Orana

Names
Orana Dawnstriker, as noted in the Silvermoon Registry.

Alternative names
- Orana Darkheart (used following self-imposed exile from Quel'thalas, operating name as a member of SI:7) - Shadowstep (operating name as a member of the Deathstalkers)

- Pinky (derogatory nickname used while a member of the Deathstalkers)

- Sky Captain Dawnstriker (official title in the Sha'tari Skyguard)

- Ora (a term of endearment used by her closest friends and family)

Race and Class
Blood Elf; initially training to be a Mage, now a fully-fledged Rogue.

Physical Traits
- Long, blonde hair, recently dyed a dark brown

- Eyes were originally a pale blue, now a vivid emerald green

- One-hundred-and-eight years of age, roughly twenty-four in human terms

- 5ft10

- Slender, athletic figure, weighing around 120lbs

- Small tattoo of the Forsaken emblem on her upper right arm

- No scars

Personality Traits
- Fierce willingness to defend her family and it's honour, even in the face of death

- Usually subdued and quiet in her speech (( "..." before something she says will denote her reserved tone ))

- A risk-taker, prone to opt for the unorthodox route

- Deep understanding of, and loyalty to, the Forsaken

- A vegetarian who also avoids drinking alcohol

- Modest and respectful to those who call for it

- Prone to making extensive notes and detailed sketches of points and people of interest

- Immense dislike of Mages and Warlocks

- Respect for all peoples and creatures of Azeroth, an unnatural quality among the largely xenophobic Sin'dorei

Skills
- Outstanding acrobatic and athletic prowess

- Wields her own enchanted equipment, notably the dagger Dawnstriker

- Comfortable fighting with her fists, in addition to swords and daggers

- Decent accuracy with bows, though prefers thrown weapons

- Extensive alchemical knowledge, also an adept toxicologist and herbalist

- For prolonged periods of time, able to go without food (around five or six days), drink and sleep (around two or three days)

- Fluent in Common, Orcish, Thalassian and Gutterspeak, as well knowing some common phrases in Dwarven,Taurahe and Draenei

- Rudimentary knowledge of tracking a target

- Advanced knowledge of first aid

Family
Anora Dawnstriker - Mother, deceased

Vesten Dawnstriker - Father, deceased

Solance Dawnstriker - Brother, alive

Rosaceae Dawnstriker-Sunrider - ex-sister-in-law, alive

Solarius Dawnstriker - Nephew, alive Amalia Dawnstriker - Nephew (adopted), deceased

Current
- None applicable

Previous
- Falthrein Academy

- SI:7

- Deathstalkers

- Ravenholdt

- Sporeggar

- Sha'tari Skyguard

- Shattered Sun Offensive

- The Argent Dawn

- The Order of the Sun

Notable Associates
- Nekko Dawnmist

- Nap'olon Shadowstrider

- Ailiel Falcongaze

- Magister Ealdamos Embershade

- Naurin Sandsoul

- Xanithar Flameseeker

- Vadid

- Almárean Nightunner

- Elder Taheo Stormclaw

- Priestess Linessa Brushwood

- Varidiel "Sure-Shot" Duskstalker

- Franziska

- Mistress Noraya Embertusk

Background
"A good Rogue makes sure the first strike is always the last"

Born and raised in Windrunner Village, Orana is the second child, and only daughter, of Vesten and Anora Dawnstriker. In her early adulthood, she was sent to Falthrien Academy, in north-western Quel’thalas, in order to be trained in the arcane arts and follow in her mother’s footsteps. Instead she consistently found herself bottom of the class, unable to produce even the simplest spells; despite this seeming failure, it became apparant that Orana's true strengths lay in the alchemical field. This educational progress was inhibited by the involvement of her tutors in the Alliance's efforts during the Second War, and Orana found herself with new ones less interested in her abilities and more concerned with her ineptitude.

Around the age of ninety (roughly twenty years of age in human terms), Orana was involved in an altercation with a fellow student, and consequently expelled from the Academy; her perception of her parent's disappointment, and a heart-to-heart with brother Solance led her to take a self-imposed exile from Quel’thalas and head for the human capital of Stormwind. There, under the new name of Orana Darkheart, she joined the ranks of SI:7, the city’s central intelligence network. Partnered with the dwarf Balen Blackstead, she proved herself an adequate spy, thief and courier over the next few years.

