Cordelia Ashdown

Overview
''Full biography found here. ''

Appearance
Hair: Dark blonde

 

Skin: White

 

Eyes: Amber

 

Height: 5’5”

 

Weight: 112 lbs

Markings/Noticeable Features:  A light dusting of freckles across her nose that she attempts to obscure with cosmetics.

Personality
Cora is strong-willed, prim, and studious. A passionate supporter of rights for women and the lower castes, and very aware of the advantage of her position as an educated lady of the gentry. Though she can be counted on for her compassion and charity, it is also well-known that she enjoys her creature comforts and would be loathe to sacrifice her wealth and influence. She is well-regarded by many for her intelligence and discretion, though others consider her to be over-stepping, especially in the realm of her profession.

Any affairs that she may have are kept well out of the public eye.

Abilities

 * Highly educated
 * University graduate, trained in medicine and surgery
 * Fencing proficiency
 * Water magic user

History
Cordelia Ashdown was born Cordelia Crosland, the eldest daughter of a merchant family in the Lower Yem. She was always ambitious and intelligent, and her family supported those traits in the hopes that she would, either through savvy business sense or through a higher-caste marriage, improve the lot of their trade and family. They risked taking out loans against their assets to afford to send Cordelia to university, despite the gossip that raised amongst some circles. She thrived in the university setting, enjoying matching wits and intellect with the sons of the greater families, especially against those that openly disapproved of her presence.

 

Soon after completing her Degree of Chirurgery, a marriage was arranged between herself and one of her former professors, Sir James Ashdown. He was quite a bit older than herself, and neither pretended that it was anything other than a marriage of convenience - her for the social standing and wealth, and him for the pleasure of obtaining a beautiful and accomplished woman as his companion. Although there was no love, they were fond of each other in a platonic way and he continued to encourage Cordelia in her academic pursuits until his death a year ago.

 

There were no children born to James and Cordelia, and no suitable male heirs in the Ashdown line to inherit, so she remains the sole benefactor of his estate.

Cordelia finds purpose in her employment at Ashmoor hospital, where she attends to the female patients. She also runs a small, HIGHLY discreet clinic and apothecary from her household, providing surgical procedures for select lower caste cases, stitching up lesser House sons after unsanctioned duels, and brewing abortifacients for whores and Greater House ladies alike.