Reference sheet for my dnd character Aridani
Backstory under cut (its long):
Aridani was born and raised in the feywilds in the Kingdom of Karador. She was the princess to the kingdom where her mother, Ayanna, and father, Florian, ruled for half a century. In the past the feywilds was at odds with the other, darker plane called the Shadowfell where they worshipped the Raven Queen. Recently with the insistence of Aridani’s want for peace her parents were able to make a peace treaty with the Shadowfell. This treaty allowed each of the races from the realms to live in each other’s lands.
Growing up Aridani was taught manners, elegance, history, and what it means to rule. She had a great interest in so many things but her childlike attention span could only retain so much. She was so eager to learn but fell asleep during classes or tried to learn too much it made her forget the rest. This started her habit of carrying a journal where she keeps important information.
A few years after the peace treaty was underway Aridani, now the age the human year equivalent of 8 years old, had been introduced to two new people from the Shadowfell, an older man and his daughter. Lucyan had been posted to train Katryn to be the new body guard of Aridani. Being the princess of Karador, Aridani wasn’t allowed much time outside to see the Shadowfell so she was very curious about the two new people in her life. While Lucyan would train with Katryn Aridani would be on the sidelines trying to peek and glance, she thought the teachings were so severe since Katryn wasn’t much older than her. After training was over and Katryn was alone Aridani would scavenge together a makeshift first aid kit and offer to bandage her wounds. It took a year or so before Katryn, now dubbed Kat, would agree to being bandaged. She would often tell Aridani that the wounds were badges of honor, Aridani thought it was just an infection waiting to happen.
As the two grew closer and Katryn was nearing the end of her training Aridani wanted to celebrate. She convinced Kat to dye her hair purple as a way to welcome her into the bright vibrant culture. The next day Kat showed up to training with Aridani tailing behind to see what she hoped was a surprised happy reaction from Lucyan. She watched from a muted distance as Lucyan turned, had a look of disgust then immediately sent a sharp blow to Kat’s face. Aridani was about to spring from her place from behind a tree when the now prone Kat made eye contact with her. The look told her to not get involved and Aridani held her ground. Katryn stood up and walked forward with strong resolve in her posture. The argument lasted less than 5 minutes and for the first time in the years Kat had been here Lucyan was shocked. He was losing ground against the fierce presence and resolve of Kat as she stood up to him and won.
The day Kat was finally finished training and was announced to the kingdom as being the new royal bodyguard. Aridani was vibrating and bouncing with excitement, the night before she non-stop asked Kat what she would be wearing if it was a fancy dress or gown. Multiple times Kat was vague but assured the princess it was of the highest honor to wear the ceremonial outfit. The ceremony was done with the high mages splitting a portal in the center sanctum of the castle, half of the Shadowfell encompassed the room the other was Karador. Kat emerged from the Shadowfell portal in a black and purple embroidered monks clothes. The top front was a deep v shape the ended into a purple belt, the back was exposed crossing into an X shape. On her pale back bore intricate raven wings freshly tattooed as celebration of being officially a member of the Ravensong order. The bottom of the outfit was a loose but wrapped pants tucked into bandages. One thing that shocked Aridani was the fresh bloody cut lip Kat sported, she didn’t look hurt however she had a look of pride. After her parents and the leaders of the Shadowfell named Kat a royal bodyguard the celebration started, Feywilds style with fireworks, dancing and music. Most of the Shadowfell inhabitants stuck to the side save for a few that had been living in Karador a while. During this time Aridani pulled Kat away from the crowds and into the garden. Aridani proceeded to tell Kat how proud she was of her and how much she deserved this. They spent the rest of the party in the garden where Aridani showed off her newly found skills of druidcraft, making flowers and vines grow around them. Aridani made sure that Kat didn’t leave without a flower crown of course.
A few years later when Kat and Aridani had gotten more used to the daily life of spending time together with Kat guarding her where ever she went, thankfully recently she managed to convince Kat that the bathroom wouldn’t kill her. One-night Aridani tried to convince Kat to just go to bed rather than stand by her bed all night guarding her. She wouldn’t admit it to her, but she didn’t get proper sleep with the girl standing watch since she worried about Kat’s health. That night she was able to convince Kat to guard the room outside and possibly head to bed if nothing happened. As Aridani was asleep an assassin crept into the bedroom, knife drawn. Before Aridani could scream the assassin had a hand to her mouth to silence her, her mind screamed hoping Kat would hear her. As the dagger came down the doors burst open and Kat moved across the room before Aridani could blink. There was a rage in Kat’s eyes she had never seen before as she dropped the assassin, a few quick punches then ending with her foot on the assassin’s throat. It took a few times for Kat to call her before Aridani realized she was speaking. “-cess are you alright, princess? ARI!?” The loud voice shocking her and making her jump. Aridani’s eyes were overflowing with tears causing Kat to run over to her ask where she’s hurt. The guards quickly came into the room cleaning up the body of the assassin, Kat had apparently lost control at the sight and snapped his neck. That week Aridani had guards stationed outside her room and Kat guarded the inside, another fresh couple of bruises after meeting with Lucyan and the other Ravensong. That week Kat was the coldest to Aridani she’s been to her since they met.
The following week Aridani and Kat were called to the assembly chamber in the castle to talk to the leaders of Ravensong as well as Aridani’s parents. They proceeded to tell the two of them they were tasked to go to the various capitals and cities of the non-fey realm. Aridani would pose as an ambassador for Karador, trying to find alliances and teach her of the world outside of the Feywilds. She was so ecstatic at this proposition, she loved the history of the outside world and the inhabitants. Aridani basically bounced for joy hearing the news, thanking her parents repeatedly and saying she would never let them down. Immediately afterwards she headed back to her room to pack, Kat was told to stay behind to be briefed. Aridani packed a few gowns, adventurers’ clothes and multiple journals knowing she would need them for all the information she knew she wouldn’t remember. Aridani didn’t see Kat until the next day when they were preparing to leave, a few more bruises decorated her face and arms. Kat was a bit cold but not as much as the days after the assassination attempt. Her parents met her at the portal to leave, her mother and father embracing her tighter than she’s ever been hugged then they called Astrina, the flower spirit that was the secretary to the king and queen. Astrina would accompany Aridani and Kat on their journey as a means of keeping in contact since the flower spirit was able to travel between realms. With a teary goodbye Kat and Aridani stepped through the portal and started their journey.
