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P H Y S I C A L I T Y

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Appearance



When one is describing Aoife, the words "feminine", "gentle", and "soft", simply aren't a part of the lexicon. She is by no means unattractive, but she does have an above average number of masculine traits. A strong jaw, imposing brow, prominent nose, and high cheekbones make up her face, and a lean, muscular build sets her apart from other women her age.

Aoife's most striking feature is her blazing red hair worn long and asymmetrical, the right side braided back over her ear so as not to impede her vision. Complementing her hair is her eyes, light green and sharp like a hawk, hunting for prey. Her pale skin is dotted with freckles and crisscrossed with scars, and is largely hardened and rough, especially on her calloused hands.

With a hearty laugh that is all too often(for her liking anyway) paired with a loud snort, Aoife has a friendly, down to earth demeanor that most people quite enjoy. Her smile is never subtle, and when she likes you, she really likes you. On the other hand, she can scare the tusks off an orc if she wants to. Her chilly gaze of barely restrained fury and gravelly growl tend to put those who threaten her and her friends on edge.

Aoife dresses in mostly hand-crafted leather armor and simple cloth clothing. It's not meant to stop much damage(that's what skin is for, silly) but it does protect against the elements effectively enough, and it allows a full range of movement.
Hair: Fiery red, long, worn asymmetrically
Eyes: Green
Build: Lean, distinctly athletic
Skin Tone: Pale
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 126lbs
Voice: Cait
Handed: Right
Body Markings:Tribal tattoos on her face, right arm, upper chest, and back
Scar Tissue: Various, nothing major
Unique Body Features: None

Name
Aoife Kaenlan
(Ee-fa)

Title
The Sparrow, 13th Blackbird

Race
Human

Visual Age
Late 20's

Factual Age
27

Gender
Female

Sexual Orientation
Heterosexual

Mage Ranking
Kell

Class
Barbarian/Mercenary

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M E N T A L I T Y

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Personality
Aoife doesn't believe in half measures. She fights fiercely, laughs fiercely, eats fiercely, and loves fiercely(or, she would, if she weren't a virgin that's totally inept at romance). She is either your best friend, or your worst enemy, and you had better hope it is the former. She's not very charismatic, and often fumbles with her words, but there is a simple charm to her, almost like a puppy, and like a puppy, she is extremely loyal to her friends, and will tackle anyone who even looks at them wrong. She is boisterous and outgoing, in part because she doesn't quite understand the social norms of "civilized" Dorelith and believes anyone not actively trying to kill her wants to be her friend. She loves eating and drinking and singing and general merriment, and often visits bars just to swap tales with the other patrons.

While not unintelligent, Aoife does lack a proper education, and often has problems with complex words and difficult concepts. She prefers simplicity: good and bad, right and wrong, food and not food. If you can't explain it to her in two sentences, she will quickly lose interest and move on. That said, she is eager to learn about anything and everything, and her curiosity is like that of a child, constantly asking anyone who will listen endless questions.

A sense of humor is not foreign to her, however, she often fails to understand a joke because of cultural differences, and the jokes she tells often fall flat. Regardless, she loves laughing and will do so even if the joke wasn't funny or indeed even if it wasn't a joke. Her laugh is full and loud, and more often than not comes paired with a hearty snort that leaves her red-faced and embarrassed. Speaking of blushing and embarrassment, Aoife can't flirt to save her life. If she tries, it comes out as mostly word vomit with a bit of crying and running away. In fact, if she likes someone, she can hardly talk to them, and blushes any time they even come close to making eye contact. She hates that she is like this and will curse loudly if it happens. Those she likes are often confused by this behavior.

Aoife does have a moral compass, however simple it might be, and she tries to live by it. Protect your friends, kill your enemies, never waste anything. She doesn't like being bogged down by rules, especially if they seem unnecessary(which most of them do), and prefers to "go with the flow" and make decisions when she gets to them, based on all available information. Most often the question is, "do I kill this?" and the answer depends on a; how much of a threat it is and b; how hungry she is. Again, simplicity is key for her. If you are honest and fair, she will generally like you. If you are deceitful and haughty, she will not.

