Fated to Create

Name: Courtesy "Firecracker" Fireside Race: Mephistopheles Tiefling Age: 32 Gender: Female (she/her) Height: 5'6" Class: Circle of the Wildfire Druid/Rouge Alignment: Chaotic neutral Deity: Talos

Personality: A hedonistic woman who will pursue whatever she finds 'fun.' Sex, arson, anything to partake in nature's bounty. What is nature to her? All that lives and the products of the living, be it newborns to caves to civilization itself. Courtesy calls herself a protector of nature, which to her includes the virtues and vices of it all. Erosion? Wildfires? Plagues? Such is nature's will. Murder? Slavery? Industrialization? That's just the nature of man. She neither encourages nor protests, claiming it's only natural for the strong to devour the weak, and for the weak to strive for survival. Her methods can be callous and cruel, but so long as she enjoys it, she doesn't care. She's not heartless, however, for she can recognize a threat to nature and stop at nothing to preserve it. It just so happens the mind flayers and the eternal are things she loathes. One is unnatural to the world, while the other is unnatural to creation. Besides, the gods had forsaken her as a child, so why should she offer her devotion to them? Courtesy is aware of the life she lives. She is a shameless criminal who has stolen from people, burned buildings to ash, cremated uncooperative targets alive. For that, she doesn't consider herself to be a good person. 'Heroes' are for those blinded by unfounded optimism, anyway.

Basic abilities: --Druidic Magic/Wildshape: Any self-respecting Druid knows how to channel the ebb and flow of the earth to take on different forms, but Courtesy prefers using nature magic to wreathe herself in flames. Better to show the majesty of nature's fire, after all. She prefers to shift into a fox if she does take an animal form, however. --Wildfire Spirit: Not a proper familiar, but not truly alive either, a flaming fox is often seen dancing around the pyromancer's feet. It can teleport, hurl flaming seeds, and enhance Courtesy's fire magic. --Sending Stone Eye: She can normally communicate with the Guild through her false eye, but it cracked when she was kidnapped by the nautiloid. --Darkvision: Both her real and false eye can see in the dark. Blaise, her Artificer friend, tailored the fake to mimic the sight of a half-elf. --Hellish Resistance: Courtesy's infernal blood grants her a high heat tolerance, but it's debatable whether or not her playing with fire enhanced or dulled it.

Background: Once a performer from a tiefling troupe, Courtesy turned to nature when she lost her family to a gnoll attack. It was sudden-- their caravan infiltrated by the light of the campfire, soon turned into an inferno of claw, fang, and fire. Though the young tiefling of ten years was able to escape with her life, the flames seared a large portion of her face, the scars of that tragedy remaining to this day. Perhaps the sheer irony of a devilskin succumbing to the inferno aided in her own persecution, but despite her efforts to pick up the broken pieces of the Fireside Theater, it was all in vain. Her family name carried no weight. Her family valuables carried no wealth. Spurned at every opportunity, Courtesy took to the woods, as it was the only place to offer her succor.

Water was impossible to find. Nights were unbearable to sleep through. Fearing the blaze of that nightmare, she shunned the warmth required for her survival. That was until she found solace in a bear's cave to shelter herself from a thunderstorm. Lightning crackled and struck, setting several trees aflame and tumbling to the earth. Yet the bear did not flinch. In fact, when the weather cleared, the beast passed by its visitor and sauntered towards the ashy remains of the fallen lumber. Inside was a wealth of food, now within its reach. The fire fed the bear, and it could feed her too. The fire saved her life.

Though initially for revenge, now for survival, Courtesy embraced the inferno and trained as a Wildfire Druid. When living amongst nature, why not learn to bend it to your will? It's survival of the fittest, after all. And she will prove to the gods that she is most fit to live.

Nine years later, a merchant's caravan travels through the woods and crosses Courtesy's path. She stayed out of sight at first, unsure just what they'd think upon seeing her, but ultimately decided wherever they were headed would be best for her survival. She held no sentimental attachment to her current place of residence, for all it was was a location that provided her food and water. Shifting into the much more inconspicuous form of a mouse, she followed the carriage and climbed in through the back. Their destination: Baldur's Gate.

She knew of the place. Visited it once in her bardic days, even. Though she hadn't stayed long back then, and it's been over a decade since she last treaded Baldurian soil. Scurrying away once the caravan made its stop beyond the city walls, she began her life as a street rat. In the metaphorical sense, mostly. She was quick to find the sewer network, and even quicker to find targets of her theft. Simple to steal from stalls and beg for handouts on all fours. That was until she had a run-in with one of the Guild's own. A lesser gang who only established themselves about a year ago. Unfortunately, they were faster than her, and captured her, ready to put her to death when the leader came along and saw talent in her and employed her for some services.

Courtesy rises through the ranks, and is eventually able to meet with the Guild proper, including the Guildmaster, Nine-Fingers Keene. The two strike a deal. The tiefling could find a home in the Guild if she can hunt down and quell any gang fights. Good enough for her. Better yet, she could 'solve' these 'problems' in any way she saw fit. Over the years, she finds kinship with a couple Guild members-- including a half-elf artificer whom of which forged her a replacement for her seared right eye. Its use was twofold: both to see and to communicate, for it was also a Sending Stone. Relaying any change of information, the attack dog is able to adapt on the fly. As prosperous as a life a criminal could live, it wouldn't last when the mind flayers appeared. Despite her efforts to escape, she could not outrun the nautiloid.

