Aoife Stillhands

Since a very early age, something has been watching Aoife Stillhands. What, exactly, she's never known, but it seems to be a positive force... so far. It began as soon as she was old enough to craft charms. Hillfolk, as they grow up, learn a great deal of these - superstitions, outsiders would call them. Nomadic by situation, not by nature, the Hillfolk have a wide and varied repertoire The proper gestures to make, words to say, to respond to any mishap, to bless a situation, to ask the powers of the universe for guidance. And, more importantly to a young halfling among them, the necessary charms to make. Dolls, trinkets, webs of string in wooden frames, poseys of flowers and herbs tied neatly with twine. Each has its function and its proper placement, and Aoife took to these with enthusiasm, often adding her own flair. When Aoife placed her charms, laid them carefully and spoke her words, the results were... well, more effective than anticipated. Plants that had been consecrated with Aoife's tiny clay mushrooms grew stronger and taller than any others. Hunters who bore her talismans returned with more meat. The sick who hung her poseys over their beds recovered faster, or at least so it seemed. The difference was less noticeable to begin with, but as she entered her tenth year there was no longer any denying it. What Aoife never spoke of, through all of this, was the gentle voice in her head. Soft and soothing like tinkling chimes on a sunny spring day, the voice never spoke any words, really, or at least none she understood, but its meanings were clear to her. *Continue the old ways. Grow them, evolve them. Spread them to all those you meet. In return, you will grow more powerful. You'll gain new magics, ones that you can use to heal your people, to hide your people. Think of me as you craft, and as you grow I will imbue you with all that I can.*

Aoife is a child of open skies and quick thinking to hide from the enemy. When not studying or crafting traditional charms, she spends many hours wandering the Great Hall, in awe of so much freedom after a life spent hiding.

Character Location

The Great Hall

View Character Profile

Age

Children

Current Residence

The Great Hall, Ioth Academy

Gender

Female

Eyes

Green

Hair

Red

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Ruddy

Height

2’11”

Weight

41 lbs

Tarslemoor House
6862

The ring. It's so much grander than I expected, even after hearing the stories, seeing it from afar. The moment of disorientation as gravity changed around us was nothing compared to the disorientation of being constantly surrounded by students and teachers coming and going as they handle their own affairs. And there are so many of us now, in our year, now that we're not all split amongst four different lodges. I'm already meeting so many new fifth year friends! Chapter houses are quite different, too, and in mine there are students who've originally come from all four lodges. We have more privacy, here, with mostly two to a room. My new roommate, Megale, is such a kind person and so much fun to be around! Sir William has really taken a shine to her as well, and I really think it's going to be a great living arrangement. My favourite thing about the house, though, is the tower garden. It's so quiet, considering how busy the Ring is, and it's beautiful there. Sir William tends to spend time there even when I'm not with him, and I hope no one thinks I'm using my familiar to keep an eye on them or on the garden! Though, honestly, I'm not sure how many people know that I can both see and speak through my furry companion. I've been fairly quiet about it, just in case. I think he's up there now, I'm going to head off to find him!

Year One
6858

Red Robes, classes, more people my age than I’ve ever seen before - this is the beginning of learning how to use my magic! I’m really excited to meet the other students. I wonder if there will be any other halflings? First year was a culture shock. The grand Elven creation that is Ioth Academy is like nothing she’s ever dreamed of, having lived her life in huts and burrows in hiding from the Infernals. Yet there she stood, in a place of beauty, a place of safety, a place which she herself had been chosen for. Handpicked to experience this entirely different way of living, and to receive a magical education that could be vitally important to her people’s well being. She resolved the moment she set foot on Academy grounds, after following a twisting enchanted trail through a suddenly unfamiliar forest, that she would learn every. Single. Thing that she possibly could. As a generally upbeat and adventurous child, it was easy for her to be outgoing enough to make friends in her classes right away, and her enthusiasm was appreciated by her educators. Other than a tendency to wander the halls and gardens at all hours, quickly corrected, she fit in quite well. One of the things she found the most joy in was learning woodcarving. It fit in well with her love of crafting, and she built her way toward a lovely, detailed, carefully oiled wooden sculpture representing an oversized version of a common Hillfolk trinket. Classes: Fundamental Arcana Steps of Spellcasting Reading & Writing Arithmetic Elective: Arts & Crafts

Gala!
6861

The Gala was so exciting! A little weird, I guess, but what *isn't* weird around here? Getting to play in the orchestra was the highlight, although none of us were impressed that someone in the audience thought they could just interrupt us by playing their own music. Who even does that?! It was all such a spectacle, from the moment we finished setting up in our seats. The greenery, rhe chalices, the lights, the dancing, the performances! Speaking of the performances, my favourite was the light show, the one full of butterflies. It made me think of what home could be like if we could focus on our lands instead of having to hide. I dreamed about it that night. The grandest moment for me was taking a chance, while everyone was distracted by the Alfar harpist's performance, to take a good look through Sir William's eyes. He spent most of vhe evening in the vines strung around the hall, climbing and running to his heart's content. The view was breathtaking. I, ah... apologize to anyone he may have climbed in his enthusiasm for the evening. Now that it's over, my flute gets put away for now, so that I can focus on my project. It's going well so far, and I think I'll be proud when I can present it. More about that when I get another chance to write!

Year Four
6861

I think that these Green Robes really bring out my eyes, and they show that I’ve worked hard and kept up with my education. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned and how I can apply it to keeping my people safe. By the time I graduate, we’ll have a better chance of survival, of thriving even, than ever before. I think Sir William is as excited as I am to get to school, and to learn more about my magic (and by extension Sir William himself) has come from. Maybe even learn about types of magic I’m not familiar with, and see how they can work with what I know. Classes: Traditions of Magic Arcane Self Defense Spell Formulae Metaphysical Education Elective: Etiology

Year Three
6860

I love how bright my Yellow Robes are, they’re so cheerful! This year I can start learning more about runes, which I think will really help me in my charm making. I can really reflect my intentions in them if I can inscribe them! I’m also excited to find a familiar of my very own, because I really miss all the sweet little critters back home. Classes: Spell Theory Taxonomy of Magic Discipline Logic & Rhetoric Elective: Runic Alphabets

Year Two
6859

Orange Robes! I haven’t gotten much taller, so the red ones would have still fit, but it’s exciting to have something to show I’m not in first year anymore! Looking forward to seeing my classmates again… and this year I can start studying Herbalism! Classes: Somatic Exercises Principles of Arcana Syntax of Magic Reading & Writing Arithmetic Elective: Herbalism

Aoife Stillhands