#Ertrig Lasthollow

[notlivingwithoutyou]

Questionaire

It’s a long’ne

Basic Character Questions

First name? - Rudiania

Surname? - Evermore

Middle names? - Lynn

Nicknames? - Rudi

Date of birth? - July 20, 1 L.C.

Age? - Died at age 25

Physical / Appearance

Height? - 5′5″

Weight? - 130lb

Build? - In life she had a LITTLE bulk. Functional core and arm muscles from work on the farm. She got a bit leaner, and more toned over her time in the military.

Hair colour? - Black

Hair style? - Variant of a pixie cut with long, side swept bangs.

Eye colour? - Black, including the sclera due to demon/fel taint at the site of her death. In life - brown.

Eye Shape? - ‘Upturned’ almond shape

Glasses or contact lenses? - None

Distinguishing facial features? - The skin upon her jaw is aftermarket so it doesn’t QUITE match up in tone. Her bottom lip is also slightly fuller than her original, top lip. This can sometimes make her look like she has an under-bite. She’s conscious of this and is usually positioning her jaw/mouth to try and hide it.

Which facial feature is most prominent? - Eyes

Which bodily feature is most prominent? - Nothing particularly extraordinary. She’s a bit pear shaped, her breasts being on the smaller side with wide hips.

Other distinguishing features? - Nah

Skin? - Very pale, ashen.

Hands? - Calloused from work. Has very short nails for the same reason.

Make up? - No, but she has new motivation to try it.

Scars? - Plenty of small nicks and scars both from her time on the farm and in the service. The largest is a crescent-like shape near her left hip. A kobold tried to take a piece out of her and her shield wasn’t in the best position…

Birthmarks? - None

Tattoos? - No

Physical handicaps? - Slightly near sighted - archery courses didn’t go well.

Type of clothes? - When she’s lounging around she’s content in breeches and a belted tunic.

How do they wear their clothes? - Comfortably? She has slightly over-sized tunics she enjoys relaxing in if she’s not donning armor that day.

What are their feet like? (type of shoes, state of shoes, socks, feet, pristine, dirty, worn, etc) - She likes to wear large boots, they usually include an equally large sole to give her more height. They’re well worn from the soldiers life - probably due for a sole replacement soon. With all the walking she tends to “burn through” socks quickly too so she doesn’t always wear them. When she does, she likes to wear over-the-knee style as an additional set of padding between her skin and her boots/cuisses.

Race / Ethnicity? - Human Forsaken

Mannerisms? - She tends to carry herself with a rigid stillness when she is on the job/not among friends, pensive. All business. When around those she is familiar there is a visible shift in how she holds herself and she becomes much more animated and engaging.

Are they in good health? - …She’s dead? She’s in one piece.

Do they have any disabilities? - Some would consider undeath a disability. Healing magic is painful. All of her senses are dulled compared to the living.

Personality

What words or phrases do they overuse? - “Absolutely” is her go-to affirmative.

Do they have a catchphrase? - Closest thing would be what she chants when she’s asked to drill a new recruit on shield use, “Location. Location. Location.”

Are they more optimistic or pessimistic? - She’s pessimistic by nature with her thoughts leaping to the worst - but she’s working on it.

Are they introverted or extroverted? - She’s a bit of a switch. After a long assignment with her squad she really wants to shut herself alone in a room for a few days. However she’s also fond of big nights in the barracks while the living are still awake.

Do they ever put on airs? - Nah. She doesn’t care for those that do either. She transferred out of Silvermoon A.S.A.P.

What bad habits do they have? - She’s messy as far as her belongings/living space. In life she liked to drink but now it doesn’t taste right. She’s a fidgeter. Stubbornness. She will zone-out, deep in thought more often than she should. Even on duty.

What makes them laugh out loud? - Physical comedy. Puns.

How do they display affection? - Very physical. Hand holding, cuddling, small kisses. Gifts: practical things that are of use in the intended’s day to day.

Mental handicaps? - I think phobias is on this list too so I won’t list that um.. No I guess. She’s livin’ the dream as one of the able minded.

How do they want to be seen by others? - Respectable, tough (these are part of why she has a boyish appearance, to be taken seriously which is hard at 5′5″), dependable, sincere.

How do they see themselves? - Inadequate, unintelligent, uninteresting - but one hell of a scrapper.

How are they seen by others? - Her family viewed her as very willful and bright.

Strongest character trait? - Definitely her dependability. She’s a woman of her word.

Weakest character trait? - Boot Camp managed to iron some of the impatience out of her but as mentioned elsewhere she can be stubborn. Good luck changing her mind on an issue without a good argument.

How competitive are they? - Fairly. She’s always feeling like she has something to prove.

Do they make snap judgments or take time to consider? - She was really bad about jumping to conclusions in her youth. Now more often than not she manages to catch and talk herself back to not act on something but it will still be lurking there...

How do they react to praise? - She does the socially acceptable thing to smile and say thank you - but most of the time she’s dismissing it. Most of her life it’s been an unwanted type of praise or it’s sounded hollow.

How do they react to criticism? - If it’s something serious it hits pretty hard given her views of herself but she has to maintain that Front of strength.  If it’s something silly like they want to say her chin looks funny she’ll tell them off - and then go stare in a mirror for a half hour.

What is their greatest fear? - ....You mean pick ONE?

What are their biggest secrets? - She’s lived a pretty open and simple life so she hasn’t had need for them. The one Big one that might one day mean her True Death is her personal Oath to protect her brothers - even if that means facing down Ertrig...

What is their philosophy of life? - Well this is connected to her attempts to deter her pessimism. She’s trying to remember there is always going to be bad times - she was 7 years dead and the war she was in never really ended. So you have to try and get happiness where you can, in the little things because that’s what’s worth being alive for.  Time is wasted if you’re dwelling in darkness.

