Concept Development
This story follows Veronika. Veronika is from a small village with no name, like most villages on the coast. Veronika was found by a small group of Hunters on the coast of Sunless Sea. These Hunters returned to their village, Murkwell, with infant Veronika, for their leader to decide what to do. Their leader knew the Sunless Sea held many mysterious things; most of it evil. However, despite the village's pleas to sacrifice them and rid them of the infant's stain before it killed them all, their leader entrusted its care to The Healer. Leader tells his subjects that without Veronika, Healer's line will end and there will be no more magic to protect them from what lies lurking in the Darkness. Childbirth is rare and no one in Murkwell was willing to give their child to the Healer.
Healer is not a kind man. As a result, Veronika grew up under a lifetime of slavery and abuse. Healer also took new meaning upon using Veronika to continue the Healer line. He teaches them, yes, but he also tries to recreate his own magical line with Veronika. He uses magic that forced Veronika to become immobile at night while also losing their memory of what happens at night so Healer can do his experiments with blood magic on them.
Despite Veronika's knowledge of things that many others don't know about as a result of Healer's training, there are still too many things Veronika doesn't understand. This is a result of their abuse and isolation at the hands of Healer. They aren't confident and can be defensive at times. Socially, they are rough around the edges and do not know how to interact with others. They can be too blunt and they do not understand the nuances of everyday social life in civilization. Life at Murkwell spent with the Healer consisted of taking care of animals on the land, gardening, cooking, cleaning, making potions, and helping Healer with spellcasting.
Veronika unknowingly has been dealing with CPTSD for some time as a result of their time with Healer and the events that happen after. Veronika starts to hear voices of the Healer, both when he is there and even after he is gone. Veronika tries to deflect their fear and problems with personal humor. They also generally try to avoid any serious conversations. They don't trust other people with information about Healer, their home village of Murkwell, or the Sunless Sea.
Healer is not a kind man. As a result, Veronika grew up under a lifetime of slavery and abuse. Healer also took new meaning upon using Veronika to continue the Healer line. He teaches them, yes, but he also tries to recreate his own magical line with Veronika. He uses magic that forced Veronika to become immobile at night while also losing their memory of what happens at night so Healer can do his experiments with blood magic on them.
Despite Veronika's knowledge of things that many others don't know about as a result of Healer's training, there are still too many things Veronika doesn't understand. This is a result of their abuse and isolation at the hands of Healer. They aren't confident and can be defensive at times. Socially, they are rough around the edges and do not know how to interact with others. They can be too blunt and they do not understand the nuances of everyday social life in civilization. Life at Murkwell spent with the Healer consisted of taking care of animals on the land, gardening, cooking, cleaning, making potions, and helping Healer with spellcasting.
Veronika unknowingly has been dealing with CPTSD for some time as a result of their time with Healer and the events that happen after. Veronika starts to hear voices of the Healer, both when he is there and even after he is gone. Veronika tries to deflect their fear and problems with personal humor. They also generally try to avoid any serious conversations. They don't trust other people with information about Healer, their home village of Murkwell, or the Sunless Sea.
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