Name: Lady Protector Riven "The Smiling Death" Koralia

Race: Human, specifically Southern Altranorian

Gender: Female

Age: 29 years old

Appearance: Anyone with eyes can see Riven possesses several distinctive features belonging to the Koralia bloodline. Like the first Altranorian Royal Protector, Macarius Koralia, she has black hair and cuts it so it stops just above her jawline. Ignoring the current trends among Altranor's nobles, the Lady Protector keeps her bangs short so they don't distract her in the heat of battle. Riven's fair skin and dark hair create a striking contrast, though her bright green eyes are just as noticeable. They always seem to shine with barely restrained joy, regardless of her situation, and are part of the reason why Riven is known as “The Smiling Death.” Titles and nicknames notwithstanding, the Lady Protector’s heart-shaped visage is completed by large ears, a button-like nose marked by freckles, and full lips. A slender neck leads down to a pair of strong, if slightly bowed, shoulders, and Riven often seems shorter than her actual height of 5’8”. The Royal Protector’s arms are toned and end in dexterous, flexible hands. Despite the numerous taproom stories about her “assets,” Riven’s bust and rear are both small and she prefers them that way. Her flat stomach gives way to admittedly wide hips, an unwelcome gift from her mother's side of the family. Lastly, the Lady Protector’s legs are muscular and strong, which allows her to perform acrobatic feats heavier fighters cannot. Surprisingly, Riven has remarkably dainty feet.

Normally, the Lady Protector can be seen wearing a tight-fitting suit of black-dyed leather armor, which was given to her by the Alagos leatherworkers’ guild as a gift. This suit includes a beautifully wrought chestpiece, leggings, thigh high boots, bracers, gloves and a gorget. Riven also wears a chain mail belt around her narrow waist, and she usually has dozens of pouches hanging from it. Chymistry components, vials containing unspeakable substances, and the occasional beaker filled with Altranorian whiskey can all be found in these bags. Riven's twin gladiums, curved iron blades her mother gave her as thirteenth name day gifts, can be found dangling from her hips as well. In addition, the Lady Protector often wears a hooded gray cloak made of wool, which is thick enough to absorb lighter or glancing attacks. Arrows, direct sword or knife attacks, and similar assaults can punch through this garment easily. Riven tends to wear loose-fitting silk shirts, her leggings, and boots when she’s not battling King Erasmus' foes.

Position and Abilities: Royal Protector-The position of Royal Protector is only a few hundred years old. One of King Erasmus VI's ancestors, King Erasmus II, was responsible for creating this prestigious and admittedly burdensome title. Why? Because the Fanged Islands are dangerous, and he'd just inherited one of the most successful kingdoms in the entire archipelago. The eyes of Soven, Thandonia, and gods only knew who else were on him now, searching for any weaknesses they might exploit so they could take his lands for themselves. Erasmus the Second, also known as Erasmus the Wise, knew there would be attempts on his life. Wouldn't it be better to have a highly-trained man or woman at his side to defend him at all time? The problem was the elderly king didn't know of anyone who would be willing to shoulder this incredible responsibility. For a few years Erasmus the Wise thought on this matter until he found his fledgling kingdom embroiled in a colossal battle against the vicious hordes of Soven. If there was ever a time to appoint the First Royal Protector of Altranor it was now. And so, less than a mile from the front lines, King Erasmus II took a group of peasant soldiers as well as his childhood friend Lord Theron Invidia to a secluded glade. This is where he planned to conduct a brief ceremony inducting Lord Invidia as his Royal Protector. Before the king could open his mouth to reveal why he'd brought them all here, however, Theron drew his sword and lunged towards the man he'd grown up with. Several of the serfs joined him in his attack. Chaos erupted in the glade as Altranorian fought Altranorian in a desperate effort to either slay or protect King Erasmus II.