When was the last time they cried? - When she recently rushed to Ertrig, scared she had ruined everything.

What haunts them? - Oh boy. Alright so, why she goes stir crazy at night/off duty when others have the sanctuary of sleep. If she doesn’t have distraction she is trapped in her brain with what haunts her. All the little things she could have done differently in life. The people she’s left behind and can’t approach now because she’d probably be attacked on sight. She still really misses her parents. The fact she’ll never have a family of her own. The fact that no matter how hard she fights to stay alive she will one day turn into one of the things she regularly cuts down in The Scar. The day Ertrig does. The day the Alliance and the Horde quit dancing around each other and focus.

What are their political views? - In life she was very pro-Alliance - but she’s learned the mess that is the political climate is not that simple. So I guess Disillusioned. She’s not Ride-or-Die this go around.

What will they stand up for? - This is hard to put to words without sounding cliche but she stands for justice. That’s one reason she’s adjusted so well to fighting for the Forsaken. They deserve justice. But she also believes in fairness. Things must be tempered! Killing random humans is not justice. That’s why she saved the buried humans in Hillsbrad Foothills. The innocent don’t deserve to suffer in the crossfire.

Who do they quote? - She doesn’t. Her words are her own.

Are they indoorsy or outdoorsy? - Both! She has hobbies of both domains.

What is their sinful little habit? - Ah.... she... oogles the Captain... if she thinks no one is looking.

What sense do they most rely on? - Hearing.

How do they treat people better than them? - With much respect, a bit of awe depending on the individual.

How do they treat people worse than them? - Barest civility (she has SOME class).

What quality do they most value in a friend? - Genuineness.

What do they consider an overrated virtue? - Orderliness.

If they could change one thing about themselves, what would it be? - She wishes she had an exceptional talent to make her unique.

What is their obsession? - Right now she’s still trying to play catch up with the years she was dead. Books, music, the cataclysm, the new furry bear people, so much going on.

What are their pet peeves? - Spitters. People that cough without covering their mouth (ESPECIALLY fellow Forsaken. Keep your bits to yourself my friend). Being interrupted/talked over. Passive Aggressive Behavior, spit it out and confront her or fuck off.

What are their idiosyncrasies? - Mmm the definition of this seems to be a little vague so I will do my best. She’s obsessed with personal hygiene. She talks to herself fairly often, especially when she’s cooking or working with herbs. She also sings to herself, again when working or when traveling. When she comes across a flyer or poster she gives it a dramatic reading - though it might not be very loud (Again, talking to herself. She’d probably have more than 4 friends if she was as talkative to strangers as she was with herself). Her spaces are cluttered but her armor/boots/daily gear all goes into the exact same place in the exact same positions every night. If she’s presented with something new she HAS to touch it, inspect it, maybe take it apart, WHAT ARE YOU HOW DO YOU THING.

Friends and Family

Is their family big or small? Who does it consist of? - It’s small now. She simply has two brothers left. Her parents might be scourge or forsaken living elsewhere or simply dead. Erttie.

What is their perception of family? - Trustworthy. People that you love and love you in turn. Would come to your aid and have your back. Shelter in the storm.

Do they have siblings? Older or younger? - Older, two.  Her brothers James and Eric were born in 6 P.C. and 4 P.C. respectively.

Describe their best friend. - Right now her best friend is a young, shying violet of a blood elf of all things. Maybe it’s because her young age and sheltered past have prevented her from picking up Blood Elven....social habits....

Ideal best friend? - Genuine, dependable, adventurous, honorable, loyal, witty, supportive but willing to call her on her shit. You said IDEAL.

Describe their other friends. - Quiet, steady, reliable

Describe their acquaintances. - Outside of the company, the most common face she sees is when she wills herself onto the Orgrimmar Zeppelin. Deathguard Lawson held the ship for her once so she bares a few moments of pleasantries on deck before hiding inside. He is often curt but never sour.  

Do they have any pets? - Ertrig noticed her affection for animals and gifted her a young firebat pup.  She’s working with it regularly in hopes of it being a companion around and away from HQ.

Who are their natural allies? - There’s this instant camaraderie among the Forsaken that she’s noticed and kind of grateful for. It’s Us Against The World.

Who are their surprising allies? - Annie is her surprising ally! She never expected to meet an elf of her ilk.

Past and Future

What was your character like as a baby? As a child? - She was very rambunctious and once she could crawl she was exploring all over the place if she was put down for even a minute. This continued as a child, following her brothers wherever they went.

Did they grow up rich or poor? - It was neither extreme. It was Enough. The weather was usually well enough for decent crops each season - though one year an odd fungus wiped out a good portion of potatoes.

Did they grow up nurtured or neglected? - Rudi was The Baby. She was nurtured.

What is the most offensive thing they ever said? - She’s not very hateful by nature but she did her share of anti-Horde jesting with other soldiers over drinks while alive.

What is their greatest achievement? - Getting to leave home. Her parents were fine with her brothers enlisting but it took some convincing for them to be alright with her departure. She wanted to leave home on good terms. And it ended up saving her…

What was their first kiss like? - Awkward. Hiding from her brothers in some underbrush when she was 13 with a boy from Pyrewood.

What is the worst thing they did to someone they loved? - Chucked her brother Eric’s pocket knife into a knothole. Told him where he could find it.  Didn’t tell him it was a home to a group of bees. Her mother gave her quite the tongue lashing while treating Eric’s sting covered hand.

What are their ambitions? - Low. She’ll be happy if she can survive the war and be able to retire to a quiet plot of land.

What advice would they give their younger self? - Think twice. Hug often. Don’t walk away mad. Yes it’s been long enough to send another letter.

