Solemn Summoner
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Author's Note: Outdated and some rather bad writing...working on it! :S
Contents
History
Origins
Sarah's parents were a loving young couple full of wild hopes and dreams, running away from their parents to live a life out in the big city. But when her mother went into labor out in the middle of nowhere, those hopes and dreams came to a screeching halt. While unable to save her mother, Mary, Sarah was given a fair chance at life...or would have. Her father, Joseph, took Mary's death hard and spent most of his time out with friends and/or a drink (or ten) in his hand in an attempt to deal with the problem, leaving the newborn either with her grandmother Caroline or at rare occasions with his neighbor Jesús Fernando. As she got older she would attempt to gain his approval and affection those few times he was actually home, but such acts fell on deaf ears and blind eyes. Between her house life and the frequent moves from apartment to apartment, she made few friends growing up. The letters teachers would send about her anti-social tendencies to her father were ignored and meetings were lied at.
The Summoner's Sign
Eventually the two would settle into Millennium City, more specifically Westside when Joseph managed to secure a somewhat decent job...He has yet to tell her just what he does for a living. While still without friends, she was left in awe at how magical the city felt with costumed heroes flying around fighting crime. At age twelve She began reading up on Law books when she wasn't escaping into a fantasy novel or comic book. Some time after reaching high school, Freshman history teacher held a field trip to the Millennium City Museum of, you guessed it: History.
That's when it happened. Turning around after looking at a segment of tapestry she noticed a ghostly silhouette standing near a damaged, rusted helmet on display. To this day she couldn't tell you why she approached the spirit...destiny? Idle curiosity? When it noticed she could see it, it followed her around the rest of the field trip, pointing to various displays with enthusiasm. When the two waved goodbye she ignored the odd looks her classmates gave her: after all, she was the 'class weirdo'. She visited the museum for the next few days to see the ghost, where they would walk together and she would whisper to the spirit about herself and her problems. One day the spirit beckoned for her to follow as it made its way through the exhibits and through a door labeled 'Authorized Personnel Only'. Despite concerns she followed it, and was stopped before an old book that had yet to be displayed. Opening the book to find it initially blank, she watched in surprise as words began to write themselves across the front page in a shimmering golden hue:
Thou who sees the spirits of those long past: be blessed with the gift of true second sight.
In that moment the spirit took on the appearance of man in shining armor, who introduced himself properly and proclaimed that she only need to call his name should she need his help. Writing the name down in her diary, the old tome then burst into flame. Fleeing the scene in horror before anyone could see her she ran home and locked herself in her room to bring the knight to her...he ended up crushing her desk due to the place he manifested in.
From there it was simple what she had to do. So after a trip to the fabric store she fashioned herself a (uncharacteristically gaudy) costume and began doing hero work. While small-time, those who have encountered her call her the Solemn Summoner as she rarely says a word while out on patrol. After just a short week of small-time hero work she's gone by the name with a great sense of pride.
Personality
Sarah is a simple, quiet person, and could be mistaken for mute while in costume, but can be quick to shouting (and possibly crying) when a conflict arises. While not necessarily shy she refrains from getting to know most people out of worry that they'll find her boring or stop liking her. Those people she does know she'll easily do things she wouldn't normally do if worried that the person asking will stop caring about her. She craves the attention and/or praise of these people and will usually spend most of her free time following them, either physically or through social media. Wearing a costume and going out on patrols gives her a sense of self-fulfillment, even if most of the work is done by her spirit friends.
A good way to get her to open up is to start talking about Comic Books: She really likes The Adventures of Ricky Rhinoceros...even if it's meant for ten year olds, she enjoys the pictures and the lightheartedness of the anthropomorphic rhino's adventures.
Summoner
While some summon animal spirits, angelic or demonic entities, or build magical or scientific constructs, Sarah calls the spirits of deceased human (she hasn't met non-human ghosts, so who knows?) beings to help her. These aren't simply servants however, rather a bond is formed between Summoner and Summoned in the 'Rite of Summoning'. The Rite with an individual spirit is forged either through an agreement, Friendship, or other such method. Once the Rite has been agreed upon the Spirit etches its name on an object in the room that can be carried by the Summoner, allowing her to bring them into the world to assist her. While all summons are tedious and straining, there are different forms of summoning based on what the summoner needs from a certain spirit:
- Communicate - Any spirit she has formed a Rite with can be spoken to at any time.
- Manifestation - The Spirit appears in a more corporeal form, allowing it to interact with the environment. The spirit's presence is weakened based on multiple factors including the distance between them and Sarah, The trust the two share, and the willpower of the spirit itself. An example is how Ser Torien can remain on the opposite side of Millennium City (and farther still) based largely on his own willpower and the trust the two share, whereas other spirits might not be able to stray more than six yards. The spirits she summons largely retain an undead and, at times, disturbing appearance, but can take on the appearance of their original, alive selves if she puts more energy into the summon.
