Ainer Longrider
Captain, retired Ainer Lithansuril (a.k.a. Longrider)
Many heroes go on to live prominent lives by riding the waves of former glories until their dying days. A few may let fame get to their head and seek to constantly stay relevant, courting the line between hero and villain as they endlessly drive their name into the annals of history. Yet others seek no extension to their fame and wish to lead quiet lives. Ainer Longrider is one of these.
Word has begun getting around that this Baridian war hero from the Old Empires' War recently came into ownership of a growing roadhouse out in The Fringe. When you stop by on your travels, you'll know Ainer as soon as you see her. She's the only full-blooded Elf that works the store. Her bearing is as soldierly now as it was during the war despite the three centuries that have passed since its conclusion. If you haven't heard of the Longrider, she'll tell you about her ride if you ask. But if you don't, you'd just think she'd lived a hard life to get to her modest place. But you should never underestimate what she's capable of. The Empire of Gehrland did that once and it cost them a monumental victory. According to some military historians, including the one her family commissioned to write her official biography, it cost them the entire war.
Her face bears a jagged scar from the forehead down around the eyebrow and past the cheekbone; a reminder of some wound that certainly looks like it should've killed her.
Her face bears a jagged scar from the forehead down around the eyebrow and past the cheekbone; a reminder of some wound that certainly looks like it should've killed her.
Table of Contents
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Ainer maintains a soldier's physique and exercises regularly to stay in fighting shape. This, among other habits drilled into her over a century of soldiering, are regular tasks that are done as a second nature. Her gait still shows a slight limp despite her prosthetic leg.
Identifying Characteristics
The facial scar, limp, and walking cane serve to identify her to pretty much anybody who has heard of the Longrider.
Physical quirks
A slight limp, made much more noticeable if made to walk without her cane.
Specialized Equipment
Ainer's prosthetic leg and cane have been specialized for her use. It's rumored the cane is some sort of concealed weapon or magical item, though nobody has been able to tell for sure.
She also has a customized saddle that was produced in large quantity for veterans who lost a leg during the war but is now a rarely utilized design. The saddle allows Ainer's prosthetic leg to fit securely into a stirrup while still being able to be retracted in the event of a fall. It also gives her better weight distribution and control on her left leg.
She also has a customized saddle that was produced in large quantity for veterans who lost a leg during the war but is now a rarely utilized design. The saddle allows Ainer's prosthetic leg to fit securely into a stirrup while still being able to be retracted in the event of a fall. It also gives her better weight distribution and control on her left leg.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Little is known of Ainer's early life despite her later fame. Her family is one of least wealthy or influential noble houses in Baridian society while still technically holding that elevated station, which meant that Ainer was afforded time to become educated before being placed within the Baridian Army.
During her educational years before joining the war, Ainer was prone to slipping away from her tutors periodically and hanging out with similarly-aged children belonging to the servants. This behavior was attributed to her developing a rebellious streak in opposition of what was expected of her. She accumulated a short record of petty crimes for which she was arrested several times but never committed to jail: picking pockets, burglary, forgery, and impersonating a guard. Her criminal record showed no further offenses after the age of 25.
Ainer straightened out and continued her education and social involvements until being assigned into military service at age 75, which was typical for Elves in Imperial Barid Hold. The course of her military career is described below, but ended in great fame with a crippling injury that ended her time as a soldier.
After taking an extended time to recover from her injuries, the ex-Trailblazer found herself struggling to integrate into civilian life after over a century of soldiering. It was difficult for the hordes of ex-soldiers to find work let alone something they had skills or interest in, and Ainer had as hard a time as anyone else. Her family had commissioned a biography of her military years which she had no interest in, knowing they wanted to make money and power off her legacy. So she chose to separate herself from them and found a job she enjoyed that displeased them in equal measure: managing a brothel in Prana. She worked as an administrator for many years until recently, where she left to take ownership of an up-and-coming roadhouse in the Fringe. Given the onset of the Bastard Ferals scourge in the region, she was able to acquire assistance from some of her old Trailblazer companions who provide regional security for her newly acquired establishment.
