Raeyna Candren

## Appearance

Raeyna is a fairly average human female, from outward appearances, though her crimson red hair is rather distinct, she has light fair skin, rosy cheeks and a few faint freckles. Raeyna is almost always seen wearing her glasses, as she is nearsighted, loving to read, she is also often seen carrying around one of many books, normally on the topic of Dragons or magic, whether it be arcane or divine, she also loves history, geography, crafting and even the occasional non-fiction or fantasy story for more relaxed and fun reading.

Raeyna's eyes, though naturally blue, sometimes flash red, with intensity. Her skin adapts to outside influences, for example, when threatened by a physical attack, her fair, normally soft skin reacts, forming into the dark reddish hardened scales of a dragon.

Raeyna normally only bears a shield and wears handwraps into battle to aid with her combat abilities, wearing a dark black arcane and divine themed robe with red symbols. Symbols representing the Dragons Apsu and Dahak, as well as various other glyphs of divine and arcane magic from her journey. She hand-made it herself, as she is rather skilled at crafting, especially clothing, one of her favorite pastimes, aside from reading books and spending time with Yuki.

## Personality

In her calm, everyday life, Raeyna is a very loving, affectionate person, though at times very socially shy and quiet, especially around new people, she has had issues with crippling social anxiety in the past, though her wife Yuki has helped her out with most of that, it still sparks up every now and then, it's just how she grew up. When Raeyna get's to know someone however, she does her best to be a good friend, and showers everyone with her motherly love, she has no true enemies, she just smiles and hugs it all away, though, she is not afraid to 'be a mother' when needed.

On the battlefield, Raeyna is as fierce as the lineage of dragons she embodies, she has dragon blood in her ancestry and fire in her eyes. Though Raeyna is a full caster she likes to get up close and personal on the front lines with the other martials, she has the ability to inflict damage, heal, debuff and buff, so she is quite versatile and will do what is needed, though sometimes her fiery redhead temper can get the better of her.

Raeyna also loves animals, nature and all things good, or neutral, she is learning to understand evil a little more, and even appreciates a little chaotic in her life.

Though she has had trouble with her fiery temper getting the best of her in the past, and on occasion still does (no one is perfect), her wife Yuki has helped her out a lot with that, she continues to grow and become a better person.

## Backstory 3.2

   Born and raised in Katapesh (she originally had the Duskwalker Agent trait in another server) to a Keleshite father and a Kezavazresthin (merchant caste) Vudrani mother, though Raeyna was born a bit of an oddity to the rest of the desert people, as she has dragon's blood in her heritage, she was born with fair skin, scarlet red hair and ocean blue eyes, which always made her father wonder if she were really his daughter or not, her mother of course, loved her unconditionally, and held her close. Though Raeyna is of some minor nobility in Katapesh, Raeyna grew up in the harsh deserts and city bazaar market streets helping her mother with her merchant business, her father however grew more and more distant and distrustful of her mother and Raeyna, his prejudice got the better of him and on one drunken night he sold Raeyna off as a slave to the Duskwalkers, the guild responsible for policing and watching over all trade that takes place in Katapesh’s notorious Nightstall. Her mother, was of course heart-broken, as was Raeyna for being ripped away from her loving mother at a very young and tender age, her mother and father got divorced, though, she did not learn of this until she was a little older and had gotten really good at her job working as a Duskwalker Agent, finding a way to meet her mother in the market from time to time for brief, heartwarming reunions, it was risky, being a slave, but those brief moments were worth the risk. When Raeyna was a young teenager of 12 turning 13, a man of noble birth and high status noticed her on one of his trips to the port of Katapesh for trade, sailing the seas and merchant routes on business, he bought Raeyna's freedom, freeing her from slavery and took her in as one of his own.

Raeyna was taken in as an adopted daughter to Scion Goodman Hugen of House Candren, Grand Councilman, First Harbormaster, and owner of the Sea King Shipyards, under the agreement that she was to learn proper manners, etiquette, complete her schooling and later to attend College at the Arcanamirium of Absalom to become whatever she wanted, which, Raeyna had always enjoyed working with her hands and watching the other clothing crafters in the nightstalls weave magic into garments, so she decided that she was to become a Arcanamirium Crafter.

Raeyna was a very studious student, always with her nose in a book, keeping mostly to herself and her arctic fox familiar Zyn, who was much more outgoing and playful than Raeyna at the time. Raeyna spent a few extra years in college, not because she had to -by all means she was one of the top students in her class- but because she *wanted* to and loved to study. After graduating, and earning the last name Candren, an honor bestowed to her by Goodman Hugen for her efforts. Raeyna stayed and continued to study at the college, even become an assistant teacher for a few years following- mostly so she had an excuse to study more within the vast knowledges of the Arcanamirium.

