Bryna Novell

**Bryna Lavenza Novell** is a human artificer in Campaign 2.0 and a member of its party. She hails from the noble family of the Novells and is among the alumni of the Augury. Bryna travels Itoa with the party, having met them in search of a magical item called the Birthstone. She is the accredited inventor of the Thunder Cannon.

## Appearance

Bryna is dark-skinned and gaunt; her features sharp and icy, incisive gaze even more so. She has light blue eyes and thick, curly brown hair that's worn in a high ponytail. While not particularly old, she looks aged - streaks of gray run through her hair and beneath her eyes sit deep bags. She has full lips, slight buck teeth, and a dimpled grin.

Bryna has a small, faint scar on her neck from when she was stabbed in "What Goes Around, Comes Around".

### Current

After dying and being revived naked in "Everything Is Fine", Bryna now dons dragon-themed leather armor, gifted to her by Darwesh. Beneath it she wears a plain beige work shirt. A yellow ascot is tied around her neck, and she sports a basic utility belt lined with various pouches.

### Previous

Bryna's initial outfit was a dark blue, gold-accented dress, bound at the waist with a crimson red sash. Her dress' poofy sleeves met into gold bracers that covered her forearm and ended at her black gloves. She wore knee-high black boots that had gold heels. Bryna also draped a small, dark capelet over her chest.

## Personality

Bryna is snide, contemptuous, and self-centered. Unfortunately, many of Bryna’s characteristic traits are entirely negative, with even typically neutral traits such as her intelligence being warped into pedantry. Her regularly hostile and ill-tempered nature is very much epitomic of her as a person - she's quick to dish out snarky remarks, and even quicker to rebuff even the most innocuous comments. Her affluent upbringing has also led her to become pompous and entitled about her wealth. These qualities have sadly earned Bryna the pure enmities and animosities of others.

Bryna acts haughty and self-assured, but this attitude serves as a front for the intense feelings of sadness, resentment, and anger that lie within her. Bryna lets this all result in the worst version of herself. While she’s becoming aware of the need to change this, it still remains a defensive habit she all too easily finds herself slipping into. Bryna lashes out and bristles under pressure, and hates feeling challenged. She’s most comfortable having hold on any situation, and feels utterly helpless otherwise.

While brilliantly intelligent, Bryna is decidedly a bitch about it. She is pedantic, patronizing, and impatient with those she views as less capable than herself (everyone). Bryna assumes those new to her are incompetent until proven otherwise, and is also cunning and manipulative. She’s willing to resort to unethical means to make sure she comes out on top, and isn’t above flat out deceiving others to benefit herself.

Bryna is relentlessly obsessive in her pursuits and aspirations. She is burningly passionate and gives her all in what she hopes to accomplish, whether it be to live up to the Novell name or reunite with her lost lover. Bryna can only spare her manic dedication for so much, and her intense strive for success borders on neurotic behavior. She’s very ambitious, and detrimentally so. Bryna seeks remembrance out of an irrational fear of irrelevance - more or less born from her parents' pressing expectations, who full well expect her to carry on the family legacy.

For all the negatives Bryna embodies, she still possesses a smidgen of morality. She isn't entirely without empathy and at times openly sympathizes with others, but deliberately wards people away with her sardonic disposition. Bryna believes she can’t afford sentiment in the greater scope of her mission - it exists to knock her back down once she loses someone again. Despite this, Bryna reluctantly cares for her fellow party members, and attempts to repress her growing attachment. These newfound feelings are difficult for her to express; almost every genuine interaction she’ll have will devolve into condescending compassion.

## History

### Pre-Campaign

Bryna was born to Ranthal and Iona Novell. Bryna grew up in the Novell Estate, a spectacularly expansive mansion, and enjoyed a childhood of luxury, wealth, and a loving family. Bryna took to the sciences at a young age and was groomed to continue the family legacy. At some point she was gifted a puppy that she named Bishop. Ranthall mentions to Sulelia a time when Bryna would raid the kitchen's chocolate stash. Ranthal recalls having to switch and lock where it was kept every night, but to no avail, as he'd still find it empty the following day.

Bryna studied tirelessly throughout her youth, and was eventually accepted into the Augury. There, Bryna met a woman named Orala. The two fell in love and eventually became happily married, but were only able to enjoy a few years together before Orala's untimely demise. Bryna believes herself responsible for her fate.

During her stay at the Augury, Bryna had Runya Altec expelled under the claim of having uncovered evidence of demon worship.

As of the beginning of the campaign, Bryna had learned of the Birthstone was actively searching for the item, it being a key component for her mechanical servant. Her search took her to Wenshire, where the first session began.

