Post by Belade on Aug 22, 2013 11:15:51 GMT -8
Name: Belade formerly of the T'rani warren, also formerly Belade Bishop
Age: 33
Class: Bird Taguel (28)
Appearance: Belade is a woman who has seen much. Joy and pain, hardship and prosperity, peace and war, and it is reflected on her very skin. She is a woman with hard eyes of a verdant hue, small wrinkles bunching together lightly at the edges from frequent squinting. She doesn't stand particularly tall, perhaps in the lower end of five feet, but carries herself with a presence that is far larger so that even whilst looking down it's easy to forget how much shorter she may be to you. Her body is strong and fraught with ropey, sinewy muscles that are built for fast movements and acrobatics, favoring flexibility over physical strength. From her head comes raven hair that stop at about her shoulders, usually very clean and quite taken care of. Still it isn't hard to tell she's not quite a human, for the proof of her tribe could be seen all across her caramel skin. Bright beautiful feathers spread across her form, vivid reds and oranges. They are especially concentrated at her arms and legs, almost as though she had a strange pair of feathery bracelets draped around her wrists. They come out in a fan like shape from the edge of her arms, looking a bit like very small wings in and of themselves. While she may not have her actual wings out at all times, they can be released at a moment's notice. They are quite alike to the feathers that speckle her skin, bright reds and oranges both vivid and deep.
The reds and oranges are the sign of her other form, the beast within. She is a taguel of the bird tribe, as such she has the ability to transform into a giant creature of the skies. It takes the form of a giant bird and while it may lack the predatory form of an eagle or hawk, it's by no mean any less deadly. Covered in deep red and orange feathers that almost gives the illusion that she is ablaze as she flies through the sky. She is much larger then a common bird in this form, large enough that a person could easily ride upon her back if they so wished. As large as any pegasi or horse you'd ever seen, and maybe even larger still. While nowhere near as huge as the dragons become, it's no less of a shock to the humans who witness it for the first time.
While she retains her more humanlike presence, she prefers to be draped in light clothing. An outfit that exposes her back to the world is how she usually chooses to dress, allowing her to let her wings come and go as the situation demands without having to worry about her clothing being damaged in the process. A rich color of deep purple and blue used interchangeably across the thin silken fabrics that dress her, the outfit being somewhat revealing when all is said and done.
Personality: In a world of humans, Belade definitely is a bit odd. She has long since entered this strange world, and understands many of their customs, but still does things with a sort of cautious air. It doesn't stop her from getting involved however, and even her caution isn't enough to stop her from having a good time. Though it may seem strange to others around her, she has the air and presence of someone very serious and unable to enjoy themselves though it's not true. Yes she is a serious woman, mature and responsible with strong feelings and convictions, but she has learned in her life that you can't be serious all the time and every once in a while it's for the best to let that inner child of yours to come out. She can thank Edwin for teaching her that, though still she is, at heart, a strong independant woman. She doesn't understand human comedy, but she's made great strides in trying to understand 'sarcasm' and 'jokes' and the 'knock knock', of course it still means she either misses every joke you make or disassembles it in spectacular fashion, killing it. Belade is quick to judge and quick to scold, but don't mistake it for disdain or anger, she's simply a critical person and wishes for everyone to do their best. Despite all appearances and what she may seem like, she's actually a very doting person who cares for her comrades and simply wants the best for them, she just shows it in a way that seems odd to humans.
She enjoys fighting a great deal, and fighting monsters is her favorite thing to do. She is particularly adept at taking down gargoyles because of her flight, but she is very knowledgable about all the different breeds that litter the land. While she may not get the sort of rush she may get from crushing creatures, she can fight people with a similar sort of enjoyment. From bodyguards to bandits, she simply loves to fight. Preferably strong foes that don't just flop down and die whenever she strikes them, that's never fun. Still that doesn't mean she is reckless and without caution, she is always making sure if the fight she enters is one she can win or not. If it isn't, despite her taguel pride she will not fight, for her life is more important then making sure that Gargoyle dies. Of course this doesn't happen often, so it's a moot but very real point. She's very comfortable around humans, and strangely enough uncomfortable around other Taguel. Especially those of the bird tribe, she's almost afraid they can smell the disgrace on her. Many don't understand why she works together with such beings like humans, but she is quick to say that Humans aren't quite the same as they assume. Sure some are childish, and some are simply scum upon this land, but there are wonderful beings within this race and they deserve respect.
