Brynhilde Wulf

Brynhilde Wulf
'The secret to a life without fear is ever being ready to die.'
Gender	Female
Race	Hyur
Clan	Highlander
Citizenship	Ala Mhigan refugee
Place of birth	Ala Mhigo
Age	38
Sexuality	Bisexual
Marital Status	Courting
Height	5 fulms 10 ilms
Build	Athletic

((Last major update: 18th December 2013))

Free Paladin, sword-for-hire, wilds walker. On first impression, Brynhilde is your average adventurer; skilled in battle, living for the moment, and concerned only with survival and worldly pleasures.

However, this Highlander is more than she seems. Disgraced Ala Mhigan noble and known figure in the Ala Mhigan Resistance, Brynhilde lives life under a false identity, ever seeking to stay one step ahead of the Garlean Empire's terrible vengeance.

~ Recent Events ~

Show text

Sixth Astral Moon, 1577 (Nov' 2013)

• Brynhilde has reconnected with old contacts in the Ul'Dahn criminal underworld. She appears to be seeking something.
• Bryn has begun courting Striding Oak.
  

Sixth Umbral Moon, 1577 (Dec' 2013)

• Word among adventurers and the shadier types of Ul'dah is that Bryn is seeking capable, discreet people for a sensitive operation.

~ Character ~

Eyes	Hair	Skin	Body Type	Voice	Bearing	Notable Features
Icy blue.	Auburn; shoulder-length. Waved.	Pale, lightly freckled.	Athletic, toned, strong.	Soft, unhurried. Light accent.	Dignified, graceful.	None.
Alignment	Element
Type 2 Chaotic Good.[1]	Fire

Bryn would best be described as a 'classical beauty'.

She stands just a bit over 5 fulms 10 ilms tall, with long, slender limbs and neck. She has the archetypal developed musculature of the Highlander woman, while keeping the feminine body shape. She has an average-sized bust.

Bryn has a slender face, with a very fine nose, full lips and thick brows. She has porcelain-pale skin, with light freckling across her nose, cheeks and shoulders. As such, she burns very easily and tries to avoid extended periods in the sun.

Her eyes are a very pale, sky blue. She keeps them lined with brown kohl, as the contrast brings out their colour.

Her hair is quite thick, and she usually keeps it neatly tied. It is of a rich auburn colour, but appears copper under sunlight. It has a natural wave to it, and when worn loose reaches just to the top of her shoulder blades.

By Lurial Vashir

A good look at her reveals that Bryn takes greater pride in her personal appearance than your average adventurer. When not in her armour (which, although well-worn and showing signs of use in battle and wear in the field, is clearly well-maintained), she chooses light, often feminine attire. She has a curiously good eye for colour and her fingernails are oddly well-kept for an adventurer. She often smells faintly of lavender.

Bryn has no tattoos, but a few fine scars on her hands and arms. She does, however, have some significant scarring on her torso. She has two piercings in either lobe, and wears simple silver studs in them.

She wears a silver chain necklace, on which hangs a distinctive ring with a fiery wolf motif, but she keeps this hidden under her clothing.

Brynhilde's voice is smooth and somewhat breathy. She has a slight Highlander (closest to Scottish) accent and dialect. But it is oddly changeable. If she is caught speaking to herself when others aren't about, the dialect and accent seem to drop. This can also happen when she is stressed or upset.

She maintains good posture, typically keeping her head held high and back straight, accentuating her already considerable height as a Highlander. If she wasn't so quick to smile, she’d easily come across as haughty.

~ Personality ~

Brynhilde has a pleasant, if somewhat distant manner. While she appears happy to talk to others and ask them questions about themselves, she rarely discloses any of her own personal information. While she participates actively in conversation, often appearing to listen attentively to those speaking to her, there is often a feeling one gets with her that she is always aware of the wider environment.

She is good-humoured and noticeably well-travelled, knowledgeable about a good number of places and cultures. However, she can sometimes appear to be somewhat prejudiced, particularly against Miqo’te.

Despite her confidence and general air of calm, Brynhilde is easily flustered by conversation of a sexual nature.

~ Strengths ~

Bryn, despite surface impressions, is a woman of intense feeling. She is deeply compassionate, and fervently loyal to friends and family. She is very principled, has a tendency to consider the needs of the group above her own, and can be relied on to take up responsibility and leadership if it is necessary. She will willingly do what others won’t, if she believes it is for the best. She is determined to the extreme; once she has decided on a course of action, naught will keep her from her goal.

