself for incompetence and their death. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [/list] [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Extras (Optional)[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Character Quote:[/color][/b] [color=c4df9b]"Knowledge. Humans always seek it, but they haven't the stomach for it. Self-proclaimed seekers of truth, always searching for what they shouldn't, using their eyes to study what they can...but they always blind themselves in the end...hah, what a fool I am."[/color] [b][color=6ecff6]Theme Song:[/color][/b] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkNjCfMjRXA]Ah...how I wish I could just go back to those carefree days of ours...[/url] (will probably add more later, as they become relevant themes) [b][color=6ecff6]Anything Else:[/color][/b] [/hider] [hr] [hider=Ancient Empire of Sand, Harena] [center][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/27/89/6f/27896f05cbed8bed50af2e158ebffa66.jpg[/img] -Artists Rendition of Palace Hill, where Harena was first founded and where the royalty stayed[/center] Ancient land of Sun and Sand, City of the Seven Hills. The ancient civilization existed from roughly three thousand, to fifteen thousand years ago near modern day Zidel. The Magnus twins lived in the Middle Harena period. The period where Harena's problems started to manifest. In its day, Harena saw many heroes and notable figures lead its country and lead its armies, though not all have been lauded in history for their acts of heroism and greatness. The ancient civilization was built upon seven hills, and situated around the Great Tiberis River which flowed through them. The empire started out little more than a handful of tribes, thriving in the number of freshwater oasis that dotted the hills around them. In time, through either peace treaties, deals, or conquering, the tribes eventually became united under one banner until they built the Grand City of Harena. At first, the city was a series of sandstone houses built atop one of the seven hills, to help avoid the flooding of the Tiberis River that snaked through the land. As time went on though, and the city flourished they began setting their sights higher. The built massive, grandiose buildings and structures as a testament to their cities wealth and prosperity. Of course, the seasonal flooding was always a problem - but thanks to a little inventive ingenuity from their architects and mages, they were able to combat this. Massive bridges were built from one hill to another, and when the Tiberis river flooded the residents could safely cross using these grand bridges. Indeed, they were one of the marvels of the world at the time. The hills themselves were each separate districts. The smallest, was the palace district, where all the royalty and important people of the day lived. The next most important one, was the 'Library of Vis'. The Temple to the goddess and other minor deities that they believed in, was also one of the more notable features. A massive four-sided building, shaped like a diamond. This 'Pyramid' was situated on its own hill, the 'Library of Vis' as it was called. It was a place of esoteric practices and magic study. The next, was the Merchant District. This was where all the shopping was held and took place, and where a majority of the more business inclined spent their time. Then there was the 'Entertainment District' This massive, open area was where the arts were performed. Plays in the Theater, the coliseum could always be heard roaring in the background. The residential districts took up the next two hills, and they were divided between the 'Slums' and the 'middle class' workers. The last hill, which was also the largest - was where a number of the agricultural pursuits took place. Farming, livestock raising, etc. Harena itself was a marvel at the time. Airships at their command, grandiose architecture...its not far fetched to say it was the most prosperous, largest, and wealthiest Empire in its time The Culture of Harena was one might expect. It was ruled by an Emperor who ruled everything. It was an Empire who greatly valued both physical prowess with soldiers and gladiatorial combat, as well as offered many boons to the scholarly and academic sorts, such as Julius and Auges. It had strict policies regarding such things, however. Women were actively barred from any position in the army, and if they wanted to contribute they had to walk the path of Healer or Scholar. [hr] Present day: Harena was once a great nation - but like all nations, eventually it fell. It was great, but not invincible to the tides of time, sands of the desert, or the blades of its enemies. For all its internal wealth and greatness, outside forces would eventually be too much for the Empire to handle...and without its Immortal Saints it grew so used to relying on, it crumbled. Nashaan finally got the revenge it wanted, and with the help of its allies it beat, broke, and burned the city. Years of mismanagement, riots, and civil unrest followed resulting in nearly the complete destruction of the once grand city. Today, almost none of its former glory is left...though, the great bridges they built, the Library of Vis and part of the Palace still stand, swallowed by the sands of the desert and only half