Campaigner

Eirdis inn Fundinn(the Foundling) is what her people called her, because she was found as a baby out in the wilds near one of their villages. No one knows where she came from, or how she survived the harsh climate. The man who found her, Bjorn Bjornsson took her home to his wife, Ingrid, the village hearth witch. While bathing her, Ingrid saw a birthmark on her shoulder blade that looked to be the form of a raven. She took this as a sign from one of the two primary Goddesses in Vetrgard, the Raven Queen, that this child was special. From then on they took care of the baby as one of their own.

She grew up learning how to find and forage various plants and herbs. When she got old enough she would help her mother brew tonics and elixirs and potions, as well as make healing poultices and salves, while her brothers helped their father with the farm work. Of course, Eirdis's father wasn't always a farmer. He used to be a great warrior and head of the guard before he settled down into a life of farming. He still felt it was important for his children, including Eirdis, to learn to fight and defend themselves, so Eirdis was also trained how to use a sword, spear, axe, and shield by her father.

Eirdis was a beautiful girl, and mysterious at that, which caught the attentions of many young men in town whenever she and her mother would go into town to sell ply their craft. A couple of the young men who took and interest in Eirdis were young lords of the village, even. But Eirdis only had eyes for the neighboring farm boy, Hvitserk. He was tall and farm-built, good looking and kind. A couple of times he when he'd happen upon her while she was out foraging, he insisted on remaining with her to protect her should a wild boar make threats. Luckily that never was the case, but the gesture certainly didn't go unnoticed.

One festival evening, while all the neighboring farms gathered to celebrate, Hvitserk stole Eirdis away. He wanted to show her something special, he had said it was his favorite place ever. He took her on horseback to a small mountain, where the horse began to climb. They passed a small waterfall along the way, and then finally reached their destination, near the peak. The sky was painted by the Aurora Borealis, and Eirdis could see the bonfires of their friends and families below.

Hvitserk, emboldened a bit by alcohol, leaned forward and kissed Eirdis, who returned the kiss. The two made love up there that night. From then on, it was noticeable by all that the two had a crush on each other, as they couldn't help but blush bright red when in one another presence. Eventually people began asking when the two were going to get married. Older men would lean in and whisper not so softly to Hvitserk,"Better make a wife outta her before someone else does!" and then give him a nudge and a wink.

Then one day, Hvitserk was just... gone. Eirdis no longer saw him while out foraging, she no longer saw him in his fields working the harvest. After a few days, she boldly went to her neighbors to ask them what happened to Hvitserk. They told her he was talking about making something of himself, and proving himself worthy, and then he packed his stuff, including his sword, and left. Eirdis was heartbroken that he wouldn't have thought to say goodbye to her.

Eirdis pondered on it for a long time... why Hvitserk would just leave like that. Make something of himself? Prove himself worthy? But why? And worthy of what? Her parents broke her reverie, informing her of a once in a lifetime event. As everyone knew, the two moons were going to eclipse at the same time in a few weeks. A city in the neighboring country was holding a giant festival inviting the whole realm to join. It would be the perfect opportunity to sell wares!

So the family worked extra hard, day and night to make a bunch of potions and elixirs and other medicinal treatments. The men did the foraging while the women focused on the brewing and crafting and they ended up building quite a stockpile. Then it was decided that Eirdis would take their cart in the caravan. Now she ventures out to a city in another land to sell their village's wares at the once in a lifetime Festival of the Double Eclipse.

She's compassionate, empathetic, thoughtful, intuitive, nurturing, sensitive to the needs of others, creative, idealistic, authentic, has a strong sense of personal integrity, perceptive, curious, reflective, fiercely loyal, patient, easy going, deep, hardworking, passionate, altruistic, adaptable, and personable.

However, she can be overly sensitive, is sometimes difficult to get to know, can have overly high expectations, be stubborn, be moody and aloof, she disassociates frequently, struggles to be vulnerable, is prone to burnout, is too people pleasing, needs external validation, has difficulty setting boundaries, and is an over-thinker.

Thera was born in the year 1433(making her 56 years of age) on the 29th day of Lothron(Elvish May) to King Melandrach Uruviel and his Queen, Thalindra, in the palace of the Misty Forest. She was the first daughter and second child of the couple. Her elder brother by ten years, and heir to the throne, was Neronvain. She was named after her maternal great grandmother, who it was rumored was the daughter of a fae who the king of the Wild Elves fell in love with. The name means ‘wild’, and was quite fitting for both women who bore the name.

Her upbringing was that of a typical highborn lady. She learned sewing, embroidering, poetry, singing, music, dancing, literature, etiquette, and history. Unfortunately, these were mostly things that held little interest to her. She much preferred to play with her brother outside. Her mother was constantly having to track her down and call her out from the tree branches to attend to her lessons covered in dirt and with leaves and flowers in her hair. She was never scolded or punished for it, however… both her parents simply accepted this was a part of her and they loved her for it.

