River Baccay
River Baccay (a.k.a. Puddles)
A child of the foster care system, River Baccay has every reason to wear a chip on their shoulder—and they did, once. That was before Alice, and Summersend. Before friendship and family, love and support. Since taking up an apprenticeship with the current Warden of The Tanglewood, River has built a life for themselves that they once could barely dream of. They don't take kindly to anyone threatening it's (to them) precarious balance, or the people they've come to call their own.
Physical Description
Witchmark
River's witchmark is in the form of a natural, serpentine tattoo that winds around their arms and upper torso. Most of the time this tattoo appears just a shade or two lighter than their own skintone, rendering it difficult to see, but when utilizing their magic the tattoo glows a pale blue strong enough light up a three-foot area.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
River lost both their parents to the Inquisition when they were six years old, albeit in significantly different ways. Abandoned and devoid of their heritage, they were shuffled through the foster system for many years without understanding who or what they were. Though previously a thoughtful, responsible sort of child, River allowed the bitterness of their situation to overtake them during much of this time. They neglected their schoolwork, stole, lied, and manipulated everyone around them—until Alice.
After being turned out of yet another foster home, River was sent to live in a halfway home in Summersend. This may have been the end of the line for them, but a chance encounter with Alice changed the direction of River's entire life. Alice recognized River not only for what they were, but who they could be. Though reluctant to accept Alice's initial offer a job, River was encouraged to accept by their home health supervisor. Under her careful guide they began to learn and accept their magic, while also gaining the structure, love and support they'd been longing for all their life.
While Alice has never formally adopted River, she was allowed to foster them until they came of age. They've remained with her ever since, both as her apprentice and assumed heir... until Alice's wayward grandchild unexpectedly returned to the fold.
Gender Identity
Education
River managed to graduate high school by the skin of their teeth; precisely as they passed every grade leading up to it. What can they say? They were never a bookish sort of person, and still aren't to this day. They have little patience for rote memorization of seemingly random fact, far preferring practical applications and hands-on teaching methods. While their school work wasn't the best, their understanding of alchemy, history (which they view more as stories than pure memorization), and practical witchcraft far surpasses most of their peers. They are quite content with this level of education, and have no interest nor intent toward seeking higher education.
Employment
River has long been the sole employee on Alice's farm. They help her tend to every aspect of it's running, from tending the gardens, to animal husbandry, all the way down to maintenance.
Social
Hobbies & Pets
River began learning the acoustic guitar from one of their previous foster families. Though that fostership was little better than the others they'd endured, they remain grateful for that much. They continued their practice whenever they could, and joined a local indie band when they first landed in Summersend. The band has long since disbanded, but River is well known in the local scene both for their guitar skills and their decent singing talent.
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