Birthe

[*Favea Catena]

Basic Information
Name: Birthe
Aliases: none
Gender: female
Race: Aasimar (no distinguishing features that make her readily apparently non-human)
Age: early 20s
Profession: apparently no mundane profession
Languages: Common, Celestial, Sylvan
Accent: none; seems to avoid using cant terms except ones pertaining to factions

Physical Information
Height: 5' 10" / 178 cm
Weight: 150 lbs / 68 kg
Body build: athletic feminine
Skin type: silky-smooth
Hair style: open flowing
Scars: none
Tattoos: <does your character have tattoos?>
Colouring:

[b]Hair:[/b] blonde [b]Eyes:[/b] blue [b]Skin:[/b] rather light, as common in Northern climates on many primes [/li]

Mental Information
Alignment: Lawful Good
Philosophy: There's nothing heroic about going out of your way to find some enormous problem and tackling it head-on in vain; that's not noble sacrifice, it's self-righteous folly. If I actually deal with all the lesser problems along my path, that may not look like much at first, but I can achieve so much more good, in due time.

While there is need of order in a functioning society, putting the law above all without reflection is dangerous, especially in a place like Sigil, where the rules betimes are so incomprehensible that one cannot reasonably expect common man to understand them. I can live with people thinking I have a chaotic streak much better than with coming treachoroulsy close to being largely indistinguishable from a baatezu in commmon folks' eyes.

It's perfectly true when I say I'm "mostly a sorceress", so I think that'll be good enough for the City of Doors.
Deity/Beliefs: Freya/The Greater Good
Personality:

[u]Flirtatious[/u] [i]Just a litte. In good fun. Well, it is perfectly natural, you know![/i] [u]Funloving[/u] [i]If you insist holy warriors have to be stuck-up sourpusses, go get a permit to <<I like teddy bears>> a duodrone.[/i] [u]Helpful[/u] [i]Really, though in retrospect half-drowning that gutter gnome trying to teach him the value of a bath was a bit excessive.[/i] [u]Idealistic[/u] [i]Refuses to believe anyone, anything is entirely beyond redemption.[/i] [u]Insecure[/u] [i]Am I really too chaotic the way some might claim?[/i] [u]Philosophical[/u] [i]Likes to think about things and is fascinated with unusual angles. That, and it helps trying to deal with the bove.[/i] [/li]

Additional Information
Gear: nothing notable so far
Jewelry: nothing notable so far
Habits/hobbies: likes entertainers
General Health: pretty good, though she often seems to be a bit bruised
Favorite Drink: does seem rather fond of larger quantities of alcohol
Weaknesses: <... you mean aside from being a hedonistic, philosophicall inclined, technically honest do-gooder?>

[*Favea Catena]

No matter how badly the woman may have needed the berries, in retrospect, trespassing on Mercuria was trespassing, and procuring the berries may have been theft. Saying the good of the outcome outweighs the circumstances, like those she conferred with did, may seem a good point, but is it really?

No, even though Freya did not seem angered by the act, this was teetering to close to adopting an outlook that rules were meant to be broken. Unacceptable. While Birthe certainly felt laws require moderation, how could she possibly just shrug off possibly, argueably having broken laws on a layer of Mount Olympus? A resolution was necessary.

She had pondered long about the suggestion of sending a messenger, but that was not an option. If the messenger were not a native of Mercuria specifically, it would mean sending someone else where they do not belong. Quite unacceptable to burden someone else with that guilt.

Returning herself would add to her own misconduct, but it was the only way. Go through the portal, leave a message by the stone, return? A swell idea at first glance, but upon further consideration, immediately heading off again might signal an unwillingness to actually face the consequences of her actions. That would not do.

Nonetheless, having a message to leave was a sound idea, because straying farther from the portal is not an option. After all, certainly there must be a reason why Mercuria was forbidden. She'd have to hope a native would find her nearby, but of course a perpetual wait would not be sensible, not doing any good but perhaps midgitate her feelings of guilt. Three days' wait, fasting, leaving the message if she was not approached by a native in this time. A sound compromise.

Having drafted the note, she only packed the most essential things: enough water for the planned stay, three small slices of bread for each day, one sword for a symbolic gesture. And of course a gold ring - not exactly a meek thing, but sometimes luxuries are essential. Ironic, and possibly a deep insight - something to ponder during the wait.

After stepping through the portal, seeing no natives of Mercuria were nearby, she found a slightly grassy spot quit near the planar rift. A good spot. Kneeling down, she set down her supplies, the note and the sword, the latter with the point toward her and the hilt away from her body. Time for the wait.

But no, just waiting wouldn't do - maybe the natives do not venture near the portal. She cleared her throat, then calling out in Celestial.

Hello? I seek to make amends.

[*Favea Catena]

After waiting, patiently, for a little bit longer than originally planned, apparently doing little but ocassionly eat a few crumbs of bread and taking a sip of water, or curling up to sleep for a few hours, she rises with a sigh. Slowly, she approaches the stone nearby the portal, the one warning interlopers away, and places the note, in a scorllcase, by its base. Then, without another word, she wanders back to the portal and through it.

Were anyone or anything capable of reading Celestial to take a look at the note, they'd read:

I have been here once, at the request of a desperate woman, to get some goldberrys for healing. I do not regret the act; it is good to help the downtrodden in the City of Doors.