## Abilities

### Skills

* **Engineering**: Bryna has many times demonstrated a high level of skill in mechanical engineering, ranging from the construction of her mechanical servant to being able to continually produce new magical items.
* **Lock-picking:**She's proficient in Thieves' Tools. Bryna's typically the one to attempt lock-picking in most situations.
* **Alchemy:**While her knowledge is fairly basic, Bryna is proficient in Alchemist's supplies and has been able to produce basic poisons.

### Additional Tools

* **Goggles of Night**: Grants Darkvision up to 60 feet.
* **Bag of Holding:** Places objects in another dimension.
* **Charles the Ring:** Originally belonged to Twiggs, who bought it from a magic shop. Bryna plucked the ring from Twigg's mess of a corpse and has worn it ever since. When the ring is consulted, it can provide an emotion based on its surroundings and circumstances.
* **Alchemy Jug:** Found in a dungeon. Can produce a certain amount of a number of liquids, such as fresh water, oil, or even mayonnaise.
* **Thunder Cannon:** The Thunder Cannon is a two-handed breech-loaded rifle. Bryna is skilled in the usage of firearms, being one of the few to ever wield one.

## Relationships

### Sulelia Lora Phyra

> **Bryna:** "Do you have any idea what it’s like to have lost someone, and know full well it’s entirely your fault?"
>
> **Sulelia:** "Y'know, maybe I do!"
>
> —"Old Love, New Life"
>

Initially disapproving and detached, Bryna didn't care much for Sulelia. She regarded the elf as as nothing more than a liability - but if Sulelia was willing to follow and assist, so be it. Eventually, Bryna grew to respect the nobility of Sulelia's cause, and began to find the elf's company the most tolerable of all the adventurers she'd become saddled with. When Sulelia ultimately brought Bryna back to life, she became deeply appreciative of both her and the relationship she shares with Daisy. She began to worry about her well-being and even became protective of the elf - these developments unease Bryna.

The two often argue and oppose each other. Sulelia chafes under Bryna's constant reprimanding, and in turn the elf berates Bryna for her selfish behavior. The pair pose a dramatic contrast: Bryna is selfish, caustic, and calculating, while Sulelia is selfless, boisterous, and impulsive. Bryna and Sulelia play off of each other by being opposites in many respects, but ultimately the two's differing qualities balance each other out; Sulelia offers levity and positivity to Bryna's life, and in return Bryna keeps Sulelia grounded and reasonable.

Despite the two's many differences, Bryna and Sulelia both wrestle with problems of insecurity and self-worth, and most notably share the same struggle of having killed someone they love. As the closest of all the party, they gravitate towards each other in most situations and turn to each other in times of need. Sulelia sympathizes with Bryna and is always expressing her genuine and earnest care for her - and while the moments are far and few between, Bryna will drop subtle indications of returning the sentiments.

### Gareth Wolfsbane

Bryna and Gareth's lifestyles are deeply divergent. An industrialist noblewoman paired with an uncivilized self-proclaimed protector of nature make for a tense relationship, and the majority of their interactions consist of icy insults and barbs. However, the two share more in common than they think; both are singularly obsessive and prioritize said pursuits over anything else - respectively Bryna's hopes of bringing Orala back and Gareth's oath to destroy all undead.

Her growing relationship with Gareth is perhaps most properly exemplified in the two's actions. In *"*Dire Straits*"*, Gareth saves Bryna from certain death when the two are pummeling to their doom atop Ann, which was shot and destroyed in the air. Immediately after, Bryna casts Invisibility on Gareth instead of herself while trying to escape from bandits. Unfortunately, this led to Bryna being taken away instead. When Gareth rallies everyone to venture into the potential lich-lair dungeon in *"*Revelations*"*, Bryna responds with extreme reluctance, but eventually expresses that she'd stay by their side, even in the case that they're all leading themselves to their deaths. Ultimately, Bryna and Gareth learn to depend on each other - even if it's in teeth-clenched teamwork.

### Thomal Thunukelo

When the party first encountered Thomal, Bryna readily dismissed him as a stranger and promptly rode the cart away from him. The goliath was, like many others, kept at a distance by Bryna's acerbic nature. Thomal notes that Bryna would surely be sent back to the Nine Hells if she dies again, and Bryna never thought much of Thomal other than yet another stranger she'd reluctantly housed in her lab. However, Bryna is surprised to hear Thomal lie on her behalf at the six-course dinner at the Novell Estate, and grew much more partial towards him after discovering that he'd been acquainted with her father at some point.

After some time, the two manage to find common ground in their struggles. Thomal languishes in knowing that his family name dies with him; likewise, Bryna struggles knowing that the window for her to birth another Novell is closing as she grows older - not to mention she'd married a woman. Bryna consoles Thomal after he discovers his wife's infidelity, and tells him that the party is glad to have him with them.

