Mary Sampson - Cleric of Beryl

[osxmallard]

Character: Mary Sampson
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Class: Cleric
Diety: Beryl
Domains: Healing, Trickery
Race: Human
Alignment: Neutral Good

Height: 5'2"
Weight: 115lbs
Hair Color: Black

Biography:

Mary Sampson came into the world 4 weeks sooner than expected and fairly unwelcomed. Her father, Josef, a drunk dockworker and her out of work mother, Laura, accidentally conceived her 8 months earlier. Laura was quite possibly the worst example of a mother there was, barely completing her childhood herself, and only 16 years of age. Her vices were drinking and gambling, a serious problem when you had no money for either and an additional mouth to feed.

Josef wasn't a model citizen either, always coming home smelling of liquor and cheap women. The only love he gave his family was in the form of beatings for not having his food ready when he came home or his dock equipment cleaned of fish parts and dried blood for the next morning. That was the extent of the love Laura had for her first 6 years of marriage and Mary's first 5 years of life.

Between the constant beatings and being told of her imperfections, Mary managed to grow into a young girl of 5, more mature than kids two or three times her age. She can recall the night her mother packed all their things in a small trunk and purchased two tickets on a large sailing ship to Port Hempstead. Laura saved that money for the two years since she gave up the bottle and gambling, promising Mary a better life in a better place. Port Hempstead wasn't quite the dream Laura and Mary imagined, but it was a start in a new home. Laura took up work at the Scamp's Mug, a small tavern on the docks. It was a fairly rough crowd that mixed in with adventurers that frequented the kitchen and table games. The wage wasn't much and she was asked to entertain patrons from time to time, but the money was enough for them to live on and the job included a small room that fit them quite well.

The tavern was not always the best place for a child like Mary, but her and her mother grew very close and she sensed a deep sadness within Laura. Mary, just 9 years old and inspired from hearing tale after tale from adventurers that frequented the Scamp, tucked a knife in her belt and set out to get some riches for herself and her mother. She knew she could find some adventurers to help her in the Main Square of Hempstead. So off she went.

She was expecting a quick help, maybe a little magic power, slaying a few beasts, and then returning with the treasure for her family. She didn't expect to meet him that day outside the mighty gates. But she did -- and her life changed. Shiff Dragonheart's words that day turned her around, back into her mothers arms and kept her safe. Other events transpired later which led to her mother being sold to slavers and herself initially given to the temple of Xeen in Katherian. But that doesn't matter now.

He came for them. Again. And took them into his own home.

Laura was able to help around the house for room and board and Mary studied gem crafting under his watchful eye. He was very dedicated to the craft and taught her about Beryl and the art of the craft rather than just the greed of it. It was about beauty and perfection. Every day she strived to be better at the art, carefully faceting stones and gently setting them into simple settings. She wanted his praise and yearned for it after each piece was created. He was the father she never had and never would. Sometimes she'd replace her mother's last name with his in her letters and diaries. She studied the religion of Beryl faithfully, it gave her an important goal and went well with her crafting. She had a few tutors since Shiff knew a lot of people at the temple in Stone and on her 16th birthday, she was allowed to study for a year at the temple itself.

Mary's best friend as she grew up was Tyra. Almost identical in age, they were attached at the hip and were seldomly seen apart. But then it happened, one night Shiff didn't come home and word was received. Val tried to stay strong, but even Mary could see her fragile features ready to break at any moment. The house was so quiet, everyone seemed afraid to speak or break the silence. Mary wasn't suprised when Tyra left in the middle of the night, taking all of her things with her.

Mary chose to silently sit at her gem table, polishing an amethyst perfectly, and wrote a small tribute to the man she loved more than her own father.

Shiff Dragonheart,

You were my father when I had none.
You were my conscience when I was confused and alone.
You were the savior of my mother and myself when we had no aid.
Beryl shall shine forth in my work and always in your honor.

Tyra shall be watched by my own eyes and kept from harms way.

With All My Love,
Mary

Later that evening, Mary wrapped the gem in a small weighted pouch, tucked the parchment inside, and gently sank it into the nearby lake. She announced to her mother that she is leaving to follow Tyra and keep her safe. Laura packed her a small bag and sent her on her way with a small kiss on her forehead.

Mary takes the package, promises a safe return to the pair, and sets out with a beaten tome under her arm towards Port Hempstead, where her new life began.

1. I have read and understand the dogma and expectations of Beryl and intend to follow them.
2. Mary seeks to find and cut the perfect gem and enjoys making jewelry more than anything else in the world. She seeks perfection in her actions and her family comes above all in her mind. She does not take any unneeded risks, and will go out of her way to ensure the safety of those around her (Healing domain). As a cleric of Beryl, she relies on stealth and her wit to keep herself safe (Trickery domain).
3. Mary carries a standard mace and will dress in half plate armor bearing the colors of Beryl.

[jrizz]

Is mary from a quest that Shiff was on?

[osxmallard]

Mary was initially developed on an impromptu quest back in October 07.

Mary was a little girl when she met Shiff and was an NPC. There is nothing special or granted to Mary through any friends, families, accomplices, acquaintances, or those known to Shiff.

[jrizz]

Thanks.

Your character has been approved.

Server address is west.layonara.com
Password is layoplayer

Some final notes on character creation:

• Please note that racial adjustments for players with subraces are skin based and thus get applied after getting in game.
• Only two ability scores can be less than 10 and only one can be less than 8 after racial adjustments
• Brownies, when selecting a head, the head you choose on the halfling selection will correspond to that numbered head for elves (for example, clicking right 6 times on the head selection during character creation will take the 6th head when clicking right on the elf creation)
• Half-giants and ogres, please ask for a GM (type /dm Anyone here?) if you would like to change to a custom skin.

Have fun!