What smells remind them of their childhood? - Pine! Damp earth. Burning sage. Musty books. Water.

What was their childhood ambition? - She actually wanted to be a great mage, burn away all her foes and have ALL the cookies to herself!

What is their best childhood memory? - She was eight. Her brothers were older, their interests were changing. They were getting different hobbies and didn’t play with her as much. James took her out, just the two of them and gave her her first riding lesson. No matter what she did wrong he was never condescending or mean about it. He was patient and treated her like an equal for the first time instead of the annoying tag-a-long little sister.

What is their worst childhood memory? - One morning she was the first to wake up and decided to start feeding the livestock. She walked out to a gory scene of blood, dismembered dairy cows and their maimed shepard dog, Tobias. Her father had to put him down.

Did they have an imaginary childhood friend? - No

When was the last time they were crushed with disappointment? - Ah... when they were first resurrected.

What past act are they most ashamed of? - What she did to her brother Eric. Now that’s she’s older she knows he could have died either from the sheer amount of stings or falling from the tree.

What past act are they most proud of? - She entered an infamous Dark Portal. She stared down demons. She died honorably.

Has anyone ever saved their life? - Yes. To her embarrassment James fished her out of Lordaeron Lake.

Strongest childhood memory? - The previously mentioned horse-riding lesson. It was a turning point for the better for their relationship.

Love

Do they believe in love at first sight? - A bit

Are they in a relationship? - Yes!

How do they behave in a relationship? - She’s very affectionate and doting, faithful to whom she is with.

What sort of sex do they have? - Her dulled sense of touch is making her feel more adventurous since some extra intensity is required.

Has your character ever been in love? - In the past, she thought she was but it doesn’t compare to what she has right now.

Have they ever had their heart broken? - Yes

Conflict

How do they respond to a threat? - While impulsive she’s learned that its best to gauge the severity of the threat, especially on duty when you represent Others. So she will Wait And See but she’s not above sending a gauntlet into someone’s face.

Are they most likely to fight with their fists or their tongue? - She’s really not big on mind games. That’s more suited to elves. If you REALLY want to throw down she can meet you when her shift is over.

What is your character’s kryptonite? - Her loved ones. She really dreads the possible day she looks across a battlefield and sees her brothers.

If your character could only save one thing from their burning house, what would it be? - Most likely she’d be sharing a house with Erttie so…

How do they perceive strangers? - She does her best to treat everyone with the same level of civility regardless of race. Even Blood Elves. Which can be dangerous because by nature she’s more trusting than she should be.

What do they love to hate? - …..it’selvesokay…

What are their phobias? - Acrophobia. Grew up with her feet firmly planted on the ground and she prefers it that way thank you very much.  

What is their choice of weapon? - Long sword and shield.

What living person do they most despise? - Right now she really doesn’t like what she’s heard about Stormwind’s new ruler… She feels like humans have become an absolute mess while she was ‘gone’. But who knows? Maybe she’s falling for biased propaganda again...

Have they ever been bullied or teased? - Of course, she had two older brothers. When she was 6 they thought it was hilarious to trap her in the outhouse. She was there for about 2 hours until her mum found her.

Where do they go when they’re angry? - She takes walks. She can’t stay still when she’s worked up/agitated.

Who are their enemies and why? - It sounds cliche but really her biggest enemy right now is herself. She’s living and helping people that she was fighting tooth and nail against. She’s trying to be better informed about events and not let former prejudices sway her. Quiet nights are an enemy because her brain runs away with thoughts of her fears. She fears True Death. She fears fighting her family. She fears becoming a mindless husk, of something happening to Ertrig, of the horde turning on The Forsaken - There’s a reason she has her fingers in so many pies hobby wise.

Work, Education and Hobbies

What is their current job? - Deathguard in the Forsaken Military. She’s under the banner of a specific company: Tranquillien Expedition. It was set up as a line of defense against the remaining scourge in the Ghostlands and Eversong Woods.

What do they think about their current job? - She is content. She’s not on any major Front as of now but she is still sent out to do what she feels is good.

What are some of their past jobs? - Her adolescence was spent on the family farm. After that she joined the alliance military until her death.

What are their hobbies? - Reading, fishing, trying foods, experimenting with herbs and how they effect her new body, day dreaming.

Educational background? - She was homeschooled by her retired-schoolmarm mother.

Intelligence level? - She’s not mage level but she is smarter-than-the-average-bear. Her mum accredited this to the fact she was always an avid reader (being a former schoolmarm there were plenty of books at home).

Do they have any specialist training? - Martial training in sword play, use of a shield, riding, fully literate, able to complete minor armor repair.

Do they have a natural talent for something? - Not really. She wishes.

Do they play a sport? Are they any good? - If swordsmanship is a sport they are pretty okay. I mean she still has all the parts she was pulled out of the dirt with. Actually she has extra!

What is their socioeconomic status? - Soldier. I guess that rates to like a low middle class?

Favourites

What is their favourite animal? - Goats!

Which animal to they dislike the most? - Slimes…

What place would they most like to visit? - She’s crossed a lot of places off her list on assignment but recently she’s seen a race of…bear….? People? (Pandaren) She’s curious where they come from.

What is the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen? - The ocean at sunset.

What is their favourite song? - As much as she dislikes elves, their choirs left her awestruck. (A group did a morale tour once. She couldn’t tell you the name of any song. She doesn’t know elvish!) Not a lot of canon in-world music to pick from so... This would be playing a lot lately. https://youtu.be/m3lF2qEA2cw

Music, art, reading preferred? - Since metal bands exist in Azeroth I am going to say Big Band/swing orchestras do too. Whatever equates to the romanticism period of art in Azeroth. And she loves to read action adventure. Some romance every now and then. Bonus if both!