Twelve years after leaving her homeland, the Death Knight Arthas attacked Quel’thalas in search of the Sunwell. Prince Kael’thas Sunstrider and the survivors of his people, renamed as ‘Blood Elves’ following their sacrifices against the Scourge, were branded traitors to the Alliance. The Quel'dorei that resided in the cities of Stormwind and Ironforge found themselves rounded up, given a short trial and incarcerated in Stormwind’s Stockades.

Finding herself imprisoned by the very people she gave her life for, Orana entered a somewhat fragile mental state. She had frequent visions of a burning Quel’thalas; of her parents dying; of a resolute Solance fighting his last fight for the Sunstriders. Two weeks passed after her trial, and a second prisoner was placed in Orana’s cell; a rather fragile Scarlet recruit called David, imprisoned for a violent dispute, who was prone to violent seizures during his imprisonment. He died soon after, and his corpse lay as a reminder to Orana of her fate.

Two days after David's death, a visitor soon came to visit Orana; her old partner, Balen. He provided her with a loaf of bread, concealing a lockpick which she was later to use. The night of her planned escape, David rose from the ground; alive once more, reanimated thanks to the Plague of Undeath. With only her hands for defence, Orana prepared for the inevitable; instead the undead declared himself as 'Vadid', and urged her to pick the lock. Opening her own cell, and two of those around her, Orana caused a minor riot, leading the guards to storm into the dungeons. In the ensuing chaos, she killed a guard as she fled through the city’s streets, Vadid close behind. As they neared the forest surrounding the city, Balen arrived to assist her escape, bestowing her with his cloak and enchanted sword Magebane, waiting at hand to distract the Stormwind guards. Orana tearfully vowed one day to return the favour as Vadid pulled her away from her Dwarven friend.

The pair wandered through the former kingdom of Lordaeron for three days, now infested with remnants of Arthas’ treachery; Orana's new sword allowed her to defend herself and Vadid from any attacking Scourge. As they entered Silverpine Forest, they were assailed by a Scarlet Crusade excursion. An unknown force ambushed the zealots as they led their prize through the forest, and Orana found herself knocked unconscious as bloodshed erupted around her.

Awakening the next evening, Orana was told of her rescue, and where she now was; the ruins of the city of Lordaeron, now known as the Undercity. Orana found herself whisked before a figure she recognised at once; the former Ranger-General of Quel’thalas, Sylvanas Windrunner, now Banshee Queen of the Forsaken. Following a short conversation between the pair, Orana realised she could not return to Quel’thalas and was unwelcome with the Alliance; she pledged her allegiance to Sylvanas and the Forsaken, and with some argument between the Dark Lady and Varimathras, was sent to learn from the Deathstalkers.

The Deathstalkers did not take kindly to their new member at first, branding her ‘Pinky’; she lacked the obvious advantages of the Forsaken, and did not possess the mindset required to murder. Rigorous training and various missions followed, and she found herself committing various thefts and assassinations over the next five years, earning the title ‘Shadowstep’ and the respect of her fellow Deathstalkers at last. During this period she prevented the assassination of Balen and met Elder Taheo Stormclaw for the first time.

Eighteen years after her self-imposed exile, now aged one-hundred-and-eight (about twenty-four in human terms), Orana was dismissed from the Deathstalkers by Sylvanas and bestowed with the task of travelling back to Quel’thalas as an emissary of the Forsaken instead; it appeared that her kin were lobbying to join the ranks of the Horde, and now was the perfect time for the Dawnstriker girl to return. Before she left, Vadid pledged a life debt for Orana's efforts in Stormwind, and thus promised to always be at hand should she need him. With a heavy heart, and slight anxiety, she headed back to her home in Windrunner Village not knowing what to expect, and was heartbroken to see gargoyles and ghosts had taken the place as their own. Her journey to Silvermoon City crushed her hopes further, as she saw the blackened path that seemed to trail across the forest and into the city.

As she moved further into Quel'thalas, an odd sensation came over Orana; the residual magical energy grew thicker and stronger, and she felt it permeate her being. Her time away from home had deprived her of the magic that her race had been so utterly dependent on, and over time she would find her azure eyes change to the green hue she saw on her fellow Elves, much to her disdain.

