Anna Larsen

== Anna Larsen ==
Anna Larsen, or just Anna, is an Imperial Cleric of Stranghan, following the Grave Domain. She was originally a medic in Frostheim during the Siege of Emberforge against the mighty dragon Kai. After the war, she joined Darling, Fritz, Braznii, Milri, and Freya on an adventure to find Milri's missing wife. She still talks with her old general and friend, Edrogorim Pildorsorrow, who now lives in Emberforge, via Sending.
=== Childhood ===
Anna was born in the city of Frostheim to her mother Clara Larsen, a nurse, and her father Alfred Larsen, a soldier, but she would not know them for long. During the first attack on Emberforge, both of her parents would be brought along, and both slaughtered in the massacre that ensued. All little Anna had left was her big sister Alice. Alice would raise Anna the best she could, often bringing Anna to Church where Alice served as a Priest of Lyra. Learning so much about Lyra specifically, Anna would grow to have dreams of exploration and adventure, while also wishing to learn medicine like her mother. She also took an interest to song and poetry as a way to express herself. By her middle teenage years, she had began learning about both magical and nonmagical medicine. At the same time, she had also gone to school for general knowledge, raising funding to pursue education by publishing poems and writing songs of great tales of the past.
=== A Siege of a Citadel ===
When Anna had just turned 21, the princess Katerine returned home, and lead a second assault on Emberforge. Anna went due to her sister going, the Frostheim government wanting her to try to win the favor of Lyra for the long journey north. Anna decided to become a medic, hoping to finally get the chance to adventure and save lives. Though, it wouldn't be as easy as first thought.
==== First Tastes of War ====
By now, Anna had actually chosen Stranghan, a recently empowered God, as her primary God due to the Emberot Crisis, something that terrified her. Following his teachings, Anna did her best as a medic, proving herself both as a battlefield medic and a hospital medic. This would not go unnoticed by High Command, who would invite her to a special team, named Gun Team Six, one training to assist The Six in their fight against Kai. This would help her advance her powers, becoming proficient in spells such as Cure Wounds and Toll the Dead, powerful spells both on and off the battlefield. Still, Anna felt she was different from her other members of Gun Team Six, as she cared about all life, even the enemies. Many times she would save injured civilians and soldiers alike while they were on the brink of death. High Command disagreed at first, but after a direct order from General Ed to help the civilians, she was allowed to continue what she was doing. It was near this time Ed would start to notice she was different, as he was.
==== A Friend Named Ed ====
While training one day, Ed asked to have a word with her. He took her to a more secluded area and simply sat down, motioning her to do the same. He asked why she would save the dwarves if they were her enemies. Anna responded that she saw them no differently or less deserving of life than Frostheim soldiers. Ed gave a small smile and said he agreed, something that actually shocked Anna. Rumors had spread about Ed being a ruthless cunning tactician, one who made several different hypothetical plans in a single night. Yet the more the two talked, the more she realized the rumors were false. Ed admitted he had only had Darling to talk to, the only other person he knew of he could safely vent to. The General did not at all enjoy the way the Princess was handling the invasion, with countless hundreds, thousands by the end no doubt, dead or injured. Anna asked why he helped, to which Ed responded it was too late for him to back out. He owed Katerine and her group a favor for saving his life, and that he was told nothing of needing to actually invade the town, only of fighting the dragon. Anna asked Ed what it's like to adventure, to which Ed responded with that it was great if you had the correct group, but it's hard to leave everything behind. Ed also admitted he was never properly trained in magic, teaching himself mostly from observing others when he was younger. Ed asked of Anna was related to the Cleric Alice, to which Anna confirmed. Ed admitted he liked Lyra, before revealing he was a cleric, admittedly a new one, of Stranghan. This had Anna asking questions about what it was like to be a cleric, to which Ed admitted he had only became truly religious when he arrived in Frotheim after the awful forest, that he believed Stranghan had heard his prayers and had gotten him to Frostheim safely. Anna clearly showed interest in adventuring, something Ed almost seemed worried about, as if he knew something. Anna could barely tell this look, after all she had plenty of practice from telling whether a patient was lying, but decided not to push the subject. After their chat, Ed gave her a smile and asked her to just call him Ed while they weren't in front of the bureaucratic nightmare that was High Command. Anna agreed, and felt happy she had finally met not only The General, but also got to here about adventuring.
