Hiorna

Hiorna is a human girl from the western Hoarfrost Expanse, specifically that of the banks of the Barrow Beck.

She now resides in the settlement of Amber Run in Atralran.

## Description

Alongside her parents - Lyam and Bemna, the family drattur Tala and her pet Mink Spindle, Hiorna has been afforded a simple state of being for much of her life thus, comfortable and content as fisherfolk residing along the banks of the Barrow Beck. Making infrequent journeys, approximately once every month or two to Howell Hithe to the north, and in time more so to the settlement of Snowdrift Respite to the northeast, to trade for tools and supplies unable to be obtained from their surroundings, the family would become known to some of the residents - particularly that of the operator of Fonteyne's Fountain in Snowdrift, the bugbear Ghezik.

Bundled in furs, wools and other thick clothing, Hiorna is accustomed to the harder state of living in the north, and in time has grown adept at wielding a filleting knife skilfully. Though initially slow to trust strangers, once assurances - particularly if accompanied with offerings of things she may be after such as food and gifts when first encountered, assurances are quickly obtained.

### Tala

Highly active and attentive, Tala flourishes in the role as a sled dog and is deeply beloved by Hiorna and her family. Easily distracted by small objects, particularly fast moving small objects, she takes a steady hand to guide in a singular focused fashion, as much inclined to stop to snow bath herself as she is to chase after a rabbit. She seems to loathe Hiorna's other pet, the Blackcross Mink Spindle. When spoken to by Arnica, Tala spoke with an erratic tone, wandering in focus rapidly and haphazardly.

### Spindle

Territorial and protective of Hiorna, Spindle exudes confidence - both in their lithe and agile form, and the boldness of their vocalisations. Taken in by Hiorna after they were found abandoned at the riverside alone from the rest of the kit, they rarely accept food from anyone but Hiorna, but will readily steal anything fanciful left out on the side. When spoken to by Arnica, Spindle spoke with a suave, near sultry confidence, catching the artificer off-guard.

## History

Hiorna was first encountered by an adventuring party that travelled to Snowdrift Respite in 135WD. While in the settlement, the family dog Tala ran into town, still attached to a sled, but Bemna nowhere to be seen. Through use of their innate ability to speak with beasts, Arnica and Enor managed to established the nature of the situation - later confirmed by Hiorna herself when they reached the family log hut. Hiorna's father Lyam had left in the night to investigate the odd mists surrounding the forests and barrows near the hut, and upon his lack of return, Hiorna's mother Bemna had sought him out, leaving Hiorna at home on account of a leg injury sustained in a accident while collecting wood a few days prior. Bemna, having failed to find him, instead set forth for Snowdrift Respite, but disappeared with a passing storm. Shortly before the party's arrival, the Knight-Regyr Adrian Frostbrooke crossed paths with Hiorna, leaving her rations and pledging to look into the barrows.

The party would trail soon behind, inadvertently meeting up with Adrian at the barrows and fighting in unison the malign presence passing through the structure. Within, they would find the body of Lyam left as bait, upon interaction his form turning to ash, soul seemingly captured, consumed or elsewise claimed. Afterwards, with confirmation of Lyam's demise and no sign of Bemna, Hiorna agreed to accompany Adrian to the town of Amber Run, alongside Tala and Spindle.