With her calm, confident demeanour and tendency to be decisive and assertive, Bryn is a natural leader. While she does not actively seek to lead, she is comfortable being the one others turn to for guidance.

Although she always desired a family, Bryn's devotion to the resistance kept her from ever having children of her own. Perhaps as a result, and owing to her qualities of being 'the protector' type, Bryn has a mothering side to her. She likes to take care of those around her, be it through making sure they're fed a decent meal, or through offering a sympathetic ear.

Having spent her younger years in Ala Mhigo's noble courts, Bryn is adept in charm and flattery, and will happily employ both to her advantage in social situations. She can sometimes come across as rather flirtatious, although she rarely has genuine romantic intentions; she has eyes only for Striding Oak.

~ Flaws ~

Her desire to protect those around her, coupled with her ‘bigger picture’ views, can make her very self-destructive and reckless. She is a martyr, with little regard for her own safety and happiness. Her principles can make her arrogant and overly-righteous at times, to the point where she has difficulty perceiving other views and shades of moral grey. As a result, she can be prone to extremism.

Years spent in the militarized environment of the Ala Mhigan resistance have left Bryn with a measure of distaste for authority, rules and rigid social structures. She cares for laws only insofar as they serve toward achieving moral ends. As soon as she perceives them as having become a hindrance to those ends, Bryn swiftly abandons them in favour of her own moral code. This can make her something of a wildcard.

Bryn can be overly-proud, sometimes to the point of arrogance, and is often loathe to reveal anything about herself which she feels could make her vulnerable. She has a strong desire to maintain control at all times, both of herself and her environment, and sometimes unfortunately of the people in her life, too. Her desire to control the situations she finds herself in can sometimes necessitate dishonesty.

Although it is a difficult thing to provoke her into anger, her temper is explosive when lost. It takes a lot to drag Bryn into an argument. Once there, however, she digs her heels in and doesn't yield. She’s not entirely above a shouting match if the argument is regarding something she feels passionately about. But generally she prefers to avoid conflict whenever she can. Insults have little effect on her; the quickest way to witness her temper is to attack those she cares for.

~ Romance ~

Being the guarded character that she is, Bryn does not grow close to others quickly. A potential lover would need to be willing to invest the time and energy needed to get her to lower her defences before there could be any chance for intimacy. Trust is a big issue for Brynhilde and she is also keenly aware that, owing to her history, allowing others to get close to her may put them at risk of harm.

In others she respects the qualities of strength, virtue and courage. Her partner would need to be a person who is non-judgemental and compassionate. She is put off by lecherous behaviour and empty flattery.

Bryn recognises that she seems to be equally attracted to both men and women.

((Update: November '13 : Brynhilde is currently courting Striding Oak... Somewhat clumsily.))

~ Combat ~

In battle Brynhilde favours the sword and shield, and prefers a longer blade to the shortsword or gladius. She is swift in battle and possessing of remarkable grace, fighting with a dancing, flourishing style of swordplay rarely seen among adventurers. She tends toward a more defensive stance, and most often on the battlefield can be found with shield raised, stood between her comrades and that which would harm them.

In combat, Bryn wears a combination of plate, chain and leather. The heavy plate she wears to guard her torso against the inevitable blows she endures as a defender, as well as to guard her sword-arm. She wears the lighter chain on her legs to preserve mobility, and the leather on her gauntlets and greaves to maintain flexibility.

She has incredible staying power; although she may have suffered heavy blows and her body screams with fatigue, she will fight until either her foe is defeated, or she is overwhelmed. Pain seems to have little effect on her.

She possesses a novice's level of white magic, and is able to close superficial wounds and some more serious types of injury. Wounds of the gravest nature are at this time beyond her skill to heal, although she is currently studying and practising in order to improve her skills as a healer.

Although rarely employed, Brynhilde has an understanding of the basic functioning of magitek small arms and improvised explosives.

If given the choice, however, Bryn would rather not fight at all. Although not a pacifist, she detests senseless violence. Regardless, she is often dragged into battle to protect others. Most often, this is foolhardy young adventurers.

~ Occupation, skills and pastimes ~

Adventurer, freelance Paladin, vagabond and help-for-hire. Bryn doesn't call herself a mercenary. She is very selective about the jobs she picks up, often agreeing to them only if there has been a severe moral wrong committed that needs redressing. As such, she has built up a modest reputation in Limsa Lominsa and Ul’dah as a reliable person who deals fairly and honourably with those she works with. She has a marked concern for the underdog and the downtrodden.

Likes: Chocobos. Children. Romance. Reading. Spicy food. Booze.

