Be kind to unkind people - they need it the most.

Ashleigh Brilliant      

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Name: Talindra Shandrie, a.k.a. "Talin"

Class: Rogue 3 / Cloistered Cleric (Fharlanghn) 4 / Combat Medic 5 / Contemplative 2

Alignment: Neutral Good

Race: Human

Gender: Female

Age: 18

Height: 5'3"

Weight: 120 lbs.

Hair: Brown pigtails

Eyes: Greenish gray

Armor/Clothing: Changes her armor and attire frequently, depending on what the situation calls for. Now in the colder north, Talin has finally begun to resemble a traditional priest of Fharlanghn, with slightly more modest leather or mithril armor and a green traveling cloak. Don't worry, though - there's still plenty of cleavage, as well as the ever-present choker and pigtails.

 

Talin's various costumes throughout her adventuring career

 

Weapon(s) of Choice: Short sword, divine magic

Tactics: Tending to the seriously wounded is Talin's first priority in combat; relying on her agility, divinely-granted spells of swift movement, and increasing powers of teleportation, she will do whatever she can to make her way to the fallen, and ensure their continued survival.  Frequently underestimated by her foes, she has become quite adept at exploiting this misconception to strike at the enemy's weak points, dealing a surprising amount of damage with her short sword.  If battle can be avoided entirely through diplomacy or compromise, Talin is much happier for it.

 

Talin Art

 

A more detailed description of Talin's appearance

 

Talin's Prayers

 

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Who & Where Talin's Been

 

Talin, Here & Now

 

     Talin's adventures with the Eye of the Storm have taken her to a gleaming, magical castle, dank sewers, forbidding ruins deep in the jungle, tombs of ancient warriors, and a small fragment of Hell itself, but none of these events has weighed on her quite so much as the group's recent foray into Alhaster, in the infamous Bandit Kingdoms. After spending most of her life in Diamond Lake cringing and ducking her head away from the corruption around her, hoping and praying to emerge more or less unscathed, the rapid rise from tavern wench to powerful adventurer has affected her greatly, for good as well as ill.  She has learned to stand up for herself, her friends, and what she believes in, taking sometimes great risks to save those in peril or need. On the other hand, Talin worked hard through a substantial portion of her teenage years, leaving her a bit too weary for "typical" teenage rebellions; her parents were so meek and deferential to the status quo that there hardly seemed a point, anyway.

 

     Her recent sense of empowerment, coupled with the tyrannical authoritarianism of Alhaster, seems to be bringing this long-dormant rebelliousness into full bloom. Her reaction to the preposterously decadent opulence alongside miserable, subhuman living conditions has gone from irritation, to disgust, to barely-contained fury. Talin's religious commitment to Fharlanghn has affected her both spiritually and philosophically, as the thought of feeling trapped in one's physical or emotional circumstances, trapped in one's own life, utterly sickens her, and she seeks to set these matters right, for herself and others. Being able to travel vast distances accurately and practically at will has caused her to resent those that tell her there are some places she can't go, and being able to slip free from the grasp of those who would bind, pin, or otherwise constrain her has invoked a certain restlessness, bordering on real fear, when presented with a situation from which she cannot easily escape. 

 

     Talin struggles to remain humble, and it is a real struggle now, as she is all too aware that most people will never wield the divine and martial power she can bring to bear. She also strives to act with wisdom and compassion, not just in "dungeons," but in the world at large. Arijen wondered, rightly so, at her ability to offer understanding and mercy to even those creatures typically categorized as "irredeemably evil," whereas she has conducted herself somewhat arrogantly and antagonistically in the city of Alhaster. The answer may be that she expects better of those who call themselves human, demands more out of those with the power to affect change in the world. It could be a question of situational power; it is one thing to offer mercy to a helpless lackey or beast at sword-point, but perhaps another to be friendly towards individuals who have the capacity to order the execution of hundreds or thousands, and the will to carry it out for perhaps no other reason than a minor amount of pleasure.  Of course, the Eye of the Storm has been adventuring practically non-stop for the past several months; it could be that Talin is simply becoming worn down from the constant conflicts. Which, if any of these, is the case, shall surely be revealed with time. 

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The Cast of Characters, through Talin's eyes

 

Prior Impressions - What Talin thought of people when she met them, and at various points thereafter.

 

Current Impressions - How Talin sees people NOW.