It was on her return to Silvermoon that she bumped into her brother as he paced through the streets of the city, alive and well. Jubilant to see his sister after so long, he took her to a nearby inn, where they talked through the night and into the morning. He was amazed at all she had witnessed, all that she had done, and swiftly asked her to join the Order of the Sun to seek a more righteous path. Seeking atonement for her past transgressions, she agreed immediately.

As a member of the Order, she was given a position of responsibility that irked many of her peers. However over time she proved herself a valuable part of the Order's operations, winning the admiration of Napo'olon Shadowstrider and Nekko Dawnmist, as well as an expanded family curtesy of Rosaceae Dawnstriker. It was also here that she met Xanithar Flameseeker, a Blood Knight she would later become romantically involved with, on an on-off basis.

This newfound responsibility was not to last. Following various transgressions by Order members in Outland, the organisation was outlawed by the Silvermoon Jurisdiction; it's non-Elven members were sent back to their ordinary lives, however the Sin'dorei in the Order's ranks were not so fortunate. Many were questioned extensively by the Jurisdiction, some even tortured, for information regarding Solance's whereabouts. Orana herself personally orchestrated her capture at the hands of Nekko Dawnmist in order to provide the Jurisdiction with false information, which successfully threw them off her brother's scent.

Heading to Outland to ensure her family were safe in hiding, Orana finally realised the truth behind her beloved Prince for herself. She immediately pledged herself to the efforts of the Scryers, headed by Voren'thal the Seer. It was through the Scryers that she found her true calling; the Sha'tari Skyguard.

Various successful offensives in Netherstorm, Zangarmarsh and Shadowmoon Valley have seen Orana progress rapidly through the ranks, and the recent victory at Tempest Keep saw her attain the rank of Sky Captain, placing her second only to the Skyguard's Sky Commander himself.

With the defeat of Illidan in Outland and the cleansing of the Sunwell, Orana learned of a new personal threat from the mysterious Naurin Sandsoul, one that would supposedly end in the young woman sacrificing herself to save her friends and family. Henceforth, with the assistance of the wise Stormclaw, she began to enlist the help of a number of people to protect those she held dear.

And now, she waits for Chronos...

Timeline
(( A brief timeline comparing Orana's life to various events in Azerothian history, depicted by italics ))

-82 - The second child of Vesten and Anora Dawnstriker is born, and they name their daughter 'Orana'.

-20 - Orana joins the Falthrien Academy.

0 - ''The Dark Portal is opened by Medivh. The First War ensues, with the human forces narrowly defeating the Orc invaders.''

6 - The Second War begins, concluding with the defeat of the Orcish Horde.

8 - Khadgar leads the Alliance Expedition through the Dark Portal.

Orana Dawnstriker leaves Quel'thalas on a self-imposed exile.

9 - Orana changes her second name to 'Darkheart' and becomes an SI:7 Operative.

20 - The events of Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos occur.

Orana builds an excellent rapport with her assigned mentor and companion, Balen Blackstead. Together the pair assist Stormwind behind the scenes time and time again.

21 - The events of Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne occur.

Orana finds herself imprisoned as a result of Kael's 'defection', though escapes shortly thereafter along with Vadid, with assistance from Balen Blackstead.

Orana is taken in by the Forsaken, and is drawn into the tutelage of the Deathstalkers.

24 - Orana loses the her enchanted dagger, Dawnstriker, during a failed assassination.

25 - The events of World of Warcraft begin.

Orana learns that Balen is an assassination target, and after personally taking the mission herself, ensures the Dwarf escapes.

Orana has a dream that leads her to the Barrens; she consequently encounters a Tauren hermit for the first time.

26 - The events of The Burning Crusade begin.

After five years of continued service to the Dark Lady, Orana is dismissed from her position and sent back to Quel'thalas.

Orana joins the Order of the Sun until it's forced disband. She also orchestrates an elaborate plan to inhibit the Silvermoon Jurisdiction's search for brother Solance, which succeeds.

Orana encounters the Tauren hermit for a second time; he reveals himself to be Elder Stormclaw.

Vadid is sent to retrieve the lost dagger, and succeeds with eventual consequences. The dagger is then entrusted to Nekko Dawnmist to hide.

Orana learns of the naaru and their plight, and offers her services to the Scryers and eventually the Sha'tari Skyguard.

Orana learns from Naurin Sandsoul about her purported destiny.

