A Character In Search of a Story

Appearance

(as voiced by Alluriel herself)

Every sorceress knows the value of appearance. Our spells are most effective because of our personal charisma and force of will, and we all know just how our appearance affects not just how others see us but how we see ourselves. Others, seeing us in our beauty, are more persuaded of the power of our spells, too, knowing that we must be powerful given that we are so lovely.

This is most especially true for enchantresses such as myself. Beauty and charm are almost as effective as spells, although having enchantment spells is a certain asset, much like my own natural assets.

Dress

For convenience’s sake, I prefer a one piece short gown with a hood, in fine blue linen or wool the color of my eyes depending on the weather, with embroidery along most edges, over a cotton sheath. My pale skin burns instead of tans, hence the hood: the hood is doubly thick to further ward off the sun’s rays. The gown is tight-fitting, demonstrating my physical charms, again acknowledging the value of appearance. The gown is tied in back, which can be bothersome, except I never have trouble getting someone to help me dress. Below I wear linen or woolen leggings over cotton, again in blue, and blue-dyed leather boots, calf-high. When I can afford it, the linen will be replaced with silk.

The upper half of the flowing sleeves extend barely past the elbows, which is required because of the leather bracers I wear on my forearms. Both bracers were constructed to protect the forearms much like those preferred by archers, and sometimes I use them for that purpose. More importantly, these bracers are enchanted to focus my magical energies into a personal defensive shield, which can be directed according to how I position my arms. I also conceal a slender stiletto on the under side of each bracer: these are truly my weapons of choice, when forced to make use of such; such might raise some concerns among the constabulary, but few have the wit to discover them to question them.

Belt

I wear a wide leather belt around my waist, as this gown does not allow for pockets. The front of the best is round and covers almost my entire stomach, narrowing to a broad handspan behind. The belt is tooled in designs and patterns of the ancient Setsulian Empire which many unknowingly believe to be mystic runes, and I do not attempt to dissuade them.

On the right hangs the long knife my sex is permitted to carry: a blade and hilt combined no longer than my wrist to my elbow, and no wider than my middle three fingers. I use it mostly as a tool and less often in battle. And yes, I am left-handed.

On the left are two pouches. All contain things I may need on a moment’s notice in a variety of circumstances, or on occasions when I leave my heavier pack behind. One pouch contains a number of useful items, at times including a signal whistle, several chunks of chalk, a silver mirror, a fire striker and a whetstone, among others. The other pouch contains a number of bottles of magical and mundane potions, mostly healing and regeneration: my order required that all students have some knowledge of mundane and magical healing, and most of these are my own manufacture. It also contains a small journal with notes on identifying diseases and poison as well as the potion recipes.

I also conceal a pair of knives on the rear of the belt, hidden within the buckles. I have no love of being bound, and I found keeping a means of freedom concealed where my hands would most readily be bound a very useful idea.

Magical Equipment

Jewelry

Jewelry is also complimentary to my appearance.

I proudly wear the silver and gemstone amulet of the Order of the Amethyst. Any who notice it will automatically recognize my magical nature. Through it, I can call out to any other member of the Order for aid, and through it, I can hear any such nearby call for assistance. Except another member of the Order, none may grasp it with hand or tool or else their hand will be seared and their tool be melted. Such amulets are protected by royal decree, and any who wear falsely an amulet of any Order are severely punished when found.

I wear several rings, but only a few have any magical significance. One is made of gold and set with a type of opal that naturally glows brightly when magic is channeled through it, and is useful for bringing light to dark places. Another ring of gold and jet can similarly produce a small flame and is useful for starting campfires and lighting candles. A third is of worked iron and is a powerful magnet. Such rings are common for any sorceress or wizard to have. One ring I wear that is personal to me alone is a silver band set with a brilliant crystal which flashes most prettily in any light and is most efficacious capturing the eyes and mind of anyone whom I wish to entrance. I have another, larger such crystal, too, which I use to entrance multiple people at once. As an accredited mage, I have the right to bear a personal signet of bronze and wear it in its traditional place on my left index finger. I also wear plain silver rings that double as emergency funds and silver rings cast with the holy symbols of my faiths.

Why do wizards and sorcerers always carry a staff?

Any magic wielder can channel and use existing magical energies, but, as with all talents, the ability to do so varies wildly. Most can channel only enough to perform minor magics at any one time. I, myself, am able to channel as much as three lesser mages, but I am still far below the great masters who can channel as many as ten lessers at once, unaided.

Carrying a staff, however, can change that. The natural, living material of the staff can assist collecting and channeling magical energy. My staff is of rowan wood, being the material that most is aligned with my own magical talents. (I once met a wizard whose staff was made of steel. He forged it himself, mixing his own sweat and blood with the iron, and it was living and inked to him as nothing else can be. Using it, his mastery of elemental magic was unsurpassed.) Through it, I can channel as much as six lessers. My staff is also capped and shod with brass to protect it from wear.

Other

I also carry a wand formed from a lightning-blasted branch of an oak tree, capped with a lodestone and seated with a chunk of amber. By rubbing the amber, I can channel magical energy through the wand in such a way that the oak remembers the lightning, and I then direct the bolt through the lodestone. I carry the wand in a sheath next to the dagger on my hip. This is my most powerful offensive weapon but I am very careful about using it because lightning can be unpredictable at times. It is also one of the few tools of wizardly make that I carry, and the source of it is a story I do not tell.

Satchel

Traveling outside the well-protected and high-walled towns and cities is a dangerous affair, where inns are few and safety many days apart. Therefore, it is wisest to travel in a company, but one must always carry their personal goods and provisions with them. A large round satchel combines the convenience of a bag and the security of a chest, and is much easier to carry alone. Within it I carry the larger necessities of living: my flute in its wooden case; soap and cloths and towels; a change of clothing or two; my cosmetics and perfumes; a sewing kit useful for repairing both clothing and wounds; dried rations of hardtack and hard cheese wrapped in heavy paper and a collapsible iron cooking set of a kettle, cook pot, skillet and utensils. One large outside pocket at one end contains a small wooden writing kit with pens and different colored inks, several sheets of parchment and one or two small journals. Buckled to the outside is a bedroll and blanket which is always advisable, wrapped in a waterproof tarp or small tent.

Where I keep my money, you may ask? That, is my secret.