Ellenora the Merciful


Ellenora was a skilled herbalist, tending the ills and wounds of Sylestians. As time passed she noticed more and more adventurers passing through with battered and scarred Sylesti. She began crafting herbal recipes to treat the Sylesti as well and reached out to passing travelers asking to them to allow her to treat their companions. Her efforts would lead her to learn alchemy as her new patients were less than happy about eating bitter herbs or having goop slathered on their fur and skin, even if it was to help them. She would eventually create the first potions of healing for Sylesti. After finishing the first potions and making sure they worked as intended she chose to travel and share her creation with any alchemist she met. Many scoffed at her efforts calling them a waste of time and talents. They believed that potion making and the resources for it should be reserved for Sylestians, and many adventurers were uncertain about giving their companions something so new. Even still she persisted, winning over younger alchemists and the more desperate adventurers until it became widely known that her potions not only worked, but worked well. The elite began demanding potions for their darling pets to be stocked in markets, and adventurers sought them out before long journeys. Decades have passed and other alchemists have improved on her initial design, but thanks to her compassion for all Sylestians today have the ability to care for their pets in the most critical moments in the most remote places.

Stephy, the Kind.


Stephy is more a lover than a fighter. But don't underestimate her fighting ability. Fiercely protective of those she cares about and not afraid to stand up for what is right. With her faithful companion at her side, there is nothing the two haven't overcome together.
Stephy prefers to settle things outside of combat. She has been betrayed before, but it never stopped her.
She's ready to take on whatever comes her way!

In general, fairies aren't considered prime military material. Talented as they may be in magic, concealment, and forestlore, battle prowess is not an attribute associated with them.

This fairy is an exception.

From a young age, Forbhlaith* was quite adventurous, and had a strong sense of justice. She felt she had a duty to stand up for right even when no one else would. She was not taken very seriously, however, due to her small stature and sweet face. Realizing that she wouldn't ever match an opponent in power, she worked on developing the strength she did have: agility.

This agility is her greatest asset in her career. It is a sight to see when she goes into battle against her foe. Her aerial maneuvers are swift and skilled as she uses her wings to provide extra force behind her blade. She is much admired for her work in the Lost grove.

She is also renowned for having tamed that most rare of creatures, a Nephini. Her familiarity with the forests led her into a partnership with this magical and elusive creature. His name is Bluebell. Yup. Forbhlaith isn't inclined to using intimidating names for her Sylesties. But he is a very useful partner in battle nonetheless.



*Scottish Gaelic name. Often Anglicized as Ferelith, but I thought I'd use the original spelling.

Cattan the Great Gray


Androsphinxes are a misunderstood and, consequently, reclusive people, unfairly deemed untrustworthy and dangerous for their shapeshifting abilities, strength, and heightened intuition. Nomadic groups of lionlike beings roam Sylestia from open plains to fruitful valleys to rugged mountaintops. These groups have many distinct practices and traditions, but many groups share a strong sense of duty to their community. Group leaders are both physical and emotional protectors, ensuring their families' needs are met.

Cattan rose to his current position as group leader during a terribly harsh winter. His aging mother, the current leader, was weakened by the cold and lack of food. Cattan took up her role and vowed to protect his family. He flew high into the air, risking frostbite to his delicate wings, scoping out a safe place to take refuge. He spotted an ancient conifer swamp to the east, previously hidden by the blizzard, along with a settlement just south. He guided his family to the forest stand, where they took shelter underneath the huge, densely packed vegetation, protected from the snow and bitter wind. Once everyone settled, Cattan kissed his mother goodbye and started his journey toward the cluster of warm fires and cozy homes a few miles away. The group was still very weak and needed food if they were to survive the storm. As he approached the village, he transformed, trading his thick fur for a coat made of pelts and his mane for a simple violet shawl. He had no proof his humanlike form would assuage the villagers' fears, no assurance they wouldn't attack on site, as he could not hide his ears, tail, and, especially, his fangs. But he had to at least try, for his family's sake.

Over a tense conversation in a pub, he convinced the villagers to trade him some food. They were reluctant to give it up, as the winter was no kinder to them as it was to the androsphinxes, but Cattan struck a deal. Some cuts of meat and bread...at the cost of his warm furs and vibrant shawl. Cattan at first flew, then, weakened, resorted to joggen, then walking, then stumbling back, his body thoroughly chilled and frostbitten. Just as he began to fade in and out of consciousness, he found his way back to his family. Instead of immediately filling their starving bellies, they surrounded him, warming and protecting him. His mother smiled, "You have done a great and selfless thing, my son. I am tremendously proud of you"

The stress and effort of that day has permanently weakened him and prematurely grayed his hair, but he still boldly protects his beloved family.

