~Reign Verse~
v: longlivethequeen
Ella is from England, she travels throughout England and to places such as France, Scotland, and Italy.
Ella grew up without any real parents, she only knows her name because she found it on a piece of jewelry (Most likely a baby/child ring that she wear around her neck now) that she has had for as long as she can remember. She lived most of her childhood in England, where the first memory she really has is with a family who took her in. She worked around the house, and they fed & clothed her; but the husband and wife were with child a few years later, so they sent Ella to a nunnery. She lived in the nunnery for a few years, this is where she learned to read and write, she was a fast learner and she enjoyed the rare occasions she was allowed to read. Fearful of being turned away if she was not useful she became a favorite at the nunnery as she did everything that was asked of her and never caused trouble. Unfortunately, when she was 12 the nunnery was burned down by some Protestant radicals, Ella and a few others managed to survive the raid and fire. She was on her own for a time until she came across an elderly couple, the wife (Opal) a known mid-wife and the husband (Walter) a very skilled physician, it was an arranged marriage by a Lord. She helped them do things that they could no longer do, and in return she had shelter and food. The couple would bring her along to their work, or she would aid them when asked. This was when she was first introduced to medicine, healing, and pregnancies. She learned many things, and met many people (other physicians and several English noble men and ladies).It turns out not only was she a quick study, but she seemed to have a knack with herbs and medicine. When a bout of the Plague came to the near by village and later to the couple’s home, Ella was the only one to survive.
( For v:familyties, I was thinking that maybe Flemming’s sent her off with a friend moving to England, and they thought she had died or they thought she was doing fine with the family? If that are to be twins then they didn’t want one twin becoming a lady in waiting and one not, they thought twins would lessen the likelihood that their daughter would be picked. If they are just sisters, and looks similar, then Ella is a year older and maybe there was an issue where they weren’t sure who the father was, or it was a child conceived too early after the next one? I am flexible on this part of her background with this subverse)
So, taking some of the book, jars, and medicines; Ella went to several of Walter’s fellow physicians to pass along the news of his passing. As she went to these places, she learned more about herbs, poisons, remedies, the human body, ect, which she enjoyed very much. Whilst gaining practical experience from Walter’s friends an colleagues, she also read and learned enough so she too could be a physician, even if it is not traditional work for a woman, of this time. It is during this time that Ella finds out she has a ‘gift’ with medicines and she becomes known as a sort of ‘miracle healer’. Her medicines heal people faster, she finds cures for diseases where there is no cure, and makes bare women into child bearing women. She also finds that she has always had this sort of innate ability to feel people, she can tell what their bodies need and where there are problems. Mentally, she can almost see what the other person is thinking or feeling; this was how she managed to become a favorite within the nunnery, and be able to adapt so quickly with others. This also give her a hyper intuition about people, whether they have good intuitions or not, if someone is dangerous.
She has worked for many noblemen and their families, as well as many poverty stricken families and villages.
Politics: Ella seems like an innocent and optimistic girls, which she is, but she has been around others too long to not know how things work. No one would know of her abilities to play in politics nor of her safeguard, unless her hand is forced. Ella is neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Pagan. She knows everything about these religions, and has been known to know to masses/services, ect. depending on where she is. She creates loyalty with those she helps and she assures her safety by sending off letters to people with a certain phrase in the letters to let them know if she is safe. This is good because has helped not only the poor, but the rich, noble, and royals alike. If they do not get these letters in a certain amount of time they will have someone go to her last known location to search for her. If she is help hostage or killed she knows those loyal to her can use her for their means (Ie Catholics killed a Protestant healer, Protestants killed a Catholic healer, ect).
Languages: Ella knows English, Latin, French, Spanish, Gaelic, Portuguese, and Greek.
Fighting/Weapons Style: She is a very apt hunter and sword (long & short) fighter. She can use a dagger, poisons, and a bow and arrow. She is able to defend herself in a fist fight, though she is a person who uses brains over brawn- balance, defense over offense, ect. This is also why she learned about pressure points and using them not only for medicine, but how to use them in a fight.
Other: She can read and write, she knows court etiquette, and can manage the most basic dances. Creating poisons & curing poisonings, midwifery, playing chess, an amateur tracking ability,cleaning, cooking, farming, and growing and cultivating herbs. She only charges for medicines used and travel if it is far and the people are wealthy enough,she also requests for food and bedding during her stay. Though she occasionally accepts gifts, like cloaks to keep her warm.
Headcanons:
Ella gets stronger feelings and premonitions about someone when she touches them. This has made her hesitant to touch and be touched outside of work, unless she needs it to see more about someone.
*Someone once asked, since my face claim was Anna Popplewell, if I would consider the whole idea of ‘a long lost twin sister of Lady Lola’. If any Reign Rper wants Ella to take on this aspect into her background, I am more than willing to roleplay with this in her back story, just tell me this is what you want .* - Subv:familyties