❰ FEMALE ⟡ EARLY - MID 20s ⟡ DARK KNIGHT ❱
The Dark Knight of Kron-Nesis; The Strongest Knight in the Realm; Guardian of Princess Azymn.
R A C E
Halfling; daemon-human.
T R A I N I N G
Maryvale has received extensive training from the Grand Marshal of Kron-Nesis, both in the way of her sword as well as her darkflame magic powers. Though not a practitioner of darkflame himself, the Grand Marshal is a user of light magic, therefore perfectly countering Maryvale and allowing her to never go overboard. The Dark Knight has received this training much of her life and has since become a master of darkflame magic and her sword, Dark Vibrance.
E Q U I P M E N T
Maryvale's sword personally crafted for her by royal blacksmiths. It is made of a heavy black material found deep within the mountains of Kelnore, making it a very rare resource. This resource has incredibly high magic conductivity, allowing one to channel magic through the sword itself, as well as nullify magic which comes in contact with it. The added weight allows the blade to strike harder and cut deeper, however Maryvale needs to remain in top condition to use it effectively. Her fighting style revolves around its top-heavy blade, often slashing in an arc. The blade is said to be nearly indestructible.
◈ Dark Armour:
Maryvale's armour isn't as special as her blade: it's an alloy of the same dark material her blade uses and steel (mainly steel). While this slightly strengthens the armour, as well as gives it a slight tolerance to her body's exertion of magic, the extra weight makes her heavier, and ultimately slower. It also doesn't do much to stop incoming magical attacks. The helmet is always worn in public.
◈ Journal:
Maryvale's journal helps her keep track of locations, creatures, and memories. Not being particularly intelligent and often forgetful has lead to its prolonged use. It is simple by design with a worn, red leather cover with a large 'M' printed on the front. Most of the handwriting inside is atrocious.
S P E L L S K I L L S
◈ Darkflame:
An incredibly powerful and violent magic, darkflame magic is virtually never found in humans. Even by daemon and demon standards, this blood-related magic is steeped in legend, said to be used by ancient demonic royals. Inherited from one of her parents, Maryvale yields this magic with a gifted potency. With the help of her sword she can use it to send waves of arcing purple fire at her enemies, scorching and charring any who get in the way, able to turn some to ash with enough intensity. However, the magic isn't without its drawbacks.
Darkflame causes physical harm to those who wield it. Unless you're a pure-blooded daemon, you will be hurt whenever you use it, and Maryvale is no exception. Her armour and half-blood ancestry help weaken this slightly, however the injuries are still notable, especially when she uses high-intensity magic. Like some magic it also drains her stamina with use, so she also tires while sustaining injury.
An incredibly powerful and violent magic, darkflame magic is virtually never found in humans. Even by daemon and demon standards, this blood-related magic is steeped in legend, said to be used by ancient demonic royals. Inherited from one of her parents, Maryvale yields this magic with a gifted potency. With the help of her sword she can use it to send waves of arcing purple fire at her enemies, scorching and charring any who get in the way, able to turn some to ash with enough intensity. However, the magic isn't without its drawbacks.
Darkflame causes physical harm to those who wield it. Unless you're a pure-blooded daemon, you will be hurt whenever you use it, and Maryvale is no exception. Her armour and half-blood ancestry help weaken this slightly, however the injuries are still notable, especially when she uses high-intensity magic. Like some magic it also drains her stamina with use, so she also tires while sustaining injury.
O T H E R S K I L L S
◈ Perceptive:
The Dark Knight has a strong sixth sense. If something is up she will often feel that something is wrong, though won't be able to tell if someone has an arrow aimed at her back. She's oddly good at puzzles despite her lack of intelligence.
◈ Intimidation:
With so much infamy, it is only natural that Maryvale would need the intimidating skills to back that up, and she certainly does. She conveys much of that intimidation through her body language and tone, which she is something of a master of using. It has come in handy once or twice before.
The Dark Knight has a strong sixth sense. If something is up she will often feel that something is wrong, though won't be able to tell if someone has an arrow aimed at her back. She's oddly good at puzzles despite her lack of intelligence.
◈ Intimidation:
With so much infamy, it is only natural that Maryvale would need the intimidating skills to back that up, and she certainly does. She conveys much of that intimidation through her body language and tone, which she is something of a master of using. It has come in handy once or twice before.
