Name: Josephine
Full Name: Josephine Cromwell
Pronunciation: JOH - seh - feen CRAHM - wehl
Nickname: Josie, reluctantly
Race: Human
Birthday: July 20
Age: 23
Gender: Female
Class: Witch
Deity: Annir, God of Change
Pets: None
Current Residence: Wanderer

Height: 5'3"
Build: Average
Skin Tone: Fair
Eyes: Dark Gray
Hair Color: Medium Brown
Hair Length and Style: To Shoulders and Straight
Clothing Style: Plain Travelling Dresses

Parents: Married
Siblings: Two Younger Sisters and One Younger Brother
Spouse(s): None
Offspring: None
History: She was born to a happily married couple who ran a small bakery, neither of whom was magical. When she began to display her own magical gifts, they simply accepted that as part of her and tried to find someone to help her learn how to use her gifts. Her next youngest sibling is much younger than her, so she has always helped her mother look after her younger sisters and brother. When she wasn't watching over her siblings, she helped her parents in the shop and was always well liked by the townsfolk. She did not begin her Search when she was fifteen as none of her family knew about it. She later discovered that one of her great-grandmothers on her mother's side had been a witch, but she had been the last known one in the family. As she got older, sher began to feel a deep ache, and it progressed to the point that she thought she was ill. Eventually, she became so restless that she began to wander outside of the town. It was the only thing that seemed to make her feel any better. At last, she realized that she needed to leave home. She wasn't sure why, but she knew she could not stay any longer. So, at eighteen she began her Search, and through her travels, she finally realized what or rather who she was searching for. After five years of travelling, she was happy to find the others at an inn.

Abilities/Skills: Healing Magic, Baking, Childcare
Personality: After caring for her siblings for so many years, she has developed a rather caring and maternal personality, but it has also made her a bit stern. She expects those around her to behave properly and will not hesitate to correct bad behavior if she needs to. She is usually patient and accepting and has a rather long fuse. She likes her name and does not appreciate the shortened form some people want to use. She loves children and hopes to have a family of her own one day, but the others in the coven are plenty for her to take care of for now.

Josephine has bonded with Faronath!

Name: Faronath
Bonded To: Josephine
Gender: female
Species: medium-length
Color(s): clouded marble-sky blue
Size Class: green
Suggested Length: 40'10"
Suggested Height: 6'3"
Clutch: 34n
Sire: brown Tanimototh
Dame: pale green Godalath
Notes
Abilities
telepathy: can speak mind-to-mind with other sentiant beings
teleportation (between): can travel to a different location on the same world instantly (includes time travel)
assisted fire-breath: can breath fire after digesting a phospherous-bearing rock such as firestone
telekinesis: can move objects with their mind as per the spell telekinesis
amplified healing: the effect of the rider's normal healing spells are amplifed; in addition, the rider can determine with increased accuracy the type and (?) of the injury, poision, or disease to properly treat it.

Genetic Code: XGwDF[P] XGwDF[p] RR Bb cxEB|cx* txS|t EE/Ee Iikk PP OSs|o2SS-* A|ARL u3u Hh MM
Species Rules: Pernese
Genetic Base: green

Story: Josephine steadily made her way to the large town ahead of her. The sun was setting, and it would be dark soon. She wanted to reach the town before then as she would much rather stay at the local inn than outside again, so she picked up her pace a bit and thought over her recent years.

Her first and natural thoughts led to her family. She missed her parents and her sibliings dreadfully, but anytime she had attempted to try to visit her family, her magic had prevented it, forcing her to continue searching for the others that would belong to her coven. The only thing that she could do was to send her family updates on her situation as often as she could, which, unfortunately, was not that often. Still, it was something, and it helped to ease her guilt and any lingering homesickness.

She had travelled wide and far over the last five years of her life, and she had met and befriended many people. She had saved lives and cured illnesses and helped many, and she held onto that, knowing that she had done some good in the world, even if it wasn't among her own family. Even now, she had just left a small village where illness had caused havoc, bringing low the usually hearty farmers that lived there. She had done all that she could for them and stayed with them for several months before leaving several days before with the information that a large town existed nearby where she might make some coin to support herself for the coming winter.