accessible. The Library of Vis is a shadow of its former self. Years of grave robbery, looters, and other undesirables have seen that a number of ancient artifacts, wealth, and history were lost. A few of the bridges, can still be used for travel across the Tiberis flood plain, which still exists. The ancient stone monoliths standing as the only testament to a once great nation. [/hider] [hr] To be used later [hider=Dragon Heart Sieglinde] [h1][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Dragon Heart Sieglinde[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h1] [center][img]https://safebooru.org//images/621/0912ee169950d692a89ab37b2eb02ef2bb677281.jpg?626350[/img][/center] [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Character Summary[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Sieglinde Volsung [b][color=6ecff6]Aliases:[/color][/b] Just 'Sieg' will do. [b][color=6ecff6]Titles:[/color][/b] Dragon Heart Sieglinde, Dragon Slayer, Jarl Sieg. [b][color=6ecff6]Age:[/color][/b] 32 [b][color=6ecff6]Time of Death:[/color][/b] Roughly 8,445 years ago, when the Volsung clan ruled over the north. [b][color=6ecff6]Place of Origin:[/color][/b] The main Volsung holding, Skorravik (Near modern day Illisk) [b][color=6ecff6]Gender:[/color][/b] Female [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Physical Attributes[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Eyes:[/color][/b] Dull Grey [b][color=6ecff6]Hair:[/color][/b] Silvery White. [b][color=6ecff6]Day To Day Attire:[/color][/b] When not wearing her armor, Sieg can be seen wearing very loose fitting undergarments that show off quite a bit of her body. A loose fitting, sleeveless cloth top that only covers her chest, a thin leather strap cutting it off just beneath her chest. On her arms, she wears thin fur gloves. Around her waist is a simple cloth and fur skirt that hangs to her knees, with fur boots that come up halfway to her knees. Upon her left side, a number of runic tattoos with various meanings can be seen etched into her skin. Her armor she wears when out adventuring or during conflicts, is a mix of lightweight metal as well as cloth and fur. It's designed to be warm, offer decent protection and still allow one full range of movement. yes, the helmet has cat ears on it. Ask her about the story sometime. She'd love to tell it. Sieglinde herself is tall and sturdily built and stands at a tall 5'9". [b][color=6ecff6]Strengths:[/color][/b] - Physical strength beyond that of a normal human - Physical endurance that makes her able to go all night. Hell, all week. - Her extreme skills with swordsmanship and weapons of all kind. [b][color=6ecff6]Weaknesses:[/color][/b] - far too reckless. She sees an enemy, she'll run head first towards it. - Far, far, too trusting at times - Doesn't know when to quit, even if her body is breaking. Someone may have to drag her out of the battlefield by force. - Extremely impulsive. Will jump in front of a stampeding horse, suplex the horse, and then make it her own horse...just to stop it from trampling over a little bunny. [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Psychological Attributes[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [i][color=6ecff6][center]Reckless * Friendly * Jovial * Trusting[/center][/color][/i] [b][color=6ecff6]Sexuality:[/color][/b] ...is there a term for 'Loves everything, and everyone?' [b][color=6ecff6]Relationship Status:[/color][/b] Will never stayed tied down to a single partner. [b][color=6ecff6]Personality:[/color][/b] If there is one thing one would immediately notice about Sieg, is that she is hardly ever seen wearing a frown. And the first word used to describe her, would be extremely passionate. About everything. The jovial, friendly, northern woman hardly is ever down, sad, or upset over something. She takes everything in stride, and can easily be found laughing over most things. Even inconveniences or things that one might find bad. At all times, she keeps moving forwards, and never looks back to see where she has been. The woman is friendly and amicable, even to her enemies and foes. She doesn't hate or get angry, she only is disappointed that people behave less then they should. She hardly ever acts out of anger or malice, and when she does it is usual righteous fury over something. When it comes to conflict, Sieg welcomes it with open arms as she would anything. She'll run headfirst into danger alongside her comrades, or alone if she must, and she'll be the last one out. She treats everyone as family, and will never think less of them for anything they do. At times, she is far too trusting, however. She always keeps her words and promises, and expects others to keep their promises in kind. She is humble, for the most part, and refers to herself as 'Not a hero, but just a crazy woman swinging around a giant metal stick.' Oathbreakers, betrayers, and other such people are the only ones that will ever see the side of Sieg she doesn't like showing. Those who do not keep their words, and actively betrays others...will face the complete fury of the north, and while she may not kill them - they will never, ever, have her aid again in anything. [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Skills & Abilities[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [color=6ecff6][i][center]A listing of skills, such as horseback riding or cooking and abilities or magic. You can have a total of ten, but temper them to not be overly powerful - except one can be noticeably more powerful, usually the one skill/ability/magic/item that makes them recgonizable.