Auriana Wynter

Auriana Wynter
Gender	Female
Race	Hyur
Clan	Highlander
Citizenship	Unaffiliated

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Basic

• Physical appearance

Auriana stands at 5 fulm, 11 Ilm's. She is however quite muscular, and toned. Her hair very light blonde almost white, with stands of pink highlights.

She prefers to keep it tied back, as the risk of anything obscuring her sight during combat, in her own words, "Will just not do."

• Attributes

She is very agile, and has a relatively high amount of stamina. Spending most of her time hunting and tracking through a variety of terrain keeps her in top physical condition.

• Combat

As with all Highlanders, she was taught from an early age. She is quite proficient in close quarters with daggers, but her real skill shines behind a bow.

• Profession

At the present, due to her loss of memory surrounding her prior life, and the demise of her family, she has used her skills to become a hunter. She hunts, and sells the meat and hides to whomever is willing to pay.

History

Auriana is the daughter of Roland and Adela Wynter. Roland was known as a fierce warrior and was considered by many to be of the most brilliant strategists when it came to battle. Aurianas home was a village in the southern region of Gyr Abania. When she was 16 Garlean forces were moving through Ala Mhigo sweeping for signs of those loyal to the Ala Mhigan Resistance. Any found to be affiliated were punished severely, if allowed to escape with their lives at all. She was brought up as any normal highlander, trained in combat from an early age, she was no stranger to the sting of battle. Most of her time was spent training, hunting, learning to fight and track. Her father, Roland, of the most brilliant commanders, over seen most of the village youths trainings during times of peace.

Auriana was taught some of his tactics by him in hopes that one day she may "earn his legacy." It was no secret among the ranks the roumors of the name Wynters' origin. It was said, they called him Wynter because of the ice in his veins and the chill in his stare. Aurianas' mother, Adela Wynter, was a beautiful highland woman. She was tough as stone, yet could be a soft as linen. In her youth, it was not uncommon for Adela to run from home and seek out Roland only to disappear into the night until the next sunrise. For Rolands reputation as an intemperate man in his youth, their union was all but forbidden. Yet, Adelas one true love was her daughter, Auriana. She looked over her with a ferocious protectiveness until Aurianas training began.

Life during that time was difficult. The Garlian take over drove the people out, some others submitted, but Roland like many others refused. Battle after battle, fought and lost against this seemingly unstoppable force that was sweeping across the land, consuming all who opposed. He lead his men against the invaders and struck at every opportunity. But it was useless. Rolands men began to fall, one by one. It wasn't long before Roland became the hunted. Eventually, his men were traced back to the village. They had no choice. The village had to move, Adela and Auriana stood and fought bravely as the aged and the very young took what they could and fled.

Adela and many of the other highland women held the line until the men returned from the flanks. The village was being over run by massive war machines. The entire place was engulfed in flames. Auriana watched with her eyes wide open as her father approached, the huge blade that pierced his armor from behind, and through his chest. Her screams pierced the night air as she watched the life fade from his eyes. With his dieing breath, his last words to her..."Run..run damn you!" As he collapsed, Auriana let loose a barrage of arrows from her bow, taking no time to aim.

Adela stunned by what she had witnessed, suddenly snapped out of it and grabed her by the arm and drug her away. Still frantic, Auriana tried to break free and charge forward. Adela slapped her hard across the face. It worked, she snapped out of it and looked at her mother. Seeing her mothers tears, she knew she had to pull it together. Adela ordered her to pull back and flee with the others. Auriana in turn made it clear she would not leave without her. Adela agreed, and began drawing fire away from her daughter. Auriana had one prize possession, a bow handed down to her from her grandfather. She could not yet wield it,but she would be damned if she was going to leave it behind.

She turned around and looked up at the flames coming from inside the house, but she ran inside anyway. The bow was wrapped in a cloth, under her bed. She made her way through the flames, shielding her eyes from the heat. Choking on the thick smoke, she found her prize. Just about that time, one of the war machines was bearing down on them. The noise was deafening. Before she could make it to the door, the upper floor gave way. The heavy beam itself on fire, split in two, striking Auriana on the head driving her to the floor. Outside, Adela seen what had happened. She and one of the surviving warriors of Rolands men ran inside. They lifted the burning beam off of her, and carried her out. They escaped through the darkness and towards the river. Adela knew where the tiny boat was, she loved to fish and it was an excuse for her to get a little quiet time for herself. What had seemed like a bolt of lightning pierced the darkness, striking the warrior in the back. Causing him to drop Aurianas' body to the dirt.

Fading in and out of consciousness, she fought to get to her feet. The pain was excruciating, and it extended though out her body. She could taste the iron in her own mouth, knowing it was her own blood. Adela fought to get her daughter up and to the boat. Auriana fading in and out, collapsed inside the bottom. Her mother got a glimpse of her injuries in the flashes coming from the explosions and flames behind her. It was severe, her face red with blood. Adela pushed the tiny boat into the water, but before she could jump in she heard the voices yell behind her.."There's one, grab her!!" She looked back to see four armored soldiers coming for her. She looked down at Auriana, and back again. Auriana opened her eyes to see the shadow of her mother over her. Adela smiled softly as she looked into her daughters eyes. She knew, she had to sacrifice herself if Auriana was to escape and have a chance to survive.

