Ava Scalestrength, known usually simply as Hopebringer Ava, was an Ochebanian hopebringer during the Orc Wars and the immediate aftermath. She was famous for her enthusiasm and infallible attitude, and was well-liked both among the broader populace and among the people to whom she extended a diplomatic hand.

Biography

Little Ava was born into the family of Scalestrength, a young but very high-status noble family in the Dragon Empire. She grew up with her father often away serving as a high officer and her mother running the family businesses, and was allowed to see glimpses of both worlds as she grew up. She also had two brothers, one older and one younger, who often engaged her in fighting games which she didn't appreciate but which nevertheless grew quite good at.

By the age of 16, Ava became a regular courtesan attending the imperial courts, which were not far from her family residence. She forged new social links and, with her father's support, spent some time with various young officers in the navy and territorial defense forces. However, she did not develop any lasting romantic interests, and her family did not put pressure on her. But she did have one dream: to become a hopebringer, one of these legendary women who travelled the world and brought the Dragon-Emperor's will to the many people of the world.

She apprenticed to an old imperial functionary at the age of 18, extending her court knowledge with more concrete formalities and an understanding of how the Ochebanian wartime state functioned. In this position, she interacted with high ministers and could even attend briefings and ceremonies involving active hopebringers.

Having come to the attention of the imperial minister of appointments and several other people, she was appointed a hopebringer and swore her oaths in 52 OW, at the age of 19. She was one of the youngest hopebringers ever, and the youngest of her generation; her build was so slim that she initially only wore a breastplate under her red cloak, because the smallest suit did not fit her well.

She mostly underwent diplomatic training in the initial years, occasionally dealing with Ochebanian guilds and subject peoples on Bachulu - territory she was very confident treading, but also territory which did not require a hopebringer to handle. In 53 OW, she traveled alongside two older companions across the known world to Haluci Cuprien, traveling through the Caverealm on the return journey because of dangers on the ocean.

In 54 OW, she mostly shuttled to and from Vena and Andan cities on Ancetartic and in the Colupan Archipelago, often alone, with relatively minor appointments. She was often accompanied by naval officers who wanted to coordinate efforts with the goblinoid navy.

In 55, she received a fascinating new appointment: to visit the drow Citadel of Zann'Elth and give the emperor's respect to the Tyrana, in light of several new economic agreements around firearms production. Her predecessor had been afraid of that menacing place and was judged unsuited to return, but there were no other senior hopebringers available, the task was not considered very complicated, and Ava had been noted as exceptionally fearless and charismatic. So she was given the mission, and she descended into the caves to visit the dark capital of the drow empire.

Ava's performance was exceptionally successful. She not only accomplished the few formal acts that were required of her, but she also quite quickly understood the expectations and traditions in the Tyranaen court and even participated in them. She stood in her lustrous new steel at the side of the Tyrana, and walked with the processions of her visitors, and even participated in the wake of the Crimson Guard, as they ceremoniously stayed awake to guard their leader.

Ava helped make some further arrangements between visiting imperial officials and the Tyranaen authorities, then returned to the surface. She had been so popular among the drow that she returned several times. As the missions to Zann'Elth grew in importance, Ava was accompanied by more senior hopebringers who were trusted with decision-making in the major arrangements that were being made, but often it was Ava who stood first and who led the discussions with the drow. Though she often did not make decisions, she was the face of Ochebana to the underground, and also the popular bringer of good news for the guilds and businessmen on Bachulu. She became quite famous as the emperor's ambassador to "the underground".

In 68 OW, Ava was a well-established figure. She had spent a two-year span from 64-66 as the permanent ambassador to Zann'Elth, and was now traveling the Caverealm with a large Zannyr delegation. She was unfortunately ambushed while traveling the outskirts of a city in the Sveltmyr, a restless Zannyr province, by [Gezznyr](/fandom/wiki/41 assassins and gnome rebels. She died of her wounds while being treated by Vorash clerics.

Her death sparked great outrage in both Zann'Elth and Ochebana. The drow decried this unfortunate event and sent a heartfelt apology to the surface, while many humans were greatly angered. The empire officially condemned Gezneth for the attack and used this event to continue pushing its Northern Campaign against Gezneth and its orcish allies on Intralu.