[/center][/i][/color] [list] [*] [b][color=6ecff6] Master Swordsman (Skill - Master):[/color][/b] She trained for so many years with the blade, starting when she was just a babe with her faster father - a traveling blacksmith by the name of Reign. While she may lack a bit of finesse other swordmasters might have, she has more than ample strength to make up for it. She can take on a number of opponents at once with relative easy. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Clarity of Mind (Skill - Master):[/color][/b] Long hours of training and her own personality gives Sieg a unique sense of purpose. She knows what she wants, how to get it, and knows what she doesn't want. Affecting her with any sort of charm or mind-altering abilities will fall incredibly flat, or at least have reduced effectiveness. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Passionate Charisma (Skill - Expert):[/color][/b] Sieg doesn't know the meaning of the word fear, and her words carry that. Those around her, her comrades and even the general populace simply finds her words much more enthralling. While it could perhaps not stand up to a divine blessing or magic, the passion and sheer certainty with which she speaks tugs at the hearts of many, driving them to always give their best in whatever they do, and she seems incredibly trustworthy, even to the more mistrustful sorts. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Battle Rage (Skill - Journeyman):[/color][/b] In the olden days of the north, when it was even more untamed than it is now, many of the fierce northern warriors fought with a ferocity of a dragon themselves, driven by a raging clarity that induced an almost trance like state and enhanced their strength, mental resistances, and made them numb to pain and able to fight regardless of their wounds. While Sieg never fully finished her training in this particular battle style - wielding a sword as large as Gram meant she didn't have the required agility, but she still has some of the effects of it. [*] [b][color=6ecff6] Dragon Hearted - (Blessing):[/color][/b] After killing Fafnir and consuming part of the dragons heart and bathing in its blood, Sieg gained dragon like strength. While she can never match a true dragon in terms of strength, her physical abilities far outweigh that of most mortal men without blessings of their own. She is able to last much longer than humans in a number of fields, and her skin simply seems much more durable than it should be giving her great amounts of natural defense and making her able to shrug off blows that would leave most men crippled. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Bird Song (Blessing):[/color][/b] Additionally after consuming part of Fafnir, Sieg learned to speak with the birds. While not inherently useful for many things, it is a useful skill for Intelligence gathering, scouting, etc. If used creatively, she could do a number of things with it. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Dragon Sight (Blessing):[/color][/b] The third and final blessing she received from defeating Fafnir. When activated, her eyes turn similar to that of a dragon. In essence, it allows her to think faster than most humans, and allow her to have a faster reaction time because of it. To put simply think of it as a bit of a 'bullet time' effect she's able to have if she activates it. The 'buff' takes a bit of a toll on her body however, and is only able to be active for a short time. Roughly two-three minutes at most, and even then it will start straining her body as a human one was not meant to hold such power. It's enough to last through most typical conflicts. It is best used in short bursts, rather than all at once to maximize its effectiveness. At times, it can also reveal things unseen. Things that perhaps may be otherworldly in nature, but such information is hardly useful most of the time. At time though, it might reveal important things. [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Dragon slaying sword, Gram (artifact):[/color][/b] [url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/54/34/ab/5434aba5ec86fa05acecfba41a225632.jpg]A golden sword[/url] that gleams with a pale blue flame, able to cleave a dragons hide in two in a single light stroke. It is a large, two handed sword that she wields with the grace and dexterity of a master swordsman. The sword, is the one she is most well known for using. It is the sword that tasted the blood of the rampaging dragon Fafnir alongside her and as well as. The abilities of the sword include inducing fear in dragons, the ability to cut through most non-magical material with ease, and to slay mighty beasts such as dragons and similar creatures. Upon speaking the words - [i]"Bane of dragons, wrath of the north...I call upon the, Gram!"