Whitney Writes…

Where does she currently live? Shor’s Stone, Skyrim – northwest of Riften.

Does she hold a special place in society? She is the best Shield Maiden in the Riften Guard. She is also Commander of the Shield Maiden’s in High King Ulfric’s army.

Does she suffer from any illnesses? She suffers from depression, but will never admit it.

Does she have any scars or old injuries that plague her? She has scars of all shapes and sizes all along her arms and legs; a smattering on her torso; one scar running from the inner corner of her left eye to the bridge of her nose, and two scars running from her temple to the left corner of her mouth.

Who are her close friends? She did not have many friends growing up, always feeling usurped in every aspect of her life, social circles being no different, by her little sister, Elisif. Lilija was typically alone, or tagging along with her elder brother, Asgeir.

What does she do for a living? Growing up, her childhood dream was to be a Shield Maiden. She trained relentlessly for it, and was accepted to the Riften Guard as a Shield Maiden. Lilija quickly became known as one of the best. However, following an incident where Lilija’s new husband beat her after deeming she had been too “friendly” with a fellow guard, she quit her post. She then focused all her time on tending their little plot of land in Shor’s Stone, being a proper little house-wife, as her husband wished, while he worked in the mines to support them.

What kind of education did she receive, and from whom? She received a high-class education, just as her sister, but Lilija did not flourish in the classroom. She was better at learning hands-on and will often account the things she knows now as having learned from her father or brothers.

Family

Who are her family? Lilija comes from the Riften-based clan Snow-Shod, and marries into the Windhelm-based clan Free-Winter.

What is the social standing of her family? The Snow-Shods are one of the noble houses in Riften, only following the Black-Briars in rank. The Free-Winters are of high rank in Windhelm, as well, and also in high favor of High King Ulfric Stormcloak.

Does she have any famous ancestors? No.

Does she have any famous close family members? Her little sister marries the Crown Prince of Skyrim, is later crowned Queen, and later still is name High Queen after the assassination of her husband.

Parents: Her father is Vulwulf Snow-Shod, and her mother is Nura Drake-Bane.

What is her relationship like with her parents? Lilija was a daddy’s little girl, having her father wrapped around her little finger. Her mother is always exasperated by Lilija.

What kind of parents does she have?  Are/were there any specific traditions or rules that are held dear in her heart?  Her mother, being a Priestess of Talos, taught Lilija her faith and she stuck to it all her life, eventually dying for it.  Her father did nothing but spoil her.

Siblings: She two older brothers, Asgeir and Unmid, nine and eight years older; respectively, and a little sister, Elisif, only eleven months younger.

What is her relationship like with her siblings? Lilija always butted heads with her little sister, Elisif, she was indifferent to Unmid, and she loved following Asgeir around.

Aunts/Uncles: Thoin and Ayda Silver-Blood, from her father’s side; and Jorgen and Lami Valerius, from her mother’s side.

Favorite Aunt or Uncle? With the Snow-Shod clan living in Riften, and her aunt, Ayda, moving to Markarth, and her other aunt, Lami, living in Morthal, Lilija and her siblings did not see much of either of their blood-aunts and their families.

Cousins: Lucan and Camilla Valerius of Riverwood, are her cousins on her mother’s side, the children of her aunt, Lami, and her husband. Thonar, Thongvor, Sigrid, and Lisbet Silver-Blood of Markarth, are her cousins on her father’s side, the children of her aunt, Ayda, and her husband.

Favorite Cousin? Lilija preferred her Silver-Blood cousins over her Valerius cousins, when she got to see them. She always loved following Thonar and Thongvor around, even though they were significantly older than she.

Spouse/Partner: She marries Odfel Free-Winter, on 17th Rain’s Hand, 4E 198.

In-Laws: Her father-in-law was Brunwulf Free-Winter, her mother-in-law is Rasmina Fell-Star.

