Blue
Member
Posts : 70
Join date : 2014-03-11
 |  Subject: Sophia Gaston Sat Mar 29, 2014 5:13 pm | |
| - Quote :
- Full Name: Sophia Gaston
Nickname(s): Autrevaillé
Gender: Female ♀
Age: 21
Race: Human
Languages: Common, Astanién, Leobische
Leobische came especially handy when trading there for supplies on her journey to Estavyr.
Birthplace: Saint-Astan
Occupation: Freelancer
i.e., she has no idea what she's doing. - Quote :
- Hair Color: Brown
Hair Style: Straight
Eye Color: Blue
Skin Tone: Fair
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 144 lbs, or 65 kg
Body Type: Fit
Distinguishing Features: None visible. - Quote :
- Biography: Sophia spent her entire life in Saint-Astan. Born to the noble family Gaston, the daughter of a Chevalier and an esteemed Noblesse, she lived a sheltered life. In early childhood, she spent much of her time alone, away even from members of her own family. As she grew older, her isolation continued, this time because her parents (mainly her father) deemed it necessary. Children her age didn't like being around her, and other families had spread vicious rumors. "Autrevaillé" was used more than once.
The source of her isolation was difficult to accept, especially in a society that so valued virtue and compassion, charity and love. These concepts were lost on her, replaced by a cold rationality. Perhaps on some level, she felt, but not in a way others did. Her mother, Angélique, was the only one that spoke to her for more than a few minutes at a time. Sometimes she only sat there in silence, not knowing what to say but keeping her daughter company as she read. If Sophia ever appreciated her patient efforts, she never showed it.
Her attitude towards faith was frowned upon, and easily noticed despite attempts to conceal it. Her family paid a considerable sum for her to attend Grand-Ville Académie d'Astanién, where she was educated in several languages, learned the geography and history of the world, studied magical theory (but not magic itself), arithmetic, and more. On top of that, she was taught the ways of war, something her family had kept from her since an early "incident" with a private instructor. Despite four years of hard work, she was not permitted to graduate, and did not attain knighthood as her accomplished sister had. Her instructors cited her seeming lack of devotion and numerous complaints from her peers and their families. Her father's hopes dashed, he chose to arrange a marriage to the Noblesse de Robe Marcellin Ruben, in order to bring her some measure of stability. She refused.
Deciding the life of a noblewoman was not for her, Sophia left home, with a pack full of provisions and a small amount of coin from pawning some of her family's things. Coming to Estavyr seemed like a good idea. From what she had read in her books, it was a burgeoning community on the edge of the Savage Lands, rife with opportunity. A place where she could make something of herself, and live away from the pressures of Astanién society.
Crossing the border was easier than she anticipated, perhaps because a few of the guards had received a small "incentive" from a high-ranking noble to ignore a certain individual. Undeterred, she reached the mountains bordering the Savage Lands, putting her knowledge of the land into practice. She had a single run-in with bandits, but escaped with her life, and made it the rest of the way to Estavyr. - Nosir Gaston:
"I won't do it," Sophia said. There was no anger in her voice, no rebelliousness. Only a calm certainty.
Many people found it unsettling, but her father, the Noblesse Chevaleresque Nosir Gaston, only found it infuriating. For 20 years it had been his problem to deal with, a source of personal shame.
"You WILL do it, because I'm telling you to," he replied sharply.
"I've always done everything you've told me to do. Why is this one exception so important?"
"Because this is about your future. I had hoped the Académie would help you, but clearly I was wrong. So this, this is the best I can do for you. I don't know why you can't see that."
"He's old, all he wants is someone young to share his bed. He'll make me his property. His slave."
"You shouldn't talk about your future husband that way. I admit, he was not... my first choice, but he is wealthy, and has important family ties. He's a good match, and has assured me that your every need will be taken care of. In time you'll learn to appreciate him. You'll be happy..." his voice trailed off, uncertain.
"He isn't my future husband, because I'm not going to marry him. Every noble has wealth and family ties. Nothing else you've said about him matters. Most of it isn't true, anyway."
Nosir raised a hand, but caught himself. It at least got Sophia to stop talking. He was shocked to think he nearly struck his own flesh and blood, but with her there was no way to express his anger. If he tried to explain how he felt, she would only misunderstand, and continue to challenge him. "I'm trying to help you, Sophia. That's all I've been trying to do. I don't know what you want, but you can't stay at home for the rest of your life. And since you were expelled from Grand-Ville, so few options are left to you. I won't have my daughter becoming part of the common rabble, working for pennies a week. I won't have it."
"You wish I was more like Ana."
"I didn't say that-"
"But you do. I'm not like her. I'm an autrevaillé."
"Don't say that in this house. And not about yourself."
"It's only a word. The others at the Académie thought they could upset me by calling me that instead of my real name, but I didn't mind it. I am an autrevaillé."
"Sophia, please-"
"Virgil and Ariél lived and died, just like the rest of us-"
This time, he didn't stop himself. He slapped her across the face. Sophia barely flinched, and stood there, her cheek turning red, looking at him with those cold blue eyes. He lowered his hand in stunned silence.
"That's why I never made friends, why I was expelled, and why you're marrying me off in the hopes of never seeing me again. Maybe you do think you're helping, and maybe I have been better off in this family, but not any more. It's time for me to leave now. You won't stop me, because this is what you want. I'll leave, and you'll say I must have been kidnapped and pretend to be concerned. You'll even begin an expensive search effort, but somehow I'll never be found."
Arrogant, callous, unfeeling. Nosir felt anger boiling up inside him again, but it only proved her point. He loved her, but she lacked faith, which was unwise in a theocracy, to say the least. But it ran deeper than that. The other families whispered that she had been born without a soul. It was a rumor he wished he could disprove, but even he couldn't deny that sometimes, she scared him. Why had Virgil seen fit to test him like this? It was unbearable to feel this way about his own daughter, to have to spend one's entire life fighting shameful rumors and trying to help someone who couldn't, who wouldn't, be helped. Maybe it was time to let go. Maybe Angélique would learn to live with it, eventually. He only hoped he could live with himself.
"Farewell, then. And Gods help you. Your life is in their hands, now."
- Quote :
- Skills: Her time at Grand-Ville, and a lifetime of edification, have taught her a variety of trades. Business, teaching, accounting, these are examples of things she might find work doing. However, books can only teach so much - her lack of experience might give her trouble if she pursues any of these ventures.
She has some skill with a blade, but never received a sword from the Académie. Instead she uses polearms, namely spears, javelins, and halberds. - Quote :
- Deity: Unaffiliated
Sophia has little care for the deities of the world. Unbeknownst to her, she treads a dangerous path.
Weaponry: Dagger
For the moment, Sophia has only a trusty dagger. Its straight, spear-point blade is good for both cutting and stabbing.
Apparel: Travel cloak, leather jerkin, linen pants & shirt, fur-lined leather boots, weapon belt
Miscellaneous: 50 coins | |
|
Zaku
Administrator
Posts : 108
Join date : 2014-02-25
| | Subject: Re: Sophia Gaston Sun Mar 30, 2014 3:05 am | |
| Nothing wrong here, good solid character with nothing out of line. I'm going to move it into acceptance. | |
|
