Cello

Phoenix Wing: New Dawn

Priscilla Duran

Jamie’s Office, Phoenix Wing Guild Hall | Magnolia
Interacting with: Jamie Beltras @MarshiestMallow | Jack Goran @Zarkun

---

When Priscilla shook Jamie’s hand, she felt a rush of invigorating energy travel up her spine. This woman, the master of Phoenix Wing, gave off such an inspiring radiance that she couldn’t help but feel in awe. For a moment, it reminded her of her own mother. In a way, it felt more fitting for Agnus to be standing here. A leader without equal, she would have surely been worthy to grace this gathering of guild masters. Agnus wasn’t here anymore though. The task of representing Wolven Pyre, and by extension the Daughters of Hecate, fell to Priscilla. It was a daunting shadow to live in.

“Magnolia is as beautiful as I remember it.” Priscilla responded to Jamie’s inquiry about finding the guild hall. “We who dwell within the Glade are often lacking the comforts of luxuries such as clothing boutiques and patisseries. I do apologise if it has led to any tardiness on my behalf, but I simply had to explore the sights before coming here.” She made a mental note to bring back some souvenirs for her guild members. Their small talk was interrupted by a red haired man entering the room whilst talking on a communication device. Turning to greet the man she knew to be Jack Goran, master of Dragon Fang, Priscilla offered her hand out for him to take in greeting.
“It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Jack.” Dragon Fang was practically a hop, skip and a jump away from the Silverbranch Glade. Yet this was to be the first time she had met their master. “It is long overdue, I’m afraid. We’re practically neighbours and yet we’ve never met face to face. You’ll have to forgive me, but I’m afraid the bureaucracy of running a guild is still quite overwhelming for me. I rarely find time to escape my office, as I’m sure you can both sympathise.” She glanced down at Jamie’s desk at the pile of paperwork that made her own seem trivial by comparison. The unattractive side of running a successful guild it seemed.

Priscilla took a seat at one of the empty chairs around Jamie’s desk, standing her staff up beside her. The torch bearing staff stood upright on it’s own, the Unyielding Flame of Hecate keeping the room nice and toasty.
“Are we waiting on anyone else? If not I’d like to begin by offering my sincerest gratitude to the both of you for allowing me to represent Wolven Pyre at this meeting. We may be small, but we’re spirited. Rest assured that the witches and mages of our guild are always available should you need us.” Staring down at the lacrima on Jamie’s desk, Priscilla couldn’t help but notice what looked like some sort of concert. Sure enough, the muffled vocals and various instruments droned from beneath them. It would seem Phoenix Wing’s reputation preceded them.

Bullet and Zhulie Pesta

The Archstones | Silverbranch Glade
Interacting with: Regan Hadou @CitrusArms

---

The group travelled along the lantern lit path with Zhulie leading the way. Bullet walked a few feet behind, his fists shoved into his pockets whilst he begrudgingly watched that damn brat lead someone she knew nothing about right back to the guild hall. Sure, Regan had given her word that she was no threat. Didn’t mean Bullet had to trust her. Worse off, it seemed Zhulie was all too happy to run her mouth and answer every little thing Regan wanted to know about Wolven Pyre. The group passed another lantern, the small flame flickering to life inside it’s cast iron cage whilst it dangled from the branch of a verdant oak. Carvings etched from many years ago depicted various runes and spell circles. Even just brushing past them, one could feel the ancient power that coursed through the glade. The witches of centuries past had definitely made their mark upon this forest.

Zhulie turned her face away with a slight blush at Regan’s compliments, and then returned back to her normal beaming self when the older woman inquired about her status in the guild.
“I am a member! In a sense.” She showed Regan the back of her hand where the Wolven Pyre mark was imprinted in a warm, amber. The mark depicted the three headed Goddess Hecate; a bull, wolf and snake.
“I’ve yet to forge a contract with my deity as of yet, so I’m afraid I don’t wield much in the way of magic.” Her free hand clutched a small pendant that hung from her neck, a beautifully carved teardrop of Rose Quartz dangling from the silver chain. It was her mothers. She glanced back up at Regan before realising she may not know what the young girl was talking about.
“You see, witches learn magic through forging pacts with entities on different planes. We communicate with them and devote ourselves to them, and they grant us their gifts.” A voice from behind called out in objection.
“She doesn’t need a lecture, kid.” Bullet grumbled. He began to shuffle forward, picking his pace up to hopefully reach the guild hall before he died of starvation. Walking alongside the pair, he simply clicked his tongue at Regan’s repeated assurance that she could be trusted. “We’d move a lot faster if you kept quiet, Zhulie.” The young girl poked her tongue out at him before turning her attention back to Regan. This woman certainly was curious about the guild. She had no choice but to oblige her of course! Filled with pride for her home, why wouldn’t she?

“Our coven is the Daughters of Hecate. We’re still active, but our leader Priscilla is the one who opened our doors to mages during the reign of the magic management council.” Zhulie was still very young when the previous council was dismantled, so she wasn’t privy to a lot of details of the event.
“She sheltered them and kept them safe in the glade, and I guess they loved it so much here they wanted to stay! Priscilla is the most amazing witch I’ve ever met. She stood before the council and pleaded her case, establishing the light guild Wolven Pyre as a place where mages and witches could live harmoniously.” Zhulie always got shivers when she heard the story. She idolised Priscilla as the ideal witch; strong, powerful but reserved and regal. She instinctively found herself nestling into Regan as they walked.
“If I could grow up to be half the witch Priscilla is, then I’ll consider myself lucky.” Her Choosing Rites were only a week away. Bullet was happy for her, but somewhat worried that the process would change her in some way. Not that change was a bad thing, but he’d grown accustomed to Zhulie’s bright demeanor and happy-go-lucky spirit. He wasn’t educated enough to know what forging a pact with a deity was like; he only hoped that they’d still have the same Zhulie afterwards.

The familiar sight of the coven Archstones came into view through the brush, resulting in a delighted squeal from the young girl. Zhulie skipped ahead of the others to stand beside the mighty, stone obelisks. They were each spaced a few meters apart, the rows stretching far into the glade as far as one could see.
“Oh Regan look!” She beckoned the older woman over, tracing along the intricate carvings of the stones. Yet unlike the lantern bearing trees, these rocks seemed absent of any power. There was definitely a residual energy, and a powerful one at that. Even Bullet could feel it when he pressed his palm against the smooth rock.
“These Archstones were placed by Beatrice Duran, our coven’s founder, hundreds of years ago. When our kind were still in hiding, these stones formed a powerful protective charm that kept the coven hidden from wanderers. Of course, Priscilla undid the magic within them once we became known to the world. Wolven Pyre is a place welcome to any stranger seeking refuge now.” Bullet glanced away from Regan, a slight pit in his stomach. He hadn’t been particularly welcoming. Swallowing his reservations, the young man cleared his throat and continued to trek past the Archstones.

“We’re almost there, come on.” Bullet pressed onward, and sure enough, the sight of a magnificent tree came into view. It’s enlarged roots stood tall above them, spreading out far and wide in all directions. The canopy towered high above, with just barely enough light piercing the leafy veil to illuminate the surrounding forest. If one looked closely enough, they could spy the intricate network of rope bridges and huts formed from shaped vines and foliage that encompassed the entirety of the tree’s mighty branches. Natural caverns formed in the great hollow made for excellent passageways to the various levels of the tree. At the base stood a mighty wooden door, a carved insignia practically faded to nothing etched upon it. Much more modern was the fresh banner bearing the same guild mark that Zhulie had shown Regan. She held onto Regan’s arm, barely able to contain her excitement as she bounded up and down.
“Welcome to Wolven Pyre!”

Henri Baptiste and Meredith Clagnan

Wolven Pyre Guild Hall | Silverbranch Glade
Interacting with: Argus Leandros @Raijinslayer

---

Henri ran his fingers through his now dry hair and exhaled slowly. It wasn’t the first time Argus had put himself down, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. The boy was his own worst enemy. It frustrated Henri to say the least, but he knew better than to push too hard. When the younger mage turned around and changed the topic to the barren job board, Henri swung around on his stool to glare at the scraps pinned up. It had barely changed since last week.
“Aye, we of the coven have had no trouble seeing that we are mostly self sufficient.” Henri had lived with the Daughters of Hecate for quite some time. It was true that they’d never needed an income to survive, but being an official guild meant mages would make their way to them in search of employment. Suffice to say, the jobs were few and far between. Argus’ suggestion of inquiring with Dragon Fang for some assistance peaked his interest. Meredith slid a bowl of salted almonds across to the boys, to which Henri almost immediately stuffed a handful into his mouth.
“Mm.. you hab a poi-”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full!” Meredith smacked Henri on the top of his head. He cowered at her strike, taking a moment to gulp down the almonds with a satisfying exhale.
“Sorry ma’am.” Meredith rolled her eyes. “You have a point there Argus, mate. I’m sure Dragon Fang has jobs to spare.” The idea of tagging along on one of their famous hunts was appealing. He rubbed his goatee and leaned back against the bar. Meredith piped up from behind.
“It’s a nice idea, Argus. Unfortunately, I worry Priscilla may be too proud to ask for such assistance.” Henri stared up at the ceiling. He’d known Priscilla for many years and she’d always upheld herself as someone who would have done anything to preserve the coven. Yet Meredith knew her longer, and though it was easy to place Priscilla Duran on a pedestal; she was also human. Arrogant and prideful though? He wasn’t so sure about that.
“Well, she is at that meeting with the other masters. Who knows what will come of it?” Henri threw a couple almonds up into the air, tipping his head back and swerving on his stool to catch around half of them in his mouth. Good enough. Pulling a closed fist back towards himself in triumph, he extended his elbow out to nudge Argus in the side; another handful of almonds readied to be thrown up. Regardless of whether the young man wanted to partake, Henri lobbed them up into the air and watched them cascade down upon his guildmate. He was practically hanging off the edge of his seat in anticipation. He could feel Meredith’s disapproving glare boring into his soul.

Phoenix Wing: New Dawn

Bullet and Zhulie Pesta

The Tribunal | Silverbranch Glade
Interacting with: Regan Hadou @CitrusArms

---

This stranger was rather perceptive. That, or Bullet just wasn’t very good at hiding. His shoulders slumped when he realised it was probably the latter. Standing up from his lackluster hiding spot, Bullet moved to stand beside Zhulie whilst trying to ignore the pain in his side. The last thing he wanted was this stranger to take advantage of his weakened state. Though from all accounts, she didn’t seem threatening.
“We didn’t mean to sneak up on you. Just a little suspicious of visitors, is all.” He shrugged, taking note of any weapons on her person. Zhulie was much less skeptical, bounding forward to get a better look at the stranger; who had since introduced herself as Regan.

“You really don’t know where you are?” Zhulie giggled, clapping her hands together with gleeful delight. “This glade is home to our guild, Wolven Pyre. Oh and these ruins are the Tribunal! See, our guild was once a Witches Coven and-” Zhulie’s history lecture was cut short by an abrupt hand clasped over her mouth. Bullet pulled her back to his side and shot a nasty glare her way.
Don’t run your mouth to strangers so easily. Just because she didn’t give off any odd vibes didn’t mean she was trustworthy. Clearing his throat, he turned back to Regan and folded his arms across his chest.
“You aren’t trespassing, but there are people who inhabit these woods.” He lifted his chin to gesture towards a single lantern leading to a forest trail. “If you follow the lamps you’ll be able to make your way through the woods without hassle.” With that, he had resigned himself to the conversation being over and began to turn away from Regan. His companion had other plans in mind.

“You can’t just send her on her way!” She objected, skipping back beside Regan and locking her arm in hers. “You must come visit our guild! We can replenish your supplies while you rest and eat. It’s not safe to travel without taking a break, you know?”
Bullet was stopped dead in his tracks, looking over his shoulder to see Zhulie practically escorting the woman. How could she be so naïve?
“Do you really think it’s a good idea to be inviting strangers to your home, kid?”
“My name’s Zhulie, by the way.” She had completely ignored Bullet. “Grumpy pants over there is Bullet. Don’t worry, we aren’t all sourpusses like him.” She glared at her older friend. Contrary to Bullet's standoffish nature, Wolven Pyre wasn't the kind of place that would just turn away visitors.