She hated taking money for using her skills to help those around her. She knew that she could not afford not to do so, though. Still, it always sat uneasily on her that the people she usually helped could ill afford to part with the few coins she was willing to take. She felt it was her duty to use the powers that had been given to her to help others, and she looked forward to meeting and assisting the women that would form a coven with her. She hoped that once she met them, their coven would feel like a family of sorts. Then, perhaps, she might miss her own less and finally be able to settle down a bit more permanently somewhere.

Josephine was brought out of her thoughts by a shout behind her, and she turned to she a thin, young woman with pale blonde hair running towards her.

"Wait for me," she yelled before reaching Josephine and pausing to catch her breath. "Let's go together," she declared with a friendly smile, which widened greatly as the two examined one another. "You're one of my coven sisters! Ah! It's so good to meet one of you," she exclaimed and probably would have thrown her arms around Josephine if she hadn't stepped back a bit.

She examined the newcomer for a moment and determined that the witch couldn't be more than fifteen or sixteen, so she probably had not been on her Search for very long. She seemed excitable and energetic, and she reminded Josephine of one of her own younger sisters. "We should probably introduce ourselves first," she said in a calm tone.

"Right," the younger woman replied, nearly vibrating with energy. "I'm Alexandra Wraith! Call me Alex!"

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Alex," Josephine returned with a respectful nod. "My name is Josephine Cromwell."

"Can I call you Josie," Alex asked with a tilt of her head.

"I would prefer if you did not," Josephine answered with a shake of her head. "I quite like my name."

"But it's so long," Alex complained.

Knowing that she needed to stop the young woman from continuing, Josephine cut her off. "If we wish to reach the town before it is too late, then we should resume our journey. That is if you wish to walk together."

"Of course," Alex declared with a bright smile before leading the way with a quick step. "Maybe we'll meet more of our coven in the town!"

Josephine shook her head. Alex's exuberance was going to be difficult to curtail, but she knew she was up for the task, having a younger sister very much the same. She did not wish to stifle the young woman, but she certainly wished to help her exhibit better manners.

They reached the town's inn just as it began to grow truly dark outside. As they stepped inside, Alex suddenly gripped her arm in excitement. "They are here," she said in a loud whisper before bounding off towards a table where two women were already sitting.

Josephine took a breath before closing the door behind them and following her new acquaintance at a much slower pace. As she approached the table, she took a moment to examine the two ladies already present. The one on the right had dark blonde hair and a curvy figure from what she could see of it. The second woman had long, white hair, amber eyes, and a lithe figure. Both ladies appeared to be several years younger than her.

"See, Josie! Here are some more sisters for us to meet," Alex declared happily as she glanced back at her before sticking her hand out to the first woman. "Alexandra Wraith. Call me Alex. This here is Josie. We met ouside the town," she introduced them before shaking the second woman's hand.

Josephine rolled her eyes. She supposed she should be grateful that Alex at least remembered to do the introductions first. "Josephine Cromwell," she introduced herself with a polite nod and warm smile before turning a frown on her companion. "I told you earlier not to call me Josie."

"Josephine is too long," the girl complained as she plopped down into the seat next to the white-haired beauty. "Besides, Josephine sounds like the name of some old woman in her seventies. You may be older than me, but you're still too young to be called by an old lady's name!"

Josephine shook her head with a frown. Clearly, they were going to have to spend more time than she'd originally thought on basic manners. She turned to glance at the two witches. "Do you mind if we join you," she asked politely with a pointed look at Alex.

"Why would they mind," Alex asked with obvious confusion. "They're going to be part of our coven, aren't you," she asked as she turned to them as well, hopeful eyes on full display.

"I believe so, yes," the white-haired woman said quietly as her lips twitched in clear amusement at Alex's behavior.

The second woman seemed much more unsure and said slowly, "I am unsure how this will go. Perhaps, we should simply get to know one another first. The two of you must be hungry," she added as she glanced at the plate in front of her, obviously wishing to return to her meal.

Josephine nodded and motioned for Alex to follow her to the counter. "Do you want us to order yours as well," she asked the second witch kindly as she noticed she had no dinner before her.

"No, I have already had dinner. Thank you," she assured her.

Josephine nodded once more before leading the way. She ordered dinner for herself and arranged a room as well. When she noticed that Alex had made no arrangements for a room, she turned to her with a smile. "You can share with me tonight if you like."

"Really," Alex questioned with a grin. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "I promise not to keep you awake."

