The Last Stand of Mistande Warden

[Poolson]

Mistande Warden
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Neutral Good
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Ranger 5, Harper Scout 4 (oops, weird split.)
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Favored Enemies: Monstrous Humanoids (The population explosion of the Ghylherd from the 94th crisis provided a target rich environment for beastmen that had no care for the natural order.)

Humans (Game Wardens do not hunt beasts unless they're invasive or problematic as a species population. Game Wardens hunt men as agents of the law. As Ring 99 and 98 are predominantly human in population, and events in the past sculpted her road, she hunted the most dangerous game, instead.)

Magical Beasts (In Mistande's eyes, magical creatures are an affront to the natural order. They wield capabilities beyond normal means and quickly become an apex predator, even to the point where they can snuff another population all together. Or, in the case of changelings, when they're every shape at once, they ascend the food chain all together.)
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Deity: Nature Aspect Worship
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Age: 33.
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This has been one hell of a ride, fellas. With a lot of people to make it the memorable experience it was.

From Shrub, to Withering Tree, to pretty much all of Glitt (former and current), Velstra (former and current), Orza (former and current), the Autumnmask Druids (this is a huge roster.), Moonspear (former and current), The Hunting Guild (all former), Cruzel, Huntmasters Allistar and Lars, Loops, Mal ADDK, Crow, RWG and more. This is list is impossibly large but I want you to know that the time we spent together ruled.

Bearic, Pigadig and Secutor were also huge helps, to get her story moving along.

And, of course, SK, Blue, Zytum and other adversaries unseen; you were fine adversaries. You hit the sweet spot of frequent interaction, but keeping it at a certain temperature so that I didn't feel obligated to log in every day to throw hands. That was perfect. And it was rich enough that it could progress Mistande without having it needing to end the same way every time.

[hide=Inspiration]Mistande Warden is heavily inspired off of a FR character of mine that I've played for other 5e campaigns: Maggie Black Coat, a Harper Scout who's drive to thwart the careless advancement of civilization bordered on extreme, going as far as sabotaging lumber mills, thwarting agents paid in gold to ravage the earth of its natural resources and silencing noblemen who could not be dissuaded of the damage they'd cause. A bandit, but a bandit with purpose, all the same.

Mistande is a more toned down, civil version of that. The same drive is there, but due process mattered more to her than taking justice into her own hands.. But because I drew so much from her, I decided I'd make her source of inspiration family of some distant relation.[/hide]

Goals.
[hide=Click]Over-arching Goal: Try to mitigate the apocalyptic fallout of the 94th ring crisis, so that it can last long enough to finally be addressed for good or ill, in the future. Eeeh...? Dunno' here. She certainly made efforts to protect the Weald, and Sheppernines. You'll only know how successful she was by how it /isn't/ going bad.

- This would give full license for player initiatives in dealing with the fallout of other player activities, without having to delve into deep themes of druidism. We've been really popping off with the Hunter's Guild and associated factions so far, I want to go big and then probably go home in a pine box.

- It would be impossible to stave all of the symptoms of the Ring 94 crisis. Overpopulation will create food insecurity and territory disputes will come to pass for growing food. This would create a resource and territory narrative for the houses without anyone having to inherently be the bad guy to butt heads. What players will accomplish in this goal, is ensuring that it does not get *any worse*. It may be hard to picture it, but, perhaps it's that absence that will tell the story of how badly it could had gone if nothing were done.

-Maybe open a door for Scarabi lore, as the Ward dredges the moat for reliable access to new water sources, and accidentally exposes something by digging up the muck.

- In the process of trying to prevent complete calamity, maybe remove the position of Royal Huntmaster in
the process, Failed.

or make it an elected/contest office like the Inquisitor's Cowl and can create a token once a month that awards prestige to all members of a specific noble house on their merit (or, for more corrupt Huntmasters, favoritism. The more obvious, the more likely someone'll challenge the standing Huntmaster for the position),

or evolve the office of the Royal Huntmaster to be a Hunter's Guild association thing you can procure meats from caught game and turn them in for rewards like the Ratcatcher's Guild.

- Druid agents might have a better cover with nature, in this sense. Plenty of excuse to be out in the wilds, plenty of excuses to take hostile stances towards the houses, what have you.

- Although Allistar is long dead, I feel his player Cloud would be happy to see a legacy form with his humble beginnings at its core. I gave it an honest try, bub.

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[hide=Background fluff.]
The Warden Family.

Game Wardens, in service to the Lords. Ancestors of an older age, served families throughout the ages, some known, some lost to the pages of history. To cultivate, protect, and punish those who'd endanger the community. A simple task, but all consuming.

Of course, as the ages went on, not all of them stayed to this trade. Some steered from their charge, to live free from the trappings of men, and embrace the Old Ways, that fostered mortalkind whilst in the cradle of creation. Others turned for more selfish, or more extreme paths, and for one purpose or another, fell under the wide net of highwayman.

