Eris

[Eris]

Race: Human Birthday & Age : 10 Winter, 489 AV (20 years old) Gender: Female Eris Serlen stands 5’6’’tall, with a lean frame and pale complexion that is often misconceived as fragile. Bright red hair hangs just above the nape of her neck. There was a time when she let the locks cascade well past her shoulders, but she no longer lets vanity interfere with her efficiency as a fighter. Her eyes are a clouded green, with flecks of hazel visible if one looks close enough. A thin, faded scar runs across the palm of her right hand. Eris distances herself from the rest of the world, getting close to someone only when they have something she wants. Concepts like love and loyalty are foreign to her. She was taught not to get attached, not to let emotions interfere with her work, and never to let passion overrun reason. She drifts through villages and towns, following no path in particular, with the exception of one constant goal. She is driven by the desire to gain knowledge of her allegedly dead father. On the rare occasion that she finds a link to his past, she pursues it relentlessly until she once again hits a dead end. She tells herself that she’ll never allow her quest for the man interfere with her own life, but if the opportunity presents itself, she knows that she’ll once again try to unearth the past. There are times when she is overcome with feelings of paranoia above and beyond her general sense of alertness. Those feelings are often accompanied by the voice of her old teacher, Joel, in her head. It seems that she cannot get rid of the man no matter how far away from him she is. Sometimes, she hears useful advice on Joel's part, but mostly the voice is sarcastic and admonishing. In the past two years, uncertainty had snaked its way between the stone walls of her morals. She had begun to feel pricks of guilt at killing even those who unquestionably deserved death. Her path in this world became unclear and she often feels as if she is walking a tight-rope. And if she were to stumble even once, the carefully constructed reality which she had built for herself might crumble. Eris never had the luxury of experiencing what most would consider a normal childhood. She was born to a mother who did not have the desire nor the means to support a child. Throughout her first ten years with her mother, Arlaine, Eris heard stories of her no-good, outlaw father. She blamed her daughter for everything that ever went wrong in her life and did very little to teach Eris about the world. Arlaine was a herbalist and often sent her daughter on trips to the forest to sketch pictures of various plants. However, the woman managed to turn even something Eris loved - such as art - into a mindless chore that sucked every bit of fun out of the girl's life. Arlaine was not liked in the village and consequently neither was Eris. Whenever Eris wasn't in the forest, drawing sketches of herbs she didn't know the first thing about, she was sitting in the local tavern. Nobody minded if she sat quietly in a corner, listening to travelers' tales and local gossip. Every day, she promised herself that she would follow one of the travelers into the world. But something always kept her back. Arlaine was devout to many gods and worshiped them day and night, praying and laying out small offerings on the porch. She prayed to Rak'keli the most, claiming that the goddess had blessed her with a gift for healing, which was a complete and utter lie. However, no amount of prayer could save the woman when she slowly began to succumb to a silent kind of madness. It was slow at first, only showing itself in the woman's inability to sleep and rapid mood swings. But soon, her changes in mood grew more severe. One moment she would be trying to hug her daughter for the first time in ages and then she would be cursing at her with all the fury of a madwoman. During her lucid moments, Arlaine prayed to Nysel and Rak'keli and even Rhysol. But the gods did nothing to ease her suffering, which later let to Eris's skepticism for their care toward humans and their power. When Arlaine grew sickly and quietly drifted off to death in her house, nobody paid much heed to the daughter she left behind. Eris received some help from an old neighboring woman who occasionally fed the girl and gave her odd jobs around the house. Her life became a downward spiral of mediocrity. In her eleventh year, a man came to Eris’s village, claiming to be a friend of her father’s. He was a conman and thief, looking for an apprentice. Eris couldn’t have been happier to leave the hell she’s been living in. Joel took her with him on his jobs around the neighboring towns, taught her how to use a dagger, pick locks, and to gain people’s trust. Eris never much liked stealing and preferred to learn the ways of the dagger rather than the art of lock picking. Occasionally, he would tell her stories of her father’s escapades as a master thief. He told her that the man died six years after Eris’s death, but the girl never believed him. She followed Joel wherever he went and learned much about the way life worked. And yet, it wasn't until her first kill - at sixteen years - that she finally lost the naivete she hadn't know she'd been holding onto. Along with childish innocence went her hair, leaving only cropped red bangs in place of cascading curls. At eighteen, she had gained enough skill as a fighter and thief to finally leave her teacher. She left without so much as a goodbye and set out to make her own fortune.