Josephine's smile widened at that, but she refrained from commenting. She had a feeling that Alex was the type to talk up until the very moment she nodded off for the night. With their business completed, they went back to the table. As they waited for their food to arrive, she turned to the two witches. "We still don't know your names."

"Aileen Grimsbane," the one with the dark blonde hair replied with a nod.

"I'm Opalina Shade," the white-haired one answered a bit hesitantly, and Josephine had to wonder if she was supposed to recognize the name. "Please, call me Lina."

Their dinner arrived a few moments later, and Josephine broke her slice of bread in half and held out half of it to Lina. "You are much too thin," she declared with a signficant look at the bread she was still holding out to her. While she didn't actually think that Lina was overly thin, she felt odd eating in front of someone that wasn't. Meals were meant to be enjoyed together.

Lina smiled as she took the bread from her but remained silent. Josephine guessed that she was most likely usually quiet and took no offense as they began to chat about themselves and their recent travels.

Lina was just eighteen and apparently from a well known family of seers, though she was not a seer herself, which seemed like a rather sensitive topic for her. She worked at the inn as a dancer and specialized in empathic magic.

Alex was only a year younger than Lina, which had surprised her, given the young woman's youthful behavior. She was a holy witch and had grown up with both of her parents, which was apparently rather unconventional. She also knew martial arts thanks to her father being a monk.

Aileen was nineteen and a thread witch, which seemed rather rare as she had never met one before. She had been raised by her aunt, a rather traditional witch, and remembered very little about the rest of her family, which Josephine thought was incredibly sad. She seemed well balanced and thoughtful, however, and despite being younger than her, Josephine though she would probably make a decent leader for their coven if they formed one.

As they continued to talk, Josephine could see Lina and Aileen gradually become more comfortable with them, even with Alex's loud exclamations and overflowing energy. Their conversation was interrupted for a moment when the door to the inn opened once more, and a hooded figure stepped in. Josephine could feel the change in the air as the newcomer stepped in, and she turned to look, only to see a few strawberry blonde curls peeking out from the hood. When the door slammed shut behind the newly arrived witch, she jumped, apologized, and made her way to a nearby table.

"I really did not expect all of you to arrive the same night. It seems that we may be in luck, however. Perhaps the others will appear as well," Lina declared in a soft voice that seemed to be spoken more to herself.

"Well, if she's one of us, then we should go greet her," Alex said as she began to stand, but Josephine stopped her with a hand to her arm.

"I do not think she will appreciate your exhuberance," she began and tried to soften the mild rebuke with a kind smile. "I will go speak to her," she added before standing a moving towards the newcomer's table.

The other witch clearly saw her coming and began to fidget nervously. When Josephine reached her table, she looked up at her, and her hood fell back, revealing a rather plain face. "Can I help you," she asked after a moment of silence as she glanced around.

"My name is Josephine Cromwell, and I was wondering if I could join you for a few moments," Josephine said with a warm smile that seemed to startle the other woman.

"Sure. I mean yes, you can if you like," she answered as she gestured at the seat next to her. "I'm Gwen Redwood. Nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you as well, Gwen," Josephine said as she took the indicated chair. "Have you had supper yet?" When Gwen shook her head, she flagged the barmaid to deliver a bowl of stew to the table.

"You and the others are witches," Gwen asked as she darted a glance towards the table Josephine had left.

"Yes," she answered with a nod. "We just met tonight and were getting to know one another when you came in. You are also a witch, aren't you," she asked with a tilt of her head.

Gwen nodded. "I'm a woodland witch like the rest of my family. I talk to animals," she clarified when Josephine gave her a questioing look. "I'm twenty-three."

"I am also twenty-three," Josephine told her. "Would you like to come join me and the others?"

"What? No, no, I'm sure they would not want that," Gwen protested quickly and waved her hands in front of her.

"On the contrary, I am sure they would be delighted to meet you, and they all seem very kind," Josephine tried to reassure her. "Well, Alex's manners could use a bit of work, but she is still rather young," she added with a frown as she saw the young woman pouting. "Besides, us older ones have to stick together, right," she asked with a small grin.

Gwen chuckled a bit as her dinner arrived. "I suppose so," she said with a small smile of her own. "If you are sure that they will not mind..."

"I am sure," Josephine said firmly before standing.