The pristine white metal lining the buildings and complete stillness in the air led Adrian to wonder if she was in some sort of purgatory. Not helping matters was the loss of her companions upon their arrival. A Navigator all alone in someone's dream. A dangerous thing to be. The lack of life sent shivers down her spine, but if she had time to worry, she had the time to begin her search.

Oh, how a misunderstanding can go so awry.

A flurry of robots make a mad dash in a cascade towards Adrian, continuing their chase through the city streets as she dodges their advance. Locating an escape route is the best idea she could think of, but the cacophony of Shadows jammed whatever lead she might've found on any Persona-user. With light steps and great stamina, she's able to outpace her adversaries for a time, but even an athlete had her limits.

Name: Berdly Bluefeather Race: Bluebird monster Age: 16 Gender: Male (he/him) Height: 5'6" Date of Birth: September 5th Occupation: High school student, volunteer library assistant

Personality: In the years protecting his 'smart kid' persona, Berdly bolstered his outward confidence to a terrifying degree. Although an act, his high-and-mighty attitude coupled with his eagerness to speak for others leads him to come across as snooty, pretentious, and obnoxious. Because he fears of being found out and tossed away, he's quick to frustrate, and verbally lashes out whenever he or his reputation feel threatened. Despite this, he is unapologetic about his passions, and will happily share with anyone willing to engage, and shows fierce loyalty to those he grows close to. He'll act as a knight in shining armor for his loved ones, either insufferably, or tossing aside everything if it meant he could protect them. He's ultimately a sincere person who just wants to be loved and included, but deeply struggles with his self-worth to the point he finds little value in his own life.

Basic abilities: --Wind Magic: In the Dark World, Berdly was quick to learn of his new capabilities. He excels in summoning tornadoes and utilizing high winds to his advantage. Even without both of his wings, he can still conjure a gust of wind with a flick of the wrist. --Shapeshifting Weapon: Because his Holy Halbird is created with a form of energy than any solid object, it's mailable enough to take the form of a spear to fire projectiles through. --Lightweight: Though not a true avian, he physiologically resembles one, and thus is lighter than most monsters of his size and build.

Background: In his youth, Berdly was that neglected quiet kid who’d sit in the middle of the classroom. He’d get decent grades and lose himself in his handheld games, so he found difficulty making friends at all. With both his parents and his peers writing him off as ‘weird,’ there was little belief he’d ever find companionship. Until one faithful day in grade school when a young Noelle Holiday approached and offered to study with him for the upcoming spelling bee. Shocked that the mayor’s daughter would approach him, of all people, he wondered if this was merely a fluke. That once the event concluded, he’d return to his status as the forgettable little bluebird. However, they became fast friends, sharing similar interests, and Noelle was just generally a great tutor. Her kindness never faded, and she never abandoned him weeks after the spelling bee. Finally realizing his classmate’s generosity was genuine, he began to wonder if she fancied him.

When the spelling bee arrived roughly a week after their meeting, that was the first time Berdly had received any adult validation. It was then he became desperate to impress, asking Noelle to study with him at every turn, clinging to her for help at any group activity. He managed to climb to the top as a straight-A student with the combination of Noelle’s help and his great memory. Over time, with those expectations increasing exponentially, a wall began to form. 

Berdly pushed people away for being ‘less intelligent,’ openly mocking them for being ‘average’ or ‘stupid.’ In his head, he felt like he couldn’t associate with ‘dumber’ students out of fear of his reputation slipping, out of fear he’d appear too dumb or incapable and fall into obscurity once again. To keep up his image, he’d often forego most basic self-care, usually skipping meals and functioning around a 4 to 6-hour sleep schedule. 

Try as he might, as hard as he worked, he knows deep-down he isn’t anything special, that his success is all thanks to another person. However, in his circumstance, he had no one else to fall back upon for support… until a study session within the library’s computer lab went awry…

Name: Ea "Elaine" Irkalla Race: Asmodeus Tiefling...? Age: 16 (main verse), 18 (BG3 verse) Gender: Female (she/her) Height: 5'2" (+4" w/ horns) Class: School of Evocation Wizard Alignment: Neutral good Deity: Asmodeus

Personality: Elaine is soft-spoken and a nervous wreck who often stutters, rambles, and stims with her tail. However, she's very passionate about learning, and has a few subjects she's grown an affinity towards. Fiends, monstrosities, and dragons-- once borne out of curiosity and a need to survive, now fixations she uses to correct history and to aid in monster-related struggles. Desiring to become a published researcher, she's typically seen with a journal in hand and an array of empty vials awaiting whatever catches her fancy. So much so, she tends to tunnel vision and fly right past her allies to sniff out samples after a fight. If not research material, then the dead, for she'll hover over a corpse and note how they die. Sometimes it's for her studies, but is usually for her survival. She's cautious around many, but especially the nobility.

