Lady Anne Mowbry

Lady Anne Mowbry

• Occupation: Magician
• Nationality: Kingdom of Dakar
• Family:
• Lifetime:
• Religion:
• Ethnicity: Human, Dakarians

Anne Mowbry was born into house Aveda, a noble Dakarian house, that historically was mighty in both arms and magic. The house is a strong supporter of the monarchy, and until the coronation of Queen Aurora had the clout to continue to study magic and not have the Temple of Light interfere. The more prominent member of the family to practice magic was her uncle, Paul Haroldson. He was an affable fellow who would entertain both common and noble children alike with his “tricks.” It was Paul who first saw the talent within Anne and started her understanding.

Queen Aurora, seeking support for her reign, sought out the church and more conservative nobles. The church rose in prominence and was given a freer hand to end the “evils of magic.” In 446 AH Anne's uncle Paul left the kingdom. He did not stand in direct line of succession and so could not be assured the support of the house when the church sought to question him. He was also very visible in his use of magic; although none could bear witness that he harmed anyone with it. In the last year in Dakar he spent most of his time with Anne teaching her everything he knew.

When Uncle Paul fled the house in the night Anne could have turned her back on the magic but did not. Had she done so she would have become named Baroness Aveda in time. If she had a likely suitor she might have taken this path, but there were enough rumors about her “strangeness” to keep suitors away, despite the wealth and power of her family. Her uncle warned her that people could feel something off about those who talents drew them to “elfin magic” and it would always mark her as different.

Anne continued to study magic on her own and waited for her circumstances to get better - circumstances did not get better. Her half brother Gerald Mowbry distinguished himself in battle against Irill earning praise from the Queen. Anne's father decided to make him a legitimate heir, since Gerald had already married a cousin of a powerful noble and fathered a child he seemed much better placed to further the fortunes of the house. Anne was now a liability to the house, since she was no longer in direct line to inherit and unlikely to make a good match regardless of her dowry.

Her parents suggested that for the good of the house it was best for her to go. While Anne was considering her options, another event pushed her on her way. There was a wise woman in one of the villages on the baron's land. She had little power, but she did have the sight. Paul had taken Anne to see the woman several times when Anne was a child. Among the things the woman had told her she prophesied that Anne would one day be called to the south, and would never know peace until she answered this call. When word came that the church had taken the wise woman in for questioning, Anne knew it was time to go. The questioning was sure to point the church towards both Anne and Paul, so after a short and tearful goodbye to her parents, Anne fled to Selcaria.

In Selcaria she met a group of adventurers who were helping an oracle decide what it would do in its next cycle. Anne discovered adventuring was a scary and messy business. She saw the thing through, but having done so, decided she'd had enough such excitement in her life. Fortunately she soon managed to track down Paul, who was living in the Free Cities. She settled there for a while and the two of them lived off money sent by their family as she continued her study of magic.

Anne was settling into this life, gaining more control over her magic. There was even a gentleman who called upon her frequently. It was possible she may yet settle into a marriage with kids, but such a life was not meant for her. Once more the rug was pulled out from under her. The first signs was her magic beginning to fail. It was little things at first, but spells she had a firm grasp on stopped working for her. Even Paul, a far more experienced magician, was having trouble more days than not. Then he got word from his mentor that his help was needed for an attempt to fix the issue. So Paul left and Anne was once again left without a teacher.

A few months later Anne got wind of the fact that her gentleman caller was really only interested in her dowry, and with her magic acting dangerously, he decided to court another lady of means instead. Anne found herself with no suitor, no teacher and unstable magic. It was at this low point in her life that she felt a tugging from far away. Anne started walking in the direction of the call. She has no recollection of the journey, but at some point she crossed the Serpente Sea for the wilds of Aquanius.

Anne has no idea how she got here, but she is determined that now that she is here, she will begin making her own life. She realizes that she has spent too much of her life just waiting for things to happen for her. She has ended up with none of the things she wished for. Now she will shape her own life.