[Eris]

Primary Skills Dagger 38 Stealth 14 Larceny 16 Intelligence 13 Interrogation 15   Secondary Skills Rhetoric 8 Riding 7 Observation 6 Drawing 5 Philosophy 5 Teaching 6 Tracking 4 Storytelling 2 Forgery 2 Climbing 2 Mountaineering 2 Acting 2 Negotiation 2 Meditation 2 Running 1 Medicine 1 Tactics 1 Wilderness Survival 1   Understanding People Being Suspicious : When dealing with the shady sort of people, one must allow for doubt. Uneasy Friendships : Even when one does not wish for a friendship, they still seem to happen. Crossing Wits with a Drunk : Harder than it sounds. Making Friends : It is better to have a friend than an enemy. Motivations of Dhani (Basic): Seeing a Dhani torture and kill someone makes one wonder what motivated said Dhani in the first place. Morals and Ethics among Assassins: An oxymoron in a way, isn't it? Assassins aren't supposed to have ethics and morals...Except they do. Chivalry of Knights: Also know as the chivalry of one particularly naive knight who has made Eris feel very, very guilty. Taking on a Student: Eris had serious doubts about teaching Tyuru. Pointed Questions: She's really good at those. A Magician's Motivation: Magicians are interesting people to study, but also the most obscure. Temporary Alliances: It is so much easier to work with a person for one day, than to keep up a long-term friendship. Camaraderie with Strangers: It's alright to get to know someone if they'll be useful to you in the future.   Understanding Oneself Painful Memories: Life is filled with choices that may lead one astray. Then, one will have to live with those choices. Making a New Friend: The Dagger:There is no better friend than a dagger. Turning Down Free Money:Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Regretting Your Decisions:Eris has been doing a lot of that lately. Enjoying Bloodshed:Nothing strange about this at all. Competitiveness Reacting to Taunts Being Angst-Driven Staying Silent Being Half-Awake Withholding Personal Information Being Compelled to Answer Questions Helping Another Person Introducing Self to Another Person Drinking Ale   People and Places Lore of traveling to Sahova: A journey Eris isn't likely to forget. Lore of Baradbal (partial): A ship full of secrets. Lore of Baradbal's crew: Eris would be glad to never see those people again. Lore of Master Varubicht: A dangerous - if likable - Nuit. Lore of Master Crow: Another likable Nuit with amazing morphing abilities. Lore of Lector Qiao (partial) Lore of Golems in Sahova Lore of how a Stormwarden can communicate: Having thoughts inserted into her head was not a pleasant experience. Lore of Sahova Island: Eris does not wish to return to that island ever again. Lore of the Testing Grounds (partial): Testing grounds, indeed. Lore of Uldr's Grotto: A very, very, very dangerous place. Lore of Master Darak: A frightening Nuit which Eris fought against in Uldr's Grotto. Lore of Randjaki/Chained Ones (partial) Lore of Desolate Ones (partial)   Criminal Lores Contact (Ran): A man who claims to be Eris's agent. At the moment, it is safer to consider him a friend than an enemy. Telther's Sordid Dealings: Once upon a time, a greedy man killed his friends for money. Who better to retrieve a killer than an assassin? Metals Used in Locks : To know how to pick locks, a thief must know what kind of treatment the lock metal will be responsive to. Killing a Nuit: A very unpleasant and tedious business from start to finish. Existence of Sylirian Underworld: Who would have thought crime would exist in a squeaky clean city like Syliras?   Other Lores Human Veins and Arteries : To use a dagger, one must know where to make the cut. Sketching: Animals: Sketching your horse has its benefits. Aylasa Caves Layout: Caves are fascinating things - so many ways to get lost. Flirting With Danger (Entrances): Exiting and entering a cave is a dangerous business. Geography of Bronze Woods (basic) Playful Reimancy: Eris never knew that magic could be fun. Reimancy (Basic) Consequences of Magic Discussing Dagger Design Kicking a Creature Sleeping in the Wilds Fighting a Mollack Drinking Water Created Through Reimancy Hearing Nader-Canoch

[Eris]