Mistande was the child of Gale Warden, a Game Warden who served the Flevas family. Some time before the skies came crashing down upon them, anyways. (Perhaps) fortunately for her, she never saw it, dying in the line of duty. This troubled Mistande as a child, and shaped much of her future. The pain of loss was great. She didn't just fear people, she had come to hate them, and with venom in her veins, she sought a woman of ill repute in their family. Maggie Black Coat. A highwaywoman who took her skills of the trade to prey upon men, rather than wildlife.

Under her tutelage, her grudge became something she could weaponize. Of course, unlike Maggie, she didn't fall down the same path she did, slowly learning life lessons as she grew into adulthood that made her the woman that she was. Like her mother before her,  she buckled the badge that bore the family crest upon her breastplate, and the writs of service stamped upon them, and made to the ever green yonder. Her mission was simple, yet without cease: ensure the continued function of the Weald, at any cost, no matter what shape they took, what banner they wore upon their breast, or what cause drove them.[/hide]

Enter stage left, Mistande Warden, banjo plucking hyuck from Scarbeak's Steadings.

Dealing with eco-disasters was a day one thing. She hit the ground running.

Damn Farmer Dan.
[hide=Click][/hide]

Her work began in full, however, when she met Huntmaster Allistar Elin. A man who believed as she did, but with a more gentle hand. By his empowerment by the Velstra family, the Hunter's Guild was born, and so would Mistande meet her brothers and sisters in arms.
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And, of course, prey upon men, who endangered the Weald during times of crisis.
[hide=Click]

City Whisper
Mistande Warden

Run out of spells, you miserable sack of meat?! A real hunter /always/ comes prepared! I shant forget you raising your hand against me, Ekaterina! Do you hear me?! I will uproot your foul poaching racket, STEM AND ALL!

DM Shout
-- Muttering and scorn spread among the Peerage briefly, perhaps to be forgotten before long: Some associate of Velstra chased a Retainer of Orza straight into the Castle. Snide remarks ensue from watchposts, market stalls, and barstools. --

City Whisper
Knave of 99, Copper Faced
If this wasn't abundantly clear, the Count's subjects will not be pointlessly murdered out in the wilderness, regardless the matter of dispute or challenge. If a subject of the Count is murdered, expect a visit from one of the Knaves. If the feud is so warranted to the death, it will be settled on the bridge.
Or those who have committed this crime will be sent to the gallows, to be made an example of and hang for above the post for a whole week. Tread carefully, retainers, or find the Count's justice.

City Whisper
Ekaterina Fyodorna Petrova
[An angry huff] No matter how long it takes, no matter how /long/ it takes to wear you down, brigand. You /will/ face justice. [A sound, like the stamping of a foot] I won't have it!

[/hide]

Of course, it wasn't enough to just stop men from endangering the Weald, she had to deal with all invasive pests, and the Ghylherd were the greatest offenders. With funds raised by the guild merchant Lars, and a little bit of her own working, she commissioned the Giggling Grig for Seven Days of Mayhem, to thin the Ghylherd. That went uh... places.
[hide=Click]
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And ended with an inquisition launched into the Hunter's Guild, as well as scaring off her hired help. Whoops.
https://www.efupw.com/forums/index.php?topic=702595.msg736572#new

As work went on, she felt oftentimes that she struggled in the face of a system that didn't enjoy being told what to do. When she looked at the assets around her, she saw only friends who thought it best to socialize with problematic entities, and she grew infuriated that she felt like she was the only one who cared. This provoked a snappy letter to then-Huntmaster Allistar Elin, the day before he died.
https://www.efupw.com/forums/index.php?topic=702563.0

It was only after he was gone, that she saw things in a new light. She saw the push and pull of the Peerage Ward, and stood in awe in Allistar's political ability to unite the houses under one single guild. She felt guilty, even, to greet him with such scorn, yet join Moonspear, Glitt, Sunpurse, Velstra AND a Paladin under the same roof. A guilt she confessed to Wednesday, during her days as an outlaw.
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She tried a new approach, to recreate his approach to the guild. This... didn't work out so well.
[hide=Click]
https://www.efupw.com/forums/index.php?topic=702543.15
https://www.efupw.com/forums/index.php?topic=702767.msg737922#msg737922
https://www.efupw.com/forums/index.php?topic=702868.0
https://www.efupw.com/forums/index.php?topic=702919.0

City Whisper
Royal Huntsmaster Boris Grick

It has come to my attention that, under the poor stewardship of the obese mongrelpig known only as 'Mistande the Fat' - a freak appointed to her role by House Glitt and House Velstra... that the changeling population has significantly flared up of late! Hardly surprising since a fox was put in charge of the henhouse! No matter! I come before you, denizens of the Peerage, to remind you that all of the masked changelings - all of them - are worthy of being mounted upon my wall! Mushroom, Autumn, or otherwise.