What is their favourite colour? Dark green, purple a close 2nd

What is their password? - I guess in a modern AU her pass would be something like LordaeronRefuge26

Favourite food: In life it was cottage pie. Hasn’t had one since she was Raised and hasn’t made anything particularly amazing in her cooking experiments.

What is their favourite work of art? - She doesn’t get the opportunity to admire a lot of fine art but she’s reading an adventure series about a bounty hunter witch that comes up against extreme obstacles and is struggling with self acceptance and the ways of the world. She obviously identifies pretty strongly.

Who is their favourite artist? - Probably whatever the most popular orchestra group is.

What is their favourite day of the week? - She’s been ‘up’ about 5 months now so she’s still in the ‘happy to be living’ phase. Also given her occupation there’s no set work week?

Possessions

What is in their fridge: N/A!  But she would probably stock one with random ingredients and soft drinks. She likes feeling the fizz.

What is on their bedside table? - Candle. Books. Maybe an empty bottle or two.

What is in their car? - In the saddle bags: Scroll case with lots of parchment/stationary. 2 stoppered Ink wells. 2 fountain pens. A few coal sticks (’pencils’). A bottle of patchouli oil. Flint and steel. 3 Candles. Soap. A torch. Coil of hempen rope. 2 changes of smalls bundled in a towel. A pair of socks. Whatever book she’s working through. Two wineskins of water.

What is in their bin? - Lots of aborted letters and would be recipes.

What is in their purse or wallet? - Her coin purse holds only coins. She would forget about anything else she stored there and if she was hit by a cut-purse she wouldn’t want to lose something else.

What is in their pockets? - We’re going to go with like, belt pockets instead of Bags. She’s got money, a handkerchief, a ring, a small, carved skull roughly the size of a ‘worry stone’, pocket knife, herbs if she’s spotted interesting ones. There’s an old worn invitation to a blood elf’s party she’s kept because it was the first friendly thing extended to her at Silvermoon (and helps her fight her prejudice).

What is their most treasured possession? - The first gift Ertrig ever gave her was a ring. She isn’t able to wear it often because of her occupation/armor. But sometimes at night/when off duty she’ll take it out and put it on. She’ll experiment with how Rudiania Lasthollow rolls off her tongue.

Spirituality

Who or what is your character’s guardian angel? - He’s large, very quiet and wears captain’s bars.

Do they believe in the afterlife? - Ha…ha ha ha…HA HA HA HA.

What are their religious views? - She was never very devout about the light. She’s fairly practical in that most things happen because people made it so. That they can take steps to prevent the bad in their life/the world - she does!

What do they think heaven is? - In her opinion she has it. She’s gotten a second shot at living and someone special to spend the time with.

What do they think hell is? - Nothing. It’s nothingness. She was there.

Are they superstitious? - Yes. If she spills salt, she does the counter move. If she spots a stray black cat, she leaves it some food so it doesn’t will the bad energy onto her. For the best yield a crop should be sown north to south. Never number livestock with a 13. When she was a girl she broke her mothers hand mirror and you can bet her life was hell for a while. She believes in karma.

What would they like to be reincarnated as? - She’d be good with doing the human thing again.

How would they like to die? - She’s already had the honorable death in battle.  She tries not to think of True Death.

What is your character’s spirit animal? - Probably the little farm animal she loves, the goat. They are energetic, playful and awkward at times. They can also be stubborn and make use of their horns when necessary.

What is their zodiac sign? - She’s a Leo!

Values

What do they think is the worst thing that can be done to a person? - We’ll go with what would probably be the worse thing that could happen to her which would be to have all of her loved ones tortured and killed in front of her while she can do nothing.

What is their view of ‘freedom’? - Being able to shape your own future to what you desire.

When did they last lie? - She told the High Executor over her unit that she owed Ertrig a favor and requested his last reported position.

What’s their view of lying? - Mixed. She feels there’s no good reason to seriously lie to anyone you are close to. Most lies just end up hurting people in one way or another including oneself.

When did they last make a promise? - She too readily uses the phrase “I promise” when she’s asked to be careful. I imagine she’s had the exchange with Annie plenty.

Did they keep or break their last promise? - Broken. She’s a little reckless going into a fight because of her higher tolerance of pain in undeath.

Daily life

What are their eating habits? - Forsaken don’t need food or get hunger pangs. However she’s kept a habit of dining roughly once a day - especially if she’s keeping company with the living. And she drinks a lot of water. She’s noticed differences in her physical condition from hydrating.

Do they have any allergies? - The Light.

Describe their home. - She doesn’t really live outside of a barracks long enough to have a proper home.  When she’s not in duty rotation at the Tranquillien HQ & they need bed space, she would most likely just set up a tent on the grounds.

Are they minimalist or a clutter hoarder? - Cllllllutteeerrrrrrrrr.  Not trash just things she owns. She does her best to stow it away in a steam trunk when she’s away from barracks on assignment so her mess doesn’t get in others’ way.

What do they do first thing on a weekday morning? - She likes to go outside and watch the sky light up. She finds comfort in watching the world come back to life after a long night of trying to distract/occupy herself.

What do they do on a Sunday afternoon? - Could be curled up reading or out fishing - or maybe taking another turn at training her firebat pup. Keeping Ertrig company while he files reports. She has lots of options.

What do they do on a Friday night? - See previous. She doesn’t drink like she did in life. The Forsaken don’t seem to be very big on parties and the blood elves of silvermoon can be insufferable at times. If she’s in a new place on assignment she would spend time exploring until the locals made her uncomfortable.

What is the soft drink of choice? - Moonberry Fizz is her new addiction.

