Leifa (prime)
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Appearance
You see Leifa Ar'Anya Faendryl the Archdruid.
She appears to be a Dark Elf.
Resting elegantly on her head is a laurel-draped aureate crown, the metal surface etched with intricate designs of twining ivy. Set on either side of the crown are tiered antlers, their branching tines bleached to a pale bone white.
She is strikingly tall. She appears to be full grown. She has thick-lashed intense viridian eyes and sun-kissed bronze skin. She has manelike, voluminous ash blonde hair worn in a haphazard disarray scattered with leaves and twigs, partially concealing a blonde tortoiseshell haircomb danging a pair of barn owl feather. She has a lean, angular face and a strongly sloped nose. She has delicately curved ears and an elegant neck that tapers down to a slight hollow in her finely sculpted collarbone. She has a duo of vine-like kelyn earcaps engulfed in leopard jasper thorns attached to her ears.
She has a series of small variegated charmed hoops set along the slender tips of her pointed ears, an ash-packed tribal scar marking over her left eye, a stylized black-inked tribal sunburst tattoo across her collarbone on her neck, and an inked golden mist coiled around and burrowing into the skin on her wrist.
She is in good shape.
She is wearing a strand of vaalin glowbark leaves, a copper-hued cloak patterned with a faint green patina, a verdigris copper-plated corset laced with braided suede ribbons, a slender oval of twining ossified dirge-vaon tendrils, a hip-slung hemp silk skirt patterned with graduating copper-sheened scales, a lacquered ash thigh-quiver traced in brass fauna, and some foxfire green tattooed leather sandals laced with twisted willow withe.
Portraits
Original artwork by Stormyrain (c) 2020 / Tisket (c) 2016 respectively
To see more original artwork of Leifa, you may visit the Player's Corner album here
Background
Leifa was born a love-child to a young Faendryl couple who had run away from home, living in banishment over their forbidden love which was disallowed by each of their highly respected Faendryl houses. Despite the hardship and alienation from their families and friends, the couple was truly content. They had several children, all daughters, and were a close family who lived a bohemian and nomadic lifestyle, moving as needed from place to place in the lawless wilds of the mountains of Rhoska-Tor. For many years, they lived this life in peace, the girls growing strong, learning to commune with nature and live from the land in harmony. It was an idyllic life for many years. In the early bloom of Leifa's young elven life, a great tragedy struck when they were attacked and Leifa's parents were brutally murdered by a roving crew of Krolvin bandits. The sisters survived only by hiding under the baseboards, huddling in silent horror as they watched the savage event. After the battle, they crawled out and said their last goodbyes to the life they'd known. As the eldest, Leifa felt obligated to care for her younger siblings. Concerned for their mortal safety and well-being, she yearned for her sister's safety, and even more, for them all to receive proper educations and become civilized ladies. They made the long journey to Wehnimer's Landing and took up a meager residence. Therein, Leifa sought work to provide for them and found steady charge at the Warrior's Guild. She was hence trained in the ways of the warrior.
Leifa delved right away into guildwork and progressed quickly. It was upon meeting a noble human by the name of Sandlot that Leifa discovered the joy of the rangerly profession. Leifa continued her training as a warrior for many years, but always found herself drawn to the wilds. After a particularly heated battle within the city walls of Wehnimer's, Leifa experienced a tragic spirit death. When Lorminstra granted her life again, she chose to focus on life as a ranger. Leifa has progressed even more quickly through her second profession, as bow-hunting, animal-taming, foraging for herbs, and skinning for fur come quite naturally to the beastmistress.
While living in the developed cities, Leifa endeavored to learn of the ways of civilized Elves. She chanced upon other Faendryl dark elves and from these relational bonds and the teachings of educated Faendryl, Leifa learned more about her ancestry and culture. It was through this pursuit of knowledge that Leifa became involved with the Faendryl Enclave. Her brethren within this Faendryl community became her second family and for many years, she enjoyed serving as an original founding officer. It would all have to end after years of suffering leadership fatigue, back-stabbing, treachery, and heartbreak, a deeply wounded Leifa sought solace in isolation. She whisked away in privacy to lick her wounds on the distant isle of Teras. Kharam Dzu provided the perfect backdrop for a solitary existence. So much so, that Leifa became quite wild and untamed once more.