Shortly after her 15th birthday, the numerous druid circles convened for their very rare joint progress through the lands, stopping at various cities, towns and hovels of those who respected their culture and ways. During these progresses it was not uncommon for the ArchDruids to pick certain children who they saw as having potential to join their circles. It was considered a great honor to be chosen, or to have a child chosen by the Druids. ArchDruid of the Circle of the Moon, Baelir Bearwalker saw this potential in Thera. She was one of only three chosen by Baelir during the entire progress(other circles claimed others).

As an initiate, Thera learned how to identify and use various plants for various reasons(food, medicinal, poison, magical, etc), how to navigate, how to hide herself, how to build shelters, and so on. It wasn’t until ten years later, when she reached womanhood, that she was put through the trial. During this trial she was put under extreme mental stress, and transformed into a wolf. After she passed the initiation she was given the name Thera Wildclaw, and was taught the Druid’s language.

Thera was quite happy and content in her druidic community, having made great friends with Alana Misthoof, Duenna Wildmane, Mithlos Falconbriar, and Cassandra Swiftstream. The community was very free and open putting no bounds on love and sexuality, and she even took on a few love mates, eventually got pregnant.

The father was either Kirill Stormhoof or High Druid of the Claw Nolan Preypacer. It mattered not, as it was so often the way with pregnancies in the conclave. Many children didn’t know who their fathers were, and all children were raised by the community.

Despite her contentment in life, she did wonder about her family, and so decided to take a pilgrimage to her home to tell them she was with child. But it had been so long since she’d first come from there, she couldn’t quite remember the way back. It was then she was set upon by a group of kobolds.

Gagged and bound, she was taken by them, until a man named Leosin happened upon them. He killed all the kobolds and freed Thera, that’s when she went into early labor. The labor was long and brutal… she almost thought she was going to die. But Leosin stayed with her throughout the process, and helped deliver a little girl, whom Thera named Llynya. Leosin then insisted on seeing her safely home, and asked her where that was.

Thera’s first reaction was the Druids, not her blood family in the Misty Forest. So, slowly, the two made their way back to where the druids were temporarily living(luckily they hadn’t migrated yet, as their circle often did during the changing of the seasons). She was healed back up by ArchDruid of the Hoof, Faelwyn Joyleaf, and Leosin went on his way.

It was not long after that, that Thera got a letter from Leosin asking her to join him in Greenest. Feeling as though she owed him her life, Thera set out on her way to Greenest… completely unaware of what was in store for her.

Miz'ri, of the Blackrock Clan, always felt out of place in her society as a child. She didn't want to be a woman in their society. She didn't want to cook and clean for a man, she wanted to fight with the men. Her mother could hardly control her, and finally one day her father told her mother to just let her join in with the boys, then snorted a chuckle and added that he didn't think she'd last the week playing with them.

The boys were rough players, always scrapping with each other and wrestling one another. And they did not go easy on Miz'ri. But she was determined to give as good as she got from them. Much to the surprise and shock of her parents, she lasted far longer than a week with the boys. In fact, and it took time, she even grew to earn their respect.

As the children got older they had to decide what they wanted to do with their lives... and for most young boys that was to be a part of their fighting bands. Miz'ri insisted on joining. And again she had to start from square one in earning the respect of those around her. In fact, in the barracks she was often treated worse than the lowest performing male, even though her performance was on par with the upper half. Through much training, and with blood and sweat, she eventually bested some of the strongest men in their war band, and grew to earn their respect.

She further earned her warband's respect when they had gotten into a skirmish they thought they couldn't get out of. Miz'ri had an ingenious plan which not only gave their warband the chance to escape if they chose, but actually gave them the upper hand in that battle causing them great victory. This victory was over another tribe of orcs... the men were slaughtered and the women were took as slaves. Miz'ri got first pick of the slaves, and chose a woman she felt sorry for... one whom she knew the other men would not choose and would end up being abused by the lot of them.

The slave ended up being like a mother to Miz'ri... she would cook and clean for her without being asked, and talked to Miz'ri and gave her advice. Miz'ri treated her slave well, and never forced herself upon her slave as the men were wont to do. No, Miz'ri visited the local brothel for that. In fact, she had a favorite there... Phyrra. Phyrra often spoke to Miz'ri of how she hated her place in life... being used by men. She much preferred Miz'ri's type, but it was hardly ever that women came in to a place like that.

Miz'ri intended to buy Phyrra away from the brothel, and make Phyrra her wife. But first she would need money for that. And the only way she knew how was by fighting in the war band. So that's exactly what she continued to do. She continued to prove herself a capable fighter and strategist, and was awarded her pick of the women from the next tribe they defeated. She chose the dead warband leader's wife... but was told that one was only for marriage, not as a slave. The men all laughed at her, and defiantly Miz'ri said she would take her as a wife then. They grew silent, as if questioning that she could do that... but none would dare voice it. And so Miz'ri got her first wife

Her first wife quickly filled in for the slave woman, who had gotten sick and eventually died. The first wife seemed content to cook and clean for Miz'ri, but was not much for talking or giving advice, and certainly wasn't into Miz'ri in that way. When it came time to divvy up the loot and Miz'ri got first pick for her wise battle tactics, and boldly decided on the pair of daughters of the enemy tribe's leader, as she knew they would fare poorly in the rough hands of the men. Some men tried to raise objections, saying she was getting two things. "The pair belongs together," Miz'ri growled, daring anyone to challenge her. And that's how she got her second and third wife. The two were not much for cooking or cleaning, but could sew any garment and were witty and talkative. They knew quite a bit about the neighboring warbands, which proved to be useful.

