Windrider Saga: Character Sketch Series #1

As I work my way through the third book of the Windrider Saga, I find myself struggling to claim writing time from life. Less writing time means the gears get rusty and the inspiration flows more slowly. This particular book is demanding that I know the characters of the series in different ways than I've put on the page before, so in order to get my mind working in that direction, I've decided to do a little doodling on them. It always seems to get the ideas loosened up.

Now, maybe this is all self-indulgence, but I figured I'd share these little doodles with you as well.

Meet Veranna, Half Elven Prophetess of Creo

Veranna is 53 years old, which is the half elven equivalent to being in her early 20's. She was born to a Thelenese gypsy mother and an elven father who was a minstrel of Celevonese in origin.

Cultural pressures drove Veranna's parents apart, but Veranna's father was of greater means than her mother, so he took custody of the infant half-elf. As a rule, the elves of Sarn Celevon have a distinct distaste for anything or anyone outside their own culture, so the time Veranna spent with her father in his homeland was a time of disdain and ridicule, despite his efforts to shield her.

Her father's untimely death sent Veranna into the sole care of her mother, a sorceress and fortune teller. When Veranna showed a gift for dancing, the gypsy forced her daughter into performances with their caravan. The requirements of the performances became exploitative in nature, and once Veranna mustered the nerve, she fled her gypsy "family."

How Veranna encountered Creo and became his servant is a story for another time, but hopefully you've enjoyed the little peek at her backstory!