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)

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

Physical Traits
- Long, blonde hair

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

- 5ft10

- Slender, toned figure

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

- No scars

Personality Traits
- Easily angered at times, though able to rationally resolve arguments with reason as well as force

- Willingness to fulfill a task 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

- Quick to defend her honour, whether by sword or word

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

- Immense dislike for spellcasters, principally Mages

- 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 throwing weapons

- Extensive alchemical knowledge, also an adept toxicologist and herbalist

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

- Fluent in Common, Orcish, Thalassian and Gutterspeak

- Rudimentary knowledge of tracking a target

- Advanced knowledge of first aid

Current
- Sha'tari Skyguard

- Shattered Sun Offensive

Previous
- Falthrein Academy

- SI:7

- Deathstalkers

- Order of the Sun

- Ravenholdt

- Sporeggar

Notable Associates
- Xanithar Flameseeker

- Nekko Dawnmist

- Marr

- Nap'olon Shadowstrider

- Ailiel Falcongaze

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. At an early age she was sent to Falthrien Academy, in north-west 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; her true strengths lay in alchemy and toxicology.

Following an altercation with a fellow student, Orana was expelled from the Academy; 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.

Several 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 Blood Elves 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 human called David 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.

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.

The pair wandered through the former kingdom of Lordaeron, now infested with remnants of Arthas’ treachery. 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.

Upon awakening, she 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 diliberation 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 three years, earning the title ‘Shadowstep’ and the respect of her fellow Deathstalkers at last.

Once the Forsaken had been accepted into the Horde, Orana was dismissed from the Deathstalkers by Sylvanas and asked to travel back to Quel’thalas as an emissary of the Forsaken instead. Before she left, Vadid pledged a life debt for her 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.

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.

She has now returned to Azeroth to assist in both the Farstrider's efforts to reclaim Quel'thalas and the Shattered Sun Offensive in their plight on the Isle of Quel'danas.

Family
Anora Dawnstriker - Mother, deceased

Vesten Dawnstriker - Father, deceased

Solance Dawnstriker - Brother, alive

Rosaceae Dawnstriker-Sunrider - Sister-in-law, alive

Solarius Dawnstriker - Nephew, alive

Xanithar Flameseeker - On/Off Partner, alive

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, after Orana proved herself worthy to join other Tauren in the taming rite. A gentle sort despite her size, she has a strong affection for Orana, sometimes knocking Orana 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.

- 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: 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 Member 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.))