Backstory
Where did your character grow up? What place do they call "home" now? (could
be the same or different.) [75 words max]
Marina grew up in the nation of Merna, within the inner water part of the land. Her home consisted of her mother (Malachita Sandstone), father (Aqua Brinestorm), grandmother (Saphira Seaspray), two sisters (Onyxia & Opala Brinestorm) and 3 brothers (Verdan, Sky & Cyan Brinestorm), among their tribe that had small, underwater village. She spent her first 18 years there, before she began her adventure of exploration and self-discovery. After which, she had spent 3 years travelling to new nations & islands, before eventually making it to Unified Caldar.
Who raised your character and how? What are these people doing now? [75 words max]
Marina's grandmother Saphira - who she imagines still lives a casual life back home - came to Merna to seek shelter from other nations and would often tell stories of her time spent outside, before eventually finding sanctuary here. These stories, as well as those told by one of Marina's few friends, those of a Lizardfolk named Grizzt Snarlsnap - a refugee from the Blasted Lands living in the southern marshlands near the inner ring of water - , were what stymied the fantasies that Marina would often picture in her mind of grand adventures she'd one day pursue. It might not seem like much of a connection, but to Marina, they fostered and kindled a great, burning passion within her to seek out and fill her life with excitement and wonder.
How did your attribute scores affect your character? [175 words max]
Marina was an intellectual among peers lacking in such strengths. She had a thirst for knowledge and stories that couldn't be slaked by the waters of Merna's isolation. Her home and people knew nothing outside of their own customs, rituals and personal disputes. She had no interest in such things, opting to keep herself out of conflict with her dexterous and graceful movements. Even her parents had a hard to wrangling their daughter, though if they did manage to outmaneuver her, she would have a hard time resisting. Her lithe figure never did take well to protein. While not the most charismatic, it was not for a lack of effort. Her tribespeople simply weren't interested in the fantasies that riddled Marina's thoughts. In the end, Marina thought it best to seek a lifestyle elsewhere, as she would never experience growth if she remained in the stagnant waters of Merna.
What made your character obtain the class they have now? [75 words max]
Her time spent in Blackden after pirates had raided the vessel she was a passenger on lead her to apply her natural talents as a Water Genasi, along with the lifestyle she had in Merna, to acclimate herself to Blackden's "culture". While she wasn't keen, nor particularly pleased with the work of piracy, that didn't change the fact that she was adept at it. Being a Water Genasi also made work on & in the water much easier.
What your character doing in recent years before the campaign's start? [75 words max]
After having spent about a month in the Eratus Empire, getting an understanding of the various races, lands, occupations and economics, Marina managed to secure passage through the Wild Waters on a journey towards the continent of Caldar. That voyage was beset by pirates of Blackden, whereupon Marina spent night on 2 years there, using her cunning, wit and boisterous personality to survive their lifestyle (which isn't much different than Merna's) and infect some of the populace with her fantasies, before eventually managing to secure a means of reaching Darna, where she spent a few months acclimating to the change in culture before moving on to Unified Caldar.
What motivated your character to leave their previous lifestyle and become adventurers? [120 words max]
Merna is not as safe of a space as one would think. The Slithis Dynasty pays no mind to their territories outside of receiving tribute. Conflicts between Tribes often occur, and the island is split between territorial areas of ruling. The vast majority of races in Merna consist of Merfolk, Sea Elves, Triton, and a few Lizardfolk. Marina has not experienced anything outside of a sheltered life of monotony. She wanted more for herself, outside of simply fighting for & living off of the bounties of the island. She left her home to have new experiences, to learn, to adapt, to live.
Which people are important for your character? [75 words max]
While more of a cryptic voice in her dreams, Marina considers Vermillion to be the most important being in her life, regardless of how present they are in it. If not for him having entered her dreamscape, it may have been much longer before she went on her journey, if at all. In the realms of mortals, Her human guide and teacher Barnabus Thatcher instructed Marina on all things racial, cultural, financial & professional during her time spent in Eratus. It was his basis that set the foundation of Marina's understanding of the land of Arda and her people. There is also her close, personal friend Kiwi, a Kenku that she befriended and that taught her all the important lessons in adaptability during her time spent in Blackden. She was an invaluable teacher and got Marina caught up in many a hijinks.
What connections does your character have to the other player characters? [175 words max]
During her time spent in Blackden, Marina encountered many unique individuals and used her natural-born talents to ensure fewer deaths by drowning when a ship left harbor to go on raids. She often would make friends with them afterwards, seeing as she did save their life after all. It's great being owed debts! Such was the case for Kes, a Githyanki "citizen" of Blackden, with whom she would later travel with as she made her way to Caldar, stopping by Shadebough Falls on the way and meeting a young Human physician by the name of Leokas. The three of them got to know one another for a tenday before Marina would depart and continue her journey westward, but not before making a promise to the two young boys.
Name a promise you have made to another player character that you would never break. [75 words max]
While spending time in Shadebough Falls, Marina would learn of the unique characteristics of the island; a strange mist that hangs over the forests, which caused an aging affliction on those who spent too much time there. While intriguing, to stay would mean potentially become afflicted herself and reducing the amount of experiences she could have, so she made a promise to Leokas that should she find answers as to the cause - and potentially a cure - to such an affliction while out on her journey westward, she would make sure to return to the island to inform those infected before moving on with her journey.
If nothing happened, what short/long term goals does your character have? [75 words max]
Marina would continue to explore Unified Caldar to learn more of her peoples' heritage & ancestry of the nation that was once known as Trovius. Afterwards, should any questions remain unanswered, or her goals fulfilled, she would venture into new lands (perhaps the northern territories of Caldar) to form new bonds and have new experiences, increasing her knowledge of races, cultures, etc.. The world is vast and full of adventure.
What makes your character a likeable adventurer that others would be willing to have to risk their lives for? [75 words max]
Marina is a Water Genasi; everyone loves the Water Genasi. It's just common sense. But even then, she's a bundle of never-ending joy, excitement, merriment, curiosity & wonder. Even if the situation is dire, she'll find a way to express positivity. She's quite capable as a huntress, a gatherer of resources, a survivalist, and as a scout.
What has your character done in the past, that they now deeply regret?[75 words max]
Marina feels that she left the nation of Darna too soon. She felt pressed by her own excitement at the time of arriving on the continent of Caldar to push herself along in her journey of discovery - both of herself and her ancestral home - being so close to Trovius. If she had spent more time in Darna, maybe she would have a deeper understanding of her connection to Vermillion (if that's what it is that she has), as well as how to properly pay that connection forward.
Are there any people that would wish harm to your character and why?[100 words max]
Refer to the optional plot hook below. It is possible that the information she has about said item may induce selective parties to want to inflict harm upon Marina, as a means of extracting said information, as she refuses to share it willingly as it may put those she cares about in danger.
More optional plot hooks: [Choose one]
- I know information about an expensive famous item, that others want.