Braya ui Bradoc
Countess of Balon
Played by: Tess
Name:Braya ui Bradoc, Countess of Balon
Age: 17
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 140 lbs
Background:
Born the second daughter and fourth child to Count Bradoc de Balmais ruler of the county of Balmais. From the moment she came from her mother's womb her father knew there was something special about her. By the time she reached the age of seven she was joined by six more sisters giving her parents a total of ten children. Bradoc gave his sons and daughters the chance for an education but of all of them only Bowen, the eldest and Braya showed interest. Learning to read and write as well as mathematics and statecraft, Bradoc was amazed at how his second eldest daughter showed such promise.
Often Braya would assist her father with household management at only fourteen years of age and keep things in order when he was away. She was the shining star of his eight daughters whom became jealous of their father's favorite. Despite her independent ways, both Bradoc and her mother Freyda were always hoping and sometimes planning to marry Braya off to wealthy noble but offers of marriage were few as Braya was fiercely independent. Soon the attention of finding a husband for her was directed to her other sisters instead.
With the war against Jon Sanglet mounting casualties on a high scale, Braya left with her father to aid in any way that they could. While Bradoc served in the army. Braya assisted with caring for the wounded, a position that caused her to faint countless times at the sight of all the blood. Braya often protested with those who commanded the army about leaving the injured that some people believed could not be saved. The day came when her older brother Baldwin was carried in and Braya was left to tend to his wounds with only slight knowledge in healing. Despite her efforts she couldn't save her brother and that struck deeply into her heart.
Returning back to Belmais after the war she became isolated and distant from her family often spending days at a time locking herself in her room. Twice she attempted to take her own life as a means of escape and twice her father came to her rescue. Bradoc's care ensured Braya finally came out of her depression.
Becoming more grown up as a result, Braya returned to her ways of being independent spending much of her early sixteenth year helping with the management of several estates of her father's and attended to business in Alban in his stead. The later half was spent joining the many women who tended to the wounded soldiers of the Nethbo-Aberyswyth war eventually becoming trapped in Alban when the war came to the capital. Two days after Braya turned seventeen Lord Alfred, count of Balon died leaving his entire county to Bradoc. Unable to cope with the rule of two counties, Bradoc passed to the county and title to Braya whom he believed had earned it. Braya then became Countess of Balon.
Personality Profile:
Independent and intelligent. Braya is not the girl she was before the Sanglet wars but she is not the depressed girl she was directly after either. Her lessons through life have made her into a mature young woman and trained to deal with the real world. Not to be fooled by anyone she is very much ladylike but is not as traditional as her younger sisters in the way that she can be very firm and tough when it comes to debating issues. Her decisions to live life her own way have formed a rift between her and almost any chance she has of finding a husband as many want an obedient wife over an independent one. A kind and caring woman she is not without a sense of humor. Braya knows when to argue and when to stand aside showing the gift of logic and common sense.
Physical Profile: While her personality reflects that of her father, her appearance is unquestionably that of her mother. Of average height with long brown hair she commonly wears loose except on formal occasions in which it is braided and brown eyes. Her expression shows signs of innocence and experience and her build is slim yet she possesses a bit more strength than most women of her age and status. Braya prefers a variety of outfits depending on what she is going to be doing switching from dresses to shirts and leggings. She has only just started to wear the ring stating her to be Countess of Balon.
Skills and Abilities:
An independent quick thinker, Braya has been granted the gift of an education that enables her to read, write and do mathematics. Her father has taught her how to manage finances and use logic as well as common sense in decision making. Her other skills include riding a horse both sidesaddle and regular saddle. Braya knows how and when to act like a lady and when to be independent though it is often the later she acts like. She is also competent at running a household as well as sewing and cooking. After going to war the first time, Bradoc taught her how to use a short sword even though her skill with it passes as less than average. Probably the most surprising is that she can speak, read and write ancient Gaelic and the ancient druidic language fluently like her father. Running a county is something she is learning to adjust to.
Special Notes:
When people refer to Braya she is not known as Lady Braya ui
Bradoc but now either Countess de Balon or Lady Braya de Balon.