Portia Bartel

Lady Portia Bartel
Gender	Female
Race	Miqo'te
Clan	Seeker of the Sun
Citizenship	Gridania
Age	25
Marital Status	Complicated
Alignment	Lawful Evil
Orientation	Heterosexual

Portia Bartel

A young noblewoman of Gridania, Portia was once an accomplished conjurer, but now studies thaumaturgy. She is pregnant with her first child, and eagerly awaits motherhood. At first glance she seems like a very kind, motherly figure. But she carries a darkness with her, something that has made her stronger, more assertive, and at times, surprisingly cruel.

Appearance

Although a Seeker of the Sun, Portia's skin is very pale. Her hair is a common shade of brown streaked with white that she wears down. The fur of her ears is brown, blending into her hair, and the fur of her tail the same except for the tip being white as if dipped in cream. Her face is round and soft-looking, with purple eyes. Her left eye is a dark purple, but the right looking a few shades lighter. Under her left eye is a small white marking. Over the lighter eye, a scar only a few years old crosses down from above her eyebrow to just a little down her cheek. She is average height, though her body is thin and delicate-looking, and picking her up one would realize she weighs only a little more than a child. From neck to wrist to ankle she is now covered with tattoos of an ancient-rune natures, and though she has not spoken of their reason, it is noticeable that when she uses the aether, the tattoos shimmer and glow.

Personality

Very kind and respectful. She upholds the image of a proper lady by offering polite conversation to anyway without qualm. It is one gets to know her, however, that one might see the darkness that has taken her soul. Plagued by a difficult life and urged by her master Zagi'zi, Portia is at times bitter. It would seem that the happy exterior is a mask that hides a dark center. She is extremely loyal, especially to Zagi'zi, and would take her own life if he asked it of her. She is also extremely protective, part of her motherly instinct that she's always had, but even more-so now that she has given birth to her daughter.

Biography

Childhood

A small bundle was found in the Twelveswood by a Hyur couple. They discovered an infant, a small Seeker kit, and adopted the baby as their own. Portia was raised by the Bartel family, wealthy nobles from Gridania. She had a very blessed childhood, growing up without want. She was raised as a lady, learning all the common talents such as music, art, literature, and crafting. Portia attended school, and when she was younger, was teased by the many Elezen and Hyur in her class, even fellow Miqo'te, because she didn't look anything like a Keeper. Due to the racism of the time, she tended to keep to herself, staying quiet and out of the way.

Teenage

In the last few years of her schooling, Portia finally came out of her shell, dismissing the snide comments made about her and became content in her life. She enjoyed reading and singing and flower-arranging.

She grew up knowing that her role in life would be as a wife to a nobleman and have children. At her nineteenth year, she had still not been courted by any man, and her parents feared that she would not be taken care of after they were gone.When she was twenty, the very wealthy Lord Deavin Vantis asked her father for her hand.

Portia does not care to speak of the things that happened to her during her engagement. Deavin turned out to be a cruel man, an owner of several female slaves, and a sadistic mind. He did unspeakable things to her, including an incident that caused the scar over her right eye and discolored iris. When it was discovered by a nursemaid that she was barren and could not produce heirs for Deavin, she knew her life here would be doomed. Portia ran in the night, and in doing so, angered Lord Deavin. For her insolence, he had her mother and father killed. When Portia discovered the bodies, she knew she would be on the run for the rest of her life, for fear he would find her and finish her off as well.

Present

The last few years, Portia studied conjurey as she traveled Eorzea and visited orphanages. She volunteered her time cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children in return for food and shelter. She also trained with the Lance in the deserts of Thanalan, spending time as an ally of the Amalj'aa and meeting Vanhi, her drake. Vanhi and Portia spent a lot of time together, especially during troubled times, and the two of them bonded strongly.

Recently, the great black mage Zagi'zi Kumai came to her when she had all but given up on finding happiness. Plagued by the direction her life had taken her, Portia was at a loss for direction. Zagi'zi offered her a deal, to become his apprentice and follow every order no matter what. In return he would make decisions for her, and take all responsibility for her, so that she would no longer feel the guilt and pain of consequence.

Portia began to study the art of thaumaturgy under Zagi'zi, doing all she could to make him proud. He urged her to take the next step in her life, and seek revenge for Lord Deavin's cruelty. Together, the two of them returned to the Vantis manor. Portia in all of her rage and pain killed every guard she found inside in cold blood, even burning some alive. After finding Lord Deavin, she tortured him by dismembering him (literally) and burned him.

It was around this time that Zagi'zi and Portia conceived, and Portia gave the news to her master of her pregnancy. He reacted at first with denial, and then ignored it. Since then he has been distant with her, speaking to her very little.

Portia returned to her home in Gridania, and after being abandoned for 5 years, has spent most of her time alone in the large house restoring it to its formal glory. Near the end of her pregnancy, Zagi'zi had Portia get ancient rune tattoos covering over her entire body, from neck to her wrists and ankles.

Portia has now given birth to hers and Zagi'zi's daughter which she has named Luna Bartel.

Combat Abilities

Portia used to only be able to use healing magic and some simple water and rock spells, but ever since studying thaumaturgy, she has found it impossible to use healing magic. She mainly uses black magic now, competent in both ice and fire spells as well as some barriers. She also knows her way around a lance, but ever since becoming Zagi'zi's apprentice, has dedicated her life to being a mage. Once a rather weak fighter, Portia can now somewhat hold her own in a fight. Ever since getting tattoos, her powers have been especially amplified.