City Whisper
Royal Huntsmaster Boris Grick

Hark, fellow citizens of the Peerage... can you hear it? The distant rumble of hunger? The tremors through the ground of immense weight? The disgusting and terrorising squeals of the beast? The Bandit Queen, the Porcine Princess, the Matriarch of the Ghyl. The obese mongrelpig known only as 'Mistande the Fat'! Soon a hunt shall be called for its snout... soon, very soon...

Its legend grows, and soon it shall be worthy of being mounted upon my wall!

City Whisper
Lissandra Fier

Mister Boris Huntmaster... why do you dislike Mistande so much? What has she done to offend you? You both share common ground in your passion, should you not take solace in that?

City Whisper
Royal Huntsmaster Boris Grick

A valid question, yet misguided youngling! For I encourage the hunting of beasts, freaks and changelings. Whereas 'Mistande the Fat' encourages the hunting of men, and sleeping with freaks and changelings. There is a difference woman!

City Whisper
Peerage Resident

Oi porky, it's spelt WERE as in W-E-R-E. Not W-E-A-R. Just because you murdered some poor bastard wearing a wolf cloak for his groat, then skinned them, doesn't mean you killed a werewolf. Bloody bandits!

https://www.efupw.com/forums/index.php?topic=702931.msg737611#new[/hide]

But, for as long as it lasted, she had two constant patrons, Wade Anderstone, and Dame Fleta Blacke. Of course, this often felt like a political tug of war, and their care for her work felt less than sincere.
[hide=Click][/hide]

... and then the guild collapsed, and things got worse.

But she persisted, through hell and high water. She wouldn't give up until she was dead.

At least she had one friend at her side, who stayed throughout the collapse of the guild, and weathered many storms with her; Rand Bronzeorb. It was this guy's birthday every day, basically.
[hide=Click][/hide]

Having a friend to weather the storm was nice, but, it just kept getting worse.
[hide=Click]

City Whisper
Mistande Warden

*Mistande speaks with a voice, underlined by many strong feelings. Grief. Shock. Horror. So much so that blends into one haunted stammer.*

I-...I... I don't know what to do... oh, spirits, it's so bad. I just...

... t-the winter, the winter that's coming... it isn't a natural coming of the season, it's... it's a harbinger of the mad god. The Sleeper... The Name That Mustn't Be Spoken. Man, beast, it... it awoke something primal. Something violent. I-... oh, gods, no...

... d-don't drink the water..? I.. I don't know anymore. I just don't know...

*Her voice cracks. She's on the verge of tears.* I need help... I need wizards, or priests, or... something. Help me. I don't know how to fix this...

[/hide]

But just when it seemed hopeless, a new path was revealed to her. The Orphans Evergreen.
[hide=Click]https://www.efupw.com/forums/index.php?topic=703072.msg737935#msg737935

[/hide]

The path, joined with many friends (some later discovered to be foes), became clear. Slay. Enslave. She'd do it all.

She'd lay waste to Cgloviglovth the Auldwarg.
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[/hide]

... and meet her new leader, to follow to the dark ends of the Weald. Mad Merewyn Haremarch.
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Then, she'd take on the next step. She'd capture Perfidity, the White Doe, and trap her in a small, lightless room, feeding it until it could be transported.
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[/hide]

... and when that was complete, she did the only thing left she could do. She made a bargain for a terrible and powerful reagent. Something primal. Something wrong.
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Thus lead her to the end of her journey. What was thought to be a grand battle with companions at her tale, was instead a journey, made on a lonesome road, under a Hunter's Moon, to a Grove, lost and forgotten. What transpired there, that is for someone else to find out, as the battle with T'Chun carries on.

Good hustle, boys.

Bonus shots.
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[Wench]

Great job as always!

She will be greatly missed!  ;D

[Scitus]

Amazing stuff, you really did a great job. Warden was a pernicious character who never took an easier path, which is admirable.

Made playing Tristram that much better by being part of it.

[One_With_Nature]

Great toon! GL on the next

[Crow]

PAY YOUR FINE!

[Strangeways]

A great enemy to have. Ekaterina never really did thwart Mistande despite her many attempts, direct and indirect. It was fun becoming a Captain Planet villain (If only out of a strong sense of spite). Well done.

[Cat]

As well as



Always a great pleasure to play with you, my friend.

[Slithy Tove]

A PC I wish I had gotten to interact with.

[Dredi]

Fined me for throwing a cigarette into the river.  A+

[Glomping Bandit]

Great and interesting character whose impact could be early felt, thanks for the RP, it's a shame that she departed ;_;

[Blood on the Mountaintop]

The most enjoyable efu characters are the ones that have really strong opinions about things, and that fit Mistande to a T. The way that she lived so intensely for his job and wore her passions on her sleeve meant it was never dull to interact with her. Quite often wandering through the woods she'd come up unbidden, as she and the Weald were just linked in people's minds.

PS, sorry I killed like 40 dogs when you weren't looking.  I just wasn't about to let them sass me with those random attacks.

[VanillaPudding]

Nice character friendo! :)

[BlaDed_Cloud]

Thank you for making the last part of Allistar's journey fantastic, and I'm really glad I gave your character some story.