==== The Dancing Dragon ====
The time had come, it was time for the final battle against Kai. For the first minute or so, Anna was too terrified to move, before General Ed brought her out of shock. Two of the gunners of Gun Team Six had already been slaughtered by the dragon. Soon, the floor would crumble underneath the battlefield, with everyone falling into the dragon's gold stash. Anna would focus on healing and not being burnt to a crisp. Soon the battle was taken to the dragon's lair. By now, the remains of Gun Team Six were her and two gunner. The Gunners sacrificed themselves, telling General Ed to get out of there. Ed would take the advice, making sure his friends got out first, though, and Anna, Braznii, and Ed would run out the front door while the rest of The Six ran to the gold stash. Outside, Anna would see a scene that is haunting, molten lava flowing through the streets, cracks in the ground everywhere, the city ablaze. Ed told her to get to safety and help people where she could, to which Anna agreed and ran off.
==== A City in Ruins ====
Anna run through the streets, helping people up, applying basic medicine, and helping them get to safety. General Ed had sent out a mass order of help evacuate the city, so it was easy for her to get other soldiers to help. Anna eventually got back to camp, where she performed medicine on the tens of people who she saved from the city. For the few days left before Kai was defeated, Anna worked around the clock healing the wounded. After the celebrations, Ed met with her in the late hours while she was in the hospital, with a look of seemingly pity. He told her he was sorry, and handed her a letter before taking a seat. He told her it was probably best to not read it while on the job, before he too started helping the wounded. While working on stabilizing the unconscious, the two talked, practically in private as they were the only two awake in the hospital. Ed told Anna if she was willing, her chance to adventure may be sooner than she expects. Anna said she'd love to, but not without a proper goodbye to Alice. Though Anna wasn't look at the time, Ed's body stiffened before he agreed. When it was late in the night turned early in the morning, Ed suggested Anna get some rest, to which she agreed. 
==== The End of the War ====
Anna got back to her quarters, knowing she wouldn't be up until well into the day with how late she was up. When she awoke, she began packing her things, for the envoy home left early the next day. She got to be one of the first back, the near front with the likes of High Command and The Six, for her bravery and heroism facing the mighty Kai, and putting her own life on the line to save others had won her the Medic's Medal of Heroism With High Distinctions. Once she was done packing, she decided to sit down and read the letter, which said,Dear Anna Larsen of Gun Team Six
I regret to inform you that your sister, Alice Larsen, was killed in action while helping the evacuation of the city. Those Alice were helping made it out of the city safely, but Alice has paid the ultimate sacrifice for their lives to continue. She will be given proper burial rights and as her only surviving relative, you will receive two shares as compensation, equating to 20560 silver pieces, in addition to you share of 10280 silver pieces. You are also being asked to attend the award ceremony to receive your medal for your service. Thank you once more for your sister and I am sorry about Alice.
High Command.By the end of reading, tears had fallen onto the paper, causing some of the ink to run. Anna folded the letter back up and put it in her pocket, and walked somewhere she knew she'd be alone. It wasn't fair, Alice never did a single harm to anyone. For the first time in forever, Anna felt truly alone. No parents, no sister, and soon no foundation. Empty, she traveled home, and showed up for the ceremony. She put on a smile for the crowd before going home and sobbing. Hours, many many hours, would pass before she finally composed herself when she heard a knock at her door.
