Appearance

Aster has light skin with subtle white freckles dotting their face and medium length curly navy-blue hair. As of "Starlight, Star Bright", more freckles have appeared and they along with the originals emit a soft white light that changes with emotions and energy levels. Astraea originally had two silver eyes, but their right eye has since turned purple with a white crescent moon for a pupil. This is, according to Lyandra, the Feywild's symbol for the moon Chióni and worn on both eyes by some Old Ones. Since this change almost 3 years ago, Astraea has gone from wearing large round glasses to a silver monocle over their left eye, enchanted to never scratch nor fall out of place.

Their hair was initially worn in a ponytail with braids on either side, but since then it has been loose, in a simple half-up ponytail, and (currently) in a low ponytail.

Aster's outfit was originally a white poet blouse with purple buttons tucked into dark gray pants, but that has since gotten covered in blood upon visiting the Morkoth during the events of "Blood in the Waterskin". Currently, they wear a dark blue shirt with bishop sleeves and black pants tucked into white knee-high boots, along with a sleeveless white cardigan. Over it they wear a deep indigo cloak covered in eyes that allows them to see in all directions. The eyes are realistic and they move, and they are outlined by golden embroidery with stylized eyelashes.

Overall, Astraea looks very androgynous, with their body and voice being very fluid and mutable. This is not because of Corellon's blessing.

 

Personality

Astraea is quite introverted, preferring to let others come to them instead of seeking out interaction. They have spent much of their life feeling lost, only starting to believe they have a place in the world after meeting and interacting with Aella, a half-elven cleric. Despite their calm exterior and attempts to be a voice of reason, emotion (especially panic) can easily get ahold of Aster in times of danger and regarding topics sensitive to them.

Overall Aster is friendly to those they meet, not seeing a reason to act with hostility until one is given. They are extremely curious by nature and have a habit of documenting people, places, and objects they find interesting in their small notebook. This desire can occasionally cross boundaries, such as when they sketched a newly-turned-summer Lya in her sleep and when they showed a willingness to use Detect Thoughts on Reldan, but it is never with malicious intent. Every bit of information they gain brings them closer to solving their mystery, and if not, knowledge for its own sake is more than enough.

Background

Aster grew up in the village of Renelumen, hidden deep in the southeastern part of the Unnerion Wilds. It consisted of elves that had lived there since time immemorial, keeping interaction with the outside to a minimum and their existence all but a secret. Their mother was one of the few to leave for an extended period of time, seeking exploration after getting a taste of it on one of the regular excursions for trade. She met a human and fell in love but ultimately could not leave her home behind. Shortly after her return, on the second Day of Apprehension, she had Aster, the first and only half-elven resident.

Renelumans held their religion very closely and were wary of the half-human child, believing them to be anything from ill omen to a human soul masquerading as an elf. This manifested not as outright cruelty, Astraea was still treated fairly well, but as exclusion from religious events, buildings (such as the central observatory, the only thing towering higher than the trees), and conversations. As one might imagine, this included a lot. Their mother was more understanding, a bit clueless but still trying her best to accommodate and appreciate Aster's humanity. Her unique perspective given to her by the outside offered Aster solace and fostered their sense of curiosity and adventure. This led, ultimately, to her helping them leave the village upon the appearance of their purple eye.

It happened one morning, on the third Day of Apprehension, out of the blue, and no one knew what it was or what to do about it. Seeing this as the final push to leave, Aster did so, hoping for answers and a chance to see what the wider world was really like.

Astraea traveled from town to town, kingdom to kingdom, library to library, to eventually, two years later, a boat setting course for Mistfall.

 

Flung From the Gyre

The boat ended up in the docks of Novas Arule after a difficult journey through the Ancord Strait. Aster took the change of plans in stride, musing about the oppportunities for discovery in "mysterious little towns." This seemed to be the case upon hearing of the existence of the Grand Magi, though after weeks they were unable to get an audience with them. After looking out their inn window and seeing a cracked sky with sand raining down, they took their chances and headed for the Arena, where they found not the Magi, but a party of adventurers, with one in particular turning their worldview upside down with but a glance.

