[yellow]Character Name:[/yellow] Jennara Creekskipper
[jen - AH - ruh] or
[jen - ARE - uh], not
[jen - AIR - uh] nor
[JEN - er - uh] and never ever
[JEN - uh] [yellow]Current Level:[/yellow] 21
Original Submission Character Development Thread A post from
a discussion about Monks that gives a little insight into Jennara
[yellow]Updated Biography:[/yellow]
Jennara plops down along the shore in Tibum as the last of the day's light dies away. She looks at her dirt-caked hands for a moment.
"Weeds flourish no matter the conditions," she thinks. She sighs a little. "At least there are farms to have weeds."
Relaxing, she drops her hands into her lap. She looks out at the ocean, watching the waves break as the tide comes in. A small smile curls her lips as she remembers days long gone.
"The ocean is not as chaotic as the followers of Mist would have us believe. The rhythm of the tides, the pattern of the waves... Not perfectly ordered by any means, but orderly enough to be predictable. I learned that shortly before I met the Gnome." She frowns. "I have not seen him in many years. I hope he is safe. Maybe tending his wonderful flower garden." Jennara smiles again.
The Gnome spoke so little that Jennara never knew his name. They spent several months together tending his garden and reading books from his library before the Dragon called them to Hlint.
"Such a frightening experience," remembers Jennara. "I was so shy, fearful of people, especially the ones running around with those awful swords. And the Gnome was hiding behind
me sometimes. That is when I truly began to trust the Lord Protector."
The going was tough for two very introverted people. The inn was always full of drunken men, so it was completely out of the question to sleep there. The pair slept under the courthouse deck for months. The roads were always full of dangerous-looking people. But the Great Golden Dragon had appeared to Jennara, and had spoken of a war. She couldn't say no, but she was no soldier. She remembered the teachings from the orphanage:
Aid others whenever and wherever possible, as long as it is in accordance with the law and does not make way for evil acts.
So be it; Jennara and the Gnome approached solitary people and assisted them however they could.
"I have changed so much. I had been focused on protecting myself until the Dragon called us. Selfish." She blushes. "It is so much more important to protect others. And I am not so shy now. I have spoken for groups, and have even been looked to as a leader." She blushes a little deeper. "And I guess I have become a soldier, having fought in the war." Jennara furrows her brow and thinks, "I don't feel like a soldier."
But there were so many battles. The Battles of Stone, the campaign to liberate Roldem, the defense of the Great Oak, uncountable skirmishes... Even battles that were not directly related to the war, like the seemingly endless army of slaad pouring from the rift over the Dregarian desert.
"I feel like a servant of the Lord Protector," thinks Jennara, sitting up a little straighter. "I have earned rank as a Knight of the Wyrm, and my efforts to help others brought me the title Heart of the Dragon." She blushes again. "But I am no one special - just a Halfling who tries her best to help others."
Jennara looks over her shoulder at the newly-built homes and smiles a little. She remembers bringing bread to the survivors of the occupation, often secretly at night. One fateful trip was during daylight, though. Although she was reluctant to receive attention for the aid, Jennara couldn't pass through without giving what she could. The people were overjoyed by such simple gifts, and it tore at her that they were so desperate. When she returned home, she began the collection effort to help rebuild Roldem.
"It seems both recent and ancient," Jennara thinks. "With just a little help, the people have done so much for themselves."
Jennara turns back to the ocean and watches a crab scuttle into the foamy surf. She plays with her anklet absently. The silver chain with the medallion of Prunilla belonged to her mother. Jennara added a golden Shield and Compass medallion shortly after arriving in Hlint.
"There is still much to do elsewhere." She sighs. "The rumors of troubles in Pranzis, difficulties in the Church, people all over who need help... Troubles everywhere, like weeds. So much work to do."
[yellow]Quests and Accomplishments[/yellow] (not exhaustive, and in no particular order):
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Nature's Defense (finale quest) - Carrying her banner, Jennara helped lead the group and provided a rally point during the fight through the enemy army to reach the Great Oak.
[yellow]+[/yellow]
First and Second Battles of Stone - With the others, Jennara did her best to fight off the attackers when Stone was first attacked. Unfortunately, almost everyone fell to Milara's army. Knowing the town was destroyed, Jennara was initially reluctant to help "retake" it, but eventually joined the fight, only to be disappointed by the retreating mercenary force assembled for the purpose.