However, in hindsight, I understand that this might be considered trespassing and the procurement of berries theft. I would rather not leave that unresolved, but accept the consequences of my actions.

I returned - what other way was there, any messenger not a native of this layer would be just as much trespasser as I, how could I as others to commit my crimes? - seeking to make amends.

I have waited by the portal, three days' worth of time, hoping chance would have me meet a native who could say what my next step should be. Alas, it was not to be. I will not encroach any deeper into Mercuria, and I will not be back unbidden lest the most dire of circumstances force me to assume it is for the best.

If you, honored folk of Mercuria, should see fit to wish and speak to me, please send a messenger to Sigil. It should be possible to find me at or through the Foul Old Spirit Inn. I still would face any consequences deemed appropriate.

With highest regards,
Birthe
Sorceress-Shieldmaiden of Freya

[*Mr_Otyugh]

One of the archons takes the note during its patrols, in the melodical tongue of celestial it spoke to its companions before making a brief reply that is sent through the portal to Sigil with a Lantern Archon. The message written in celestial as well.

Birthe of Freya,

Your actions have been done with pure conscious. Your actions are forgiven and find no disdain amidst our lines. To help another at the cost of your own health shows the nature of your heart. Your dedication to see this ordeal through has shown your devotion.

May your heart light the path before you,
Ashia-Ceress

The shining lantern archon flutters over the Cage streets to land by the Foul Olde Spirit Inn and enter, leaving the note to Muriel to hand at Birthe.

[*Favea Catena]

I am beginning to understand the appeal of just finding something big, nasty to charge and smite it with divine wrath. It's a pretty simple, straightforward lifestyle and I suspect comparatively easy to handle in the end. Still, that path is not truly mine - I have elected to devote myself more to seeing what I can achieve by peaceful means than others, and on that path lie its own enormous challenges.

I must admit, I'm scared, really, really scared. I know some would say I should never even have agreed to consider his proposal, but a flat-out denial would have been wrong. I keep saying you have to listen, talk, converse, because if you do not, you're implying that some people, beings indeed are beyond redemption. Now's the time to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

If half the rumors are true - and that seems likely no matter what he says, because it is evident he's looking at charity for all the wrong reasons -, of course, odds are his proposal will be unacceptable. But I have to look at it, consider it carefully, maybe find a way to alter it to make it acceptable. Because no matter how wrong his reasons for charity, he is right of course that fairly small sums could go a long way in making the lives of many in Sigil more bearable.

I can't refuse to take a look at the proposal outright, as long as there's even the remotest of chances I might be able to take it and shape it into something that is truly good. I doubt anyone else would try, and I must admit I do fear what the consequences of ultimate refusal might be, but in the end, I should think that's why I'm the one facing this test of ability, wit and resolve. Freya help me I make the right choice in the end.

[*Favea Catena]

I like what I heared from the Fraternity. That limits his options quite nicely. While it means putting up with the Takers, I would suspect they're his natural enemies in a way and he'll want to avoid doing anything that might get them too attentive or too aggrevated. Unless he can find a proxy, it'll have to be my charity under my administration if he does not want to run the risk of monthly audits, and he can't legally make substantial donations anonymously the way he wanted.

Now I need to find a way to get in touch with the Anarchs, see if I can work out an understanding. That's not going to be easy, I have no experience in dealing with chaotic illegal groups whatsoever. And realistically, what reason would they have to trust me enough to even speak with me? Odds are they'd suspect I'm a wannabe Harmonium spy or something.

I think if I do see a path to make this happen, make something good come of the proposal, if I do go through with it, everyone is going to loathe me. Really everyone. Half of Sigil because I'd take his money, and the other half because I manged to not have him get quite the return he was planning on. (I mean, if he doesn't get annoyed with me, it means I failed at really instilling the spirit of charity into the business of pretend benevolence - not drawing his ire is the worst-case scenario.)

Yes, I guess death by ancient wyrm in pointlessly heroic combat is more glorious than a dagger in the back, but unless I back out of this, I see the latter in my future.

[*Favea Catena]

Well, now it's sit back and wait. I've asked the butler (here's hoping he didn't do it, whatever it was this time around) to forward my suggestion to Sigil's apparently most despised man. Here's hoping he's desperate or annoyed enough with the overall situation to agree to my terms.

Well, maybe not entirely sit back and wait. I need to start working on a plan B, with lower funding, because I feel I really kind of owe it to the people of the Hive to go through with things now. After all, I've had quite the interesting talk that the Harmonium surely would say I should've never had, and the irony of it is that while the Hardheads fear money might fall into what they consider the wrong hands, money is the one thing I was pretty explicitly asked not to hand out.

Of course I'm still not sure the Hivers entirely appreciate my wanting to do this all legally (as laid out by the Guvner), but I think I can muster enough money to go a few months without being dependant on other sources. Time enough to secure more funds. And it would still be worth it, because I would show it is possible to follow the law of Sigil and the law of the Hive at the same time, if you try hard enough and apply moderation. That's a wake-up call this entire city could use, I think.

Plus, come to think of it, I think the elf would approve rather more if in the end, the person who put me up to my plans weren't actually involved. There's irony in the making: maybe in the end he'll wind up getting some measure of recognition with all he has given being an idea...