The Velvet Thorn
Colette du Lafayette aka The Velvet Thorn
| {Age} |24
| {Species} |Human
| {Gender} |Female
| {Class/subclass} |Rogue/Assassin Bard
| {Appearance} |Colette stands at 5'7' and has cream-colored skin and light gray eyes. Her hair is light blonde that falls to her lower back, though she usually keeps it tied up when not in disguise. Colette has a scar on her right shoulder from a job gone wrong. Despite how attractive she looks, she rarely has a smile on her face and, when she does, it is only for people who deserve it.
She walks with purpose, but usually quietly. She seldom wears cosmetics when not disguising herself, though she will put in some effort on an average day. Her ensemble consists of light armor and a cloak as it is ideal for sneaking around. She has a pendant she has with her though never wears. If you ask her about it, she is as likely to punch you in the face than answer.
| {Equipment and Personal Belongings} |Silveer Pendant - A silver pendant on a chain. It looks like it can be opened up. Colette carries it with her but never wears it.
Dark Daggers - Her primary weapon of choice. Engraved with Orlesian markings, she is never without these at her side.
Lockpicks - Standard fare for a rogue. She's had her set for years now.
Throwing Knives - Suitable for long-distance combat and good for taking out enemies stealthily, Collete carries a few with her as needed
| {Skills} |Lockpicking - Colette is able to pick locks with ease. She always carries her tools with her and no door or chest can stand in her way.
Stealth - As an assassin, stealth is key. Colette can use the shadows to help her blend in and move without being seen. Her footfalls are quiet.
Disguise - Colette being a trained bard as well as an assassin is able to disguise herself. She has appeared as an Orlesian noble, a scullery maid, a fishmonger, and even a Templar knight. She is able to trick others through words and actions.
Singer - Despite it all, a bard is a bard and one needs an instrument. Colette uses her voice to charm others and sings beautifully.
| {Talents} |Dual Combat - Colette is trained and can fight using a weapon in each hand. She prefers using her dual daggers in a fight, but can also use a sword or axe in a pinch.
Weakpoints - Colette is a rogue and, as such, does not do much in-your-face combat, preferring to sneak around and identify weaknesses in her enemies. She can capitalize on these and inflict more damage, especially if she is unseen.
Throwing Knife Combat - Colette can use throwing knives in battle. She can use them both in and out of stealth. Colette can take down unaware enemies or use them to significantly weaken enemies she is facing off against.
| {Home/Family} |Colette was born and raised in the du Lafayette family, a prominent noble house known for their silks and perfumes. Colette was the youngest of five children to parents who cared more for their wealth than any family bonding. As such, they made many enemies. An attack on their homestead left only Colette and her eldest brother, Sebastien, alive. Having fled their family home, Sebastien was eventually tracked down as the heir and was killed. Colette barely escaped. She was forced to live on the streets and find shelter and food where she could, leaving her to a life of crime. She swore vengeance on the Nobility for taking her family away.
| {Flaws and limits} |Chip On Her Shoulder - Colette has faced many hardships and met many people who backstabbed her or worse. As such, she is slow to trust others. She often keeps people at arm's length or insults and belittles those she deems unworthy of her time. She has a barbed tongue for even those she does like. She is not without loyalty provided those she is around can prove they have her best intentions.
| {Personality} |Colette can be said to be abrasive and snarky and that is not without merit. Having gone through hard times, she views the world as more morally gray than others. A stolen piece of bread might limit the baker's funds for the day, but it provides a starving child nourishment for the evening. Colette is slow to trust others having been betrayed before. She is quick to insult others, even those she considers allies, and is not one to back down from confrontation, especially if people are quick to assume she is weak or soft.
She is not without loyalty or trust though. Colette has a soft spot for children and will go out of her way to ensure they are protected if in danger. When there are those in her life that she deems trustworthy, she is loyal to a fault. She may be slow to admit it, but she has few people she considers friends, but anyone who is one has an ally for life.
| {Background} |Colette's family was murdered before her eyes, leaving a young girl to fend for herself. Walking the streets of Orlais as an urchin did not do much to earn her favors, but Colette quickly realized how easy it was to rob the Nobility. They often did not miss it or care if a few heirlooms were gone. As she grew older, she became bolder and bolder in her crimes. She quickly grew skilled in being unseen and unheard, but she also was able to don a mask of whoever she needed to be if it suited her, allowing her to escape notice from authorities.
Eventually robbing grew dull and without merit. Colette's abilities had grown then and she was handpicked by a small order of Bards to join their ranks. At first, she refused, but the Bards opened her eyes to a world of possibilities where she would make the Nobility pay in blood rather than gold. So she honed her skills and learned more. How to play the role of delicate flower to get an unsuspecting suitor into bed and finish them off.
One such job ended poorly as Colette was left alone when she was promised back-up. She was caught with a Noblle lady she intended to kill and was dragged off to jail. She was quickly sentenced to death and was brought forth for her punishment. Unbeknownst to her and others, a Gray Warden was in the crowd having come to Orlais looking for recruits. Before her sentence could be given he strode forth and conscripted her on the spot. Despite the guard's protests, she was allowed to go with the Gray Warden. Colette, obviously, fought him off at first, but he promised her a home amongst the Wardens should she survive and wouldn't that be better than being on the run so much?
With revenge still hot in her mind, she decided to go along with it and survived the Joining. Colette initially showed resistance but had to learn quickly that teamwork made things easier. Slowly she worked her way into some recognition amongst the order, though most of her work was rarely seen (which was intentional). Colette also learned that the Wardens could, for the most part, be trusted as she managed to get out of some sticky situations with their help. Colette proved to be a valuable asset for information as well as discreet operations. Despite being somewhat new to the order, Colette quickly found a home amongst them.
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