It's really great to see so many interested people! And just in time, too! You guys saved me a few bucks, I was just about to consider taking out an ad in the banner auction before you all showed up!
Since we're starting to see a good number of interested parties, I figured it would be a good idea to go ahead and put my own character together for this little shindig. Anyone who wants to do the same is not only welcomed, but encouraged! Since this is a systemless game (heck, GMless for that matter), I don't really see much of a need to enforce any kind of character sheet, so those that wish to join me, feel free to write as much or as little as you like. I imagine there's plenty of large pockets of civilization in the world, cities and whatnot, so please don't feel obligated to stick to the tribe idea that I did. Have fun, and be as creative as you like!
Character name: formerly Risni Stepe, though he's dropped the tribal name, formally introducing himself simply as Risni, or Risni of the Veil
Hair color/style: A dark black that goes just past his shoulder blades that he often keeps tied back or in a loose braid when on a diplomatic excursion.
Eye color: Like most of the Stepe tribe, a dark, nearly sapphire blue.
Build: Athletic, though not bulky. Most of his training revolves around his focus and agility.
Height: 6'1"
Appearance/Clothes: Risni is often somewhat pale with a light complexion, though far from sickly, spending most of his time in the shade of the Wooded Veil, his demeanor a practiced calm. Depending on how long his trips to the wastes last, he can, at times, get pretty tan. Most often, Risni is wearing tunics or robes in browns, greens, and olive colors, though the forest has allowed him to make an armor from the leather of it's beasts for his journies into the wastes.
Character History/Reason (if any) for venturing into the wastes: At one time, Risni was one of the greatest hunters in his tribe. His skill with a bow and ability to track meant that his tribe rarely went hungry, and often walked away from scuffles with the other tribes on the edge of the wastes with all their members still standing, if not limping. He'd even had some luck braving the wooded veil when tracking or chasing down game, where others wouldn't dare tread in fear of invoking the fae creature's wrath. In nearly all accounts, he was the perfect example of a tribal hunter and warrior, until the day he grew overconfident and bit off more than he could chew, tangling with nearly an entire rival tribe over hunting rights. Beaten to the verge of death, Risni had no choice but to flee into the Wooded veil where even his assailants wouldn't dare tread, where he eventually collapsed.
Risni eventually woke to find himself still very much alive, and in good health, though far deeper in for forest, in the company of the trees, their spirits, and the fae. Rather than leave him for dead or punish him for his crimes against nature, he had been taken in. The forest had seen something in Risni he hadn't ever seen in himself, and was determined to set him on the proper course. It took years for Risni to accept, let alone embrace his role, but in time, he became something of an avatar to the forest, venturing out as needed to act on behalf of the Wooded Veil, wielding the power bestowed on him as needed. At times, his missions were diplomatic, working as a medium to negotiate peace between tribes that bordered the veil before war could break out and harm the forest. Other times, they might involve the removal of someone who simply refused to respect the wooded veil. On rare occasion, he would be sent into the wastelands to find and retrieve ancient knowledge, or to plunder one of the many magical artifacts wastelanders routinely sought in order to bring it back to the veil to be disenchanted, so it's magic might be returned to the land.
Over the last year, his delves into the wastes were becoming more and more frequent, it was becoming far to common that he would need to replenish the land's magic. Consulting the wisdom of the elder trees and their dryad, he learned of a force, something rooted deep in the wastes that was slowly seeping away at the life of the world. Once more, Risni ventures into the wasteland, this time in hopes of finding whatever it is that is draining his forest.
Abilities: A gifted hunter and fighter, Risni has only honed his skills in years of service to the forest. Risni is skilled with both a staff and bow, and has often needed to use his forest longbow as a melee weapon in a pinch. While he also knows powerful natural magic, it's of little use to him in the wasteland, where little is known to grow. He's an expert in basic survival skills, and has some knowledge in magical mending, though he's unsure of how well it well work on creatures other than forest life and fae.
Allies: Risni's most powerful ally is the wooded veil itself, along with all it's creatures and fae, though beyond the safety of the trees, he's often on his own. He is marked in a way normal vision cannot see, magical beings outside the forest are able to tell at a glance he can be trusted, and those with magical vision would be able to tell at a glance he's connected to the forest in some way.
Enemies: Not everyone that can see he has a connection with the forest sees him as an ally, especially those looking to exploit it's resources, wildlife, or magic. Risni has found himself the target of an attack more than once, simply because it's been assumed the guardian of the forest is far less powerful outside it. Many of the northern tribes that have chosen not to live in harmony with the veil view him as a nuisance if not an enemy, none more than his former tribe. When Risni suddenly reappeared after being missing for years, only to ask them to stop laying traps for the creatures of the viel, he was immediately marked for treason and run out. To this day, the Stepe have him marked for death.
