Madelyn

Not everyone's cut out for being a knight. It seems like it would be obvious, and really once people grow up it kind of is, but kids always seem to want to be knights, or sorcerers, or what have you. Some rare few, though, ARE cut out for it.

Madelyn was one of those few kids who didn't have many dreams or aspirations, however silly. Except, perhaps, to stay alive. For the longest time she was a slave, captured at a young age by a band of marauders. Their leader took a liking to her, though, and he wound up deciding NOT to sell her to an uncertain fate, instead keeping her and pretty much adopting her as his daughter. She lived with the bandits, mostly tending their camp once she was settled in, her birth family forgotten. When she was young, she cooked for them, and cleaned, and tended their camp as needed, mostly scrubbing dishes clean and making sure bugs didn't get into the bedding. It was a somewhat difficult life, but she acclimated well, and she spent her early years happily, in a way. Her 'father' taught her how to fight, how to run, how to track game, and how best to do all manner of bandit-type things, like threaten people, coax them out of their money, and completely ruin coaches. You know, essentials!

Of course, it all came to an end about the same time she turned fourteen. The bandit crew had made a name for themselves, and they'd gotten too comfortable. They hadn't moved in years, really, and eventually they were found. Rangers scouted the camp, unnoticed by everyone, and then knights were sent in. Madelyn woke up to the sounds of battle(and a horse jumping over her head). She rushed outside in time to see her father cut down by a knight in bloodstained armor, and, well.. she lost it.

Grabbing up a nearby axe, she rushed the mounted man with an enraged scream, swinging the blade as hard as she could. However, he wasn't alone. Far from it, really. He managed to keep his horse from being hit while one of his comrades caught Madelyn from behind, hitting her in the head and knocking her out cold.

When Madelyn woke up, she was... somewhere else. Tied up in fact, and slung on the back of a horse, she was being taken somewhere else by the knight who'd knocked her out. The quick-thinking woman had realized what had probably happened to Madelyn, though it wasn't by any means certain, and she'd decided to take a chance on the girl, to see if she could reform her. Besides which, years of living in the woods hadn't been kind to Mad at all. She was scrawny, filthy, and a fair bit worse for the wear, clad in men's clothing cobbled together from various sources. Really, she was in a pretty bad state when she was found, even if the bandits she had been with were fairly successful. Her eyes were pretty poor, too, possibly as a result of, well, any number of things.

However, she was brought back to civilization by the lady knight, one Lydia Van, and again she found herself adopted. Lydia was a strict woman, but fair. She educated Madelyn first by knocking her down when the girl attacked her, then by explaining everything. At first, Madelyn was unwilling to believe it, but.. well. Over time, she learned better.

It was six shaky months before they finally started to get along, which should tell you just how patient Lydia was. She bought new clothes for Madelyn(a dress and some work clothes, and some training clothes of a more form-fitting nature), which took some getting used to. She taught the girl how to cook properly, not bandit stew. She trained Madelyn in manners and etiquette, well enough that she could actually attend a state function without horrifying everyone. And... she taught Madelyn what it means to be a knight.

All of that was seven years ago, and Madelyn has come into her own in the intervening time. Twenty one, now, or near enough, she's blossomed as a woman and as a warrior, having filled out nicely, growing into pleasant curves and smooth, strong legs. Her poor eyesight has been dealt with, and she's following in her mother's footsteps as a defender of the realm(whichever realm she may happen to be in).

Typically dressed as shown(plus snug leather boots you can't see), lightly armored for the most part(save for her arms), she's grown to be about 5'6, her body lithe and athletic for the most part. She's got smooth, strong legs, as stated, and fairly powerful arms from wearing that armor all the time, and years of training have built up significant stamina as well. She fights with one or two blades at a time, depending on circumstances, and she fights dirty. She's not afraid to use her body as a weapon, lashing out with vicious kicks and punches(among other things) when necessary.

Off the battlefield? She's... interesting. Friendly for the most part, if a bit cynical, she's often just 'one of the guys', so to speak, cheerful and more than willing to have a few pints in the pub. It's not known which way she leans sexually, but she's certainly been friendly enough to kiss men and women alike when plastered, so it's anyone's guess. Feel free to approach her! She doesn't mind. Most of the time.

((But please, don't PM me ICly. I like to talk a bit before I play.))