History:
A young girl growing up in a small village near a faerie forest in Normandy, Emma was born to a Chandler and his lovely wife. The Chandler's wife was quite pretty, and was often pursued by a particular Faerie Prince, until finally the Chandler bested him in three contests, athleticism, wit, and singing - the poor prince had no idea the Chandler had a good singing voice. Even when she was freed, however, the Faerie Price threatened he would return to marry her daughter instead. When Emma was born she was a charming little thing, and only grew more lovely as she grew older. However, she also grew quieter and quieter. When she was thirteen, suddenly she collapsed into a beautifully carved wooden doll, as if she never was real.
Emma was raised amidst the spleandor of fey royalty, taught and told she would one day be a princess. The beautiful girl was fascinated by the wonder and majesty of the faerie court, and she became quite obsessed with finding new, wonderful dresses and clothing to wear. Her Merinita mentor found her by following the story of the little doll-girl, and he promised the queen (her princely betrothed's mother) to teach the girl magic and make her a great enchantress, this beginning her apprenticeship. The clever Merinita was a wonderful teacher - but it turns out young Emma was a terrible student, who always loved being complimented and courted by the fey and mortal visitors alike who stumbled into the fey court.
As part of her apprenticeship, her master would regularly take her out of the fey Queen's court to get her used to the presence and habits of normal people, and introduced her to a number of other Magi. Emma naturally got into some trouble, being a beautiful and very impulsive young apprentice, often getting into trouble with other apprentices or tradesmen, or nobles' sons. When she finally finished her apprenticeship, her master gave her a final task for her Gauntlet: Free herself from the faerie bindings her betrothed set upon her.
The way the young apprentice finally got free of her betrothal was a bit wild and rauccous, but the Prince broke the betrothal, telling Emma, 'If you would spurn me for the weak-blooded mortals and commonfolk, then you are clearly meant for them. They will all pursue you.' Freeing herself from the Faerie's story, she earned her place among the Merinita as Josephine, the Star.
Josephine of Merinita
House: Merinita
Characteristics: Int +1, Per 0, Pre +3, Com +1, Str -2, Sta +1, Dex +1, Qik 0
Size 0
Age 28
Warping 0
Confidence 1 (3)
Virtues: The Gift, Hermetic Magus, Faerie Magic; Affinity for Muto, Faerie Raised Magic, Faerie Sympathy (Beautiful), Lesser Benediction(Enchanting Beauty), Minor Magical Focus (Clothing), Puissant Finesse
Flaws: Ambitious(minor), Curse of Venus, Deleterious Circumstances(being ugly), Faerie Upbringing, Poor Student, Weird Magic
Personality Traits: Ambitious +3, Hedonistic +2, Wild +3
Reputation: Mysterious Beauty 1 (local)
Faerie Sympathy: Beautiful +1
Abilities: Artes Liberales 1, Bargain 2, Charm 3, Code of Hermes 1, Etiquette 3, Faerie Lore 2, Finesse 2+2, French 5, Folk Ken 1, Guile 2, Intrigue 2, Latin 4, Legerdemain 1, Magic Theory 3, Order of Hermes Lore 1, Parma Magica 1, Penetration 1, Stealth 3, Survival 1
Arts (Casting sigil: glittering stars)
Creo 0, Intellego 0, Muto 12, Perdo 0, Rego 6,
Animal 6, Aquam 0, Auram 0, Corpus 0, Herbam 5,
Ignem 0, Imaginem 0, Mentem 0, Terram 0, Vim 6
Spells:
Doublet of Impenetrable Silk (MuAn 15)
Transformation of the Ravenous Beast to the Torpid Toad (MuAn 25)
Decay of Fur and Hide (PeAn 10)
Sooth the Ferocious Bear(ReAn 10)
Disguise of the New Visage(MuCo 10)
Rise of the Feathery Body(ReCo 10)
Piercing Shaft of Wood(MuHe 10)
Strike of the Angered Branch(ReHe 15)
Aura of Ennobled Presence(MuIm 10)
Notes of a Delightful Sound(MuIm 10)
Wizard's Sidestep(ReIm 10)
Wizards Communion(MuVi 15)
Design Notes:
This is the starting point for Josephine - in the saga where this character was originally concieved as an NPC, they met her 14-20 years down the line.
Magical Focus in clothing seemed like a fun choice. I thought it would be quirky to have a magical focus in a kind of object and not have her be a crafter.
I also plan to use her Faerie Raised Magic on occasion to learn spells, though technically it requires an 'adventure', and is not allowed to be used during seasonal advancement.
Lesser Benediction - Enchanting Beauty
Everyone who sees her knows Josephine is the most beautiful around. Those who would find her enticing (usually males, but a surprising number of women) treat her as having +3 presence. This benediction is pretty much a faerie version of Venus' Blessing, though in Josephine's case it doesn't work on those with magic resistance. The upside, though, those effected view her as an absolute beauty. This benediction can often be concealed by magic, but it will begin to shine through over time, based on the story's need.