[/i] The blade can ignite itself in a bright flame that shines for a time. The flames envelop the blade - making all dragons and any who carry dragon blood cower in fear from it, unless they are an especially strong one. Even then, though, it would cause them great discomfort and unease. The effects of the flame are rather obvious upon dragons. A dragon or similar creature cut with the blade in its active state, will have a wound that will never heal. Or at least, take a great amount of time for it to heal and no matter what, it would leave a nasty scarring. The flames themselves also act as a shield of sorts against dragon breaths of all kinds, its own cold flame burning away the raging fire of a dragon. Upon human foes and other people, the blade is a bit less effective. The flames are meant only for harming dragons, not humans, and it will never harm a human. The flame to most humans cool to the touch, and somewhat calming. [/list] [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]History[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Backstory:[/color][/b] To understand Sieglinde and Gram, one would first need to understand her families history and the origins of the sword itself. The story of the Volsung family, is generations old and Sieglinde is merely one in a long line of them - and it could be argued the family is far, far, from heroic save for Sieglinde herself. Treachery and backstabbing seems to run in the families blood. The tales starts with a man named Sigi, banished from his homeland for murder. Sigi was a stout man, strong, courageous, if had some anger problems. For a long time after being banished from his tribe, he wandered the land as an adventurer until he decided to rebuild a home for himself. It started out small, but eventually he built his own holding, and was deigned Jarl. For a time, there was peace and the family was happy and thrived - until his wifes brothers grew jealous and greedy of his power. They raised an army, and incited war against Sigi and his home. He is killed, and his son Rerir takes the throne after he takes revenge and kills his uncles, wresting the throne from their dead hands. Some years later, he dies of illness and shortly after his wife gives birth to Volsung - the one who would become known as the first of the Volsung Line, though little is really known about him and his own adventuring exploits - but it is said after a while of traveling and adventuring he met a Giantess by the name of Hljod, and had eleven children by them. The oldest of which...being the twins Sigmund and Signy. Sigmund of which, is Sieglinde's father. Sigmund became a renowned adventurer in his time - and was the very first wielder of the sword, Gram. A mysterious divine artifact given to him by a cloaked traveler. He carved the name 'Volsung' into the north with great heroics and tales of grand adventures. At the time, the sword Gram was simply an unnaturally sharp sword able to cut through a number of mundane items with ease. His peace and the Volsung name wouldn't last, however. Years pass and Signy is married to Siggeir who grew jealous of both the sword and Sigmunds prowess. After Sigmund refused to sell him the sword, Siggeir grew vengeful. He hunted down all of the Volsung family, murdering them one by one. Sigmund only survived thanks to his sister. In order to restore a pure, Volsung family line Signy tricked sigmund into sleeping with her, and produced a child. Together, Sigmund and this child, Sinfjotli. Eventually, they manage to do this and Sigmund returns and takes his fathers throne, ruling for many years where he marries Hjordis and has a child - Sieglinde. Unfortunately, one of her suitors she turned down grew jealous once again. King Lyngvi brought an army to the Volsung's holding doorstep, where Sigmund eventually lost his life - and the sword Gram was shattered. Hjordis fled with their child after being mortally wounded by King Lyngvi, but not before retrieving the broken sword from Sigmund in the aftermath and finding a traveler found the babe and recently deceased mother. This, is where Sieglinde's history starts. This kind Traveler took in the babe, and raised her as their own. The traveler was a wandering blacksmith by the name of Riegn. Growing up, Sieglinde kept the shattered remains of Gram with her at all times - it was the only connection she had to her mother and father after all. She grew up healthy, happy, and most noticeably strong and courageous...just like her father. Reign treated her just as her own daughter, never having a child of his own. And like her father, she quickly took to matters of the sword and battle. She had many adventures in her youth, before being known for using Gram. She and Reign became quite popular and renowned in the area for their exploits. She was known as a bit of an oddity. Always happy, laughing and smiling...as well as perhaps enjoying fighting a bit too much. She often had the tendency of challenging the warriors in whatever town they were staying in to a fight. It was around the time she was 20 though, did the terrible dragon Fafnir make its mark upon the world. It pillaged, plundered, and looted from the north. Many of the northern people couldn't do a thing about it - not many men, even the brave norther warriors of the time could stare down a dragon. It'd take someone with a special kind of bravery and foolhardiness to stare down such a beast in an attempt to slay it. Sieglinde, was one such person. In