Name: Ajani (''Cat''; ''Tigress'' ; ''Stripes'' clearly the ones who made these nicknames up were not particularly creative)
Age: 29
Gender: Female
Alliance: Undecided, up to the other characters to sway her one way or another.
Race: Calva, Tiger subrace.
Appearance: Ajani is perhaps the epitome of a tiger-Calva, she is tall, muscular, and agile all at once. Her skin, and the faint sheet of fur that covers her from head to toe in the familiar patterns is stretched taut by powerful, corded, practically wiry muscles that the tigress was seemingly proud of and happy to put on display, usually wearing sleeveless tops that showed off her abs and arms. They clearly weren't just for show, however, as she clearly seemed to be as strong, perhaps stronger, than most men her size.
Her features are exotic, to most of the races of the world, so calling her attractive (if one fancies strong, athletic women) is far-easier than calling her beautiful. Regardless, like most cats, she has slender, sharp features, a small nose and large round eyes. Incidentally, these same features are often depicted as the ones held by classical beauties. One would be hard-pressed to disregard she sharpness of her teeth, or the bestial yellow color of her eyes, or even the coat of fur.
One may notice, however, that neither her hands, nor her feet have claws - though they seem to have had, at one time. The nests where the claws would retract into and protrude from, are empty, and somehow, they've been prevented from regrowing. Aside from that, they seem humanoid in shape and structure, with five digits on each. The most striking feature of hers, however, is the tell-tale mark of the branding that all Calva exiles bear.
Class: Dagthor
Abilities/Skills: Combat Styles - While the specific styles are just there for flavor and add a bit to lore, the general idea is that Ajani is not just strong or agile, she also knows how to use those traits effectively in combat.
A martial form that holds its origins from the race of Edhil, adopted by the peope of Vonga and adapted to their needs and preferences. It is a style of combat for both unarmed combat, as well as weapon-use. The style requires both strength and dexterity from its practitioners - much like the waters it is named for, the warrior must be both powerful, and fluid, to get the upper hand on their opponent. Masters of this style excel in single combat, turning their opponents attacks against them and bringing them down with precise, powerful and quick attacks. Longswords are the preferred weapon, as they require both strength and skill to use, either one-handed or two-handed.
The air style is a martial style that has age-old traditions within Vonga, and is taught to some degree to most Calva, as it is generally looked upon as a style suited to self-defense. Masters of the style however, are elusive combatants, often capable of holding their own soundly, even when vastly outnumbered and facing numerous simultaneous attacks, eventually weaving through their opponents and thinning their numbers. The ideal is, after all, that air is elusive, and formless, but can also be destructive and fearsome.
Athleticism - Ajani is both exceptionally strong and fast - her racial features lend themselves well to make her naturally athletic, but she has seemingly taken time to hone her body through exercise as well.
Acrobatics - Cat-like agility and reflexes run in her blood - walls can be climbed, chasms leaped over, and heights are not as deadly as they would be to the unprepared.
Self-Mastery: Ajani makes the conscious choice to disregard the practices of Berserker magic that some warriors take up. In stead focusing on keeping anger from ruling her, she strives for mastery of self and discipline of mind and body to achieve similar - less spectacular, but no less effective feats of combat prowess.
Intimidating Presence: Tiger-Calva are known, much like the animals they resemble, as among the largest and physically powerful subraces of their people - most of them can roar akin to the animal itself - and often the sound and their appearance is enough to unnerve, and even cause panic to the unprepared.
Sharp Senses - Eyesight, smell and hearing are important for predatory beasts - Calva often benefit from sharper senses akin to their animalistic types, and Ajani is no different. She can sense changes in lighting, movement, smell and sound that a fatanen might miss entirely.
Armor and Weapons: Studded Leather Armor - Treated with special substances and studded with steel to make a sturdy, yet flexible suit of armor. It isn't platemail, but it will turn aside most blunt weapons, and even protect from bladed and piercing attacks soundly, if the attack is not taken head-on. It consists of:
- Studded Leather Vest - covering the shoulders, upper arms, torso, and upper thighs.
- Studded Leather Gauntlets - reaching up to the elbows.
- Briches. - Simple pants, loose and allowing freedom of movement - tucked into boots.
- Leather Boots - Tough boots, better suited to harsh terrain than stopping weapons.
Steel Longsword - This sturdy , versatile weapon has seen much use, Ajani is not the first to wield it. Typically sheathed across her back.
Quarterstaff - a walking stick, or a non-lethal weapon, this straight oaken shaft is often also secured to Ajani's back.
Throwing Knives x6 - Small, balanced iron knives, tucked into a bandolider for easy reach.