During her educational years before joining the war, Ainer was prone to slipping away from her tutors periodically and hanging out with similarly-aged children belonging to the servants. This behavior was attributed to her developing a rebellious streak in opposition of what was expected of her. She accumulated a short record of petty crimes for which she was arrested several times but never committed to jail: picking pockets, burglary, forgery, and impersonating a guard. Her criminal record showed no further offenses after the age of 25.
Ainer straightened out and continued her education and social involvements until being assigned into military service at age 75, which was typical for Elves in Imperial Barid Hold. The course of her military career is described below, but ended in great fame with a crippling injury that ended her time as a soldier.
After taking an extended time to recover from her injuries, the ex-Trailblazer found herself struggling to integrate into civilian life after over a century of soldiering. It was difficult for the hordes of ex-soldiers to find work let alone something they had skills or interest in, and Ainer had as hard a time as anyone else. Her family had commissioned a biography of her military years which she had no interest in, knowing they wanted to make money and power off her legacy. So she chose to separate herself from them and found a job she enjoyed that displeased them in equal measure: managing a brothel in Prana. She worked as an administrator for many years until recently, where she left to take ownership of an up-and-coming roadhouse in the Fringe. Given the onset of the Bastard Ferals scourge in the region, she was able to acquire assistance from some of her old Trailblazer companions who provide regional security for her newly acquired establishment.
Gender Identity
Female, she/her
Education
Like all Baridian nobility, Ainer was taught to read and write at an early age. From there she was privately tutored in mathmatics, science, social conduct, history, basic arcane theory, and swordplay. Most additional subjects of study beyond these are readily available via more expensive private tutors, but are not considered standard education for nobility in the Hold and.
Of these, Ainer is known to have excelled in swordplay, history, and social conduct.
Of these, Ainer is known to have excelled in swordplay, history, and social conduct.
Employment
Military Ranks, in order of service
Lieutenant, 114th Quartermaster's Company of the Midlands - 5 years
Sergeant, various scouting companies, - 83 years
Sergeant-at-arms, 45th Scout "Sodhoof" Company - 3 years
Sergeant-at-arms, 1st Pranan Scout Company - 9 years
Sergeant-at-arms, 4th Trailblazers Company - 3 years
Captain, 9th Trailblazers Company - 17 years
Captain, undisclosed espionage assignments while with 9th Trailblazers - unknown time frame
Military service ends, unemployed for an extended period after war's end
Civilian Employment
Stable hand, Neras - 2 years
Historian's assistant, Indilshir - 4 years
Manager, Golden Wreath brothel, Prana - 34 years
Owner/manager, Vimak's Drinks and Things, The Fringe - less than one year, current place of employment
Accomplishments & Achievements
Like most Baridian nobility during the Imperial era, Ainer held no job until her service in the army. She was assigned as a lieutenant into a quartermaster's company, a position envied only by those who wish to avoid combat. After a brief time reverting to her rebellious tendencies, Ainer was punished for insubordination and stripped of her standing as a lieutenant. She was assigned as a sergeant, which is considered an insulting rank for Baridian nobility to hold, in a scout company in the northern Midlands. Scouting companies in the war saw very high death rates yet Ainer excelled and finally found a position in which she developed the mentality of a soldier. The bulk of her extended time as a soldier was serving as a common scout for over 80 years, eventually attaining the rank of sergeant-at-arms. To most nobles, this rank would still be insulting as it is the highest rank common folk can attain without extremely rare circumstances. A nobleman officer took note of Ainer's skills and career before seeing fit to train and mentor Ainer himself.
After nine years serving under him, Ainer emerged as a straight-laced and capable soldier with unwavering loyalty to her homeland. Her exemplary skills, now freshly honed, were noticed quickly and she was reassigned to the coveted Trailblazers. Ainer continued to shine and thrive in this role as one of her empire's finest scouts. She served 20 years as a Trailblazer, eventually becoming a captain and leading her own company.