What is her relationship like with her spouse/partner? Her relationship with Odfel is a sad one.  He manipulated her into falling in love with him when she was fifteen, and they were married shortly after, a few months after Lilija’s sixteenth birthday.  Once they were wed, the control and further manipulation began.  He would not let Lilija go back to Riften to visit her family, he did not let her attend her little sister’s wedding in Solitude.  He did not invite any of her family to the birth of their son, granted by that time their relationship was extremely rocky.  The physical abuse began just months after their marriage.  Once she conceives, she fights back, eventually pushing Odfel to have an affair with his coworker in the mines, Sylgja Rock-Jumper.  Eventually Sylgja becomes pregnant, leading many to believe this enraged Lilija enough to cause her to join Ulfric’s cause in the civil war, thus leaving Odfel.

What is her spouse/partner’s personality like? Odfel is a manipulative, quick-tempered, and controlling man.  By the time Lilija rides off to war, she no longer understands what she ever saw in the man she calls her husband.

Children: She has one son, Liam Free-Winter, born 29th Sun’s Height, 4E 200.

What is her relationship with her children like? Lilija adores her son, but foolishly leaves him with her abusive husband when she rides off to war.  Even though she makes arrangements for her mother to come fetch him away, it never happens.

What are her children’s personalities like? Liam is a quiet, fearful boy.  His father marries Sylgja Rock-Jumper days after receiving news of Lilija’s death.  Liam becomes, essentially, a servant in his own home as his father’s brood of children with Sylgja expands. 

Does she have a favorite child, why? Lilija says even if Liam were not an only child, he would still be her favorite, because he is healing balm for her soul.

Did she have a traditional upbringing?  Yes; a quiet house on a farm in the warm southern reaches of Skyrim, two older brothers, a younger sister.

What kind of education did she receive and from whom?  Lilija, and her siblings, attending lessons with the Jarl’s children, the Law-Giver boys.

Did the Oblivion Crisis have any impact on her family? Not directly.

Did the Great War have any impact on her family? Yes, because her mother is a Priestess of Talos. And following the Great War and the signing of the White-Gold Concordant, the worship of Talos is illegal. It sparks the desire in Lilija to fight for what they have lost, as well as her mother’s livelyhood.

How do current events, such as the murder of the reigning High King, the return of dragons, and so on, affect her and her family?  The murder of the High King, Lilija’s brother-in-law, essentially tears her family apart.  It pits sister against sister and the rest of their family struggles to not take sides.  It eventually, however, costs Lilija her life, even though at the time she has abandoned her cause and is trying to warn her sister that others are coming for her.

Personality

Five words to describe her: Impulsive, Aggressive, Headstrong, Loyal, Pious

What does she hate most: She hates contradictory people that think they are better than others.  Prime example: her younger sister Elisif.

What does she fear most: Being persecuted for her beliefs, Talos. Or being another “forgotten woman” to the histories.

What does she love most: She loves being active more than anything.

What is the one thing she wants most of all? And what is she willing to do, or sacrifice, to obtain it? Lilija wants to be free and secure in her beliefs of the Nine.  She wants her mother to be free to preach the divinity of Talos.  She is willing to go to war against her younger sister.

What is something that will instantly irritate her or send her into a rage?  A Nord following the Imperial Order of ceasing Talos worship.  Also, her younger sister.

What is something that can quickly cure that rage?  Nothing quickly; her mother, however, can calm her with religious talk. Any notable quirks, ticks, or habits?  She always has her hair in some manner of braid, taken from her days as a Shield Maiden.  She hums the ancient song, Beauty of Dawn, while she cleans and sharpens her sword.

What is the most difficult thing she has ever had to do ? Leave her little son with her abusive husband while she goes off to join the civil war.

What is the best moment of her life thus far?  The birth of her son, Liam.

What is the worst moment of her life thus far?  When her younger sister stands beside her dead husband’s decree of abandoning Talos worship.

