Toodleroodle von Skroodledoodler

Name: Cami
Age: old
Contact: plurk @eolasemah or PM
Other Characters: Sina Dahlasanor, Cade Harimann
Interests: Horrible tragedy, horrible comedy, the usual schadenfreude that comes from RPing a person in an imaginary place. I'm up for most things.


Name: Teren Fitzgeary von Skraedder, codename "Needle"
Canon/OC: OC
Journal: slip_stitch
Race: human
Nationality: Nevarran
Occupation: Grey Warden, seamstress, person of questionable morals and even more questionable intent
Age: mid-40s

History

Born in a fishing village in the south of Nevarra to an impoverished seamstress and the minor noble who spurned her, Teren's future was fairly well in place by the time she was old enough to thread a needle. She never met her father, and worked with her mother until she came of age and was hired off to a wealthy Cumberland family as their personal seamstress. It was in this exchange that she crossed the sights of one Ayse Thevenet, who saw advantage in the girl's unremarkable bearing and hired her secretly as a spy.
Teren traveled to Orlais alongside what most assumed were her only employers, doing all the things a seamstress does, and using the occasional well-placed tear or popped seam as an excuse to make small talk with their more influential guests. She funneled useful information to Ayse, and eventually several other contacts who came to realize what an asset she could be as someone virtually invisible within the household.

This occupation proceeded well into her thirties, when a well-orchestrated hemming session became an attempt from an opposing family to catch Teren out. Using only her needles and shears she made short work of her assailant, but was caught red-handed by the lady of the house before she could flee or send word to Ayse.
She spent several weeks imprisoned as her fate was decided, being a more common criminal and therefore not high on the list of priorities. At the last moment, she was delivered from execution by a representative of the Grey Wardens, prompted by the Thevenets, who rode to conscript her into their ranks.

For the last decade Teren has been a Grey Warden, making herself an asset as their resident tailor as well as engaging in the usual combat against Darkspawn. Recently she was contacted by Ayse Thevenet once again in an appeal for her to keep watch over Thevenet's daughter, Benevenuta. Although she had temporarily set down her mantle as a spy, Teren has been charged to pick it up again, keeping an eye on the Inquisition's comings and goings as well as ferret out any who might bring difficulty to Benevenuta's mission.

Personality

Despite being well-groomed and well-mannered from her life amidst the wealthy, Teren never lost the toughness she gained from living dockside in Nevarra. Though ostensibly well-mannered, there is always a second meaning behind her words and a stern glint in her eyes; although she may allow herself to be condescended, one can be certain it will result in a later misfortune for the person doing so. The same goes without saying for anyone currently in her charge, and Maker forbid they talk back to her themselves.

She is opinionated and at times overly blunt, with little care for feelings that she might perceive as weak. She has no patience for trivialities or dramatics, and fellow Wardens who engage in either are likely to find themselves cuffed upside the head or dragged away by the ear. Though she did not willingly join the Wardens, Teren has found an odd sense of belonging among them, and being older than the majority of their conscripts has placed her in an almost matriarchal position that she will not fail to utilize when the situation calls for it. One holds great power by being the person to darn everyone's socks in the frigid Orlesian wintertime.

Teren's love life has been something of a mystery to those who know her, though it doesn't take much imagination to guess why she hasn't been courted by many men. She doesn't come off as someone who would have the time or the desire to be romantically involved, though her gratitude and loyalty to Ayse in particular might cause conjecture and raise a few eyebrows among those who don't know the whole story.

None of this is to say there isn't an occasional softness to her, when one knows where to look, though it is generally reserved for the Thevenets or her favorite Wardens. Most would describe her as prickly, stern, and in general a bit terrifying.


Strengths & Weaknesses

Teren's strengths include a great level of mental fortitude, quick thinking, a talent for blending into any situation without much trouble, and the ability to keep a cool head when the chips are down. Though not an assassin specifically, she is adept at defending herself and those in her charge and won't hesitate to do so.

A major weakness is being unable to shut off the spy part of her brain, which convolutes every interpersonal relationship and makes her difficult to get close to. She will never let on just how many secrets she has up her sleeve, which in turn makes it difficult for her to trust others. Being middle-aged and scrawny works against her in physical altercations, and being a woman who isn't especially pretty can work against her in social situations.

Inventory

Warden gear, combat daggers, the usual traveling business. An elaborate portable sewing kit with a hidden drawer containing poisons and antidotes. A small handwritten book kept on her person at all times.

Motivation

As mentioned in her history, Teren has been summoned to keep an eye on the comings and goings of those connected to Benevenuta Thevenet. Those who aren't aware of this connection (which is to say, everyone but the Thevenets) will see her as simply another Warden coming to throw her hat into the ring.


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