27 - The events of The Wrath of the Lich King begin.

Orana requests indefinite leave from the Skyguard.

Finally coming to terms with the revelation of her impending fate, Orana procures the services of Varidiel, Franziska and her trusted guardian Vadid in protecting her friends and family in her absence.

Animal Companions
Orana feels a close affinity with animals, and takes great care of all animals she has come into ownership of.

Ground Mounts


- Ariel, Hawkstrider - A gift from Solance Dawnstriker upon Orana's return to Quel'thalas. A blatant showoff, he's been known to strut around, ruffling his plumage at female hawkstriders.

- Hermia, Kodo - Caught and tamed in Mulgore during a diplomatic excursion on behalf of the Order, occuring only after Orana proved herself worthy to join other Tauren in the taming rite. A gentle sort despite her size, Hermia has a strong affection for Orana, sometimes knocking her owner to the ground while attempting to nuzzle her.

- Horatio, Talbuk - Caught and, for the most part, tamed on the plains of Nagrand. A temperamental steed that is prone to disobeying his mistress, much to her chagrin.

- Iago, Undead Horse - A parting gift from the Dark Lady for services rendered to the Forsaken, intended to assist Orana's return to Quel'thalas. Akin to the Forsaken, Iago follows instructions and directions to the letter, regardless of weather or danger, thus proving to be a valuable steed for Orana.

Flying Mounts


- Apollo, Nether Ray - Standard mount of the Sha'tari Skyguard, Orana's trusted companion in-fight and flight. An energetic creature that has developed a mastery of flight far beyond that of most his species.

Personal Pets
- Smudge, Siamese Cat - Smudge was a kitten in the care of a target of Orana's a few years ago. A pang of guilt took the woman after the assassination, and she took the kitten to ensure it survived. She has since grown into an adult cat that delights in lazing by the fountains in Silvermoon City and the Scryer's Tier.

- Aurion, Hawk Owl - A purchase during Orana's time in Stormwind. He has proven to be an effective scouting tool as well as an adequate distraction in combat.

- Lil, Spore Bat - A gift from the Sporelings of Zangarmarsh for Orana's compassion towards their plight against the naga and bog giants. An energetic little creature that releases a variety of coloured spores dependent on her current mood.

Ongoing Cases
- Treason: renewed charge, wanted for conspiring against the Alliance (Wanted Alive: 5,000g reward)

- Escape: launched a jailbreak from Stormwind's Stockades (Wanted Alive: As Above)

- Murder: killed Private Paul Newton upon escaping the Stockades (Wanted Alive: As Above)

Solved Cases
- Trespassing: caught on the property of one Lord Dunherm (Fined: 50g)

- Treason: declared a traitor of the Alliance, following Kael's change in allegiance (Incarcerated: For Life... reopened following prison break)

Dismissed Cases
- Theft: stole the staff of Archbishop Benedictus (Innocent: Acted To Draw Out A Rogue Operative Of SI:7)

Solved Cases
- Treason: declared a traitor of the Sin'dorei, following the actions of her brother, Solance, in Outland. (Temporary Incarceration, released after providing the Silvermoon Jurisdiction with evidence regarding her brother's whereabouts, albeit false)

Dismissed Cases
- Assault: attacked an unnamed member of The Forgotten Shadow (Innocent: Acted In Self-Defence)

Current Status
- Leading her Skyguard troops in their assistance of the Shattered Sun Offensive's efforts on the Isle of Quel'danas.

- Joining Farstrider endeavours in Eversong Woods and the Ghostlands.

Inspiration for Orana's Character
((Personality-wise, Orana was based on Faith from the Buffy TV series, mixed with a little Rogue from Marvel's X-Men comics. Orana is a character that's had a mixed past, transitioning from the good to the bad and back again, something both Faith and Rogue have gone through themselves.

I based Orana's physical capabilities on Faith again, merged with a little bit of River from Firefly and Serenity. Faith was obviously a Slayer, so that comes with it's own ass-kicking prowess. I don't know if any of you have seen Serenity, but the highest kill count in the film has to be attributed to River; she disables/kills an entire gang of men in the space of a minute or so.

Ha, as you can tell I'm a major fan of Joss Whedon; he's written work about all three of the above characters, and they all seemed to adequately summarise the kind of persona and ability that I wanted Orana to have.))