Black, Pearl (5. AU: Barbarian)

Name:

Pearl

Age:

30

Gender:

Female

Sexuality:

Straight

Race/Ethnicity/Nationality:

Barbarian

Guild/Organization:

Krokostecher Clan

Rank/Occupation:

Protector

Role in the Story:

Love Interest

Short Bio:

Pearl, a member of the Krokostecher Clan, is a steadfast protector, blacksmith, mother, and a symbol of strength and unity within her tribe. She may have a strange name for a barbarian, as they aren't normally associated with an easily crushed and beautiful thing like that. But even they like shiny rocks!

Pearl wields a masterfully crafted great sword, a work of art forged by her own hands, its blade gleaming with the pride of her family's legacy.

She is notably: tall and muscular, scarred, and beautiful.

Physical Appearance:

Pearl is a 6' tall barbarian woman with a visibly powerful physique, sacrificing some flexibility and speed for raw might. She's extremely proud of her bulging muscles although they're slashed and pocked with dozens of scars: arms, torso, legs. She even has a crocodile bite on her left forearm where it tried to rip her arm off before she punched it with her right.

She has long black ringlets, with short curly bangs, that cascade down her back and glisten like her namesake: black pearls. She doesn't have to take care of it much, but before battle she braids it.

Her warmly tanned skin contrasts beautifully with her intense blue eyes.

Her hands are rough and her nails kept short.

She has a long vertical scar on her cheek where an unscrupulous opponent tried to chop off her ear with an axe. She blocked the downward slice with her sword but it still partially shaved her cheek like deli ham. The doctor pulled the skin back over the wound and stitched it, but it left a slightly jagged line from the corner of her eye down to the corner of her mouth.

Skin Color:

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Hair Color:

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Eye Color:

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Other Color:

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Wardrobe/Attire:

Pearl's clan is known for hunting crocs, so it's no surprise that they make clothing out of the hides. She wears a chest binding for modesty, a short-sleeved vest, long shorts, and closed-toe leather sandals. Her great sword is worn on her back and she wears an axe at her hip.

ABOUT CROCODILE LEATHER:

Crocodile skin has a distinctive texture characterized by small, square-shaped scales. These scales are slightly raised and have a bumpy, rough appearance. But it's not dull, it's known for its natural shine and gloss. The scales can reflect light, giving the skin a luxurious appearance.

The color of crocodile skin can vary depending on the species and environmental factors, but it typically includes shades of dark brown, olive green, gray, or black. Some species have lighter tones, such as cream or off-white.  Each species of crocodile has its own distinctive scale pattern.

It's very durable and flexible and surprisingly soft.

Background and History:

When Pearl left on her proving journey she met, of all things, a dragon. At the time she wasn't wearing any crocodilian clothing, which might have caught it's interest. She'd been hunting and making her own clothes in the mountains and she smelled, to him, like a predator invading his territory. Fortunately, he was a dragon SHIFTER. They briefly tussled, gained mutual respect for each other, then he took on human form. They dueled that way and when she lost he spared her life and invited her to stay with him. There was a dungeon he needed her help with. They ended up falling in love and that was how she had her son, Jade. However, eventually, she wanted to go back home and he did not want to go. They still see each other from time to time and they're not exactly broken up.

Personality:

Pearl's unwavering commitment to her skills with the sword is unmatched. She values power, technique, and the pure fun of combat over mindless violence or cruelty.

Family and community are paramount in Pearl's life. She is a loving and devoted mother to her half-barbarian son, Jade, who shares in her love for fighting, though he prefers hand-to-hand bouts. Pearl often imparts the wisdom of her clan's traditions to the younger generations.

Within her clan Pearl is a dedicated protector, standing alongside her fellow warriors to defend their way of life and uphold the Clan's honor code.

She doesn't know a thing about art and wouldn't care much. But she does appreciate the beauty of her environment. She likes to dance and most people would never make fun of her for how bad she is at it, many have told her not to try to sing though. So she only does when she's alone or with other bad singers, or the deaf.

She's not a spiritual person, because neither is her clan. They don't worship anything.

Goals and Motivation:

Pearl's motivations revolve around protecting her family/community, mastering the sword, crafting exquisite weapons as a tribute to her blacksmith heritage, proving her worth as a warrior.

Long term: exploring the world to gain knowledge and experience and learning from her encounters to grow as a person and warrior.

Interests and Hobbies:

* Battling every person she meets

* Try to defeat one of every kind of animal/monster

* Metal working/forge work

* Training physically

* She likes tribal dances but doesn't find it as easy as fighting. They're not choreographed and they're not... instinctive. She can't sing or play an instrument either. She would be interested in drums though.

Relationships:

Pearl's a highly respected member of her clan

Other:

LOCATION:

Pearl's clan, the Krokostechers, lives in a sub-tropical (hot summers, mild winters, rainy/monsoon season) delta (where a river mouth fans out and meets the ocean). The land is fertile and prosperous, teeming with wildlife. They don't farm but they do forage. There's also a lot of moss and that gets used for insulating their houses. They live in elevated housing since it floods often.

BELIEFS AND VALUES:

* Be resilient and adapt:

The clan's lifestyle, including their elevated housing, reflects their resilience and adaptability in the face of the delta's frequent flooding. They view their ability to withstand and thrive in challenging conditions as a source of pride and strength.

*Practicality and Resourcefulness:

The clan values practicality and resourcefulness. Their clothing, housing, and tools are designed with functionality in mind, tailored to the challenges and opportunities presented by their environment.

* Community/Unity and Tradition:

The clan places a strong emphasis on community bonds and traditions. They pass down their knowledge, skills, and cultural practices from generation to generation. These traditions are integral to their identity.

Perhaps this is why it's not frowned upon for some of the barbarians to be protected by others.

Clan members stand together, and individual achievements are celebrated as contributions to the collective strength of the clan.

*Defending Allies:

Barbarians with honor prioritize the safety and well-being of their comrades. They rush to the aid of allies in need and will even put themselves in harm's way to protect them.

*Respect for Family:

Family bonds are sacred, and protecting one's kin is a primary duty. Disputes within the clan are resolved with respect and consideration for familial ties.

* Fair Combat:

Combat is to be conducted with fairness and without trickery. Challenges are to be met head-on, and warriors are expected to acknowledge the prowess of their opponents.

* Respect for the Foe:

Barbarians show respect for their opponent, recognizing their bravery and skill. They do not belittle or insult their adversary, even in the heat of battle.

*Acknowledging Superiority:

Recognizing when an opponent demonstrates superior skill is a sign of wisdom, and warriors are encouraged to acknowledge it with grace.

* Oath-Keeping:

Some barbarian cultures place great importance on keeping oaths and promises made before or during battle. Breaking an oath is seen as a grave dishonor.

* Respect for Weapons:

Weapons are considered sacred in many barbarian cultures. Honorable barbarians treat their weapons with reverence and do not use them for dishonorable purposes.

* Paying Tribute to the Fallen:

After a battle, honoring the fallen is a significant display of respect. This may include funeral rites, the collection of bodies, and paying tribute to those who fought valiantly.

* Holding Grudges:

Honorable barbarians do not hold grudges or seek revenge against defeated foes. They understand that defeat is part of the warrior's path and may even form alliances with former adversaries.