- Embue- The spirit shares some of its power and skills with Sarah, increasing her natural abilities from strength to reaction time or by temporarily granting her knowledge she would otherwise not know (or remember afterwards). They can also share energy to keep her going or emotions to ease stress. This is the most tasking basic summon for the spirit. It's severely limited by the trust Sarah has with said spirit, meaning some can only share abilities while others can influence her feelings and more. Manifested Spirits can also Embue Sarah with abilities, but this tasks the Spirit even more.
- Fusion - The Spirit merges with Sarah, granting her full usage of their skills, with some even being able to grant her physical objects. Sustaining a Fusion is highly draining for both the spirit and especially Sarah, and has never been attempted by her.
- Unknown/Others - As she is just learning her abilities, there could be other abilities she could harness with practice!
- Other Magics - Solemn Summoner, to better support her spectral and physical allies, has taken to study magic more formally. She can currently conjure exploding balls of light that can blind opponents and weaken ghosts, along with minor healing spells for her living allies.
The Spirit Diary
When Sarah acquires a new spirit to help her, it will be recorded here with a brief back story and the abilities it tends to bring to the table.
- Ser Bartholomew Torien - The first spirit she acquired, Ser Torien had partaken in the Crusades, but was struck down before ever seeing Jerusalem. While he doesn't say how he died, it can be assumed from the armor that was featured on display that he took multiple hits from enemy weapons when he was separated from his allies and surrounded.
He usually appears as a gigantic suit of disembodied armor, wielding an equally large zweihander (two handed sword) in a single hand.
He supplies Sarah with her main source of offensive might and tends to do most of the actual 'hero work' whether directly or the strength he will embue her with. He's also become a pillar of moral support for her, being there in places her father was and is not. Like-wise, he's become taken with the young women, considering her his equivalent of a daughter, and might get aggressive if someone get's between the two.
When not being summoned for tasks, he 'haunts' one of Millennium City's Museums, though isn't able to make himself visible to anyone without Sarah's help.
- Philip Bautista - Sarah's Grandfather on her Mother's side, Thomas Bautista died a year before she was born, of natural causes. He actively sought her out and performed the Rite without hesitation to ensure his Granddaughter was safe. While he generally disapproves of her vigilantism and focuses more on ensuring her grades are up he will help her in situations as needed. As a construction worker, he embues her with technical skills and knowledge, helping her complete household tasks as well as help her effectively co-ordinate with other heroes...Though he refuses to help her during exams. He can only make himself visible to certain people without Sarah's help, and uses this to 'haunt' his Son-in-Law...little payback never hurt anyone.
- Mary Bautista - Sarah's Mother also sought her out. She provides her with moral support and encouragement, but otherwise is unable to properly help her in regards to her vigilantism. While she could make herself visible to her ex-husband, she chooses not to out of shame at his behavior over the past years.
- Thomas Léglise - A French businessman who died during Dr. Destroyer's infamous attack on Detroit, Sarah met him at the Destroyer Museum in the downtown area. While hesitant at first, he was convinced to partake in the Rite,assuming he could obtain redemption for past shady business deals. When summoned, he tends to help her with mathematical problems and her homework, as well as give her advice in regards to money...he may also be the sole reason she's passing economics in the first place. Only people with a strong sense of commerce can see him without Sarah's help.
-2012 to Present-
- Craig Cash - A Millennium City Firefighter who was killed by Trixi Danger's 2012 Christmas Eve Neurotoxin. He was retiring at the end of the Holiday Season. He can conjure a fire hose which, if connected to a source of water, can be used to pin enemies to the ground.
- James Dubiner and Keaton Jensen - Two MARS officers killed by the same Neurotoxin. The duo make for an efficient team, and are oddly enough fairly easy for Sarah to conjure, thus being able to bring them both into view at once.
Current Events
None! D:
Relations
Sarah doesn't know any heroes! D:
Trivia
- Sarah's last name translates to Baptist, and was obtained from a random name generator. Her Parents are named after the parents of Jesus Christ. Her Grandfather, Ser Torien, and Mr.Léglise are named after Apostles.
- Bautista is actually the last name of her mother. She doesn't use her father's last name, which is Campbell.
- I like my characters to have faint connections with one another, though usually do not interact. Her freshman history teacher was Lion Heart and Ser Torien is related to the Hero Proud Patriot. The two have not met.
- Her favorite superhero is Nightwave. She's strong and doesn't afraid of anything!
- She LOOOOOVES donuts. If she is ever invited somewhere, she is very liked to bring (Read: Have Ser Torien fetch) a box of donuts for the group.
- She likes reading Archie comics. Her favorite character is easily Jughead.
- Her dad became a low level thug in one of Westside's gangs...somehow they have yet to run into each other while 'working'.
Public Opinions
Character got something to say? Go ahead and say it, it'll only hurt her feelings a lot. ;~;
