Heldise Faruda
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Heldise grew up in a Nelwyn village in unclaimed territory near the coast south of Corellum. Her mother was a baker, and her father was the town guard. She grew up in the bakery, where her mother would sing to her as she worked. Hel sang along as soon as she was able, and by the time she was five she was creating her own songs. She was well loved in the village, and would sing and play one of several instruments at any feast for the others to dance.
Eventually, word of her talent spread to others, and a cleric of Kolero came to town. He sought Hel out at a feast, and asked if she knew what a bard was. She knew the word, but it didn't mean anything more than a performer to her. He told her that a bard was much, much more, and he thinks she could become one. She blushed, her face redder than usual, but deflected his suggestion. He told her that she should live her life her way, of course, but she should explore exactly what that meant. He thanked her for talking to him, and for letting him listen to her that night. As he turned to go, he told her that if she would ever like to see what else is out there, to meet him in Bandar Philia and he would pay any costs associated with the trip.
It took a few months, but eventually, she grew curious enough about the offer that she began to explore the possibility. She spoke to her father, who was now the Captain of the guard with another guard to boss around, and asked if he knew what a bard was. He smiled sadly, and asked her to sit with him. "I knew this day would come," he said. "You are too big for our little town, and always have been." Hel tried holding back tears, as she said, "I don't want to go anywhere, papa, I just want to sing and play." Her father hugged her, and told her he knew, but that it wasn't fair to the world for her to not go out in it. She eventually talked to her mother and her closest friends and they all agreed, she had to go.
She found a boat that took her to Corellum, and from there to Bandar Philia, with money that the village gathered together. She found the cleric, and he sent the price of passage back to the town, good as his word. She joined the college, performing as part of a trio with a Human and an Elf, to earn her place. As they began to become known throughout the Duchy, she was taught the magic of music, and how to unlock the power of a bard. She excelled at these studies, and soon the trio set out tour.
While on tour, the Human of the group, Anya, picked up a groupie who followed them from town to town. Hel was happy for her, although as it continued, she felt like the music was suffering. It became more than a feeling, when Anya collapsed on stage during a performance. Hel and Ansis, the Elf, rushed to her side, and they cancelled the rest of the performance. They ended up cancelling a week of performances, as she remained feverish for days. Eventually, the fever broke enough that she came to, and told the others what she had been hiding for months. She should still be months away, but she was worried about what this fever would do to the baby.
They couldn't find the father, although they knew who it was. They went to a local church, hoping for someone that could help her. They found one in a Marla, a priest of the Church of Corinne, and brought her to the inn they were staying in. Just in time, as Anya was in labor and screaming in pain. Marla said a quick prayer and told the others to back up. She checked Anya, and told her the baby was coming fast.
Minutes later, the baby crowned, making Marla gasp in shock. The baby's skin was red, and a horn was visible. Anya shuddered as the baby came farther out, a second horn tearing into her. In a torrent of blood, the baby slid from the womb, and fiery red skin, leathery wings, and tail screaming a fiendish origin.
At that moment, the door was flung open, and the father walked into the room. He was the tall, handsome and muscular man he always was, but as he approached, his skin changed to the color of his offspring. Ansis screamed, and the father casually swiped at her throat. his hands came away bloody, as his nails had become claws, and Ansis dropped to the ground clutching her throat.
Marla grabbed her holy symbol, and pushed herself away from the body of Anya and the approaching being, whose features were taking on a more sinister cast. He saw the holy symbol and threw his hands in front of its eyes, and started to scream. He fell to his knees, landing in front of Marla, screaming that it burned. Marla leaned in close with the symbol, just as great leathery wings burst from his back and he raised his eyes to her and smiled a devilishly charming smile. She froze, and smiled back. He reached for her, and drew her into an embrace. As he kissed her, Hel ran for the door. He dropped the body of Marla, and picked up his son. Laughing, he launched himself out the window, leaving Hel fumbling with a door she no longer had to flee through.
Hel was lost for a time, but eventually made her way back to Bandar Philia. She left the College, and took up with the Church of Corinne. She eventually met Venfaren and joined the Circle, hoping to one day find the demon and his son.
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