One fateful afternoon, whilst studying in one of her favorite, rarely used by anyone else, study halls, her familiar, Zyn, went exploring like the curious little fox he was, it took Raeyna a moment to realize it, but she quickly begun to follow after Zyn, he wouldn't answer her and just kept on going, as if following a scent or heading to some sort of source. Raeyna disliked being out in public, but she wasn't going to leave Zyn when he was like this... what could he be after? She wondered. Zyn took her to the outskirts of the Copperwood outside Absalom, there was a gathering of different groups of adventurers all gathered around what looked to be a quest board, Zyn sat down at the feet of a group of what looked to be a bunch of amateur adventures. There was a ranger with a bow, a couple of gunslingers, one gruffer looking male and a cat-like looking woman, as well as a couple other caster-types like herself.

Raeyna tried to get Zyn to come over to her but he wouldn't budge, just remained seated there, looking at her. Raeyna reluctantly and a bit nervously asking if she could join the group, clutching her study books to her chest, Zyn must have brought her hear for a reason.

Little did Raeyna know, but this would be one of the most life changing events for her was about to unfold. The group had chosen a quest of clearing out a nest of pesky giant lizard-like creatures, where she aided the party in completing this quest, well part of it, they were only getting paid per head they retrieved as proof, and they only got so far before well, Raeyna's life was threatened with death by one of the other party members when she tried to claim her share of one of the giant Lizard's materials for her crafting, the man had pointed a gun at her and told her he'd kill her if she even moved to touch it, even though she had buffed said person currently pointing a gun at her during the battle and aided the party, even though she had attacked the Lizard-like creatures a few times herself... the man claimed he had done most if not all the killing blows and damage to the creatures and therefor it was by all rights his and no useless other person's- ..Raeyna, being a redhead, and having her life threatened, was of course, **furious**, and had stormed off in a rage after that. However, the experience, as upsetting and infuriating as it had been, had helped her to re-evaluate herself, to reflect and determine how she could be more useful in combat, if she was to continue adventuring, the experience had at least sparked that in her.

After some self reflection, and time to cool down in the vast Libraries of the Arcanamirium, where she was most comfortable, Raeyna decided to set aside her books, her simple mage robes, and take up the way of Apsu, now in some steel armor, she followed the will of the Lawful Good Silver Dragon of Legend, and one of the original creators of the worlds. Taking up her shield and a new unwavering will, ~~though she still suffered from crippling public anxiety and nervousness around new people~~ Raeyna became a Paladin of Apsu, a Silver Champion and a Knight of Coins- well, at least she spent a great deal of time studying and re-training herself to become one after all that!
During that same adventure with the giant lizards, she'd also met the love of her life, Yuki, who had tried to calm and comfort her after the experience, though she'd been in too much of a stormy rage at the time to accept and appreciate it fully. Raeyna contacted Yuki after she had had time to cool down and find her new direction in life, and after a drinking game in the tavern that night with the gunchemist, Yukinari Saio, she'd learned, not a gunslinger as she'd thought at first, and the ranger from the group, a Dragon Hunter (who had yet to hunt an actual dragon), who'd also been in the party with them, as well as Raeyna's newfound charisma and ability to hold her liquor (God bless you Paladin Charisma to all saves) suffice to say, after that night in the tavern together, the two were soon inseparable.

Raeyna spent her days with Yuki, they traveled together, attempted a few minor adventures and quests together, nothing major or of much note, rescued a kitten and a few other animals from an evil merchant together during Raeyna's search for a dragon egg, or a drake's egg rather as she was to become a Silver Champion of Apsu. Soon after, the two begun to live with one another in Yuki's tent on the outskirts of town at a camping ground that wasn't too expensive and relatively safe. The two fell deeply in love, got married and built a home together, a nice little wood cabin big enough for the two of them and their rescued cat Sia.

They loved having a home together, and wanted to start a family, someday, though the call to adventure still pulled on their young hearts.

While Raeyna took up work at a clothing store in town,to help pay the bills. She dreamed of starting her own clothing business and maybe small bookstore someday. Yuki worked at an alchemist's lab, helping to stock, make and sell potions and extracts and teaching others how to mix ingredients, imbue them liquids with magic essence as an alchemist and so on for her part in living together with Raeyna in their home. That was, when they weren't trying to look for another adventure to join.

Yuki and Raeyna always found time for each other and enjoyed their household together, they were still young, full of life and adventure.

During that time, and their marriage to one another, Raeyna realized she wasn't truly following the way of Apsu, who's Paladin code she had sought to uphold. A code which demanded that she did not settle down, and always be on the move, among other edicts that, even though she loved Dragons, she truly wasn't following, and it was also getting in the way of her relationship and love for Yuki and their new life together.