The Faeries Guardian





When Umlok was a young faerie he tended to get himself into.. sticky situations. He was never like the other younglings, always happy and bubbly and helpful. He liked to explore and make great adventures in his head, and he was often found deep in Umbra Forest, where even the most seasoned faeries were hesitant to go and look for him. He also started to display some unusual attributes, he did not have fancy butterfly wings, but great batlike ones. These changes made some of the faerie quite nervous, but eventually everyone in the Sanctuary of Saerielle deemed him just plain odd and decided he wasn't harming anything. So they left him alone to his own devices, he stayed out of trouble and learned the land around the Sanctuary very well.
As time moved on he became more and more distant, he would spend days, weeks away from the Sanctuary and his kin. No one really noticed anymore when he came and went, too busy being preoccupied with their own issues that were brewing. In his travels he met a lot of interesting folk - humans, fae, and elves. He fancied himself an explorer, and never turned down a challenge. Soon he was meeting up with a group of humans regularly to go on adventures, into dungeons and forgotten towers, fighting Vorkids and Myconids. As time moved on Umlok noticed that his friends were becoming more and more greedy, always stealing anything they deemed valuable from the places they visited. Umlok enjoyed his time with his friends, but was hesitant to take what did not belong to him. He kept with them though, turning a blind eye to the pillaging. He grew strong from fighting the giant spiders and mushrooms that lurked about, eventually becoming a rather adept swordsman. He was now an adult, and he carried lots of battle scars. He gained respect of the humans around him, even if he did not condone their thieving lifestyle.
One night Umlok was hanging around the fire with his friends, and he overheard whispering. Umlok could not quite hear what they were saying but he did pick out a few key words - elves, gold, Sanctuary. There were some in the group that were not quite fans on Umlok, he was too above them, a faerie. Umlok rose and confronted the humans, questioning why and how they would even consider attacking the Sanctuary of Saerielle. They explained that they had already pillaged everywhere abandoned, and they wanted the big haul that would come from the fae and elves. Umlok could not condone this, a fight broke out. A quarted of the humans sided with Umlok, not willing to attack the Sanctuary. The others were all greedy and chose to attack still.
Umlok and his new followers raced to the Sanctuary. He arrived to an armed guard at the gate - "Who goes there?" Umlok paused and relized it has easily been years since he has seen anyone from the Sanctuary.. they do not recognize him. He hurridely explains who he is and why he has come with humans in tow. They believe that he is Umlok, but do not trust him. They have heard the stories of the bandit gang with a faerie inn their ranks, they would not open their gates to a trap. No matter how Umlok tried to explain it was no use, the elves threated to attack if they did not leave.
Umlok decided it was best to leave, he had warned them that an even greater human force was coming, hopefully they would prepar. He took his followers and camped out near the Forgotten Tomb, dread filling his stomach. As the night crept on sudden screams filled the air - it had to be the Sanctuary. Umlok raced back, hitting the backside of the human force. Umlok and his men fought like they never had before, working their way into the Sanctuary gates. Anger consumed Umlok, this was his home, and these attacking humans used to be his family. He drew his swords and chased them all away, no man was a match for a well trained faerie.
As the fight died and the bandits ran away, Umlok was confronted by the elves and fae. Where had he been? Why had he left? Why did he come back? Umlok explained to them for the first time how he felt he never fit in, and wasnt quite welcome because he looked different. The faeries and elves were ashamed, admitting they never quite knew what to do with him. But after this victory, Umlok and his few trusted humans were invited to stay in the Sanctury as guardians. They got to do what they enjoyed - protecting the Sanctuary from bandits, vorkids, and myconids. As the years passed Umlok became a legend for his feats during the bandit invasion, and was quite well loved in the Sanctuary, battle scars and all.

With a shrill scream, the adventurer passed out, falling face first into the deep snow.

Bessi blinked...and then blinked again. With a deep sigh, she muttered "not again". A heavy storm was headed this way, and she was in a rush to get home to her cozy cabin. Living up in the cold wastelands of Sylestia could get lonely, but people just..didn't react well to seeing her. Case in point, cocking her head to the side Bessi slowly unfurled her wings and gathered up the hapless adventurer. With the storm coming, they wouldn't last long on this mountain. She would drop them off at the closest town, then hurry home to relax. She couldn't just leave them here, after all...she wasn't a monster!

Bessi is just another denizen of Sylestia who likes to keep to herself for now. She may be scary looking, but she's very gentle and kind. She is somewhat of an Urban Legend to Sylestia. No one who ever has ever seen her has stayed awake long enough to take a picture or talk to her! But they always wake up safe and sound somewhere else. For her part, Bessi enjoys patrolling the colder areas, keeping the lands safe and helping out when she can for anyone stuck or in danger!

To his enemies, he is known as a blood thirsty monster, and to his allies he is the sweetest wise old man. He used to be a gentle soul, but now his kindness and wisdom hide his corrupt soul and bloodlust.

He has lost many things, and wishes to protect others from losing things important to them. but age has taken its toll, he now more relies in his reputation than skills.
----
- When he was still a kid, he dreamed of being a knight. He trained hard and became a soldier of the village. When enemies attacked he fought them of, but never killed. He could not kill anyone at the time, he was too soft. But that was what let to his town being destroyed. Wracked with guilt, he decided to take revenge for his village. so many of the enemies he had spared, had come back to harm him, but not all of them.

