Ariadne
Ariadne
Ariadne is the captain of the Waveskipper and one of the founding members of the Guild of Cardinal Points. She appears to originally be from the Iphigean Islands, but has been living in Arcos seemingly from the moment that Neyris re-opened its borders. Possibly slightly longer, as her fellow Guildmembers on assignment in Sarylim recently discovered that Ariadne has a history smuggling harmless commodities and people into and out of Neyris during its isolation.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Ariadne is physically strong due to single-handedly crewing her own ship for years.
Facial Features
Very expressive facial features.
Identifying Characteristics
Ariadne has a small scar on the palm of her left hand from repeated castings of the spell 'Bane' which requires blood as a material cost to cast.
Physical quirks
Has a habit of resting her hands on her hips when annoyed.
Apparel & Accessories
Ariadne wears practical, but unusual-looking clothes, most noticeably a large large straw 'captain's hat'. Also notable are her white traditional mantle and skirt made in a traditional design of her homeland, now quite battered from several adventures. Less notable in a appearance is the long, weathered coat Ariadne has taken to wearing since returning from the Ivory Sands; each of the coat's many pockets can be torn off to produce an item hidden magically within the coat as if from thin air. Also since returning from the Ivory Sands Ariadne has been carrying a sword, as well as the dagger and ocarina she uses for casting bardic spells.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
During the 'Irongarden Job' at a key moment in the final confrontation with Power Word Bill, the leader of the Spell Mama-Jammas, Gutter Runner chose to save Ariadne rather than strike a finishing blow to Bill and Lelras assisted Guts in pulling Ariadne from the water she and Bill had fallen into. It is Ariadne's firm belief that she would have been killed by Bill in that moment had her friends not risked their own safety to save her. She and Lelras got on well already and she and Guts later bonded over a mutual appreciation of stories and storytelling. The three of them have formed a solid friendship and can often be seen relaxing together when they all find themselves back in Arcos at the same time. It is an ongoing project of Ariadne's to persuade Guts that his life has value beyond his abilities to kill and steal. She was also secretly investigating what happened to Lelras' family in her spare time before she was asked by the Guild to help transport the Crown of Azithaal to Yr Illem.
Recognising the danger posed by the Crown Ariadne reluctantly agreed to the long voyage to Sarylim aboard the Roc's Descent and naturally got to know the other members of the Guild that came with her, in particular Tarq and Church. Tarq reminded her somewhat of Guts despite being being physically about as different as it's possible to be, and she made it a personal goal to help him find freedom after his enslavement. She found Church's calm and rational manner comforting and enjoys her stories about her past lives. While she did also become quite familiar with Steel Reyhn and Gnip Pipesinger they remain the two more enigmatic members of the Ivory Sands Party. Gnip's peace-loving nature has endeared him somewhat to Ariadne, however Steel's seemingly emotionless bloodlust sets her on edge. Shortly before arriving on the Ivory Sands the Party added Fey to their number. Ariadne quickly came to like the fast-talking Fey, enjoying her enthusiasm for life, and recognising another stray soul for who the Guild could become a proxy of a family.
Ariadne's time in Sarylim took a toll on her. Quite apart from almost dying more than once she also found the unrelenting danger of the journey a challenge to her non-violent beliefs, even forcing her to take up a
sword herself during the long journey through the underdark. during the adventure each and every one of Ariadne's companions killed an enemy that she thought might have been spared, with the exception of Fey, making her betrayal of the party all the more painful. Ariadne began to doubt whether the Guild of Cardinal Points really was the force for good she had imagined it to be as the party walked the knife-edge bbetween being heroes and killers.
Ariadne blames herself for when Fey betrayed the group, believing that her naive view of what the Guild represented had led her to drag Fey into a situation that was out of her depth, and that in doing so she had placed the whole mission in jepardy. The result being Tarq's banishment to the Fey Wilds and the un-ending darkness now gripping Sarylim.
Since the disbanding of the Ivory Sands Party Ariadne has been keeping to herself more than before, most often seen reading. She seems to be avoiding long contracts, mostly doing administration work while Clarence Blackfinger, the Arch Administrator of the Guild, is away, and occasionally transporting Guild Parties to nearby islands.
Gender Identity
Female
Education
Clearly well educated.
Employment
Captain of the Waveskipper and member of the Guild of Cardinal Points.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Ariadne transported the party that captured the Nemion to Nemos and assisted them in capturing it. She later was part of the team that returned the Ashmakers to the Neverbeggars of Irongarden.
Failures & Embarrassments
Ariadne quietly harbours doubts over the outcome of all three of the major quests she has been involved with for the Guild of Cardinal Points. She is also conspicuously unwilling to talk about her early life and family.