Phoenix Wing: New Dawn

Priscilla Duran

Phoenix Wing Guild Hall | Magnolia
Interacting with: Jamie Beltras @MarshiestMallow

---

Priscilla’s eyes glazed over a map of Magnolia whilst she enjoyed an invigorating cup of espresso at a quaint bakery overlooking the river that ran through town. The journey had exhausted her. She was grateful to have arrived ahead of schedule; thus giving her a moment of peace before the Guild Master’s meeting. Scanning the map, she spotted the Phoenix Wing guild hall clearly marked for the convenience of any travelers seeking the wizards for assistance. Yet it was not the guild hall she needed to find, but their master. She removed an object from within her robes, holding her closed fist over the map. A silver chain coiled around her hand, securing the intricately carved quartz pendant that hung to it as Priscilla released her grip. She stared at the delicate sway of the pendant; taking notice of the circular motion it made around the guild hall on the map. Drawing in breath through her nose, she closed her eyes and focused her energies on the map. In her mind she repeated the name of the one she wished to find.

Jamie Beltras. As clouds parted to reveal the light of the sun, a clarity filled her mind and presented her with a vision. A large pair of doors, a staircase, and then doors leading to an office. Divining someone’s specific location was not an easy feat in most cases, but Jamie’s energy was practically overflowing around Magnolia and the guild hall. It made sense, given she was the master. It just meant Priscilla had an easier time latching onto it. Opening her eyes, she stored the pendant away and folded up her map. Leaving behind a few jewels to tip the wait staff at the bakery before departing. She made her way through town, taking note of all that had changed since her last visit many years ago. She didn’t often have the chance to leave the Glade. This trip was indeed a breath of fresh air, even if it was business.

Approaching the familiar doors from her vision, Priscilla watched a young man accompanied by a cloud enter the guild hall. His outlandish and exaggerated expressions prompted a slight raised eyebrow.
Perhaps a newcomer? His excitement was contagious; even she found herself giddy at this chance to finally meet the Guild Masters of such legendary guilds like Phoenix Wing and Dragon Fang. She only hoped Wolven Pyre would one day be a name that incites hope as they do. Following behind him, she pushed the doors aside to find a hall packed to the rafters with rambunctious wizards. The energy inside the hall was intense; in the best way possible. So much positivity, love and comradery.

Priscilla moved through the hall with the certainty of someone who was very familiar with the building’s layout. Though this was her first time inside the building. Her earlier spell had made it clear where she ought to go, so there was no need to disturb anyone as she made her way up the stairs. A particularly loud group caught her attention - something about a battle? She’d heard this lot had a tendency to get rowdy. Disregarding it for now, she continued up the stairs and made her way to the office doors from her vision. She rapped her knuckles against the door to alert whoever was inside of her approach. Pushing it open with a turn of the handle, Priscilla was now face to face with the master of one of Fiore’s strongest guilds.

“Pardon the intrusion,” She approached the desk Jamie was working at, closing the door behind her for privacy. “My name is Priscilla Duran, I am the master of Wolven Pyre.” Lowering herself into a polite curtsy, the witch then held her hand out in greeting to her fellow master.
“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Jamie Beltras.”

Bullet and Zhulie Pesta

The Tribunal | Silverbranch Glade
Interacting with: Regan Hadou @CitrusArms

---

On their way back to the guild hall, Zhulie had stopped to listen to the rustling of leaves as though something had caught her attention. Oblivious to the shift, Bullet sauntered along with a hearty yawn, looking over his shoulder to see his companion dead in her tracks.
“Keep up, kid! I’m starving.” He yelled, holding his hands against the low rumble of his stomach. He paused when he noticed Zhulie hadn’t said anything in return; turning around to find her face to face with a great, brown furred wolf. His eyes widened in horror, lunging forward with his fists at the ready as he went to call out to her.
“Zhulie get dow-!”
“It’s okay, Bullet.” She interrupted with her arm outstretched at him, her other hand scratching the wolf behind its ear. “She’s one of Priscilla’s wolves. Aw, who’s a good girl? Yes you are!” She was practically squishing it’s face together while it’s tail wagged in delight. Bullet’s fists were still tensed, a bead of sweat dripping down his face.
These damn witches and their pets. His pride was a little hurt that he’d failed to sense the wolf before Zhulie. He really had gotten sloppy over the last month - his senses were usually much sharper than that.

The wolf gently nudged the side of Zhulie’s face with her nose, turning around to point in the direction of the Tribunal.
“What is it girl?” Zhulie looked into the forest, wondering what she could be warning of. Without warning the beast took off that same way, stopping to look back at the pair with impatient yelps.
“Think she wants us to follow her?” Bullet pondered. Truthfully he’d rather be back to the hall getting some grub, but his time at Wolven Pyre had taught him not to turn his nose up at nature when it was offering assistance or needed help. All those damn lectures from Priscilla were starting to sink in it seemed.
“Maybe there’s someone in the glade?” Zhulie suggested, beginning to walk after the wolf. “The wolves usually keep Priscilla informed of any intruders, but she isn’t here today.” The pair followed after the wolf, leading them back to the tribunal and directly in view of a middle aged lady who seemed to be passing through.

Huddled behind a bush, Bullet observed the stranger for a moment before whispering into Zhulie’s ear.
“I think they’re a traveler, we should let them be-”
“Hey! Miss! What are you doing here?!” Zhulie called out, stepping forward to greet Regan while Bullet sat with his jaw to the ground. The wolf nuzzled up against him, expecting a treat for her service to the guild. Bullet turned out his pockets with a shrug, prompting an annoyed huff from the beast before she bounded off into the glade and out of sight.

Henri Baptiste and Meredith Clagnan

Wolven Pyre Guild Hall | Silverbranch Glade
Interacting with: Argus Leandros @Raijinslayer

---

“Maybe I should try working out. . . but I'm not out of shape, and muscle just doesn't build on me. . . uggggh.” Meredith offered a sympathetic pat on the head as Argus slumped down onto the bar counter. Looking over at Henri, she used her free hand to first gesture to him and then to poor Argus. He pointed a finger at himself with a puzzled look on his face. What was he supposed to say? Meredith’s glare grew fierce as she gestured one more time. Throwing his hands up in acceptance, Henri hopped over a few stools to sit next to his forlorn comrade. He gave him a hefty pat on the back while he whinged about his lady troubles.
“Ah, come on Argus!” Henri cheered, beaming from ear to ear. “Plenty of scrawny lads like yourself are in happy relationships.” Meredith suppressed a scream, pressing her fingers into her temples while mouthing a harsh ‘what’ to Henri. He shrugged his shoulders at her, thinking his words endearing enough.
“What Henri means to say is,” Meredith stepped in before Argus’ self esteem could become shattered further. “Your looks aren’t the issue when it comes to your courting woes. Lydia isn’t some prize to be won with smooth words and debonair charm. She’s a person. Simply put, you’re trying too hard.”

“How is that any better than what I said?” Henri practically winced at Meredith’s harsh assessment. Telling Argus he was overeager was just as bad at pointing out his lithe build. Meredith shrugged.
“I’m just being honest. The best way to a woman’s heart is to be genuine. However,” She began to rummage through her shelves, huffing under her breath about some misplaced vial.
“Ahah!” She exclaimed triumphantly, lifting a small, red bottle from her stash. “I knew I still had some left. Nothing like a little aphrodisiac to really get things going.”
Henri stood up and reached for the vial, but Meredith’s grip was surprisingly resilient for someone of her age. The two struggled to seize control from one another for a good while.
“You are not giving him that!” Henri couldn’t believe Meredith would even suggest it. What happened to treating Lydia like a person? Slipping her a love potion didn’t line up with his idea of respectful courting practices.
“Oh don’t be such a stick in the mud! This stuff landed me my second husband.” Throwing an empty glass at Henri as a distraction led to Meredith being able to wrest control of the potion. The pint struck him right in the center of the nose, sending the larger man reeling back over his stool and to the ground with a heavy thud.
“Besides,” Meredith began, tucking the little vial away. “There’s only a little left and I can’t create anymore on my own. I have to save it for one of my gentleman callers.” Henri was finished with this conversation. He stood up and sat back down next to Argus and leant in to offer a bit more words of encouragement.

“I’m sure Lydia will settle down after a while. Maybe next time you see her you should apologise. Try being genuine like Meredith suggested.” He slung a friendly arm around the younger mage's shoulder in an attempt to comfort him with some brotherly affection. “Plus, you’re always welcome to come train with me if you want to work on building some extra muscle.”

Phoenix Wing: New Dawn

Priscilla Duran

✦ Character Theme | Gypsy ✦

Appearance

---

---

Full Name

Priscilla Rose Duran

Age

38

Gender

Female

Species

Human, Witch

Personality

Priscilla exudes regality and strength, her grace and poise evident in her subtle, unassuming mannerisms and polite yet confident tone. She isn’t one to have her voice left unheard, using her platform and authority to speak for those who are not privileged enough to do so themselves. She often seeks to first understand before being understood herself, to show respect before demanding it. Despite her position, she has always made herself emotionally available for her Guild members and their needs. She is an advocate of self discovery and learning, guiding those under her care to becoming their best selves.

Priscilla is the kind of person who doesn’t let her emotions rule her. Her wrath is cold and unassuming, her sorrow composed and dignified. The exception to this generally manifests in situations where she feels as though she has failed in her duties. To protect those under her wing, to uphold the legacy of her ancestors and to face a world filled with hateful bigots. The weight of these burdens can often be too much for her to bear alone, but bear it she must. The future of her Guild and culture depends on her being strong. To be perceived as weak is one of her greatest fears.

Priscilla has no heart for violence, but she is anything but a pacifist. To protect what is yours, sometimes you must take what belongs to someone else. There is not always a question of good or evil, there is only what is necessary. Make no mistake, Priscilla will do whatever is necessary to see her goals come to fruition.

Strengths

✦ Master Pyromancer. Her ingenious displays of fire magic are a wonder to behold.
✦ Restraint. In both her behaviour and fire, Priscilla keeps a cool head and rarely makes impulsive decisions.
✦ Witchcraft. Priscilla has spent her entire life absorbed in the Dark Arts. She possesses knowledge on all manner of potent reagents, tantalizing hexes and ritual practices.

Weaknesses

✦ Caster. Priscilla is not very durable nor is she particularly skilled in any martial talents.
✦ Restraint. Fire is chaotic by its very nature, possessing a will of its own. Priscilla must always keep it suppressed when using her magic to avoid harming her allies or the surrounding environment. The effort required to do so impacts the potential of her spells.
✦ Protective. Priscilla cares deeply for her guild members and can be easily manipulated if one were to exploit her relationships. There is nothing she wouldn’t lay down to keep her loved ones safe.

Guild

Wolven Pyre

Mage Rank

S Rank, Guildmaster

Magic

Witchcraft: The term given to practitioners of Dark Magic who identify as Witches. As broad as the term ‘Magic’, a Witch’s power can manifest in a multitude of practices. The commonality between them all is that a Witch’s magic is gifted to them through a deeply personal and sacred relationship with their Deity.

Deities are entities whom a Witch learns to make contact with through the streams of Ethernano that bind the world. Their natures are as diverse and unpredictable as us mortals, each with their own goals and alignments.

Witches work to hone their craft in the same way a Mage does; through dedicated training and perseverance. However this journey is also supplemented through their worship and reverence of their deity, which can take many forms. Ultimately, a Witch must appease their deity in order to keep their connection strong; lest they risk having their gifts taken away. These rituals are unique to each practitioner.

Familiars: Witches may choose to bond with one or more animals linked to their deity, gaining a magical companion who acts as a conduit for her spells. The extent of this connection depends on the Witch. Caring for a familiar may be a requirement to maintain their bond with their Deity.

