Raid Valerie – Shadow Legends

Name: Raid Valerie

Race: Human

Class: Shadow Legends

Gender: Female

Ability Score:

• Strength: 16
• Dexterity: 13
• Constitution: 14
• Intelligence: 10
• Wisdom: 11
• Charisma: 11

Skills:

• Athletics
• Survival
• Intimidation

Backstory:

Raid Valerie was born in the borderlands of the Empire of Vathis where survival and martial prowess are a family tradition. Her early years were spent among border skirmishes, learning swordplay, tactics, and the code of warriors from her legendary father—a war hero who was ultimately betrayed by those he trusted most. From a young age, Raid was taught to rely on grit and resolve, honing her body and mind to the razor’s edge. When her village was razed in a political feud, she made a choice: abandon everything or become the shield for those who could not defend themselves. In the years that followed, Raid shaped herself into a formidable fighter, renowned for her disciplined style and her unwavering refusal to retreat, no matter the odds. Now, she roams Renaris as a mercenary and reluctant hero, haunted by the past and seeking justice for those who fall victim to the powerful. She balances mercy with necessary violence, carrying the weight of her lineage and her father’s honor with every swing of her blade.

Secret Backstory:
Raid secretly harbors guilt over her father’s betrayal and death, believing she should have seen the signs sooner. She suspects powerful nobles orchestrated the downfall of her family, and her mercenary wanderings double as a covert investigation. A clandestine symbol, burned into her forearm during the destruction of her village, is the key to unraveling the conspiracy, but she fears confronting the truth may force her to choose between vengeance and becoming what she despises. She presents a stoic exterior, but insomnia and nightmares betray the pain she hides—a longing for redemption she believes may never come.

Age: 29

Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Personality:
Raid Valerie is the embodiment of stoic discipline and unyielding resolve. Outwardly calm and even curt, she lets her actions speak louder than her words, rarely indulging in small talk or banter. She is loyal to a fault to those she deems honorable, but trusts very few, having learned betrayal can come from any corner. Raid values order, fairness, and the chain of command, but is fiercely independent—her respect must be earned, never demanded. She is pragmatic and relentless, able to stare down threats without flinching and take up causes others shy from, all while struggling to keep her own ambitions from clouding her sense of justice. Despite her hardened demeanor, she possesses a deep compassion for the innocent and a hidden sense of humor that occasionally slips through her cracks. She particularly relates to those who have faced loss or deception, guiding them with tough love and grudging empathy.

Mannerisms:

• Runs a thumb along her sword’s edge when deep in thought
• Sizes up every room and person before speaking
• Sleeps lightly, jumping awake at the faintest sound
• Often cracks her knuckles before a fight

Catchphrases:

• “Steel and truth—nothing else matters.”
• “Stand up or stay down. The choice is yours.”
• “Justice is earned, not claimed.”
• “Never turn your back to the darkness.”

Speech Style:

Raid speaks in a low, level voice with clipped, practical sentences. Her tone carries the weight of authority and experience but seldom wavers, betraying little emotion unless she’s truly provoked. When she does smile or laugh, it’s brief and dry, reserved for rare moments of camaraderie.

Preferred Conversation Topics:

• Battle tactics and strategy
• Honor and trust in chaotic times
• The cost and pain of betrayal
• Training regimens and martial traditions
• The political chessboard of Renaris

Preferred Personality Types:

• Honest warriors
• Outcasts who prove themselves
• Stoic leaders
• Underdogs with a cause
• Pragmatic realists

Likes:

• Well-forged weapons
• Respect earned through merit
• Quiet dawns before battle
• Stories of unlikely victories
• Loyal companions

Dislikes:

• Betrayal and double-dealing
• Arrogant nobles
• Senseless violence
• Cowardice and empty boasting
• Disorder within trusted ranks

Hobbies & Interests:

• Blade maintenance and smithing
• Survival training in untamed lands
• Collecting tokens from fallen foes or old allies
• Practicing ancient battle drills at sunrise

Fears & Weaknesses:

• Nightmares of the past and insomnia
• Hidden emotional wounds—fear of close intimacy
• Losing control or becoming what she hunts
• Failing those who rely on her protection

Appearance:
Raid Valerie stands just above average height with a powerfully athletic build earned from years of rigorous training and battlefield hardship. Her skin is weathered and scarred, a living testament to countless battles, with a prominent burn mark coiled around her left forearm—her only jewelry and a painful reminder of her past. She wears practical, lightweight plate armor over worn travel leathers, every buckle and strap precisely maintained for swift movement. Her hair, chestnut brown, is cut short save for a stubbornly long fringe that falls over one eye, occasionally tied back with a leather cord during combat. Her face is sharp and angular, with a jaw set in perpetual determination. She moves with predator’s purpose—always coiled, always alert—her sword usually resting at her side, hand never far from its hilt. Despite her stern bearing, an unyielding spark lights behind her expressions, promising iron will and vigilant watchfulness.