The Gentlewoman with the Passion for Knowledge
Full Name: Avalbane Sacheverell
Nicknames: Prefers to be called by her last name "Sacheverell', or "Sachie" for short; only her family and very few close friends can get away with calling her Avalbane, which is why most people simply know her as Sacheverell.
Gender: Female
Age: Early twenties
Movement: Sacheverell moves with a fair amount of poise and self confidence. However grace and elegance are not exactly her strong suit - she can strike a pretty pose, but her gait can be rather underwhelming. She walks straight generally, but often carries her weight on the balls of her feet, which makes her slightly uncoordinated. Her father used to say she wasn't born for walking - she was more naturally attuned to the rocking of a horse - or as her grandfather interrupted it, a ship. Indeed, she is a natural rider, and has never experienced seasickness. While walking she swings her hips forward stiffly, and holds her arms close to her body. Her movements are measured and deliberate, from the way she sketches to the way to the way she pulls on a line, but not always careful. She can be broad if the situation requires it, but prefers to be as precise as a surgeon. Most of her physical strength comes from carefully honed specific skills. She has moderate strength and stamina. It's her cleverness, and determination that make up for it.
Voice: Sacheverell is a witty conversationalist, who speaks with an accent of high education. Her voice is easy to listen to, which is probably best, because she's more of a 'teller', then a listener. She very much wants her opinion known, and will make sure you know it, as well as all the reasoning behind her opinion, various objecting opinions, and why they are wrong and she is right. Woe unto you if she considers you boring - at best she'll try to politely slip out of talking with you, at worse she'll take over the conversation and barely let you get a word in. If you're unlucky enough to have her consider you interesting, she will gladly drag you into every debate and hang on your every word, dragging on conversations just so she can glean some bit of knowledge, story, or clever witticism from you. Usually this has little or nothing to do with whether she likes you or not. In fact, she most likes people who are like her - able to launch into a civil conversation or debate, discuss things fully and completely, recognize all the issues, draw a logical conclusion, and defend it eloquently, while still being willing to make changes to their position if new information comes to light.
Sachie generally speaks in a curt manner, avoiding 'um's and 'uh's. She often jumps from idea to idea, and if you're not paying close attention you may get lost over her quick sentence fragmentation. When she gets very excited over a subject, she tends to talk very fast, sometimes in full blown run-on sentences, and may even start rambling or thinking out loud, which can be a hassle for anyone trying to understand her. But once calmed down, Sachie is usually able to get her point across in surprising clarity, drawing on her knowledge and vocabulary to spell things out. She does get rather frustrated if she has to explain things more then twice though, so pay attention the first time.
Dress: Sacheverell has two main modes of dress; adventure mode, and flashy mode. She loves dressing up in the high fashions of a few years ago. (She's not a fan of the more modern dresses.) They make her feel powerful, elegant and refined. She was born into a wealthy old-fashioned household, and likes to maintain a wealthy old-fashioned air about her. She loves the slender and elegant silhouette of a gown, and loves any excuse to get prettied up, although she doesn't really have the time or resources to do so nowadays. Most often you can find her in her riding habit, as it is more comfortable and practical then a big flowing gown.
Of course, one can't go sailing or adventuring in a fancy dress, which is why Sachie also adopts a practical mode of dress for sailing and adventuring, which usually consists of a plain shirt, trousers or a divided skirt, and may include a jacket or short skirt as well. She often takes along many instruments, books, and drawing tools, so she's sure to have a pack or two as well. Sachie is one who lives by the motto: always be prepared - if prepared means having an extra piece of charcoal in case the first gets broken. Chances are when you need a knife, or a canteen, she will not have it, having decided the space was better put to use for holding her field guide of indigenous shore birds.
Wherever she goes, whatever she wears she's most likely to bring along a sketchbook, with pencil or charcoal. She is also slightly far-sighted, so she tends to wear a pair of rectangular spectacles when she needs to read small print, and will always have those on hand.
Personality
Meyer Briggs Personality: INTJ
Architect - The architect is a special kind of artist - one who can uncover foundations and build upon them. Sacheverell is a quiet and withdrawn artist, but don't think she's a loner - instead she thrives on the attention of her peers, and generally works well with others - so long as they don't mind her somewhat bossy attitude. Much like the Deep Sea Rune, she is confident and fun-loving. Full of wonder and lust for living, Sacheverell is usually exploring some deep cave, or thought provoking quandary. Concerned with appearances, yet knowing that they are not everything, Sacheverell recognizes the beauty of function over form. Flexible, creative, and somewhat eccentric, the architect is always creating something wherever she goes.