=== A New Purpose ===
When Anna answered the door, she was not expecting to see General Ed, or just Ed now as he insisted, He told her he had an offer for her. He explained how he was done adventuring and that he wanted Anna to take his place as one of The Six. Anna was at first surprised, but after some convincing and prayer, became a true cleric of Stranghan, one of the Grave Domain. Ed explained that he was soon to be off to Emberforge to rebuild the city which gave Anna an idea on how to repay Ed for his kindness. She gave Ed the 20560 she had gotten from Alice's death, telling him to use it to rebuild the city. Ed stood shocked for a moment before giving her a slight smile, and advising her to get a move on if she wished to catch up to the party. With that, Anna was off, a new purpose found, help find Milri's wife.
==== A Forest and A Tavern ====
Shortly after meeting up with the party, they very quickly dashed through the forest, after which, The Six arrived at The Frostfall Tavern in Lisengwehr, where Anna, Fritz, Darling, Braznii, and a local would spend the night gambling, while Milri got drunk. Darling would eventually lose the big final pot, sending him into a blind rage, killing the local. Anna did some dark magic she was not proud of, before The Six left town the next day.
==== Traveling ====
Traveling was more exhausting than Anna was lead to believe, especially with how heavy her armor and shield were. Anna had no idea how Freya was able to carry around Mr. Boom, a literal cannon. Eventually, The Six reached the town of Plerats where the party bought magical items. Anna specifically bought an Amulet of the Devout, a powerful amulet boosting her spells and abilities, along with buying Earrings of Message, allowing her to communicate more quietly with friends, The Six then traveled to Kreusten, which had a unique way of dealing with currency, one Anna would find completely stupid. Freya would go on a date with a local here. It was also here Anna would pray to Stranghan, and learned of Emberot's location. Still, The Six's time in the city would soon come to an end, and they would adventure on. Eventually they would reach Zwei-Uferstadt where The Six would dodge the draft and continue on, ignoring the political struggles plaguing the Confederation of Haystan. Eventually, they would reach the city of Athhal, where The Six would help a local inn keeper keep up with the demand they faced for all of the soldiers. After leaving, they went off to Maiengrub, where the grandest levels of hijinks would ensue.
==== Princess Milri ====
Shorty after arriving in the city of Maiengrub, Milri would be "kidnapped", and Fritz, Braznii, and Anna would chase after her "kidnappers." These kidnappers were apparently from Milri's home, sent to bring her home to her father, the king of that land, or sea in this case. The three would fail in pursuing Milri and getting her back, but did stumble upon an Imperial Church, giving Anna an idea. She tried, the front door to no avail, and consulted Fritz on what he thought they could do. Meanwhile, Braznii broke in via a side door, and starting taking all of the sacrificial chalices, before leaving through the front door. Anna went white in the face, even more than normal, upon seeing this before she and Fritz started putting them back and praying for forgiveness. Storms, undoubtedly from Aerithor, plagued the city for the next few days. Anna would pray to Cleyera and Arianne to help Milri escape her captors. The prays must have worked as Milri returned to the tavern The Six were staying at in the city. Soon, the storms would clear up, and the party would move on. First, though, Milri would explain the truth. 
They would travel on to Neusellen, where after a brief scuffle, Milri would have a new invigoration to find her wife, leading the party to leave town quickly and run off into the day. On one of the nights of travel, 
==== Horde! ====
The Six would be nearly overwhelmed by undead hordes, with Anna and Fritz on the frontlines while Freya packed the tents and Milri ensured her face stayed pretty enough for when she found her wife. Mozart, one of Milri's companions, would help with teleporting Anna to safety before Freya started to carry Anna and dash away. Braznii almost got left behind before he too started running. A few hours later, the party would see light in the distance, a campfire. There they would find a small female Imperial, who Anna recognized as Lyra immediately. Anna would use this knowledge to try to calm Milri, before Milri blurted out "You're a Goddess?" absolutely humiliating Anna. Still, the night went well, except for Freya and Braznii constantly asking Lyra questions. Darling, Anna, and Lyra would play some cards, they would exchange stories, and Anna would end with a poem turned song, going something like this
a tale of a dragon, a tale from the north 
The Frostheimi army charging bravely forth 
Emberforge was guarded by an army of dwarves 
While the cold was so bitter, flaming was the war 
High command created plans deep in the night 
Decided on an amazing Silver Star Strike 
To capture the forges, the tower, the town 
To face gainst the dragon, and then strike him down!
