Ruby Monroe (Fiontan)

Around Ruby’s eleventh birthday, the couple fell into dire financial straits due to her adopted father’s gambling addiction, not that they were ever well off to begin with. Ruby, desperately looking for a way to give back, took to thieving in the streets to gain the necessary coin. Lying about having found work, her efforts kept the inn afloat. One day, four years later, an interesting looking fellow caught the eye of the young thief. He was a short man, obviously a halfling, and dressed in the most outlandish clothes Ruby had ever seen. Frills, fluff and a large top hat adorned him. Taking him for foreign royalty, Ruby stalked her mark gleefully, through the crowded streets, and over buildings and causeways. On attempting the swipe however, the man easily caught her. Instead of turning her into the guards, the halfling said he was quite impressed with her agility and skill, and offered her an “honest” job with his traveling circus. Though skeptical, Ruby came to accept, and spent the next five years traveling with the circus as an ‘aerial contortionist’. She grew very close to the carnies of the circus, and they became a second family to her. Over the years she was taught many skills from the performers, including playing two instruments, knife throwing and fighting, and fencing, as well as pushing her agility and superhuman strength. She gained popularity as the Magnificent Miss Monroe among her fans.

As the years rolled on, the circus gained in popularity, so much so, that during their travels through the neighboring country of Fraecia, a local human duke requested their entertainment at his upcoming festival celebrating the anniversary of the “uniting” of the land. The turnout was much larger than expected and a small detachment of Company of the Wing soldiers and an officer, a noblewoman by the name of Fantine, were dispatched to keep order. The festival was to last three days, and Ruby was having the time of her life. Her performances went off great, and she “commandeered” a good sum from the noble crowd. Despite the company’s presence, Ruby never felt intimidated, and even wound up chatting their commander Fantine up over the course of a day. While she insisted on remaining vigilant, she did remark that she was impressed by Ruby’s talents. On the second day, Ruby had a strange man accost her behind the circus tent, and asked for her hand in a grand heist. They would be set for life he said. After a brief questioning Ruby agreed, and eagerly awaited the night.

On the third day however, things took a turn for the worse. The duke was found dead in his chambers, his neck bitten and drained of blood and his treasury partially depleted. Castle staff and a few drunken nobles had various descriptions of a figure seen entering the castle late that night. The consensus was a male of unknown age dressed in a dark masquerade outfit. Fantine, having received reports of a man of a similar description frequenting the main circus tent the days prior, put the entertainers under “house arrest”. The commander paid special attention to Ruby, having learned of her talks with the culprit. Having the young star placed under watch in the tent before they could march her back to the capital, Ruby escaped in the evening, but had to leave most of her recent spoils behind.

After clearing the Fraecian border, back over into Vallateria, Ruby encountered a tribal girl by the name of Niimeria, who would soon become her partner in crime, and best friend for life.

Personality

Ruby is a very eccentric girl full of energy. She is almost always upbeat despite the situation, and is seen by most as somewhat childish. However, this fact aside most are very quick to realize that despite her demeanor she has quite the impressive skill-set, and is a born thief. She is a very caring individual who truly treasures her friendships with others even more than gold (although you would never tell by simply watching her). When she is not practicing her skills on city nobility, she is exploring old ruins and dungeons in search of forgotten treasure with her best friend Niimeria.

Skills and Abilities

Having practiced her thieving skills ever since she was a young girl, Ruby is an expert at picking pockets, cutting purse strings, and getting into and out of noble estates unseen. Her time with the travelling circus further honed her natural dhampir agility and strength, pushing it to impressive levels. It was there that she also learned how to handle knives and other blades from some of her fellow carnies. Though Ruby is a dhamphir, or half-vampire, she detests drinking blood, and will only use her fangs to bite when she has no other option (and even then, not to drink). Because of her day-born heritage the sun does not harm her any more than a normal mortal, and she does not need to drink blood to survive.

Family Members and Close Friends

Adoptive Mother: Lisette Monroe, Human 58: Co-Owner of the Blue Moon Inn. A short and stout woman, said to have dwarf somewhere in her family line for her stubbornness and stature (though no one would ever say this to her face). She is stern, but deeply kind-hearted, and is an amazing cook - her honey butter rolls and rabbit stew being very popular items at the inn. She has a ledger like memory, and is a shrewd businesswoman when push comes to shove.

Adoptive Father: Vernell Monroe, Human 60: Owner of the Blue Moon Inn. A tall heavyset man with a big beard and a booming laugh. Treats his customers like family, and often overpours for his friends. Loves to tell tall tales (especially about his embellished youth) late into the night at the bar. Has a well known weakness for gambling - cards, dice, horses or just about anything. 

Brother: Waylan Monroe, Human 28: Runs the bar with Vernell, steady and dependable. He often has to smooth over his father’s debts.

Brother: Jory Monroe, Tiefling 25: A notorious rogue in his teen years, turned responsible town guard. Takes his job seriously when it matters, but his playful and mischievous streak never totally left him. 

Brother: Rafe Monroe, Half-elf 23: Layabout musician who plays at the inn, Dreamy, romantic, sometimes gets in trouble chasing after women (or men).

Sister: Mina Monroe, Human 21: A serving girl with a big heart and clumsy hands. She’s beloved by patrons despite often spilling mugs.

