Orphea Lightwalker

Orphea Lightwalker, “Conqueror of the Death Bear,” is a Gurahl who has faced the Death Bear.

Overview

Orphea Lightwalker began life as Amalie DuChamps, the daughter of an archaeology professor and his journalist wife. Amalie’s First Change took place at a dig in Greece. The sudden appearance of a monstrous bearlike creature amid the ruins of a shrine dedicated to Demeter in an early incarnation as a bear-goddess caused the prompt abandonment of the dig and sparked rumors that the site was haunted.

Protected from discovery by the Delirium’s effects, Amalie tried her best to forget the bizarre transformation she had undergone. When the dreams began, however, she realized that something had happened to alter the course of her life forever. She left her family and traveled to Norway, where she met her Buri-Jaan, a member of the River Keepers named Grisl. The two women traveled together for a year, during which time Amalie leaned what it meant to be Gurahl. When she parted company with her Buri-Jaan, Amalie continued to travel, searching out evidence of others of her kind.

It saddened her to discover just how few Gurahl existed in the world. Everywhere she looked, she saw signs of the Pattern Breaker’s destructive presence and the Tapestry Maker’s ever-stifling handiwork. Reaffirming her commitment to her personal trinity of Gaia, Ursa and the Yarn Spinner, Amalie worked at forging new ties among the few Gurahl she discovered. She attended councils and powwows regularly, participating in group rites as often as she could. She traveled the Umbra in search of sleeping Gurahl, hoping to awaken them and convince them that the world urgently needed their presence.

In time, Amalie received her greatest wish; she became Buri-Jaan to a new Gurahl, a young man named Demetrios. After a few months, Amalie developed a strong affection for her energetic and inquisitive pupil. Although only a few years separated them, she thought of Demetrios as her son.

The unexpected death of Demetrios. The victim of mob violence, shattered Amalie’s world. Refusing to give up her charge to the embrace of the Death Bear, Amalie sought a way to bring Demetrios back from the Underworld. Entering the Umbra, Amalie found her way to the Dark Umbra, where she summoned Mangi himself and demanded that he return her adopted son to her.

Three days later, Amalie returned from her Umbral quest, her body scarred and her once-dark hair as white as bleached bones. With her was Demetrios, shaky and confused, but whole in body and spirit. Amalie had fought the Death Bear and won.

In recognition of her feat, she changed her name to Orphea Lightwalker, to honor the memory of the legendary musician who tried – and failed – to rescue his beloved from the world of the dead.

References

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