her time growing up, she grew to love the world. The land of the north - it was harsh and difficult at times, but beautiful and forgiving to those who loved it back. The people were loved equally - as rough and crude...imperfect as [i]human[/i] as they were. It tugged at her heart to see so many people at the mercy of a cruel dragon. So she decided to kill the dragon. Reign tried to tell her she was a fool, but she wouldn't listen. She asked him to forge her a sword that is capable of slaying the beast. Reluctantly, her foster father agreed. He forged three swords - the first two Sieglinde were simply not able to make even a single mark against the dragon. It seemed that no matter what, there was simply not a sword sharp enough to harm the hide of the beast. It was then, a mysterious cloaked traveler appeared to Reign and told him how to reforge the sword, Gram...and how to make it better than it previously was via magical means. Riegn was skeptical at first, but Sieglinde readily agreed. It was better than simply having the pieces of the sword laying around doing nothing. Following the instructions of this odd individual, Riegn reforged the gold blade - that now shined with a brilliant blue flame. Testing the sword, Sieglinde brought it down upon the anvil - and the anvil split in half. Feeling satisfied, Sieglinde left to find Fafnir once again. Reign stops Sieg once again, and implores her not to fight the dragon and tells her a story - a story about his own family. He once had two brothers - by the name of Otr...and Fafnir. Fafnir was once a mighty warrior, but a cursed ring saw to it his heart was clouded by evil and he eventually turned into a violent dragon. Reign implored Sieg at least visit the Soothsayer to determine her fate. Reluctantly, Sieglinde agreed and went. The Soothsayer spoke of the future in tongues, but Sieg could at least make out what she had to do. The man who killed her parents - King Lyngvi, was once again plotting to finish off the last of the Volsungs...her. In his old age he had gone mad, and was a threat to him and her north, just the same as Fafnir. So she took some men who were willing to, and sailed to his kingdom. A fierce and bloody battle ensued, where she took the reforged sword and avenged her parents and destroyed just one threat to her North. After she returns, Fafnir had grown even more aggressive. Now that she didn't have to worry about King Lyngvi showing up at their doorstep with what was likely going to be an incredibly difficult fight, she could fight without worry. Before she could though, the mysterious robed figure appeared once again and told her how she could use the dragon to strengthen herself even further. She was skeptical, but he had been truthful about Gram and whoever it was said this was not dark magic or evil of any sort, merely doing what she did best - surviving. She had no reason not to trust him, so she did. The ensuing battle was dangerous and quick, and Sieglinde ended up more than nearly dead a number of times. eventually though, she won the battle and shoved Gram into the dragons shoulder, burying it deep in the creatures flesh. With its magical flames, burning the dragon from the inside and sealing its fate with a mortal blow. As the dragon fell, it spoke to Sieglinde - telling her that his gold and Reign would be her death. Silencing the dragon, she did as the old traveler instructed. She drank the beasts blood, and cooked up its heart. The effects were noticeable immediately. The dragon heart bestowed the strength of dragons themselves, and the blood allowed her to hear the birds, as well as seemingly always knowing how to best fight. Almost as if it was a sixth sense...oddly enough though, the birds spoke of the same thing Fafnir did. That Reign would be the death of her. Reign suddenly came almost from nowhere, asking to partake of the dragon heart and blood himself. It wasn't until the betrayal happened did she believe anything she had heard from the dragon and birds. She was hurt. Incredibly so. It was the first time in her life that she could say that she was angry. Unfortunately for Reign, his plan didn't work as he had hoped. She survived, but in the end didn't kill him out of revenge - just left him half for dead. Heeding Fafnir's words, she took none of the gold - but using Gram she sealed the entrance to the cave, to insure that its fell hoard would never tempt anyone with greed again, for some time. It was in this time, did Sieglinde retook her fathers throne, remaking the Volsung holding. During her travels and administration as the ruler, she meet a woman that would later become one of her many...partners, for a time. A warrior by the name of Brynhild. For a time, the woman traveled across the northern kingdom with Sieglinde when she was able, and simply enjoyed life. They had many traveling companions over the years, and Sieglinde became well known across the north for her feats of inhuman bravery, endurance, and of course, the slaying of Fafnir. It is said that the north lands loved her just as much as she loved them. During one of their travels, they met a witch by the name of Grimhild. The witch was said to never have loved, and never have been loved. She tried to charm the dragon slayer through various means - make her a thrall of