Dusksinger

[&]Name/Alias: Tzezuko
[&]Age: 36
[&]Experience: I've been RPing since i was 13, mIRC, ICQ, Message Boards that I both modded or admined, MMO guilds that I was GL of or a moderator. Lots of RP experience, looking to come back to the place that sparked my passion for RP, Writing and Storytelling!
[&]How You Found Us?: A link from Embalaa on SoC
[&]Member Title: Singer/Lorekeeper
[&]In the event of unexplained inactivity, should we kill off or adopt out your character?: Have her wander off in search of more lore.


[&]Full Name: Dusksinger
[&]Soul Name: Ahria
[&]Tribe: Plainsrunner (Wandering Steppes Clan)
[&]Age: adult 592
[&]Gender: female


[&]List Of Personality:
-Introspective
-Inquisitive but not intrusive
-Secretive; knows more than she says, but let others figure it out on their own
-Subtle and wickedly quick-witted
-Has a sly sense of humor and often speaks her mind with veiled comments
-Tries to be tactful but knows when it's time to be blunt
-Slow to show her anger though it might be simmering
-Hard to calm when she’s finally roused; holds onto her irritation for a while
-Sensual in her actions and movements
-Able to admit faults easily and always trying to grow beyond them
-Can be single-minded when focused on something
-Extremely protective of those people or things she cares about
-Has a feral side to herself she rarely shows, has a strong wolf affinity
-Loves the wildhunt


[&]Skills other than Sending:
Sending (powerful)
Illusionist (magical ability - good but still learning more)
    to describe it, she hides herself, like shielding but it also refracts the image as well as temporarily     masks scent. It's a trained ability that she has to concentrate upon. She can move while     concentrating but it taxes her more. If it's triggered by instinct, a gut reaction, flight/fight moment     it'll work only till she moves then the spell is broken. She's learned how to sustain for short durations but it puts a lot of strain on her. If she is trying to shield another, they must be in physical contact with her and close.

Composing/Singing/Recitation (excellent)
Throwing her voice (-from years of vocal training- good)
Tracking/Hunting/Scouting (very good)
Dancing (good)
Weapons
    - Recurve Bow (Highly Accurate)
       - Longbow(Accurate up to medium distance)
    - Spear (bad)
    - Throwing Daggers (bad)
    - Longsword (mediocre)
    - Shortsword (ok)
    - half-moon sickle (accurate and efficient; great for slashing, not thrusting)
Cooking (passable)
Foraging (Enough to survive)
Various instruments (good to excellent)
    - Harp (excellent)
    - flute (very good)
    - string instruments (good)
    - precussions (drums -good)
Trapping (ok)
Wood carving (good - makes most of her own instruments)
Herblore (bad)


[&]Likes:
- Moon bathing
- The Wildhunt
- A fresh kill in her belly
- The wonders of life
- Tribal history/lore
- Composing and singing
- Socializing with others
- Observing the interactions of the pack
- Seeing the world, wandering and feeling free.


[&]Dislikes:
- The fear of losing Azir
- Not knowing where her boys are (especially Wildwind!)
- Losing track of Wildwind (this bears repeating....)
- Anything that threatens her family

- Memories of the past that haunt her

- Feeling incomplete
- Feeling enclosed/tethered
- Prejudices and those unwilling to bend or try new things
- Missing her family; feeling alone.


[&]Family:
Parents: Huntress Shadowmoon(mother); Huntleader Shion (father)
Siblings: Dawnbringer (Twin sister), Eveningveil, Lexm
Children: Longhowl (12), Wildwind (5)
Lovemates: Darkstar (deceased?), Kehn (deceased);
Lifemates: Chief Tusk (Azir)
Friends: Ava, Leyna, Blackash, Redsand, Ashfinger, Talon


[&]History:
Born one of twins to a wolfrider mother (Shadowmoon) and an immortal father (Huntleader Shion), Dusksinger lived most of her young life with the Wandering Steppes clan. Though Dusksinger was born with the same amount of wolfblood as her sister, she gravitated toward the immortal way of life that was very elven and magical. Choosing to apprentice under the clan's storyteller, Chantress, Dusk hoped someday to perform, teach and learn other lore from the many elven tribes. Enamored with this ideal, the young maiden never noticed the subtle manipulations of the elder, or suspected that Chantress had a deepseated distrust of the wolfblooded - a trait she passed on to her son, the clan healer.

Brightstar was as arrogant as he was enigmatic and believed he ought to have the best. His charm made it easy for him to get what he wanted; his powers, ensured his position in the clan. He ignored most of the wolfbloods but was enthralled by Dusksinger after he heard her sing. Deciding to find out more about her, he eventually courted her and they became lovemates but all was not peaceful in the Clan.