When the dust settled only one loyal soldier stood between Erasmus the Wise and his traitorous former companions. His name was Macarius Koralia, a lowborn son of a blacksmith from the small town of Redstone Village in southern Altranor. Armed with a spear and clad in a rusting hauberk, Macarius was a pitiful sight by all accounts. In the end, however, this valiant peasant managed to defeat the arrogant Lord Invidia and his allies, saving the life of an incredibly grateful King Erasmus the Second. Realizing that he'd found his Royal Protector at last, the Altranorian king was stunned when Macarius initially refused to accept the appointment. "I've slain a man with noble blood in his veins," Macarius lamented, fearing to meet his liege lord's eyes, "and I know Lord Invidia was a friend to you, my king. I deserve no honors." Erasmus the Wise earned his title that day by calmly reassuring Macarius and offering him the position of Royal Protector once more. He accepted. In addition, King Erasmus II gave Macarius the lands and titles the traitorous Lord Invidia held when he was still among the living. This meant Macarius Koralia, a mere peasant from the swamps of southern Altranor, not only became the ruler of the town of Redstone Village but he was given ownership of Iron Keep, the massive fortress located on the village's outskirts. With his newly appointed Royal Protector at his side, King Erasmus II won a crushing victory over the forces of Soven and sent several battle-hardened soldiers to help Macarius claim Lord Invidia's domain. From this day forward there has always been a Royal Protector and each one has done his or her best to live up to the standards of the First Lord Protector of Altranor. Some succeed and some, regrettably, fail.

At any rate, the talents and skills needed to protect a king aren't easy to obtain. Starting with Macarius and continuing through subsequent generations, the Koralia family has developed a grueling training regimen to prepare the next individual who stands to inherit the title of Royal Protector. Courtly etiquette, reading and writing in numerous languages, and at least a basic understanding of chymistry are all part of this grueling curriculum. There's also a great deal of combat training, though the direction this particular part of a Royal Protector's education goes in depends largely on the individual in question. While Macarius always preferred to wade into the thick of battle swinging a spear or javelin, Brutus Koralia was actually one of the most feared archers in Altranor before his fall from grace. Each member of the Koralia bloodline feels drawn towards a particular style of fighting, and this determines what weapons they train with starting at age thirteen. Riven, obviously, was most comfortable wielding two blades at once, which is a complicated art in its own right. In addition, every Lord and Lady Protector's individual attributes are taken into account during the training process. Riven is a slender, yet wiry, woman and she's not as physically capable as larger, more muscular warriors throughout the Fanged Islands. With this in mind, she's been trained extensively in stealth and acrobatic techniques with her ultimate goal being to kill her enemies as quickly as she can. The swifter an enemy falls the less chance they have of landing that one devastating blow. Riven prefers to remove as many enemies from the battlefield as possible before actually engaging her remaining opponents. It's a time-consuming strategy but it works for her. There's also a great deal of mental conditioning in addition to the more physical aspects of this brutal education. Defending and obeying the king at all costs are the two primary goals every Royal Protector keeps in mind. Ensuring his happiness and that of his family is a less important, though still essential, focal point as well. Unfortunately, being able to cope with the constant presence of death is one part of Riven's training she never quite completed. Her mother, Galene, was planning to personally help her daughter with this issue at some point in the future. Sadly, her death at the hands of several bandit clans kept that from happening. In the end, there is a saying amongst the members of the Koralia family. "You don't inherit the title of Royal Protector, you become the Royal Protector."

Basic Chymistry-Despite her pathetic cooking skills, Riven is a fairly competent chymist, though her father was much better at it. Regardless, vials, reagents, and various herbs are all familiar objects to the Lady Protector. While she possesses no magical abilities whatsoever, Riven can still makes a variety of mundane potions and poisons if the need arises, though her options are further limited by her inexperience. Two examples of potions Riven can brew are cat's eye potions, which allow the drinker to see in the dark for a limited amount of time, and numbing elixirs. Magebane poison is perhaps Riven's most commonly made concoction, and her swords are often dripping with this gooey, purple substance since she only has one dependable way to deal with spellcasters. This potent venom causes the victim to become paralyzed for roughly ten minutes, which is usually enough time for the Lady Protector or one of her allies to slay the mage in question. In addition, goblin's kiss is a simple toxin that causes the victim to become uncontrollably itchy. It can be rather hard to focus on the sword whipping towards your face when it feels like an army of angry ants are swarming all over you, biting every inch of your flesh with reckless abandon.

