Name: Manda
Age: 32
Contact: earthkingdom
Other Characters: Cullen Rutherford, Clint Barton
Interests: I'm extremely excted for political intrigue and action plots. Give me darkspawn and crazy Avaar throwing goats at Skyhold's outer walls. And games of Wicked Grace.


Name: Emmeline Courtenay
Canon/OC: Dragon Age OC
Journal: aestimo
Race: Human
Nationality: Orlesian
Occupation: Mercenary.
Age: 25, born 9:16

History

Emmeline Courtenay was born to Augustine and Nathalie, wealthy merchants from Val Royeaux. She was the youngest of three, just under Olivier, the eldest son, and Marguerite, the eldest daughter. Her family was what you could possibly call normal for Orlesian standards, her father made sure the business was ran correctly and money kept flowing in, her mother would make sure no scandal hit the family and played the Game quite well. Their children were given everything they could ask for, and they grew up happy. At least that's the front they put on.

Olivier was set to inherit the family business, which was obvious from the beginning. He was groomed for the role, and as such, a suitable wife would be set up for him to continue the family line. Her sister would also be married off into an advantageous marriage, something Marguerite was all too willing to accept. Her mother never had to worry with Marguerite; she did what she was told and that was that.

But Emmeline, growing up, would always listen to the stories she was told at bed time, and the stories of the great Chevaliers always garnered her interest. That's what she wanted to be when she grew up, not the damsel they would save, but the one that was doing the rescuing, battling dragons, fighting off the forces of evil. When she was younger, her brother and sister would humor her, and she'd save her sister from the devious dragon that was her brother. Her parents thought this a phase, but humored her, and when she were old enough, got her a real sword. She was skilled with the blade, that was for sure. But when it came time when she should startdeciding her role in the family, she refused to marry. She'd take no husband, she told her father. The other decision her father gave her was to join the Chantry. She refused that as well.

Within days of her refusal, her father issued an ultimatum: get married or join the chantry. The ultimatum didn't work for her. In the middle of the night, she left her family's home with the clothes on her back, her horse, and her sword and shield. She's packed a few other pieces of clothing and food, and very little gold to get her through, but she knows she'll make due. Months into her travels she comes across a small group of mercenaries. It's small, they work quietly, and they're looking for members. She'd be a fool to turn it down. She's quick to join, and for the first time in a long while, she feels like she belongs. When the brach opens in the sky, their group of mercenaries decides to head to the Inquisition. They seem to know what's going on.

Personality

Looks like a cinnamon roll, but could actually kill you.

First and foremost, Emmeline is headstrong. She doesn't like being told no, and will be the first person to find away any objections. Because of this trait, this leads her to being quite stubborn. Not so stubborn that she's set in her ways, but in the fact that she will do something no matter what she's told, especially if she sets her mind on it. And especially if someone tells her that no, she can't do it because she's too small or that she's a girl. That'll really set her off. If she's not being stubborn, she's either being sassy or sarcastic. She's learned to try and make jokes to lighten situations.

Mostly, she's a very optimistic person. Even in the worst of situations, she will find something good about it. The sun is always shining somewhere, and one day, they will get there. Granted, this happy-go-lucky disposition can get tiring some times, but even when she's in a bad mood the sun is still shining and damn it she will get there. She's one of those people who won't let anything get her down. She will focus and push through, determined to get things done. This also plays on her curiosity, so she's trying to constantly understand situations and pick up on little things and question what people are telling her.

Despite not being too close with her family nowadays, she has a big heart towards them and anyone she feels close to. She'll always give someone a chance and tries to be forgiving when people are downright rude to her. Underlying that, however, she does have trust issues. She's hesitant to get close to anyone just in case something happens. She's hesitant to feel betrayed, and therefore she's guarded.

