Company:New Horizons/Samantha Whitlock

Early Age
Ever since she was young, Sam had always dreamt of adventure. Her parents were adventurers & explorers in their youth before they settled for a home. Nightly, they would fill her mind with dreams until she was sure that she would follow in their footsteps. To experience the world as they had, and to have stories to share beside a fire.

However, one night she mentioned a name she had overheard. "Aeternum Calls", and the Whitlocks grew worried. Perhaps they had instilled a wonder in their daughter that'll lead her astray.

Although they warned Sam, and tried to discourage her, she secretly held close the fact that she would visit the Aeternum Calls.

Youth
Most of Sam's youth was spent preparing to become an adventurer. Doing odd jobs around town to save up money, watching the local guard train in the mornings & hiding away in a cave to mimic them with her home's broom handle, learning to read & write from her mother's books. She worked very hard. In her mind, she wanted to become one of the greatest.

It was during one of these days that she was caught eavesdropping on the guard, & after a bit of an embarrassing confession, she was kindly accepted into the training sessions. Her eyes gleamed with enthusiasm as she held her first proper sword. A smile was always painted on her face, even as she struggled to keep up.

Eventually, she saved up enough money. She had trained. With her parent's blessing, she set off into the world.

Hopes & Adventure
Stepping past the safety of her home, she quickly realized how lonely it all was. Travelling through grasslands, and forests, through caves & by lakes. It was wonderful to finally realize her dream, but she yearned for some company. Her parents had met while scaling a mountain, she remembers, and having nothing better to do, she followed suit. To the nearest mountain!

She didn't expect to find anyone, but having done as their parents did gave her pleasure, & drove her forward. Lucky for her though, midway through the climb, she did find someone. She met a young man by the name of Bentley who had set out on a similar quest. He was kind, and his hands were callused from farm work. In him she saw the coarse meadows beside her home, and the kindness of the guard. Reaching the top they screamed until their voices became hoarse, declaring their independence from the world.

They set out on many adventurers together from then, and formed a strong friendship, an unbreakable bond.

Aeternum Calls
Although the thrill of her lifestyle was satisfying, she remembered the promise she made herself as a child. She wrote a letter home, and discussed it with Bentley. Reluctantly, he agreed. If they found a ship heading near there, or toward it, they would attempt to visit the island.

The found a ship crazy enough to venture into those waters, & boarded it with naïve enthusiasm. Her memories of that time are fuzzy, but she remembers the events that transpired. She was writing below deck when Bentley rushed down the stairs with a look she had never seen before. One moment he was standing in front of her, speaking urgently. The next, with a wood-splitting shriek, she tasted salt, iron, & could only see a shade of blue as her consciousness slipped.

She awoke at shore coughing up saltwater with a sting in her eyes. She couldn't open them, but she could feel a weight pushing her down against the sand. The sound of knives butchering meat was very close, and for a moment, she thought she was at home listening to the guards strike at the chainmail target.

Squirming away from the weight, she opened her eyes to a familiar face attached to a mangled mess. In disbelief she stood there, until something struck the side of her head. Then, she crawled away and ran.

Now
Samantha Whitlock arrived onto Aeternum Calls as everyone does, with a hint of tragedy. She vowed to uphold Bentley's last act with her every action. To protect those she loves, & to never lose hope.

She misses her parents dearly, and being unable to leave the island eats away at her deep down... but she proudly holds dear to her last name, as it's soft embrace holds the remnants of home.