Lastly is Aoife's slight anger issue. While useful in battle, unbridled and raw fury doesn't typically fit well in other situations. For the most part, Aoife's go to emotion when confronted by almost anything negative is anger. Afraid? Angry. Confused? Angry. Hungry? Tired? Too Cold? Too Hot? Horny? Tummy ache? You guessed it...Angry, Aoife will even get angry if something good surprises her, which is confusing, which leads to more anger. Most of the time, it's harmless. Just a few broken windows, bloody noses, black eyes and smashed tables. But sometimes an outburst is more violent than expected, and her actions seriously hurt someone, which can cause all sorts of trouble for her. Once angry, it can be difficult for her to calm down. Sometimes, she just needs to be alone. Other times, she needs a drink, or a friend to talk to her. Sometimes, she just needs to break something.

Though she has her ups and downs, one thing Aoife is not, is superficial. Everything about her is real, honest and genuine, and she'd have it no other way. She just wants someone to see past her faults and scars and love her for her own goofy self. Also if they get drunk with her and let her punch them, that's a plus.
Motto
Swing sword, ask questions later.

Moral Alignment
Neutral Good

Motivation
Aoife owes a debt to Arkhan for saving her life. Her honor binds her to serve and obey his will. Personally, she seeks revenge against those who wronged her family.

Fears

• The Lord of Ravens - A complete enigma. Aoife hates not knowing who gives her orders. Probably her biggest fear
  
• Aule/The Messiah Queen - Unnatural, very powerful, and prone to burning dissenters alive. Dissenters like Aoife. Nothing could be more frightening.
  
• Being raised from the dead - She has seen several of the "people" restored to life by Aule's magic. No thanks. If she dies, she hopes to stay dead. Definitely biggest fear.
  
• Deep water - It's so dark, and anything could be down there. Don't even mention drowning. Scariest thing she can think of.
  
• Various superstitions - Doesn't matter that the "civilized" folk she consorts with now call it nonsense. Evil spirits and dark forces are very real, and very frightening. Possibly even the most frightening.
  
• Slavery - Aoife has seen the slaves in Dorelith. Hopeless, broken things, their will to fight all but shattered. She can't think of a worse fate, or a bigger fear.

Likes

• Fighting - There is a simple pleasure in pitting your blade against another, whether for sport or for blood. The adrenaline rush is second to none.
  
• Flowers - If only they didn't die when plucked. Aoife dreams to one day own the greatest garden in Dorelith, complete with a flower-covered arena for gladiator fights.
  
• Arkhan - The old man is somewhat like a father figure to Aoife. He saved her life, and for that, she owes him everything. He is her master and best friend.
  
• Stars - Some of her best memories are of her sister and her laying under the stars, marveling at their beauty.
  
• Books and poetry - Aoife cannot read well, but enjoys books nonetheless. She enjoys being read to as well, like her sister would do when she was a child.
  
• Food - For such a small girl, Aoife can eat. And I mean really eat. She will scarf down anything if it is presented as food. Her favorites include: Chicken, pheasant, boar, dear, cow, duck, turkey, pig, apple, orange, olive, grape, peach, carrot, potato, cabbage, salt, water, ale.

Dislikes

• Rudeness - Particularly the holier-than-thou, patronizing asshole type of rude. She's sorry for removing her shirt in public. She didn't realize that it was inappropriate. She's not from around here, so don't be an arse, you arse.
  
  
• Aule/Messiah Queen - Obviously bogus religion. Some type of spirit most likely, and a mean one to boot. The queen acts all high and mighty, but forgets she is an animal, like everyone else. Aoife would certainly like to take her down a few notches.
  
  
• Pointless Cruelty - If you're going to kill someone, get it over with. Torture for information is one thing, but being deliberately cruel serves no purpose, and saying hurtful things to others gets you nowhere, so why do it?
  
  
• Inequality - Why do thousands of commoners live in slums while the queen lives in a castle large enough for nearly all of them? Sharing among one's clan is important.

Strengths

• Powerful Instinct - The barbarian clansmen possess a legendary instinct, and Aoife is no different. She is able to detect things that others cannot, and knows the most opportune moment to strike out at her prey.
  
• Determination - Aoife is relentless when she sets her mind to something. She will stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that she is beaten, in anything she does.
  
• Physical Condition- Aoife is strong and fast, and incredibly healthy. She can take quite a beating as well as dish one out, and has no problem wading neck deep into any strenuous physical activity.
  