Backstory: She is Belade of the warren T'rani. Daughter of Byron T'rani and Calinde T'rani. The fifth of eight children, three elder brother and two younger with the rest being her sisters. Those of the T'rani Warren have many children, for they commonly die. T'rani is known even amongst the Taguel for their beautiful red feathers and their tireless pursuit of Gargoyles. It is T'rani's desire to wipe the world of these foul creatures, but such deadly being do not go down easily. Of the seven children of Byron and Calinde, only three yet live. Belade is no longer considered a part of that family, living in disgrace amongst the humans, but we are getting ahead of ourselves. First we must understand what happened, and the rule of this Warren. Of these Taguel.
She was a cheerful child, who doted and loved her father like no other. At a young age she would try to follow him, her weak wings barely able to keep her body afloat in the air. It made him laugh and scoop her up in his arms, telling her that with such a strong will she would be a great hunter one day. He taught her how to fly, soaring in the sky as their bestial forms, a giant bird with a much smaller one beside it. Perhaps the size of a mere dog, chirping and cawing happily. He was right though, she would be a great hunter. She started earlier then anyone else, never content to just wait around. She wanted to be a hunter, like her father and her brothers and the rest of her brood. Graceful kings of the sky, even dragons would fear to tread upon their territory for what they lack in strength they made up with their blistering speed, diving at speeds no man's eye can even follow. Their wings being used as blades, slashing and ripping their foes to shreds and destroying any monster foolish enough to face them.
Still, they were no means invincible. Her brothers and sisters fell to the might of beasts. She could remember each one. Her eldest brother devoured by a Bael after being caught in it's web, her sister surrounded by Gargoyles and separated from her brood, her brother slain by a bandit wielding a bow who's arrow struck him in the breast and through the heart. That was merely in her immediate family, she had lost countless uncles, aunts, and friends. She never let it get her down, she was T'rani and they were to slay monsters. It was their duty, for as long as they could remember. For every life lost, five were saved by their efforts. Belade was no different, she fought with death every day and somehow always came out the victor.
One day, however, she learned that they were not as alone as she once thought. She believed that they, Taguel alone held back the darkness threatening to engulf the land, never had she heard of this 'hunter's guild' that was currently killing her prey. She was... mad, worried, and more then a bit foolish. The others of her warren said to never talk with humans for reasons other then trade, she knew little of their kind except that they were shrewd and prone to trickery. Trying to overcharge and under supply her and her kind, greedy selfish creatures who weren't content in not only controlling their food now they wish to try to try their hands against the darkness. Children who didn't understand the things they were doing, foolish children who were only courting death. When the weak court death, they find it.
She screeched down, quickly rushing at them. She didn't want to hurt these children, merely scare them. There were more dangerous things then simple monsters, and they should know. She almost died that day Edwin later told her, they had arrows trained on her, their mages had wind magic ready to strike her from the sky. She was strong, but these men where stronger. He made them stand down however, and for that reason is why she lives today. Still, at the time she had no idea of the danger she had been in. She came down to the menfolk, changing forms right in front of their eyes and taking the form of a young woman. Barely twenty years of age and dressed like a tribal woman, it was quite a shock to all of those who never seen a Taguel before. She spat at them in anger, telling them they were stupid that they were foolish that they had no idea what they were doing, and their leader just looked at her with a stupid grin. Almost laughing at the half naked woman shouting at him. He was a man in his late twenties, tall and strong with a thick brown beard and a mane of hair. He looked like a barbarian of sorts, but spoke much more softly. Holding a bow that was more akin to a ballistae then a longbow, and a giant blade strapped across his back that was nearly as tall as he.