Rhine is Eris’s only constant companion. The two met a few weeks after Eris left her village. The Gildling was part of a small caravan of traders and had recently “lost” her rider. At least that’s what the trader said. Eris suspected that the mare didn’t “lose” her rider, but purposely pushed him into a ditch. The trader practically forced the horse on Eris, saying that the caravan didn’t want anything to do with the feisty mare. Since then, Eris and Rhine have been inseparable. Rhine is a little wild, but dependable nonetheless. Eris doesn't bother with stabling the mare or tying her down. Rhine is good at staying close by and out of sight. Summer 510 A.V. : Wild Streets - Spring/Summer 510(ALL Beggars, Thieves, Etc)(Summer, 1) Summer after Summer(Summer, 17) Beware - Unidentified Flying Object(Summer, 18) Deviance is part of a perfect world(Summer, 43) Spring 510 A.V. : A chance meeting (Eris)(Spring, 30) Investigating Enemy Territory (Open)(Spring, 34) exploring by night (open) Stealing Names(Spring, 38) [The Stone Garden]A Time of Peace(Spring, 41) [Ironworks]Designs in steel (Sprig, 43) A Day at the Market(Spring, 44) The Runaway Bride? (Spring, 45) Only my Wit is Sharper than my Dagger (Spring, 51) Both sides of the coin.(Spring, 73) First Time for Everything (Spring, 79) Flashbacks : [Flashback]Study of a Horse(508 A.V. Summer, 20) [Flashback]A Road Taken(507 A.V. Fall, 45)

[Eris]

1 set of clothing: a pair of black leather pants, a brown cotton tunic, a pair of leather shoes, a leather belt, a leather jacket, and a pair of black leather gloves 1 Waterskin 1 Satchel which contains: • 1 Set of Toiletries (comb, brush, soap) • 1 eating knife • 1 Pencil • 1 Sketchbook 1 Old Assassin's Dagger 1 New Custom-made Dagger (bearing Isur's blessing) 1 large tent (4 person), large tarp, 100 ft of rope, flint & steel, lantern, 2 torches, bedroll, blanket, fishing tackle & hooks, a riding horse, a full set of tack, and a large set of saddlebags. 1 Horse: Gildling mare 15hh - Rhine 100 Starting Package -5 gm Lodgings at Traveler's Row -35 gm Payment to Eanos for custom-made dagger -1 cm Pear at the market + 5 gm Lessons in larceny + 30 gm Payment for dagger lessons +150 Seasonal wages

[Eris]

