Real Name: Aurelia
Alias: The Valkyrie
Species: Outlander, Ether Shaper
Gender: Female
Age: 2336 (physically appears 36)
Class: Harmonic Shaper
Alignment: Neutral Good
Status: Alive
Current Location: Valah, Svarta-Vidhr
- Dexterity II
- Intelligence VI
- Strength I
- Charisma IV
- Insight V
- Perception VI
- Resonance IX
- Attunement VII
- Endurance I
Overview
Aurelia is an ancient Ether Shaper from the world of Arboris. As an outlander herself, she was raised in an era defined by the perfect balance of technology and nature. Born to a family of renowned engineers, she inherited both intellect and creativity, which she utilized to contribute to her father's groundbreaking work in harmonics technology. At the age of 25, Aurelia was conjured to the unforgiving realm of Eldrahn, where she faced the daunting challenge of surviving the treacherous Black Forest.
In time, she founded the town of Valah, a beacon of hope amidst the unforgiving nature of the forest. Yet, her journey was not without heartache; she endured the profound loss of her beloved husband and daughter, forcing her to confront the bitter reality of outliving those she cherishes. Now, Aurelia stands as a keeper of memories, an Etheric-Harmonics Engineer, and the very embodiment of resilience and wisdom. She is almost always accompanied by her dear friend, Corvus, whose presence offers her solace in the shadows of her past.
Appearance
Aurelia is a striking figure, characterized by her long, braided black hair, which cascades down her back, framing her sharp gentle features. Her natural eyes are a captivating amber brown, exuding warmth, but they shift to a vibrant light blue when she engages in ether shaping, reflecting her deep sense of harmony and wisdom. Standing at 5'10" (178 cm), Aurelia possesses a tall and graceful presence, commanding attention without uttering a word. Across her body, Aurelia bears Nordic tattoos in deep blue, their patterns winding like rivers over her skin. These tattoos tell stories of her time with the Madrith vikings, marking her history, victories, and losses. Each symbol weaves a narrative of strength, wisdom, and sorrow. The blue ink contrasts vividly against her skin, and in moments of ether shaping, the tattoos seem to pulse with life, as though the ether itself resonates with the runes etched upon her body.
Along her shoulder blades, two faint metallic ridges are barely visible beneath her clothing, like small, unassuming bumps. These, however, are no ordinary marks—they are the resting forms of her wings, forged from Jötunmálm. These wings, once unfurled, reveal a delicate lattice of metalwork, inscribed with intricate runes that give them their enchantment. They shimmer faintly blue when summoned, a combination of elegant craftsmanship and arcane power, allowing Aurelia to soar through the skies or shield herself in battle.
Her clothing is a blend of practicality and artistry, often adorned with intricate designs that hint at her engineering background and her affinity for nature, incorporating elements like flowing fabrics and natural fibers.
Personality
Aurelia’s personality is a blend of strength, wisdom, and the quiet sorrow that comes with centuries of life. At her core, she harbors a deep and profound love for nature and animals, feeling a strong kinship with the natural world. She is often seen wandering the wilds surrounding Valah, her connection to the flora and fauna acting as a balm to the wounds of her past. Her gentle hand and kind heart are most evident in her interactions with animals, many of whom are drawn to her presence, sensing the calm she exudes.
However, the passage of over a millennium has also left its mark on her psyche. Having lived for so long, Aurelia has become emotionally stoic at times, her feelings dulled by the weight of centuries. While her love for those around her is undeniable, she sometimes seems detached, as if keeping a part of herself locked away, protected from further heartbreak. She speaks less of her emotions, only allowing rare glimpses of vulnerability to show, often through quiet actions rather than words.
Her incredibly long lifespan has also led to lapses in memory, something she refers to as "erosion"—the slow, inevitable fading of thoughts, details, and feelings over the centuries. While many memories have faded, she still holds tightly to a few cherished ones, especially those of her families. From Arboris, she remembers Korin, Elara, Pax, and Maren, and her father, her loved ones who helped shape her early years. And from Eldrahn, she clings to the warmth of her husband Haldric, and her daughter Alva, their love etched deeply into her heart despite the passage of time. These memories are among the few that refuse to erode, standing resilient against the tides of forgetfulness.
Despite moments of clarity, she sometimes struggles with the loss of smaller details, the names of people long gone or events from distant centuries, which frustrates her at times. Yet, her resilience remains unwavering, and her enduring wisdom makes her a respected mentor to many. Beneath her stoic exterior, however, lies the undeniable grief of one who has seen more than a thousand lifetimes come and go.
