**__Klarna Stramull__** {{:img_5382.jpeg|}} {{:img_5385.jpeg|}} ---- **__Basic Information:__** *Player: Hazel/Gabe *Player Pronouns: They/Any *Character Pronouns: They/Them *Species: Cloud Giant Goliath *Class: Fighter (1) Warlock (5) ---- **__Description:__** Klarna is a broad set Goliath with Cloud Giant heritage standing around 7'8". They have short side-swept dreads jaggedly cut at the ends, the color of a moonlit sky. Across their rain cloud colored skin, golden runes paint pictures of an old world prophecy interrupted by a multitude of jagged scars from countless street fights and monster encounters. Large, soft, amber eyes sit in comfortable contrast with their rugged exterior, giving a sense of comfort to those closest to them. In terms of clothing, Klarna wears durable pants tied at the waist with cloth and rope as well as a binder that is only visible while they aren’t wearing armor. Adorning their waist is a relatively nice fur and leather belt that appears to be delicately handmade and well cleaned. For protection they wear plate armor forged by [[lith_oakenheart|Lith]] that gives combines functionality, craftsmanship, and the natural beauty of stone. Upon closer inspection a flying squirrel can be seen engraved on the chest-plate with the name Zephyr underneath. Spreading from their left arm, along their back, and up to their neck is a crystalline mutation that gives an instinctively bad feeling to anyone nearby. The crystal’s magic surfaces when Klarna’s emotions are heightened, causing it to swell into a giant gauntlet-like mass that can be used to batter enemies or cast magic. In terms of personality, Klarna can seem rough around the edges to those who don’t know them well, but once people begin to get close, they can begin to see their softer side. Klarna shows their affection towards others through handmade gifts and protectiveness, even getting into fights with others based on perceived slights towards friends. However, no matter how close they become with someone, Klarna passionately refuses any physical contact. ---- **__Backstory:__** Klarna’s hometown, Scisceptus, is a hostile environment for anyone other than the elite to grow up in because even on the edge of civilization, social hierarchies still manage to fester. Social rank and occupation in Scisceptus are based on the amount of time one can spend within [[nemedobur#===== Criostalun =====|Criostalun’s]] caves without dying or becoming infected by one of the many parasitic crystal strains. The citizens with high value occupations are able to supply their children with much better equipment than children of less fortunate parents, which allows the more elite children to last longer within the caves and maintain their hierarchical position over the less fortunate. Even when people manage to survive the caves if they are found to have been infected by one of the deadly crystal strains that reside within the caves they may face dishonor, ridicule, and paranoia around spreading the infection to loved ones which can be a fate worse than death for some. The combination of the caves and the frequent workplace accidents, or so-called accidents, creates a terrible environment to grow up in and a larger than average population of orphans. Understanding the importance of surviving The Crystal Caves for as long as possible, Klarna’s parents trained them from a young age to be strong enough to fight when necessary and charismatic enough to manipulate others to their benefit. Only a few years Klarna’s brother, Zephyr, was born, Klarna and Zephyr’s parents were killed in a workplace accident that left the two orphaned and homeless, forcing them to steal food and sleep where they could find space. While living on the streets Klarna and Zephyr met two other orphans, one of which being Nox Celeste, who were both in similarly unfortunate circumstances. After surviving with each other for a time they decided to create a form of street gang, calling themselves [[backgrounds#===== Child of the Shattered Shards =====|The Shattered Shards]], vowing to take in and assist other street orphans. As the oldest member of the gang, Klarna quickly took on a leadership role as they tried to protect the others as much as possible. The two others acted as older brothers to Zephyr, pranking him and messing with him, but never taking it too far and helping him when necessary. A few years later two more orphans, Ember and Tibious, joined The Shattered Shards, quickly bonding with the others and forming close relationships. Ember specifically formed an even closer relationship with Klarna that eventually resulted in the two dating and spending significant amounts of time alone together. In the years following Ember and Tibious joining the gang, Stella, and her brother Noctis, found The Shattered Shards and joined as well. The next couple of years the gang lived their lives as happily as they could while in Sciseptus, for some being some of the members happiest years after their parents’ deaths. As Klarna’s 5 year anniversary with Ember and Stella’s 16th Birthday approached, tragedy struck as both Ember and Noctis disappeared without any trace as to where they could’ve gone. [[backgrounds#===== Child of the Shattered Shards =====|The Shattered Shards]] began a major search operation around [[nemedobur#===== Criostalun =====|Criostalun’s]] surface in an attempt to find any trace of the two, with Klarna and Stella heading the effort. The search eventually led the gang to a beach where Noctis’ cracked glasses were found, half buried in the sand near a recently closed off cave entrance, which added even more concern and stress into the search. The three eldest founding members deliberated and decided to head a search effort into the caves to search for any trace of the two missing members. To prepare the gang “relocated” as much equipment as they could as well as gathering as much information as they could about the creatures residing within the caves. Eventually the trio felt prepared enough to enter the caves and were immediately greeted with the most beautiful hell that they could ever imagine. After days if not weeks of barely surviving the caves with no signs of Ember or Noctis the group attempted to leave the ever-shifting cave system fearing that they may die within the caves. Luckily, as the last of the rations were used up, the group managed to pick up on the sound of waves crashing and followed the sounds for hours. As they neared the exit, two vaguely humanoid crystalline golems attacked the group, taking advantage of their exhaustion, and perfect knowledge of their fighting styles, to nearly kill them before they could escape to the surface and get as far away from the caves as they could. As the trio slowly made their way back to Sciseptus they found they had each been infected with unique crystal strains and believed that they could pose a risk of spreading the crystals if they returned home. The group decided they would risk one last goodbye to the other members of The Shattered Shards and made their way back to Sciseptus anyway. Once back in Sciseptus, Klarna put Zephyr in charge as the new leader and the group made final goodbyes before leaving in search of some form of cure. The three eventually managed to make their way to the [[welmet|Wellmet]] through [[the_voyagers|Voyager]] shuttles and the [[voidspan_gates|voidspan]] gate on [[nemedobur#===== Crannathragh =====|Crannathragh]]. Once on the [[welmet|Wellmet]], the three took different paths, Klarna joined [[the_voyagers|The Voyagers]], while the other two worked to open their own shops. As Klarna waited for [[the_voyagers|Voyager]] assignments on the [[welmet|Wellmet]] they worked a few odd jobs that made use of their strength and sometimes their charisma. Klarna also managed to land a few missions with [[the_voyagers|the Voyagers]] such as [[session_6|testing out diving suits on Riya]] and [[session_9|collecting samples from their home shard of Criostalun]]. ---- **__Bonus:__** Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/20tDUfeO3yBEuXNxLqHBD7?si=SpiyxnF4RJGvjRRzhRo7Wg (Feel free to suggest songs it’s so short) Ember: {{:img_5383.jpeg|}}