Is she an honest woman?  Yes.

Is she an honorable woman?  Yes.  The only non-honorable thing Lilija ever does is intending to kill her sister.  But even that was with a heavy heart.  She had always, secretly, hoped there would be a moment where she could persuade Elisif to turn from her path. Is she a brave woman?  Yes.

Religion

What pantheon does she worship? Nordic Pantheon, which include: Shor, who was once the king of the gods, but was slain by elven devils and is now the god of the afterlife; Kyne, his widow, the mother of Nords, by breathing life into them at the Throat of the World, and the Sky Goddess; Mara, Kyne’s handmaiden, reigns over motherhood; Hermaeus Mora, known as the “Woodland Man,” he supposedly catches villagers lost in the woods; Talos/Ysmir, patron of the Nords.

Who are her patron deities? Talos & Kyne

What role, if any, have they played in her life or upbringing? They remind her to stay strong.

What are her views on other Aedra or Daedra? She understands that they have places in others’ religious views, but not in hers.

Do they view any places as sacred?  Any place Tiber Septim was rumored or proven to have been.

How do they view other pantheons’ deities and sacred places?  Lilija respects other religions.  What she does not respect is any Nord that turns their back on the worship of Talos.

Social

How does she feel about the government? She thinks the Fair-Crown dynasty is nothing but a puppet reign, slaves to the Imperial Crown and the increasing Thalmor influence.

How does she feel about people in charge? Such as the Emperor, the High Queen, Jarls, the Thalmor? Lilija believes the Emperor should keep is nose in his own business and not be so micro-managing.  Like in Skyrim, the High King concerns himself with the Jarls and their conduct, he does not focus on individuals, and he trusts his Jarls to be looking after their own people.  So when the Emperor takes away their freedom to worship Talos, many Nords begin feeling a mistrust of the higher ruler in faraway Cyrodiil, not seeing the stretching hand of the Thalmor behind it.

Does she respect rules and laws and the order of things?  Lilija respects traditional rules and laws of the Nordic people.  When new ones are attempted to be put in place, she, like many other Nords, get uneasy.

How does she feel about those of another race? She is respectful of Nords, obviously, Bretons and Redguards.  She is tolerant of Bosmer and Dunmer.  She hates, with a passion, Imperials and Altmer.  And she does not give Khajiit, Argonians, or Orcs a second thought.

What does she think of each of the other race?  Could she ever cooperate with them?  She could work with Bretons and Redguards, but the rest Lilija views as “not to be trusted”.

Is she independent or more group oriented?  Lilija is group oriented when it comes to fighting, otherwise she likes to be independent.

Does she take orders well?  Why or why not.  In a soldier setting, yes.  Outside the army/guards, she does take orders, but she bristles at them and will eventually buck the person attempting to control her.

Can they put aside their own ideals and desires for the better interest of others?  No, she cannot.

How does she feel about others in general?  Does she view them as out to get her, or honestly trying to help, or take advantage of her?  Lilija is generally suspicious of others. 

Is she a helpful person, or is she selfish, only caring about herself and her own gain?  If they are for her cause/belief/agenda, she will be all for helping them or accepting their help.

Do they view animals as better companions than people?  Or are they merely servants/food/things?  Lilija has lived on a farm of some sort all her life.  She learned at a young age not to get too attached to the animals. If she is a hunter, does she honor the animal she slays?  Lilija does not hunt, but if she did she would not honor them.  She grew up on a farm, so believes food is the animals’ only purpose.

What person or group does she pledge her allegiance to?  Ulfric Stormcloak and his claim as High King, usurping her sister, Elisif.

Talents/Education

Did she receive any special schooling anywhere?  Lilija was educated alongside the Law-Giver boys, Harrald and Saerlund, the sons of the Jarl of Riften, Laila Law-Giver.  She was trained by and became a member of the Riften Guards.

Did or does she have any mentors or favorite teachers?  No.