W E A K N E S S E S
◈ Forgetful:
For as great a combatant as The Dark Knight is, she is awfully inept out of combat. The first of the long list of failures is her inability to retain knowledge. This forgetfulness is pretty severe, and healers for the royal family suspect it is a form of amnesia. Some speculate it is due to injury, though others believe it could be due to her heritage. Regardless, her forgetfulness is so severe that if she didn't have her journal to remember things, she would be halfway to The Unknown North by now.
◈ Illiterate:
Maryvale cannot read or write very well. Though she speaks mostly alright, only fumbling with certain words, she has a complete lack of literacy skills, and is unable to complete tasks which require extensive reading or writing. Her tutor is non other than princess Azymn herself, however even she finds Maryvale's lack of reading and writing skills a challenge.
◈ Light and Ice:
The two hard-counters to Maryvale's otherwise unbeatable power are those skilled in ice and light magic. Light magic essentially nullifies her power completely, and skilled ice users can overcome the intense heat of darkflame and rid it when the ice melts. Though she has trained to fight opponents with these very magics, she is still at a disadvantage when facing an enemy using either or both of these magics.
For as great a combatant as The Dark Knight is, she is awfully inept out of combat. The first of the long list of failures is her inability to retain knowledge. This forgetfulness is pretty severe, and healers for the royal family suspect it is a form of amnesia. Some speculate it is due to injury, though others believe it could be due to her heritage. Regardless, her forgetfulness is so severe that if she didn't have her journal to remember things, she would be halfway to The Unknown North by now.
◈ Illiterate:
Maryvale cannot read or write very well. Though she speaks mostly alright, only fumbling with certain words, she has a complete lack of literacy skills, and is unable to complete tasks which require extensive reading or writing. Her tutor is non other than princess Azymn herself, however even she finds Maryvale's lack of reading and writing skills a challenge.
◈ Light and Ice:
The two hard-counters to Maryvale's otherwise unbeatable power are those skilled in ice and light magic. Light magic essentially nullifies her power completely, and skilled ice users can overcome the intense heat of darkflame and rid it when the ice melts. Though she has trained to fight opponents with these very magics, she is still at a disadvantage when facing an enemy using either or both of these magics.
A F F I L I A T I O N
Kron-Nesis; Royal Family of Kron-Nesis; Princess Azymn.
P E R S O N A L I T Y
Stoic and serious, Maryvale is a woman of few words. She has been raised since her youth to be obedient, to take orders, to be a soldier, and has found only recently a voice for herself. The Dark Knight has a fondness for animals, often enjoying their company over people, as well as gardening, surprisingly. She has an utmost respect for the princess which she serves under, and considerably less respect (though respect nonetheless) for the remainder of the royal family. She reveres the Grand Marshal of Kron-Nesis as a father-figure as well as a savior, for he was the one who brought her out of slavery and into the realm of kings.
She can be rather secretive, particularly about her identity outside of the royal family and those within the castle. She's passionately sympathetic for people, a trait she picked up from Azymn, and likes to assist those in need where possible. Despite this passion, she isn't a member of the Order of the Radiant Sun, largely due to her lack of faith in general. In combat, she's merciless, and will not hesitate to deal with threats that face the princess. Her incredible combat prowess has made her a threatening presence, even intimidating, and leaves many-a-wrongdoer on-edge when she's around.
She can be rather secretive, particularly about her identity outside of the royal family and those within the castle. She's passionately sympathetic for people, a trait she picked up from Azymn, and likes to assist those in need where possible. Despite this passion, she isn't a member of the Order of the Radiant Sun, largely due to her lack of faith in general. In combat, she's merciless, and will not hesitate to deal with threats that face the princess. Her incredible combat prowess has made her a threatening presence, even intimidating, and leaves many-a-wrongdoer on-edge when she's around.
H I S T O R Y
Maryvale's story begins young. She has no memory of her parents, and no real memory of her childhood. She knows she was taken in by strangers, but was left in the streets to fend for herself. The city of Dou didn't take well to beggars, thieves and poor. Maryvale, being a mix of all three, was an outcast. She was caught by the city guard when she was seven, and made to serve for a week. She had nobody to fall back on after her arrest,
if there was anyone before. She resigned herself to fate, giving up on life, starving in the backstreets of Dou. There was no God who could save her. No person willing to care.
