User:Jack "BtR" Saxon/Lara Croft (first continuity)

"I only play for sport."

- Lara

Lara Croft (b. 14 February, 1968 ) was a world-renowned archaeologist and author. Born to Lord Henshingly Croft and his wife, she was born in Wimbledon, Surrey and raised in the secure world of aristocracy. However, after surviving a plane crash in the Himalayas, Lara decided to pursue a life of solitary adventure, leading her to be disowned by her parents and living alone at a house she inherited. She looked to writing to fund her expeditions.

Childhood (1968-1983)
"A respected archaeologist, Von Croy had once lectured at Lara's school to pupils and parents alike. The experience had a profound effect on Lara, triggering a desire for travel to remote locations in search of adventure. In some ways Von Croy had become an inspirational figure for Lara - the memories he had recounted came flooding back as if she had been there herself, rekindling her desire to experience the rewards of discovery firsthand."

- Description

Lara was born on 14 February, 1968 in Wimbledon, Surrey to Lord Henshingly Croft and his wife. She was raised at the Croft estate, receiving private tutoring from the age of three to eleven, when she began attending Wimbledon High School for Girls. She once attended a lecture by Werner Von Croy, which triggered in her a desire to travel.

Adventure in Ireland and Von Croy's expedition (1984)
After turning sixteen, Lord and Lady Croft decided that Lara should broaden her education by studying for her A-levels at Gordonstoun Boarding School. While repairs were being carried out on the Croft mansion, she went to stay with Winston and his wife in Connussie. After overhearing Winston talking to Father Patrick about strange apparitions, Lara sneaked out of her bedroom window to investigate. She encountered several demons on the isle and eventually came across Father Patrick, finding the Bestiary and using it to save him from Verdilet.

At Gordonstoun, Lara discovered rock-climbing as a pastime, often leaving netball practice to climb in the hills. She also excelled at canoeing, horse-riding and archery, and took up shooting as an extracurricular activity, but was instantly banned for showing too keen an interest. Her experiences in Ireland may have led her to embrace such activities, having remarked after banishing Verdilet that she had learnt a lot from her adventure.

Lord and Lady Croft were unhappy with Lara's adventuring at Gordonstoun and discussed the possibility of her accompanying her aunt on a trip to Europe to learn about European history during one of her school holidays. Lara overheard the conversation and had no wish to spend such a long time with her aunt, and instead demanded that she accompany Werner Von Croy on an expedition to Cambodia. Lord and Lady Croft eventually agreed, with the former writing a letter to Von Croy offering funds in return for his daughter's place on the project.