Still, Miz'ri went to Phyrra. Finally one day she asked the brothel owner how much it would be to buy Phyrra. The owner told her she'd need to pay Phyrra's weight in gold. Miz'ri didn't have near that kind of money, no matter how much she had saved from her time in the warband. Now she's turning her eye towards other, more profitable business pursuits.

Ena was left as a baby at the doorsteps of the monastery of the Weeping Friars. She grew up as all young orphans and postulants did... doing the chores for the senior monks. But, being children they also had time for fun, and time for learning. And Ena grew believing as all in the monastery did... that there was only a finite amount of pain and suffering in the world, and the more suffering they took upon themselves, the less suffering others would have to endure.

When she reached the age of her majority she was asked if she wanted to stay there. Ena said she did, as she knew of no other life, and so she then became a Novice in the order. There grew to be more time for learning and chores and less time for fun. Meditation was done daily, for a couple of hours in the morning, just after waking up, and then also a couple of hours right before bed. She also learned the art form of Yoga, as well as martial arts.

When she was deemed fit by the Abbot she began to learn the art of Shí zuì, or healing another by taking on their suffering as one's own. It was a challenge and sometimes grueling learning and practicing. Ena saw and felt the pains of so many people sometimes she felt as though she just couldn't do it any more. But then she would meditate, and reflect on the fact that she was making the world a better place by easing other people's burdens, that this was her whole duty in life, what she had been training for this entire time...

Ena continued to practice and perfect the art of healing, both by way of medicines as well as through the art of Shí zuì. The Abbot had to tell her several times that she was ready to be a Monk, but Ena kept insisting more practice until eventually the Abbot had to say,"No. You're done. You're ready to be a monk." And so Ena underwent the ritual to become a Monk of the Weeping Friars.

Her first assignments were simple. She had to go to town to offer her services for alms for the Weeping Friars. Then the Abbot asked her to accompany a prince journeying from his city to the neighboring country's city and back. Ena agreed, and now sets out to join this group set up to protect a prince.

Nura's mother, Izma, was a dragonborn from a nomadic tribe of people known as the Gur. She made her way through life by telling fortunes for people. The conception of Nura was with an orc who sought out her prophetic skills. They had spent only one night together, which was enough to result in Nura. The father never even knew of Nura's existence, for the tribe of Gur moved onwards before her mother even knew she was pregnant.

Growing up on the move meant life was never boring. Nura got to see and meet new people constantly. The Gur were known for their unique style of dance, called Raqs Sharqi, in which they would showcase their stomach isolations through rhythmic movement. Nura loved to dance with her family and friends, or even on her own. Soon her friends were convincing her to perform for crowds so they could pickpocket people while they watched. They made quite a bit of gold and silver doing this, money in which Nura could use to take care of her aging and ill mother.

For many years, Nura took care of her mother by dancing while her friends picked pockets. Once one of her friends got caught, but they helped him escape. Then one day after coming home with a sizeable score, Nura found her mother had passed while she was gone. Nura grew depressed without her mother there, and finally could no longer stand setting up and striking down the wagon they had shared. She finally decided she needed a drastic change in her life. She left her people and decided to strike out on her own for a bit.

Nura had only whatever she could carry with her on foot, the rest of her and her mother's possessions she sold to fellow Gur. Then she went on her way to Baldr's Gate to see what she might find.

Gyda is the daughter of Eirdis in Fundinn and Hvitserk, and she has them both in her. Her looks she got from her mother, but her personality and interests from Hvitserk. She didn't have any interest in the healing arts, as her mother, but instead favored sword play like her father. The two would often practice after dinner, along with Gyda's younger brother Bjorn. So often Eirdis would try to convince Gyda to practice healing magic, as she could sense magical gift in the child... but Gyda never had an interest. Luckily her mother had another daughter, Helka, who shared more of an interest with her mother. So Gyda could practice with the sword to her hearts content.

As she got older, she wanted to keep learning and studying fighting, but she was beyond Hvitserk's instruction. So she joined the town's guard. She distinguished herself immediately, as a group of bandits from the south attacked their village and she killed many of them. But what's more, was she used magic to thunderclap around the enemies, and she didn't even realize it. The captain of the guard did, however.

He pulled her aside several days later and told her that if she really wanted to go to the capital and seek out becoming a Knight. Gyda thought about it for a couple days. On the one hand, she really wanted to push herself and test herself, she really wanted to improve herself. On the other, she didn't want to leave her family. But with her family's support and encouragement, Gyda soon found herself on the way to the capital with a letter from the Captain of the Guard.

The Leader of the Knights read the letter from the Captain of the Guard and after talking with her in quite some length knew exactly what to do with her, and who she would apprentice. She began apprenticing Einar Solvisson, an Eldritch Knight. From him she learned how to harness her innate magical gifts to protect herself as well as offensively.