[yellow]+[/yellow]
Operation Blood Striker / Blood's Vision, King's Sight / Operation Blood Fall - Jennara was on beachhead defense for each of these quests, which were the array involving the liberation of Roldem. She helped hold the landing sites so that the ships would be safe and returning forces could borad without difficulty.
[yellow]+[/yellow]
The Silent War - The conflict between the nobles of Velensk and the Mistone Alliance over Resolution #35 led to the discovery of corruption in the Temple of Rofirein. Jennara sent a letter to the Citadel in Pranzis, which led to the arrest of Holas and his staff, who were replaced by Reus and his staff.
[yellow]+[/yellow]
Holding On - Befriending a deaf Human girl named Lilly led Jennara to her sister, a soul that refused to move on. Investigation, sign language, and trust led to an extremely emotional resolution.
[yellow]+[/yellow]
The Thousand Year Promise - A rift over the Drift Lands led to Limbo, and slaad were pouring through onto Dregar. Jennara helped fight off slaad, and was trusted with the two orbs that held the willing souls which would seal the rift. After fighting through to the proper place atop a dune deep in the desert, Jennara smashed the two orbs to seal the rift before helping fight off the last of the slaad.
[yellow]+[/yellow]
Collection for Roldem - After a brief interaction with NPCs in Tibum, during which bread, pie, milk, and juice were given to the NPC survivors, Jennara started a collection to help rebuild Roldem. Thousands of items and over 1.5 million coins were collected and donated.
[yellow]+[/yellow]
Knight of the Wyrm - Jennara attended the testing and passed, becoming a Knight of the Wyrm. She was given the rank of Knight, and granted the title Heart of the Dragon because of her courageous and generous actions. She carries the Banner of the Wyrm's Heart.
[yellow]+[/yellow]
Mistone Alliance War Collection - Hearing that the MA wasn't receiving the coins they expected, Jennara went to the bank and withdrew all she had (9847gp), donating it as a contribution from the Knights of the Wyrm.
[yellow]+[/yellow]
Crafting - Jennara was taught to cook and sew at the orphanage so that she would be a productive member of society. She is currently the top PC Cook at level 20, and is a level 20 Tailor. Working with Berdin Stonebrow, she became a fairly good Tinkerer and Gemsmith (levels 16 and 14, respectively). Events with Roldem led her to take up Alchemy and Wood Crafting in order to make cure potions and building materials, but she is not very skilled in either craft.
[yellow]How do you see your character being or becoming a World Leader?[/yellow]
Jennara has come a long way since level 1. She was originally very shy and reserved, barely ever speaking, and reluctant to trust. Over time, she has become more confident, both because of her own abilities and because of her increased faith. She is now a Knight of the Wyrm and the Heart of the Dragon, and though not of high rank, she is often looked to as a leader by other Rofireinites, and her opinion matters to many others.
Because of the events and nature of the Roldem effort, Jennara only waits so long before taking action herself. Thus, even though she doesn't see herself as "leader material," she has occasionally found herself speaking for a group or leading the way toward a goal. There is a time for talking and a time for action, and she tries to make sure the right activity is happening when it should. As time has passed, Jennara has become more willing to take charge, though she doesn't seek the position of leader to the exclusion of others. She knows there are many times when others would make better leaders. Jennara is not a blind follower, though, and she is not afraid to question those she has chosen to follow.
[yellow]What sort of position and/or title do you envision for your character?[/yellow]
At her heart, Jennara wants to do good things and help people. She believes that the most good can be done and sustained through order. Just laws are for the good of all. Whether she is a Knight of the Wyrm, or an untitled peasant, or Saint Jennara, she will continue to do all she can for others.
She is currently very worried about her childhood home, the Rofireinite orphanage in Pranzis (she never calls the city "Prantz"). She has heard the rumors from The Voice and others about orphans, the elderly, and single mothers being eliminated from the city. There is never any word from the Citadel, and she expects the worst.
She is also concerned about the Church as a whole. There hasn't been any word from or about the clergy of the Citadel, good or bad, which is very suspicious.
The interaction with Lilly and Lotus on Rowana's
Holding On quest deeply touched Jennara, and she has been thinking of the title "mother." Though it is only written as a part of the Rofieinite Paladins' Code, Jennara believes Rofirein will choose the proper husband for her and lead him and her together. Because of the recent events with Lilly and Lotus, plus her own past, the building of the orphanage in Roldem, and the work by the Freelancers with the orphans from Karthy, Jennara is begining to believe she may be meant to adopt. She is still uncertain, though, feeling that perhaps it is her own desire clouding the path and leading her away from the Lord Protector's Will.