Basic abilities: --Magic: Elaine prefers to run than to fight and favors practical spells like Mending, Disguise Self, and Dimension Door. When she is faced with combat, she often deploys the use of offensive spells, such as Fire Bolt and Fireball with the occasional Lightning Bolt. She'll also cast Haste on trusted allies and support through the use of her familiar in both physical assistance and espionage. --Darkvision: As a tiefling, Elaine can see quite well in non-magical darkness in various shades of grey. --Hellish Resistance: Her infernal blood prevents her from sustaining significant burns. Her tolerance for heat is quite high, both for temperature and spice. --Prehensile Tail: Elaine will often use her tail as a third hand, but most of the time it's grabbing onto her leg. --Flight: Her wings are too small to carry her, even to hover, but when she casts the Fly spell, they enlarge to allow her to take to the skies.

Background: An isolated sector within Eilíft’s (large town close to the border) undercity housed a population of tieflings who took to the arcane. Those with magic flowing through their veins and others with the drive to learn joined hands to foster an environment for their descendants, hoping to keep to themselves and out of the scrutiny of the Holy See. However, the undercity grew stagnant and complacent under the inquisition’s thumb, causing the knowledge-seeking wizards to leave and find their own path-- leaving behind a studious young girl who was far too young to follow suit. With her parents absent and alienated by her peers, Ea found solace in dark corners reading to the bugs. She had been content diving into texts swiped from her mother’s desk until terrible monsters began to wander in to terrorize the undercity after she turned 9. While the sorcerers were at a loss, Elaine pored over book after book to see if she could find anything to use against these monstrosities. After years of little progress, she left with a human disguise and a new name, continuing her search with her familiar, Iri, in tow.

(proper ref pending)

Name: Adrian Olson Age: 23 Gender: Female (she/her) Height: 6'3" Date of Birth: March 8th Occupation: College student, parttime animal shelter employee

Arcana: Emperor Role: Navigator

Personality: Towering over most and always at attention, the best word to describe Adrian would be: tense. She takes leadership very seriously, and will both offer and respect authority. If a hierarchy is established, or if someone demonstrates expertise in an unknown topic, she will graciously accept them as her superior. But if she's in a position of leadership, the safety and success of her team is her top priority. She knows how to discern the strengths and weaknesses of her team, and is effective with bringing out the former while mitigating the latter. However, she struggles with emotional connection, and will often come off as cold as a result. In a bid to become the ideal role-model, she acts as an unshakeable boulder. Never hesitating, never wavering. She can't succumb to self-doubt, nor can she afford to offload her burdens. After all, if a leader crumbles, the rest are sure to follow.

Persona: Dantès Basic abilities: --Analysis and Support: As a navigator Persona, Dantès excels at identifying enemy weaknesses, tracking friend or foe, and providing support by enhancing ally abilities. --Portable Security Room: Oftentimes while summoned, he'll hover over the user, awaiting orders. Then, when the user dons a white mask, the cloak-like Persona will open up to security screens and radars that are indecipherable to all but the user. --Extra Tracking: He can locate specific people if the user possesses an item belonging to the target. Dantès can also produce small cameras only the user can see that can be placed on any sturdy surface. It can be viewed through the Persona itself.

Background: Adrian was born in San Francisco, California, but began her many moves around the country when she was 3. Belonging to a military family, she rarely stayed in one place for very long. She used to shun all things "girlie," as she preferred to roughhouse with the neighborhood boys and dig through the mud for worms. However, regardless of her preferred playmates, she was bound to leave them behind after a time. She lacked the means to stay in touch, and each friend she made slipped through her fingers once again.

Her days spent as a kid didn't last long. With a drill sergeant for a father and an uptight perfectionist of a mother, they shaped her into a disciplined and authoritative young woman. Someone competent, strong, can handle herself in a fight. She kept up with her academics, her extracurricular activities, her health, everything to ensure her success in life. Moreover, she joined her father in the U.S. Army after graduating from high school.

However, Adrian was not made for war. When she started high school, she joined the color guard and excelled as a performer. She grew to enjoy this "feminine" side of hers and became captain in her junior year. She continued into graduation, applying for the military color guard. Though the performance differed greatly between high school and the army, she upheld what was expected of her to the best of her ability. Bearing the flag for marches, ceremonies, funerals-- she'd seen people die... and what the dead can do to the living.

Her parents divorced four years after enrollment. Tensions between them have been high for years, but both parent and child risking their lives was the final straw. Adrian, who desired higher education but lacked the funds to live on her own, remained with her father as he was closer to the local college campus. She stays within the dorms on her own, and just began her fourth semester when she found a strange note on her bed.

A contract. One with unknown consequences until she fell asleep. Succumbing to a three-day coma, Adrian experienced a vivid dream, locking her in slumber until she met and confronted the arbiter of her prison-- her Shadow. She awakens to her Persona, and a new purpose: to rouse those trapped in eternal nightmare. With a new team to lead, she vows to solve the case of the Sleeping Sickness. And to understand why she, of all people, was chosen for this task.