General Information : 1. What is your Name? My names is Eris, but I go by many aliases in the course of a job. 2. Do you go by a nickname or pet name? Nobody has ever been close enough to me to call me by a nickname. A while ago, I met a reimancer who called me Cherry for my red hair, but that is as far as a nickname has ever gone. 3. How old are you? I am currently twenty years of age. 4. What is your height? I believe I am about 5'6''. 5. What is your weight? An impertinent question to ask a lady, especially since I don't lug a scale around with me. Suffice to say, that I am light enough to climb very weak tree branches. Aesthetics : 1. Describe yourself as you see yourself.I am who I am - no more and no less than that. 2. Describe yourself as others typically see you. I like to think that others see me as more than just a killer, but most people probably don't. 3. What is your favorite body feature? The eyes. 4. How physically fit are you? I consider myself to be in top shape. 5. How do you typically dress and what is your style? I dress comfortably and in dark garments that will be able to camouflage my movements. Family : 1. Who are your parents and what are they like? My mother was Arlaine - a weak and heartless woman. I know very little about my father, Locke. 2. Do you have any brothers or sisters? None. 3. What is your extended family like? I do not have any extended family to my knowledge. 4. Do you consider close friends as important or more/less important than family? Friends aren't any more or less important to me than family, since I currently have neither. 5. Do you treat animals like family? Yes. My horse, Rhine, is as close to family as I will ever get. Location : 1. Where were you born? My birthplace is of no importance, as I will never return there again. 2. Where do you live now? I travel a lot, but I have somewhat of a permanent home in Syliras. 3. If you could live anywhere in Mizahar where would that be? Syliras works well enough. 4. Do you have a favorite place to vacation or spend leisure time? Ha! I have no leisure time. 5. Where do you fear to be? In a place where I no longer have control. Traits : 1. Do you have any physical weaknesses (disease, scars, and missing limbs?) I have a thin scar across the palm of my hand, but it does not hinder me. 2. Are you right handed or left handed? I am right handed. 3. What languages do you speak? What do you sound like? Do you have an accent? I try to sound as undistinguished as possible. All the harder for people to remember me. 4. Do you have any odd mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics? I've tried to eliminate all mannerisms from by behavior, but I occasionally run my fingers over my scar unconsciously when I am feeling a strong emotion. 5. Do you have (or want to get) any tattoos or piercing? Why do you have them (or will get them) ? Never. Tattoos and piercings are too distinguishable and make it hard to stay inconspicuous. Occupations : 1. What is your occupation? I am an assassin and occasionally do mercenary work. 2. Do you like/dislike your work? Why? There are aspects of my work that I can't live without, but I dislike it overall. 3. If you could be anything you wanted to, what would you be? I would be an artist, but I would never admit it to anyone, 4. What occupation do you admire the most? Why? I admire those people who follow their dreams in their careers. 5. What occupation do you lest like? Why? I don't judge other people's livelihoods. Childhood : 1. What sort of child were you? I was quiet.. 2. What is your favorite memory from childhood? On my third day of my life with Joel, he took me to a tavern and we sat across from each other. He drank ale and a I drank milk and he told me this was what life was going to be like. He said I'd never have to go back to the dull, lifeless village I have been living in. Life turned out to be much less luxurious than he hinted at, but I still treasure that moment. 3. What is your worst memory from childhood? As my mother lay dying, she screamed at me to leave her alone, saying that I was worthless to her. Only the day before, she had hugged me for the first time. I wish she never had. 4. What sort of relationship did you have with your parents? A nonexistant one. 5. Who was your most influential role model? Joel was my only role model, though he wasn't always a good one. Education : 1. What sort of education do you have? I've never had any formal schooling, but our neighbor lent me books to read when I was little. I taught myself to read and write with some help from her. After Joel took me on, he would sometimes instruct me in academic pursuits, but proffered to teach me more about the streets. 2. Do you like/dislike learning? It's a noble pursuit when you have the time and money for it. I typically do not. Most of my learning has to be done either on the run from enemies or at the edge of a sword. As you can imagine, that type of learning is not very enjoyable. 3. Where or how did you learn most of your skills/abilities? Joel taught me about half the things I know. I learned the rest the hard way. 4. How do you learn best? I learn by doing - whether it be a new dagger technique or a new brush stroke. 5. What are your educational goals for the future? I wish to learn of other people and cultures, to try and glimpse some truth I have apparently been missing. Relationships : 1. Do you form close bonds with people? Why? Why not? I do not. People are a hindrance. Once a close relationship is formed, you become responsible for each other. I do not wish to be responsible for anyone but myself. 2. Do you trust people easily? If not, why not? People are liars, cheaters, and traitors at heart. Even the very best person has secrets of their own. It is those secrets that ultimately motivate them. If I do not know their secrets and motivations, how can I trust them? 3. Do you consider yourself straight, gay, bi, or something else? I have only ever had intimate relations with men and that is the way I prefer it. 4. Have you ever been kissed? If so, describe the first time. Sylvan. We were walking through the town square. He was holding my hand and I was trying to think of the best way to disentangle myself. Then, he leaned down. Our lips met and all thoughts of escape melted away. 5. Have you ever had sex? If so, describe the first time. Sylvan, again. We were having a picnic in the forest - his idea, not mine. He was babbling on about love and marriage and other foolish things of that nature. I kissed him to shut him up and things progressed from there. Drugs and Alcohol : 1. Have you ever been drunk? If so, describe your first time. I have been drunk once. Just once. Not that Joel ever let me forget it. He saw no problem with alcohol and him being my "role model" and whatnot, I decided that I should have a drink too. We were at a tavern and I was feeling especially down. He was talking to a friend of his and I just kept ordering one mug of ale after the other for myself. I don't remember much of the evening, except that I never got drunk again after that. 2. Do you like to drink on a regular basis? No. It dulls the senses. 