Aster had stuck with the group ever since, first out of curiosity but quickly shifting to survival. Their personal quest was put on hold, rekindled only by the words whispered to them by the Cthaeh. Since joining the Reavers, they have been able to dedicate some time to learning more about their eye, and they hope to have more after escaping to the Plane of Air and having a proper conversation with Reldan. In the meantime, their connections with the main party have deepened, and mutual romantic feelings for Aella have created a budding relationship.

Clara

Clara is Astraea's blue poison dart frog familiar

 

Aella

One of the first other half-elves Astraea meets and the only one who has a connection to the Seldarine. Immediately when the two saw each other they knew they had to stick together (ok im speculating about Aella’s thought process but ya know). Aella is the closest Aster’s ever gotten to a lead for a while and yes at first their relationship with her was purely utilitarian, they cared about her safety because they wanted something from her (and also lowkey study her because how and why is a half-human a cleric…???). She’s a huge part of why they stayed with the group, other than of course the fact that they literally had no choice because sand.

But now they’re really seeing her for the whole person she is and not just what she can do and honestly, they still really admire her! She’s clearly been through a lot and is strong despite that, even if she doesn’t see it. She does everything in her power to protect those around her despite her knowing some of them for less than a day. She’s not great with words or people but tries anyway and was there for Astraea when they needed her most. Yes she’s quick-tempered and hard headed and bossy but she’s genuine, she’s real, and that matters a lot in Aster’s book. Also she really is trying to be better and it shows. Aster can only hope to help her on her journey as much as she is helping in theirs. They might be a little bit in love but there are bigger fish to fry at the moment. Also she is a literal princess and therefore way out of Astraea’s league… right? (For realsies though, they’ve slowly been falling and did not really realize or care to look into what they were feeling until the word “darling” left Aella’s lips and suddenly everything made sense and they were trying very hard to not think about how they wanted to keep hearing it even after the serum’s effects wore off,, yeah that was their italicized ‘oh’ moment but the moment they should’ve realized their feelings is definitely that watch, you know the one)

 

Mariana

good fren. fellow quiet kid. good copilot

 

Dorian

A comforting, stable presence. He helps ground the party and always knows exactly what to say. Aster has an appreciation for music and loves the fact that he’s a composer. From the few conversations they’ve (had time to) have the two are pretty friendly. Would love to know more once the party is not constantly getting into Situations. A sentient robot and a curious scientist. What more could you want

 

Daisy Daisy

Astraea kind of sees themself in them, between the seeking for answers and the unexplained magical phenomena. Wants to help them if they can and is happy they met so soon after Daisy Daisy Daisy Daisy’s creation. The past two years have been great but they wouldn’t wish the aimless wandering and ever-fluctuating levels of hope and despair on anyone else.

 

Lya

fren! i teach time, i teach crab, u say weird things about old ones

 

Quill

They can never really pin him down honestly. One minute he’s trying to climb a sand-fall, the next he’s meticulously planning potential long rest schedules while on the road, and the next he’s one-shotting an enemy while covered in shadow. It’s good to have someone else who appreciates grass as much as they do, though.

 

Meph

chemstry,,,, cool and neat but do not u dare stab my gf again. also kinda survivors guilty about being revived meanwhile her mom is Not

 

Maeve

Can speak Celestial like Aster so that’s cool. They want to put her under a microscope but that’s more due to circumstance than anything intrinsic about her. But also, being confused about Celestial Happenings is a big mood. Insulted their gf so that’s Not Cool. Celestial solidarity rescinded. Maeve what is your problem. Have you neither compassion nor understanding?

 

Vasalor

>>:((((

but also thanks for banishing tq i gotta admit u r powerful. but dang ur notes on me r harsh :(

 

Tempest Queen

hate hate hate kill kill kill get out of her body

 

Reldan

dude what is ur problem

Goal

,,

 

Proficiencies

• Herbalism
• Arcana, Insight, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Religion

 

Notable Items

• Cloak (robe) of Eyes
• Astromancy Archive
• Samples of sand, crypt water, and dream blossom pollen

 

Abilities

"There's something with my eye?" - jokingly, to Aella after she looked at them with Detect Magic & glowing eyes

"... you want me to Identify it?"

"So you, you know things." - to Lya after she mentioned Old Ones

*exasperated* "Tentacles." - upon being asked what is going on in the False Armide

"Maeve… would you mind casting Gentle Repose on this magical banana?"

"Care to help me with a physics problem?"