Familiars can also take the form of a favoured animal, wherein the Witch shares a connection with a specific type of animal rather than an intense bond with a single creature. In this form, Witches are always perceived as a friend to these animals and can be communicated with - but they will not inherently listen to a Witch’s orders given their temperament at the time.

Higher calibre Witches may also take the form of their familiar or favoured animal, though this is purely an illusory effect and none of the physical/magical attributes are shared

Spell List

Path of Hecate: Priscilla’s Deity bestows upon her the power of primordial flame. Gifted with pyromancy, Priscilla is able to shape and manipulate fire in ways beyond imagining. She is unable to produce her own flame, instead using fire in her environment or from her staff as a conduit for her witchcraft.

Hecate is a demanding Goddess, but she is not punitive. Priscilla may keep her gifts from her provided she dedicates herself to her own evolution - to stand in complacency and no longer dictate the path of one’s life is considered anathema to Hecate. However, she will not remove her gifts provided Priscilla takes ownership of her own agency. Hecate is also very fond of regular offerings, usually by burning or by arranging them on an altar.

Greater Pyromancy: Priscilla’s control over fire is legendary. With thought alone, she can fuel the tiniest spark into a raging inferno or simply tame and snuff the most intense blazes. She may choose who her fire is harmful to, rendering it cool to the touch if she wishes. She can twist and shape fire into physical constructs that may even be animated similar to that of a maker mage. She is able to bestow fire enchantments upon her allies, rendering them immune to fire or enhancing their attacks with her own magic.

Warmth: Priscilla is able to tap into the aspect of life that flows through all fire, allowing her to use her flames as a source of healing magic. While by no means a master healer, Priscilla has shown great aptitude in using fire in this way.

Divination: By casting salt into flames, Priscilla is able to ‘see’ through the fire to divine signs from Hecate. Priscilla may enchant salt to be given to members of her guild to be thrown into any fire source and establish long distance communication between them and Priscilla.

Flame Walker: Priscilla may engulf herself in flames, disappearing from view temporarily before reappearing in a burst of fire anywhere in a medium radius. In doing so, she does undertake some harm from the fire as a blood price.

Priscilla may bring up to two additional people with her, but they will also be burned by the flames.

Self-Immolation: Priscilla engulfs herself in hellish flames, dealing significant damage to herself but greatly empowering her spellcasting for a short while.

Infernal Gate: Priscilla and her allies are able to travel great distances through one source of fire to another, provided the flames are burned inside a waypoint that has been magically connected to another. Someone on the other side must keep their waypoint lit for travel to be established.

Priscilla may create an additional waypoint by participating in an extensive, in-depth ritual that spans over three days. This process involves rare reagents and the aid of several other highly skilled witches. As a last resort, Priscilla may sacrifice one of her limbs as an adequate offering to Hecate to produce a one time link to any existing waypoints - allowing her to quickly teleport herself and nearby allies to safety.

This technique was developed by Beatrice Duran, who used it to connect the Daughters of Hecate to their Sister Covens. With Priscilla’s decision to establish Wolven Pyre and open her home to Mages, all of the Coven’s once aligned with her have since snuffed the flames inside their waypoints.

Wolves (Favoured Animal): Priscilla has a deep connection with wolves, particularly the packs that roam the Silverbranch Glade. They act as her eyes and ears in the forest surrounding the coven, keeping tabs on anyone who enters the woods.

Nigel (Serpent Familiar): A cream coloured boa constrictor with a brown swaddle pattern that intensifies near his tail. Nigel is Priscilla’s faithful companion and is very protective of his mistress. He and Priscilla are able to communicate telepathically with one another, Nigel often sharing his instinctual feelings with her.

Hellish Conduit: Priscilla is able to consume flames from her torch at her current location and channel them somewhere else with Nigel acting as the medium. Usually in the form of him unleashing it as a breath attack.

Molt: When in a dangerous situation, Priscilla is able to teleport Nigel back to her side - leaving only his shedded skin behind. If Priscilla has consumed fire, she may use Hellish Conduit to have Nigel erupt in an intense blaze as he sheds his skin.

Equipment

The Unyielding Flame of Hecate: A relic passed down from Beatrice Duran, Priscilla’s Great Grandmother. This staff bears a mighty, iron torch in which an eternal flame burns. Priscilla may draw upon this fire as a medium for her spellcasting. Hecate’s Flame has burned for centuries, unable to be doused by non-magical means. In essence, the flame is fueled by Priscilla’s devotion to Hecate.

Fighting Style

Priscilla is a dedicated caster who can fulfill many roles on the battlefield. If needed she can bombard enemies with fiery artillery, enchant and heal allies or control an area with her supreme fire manipulation. She has decent mobility with spells such as Flame Walker and ultimately wants to keep on the outskirts of a fight. Fighting in melee is not a strong suit of hers, but her plethora of flame sorcery is more than suitable to keep her pursuers at bay.

Nigel, Priscilla’s familiar, also fights alongside his mistress. Unassuming in nature, he can often skulk about the field until an opening presents for him to strike. With Hellish Conduit he can even aid in spreading infernal carnage.

History

Priscilla comes from a long, proud heritage of witches that spans far back before even the Daughters of Hecate. Her mother, Agnus Duran, enriched the young girl with the stories and teachings of her culture. Despite all the wondrous things she heard, Priscilla could not help but notice how isolated her family was from the world. Relegated to a life of secrecy, the Daughters of Hecate were victims of prejudice surrounding their magical practices. Priscilla came to accept this as her reality for a time; until she made contact with Hecate Herself.

The Three in One, the Keeper of Keys, the Torch Bearer - Hecate was the patron Deity of Priscilla’s own coven and the progenitor of Witchcraft. Beatrice Duran, the coven’s founder and an ancestor of Priscilla’s, also walked the path of Hecate. It was Her guidance that led Beatrice to separate from her own coven and form the Daughters of Hecate. Now, centuries later, the Three Headed Goddess re-emerged within Priscilla’s bloodline to help guide the coven into a new age.

When Priscilla succeeded Agnus after a long life as a well respected leader, she would use her position to invoke a drastic shift in the Witches’ lifestyles. She opened her doors to Mages seeking refuge during a time when they could not practice openly under the current government. This was simply outrageous to many within the coven. Witches had been hunted down as Dark Mages for many generations and now they were to break bread with their very hunters. It caused a huge divide in the coven that led to many Witches abandoning the Daughters of Hecate.

While it saddened Priscilla to see her sisters cut ties so easily, she was steadfast in her vision; to create a home in which Mages and Witches could live together as one. Breaking down centuries of prejudice wasn’t an easy task; yet those she had offered sanctuary held such gratitude that it wasn’t long before those long standing walls began to crumble. Many of the Mages continued to stay with the Daughters of Hecate even after the new council was formed. They had created a home among the trees of the Silverbranch Glade, one they would not abandon so easily. Priscilla was proud of what she had achieved, but knew deep down it wasn’t enough. She could feel the weight of Hecate’s gaze upon her; it was a sign that she needed to push even further. Emerging from the shadows, Priscilla held an audience with the Magic Council to make her case for the Daughters of Hecate as one of the Light Guilds as Fiore. Though going forward, she wished to establish her Guild as a symbol of unity between her people and the mages. Thus, Wolven Pyre was born.

As the first official Guildmaster, Priscilla has been met with many challenges in the short few months since the Guild’s inception. She continues to tackle them head on while offering guidance to those who grace her halls.

Bullet (Post Time-Skip)

✦ Character Theme | Yoru wa Nemureru Kai? ✦

Appearance

---

---

Full Name

Nicholas Ark

Age

Nineteen

Gender

Male

Species

Human

Personality

Bullet, savage and unruly, lives up to his moniker of ‘Beast King’. The young man is blunt, arrogant and rough as guts. Often preferring to solve his issues head on, Bullet doesn’t think twice before leaping into the fray. He isn’t one for social etiquette or polite mannerisms – believing his best self is his honest self. His brutal honesty is harsh at best, deeply offensive at worst.

Bullet was once the kind of man who would let his rage control him – an unpredictable force of chaos only sated by the comfort of his closest friend Isabella. During his time in isolation, Bullet has definitely learned to control his anger and harness it during battle without being overly reckless. His rambunctious and larger than life persona may indicate someone who is laid back and easy to get along with, but Bullet often finds himself distancing him from others before they can get too close.

Strengths

✦ Exceptional physical strength.
✦ Keen reflexes and instincts.
✦ Survivalist. Bullet knows how to fend for himself in many different environments.

Weaknesses

✦ Straightforward thinker. Strategy doesn’t come easily to him.
✦ Lacking raw magical ability, relying more on his physical prowess.
✦ Feral temper. Whilst he has improved since his youth, it’s still quite easy to get under his skin.

Guild

Wolven Pyre

Mage Rank

B Rank

Magic

Requip: the Brawler

Bullet has access to a plethora of fist weapons such as gauntlets, claws and cestus. Stored and summoned from his own personal pocket dimension, Bullet can call upon his weapons when needed.

All of his weapons come in pairs that can be equipped on both hands, but he may also choose to summon one of each different type to mix up his combat ability. Weapons summoned in this way are not nearly as effective individually, but allow a degree of versatility in how Bullet approaches a fight.

Spell List

Mountain Busters: These oversized gauntlets are made from the enchanted body of a rock golem. They have a significant weight to them that slows Bullet’s movements but packs a mean punch. They specialise in devastating, crushing blows and grappling maneuvers. As their name suggests, even solid earth will crumble under the power of these gauntlets.

Titan Crusher: A powerful, slow winding haymaker that deals massive damage to physical and magical defences. Easily avoidable, but absolutely crippling if not evaded.

Titan’s Grasp: Requires both Mountain Busters equipped to use. After successfully grabbing an opponent with his gauntlets, Bullet is able to magically lock him and his victim together for a brief moment. This allows just enough time for him to begin a throw, hold or slam before the binding wears off.

All attempts to escape the magical hold, including the use of spatial magic, will fail.

Hellforged Gauntlets: A pair of magitek gauntlets that were once fashioned by Isabella Pinelli, but have had some crude augmentations added since. These gauntlets each have three Gauss Pistons that can be individually loaded to add an increasing blast of explosive flames to Bullet’s next strike.

Pile Bunker: Quickly loads a single piston into each of Bullet’s gauntlets, empowering their next strikes with a blast of magical fire. Up to three pistons can be loaded, each significantly increasing the power of the eventual attack.

Explosive Javelin: Bullet can unload the built up power in his gauntlets as a long ranged blast of fire that erupts on contact.

Broken Bunker: Requires both Hellforged Gauntlets equipped to use. Plants an explosive charge on the target with Bullet’s next Pile Bunker. The attack has little impact, but will ready the charge for any subsequent Pile Bunker that Bullet connects with the target. When ignited, the charge will erupt to deal additional damage to the target based on how many Gauss Pistons were loaded into the charge when planted.

Stormrazors: Steel claws imbued with an electromagnetic lacrima and grappling hook. Lightweight and favouring fast, slashing attacks. Bullet forgoes raw power in exchange for speed and agility. Their greatest strength lies in their mobility, hookshotting around to zip in and out of a fight as needed.

Magnetize: Striking a foe charges them with electromagnetic energy. Once imbued, the target feels a significant pulling force whenever they attempt to move away from Bullet’s current position.

Hookshot: Bullet fires his grappling hook, latching onto any surface or target within a moderate range. Bullet can either propel himself towards the impact point or reel in his target provided the object isn’t too heavy. Hookshot will automatically track onto Magnetized targets.

Steel Cyclone: Requires both Stormrazors equipped to use. Unleashes a spinning slash charged with electricity. Rips and tears anything too close, but cannot move during the attack. Bullet can utilize the momentum from Hookshot to direct the path of Steel Cyclone, but otherwise cannot control where he ends up.

Equipment

Knuckledusters: A set of simple brass knuckles kept on Bullet at all times. They offer no magical benefit, but significantly improve the power of his strikes. When requipping isn’t possible, Bullet can still rely on his own strength to give him an edge in a fight.