Talin's Perspective On:  

Current Party Members

 

(Prior Impressions of Fern)

Fern - So Fern finally got with Bastian, huh? Weird. She and Bastian don't have the chemistry like she did with Vincent.  Maybe she's afraid of letting this opportunity slip away, too.  She seems to treat him like a little pet, which may still be a step up from Bastian treating most women, Fern included, like pairs of breasts of various sizes. Not sure this is the stuff of romantic ballads. Still...the sex has got to be incredible. Bastian looked to be teaching that succubus a thing or two, and I have seen Fern dance. She is flexible.

 

(Prior Impressions of Thomas)

Thomas - I'm starting to realize that Thomas has lived a life so different from my own that it's possible I'll never be able to understand it, nor he mine.  He acts like such a spoiled brat much of the time ("Don't you know who I am?" Sheesh, it reminds me of Smenk.), but I was surprised to learn how much he is governed by tradition, propriety (sometimes...), and family honor.  I do think about the future, sometimes, at least, but "marrying and settling down" has never been my primary, secondary, or even tertiary goal in the intimate interludes I have shared with others. For Thomas, apparently, that's about the beginning and the end of it.

 

(Prior Impressions of Croi)

Croídhamhsa - So, yeah. Lots of Croi/Talin time lately.  I know he is a kind man who wants to make sure I'm safe in the big scary city, and, hey, I'm not really eager to have Alhaster swallow me up, either.  It's coming off as clingy, though, and I'm trying to figure out what's with that.  Is it him, or is it me?  I'm probably just being immature, but I feel like I need to wander off on my own.  In any case, it is certainly good to have an ally in my efforts to heal and aid the poor and downtrodden.  Croi is a more than able healer, and these folks have deeper wounds than their physical ailments...

 

(Prior Impressions of Filge)

Filge - When Filge and I are together, he seems so happy and content.  I changed his life, he tells me, a look of adoration in his one good eye, I gave him the strength to be a better man.  I remember the first time he let me hold him, instead of the other way around. Up until that point, there was so much posing and posturing to make himself look tough and wickedly irreverent; I was deeply moved that he would allow me to see his vulnerability and need.  I don't rant to him so much anymore; maybe I've finally learned a coping skill or two. And these days, he's in my arms more often than not, snuggled up so sweetly I'm certain that if word got out, purple-black lightning bolts would follow shortly thereafter.  Filge trusts me.

     We've been together for months now, have been through so much, but for the first time, I'm asking, "Now what?" The story didn't end with a daring battle and a festive celebration, it kept going, dragons and visions and legions of Hell and all, and promises to continue to do so. I've had experience with guys, sure, but I've never actually dated anyone before. Hells, I'm not even sure I'm dating someone now.  We've shared an inn room repeatedly, but we don't really go and do anything together.  On the other hand, maybe we're definitely dating, because we go everywhere together.  By that logic, though, am I dating the rest of the party as well? Clearly not! (All right, that point's muddied a little by the orgies, and perhaps by the mere presence of Kendra..) The point is, I don't know what happens next.  No one's ever explained it to me.  What if I get bored with him? Do I stay as a courtesy for the time he invested in me? If so, how long? For that matter, how could I ever break up with a guy who's placed all his belief and hope and pleasure and joy in ME? And just how on Oerth is that fair to do to someone, anyway!? Emotional blackmail, whether intended as such or not! ...Gods, I am such a terrible person.  The man even lets me seek pleasures in the beds of other men, so long as I come back to his.  I'm happy with Filge, make no mistake. I don't think I've ever been closer to another person.  I'm just soooo bad at this "relationship" thing.

 

(Previous Impressions of Motey)

Motey - Tomb mote familiar = best scout ever.  Motey is amazing, and it's such a relief to know that he can't drown, won't be slain by negative energy, and so on.  When I first met the little hissing creature in the box Filge was carying around, I never imagined what a boon he would be in our adventures.  I love Motey, and I feel almost a maternal protectiveness towards him.  I acknowledge that this is a little creepy, but more than that, it's a bit sad.  When the bones of our brave adventuring band have crumbled to dust, Motey may well still exist.  What will happen to him when Filge dies?  Will he become more feral?  Will he mourn his master's death?  Will he go crazy with loneliness?  All of this, I hope, is a long time off, but as is natural, I suppose, as I view him as having more and more "human" characteristics, I become more and more concerned with his long-term well-being. 