Dislikes: Violence. People who chew with their mouths open. Time-wasters. Pettyness. Sailing. She suffers from horrific sea-sickness. ... Spiders.

Skills: Swordplay Riding Cooking. Calligraphy. Ballroom dancing.

Fears: Losing herself to her rage, so that she loses all sight of who she is or what she stands for. Going to her grave without atoning for the crimes of her youth. Being remembered merely as a traitor. Deep water (she cannot swim). Her past being laid bare.

Bryn loves to ride, and she and her chocobo, Astridr, typically cover several malms every day. She finds a measure of peace in travelling, in cooking and reading, and sometimes in writing. She loves Chocobos and hounds, often preferring their company to that of other people.

She also has a secret, tragic love for trashy romance novels. You know, the really awful ones with titles like, ‘The Viscount’s Mistress’, and ‘The Doctor’s Bride’. Heaving bosoms abound!

Bryn likes music and stories, particularly romance. She enjoys drinking, and owing to her noble origins, is a talented dancer. Just perhaps not in the dancing styles you’d most often find in Eorzea’s taverns.

~ Relationships ~

Family

Bryn was born to the distinguished Ala Mhigan noble family House Brandulfr. Her birth name was Adelfrida Brynhilde Brandulfr.

Father: Jàrngrìmur Brandulfr (presumed deceased)

Mother: Adelhilde Brandulfr (deceased)

Younger brother: Bjollgrìmur Brandulfr (deceased)

Younger sister: Adele Brandulfr (estranged)

Niece: Adelheid Brandulfr (estranged)

Linkshells and Organisations

The Traveling Templar: Part mercenary company, part charity, The Templar is the free company Bryn has pledged her loyalty to. She believes in the Templar's mission statement of helping to improve the realm. Although she initially joined the Templar for two very simple reasons (coin, and to strengthen her 'normal adventurer' identity), through the company she has made a good number of valued friendships.

~ Player Character Relationships ~

♥ Romantic Interest    ♥ Sexual Desire    ♥ Platonic Love     ● Good Standing    ● Neutral Standing    ● Poor Standing    ! Recent Standing Change

~ Positive Standing ~

♥♥Striding Oak : The two met in La Noscea when Oak came to Bryn's aid as the Hyur fled attackers. Oak arrived in time to find a gravely wounded Brynhilde, who's life she saved by ripping a spear tip from her side so that the White Mage Ne'ci Aera could heal her. After that, the two began to develop a close friendship. As moons passed and the two spent time together, Bryn began to realise that her feelings for Oak ran deeper than she was ready to admit. The revelation of their mutual love was a long time coming, and the two have recently embarked on a romantic relationship. Having never loved (or lusted for) anyone before, the experience is both exciting and intimidating to Brynhilde. Although her devotion to Oak is boundless, Bryn is plagued by guilt regarding her past and quietly doubts that she is deserving of Oak's love.	●!Tiergan Vashir : Although their relationship began with mutual distrust, recent events have brought Brynhilde and Tiergan closer together. Close enough, even, for Bryn to place her life in Tiergan's hands. Bryn was pleasantly surprised to learn that they share a homeland, and has come to appreciate Tiergan's selflessness and combat proficiency. Having correctly guessed Tiergan's difficult past, Bryn also feels sympathetic toward the Miqo'te.
●Horace Rook : For some unknown reason, Brynhilde initially suspected Rook of intending to kill her when they first met. But as Bryn would soon come to learn, this enigmatic Hyur is nothing if not persistent. A somewhat standoffish Bryn began to warm to Rook over time, however, the more frequently they talked. Although many consider Rook to be untrustworthy, their relationship has developed to the point where Bryn feels genuine fondness for the man, which seems to be reciprocated.	●Sion Gyr : Bryn met her fellow Highlander and Ala Mhigan in the North Shroud, when the two started up a conversation and became friends almost instantly. Bryn enjoys Gyr's charm and finds his chivalrous nature endearing. She also often enjoys their banter, although Gyr has an uncanny knack of knowing just how to make her blush. Their relationship has been strained of late, but Bryn still considers him a friend.
●Raelin Aradan and Ne'ci Aera : The Templar's second-in-command is a man Bryn decided she liked the instant they met (unlike his hair). Bryn enjoys Raelin's easy-going nature, and their shared appreciation for levity. Bryn mainly knows Ne'ci through Raelin, and does not know her very well. That was not an obstacle, however, to Bryn aiding Ne'ci in a matter of great importance to the Miqo'te. Since then, the two have had a pleasant, but distant relationship.	●Ciel Lazuli : Countless jobs and missions together have confirmed in Bryn's mind that Ciel is an extremely talented healer, and she would not hesitate to throw herself at the deadliest foes if she knew she had Ciel's skill in white magic present to care for her. On the personal front, she finds Ciel to be a cautious, distant individual, which she respects.
●Zaku Paku : Brynhilde met Zaku through Ciel Lazuli, and in much the same way as she did with Ciel, formed her opinion of Zaku by working alongside him. Aside from being a competent adventurer, Bryn enjoys Zaku's friendliness and eccentric nature. The whole referring-to-himself-in-the-third-person-thing doesn't even grate on her any more.	●Gharen Wolfsong : Ever happy to meet a fellow Highlander, Bryn first met Gharen outside of Gridania. She finds the man pleasant enough, if a little too taciturn. There is something she finds intriguing about him that she cannot quite place, however.
●Antares Omni : They've only met a handful of times, but Bryn finds Antares a sweet girl, if a bit too soft.