Gwen nodded and stood as well with her supper in hand, but in the process, she caught her foot on the leg of the chair and sent it toppling to the floor with a loud thunk. In her hurry to correct the error, she nearly upended her dinner onto the floor as well, but Josephine grabbed the bowl from her in time to save her meal. "Sorry," Gwen mumbled with a blush on her cheeks.

"That's alright. Accidents happen," Josephine brushed off the unnecessary apology and led the way to the other table. When they arrived, she placed Gwen's dinner in front of the chair next to her own and gave the other an encouraging smile.

"I'm Gwen... Gwendolyn Redwood," she stated as she fidgeted with the back of the chair. "Are you sure... I mean... you don't mind if I sit here... with you," she finally managed to get out.

"Of course not," Alex replied with a happy grin. "We're all going to be in a coven together, so maek yourself comfortable!"

Josephine gave an internal sigh as she felt Gwen stiffen at her side. "Nothing has been decided yet," she said with a pointed glance at Alex. "We're merely talking and getting to know one another," she added to Gwen in a much softer tone.

Gwen took a stuttering breath before taking the seat in front of her and turning her full attention to her meals. Her shoulders hunched forward, and she simply stared at the bowl as if she was waiting for them to tell her to leave.

Since it was soon clear that Gwen was not going to speak, Joesphine shared the few facts that Gwen had told her. "Gwen is twenty-three and from a family of woodland witches, so her strength is communicating with animals."

"I'm not as good as the others are, though," Gwen stated quietly. "I have trouble with smaller creatures. They speak rather quickly."

Josephine jumped slightly as she heard a voice behind her. "I'm surprised you're eating that if you are a woodland witch." The speaker was rather beautiful with long dark brown hair pulled up into a high ponytail and dark brown eyes. She had a rather no nonsense air about her and was apparently rather stealthy.

"Malise Le Rouge," she introduced herself as she set her pack down and joined them. She then turned to Gwen. "So, are you going to answer my question about your dinner choice? Most woodland witches I've known only eat vegetables, can't stand the thought of eating a creature they might have spoken with."

"Oh... well," Gwen stuttered a moment, and Josephine frowned at their newest addition for making the woman uncomfortable. "There are some like that, yes. I was like that a while back... I mean it was several years ago, and I don't really hunt myself. I prefer fish, but I had a rather enlightening conversation with a wolf once that changed my perspective. Humans can't really help the fact that we need meat to live healthy lives, so it's not very practical to avoid it, especially in the winter when vegetables and herbs are nearly impossible to find."

"A practical woodland witch? Now, I've seen everything," Malise stated with amusement as she signalled the barmaid to bring her a bowl of stew. "So, are we all here, or are there still more?"

"There is one more," Lina stated with a smile.

Josephine was left blinking at Malise. She must be aware of who they were and why they were talking with one another. She heard the door open once again and looked behind her to see another hooded individual enter the inn. She could tell feel the witch's magic from here and concluded that perhaps this was the last of their members.

"There she is," Lina said standing immediately and moving towards the hooded stranger that had just entered.

"That's a woman," Alex asked with a considering look at the stranger.

Josephine put her face in her hands before glaring at the younger witch. Had she no manners at all?

"That's Rosina Winter," Malise stated in an odd tone.

Aileen clearly recognized the name, though Josephine did not. "Winter? That family of dark witches," Aileen asked with raised eyebrows.

Malise nodded. "Don't let that fool you, though. She's alright. I met her many months ago," she said as Lina approached the table with Rosina behind her.

Josephine took a second to look the newcomer over, and she supposed she could understand Alex's earlier rude comment to some extent now that Rosina's hood had been lowered. She looked almost elven with her pointed features, but she was clearly human since she could see her rounded ears clearly given that her hair was in a braid behind her. The sword she carried seemed rather odd for a witch, but her muscular frame seemed to suggest that she certainly used the weapon.

"Whatever it is you are offerring, I want no part of it," Rosina stated with finality as they reached the table.

"Now, Rosina, are you really going to break your promise to me," Malise asked with one raised eyebrow.

Rosina's head snapped in her direction, and she paled slightly. "Malise," she greeted neutrally.

Josephine looked between the two with raised eyebrows. While Malise had made it clear that they had a previous acquaintance, she had not elaborated on what that acquaintance was. Josephine had assumed that it was at least friendly, but now it seemed that her assumption may have been wrong, especially when both of them had such strong personalities.

