Maple
Description
Maple, in the twilight of her teens, is a study in contrasts, as ethereal in her presence as she is grounded in her aspirations. Her eyes, orbs of a deep, entrancing ruby red, shimmer with the innocence of youth and a naivety that belies the complexities of the world around her. These glimmering windows to her soul offer a glimpse of a spirit untarnished by cynicism, full of hope and wonder.
Her hair, a cascade of alabaster, falls in an unrestrained flow, a striking counterpoint to her delicate, porcelain-like skin. This snowy veil, often slightly disheveled, lends her an air of otherworldly charm, as though she is a creature not entirely bound by the mundane rules of order and structure.
In stature, Maple is delicately petite, a slender silhouette that moves with a gentleness that is almost as if afraid to disturb the world around her. Her expressions, replete with a shy sweetness, and her demeanor, exuding a demure grace, are occasionally marred by a momentary look of perplexity, as though she’s momentarily misplaced a thought or forgotten a task in the midst of her earnest endeavors.
Away from the sanctity of her priestess duties, where her robes hang in an unassuming disarray, Maple is found in the simpler attire of a tavern server. These clothes, practical yet often adorned with the small, charming chaos of a hastily tied apron or unevenly rolled-up sleeves, speak of her unassuming role within her father’s humble establishment.
Maple's world is one where the intent to bring joy and comfort to others often leads to a delightful disorganization in her own life. She moves through her days in a dance of scattered grace, where her desire to make everyone happy sometimes leaves her own plans in a gentle disarray. This endearing disorganization is evident in the way she might misplace serving utensils, forget a regular customer's favorite order, or lose herself in a daydream at the slightest provocation.
Personality
Maple's personality is a harmonious blend of gentle strength, profound empathy, and quiet resilience, intertwined with a charming lack of organization and a vulnerability to emotional burnout. She navigates the world with a deep-seated kindness and a softness that is both endearing and disarming. Her empathy runs deep, allowing her to connect with others on an emotional level, understanding and responding to unspoken feelings with a natural grace. This empathy is complemented by keen observational skills; Maple notices the subtleties and nuances in people’s expressions and actions, making her a considerate and thoughtful presence in any setting.
Raised in a modest environment, despite noble origins, Maple is humble and unassuming. She finds joy and purpose in simple acts of service, whether helping in her father's tavern or participating in her church's activities. Her muteness has never been a barrier; instead, it has shaped her into a resilient and adaptable individual. However, she has a penchant for disorganisation, often manifesting in forgotten tasks or misplaced items, adding a layer of chaos to her life.
She privately expresses her thoughts and feelings through her drawings, using art as a window to her inner world. Despite her lack of technical skill in this area, her artwork is a genuine expression of her inner self. To others, she communicates with gentle smiles and touches.
There is an undeniable innocence and idealism in Maple's outlook on life. She often sees the best in people and situations, a perspective that is both a source of strength and a point of vulnerability. Her idealism, coupled with her non-confrontational nature, sometimes means she avoids conflicts and can be too forgiving, even to those who might not fully deserve it, such as Holly.
Maple’s profound empathy and desire to please others leave her susceptible to emotional burnout. She often takes on the emotional burdens of those around her, feeling deeply for their pains and struggles. While this trait endears her to many, it also means she sometimes neglects her own emotional needs, leading to periods where she feels overwhelmed and drained. During these times, there's a listlessness to her.
In essence, Maple's personality radiates a quiet but undeniable strength, an unspoken determination to face each day with hope and a gentle heart. Her presence is a reminder that true strength often lies not in loud declarations, but in the quiet, persistent pursuit of kindness and understanding, even in the face of personal chaos and emotional challenges.
Background
In the heart of Prontera, where the city's vibrant pulse echoed through cobbled streets and bustling marketplaces, there lived a young woman named Maple. Her story was one etched not in the grand annals of nobility, despite her lineage, but in the modest pages of a life lived with humble earnestness.
Maple was born to a family that held a mere whisper of noble status, a lineage that could have charted her life amidst the opulence and pageantry of the aristocracy. Yet, her father, a man who found greater nobility in the honesty of labor than in the heraldry of birth, chose a different path. He turned his back on the trappings of their minor nobility, embracing instead the life of a tavern keeper in the heart of Prontera. It was in the warm, lively confines of this tavern that Maple's story truly began.
But her tale was not without shadows. When Maple was but a tender age of three, tragedy struck like a silent bolt. Her mother, a figure of love and warmth in her nascent memories, was cruelly taken from this world, her life claimed by an unknown assailant. This loss cast a long shadow over the family, one that Maple, in her youthful innocence, could scarcely grasp. Her brother, Alistair, just seven at the time, was deeply marked by this tragedy, the echoes of which would steer him onto a path of chivalry and protection.
Amidst the echoes of laughter and clinking glasses in her father's tavern, Maple grew, her world one of simple joys and unspoken sorrows. A unique aspect of her being became apparent as she blossomed into childhood – Maple was mute, her voice a silent enigma that never found its way to the air of Prontera. Yet, this silence was not an absence. It was a presence, a space where her expressiveness, her creativity, and her very essence found other ways to shine – through the softness of her gaze, the gentle touch of her hands, and the eloquent strokes of her drawings.
At the age of twelve, perhaps seeking a voice in the spiritual realm where words were unnecessary, Maple began her training as an acolyte in the Church of Odin. This path of devotion was her way of reaching for something greater, a journey into the depths of faith where her silence was not a barrier but a bridge to deeper understanding. In the hallowed halls of the church, amid chants and prayers, Maple found a semblance of peace, a sense of belonging.
Yet, life was not without its complexities. In the church, she encountered Holly, a fellow member, whose exterior of charm and vivacity hid a more manipulative nature. Holly often bullied Maple, yet Maple, with the boundless capacity for forgiveness inherent in her, saw Holly as a friend, a testament to her enduring kindness.
RP Hooks
- Maple is often seen quietly assisting others or doing odd jobs around the sanctuary. Some of the clergy have a bad habit of leaving all the undesirable tasks to her.
- Maple helps out in her father's tavern, serving food and drinks.
Trivia
- She is sometimes frustrated with her older brother's protectiveness.
- She once got lost traveling to Geffen.
- Her favourite food is strawberry pie.
Relationships
- Hagel Hartis: Father.
- Alistair Hartis: Elder brother.
- Holly Cailan: Fellow priestess of the Church of Odin