Theopania



Born to travelling performers Theopania grew to be quite the acrobat and performer but never gained popularity or prestige. She simple did not seem to fit in, even amoung the unusual fellows in her troupe. When young she took to stealing in an attempt to get noticed but soon grew too good and by the time she came of age she had resigned to the fact that others would forever see her as a nobody. She left the troupe before realising this however, believing at the time that her fellows were collaborating to keep her name from becoming known. Using her skills she wandered and tried different roles outside of performances, growing more confident the more she got away with. To maintain this lifestyle she fenced goods.

She came to the attention of the Order while pretending to be a Nun at a monastery. Lumen, a Jerbiton maga of Schola Pythagoranis, attempted to use her magic to persuade the monks to lend her one of their books while herself disguised as a scholar. When Theopania continued to suspiciously watch her the maga grew curious and investigated further. Discovering the watchful nun to not be a nun at all she revealed herself and threatened to reveal Theopania as well if she didn't leave with her (and the book). Theopania spent a little time in Cambridge doing favours for the magi of Schola Pythagoranis. While she could not bring herself to trust the mages she felt that keeping an eye on them and making herself useful was the best approach. Despite not believing that others would do so, she was a woman of her word during what tasks they assigned her, keeping what she knew of the Order and its mages secret. Her skills were of little scholarly use however which is why she was transferred to the newly founded Sagehollow Covenant.

Virtues
Forgettable Face, Troupe Upbringing (Acrobatics & Acting), Well Travelled

Flaws
Overconfident, Slow Reflexes, Tainted with Evil

Personality Traits
Attentive +2, Confident +3, Loyal +2

Typical Gear
Non-descript reversible clothes and cloak with hidden 'pockets', dagger, satchel containing disguise kit in secret compartment. Various stolen items not yet sold....

Languages
English 5 (London Accents).

Opinions on Others
Cass - You know what they say about all work and no play. She is at least as good a thief as me, in fact she seems to do great at whatever she sets her mind to.. We've worked well over the years which is why I invited her to lay low at Sagehollow. She may not take the job too serious but it does make it fun. It'll be good having her around.

Essel - Thankfully her 'gift' is more like those from Schola Pythagoranis than some of the other mages at Sagehollow making her quite friendly if a little distant. That is until she gives you that look.. Yikes. Fortunately she seems to trust me which is good.

Silk - Quite a laugh and great to travel with. He gets that living rich would be boring without the fun of theft, but I do think he goes a bit far with his disguises. Is he trustworthy? Sure. Is he dangerous? Almost certainly, but not to me I'd say. Extra plus, he isn't so easily swayed by a low cut dress like some others at Sagehollow. Come to realise hs is pretty lucky too, but also married now! *laughs* He is happy with that despite barely knowing her? Pah.

Little John - I don't get the 'little', unless he has a brother like the Redcap William. That aside he seems decent as long as I keep away during a fight and lets face it, when won't I? Not as scary as I thought he'd be at first look but still a bit gruff. Gone now of course..

Old Giles - Not a man to underestimate which is great. He seems to keep to himself mostly but I suppose he sees everyone else at Sagehollow as 'youngsters'. I've not managed to relate to him yet.

Lady Tessora of Artois - She speaks some english and doesn't ask questions. Beyond that I don't know her well.

Islwyn - Sure he can use a bow but why do we keep him around? Beside the fact that we live in a forest so getting him to leave would be impossible.

~ Others ~

Edric - Maybe its his 'gift' but he really seems a creep and kinda stuck up too. Rumour at Sagehollow is that he knows magic for prying at people.. that doesn't help. Fortunately he doesn't seem to have too much of an interest in those who aren't 'gifted' so far.

Evelyn - They say she is a metalworker of some kind but its hard to imagine her even holding a hammer, let alone swinging it with force. I guess she uses magic but that seems like cheating, not that I'll say that aloud. No idea what she is saying but it is fun to hang around with the walking distraction. The hard part is sorting out where she is walking to.

Lohse - Impressive performer. Cass and I played dancers for her during the shut in.

A-Bait - He can drink, he can fight, he'll give stuff a go.. Not much else to him.

~ Elsewhere ~

Lumen of Jerbiton, Schola Pythagoranis - The woman who introduced me to the Order. Maybe even a friend, certainly someone I'd trust even if I don't get her obsession with books.

Fredegisa of Guernicus, Schola Pythagoranis - Astute enough to recognise me after some months which is fair as she isn't someone I could forget. I respect her honesty and she seems to respect my new loyalties.

Story
1190 Her first job for Sagehollow was to accompany the maga Essel to the Mercere House, somewhere she had been before, though it seemed like Silk was perhaps more in charge or at least that was their cover. Her first real interaction with the man was to help him disguise the lumbering oaf 'Little' John and for the maga she helped uncover information on local bookbinders. The others let their cart get stolen however. When the group found the theives she snuck off only to jump up and put a knife to the last guys throat after the 'fight'. The rest of the journey involved testing her skill as a pickpocket against Silk while also staging a fight Old Giles and Little John. She was the one to notice the runaway nuns Ari and Caitlyn who they decided to take along and keep safe. She arrived at the Mercere House ahead of the rest to announce the others were coming and was questioned by Fredegisa who she had met before when working for Schola Pythagoranis who unbeknowst to the others questioned her, though she proved loyal to her new covenant.

Her next important task involved the Trials at Normanston. She resisted the temptation to steal from the noted nobles involved in the trials even after locating the buildings they were staying in. Much of her time was spent sneaking into the scene of Tancred's apparent crime and observing the guards and other individuals to report to the magi.

Not long later an old friend, colleague and playmate of hers, Cass, sought her out needing somewhere to lay low after an incident. After enjoying a laugh over the event she invited Cass to Sagehollow where the woman wouldn't be judged and could get regular enjoyable work and even the chance for some profit on the side. After hearing about the fun times Cass and Silk had during a trip to Cambridge for the covenant the three formed a trio, each longing for the chance to head out as a group.

1191 In the spring she volunteered to joined Evelyn in delivering some goods to the Templars and was actually allowed to go. Despite being unable to communicate with the maga the two spent a bit of time together, gesturing happily together while Theopania pocketed various items laying around on their tour. Whenever the residents and visitors were calling to attend service she slipped off trusting nobody would notice her missing. On one such disappearance she investigated some of the locals odd behavior, stealing a few things that the owner could easily assume got dropped and discovering the Templars likely had access to Vis. Not knowing this at the time she left it however.

Agreeing to accompany Evelyn once more, this time with Cass and Silk, went quite differently as the leaders of the nunnery forced the maga to learn humility and hard work (Theopania was the only one to decline the chance to have Evelyn wash their feet). Evelyn's 'lessons' left little opportunity for wealth and Theopania was even forced to attend prayers this time while in the guise of Marian, one of the nuns who the others helped to sneak out and pass word regarding her noble son to her allies.