### Angeal Vilhelm

> "Well, my grandfather once told me that people are usually as bitter as their drinks."
>
> —Angeal to Bryna in "Small Girls and Magic Tricks"
>

Bryna is intrigued by Angeal's mysterious nature, and ever inquisitive about what lies behind her veil. She can be assertive over Angeal's meekness and act domineering towards the girl, but also understands that Angeal is to be treated gently. However, Bryna can easily find herself overstepping this when she grows frustrated, and Angeal often shrinks back at Bryna's hostile rebukes. But despite these moments of conflict, Bryna is still willing to lend Angeal her help and services. She assists in Angeal's attempts to better her painting skills and occasionally provides her teachings and materials. Angeal's calm intuitiveness helps keep Bryna grounded in many a situation.

Bryna was the first to know of Angeal's true nature: she's an aasimar, and hides in disguise in fear of being found by those who are after her. Angeal admits she divulged this truth to Bryna because she considered her the least of a threat out of everyone. She swears to have Bryna not tell a soul about what she saw that night, and since then Bryna has kept true to the promise.

### Orala Novell

Bryna's love for her wife hasn't wavered since their separation. Bryna is utterly consumed and controlled by her intense devotion to Orala, and for the last decade has relentlessly pursued the goal of reuniting with her. During an expedition below the surface, Bryna ordered a cave-in that was intended to cut off a horde of monsters that were chasing their exploration team, but Orala was trapped behind the rubble. Bryna believed she had accidentally killed her wife.

In "Old Love, New Life," it's revealed that Orala still lives, but as a slave working under a demon lord who forced her into outfitting an entire devil army with Thunder Cannons. Orala acceded to the demands, having been promised that she'd one day reunite with Bryna. At some point, Orala sent the Slapdash Sphere in search of Bryna, who after finding and activating it obtained Orala's schematics for an extra-planar gate. Bryna is desperate to see her wife freed from this circumstance.

### Runya Altec

> "Hello, Bryna."
>
> —Runya, seconds before firing her pistol into Bryna in "What Goes Around, Comes Around"
>

Bryna and Runya's relationship is steeped in a mutual sense of deep acrimony. Having wronged each other on both fronts, the two women have rivaled and opposed one another since the campaign's very first session, though the nature of their conflict isn't really known to anyone but themselves. The difference between Bryna and Runya is as thin as razor - both are sneering, deeply intelligent, and characterized as guided chiefly by their own self-interest.

### Ranthal and Iona Novell

Bryna deeply loves and admires her mother and father, who in turn give their daughter the world. She strives to impress and live up to their pressing expectations and wants nothing more than their validation and recognition. However, it's for this reason she crumples under any sense of disapproval given by them.

Bryna considers herself more partial to her father. Ranthal thoroughly enjoys Bryna's intuitiveness and knack for invention, and much of their time spent together in Bryna's youth consisted of tinkering away at her machines. Although closer to Ranthal, Bryna still loves her mother, and takes after her much more in temperament.

Bryna is the sum of their parts, for better or for worse. Ranthal's self-assurance and strive for something greater together with Iona's calculating and precise nature results in Bryna's dedication, drive, and devotion - all bent for the worst because of what happened to her.

### Lilith

When the party first found Lilith, Bryna felt a certain tenderness in caring for the baby. Since then, Bryna has assumed the role of her doting and overbearing mother. Bryna is enamored with the child, constantly showering her with uncharacteristic affection... much to Lilith's delight! Bryna has declared her a de-facto Novell. The idea of Bryna being the one to care for Lilith was first suggested by Chief Gahvek, who notes that while the two may not be connected by blood, Bryna could still care for her as her own.

### Twiggs

> "Well, we've established two things: I'm facetious, and you are a fucking *idiot.*"
>
> —Bryna to Twiggs, after he'd destroyed her lab equipment
>

At odds since the beginning, Bryna felt threatened under Twiggs' insightful eye and resented him, knowing his intelligence rivaled her own. The gnome is remembered as nothing more than yet another stranger she'd reluctantly housed in her dorm.

### Landen Zartek

Bryna didn’t think too much of Landen upon first meeting him; he was more or less drowned out by the overt personalities of everyone else. That being said, when Landen revealed he'd brutalized a group of prisoners, it definitely shocked the hell out of Bryna. Since then, she's grown to respect Landen and appreciates his sensibility.

## Trivia

* Bryna was never intended to be mean. Like, ever. She was initially gonna act much more eccentric and goofy.
* Bryna was originally conceived as a character featured in the backstory for a warforged barbarian, but was then elevated to a proper player character. She was an elf sorcerer.
* Her favorite food is tiramisu. Bryna also has a sweet tooth, and is particularly fond of chocolate.
* Bryna's birthday is February 12th, making her an Aquarius.
* In the Major Arcana, Bryna represents Death.