Abigail Marshall

Lady Abigail "Abby" Marshall is a Halian noblewoman and younger sister of party member, Sir Aric Marshall.

Biography
Abigail belongs to the Marshall family of local nobility who hold land in the heart of Halicourt in the name of Baron Harlan Griffith. Abigail "Abby" Marshall was born the fourth child and only female of Bradford and Caroline Marshall. In Halicourt, women are not expected nor widely encouraged to become warriors, as such Abigail was not sent to squire for a noble when she turned 6. Instead, her early years were spent at the Marshall estate with her father and mother. The young woman learned to dance, how to properly conduct herself, accompanied her parents to various feasts and frequently found herself watching the local tourneys. Witnessing these extravagant events, she became utterly infatuated with the pomp and circumstance that accompanied the tournaments. The girl's desire to learn the art of swordplay soon followed, but it was quickly quashed by both Bradford and Caroline.

Shortly after Abigail's twelfth birthday her father and eldest brother went on a hunting trip they would not return from. A search party was assembled and messengers were dispatched to notify Aric, still a squire under Uncle William, and Desmond, who at the time was in Durham. The three siblings aided the assembled party but sadly, at least to her knowledge, nothing substantial was ever found. Abigail watched her mother, once so very caring and lively, withdraw from the family that needed her. The young noblewoman watched for the majority of a year as Desmond squandered vast amounts of the family's income on drink and women, something that still occurs to this day. Aric's change was arguably less noticeable, partially because the young man returned to finish his training, returning much later that year on his 15th birthday. However, Abigail noted that his dry sarcasm was replaced with a more serious demeanor and that he now paid strict attention to courtesy when around others. Arguably, however, the most affected of the Marshall children was Abigail herself. Being the only girl, she spent quite a lot of her time following the man around, and Bradford proved himself to be a most affectionate father.

In the year directly following the deaths, Abigail found herself depressed, alone, untrusting of others, and bitter towards the family members she felt abandonded her. She responded to Aric's initial attempts to comfort her with hostility, at first blaming him, and the others, for failing to "rescue" Bradford and Owen. However, time was all it took to heal the wounds, at least enough to allow herself to confide in somebody. After awhile the two became close yet again, and they helped the other pull themselves from the rut they woke up in after the nightmare.

Physical Appearance
Abigail Marshall is a young woman of modest height, standing at 5'6" and weighing in just under 120 lbs. The noblewoman possesses a rather lean, athletic build, yet still shapely enough to be unmistakably feminine. Abigail's auburn brown hair falls just below her shoulder blades and is most commonly worn loose. Like her surviving brothers, the woman's deep green eyes are flecked with bits of gold. Abigail can easily be described as pretty, her high, yet not prominent cheekbones complimenting her delicate chin; if one is observant, they would notice that the noblewoman's nose subtly curves upwards. Her pale skin can be most readily attributed to the fact that Abigail's skin, when subjected to sunlight, burns incredibly quickly.

Traditional is the easiest way to describe the clothing that Abigail most commonly wears; despite the Marshall's status as local nobility the woman is still able to stay in the newest style of Halian dress. Around the estate and nobility, she generally wears a red, square necked, ankle length gown with slashed sleeves; the skin directly surrounding the noble's neck is exposed due to the cut, and the slashed sleeves reveal the white chemise she wears underneath. During the colder periods of the year a button down mantlet, burgundy in color and lined in light grey fur, with attached hood will grace the woman's shoulders.

When dressed for her own reasons, mainly travelling to nearby towns or just for comfort, Abigail will wear clothing ordinarily worn by men or peasants. Relatively tight fitting breeches and thigh length riding boots, both black, cover the woman's lower body. A white, thigh length tunic, dark blue surcoat, and black belt round off her top half.

Personality and Traits
The girl is polite and courteous enough that when met she would appear to be your average noblewoman. However, when engaged in conversation for any real period of time it becomes obvious she is socially awkward and rather reserved until one has known her for awhile. Abigail has not traveled much and only interacted with the nobility within her extended family and that of the surrounding areas, and as such is most at ease in the company of fellow nobles. Observing the proper conduct in a formal setting is something that she picked up from Aric.

Abigail has, numerous times, expressed her desire to see the different kingdoms and countries of Ascanthus, although she herself admits that she knows little of them. Due to the restrictions placed upon her by her mother and brothers, the noblewoman hasn't gone further than Aylesbury.

Although she has never experienced the rush and fear one would feel in battle, it is most likely she would panic. In addition, the girl has never fought anything besides sparring matches, and it is doubtful she would be able to easily take a life.

Fighting Style
Aric was the sibling, after much persistence on Abigail's end, who taught her the art of swordplay. "Requisitioning" a side sword from the Marshall's modest armory, the two practiced stances, guards, attacks, and the other techniques required of a swordsman. However, they never got indepth on grappling and wrestling, perhaps the more notorious side of swordsmanship; Aric merely taught her the basics of both as he did not think she would ever need to use the skills.

In contrast to Aric's risky style of stepping into the opponent's guard to gain the upper hand, Abigail's preferred method is to weave in and out of the enemy's range. The woman prefers to strike only when in relative safety, and would much rather prolong a fight and wear down a stronger opponent than perform a risky maneuver. Raking her opponent's hands are her most common form of striking.

Tired of watching Abigail wield a sword not made exclusively for her hand, Aric commissioned a blade to be forged. Like the one taken from the armory, it is a side sword. Shorter than Aric's longsword by a good 6 inches, the hilt is still long enough to accommodate two hands if needed. The quillons of the weapon are rather elaborate, somewhere inbetween that of a longsword and a rapier. On her 18th birthday the weapon was gifted to her, the present angering Caroline, for it was not proper, and irritating Desmond, for he was outdone. Wrapped or worn, it accompanies Abigail whether it's proper or not. Overall, the weapon is near 40 inches in length, 5 of which make up the grip itself.

Current Status
Word has reached Halicourt that Alexshire has been sacked and that there were few survivors. With no letters arriving from Aric, Abigail braces herself for news of his loss and mentally prepares for yet another funeral.