Barb Evelyne
Shield Maiden
Played by: Nell
Name: Barb Evelyne
Age: 22
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 137 lbs.
Background: Barb Evelyne is a warrior-priestess from the kingdom of Bryton and a devoted worshipper to Dama, Shieldmaiden of the Gods. She and others like her within the shieldmaiden order believe in law & justice and only through discipline and the taming of the lawless elements will life in this world realize its full potential. Highly trained and motivated, these warrior-priestesses have proven themselves many times through the ages on the battlefield, earning them much respect for their fighting skills, especially as cavalry riders.
Their home is the temple of Limvor, which is part fortress and place of worship located across the great sea in the land of Bryton. Since their humble beginnings three centuries ago, the High Priestesses have led their order to become a major force in Bryton and have helped to defend that kingdom from all threats. It has been said that the shieldmaidens can field a well trained force of two thousand strong.
In battle, the strength and ferocity of the shieldmaidens has taken many enemies by surprise, especially those who made the mistake by underestimating them. In the age when it is believed that women have to be protected from harm, the idea of an army of all women warriors flies in the face of that assumption. There are examples in Abertawe and in other lands of women becoming warriors and knights but a whole army of female fighters is still a surprise. The shieldmaidens rarely wander from their home in Bryton but lately they have been sending shieldmaidens forth to adventure beyond borders of Bryton. Now they're turning up in Abertawe and other far away places for whatever reason.
The temple of Limvor is also an orphanage for girls that have nowhere else to go and women wishing to become shieldmaidens. Rarely do the shieldmaidens turn anyone away and those who work within the temple can remain as long as they wish. However, in order to become a shieldmaiden, they have to become a follower of Dama and adopt the shieldmaiden oath. Barb Evelyne is one such person to join their growing ranks. Born to a simple farming family who had fallen on hard times, they were unable to support all three of their children. With Barb being the youngest at the age of six they made the difficult choice of giving her up to the care of the shieldmaidens.
Her parents made up a story that they had to travel to far away place but that they would come back for her soon. Young Barb Evelyne believed them as the shieldmaidens took her in and put her to work within the temple. An older shieldmaiden, Anelie was assigned to Barb to help her to adjust to her new home as realization settled in that her parents would not be returning. Fortunately in time the sadness faded away as the shieldmaidens became her new family.
When she reached the age of ten, her kind shieldmaiden mentor offered her a choice, to stay as a servant for the temple or try her hand in becoming a warrior-priestess. Barb couldn't pass up a chance to become like her mentor who grew to become a second mother to her, and said yes.
Starting with a simple wooden stick and working her way up to using a sword and spear, Barb's training was intensive to shape her physically and mentally into a shieldmaiden. Upon reaching the age of eighteen, she final became a full member of the order and since has managed to achieve the rank of lieutenant within the shieldmaidens upon the age of 22.
Personality Profile: For most of Barb's life the traditions and philosophy of the shieldmaidens have been instilled into her and that includes the shieldmaiden oath, which she firmly believes in. She'll fight the strong that exploits the weak, give a voice to those who don't and her word is her bond. Her time among the shieldmaidens has shown Barb to possess the natural ability to lead and to inspire others but can be a little headstrong when things don't go her way. Her normally gentle blue eyes can be very piercing when she's enraged and sometimes she might be too serious for her own good. She confronts opponents with the cunning and fierceness of a lioness and never gives up. For all of the strength and confidence in her beliefs, the one thing that has her torn is whether to go searching for her family that left her in the care of the shieldmaidens long ago.
Skills and Abilities: As with all shieldmaidens, Barb has been trained to be a cavalry rider making her very skilled and most dangerous while fighting from a horse. Her main weapon is the spear that she also uses as a lance or to throw it, even while on the move on horseback with deadly effectiveness. Barb's second and favourite weapon is the longsword. Where the spear has the reach, the sword is more suited for close fighting to round off her fighting skills and additionally, she has proficiency with the crossbow. She has also been taught to live off the land, which includes some tracking and hunting skills along with knowing which plant and herbs that can be used in treating wounds. Barb can also perform repairs and upkeep to her armor and weapons adequately. Basic education was provided during her time at the temple, giving her reading and writing skills.
Physical Profile: Barb looks at ease in well-worn armor and wears her dark hair in a straight shoulder length cut. With a strong and lean build, she wears partial platemail that only covers the more vital areas of the body, like the torso, arms and legs without encasing the wearer completely in a steel suit. This gives the best possible combination of easy movement and decent protection, while making it more comfortable. Barb also wears an open face helmet decorated with wings, a common design for all shieldmaidens and a small shield bearing the crest of their goddess. Her skin is soft and fair, and blue eyes that rarely miss anything. She is rarely seen in anything but armor to the point that some people think she must sleep in it. Barb speaks with a heavy Bryton accent and has the emblem of Dama tattooed on her right forearm.
Special Notes: Why has a lone shieldmaiden come all this way to Abertawe? There have been rumors of other shieldmaidens appearing in neighbouring lands of Cei Newydd. Are they here to spread their religion and philosophy to this part of the world, or is it something else? Some are saying that they're asking discreet questions about old ruins and books or ancients scrolls that dates back to the time when the land of Cei Newydd was being first colonized. If the shieldmaidens are looking for something, then what is it?
A shieldmaidens sword is a source of individual honor and pride and they really don't like it when anyone touches it without permission. Their swords are created in the kingdom of Bryton with slightly better construction than the average sword. Their swords is less likely to break or be damaged in battle and won't dull as quickly after heavy use. If by some misfortune that a shieldmaiden should ever lose their sword, they are suppose to make every attempt to regain it, even at the risk of their own lives.
Their emblem of their goddess is a warrior woman holding a sword aloft with a diamond shape shield resting on the ground before her.
The kingdom of Bryton is medium power in the region and is at peace with most its neighbours. Also, its current ruler is benevolent and supported by the people and by the shieldmaidens.
Because shieldmaidens exist only in the kingdom of Bryton little is known of them here. There are many stories and tales about shieldmaidens all across Cei Newydd, including the kingdom of Abertawe. Some people view them as defenders of all that is good but in other circles, they're looked upon as religious fanatics with a narrow view of right and wrong.
Shieldmaiden oath is much like the rules of chivalry for knights, stressing the virtues of loyalty, courage, justice, mercy, generosity, faith and hope.
The Shieldmaiden Oath
1. I will never lie and my word is my bond.
2. I will never strike down or attack an unarmed foe.
3. I will always protect the innocent.
4. I will defend my goddess, my temple, my sisters and this land by my sword and blood.
5. I will give aid and assistance to those in need.
6. I will be strong for those who are weak and be their champion.
7. I will challenge injustice wherever I find it.
8. I will respect all lawful authority, self-discipline and honor.
9. I will stand firm in the face of my enemy.
10. I am a Shieldmaiden!