NameCassia Van Zyl
Age 23
Gender Female
Race Half-elf
Rank 5 of Swords
Appearance A vibrant young woman of athletic build, if not particularly large stature. She stands just under a meter-seventy, with a relaxed posture and bright countenance.Cassia Personality Fiery, with an energetic disposition that ranges from a general intensity of character to near self-destructive hotheadedness. An innately competitive spirit mixed with a stubborn, steadfast resolve. One who takes pride in her work and appreciates the work of others. While loyal to those she considers friends, she tends to have difficulty accepting assistance, an area where she is trying to curtail her overindependance.
Brief Backstory The single child of a small working class family, growing up in a small town to the southeast of the capital of Estival. Small is no misnomer, being just her father and herself for the majority of her upbringing. While not a lavish life in any sense of the word, it was rich in a way that gold couldn't buy. Her father, a mercenary in long since past life, now spending his time as the village smith, instilled in his daughter an appreciation for honest work and the value of that which was earned by blood and sweat. That which they did not have they made themselves. That which was not needed was given to those in need. While it was not a comfortable life, it was a happy one. During her childhood she assisted her father around the forge when needed, or spent her time with the rest of the children in the village.
In her teens she showed an aptitude for magic, and unwilling to squander an opportunity such as this, her interest in the art was encouraged by her father. While no formal school existed for her to learn to utilize her inner ability, she found instruction from an old retired mage who lived in their village. The mage spent as much of as his time spinning tales of adventure and the wonders of the capital city as much as he attempted to teach the headstrong teenager.
However it became apparent that quiet town life was not for her. Cassia longed for something greater, something more.
This yearning for adventure lead her to Venne, and the aptly Adventurer's Guild itself.
Equipment Cassia's prized possessions she keeps by her side at all times. The first of which being a sturdy roundshield. Reinforced with bands of iron and inlaid with a stylized rose pattern, it makes for an excellent defensive and offensive weapon. The heavy build allowing it to serve just as well as a blunt striking instrument.
In concert with this she wields an equally tough shortsword. The weapon was a holdover from her father's old profession, and given her smaller frame, handles more akin to a hand and a half than the fallback weapon that it had been in a previous time. With a wide, tapering blade it is heavy enough to empart great force onto cuts while still retaining the nimbleness needed to thrust single-handed.
She does own a few assorted pieces of plate armor, though generally prefers to not wear a full set, as much for the cost as the reduction in mobility.
Naturally, she will carry whatever else may be needed on a job from the Guild as needed.
Skills A competent craftswoman, having picked more up than a few talents in coaxing metal into a desired shape under the tutelage of her father. A skill which has come in handy more than once for repairing and maintaining her own equipment should the need arise.
Which comes up more often than not, given her propensity for combat. A capable fighter, what Cassia lacks in elegance and finesse she more than makes up for in raw pressure and athleticism. Cassia leverages a kinetic, smothering style of combat to impose a presence in battle that far outstrips her apparent size.
This is, of course, with the aid of what magic she can bring to bear. While possessing an fairly substantial inner gift of mana, her training with properly utilizing it has been subpar at best; she is certainly no mage and won't go tossing around the elements of nature at will. As such, the majority of the outward expression of her ability is simple at best: fortifying her weapons and body, warding allies from harm, or lashing out with crude slashes of energy.
Absolutely terrible with money, coin having the unfortunate property of burning holes through pockets while in her possession.