Fighting Style

Bullet is a ruthless brawler who likes to get up close and personal. Utilizing every part of his body in a series of brutalizing blows, he tends to favor an overwhelming offence that forces openings in his opponent’s guard. He relies on wrestling techniques to bring his foes down to the ground to continue his assault - or to simply throw them around like ragdolls. Utilizing every manner of throw, slam or crushing hold available to him, Bullet tends to fight by getting his hands on his victim and sticking to them like glue.

History

Hiding behind names like ‘Beast King’ and ‘Bullet’ is a young man named Nicholas Arc – son of the infamous wizard Relius Arc who was renounced by the Council for his barbaric experiments. Even Nicholas and his family weren’t safe from his father’s mad hypotheses and tampering. It was such disregard for their wellbeing that cost the life of his mother and older sister.

‘Such a waste,’ Relius would lament, though his grief was more directed at the loss of his precious subjects rather than his own family.

Nicholas would not share the same fate as his family – eventually escaping Relius’ clutches and going into hiding. On the streets he heard through the grapevine that the Rune Knights had confronted Relius on charges of unethical practices, but were only met with the mad wizard’s lifeless corpse. Suspicions arose around the boy; had he murdered his father and escaped? Was he dead? He may as well have been. He felt that in order to escape the shadow cast by his father’s misdeeds, he would need to leave that life behind.

Years passed for Nicholas, now simply a nameless street rat. He stole what he needed to survive and lived wherever fate deemed right. It wasn’t much of a life, but it was simple. Until Isabella showed up. Young and afraid, she had been running from her own difficult home life. Their meeting was by chance, but Nicholas recognised in her a kindred spirit and offered to help her stand on her own two feet. The two grew up together and built a bond like no other, joint at the hip and ready to take on anything. Isabella knew very little of his past – not even his name. Rather than pry into a sore subject, she gave him one.

‘Bullet – because nobody will want to get in your way.’

Once they found themselves joining Phoenix Wing, the pair of street rats would eventually flourish into first rate Wizards. The adventures they shared throughout Fiore would become precious memories to fondly remind them of what’s really important in life. Yet even their time together would eventually come to an end. Isabella left Phoenix Wing to pursue her own goals as a wizard. Bullet cared too much for her to try and stand in the way of her future, but without her the guild hall just didn’t feel the same. When he had first met Isabella, he was the one to comfort her and make her feel safe. It seemed their roles had reversed somewhere along the line. He didn’t want to stop moving forward either, always reliant on someone else to make him feel complete. With that, Bullet also departed from Phoenix Wing.

Bullet took to a life of solitude, living in the wilds and travelling Fiore to offer his aid as a Wizard to any in need. His savage fighting style and rough attitude garnered him the name ‘Beast King’ – though he insists he earned that title by wrestling a particularly enraged Vulcan.

After some time, Bullet would find himself in a bit of a pinch when a fight with a Chimera began to go south. He had clearly overestimated his ability to deal with the beast without back up and paid dearly. The Chimera might have finished him off if not for the aid of a group of women garbed in black cloaks. The Chimera flinched under the extreme pressure of their combined magic, whimpering in pain before retreating into the wilds. Bullet wasn’t conscious long enough to see the faces of his saviours.

Bullet came to after what felt like ages. He found himself in a strange bed with a woman garbed in black watching over him. She introduced herself as Priscilla Duran, the leader of Wolven Pyre - a wizards guild that had only just been registered with the Magic Council. He was free to leave when he chose, but Priscilla hoped he would stay so she could continue to monitor his rehabilitation. He didn’t see any reason to rush off. For the past month Bullet has frequented the halls of Wolven Pyre, assisted with chores and gotten to know a few of the Witches and Mages that call it home. With his rehabilitation almost at its end, he’s beginning to wonder if perhaps it’s time to settle into a new home.

Henri Baptiste

✦ Character Theme | Hybrid Rainbow ✦

Appearance

_{6’3” 270 lbs | Outfit}

---

---

Full Name

Henri Baptiste

Age

27

Gender

Male

Species

Human, Witch

Personality

Henri is an old soul who enjoys the simpler things in life. His quiet stoicism often makes him appear disgruntled, but he really just doesn’t have a whole lot to say. Pragmatic to a tee, Henri knows when he’s out of his depth and doesn’t often seek to rise above his station. This isn’t to say he’s lazy; far from it. Henri is one of the most reliable, hard working men you’ll ever meet. He doesn’t think twice to lend someone a hand, even if it were to inconvenience him. He’ll do anything he can to help a situation, but is able to admit that sometimes a task is just beyond him.

When it comes to ambition, Henri just doesn’t see himself being much more than he already is; and that’s okay. At least, that’s what he tells himself. Deep down he wonders that perhaps he has reached the culmination of all he can be, and that terrifies him. Rather than address those fears, he’d sooner continue to plot along at his own laid back pace as if such struggles do not concern him. A delicate farce that could shatter if one were to look too closely at it.

Henri grew up the eldest of four, with a lot of pressure on him to help provide for his siblings. Even though he is somewhat resentful of having to give up his own dreams; the desire to be needed has remained strong. He often acts the part of an elder sibling with the younger guild mates - unconditionally supporting them under the guise of playful jests and teasing.

Despite all of his years at Wolven Pyre, Henri still feels as though he is an outsider to the world of Witchcraft. It wasn’t a heritage he was born into; fate brought him to Priscilla later in life. He often feels disconnected during his practice; as though he is undeserving of his power.

Strengths

✦ Durable. Henri can withstand a lot of punishment.
✦ Aquatics. Henri is a fantastic swimmer and specialises in fighting underwater.
✦ Humble. There’s nary a shred of arrogance within the man.

Weaknesses

✦ Follower. Lacking real ambition, Henri isn’t a go getter who takes charge.
✦ Stubborn. It’s hard to change his stance on something once he’s committed; even if he rarely does so of his own volition.
✦ Brute. The way he fights lacks any real grace or finesse.

Guild

Wolven Pyre

Mage Rank

A Rank

Magic

Witchcraft: The term given to practitioners of Dark Magic who identify as Witches. As broad as the term ‘Magic’, a Witch’s power can manifest in a multitude of practices. The commonality between them all is that a Witch’s magic is gifted to them through a deeply personal and sacred relationship with their Deity.

Deities are entities whom a Witch learns to make contact with through the streams of Ethernano that bind the world. Their natures are as diverse and unpredictable as us mortals, each with their own goals and alignments.

Witches work to hone their craft in the same way a Mage does; through dedicated training and perseverance. However this journey is also supplemented through their worship and reverence of their deity, which can take many forms. Ultimately, a Witch must appease their deity in order to keep their connection strong; lest they risk having their gifts taken away. These rituals are unique to each practitioner.

Familiars: Witches may choose to bond with one or more animals linked to their deity, gaining a magical companion who acts as a conduit for her spells. The extent of this connection depends on the Witch. Caring for a familiar may be a requirement to maintain their bond with their Deity.

Familiars can also take the form of a favoured animal, wherein the Witch shares a connection with a specific type of animal rather than an intense bond with a single creature. In this form, Witches are always perceived as a friend to these animals and can be communicated with - but they will not inherently listen to a Witch’s orders given their temperament at the time.

Higher calibre Witches may also take the form of their familiar or favoured animal, though this is purely an illusory effect and none of the physical/magical attributes are shared

Spell List

Path of Phorcys: Phorcys is the enigmatic lord of the deep, connecting Henri’s mind to the abyssal depths and the terrors that lurk within. Henri communicates to his Deity through water and Sycorax, his familiar.

Henri draws power from the dark, crushing abyss of the deep sea and is most in his element when submerged in water. He can breathe underwater indefinitely, move through water like a natural predator and manipulate water to wrack foes with the intense pressure of the deep.

Phorcys is the warden of the Drowned Ones, spirits of those who lost their lives at sea. In order to maintain his gifts, Henri is to harvest the wandering souls of those who escaped from the icy depths. By consuming these souls, Henri acts as a gateway to Sycorax - who guides these spirits back to Phorcys.

Abyssopelagic: Henri can blight the land around him with the power of the deep, rapidly increasing the moisture levels of the environment around him to the point it begins to bloat and deteriorate from the inside out. The air becomes dense and marginally more difficult to move through for all those standing within the affected area. Henri can move through the air as though he were fully submerged in water in these zones.

The spell’s effective area is determined by Henri’s power level, but he can minimize it where necessary. At present he can command an area with a radius of about twenty-five meters. Any damage caused to the environment by this spell is reversed upon the end of its effects.

Rupture: Henri focusses the intense pressure of the deep sea on a small area within Abyssopelagic, causing targets who try to move through it to take damage with every motion until they leave the area or stop moving.

Kraken Wrack: Whilst inside Abyssopelagic, Henri may conjure the Augur of Sycorax from any affected surface rather than just his own limbs.

Kraken Shell: Surrounds Henri in a layer of dense, churning waters that significantly bolsters his defenses at the cost of speed.

Abyssal Torpedo: Henri launches himself at the target whilst surrounding himself in a churning vortex of water, dealing heavy damage to targets on collision. Can also be used to quickly traverse large bodies of water.

Undertow: Henri dives into any solid surface within Abyssopelagic, allowing him to swim through it out of sight. Rumbling tremors emanate from his location, disturbing the footing of anyone he passes under. He may choose to emerge in a highly pressurised geyser.

Subduction: Henri can pull a target into the depths during Undertow - trapping them in an abyssal, dark prison temporarily. They’ll still be able to breathe as normal.

Divination: Henri can receive and interpret signs and information from Phorcys by using water as a medium. Most effective when he is fully submerged. He is still relatively new at this skill, learning under Priscilla’s guidance.

Sharks (Favoured Animal): Henri can communicate with Sharks and they always consider him friendly. This does not mean he has any authority over them. His teeth are sharp, possessing an inhumanly strong bite.

Infested Waters: During Abyssopelagic Henri may summon a watery effigy of a great white shark that lurks beneath the surface of the drowned area - only visible by its dorsal fin. The shark roams the area until commanded to strike, leaping from the depths at alarming speeds with it’s own variant of Abyssal Torpedo.

Sharkbait: Henri fires an orb of water at a target, marking them as his shark disappears beneath the depths. At any point, Henri may activate the mark and command his shark to leap up from underneath the target in an attempt to swallow them whole. If successful, they will be pulled beneath the depths as the spell Subduction.


Sycorax (Colossal Familiar): A colossal squid who lies dormant at the bottom of the sea, but can communicate with Henri through her subconscious mind.

Augur of Sycorax: Henri can conjure watery apparitions of Sycorax’s appendages from his own limbs. Acting as extensions of his own body, he can strike at distant foes as well as ensnare them in his grip. Multiple tentacles can be summoned and controlled separately, consuming more magic power to maintain.

Ink Blot: Henri can spit black ink which temporarily blinds targets. Whilst inside Abyssopelagic the Ink spreads as a dark, murky cloud as if underwater.

Ink Effigy: Henri can create a realistic copy of himself made from ink. When interacted with the effigy disperses.

Fighting Style

Henri takes his lickings like a true champ, withstanding blow after blow as a bastion of endurance. Despite little formal training, his natural size and strength have enough presence on the battlefield to make Henri stand out as a heavy hitting juggernaut. He overwhelms opponents by throwing his weight around in heavy hitting strikes that usually incorporate the entirety of his body. What they lack in control or speed, they make up for in raw power. He’s also known to be quite deadly with his anchors, employing the heavy instruments as makeshift hammers to bring down upon his targets. He has surprising versatility and range thanks to his Augur of Sycorax.

Henri’s true specialty in a fight is area control. His magic lets him claim a territory and grants specific boons when he fights inside it. Whilst inside Abyssopelagic Henri is able to showcase his underwater fighting prowess as though he were a deadly predator. His speed within water is remarkable for someone so large, able to mobilize in short, powerful bursts to strike foes.

Equipment

Rusty Anchors: A pair of old, well worn anchors that Henri dual wields. These crude instruments make for a deadly bludgeoning tool when wielded by someone of Henri’s strength.