The specifics of this point in her career are sparse, but it is known that Ainer periodically was called upon to take on missions of espionage during her time leading the 9th Trailblazer Company. She began to infiltrate Gehrish settlements and armies as a spy when not roaming the wilderness with her company. The only known assignment in which Ainer served as a spy was her last, a posting in Haithabu which propelled her into the annals of history.
While spying in Haithabu, Ainer discovered that a considerable Gehrish army had made the absurd gambit of traversing north into the The Crown in an attempt to flank unnoticed around the battle lines where the Empires had been warring for several millennia. She learned that this army had begun its journey months ago and was behind the Barid River, preparing to throw a heavy assault south into Opering. Opering was the primary strategic and supply center for all of Barid Hold's northern war effort. If it was taken Gehrland may well have been able to finally win the endless war. Ainer could not afford to waste a second if she were going to save her people and she had no way of sending a report fast enough to save Opering. Her time within the city had reached its end since her cover inside Haithabu was compromised in order to find this information, so she fled the city under hot pursuit. Suffering a wound to her face in her flight out of town, she stole a Hartikan horse from the military stables and rode at a full gallop.
Hartikan horses are world-renowned for their speed, endurance, and bravery. A single horse costs a decent fortune in this part of the world and is favored by military commanders and nobles on both sides of the war. This didn't stop Ainer from literally running that horse to death. She drove the magnificent beast until it could sprint no more, then slowed her urging only somewhat before beginning anew. After a full day of ceaseless running, the creature keeled over and threw her into the dirt. Ainer did not stop running. She was spotted and attacked by a Gehrish army patrol that, upon defeat supplied her with a fresh horse. She rode this one to death as well, frantic to get word to her superiors of Opering's pending fall. But the gods favored her on her berserk journey as she bolted up the road and skirted around the outside of [Tarkin's Point, for every time the horse beneath her died of exhaustion she was never further away than two miles from another until she reached the imperial borders.
At that time, the entire shared border between the empires comprised the battlefront of their ancient war. Riding straight through would be nearly impossible but anything less would cost precious time. Procuring a fresh horse, so that hers didn't die in the middle of the extensive Gehrish army camps, she made no effort to slow down or disguise her presence. During the process, a Gehrish huscarl attempted to cut her horse out from under her with a two handed axe swung at full force. He swung high and took off Ainer's right leg at the knee, but the horse's stride remained unbroken and she kept riding. An arrow struck her in the shoulder as she tore through the enemy camps. She snapped the shaft of the arrow and used it, along with her belt, to improvise a tourniquet for her severed leg.
When she finally reached the Baridian lines and entered friendly territory she was on the verge of consciousness. But she kept riding until she reached [Arif and made her report, which was transmitted via arcane communication and arrived in Opering less than three hours before the enemy army. It was just enough time for the Baridian soldiers to muster a defense capable of repelling the attack, which was the last major battle of the war. She made what is normally a casual 19 day trip in under 30 hours with no stops or rest.
Captain Lithansuril's dedication, bravery, and journey are what cemented her place in Baridian history and earned her the name "Longrider". She received fame, glory, and medals for her service.
After nine years serving under him, Ainer emerged as a straight-laced and capable soldier with unwavering loyalty to her homeland. Her exemplary skills, now freshly honed, were noticed quickly and she was reassigned to the coveted Trailblazers. Ainer continued to shine and thrive in this role as one of her empire's finest scouts. She served 20 years as a Trailblazer, eventually becoming a captain and leading her own company.
The specifics of this point in her career are sparse, but it is known that Ainer periodically was called upon to take on missions of espionage during her time leading the 9th Trailblazer Company. She began to infiltrate Gehrish settlements and armies as a spy when not roaming the wilderness with her company. The only known assignment in which Ainer served as a spy was her last, a posting in Haithabu which propelled her into the annals of history.
