Juniper Swiftmane - First-Time Runner of the Karvax

Introduction

Every year of her life, Juniper Swiftmane has stood at the edge of the line and watched someone else carry the flame. This year the elders handed her a spear instead of a blanket to wave, and told her she is old enough to run the Run of Karvax herself. She has spent every night since practicing alone on the plains south of Cinderglade, memorizing the ground so her legs won't need daylight to find it - and trying very hard not to let anyone see how much the fire itself still frightens her.

Profile

Name: Juniper Swiftmane
Race: Centaur
Gender: Female
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Role/Class: First-Time Runner of the Run of Karvax
Challenge Rating: 1/2

"I've watched the Run every year since I could stand still long enough to see over the grass. This year they hand me the spear instead of the blanket - and I intend to still be upright when the singing stops."

Appearance: Juniper hasn't finished growing into herself yet - long-legged and a little too lean through the barrel, with a chestnut coat that hasn't darkened all the way to her dam's deep bay. Her dark mane is tied back and threaded through with a handful of small bone and bell charms, gifts from younger clan-children who like her better than they like anyone else old enough to run. She wears a plain wrap of fire-touched pelt bound around both forelegs for grip on the ash, and she carries a well-worn practice spear close against her chest the way some people carry a worry they haven't said out loud yet. Her eyes are always moving - toward the horizon, toward her own feet, toward anyone who might be watching to see if she's ready.