๐๐พ๐ท๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ป๐ช๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ธ๐ธ๐ญ
(Credit: Pinterest)
General info:
| Name: Juniper Drakewood Age: 62 Gender: Female Occupation: Retired Cartographer | Race: Human Culture: Valian Residence: Manaan |
Appearance:
Juniper is the frail beginnings of a once active woman, though, through her wrinkles, her hazel eyes are kind and wise. She's embraced turning old and had given up on trying to cover her greys with dyes, but her sense of style is still young- she'll never turn down an elegant dress.
Backstory:
Juniper(Juni) and her older brother, Celestin, were born into and unremarkably average family- the only thing setting them apart from a nuclear family was the lack of a father figure, lost in a battle, much like many families at the time. Juni was too young to remember her father, but Celestin felt the wrath of grief and it cut his fuse short. She loved her brother deeply, and he always was kind and patient with her. But Juni never appreciated his unpredictable angry outbreaks to neighbors and townspeople over small inconveniences. She sometimes wondered if his heart would turn to stone if she didnโt exist.
Juniper chose to ignore Celestinโs behavior unless it was particularly unreasonable. She preferred to bathe in the prettier things like flowers or the arts to keep her mind off it all. Her Mother was a seamstress keen for her to pursue haberdashery, but Juni was hopeless with a needle and thread. Instead, Juni took a keen interest in painting. They couldnโt afford paints so she would crush various coloured petals into a pulp, only to re-arrange the mess intoโฆ something.
While Juniโs petal paintings turned brown and crunchy and the local flower population plummeted, Celestin found a passion for fighting. Juni learned that her father was from the Velikiya tribe, which was no surprise, Celestin clearly inherited their stereotypeโฆ Fuelled with a vengeance for his Father, he funneled his rage into practicing combat. Finally, he had an outlet.
As the years went by, Celestin matured into a social and well-seasoned fighter and Juniper found some friends (and paint) who could teach her art fundamentals.
Juni was fundamentally shy and introverted, whereas Celestin was effortlessly popular. His talent as a fighter and social ability lifted him through the ranks in the military as the Imperium United. And in what felt like a blink of an eye, the stacks of gold grew taller, the houses bigger, and suddenly, Celestin was granted Lordship. Juni became a Lady by proxy and although they could now afford whatever they wanted, she felt deeply unfulfilled, none of these riches were her doing. Juni was Celestinโs rock and voice of reason, but she lived in his shadow. Juni hid her frustration with herself from him and continued to support his blossoming career with a warm smile, but when he disappeared each day for work, Juni would stand alone in the bland halls of their manor.
Juni desperately wanted to be a master painter, her work had improved significantly over the years, but it wasnโt enough to compete with the perfection of shape, light, and form that the masters had. Celestin eventually persuaded her to make use of her skills and take a place in the military as a cartographer. She was pessimistic at first but Juni grew to fall in love with it. Map-making took her on many travels to far lands, she would take a specimen home of every new flower and plant she came across- it reminded her of where it all began. Finally, she had a purpose.
Rising tensions between nations eventually overflowed and their city collapsed in a war. Parts of the city remained but many were forced to migrate. Celestin was advised to retreat for his own safety and start a new life elsewhere, but Juni chose to stay in the city under a low profile. Their house was gone but Juni couldnโt bear leaving the land she called home.
Juni continued as a common woman, experimenting with paint and canvas again, she hadnโt heard from her beloved brother in years and refused to consider he was dead.
Recently Juni has come to terms with her age and accepted she has been holding herself back by staying in the ruins of what was. If Celestin was still with her, โwe would be long gone by nowโฆโ and with that thought in her mind, she gathered her belongings and brushes and began her journey to Athon.
Juniper chose to ignore Celestinโs behavior unless it was particularly unreasonable. She preferred to bathe in the prettier things like flowers or the arts to keep her mind off it all. Her Mother was a seamstress keen for her to pursue haberdashery, but Juni was hopeless with a needle and thread. Instead, Juni took a keen interest in painting. They couldnโt afford paints so she would crush various coloured petals into a pulp, only to re-arrange the mess intoโฆ something.
While Juniโs petal paintings turned brown and crunchy and the local flower population plummeted, Celestin found a passion for fighting. Juni learned that her father was from the Velikiya tribe, which was no surprise, Celestin clearly inherited their stereotypeโฆ Fuelled with a vengeance for his Father, he funneled his rage into practicing combat. Finally, he had an outlet.
As the years went by, Celestin matured into a social and well-seasoned fighter and Juniper found some friends (and paint) who could teach her art fundamentals.
Juni was fundamentally shy and introverted, whereas Celestin was effortlessly popular. His talent as a fighter and social ability lifted him through the ranks in the military as the Imperium United. And in what felt like a blink of an eye, the stacks of gold grew taller, the houses bigger, and suddenly, Celestin was granted Lordship. Juni became a Lady by proxy and although they could now afford whatever they wanted, she felt deeply unfulfilled, none of these riches were her doing. Juni was Celestinโs rock and voice of reason, but she lived in his shadow. Juni hid her frustration with herself from him and continued to support his blossoming career with a warm smile, but when he disappeared each day for work, Juni would stand alone in the bland halls of their manor.
Juni desperately wanted to be a master painter, her work had improved significantly over the years, but it wasnโt enough to compete with the perfection of shape, light, and form that the masters had. Celestin eventually persuaded her to make use of her skills and take a place in the military as a cartographer. She was pessimistic at first but Juni grew to fall in love with it. Map-making took her on many travels to far lands, she would take a specimen home of every new flower and plant she came across- it reminded her of where it all began. Finally, she had a purpose.
Rising tensions between nations eventually overflowed and their city collapsed in a war. Parts of the city remained but many were forced to migrate. Celestin was advised to retreat for his own safety and start a new life elsewhere, but Juni chose to stay in the city under a low profile. Their house was gone but Juni couldnโt bear leaving the land she called home.
Juni continued as a common woman, experimenting with paint and canvas again, she hadnโt heard from her beloved brother in years and refused to consider he was dead.
Recently Juni has come to terms with her age and accepted she has been holding herself back by staying in the ruins of what was. If Celestin was still with her, โwe would be long gone by nowโฆโ and with that thought in her mind, she gathered her belongings and brushes and began her journey to Athon.
TLDR: Juniper grew up in an average family, gaining riches and status later in life by living in the shadow of her successful older brother. She later found her feet as a cartographer for the military of her home city, putting her painting skills to use. Her occupation took her on many travels across lands, she continues to adventure to this day...
Various personal paintings made by Juni on her travels:
(Digitally painted by me)
(Digitally painted by me)