- He travelled a long time, honing his skills and searching for strength. He helped a lot of other villages, as he did not want the same for them as had happened for him. With time he learned to tell who was "good" and who "evil". Those he spared, told of his strength. When he finally found the enemy leader, the battle was fierce. in his anger and hatred, he destroyed anything in his way, filled with blood lust. He was victorious, but had lost his eye and gotten the taste of destruction.

- He was seen as a hero, but he felt like a monster. he made his own order of knights, and protected the land from anyone that wished it harm. His order of knights grew to be the main army of the whole country. Secretly he was eager to battle, but publicly he wanted everyone to live in peace. At an older age, He no longer was fit to battle, he still kept the title of Leader, but no longer battled with his soldier.
----

Born in the Northwest region of Sylestia, Sasha Shrestha had been brought into the world for one purpose: An end to the war between the Mountainous region of Shockdart and their neighboring region Cryostasis. For as long as anyone could remember, the people of Shockdart, the Sovaians, and the people of Cryostasis, the Cryotians, had been fighting; a century old rivalry that even Ethernia would not engage in. The Freeze had been taking over Cryostasis, in which an ancient runes had told the Cryotians that the answer lie in the land of mountains. The leader at the time, Deadale the Fifth, had taken this as a challenge--invading Shockdart and beginning the war.

The invasion had come as a surprise to the Sovaians. Their previous alliance with the Cryotians was prospering, and some trade partners were even friends. None of the Sovaians knew about The Freeze, a curse that would make Cryostasis colder and colder, unleash great ice spirits, and ultimately kill all inhabitants. The Cryotians thought the answer was to invade and take the territory of Shockdart, their fury and desire to survive being the greatest weapon in the war. One hundred and twenty two years into the war, the Sovians knew they needed to end the war, they would take no more from the Cryotians.

The moment she was born, it was known that Sasha was different from any other child. Her pale skin was blistering to the touch, almost as if fire had run through her veins- which of course, it did. Even so, her childhood was not so different from the other children. They were taught survival skills that had been passed down for generations, basic education in their worn-down schools, and the art of the bow and arrow. Watching the children with their Sylesti had always made Sasha envious. She had always wanted her own, but her duty came first.

Sasha was known throughout the village as The Duelist of Flame, The Bane of the Cold, and other various names. Infused with the essences of two spirits, the Lupora of Fire giving her the power of Pyromancy. In her 17 years of peace in the village, she had mastered both the blade and the flame, claiming the blade suit her better then the longbow.

But the day was approaching. As the sun rose and set as time marched on, more and more Sovaians chattered nervously, stealing glances at Sasha as she walked past. She would bashfully duck her head, quickly walking towards wherever she was needed.

The day came. The Sovaian army was at her command. Sweat trickled down her face as she waited for the Cryotians. There was a moment of silence before the first wave of enemies were spotted.

After that, days merged together. Each day, she would be up before the sun, station herself at the border, and wipe out entire legions of Cryotians all by herself. Each night, she would sit amongst her sleeping troops and their Sylesti, tears welling in her eyes as she thought of all the people that had died to her. Sasha would proceed to tell herself that this was what she had to do, the Ny'vene of Sacrifice within her would approve. She believed sacrificing the lives of hundreds of Cryotians would be able to put a stop to the war. She would then sleep in the campfire, the flame closing her wounds and healing minor injuries.

Until one day, she woke up in a pool of blood. Around her, as far as she could see, her soldiers, all their Sylesti--some of the people she grew up with, were all dead. There was only one way they could of found them. The fire she slept in nightly, the Cryotians must have seen it, the fire protecting her from any attacks towards her.

She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream. She wanted to bury her face in her hands and stay there forever. She couldn't. It wasn't fair that she carried the spirit of sacrifice, yet everyone around her had to pay the price instead.

The decision was made for her. She spotted the Cryotian army nearby, waiting for her wake. She had wiped her tears, pulled out her sword, and charged. That was her mistake. Soon, she was bound in chains of ice and stood face to face with Deadale the Fifth's great grandson, Deadale the Eighth. Only when she stood at the edge of death did she understand. She had been meant to sacrifice herself, her body burning up and exploding with the light of a supernova. Releasing both spirits inside her, a wave of heat had spread in all directions from the explosion.

Many wonder how she lived that day. Her body was found laying on the very spot she was chained, her features in a peaceful resting expression contrasting to corpses so badly burned they were unidentifiable. When she had woken up, something was different. Her skin wasn't scalding to the touch anymore. She had completed her duty.

Word of her spread across Sylestia like wildfire, controversial takes and opinions eventually deeming her a hero. The King of Ethernia had made her the General of the Ethernian Guards. The heat explosion had melted the ice spreading across Cryostasis, ending the eternal freeze. The Sovaians had pulled through, and her loved ones were safe.

One day, a small blonde child named Luka Bemaine had asked her if she would do it all again. She had nodded, saying "Yes, to protect you."

Lydia, Garden Healer

Lydia is known for her healing abilities. She has healed even the deadliest wounds for the Ethernian legionnaires. She resides in the secret garden, hidden within the Lost Grove with her forest friends.

Angrboda was born a humble peasant, who had visions as a child of being a great warrior. An ancient prophecy foretold that she, with her qitari Bjorn by her side, would unite her people and bring great prosperity.