[piosenniel]

Tevildo's character

NAME: Dorran

AGE: 16, but passes as 18

RACE: Human

GENDER: Male

WEAPONS: Dorran cherishes a sturdy bow and knife that were passed down to him by his father. He has some skill with these weapons in hunting and cleaning game. He has a sling fashioned from soft leather, which is the weapon he prefers to use when protecting farm animals from annoying pests like snakes and rodents or in bringing down small prey to feed himself and his sister.

APPEARANCE: Dorran is a tall but slender lad with a shock of brown curly hair, skin that is darker than most in the village, and earnest brown eyes. His serious expression and somber demeanor make him look considerably older than his actual age of sixteen years. Dorran wears a pair of mended breeches, a shirt, and a homespun vest that have all seen better days. His pockets generally bulge with the rocks that he always keeps nearby in case an unsuspecting rabbit comes darting across his path. Around his neck hangs a simple thong with a copper medallion that he keeps tucked underneath his shirt. Dorran has a way of blending quietly into his surroundings so that few of those who pass by even notice him. He generally prefers it that way.

PERSONALITY/STRENGTHS/WEAKNESSES: Dorran's personality seemingly matches his quiet and unassuming outer appearance. He keeps much to himself out of choice and necessity. He lacks the protection that comes from having a cynical tongue to lash out at others or an adult protector. His manner is steady and cooperative, but he gives little hint to the outside world of what his real feelings are. He lacks confidence, thinks little of his own abilties, and tends to live from day-to-day, not caring much about the future. In reality, he is an extraordinarily gifted young lad who has managed to provide for himself and his younger sister despite enormous adversity.


HISTORY: Dorran and his sister Creide, now twelve years old, came to the village of Wulfham when they were tiny children, brought there from some identified place that lay towards the east by an elderly maiden aunt. Neither of the trio ever spoke of what had become of the childrens' parents. Whatever difficulties had befallen the family, Dorran and Raven kept the story to themselves. The aunt was a poor seamstress, barely holding body and soul together. Both Dorran and Creide had to be sent out in service at a very young age. After helping out in the households of several farmers in the region, the children found their way into the employ of Lord Aldwulf: Creide as a scullery maid and Dorran in the stables. With the passing of their elderly aunt, the march-warden and his lady had taken pity on the two and let them bed down in a tiny cellar room that faced onto the courtyard. The children are well behaved and generally accepted by the other villagers, yet now and then someone mentions in a whisper that the two were originally from outside the area, and no one knows from where they came.

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Tevildo's post

Dorran sat up with a start, threw off the covers, and leapt to his feet, hurrying over to the door and throwing it open. The sun had risen several hours before. He had managed to sleep through the cock's welcoming cry and all the hustle and bustle that had gone on in the courtyard, an area that stood only a short distance from the doorway of their tiny shed. Quickly sweeping his eyes over the area in front of the main hall, Dorran could see that preparations for their journey were well under way. The horses had been saddled and were snorting with impatience to be off. Several of the party had already arrived and were saying their final goodbyes to well wishers and friends.

Pummelling his fist into his other palm in frustration, Dorran turned and glared back at Criede. His sister was seated at the small table and was putting the finishing touches on a large sack of provisions that she meant for her brother to carry with him. "Why didn't you wake me sooner?" Dorran demanded. "I intended to be up and about. And what are you doing with all that food? The Master said he'd supply us with whatever we needed."

"Perhaps so," retorted the younger girl. "But this may be the last time for a while that you get a taste of my biscuits and apple tart. I thought you might like it." She stared back at him and then boldly stuck out her tongue. One moment Criede could be serious and adult, and the next moment acting just like a child.

"Alright, alright." His tone had softened considerably. "You've got me there. But still, I should have been up at dawn. What about the watering and feeding of the horses?" He stopped for a moment and shook his head, "It isn't like me..."

Criede interrupted before her brother could say another word, "The Master said I was to let you lie abed. You were up late helping him to gather the things that the group would need today. He wanted you to get some sleep before you began your journey. Anyways, it's only a few steps out to the courtyard, and you'll be ready to leave."

"Well enough, I suppose," he conceded with a sigh. "Promise be you'll be good, Criede, and do what the Lady says, and that you'll mind her on the road. She says you're to sleep in the hall with the other maids until you all leave together so you won't be out here on your own."

"I'd rather stay here," she objected. "This is my home."

"No more trouble now. Just do as the mistress says. When she says it's time to leave, you must go with her. She has always been kind to us and I expect you to behave. I'll see you soon in Edoras so you have nothing to fear."

"Alright, I promise. But why are you going early? You don't have to, you know. The Lord wouldn't make you. I'm sure of it."

"No, he wouldn't make me. But I want to go. I would never feel right being here and doing nothing, not knowing the danger the whole realm is in. Anyways," he muttered through gritted teeth, "not if I could do something to strike a blow at the likes of them."

Criede glanced up sideways at her taller brother, "You don't expect to see any of. those, those.... things on the road."

"I don't know but I don't expect so. They're still off to the east, or so I heard the Master talking. But if I do meet one, he won't live till another day. They are evil through and through. They have no soul, no heart, only blackness." There was real animosity in the lad's voice, the tone of one who knows more than what he says.

"Promise me, Dorran." his sister responded. "Promise me that you won't do anything foolish. You're the only family I have."

"I promise. I'm not a fool. And being dead isn't something I want to do for a long time. Anyways, dead men can't fight Orcs."

With that final thought, Dorran reached down and gave his sister a final hug, and raced out into the open courtyard to join the others who were just mounting up.