What is their alcoholic drink of choice? - It used to be dark rums.

Miscellaneous

What is their character archetype? - I feel the one she is closest to is The Innocent. The naming of it can be deceptive. But with all her struggles coping with her new state, she made the decision She Was Going To Be Happy. So many undead are understandably upset and depressed but she wasn’t going to waste her 2nd chance on being that way. She is definitely worried about making a miss-step as a Forsaken and she isn’t as suspicious of people as she probably should be - especially considering her job. She tries to see the good in others.

Who is their hero? - She’s rather idol-less at the moment. Coming to “the other side” has shown her uncomfortable truths about people and she’s in doubt about a number of things. Closest thing is probably Erttie? Before they were involved she respected him a great deal.

What or who would your character dress up as for Halloween? - A skeleton. She couldn’t NOT.

Are they comfortable with technology? - She likes learning so she embraces new things.

If they could save one person, who would it be? - The lazy answer is Ertrig but there’s so many people important to her. If we’re counting her entire circle… Rudi would most likely go to Annie’s aid because all the others in her life have extensive training and experience she would be praying paid off.

If they could call one person for help, who would it be? - Ertrig Lasthollow

What is their favourite proverb? - …Like from the bible? While superstitious she wasn’t particularly religious while alive, so no words from the light really speak to her.  As forsaken she’s getting curious about The Shadow the more she hears about it around her.

What is their greatest extravagance? - Their fanciest, smanciest possessions are probably her 2 fountain pens. And she shells out for scented oil.

What is their greatest regret? - Her family was sizable so every once in a while it hits her kind of hard that she’s not going to have one of her own now that she’s dead. She also regrets not speaking with her brothers more the last couple of nights before the attack on the Dark Portal.

What is their perception of redemption? - Mmmm… Rudi’s personal quest of ‘redemption’? Now that she is a Forsaken, she is doing her best to serve, support, and protect them in this unlife. She’s ashamed that she was one of the many living that turned their backs on their own people and mistreated the Forsaken.

What would they do if they won the lottery? - Land. House. Goats. Seed. Book shelves. BOOKS. Cheese making press. Can you imagine how long an Undead could age a batch of cheese and live to enjoy it?

What is their favourite fairytale? - Hard to find Azeroth fairy tails so we’ll go with real world. Grim’s Fairy Tales! - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_the_Youth_Who_Went_Forth_to_Learn_What_Fear_Was Makes her laugh.

What fairytale do they hate? - She dislikes tales similar to Cinderella. The ‘princess’ does little to shape her own life. Others basically did everything for her and she get’s this supposed happy ending. You only get things when you work for them.

Do they believe in happy endings? - It’s kind of what’s kept her going.

What is their idea of perfect happiness? - Curled up with Erttie, reading a book in the ambiance of a roaring fire in the home on a little farm.

What would they ask a fortune teller? - A MILLION THINGS because she has faith in that kind of thing - especially now? Hello? Living the Unlife?  How will the war go?  Will her unit survive?  Where are her brothers?  What happened to her parents?

If your character could travel through time, where would they go? - If she had one shot - she would go home to not long after she left and convince her parents to take a trip.

What sport do they excel at? - Uhhhhhh in life she was REALLY good at drinking games. That takes Constitution.  It counts right?

What sport do they suck at?  - Jousting and it was a big disappointment for her in life. The gear was so cumbersome she was easily dismounted. The knights look so majestic when they do it!

If they could have a superpower, what would they choose? - To Heal with a touch, without pain, to ALL people.

[notlivingwithoutyou]

Falling In

It taunted her for over a week.

A faded, tan envelope leaned lazily against the side of her designated, make-shift post-box in Miwana’s Longhouse. Rudi anxiously ground her teeth in thought. The rough corner of a new, amateurishly applied plate on the left side of her jaw dug into what remained of her bottom lip.

After the chaos caused by the fall of Lordaeron, many efforts had been made by the undead community to establish points of contact.  So many that had scrambled to escape the stormed city barely made it out - and few groups remained together.  All aiding mages had desperately created portals to the first city their minds had locked upon. There were so many faces Rudiania had yet to catch sight of.  So many new friends she had brought into her life now unaccounted for.  Therefor she hadn’t hesitated when Miwana offered her business as a meeting hub for the scattered Forsaken.  Of course Rudi’s pride had insisted she pay a small fee (which Miwana graciously accepted).

It wasn’t until later she realized - maybe she didn’t want to be so readily found.

Long nights of picking up guard shifts, building makeshift shelters, and brewing the mid-range healing items she was capable of for their allies had allowed a thought to take root.

She did not wish to fight for this “Queen” - a Queen that seemed to only have a hair’s breath of difference between herself and the royalty that had wrecked the city they had abandoned to plague.

So she had avoided the letter. If they were orders to regroup with the unit she had been lended to, she wanted no part of it. If it wasn’t? Well... if it wasn’t...

So she watched.  Whatever time she did not pledge to recovery efforts, she kept eyes on the Longhouse. If she had been declared AWOL surely they would have sent officers to correct the offense.  In this time of need every arm was needed.  After the week had passed, her very finger tips seemed to itch. Minutes to hours, hours to days.  Her eyes bore holes into the stationary from her place on the mat across the room.

Rudi soon gripped the corner of the nearby support beam and heaved herself to her feet with a grunt.  She couldn’t draw it out for long.  If she remained in the city to help her people, she would be brought to heel sooner or later.  That’s what she told herself as she crossed the floor to the rickety set of cubbyholes, removing her gauntlets.

A solid lump formed in her throat as she read the return address.  She tentatively broke the wax seal upon it’s back, as if it might have some goblin booby-trap.