That was he first encounter with the Hunter's Guild. An organization of humans devoted to slaying monsters wherever they may hide. The man who led this group was a man named Edwin Bishop, a Yeoman who was in the middle of an expedition to slay a colony of Gargoyle in the area. A colony their tribe has been combatting for years but never quite capable of completely eradicating. He wanted to work together with the T'rani tribe in this mission, but knew that they weren't the type to be easily convinced. Every time he met one it was either them harassing their group, or fleeing back to their tribe. Belade was the first to actually come and speak with them, or yell at them as it were. It left a foul taste in her mouth, but she conceded to the fact that they have yet to kill those beast completely and perhaps some help could... be required. Still as she tried to tell her tribe they refused to listen. They were like her, they saw the humans as nothing but children with toys trying to get involved in things they couldn't possibly understand. They refused to even speak with Edwin.
Belade was well known amongst her kind though, not only for her strength but also for her cunning. This was their best opportunity to eradicate this nest once and for all, these humans were specifically equipped for fighting aerial foes and even in their childishness they could prove to be some kind of help. Even her pride couldn't blind her to this, so she came up with a plan. She lured her hunting party to an area where Edwin had already began combat with these gargoyles, and their tribes pride would force them to intervene and offer their assistance. It seemed straight forward, but it's straight forward plots that were the most likely to go awry. What she had assumed to be simple proved to be far greater then she or any of the humans anticipated. Their elders were right, it was far greater then any of them had anticipated. The sky grew thick with wingbeat of hundreds of Gargoyles. Their tribe was strong, but they were outnumbered three to one and many died that day. The humans proved to be a great assistance, but none of the elders seemed to care for that. They were furious as Belade for her trickery, the death of dozens of good T'rani hunters were on her shoulders. They said that if she desired the human's help so much, then she would live with the humans for she was no longer a part of their Warren.
She was disgraced and forced to leave her home, she returned to Edwin in shame. Telling him of what happened, and her swore that he would do whatever he could to rectify this wrong. He returned to Arcadia, telling his guild of what happened at the nest and tried to amass another campaign, but they refused to heed the request. They saying it is simply far too dangerous, once they learned of the huge brood that lived there. Far far greater then they wildest dreams, for the force that nearly annihilated them was only one fraction of the creatures that lived there. So there Belade was, a Taguel who was shamed and stripped of her Warren living amongst the human whom she had trusted and with that trust destroyed her life. She never really got over that shame, even if her hatred of humans passed. She still blames herself for that mistake so long ago, it wasn't the human's fault and it wasn't the elder's it was hers and hers alone.
She lived with the humans, but never really felt as though she fit in. She joined the hunter's guild, but it was so strange. None of the humans trusted her, and more then once she had been attacked in fear thinking she was no different then the beasts she fought. The only thing that seemed to make things right was Edwin, a man whom she fell in love with. Even though human and taguels aren't considered... compatible, she proved them wrong. Even when everything was awful she fought along with him, he made everything seem better. Like it wasn't quite as hard, like there was reason to keep trying even when it felt as though she should have given up long ago. She was always at his side, they were almost famous together this duo. A love that bloomed on the battlefield one could say, his bow never missed his mark and her talons never failed to rip their foes apart. She helped lead many expeditions together with him, becoming respected and well known in the guild itself. Those humans who didn't trust her were now almost in awe of her and her raw speed and power, and no longer did the members of the guild fear that she was a beast but now saw her as a comrade.
She married Edwin, and together they had a child. A son, Vincent after Edwin's late brother. He was only two years old when Edwin died. Five years ago, and Belade was still as clueless now as she was that day when the messenger told her. It was no morbid human joke, it was true, Edwin was dead. No one would tell her what happened, and she asked everyone. He was on a mission for the hunter's guild, a simple one where he was to kill an infestation of bonewalkers, something novices could do. Belade thought she needn't go, he could handle it alone. Instead she desired to stay with her son, a choice she regrets to this day. He never came home, and what killed him she never learned. It was wrapped up in mystery, almost as though they were deliberately trying to cover it up and hide it.
She made the decision to keep fighting though. She knew that's what Edwin would want. He wanted to make this world safe, to clear it of the monsters that took away his younger brother Vincent. To make it safe for his son to live happily. She wanted the same thing as well, to rid this world of the monsters that plagued it. Her son who could barely remember his father's face went to live with his grandmother, Edwin's mother, while she continued her pursuit to cleanse the land of these creatures, and learn the truth of what actually happened to Edwin.