A darkness, a sickness of the mind began to sweep through the eldest of them all, targeting the immortals most harshly. The wolfblooded chose to leave the village; feeling the illness was a sign to find a new place to call home. Dusksinger and a few others who had come to love the immortals too much to leave them, stayed behind, hoping their presence would stave off the illness. It did for a time, but even Brightstar fell prey and attacked his lovemate, reviled by her wolviness.

When it became clear that even a healer's touch could do nothing for the rapidly spreading madness, Brightstar convinced Dusk to leave with the last of the wolfblooded and those immortals not affected by the darkness. Rejoining her sister and the rest of the wandering tribe, she stayed among her wolfrider brethren for a time, learning what tales they have to tell of the time they were exasperated, and providing tales of what occurred in the village of dying immortals.

Among the wolfriders again, Dusk discovered her abilities of enhanced stealth; using her teachings to 'throw' her voice, she learned well how to mask her scent and camoflague her form from searching eyes. The ability to hide literally in plain sight was a surprise to the maiden; the first occurrence happened when she was trapped by a hungry tuftcat who suddenly lost interest in her and wandered off - much to her relief. The moment she moved, the ability dissipated. At first the ability was only triggered by extreme emotions, but over time, she learned to control it, and to use it without having to hold her breath!

This became a game with her and her wolfrider kin, seeing how long she could stay hidden while they used all of their senses to find her. Becoming adept with her newfound skill, she learned much before her mother's infamous wanderlust struck her. Unable to resist the temptation once she heard of another tribe not far from their own, she went to meet with them. Eagerly living among them for a time, she passed on what knowledge she had and learned all that they were willing to teach.  Spending some years with this new tribe, she frequently traveled between them and her own tribesmen whenever they were nearby and then

Eventually though, her desire to see more of the world overtook her again, and she bade goodbye to her new friends and wandered again. Over the course of the next few centuries, Dusksinger made it her life's work to find other elves, teach them the stories she'd gleaned, and then learn from them their lore.

in her wanderings she came across Ember's tribe, where she stayed and integrated into the group for a time. She learned what she could of the tales Ember and her group could tell her and passed on whatever knowledge they wished to learn from her stored memories. it was during this time that she was visited by her once lovemate, Brightstar - now calling himself Darkstar. Ill looking and weak, he gave her an unexpected present; an egg from a descendant of his owl pet, Ghosttalon, that she'd admired so much. He brought news of the demise of nearly all of the remaining clan immortals. The duo mourned the loss of so many, but the joy of being together overshadowed the pain. They spent a short time together before he took his leave. His departure felt like a final farewell.

Saddened by the loss of him, but newly resolved, Dusksinger decided it was time to move on again. As there was talk of several of the tribe going to join Wolfdancer, Ember and Teir’s son, to become a part of his group, Dusksinger decided it was time to move on. Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to meet new elves and share an exchange of stories, lore and knowledge, Dusksinger journeyed with the others to become a part of Wolfdancer's tribe.


(RECENT YEARS)
Dusk has spent several years with the elves of Oakleaf Holt and though she's made several close friends, there has remained something missing in her life. Through the trials of a Wildhunt to help @tenderleaf (Hunt Within), Dusksinger also reacquainted with her own wolfy nature and realized that she'd been running from what she wanted most. Still mulling over the implications of this idea and tending her mourning twin, Dawnbringer, it was a while before Dusksinger made a decision to act. Sparked by a conversation she held with Blaze , Crest and Brea (Tales Round the Campfire), Dusk felt compelled to think back on the time she'd spent among a group of elves called the Plainsrunners, the friends and lovemate she'd left behind. 

Flashback threads of Dusk among the Plainsrunners (click to view):
Moonshine in my Eyes
Old Friends/Old hearts,
Morning Walk,
Breaking the Mold,
Malleable Mettle,
Opposite Attraction,
Blood-Ties,
Tit-for-Tat,
Opposites Attract
 

Before her departure from Oakleaf holt, she was confronted by a longtime friend who confessed his feelings for her ( Just Wanted to say Hi[/a]). Not wanting to hurt Kehn 's feelings, Dusksinger also knew she couldn't accept them without finding resolution in her past first. She promised that she would give him an answer once she resolves her past but for now, she could not accept what he offered. Speaking at length with her twin about her plan, the two made ready to leave in search of the Plainsrunners who wandered far to the southwest of the Holt.

Returning to the Plainsrunners with her twin sister, Dawnbringer proved an eye-opening experience. Not only did she have to acclimate herself with a much-changed tribe, she also had to reacquaint with a much-changed Azir, now called Chief Tusk. Their reunion was rocky with choice words exchanged on both sides and just as it seemed like there could be no reconciliation, the High Ones revealed their hand! 

