Ravannati

03/05/03 08:30:44 AM
redchin@sonic.net

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Ravanati Aradan, 2/2 Ranger/Wizard Half-elf (played by Karen Walker)

Born and raised in the Vesve Forest, Ravanati 'Raven' Aradan understands well the need to oppose Iuz and his forces. Her ranger father, Esric, came to those woods many years ago, to help the elves of the Vesve hold the line against the orcs and other vicious humanoids who constantly threatened those pleasant woods. Esric fell in love with Liatri, an elven woman, and Ravanati ('joy of the forest') was born a few years later.

As a child, she learned the ways of the woods, and how to move among the trees as silent and unseen as a gentle breeze. She learned to use the bow at an early age and was one of the better shots in the tribe. As she grew older, she began to accompany her father more often, travelling to the border of their land. Here she first saw the awful devastation that the malevolent orcs brought with them. Her father told her that things were getting worse. Orcs were moving deeper into the woods. It was time for her to begin her training as a true ranger.

Years passed, and as Ravanati became proficient with sword as well as bow, the need for her training became evident. Orc raids occurred more often, and disturbingly, were more organized than before. She fought in several skirmishes on the eastern border and was on patrol almost constantly. This left her little time to spend with her tribe, which had expanded to include a baby brother, Staleento, a blessed surprise in such difficult times.

It was in late summer of CY 587 when Iuz' forces mounted their most terrible raid yet. Orcs, goblins, and even ogres swarmed into the Vesve. A feint to the north had drawn away the rangers and elves, and a force of fast-moving marauders came up from the southeast. They burned homes, killed villagers, and carried off many children, for what gruesome purpose none could say. Ravanati's brother was among those missing.

A group of rangers, including Ravanati and Esric, learned of the kidnappings and began a tireless pursuit. They tracked them through the woods, splitting up as the orcs split into smaller groups. Finally, Ravanati and her father came upon a band of orcs resting at a stream below them. They had three children with them, all alive. Esric cast an Entangle spell on them and leapt down to attack with his sword, cutting off the first orc's head like a blossom pulled from a stem. Ravanati fired arrow after arrow into the monsters, and when those were exhausted, joined her father with her sword. The two fought fiercely and showed the orcs no mercy. Still, one huge warrior orc managed to stun Esric and run off with a child. Ravanati pursued him, catching up to him swiftly. He turned to face her, and when he did, she saw something that froze her blood: her baby brother's necklace, hanging from the armor of the orc. Enraged, Ravanati attacked like never before. They fought for what seemed like an eternity. But the orc was stronger and managed to knock her to the ground. As he brought his axe above his head for a deathblow, with the last of her strength Ravanati threw her dagger into the beast's exposed throat. He collapsed and died. Exhausted, she retrieved Staleento's necklace and the kidnapped child and staggered back to her father.

The rangers returned with much success, recovering all but a handful of children. Among these missing though was Staleento. It broke Ravanati and her parents' hearts, and even the gift of a wondrous mithral shirt from a grateful family could not lift her spirits.

It was at that time that she decided to dedicate her life to the destruction of evil. She continued to serve as a ranger, but also began to spend time with her uncle Alathras, a wizard of no small ability, who had told her years before he would instruct her in the arts of magic when she was ready. Her natural sense of curiosity and wonder had always drawn her to magic, and she hoped that despite all the current troubles, she would be able to learn the ways of the wizard. Uncle Alathras taught her to read magic writings and gave her some basic understanding of the theory of magic. But he too was called upon to protect the Vesve and could not give her the education she needed to become a true wizard. He suggested she go to the city of Greatwall and study there. Her captain agreed to this and she went off to the city.

Ravanati had never been to a real city before. At first the towering buildings and huge crowds were nearly overwhelming to the forest-bred half elf, but soon trepidation turned to enthusiasm as she found new discoveries waiting around every corner. She jumped into her magic studies and delighted in every new lesson. She made many friends, and was thrilled to spend more time with humans, who gave her the nickname of Raven, as Ravanati seemed difficult for them to pronounce. But still, despite all of her new-found pleasures, she missed her family and tribe and wondered how things were going at home. After she graduated from the magic college and received her spellbook, she made plans to head back to the Vesve. But before she left, a few wizards at the Eye Scrying became aware of her experience in the fight against Iuz and mentioned that the information she had gathered would be useful to the war college of Chendl. They placed a duty on Raven to report on recent goings-on whenever returning to Greatwall. They felt it would be wise to have good communication between both groups. Raven agreed.

When she returned to her home, she discovered that Iuz was now using Lake Whyestil to ferry his armies around. Raven joined the border forces and kept an eye on the situation. She found that her new wizardly skills made her even more valuable as a defender of the woods. Raven was involved in many skirmishes, but played a major role in the destruction of three large ships used by the Evil One. She and a small band of rangers snuck aboard the ships as they sat in their docks and defeated the small crews there, then removed supplies to take back to Vesve before setting the ships ablaze. During their retreat, Raven came into single combat with a human warrior and defeated him, recovering the beautiful sword he had used. She discovered later (to her joy) that it was an enchanted blade. But she was simply happy that such a lovely weapon was no longer in the hands of one who could not truly appreciate it.

Now an established warrior and wizard, Raven uses her links to both the Vesve and Greatwall to try to bring peace to a troubled land.