Age: 33
Class: Bird Taguel (28)
Appearance: Belade is a woman who has seen much. Joy and pain, hardship and prosperity, peace and war, and it is reflected on her very skin. She is a woman with hard eyes of a verdant hue, small wrinkles bunching together lightly at the edges from frequent squinting. She doesn't stand particularly tall, perhaps in the lower end of five feet, but carries herself with a presence that is far larger so that even whilst looking down it's easy to forget how much shorter she may be to you. Her body is strong and fraught with ropey, sinewy muscles that are built for fast movements and acrobatics, favoring flexibility over physical strength. From her head comes raven hair that stop at about her shoulders, usually very clean and quite taken care of. Still it isn't hard to tell she's not quite a human, for the proof of her tribe could be seen all across her caramel skin. Bright beautiful feathers spread across her form, vivid reds and oranges. They are especially concentrated at her arms and legs, almost as though she had a strange pair of feathery bracelets draped around her wrists. They come out in a fan like shape from the edge of her arms, looking a bit like very small wings in and of themselves. While she may not have her actual wings out at all times, they can be released at a moment's notice. They are quite alike to the feathers that speckle her skin, bright reds and oranges both vivid and deep.
The reds and oranges are the sign of her other form, the beast within. She is a taguel of the bird tribe, as such she has the ability to transform into a giant creature of the skies. It takes the form of a giant bird and while it may lack the predatory form of an eagle or hawk, it's by no mean any less deadly. Covered in deep red and orange feathers that almost gives the illusion that she is ablaze as she flies through the sky. She is much larger then a common bird in this form, large enough that a person could easily ride upon her back if they so wished. As large as any pegasi or horse you'd ever seen, and maybe even larger still. While nowhere near as huge as the dragons become, it's no less of a shock to the humans who witness it for the first time.
While she retains her more humanlike presence, she prefers to be draped in light clothing. An outfit that exposes her back to the world is how she usually chooses to dress, allowing her to let her wings come and go as the situation demands without having to worry about her clothing being damaged in the process. A rich color of deep purple and blue used interchangeably across the thin silken fabrics that dress her, the outfit being somewhat revealing when all is said and done.
Personality: In a world of humans, Belade definitely is a bit odd. She has long since entered this strange world, and understands many of their customs, but still does things with a sort of cautious air. It doesn't stop her from getting involved however, and even her caution isn't enough to stop her from having a good time. Though it may seem strange to others around her, she has the air and presence of someone very serious and unable to enjoy themselves though it's not true. Yes she is a serious woman, mature and responsible with strong feelings and convictions, but she has learned in her life that you can't be serious all the time and every once in a while it's for the best to let that inner child of yours to come out. She can thank Edwin for teaching her that, though still she is, at heart, a strong independant woman. She doesn't understand human comedy, but she's made great strides in trying to understand 'sarcasm' and 'jokes' and the 'knock knock', of course it still means she either misses every joke you make or disassembles it in spectacular fashion, killing it. Belade is quick to judge and quick to scold, but don't mistake it for disdain or anger, she's simply a critical person and wishes for everyone to do their best. Despite all appearances and what she may seem like, she's actually a very doting person who cares for her comrades and simply wants the best for them, she just shows it in a way that seems odd to humans.
She enjoys fighting a great deal, and fighting monsters is her favorite thing to do. She is particularly adept at taking down gargoyles because of her flight, but she is very knowledgable about all the different breeds that litter the land. While she may not get the sort of rush she may get from crushing creatures, she can fight people with a similar sort of enjoyment. From bodyguards to bandits, she simply loves to fight. Preferably strong foes that don't just flop down and die whenever she strikes them, that's never fun. Still that doesn't mean she is reckless and without caution, she is always making sure if the fight she enters is one she can win or not. If it isn't, despite her taguel pride she will not fight, for her life is more important then making sure that Gargoyle dies. Of course this doesn't happen often, so it's a moot but very real point. She's very comfortable around humans, and strangely enough uncomfortable around other Taguel. Especially those of the bird tribe, she's almost afraid they can smell the disgrace on her. Many don't understand why she works together with such beings like humans, but she is quick to say that Humans aren't quite the same as they assume. Sure some are childish, and some are simply scum upon this land, but there are wonderful beings within this race and they deserve respect.