Connections-Over the course of their terms as Royal Protector, Riven and her father amassed a vast network of contacts on several islands across the archipelago. From Altranor to the distant shores of the Elatha Atoll, it's rare to find a settlement where the Royal Protector doesn't have eyes and ears constantly hunting for information. It's amazing what people will tell you if they think it might earn them a few gold coins. Innkeepers, merchants, prostitutes, artists and gods only knows who else all form the ranks of the Koralia family's "rats," and their dedication to ensuring the king's continued rule would be stirring if it wasn't motivated by greed. In addition, many aristocrats are well aware of how close the Royal Protector is to the king. It's worth tolerating someone who isn't nobility if it means she might put in a good word with your liege lord. This immense web of men and women also allows the Royal Protector to obtain anything the king needs at a moment's notice. Does King Erasmus VI want a new helm made for his duel with a rival warlord in three days’ time? The Koralia family knows a smith who'd love nothing more than to take on this task. Protecting and obeying the king's commands are only two parts of what it means to be a Royal Protector. Keeping your liege lord happy might not be equally important, but it's part of the reason why the Koralia bloodline has kept a grip on the title of Royal Protector.

Miscellaneous-Can read and write in over ten different languages, has written two awful collections of poetry under the pseudonym Albrecht the Annoying, possesses a powerful sense of smell, something of a connoisseur when it comes to alcohol and tends to ruin any food she attempts to cook

Personality: Riven is an interesting individual. She dislikes her role as Lady Protector yet fully understands her family is defined by this two hundred year old title. The Koralia bloodline was granted status far beyond their humble roots because of Macarius' dedication to his liege lord, King Erasmus II. Now, the entire family has a reputation for being loyal, steadfast, and dedicated to preserving the monarchy on Altranor even if it costs them their lives. How could anyone turn their back on such a legacy? Riven knows this yet the obligation to uphold the honor of the Koralia name weighs heavily on her at times. While she's certainly determined to do everything in her power to defend King Erasmus the Sixth, the Lady Protector has never been entirely comfortable with the act of taking another person's life. Riven knows it's an essential part of protecting her charge, not to mention an important part of living in the barely tamed wilderness of Altranor, yet no amount of rationalization or combat training has alleviated her profound sense of discomfort when it comes to murder. Ironically, the current Royal Protector isn't just good at killing people, she's great at it. During a peasant uprising in the southern marshes of Altranor, "The Smiling Death" infiltrated a heavily fortified tower occupied by no less than twenty enemies and butchered them all in a little over two hours. It was a bloodbath. Despite her impressive fighting abilities, Riven often struggles with the ramifications of killing another sentient being, though she certainly understands the concept of killing out of necessity. If someone threatens to harm her or the man she's oathbound to protect then death is the only response. Riven doesn't have to like it, however.

Whenever she prepares for battle, the Royal Protector becomes fixated on completing the task at hand as quickly and efficiently as possible. This often gets Riven into trouble because she can't adapt to rapidly changing conditions as easily. When you're focused on the ultimate goal and nothing else then it becomes harder cope with unexpected obstacles. Curiously, the Third Lady Protector of Altranor also has a bizarre tendency to make ribald and often indecent jokes while fighting for her life. Serfs who've witnessed her in combat have even gone so far as to claim Riven sings during battle. While this isn't necessarily unusual, the woman's song choices always seem more appropriate for a particularly seedy brothel than life-or-death conflict. Thus, the commonfolk of Altranor have taken to calling the Royal Protector "The Smiling Death," and mothers often scare their children into obedience with tales of a pale woman with a ghastly smirk on her face. This fearsome reputation has also spread beyond Altranor, and it's safe to say Riven Koralia is one of the most easily recognizable members of King Erasmus' court.

