<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 16pt;"><strong>~Althea~</strong></span></div><div align="center">http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=555221 (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=555221)</div><br/>Althea is an elven woman of typical beauty for her race, graceful and nimble, but whom makes no attempt to be charming or delicate in word. She is an alchemist of considerable talent, skilled in poisons most of all. She buries herself in her work, dealing with others only as much as is required. Working in the position she does now allows her opportunity and resources she never could have hoped access to prior, so she puts up with the socialization that she must, and does her work diligently and faithfully, so long as it remains to the benefit of her research. As she sees it, what benefits the one she serves, in the long run, benefits herself. Deft fingers and a sharp mind more than make up for her lack of pleasantries. In a war of shadows, and political intrigue, little can do more damage than the right dose of the right poison at the right moment, administered in secret. Her knowledge of alchemy has also resulted in an ability to craft potions and explosives as well, both of which have their uses as well.<br/><br/>Her history prior to her service is largely unknown, mostly because she doesn't talk about herself, the rare times when she's been forced to socialize at all. What is known is that she was a mathematical prodigy, displaying a good grasp of engineering and alchemy at a young age even for humans. She, unsurprisingly, never made many friends, but excelled academically, and most of what she's done since has been driven by a desire to further her academic prowess, and unlock greater understanding of the natural world and its practical applications. When asked why she chose to put her mind to use specializing in poisons, rather than things with less... lethal application, she simply reasons that poison is an unappreciated art, where there is much room for improvement, that understanding how to kill with poison can also teach one how to prevent the same, and simply that killing is not always a bad thing, that there are simply people out there who could use a good killing.<br/><br/>Her elven looks do their part to keep her from<em>completely</em>lacking in charm, carrying a lithe frame rounded out with soft curves and flawless fair skin. Her emerald eyes and bronze hair give her a somewhat natural look, perhaps fitting for an elf who spends her free time studying various plants and other natural extracts. Her dress is simple and practical, not concerning herself with overly flashy of fashionable attire, and she fits in quite well when she is able to make an outing to the wilderness, to root about for suitable substances to use for her research.