Filippa

"I've seen all kinds of poisons inflicted by arrows, but magic? That was quite the nasty surprise." - Battlefield physician's notes During times of war, some cities in Tya have instituted conscription laws, requiring those young and hale enough to train as soldiers. Despite the risks, recruitment has often been an enticing option for bored youths hoping to escape their sleepy rural towns. For Filippa, the chance to leave her life of droll magic lessons and pretentious pageantry behind presented a unique challenge. She was talented in spellcraft and determined to prove herself. There was just one problem: under pressure, she wilted. Filippa's first few months of training were an utter disaster. Spells she mastered as a child such as summoning a simple flame sputtered the moment she was asked to demonstrate them. Incantations she could recite forwards and backwards were reduced to vague mumblings as soon as she was called on. At the rate Filippa was going, her military career would end before she ever set foot on the field. She had all but given until one afternoon when she happened upon a group of archers practicing. Watching their arrows strike their targets, Filippa had a life-changing epiphany. Spellcraft, she reasoned, was not so different from archery. Both were long-range offensive tactics. Casting magic in the heat of battle was out of the question for Filippa. But if she could find a way to imbue arrows with magic, perhaps she could be of use. Filippa began studying archery with the same ardor that she once pursued spellcraft. And unlike when she cast spells, her hands did not shake when she raised her bow and nocked an arrow. Inspiration comes in many forms. Some are inspired by great feats and passion, while others are driven to invent new methods by facing their greatest shortcomings and pressing through them.