Name: Amber Byrne
Nickname/s: Amy
Species: Witch
Primary Power: Earth Witch
Coven: Iris Coven
Age: 27
Gender: Female
Hometown: Cork, Ireland
Employment: Former Charity Worker, currently unemployed
Family: Father; Rupert, Mother; Adelia, Sister; Lillian, Step-father; Henry Williams, Step-brother; Merric, Half-brother; Thom
Friends:
Relationship: None currently
Player: Heather
Contact Email: rpgs@artisticchardon.com
Model: Olivia Wilde
Credit: Olivia-W.com
Background
The eldest daughter of Rupert and Adelia Bryne was born on a warm spring day, fitting for a future Earth Witch, her grandmother had said. Her parents had an average marriage, one that survived the stresses of everyday life and they both loved their daughter, Amber. A few years later Adelia gave birth to another daughter, Lillian, and the two parents considered their little family complete.
Life should have been easy for the two girls. Their mother was from a long line of Earth witches, whose magical talents had helped them gain quite a fortune over the decades. Their father was from a less wealthy background, and Rupert kept his daughters centred, making sure they did not grow up spoilt. This was not an easy task as they were the apple of their grandparent’s eyes. Despite all the love and care they received from their parents, it was one of their parents that would ruin their childhoods.
Members of the local Covens were going missing, soon appearing dead, and eventually members of the Thistle Coven, their parents Coven, met the same fate. The identity of the killer was unknown, a complete mystery until the killer slipped up. The murders were tracked by the Coven's Tracker to Amber's father. It took several witches to subdue him, and some were injured during the fight. His reasons were given; each of the witches had stood in his way for one reason or another. It seemed that Rupert had not quite come to terms with relying on his wife's wealth, and had wanted to make something of himself.
He was exiled from the Coven and from Cork, but not before threatening his wife and children. All the Covens in Cork were informed about his treachery to make sure he was completely exiled from the area. The Coven had found it difficult to agree on what should be done, and not long after his exile the Coven divided. Some left Cork, others joined or created other Covens. The girls were 7 and 10 when their father was exiled. The result of their father's crimes meant that the Byrne girls grew up under suspicion, hearing murmurs as people talked behind their backs and dirty looks as they tried to keep their children away from them. Their mother suffered the same suspicion, but eventually was able to move on and remarry. Her new husband, Henry Williams, was a widow whose wife had died not long after their son had been born. Together Henry and Adelia had another child, Thom.
It was no surprise that as teenagers both girls wanted to leave Cork, to run away from the suspicion and legacy of their father. As they matured Lillian settled down, choosing to remain in Cork. Both girls were strong earth witches like their mother, with talents in fertility and plant magic. They also shared the desire to use their gifts to help others. That was where the similarities ended though. Lillian had decided that it was her responsibility to remain with a Coven in Cork and help people that way. Amber believed that the supernatural community of Cork had all they needed, much more than underdeveloped countries. It was a turning point in their relationship when Amber chose to join an all supernatural charity heading to third world countries to help those who needed it most. The two sisters argued over her decision, and unswayed by her sister's arguments Amber left Cork.
For past five years Amber has been working as a charity worker in various parts of Africa as a member of the charity SFBL, known as Strangers for Better Life. The charity is known as Supernaturals for Better Life, to the supernatural community. During her time in Africa Amber worked to help people in need, mainly humans, by using her magic and Primary Power in secret. The charity's belief was that these people were fighting some difficult, if not impossible circumstances, and would benefit more from the help of supernaturals than those in developed countries. So many supernaturals wasted their talents on frivolous things, they believed, and this was there way of using their natural gifts to do something useful.
In the last year Amber became involved with a colleague, a fellow witch called Brian Griffon. Fertility magic had always been strong with her family, yet it was still a surprise when Amber found out she was pregnant. Brian didn't share her enthusiasm though, and told her he was married. Although Amber was devastated by his lies, she believed all life was sacred and chose to raise the child herself.
Brian's wife had other ideas. As a tracker witch she found out about Amber using her magic, and decided to take action. It was not just her husband’s infidelity that drove her to use magic to harm Amber's unborn child. It was the fact that Amber had conceived a child with Brian, something that his wife had been unable to do. The spell that was cast caused Amber to lose the baby, and accepting the warning she stayed far away from Brian.
Depression was beginning to set in when Amber received a call from her mother. They had stayed in contact over the years, although Amber had not spoken to her sister since she had left Cork. The call was about her sister; Lillian was missing, and no one knew where she was. Lillian was not the sort of person to disappear, especially after their father's threats before his exile. To ease her mother's conscience, and to find out for herself what had happened, Amber left the charity and returned to Cork.