Background
Aurelia was born in Arboris, a world celebrated for its harmony between nature and technology. Her father was a brilliant engineer who developed the harmonic engine, a revolutionary invention that harmonized technological advancement with the natural world, leading to an age of solarpunk ideals. Growing up in this innovative environment, Aurelia was inspired by her father's work, absorbing knowledge and honing her skills in engineering.
At the age of 25, Aurelia’s life took a dramatic turn when she was mysteriously conjured into Eldrahn, a realm filled with untamed wilderness and perilous creatures. The transition was disorienting, and she had to rely on her ingenuity and determination to survive. Over time, Aurelia adapted to her surroundings, developing her abilities as an Ether Shaper through the teachings of Corvus, the Crow.
In the depths of the Svarta-Vidhr, she encountered a group of Madrith vikings led by Haldric, a charismatic warrior who shared her passion for exploration and discovery. As their bond grew, they forged a life together in Eldrahn, ultimately founding the town of Valah within the iron mountains, a testament to their love and resilience.
Family
Arboris
Aurelia’s family in Arboris was a unique blend of intellectual brilliance, close friendships, and profound bonds that went beyond blood.
At the heart of her upbringing was Pax, a sentient android built by her father. Though a technological creation, Pax was more than just an assistant. He became a steady and thoughtful companion, embodying the harmonious fusion of technology and life that Aurelia's family championed. His presence was a constant reminder of her father's genius and the boundless potential of harmonic technology.
Another integral figure in her life was Elara, one of Aurelia’s lab assistants and her closest friend. Elara shared Aurelia’s scientific passion and, for a time, her heart. Their brief but meaningful romance blossomed amidst their work, strengthening the bond between them. Though their relationship eventually settled into a deep and lasting friendship, the connection they formed through shared discovery and quiet, intimate moments in the lab remained unshakable.
Korin, a young man brimming with creativity, was also part of Aurelia’s circle. His relentless pursuit of new ways to utilize harmonic technology made him a visionary, constantly pushing boundaries in ways that inspired Aurelia. Together, they dreamed of a world where technology and nature could coexist harmoniously, Korin’s youthful exuberance adding energy and excitement to their work.
Finally, there was Maren, an older woman who played a motherly role in Aurelia’s life. A close friend of her father, Maren was a flower vendor with a small but vibrant stall in the marketplace of Arboris. Though she was not involved in the scientific endeavors that surrounded Aurelia, her warmth and wisdom grounded Aurelia in ways that no technology could. Maren’s gentle presence and nurturing spirit made her a constant source of comfort, and she lovingly guided Aurelia through the uncertainties of youth with her quiet strength. In many ways, Maren represented the nurturing side of the world Aurelia cherished—the simple beauty of nature that existed in tandem with the harmonic technology her family pioneered.
Eldrahn
In Eldrahn, Aurelia found love and family once more, this time among the conjured Madrith warriors who helped her build Valah, a town nestled into the iron mountains of the Svarta-Vidhr forest. Haldric, a stalwart warrior with a fierce spirit and gentle heart, became her husband. Their bond was forged in the fires of survival, but it grew into something deeper—an enduring love that withstood even the harshest trials.
Together, they had a daughter, Elva, who inherited Aurelia’s adventurous spirit and Haldric’s strength. Elva was a bright light in their lives, bringing joy to Valah with her curiosity and courage. Aurelia and Haldric’s love for each other and their daughter made their family a pillar of the community, nurturing both the town and the people within it.
But time, as ever, was merciless. While Aurelia remained ageless, Haldric and Elva grew older. Aurelia watched, heart heavy, as Haldric’s fiery red hair slowly turned gray and Elva matured from a wide-eyed girl into a wise young woman. The moments they shared were filled with love, but also with the bittersweet understanding that their time together was finite. Aurelia, bound to her immortality, could only watch as they succumbed to the natural cycle of life.
When Haldric passed, Aurelia’s heart shattered. She laid him to rest beneath the hill where they had once spent their happiest moments, his memory forever etched into the whispering trees and the etheric winds. Elva followed after, her spirit as vibrant as ever, but her body unable to resist the ravages of time. Aurelia buried her daughter beside Haldric, and her grief deepened into a weight that even centuries could not lessen.
Now, after outliving her husband and daughter for over 800 years, Aurelia carries their memories with her like sacred flames, forever honored in her heart. She continues to live on, shaping the world around her, but the pain of outliving her loved ones is a burden she will carry for eternity.
Legacy
Aurelia has become a pivotal figure in Valah, revered for her engineering prowess and her deep understanding of the ether. Despite her heartache, she remains committed to the community, sharing her knowledge and nurturing the next generations. Her home serves as a sanctuary for those seeking guidance and freedom, and her teachings on the harmonious balance between nature and technology continue to inspire the people of Valah.