LIKES ■ Children. ■ Riding and spending time with her drake Vanhi. ■ Drinking tea out in her front yard. ■ Reading books, especially romance novels. ■ Luxurious goods, expensive dresses, and the finer things in life. ■ Good company. Especially if she can cook for them.

DISLIKES ■ People who disrespect honor. ■ People who only care about their own kin and company, and no one else. ■ Abuse of authority. ■ Unneeded death. ■ Tribal Miqo’te. ■ Being cold.

OTHER ■ Nameday: 6th Sun of the 3nd Umbral Moon. ■ Vice(s): Struggling with ethics. ■ Favorite Food: Anything sweet. ■ Favorite Drink: Tea. ■ Favorite Color: Lilac. ■ Talents: Cooking, singing, dancing, sewing, playing music, all the accomplished talents of a noblewoman. ■ Weaknesses: Hurt pride, failure.

QUIRKS ■ Commonly bows in greeting and in parting. ■ Makes feline noises when startled. ■ Has a habit of letting her tail dictate her emotions. ■ Sings to herself when she is alone. ■ Doesn't like sleeping alone.

Extra Information

Family

• Lord Brenet Bartel: Adopted father - Deceased
• Lady Illian Bartel: Adopted mother - Deceased

• Luna Bartel: Daughter

Gallery

RUMORS ◢ Common Rumors (Easily overheard) ■ "Look at her fine clothes and expensive jewelry, she must be a lady!" ■ "I saw her hand out food to a bunch of orphans on the street, that was really nice of her." ■ "She's got a really pretty face and all, but that scar looks out of place." ◢ Moderate Rumors (Moderately difficult to overhear) ■ "I used to see her in the Ossuary every day reading a huge stack of books." ■ "She hangs around this one Keeper man, he looks really shady." ■ "That woman spent moons wearing a black cowl around Ul'dah. I wonder why?" ◢ Rare Rumors (Very difficult or rarely overheard) ■ "She was presumed to be dead about five years ago, but only just recently resurfaced." ■ "Wasn't she the ex-fiance to that one Lord who died after his house was burned down? They say no one escaped." ■ "Her parents died right after her disappearance, I wonder if she had anything to do with that." ◢ PC Rumors (Rumors from the character's of other players) ■ "That's Lady Portia! She's one'a th'nicest people I ever met! An' she makes real good soup too. She also looks like a princess, y'know, so maybe that's why she's so nice an' pretty? Uh- b-but d-don't tell I said that, awright? H-hey, you promise?" '~Caen Jabari ■ "Portia is very nice. She maked dinner always. She is helped other people and maked things better. Sometimes she was not happy too. She liked Raelos but I not liked him. He hurted Wulf. She go away home and never come back. It was not her family anymore. Very sad. I not remember. I not know why. Only remember is her scream. She becomed big because baby growing inside. Not finded again." -- Flickering Ember ■ ■

RELATIONS ♥ Romantic Interest ♥ Platonic Love ● Good Standing ● Neutral Standing ● Poor Standing ♥ Zagi'zi Kumai : Portia's master and the father of her unborn child. Portia dedicated her life as an apprentice to the black mage Zagi'zi, promising to follow every command, and in return, he would look after her so that she would not lose her way again. After feeling shut-out by the rest of the world, and finding stability in him, Portia realized she had growing feelings for the man, even if he was well-guarded. Portia discovered she was pregnant with Zagi'zi's child, and since realizing this, wishes for more. She wants to raise a family with him, and believes he will be a good father, despite his issues. She still has yet to confess her love, however. ● Granis Klensbane : An ex-mercenary who Portia had thought she found a kindred spirit in. When he had realized that she was going down the wrong path, he wanted to save her from becoming tainted. Unfortunately, she could not be stopped, and as a result she caused him to lose his faith in the goodness of people that she once portrayed. He still cares for her, but after a disagreement, they went their separate ways. ● Lacey Orwell : A woman she met through their common affiliation with Aeon. Portia took pity on Lacey, who had been ostracized because of her past affiliation with an evil man. She let Lacey stay in her home until she could find a new home. She sees a lot of herself in Lacey, and they have a few things in common. Lacey also seems to want to look out for Portia, especially after realizing the woman was pregnant. ● Kai'ir Bajhiri : A man she met after the last day Portia stayed at Cliffperch, Aeon's house. She had gotten into a huge fight and pulled her lance on one of Aeon's leaders, and Kai'ir confronted her afterwards saying that he was on her side. Ever since them Portia confided in Kai'ir with a few secrets, not knowing why, but wanting someone to go to with her moral dilemmas. Though she has hardly ever taken any advice from him, he continues to be her friend, and currently comes to her home every other day to help her fix things up. ● Aeon Free Company : Once a member of this company, Portia started to feel at odds with the members, especially the leaders. She felt like they abused their authority, speaking on their own behalf and not the behalf of the others. This cause Portia to turn on them one night, angered at a complicated situation. Though there was no bloodshed, she decided the people of Aeon were selfish, and has since refused to return to the Cliffperch house except for very rare occasions, during which she is uncomfortable. She knows the rest of them see her as someone who plays on the dark side, and she can no longer deny it either.

Footnotes

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