Rudiania,

I have sent many letters, in the hopes that one of them finds you. I have never before so cursed my powerlessness as I have now, hearing about the events at the Undercity while I was stationed at the Fjord, rotting away. I only wish I could have been there; I would have killed a thousand of them by myself to protect my home. What happened during the battle? I have heard rumors - horrible things - but I dare not believe them. Most rumors are lies, anyways.

I long to see you soon, now more than ever, to hold you in my arms again and know that not all is lost. I write these letters knowing that you are alive; there's no way you could die. You're tough as nails, and I don't know what I would do without you. I've sent these letters to every major city, in hopes that something can find you somewhere. You can direct your replies to the military office in Tranquillien, or better yet, find me there. I want to see you as soon as possible.

Yours,

Erttie

The edges of the parchment crumpled as her fingers clung desperately to the letter, the all familiar feeling of sludge-like ichor swelling into her eyes.

He hadn’t been there.  His unit hadn’t even been pulled from the frozen north.  A mixture of anger and relief went through her.  Ertrig had been spared.  If his unit hadn’t been recalled - how many others had not been pulled to protect Lordaeron: The Forsaken people’s capital, their home?  Had it been the Banshee’s intent to abandon the city from the beginning?

She shoved that line of thinking from her thoughts.  She had to bring her Captain up to date. She had to tell him what their Queen had done.  One hand fumbled the letter into a belt pouch while the other wiped at her face.  Her boots quickly carried her to her hawkstrider hitched outside.  She had a portal to pop through.

[notlivingwithoutyou]

Aftermath

Rudiania slid a stack of coins across the counter to the clerk while they registered an entry in their books.

“Alright, that covers an additional week Ms. Evermore.”  The lithe, female blood elf drew herself back up and gave the Forsaken a small smile.  Then one of her long eyebrows jostled slightly as she arched it in query. Rudi had slid her room’s spare key upon the desk.

“A-a good portion of my company is staying in the city.  If an Ertrig Lasthollow should arrive, would you let him know he is free to come up?”

“Ah, Lasthollow.  I haven’t heard that name in a bit of time.  He was a hard one to overlook on the street - made rounds fairly regular.”

“Yes, um, well he,” Rudi shifted on her feet, nervously reaching up to rub the back of her neck.  “That is you probably wouldn’t recognize him now.”

“Oh?”  An excited glint entered the elf’s eyes and she leaned forward, bracing her elbows on the desk.

“Yes he’s... had some work done with our fleshcrafters. He’s not a simple skeleton anymore.”  Rudi could feel the ichor in her veins pooling in her cheeks.  This woman’s mischievous gaze was unnerving.  Doubly so since her small smile had transformed into a knowing grin as Rudi had spoken.  To her credit the expression seemed to leave almost as quickly as it appeared.  The elf soon straightened her posture, waiving a hand dismissively.

“Well, worry not Ms. Evermore. It’s the Mid-Summer Festival. Everyone is tending a roaring fire or two! I’ll make sure there’s a note in case he comes in on another shift.”

~*~*~*~

All the revelry sounded so distant despite its proximity out in the Exchange.  She mused on the sight of the night’s party goers in the street as she stood at the window, clad in an oversized tunic and with her hair damp from a fresh wash.  She brought the towel in her hands up to rub at her short locks as she watched a group of men juggle torches between each other.  Such coordination!  The view actually made her smile a bit.  It didn’t last though.  Rudi soon left the window, stepping over discarded garments and tossing her towel onto the room’s bed.

She had been so looking forward to this season for weeks.  It was celebrated so widely she had figured that no matter which assignment she was on when it rolled around, she’d get to participate and have some fun.  Well, she was certainly right about it being everywhere.  She grimaced as she settled into a large chair that occupied one corner of her room, drawing her knees up, curling and leaning fully against its raised back.

Now?  It was just a bitter reminder about how wrong things were.  Instead of manhunts they should have been coordinating leave.  Instead of sitting here without a clue as to her friend’s location, her and Annie should be down there with flowers in their hair and torches in their hands.  They should be dancing around the ceremonial pole.  Rudiania’s eyes left the flickering light filtering through her window and settled on the heap at the foot of her chair that was her still-packed saddlebags.

They hadn’t bothered to wait for Aneriael’s recovery.  Cel had made the right call on that.  She was so upset.  She was going to need time - that they didn’t have.  They needed to strike and catch them off balance.  So they did.  Rudiania frowned as she went through her memories of the last... two weeks?  Two and a half...?  Without sleep it was easy for days to bleed together.  Even the elf had forgone much rest.  They had shared an all consuming drive for their vengeance.  Rudi rubbed at her face with both hands, her gaze returning to the faded light show at her window.

Thinking back on it, her behavior scared her.  It’s true she had been enjoying her dulled nerves and the rush that battle brought since she was risen but this...  She had never before experienced such a blood-lust as she did those days in Pandaria.

Pandaria, a land she had been looking forward to visiting and experiencing with her friends after she had learned of it. Now...  Now it was simply going to symbolize a swath of blood and carnage that she and The Ashbringer had spearheaded.  They hadn’t left anyone alive in that compound...

On top of that was everything else that had occurred up to this point: the successful kidnapping, the return, the travel, the showdown between Cel, Annie and the object of her affections.  Lastly, Annie disappearing yet again - but under her own power this time.

Rudiania was simply done.  So worn.  This was the most exhausted she could remember feeling - but she wouldn’t even have the bastion of sleep!  A clenched fist slammed down onto the arm of her chair in frustration as a small sob broke past her lips.

So tired.  Maybe this is what it was.  Maybe this is what broke all the Forsaken down into the tepid, bored, dead things she met.  It was even how at first Ertrig-

“Erttie...” her whisper permeated the small room.