Corsair - Underneath a pleasant facade lies the heart of a pirate. Sacheverell is not exactly the soul of innocence, and the Kelpie Rune recognized that. There have always been rogues, bandits, pirates; for the potential for evil exists in us all. Sacheverell is no exception. She can be manipulative, greedy, even petty, and given to the worse sin of all: pride. Like the Kelpie Rune is loves shiny things - although for different reasons. And while she would never deliberately place the importance of gold over the importance of friends, sometimes one does get distracted. Cunning, greedy, and maybe a touch morbid when the occasion calls for it, the Corsair nonetheless is confident and always open to new ideas.
Scholar - The contemplative life of the Scholar may not seem adventurous to some, but Sacheverell would disagree. She loves books, and shares this passion with the young Kells Rune. The thirst for knowledge is one that will never be quenched, as each new tidbit only serves to whet your tongue. Fastidious in all she does, Sacheverell may sometimes get too caught up in the task at hand. She is very analytical, which can sometimes annoy people who just want a straight answer, or who act on impulse. She enjoys mental challenges, whether it's piecing together torn scrolls, or figuring the best way to keep her Runes away from her candy stash. While she is generally patient, dealing with stupidity really frustrates her. The Scholar is a creative force who strives to be her best, and is always looking for knowledge and skills to supplement that.
Warrior - Righteousness, Courage, Determination and Honor are the hallmarks of a warrior spirit. Sacheverell posses all of these, although she is often in doubt of her own strength. But never fear, for when icy doubt begins to seep into her bones, she need only turn to the Belted Drake. Sacheverell tries to always be true to herself, but that's not always easy. Respectful, and steadfast, she hates to see injustice done. She values life, freedom, and the law, but of course, Sacheverell led a privileged life for many years. Sacheverell has a strong conscience, but that doesn't always mean she makes the right decisions. Being a warrior is a double-edged sword - righteousness fails, courage breaks, determination wanes, and honor gives way. The Warrior is still only human after all.
Navigator - Never losing hope is the Navigator's mantra. Come storm or high seas, the stars still shine and the Seafarer's Rune still finds his way. Like the Seafarer, Sacheverell is always up for an adventure, and always has a goal in mind. She is blessed with good fortune, and the ability to look on the bright side. Sacheverell may be cynical at times, but she is generally optimistic in her world view. She doesn't shirk from hard work, or getting dirty, but at the same time, if someone else would like to work, she by all means lets them, and preserves her strength for more important things. She is feisty, and although strong, she oftentimes misjudges that strength. The Navigator is often prepared, having plenty of paper and pencil on hand to record each thing she sees, and is not afraid to dive into uncharted territory. After all, it's the Navigator's goal to discover that which has never been seen before!
Trailblazer - Lonely is the wanderer, as he treks o'er hill and dale. Like the Celtland Hue Elkrin, Sacheverell is most comfortable on the move, even if it means leaving friends behind for a while. There is just so much to see and explore and do. She is a Trailblazer, always looking to explore new avenues. Sacheverell will often go off on tangents, exploring new solutions to problems, or taking the scenic route. Like the Trailblazer, she takes the lead on most expeditions, forging a path to new knowledge and adventure.
Brief History
The privileged only daughter of a wealthy landowner, Sacheverell was born and raised on an estate located on an island off the main coast of Eldenmore. She grew up in a rather old fashioned society of leisure, and was well educated from childhood, learning all things proper young ladies should; writing, arithmetic, music, literature, science, history, art, and riding.
She took an especial interest in natural philosophy from a young age, often going out with her grandfather in his boat to collect sea creatures. It was this study of sea life that she hoped to pursue when she booked passage on a ship to the main continent and hence to the universities of Alabastor City. But that all changed when the ship - a fishing vessel, brought up a creature she had never seen before - a Deep Sea Rune. The two formed a bond and began to work together to explore the deep ocean, and all of Eldemore.
While exploring the rivers of the Celtland, their party doubled. Having heard tale of a wild Kelpie Rune who was wrecking havoc, Sacheverell set out to find him, and that she did. When they left the Celtlands the Kelpie Rune accompanied him, along with another little surprise - a baby Kells Rune, the offspring of the Kelpie and Pictish Runes.
