Post by Dobian on Oct 25, 2011 12:39:41 GMT -5
Hannah Novato
Birth Name: Hannah Novato
Birthplace: Shadowdale, Dalelands
Deity: Tyr
Height: 5-10
Weight: 150 lbs
Hair: black
Eyes: brown
Order of the Merciful Sword
Background
Hannah was born on 18 Flamerule 1355 in Shadowdale, Dalelands, to Samantha and Hadrian Novato. Sadly, Hannah’s mother Samantha died in childbirth, leaving Hannah to her father to raise. Hannah was named after her grandmother on her father’s side. Hadrian was a cattle farmer and owned a ranch outside of the city. But he was also a warrior in the service of Torm, and a member of the city’s militia. As Hannah grew, Hadrian began teaching his daughter the ways of the warrior - fighting techniques and tactics, training disciplines, weapon care and maintenance, spiritual training on Torm, and warrior philosophy. Hannah was a soft-spoken girl, but very confident, serious, and focused. She loved her father, and thought of him as her mentor and teacher as much as a parent.
As her knowledge grew, Hannah physically matured into an attractive and physically imposing young woman, standing at five feet ten inches of lean solid muscle from her ranch work and fighter training. She trained with several weapons, but decided on the basic longsword as her favorite. She preferred its balance and versatility, while still capable of delivering a nasty blow, and she could wield it in one hand.
Hannah’ greatest wish as a young girl was to one day fight by her father’s side. She would often ask him, and would always get the same reply: “When you are ready, my daughter.”
But that day did finally arrive when the Zhentarim army and their Sharran allies invaded Shadowdale in Nightal 1374, overrunning the city. As Hadrian put on his armor and grabbed his greatsword, he turned to Hannah.
“Well what are you waiting for?,” he exclaimed. “The invaders aren’t going to wait for us to get there before sacking our city!”
That was all Hannah needed, her moment had arrived, and she beamed as she rushed to put on her mail and grab her sword and tower shield. Hannah and her father arrived to find their city being overrun and burned by the invaders. They quickly made their way through a secret tunnel entrance under the city wall and continued through the checkpoint to militia leaders. The news was dire; Scyllua Darkhope’s army had breached the city gates after Sharran agents had successfully assassinated key city leaders the day before. Hastily setting up their defenses, the small army of militia and city guards held off the invaders for several days before being driven to retreat outside the city walls, escaping through the tunnel and sealing it behind them. The Zhentarim forces occupied Shadowdale while Darkhope left with a contingent to attack Mistledale to the south. During this period, the Sharrans cast a dead magic zone over the city, and bound the spirit of Syluné Silverhand, the Mystran guardian of Shadowdale.
As aid arrived from other parts of the Dalelands, the allies – along with Hadrian and Hannah – began an assault of the city. One notable group, a contingent of paladins from the Order of the Merciful Sword, joined with Hannah and her father in the assault. Hannah was impressed by their discipline and bravery. Siege weapons were hastily assembled for a full frontal attack on the city gates. Luck was on their side, as Darkhope had left less than half of her forces to occupy the city. After days of fierce fighting, they breached the gates and established a foothold in the southwest quarter, then made their way to Zhentarim garrison, where they broke through the defenses and disrupted the Rite that was containing Syluné. Hannah herself beheaded one of the Sharrans conducting the Rite. In the moment of opportunity, Syluné sacrificed herself, releasing her magic energy to heal the dead magic zone over Shadowdale. Allied mages and clerics were suddenly able to cast, and the Zhents quickly fell.
Hearing news of the uprising in Shadowdale from a messenger a few days later, Scyllua Darkhope returned with her small army to find the tables had turned. After more fierce fighting that extended into Hammerfall of the new year, Darkhope and her dwindling forces were cornered in a market square on the northeast side of town, where they were defeated and Darkhope herself killed. But Hannah’s father suffered a grievous injury during the final battle, his arm nearly severed. He was escorted back to the militia camp outside the city where he was tended to by clerics.
Hannah soon returned to her father at the militia base camp outside the city walls to share the news of their stunning victory. The clerics had done the best they could to repair Hadrian’s arm, but it was clear that he would never wield a sword again. Hiding his disappointment at his own misfortune, he was outwardly and genuinely excited by the news and by Hannah’s triumph.
“I knew when I held you as an infant that you would make me proud one day,” he said, touching her cheek. “My time as a warrior is done. Now it is your time. Serve Torm, and honor your family name.”
Hannah and her father returned to their ranch a couple of days later. When he was settled, she took her leave. Little was said and the goodbye was brief, but his hug was strong and Hannah knew her father would miss her. She smiled at him with sadness in her eyes and left, taking one of their horses and riding south. She eventually arrived at Tilverton, where she stayed for several months. She then continued down to Cormyr, through Arabel, Immersea, and Suzail, then riding along the Dragonmere coast to Valkur’s Roar. Her journey eventually led her to the quiet hamlet of Greatgaunt, which reminded her a bit of the countryside back in the Dalelands. So she decided to stay for awhile, and see where her destiny would take her next…