Rudi’s hand was up now, wiping her eyes with her sleeve with no care about the black stains that would no doubt settle there.  Soon she was leaning forward and reaching down, rifling through the saddlebags on the floor.  After a few moments her fingers found purchase on what she sought and she resumed her reclined position in the arm chair.

A medium sized, bright pink conch was then cradled up against her ear.  She closed her eyes and experienced what she would later muse was the closest thing to sleep she would ever get.  The noise of the festival died away to the rushing sound of waves as she lost herself in daydreams of sand, water and a setting sun.

[notlivingwithoutyou]

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[notlivingwithoutyou]

Ertrig’s writer posted these to our group Discord yesterday with “ Rudi and Erttie, the alive (and anime) version “. They were still on my mind today so I thought I’d save them here! They are pretty stinkin’ cute, and pretty fitting. With Erttie around Rudi is beginning to not all-out reject femininity, so if they had met while alive she would have started growing her hair out.

[notlivingwithoutyou]

Untitled

Small RP exchange that took place when Rudiania received her first personal letter from Ertrig. It’s edited slightly to align tense and make it look a LITTLE less like a back-and-forth.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rudiania held out until a socially acceptable hour to urgently rap on the door to her friend's room. If the door had been equipped with a spy hole, the elf would have seen the normally still forsaken a fidgety mess, wringing her gauntlet-ed hands.  Aneriael simply lets her friend in, opening the door and stepping back. Seeing the Forsaken's unusual agitation, her head tips to the side.  

"Everything ok, Rudi?"  Accepting the gesture of invite, Rudiania is a flutter of tunic and cape as she swoops in. She bee-lines to the first bit of furniture in her view making as if to sit down - but they seem to think better of it. Turning on their heel, Rudi did look a bit of a mess. Hands clasped, hair a bit mussed, brow furrowed, and her exposed lower teeth snagging her upper lip. 

"I'm sure. It's silly. But I- oh I am sorry for the hour but like I've mentioned I don't sleep, and I've not had anything else to distract me," Rudiania replies in a tumble of words. The blood elf offers a smile, rubbing her eye slightly. 

"Oh, it's no worry.  I need to rest, but elves don't sleep like most other races."  She moves some of the sewing she had been working on aside and settles in the seat.  "Feel free to talk."

Rudiania appears to slowly release some of the tension in her body. Their pauldrons lower as their shoulders ease, and one hand simply cups its twin rather than entangles. They take in a deep breath and release it in a bluster of a sigh - flinching afterward as they mentally mock themselves for going through the motions of breath.

"Thanks... I wasn't- I don't really have anyone else to talk about it with. You're the one person in this new life I can call a 'Friend' without hesitation."  Her expression softens while speaking, leaving simply eagerness rather than distress. Anne beams a smile, pleased with the acceptance of the friendship she had felt to the undead person and that it was reciprocated.

"Don't worry about it at all, Rudi.  It's what friends are for, right?"  Rudiania is silent for a beat. Her teeth snags her lip again before she makes a small nod more to herself than Annie. Rudi then slips a hand under the top lip of her breastplate, searching her tunic. She closes the small distance between herself and the elf as she pulls a folded sheet of paper free of her breastplate. Positioning herself to Annie's side she unfolds it for her inspection and gazes upon her face to gauge her reaction.  Anne’s fragile hands accept the parchment, the little bandage on her index finger catching slightly against the edge before freeing itself.  She pauses for a moment reading over the letter once - smile growing as she goes down the lines.      

___________________________________________________

Rudiania, 

 I am not good with words. I cannot cleave them in two with an axe like I can the skulls of my enemies. You know this. 

 But I enjoyed going to the show with you, even if such things are not generally how I spend my leisure time. 

 We should go again. In a romantic sense. If that is agreeable with you.      

Signed,  

Captain Ertrig, Deathguard, Tranquillien Expedition

__________________________________________________

A small, trilling noise comes forward from the elf’s throat as she begins to prance in place like a gaited pony.  Rudi's eyebrows shot upward at the trill - and she reels at the burst of movement but quickly recovers, straightening her posture.

"Yeeeessss!  Rudiii!"  She was now bouncing in place shaking the letter with restrained enthusiasm.  "Do.. do you like Ertrig back?  Oh say you do!  You two make such the sweet couple.  Cel and I were talking about it last night and you two are so suited we think!" Rudiania’s arms go up in self defense as her companion exudes another excited flutter of hands before returning the precious letter and prancing in a high step gaited circle - the most joy she's exhibited since coming to Silvermoon.  Anne then stills herself, another small squeak of excitement restrained, and fel green eyes dancing in glee.

"Well I- I admire them quite a bit. He's been a fine officer to work with when I have been sent out into the Ghostla-," the latter half of her friend's words registers.  Rudi's brow wrinkles again.  "Gossiping?!"  If she still had her lower lip it would be in a pout. She had to make do.  Anne’s eyes widen, as though caught doing something naughty - a childlike expression of one caught stealing sweets.  

"Oh, uh.. gos-gossiping?  I'm not sure that... that it was exactly gossip, per se...  More like... like... two girls talking good wishes for their friend?" She offers one of her best, most charming smiles - hoping that she'd not actually upset the elder entity.  "I have to admit, I'm fairly jealous.  You seemed to find a connection right off, meanwhile the only people interested in even talking to me are the rest of the group and my two Masters."  Anne leans forward slightly, tipping her head to the left.  "So, are you gonna accept?  I think the Faire will be around soon.  Maybe you two could go there?"  Rudi's eyebrows ease up but her gaze remained unimpressed as she had listened to Annie speak.  She carefully folds the letter along its existing creases, closing it. 

