Eliza Cousland

Warden Eliza in 9:30 Dragon.

> "*I live for my mother and my father. I live for the friends I lost. I live for myself.*"
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**Eliza Howe** (née Cousland) (born 9:09 Dragon), also known as "The Hero of Ferelden", the Warden-Commander of Ferelden, and the Arlessa of Amaranthine, is a human noble from Highever. She is the youngest child of Bryce and Eleanor Cousland. After her home was taken over by Rendon Howe in a coup, Eliza was conscripted into the Grey Wardens as a means of escape. Her journey through Ferelden combatting the Fifth Blight made her famous, and her story was eventually retold in a book by Varric Tethras.

## Overview

### **Physical Appearance**

Eliza stands at five feet, nine inches tall (175cm), with fair skin and long blonde hair she normally wears in a bun. Her eyes are hazel, like her mother's. In fact, Eliza is said to be a young Eleanor, inheriting few physical traits from Bryce.

### **Personality**

Eliza is a well-mannered young lady, but she wasn't quite as refined when she was girl. As a child, Eliza was often noted to have her head in clouds and stories, listening to anyone and everyone tell her stories of princesses and knights and true love. Her favorite stories were her mother's, as Eleanor would somehow make even the most boring of subjects a fascinating tale for her daughter.

Despite the trauma and hardship she has experienced in her short time as an adult, Eliza is remarkably cheerful. It was perhaps her unending optimism that kept her and her companions going, no matter what they saw. Eliza would also try to see the good in people, and worked tirelessly to try and get the best outcome for every problem she had to deal with.

### **Talents and Skills**

While Eliza possessess few talents, the ones she does possess, she excells at. Trained as an archer in her mother's footsteps, Eliza developed an uncanny accuracy with her bow. Although she is still slow to loose arrows, the almost always find their marks. Eliza also had some skill with archery on horseback, although she has only ever done it in training and has yet to try it on the field.

On the other hand, Eliza was well known as a talented singer; performing hymms at both the Cousland Castle Chapel as well as the public Chantry in Highever.

## Biography

### **History**

Born on the 19th day of Kingsway, Eliza was every bit the miracle baby Eleanor Cousland wished for and so she was named as such. *Eliza Joan Cousland*, "Maker's gracious vow". She was doted upon by her mother, who was grateful to have a little girl after raising Fergus. Eleanor taught her daughter how to be a proper lady from a young age, starting with make believe tea parties all the way up to hosting dinners. Eliza was also given a private education similar to her older brother, with a focus on the arts and heraldry over history and combat. Eliza loved her classes, especially her tutors, and was a quick study. Unfortunately, Eleanor's duties as Teyrna overtook her time for her daughter, and Eliza's care and schooling was transferred to a servant that had also been helping raise Fergus. She was affectionately known as "Nan", a nickname from the elder Cousland child, and the older woman loved the young girl like her own.

When Eliza was thirteen, Eleanor pulled her aside and asked her if she would like to learn the practicalities of combat. Eliza agreed almost instantly, although her mother limited her options to the bow, the same weapon the Teryna used. Eleanor wished her daughter to be as safe as possible, even on the battlefield, and one of the best ways to do that was to keep away from the enemy. Eliza never complained, and seemed to enjoy the more personal lessons from her mother after years of more distant contact. With years of practice came the honed skills of a sharpshooter. Eliza practiced with her bow nearly every day, much to the dismay of her mother - who had hoped she would use the weapon only in self defense.

As she grew older, to a young woman of 17 years, Eliza's parents began talks of marriage for their daughter. Prospects were limited, due to the family's high station as Teryns, and potential suitors were put through a rigorous inspection before consideration. With Fergus' affinity for command, Eleanor and Bryce considered discussing with him the possibility of handing Highever to Eliza instead of him, allowing him the freedom to choose to command Highever's forces, or go further into the King's Guard. Still, it would be a few more years until the subject was brought to Fergus' attention. In the meantime, Eliza began taking an interest in the youngest of the Howe children, Thomas. Despite their history, the Couslands considered the Howes to be friends and allies, and Bryce seriously considered making the proposition to Rendon Howe. He was going to too, until the Darkspawn threat reared its head in 9:30 Dragon, forcing him to put the match on the back burner.

Eliza's preplanned future would not come to pass. Shortly after the Darkspawn threat became known, the Cousland's were betrayed by Rendon Howe, who had killed nearly the entire family. Only Fergus and Eliza escaped; the former due to leaving earlier than planned and the latter with the help of the Ferelden Warden-Commander Duncan.

### **In-game**

In Progress

Note: This table will be removed as events are written.

## Relationships

Note: These tables will be removed as relationships are written.

### **Awakening**

 **Justice** | Friendly (97)
 **Nathaniel Howe** | Friendly (100)
 **Sigrun** | Friendly (88)
 **Velanna** | Warm (73)

## Miscellaneous

* Eliza's middle name is Joan.
* Her leitmotif is "Humble and Kind" by Tim McGraw.
* Her MBTI type is ESFJ.
* Eliza was originally going to be arranged to marry Thomas Howe, Nathaniel's younger brother, before the attack on Highever.

## Links

### **Reddit Headcanon Threads:**

April 27th, 2021

July 27th, 2021

### **Reddit Writing Prompt Threads:**

March 13th, 2021 - A Series Of Drabbles: Your OC's goodbyes to their companions.

March 4th, 2023 - 500 Words: "This isn't home anymore."

### **Non-Reddit Links:**

Freeform: Who Will Win the Prestigious Title of Miss Thedas?