Lady Meria Arichala
Baroness of the Valley
The Falcon Lady
I'm not much of a gambling man, but I wouldn't advise betting against the Falcon Lady in anything she does. There are a precious few in the world who have the qualities necessary to change it. She's got more than enough.Lady Meria Arichala is a figure of some cultural importance to those in the Highlands, particularly the river valley which bears her name. Very little is known about her which is not shrouded in legend or oral-tradition tales from the region. What facts can be confirmed place her lifetime several centuries ago, during the expansion of the empire into what is now the Highlands. There are notable events which took place at that time period, concerning a tribe of gnolls active to this day. Her final resting place remains unknown, much as the origins of her birth, but unlike many folk heroes it is accepted she has indeed died and is not merely "sleeping".
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Meria was known for keeping herself in shape, with a small but wiry body and a consistently-high energy to her actions. During her years of adventuring, she kept her hair cut to just around her cheekbones; once she retired she allowed it to grow no longer than her shoulders.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Meria Arichala was born outside the Empire on the northern frontiers, now known as the Highlands, and soon devoted herself to the path of an adventurer. Not much is known about her early life or career, but her name starts appearing during discussions and records concerning what is known as "The Lord Pretender Affair". Following this service to the emperor, the group of adventurers she was with were given titles as rewards - albeit with no seeming authority or lands. Meria chose to strike out on her own for several years, returning to the valley she had been born in to hunt raiding parties of gnolls, or bandits. As word of her drive spread, and ambitious settlers wanted to get a foothold in the region, a plan was made to begin putting down permanent settlements in the valley if she could protect it.
During the few years, records show Lady Arichala recovered ancient ruins and had them restored into a small watch-keep near the middle of the valley's length. Settlements began to flourish, while the emperor seemed nervous about the popularity of this ex-adventurer. Summoned back to Eva Valoria, Meria surprised the court by not demanding recognition for her deeds. Rather, she instead pleaded the case of the settlers who had been putting down roots in the northern frontier and humbly requested the emperor send the Legion to fully secure it for the empire. After many assurances she did not wish the position, the Highlands province was created and the seat of power further west from the valley. Despite the distance, Meria gathered others who were willing to fight for the new province and began traveling between the valley and the provincial capital of Seirvena. They became known as the Falcon Guard, for their capacity to seemingly strike out of nowhere at those "vermin" who preyed on the settlements.
It was only two decades after the province was founded before trouble brewed, and it was in the valley. A tribe of gnolls began raiding heavily on the small settlements, and were often away before Meria and her group could respond. Undaunted, the Falcon Guard began steadily building information from survivors about the raiders and concluded the location of their lair. During a week of stalking and trailing, Meria led numerous attacks on the gnolls with great success. In a final battle at the ruins of an old stone circle, Meria claimed the head of the leader and scattered the tribe; it would be generations before they would fully recover. Meria returned to the site many more times, trying to make certain the tribe was truly scattered.
During the few years, records show Lady Arichala recovered ancient ruins and had them restored into a small watch-keep near the middle of the valley's length. Settlements began to flourish, while the emperor seemed nervous about the popularity of this ex-adventurer. Summoned back to Eva Valoria, Meria surprised the court by not demanding recognition for her deeds. Rather, she instead pleaded the case of the settlers who had been putting down roots in the northern frontier and humbly requested the emperor send the Legion to fully secure it for the empire. After many assurances she did not wish the position, the Highlands province was created and the seat of power further west from the valley. Despite the distance, Meria gathered others who were willing to fight for the new province and began traveling between the valley and the provincial capital of Seirvena. They became known as the Falcon Guard, for their capacity to seemingly strike out of nowhere at those "vermin" who preyed on the settlements.
It was only two decades after the province was founded before trouble brewed, and it was in the valley. A tribe of gnolls began raiding heavily on the small settlements, and were often away before Meria and her group could respond. Undaunted, the Falcon Guard began steadily building information from survivors about the raiders and concluded the location of their lair. During a week of stalking and trailing, Meria led numerous attacks on the gnolls with great success. In a final battle at the ruins of an old stone circle, Meria claimed the head of the leader and scattered the tribe; it would be generations before they would fully recover. Meria returned to the site many more times, trying to make certain the tribe was truly scattered.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Lady Arichala was known largely for her efforts in securing the Highlands Province for the Imperium, even before the Legion was properly dispersed into the region to hold it. Her legacy remains with the valley where her name is still used to name it - the Arichala Valley. The Falcon Lady's efforts have lived on through the people dwelling here, even if they're the only ones crazy enough to live in the valley. Arichala's Roost, her old watch-keep, fell into disrepair until recent years when other adventurers chose to pick up where she left off and founded Pendelholm in the same location.
Table of Contents
Species
Children
Gender
Female
Eyes
Light Brown
Hair
Black
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Tan
Height
5'4"
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