Revelling in a wholly wolfrider Recognition, the two disappeared into the nearby woods at Valleyholt for several days much to the bewilderment of their - as yet - unaware tribemates.


Discovering the source of their sudden departure, the newly mated pair's return was cause for celebration. Dusksinger settled into the tribe over the course of the two years she carried their cub, taking up the mantle as tribe Lorekeeper to help ease the burden that rested upon Blackash's shoulders as the Plainsrunners' historian. Through a long, drawn-out labor, she birthed Tusk's heir, 2 years and a month later at valleyholt much to the cubling's very vocal protest. His loud, defiant birthcry gifted him the name Longhowl.


Dusksinger found herself learning to juggling the demands of her new duties, the experiences of being a new mother and the uncertainties of being chief's mate over the course of the next few years. Much to the amusement of their kin, just as Longhowl was becoming an independent 7 turn old, Dusk found herself pregnant again - outside of Recognition.


Wherein Longhowl had been a reluctant cub to birth, Wildwind had been too eager, refusing to wait for a safe time to come into the world. His birth coincided with the tribe attempting to flee the leading edge of the seasonal wildfires. And while it was a hair too close for his overprotective sire's preference, the whole tribe made it out to safety including their newest member.

Dusk's recover from their second child's birth was much slower process despite having a healer on hand willing to help it along if needed. Wildwind proved a much harder lesson in parenting than Longhowl. From the moment he was mobile, he was getting into everything his little hands could open. Both cubs inherited a fair dose of their mother's wanderlust, and while Longhowl had his parents' attention to detail, Wildwind was every bit his sire's child, poking his nose into EVERYTHING!

The next few years consisted of Dusksinger trying to juggle paying attention to each of her family members equally while nurturing Longhowl's curiosity and quelling Wildwind's penchant for mischief and Tusk's tendency to ruffle the feathers of their more sensitive tribemates. All of this while still attempting to perform her duties as Lorekeeper and teacher.

She looks forward to the days when the cubs will be older and less prone to wandering into trouble (hopefully) and Tusk's hyper-vigilance has calmed to a reasonable level (unlikely). Yet despite the trials ahead, she's happy that she found her 'home' in the world, even if that meant she had to give up her roving to have it.


[&]Often seen wearing:
Purple, red and blue high collar dress. (left arm is thickly wrapped for her owl to land upon)
Leather belt with pouches
dark brown leggings
sturdy brown boots
Crystal double moon shaped earrings
Feathers in the 2 buns atop her head


[&]Hair: deep black that shimmers indigo and amethyst (winnowill hair); long reaching to her glutes, but usually she has most of it pulled up into 2 buns with a set of feathers attached to each bun. The shorter locks are feathered and fall over her eyes and ears. It's very wispy on the ends and side-parted so some of it always falls over her right eye

[&]Eyes: Feral gold with green flex, slanted and tapered
[&]Skintone: Olive and tanned
[&]Bodyshape: 4'4" , Taller than most wolfriders, she's built with feminine curves that have only grown softer after birthing two cubs.
[&]Other Traits: Dusksinger has long thick nails which she's very meticulous about keeping cleaned and pointed. She uses the edge of her filed nails to pluck at the strings of her harp which is her favorite instrument to play. She is a hodgepodge of cultures, having lived among several different tribes throughout her life and picked up different ways. Her clothes have a distinctly feathered motif.

[&]Picture:(Optional. Small size, please.)


[&]Bonded animals:

Bird: Type: Eurasian Eagle-Owl



Name: Snowfeather (alive)
Features:
A large bird, she weighs nearly 9 lbs and has a very impressive wingspan of nearly 5ft. She also sports a set of wicked talons and a very sharp curved beak. She’s a speckled brown and white color with a black rimmed white mask around her eyes and beak. She also sports a set of tufted white “eyebrows” and a white crest that extends from the top of her head. Her eyes are amber.

Personality:
She’s particular about her friends but once she’s used to you, she tends to either ignore you or pester you to rub her. She’s been taught to hunt with Dusksinger but will also go off solo; she likes to bring small to medium size game to her elf-friend. She’s known to leave her presents on Dusk’s bedding out of spite if Dusk doesn’t immediately show her attention for her gifts. She will land on Dusksinger’s arm or try to ride on her shoulder, though it’s become rather difficult to do so now that she’s fully grown. Her wing often gets tangled in Dusk’s hair. She loves to hear Dusk sing or play and will often join in with hoots and cheeps.






