Arlyn Swallowtail's page

About Arlyn Swallowtail

Growing up in a tiny rural village, Arlyn was always impressing those around her. Naturally charming, unfailingly kind, and able to shoot bolts of lightning like nothing her neighbors could dream of, she spent her childhood surrounded by praises of her talents and declarations that she'd go far one day. One might expect that some would become jealous of her, but even those with cause to be so found themselves quickly disarmed by her earnest smile. She never treated anyone like she was above them regardless of differences in talent, and her heartfelt amiability made friends of even the most envious peers.

Arlyn's mother was so impressed with her talents (both social and magical), that she encouraged Arlyn to leave home and see the world; surely such powerful magic in the hands of such a kind soul could make the world a better place! Taking her mother's advice, Arlyn applied herself at the Pathfinder Society, since she heard that their agents got to travel a lot and meet lots of interesting people. Breezing through the School of Spells with her magic and personality, she soon became a field agent and began her career. She bought a big poofy dress (a dress intended for someone with far less casual manners, but she doesn't mind the mismatch) and set out into the world.

Then she discovered how big the world is.

Not everyone was impressed that she could throw a little lightning. Not everyone was going to return her smiles. She met people who wanted her dead. She met monsters who wanted to eat her. She met people who seemed nice but were torturing people in the basement. She met undead horrors, one of whom even struck her blind. The world is a big place with lots of people, and they're not all like the neighbors back home. Arlyn's had to learn that traveling can be dangerous and she needs to be ready.

But that's not all she's learned.

She met people who were hurting. She met people who haven't felt safe in months. She met a woman who had been surgically combined with demons and needed help to get better. She met people who were messy and hurt and needed someone to look at them and not assume the worst.

Arlyn has learned that her magic isn't all that impressive in the grand scheme of things. But she's also learned that her willingness to love a stranger might just make a difference.