• Berserker Rage - Like many barbarians, Aoife can channel her animalistic fury to greatly increase her strength and prowess in battle, at the cost of finesse and precision. The sight of Aoife in a battle frenzy, reveling in death and gore, is a frightening sight to behold.

Weaknesses

• Fear and superstition - Barbarians are a superstitious folk, and any number of things can put Aoife on edge, reducing her capabilities. She also startles very easily, so it's best not to sneak up on her if you value your life.
  
• Recklessness - Aoife will often do something without thinking of the consequences. Swing sword, ask questions later is typically her motto, and it's effectiveness is somewhat of a mixed bag.
  
• Naive - Aoife too often trusts those who should not be trusted. She has a hard time picking up on deception in others, even when they are obviously shady. Since lying isn't something barbarians typically do, she expects others to be equally honest.
  
• Short Temper - Aoife is easily provoked, and will get ready to kill over almost any perceived slight. If someone wants to draw out Aoife's anger, it is not difficult.

Is your character literate? In what languages?
Can read and write common, but not well.

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C O M B A T || P R O W E S S

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Combativeness
Hand-to-Hand Combat: [Excellent] Aoife, like most barbarians, considers her body as much a weapon as her sword or bow, and she is an expert at wielding it.

Melee Combat: [Excellent] - What she lacks in finesse, Aoife makes up for brutality and unconventional attacks. Those trained in "civilized" combat often find her hard to deal with.

Ranged Combat: [Good] - Aoife is a trained hunter, and is proficient with a bow. She isn't an archery master, but can be a match most archers.

Magic Combat: [Poor] - While she has the natural ability to wield magic, she is scared of it, and so has never bothered to try.

Mounted Combat: [Poor] - Aoife prefers feeling solid earth beneath her feet when she fights, rather than the unsteadiness of a mount.

Class Skills
Fury: [Excellent] - Channeling an innate animal rage, Aoife can enter a state of berserk frenzy where she is stronger, faster, and more durable than normal, at the cost of reduced finesse and precision.

Outdoorsman: [Excellent] - Aoife has lived her whole life outside, more or less, and is more than capable of surviving in the wilderness. She can hunt, track, build camp, cook over fire, and live off the environment. In addition, her endurance is far beyond that of city folk

Intimidation: [Excellent] - When among friends, Aoife is all smiles and sunshine, and even a bit goofy. When the bad guys come knocking, however, she takes on a completely different attitude. Even hardened barbarian warriors find Aoife's death glare unsettling.

Racial Abilities
Adaptability: [Above Average] - Aoife knows how to make the best of her situation, and how to improvise and use her environment as an advantage.

Thick Skin: [Excellent] - Prime human specimens, the lot of them, barbarians are known for their toughness and endurance, and Aoife is no different.

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E Q U I P M E N T

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Items
Basic survival gear
Alcohol filled flask
Water filled flask
Leather coinpurse
Coil of rope

Accessories
Carved animal bone charm necklace, a gift from her sister.

Weapon
Weapon Name:Reaper's Sprint
Weapon Type: Claymore
Material: Enchanted Steel
Ammo: N/A
Length: 55 inch blade, 12 inch grip
Weight: 6.6lbs
Weapon Description/Info: Reaper's Sprint is an ancestral greatsword passed down by member's of Aoife's family for over twelve generations. Though the exact specifications of the ancient enchantments are long forgotten, it is said to imbue whoever wields it with great strength and stamina that grows greater with each successive kill, as long as they are of the Kaenlan bloodline. It certainly makes one feel powerul, and despite it's size, Aoife finds it somewhat easier to wield than her other weapons.

Weapon Name: N/A
Weapon Type: Shortbow
Material: Yew
Ammo: Steel tipped arrows
Length: 46 inches
Weight: 2.2 lbs
Weapon Description/Info: A plain but finely crafted yew bow. Aoife prefers to use it for hunting rather than combat, though she won't hesitate if she has to.

Weapon Name:N/A
Weapon Type: Hand Axe
Material: Birch handle, Steel head
Ammo: N/A
Length: 20 inch handle. 8 inch head
Weight: 2.9 lbs
Weapon Description/Info: Simple hand axe. Serves well as a backup weapon, as well as a cutting tool, for various purposes.