While spying in Haithabu, Ainer discovered that a considerable Gehrish army had made the absurd gambit of traversing north into the The Crown in an attempt to flank unnoticed around the battle lines where the Empires had been warring for several millennia. She learned that this army had begun its journey months ago and was behind the Barid River, preparing to throw a heavy assault south into Opering. Opering was the primary strategic and supply center for all of Barid Hold's northern war effort. If it was taken Gehrland may well have been able to finally win the endless war. Ainer could not afford to waste a second if she were going to save her people and she had no way of sending a report fast enough to save Opering. Her time within the city had reached its end since her cover inside Haithabu was compromised in order to find this information, so she fled the city under hot pursuit. Suffering a wound to her face in her flight out of town, she stole a Hartikan horse from the military stables and rode at a full gallop.
Hartikan horses are world-renowned for their speed, endurance, and bravery. A single horse costs a decent fortune in this part of the world and is favored by military commanders and nobles on both sides of the war. This didn't stop Ainer from literally running that horse to death. She drove the magnificent beast until it could sprint no more, then slowed her urging only somewhat before beginning anew. After a full day of ceaseless running, the creature keeled over and threw her into the dirt. Ainer did not stop running. She was spotted and attacked by a Gehrish army patrol that, upon defeat supplied her with a fresh horse. She rode this one to death as well, frantic to get word to her superiors of Opering's pending fall. But the gods favored her on her berserk journey as she bolted up the road and skirted around the outside of [Tarkin's Point, for every time the horse beneath her died of exhaustion she was never further away than two miles from another until she reached the imperial borders.
At that time, the entire shared border between the empires comprised the battlefront of their ancient war. Riding straight through would be nearly impossible but anything less would cost precious time. Procuring a fresh horse, so that hers didn't die in the middle of the extensive Gehrish army camps, she made no effort to slow down or disguise her presence. During the process, a Gehrish huscarl attempted to cut her horse out from under her with a two handed axe swung at full force. He swung high and took off Ainer's right leg at the knee, but the horse's stride remained unbroken and she kept riding. An arrow struck her in the shoulder as she tore through the enemy camps. She snapped the shaft of the arrow and used it, along with her belt, to improvise a tourniquet for her severed leg.
When she finally reached the Baridian lines and entered friendly territory she was on the verge of consciousness. But she kept riding until she reached [Arif and made her report, which was transmitted via arcane communication and arrived in Opering less than three hours before the enemy army. It was just enough time for the Baridian soldiers to muster a defense capable of repelling the attack, which was the last major battle of the war. She made what is normally a casual 19 day trip in under 30 hours with no stops or rest.
Captain Lithansuril's dedication, bravery, and journey are what cemented her place in Baridian history and earned her the name "Longrider". She received fame, glory, and medals for her service.
Failures & Embarrassments
Ainer has seen a few conventional failures in her life but you'd be hard pressed to convince her that's what they were. Her criminal spree as a youth was deliberately done to act out against her socially-ambitious family. Her demotion in the Quartermaster's Company came, justified as insubordination, came from her chastising a superior officer for their poor conduct. Even the loss of her leg is something for which she feels no regret. The only perceived failure she is known to have expressed is her failure to integrate back into Baridian society after the war, a sentiment felt by most of her comrades who survived the conflict.
Some say that's why she ultimately left to take control of some little establishment in the middle of nowhere amidst the territory where she once waged war. Others say she had some sort of connection to the previous owner, one of the famed Liberators. None of her family's hired biographers have been able to figure it out, but it hasn't stopped them from trying despite her resistance.
Some say that's why she ultimately left to take control of some little establishment in the middle of nowhere amidst the territory where she once waged war. Others say she had some sort of connection to the previous owner, one of the famed Liberators. None of her family's hired biographers have been able to figure it out, but it hasn't stopped them from trying despite her resistance.