While the thought of a laughing madwoman cutting throats with two iron blades might fill the hearts of Riven's enemies with fear, the truth behind her behavior is far less intimidating. Without her songs and jests, Riven would never be able to cope with the constant, chilling presence of death in her life. The look of terror, the mindless, animal fear, in a man's eyes when you shove a sword into his chest makes her feel like something less than human. Riven understands death better than most yet she derives no pleasure from it.

On the other hand, Riven is a warm, friendly, and headstrong young woman she's not gutting people like fish at a market stall. While she rarely seeks the company of others, with a few exceptions, the Lady Protector almost never turns away new drinking partners or fellow members of the royal court. It might take her awhile to warm up to people, but once Riven is comfortable enough around someone then her loyalty knows no bounds. Of course, she's always on the lookout for people who think they can influence the king by befriending his guardian. The Royal Protector has little patience for sycophants and idiots. With both dear friends and strangers alike, however, Riven often displays an earthy, almost vulgar attitude when she's not confined by the demands of courtly etiquette. Her vocabulary is remarkably colorful for a woman who spends most of her time watching over Altranor's king. Perhaps the one group of people Riven treats with something almost like begrudging respect are mages. After all, it's rather difficult for even the most skilled and competent warriors to kill someone who can shoot bolts of lightning from their hands or call down pillars of arcane flame. With this thought in mind, Riven normally doesn't go out of her way to give mages a reason to dislike her.

At any rate, Riven certainly enjoys meeting new people, even if she doesn't always show it, and having new experiences. This doesn't mean she won't leap at the chance to have a few private moments alone, however. Being the Royal Protector doesn't allow for much privacy so Riven takes advantage of whatever time she can to find a quiet place to either write poetry or relax. Or drink, Riven does love her alcohol. During these rare and sacred times, the only person the Lady Protector will tolerate having around is King Erasmus VI. And it's not just because he's her liege lord. The monarch and his defender certainly didn't take to each other initially, but their relationship has changed over the last seven years into one of the strongest and deepest friendships Riven has ever had. They constantly challenge each other while providing support when it's needed yet their behavior is nothing but professional when in public. Peasants love to gossip and a bawdy story about the Lady Protector and the king is something they'd be talking about for years to come. Riven obviously has needs just like anyone, but she isn't about to try anything with the man whose become her best friend. Besides, it wouldn't be fair to the queen.

In the end, the Third Lady Protector of Altranor is an impatient, focused, and strong-willed woman who wants to see what life has in store for her beyond Altranor. Unfortunately, Riven swore an oath to protect her king until her dying breath, and she isn't the type of person to break such a vow. So, she makes the best of a bad situation by cussing like a drunken sailor and focusing on the task at hand.

Backstory: Riven was born on a stormy night to the Fourth Lord Protector of Altranor, Agathon Koralia, and his wife, Galene Koralia-Petrides. As the wind and rain battered the stones of the Iron Keep, the green-eyed child wailed loudly as if she was trying to drown out the howl of the wind outside. Or perhaps it was a lament because she knew what was to come. Either way, Agathon departed from the Iron Keep and Redstone Village a few days after his daughter was born. He was destined for Altranor's capital where a fleet was preparing to launch against an encroaching armada of Soven galleons. While the forces of King Erasmus the Sixth emerged victorious, the Lord Protector was lost at some point during a boarding action against the Soven flagship. In truth, Riven barely remembers her father with the exception of a pair of piercing green eyes. Just like hers. A few days later, Galene traveled to Altranor's capital city and offered her services to her late husband's liege lord. While he was initially hesitant to allow someone not of the Koralia bloodline to assume the title of Royal Protector, the king and Agathon had often discussed this possibility. A king without his Royal Protector was a king in danger.

Thus, Galene became the Second Lady Protector of Altranor.

