Character page for On the Road to Elspar.
Faulkren Academy
Faulkren Academy is one of the institutions in the Confederacy of Caldrein that produces the famed Caldran mercenaries, soldiers-of-fortune trained deeply in the art of war, having been instrumental in armed conflicts abroad for centuries. This particular Academy is located on the outskirts of the township of Faulkren in the region of Apaloft.Neianne
Race: Dryad
Neianne is a Caldran dryad who was born in the isolated dryad woodlands commune of Thionval, but who has since immigrated with her parents to plains, settling in the village of Caelon. At age sixteen, Neianne enlisted in Faulkren Academy to protect her country from a Tenereian invasion, eventually becoming the leader of Squad Four and has since become skilled with a buster sword and daggers. As a dryad freeholder, she doesn't have as much racial and class baggage as the other races of Iuryis, but which leaves her unprepared to deal with the underlying tensions in Caldran society.
Tropes:
- Plant Person
- Shrinking Violet: Neianne starts out with anxiety, self-esteem issues, and an inability to say anything without a nervous stutter. She's getting better.
Stephanie
Race: Aseri
Stephanie is a Caldran aseri who wields a katana and wakizashi. Although she is Neianne's roommate, much of her past continues to be mysterious, and she is noticeably mum whenever the subject comes up. Whatever it is, there is clearly more to Stephanie than meets the eye.
Sieglinde Corrina Ravenhill
Race: Elf
Sieglinde Corrina Ravenhill is the eldest daughter of House Ravenhill, the heir to the fief of Arcaster in Lindholm. Tall, dark, and mysterious, Sieglinde comes off as stoic and asocial, a bibliophile who would rather read a book than deal with people. She is also one of the prodigies of Faulkren Academy, a miracle with her glaive and bow. Sieglinde believes that her country is desperately in need of reform, and is a consistent source of infodumps.
Tropes
- Badass Bookworm: Sieglinde would rather read a book than deal with people. She's also hilariously dangerous with her weapons, to the point where Neianne can barely understand her fighting style.
Elizabeth Irivich Zabanya
Race: Elf
Elizabeth Irivich Zabanya the eldest daughter of House Zabanya, the heir to the fief of Marloch in Lindholm. Her tiny size, angelic looks, and normally sleepy demeanor belies her status as prodigy in both lightning and ice magecraft, her keen intellect, and a superficially cruel demeanor.
Tropes
- Badass Bookworm: Although less overt about it than Sieglinde, Elizabeth is just as much of a bibliophile, and sees her becoming a Caldran mercenary as a stepping stone towards becoming a groundbreaking researcher on magecraft.
- Blood Knight: Elizabeth definitely likes her battles. Or maybe she likes hurting people more.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Despite her seeming sadism, Elizabeth is respected by her family and the townspeople she will one day rule over, and is entirely capable of being kind in her own It Amused Me way. On the other hand...
- Jerk with a Heart of Jerk: ...Elizabeth is also entirely happy with being cruel to people who have wronged her, and laughing at others when they're down.