History

Henri grew up in Clover as the oldest of four siblings. Abandoned by their father, he had to step up and help his mother in running the house and raising his younger brothers and sister. His own dream of becoming a mage was pushed to the wayside so he could do right by his family. Whilst he understood that his sacrifices allowed his siblings to flourish, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat resentful. It was as though his own ambitions didn’t matter. At fourteen his mother was involved in an accident that left her unable to work and provide for her children. Henri was pulled from school so that he could start working to support his family. His Uncle was able to secure him an apprenticeship aboard a fishing vessel in Hargeon.

Removed from his family and friends, in a town where he knew nobody, Henri was plunged into a life at sea. He found comfort in the open waters. It was as though it was where he was meant to be. For the next few years Henri honed his skills as a sailor and fisherman, sending a large portion of his earnings back home. There were times when he would think about what his life could have been, lamenting the path that was decided for him. When he received letters from his siblings describing their own ventures and ambitions it reminded him of why he had to keep going.

At seventeen Henri’s ship became trapped within a furious maelstrom that tore the hull to shreds - sending it’s crew into the watery depths. He tried to fight the pull of the deep, but it was to no avail. He had all but accepted his fate when he felt something stir from deep within him; a presence that had always been there. In his final moments the entity showed him all he could be, if he chose it. His lifelong devotion was to be the price. The visions of himself as a fully fledged mage, living the life he always wanted, were alluring enough for Henri to accept the deal.

‘The pact has been forged. Call upon my name and claim your power!’

As his last breath escaped his lips, one name bore itself into his mind as he began to slip into unconsciousness.

Phorcys.

Henri awoke on the shore next to the wreckage of his ship. The bodies of a few drowned crew members lay scattered across the sands. Above them, spectres of their drowned souls wandered aimlessly along the shore. Another voice echoed within Henri’s mind, telling him what he must do. The voice belonged to Sycorax, a slumbering colossus who had aided in Henri and his crew returning to land. With her instruction, the young man was able to consume the drowned souls and return them to the sea.

Henri wandered for a time. Sycorax wasn’t much for idle chatter, her voice only manifesting when absolutely necessary. Left to his own devices, with a newfound power he did not understand, Henri sought to aid others as any respectable mage would. Yet he found his gifts were not met with awe or gratitude as expected. There was a sinister presence that lay dormant beneath his magic, and it was not unnoticed by those around him. There was so much he didn’t know about Phorcys and the gifts He had bestowed upon the young man. As quick as he had begun to question it, so did Priscilla Duran come into his life.

What seemed a chance meeting was actually the work of Priscilla’s own potent divining powers. She brought Henri back to the Daughters of Hecate and explained his situation to him. Phorcys was a Deity and in forging a contract with him Henri had unknowingly entered the world of Witchcraft. Recognised as a Dark Magic, it would seem the common folk wouldn’t take too kindly to his gifts. Priscilla offered Henri the chance to connect with her culture and learn underneath her kind as one of them.

From that point on Henri became enveloped in the history of Priscilla’s people, familiarising himself with practices and knowledge held sacred for generations. Despite growing up with no magical background, the other Witches delighted in sharing their culture with him. Many years passed and Henri has flourished into a fine Witch - standing by Priscilla’s side as she brings her people forth from the Shadows to embark on a new enterprise - Wolven Pyre.

Meredith Clagnan NPC

A sixty-seven year old Witch who has spent a good majority of her lifetime with the Daughters of Hecate. She walked the Path of Demeter, gifted with exceptional power over nature and a prodigal affinity for potion crafting. Yet as she grew older, she found the toll required by Demeter to keep her gifts to be too much to bear. Meredith requested a Ritual of Excommunication, severing her link to Demeter and thus relinquishing her of their contract. Agnus Duran performed the Rite, disconnecting Meredith from her Deity for good.

Once excommunicated a Witch may never re-establish a connection to a Deity, effectively losing their magic. A worthy price in Meredith’s eyes. She continued to work alongside the Daughters of Hecate, contributing her magic power reserves to communal spell casts and rituals - unable to perform any magic of her own.

When Priscilla took command of the Coven, Meredith was one of her loudest supporters. She would see Priscilla through all her ambitions; an encouraging voice and mother figure who continue to guide the Guild Master to this day. Nowadays Meredith tends the bar and the greenhouse - her knowledge of potion crafting translating well to mixing drinks.

Zhulie Pesta NPC

A young, energetic spirit around Wolven Pyre. The thirteen year old girl comes from a long lineage of Witches, brought up by the Daughters of Hecate since birth. Her mother died of illness when she was only little, and young Zhulie only feels close to her during her craft. She has yet to forge a contract with a Deity, but she is eager to embrace her identity as a Witch.

Currently, Zhulie is working with Priscilla and the other Witches to prepare for her Choosing Rites - a ritual in which one may invoke the presence of a specific Deity and offer themselves up to them. Zhulie plans to follow in her mothers footsteps and walk the Path of Aphrodite.

Phoenix Wing: New Dawn

Bullet and Zhulie Pesta

The Tribunal | Silverbranch Glade

---

The forest held a suffocating stillness so palpable that one could almost slice through it with a blade. The glade was not known to be a place of silence; often filled with the chirping of birds, the buzzing of insects and rustling of leaves as woodland critters strode past. Yet today, there was quiet. So much so you could hear a pin drop. That was before the next loud crash, emanating deep in the heart of the Silverbranch Glade, cut through the emptiness. The trees swayed from the shockwave of the blast; their leaves falling still just in time to be disturbed by another in the series of loud disruptions. No doubt it was this noise that had caused such an uproar among the creatures of the woods. Frightened and disturbed, they fled from their homes in search of sanctuary elsewhere in the glade. At the center of the commotion was the Tribunal - the sacred punishing grounds once used by the Daughter of Hecate to pass judgement among those who broke coven law. Now repurposed as a training and battle grounds for the members of Wolven Pyre.

Bullet stood amidst falling dust and smoldering embers, inhaling sharp breaths as though they would be his last. The carnage of his latest training session surrounded him. Burn marks scathed the stone walls of the arena; wooden training dummies lay broken and scattered across the grounds. Bullet’s Hellforged Gauntlets were still smoldering with smoke and ash, hanging meekly by his side as he barely had the strength to raise his arms.
One more time, he grit his teeth, forcing himself to step forward and raise his fists back up in front of his face. Yet as the young brawler made an attempt to dash forward, he was stopped by a sudden jolt of pain up the side of his torso. Crumpling to the ground with an exasperated grunt, he was barely able to catch himself by holding out one of his fists to the ground. Once the pain subsided somewhat, he raised his arm to inspect the bandages around his ribcage. They were stained red.

“Your wounds would be healed by now if you would just do as you’re told and rest.” The young girl's voice startled Bullet to alertness, pushing himself up with a sharp turn on his heel to face the source. It was Zhulie, a young up and comer of the coven with an obnoxiously infectious sunny disposition. She also had made a habit of sticking her nose into Bullet’s business ever since he had been taken in by the witches after his embarrassing defeat at the hands of a chimera.

“Buzz off, kid.” Bullet snapped, tenderly nursing his sore spot. “Just ‘cause Priscilla’s not around to nag me doesn’t mean you get to take her place.” He didn’t mean to sound so ungrateful for all the help he’d received from the Guild Master over the last month. Truly. Yet sitting around all day doing nothing was starting to get on his nerves. He had grown slow, weak and frail. It was time to start regaining his strength. Zhulie balanced along the edge of the Tribunal’s walls, her arms outstretched to keep her upright.

“I’m just saying, if you’re so eager to get back into training you may want to follow Priscilla’s advice.” Zhulie folded herself forward into a handstand, shuffling along the edge with a pleased grin.
Show off, Bullet huffed, rolling his eyes at the acrobatics display.
“I mean, no offense, but Priscilla is the wisest woman in our coven. And you’re... “ Zhulie eyed Bullet up and down before suppressing a snicker.
“Oi” Bullet smirked, sticking his tongue out at the child - who returned the gesture in kind. He’d be lying if he said Zhulie’s company over the last month had been a total nuisance. It was that persistent optimism - it had a way of drawing you in. He was about to offer some form of snide retort that no doubt would have sent the pair into a bickering match, yet the pain in his side began to throb once more. Wincing through grit teeth, Zhulie hopped down from the wall and made her way over to Bullet.

“I’m fine.” he assured her, holding his hand out as if that would stop her from worrying for him. “Fine, you win. Let’s head back to the guild hall.” Zhulie looked relieved that he’d finally listened to reason, skipping ahead to the stairway that led up and out of the Tribunal.
“Of course, Meredith is going to kill you when she finds out you’re not in bed.” She giggled, disappearing over the crest of the stairwell and into the forest. Bullet rubbed his temple. It seemed he had failed to consider what that dusty old crone would do to him. She had threatened to chain him to his bed numerous times if he refused to follow Priscilla’s instruction.
What a pain, he groaned, following after Zhulie at a slower, relaxed pace.

Henri Baptiste

Wolven Pyre Men’s Bathhouse | Silverbranch Glade

---

Henri opened his eyes to the rhythmic dripping of water. Like the accurate ticking of a metronome, each drip was perfectly spaced from one another in a comforting pattern. The perfectly timed ripples spread through the darkness, his body suspended in the deep abyss. All around him was pitch darkness, the dripping piercing the silence along with the gurgle of bubbles that escaped his lips with each breath. As far as he was aware, he was still in the bathhouse, but at the same time he wasn’t. Submerged beneath the surface of the water, Henri had projected his consciousness into the deep. The intense pressure paralyzed him in place; only able to observe the endless darkness. The words of Priscilla ran through his mind;

Intention, Henri. He closed his eyes again and tensed his entire body, releasing his magic in an attempt to manifest a sign of any kind. Yet despite his best efforts, he felt nothing. Relaxing his body, he released one final breath whilst repeating the incantation that would return himself to his body.

Spiritus Reditus, he thought it three times whilst picturing his physical body where he had left it. The third time he opened his eyes, letting the natural light from the open air bathhouse flood his vision. The water was suddenly warm again and the deep pressure had lifted from his flesh. Sitting up from the tub, Henri drew a deep, satisfying breath of fresh air. Leaning on the side of the tub, he rested his head against his arm as a wave of nausea washed over him. Divination was still a struggle for him, and he found his attempts at astral projecting into the deep were bearing little fruit. No matter how hard he tried to manifest it, all he ever saw was pitch darkness. He soaked for a little while longer before deciding to dry off and get dressed for the day.

Henri Baptiste and Meredith Clagnan

Wolven Pyre Guild Hall | Silverbranch Glade
Interacting with: Argus Leandros @Raijinslayer

---

Meredith had been wiping down the counter when Argus entered the guild hall with her latest shipment. She watched the young lad struggle under the weight, but ultimately manage to get everything set down.
“Here are the tonics from town that you wanted Ms. Meredith.” Meredith approached the shipment gleefully, excited to finally restock her shelves.
“You could've told me it'd be so heavy tho, felt like I might've pulled something hefting it all the way here” She rolled his eyes at his complaining. She swore she mentioned that it’d be best to bring a partner to help bring the goods back, but perhaps it slipped her mind at the time. She noticed the young man had a mark on his cheek that he quickly tried to obscure from her view.
“Oh thank you Argus! I was just about running on empty.” Prying open a box, Meredith didn’t hesitate to begin to sort through the contents. A few potion reagents, tonics and drinks for the bar. Walking back behind the bar, she began to shelve a few vials and bottles away before turning back to Argus.
“Care to explain that lovely little mark on your face then?” She began to garnish a crystal tumbler with some thin slices of cucumber, pouring a shot of gin over the ice and topping the cocktail off with an elderflower infused tonic water. She slid the glass over to Argus before, raising her own shot in cheers before throwing it back down her throat in one mighty swig. She set the glass down on the counter with a sharp, satisfied exhale.

