[Araréiel]

Here's my post for consideration. I'm new at this type of RPG. I'm used to one in which we have points and stuff. But you can take my character or leave her.

This is my first attempt at a character other than an Elf. This post was a bit difficult to write as I kept having to cross-reference what four other characters (the husband and children) were doing at the same time to tie them all together.

If I didn't do this right, or you don't want this character for whatever reason, just let me know.

1.) Have you ever played in an RPG at the Barrow Downs? Does the Green Dragon Inn count? EDIT by Pio - the Green Dragon does not count as an actual RPG

2.) How many RPGs on the Barrow Downs are you currently involved in? -- EDIT by Pio - "none"


3.) Have you posted in The Green Dragon Inn? ? Yes



NAME: Willow Millwind

AGE: 34

RACE: Man

GENDER: Female

WEAPONS: She is rather adept with a bow and sword. Her father insisted she learn the ways of weaponry with her brother.

APPEARANCE: Willow is tall and graceful. Fair of complexion, her deep chestnut eyes have just a tint of gold. Her mahogany hair tumbles in curls down her back. While growing up on a farm, she was raised primarily indoors to be a housewife, and it shows. She has none of the rough look as one might expect.

PERSONALITY: Always treat others kindly. Her father expected no less. Just be happy and do your best. Her mother expected no more. Willow grew up well-educated, and part of this comes great empathy for others. She is kind, gentle, and considerate, and considers her place to be in the home, caring for her family. She considers her brother to be one of her best friends.

HISTORY: Willow was born in the Dale itself a few years after her brother. She was one of two girls born that day to her mother, the younger, and the only one to survive. This may explain why she herself had twins. Her mother had a son and younger twin daughters, she had a daughter and younger twin sons. Her father insisted that she be educated, her mother insisted that she be reared as a proper young lady. Married at 18, she birthed a daughter two years later, and named the child after her own middle name. Years later she bore twin sons, a delight. She takes great pride in raising her family to be strong and well bonded, close to her brother's family.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Araréiel's post

Sunlight streamed through the freshly cleaned windows of the tidy kitchen. Heat emanated from the oven, lunch nearly prepared. Willow Millwind glanced out the window, wondering where her husband and children were. It was uncommon of them to be late. She pulled the buns from the oven and placed them on a plate. Grabbing a bowl of fresh-churned butter, she headed to the table. A noise outside distracted her and she headed instead to the door, setting the butter on a near-by chair. Pushing the door open with her foot, she stepped outside.

"Lunch is ready, my big men!" Willow looked with pride on her handsome husband, still as much in love with him today as they day they married. She gave him a kiss, and laughed as Eli cried out how gross kissing it. She ruffled the already-messy hair of her son, marveling in how much he looked like his father. Eli ran in through the door, and Willow caught a glimpse of her other children settling into their places for lunch, the twins fighting over who sat where, her daughter settling the fight. Hoping to not be heard, Willow leaned close to her husband and whispered, "How was he today? You did not have him sit in the sun too long, did you?"

"No dear. He sat under the dogwood tree most of the time- he came out for naught of five minutes to hand me a stake and hurry home. Do not worry," He kissed her and chuckled as he entered the doorway. His wife always worried about the children in the sun, worried they would burn. For this reason, none of them ever had.

*******************************

Lunch was long-finished. Soon it would be time to start preparing supper. Eli had picked on his brother horribly, this time for being a tad bit shorter. Eric had tried to defend himself, saying he looked more like Papa, that Mama always said so. Eli had thrown his bun at Eric, causing a fight as Willow hadn't seen in her table in years. She had forced her sons to clean up the mess, not caring who started what, only angry that they had participated in such a display of tempers.

She glanced down at the sewing she was doing. Those boys sure were tough on their clothing, and needed lots of repairs. But this was special. She was sewing a delicate white gown. It would have a white sash and lots of embroidery in shades of blue, pink, and the palest of green. Elanor worked so hard to help out, and Willow wasn't sure Elanor fully knew how much she was appreciated. This gown was beautiful, the gown she described for her daughter in stories of princesses as a child, but impractical, and she was glad to be finishing the last of the embroidery. The gown was complete, and she would give it to her daughter as supper that night. She carefully folded the garment and put it in a box, ready to surprise her eldest child, for Elanor knew nothing of the dress. The child sewed so much for others. She deserved a treat, and didn't understand why her mother had asked her to do mending in the afternoon instead of after supper, but she complied anyway. Willow just needed her out of the kitchen.

Elanor's favorite meal was turkey. Not chicken, but turkey. So Willow cut up the bird to cook it faster. Time had flown and she was running low on time. If she quartered the bird it would be done in time. She seasoned the bird with some pepper, dried garlic, salt, and some parley, and placed it in the oven, dousing it with a bit of lemon juice before closing the heavy iron door. Humming to herself, she peel the potatoes, toss them into a cast iron pot, fill with water, place on stove. Oh, how she hated peeling potatoes! But it must be done. The cream on the counter, she chopped up more garlic. When the potatoes were done boiling, she'd mash them with the garlic and cream. Elanor's favorite. Thankfully, Elanor's favorite dessert was strawberry shortcake. Shortcake is simple to make, and Willow sliced the strawberries and tossed them with a bit of sugar, singing now as she started whipping a bit of cream with sugar to make it fluffy. Satisfied with the texture, she sat back down to wait for the food to cook.

Smells of seasoning began to fill the room, and the sunlight combined with the smells and heat soon lulled Willow to sleep. A couple horsed reared outside causing quit a commotion, startling her from her sleep. She jumped up and headed to the window, and only saw the horses. What had frightened them? The house was momentarily covered in darkness, as if clouds covered the sun. She glanced up, but saw nothing. The potatoes began to boil over, so she pulled the pot off the stove, cursing as she accidentally burned her finger.

As she sucked on her finger, willing the burning feeling to subside, Willow stepped out the door. "If those boys are scaring the horses again...," she muttered under her breath.

Slight dust kicked up as her skirt swept across the ground to the corral. Nothing. Maybe he hadn't been at the corral after all. The horses reared again as a shadow came over them. Looking up she saw....

Eyes widening, terror overcame Willow and she screamed. The dragon overhead turned back around and looked down at her as she ran back to the house. The winged creature continued to fly, not stopping, until he was far from the house. Willow tore through the door, running to a corner of the room. Where was her family? How could she find them? If she went outside and they came home, how would they find her? Willow cried with fright and confusion, praying in her heart that her family would return home soon, safe and sound.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------