No one... save the Grand Marshal of Kron-Nesis.
Fate had been kind to her the day they met. The Grand Marshal had lost his only daughter to illness months ago, a daughter so like his wife and unlike his two sons, who looked more like him. Maryvale had a striking resemblance to his deceased daughter. He couldn't help but feel as though he had been guided to her. It was only by chance that they had met, but it was a chance that turned Maryvale's life around completely.
She was thus named Maryvale, and became the daughter of Grand Marshal Lenius. While his sons held noble blood,
Maryvale was not allowed to pursue the luxuries of nobility with her brothers. The nobles of Kron-Nesis would never accept one of impure blood to become a noble, even if she had been adopted by the Grand Marshal himself.
Therefore, the only true way to show her worth as noble blood would be to have her become a knight.
It became clear when she unlocked her magic potential that she could become an important asset to the royal family. Lenius stressed that the young princess Azymn would need a friend as well as bodyguard to protect her at all times. That friend, that bodyguard, was Maryvale.
Despite the reluctance of the royal family, Maryvale proved her usefulness as a potential bodyguard and retainer. During her early teens she could defeat rookie members of the city guard and noble children of the same age as herself. Furthermore, her close relationship with princess Azymn was something the royals couldn't ignore, particularly when Azymn would cry when unable to play with her best friend. But Maryvale kept improving, both in status and ability, to the point where she was wanted as Azymn's retainer. When Lenius asked again during her fifteenth year, Maryvale officially became the royal retainer of princess Azymn.
Ever since, all Maryvale has done is continue to improve. She has saved Azymn's life a number of times now, and the princess has saved her dark knight's as well. While she no longer receives tutoring from Grand Marshal Lenius, the two do spar occasionally. She has been to parties, meetings with nobility, excursions outside of Kron-Nesis, and even some skirmishes. Maryvale is content with her life of servitude, and eternally grateful to the princess as well as the Grand Marshal. She continues to be Azymn's retainer, and will protect the princess with her life.
if there was anyone before. She resigned herself to fate, giving up on life, starving in the backstreets of Dou. There was no God who could save her. No person willing to care.
No one... save the Grand Marshal of Kron-Nesis.
Fate had been kind to her the day they met. The Grand Marshal had lost his only daughter to illness months ago, a daughter so like his wife and unlike his two sons, who looked more like him. Maryvale had a striking resemblance to his deceased daughter. He couldn't help but feel as though he had been guided to her. It was only by chance that they had met, but it was a chance that turned Maryvale's life around completely.
She was thus named Maryvale, and became the daughter of Grand Marshal Lenius. While his sons held noble blood,
Maryvale was not allowed to pursue the luxuries of nobility with her brothers. The nobles of Kron-Nesis would never accept one of impure blood to become a noble, even if she had been adopted by the Grand Marshal himself.
Therefore, the only true way to show her worth as noble blood would be to have her become a knight.
It became clear when she unlocked her magic potential that she could become an important asset to the royal family. Lenius stressed that the young princess Azymn would need a friend as well as bodyguard to protect her at all times. That friend, that bodyguard, was Maryvale.
Despite the reluctance of the royal family, Maryvale proved her usefulness as a potential bodyguard and retainer. During her early teens she could defeat rookie members of the city guard and noble children of the same age as herself. Furthermore, her close relationship with princess Azymn was something the royals couldn't ignore, particularly when Azymn would cry when unable to play with her best friend. But Maryvale kept improving, both in status and ability, to the point where she was wanted as Azymn's retainer. When Lenius asked again during her fifteenth year, Maryvale officially became the royal retainer of princess Azymn.
Ever since, all Maryvale has done is continue to improve. She has saved Azymn's life a number of times now, and the princess has saved her dark knight's as well. While she no longer receives tutoring from Grand Marshal Lenius, the two do spar occasionally. She has been to parties, meetings with nobility, excursions outside of Kron-Nesis, and even some skirmishes. Maryvale is content with her life of servitude, and eternally grateful to the princess as well as the Grand Marshal. She continues to be Azymn's retainer, and will protect the princess with her life.
