Called Poppy for the bright orange hair she sported as a child, it darkened to more of an auburn color as an adult. She remained smaller than her peers as she grew. She was also quick and observant. Because of these traits, she was tapped to be a caravan scout as she grew up. So she spent a lot of time in the woods, learning from both her fellow scouts and from nature.
As she wandered the woods, she often brought home pieces of wood to carve into beautiful shapes, which she gifted to those around her, saving some to sell when the clan encountered tallfolk. Her most treasured possession is her collar, made from a piece of her clan’s Hometree she has carved into the shape of a coyote, which appears to be running around her neck.
Poppy’s fate changed, however, when her druidic abilities sprung themselves on her. When not scouting, hunting meat for her clan was a duty she attended happily. But after bringing down a deer one early morning, she was set upon by a bobcat that also wanted the food. Normally in tune with the nature around her, she had missed the cat’s presence as they hunted the same prey. When the cat sprang at her, magic surged within her, and Poppy shapeshifted into a coyote. The cat’s startlement gave her the chance to flee.
But she didn’t know how to shift back. Thanks to the ghostwise ability to converse telepathically, she was able to slink back into camp and ask their clan’s druid for help. But he could not help her. Eventually, she shifted back when she fell asleep. But she had been a coyote all day long - unheard of to the more conventional druid. He worried even more when she awoke the next morning and had the yellow eyes of a coyote instead of her formerly hazel ones.
Poppy retained the tendency to shapeshift when startled or in danger, and began to get a handle on controlling the shift. But shifting back remained difficult for her, often requiring her to fall asleep before shifting back to her halfling form. Finally, her clan elders decided to send her to an enclave of druids a few days’ travel distant, to seek training. A few other young folk that were interested in travelling accompanied her, and they made their merry way down the road.
After a few weeks of training with more powerful druids, Darris finally learned how to shift back deliberately. However, they recommended that, rather than return to her clan, she attend the nearby school. Her abilities were rare, and paired with her quick mind, could result in unique opportunities for her. So she applied for student status and was approved.
As a student, Darris was quick, but so were many others. She failed to buckle down and concentrate, never doing as well as her teachers thought she ought. But she maintained a satisfactory record, and continued learning. Still prone to shift to coyote form when startled, other students would often try to catch her unawares. Which only taught her to be more observant and prepared in order to foil them.
At school, Darris can usually be spotted on the outskirts of a group of students, particularly as they congregate outdoors. Standing only 2’8, she is invariably the smallest of any group of adults, but can be spotted by her shoulder-length red hair. She tends toward wearing browns, grays, and greens, usually topping off her outfit with a furred half-cape. Upon approaching closely, her yellow eyes can be a startling distraction from the wooden collar she wears, sporting an intricate scene of a coyote running through trees.
When travelling, Darris travels light, carrying a small backpack only lightly filled, with several shortspears sticking out a quiver hanging down to her hip. She wears studded leather armor and carries a small shield as she drops her backpack and runs toward any melee, but once within range, she shifts into coyote form, where she darts in and out, taking quick attacks. She seeks opportunities to flank an enemy, distracting them for her allies’ advantage, or enticing them to chase her into reach of an ally.
No comments:
Post a Comment