 

(Previous Impressions of Threshk)

Threshk - It's fun to dote on a pseudodragon.  He gets all smug-yet-happy, like he knows with great certainty he is entitled to all the world has to offer, yet delights in being offered even a portion of it. It's kind of what I imagine a telepathic cat would be like.

 

(Prior Impressions of Arijen)

Arijen - The over-the-top playhouse melodrama that is Arijen's life just marches on relentlessly like those true ghoul armies Filge likes to ramble on about.  His mysterious lord turns out to be a benign but obscenely powerful archmage, who sends Arijen and his merry band into the heart of a city that despises him despite, nay, because of, his vow to protect the defenseless and uphold justice.  While practicing courtly love and wooing a fair maiden, she is revealed to almost literally be an angel, who sacrifices her existence to protect the human she has come to love.  Now he's somehow stumbled across a pretty young girl, all alone in the world, who may be the last of her noble line, if only there was some brave soul about to help restore her honor... I think Arijen projects such a strong and unwavering aura of knightly virtue, that reality itself bends to fit the fairytale.  On the other hand, between either not noticing or ignoring Amanda, and his either genuinely innocent or intentionally antagonistic words to Kendra, it seems he's not really so good overall with the ladies. And, yes, that's part of the guileless hero character, too.

 

(Prior Impressions of Bastian)

Bastian - Bastian is a sweet person, and I feel great affection for him, but if his careless words or actions seriously hurt Fern, I think I'm gonna teleport that fancy little lad someplace high up and leave him there.

 

(Prior Impressions of Liam)

Liam - Yet another companion who will wander away from the Eye of the Storm, never to return?  I hope not.  Sentimentality aside, we're about to launch a full-on war against an army of undead, and it would be rather handy to have an additional someone on hand who is skilled at dealing with those.  I guess Manzorian needed to borrow our +1 Undead Bane Fighter, which I hope he doesn't break from rough use. Gods, that sounded pervy...consider this metaphor dropped.  I don't begrudge Liam, surely; I certainly wouldn't tell Manzorian "no" if he wanted to borrow me for a secret solo mission or two. Aaand we're back to pervy again. Talin, why is it always sex with you? Can you not focus for like six seconds? Signs point to no...

 

Previous Companions/Those With Whom We Have Crossed Paths

 

(Prior Impressions of Vincent)

Vincent - Vincent stated at the outset that he was adventuring to fund the purchase of a ship and crew of his own, so it's not like he was dishonest or betrayed us or anything.  He was always so moody and restless; perhaps he can find solace on the seas. It's been weird without him, though, and I worry about the choices he will make on his journeys, and how those choices will affect him and those around him. Safe travels, Vincent, and I pray our paths might cross again one day.  Oh yeah, and Fern and Bastian might have met Vincent's mother...

 

(Prior Impressions of Chaim)

Chaim - So I had a weird thought while contemplating Arijen and Bastian's relationship - what if Chaim had found someone like Arijen to protect him and guide him? Would he then have smiled more?  Would he have stayed with us? ... ...Could I have been that person? Of course, I am unlikely to uncover the answers to these questions now, so I'll try not to dwell upon them overmuch.  Fharlanghn, please see Chaim safely to his destination, whatever it now may be.

 

(Prior Impressions of Sorin)

Sorin - You know, in retrospect, Sorin bullied our party quite a bit, myself definitely included, unfortunately.  It's difficult to imagine us putting up with that sort of thing nowadays.  I know I've learned how to better assert myself, and I have to hope that Sorin has somehow learned a bit about compassion and mercy in his ongoing adventures. Unlikely, perhaps, but not impossible.

 

(Prior Impressions of Allustan)

Allustan - Huh. Reading over the previous entry regarding Allustan, I now feel even worse for him.  His own mentor, from whom he was mostly  estranged years ago, actually WAS able to venture forth and obtain an item of ancient might for us. I also have a great deal more respect for Allustan, as he didn't let his personal desire to play the hero keep him from directing us to someone who could better aid us in our quest. One mystery remains, however: why did Allustan cease his apprenticeship to Manzorian?

 

(Previous Impressions of Smenk)

Smenk - Oh, Smenk, you sly old bastard...there really is no honor among thieves, is there?  We covered your butt, and probably saved your life, and you repay us by snatching the Whispering Cairn out from under us?  You'd better hope that Filge pleads your case, because I'm certainly not going to.

 

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Talin Art

 

Letters From Talin

 

Nightmares

 

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