On their slow trek toward Alabaster city - stoping to partake of any adventure that came their way, the group met a stranger who told them of a fabulous treasure. Well, no one could resist a treasure, so once again the group set off, and after a perilous journey discovered the treasure was actually a Drake egg. Sacheverell was made guardian of the egg, and took the soon to hatch egg with her and her Runes. But Sacheverell wasn't the only one searching for treasure, and the group soon found themselves being chased by a group of soldiers intent on capturing the Drake Egg, knowing that the creature would be a valuable weapon if it imprinted on one of them. Sacheverell abandoned her hope of Alabaster City, and focused on trying to keep the egg safe until it's true Bearer could be located. On their journey, the egg hatched and the Drake imprinted on her. However, the baby was still young and possibly in danger of those men who would turn him into a weapon, so Sacheverell and her gang, retired to their current residence - a quiet dwelling not far from a seaside town. Not long after, on one of her many salvaging expeditions, Sacheverell discovered the Seafarer's Rune. He's a bit of a wanderer, but he always finds his way back to her, like a lucky penny that always shows up at the best of times.
While on a trek though the woods of the Celtlands, Sachie and her Runes came across a strange creature - an abandoned Elkrin fawn, who they quickly adopted into their family.
Interests: Sketching, Writing in her journal, Going on adventures for knowledge or treasure (or both as is the usual case), Studying Rune and Elkrin behavior, Swimming, Combing through tide pools, Victorian-era fashion, Restoring old manuscripts and books, Horseback Riding, Steeplechase, Writing her own novel, Sailing, Trying to learn cooking,
Enjoys Rainy Days, Adventure and Romance novels, Sweets, and Shiny things
Fears:The Unknown - Sacheverell's biggest fear and frustration in the unknown. It's a contradiction for her - on the one hand, she loves questions. Without an unknown there is no question to ask, nothing new to discover. And yet, the most terrifying enemy is that which is nameless. Sacheverell hates facing challenges or enemies she knows nothing about. This is also why, as a child she was terribly frightened of the dark, and still is to this day. In the dark roam monsters and bandits, in the dark one is all alone. One of her tricks for coping with this is to close her eyes in the dark, thus gaining control over it.
Being Alone - Sacheverell's second greatest fear is being alone. She fears abandonment, of losing her friends, of wide empty spaces devoid of sound or information. She constantly craves stimulation of her mind. Sacheverell hates feeling alone, and thrives on the companionship of her Runes. She enjoys the sense of protection and belonging they extend to her, as well as their companionship.
Fire - For someone who works with paper, what could be more devastating then fire? Roaring through the night, eating up every last scrap of knowledge, art and hard work? What could be more terrifying then the loss of countless tomes of wise men's voices, speaking through centuries, destroyed in a heartbeat, never to speak again?
Goals:Knowing Everything - given that that's impossible, she'll settle for knowing next to everything. She'll never stop asking questions and going in search of their anwsers.
Published - Sacheverell one day dreams of publishing a great Eldemorian novel, put it's proving tricky to actually finish one.
Luxury - Sacheverell wasn't meant for hard labor. While she loves what she does, she often wishes she had more leisure time... and more money. One day she hopes to live in a big house by the sea, with lots of land, and enough money to commission ships and expeditions to go all over the world, discovering specimens, artifacts, and tales no one has ever seen or heard before. That would be her ultimate dream.
Occupation: When not treasure hunting or collecting knowledge, Sacheverell's main occupation is as restorer of old manuscripts and books - not always the most lucrative of professions, which is why she also creates and sells scientific sketches, and salvages shipwrecks and jetsam. One day she also hopes to collect enough stories to publish an extensive book of Eldemorian myths and legends.
Home: Sacheverell rents an old stone and wood byre-dwelling on top of a small rise overlooking the ocean. It originally contained two rooms - an eating and sleeping hall, and an animal pen, as well as a loft. Sacheverell converted the main room into a poorly furnished kitchen and living area. It contains a large hearth for cooking at one end, and a smaller fireplace at the other. The area for animals was made into a study and library, and the loft is a large simply furnished bedroom. Yes, Sacheverell would prefer a somewhat more lavish lifestyle (it's quite a step down from the home she would have had), but the quaint living conditions and beautiful location suit her just fine for the moment. In any case, she doesn't spend all that much time there.
There is a loose box outside which Sacheverell mainly uses for storage; occasionally she leases an old sorrel gelding named Pumpkin Patch, from a livery stable at the nearest town, who stays in the loose box. She uses Patchy to get around the local area, for transporting supplies, or just for a nice ride, and recently for teaching and exercising Osraige. She's tried to keep Osraige in the box, but he's somehow found out how to get out of the stable, inside the house, and up the stairs (although he still can't figure out how to get down the stairs, which often poses a problem). She keeps trying though. On bad nights Lóegaire will sometimes curl up inside the loose box if it isn't full.
The most expensive thing Sacheverell owns is her grandfather's old boat, a goodly sized sailboat which she uses in salvaging.