Aurelia is also known for her close friendship with Corvus, a wise crow Wyldkin who has been by her side for centuries. Their bond is a source of comfort for Aurelia, as Corvus serves not only as a companion but also as a link to her past, often helping her to remember the joyous moments she shared with her family. Together, they navigate the complexities of their world, with Corvus frequently offering a playful distraction from the weight of Aurelia's memories.
However, her legacy is tinged with melancholy. The profound loss of her family has shaped her into a guardian of their memory, driving her to protect Valah fiercely. She is both a leader and a symbol of resilience, reminding others of the importance of cherishing each moment, even in the face of inevitable loss.
Notable Skills
Mastery of Ether Shaping
Aurelia’s unparalleled connection to the ether allows her to manipulate and reshape reality itself, bending the world around her to her will. Her mastery is not just about altering the environment but enhancing and boosting the abilities of others. She can amplify the skills, affinities, and physical capabilities of her targets, empowering them far beyond their normal limits. In battle, this can turn an ordinary fighter into a near-invincible warrior or enhance a weaver’s connection to the ether, allowing them to perform feats they would otherwise never achieve.
Additionally, Aurelia possesses the rare ability to suppress the effects of ether-burn, a dangerous condition caused by overexertion in weaving, which can cause severe burns, and at times, combustion. By controlling the flow of ether through her targets, she shields them from the destructive consequences of channeling too much power. However, the opposite is also true; Aurelia can accelerate the effects of ether-burn, causing her targets to violently combust from within. This dark aspect of her mastery highlights the duality of her powers, showcasing her capability to both heal and harm.
Aurelia can also control the ether channels of others, a skill that opens the door to horrifying possibilities. With this ability, she can inflict immense pain remotely, tormenting her enemies without physical contact. This power extends further, allowing her to puppet the bodies of those she targets, manipulating their movements against their will. In certain situations, she can also temporarily remove the ability to weave ether, stripping her opponents of their powers and rendering them vulnerable.
Her deep understanding and mastery of the ether have also immensely extended her lifespan, though, she holds no control. While most Ether Shapers succumb to the strain of shaping reality, or fall victim to a Wyldkin, Aurelia’s skill allows her to channel ether in a way that preserves her vitality and prevents the ravages of time from affecting her. This ability has kept her ageless for over a thousand years, though she regards her long life with both reverence and sorrow, as it has meant outliving those she holds dear.
Engineering Expertise
Born into a family of renowned engineers from Arboris, Aurelia’s skill in engineering is second to none. Her knowledge of harmonic technology, a field that blends natural energies with technological innovation, allows her to create machines and devices that harmonize with the environment. From energy-efficient devices to the towering harmonic engines that powered Arboris, Aurelia’s inventions embody a perfect balance of nature and progress. In Eldrahn, she has adapted her knowledge to the world’s more rugged demands, using local resources and runic enchantments to craft advanced machinery and tools that sustain Valah’s people, including the Etheric Harmonic Engine. Her work in integrating Jötunmálm into her deployable wings is a testament to her ability to fuse different technologies and materials into something new and revolutionary.
Survival Skills
Centuries spent surviving in the perilous Svarta-Vidhr forest have honed Aurelia’s resourcefulness. She is a master of wilderness survival, adept in foraging, hunting, and tracking. Her knowledge of the flora and fauna of Eldrahn is extensive, allowing her to navigate its dangers with ease. Her instincts are sharp, and she has an uncanny ability to sense threats before they manifest, whether from predatory creatures or the shifting energies of the ether. Her survival is not just a matter of physical skill but also mental resilience—an ability to endure loneliness, loss, and the passage of time without succumbing to despair. This strength has allowed her to thrive in a world where many others would have perished.
Quotes
- “To outlive those you love is a curse as profound as any. I carry their memories, but the weight of their absence is a shadow that never leaves.” Spoken during a quiet moment of reflection, Aurelia explains the eternal burden of immortality to a young weaver seeking wisdom. Though they envy her longevity, her words reveal the deep, painful truth of living beyond those she holds dear.
- “In the ether, I find echoes of their laughter, whispers of their love. They are with me still, though their forms have long since faded.” This line is spoken to Vandalf the Red, another outlander, during a conversation in her cottage. Vandalf asks about the large painting of her family, and Aurelia speaks these words as she touches the edge of the canvas, her voice tinged with both grief and comfort.
- “Corvus, if I wanted to hear a bird squawk, I’d just put a rock in your beak!” Corvus was giving Aurelia unsolicited advice, his voice getting louder inside her head the more animated he became.