The two had an amazing set of months growing into years together, Raeyna tried not to dwell on it but... it kept bothering her... she started having nightmares about losing Yuki and her fall from grace. All things she didn't want... she just wanted to be happy, and find her place in life, and above all, stay with her soul mate. One night, Raeyna had another life changing moment, a realization if you will. You see, Raeyna being someone who sought to be a Paladin and follow the way of Apsu, who's Paladin Code was rather adamant, even if less so than other Paladin codes, her wife Yuki, on the other-hand, followed Calistria, one of the many, more popular, faiths in Absalom, the goddess of seduction and trickery. You can see how the two conflicted with one another, however, they didn't much care about all that, they just knew that they loved one another, and did their best to be understanding and accepting of one another's different views and ways of life, because they cared for one another, felt a connection, like to halves made whole, a healthy balance of Chaotic and Lawful, they did their best and made it work, as they continue to grow, hopefully into their old age together.

**Paladins of Apsu valiantly follow the dragon god’s tenets of holy vigilance against evil. Those following the rigid code of a paladin must sacrifice the sedentary lifestyle of living in a single place in exchange for continuous travel and hardship. The tenets of such paladins include the following maxims.**

* **I am the talon of Apsu’s wrath. I strike where I am needed, but only when evil has been unmasked and there can be no doubt of my enemy’s malice.**
* **When my purpose is unclear, I will walk the roads of the world to find a fresh focus. Every road leads to a new beginning.**
* **Nothing is worth sacrificing my life for, except protecting the lives of others. I will retreat when needed, and come back to vex my foes once again.**
* **Mercy is offered, but only once. Should I be betrayed in my moment of kindness, I will not stop until I have put my enemy down.**
* **It is not enough to slay evil and carry on. I will spend the time necessary to help those I’ve protected to fend for themselves.**

During one dark and long night, after spending time to read both the books of Apsu and those of Calistria, and after much reflection, Raeyna finally realized, and accepted, moving past her denial, that she really hadn't been living up to all of the tenants of Apsu's Paladin code, specifically the one when her purpose was unclear, to walk the roads of the world, in order to find a fresh focus... having chosen a life of settling down to live with her wife, the love of her life. Or perhaps she was in the middle of living that very edict itself... with what was about to unfold.

On this stormy night, a mystical symbol of some significance appeared in flames and searing pain on her forearm, Raeyna had now been Cursed, Branded in flame by Dahak - Her fall from the Paladin's Code causing the absence of Apsu 's protection from such influences... The fall from grace had been harsh on her, a bit of a shocking realization that she had only been holding onto her Paladin powers through sheer willpower, her overflowing good nature and motherly like care of anyone she met. She felt a sense of loss and cried that night, cried many tears, some of sadness, some of joy at acceptance of the truth, some of unknown reasons, just feelings. Her love, Yuki, held her through it all, soothing her and tending to the brand, helping Raeyna heal, both her body, her heart and her mind. Raeyna was also blessed with the Dragon Mystery, something deep and ancient that had always resided and flowed within her.

With time, through patience and study - Raeyna still choses to follow Apsu's way, to the best of her abilities.
[**Apsu has no oracles, for he believes inflicting a curse on a living creature is a terrible crime against that being, even in exchange for divine power.**]
Even though she has been cursed by Dahak - Branded, she doesn't care, she still stands for all that is good and right in the world. And though Apsu does not seek out oracles, she still chooses to follow his way as best she can.

The two traveled for a while after that, spending about a year visiting a few places they'd always wanted to go and see, the cherry blossoms in Tian Xia, and the forests of Varisia. It took Yuki and Raeyna a little while, a long road trip they enjoyed deeply together, but they eventually found their way back to Absalom.

Raeyna was happily surprised that they decided to plant their feet and seek out adventure in a place she had always dearly called one of her homes, the sea fairing city state of Absalom. With Yuki by her side~

## House Candren

This house, of Taldan heritage and Andoran loyalty, is one of the city's eight most powerful houses and influential across the city. It is led by Scion Goodman Hugen of House Candren, Grand Councilman, First Harbormaster, and owner of the Sea King Shipyards.

**Scion Lord Goodman Hugen** is the leader of House Candren in Absalom, with strong Andoran sympathies. He is a member of the Grand Council, First Harbormaster, and the proprietor of the Sea King Shipyard.[1] While he outwardly presents loyalty to Lord Gyr, he secretly abhors positions of nobility and privilege. By appointing Andoran agents to positions of power, he hopes one day to incite a popular revolt and return power to the common folk.[2]

### Notable Family Members

**Scion Goodman Hugen** of House Candren, who, not only freed her from slavery in the streets of Katapesh from the ownership of the Duskwalkers, also helped raise her as if she were his own daughter, though his business and duties to city and state kept him rather distant from her direct life even growing up, he was still a big figure and part of her life. Raeyna is curious what her adoptive father will think of her now, after her grand adventure in one of many possible fractured futures, as well as her many changes in her path in life.

**Yukinari Saio** her loving wife and long life companion. <3

## Theme Song

*Raeyna's theme song, I feel it really accentuates her whole journey and story so far.*

Band: The Everlove

Song: I'm Dangerous

*(p.s. also a great new anime, check it out ^.^, if you like that kinda thing)*