Commander Ed, Fritz, along with Milri, 
Darling, Katerine, along with Braznii 
The 6 known simply as "The Party" 
Would lead our assalts, would take the city 
The forges were captured, we captured their guns 
Choosing when to battle, choosing when to run 
We fought night and day, neath both moon and sun 
And soon the tables would be so swiftly spun 
The forges, the tower, the crystal all captured 
Kai's control over the city soon fractured 
Using information for the captain we saved 
many lives, still, the city was razed 
This part I know only from commander Ed 
that Braznii returned from far past dead 
He then slayed the dragon, the war had been won! The mission completed, the mission was done! 
Ed and Katerine would stay behind, 
To rebuild their cities, though it'll take time 
The party would soon venture on on a quest to find 
our good friend Milri's poor missing wife.
Lyra seemed to love the song, and along with that, helped The Six, ensuring safe passage to Badenbach if they would deliver a letter to the head priestess. Anna kept the Letter safe and The Six would head off to Badenbach, without a possible clue of what would happen there...
=== Badenbach ===
While in Badenbach, the city would be attacked by Emberot. Less than 10 minutes into the chaos, Anna would receive a Sending message from Mariel Brightstar, the Head Priestess of the city, requesting help at the Golden Hand Cathedral. The Six would make their way over to the Cathedral, with Fritz and his magical Horse getting magical protection from Anna. Once at the Cathedral, the group would save a few of the remaining guards, but would face a grand foe. Anna would inspire the party, singing to them on how they had to hold fast against the Horde of the undead. A Saint of Emberot, Mariel, the opened Eye, would descend upon the Heroes, giving the non-imperials of the party a chance to defect, to which Milri told the Saint to kick rocks. Anna would send a prayer to Stranghan, asking for help. The Deamon would prepare to incinerate the heroes and guards, but Nerys the Purifier, a Saint of Stranghan, would block the attack, and begin combat with the Deamon. Meanwhile, The Six would strike at the cultists with Mariel, striking them down. One would try to use magic to convince Anna to walk straight into a beam of power, and Anna would barely break free from the charm, seeing her life flash before her eyes. Right as Nerys seemed on the ropes, The Knight-Regnant would come in for the assist, slamming on Mariel and forcing her retreat. The Party was safe, for now... 
They would meet with the Head Priestess, who would ask them to save people trapped at the Badenbach House of the Ill. The party would, through great trial, defeat the cultists in the hospital, when another great foe arrived. Champion of Emberforge, another Saint of Emberot, would burst into the house, demanding the deaths of The Six. Fritz would open his bottle of smoke, and the party would run for their lives. Milri was given a banner of The Old Empire by soldiers who sacrificed themselves to slow the Champion down, something which would save the party. Saint of the Unknown Soldier would descend right as The Six ran out of the house with the survivors, facing the Champion as the mortals ran back for the Cathedral. 
The Party would be given one last mission, to defend the mages attempting to teleport the entire city away from Emberot. The Six would do so, when another Deamon would face them. Anna would once more pray to Stranghan, and The Six would receive immense powers from the Divine. With these powers, and a very powerful Inflict Wounds from Anna, the Deamon would be forced to retreat, right as the city teleported. Anna and her friends had survived the great siege.
As thanks for all the help, Mariel Brightstar would call in a favor to steer the city in the direction of Milri's wife, hopefully speeding up the process of finding her. The Six would relax in the city for a few days as it flew, until they saw a warship of the Empire of Lauria in the distance.