Weapon Name:N/A
Weapon Type: Hunting Knife
Material: Poplar handle, Steel blade
Ammo: N/A
Length: 5 inch grip, 7 inch blade
Weight: .8 lbs
Weapon Description/Info: Kept in her boot and primarily used for skinning animals, the knife is nonetheless no stranger to human blood.

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B A C K G R O U N D

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Group Affiliation


Marital Status
Single

Relatives
Mother - Yriss - Deceased
Older Sister - Tanis - Deceased
Father - Iorveth - Deceased

Origin
The Freelands

Social Rank
Commoner

Occupation
Mercenary, Blackbird

Bio/History
Far to the south of the grand cities of Dorelith, in the foothills of the Freelands, lies an unassuming village with no name. You wont find it on any map, and practically anyone who knew where to find it already lived there. Within it's palisade walls lived a clan of Freemen, called barbarians or savages by the northerners, renowned among the other Freemen for their great warriors. It is here, seven and twenty years ago, that Aoife was born.

The girl's father, Iorveth, was the greatest warrior among a clan of great warriors, and though her mother died giving birth to her, many tales were told of her beauty and fierceness of spirit. Tanis, her elder sister by six years, helped raise Aoife from infancy, and often looked after her while their father led raiding parties against foreigners and other Freemen. Because of this Aoife loved her sister like no other, clung to her, and followed her everywhere. Aoife cherishes these early memories, playing war in the mud and wrestling with her sister without a care in the world

Then, she grew up. She was eight when the news came, and though she was young, she remembers every detail, the memory seared into her mind. The latest raiding party had returned, not victorious, but beaten and broken and wounder. Iorveth had sustained an abdominal wound, and it had grown septic on the road home. They carried him in on a cart and brought him to the healer, but there was nothing she could do. Aoife looked on her father, dying and disgraced, and wept. Tanis comforted her, and together, the two daughters cradled their father's head as his spirit left his body. As the eldest, Tanis was bequeathed her father's belongings, most notably the Kaenlan family blade, Reaper's Sprint, still far to heavy for her to even wield. Orphans, the two sisters spoke their prayers in solemnity, and buried him.

Aoife and Tanis took to learning the art of war the next day. Many women became craftsmen or healers, but the two sisters dedicated themselves to their father's art, vowing to honor him by becoming even greater warriors. They trained every day, constantly sparring and pushing themselves, and taking lessons and advice from anyone who would give them. Aoife was 13 when the two girls went on their first raid. Tanis, wielding Reaper's Sprint, lead the flank and killed many, while Aoife, who had shown promise as a berserker, fought in the vanguard. The other warriors took note of the sister's ferocity in battle, and within two years, the two of them would be leading raiding parties.

On the battlefield, Aoife and Tanis were a terrifying sight to behold. The ripped into their enemies with gleeful abandon, forging a reputations as warriors worthy of the Kaenlan family name. Raid after raid was stunningly successful, and by 22, Aoife was raiding with her sister farther north than any Freeman had ever raided before. The village elders warned against drawing the ire of the northern armies, but Aoife and Tanis had yet to meet a foe they could not sunder, so they pressed on. It wasn't long before Dorelithan soldiers, led by knights bearing the crimson sigil of the Messiah Queen, met the sisters on the battlefield. The first battle was a clean rout, with the sister's tidily mopping up the meager northern force, then came a second victory, and the girls grew even more bold, and pushed dangerously deep into enemy territory. They pillaged and razed several villages before the Dorelithan reinforcements arrived, which they expected to be another easy fight. They could not have been more wrong. Facing down heavily armored and mounted knights as well has archers and mages, Aoife and Tanis were forced into a full retreat, and by the time they had returned to the relative safety of the Freelands, they had lost more than two thirds of their men.

Still licking their wounds but eager for another go at northerners, the two girls traveled to Ruhar in the northern coastal region of Taomar, a land belonging to the Daemons. They had heard stories of the grand arena, and sought to prove their might there. Learning more about northern fighting styles was merely a bonus. Aoife and Tanis became an instant crowd favorite, besting any opponent set before them. Though the fighting was exhilarating, Aoife disliked the city. Too many people, too close together, and too much greed and inequality. Arena patrons constantly catcalled them as well, which confused her. Why did they want them to fight in the nude? When an uppity daemon invited Aoife to his home for an "after hours match", Tanis punched him straight in the jaw. Wanting to emulate her sister, Aoife decided to punch someone for asking Tanis for directions. On more than one occasion. It wasn't long before the two barbarians found themselves unwelcome, and so they made their leave.

