Okay... So I have finally finished my CS, despite all of the odds thrown against me this weekend. I'm sure there are many rough places, as I had to compose this in little shots of time as they came by. Please feel free to dissect this ruthlessly, and I will be more than happy to adjust accordingly. Or start over. Whatever it takes. Imma try and read up on the other CS's tomorra!
Name: Rashna Gro-Bornag
*photo credit to DeanSpencerArt on DeviantArt
Race: Orsimer
Sex: Female
Age: 24
Family Origins: Rashna grew up in Windhelm, where her parents had settled many years before her. She is the only daughter of Bornag and Mahzra Gro-Wrognar. Bornag had left his tribe long ago as a mercenary, and met Mahzra, who's family had run a forge in Windhelm for several generations.
Appearance: Rashna has a harsh beauty, her eyes are a deep gold that seemed always to burn. Her thick mane of hair would make any woman jealous, although she keeps hers in a mixture of braids and dreads to try and contain it somewhat. Her tusks stand out in stark contrast to her olive green skin. A scar runs across her face from a skirmish with a bear during hunting.
Equipment: Thick, soft soled boots that add to stealth Light armor top and bottom taken as spoils from her travels Wooden shield reinforced with some iron Spear with Iron head Orcish bow that she inherited from her father. 10 iron arrows Iron dagger Fur cape
Misc. Possessions: Small Health potion (3) Stamina potion (1) Whet stone (1) Bread (2) Quarter of round cheese
Family and Associations: Bornag - Father Mahzra - Mother
History: Rashna was a wandering and fierce soul from the very moment she drew her first breath. The only child of Bornag and Mahzra Gro-Wrognar after many, many years of yearning for a child, the little orsimer was the answer to their prayers and the new parents were sure that this was the perfect child they had always dreamed of. As Rashna grew up, however, their hopes of the well mannered child that would work happily in the family forge were quickly dashed. Rashna took every opportunity she possibly could to get out into the outdoors, wandering the mountains near her home in Windhelm and exploring all that she laid her deep golden eyes on. This frustrated Mahzra, who had to chase the orc girl all over, all while trying to work in the forge with her husband. But Bornag understood the pull in Rashna's heart. He had felt the same as a younger orc when he was known as a great warrior. He had left his tribe to brashly travel the world and find his fortune. Bornag quickly found that his level of skill with the sword and shield was in demand and paid very well. He became a sell sword and loved it, sure he would live that life until he too died a honorable and bloody death. However, once Bornag had met Mahzra during a stop in Windhelm, he was smitten and knew he could never leave her. They married, and slowly his excursions for coin outside of the forge diminished until he had found himself happily living the life of the local blacksmith, enjoying the hard work at his wife's side. He recognized so much of himself in his daughter, and it made his heart glow with pride.
The young orsimer couldn't help but fall in love with the excitement of new things. She loved to find plants and bugs to bring home. For her 6th birthday, Rashan was given a picture book of plants and animals as a guide, relieving her parent's of answering her many questions about her findings. This encouraged her to become passionate about learning and perfecting her reading so she could get answers for herself. Reading was a whole new aspect to adventure, and she loved it! Seeing how effective this method of guidance and reward was, Bornag decided to try and show his daughter how to make the tools that she could take out into the woods with her. For the first time, the now-hopeful parents found that Rashna was truly enthusiastic in the forge, eagerly taking in how to make and maintain a proper a fire, how to heat and shape metal into things such as daggers and arrowheads, or taking skins and transforming them into bags and other helpful things. The wild child turned into a ravenous student seemingly overnight as she realized that being an explorer and discovery means so much more than just where your feet can take you. Her main passion became hunting with her father, and learning to put the plants and things she found in the outdoors into different potions and tonics in between.
Rashna soon blossomed into her twentieth year as a knowledgeable huntress and alchemist with a knack for making coin. Everyone nearby knew that if you needed wild game, or a beast that was pestering your crops taken care of, that the young orc was the person you needed. Her skills with the bow and spear were unparalleled. As for alchemy, Rashna had picked it up when her mother suggested that she run by the alchemy store in Windhelm to see if she could possibly sell her findings. The store keeper and young entrepreneur soon had a running business agreement - supplies in exchange for coin at first, but soon Rashna pleaded to be taught instead. This went on for several more years, until misfortune struck the Gro-Wragnar family.
Bornag's health declined suddenly. Both parent's were beginning to generally show the signs of age, but one day the formerly oak of a orsimer dropped to the floor of the forge, unresponsive to the desperate pleas and shaking of his wife. Mahzra tended to him, and for a while he got better. Some of the potions that Rashna created seemed to at least relieve the pain, and hasten the healing. But, whatever had happened, his age did not allow for full recovery, and he was left mostly paralyzed from the shoulders down. This left the forge work to Rashna and Mahzra, but after a few months it soon became clear that tending the forge and tending a partially paralyzed adult was simply not going to put food on the table or complete orders on time. With heavy hearts, they decided to sell the forge and buy a home, so Mahzra could commit herself to caring for Bornag, while Rashana became the breadwinner of the family. She knew immediately that hunting and gathering and potions wouldn't be enough. If she relied on those solely, she would wipe out all the game and supplies nearby, ultimately crippling them and the others around them in Windhelm. The young orc decided, instead, to follow in her father's footsteps and try her hand at mercenary work. She had been trained some with swords and axes with her father - enough to hold her own. Her preference was still archery or her trusty spear and shield. She took on some contracts and completed them, uncertainly and roughly at first, but soon she began to thrive, traveling from city to city and taking every job she could find. She kept just enough earnings to live on and sent the rest home. After a few years, and many contracts completed, Rashna caught wind of an excavation site of some dwemer ruins in the Jarell Mountains. Certain that this could be a big job to last her parents the rest of their years, she decided to take it. Anything to take care of her parents as they had cared for her.
Personality: Bold in her outlook to life, Rashna never does anything half-assed. This works as a double-edged sword, as when she puts her mind to something she will stop at nothing to get it done, whatever the cost. However, she isn't always correct, and she can be painfully stubborn in holding her ground until proven wrong. Generally, however, she is pleasant enough to be around. Somewhat easily distracted by whatever she is most interested in at that moment. From moment, that could be the conversation with you, to abruptly getting something to eat instead. Her focus is intense, just not maintained long in anything but a good hunt.
Praise Talos, I finally have a computer to use! I can stop tip typing away on my iPhone at the pace of a dying horker, and will do my best to finish my CS between tonight or tomorrow.
The character I'm working on now is a huge, old orc who specializes in smithing and two-handed axes; a gruff but wise father figure for the party with a heart of gold and a jaw full of tusks. Currently halfway through with his history and only got the personality left after that.
*looks up from a CS about a female blacksmith orc who dual wields swords* Uhhh I will make some revisions 😅