Sister: Madeline “Maddy” Monroe, Human 15: Looks after the parents, wants to be an artist one day, but helps her mother in the inn's kitchen. 

Childhood Friend: Finnrick "Finn" Greaves, Human 19: A scrappy street smart lad who Ruby ran with in her younger days on the streets. They climbed rooftops, played dice and partnered in pickpocketing from time to time. Finn eventually became a courier.

Childhood Friend: Gemrae "Rae" Tonkoln, Dwarf, 22, The daughter of a wealthy dwarf merchant, Rae adored Ruby’s wildness and often dragged her to social games in Lantern Heights. Ruby liked the thrill of sneaking into places she “shouldn’t be,” and Rae got a taste of rebellion by her side.

Maestro Scofflaw's Traveling Circus of Theatricality

Ringleader: Maestro Scofflaw, 42 Halfling

Appearance: Middle-aged, dapper halfling with a curled mustache, sharp green eyes, and a wardrobe of flamboyant coats and top hats (each more extravagant than the last).

Personality:

• Silver-tongued and magnetic, able to win over angry mobs and hardened tax collectors with wit and charm.

• Though roguish and opportunistic, he is no cheat to his own people. He pushes them hard but ensures they’re fed, safe, and paid.

• Loves spectacle, hates boredom. Every act must dazzle or he will demand changes.

Mannerisms:

• Snaps his fingers when commanding attention.

• Performs even casual conversation as though to an audience.

• Smokes a slim black cigarillo between shows.

Reputation: Loved by audiences, respected (if warily) by his troupe. Rumors swirl of shady deals, tax dodging, and “special arrangements” with local officials that allow the circus to travel without harassment.

Magic Puppeteer: Sylvara Threnn 37, Half-Elf

• Wears a porcelain mask while performing; puppets dance as if alive, speaking in haunting voices.

• Outside the show, she is quiet, withdrawn, with a faintly eerie presence.

• Known to craft her own puppets from strange woods and salvaged materials; some say her puppets are “bound spirits.”

• Children love her shows, though adults often leave unsettled.

Bladesmaster (Impalement Arts, Stage Combat): Raska Azradin, 47, Human

• Tall, lean, sun-bronzed, with intricate tattoos across his arms and chest.

• Formerly a bodyguard to a desert sultan, now wields twin scimitars in dazzling displays.

• Stoic, disciplined, and intimidating — rarely speaks outside the ring.

• His act: slicing tossed fruit from the air, cutting arrows in flight, and fighting multiple opponents blindfolded.

Strongman: Grukk Half-Tusk, 21, Half-Orc

• Towering, broad-shouldered, scarred but good-natured.

• Lifts wagons, bends iron bars, juggles anvils.

• Despite his size, he has a gentle soul, especially fond of children and small animals.

• Known for his booming laugh and for offering to arm wrestle anyone who dares.

• Secretly insecure about being seen as “the brute” and longs to try comedic or musical performance.

Circus Clowns: 

Both the heart and the chaos of the circus. Off-stage, some are friendly, others morose — but all are fiercely loyal to Scofflaw. 

• Gogo - Female, 24, Human (the prankster, pies and slapstick).

• Mimsy - Male, 127, Dwarf (the sad clown, wordless and hauntingly expressive).

• Tumble - Female, 88, Elf (the acrobat clown, always cartwheeling).

• Chatterbox -  Male, 27, Human (the comic, fast-talking jokes).

• Pox - Male, Tiefling, 23 (dark humor, known for grotesque gags that toe the line between funny and unsettling).

Illusionist: Edderick Cole, 35, Human 

• Elegant, thin, and wiry.

• Creates spectacular illusions: vanishing acts, mirror mazes, phantasmal dragons.

• Clever and cunning; rumored to dabble in real sorcery beyond stage tricks.

• Rarely speaks in his own voice, preferring to use his magic to modulate and mimic 

Trapeze/Cloud Swing: Ruby and Zephyr 

Mythical Beast Tamer: Dorian Veyne, 29, Human

• Tall, gaunt man with a mane of white hair, often wearing a long coat lined with claws, teeth, and scales.

• Commands exotic magical beasts: fire-belching hounds, spectral serpents, and a shimmering chimera-like creature named Miraxis.

• Showmanship mixed with menace — he cultivates awe and fear.

• Some townies whisper that he doesn’t just tame beasts — he bargains with them.

Circus Quirks & Atmosphere

• The circus sets up its great striped tents overnight with uncanny speed, as though by magic.

• Each performance begins with Scofflaw booming: “Ladies, gentlemen, and all who dance beneath the stars — welcome to wonder!”

• Between acts, clowns roam the crowd, stealing hats, kissing cheeks, or juggling mugs of ale.

• The circus’s wagons are decorated with crescent moons, painted eyes, and cryptic slogans like “Reality Is Only A Curtain.”

Appearance

Ruby is a small girl standing 5'4 and weighing around 112lbs. Despite the fact that she is still quite fit, her slim frame belies a startling strength. Her complexion is a pale white, with several light freckles scattered about. She has bright blue eyes, that turn red when in darkness. Her hair is a light blonde, almost white in the right lighting, that she enjoys frequently changing the style and length of. Ruby prefers to wear flashy and comfortable outfits with plenty of accessories while she is "off the job", and stylish light armor while on. Her color scheme is usually a mix of reds, blacks, browns and dark blues.

(●´ω｀●)

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