~ Negative Standing ~

●Nadeau Celeste : The leader of the Traveling Templar gained an initial appraisal from Bryn of simply being a 'sweet enough lass'. Certain things that have come to light over time, however, have soured Bryn's opinion of the Midlander. In particular, Nadeau's obvious affection for Varus is troubling to Bryn. To say that she does not trust Nadeau would be an understatement. Regardless, Bryn has not made this known to Nadeau. She is content to watch, and to learn. For now.

●Varus Adelric Rosenthal : It was a contract with the Templar that first introduced Brynhilde to Varus, and she decided immediately that she did not like him. The veracity of her gut instinct would later be confirmed the more she learned of him. They spoke recently, although Bryn will not say what the topic of conversation was. Nevertheless, her dislike of the man seems only to have intensified.

●!Aryianna Nightshade : Of all of them, Bryn's relationship with Aryianna is perhaps the one that has most fluctuated. While they initially had a warm friendship, certain revelations regarding Aryianna's past made Brynhilde more cautious of her. However, she was willing to overlook them until a recent violent event in Mor Dhona left Bryn believing that Aryianna is a threat to the Templar. While she holds no ill will toward Ary personally, Bryn has come to the grim realisation that if it were necessary, she must be ready to do her harm.

~ Rumors ~

Common Rumors

• "She can sometimes be found at the Culinarian's guild in Limsa, where she cooks. The things she makes smell divine!"
• "She's certainly the charitable sort; I often see her goin' about the streets of Ul'dah an' the camps outside the gates, givin' gifts of food an' gil to the refugees."
• "Likes her drink, that one! When she's not out with them 'venturers, she can usually be found in the pub."
• "Don't bother, lad. That lass has a different suitor every sun of the week, but never takes a one of 'em to bed."

Moderate Rumors

• "That's an odd bird she rides. Beautiful thing, but it's got a mean streak a malm wide. A bit like the rider, heh."
• "She's a tricky woman to track down. I hear she never stays in the same place for more than two nights. Sounds like trouble, to me."
• "She's done well for herself. Aye, she used to be a down-an'-out, like most of the other Highlanders you see in the Sultanate. If only more refugees would care to follow her example, it'd do wonders to clean up cesspits like Pearl Lane."
• "There are no records anywhere of anyone by that name having existed prior to the Calamity. She could've fallen to Eorzea from Dalamud for all I know."

Rare Rumors

• "You'd do well to avoid that one. She's been seen in the company of the shadier types of Ul'dah. I don't know what she's involved in, but it can't be good."
• "Rumour has it that she was one of the few poor souls who survived Carteneau, but just barely. It's hard to imagine what she might've seen and been through."
• "There's a sizeable bounty on that woman's head. Questionable characters are willing to pay handsomely for her capture, but not for her death. Quite who these characters are working for is uncertain."

Player Character Rumors

• ((Please contact me if you'd like to contribute a PC rumor!))

~ History/Timeline ~

1539 - 1558 : The Ala Mhigan Years

((WIP))
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Adelfrida Brandulfr (meaning,”Noble Beauty, Fire Wolf”) was born in Ala Mhigo on the 22nd Sun of the First Astral moon, 1539. The eldest child of the wealthy and highly-respect nobleman Járngrímur Brandulfr, Adelfrida was heir to a house possessing both ancient roots and proud standing. Járngrímur was a decorous, rational man, a staunch royalist, and a somewhat distant father who raised his children with careful precision, but little affection. Nevertheless, Adelfrida idolised him and was the very image of the dutiful daughter, obeying his edict that she act as a guardian and watchful eye over her two younger siblings, Bjollgrímur and Adele.