With one last sigh, a single tear ran down the mothers face. She wanted so much to remove the pain from her daughters heart, and her memory. She muttered some words under her breath just as the boat left the shore and drifted into the rivers current. Adela knew a little magic, enough to be dangerous to herself. But she knew she was about to die, she had to try. As the blade pierced her, she focused her life energy on Auriana. With her dieing breath she whispered, "Forgive me.." What happened next, none can say for certain.

The aftermath

After drifting down river all night, and most of the day, the current shoved her tiny craft against the shoreline far from the smoldering remains of her home. An aging Highland man known as Fareman Ironhand, who long ago choose solitude away from others along with his wife Selona, discovered her state while returning from a hunt. He had been out since sunrise and managed to bring home enough to eat for the night when he seen the boat. Laying inside was the dieing Auriana. Her head, split open, and her eyes swollen nearly shut from the blow of the heavy beam. It was obvious she had lost some blood, and her injuries severe. She was breathing, but barely. Dropping his freshly taken game, he lifted her out and made haste home to his cabin.

Selona could hear him calling out to her long before she seen him coming down the trail. Running outside, she was in dismay at her husband of 25 years carrying this young girl. She could see right away she was badly injured. "Get her inside, quickly!" she ordered. Fareman carried her inside and lay her on the bed in the corner of the cabin. "Who is she?" she had asked. He simply shook his head and answered, "I don't know. But I'm willing to bet it has something to do with what happened up river last night." Concerned, the pair considered their options. At once, Selona undressed her, and began cleaning her wounds while Fareman gathered more wood. As she wiped the blood and the soot from Aurianas face, she noticed the necklace around her neck. Her name inscribed on the back side of the tag that hung from it. "Auriana Wynter. Daughter of Roland Adela. Follower of Rhalgr"

When Fareman came back inside she said to him, "You'd better come have a look at this." As he did, and read the inscription their eyes locked for a moment. Selona took the necklace off and handed it to Fareman who hid it behind the stove. Neither of them expected her to live through the night. They ate in silence that night, knowing what the presence of their guest would mean should she be discovered there. For many days, Selona wiped, and gave her water from a sponge. Until one morning, Aurianas' eyes fluttered open. She raised a hand to her head. "Oooh. Wha- where am I?" She asked as she looked around. The Ironhands looked at each other across the crude table, "Now you lay still. You're weak, and still in bad shape." Auriana peered at them, the light making the throb in her head intensify.

"Who are you?" she asked as she lay her head back down. "I'm Selona, and this is Fareman. What happened to you? What can you tell us?" Faremans wife had asked. Auriana thought for a moment, but she drew a blank. "I- I don't know. I mean..I can't remember.." Fareman studied the girl for a moment, "What are you saying, that you can't remember Anything?" Auriana thought for a moment and shook her head as she lay a hand over her eyes. Concerned, Selona asked, "Do you know your name?" Auriana was weak, but enough strength was in her to grow irritated, "Of course! I'm..I-" A pained expression came over her face as she realized she didn't know. "It's alright. You've had a nasty bump on the head. It will all come back to you maybe tomorrow, you rest now." With that, Auriana closed her eyes and slept the rest of the day.

Only, that tomorrow never came. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. It was on the third day, the Ironhands decided for her protection, and theirs she must never learn the truth of who she really is. Fareman buffed off all but her name from the necklace, hoping it was obscure enough to protect them. He had hoped that when she did remember, she would be well enough and healed enough to not rush for vengeance nor to her death. And worse yet, bring the wrath of the war machine down upon them. For the next few years, Fareman taught her to hunt, though for Auriana it was more things remembered, than things learned. She remembered without realizing it. To her, she was just a quick study. But the Ironhands, having heard the rumors and the reputation of Roland Wynter, knew better.

Seasons came and went, until the time came where Auriana was no longer content staying hidden in the foot hills of the mountains in that little cabin. Instead, she set out to find her answers. Early one morning, she packed some food and said her goodbyes and made her way into Gridania, hoping to one day discover who she was...else who she is.

Personality

Auriana is not quick to trust, but isn't quick to judge either. She gives fair chance to all. In spite of herself, she loves to laugh and enjoy the simple things in life, though she often denies these things to herself.

• When she decides you're a friend, you will find none more loyal.

• She spends most of her time alone, wishing she belonged somewhere. Searching for something to believe in.

• She will fight for what she sees as right, and fight for those she is loyal to with a ferocity. But at the same time, she is not above humility if she is in the wrong.

• Outgoing, and caring. Though she will often times hold those feeling to herself, as she believes they could be viewed as a weakness and used against her. Yet, to those who do manage to get close enough, she will occasionally let them get a glimpse of that side.

• She has a hard time saying no to those in need, so long as they are deserving of her assistance. In her eyes, you have to be willing to get your hands dirty to dig yourself out, before you get your knees dirty asking for a shovel.

• While fairly laid back, and quiet, she is not one who backs down easily by nature. Rest assured, if she does, its only to live to fight another day.

• Most of all, she is looking for answers. She occupies herself with hunting, or lending a hand to distract her mind from the things that torment her in her sleep.

• Auriana is the quiet type, not one to draw attention to herself. She is quiet, and so doesn't really like large crowds.

Affiliations

Currently, she is enlisted as lending her bow to the Immortal Flames when the need arises. For her, it keeps her occupied to forget her own problems.