“A little early to be hitting the sauce, no?” Henri descended the stairs, tussling his hair dry with a towel. He was feeling quite fresh after a nice hot soak and a clean pair of clothes. He’d arrived just in time to see Argus returning with the shipment.
“A little late to be turning out of bed, no?” Meredith retorted, mixing up a dark and stormy for him. His favourite - rum, bitters and ginger ale. Sliding it across the counter, Henri planted himself on a stool before raising the glass in appreciation.
“Touché. Cheers.” He took a deep swig, glancing sideward at Argus.
“Been getting into scraps have you, mate?” He swirled the contents of his glass, making mention to the comment he’d overheard Meredith make about the mark on his face. “Hope you paid ‘em back for it.”
“Somehow I feel it was more one sided.” Meredith chuckled, about to pour herself another shot when Henri snatched the glass away from her. She shot him a look of pure poison, to which he simply clicked his tongue with a smug smirk plastered across his face.

Phoenix Wing: New Dawn

Wolven Pyre Guild Hall | Silverbranch Glade

The light of midday broke through the thick, verdant canopy of the guild hall, streaking a natural radiance among the few members of Wolven Pyre as they went about their business. Men and women occupied the oak tables, their pint’s heavy with ale and bellies’ with laughter and merry jaunts. Witches accompanied by their familiars set about their various tasks for the day; their mage friends happy to lend a hand and vice versa. Coiled up at the bar was Nigel, Priscilla’s familiar. The boa constrictor usually accompanied the Guild Master wherever she went, but had been left behind to observe the guild in her stead whilst she attended the Master’s Summit in Magnolia. He slumped his head low and appeared to be quite forlorn; as much as a reptile physically could. If he could speak, he’d probably lament being separated from his mistress for so long. Though it would seem he would have no need of words to express such a sentiment.

“Oh, cheer up would you ol’ Nigel?” Meredith chirped from behind the bar counter, stirring herself up a well deserved noon martini. It was five o’clock somewhere, after all. “It is a testament to Prissy’s trust that she would feel comfortable to leave you behind. Try not to dwell on it.”
Nigel drearily slithered to face away from her, a low hiss escaping him. Even if it were the case, it didn’t change how he felt about the situation. Meredith took a sip from her drink, rolling her eyes at the sheer dramatics one snake could produce. She spied a few mages eyeing off the job board in the corner of her eye. A fruitless endeavor, unfortunately. As predicted, the mages shook their heads in frustration before sauntering back to their seats to find some way to pass the time.

It’s to be expected. Meredith sighed, finishing her drink in a single, well practiced swig. Despite Wolven Pyre’s official inauguration as a Light Guild over a month ago, it seemed the public’s view of them had yet to change much. The jobs trickled in pathetically; barely enough to keep the wizards who relied on them afloat. People just weren’t open to the idea of trusting a group of witches. It would take time to build it up. Meredith knew this, yet she couldn’t help but feel wary of their future if the jobs didn’t start to come in. Already a handful of new members had decided the guild to be unworthy of their time, setting off to find more popular guilds. Of course they’d always have their loyal members; the family they had built before the guild’s inception. All it would take would be one big job, something to put them on the map and draw attention to the good deeds of both the witches and wizards who called these halls home.

Nigel stirred as a small flame sputtered and danced beside him. The black candle had been lit by Priscilla on her departure and she had assured Meredith that she would use it to notify the guild of her arrival in Magnolia town. It would seem their esteemed master had sent the sign. Nigel slowly lowered to the ground, shifting through the guild hall towards the stairs that lead to his master’s chambers.

Meredith decided she may as well get comfortable. Today seemed as slow a day as any. She was content to lounge around and wait for something interesting to happen. After all, one never does quite know what to expect.

Phoenix Wing: New Dawn

Chucking down a couple of NPC's for Wolven Pyre

Meredith Clagnan

A sixty-seven year old Witch who has spent a good majority of her lifetime with the Daughters of Hecate. She walked the Path of Demeter, gifted with exceptional power over nature and a prodigal affinity for potion crafting. Yet as she grew older, she found the toll required by Demeter to keep her gifts to be too much to bear. Meredith requested a Ritual of Excommunication, severing her link to Demeter and thus relinquishing her of their contract. Agnus Duran performed the Rite, disconnecting Meredith from her Deity for good.

Once excommunicated a Witch may never re-establish a connection to a Deity, effectively losing their magic. A worthy price in Meredith’s eyes. She continued to work alongside the Daughters of Hecate, contributing her magic power reserves to communal spell casts and rituals - unable to perform any magic of her own.

When Priscilla took command of the Coven, Meredith was one of her loudest supporters. She would see Priscilla through all her ambitions; an encouraging voice and mother figure who continue to guide the Guild Master to this day. Nowadays Meredith tends the bar and the greenhouse - her knowledge of potion crafting translating well to mixing drinks.

Zhulie Pesta

A young, energetic spirit around Wolven Pyre. The thirteen year old girl comes from a long lineage of Witches, brought up by the Daughters of Hecate since birth. Her mother died of illness when she was only little, and young Zhulie only feels close to her during her craft. She has yet to forge a contract with a Deity, but she is eager to embrace her identity as a Witch.

Currently, Zhulie is working with Priscilla and the other Witches to prepare for her Choosing Rites - a ritual in which one may invoke the presence of a specific Deity and offer themselves up to them. Zhulie plans to follow in her mothers footsteps and walk the Path of Aphrodite.

Phoenix Wing: New Dawn

Henri Baptiste

✦ Character Theme | Hybrid Rainbow ✦

Appearance

_{6’3” 270 lbs | Outfit}

---

---

Full Name

Henri Baptiste

Age

27

Gender

Male

Species

Human, Witch

Personality

Henri is an old soul who enjoys the simpler things in life. His quiet stoicism often makes him appear disgruntled, but he really just doesn’t have a whole lot to say. Pragmatic to a tee, Henri knows when he’s out of his depth and doesn’t often seek to rise above his station. This isn’t to say he’s lazy; far from it. Henri is one of the most reliable, hard working men you’ll ever meet. He doesn’t think twice to lend someone a hand, even if it were to inconvenience him. He’ll do anything he can to help a situation, but is able to admit that sometimes a task is just beyond him.

When it comes to ambition, Henri just doesn’t see himself being much more than he already is; and that’s okay. At least, that’s what he tells himself. Deep down he wonders that perhaps he has reached the culmination of all he can be, and that terrifies him. Rather than address those fears, he’d sooner continue to plot along at his own laid back pace as if such struggles do not concern him. A delicate farce that could shatter if one were to look too closely at it.

Henri grew up the eldest of four, with a lot of pressure on him to help provide for his siblings. Even though he is somewhat resentful of having to give up his own dreams; the desire to be needed has remained strong. He often acts the part of an elder sibling with the younger guild mates - unconditionally supporting them under the guise of playful jests and teasing.

Despite all of his years at Wolven Pyre, Henri still feels as though he is an outsider to the world of Witchcraft. It wasn’t a heritage he was born into; fate brought him to Priscilla later in life. He often feels disconnected during his practice; as though he is undeserving of his power.

Strengths

✦ Durable. Henri can withstand a lot of punishment.
✦ Aquatics. Henri is a fantastic swimmer and specialises in fighting underwater.
✦ Humble. There’s nary a shred of arrogance within the man.

Weaknesses

✦ Follower. Lacking real ambition, Henri isn’t a go getter who takes charge.
✦ Stubborn. It’s hard to change his stance on something once he’s committed; even if he rarely does so of his own volition.
✦ Brute. The way he fights lacks any real grace or finesse.

Guild

Wolven Pyre

Mage Rank

A Rank

Magic

Witchcraft: The term given to practitioners of Dark Magic who identify as Witches. As broad as the term ‘Magic’, a Witch’s power can manifest in a multitude of practices. The commonality between them all is that a Witch’s magic is gifted to them through a deeply personal and sacred relationship with their Deity.

Deities are entities whom a Witch learns to make contact with through the streams of Ethernano that bind the world. Their natures are as diverse and unpredictable as us mortals, each with their own goals and alignments.

Witches work to hone their craft in the same way a Mage does; through dedicated training and perseverance. However this journey is also supplemented through their worship and reverence of their deity, which can take many forms. Ultimately, a Witch must appease their deity in order to keep their connection strong; lest they risk having their gifts taken away. These rituals are unique to each practitioner.

Familiars: Witches may choose to bond with one or more animals linked to their deity, gaining a magical companion who acts as a conduit for her spells. The extent of this connection depends on the Witch. Caring for a familiar may be a requirement to maintain their bond with their Deity.

Familiars can also take the form of a favoured animal, wherein the Witch shares a connection with a specific type of animal rather than an intense bond with a single creature. In this form, Witches are always perceived as a friend to these animals and can be communicated with - but they will not inherently listen to a Witch’s orders given their temperament at the time.

Higher calibre Witches may also take the form of their familiar or favoured animal, though this is purely an illusory effect and none of the physical/magical attributes are shared

Spell List

Path of Phorcys: Phorcys is the enigmatic lord of the deep, connecting Henri’s mind to the abyssal depths and the terrors that lurk within. Henri communicates to his Deity through water and Sycorax, his familiar.

Henri draws power from the dark, crushing abyss of the deep sea and is most in his element when submerged in water. He can breathe underwater indefinitely, move through water like a natural predator and manipulate water to wrack foes with the intense pressure of the deep.

Phorcys is the warden of the Drowned Ones, spirits of those who lost their lives at sea. In order to maintain his gifts, Henri is to harvest the wandering souls of those who escaped from the icy depths. By consuming these souls, Henri acts as a gateway to Sycorax - who guides these spirits back to Phorcys.

Abyssopelagic: Henri can blight the land around him with the power of the deep, rapidly increasing the moisture levels of the environment around him to the point it begins to bloat and deteriorate from the inside out. The air becomes dense and marginally more difficult to move through for all those standing within the affected area. Henri can move through the air as though he were fully submerged in water in these zones.

The spell’s effective area is determined by Henri’s power level, but he can minimize it where necessary. At present he can command an area with a radius of about twenty-five meters. Any damage caused to the environment by this spell is reversed upon the end of its effects.

Rupture: Henri focusses the intense pressure of the deep sea on a small area within Abyssopelagic, causing targets who try to move through it to take damage with every motion until they leave the area or stop moving.

Kraken Wrack: Whilst inside Abyssopelagic, Henri may conjure the Augur of Sycorax from any affected surface rather than just his own limbs.

Kraken Shell: Surrounds Henri in a layer of dense, churning waters that significantly bolsters his defenses at the cost of speed.

Abyssal Torpedo: Henri launches himself at the target whilst surrounding himself in a churning vortex of water, dealing heavy damage to targets on collision. Can also be used to quickly traverse large bodies of water.

Undertow: Henri dives into any solid surface within Abyssopelagic, allowing him to swim through it out of sight. Rumbling tremors emanate from his location, disturbing the footing of anyone he passes under. He may choose to emerge in a highly pressurised geyser.

Subduction: Henri can pull a target into the depths during Undertow - trapping them in an abyssal, dark prison temporarily. They’ll still be able to breathe as normal.

Divination: Henri can receive and interpret signs and information from Phorcys by using water as a medium. Most effective when he is fully submerged. He is still relatively new at this skill, learning under Priscilla’s guidance.

Sharks (Favoured Animal): Henri can communicate with Sharks and they always consider him friendly. This does not mean he has any authority over them. His teeth are sharp, possessing an inhumanly strong bite.

Infested Waters: During Abyssopelagic Henri may summon a watery effigy of a great white shark that lurks beneath the surface of the drowned area - only visible by its dorsal fin. The shark roams the area until commanded to strike, leaping from the depths at alarming speeds with it’s own variant of Abyssal Torpedo.

Sharkbait: Henri fires an orb of water at a target, marking them as his shark disappears beneath the depths. At any point, Henri may activate the mark and command his shark to leap up from underneath the target in an attempt to swallow them whole. If successful, they will be pulled beneath the depths as the spell Subduction.


Sycorax (Colossal Familiar): A colossal squid who lies dormant at the bottom of the sea, but can communicate with Henri through her subconscious mind.

Augur of Sycorax: Henri can conjure watery apparitions of Sycorax’s appendages from his own limbs. Acting as extensions of his own body, he can strike at distant foes as well as ensnare them in his grip. Multiple tentacles can be summoned and controlled separately, consuming more magic power to maintain.