Wandering the jungles aimlessly, Leifa happened upon a priest, a loner like herself, who befriended her and endeavored to instruct her in the Pantheon of Liabo, with hopes this structure would bring her comfort. Bringing great relief from knowledge and understanding, Leifa was enraptured with the learnings of many of our Gods of Light, yet particularly drawn to the Goddess Imaera. With the careful oversight, education, training, and eventual ritual ceremony before her beloved priest, Leifa gave up all bodily pleasures in pursuit of spiritual goals. She pledged chastity and wears a ring in honor of her marriage to the Goddess, as she so lovingly refers to the asceticism. As Leifa blossomed into a full grown woman, she took on the noble title of Archdruidess. Service to the Goddess is still Leifa's most noble pursuit, yet she is also in service to the Landing's news delivery team, The TownCrier, serves as Jurist of Eye for the House of Argent Aspis, and serves as a councilperson on the Council of Dark Elves. Furthermore, Leifa does still takes great pleasure in many worldy pursuits, always mindful to resist potentially destructive temptations. She is a frequent visitor of merchant events, loves a good game of darts, and can often be seen charging headstrong into battle without her armor.
Items of Note
The Vanquishing Blow
Leifa is holding a rune-etched rolaren warblade. This is the last remaining possession that Leifa owns of her father's.
At first glance, it seems this weapon has fallen into disuse from the bloodstained leather grip and marred runes along the blade. However, the liberal use of oils and a whetstone show that great care is made to leave the imperfections intact while maintaining a ready blade. Crude runes are marked between those worn from age to form three words. You also notice a small enchanter's glyph. There appears to be something written on it. In the Common language, it reads: The Vanquishing Blow.
Faendryl Enclave, Garden
Shielded by verdant hedges, the spire's reflection garden adds a grace note of natural beauty to the building's austere architecture. A circular pool surrounded by smooth white benches provides a serene focal point for the setting, while artfully shaped topiaries create a private reserve of fanciful beasts along the tranquil garden's periphery. Flowering vines around a central statue add a note of welcome color. You also see a winding pathway and a small bowl of seeds. Obvious paths: none
Pool: The still waters of this circular pool are marred only by the occasional fish searching for food. The pool maintains a calm, glassy surface otherwise. Clearly visible from the surface, small white pebbles and a series of obsidian rocks form a black and white pentagram along the pool's bottom. Topiary: Members of the bushy bestiary are posed as if cavorting with one another around the garden's perimeter. The lifelike shapes give the formal garden a touch of whimsy. Statue: In the otherwise immaculately manicured garden, one tangle of blackberry vines around the statue's base remains untamed. The statue of a rearing warhorse bears a small bronze plaque reading, "Leifa's Garden." Bowl of Seeds: Dipping your hand into a nearby bowl filled with seeds, you scoop up a handful of the grainy substance and toss it upon the ground. Clusters of ravens flock to the offering and chitter with one another as they peck away at the seed. It only takes a matter of seconds for them to completely consume the offered meal, though they still stand around chirping at each other for a few moments more. Rising as one, they take to the air and glide away.
- This Super node is open to the public
Faendryl Enclave, Alabaster Spire, Dining Room
Sconces on the alabaster walls illuminate oil paintings depicting historically significant Faendryl and the officers of the Enclave. A massive ebonwood dining table set for a formal meal traverses the length of the narrow room. You also see an ebonwood doorway and a keystone marble arch. Obvious exits: none
Painting: Masterfully painted portraits from different ages and styles line the walls, each depicting a notable person. Beginning with a portrait of a regal patriarch, newer paintings include images of a foppish man in a hat, a female Faendryl holding a cup of coffee, a man donning demonic armor, and a woman sitting beside a foxhound.
Accomplishments
Barding?
While Leifa is actually a ranger by profession, she has a great love of music and the performing arts. Over the years, she has had the great privilege of competing in and serving as a judge for the annual House of Argent Aspis Bardfest competition. Here you can see a few of her past performances.
Bardfest 5111 Finals performance, Smelts and the Pelts