Backstory: She is Belade of the warren T'rani. Daughter of Byron T'rani and Calinde T'rani. The fifth of eight children, three elder brother and two younger with the rest being her sisters. Those of the T'rani Warren have many children, for they commonly die. T'rani is known even amongst the Taguel for their beautiful red feathers and their tireless pursuit of Gargoyles. It is T'rani's desire to wipe the world of these foul creatures, but such deadly being do not go down easily. Of the seven children of Byron and Calinde, only three yet live. Belade is no longer considered a part of that family, living in disgrace amongst the humans, but we are getting ahead of ourselves. First we must understand what happened, and the rule of this Warren. Of these Taguel.
She was a cheerful child, who doted and loved her father like no other. At a young age she would try to follow him, her weak wings barely able to keep her body afloat in the air. It made him laugh and scoop her up in his arms, telling her that with such a strong will she would be a great hunter one day. He taught her how to fly, soaring in the sky as their bestial forms, a giant bird with a much smaller one beside it. Perhaps the size of a mere dog, chirping and cawing happily. He was right though, she would be a great hunter. She started earlier then anyone else, never content to just wait around. She wanted to be a hunter, like her father and her brothers and the rest of her brood. Graceful kings of the sky, even dragons would fear to tread upon their territory for what they lack in strength they made up with their blistering speed, diving at speeds no man's eye can even follow. Their wings being used as blades, slashing and ripping their foes to shreds and destroying any monster foolish enough to face them.
Still, they were no means invincible. Her brothers and sisters fell to the might of beasts. She could remember each one. Her eldest brother devoured by a Bael after being caught in it's web, her sister surrounded by Gargoyles and separated from her brood, her brother slain by a bandit wielding a bow who's arrow struck him in the breast and through the heart. That was merely in her immediate family, she had lost countless uncles, aunts, and friends. She never let it get her down, she was T'rani and they were to slay monsters. It was their duty, for as long as they could remember. For every life lost, five were saved by their efforts. Belade was no different, she fought with death every day and somehow always came out the victor.
One day, however, she learned that they were not as alone as she once thought. She believed that they, Taguel alone held back the darkness threatening to engulf the land, never had she heard of this 'hunter's guild' that was currently killing her prey. She was... mad, worried, and more then a bit foolish. The others of her warren said to never talk with humans for reasons other then trade, she knew little of their kind except that they were shrewd and prone to trickery. Trying to overcharge and under supply her and her kind, greedy selfish creatures who weren't content in not only controlling their food now they wish to try to try their hands against the darkness. Children who didn't understand the things they were doing, foolish children who were only courting death. When the weak court death, they find it.
She screeched down, quickly rushing at them. She didn't want to hurt these children, merely scare them. There were more dangerous things then simple monsters, and they should know. She almost died that day Edwin later told her, they had arrows trained on her, their mages had wind magic ready to strike her from the sky. She was strong, but these men where stronger. He made them stand down however, and for that reason is why she lives today. Still, at the time she had no idea of the danger she had been in. She came down to the menfolk, changing forms right in front of their eyes and taking the form of a young woman. Barely twenty years of age and dressed like a tribal woman, it was quite a shock to all of those who never seen a Taguel before. She spat at them in anger, telling them they were stupid that they were foolish that they had no idea what they were doing, and their leader just looked at her with a stupid grin. Almost laughing at the half naked woman shouting at him. He was a man in his late twenties, tall and strong with a thick brown beard and a mane of hair. He looked like a barbarian of sorts, but spoke much more softly. Holding a bow that was more akin to a ballistae then a longbow, and a giant blade strapped across his back that was nearly as tall as he.