hers, but all attempts eventually fell and when she finally asked about it, Sieglinde simply smiled, and told her that she already loved her - loved everyone in the North, and there was no need for any trickery. It was then, the witch broke down. It was difficult to deceive someone like Sieglinde for long, and not even the most reproachable sort feel at least some manner of guilt about it. When Sieglinde died, it was at the planning of Reign. Reign, after Fafnir's defeat took the cursed ring from the hoard and began planning to kill Sieglinde once again. Disguised as a merchant, he gave the ring to Brynhild - after all the ring brought misfortune to those who possessed it. Eventually, the ring bought misfortune to the Sieglinde and her holding. Bandit attacks, everything that seemed to go wrong did go wrong. The thing that ended it all though, was a single night where a simple mistake when a feast was being held during the annual winter feast. During such times, the hold was open to all who wanted to make merry, feast, and forget old grudges and otherwise enjoy a friendly festivity. Of course, human nature isn't always so good, and enemies can easily use such an occasion to slip in, which is exactly what happened. For as kind and generous as Seiglinde was, she made her fair share of enemies over the years. After all, while she never considered herself to be a hero or leader of any sort the other kings of the time saw her differently, and grew covetous and jealous. The party was crashed as the holding was attacked from within, but not without putting up a fight themselves. In the end though, the defense failed and Grimhild was killed, Brynhild was wounded and Sieglinde was cornered. It is said Reign struck the final blow himself, and that when she died all she did was smile and say; [color=silver]"Ah...such a pleasant breeze today, isn't it father?"[/color] It is said that later, Reign would die a cowards death, fleeing from the very allies he enlisted to help him. Brynhild managed to survive, and rally the remaining survivors but it was too late. House Volsung died with Sieglinde, and so too did their holdings. In typical fashion of the time, Brynhild made a funeral pyre for them, enshrining Gram in a now long-forgotten place near the old Volsung holding. [b][color=6ecff6]Myth:[/color][/b] Myths are oft untruthful, though not intentionally. Not much is mentioned about her origins or her past family in the surviving myths. Many a bard sung her tales at the time, but time wears on such traditions and practices. What survives though, is the most important tale - Her slaying of the dragon Fafnir. Legends say that one night, there was a knock at a young blacksmiths door. When he went to answer, there was a cloaked figure who thrust the baby into his arms who simply said 'Raise the child, and teach her. She will be blessed by the North.' Before he could even comment, the cloaked person was gone in a flash, leaving nothing more than a cold night and a wind behind. It says that she was raised as an orphan by a blacksmith, who would teach her the way of the sword. She traveled all over as a child, adventuring with her foster father and carving her adventures into the lands of the North when the Dragon Fafnir began rampaging. So Reign forged the sword Gram for her, and she slew the dragon with it. After this, the legends are much less precise. It says that she traveled with Brynhild for a number of years, but eventually left her for Grimhild. Some say she never traveled with either - they were simply allies or enemies of hers in important battles. What the myths to say however, is that Brynhild was a constant friend and ally while Grimhild was a trickster and a foe of hers - and the cause of the massacre at the winter day feast. As for Brynhild, she went down in legend as a shieldmaiden and warrior in her own right. Myths are much less kind to Grimhild, however. Even though by her death she changed her ways the stigma that she was a witch who did evil deeds stuck forever. She was ultimately blamed for what happened at the winter feast, and her name was forever attached to treachery in the region. [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Relations[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [color=6ecff6][center]* ☠ Enemy * ⚜ Unfriendly * ☯ Neutral * ☮ Friends * ღ Ally * ♥ Crush/Significant Other * [/center][/color] [list] [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [*] [b][color=6ecff6]Name:[/color][/b] Description [/list] [h3][b][i][color=6ecff6][center]Extras (Optional)[/center][/color][/i][/b][/h3] [b][color=6ecff6]Character Quote:[/color][/b] [color=silver]"In doing anything, one should always do it with a happy heart and to their fullest. For without passion and a smile, one is simply living their life as a mindless slave."[/color] [b][color=6ecff6]Theme Song:[/color][/b] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFQaRLGp9cg] AHAHA! My friends, comrades and allies! Fear not the dragon, the wraith, or even the gods! Live each day with life, and without hesitation! Jump into things headfirst, with no regrets, even if you could get hurt! As long as you do it to your fullest, it matters not as long as you don't harm another without cause."[/url] [b][color=6ecff6]Anything Else:[/color][/b] [/hider]