Ink Blot: Henri can spit black ink which temporarily blinds targets. Whilst inside Abyssopelagic the Ink spreads as a dark, murky cloud as if underwater.

Ink Effigy: Henri can create a realistic copy of himself made from ink. When interacted with the effigy disperses.

Fighting Style

Henri takes his lickings like a true champ, withstanding blow after blow as a bastion of endurance. Despite little formal training, his natural size and strength have enough presence on the battlefield to make Henri stand out as a heavy hitting juggernaut. He overwhelms opponents by throwing his weight around in heavy hitting strikes that usually incorporate the entirety of his body. What they lack in control or speed, they make up for in raw power. He’s also known to be quite deadly with his anchors, employing the heavy instruments as makeshift hammers to bring down upon his targets. He has surprising versatility and range thanks to his Augur of Sycorax.

Henri’s true specialty in a fight is area control. His magic lets him claim a territory and grants specific boons when he fights inside it. Whilst inside Abyssopelagic Henri is able to showcase his underwater fighting prowess as though he were a deadly predator. His speed within water is remarkable for someone so large, able to mobilize in short, powerful bursts to strike foes.

Equipment

Rusty Anchors: A pair of old, well worn anchors that Henri dual wields. These crude instruments make for a deadly bludgeoning tool when wielded by someone of Henri’s strength.

History

Henri grew up in Clover as the oldest of four siblings. Abandoned by their father, he had to step up and help his mother in running the house and raising his younger brothers and sister. His own dream of becoming a mage was pushed to the wayside so he could do right by his family. Whilst he understood that his sacrifices allowed his siblings to flourish, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat resentful. It was as though his own ambitions didn’t matter. At fourteen his mother was involved in an accident that left her unable to work and provide for her children. Henri was pulled from school so that he could start working to support his family. His Uncle was able to secure him an apprenticeship aboard a fishing vessel in Hargeon.

Removed from his family and friends, in a town where he knew nobody, Henri was plunged into a life at sea. He found comfort in the open waters. It was as though it was where he was meant to be. For the next few years Henri honed his skills as a sailor and fisherman, sending a large portion of his earnings back home. There were times when he would think about what his life could have been, lamenting the path that was decided for him. When he received letters from his siblings describing their own ventures and ambitions it reminded him of why he had to keep going.

At seventeen Henri’s ship became trapped within a furious maelstrom that tore the hull to shreds - sending it’s crew into the watery depths. He tried to fight the pull of the deep, but it was to no avail. He had all but accepted his fate when he felt something stir from deep within him; a presence that had always been there. In his final moments the entity showed him all he could be, if he chose it. His lifelong devotion was to be the price. The visions of himself as a fully fledged mage, living the life he always wanted, were alluring enough for Henri to accept the deal.

‘The pact has been forged. Call upon my name and claim your power!’

As his last breath escaped his lips, one name bore itself into his mind as he began to slip into unconsciousness.

Phorcys.

Henri awoke on the shore next to the wreckage of his ship. The bodies of a few drowned crew members lay scattered across the sands. Above them, spectres of their drowned souls wandered aimlessly along the shore. Another voice echoed within Henri’s mind, telling him what he must do. The voice belonged to Sycorax, a slumbering colossus who had aided in Henri and his crew returning to land. With her instruction, the young man was able to consume the drowned souls and return them to the sea.

Henri wandered for a time. Sycorax wasn’t much for idle chatter, her voice only manifesting when absolutely necessary. Left to his own devices, with a newfound power he did not understand, Henri sought to aid others as any respectable mage would. Yet he found his gifts were not met with awe or gratitude as expected. There was a sinister presence that lay dormant beneath his magic, and it was not unnoticed by those around him. There was so much he didn’t know about Phorcys and the gifts He had bestowed upon the young man. As quick as he had begun to question it, so did Priscilla Duran come into his life.

What seemed a chance meeting was actually the work of Priscilla’s own potent divining powers. She brought Henri back to the Daughters of Hecate and explained his situation to him. Phorcys was a Deity and in forging a contract with him Henri had unknowingly entered the world of Witchcraft. Recognised as a Dark Magic, it would seem the common folk wouldn’t take too kindly to his gifts. Priscilla offered Henri the chance to connect with her culture and learn underneath her kind as one of them.

From that point on Henri became enveloped in the history of Priscilla’s people, familiarising himself with practices and knowledge held sacred for generations. Despite growing up with no magical background, the other Witches delighted in sharing their culture with him. Many years passed and Henri has flourished into a fine Witch - standing by Priscilla’s side as she brings her people forth from the Shadows to embark on a new enterprise - Wolven Pyre.

Phoenix Wing: New Dawn

Some sheets for yall sheet fiends

Priscilla Duran

✦ Character Theme | Gypsy ✦

Appearance

---

---

Full Name

Priscilla Rose Duran

Age

38

Gender

Female

Species

Human, Witch

Personality

Priscilla exudes regality and strength, her grace and poise evident in her subtle, unassuming mannerisms and polite yet confident tone. She isn’t one to have her voice left unheard, using her platform and authority to speak for those who are not privileged enough to do so themselves. She often seeks to first understand before being understood herself, to show respect before demanding it. Despite her position, she has always made herself emotionally available for her Guild members and their needs. She is an advocate of self discovery and learning, guiding those under her care to becoming their best selves.

Priscilla is the kind of person who doesn’t let her emotions rule her. Her wrath is cold and unassuming, her sorrow composed and dignified. The exception to this generally manifests in situations where she feels as though she has failed in her duties. To protect those under her wing, to uphold the legacy of her ancestors and to face a world filled with hateful bigots. The weight of these burdens can often be too much for her to bear alone, but bear it she must. The future of her Guild and culture depends on her being strong. To be perceived as weak is one of her greatest fears.

Priscilla has no heart for violence, but she is anything but a pacifist. To protect what is yours, sometimes you must take what belongs to someone else. There is not always a question of good or evil, there is only what is necessary. Make no mistake, Priscilla will do whatever is necessary to see her goals come to fruition.

Strengths

✦ Master Pyromancer. Her ingenious displays of fire magic are a wonder to behold.
✦ Restraint. In both her behaviour and fire, Priscilla keeps a cool head and rarely makes impulsive decisions.
✦ Witchcraft. Priscilla has spent her entire life absorbed in the Dark Arts. She possesses knowledge on all manner of potent reagents, tantalizing hexes and ritual practices.

Weaknesses

✦ Caster. Priscilla is not very durable nor is she particularly skilled in any martial talents.
✦ Restraint. Fire is chaotic by its very nature, possessing a will of its own. Priscilla must always keep it suppressed when using her magic to avoid harming her allies or the surrounding environment. The effort required to do so impacts the potential of her spells.
✦ Protective. Priscilla cares deeply for her guild members and can be easily manipulated if one were to exploit her relationships. There is nothing she wouldn’t lay down to keep her loved ones safe.

Guild

Wolven Pyre

Mage Rank

S Rank, Guildmaster

Magic

Witchcraft: The term given to practitioners of Dark Magic who identify as Witches. As broad as the term ‘Magic’, a Witch’s power can manifest in a multitude of practices. The commonality between them all is that a Witch’s magic is gifted to them through a deeply personal and sacred relationship with their Deity.

Deities are entities whom a Witch learns to make contact with through the streams of Ethernano that bind the world. Their natures are as diverse and unpredictable as us mortals, each with their own goals and alignments.

Witches work to hone their craft in the same way a Mage does; through dedicated training and perseverance. However this journey is also supplemented through their worship and reverence of their deity, which can take many forms. Ultimately, a Witch must appease their deity in order to keep their connection strong; lest they risk having their gifts taken away. These rituals are unique to each practitioner.

Familiars: Witches may choose to bond with one or more animals linked to their deity, gaining a magical companion who acts as a conduit for her spells. The extent of this connection depends on the Witch. Caring for a familiar may be a requirement to maintain their bond with their Deity.

Familiars can also take the form of a favoured animal, wherein the Witch shares a connection with a specific type of animal rather than an intense bond with a single creature. In this form, Witches are always perceived as a friend to these animals and can be communicated with - but they will not inherently listen to a Witch’s orders given their temperament at the time.

Higher calibre Witches may also take the form of their familiar or favoured animal, though this is purely an illusory effect and none of the physical/magical attributes are shared

Spell List

Path of Hecate: Priscilla’s Deity bestows upon her the power of primordial flame. Gifted with pyromancy, Priscilla is able to shape and manipulate fire in ways beyond imagining. She is unable to produce her own flame, instead using fire in her environment or from her staff as a conduit for her witchcraft.

Hecate is a demanding Goddess, but she is not punitive. Priscilla may keep her gifts from her provided she dedicates herself to her own evolution - to stand in complacency and no longer dictate the path of one’s life is considered anathema to Hecate. However, she will not remove her gifts provided Priscilla takes ownership of her own agency. Hecate is also very fond of regular offerings, usually by burning or by arranging them on an altar.

Greater Pyromancy: Priscilla’s control over fire is legendary. With thought alone, she can fuel the tiniest spark into a raging inferno or simply tame and snuff the most intense blazes. She may choose who her fire is harmful to, rendering it cool to the touch if she wishes. She can twist and shape fire into physical constructs that may even be animated similar to that of a maker mage. She is able to bestow fire enchantments upon her allies, rendering them immune to fire or enhancing their attacks with her own magic.

Warmth: Priscilla is able to tap into the aspect of life that flows through all fire, allowing her to use her flames as a source of healing magic. While by no means a master healer, Priscilla has shown great aptitude in using fire in this way.

Divination: By casting salt into flames, Priscilla is able to ‘see’ through the fire to divine signs from Hecate. Priscilla may enchant salt to be given to members of her guild to be thrown into any fire source and establish long distance communication between them and Priscilla.

Flame Walker: Priscilla may engulf herself in flames, disappearing from view temporarily before reappearing in a burst of fire anywhere in a medium radius. In doing so, she does undertake some harm from the fire as a blood price.

Priscilla may bring up to two additional people with her, but they will also be burned by the flames.

Self-Immolation: Priscilla engulfs herself in hellish flames, dealing significant damage to herself but greatly empowering her spellcasting for a short while.

Infernal Gate: Priscilla and her allies are able to travel great distances through one source of fire to another, provided the flames are burned inside a waypoint that has been magically connected to another. Someone on the other side must keep their waypoint lit for travel to be established.

Priscilla may create an additional waypoint by participating in an extensive, in-depth ritual that spans over three days. This process involves rare reagents and the aid of several other highly skilled witches. As a last resort, Priscilla may sacrifice one of her limbs as an adequate offering to Hecate to produce a one time link to any existing waypoints - allowing her to quickly teleport herself and nearby allies to safety.

This technique was developed by Beatrice Duran, who used it to connect the Daughters of Hecate to their Sister Covens. With Priscilla’s decision to establish Wolven Pyre and open her home to Mages, all of the Coven’s once aligned with her have since snuffed the flames inside their waypoints.

Wolves (Favoured Animal): Priscilla has a deep connection with wolves, particularly the packs that roam the Silverbranch Glade. They act as her eyes and ears in the forest surrounding the coven, keeping tabs on anyone who enters the woods.

Nigel (Serpent Familiar): A cream coloured boa constrictor with a brown swaddle pattern that intensifies near his tail. Nigel is Priscilla’s faithful companion and is very protective of his mistress. He and Priscilla are able to communicate telepathically with one another, Nigel often sharing his instinctual feelings with her.

Hellish Conduit: Priscilla is able to consume flames from her torch at her current location and channel them somewhere else with Nigel acting as the medium. Usually in the form of him unleashing it as a breath attack.

Molt: When in a dangerous situation, Priscilla is able to teleport Nigel back to her side - leaving only his shedded skin behind. If Priscilla has consumed fire, she may use Hellish Conduit to have Nigel erupt in an intense blaze as he sheds his skin.