They returned home to their village ready to raid once more, but the elders would have none of it. The village was still recovering for the last failed raid, and the two sisters were forced to stay. A year passed, and then two. By 26, Aoife had had enough. Why was a village once renowned for it's warriors cowering in silence? Many of the clan's young warriors shared this idea, and Aoife rallied a good deal of them to raid in secret, against the elder's orders. Tanis, always the more level-headed, argued against that course of action, but Aoife had already made up her mind, so Tanis went along to protect her younger sister. In the dead of night, Aoife, Tanis, and thirty-five warriors set out from their village, and headed northwest, into Dorelith.

Again, they met with little resistance. Northerner peasants and their pitchforks were no challenge at all, so Aoife pushed on, raiding village after village. Like before, it wasn't long before the trained soldiers and knights arrived, but this time Aoife was ready. She had learned how to outmaneuver armored opponents, and her small force managed to flank and defeat the first group of soldiers they encountered. Emboldened, Aoife became reckless, and led her men into a trap shortly after. It was a bloodbath. All her men lay dead, and though the sisters had escaped, Tanis was badly injured and the two were still deep in northern territory. They tried to flee to the south once again, but Tanis could not keep up the pace. Stubbornly refusing to leave her sister behind, Aoife stayed with her until the soldiers and their leader found them.

Surrounded and with no way out, Aoife took up Reaper's Sprint and prepared to die defending her sister. She fought hard, but there were too many soldiers and they managed to pin her to the ground and bind her. Imprisoned, Aoife soon came face to face with an Inquisitor. He tortured Aoife and Tanis for what seemed like hours, probing them for information about their homeland. Tanis refused to give in, and so did Aoife, but their stubbornness only brought more pain. Eventually, the Inquisitor grew bored and was apparently needed in the capital. He ordered them burned alive before leaving. The two sisters were covered in pitch, and the torch was nearly upon them when suddenly, the guards all dropped dead. Out of strength, Aoife lapsed into unconsciousness.

When she came to, she found herself in a small shack, illuminated by firelight. Next to her lay Tanis, still unconscious. A voice startled her, as she had previously thought the cabin empty. Belonging to an upper-middle aged man with greying hair and a cool demeanor, the voice identified himself as Arkhan. He had saved them. He explained that her ferocity impressed him, as he watched the fight from afar, and that he did not want to see such skill snuffed from the earth. When asked whether he could heal Tanis, Arkhan confessed he had done all he could. She lay in a coma, and would never wake. If he used his magic to bring forth her consciousness, she would soon die. Distraught at her sisters fate and angry that it was caused by her own folly, Aoife wept once more, and this time, it was Arkhan who comforted her. He understood her pain. His own brother had fallen with battle against the Messiah Queen and he couldn't save him. Not wanting to prolong her sister's suffering and force her to die an undignified death, Aoife consented for Arkhan to bring her to consciousness, so that they could say their farewells.

Alone in a strange bed, accompanied only by her sister, Tanis slipped into death's embrace. Aoife raged. Arkhan was patient with her as she smashed and kicked and punched everything around her. He explained who he was and what he did, that he served some mysterious Lord of Ravens who was opposed to the Messiah Queen. That was all Aoife needed to hear. She swore her life to Arkhan for saving it and easing her sister's pain, on the condition that she get the chance at revenge against the queen and her Inquisitors, and especially the Inquisitor who tortured them. Arkhan promised all that and more, and so, Aoife joined The Conspiracy.

Over the next few months, Arkhan trained her as one of his Blackbirds, the elite operatives of The Conspiracy. Subterfuge and deception were not her forte, but Arkhan had a different purpose in mind for her. The Lord of Ravens wanted someone inside the rebellion, and Aoife was the perfect candidate. She didn't need to lie, just omit the part of her past where she joined The Conspiracy. "After all," Arkhan explained to her, "It's not lying if you don't mention it."