In the past few weeks since returning to Cork, Amber has joined Lillian's Coven, filling the position of Earth Witch. It is something that Amber considers temporary as she is determined to find her sister, and refuses to consider that her sister may be dead.
Physical Appearance
Many have commented that Amber wasted her youth and beauty when she chose to be a charity worker in third world countries. Her stunning looks mean that she could have easily have chosen to be a model, but things like that are all immaterial to Amber. The slender frame that so many admire is not due to excessive exercise or metabolism, it is the result of someone who has worked many long hours and prefers to offer her food to those in need. To be complimented on her figure when so many are out there starving, is something that makes Amber feel sickened.
Her auburn hair is not styled, it has been cut by Amber herself to fall below her shoulders, with bangs to keep it from getting in her eyes while she worked. It is often kept out of her face by a braid, bun or ponytail, resulting in it falling in a mess of waves and frizz when she lets it fall loose. Make-up is something that Amber rarely uses, although she does own the basics in order to look respectable when she needs to. She rarely uses eye shadow when she does use cosmetics, preferring to leave her silvery-blue eyes unadorned.
One thing Amber does indulge in is jewellery. It is a love that she has had since she was a teenager, and her collection has grown to include many hand-made and tribal pieces. She can always be found wearing some form of jewellery, especially bangles or a necklace. Clothes wise Amber's style is practical and comfortable, with very little formal clothing in her wardrobe.
Personality
Amber is what many would call a hippy, or a do-gooder. She believes in saving energy, helping others, and using only natural products. Her sister Lillian believed her blind to the troubles that plague every day people, Amber simply believes there are already enough people to help others in Western countries. Even though she is a Witch, Amber treats all species as equal. During her work she worked with many humans, and alongside vampires and shapeshifters. She has seen firsthand the good that all species can do, regardless of what they need to drink or what they can turn into. She is a practical person, helping out where her and her gifts or talents will help the most. She is far from squeamish, and during her charity work she would often do the jobs others avoided.
For a long time Amber's charity work was all she needed, it was what drove her and what she enjoyed. The recent loss of her child, and the lies of the person she loved, have left her with a hole inside. She has grown depressed, and is using her sister's disappearance as a way to escape her own problems. Amber is focusing completely on her sister, even joining her Coven to continue her sisters wishes, and in doing so she is ignoring her own personal problems.
Returning to her childhood city would have been much harder for Amber if she had not returned for a reason i.e. her sister. There were some unresolved issues for her regarding her father, and how some people treated her family after his exile. Many who knew Amber as a young woman will find that she is not the same person she was before she left Cork.
Talents & Weaknesses
As Amber comes from a long line of Earth witches on her mother's side, her training in her Primary Power was extensive. She is a very strong witch, she was taught everything her family had to offer regarding Earth Magic, even if she was unable to use the knowledge. This resulted in Amber developing a strong mind for magical theory and spell crafting, which was very useful in her charity work. Many of the spells that Amber uses are ones that she has written herself, although a few are ones that have been handed down through each generation. As with everything in life, she has a practical approach to magic, not preferring one form of magic. Amber's spells are never flashy, and she draws on many materials such as crystals, oils and runes.
Amber's strong affinity with earth means that she finds it virtually impossible to use other elements or materials related to other elements in her spells. For example, candle magic is one area of magic she has never been able to grasp. Some spells and rituals require the presence of other elements, and Amber has little success with these spells. One area of magic that she has grown accustomed to using in place of such spells is magic using chants and songs. While working in Africa she saw a lot of chant based magic, as well as what others would call shamanistic magic. Amber was unable to perfect these methods, and instead mixed their methods with her own, using her strong singing voice to add to spells in her own way.
The strength of her primary power lies in plants and fertility magic, rather than manipulating the earth itself. While Amber can move masses of earth, it is something that drains her considerably even if she tries something small. When it comes to plants though, Amber has a strong affinity with them. She talks to plants as others talk to people or pets, although they do not answer her back the same way. Instead she gleans information from them through magic, feelings and sensations more than actual words or thoughts. Her knowledge of herbs and plants is vast, and while in Africa she added to what she already knew. She knows what plants are best for healers to use, and for tonics to calm or to induce a natural healthy sleep. All of this was of great use to her as a charity worker. Her fertility magic means that she is strong at fertility magic (spells and rituals) and in the past she has worked with Animal Speaker witches to use her fertility magic to help breed livestock.
Her charity work has left her with so many valuable skills that Amber believes everyone should undertake some charity work at least once. While working in Africa she learnt how to look after children and pregnant women, build shelter, clean water, maintain stocks for a refuge camp and look after livestock. All the things that most people take for granted, Amber knows how to do. She also now has several languages under her belt, many spoken fluently and some she knows enough to get by. She has a completely different perspective on life and culture now, the type that can only be learnt first hand.