"Well, we're both in the Deathguard. We've done work together along the scar a few times..." Rudi was suddenly three-foot-nothing, standing on a river embankment. Her two brothers in their britches, egging her on from the other side of the rushing water. She comes back to herself, clearing her throat before speaking again in a low voice, "I'm scared..." 

[notlivingwithoutyou]

Random Facts and Headcannons

Over the years I have seen lists of random info/headcannons for characters. I thought it would be fun to make one for Rudi. The list so far has started with major life events and shifted to the smaller details after including her new relationship.

1. Rudi was born in 1 L.C. to Everette and Henrietta Evermore.

2. Youngest child of 3. Her brothers James and Eric were born in 6 P.C. and 4 P.C. respectively.

3. Everette was a scout for the Lordaeron military before retiring to the Silverpines to raise a family with his schoolmarm wife.

4. Related: the Evermore children have excellent penmanship.

5. The Evermore siblings signed into the Alliance military in 19 L.C. when news spread of the rebuilding of The Horde.  They were dispatched to various Stormwind holdings for defensive positions.

6. Everette and Henrietta become one of the many victims of the Plague in 20 L.C. Due to fear of contamination, and skirmishes in the area, none of the Evermore children claim the homestead.

7. The Evermore siblings were fervent letter writers, especially after the death of their parents.

8. The brothers buried Rudi with a letter from each of them. She keeps them on her person - and they remain unopened to this day.

9. Rudiania and her brothers were a part of the massive, joint army of Alliance and Horde that stormed through the Dark Portal in 26 L.C. - Rudi died in combat shortly after crossing over.

10. Because of the fragile peace with the Horde during the war in the Outlands, the Evermore brothers were able to bury their little sister at the site of their childhood home in the Silverpines without meeting resistance.  This placed her within easy reach of The Forsaken when Sylvanas began her trials with the Val’kyr.

11. The necromatic magic of The Forsaken does its best to mimic The Human Condition. Forsaken bleed, drool, feel pain, suffer poison (though not as strongly), benefit from the mending of potions and boosts by food. It’s no stretch to the imagination that they would have all the Senses and functional “plumbing” (to process what they imbibe). That’s not to say that their senses are as sharp as The Living - but they have them.  In the case of crying such, the body uses what’s available which would be a sort of ichor.  Rudi’s started drinking more water to try to dilute it.

12. The aforementioned numbed condition has made Rudi rather fearless in battle in her Unlife. It means she has a higher tolerance for pain. So, she enjoys fights and will charge in at the drop of a hat. If she’s feeling particularly sassy she’ll fire off flirtatious quips. To herself she calls this being “punch drunk”.

13. Her “battle theme” is Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”.

14. She grew up on a farm with her feet firmly planted on the ground - so she has a decent case of acrophobia. It caused her a lot of trouble in basic training but eventually she got to a place where she can cope with a short gryphon flight. Short. She would rather travel a day and a half on foot than spend an hour on a gryphon.

15. While she’s grown more accepting of her new existence she is still extremely self conscious about her body. She bathes as regularly as possible. City? Hit the bath house. Tent toting expedition? Wash basin is packed. Unexpected pit stop? Make camp near river, set a watch, and hit the water!

16. Related: One of the luxuries she affords herself on her pay is bottles of patchouli oil which she uses as a perfume. In her opinion it is a strong but pleasant scent.

17. Rudi is a sucker for a good pun.

18. When she first ran into Ertrig in the Ghostlands portion of The Scar she initially thought he was scourge (…He’s a 7ft tall skeleton).

19. Like in life, she indulges in writing letters as well as keeping a personal journal. Packed in her saddle bags is a scroll case with plenty of parchment, ink, 2 fountain pens and a coal stick for emergencies.

20. Being a farm girl she loves animals. So it hurts her heart when people’s pets and livestock flee.

21. One of her greatest fears is coming face to face with either of her brothers.

22. While she’s fastidious with her personal hygiene, her living quarters tend to be very cluttered when she’s not residing in barracks. Frocks on the floor where she shed them, letters in piles because she’s re-read them again, empty bottles on the floor next to her bed, books piled on available surfaces.

23. The necromatic magic is what actually keeps the Forsaken “going” therefore their bodies do not crave sleep. Rudi mentally does because filling the quiet, dark hours can be trying.

24. She’s luckily curious by nature because it makes passing time easier when she has access to things (books, a kitchen, lab equipment etc ). When they are available, she throws herself into trying things.

25. Rudi died when her jaw was broken free of her face by a well-landed mace. It was re-mounted when she was raised and she later received new flesh to cover it. The stitching runs from the corners of her lips, up her cheek (parallel with the bone), and then drops down to join together beneath her chin.

26. She only had one, brief lover in her life. Growing up with two protective brothers kept most boys at bay.  It was a fling with another soldier during a brief stint in Duskwood. It happened shortly after her parents had died. The two regularly drank together and human nature took its course. She regretted it for a long time but has come to terms with it.

27. While stationed in Silvermoon she often escaped to The Scar in her free time with the specific intention/hope of crossing paths with Ertrig. Initially it was curiosity - how did he function as only bones? Then it grew to be appreciation for his battle prowess and the leadership of his company.

28. She has thrown away an embarrassing amount of paper so far in her letter heavy courtship with Ertrig. It has to be right.

29. She loves how small he makes her feel.

30. Related: She’s struggling to reconcile the fact that she’s dead, her boyfriend is dead, but she’s experiencing physical attraction ( See #11 ).

31. Related Part 2: She’s actively avoided sparring with him out of embarrassment/fear of outing herself. Staying composed in relaxed settings is easy.

32. While passing through Orgrimmar she found a small, carved skull in a shamans trinket stall. It lives in one of her belt pouches.

33. Her birthday is July 20th.