Mental Trauma
Several close calls both for her and for her party following decisions Ariadne made have led to her feeling stressed when called on to make decisions.
Increasingly she at times feels she is the only thing stopping her party from being little more than bandits, killing without thought or regret, which is making it difficult for her to maintain faith in their mission. Conversely when fighting for their lives she sometimes feels guilt because her lack of combat ability makes her a drag on the party.
Morality & Philosophy
Ariadne is a pacifist and dislikes violence in general. She isn't a fool and will fight to save lives, but she will attempt to avoid killing if it is in any way possible.
She is also ardently anti-authority, believing that a person should always have their freedom.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
If you asked Ariadne she would tell you that she 'needs to make a living'. While this is probably true there are simpler and safer ways to do this than the ones Ariadne pursues. Even to casual observers Ariadne is obviously a hopeless adventure-seeker looking for excitement. Closer observers would notice that Ariadne also collects stories and composes songs based on those stories.
Likes & Dislikes
Ariadne is never more at home then when she's on the high seas. Although she enjoys adventure and excitement she dislikes violence and avoids it whenever possible. She also dislikes people who she feels underestimate her or talk down to her.
Vices & Personality flaws
Ariadne's desire to avoid violence can lead to her being somewhat indecisive in moments of danger. Her beliefs can also lead to her making decisions not strictly in her own, or her Party's best interests.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Ariadne is often seen coming and going from the Tangled Web Inn on Tallwater Street.
Ariadne got to know the original members of the Guild of Cardinal Points, Clarence Blackfinger, Opal Eclipse, Plex Ainfold and Dogman, well during their quest to capture the Nemion.
During 'The Irongarden Job' Ariadne formed a lasting friendship with fellow adventurers Lelras and Gutter Runner. The three are often seen together in Arcos.
During the voyage to Sarylim Ariadne got to know Tarq, Church Sol-Amanth-Ra, Steel Reyhn and Gnip Pipesing. Shortly before arriving at their destination she met Fey and the two became friends.
Family Ties
Never spoken of.
Religious Views
Though not particularly religious Ariadne has been known to invoke the name of the Iphigean Goddess Athena, particularly in moments of stress.
Social Aptitude
Ariadne is easily and naturally charismatic, talking easily with friends and strangers alike. She talks most easily with commoners occasionally showing disdain for nobles, although her voice shows traces of high birth. She makes jokes regularly, particularly among friends, although occasionally to no-one in particular.
Mannerisms
When talking she is expressive and uses hand gestures freely. If annoyed she is prone to uncontrollable eyebrow-raising and resting her hands on her hips.
Speech
Ariadne speaks with a very unusual accent loosely based around that of the Iphigean Islands, but strongly mixed with a combination of many others from around the Archipelago, most notably Arcos.
Relationships
History
She and Ariadne got on well already as two of the less violent members of the Guild. Ariadne is one of the few people that Lelras will allow to ride her like a regular horse, everyone else she WILL buck off. During 'The Irongarden Job' Lelras formed a lasting friendship with fellow adventurers Ariadne and Gutter Runner. The three are often seen together in Arcos.
History
Ariadne's initial interest in Gutter-Runner was simple interest in a race she knew nothing about. Sensing that there was more to him than met the eye she made the effort to get to know him, and refused to be put off by his instance that he was a killer and nothing else. Even during the short time they were on the Irongarden Job together Ariadne sought to nurture Gutter-Runners' free will, confident that when shown the infinite possibilities of life outside the narrow confines of his upbringing he would choose a 'good' path. When Gutter-Runner chose to help Lelras save Ariadne's life rather than claiming the killing blow on Power Word Bill she took this as proof of his basically 'good' nature. After the Irongarden Job Ariadne continued her efforts, bonding further with Gutter-Runner over their shared love of stories.
Nicknames & Petnames
Guts, Captain-Thing, Friend-Thing
Shared Secrets
Guts has told Ariadne something of his past, and of his curse.
Shared Acquaintances
Lelras in particular, and other Guild members in general.
Wealth & Financial state
Ariadne doesn't appear to be poor, and she earns money for herself using the Waveskipper, which is an asset in its own right. She doesn't appear desire wealth beyond what she needs to secure her freedom though, and shows little to no interest in gold and gems.
Alignment
Chaotic Good
Current Location
Species
Ethnicity
Birthplace
Iphigean Islands
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Current Residence
The Waveskipper
Gender
Female
Eyes
Dark grey-green
Hair
Black
Height
Short
Weight
Light
Aligned Organization
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