The one thing she definitely struggles with is her strength, and more importantly, feeling weak and powerless. She knows she's just your average run of the mill human in a world of magic, and she's afraid that being human isn't enough. She needs something more in the world to make her feel genuinely safe. She knows she's good at what she does, but there's always that underlying fear that she's not strong enough to save her friends, or worse, herself. It's what motivates her. It's not just about being the strongest, it's about being the smartest, staying one step further than everyone else. Learning how to think on her feet and be faster and use their strengths and weakness against them and coming on top of everyone else.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Emmeline has no superhuman abilities. She is of a warrior class, of the weapon and ahield style. Experts in this style are still on their feet after punishment that would kill their allies. They use their shield to protect themselves and stagger their enemies.

Her family tried to play the great game, so she knows a bit about politics and intrigue, enough to be able to get by, but not enough to be truly successful with it. Under her father, she learned trade routes and the value and worth of items. She's well-educated because her family was able to pay for tutors. Over the years she's picked up some semblance of stealth training, but she's not even remotely as good as a rogue.

She's a normal human, so she can die like everyone else. She does have a problem with her own confidence, and whether or not she's good enough to protect herself and her friends.

Inventory

Clothing [leather-padded armor, boots. Addition set of clothing in her pack], sword, shield that's seen one too many days [she says it gives her good luck], pack full of necessities [first aid items, food, alcohol]

Motivation

The one thing that bring Emmeline to the Inquisition is the big hole in the sky. If they aren't doing anything about it, then there's some serious problem going on.



SAMPLE 1

It's freezing. It's freezing and the wind is blowing and at this point, she really can't feel her toes. She forgot how much she hated winters in Ferelden. It was wet and it was cold and Ferelden just stank. What was it about them and their country stinking so badly? Was it just the soil that reeked and that's why? She wasn't too sure. That was one thing about her Orlesian upbringing that she couldn't shy away from. And it wasn't the cities that smelled so bad, either. It was the wilderness, it was the animals, and by the Maker, it was the bears.

Speaking of bears, she hopped over the nearest fallen log and damn well fell into a stream. There was a moment where she laid there, freezing her butt off in the ice cold water that if the Maker were real, why he would allow something like this to happen. She hadn't done anything wrong, just try to survive in this cruel, unforgiving world. But no, things didn't work that way and she would be forced to pick herself up out of the freezing water and keep running. Come on, Emmie, faster.

What was great about the Hinterlands, however, were the myriad of caves that littered the rock faces. She could at least duck into one and wait while the bear tired itself out. The first one she came across she ran into, pressing herself up against the cold rock wall while she gathered her breath. So far, so good, and there were no bears. She inhaled deep, and her nose was filled with one of the most foul smells. And then she heard it, the low growl of something definitely bigger than she was. Please let it not be another bear, please let it not be another bear...

Of course life could only be that cruel. "Shit."

SAMPLE 2

The tavern is warm and the fire appealing, but what appeals to her most is the alcohol. It warms her like no fire can, down to her bones and into her belly. It fills every nerve and vein until she tingles. She's snagged a table to herself, off to the side and far away from the rowdiness of the night. It seemed like the best decision, to nurse her pint while she's got the gold to have it, and she'll find some food and a blanket and curl up by the fire to keep herself warm for the rest of the night.

Unfortunately, A few of the bar patrons don't want to leave her alone. They had been cajoling her all night, a few even going as far as making lewd remarks toward her. That earned them an eye roll, which apparently they didn't like. One from the group came over and sat down without any other word, drinking his mug while staring at her. "Can I help you, ser?"

He responded rather smartly back at her, saying she could come sit on his lap and make him happy. She's never been that kind of girl, and she nearly vomited in her mouth in response. "How about this. If I down my mug faster than you do, how about you leave me alone, and if you win, I'll head off with you. Agreed?" She had barely even touched her mug, so the man thought it would be all too simple to win.

He started drinking, and while Emmie feigned to drink, she tossed her alcohol into his face, followed by pulling his seat out from underneath him. Out of her chair she came, and while he was scrambling to his feet she whacked him over the head with her mug. Down he went, and she turned to the bartender. "Another, please."