"You gave me your word that if fate dictated that we meet again that you would seriously consider forming a coven with me. Now, see how fate has already done all the work for us! Here are the rest of our members," Malise declared as a waitress brought her her dinner. She moved the chair that sat between Lina and Aileen out with her foot. "Sit and at least chat with us."

Surprisingly, Rosina did as she was bid, and a few minutes later, she had her own bowl of stew to eat. As she began to enjoy her dinner, an awkward silence fell upon the table. The three most recent arrivals ate while the others exchanged glances. Josephine was wondering what to do to break the silnce when Aileen spoke up.

"So, what type of magic do you specialize in, Rosina," she asked as she turned to the witch sitting on her left.

"Why ask a question you already know the answer to," the other returned with an unimpressed glance.

"So, you're really a dark witch," Alex asked with wide eyes, and Josephine shook her head again. She really didn't know much about dark witches, but she imagined that they had a nasty reputation. At twenty-three, she had already learned that most stories were false to some extent, sometimes completely.

Rosina rolled her eyes. "I'm not going to curse you," she stated in annoyance. She then took a closer look at the younger woman. "You're a holy witch, aren't you," she asked before moving to stand. "I've already had enough," she said to Malise, who grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving.

"At least finish your dinner and let them all introduce themselves," Malise argued. "I haven't gotten their names yet either."

Rosina muttered something under her breath but turned her attention back to her meal. After a few seconds of silence she groused, "Well, get on with it. Introduce yourselves if you're going to."

"I'm Aileen Grimsbane. I'm a thread witch," Aileen replied as she straightened in her seat.

"I'm Opalina Shade," she stated as she looked at Malise. "I'm not really a seer. I'm an empathic witch," she finished as she turned her eyes to the table top.

Alex went next, and then it was Josephine's turn. "I'm Josephine Cromwell. I'm a healer," she stated with a polite nod before looking expectantly and encouragingly at Gwen, who surprised her by introducing herself.

When they had all introduced themselves, Alex asked in a chipper tone, which seemed to be her usual one, "So, what is our coven going to be called?"

Rosina stood. "Thank you for your company, but I am not looking to join a coven right now or ever," she stated before turning and stomping away.

"Don't worry. I'll convince her," Malise said with a wink that had Josephine's eyes widening. She hadn't realized they were quite that acquainted. She saw Lina and Aileen looking rather flustered as well.

Luckily, Gwen seemed to suffer no embarassment. "We'll leave it to you then."

Once Alex had stopped giggling, she turned to the rest of them. "Seriously, though, what are we going to call ourselves?"

"The Sisters of the Raven, of course," Lina stated as if it were obvious. "We all met at The Raven's Nest, so it suits us."

"I like it," Alex declared with a grin.

"If everyone else agrees, then it is fine with me," Josephine stated with a nod even though she still felt a bit unsure as to how or if this was going to work out given the varying personalities.

"I'm not sure," Gwen admitted as she began to fidget. "I mean about joining. I'm sure the name is fine," she clarified.

After a moment, an older lady approached their table. "Lina, you should have been back onstage half an hour ago," the woman chided her as she glanced over the table.

Opalina jumped from her seat. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Brooks," she immediately apologized before saying a quick good-bye to them and heading off.

Josephine watched her go with interest as she was looking forward to seeing Lina perform, having missed her earlier performance. Luckily, she did not have to wait long, as Lina appeared within a few moments dressed in a colorful outfit and began to dance upon the platform set up for her performances. She was enchanting to watch, and Josephine could feel the magic spilling off of her as she performed the steps.

"Wow, I wish I could dance like that," Alex commented with awe clear in her voice.

"You probably could if you practiced," Aileen replied with a thoughtful look. "You said earlier that you had studied martial arts, and it cannot be that different."

"You would be surprised," Alex returned with a shake of her head.

When the performance was over, they all clapped heartily before Josephine stood. "I think I will retire for the evening. Alex, are you coming up?"

The younger woman nodded and stood before stretching her arms above her head. "Yep! It's been a long and happy day, and I am exhausted!"

Josephine nodded. "Come along then," she said as she led the way up the back stairs to where the guest rooms were located. She could hear what seemed to be Malise and Rosina talking behind one of the doors and quickly passed it. It was rude to eavesdrop, and she wouldn't do that to people that might be part of her coven family shortly anyway. Once she reached her room, she quickly readied herself for bed before allowing her mind to wander over the events of the day, hoping that things would work out for the best by morning.