Does she have any magical talents?  If yes: when did she first show signs, how did she discover it, and what did others think of it?  None.

Does she hold a desire for knowledge?  Not really.

How does she feel about books?  Does she have a favorite?  Lilija is more active, she does not have much time for reading.

What subject, skill or topic does her expertise lie in?  Battle with sword and shield.

Is she a good rider?  Who taught her?  She is a good rider, her father taught he when she was very young.

Violence/Fighting/Combat

Is combat an art, a necessity, or a skill?  Lilija views it as a skill.

Can it be taught or is one simply born with it?  Anyone can be taught, but only the greatest of the great are born with immaculate skill.

What are her views on killing: is it ever acceptable or always avoidable?  Killing, death, and dying are all inevitable.  Especially in times of war.

Has she ever killed before?  If so, who was it and how/why did it happen?  Yes she has, but only in times of war or during her time in the Guards.  When Lilija was in the Riften Guards, she killed a fair number of bandits that plagued the roads in the southeastern hold.

Is she easily angered?  If so, is she easily calmed?  Lilija does have a quick temper, and she is very difficult to calm once she has been set off.

Is she vindictive?  Yes.

Can she control her passions or is she self-indulgent?  Lilija is very self-indulgent, constantly letting her passions get the best of her and lead her into poor situations.

What weapons is she familiar with?  Who taught her how to use them?  Lilija is a renowned Shield Maiden in the Rift, she is beautifully skilled with a longsword and shield. She learned the basics from her father and eldest brother, the rest she learned in training for the Riften Guard.

What role does honor play in combat?  Honor somewhat plays a role for Lilija.  If someone yields, you hold back your next attack.  If an enemy lays down their weapon, you drop yours as well and take them as a prisoner.  You do not attack an unarmed person.  However, in times of war, nearly all of these rules fall to the wayside for Lilija.

Does she have any creeds, standards, or codes that she lives by?  If so, who taught them to her?  “I surely want to feast in Shor’s hall, but certainly not today.”  Lilija learned it during her time in the Riften Guard.

Does she honor those she has killed, if she has killed?  She respects them if they fought well.

Will she use force to take what she wants?  Yes.

If she wants something someone else has, what will she do and how will she do it?  If it is a physical thing, nothing; Lilija does not steal.  If it is a state of mind, she sees how she too can achieve it.

Is torture acceptable?  In times of war, anything is acceptable.

Is mind control and possession acceptable?  In times of war, anything is acceptable.

Is pillaging acceptable?  In times of war, anything is acceptable.

Is stealing acceptable?  In times of war, anything is acceptable.  Lilija herself does not partake, however.

Are poisons sanctioned?  In times of war, anything is acceptable.

If an opponent were to yield, would she accept it?  If yes, even one from a dishonorable opponent?  In her time in the Guard, yes, Lilija would have accepted any yield or surrender.  In times of war, she would only accept them if the person was high enough up in the enemy rankings.

Would she kill an innocent?  If not, would she do so if a higher power were to command her to do so?  In times of war, anything is acceptable.  And only in times of war, and if someone commanded her, would Lilija do this.

What environment is she most comfortable fighting in?  Outdoors, free of constraints.

Has she had any training or experience in fighting Daedra, the undead, werewolves, vampires, or anything else of that nature?  Very little. Does she have a most hated foe?  The Imperial Legion and the Thalmor forces.

Story Based

What other Point-Of-View Characters does she interact with, both directly and indirectly? Directly: Visenya Briar-Heart, Elisif Fair-Crown. Indirectly: Anuriel Kendari, Vittoria Vici, Reniya Free-Winter.

Are they related to any other Point-Of-View Characters? She is the older sister of Elisif Fair-Crown, and sister-in-law to Reniya Fee-Winter and Anuriel Kendari, of sorts.

What chapters are from their point-of-view? Chapter Six

What other chapters do they appear in? Unknown.