Souffle

Personal Info

A member of Free School, the dedicated explorer is a familiar presence across the Abyss, uncovering its secrets and legends.
What many don't know is that she's the illegitimate daughter of a noble family. Shunned by her family, she eventually saw some reconciliation, though true acceptance never came.
Upon coming of age, she left her family and began her life as an Explorer in the Abyss.

Kind-hearted and generous, she never hesitates to lend a hand to those in need.
Even those who once scorned her birth get nothing but quiet forgiveness.
Through her words and actions, she has won the respect of many.

Chronicles

This place used to be nothing more than a rundown scavenger base. Buildings were crumbling, and streets were messy. Definitely not a spot any self-respecting Explorer would stop to rest. That is, until Miss Souffle showed up.
After seeing the situation here, she offered to help us rebuild the place...
She led fundraising efforts, used her influence to rally nearby Explorers, and got everyone working together to fix up the Outpost and clean up here.
Then she gave the scavengers practical, personalized advice about how to find a job or start their own businesses. Thanks to her, the whole place turned around.
Now, we're the most famous commercial hub in this region. Now goods are plentiful, and supplies overflow. None of this would've been made possible without her.
— Outpost Merchant

I wonder if she's doing well in the Abyss. I do still hear from her now and then, but...
That attic was where she lived as a child. After her mother brought shame on the family, I intended to keep them confined there until the woman came to me with a sincere apology.
But I never got the chance. She lost her mother and I lost my daughter.
After that, I had her brought out and raised properly. She was taught etiquette, magic, martial arts...
I kept waiting for her to bow her head on her mother's behalf. Or at least demand answers from me. But she did neither. All I got was her request to leave for the Abyss.
She's so much like her mother. Gentle, but stubborn to the core.
— Souffle's Grandfather

Souffle always keeps her composure. I've never seen her panic, no matter the situation.
Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever seen her angry either. Once, a few troublemakers tried to mess with her. She just smiled at them... and they immediately backed down and apologized.
How to describe that look? It's a smile, yes, but the kind that chills your blood.
Personally, I'd rather face a screaming officer from the army than that kind of smile again.
— ??? from Free School

Record

Miss Souffle didn't take long to charm the expedition after joining. There's something about her—the way she carries herself, how easily she laughs—that draws people in.
Breaks are never lonely; someone always wanders over to chat.
And she is happy to oblige, sharing tales of her travels or bits of her past.

The bastard label hasn't bothered her much.
Talk turns to family, and you'll hear no bitterness. Just thanks for her mother, mixed with a flicker of guilt.
Perhaps deep down, Miss Souffle blames herself for all the suffering her mother endured. If she hadn't been born, would her mother's life have been easier?
(But that's just a guess, no one's rude enough to ask.)
As the team says: "Who cares? Souffle's one of us. That's all that matters."

Anecdote

A small figure showed up before Souffle.
"Miss Souffle?"
"Yes, and you are...?"
" Free School. We've found the person you've been asking about."
"Really? That's efficient..."
"Nothing happens in the Abyss, or connected to it, without us knowing. Follow me."
The petite one looked rather pleased while leading Souffle away from the Port...

Not far from the Port, in a quiet village, a middle-aged man was sweeping his yard. His movements were slow as he limped slightly.
Just as he gathered the leaves and weeds into a pile, two children tore off out of the house. In their playful chase, they scattered the debris he had just cleaned up.
A woman appeared, scolding the children before ushering them back inside. Wordlessly, she picked up a broom and then joined the man for another clean-up.

"He was being hunted back then. With no way out, he ended up in the Abyss and became an Explorer. His leg was injured that time. "
"Probably around then, he met his wife, too. They settled here not long after."
"I see..."
"Want to go say hello?"
"No. This is enough."
With that, Souffle turned and left.
And the man, still sweeping, seemed to sense something at that moment. He looked up towards the distance, where only two retreating figures could be seen.
He shook his head slightly, then went back to his work...