The siblings were inseparable, and lived a life of ease and privilege until the chaotic events of King Theodoric’s reign. Shortly after Theodoric began his persecution of the monks of the Fist of Rhalgr, Adelfrida’s mother, Adelheid, was charged with aiding enemies of the monarch and so was sentenced to public execution.

1558 - 1559 : Rebellion

((WIP))
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Thus the Brandulfr siblings fell in with the rebellion against Theodoric, which culminated in the end of his reign as the Garlean Empire moved in to Ala Mhigo. While many at that time viewed the Empire as liberators, this misconception was quickly dispelled when Garlean forces began to purge the city of its nobility and coerce Ala Mhigans into what was essentially slavery. The Brandulfrs then found themselves exiled from the city their family had called home for centuries.

1559 - 1572 : The Resistance Years

((WIP))
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Initially, Adelfrida and her siblings did not move west into Eorzea as many of those first refugees did. Instead, embittered by the loss of her home and way of life, Adelfrida succumbed to the urgings of her brother and joined the resistance movement against Garlemald. Those early days of the resistance saw some victories. But young Adelfrida was driven by a burning hatred and rage toward the Imperial invaders who she believed had taken her life from her.

Years passed, and still the family lingered in Gyr Abania, fighting Imperial forces wherever they found them, raiding their supply shipments and seizing whatever Garlean weapons and technology they could. Eventually, their accumulated successes against the Imperials earned a reputation for the Brandulfr siblings, who by this point had been affectionately dubbed ‘The Pack’ by their comrades. But it was Adelfrida in particular who became something of the resistance’s darling; with her flame-red hair, her youthful energy and ardent devotion to the cause, as well as her savagery on the field of battle, she became a rallying figure for many of the Ala Mhigans still remaining in Gyr Abania. Furthermore, her noble upbringing gave her the skills in speech and military history her less-educated comrades lacked. As a result, Adelfrida looked set to take up a position of leadership in the resistance. This did not elude the Empire’s notice.

The resistance’s petty victories in the skirmishes against the Garleans in and around Gyr Abania did not satisfy Adelfrida. As the cycles passed and the Ala Mhigans seemed to grow no closer to retaking their home, her rage intensified steadily. It called for a blow to be struck against the Imperials in the region the likes of which they could never recover from. Eventually the resistance planned an operation with the potential to do just that.

Under Adelfrida’s leadership, a small unit of resistance fighters risked all to embark upon the mission to destroy a nascent Castrum in the Highlands. But in her hatred and zeal, Adelfrida could not anticipate the catastrophic consequences ahead of her.

1572 - Present Day : Without a Cause

((WIP))
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"... I've nothin' else tae do. When I finally let go, I thought I'd be free.

Instead I floundered, an' felt lost without anythin' tae strive for, however hopeless.

I can't be one of these aimless adventurers, content tae fight for fame an' fortune. T'is meaningless tae me."

~ Character Connections ~

The following characters may have the possibility of an RP link with Brynhilde:

• Anyone who keeps informed of known adventurers. While Bryn isn’t famous, her work has bought her a small amount of recognition.
• Anyone who lives and works around Little Ala Mhigo.
• Ala Mhigans, Ala Mhigan refugees and those involved with the Ala Mhigan resistance.
• Anyone who lived or worked in Bronze Lake around 5 years ago.
• Survivors of Carteneau, or those who assisted in searching the battlefield for survivors.
• Garleans, those with ties to the Garlean Empire, and those who work for it.
• Bounty hunters.

~ Trivia & Miscellaneous ~

((WIP))

~ Artwork ~

By Gharen Wolfsong

~ Author's Notes ~

Bryn's identity as Adelfrida Brandulfr has been a closely-guarded secret for the last twenty years, a necessary measure to avoid the Empire's hunting. If you intend to have your character allude to Bryn's history or identity, or her status as a fugitive, please speak to me first.

The correct pronunciation of her name would be "Breen-HILL-d' Voolf." The R should be briefly rolled, if possible. However, Bryn usually introduces herself simply as "Brin Wolf", as so few people are able to pronounce her name properly.

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The design of this profile includes elements created or inspired by: Deirdre Ta'ea, Gharen Wolfsong

Change Log

18th December 2013:

• Minor formatting changes
• 'Recent Events' updated.
• New 'Player Character Relationships' section; more relationships added.
• Relationship entries for the following characters updated: Striding Oak, Tiergan Vashir.
• 'Linkshells and Organisations' section added to 'Relationships'.
• Content added to "History/Timeline".
• 'Player Character Rumors' section added.