Equipment

The Unyielding Flame of Hecate: A relic passed down from Beatrice Duran, Priscilla’s Great Grandmother. This staff bears a mighty, iron torch in which an eternal flame burns. Priscilla may draw upon this fire as a medium for her spellcasting. Hecate’s Flame has burned for centuries, unable to be doused by non-magical means. In essence, the flame is fueled by Priscilla’s devotion to Hecate.

Fighting Style

Priscilla is a dedicated caster who can fulfill many roles on the battlefield. If needed she can bombard enemies with fiery artillery, enchant and heal allies or control an area with her supreme fire manipulation. She has decent mobility with spells such as Flame Walker and ultimately wants to keep on the outskirts of a fight. Fighting in melee is not a strong suit of hers, but her plethora of flame sorcery is more than suitable to keep her pursuers at bay.

Nigel, Priscilla’s familiar, also fights alongside his mistress. Unassuming in nature, he can often skulk about the field until an opening presents for him to strike. With Hellish Conduit he can even aid in spreading infernal carnage.

History

Priscilla comes from a long, proud heritage of witches that spans far back before even the Daughters of Hecate. Her mother, Agnus Duran, enriched the young girl with the stories and teachings of her culture. Despite all the wondrous things she heard, Priscilla could not help but notice how isolated her family was from the world. Relegated to a life of secrecy, the Daughters of Hecate were victims of prejudice surrounding their magical practices. Priscilla came to accept this as her reality for a time; until she made contact with Hecate Herself.

The Three in One, the Keeper of Keys, the Torch Bearer - Hecate was the patron Deity of Priscilla’s own coven and the progenitor of Witchcraft. Beatrice Duran, the coven’s founder and an ancestor of Priscilla’s, also walked the path of Hecate. It was Her guidance that led Beatrice to separate from her own coven and form the Daughters of Hecate. Now, centuries later, the Three Headed Goddess re-emerged within Priscilla’s bloodline to help guide the coven into a new age.

When Priscilla succeeded Agnus after a long life as a well respected leader, she would use her position to invoke a drastic shift in the Witches’ lifestyles. She opened her doors to Mages seeking refuge during a time when they could not practice openly under the current government. This was simply outrageous to many within the coven. Witches had been hunted down as Dark Mages for many generations and now they were to break bread with their very hunters. It caused a huge divide in the coven that led to many Witches abandoning the Daughters of Hecate.

While it saddened Priscilla to see her sisters cut ties so easily, she was steadfast in her vision; to create a home in which Mages and Witches could live together as one. Breaking down centuries of prejudice wasn’t an easy task; yet those she had offered sanctuary held such gratitude that it wasn’t long before those long standing walls began to crumble. Many of the Mages continued to stay with the Daughters of Hecate even after the new council was formed. They had created a home among the trees of the Silverbranch Glade, one they would not abandon so easily. Priscilla was proud of what she had achieved, but knew deep down it wasn’t enough. She could feel the weight of Hecate’s gaze upon her; it was a sign that she needed to push even further. Emerging from the shadows, Priscilla held an audience with the Magic Council to make her case for the Daughters of Hecate as one of the Light Guilds as Fiore. Though going forward, she wished to establish her Guild as a symbol of unity between her people and the mages. Thus, Wolven Pyre was born.

As the first official Guildmaster, Priscilla has been met with many challenges in the short few months since the Guild’s inception. She continues to tackle them head on while offering guidance to those who grace her halls.

Bullet (Post Time-Skip)

✦ Character Theme | Break a Mirror ✦

Appearance

---

---

Full Name

Nicholas Ark

Age

Nineteen

Gender

Male

Species

Human

Personality

Bullet, savage and unruly, lives up to his moniker of ‘Beast King’. The young man is blunt, arrogant and rough as guts. Often preferring to solve his issues head on, Bullet doesn’t think twice before leaping into the fray. He isn’t one for social etiquette or polite mannerisms – believing his best self is his honest self. His brutal honesty is harsh at best, deeply offensive at worst.

Bullet was once the kind of man who would let his rage control him – an unpredictable force of chaos only sated by the comfort of his closest friend Isabella. During his time in isolation, Bullet has definitely learned to control his anger and harness it during battle without being overly reckless. His rambunctious and larger than life persona may indicate someone who is laid back and easy to get along with, but Bullet often finds himself distancing him from others before they can get too close.

Strengths

✦ Exceptional physical strength.
✦ Keen reflexes and instincts.
✦ Survivalist. Bullet knows how to fend for himself in many different environments.

Weaknesses

✦ Straightforward thinker. Strategy doesn’t come easily to him.
✦ Lacking raw magical ability, relying more on his physical prowess.
✦ Feral temper. Whilst he has improved since his youth, it’s still quite easy to get under his skin.

Guild

Wolven Pyre

Mage Rank

B Rank

Magic

Requip: the Brawler

Bullet has access to a plethora of fist weapons such as gauntlets, claws and cestus. Stored and summoned from his own personal pocket dimension, Bullet can call upon his weapons when needed.

All of his weapons come in pairs that can be equipped on both hands, but he may also choose to summon one of each different type to mix up his combat ability. Weapons summoned in this way are not nearly as effective individually, but allow a degree of versatility in how Bullet approaches a fight.

Spell List

Mountain Busters: These oversized gauntlets are made from the enchanted body of a rock golem. They have a significant weight to them that slows Bullet’s movements but packs a mean punch. They specialise in devastating, crushing blows and grappling maneuvers. As their name suggests, even solid earth will crumble under the power of these gauntlets.

Titan Crusher: A powerful, slow winding haymaker that deals massive damage to physical and magical defences. Easily avoidable, but absolutely crippling if not evaded.

Titan’s Grasp: Requires both Mountain Busters equipped to use. After successfully grabbing an opponent with his gauntlets, Bullet is able to magically lock him and his victim together for a brief moment. This allows just enough time for him to begin a throw, hold or slam before the binding wears off.

All attempts to escape the magical hold, including the use of spatial magic, will fail.

Hellforged Gauntlets: A pair of magitek gauntlets that were once fashioned by Isabella Pinelli, but have had some crude augmentations added since. These gauntlets each have three Gauss Pistons that can be individually loaded to add an increasing blast of explosive flames to Bullet’s next strike.

Pile Bunker: Quickly loads a single piston into each of Bullet’s gauntlets, empowering their next strikes with a blast of magical fire. Up to three pistons can be loaded, each significantly increasing the power of the eventual attack.

Explosive Javelin: Bullet can unload the built up power in his gauntlets as a long ranged blast of fire that erupts on contact.

Broken Bunker: Requires both Hellforged Gauntlets equipped to use. Plants an explosive charge on the target with Bullet’s next Pile Bunker. The attack has little impact, but will ready the charge for any subsequent Pile Bunker that Bullet connects with the target. When ignited, the charge will erupt to deal additional damage to the target based on how many Gauss Pistons were loaded into the charge when planted.

Stormrazors: Steel claws imbued with an electromagnetic lacrima and grappling hook. Lightweight and favouring fast, slashing attacks. Bullet forgoes raw power in exchange for speed and agility. Their greatest strength lies in their mobility, hookshotting around to zip in and out of a fight as needed.

Magnetize: Striking a foe charges them with electromagnetic energy. Once imbued, the target feels a significant pulling force whenever they attempt to move away from Bullet’s current position.

Hookshot: Bullet fires his grappling hook, latching onto any surface or target within a moderate range. Bullet can either propel himself towards the impact point or reel in his target provided the object isn’t too heavy. Hookshot will automatically track onto Magnetized targets.

Steel Cyclone: Requires both Stormrazors equipped to use. Unleashes a spinning slash charged with electricity. Rips and tears anything too close, but cannot move during the attack. Bullet can utilize the momentum from Hookshot to direct the path of Steel Cyclone, but otherwise cannot control where he ends up.

Equipment

Knuckledusters: A set of simple brass knuckles kept on Bullet at all times. They offer no magical benefit, but significantly improve the power of his strikes. When requipping isn’t possible, Bullet can still rely on his own strength to give him an edge in a fight.

Fighting Style

Bullet is a ruthless brawler who likes to get up close and personal. Utilizing every part of his body in a series of brutalizing blows, he tends to favor an overwhelming offence that forces openings in his opponent’s guard. He relies on wrestling techniques to bring his foes down to the ground to continue his assault - or to simply throw them around like ragdolls. Utilizing every manner of throw, slam or crushing hold available to him, Bullet tends to fight by getting his hands on his victim and sticking to them like glue.

History

Hiding behind names like ‘Beast King’ and ‘Bullet’ is a young man named Nicholas Arc – son of the infamous wizard Relius Arc who was renounced by the Council for his barbaric experiments. Even Nicholas and his family weren’t safe from his father’s mad hypotheses and tampering. It was such disregard for their wellbeing that cost the life of his mother and older sister.

‘Such a waste,’ Relius would lament, though his grief was more directed at the loss of his precious subjects rather than his own family.

Nicholas would not share the same fate as his family – eventually escaping Relius’ clutches and going into hiding. On the streets he heard through the grapevine that the Rune Knights had confronted Relius on charges of unethical practices, but were only met with the mad wizard’s lifeless corpse. Suspicions arose around the boy; had he murdered his father and escaped? Was he dead? He may as well have been. He felt that in order to escape the shadow cast by his father’s misdeeds, he would need to leave that life behind.

Years passed for Nicholas, now simply a nameless street rat. He stole what he needed to survive and lived wherever fate deemed right. It wasn’t much of a life, but it was simple. Until Isabella showed up. Young and afraid, she had been running from her own difficult home life. Their meeting was by chance, but Nicholas recognised in her a kindred spirit and offered to help her stand on her own two feet. The two grew up together and built a bond like no other, joint at the hip and ready to take on anything. Isabella knew very little of his past – not even his name. Rather than pry into a sore subject, she gave him one.

‘Bullet – because nobody will want to get in your way.’

Once they found themselves joining Phoenix Wing, the pair of street rats would eventually flourish into first rate Wizards. The adventures they shared throughout Fiore would become precious memories to fondly remind them of what’s really important in life. Yet even their time together would eventually come to an end. Isabella left Phoenix Wing to pursue her own goals as a wizard. Bullet cared too much for her to try and stand in the way of her future, but without her the guild hall just didn’t feel the same. When he had first met Isabella, he was the one to comfort her and make her feel safe. It seemed their roles had reversed somewhere along the line. He didn’t want to stop moving forward either, always reliant on someone else to make him feel complete. With that, Bullet also departed from Phoenix Wing.

Bullet took to a life of solitude, living in the wilds and travelling Fiore to offer his aid as a Wizard to any in need. His savage fighting style and rough attitude garnered him the name ‘Beast King’ – though he insists he earned that title by wrestling a particularly enraged Vulcan.

After some time, Bullet would find himself in a bit of a pinch when a fight with a Chimera began to go south. He had clearly overestimated his ability to deal with the beast without back up and paid dearly. The Chimera might have finished him off if not for the aid of a group of women garbed in black cloaks. The Chimera flinched under the extreme pressure of their combined magic, whimpering in pain before retreating into the wilds. Bullet wasn’t conscious long enough to see the faces of his saviours.

Bullet came to after what felt like ages. He found himself in a strange bed with a woman garbed in black watching over him. She introduced herself as Priscilla Duran, the leader of Wolven Pyre - a wizards guild that had only just been registered with the Magic Council. He was free to leave when he chose, but Priscilla hoped he would stay so she could continue to monitor his rehabilitation. He didn’t see any reason to rush off. For the past month Bullet has frequented the halls of Wolven Pyre, assisted with chores and gotten to know a few of the Witches and Mages that call it home. With his rehabilitation almost at its end, he’s beginning to wonder if perhaps it’s time to settle into a new home.

Mahoukyo: Magical Mishaps

These families, the Isamu and Rikimaru are more like Yakuza groups right? You don't have to be a blood-related relative to be part of the "family", right?

@Styrgwyr

Yeah, you've got the right of it. There are Mages in each group who are blood relatives of the Rikimaru or Isamu, but generally any Mage willing to affiliate with a side is welcome.