Mental Trauma
After the war, Ainer's recovery time included severe post-traumatic stress alongside learning to live with a missing leg. Her harrowing Long Ride held a dark grip on her psyche for many years, but she found that virtually all of her close friends from the war were dealing with the same thing. Her Elven companions were especially afflicted, having spent more time at war than an entire lifespan of most other humanoid species and suddenly forced into adjusting to a lifestyle where their skills were no longer needed.
Ainer, with the help of her tight bond with her fellow Trailblazers, managed to endure and process her mental trauma alongside her physical traumas. As she learned to adjust to a prosthetic leg, she learned to live in peaceful times with a calm mind.
One thing that has not endured the centuries since the war is her loyalty to her country. When a soldier becomes disillusioned with the country they sacrificed years of their life to protect, it is a trauma all its own. The Baridian economy's collapse was a large part of why they agreed to end the war with Gehrland, and as such the country was in shambles when troops began standing down to return home. Heroes from the war, both famous and unrecognized, were given no pensions or services in recognition of their sacrifices except medals which felt hollow. The Baridian people showed gratitude and support for the first few years but became resentful and cold to the needs of veterans before a decade of peace had passed. The only people whose fame and accomplishments were decently rewarded by the throne were noble officers of the highest houses, very few of which had ever seen combat. Ainer and many others grew to feel used and discarded by their nation, which caused them to curse their old loyalties and no longer serve the throne.
Ainer, with the help of her tight bond with her fellow Trailblazers, managed to endure and process her mental trauma alongside her physical traumas. As she learned to adjust to a prosthetic leg, she learned to live in peaceful times with a calm mind.
One thing that has not endured the centuries since the war is her loyalty to her country. When a soldier becomes disillusioned with the country they sacrificed years of their life to protect, it is a trauma all its own. The Baridian economy's collapse was a large part of why they agreed to end the war with Gehrland, and as such the country was in shambles when troops began standing down to return home. Heroes from the war, both famous and unrecognized, were given no pensions or services in recognition of their sacrifices except medals which felt hollow. The Baridian people showed gratitude and support for the first few years but became resentful and cold to the needs of veterans before a decade of peace had passed. The only people whose fame and accomplishments were decently rewarded by the throne were noble officers of the highest houses, very few of which had ever seen combat. Ainer and many others grew to feel used and discarded by their nation, which caused them to curse their old loyalties and no longer serve the throne.
Intellectual Characteristics
Ainer is an intelligent, perceptive, and strategic thinker. She's capable of observing very fine details that are easily missed and extrapolating valuable insights from them. She has the experience of 119 years leading troops into battle and seeing them die, which leads her to make tight bonds of friendship while seeming very indifferent.
Taboos
There are few ways to get on Ainer's bad side faster than adoring her exploits or singing "The Long Ride", the popular Baridian song written about her famous journey. She has been known to punch bards unconscious for singing the song in her presence.
Personality Characteristics
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Captain Longrider has many savvies, as is to be expected by a being that's lived for nearly half a millennium. Anything pertaining to military life and culture, wilderness survival, horsemanship, supply chain logistics, or business administration are known to be well within her wheelhouse.
Oddly enough, many of the things she was formerly educated in as a child are subjects in which Ainer has little skill or interest. The only mathematics she cares to use are basic and specific to business or warfare. She has never pursued any application of arcane arts but understands its tactical applications. Outside of botany and basic chemistry Ainer is known to avoid any pursuit of the mundane sciences unless it is specifically useful to her current circumstances.
Oddly enough, many of the things she was formerly educated in as a child are subjects in which Ainer has little skill or interest. The only mathematics she cares to use are basic and specific to business or warfare. She has never pursued any application of arcane arts but understands its tactical applications. Outside of botany and basic chemistry Ainer is known to avoid any pursuit of the mundane sciences unless it is specifically useful to her current circumstances.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Ainer has many Elven and Dwarven contacts still alive from the war. Her family line grants her access to Baridian nobility and high society though she spends virtually no time among that demographic. She has spent her post-war life among the working folk and downplaying her fame, which has endeared her to the working classes.