3. What sort of alcohol do you prefer? The non-alcoholic kind. 4. Have you ever tried drugs (mood altering substances)? If so, which kinds and what did you think of them? No. 5. What do you think of drugs and alcohol? Be specific. I will repeat myself, since I am obviously not being clear enough. I loathe them. They dull the senses. They make people weak and uncoordinated. Likes and Dislikes : 1. What are your hobbies? I sketch. 2. Do you like to read? I enjoyed reading when I was a little girl, but I currently do not have the time for it. 3. What annoys you more than anything else? People. 4. What do you find the most relaxing activity to do? Sketch. 5. What kinds of things embarrass you? Why? I don't find anything particularly embarrassing. Favorites : 1. What is your favorite color or colors? That's a stupid question. But I suppose if I must answer it, I would say black (even though it is a shade, not a color). 2. What is your favorite time of day? Night. 3. What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen? A long, winding road stretching downhill as far as the eye could see. 4. What do you like to eat? What do you hate to eat? I eat what I can get. I can't afford to be choosy. 5. What is your favorite type of weather? Does any kind scare you? I enjoy walking in the streets after it has rained. And no, weather does not scare me, though I don't much care for violent storms. Outlook : 1. Are you optimistic or pessimistic? I must admit that I am usually pessimistic. 2. What are your religious views? Gods are fickle and do not care for human suffering. I try to stay away from them, though I admire Akajia. 3. Would you be able to kill? Ha! I believe that i have proved on many occasions that I would. 4. What are your views on sex? It can be very distracting, but if it's with someone you have an affection for, it can be quite engaging. 5. What, in your opinion, makes a successful life? Success is too relative. What I find successful may not be what other people consider success. Actions : 1. What is the worst and best thing you’ve ever done? I'm sorry. I don't keep track of my many transgressions. 2. What is your greatest regret? Too many to list. 3. What is your best/worst memory? I believe I've already spoken about the one with Joel/ 4. If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be and why? I would have trusted Joel when he said my father was dead and wouldn't have gone looking for him. 5. What are you the most proud of doing in your life? Every moment of pride is tinged with bitterness. I'd rather not remember them. Emotions : 1. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings with others? Not honest in the least, unless I think that the person will truly be able to understand me. 2. Do you have any biases or prejudices? No. I don't judge others. 3. What makes you happy? The quiet. Sketching. My horse. 4. Who or what, if anything, would you die for? Nothing. I will not risk my life for anything. 5. What makes you angry? People who think they know things they really don't. People who claim to understand, when they don't even have an inkling... Relationships : 1. In general, how do you treat others? I treat them coldly and...briefly. 2. Who is the most important person in your life, and why? My horse. 3. Who is the person you respect the most, and why? I respect Joel. I really do. Despite all his flaws, he managed to carve out some happiness from his life. 4. Do you have a spouse or significant other? If not, describe an ideal lover. He would need to be strong, both physically and emotionally. I want a man who can challenge me and who can deal with things from my past. He can't be living in some idealistic, dream-like world. He has to know what he wants and be realistic about his goals. 5. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why? I trust nobody but myself... And Rhine, but there is only so far a horse can go to protect me. Group Situations : 1. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict? I am not above rising conflict, but I tend to avoid it unless someone makes me really anger. I have a temper. Deal with it. 2. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations? I don't like to be responsible for people. I'll fade into the background and do what is best for me. 3. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not? No. Too many targets to keep an eye on. 4. Do you care what others think of you? No. 5. What do you think of others, in general? How would I know? I already said that I don't care. Self Image : 1. What is your greatest strength as a person? I know what I am capable of. 2. What is your greatest weakness? I allow myself to have regrets when I should not. 3. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? What point is there in talking about things that are not in one's power? 4. Are you generally introverted or extroverted? Introverted. 5. Are you generally organized or messy? I do not have enough belongings to be messy with, so I am organized. Beliefs : 1. What God or Goddess do you find most appealing, if any? As I said before, I am not close to the Gods, but I respect Akajia. 2. Which God or Goddess do you fear, if any? I don't fear the Gods. 3. Do you have any Gnosis Marks? If so, how did you receive them? None. 4. What lengths would you go to to please your deity? I would never strive to please someone who cared so little about me. 5. Where do you draw the line at pleasing your deity? What is too much? Everything is too much. Life & Death : 1. What do you absolutely live for? I don't know. I really, really don't. I tell myself that I live because I have unfinished business, but once I find Locke, life might very well lose its meaning. That scares me. 2. What is the best part of life? The one quiet moment you find in the day to reflect alone and not be burdened with anything. 3. What is the best part of death? Knowing that death will one day come is a comfort. 4. If you could choose, how would you want to die? I would want someone to plunge a dagger in my heart - just to finally see how it feels. 5. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death? I have done nothing to deserve remembrance. There is no one who I would wish to remember me.