Post by Thereza de Soigneux on Dec 11, 2010 8:22:20 GMT -5
Character Played By: Maggie Grace
Name: Thereza 'Reza' de Soigneux
Title:1st Lieutenant (d'Angeline military)
Age:24
Race (Lineage Origin): d'Angeline
Gender:Female
Height:5'6 1/2"
Home Province/Country: Siovale
Appearance (1-2 Paragraphs):
There is something about the way Reza walks and stands that is very introspective and self-possessed; often that is the first thing people notice about her. When she moves it's with a certain kind of grace, not exactly artistic as much as functional and with the aura that she is never caught flat-footed. Her features are generally composed, her face rounder and less angular than that of many d'Angelines, giving her a very comfortable 'rural' look that matches her fit physique. She keeps her blonde hair cut to about her chin to ensure that it doesn't get in her way at any dangerous moments and her brown eyes are oddly speculative and piercing.
Most people see her in the military uniform befitting her rank, always kept as neat and orderly as it can be considering the situation with a functional, unadorned short-sword on her left hip, the right being taken up with a longer knife that she uses in closer situations and a throwing knife tucked into a hidden sheath on her wrist. When going into training or a battle situation she has a bow and quiver over her back that she uses with ruthless accuracy. On the few occasions she isn't in uniform she wears sensible gowns with a tie at the side to expose a slit if she finds herself in a situation requiring more mobility, with her sword and hidden dagger always present.
On her back, generally covered due to her clothing choices, is an almost marque-like tattoo that has meaning only to her- a symbol of everything she's learned in her life. Periodically she has portions added, and the words along the outside are those she finds to be eternal truths. This is not a true marque and swears no allegiance to anything outside of her own faith and friends.
Personality (1-2 Paragraphs):
From watching this woman people could easily draw the conclusion that she was a highly introverted, careful person- a little defensive but confident in her ability to cope with the world. This would only be the tip of the mountain. Those strangers, acquaintances or new recruits who meet her soon learn that she is a very concise, exact individual whose quiet tone belies the authority and intelligence behind it. There is always a reason for the actions she makes and the words she speaks, and her way of thinking can seem almost incomprehensible at times but there isn't anything cruel about her either. She knows what is expected and necessary and makes sure that it comes to fruition.
Once a new person becomes a friend they learn far more about the enigmatic Reza. There is a deep love of learning inherent to her nature, as well as deep, undying loyalty to her commanding officer Royal de Etalon, to whom she acts as bodyguard and most trusted adviser. When hardship strikes she's an unwavering source of support and, when necessary, she will strike without hesitation to save her soldiers or her Captain, even at the expense of herself. Ever-practical she follows Royal's dream for a safer world in her own way, by making sure he's in a position to do what he feels is best. Those closest to her get a chance to see her acerbic wit and even begin to recognize the more sensitive parts of her nature still unjaded by what she knows and has experienced.
History (At least 2 detailed Paragraphs):
The estate of Soigneux was never a large one, barely a barony boasting a few olive groves in the land dry enough and with the sun to grow them- and though they never produced much in the way of stock the vintage was considered a fine one, commanding a fair enough price to keep the family in moderate comfort. Reza was born from a reclusive, stern father more interested in learning than interaction- and of her mother she knows almost nothing, for the woman died when she was only two years old. Unsure of what to do with so young a child Colin left her in the care of her nurses and grieved in secret for the woman he'd loved in his own distant way.
As the girl grew she showed herself to be far more precocious than the others her age, asking intent and often uncomfortable questions and scarcely resting until she'd found the answer. Unsure of how to handle the situation the tutors and nannies brought the matter to the attention of the absent father, who actually expressed some pride in his daughter's growing intelligence even as he feared that same intensity being turned on him and bringing up uncomfortable memories. Arrangements were soon made for the eight year old girl to travel to the main Temple of Shemhazai and train to become a priestess there, a proposition which the girl accepted after a little thought. Learning new things brought her some pleasure and that seemed fitting enough.