Some people, including her family's hired biographer, suspect that Ainer's criminal tendencies in her youth never abated. This theory proposes that her skills just became skilled enough to avoid getting caught, and her known service as a spy counts against her in this theory. If these rumors are true, a figure of her public standing operating in criminal circles would make it likely she's at least somewhat affiliated with the Ochre Pact, a social network that connects skilled criminals around the world with other...professionals.
Some people, including her family's hired biographer, suspect that Ainer's criminal tendencies in her youth never abated. This theory proposes that her skills just became skilled enough to avoid getting caught, and her known service as a spy counts against her in this theory. If these rumors are true, a figure of her public standing operating in criminal circles would make it likely she's at least somewhat affiliated with the Ochre Pact, a social network that connects skilled criminals around the world with other...professionals.
Family Ties
House Lithansuril is a noble family of moderate influence and social standing within Barid Hold. Before Ainer's fame their house was commonly ignored and looked down upon by higher nobles, but the Long Ride did well to improve their standing and they played politics well enough to hold their gained social power despite Ainer's vocal opposition to her family's ambition. She has since disowned her entire clan and refuses to use or acknowledge her family's name, going instead by the name Ainer Longrider.
Religious Views
Like most people in Yvard, Ainer is polytheistic and observes deities depending on the challenges and circumstances she faces or the aid she prays for. She is known to regularly attend rituals at temples for several deities associated with war, death, and commerce. Anhur, Sehanine Moonweaver, Col Roquer, Dol Dorn, Nuada, and Waukeen are among her most observed deities (the first three being her most commonly revered).
Speech
Even after more than three centuries, Ainer still speaks like a soldier. Specifically, like an officer. Words are always well-chosen and deliberate. Her tone often lacks emotional flare when talking business, and her syntax is highly efficient. Most importantly, she speaks like the commander she was: with the authority of somebody who expects to be respected and obeyed. You don't get the sense she feels superior or entitled to your loyalty; the Longrider knows she's a damn good and capable leader.
Ainer's speech in Common bears a recognizable mix of two different accents: one of somebody who grew up speaking Elvish as their primary language, and the regional variations of Common specific to Barid Hold. This blend of linguistic influences is a very common accent that easily marks a stranger as being from the Hold, and the Elvish features of this accent are usually representative of respectable socioeconomic standing, if not outright nobility.
Ainer's speech in Elvish also has some idiosyncrasies that mark it as not only Baridian, but distinctly as someone of a Baridian noble family. Most of the Baridian noble houses are elves, and so this language bears the most distinctive representation these social influences.
Ainer's speech in Common bears a recognizable mix of two different accents: one of somebody who grew up speaking Elvish as their primary language, and the regional variations of Common specific to Barid Hold. This blend of linguistic influences is a very common accent that easily marks a stranger as being from the Hold, and the Elvish features of this accent are usually representative of respectable socioeconomic standing, if not outright nobility.
Ainer's speech in Elvish also has some idiosyncrasies that mark it as not only Baridian, but distinctly as someone of a Baridian noble family. Most of the Baridian noble houses are elves, and so this language bears the most distinctive representation these social influences.
Relationships
Wealth & Financial state
Ainer's family saw a notable increase in wealth and social power among the other noble houses once her wartime biography was published. Since Ainer wanted nothing to do with the family after they used her fame for their gain she left behind steady wealth without a military pension to lean on. All wealth she possesses today has been earned by her own work and investments, and is estimated to be a comfortable amount with most of her holdings invested in her own establishment.
Alignment
Lawful Neutral
Current Location
Species
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Captain
Longrider
Trailblazer
Longrider
Trailblazer
Age
523
Circumstances of Birth
Nobility
Birthplace
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Current Residence
Pronouns
She/her
Gender
Female
Eyes
Hazel
Hair
Long, straight, dark blonde
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Lightly tanned
Height
5' 11"
Weight
175 lbs
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Ruled Locations
Comments