[&] Previous Bond animal: Greyruff

Age: (Deceased)

Description: Large, female, aggressive dark grey tundra wolf. Gold eyes; mother of Stormcloud and Smoke. She and Dusksinger bonded on the way back to the Plainsrunners from Oakleaf Holt. She fought her way into the Jackwolf pack and held the position of alpha female for only a few short years before her advancing age forced her out of the pack. She died as a lone wolf but much beloved by her bond, Dusksinger. Her heritage can be seen throughout the recent generation of wolves.





CURRENT Bond Animal: Smoke (post-warp)

Age: 7

Rank: Alpha Female, mated to Nipper


Description: One of Greyruff's pups who takes strongly after the tundra wolf dna in her blood; She's a large, charcoal grey female with middling levels of dark browns in her coat. The tip of her tail is white like her dame, she has lighter grey socks and gold eyes. She's patient, stealthy, slow to anger, but vicious when she doles out judgement.

She has her playful side and enjoys rolling Dusk's cubs into the dirt to bathe them like she does all of her cubs. Not above doling out a bit of discipline, she has been known to bristle and nip when an errant packmate isn't minding her queues.

Oh, and Smoke thinks Snowfeather is rather tasty looking - a thought that she often sends to her bond, much to Dusk's exasperation! Snowfeather gives Smoke a wide berth.

---

Other Information:
Because Dusksinger spends much of her time wandering, she is influenced by many tribes and is also beholden to the gifts they give her during her time among them. Her most noteworthy possessions are the following:

Recurve bow - Created by a lovemate named Azir, this is her most prized possession. It has an intricate carving of two wolves in the eternal dance of the Hunt. The carvings are exquisitely detailed. Thanks to the aid of Chieftess Mistblossom, the bow has been restored to full use and rarely leaves Dusk's person.





Half-moon sickle - the length of her forearm. Used mostly for slashing or harvesting. Sharp and wicked, but unable to stab. This is generally only used when all else fails. The metal for it was stolen from humans and reshaped by an imaginative metalshaper from her home tribe.



Moonglow earrings: (crystals are a milky white instead of green/blue); a gift from her sire after her first wildhunt. As their mother had given them the Hunt, their sire wanted to gift them with something as special. To Dusksinger, he gave a pair of moonglow earrings, fashioned from the hands of the master jewelcrafter of the Hoang Sho Village, and for Dawnbringer, he gifted her an ornate comb inlaid with mother of pearl which adorns her hair to this day.



Instruments: This instrument was a gift from Brightstar; The harp, ((Double-strung celtic harp)); sits in her lap and reaches just to her shoulder. It made of sturdy wood, and carved with hints of the sky and stars carved throughout the surface. Carved by hand, it is one of her most prized possessions; she never leaves her harp behind. She's even got a name for it. It's secured by a leather strap across her body. The strings are made of catgut.



Flute: more out of convenience than the need to keep it, she usually has a small wooden flute with her that looks similar to this. All other instruments, she remakes at her new home and leaves behind when she departs.



Belt: A belt gifted to her by Kehn. She has accepted his gift, though she's still not certain if she can accept his desire to be mates. There's still unfinished business keeping her from letting go of her past. She's promised to cherish the belt and Kehn's feelings. She will return with an answer once she's resolved the ghosts in her past. ((image is a representation of belt only, for reference. A permanent image will be created at a later date))




((EDIT 2/21/2015: Updated the personality and clarified some details of her looks))

((EDIT 3/5/2015: Updated information about her bow for future plot point.))

((EDIT 3/23/2015: Updated her skills, reduced some, increased others to make her more survivable on her own. Updated likes and dislikes to streamline character and remove overly frilly references.))

((EDIT 2/6/2016: Updated twin's name to Dawnbringer. Eveningveil and Lexm are still listed as younger siblings.))

((EDIT 3/28/2016: Updated name of earrings in 'precious items' list. Moonglow earrings were now a gift form her sire instead of a would-be suitor. There are already 3 items from suitors/ex lovers in this list.

Also, updated the harp, the bow and added the belt, a gift from Kehn in recent posts.))


((EDIT 12/5/2016: Updated bond animals; changed snowfeather's age; added pre-warp and post warp wolf friends. more to come soon))

((EDIT 1/2/2017: Uploaded Greyruff pic, Updated Dusk's clothes pic, Added pre-warp synopsis. Will add warp and post-warp affairs as they arise))


((EDIT 2/20/2017: Added warp and post-warp synopsis. Recognition to Tusk, birth of their sons, position as tribe's lorekeeper; aiding Blackash in his dutes.))

((EDIT 1/2/2018: Fixed minor details in the updated bio such as Wildwind's correct age. Properly indicated Dusk's height,