ADALHEIDIS ROARK, warrior

[attr="class","qty"]"we are the children of the earth and removed from her our spirit withers"

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The Darkspawn have always been there. For as long as Adalheidis can remember people told stories of their horrible presence. When she was a child it was bedtime tales. Little stories ut how Darkspawn will pluck up children who wander outside the city, or how brave warriors would venture into the Deep Roads and fight them back, sealing them in to keep everyone safe.

While she was told many stories, Adalheidis always held one especially close in her heart. Stories about a strong dwarf, a man admired by many and feared by every Darkspawn that ever lived. She was told stories of her father; a strong man who fought back the dark hoards and died a hero. Well, would die a hero.

Adlegund’s mother told her a secret. He’d gone off to join the Legion of the Dead to clean the family name of the past’s grime. And while he was meant to be long passed, she told her tales almost every night about how he was fighting to save lost thaigs and the broken Deep Roads. It fostered an admiration that went far beyond anything some fairy tale hero deserved.

It was important to remember this power as she grew older. A warrior, Adalheidis was near the top of society’s ladder, but also first in line to fight the Darkspawn were they to make their way past the blocked up roads. Energetic and full of pride, she learned to fight and fight well quickly. She worked to hone her strength with every passing moment, participating in showy contests -- Lifting this, doing that – and molded it into one of her greatest strengths.

When she was sixteen Bownammar fell, and while it didn’t truly mean her father had died once more it did leave her haunted for a time. It also helped keep her confidence in check. Her father was surely a greater warrior than she could ever be, and if her father did die at the Darkspawn’s hands there was no knowing what could happen to her.

The worry over what could happen to Adalheidis turned out to be shared by more people than just herself. As she matured she found out where her “true” place in society was. Suitors came from all over town. Young and old, noble or not. Not because she was any treasure to behold, and not because of her caste or personality, but because of the rampant infertility.

Adalheidis was expected to breed and have as many children as possible. Produce heirs for nobles. But she didn’t want that. She wanted to be a warrior. Like her mother. Like her father. And she had her way eventually. At twenty she found herself a member of the dwarven army. Finally she had her dream.

This dream both allowed her glory and brought misery. People died. The Darkspawn never ceased their fighting and Adalheidis learned the part of her bedtime stories that had always been overlooked. Soldiers died, and died every day. At the same time those who lived earned a bit more glory and renown every day. It was with one of these renowned soldiers that she found a suitor worth her time.

The prospect of potential children sent them both back to Orzammer, and during this trip they realized they’d lost their ability to do what they’d been sent home to do. They split out of grief and returned to the front lines.

Ten years after enlisting, and four after her verdict of infertility, a new opportunity for glory presented itself. She was approached by the Grey Wardens and recruited into their ranks. Drafted, though not by force. It took Adalheidis only a moment to accept and get ready, happy to become even stronger in her fight against the Darkspawn and get back at them for all they'd done to her people.

The Joining ritual burned through her blood till she felt she would waste away. The pain of it was beyond any grief or wound she'd ever sustained. It brought her to her knees and drew cries from her lips. The short time it fought with her body felt like an eternity of agony, and even once it was over she felt so different. Stronger, but at the same time weaker. As if her body was no longer her own. Still, she was stronger and that's what mattered.

When the Fifth Blight struck Adalheidis found herself moving from surface to Orzammer continuously. She developed a good understanding of the surface and its people, but also developed a disdain for the people who ignored the plight her people experienced every day and night. For a year she did this, up until the last Darkspawn were killed in 9:31. At this time she returned to Orzammer to aid in any left over need for cleaning up.

From that year on she's found herself spending more and more time on the surface, and now spends at least half her days in the sun. While her faith is to the Stone and her people, Adalheidis can't help but love the way fresh air feels in her lungs and the way the light -- while sometimes blinding -- felt on her face. Especially now that the whispers have begun. Hushed in the back of her head.

The Calling. The alarm that signals her life's final years.


LIST OF TALENTS:  Sweeping Blow, Mighty Blow, Pommel Strike, Indomitable

LIST OF SKILLS:  Coercion(I), Vitality(I), Combat Training(II)

SPECIALIZATION: Champion