The Characters of Erudus - Arboria Greenroot - The Great Mother of the Quilleaf Forest People
Building the characters in the fantastical world of Erudus
Arboria, also Known as Arborita, Stats
Born - Somewhere between 550 to 560 sols ago on a warm, sunny day
Position - The Great Mother, the high priestess, of the Quilleaf Forest People
Magic abilities - Master of Earthen Magic, and Enchantment magic. Arboria has very minor powers in animal magic (can only communicate with Leafwhisper species of win hors).
Age - 550 - 560 sols
Significant Other - None at the moment. Has had several relationships in the past. Relationships in the Quilleaf forest tend to be fluid.
Children - Meadow, Alder son - his wife is Leaf
"We must not reap from the Mother Tree with abandon. Take what she offers, and she will protect our people forever."
Arboria Greenroot
Arboria’s Life
Arboria, sometimes called Abrianna by her family, has lived in the Quilleaf forest for hundreds of sols. Her mother was a priestess of the forest before her, and she inherited the position at the age of 15, with no opposition.
Arboria has always been close to nature. She loves animals, and used to sit under the Mother Tree for hours, watching the glowing seeds drift away, on the breeze. That was a different time, before Mistral, before the killings, and before the mistrust. The forest was healthy, and the Quilleaf people thrived in the depths of the forest.
But, when Mistral’s voice appeared in the wind, the world changed. It started slowly, with a few incidents, then one cool fall afternoon, Mistral sang long, and low to the people of Polinta’s Plinary, demanding that they march into the Water People’s kingdom, and kill everyone at the harvest festival. It was early in the day, so only a portion of the people were there, but almost 275 people were killed, from all five of the cultures on Erudus.
The culture’s blamed each other, and the seeds of distrust were sown. Over the next years, Erudus declined. The environment was dying, it was unsafe to go outside one’s community, and hatred of the “other” was common.
Arborita lived through all of this, building her magical powers, hoping to aid the Mother tree as she struggled to survive. She wanted to help her people, survive the darkness, but had almost given up hope, when Angelika Moonglenn stumbled into the Quilleaf forest, and stared up at the Mother Tree.
Why does the character care?
Arboria understands that for any civilization to survive, they must live in harmony with the environment. She was told the tales of the great war, and was fed by the stories of her father, Fenren. He told of the great suffering that he had fled, before landing on Erudus, and meeting her mother. With each new tale, her parents emphasized that one person can make the difference. Arboria has led her life, trying to be kind, and trying to stop the pain she sees.
Arboria wants her people, and the Mother tree to survive. Her fear of the future, drives her forward.
What are the character’s unusual identifiable characteristics?
Arboria has two characteristics that are noticeable. First, she pauses before answering any question. This gives her an air of intelligence, and people believes that she thinks about every question.
As Arboria has gotten older, she has begun to limp. The limp is so pronounced that she can be identified from far away.
What comfort objects or rituals does the character have?
Arboria’s comfort objects are a set of four rings. Two of the rings represent her children, one is for her son’s wife Leaf, and the final ring represented her last husband. Terren. The day Terren knew he was going to die, he gave Arboria the rings. Ever since then, she has worn one ring on her right hand, and three on her left. She feels that as long as she wears these pieces, she will be close to her family.
Arboria’s Character Tags. What differentiates her from other characters?
Arboria speaks slowly and directly. She thinks about everything she says. Arboria also speaks with a slight lisp.
Arboria’s Goal
To make Erudus, the Quilleaf forest, and her people’s home, safe and environmentally healthy.
To save the Mother Tree.
To ensure her family is healthy and happy.
To make sure her family’s legacy is strong.
The character’s Direction
Arboria’s wants to help the environment , the great forest, and her family. She knows that if major things do not happen, her family will die. So, with her determination, she uses her knowledge and power each day to makes things better.
The character’s attitude
What —the character— feels like early on:
She feels determined, but disappointed. Arboria fears that the great forest, and Erudus will die before the problems can be fixed. She is also frustrated with the lack of understanding of the other civilizations.
End-state attitude:
Now that the land and forest are regenerating, Arboria is still determined and hopeful that planet Erudus will become the paradise that she Envisions in her mind. She now understands why the other civilizations acted the way thy did, and knows that, with some effort, bonds can be forged with the others.
The Character’s Drive
Arboria is full of the fear of the future. She works hard to ensure that Erudus, and the great forest will be strong well into the future, so that her people’s and descendants will live peacefully and live in harmony with the world.
“Angelika may command sound, and creatures, but she has wounds so deep, that even I have to reach deep into my powers to help her. She is worth the effort, through her pain she shows kindness and empathy, and these qualities, are the truest form of magic.”
Arboria Greenroot of the Quilleaf Forest.
Arboria’s relationship to Angelika
Arboria sees that Angelika is struggling with the basics of her magic. Initially she did not want to help Angelika, but Angelika s curiosity, kindness, and empathy, won Arboria’s respect. Arboria gave Angelika some tasks, to help her learn her magic.
Over the years, Arboria will go on to be a mentor to Angelika, and Arboria will consider Angelika as a valued daughter of the Quilleaf people.
View other character sketches here.
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