T H E R O N
T H E R O N Z U B I R I ◼ 3 3 ◼ F E M A L E ◼ D R U I D S O F M A R I S M A
"He breathed so loudly I could have shot him in the dark..."
Theron stands at an imposing 5'6", whipcord lean with the muscle of one who lives & works out of doors. Dark auburn hair drawn into a single, thick braid frames a rather stern face, faint laugh lines fanning out from dark green eyes which once held mirth, but have now borne witness to the Blight. Her hooded tunic and trews are of an indeterminate gray-green with flecks of brown, their mottled texture perfectly suited to blending in with forested environs or the muted hues of twilight. She carries herself with an air of studied quietude, reminiscent of the inner sanctum of the oldest & holiest of Barbed Church abbeys. When caught unawares, her laughter peals out unabashedly, showing the bones of a formerly boisterous personality. She watches first, always, before waiting for the right moment. The two hatchets at her back are both utilitarian & combat oriented, though the recurved bow is Theron's preferred weapon, hip quiver angled so as to not impede movement through dense underbrush.
She knew the forested marshes like an old friend - the floating islands which disappeared and moved with the inland tides, the ancient paths of old growth trees rooted in permanent dry ground which allowed for quick passage between hamlets, & the name of every medicinal herb & flower which grew in their land. Born of a hermetic clan of Druid priests and their followers, her early life had consisted of days studying at the knee of various elders gathering book learning, before transitioning to garnering the more practical skillsets of a forward scout - those of the Druidic communities responsible for maintaining the veil of silence and isolation which kept their band of loosely interconnected societies untouched.
It was the remote nature of her work which saved Theron, those trips to the edges of their region to map out potential resources or escort interlopers back to the borders with Vasilius & Ferros. She returned from a mission guiding a regularly scheduled merchant train back to the eastern boundary only to find the remnants of her town sprawled about like so much macabre statuary. Two, almost three weeks - this is how long it took the Blight to wipe out her family and friends like wildfire. She found her husband Ívarr in their elevated cottage, his skin tattooed with those horrifying stones the color of blood, body curled around her favorite scarf - the one he'd always said smelled like her hair...
Violently untethered from a life of geographic specificity, she has made her way out of the forests so dear to her to answer the king's call... and hopefully find out exactly what killed almost everyone she'd ever loved.
▼ C H A R A C T E R G O A L S:
It is simple and singular in nature: discover the true nature of the Blight, the wherefore & how of it all, and bring back a cure to the survivors of her land.
//SKILLS AND ABILITIES:◼ TRACKING| Of wild game, human or otherwise.
◼ STEALTH| To be unseen, this was the role of the scouts - though defenders of the clan, they were primarily the eyes of their elders. The practical application of this skillset may be aided by Druidic manipulation of shadows (please note: this is the only magic Theron is capable of, a specific ability taught in accordance with her role).
◼ HERBAL & MEDICINAL LORE| This is a practical skill & not magical in nature, allowing for field dressings, remedying of recognized poisons, etc.
◼ ARCHERY| The first skill acquired by the young of Marisma, necessary for survival and long range defense of their community.
◼ PATH OF THE HATCHET| These tools have never been far from Theron's hand, leading to competence in close quarters, and many drunken family celebrations resulting in an ability to throw with frightening accuracy.
//FEARS AND WEAKNESSES:◼ AVERSION TO TOUCH| Not knowing the source of the Blight nor its method of transmission, Theron has developed an extreme aversion to crowds, avoiding the physical touch of another when at all possible.
◼ DISTRUST OF OUTSIDERS| Though formerly open and experienced in liaising with the outside world in her role as scout, the death of her comrades and loved ones has taught Theron better. Perhaps the more insular of the Druid elders had been right... after all, it was an errant merchant caravan which had brought the Blight to her corner of the world.
◼ PROTECTOR OF THE YOUNG| Growing up in a tightly knit intergenerational society, Theron has a weakness for the vulnerable, and will go out of her way to assist them in a time of need.
//PARAPHERNALIA◼ RECURVE BOW/QUIVER| Intended for medium range combat & hunting.
◼ 2 HATCHETS| Of medium heft, designed for combat & utility.
◼ SURVIVAL GEAR| Ideal for wooded areas and the plains, not intended for use in desert or high altitude environments.
◼ NYYRIKKI & WŌDEN| Trusted pack animals, these horses are used to the odd methods of crossing watery pathways filled with extremely friendly alligators.
◼ WEALTH OF THE VALE| Theron collected the coinage of her entire settlement, which amounts to a modest sum.
◼ LOCKET| An oddly ornate silver locket containing a portrait of her husband, Ívarr.
)
