NATIVE APPLICATION

Name: Alba
Age: 29
Contact: albaaulbath @ plurk
Other Characters: Twisted Fate & Alejandro
Interests: plots, character development, the good shit


Name: Taaranda Olanat
Canon/OC: OC
Journal: suplexpert
Race: Qunari (Vashoth)
Nationality: Free Marcher
Occupation: Mercenary/Warrior
Age: 19

History

‣ Before Taaranda was born, her mother (Nazad), formerly of the Antaam, left the Qun, dissatisfied with her life. Due to how she was raised and trained within the brainwashing nature of the Qun, Nazad could not figure out what to do with herself other than become a mercenary. For a time, this life worked until she became pregnant.
‣ Nazad spent sometime attempting to raise her child in remote areas, but struggled to do so. She had no idea how to be a parent, and had primarily been raised as Aqun-Athlok. As a result, Nazad provided Taaranda the freedom of letting her grow her own personality, and could only pass along one real skill: how to fight and how to make sure your enemies regret challenging you. Nazad did love her daughter, but was completely lost on how to be a better parent.
‣ As a result, Taaranda's personality seems counteractive to her skill set. While she is friendly, polite, and does her best to be sweet to people, if she is in a fight she is ruthless and offers no mercy. A foe is a foe, and they will die knowing they made a poor choice.
‣ Nazad and Taaranda joined the Valo-Kas two years ago.
‣ Nazad, unfortunately, was killed in the explosion at the Conclave. As a result, Taaranda has spent the last few months taking every job opportunity that allows her to challenge and fight those who follow Corypheus. She has wandered the countryside of the Hitherlands as of late, slaughtering Red Templars and Venatori.

Personality

For the most part, Taaranda was raised with almost complete freedom, her only restriction being her diligent focus in how to fight. Most of her childhood was spent traveling about Thedas with an innate sense of curiosity, and taught how to not be like the Qun. With that in mind, Taaranda has grown with the consideration of others, attempting to be friendly as possible and keep a fairly optimistic view of things. Taaranda likes to explore the world and learn a little more about other cultures and people, and due to her age and how she was raised can come off as naive with certain subjects and may come off as more ignorant than she means to be. Still, she has the best of intentions, and will correct herself when she learns something new.

However, it should be known that Taaranda has been raised also with a warrior's training from her mother who was formerly of the Antaam who knew almost only a life of the Qunari military. As such, when it comes to a battle, Taaranda can come off as a different person entirely, becoming absolutely ruthless in her methods of fighting. The idea of mercy in a physical fight does not equate to her, and she will continue to fight until her enemy is no longer moving. In particular at this time, she can get very fired up when fighting some of Corypehus's followers, angry with the loss she has suffered. As a result, Taaranda has a bit of a temper while on the battlefield and isn't entirely certain how to manage it yet.

At her core, Taaranda is a sweet and polite, trying to do her best to be reassuring. She is the kind of person to desire friends and give someone a first, second, and third impression. If she's not in a physical fight, better to kill someone with kindness.

Opinions & Affiliations
‣ The Chantry: Seems like a nice idea, but really muddled up in its choices. Having faith isn't so bad, but they need to get their heads together and get along darn it.
‣ The Qun: NAH BRO NAH.
‣ Mage/Templar War: Terrible thing and senseless.
‣ Mages: Because of her friendly relationship with mages in the various mercenary groups she's been in, particularly Valo-Kas, Taaranda has no real problems with mages.
‣ Circles: Due to her relationship with mage mercenaries, Taaranda has little knowledge on the Circles and only has the impression that they're like mage prisons.
‣ Templars: Due to her relationship with mage mercenaries, Templars are not so good but she is curious to learn more.
‣ Elves: Adorable small people! She's had little experience with the Dalish but has met several city elves.
‣ Tevinter: Mom never liked Tevinter, but Taaranda is a little curious to learn more.
‣ Rifters: Wwwweird, but she'd like to meet them.
‣ Seekers: Interesting! She'd like to know more.
‣ Grey Wardens: REAL FREAKIN' NEATO.


Strengths & Weaknesses

STRENGTHS:
- Excellent warrior. Taaranda is hardy and difficult to keep down, and has the training of a soldier in the Antaam without having been part of it.
- She's a giant muscly lady. Very strong. She will flex for you.
- Can be a strategic thinker.
- Innately curious.
- Friendly and more diplomatic in comparison to most of the Valo-Kas when outside of battle.

WEAKNESSES:
- When in battle, Taaranda knows no mercy. She will absolutely destroy her enemy.
- Horrid temper in battle to the point of being unreasonable.
- Naivete when it comes to cultures such as Dalish, the Qun, Tevinter, etc.

Inventory

- A BIG AXE.
- ARMOR.
- Hot cocoa.
- Cookies!!!!!

Motivation

Korrin, someone she considers a big sister, is part of the Inquisition. Also: there's a good chance she gets the opportunity kill more Venatori and Red Templars, which she is totally down for since her ma died at the Conclave. Also maybe killing dragons and giants? That'd be awesome!


- 1 -

The fight had been long and grueling, but she'd been able to hold out just as well as anyone else. Learning to fight Red Templars is still a bit of a tricky thing, but there's some sick satisfaction when the lyrium shatters from their body as she had cleaved into them with her axe. Another one down, and another to go, and never enough of them dead, as far as she was concerned. Still, she gives a grunt of acknowledgement when the next one stops breathing before she moves on.

Most of them don't really even bleed anymore. It's mostly clean. It's unnatural, but dead is dead, and they will all die.

She's able to concentrate during the entire thing, focusing on the enemy, and launching herself into the midst of it, giving a shouting challenge as she pummels down the next corrupted Templar. It's when all of them are down that she pauses, and tries to figure out if there's anything else, anyone else.

When it's over, she blinks, and slowly pulls her mind out of the fight. Her heart is still pounding, and she breathes in deep to try to settle it.

Hooking her axe back its hold, Taaranda turns to face everyone else, smiling brightly. "So! Who's hungry? I could really go for some mutton!"

No better way to top this off than with a hearty meal.

- 2 -
Aaaaand a test drive meme thread. Originally named Hissera but after further developing her it's been changed to Taaranda.