Essel

'''“Why Greatness? Why Is Goodness Not Enough?”'''

Born into peasant stock, orphaned at a young age, grew up living/working at a roadside inn on the outskirts of the port city of Lubek. Popular with merchants rich and poor, Essel learned early on to read and understand people of many backgrounds. This became of use to Essel's future parens Tandaline of Durenmar as she travelled to the covenent of Oculus Septentrionalis and the schemes of the Jerbiton covenent in the city proper. Due to Essel's gentle gift it took many visits before a fortuitous manifestation of her gift, whilst frightened during an inn brawl. This caused all the tankards in people's hands to explode stunning the room to silence. Essel was terrified. Tandaline delighted she had the gentle gifted apprentice she needed to carry on her own intrigues. Apprenticed at Durenmar, Essel after a basic grounding in Latin, Magic theory and artes liberalis spent most of her time on the road with Tandaline. From her Essel learned the delicate art of intrigue and how to use it to further the orders interests. Ten years into her apprenticeship (age 22) during a short fostering period with Horst and Dorana of Fengheld and his apprentice redcap Fabian. Essel and Fabian had become firm friends, on a visit to a Hermetic fair, Fabian had been teasing Essel after she adopted a new short haircut to enable her to travel as a male. He made the mistake of saying out loud within earshot of a fairy trader (a wood nymph) "it suits you; I hope you never change again" he then gave a wink and composed a teasing song.This was accepted as payment by the fairy trader to both Essel’s and Fabians surprise, as she was informed, she will no longer age, her hair will grow no longer, and even with the aid of your gift shall you transform or change your apparent age, hair or eye colour, height or weight. At first Essel was furious (she was proud of her long hair, and worried that her apparent youth would make future diplomacy harder) Fabian was mortified by his actions, however Essel was trained in intrigue as every crisis is an opportunity, she utilised this to Blackmail Fabian from then on. Upon completion of her gauntlet, during her guild training she was informed that Tandaline had secured her the Spring tenens role in the Stonehenge tribunal. Upon Essels own intrigues Fabian would also serve in Stonehenge at the Mercere House in Coventry. She had long since forgiven him, but his guilt makes him useful after all.

Virtues
Puissant IntrigueFree, Gentle GiftM, Affinity with Intellego, Diplomat, Linden guild trained, Piercing gaze, Self confident, Tenens OccultorumSpring Tenens, Unaging.

Flaws
Blackmail, Driven (bring peace to the order)M, Greater Malediction (cannot alter apparent age, hair/eye colour shape etc via magic)M, Rigid magicM

Personality Traits
Devoted to the order of Hermes +3, Dauntless +2, Empathetic +2

Wizarding Sigil
The Smell of Lavender.

Essel's Laboratory
Virtues: Dedicated BuildingFree, Superior ConstructionFree Flaws: Missing IngredientsFree, DecayingFree Size:0 Refinement:0 General Quality:-1 Upkeep:-1 Safety:0 Warping:0 Health:0 Aesthetics:+1

Specializations: Pe:+1 Me:+1

Notes: Lab totals are halved for - Ignem and Aquam

Spells
Sight of the true form, The Succubus' trick, Tossing the brawling brute, Step sideways, Trap of amber, Topple the brutish band, Prying eyes, Aura of Ennobled Presence, Wizard's sidestep, Circle of undisturbed rest, Fooling the eye, Sight of the true form, The Succubus' trick, Tossing the brawling brute, Step sideways, Trap of amber, Topple the brutish band, Prying eyes, Aura of Ennobled Presence, Wizard's sidestep, Circle of undisturbed rest, Fooling the eye.

Items and Belongings
Items to be confirmed

Magic items to come...

Opinions on Others
Mages Arianwen - Can be as aloof as her heartbeast, direct and forthright. Her Harmonist leanings give me hope however. Cirice - Trapped in a child's body must be a great burden and hardship. Although the last thing she would want from me is my pity for her plight. Edric - Brilliant mind and academic. Greedy for knowledge (and food) Thank the founder for the parma though, don't think I could face talking to him unshielded. Rian - Of all my Sodales I liked him the most, Quiet and considerate, inquiring without arrogance. I'll miss him dearly. Evelin - innocent as a child, but always flaunting her long perfect hair all the time … Could grow to like her if she gets more worldly, and a lot less vain. Companions Iris - Robin of Loxley - Tancred - A true servant of the order, his loyalty and dedication to duty are to be admired. He is rather too eager to reach for his sword though, and not everything is good or the work of the Devil. Lady Tessora of Artois - Quiet and Pious, must be hard for her to balance her convictions with the harsh world we find ourselves in. Will Scarlet - A very charming man, always looking for the next pretty face. One day he will realize that no woman will give him the adoration, loyalty and love that Gillian will. I hope it works out for them both. Grogs Silk - We all have our cross to bear!

Story
To be told...