Wisp
(a.k.a. Mortal's Delight, The Ageless Beauty, Alluring Shadow, Tarantellia's Lost Wonder, The Phoenix)
Much of Wisp's life is speculated upon and details vary depending on the region. However, much of it can be distilled down into a tenuous narrative. Wanderer to Seamstress to Burlesque Star to Adventuring Bard Extraordinaire. Then, poof, into nowhere. It's impossible that she's still alive... Isn't it?
It's unclear exactly when she began her life as a burlesque dancer and starlet but it all comes back to her life as a seamstress. Wisp began her life on Tarantellia walking down a mountain in the snow. Barely clothed and needing comfort, she found shelter in a nearby village. Chivalry was not found there and she was soon on her way again. Town after town and village after village, Wisp became disheartened. Until she met a kind woman, Dri'tell who gave her room and space to grow. Her time was not easy. Hidden memories from a buried past rushed to the surface, causing her to gasp for air and wait until her next moment of safety. In her moments of clarity and freedom, Dri'tell would bring Wisp to the local markets and fairs. Wisp became enamored with the bright colors and fabrics that livened the new world around her. Eventually, Wisp began to sew outfits for herself. Soon, she was receiving requests from local court ladies, dancers, and courtesans. Wisp only desired payment so she could continue her craft. So, when someone couldn't afford her wares, she'd make a trade: dance lessons in exchange for a new showpiece.
Wisp, the burlesque starlet, ignited a new era of fashion in Tarantellia that still echo in Bardway today. Unfortunately, her light was quickly possessed by another soon after her flight began. It's said that he's the reason she gave up on dancing. We know he blacklisted her across The Claw Continent. The rumors on why are too entangled to separate and dubious at best. Some claim it was a love affair gone wrong, however, Wisp openly and singularly dated women. Others believe she had information that would tarnish his reputation and destroy his family, though Wisp never treated another soul with that level of malice or calculation. Regardless, it was his actions that brought her out of the limelight and into the world of adventure.
It's unclear exactly when she began her life as a burlesque dancer and starlet but it all comes back to her life as a seamstress. Wisp began her life on Tarantellia walking down a mountain in the snow. Barely clothed and needing comfort, she found shelter in a nearby village. Chivalry was not found there and she was soon on her way again. Town after town and village after village, Wisp became disheartened. Until she met a kind woman, Dri'tell who gave her room and space to grow. Her time was not easy. Hidden memories from a buried past rushed to the surface, causing her to gasp for air and wait until her next moment of safety. In her moments of clarity and freedom, Dri'tell would bring Wisp to the local markets and fairs. Wisp became enamored with the bright colors and fabrics that livened the new world around her. Eventually, Wisp began to sew outfits for herself. Soon, she was receiving requests from local court ladies, dancers, and courtesans. Wisp only desired payment so she could continue her craft. So, when someone couldn't afford her wares, she'd make a trade: dance lessons in exchange for a new showpiece.
Wisp, the burlesque starlet, ignited a new era of fashion in Tarantellia that still echo in Bardway today. Unfortunately, her light was quickly possessed by another soon after her flight began. It's said that he's the reason she gave up on dancing. We know he blacklisted her across The Claw Continent. The rumors on why are too entangled to separate and dubious at best. Some claim it was a love affair gone wrong, however, Wisp openly and singularly dated women. Others believe she had information that would tarnish his reputation and destroy his family, though Wisp never treated another soul with that level of malice or calculation. Regardless, it was his actions that brought her out of the limelight and into the world of adventure.
Origins of her Titles
Mortal's Delight
It was said that a performance by Wisp was the closest you could get to a moment of pure bliss. Surely, anything better is reserved for the gods.The Ageless Beauty
Wisp's age is more or less unknown. Her hair has always been white and her skin was always clear despite showing signs of age. If she's still alive, she'd be at least a century and a half old, a rare feat for a sylph.Alluring Shadow
This moniker represents Wisp's ability to inflame the hearts of those around her and disappear without a trace.Tarantellia's Lost Wonder
The name Tarantellia's Lost Wonder began to circulate during Wisp's adventuring days. When she retired from adventuring, she took to the stage again and erased the name of the man who tarnished her reputation. Her regained limelight erased this title temporarily. However, when she seemingly disappeared from Tarantellia without a trace, this moniker resurfaced and persists to this day.The Phoenix
Wisp gained the ability to cast Fly, symbolized by her wing tattoo that stretches from her collar bone to her lower back. During her first public performance with this new ability, Wisp fell while her party watched on, horrified. Just before her collision with the ground, her wings emerged and swept up dirt. The on-lookers believed she looked like a phoenix emerging from a pile of ashes.
Alignment
Neutral
Age
150
Children
Pronouns
she/her
Eyes
Golden Honey, keen, & alert
Hair
Crisp White
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Pale purple skin that shimmers under light
Height
5' 8"
Nice character : D I'm curious about the people who taught her how to dance since you said they did that when they could not pay for her clothes. Was there a lot of nobles who could not afford to pay for their clothes but still wanted to pretend they were rich / had no choice but to wear nice clothes to go to court etc, or was it more social climbers who wanted clothes they couldn't afford, unless you mean that she also made simpler clothes for poorer people?
Thanks for your feedback, Amélie! ^_^ That's a good point to clarify. Wisp would create deals for nobles in exchange for court dances, etiquette, and/or information, if the need arose. That said, she avoided that for a long time. I was mostly considering courtesans and people who dance for a living. Those clothes wouldn't necessarily be simpler but the style and materials would vary from the court garb. I don't know really know how to compare them. Eventually, I'll probably make and add watercolor fashion sketches to show what I mean. In the dancing communities, Wisp found her people. Sometimes watching them, it was like they were floating on air. During her seamstress days, that was her inspiration. I add this to emphasize that she was getting something invaluable to her out of these exchanges. All of that said, I'm going to wait until later to make those edits. I don't want to miss out on the participation badge by making too many edits. Thanks again! Looking forward to reading your article, too!