Personality: Ajani is the vision of a mercenary - she strives to be self-sufficient, and most of what she does, is for her own interest, pleasure, or needs. However, that is not to say that she dislikes other people, or actively works against them, on the contrary - she is also quite happy to share her time with others, and enjoys the presence of others who mean well, and freely interacts, rather than brood and keep to herself.
While her life is one of violence traded for coin, she is neither heartless, nor numb to the horrors of war. She will strike down an armed and skilled foe without hesitation, but the crippled, weak, old and young always find mercy from her, as she finds it a stain upon her character to abuse those who cannot fend for themselves. In times of peace, she finds solace in the beauty of nature, and merriment with friends and allies.
Though she sells her skills for money, it is out of necessity, as her true goal is to achieve mastery of the art of combat, she finds purpose, beauty and wisdom in mastery over weapons, technique and her own body. She feels no particular pull toward either side in the raging conflict that shakes the land, in her mind, god-like power should never serve mortal ambition.
History: Ajani was born to a tribe of Calva with predominantly predatory heritage, who often strayed, and preyed upon the tribes who resembled non-predatory animals. Her people reveled in their bestial nature and sought to bring themselves closer to the animals they resembled. Most other Calva avoided them, and those who could defend themselves did not tolerate their presence within their territory.The chieftain of her tribe, her father, had ambitions of expanding his tribe, annihilating or assimilating smaller ones and eventually gaining dominance over the others. Ajani, though young, did not share his ambitions, but dared not incur his wrath by speaking out against such notions. Thus she spent her childhood, until her mid-teens, watching countless cruelties and depravities be visited upon the defenseless and valorous alike - deeds that she herself had done, albeit reluctantly.
The other peoples of Vonga, however, would not tolerate the predatory tribe's actions for long, and one night, whilst most of the warriors slept, the tribe's camp was ambushed. Caught off-guard, by a predator they themselves had not expected, they were overpowered, with many slain, and many other left to flee. Ajani, along with several slaves, and cubs who were left behind, surrendered to the raiders. The elders of the tribes then gathered, both prisoners and liberated slaves. Many of her tribesmen were executed. The slaves either rejoined their tribes, or were taken in by generous families, if their own tribes were gone. Ajani shared that fate, she'd lost herself amongst the slaves, and many believed her to be another unfortunate soul. Her father, however, had escaped the fate of his warriors.
So began a seemingly mundane life - she served her part among her new tribe, hunting for them, and protecting them as she could, all while the shadow of her past lingered in her mind. And while she felt at ease, immersing herself in the study of combat - she feared what she would find herself using the skills she practiced for. Over time, she carried the weight with more ease, and she considered fully turning her back on the past - taking a mate, enjoying a relatively peaceful life, away from the struggles of the fatanen and the other races.
Years would roll by, and six years since the dissolution of her tribe, the people of Vonga would gather for the Pashenda. Tribes mingled, celebrated, and she found many of those who had been liberated years ago, had started families of their own. The festivities came to as sudden halt, when a battered and seemingly ancient tiger-Calva stood amidst the tents, screaming injustice for his tribe, pointing fingers accusingly at the elders of other tribes. Some were shocked, others taken aback, third rose to remove the old man, but Ajani approached him. He turned to her, frantically grasping her shoulders - the spark of recognition lighting up in his glassy eyes. In so little time, he'd aged so much, become a broken shell of a man. But the Calva, was her father.
Time stood still for a moment, as they gazed into each other's eyes, his were misty, unclear and frantic, reflecting a shattered mind - hers, the vision of calm, yet there was a hardness in them. He parted his lips to name her, to call her his daughter, and embrace her. Some onlookers were baffled, but others quickly remembered, who the man was, and now knew who Ajani was, in turn. She looked down at the broken mind. In an instant, her claws came free, and she drove them into her father's throat. Even as he slid down her frame, life leaving his body, his eyes still held a mad hatred for the world around him. Even knowing that she'd sealed her fate, Ajani felt at ease - the greatest demon from her past, was gone.
Naturally, Ajani suffered for this choice. She submitted herself to the punishment of the elders - her claws were removed, and their nests seared to prevent them from healing and growing back and she was given the brand. Even the life of a monster, was sacred within the Pashenda, and she would face exile for it. For nine years, she has wandered the face of the world, selling her skill at arms, be it for protection, conquest, or the entertainment of a bloodthirsty crowd. She finds herself now, at the turning point of the fate of all races.
Other:- Enjoys tummy-rubs.
- Likes bathing and water unlike most cats.
- Bench-presses a lot.
- Lazer-pointers are her greatest weakness.