For eight years Thereza- or Reza as she was still usually called- followed the teachings of the order she'd been placed into with very little hesitation. Believing that there was nothing above or beneath the comprehension of anyone willing to learn she was allowed to freely read, experiment and explore whatever took her fancy, from codes to sword-fighting to archery and even cooking and animal training. Even esoteric arts like alchemy and vague stories of magic went into her repertoire and she would on occasion wander the surrounding areas without fear. There was little doubt that one day she may well become a Priestess at the Temple since she so well embodied their ideals but they were a speculative group and Thereza was never content to sit behind walls overly much.
The few notes she received from her home were from her nurses and teachers more often than from her father, who was still absorbing himself in his work. The notices were absorbed like more rote information into Reza's mind, information on the crops and the seasons, the comings and goings of others, the news of her father's new apprentice and pupil, a boy name Royal who was a few years older than herself- even the news of her father's wasting illness. Having known very little of him except for an intimidating demeanor there was very little for her to emotionally relate to where he was concerned, so she let the regret go and continued with her work in a way that was more like him than she would have realized.
Shortly after her sixteenth birthday word came of her father's death, as well as her attendance at the reading of her will. Knowing that the matter would need to be resolved she made the long trip back to her home, which she hadn't seen in eight years, and learned the distribution of her father's resources and lands. In a move that surprised a good deal of people but not the blonde girl he left nearly everything to his pupil and apprentice to do with as he saw fit with the rest going to Reza herself, enough to set herself up comfortably in a home or at the Temple for most of her life.
Accepting the ruling with a simple nod of understanding she took what was hers and began her preparations to leave, only to be met by Royal himself with some protests of non-involvement in the ruling. Once she'd managed to assure him that she understood he'd had no role in it they had a conversation, during the course of the much quieter, stoic girl grew to respect the slightly older man who seemed to have so much idealism and passion for life. He expressed his intention to sell the land to those who wished to develop it to its fullest potential and use it to buy an officer's commission in the military so he could use his skills and intelligence to lead the country's military to a better age, and she started to understand how much of the life outside of the Temple she'd been missing. They parted the next day.
Upon returning to the Temple, Reza explained her new intentions and, with the blessings of the Priests and Priestesses left with no bitterness; they understood that now it was time for her to learn with her own eyes and hands, not the memories of others. She returned to Siovale and bought her own officer's commission, where her organizational skills and cleverness made her a very capable second in command. As time went on she found Royal again and transferred to his division, where they quickly gained rank and status for the capable unit of soldiers they trained as well as their friendship that could never be easily defined. Her pinpoint accuracy gave Reza a name for herself as a preeminent bowman, as well as her agility with the sword and knife which she uses in melee combat. She often acts as Royal's bodyguard and accompaniment to events so she can ensure his survival and allow their dream to become possible.
NPC/Possible PC- Royal de Etalon
Age: 27
Race:d'Angeline
Rank:Captain, d'Angeline military.
Gender: Male
Appearance: Royal is dark-haired with a handsome face that nearly screams with wry charm and languidness when he's not at work- and when he is there is only intense concentration in his dark, nearly-black eyes. He's solidly built but not stocky or overly tall with his hair trimmed short to keep it out of his way.
Personality: There are two distinct sides to Roy- the relaxed and the 'working' demeanors. When at ease there's something calm and a little playful to him as he puts of small, necessary things like paperwork and cleaning, only to have Reza chide him for them. The pair are close and he enjoys needling her from time to time if only to see if he can get a reaction. when he's intent on something or on a mission he's incredibly focused and leads his people fearlessly, using surprisingly effective tactics that most people wouldn't expect from the 'lazy womanizer'. he is also very protective of his people and will do whatever he can to keep them from whatever downfall may come to him
History: Schooled by Baron Soigneux from about 12 years old Roy was always a faithful student, but he always saw beyond the boundaries of the lands and wished he had the resources to make such a change. On the one occasion he brought it up to his master it was quickly discounted as a foolish notion and he was almost dismissed for having such a 'silly ideology', so he intelligently kept his mouth quiet from then on. On his master's death he received everything and, after talking with the Baron's estranged daughter, followed his own dream, sold the lands and enlisted as an officer. He made a very good career for himself and gained respect, and on finding out Reza had done the same he had her transferred to his outfit so he could watch out for her.