That was he first encounter with the Hunter's Guild. An organization of humans devoted to slaying monsters wherever they may hide. The man who led this group was a man named Edwin Bishop, a Yeoman who was in the middle of an expedition to slay a colony of Gargoyle in the area. A colony their tribe has been combatting for years but never quite capable of completely eradicating. He wanted to work together with the T'rani tribe in this mission, but knew that they weren't the type to be easily convinced. Every time he met one it was either them harassing their group, or fleeing back to their tribe. Belade was the first to actually come and speak with them, or yell at them as it were. It left a foul taste in her mouth, but she conceded to the fact that they have yet to kill those beast completely and perhaps some help could... be required. Still as she tried to tell her tribe they refused to listen. They were like her, they saw the humans as nothing but children with toys trying to get involved in things they couldn't possibly understand. They refused to even speak with Edwin.
Belade was well known amongst her kind though, not only for her strength but also for her cunning. This was their best opportunity to eradicate this nest once and for all, these humans were specifically equipped for fighting aerial foes and even in their childishness they could prove to be some kind of help. Even her pride couldn't blind her to this, so she came up with a plan. She lured her hunting party to an area where Edwin had already began combat with these gargoyles, and their tribes pride would force them to intervene and offer their assistance. It seemed straight forward, but it's straight forward plots that were the most likely to go awry. What she had assumed to be simple proved to be far greater then she or any of the humans anticipated. Their elders were right, it was far greater then any of them had anticipated. The sky grew thick with wingbeat of hundreds of Gargoyles. Their tribe was strong, but they were outnumbered three to one and many died that day. The humans proved to be a great assistance, but none of the elders seemed to care for that. They were furious as Belade for her trickery, the death of dozens of good T'rani hunters were on her shoulders. They said that if she desired the human's help so much, then she would live with the humans for she was no longer a part of their Warren.
She was disgraced and forced to leave her home, she returned to Edwin in shame. Telling him of what happened, and her swore that he would do whatever he could to rectify this wrong. He returned to Arcadia, telling his guild of what happened at the nest and tried to amass another campaign, but they refused to heed the request. They saying it is simply far too dangerous, once they learned of the huge brood that lived there. Far far greater then they wildest dreams, for the force that nearly annihilated them was only one fraction of the creatures that lived there. So there Belade was, a Taguel who was shamed and stripped of her Warren living amongst the human whom she had trusted and with that trust destroyed her life. She never really got over that shame, even if her hatred of humans passed. She still blames herself for that mistake so long ago, it wasn't the human's fault and it wasn't the elder's it was hers and hers alone.
She lived with the humans, but never really felt as though she fit in. She joined the hunter's guild, but it was so strange. None of the humans trusted her, and more then once she had been attacked in fear thinking she was no different then the beasts she fought. The only thing that seemed to make things right was Edwin, a man whom she fell in love with. Even though human and taguels aren't considered... compatible, she proved them wrong. Even when everything was awful she fought along with him, he made everything seem better. Like it wasn't quite as hard, like there was reason to keep trying even when it felt as though she should have given up long ago. She was always at his side, they were almost famous together this duo. A love that bloomed on the battlefield one could say, his bow never missed his mark and her talons never failed to rip their foes apart. She helped lead many expeditions together with him, becoming respected and well known in the guild itself. Those humans who didn't trust her were now almost in awe of her and her raw speed and power, and no longer did the members of the guild fear that she was a beast but now saw her as a comrade.
She married Edwin, and together they had a child. A son, Vincent after Edwin's late brother. He was only two years old when Edwin died. Five years ago, and Belade was still as clueless now as she was that day when the messenger told her. It was no morbid human joke, it was true, Edwin was dead. No one would tell her what happened, and she asked everyone. He was on a mission for the hunter's guild, a simple one where he was to kill an infestation of bonewalkers, something novices could do. Belade thought she needn't go, he could handle it alone. Instead she desired to stay with her son, a choice she regrets to this day. He never came home, and what killed him she never learned. It was wrapped up in mystery, almost as though they were deliberately trying to cover it up and hide it.
She made the decision to keep fighting though. She knew that's what Edwin would want. He wanted to make this world safe, to clear it of the monsters that took away his younger brother Vincent. To make it safe for his son to live happily. She wanted the same thing as well, to rid this world of the monsters that plagued it. Her son who could barely remember his father's face went to live with his grandmother, Edwin's mother, while she continued her pursuit to cleanse the land of these creatures, and learn the truth of what actually happened to Edwin.