During this time, Galene often brought Riven to court with her as part of the extensive training programme she was being put through. Whenever her mother was away serving her king, however, Argon Petrides, Galene's older brother, educated his niece to the best of his abilities. As a veteran of several conflicts, Argon knew a great deal about battle and combat, which he passed on to Riven. By the time Riven was twenty-two years old, she could handle her twin gladiums with relative ease and dance around her uncle with all the grace of a river flowing around a stone. She was ready to see the world beyond the Iron Keep's massive walls. Regrettably, Riven's opportunity to begin her duties as Royal Protector came only a few days after her twenty second name day. A coalition of bandits, led by former White Wolves mercenaries, came together with the sole purpose of slaying Galene the Widow. During a routine patrol outside of the capital's walls, Galene was killed and her murderers escaped into the surrounding forest. Without warning, Riven Koralia became the Third Lady Protector of Altranor.

Once she traveled to the capital to accept her appointment, Riven begged King Erasmus the Sixth to give her leave to hunt down the men who killed her mother. This is perhaps the only time she ever pleaded for something in her life. Graciously, the king allowed it with the stipulation that she allow a contingent of soldiers to accompany her. Within a few weeks, the marauding bandits were dead and Riven's thirst for vengeance was sated. Adjusting to life back in the capital was difficult for Riven, and her initially difficult relationship with her charge didn't help matters much. Both of them were strong-willed, which meant arguments sprang up fairly quickly. In the end, however, Erasmus was king and Riven eventually came to realize the man was right most of the time. Over the course of the next seven years, the twosome grew accustomed to each other and actually became dear friends. Just as her relationship with the king developed so too did Riven's reputation. Battles such as Lord Decimus' Folly, the Battle of Eurotas Mere, and the Sons of Altranor peasant revolt gave the newest Royal Protector a chance to show what a lifetime of Koralia training could do. While she constantly struggled with the death she wrought, Riven had to admit her skill in battle was useful when it came to ensuring the king's enemies knew they weren't dealing with some stripling who couldn't lift a sword.

Shortly after her twenty-ninth name day, King Erasmus the Indomitable asked her for a favor. He wanted to start negotiating with Warlord Lennart Virtanen of Tyr to see if an alliance could be formed. The small island of Tyr was located almost equidistant between Altranor and the island of Soven, which meant it could provide an excellent vantage point to spy on the rival island's activities. Besides, Lennart's sons had been slain by Soven soldiers in a naval battle several years ago so he had no love for their kind. Negotiations were only supposed to take a few weeks. Bidding farewell to her friends and her charge, Riven left for Tyr to speak with Warlord Virtanen. She received a royal welcome upon arriving on Tyr's verdant shores and everything seemed to be going apace. Yet, for some reason, Riven sensed something wasn't quite right. Why did Lennart claim he needed more time to think about allying with Altranor? Hadn't Erasmus claimed he was eager to join forces with anyone who hated the people of Soven as much as he did?

A few days later, a messenger from Altranor arrived bearing news of a strange storm advancing on the capital city. Begging the warlord's leave, Riven boarded the next ship heading from Tyr to Altranor and returned home. She arrived in the capital city almost an hour after the castle's walls were breached. Sneaking and occasionally fighting her way through men wearing the colors of Soven, Thandonia, and Ghant, the Lady Protector managed to reach the foot of the tower where the king's quarters were. That's when King Erasmus the Sixth's body plummeted out of the window and crashed into a nearby pigsty. Now, Riven has become the second Royal Protector to fail in her appointed task and there's only one thing she wants now. Vengeance.

Notable Possessions: None

Former Royal Protectors: -Macarius Koralia: First Lord Protector of Altranor and progenitor of the Koralia family, given both the settlement of Redstone Village and the Iron Keep as a reward for saving King Erasmus the Second's life, died during the Battle of the Crimson Lake, the Koralia family's heraldry is a white spear on a red field in memory of Macarius' courage, one of Riven's favorite oaths is "By Macarius' fucking spear!"

-Brutus Koralia: Second Lord Protector of Altranor and Macarius' younger brother, reviled for being the first Royal Protector to fail to protect his charge, died moments after King Ampelius the First was butchered by members of the Dion's Dogs mercenary company

-Charmion Koralia: First Lady Protector of Altranor and Brutus' eldest daughter, obsessed with regaining the honor the Koralia family lost after King Ampelius' death, not only strengthened the defenses of the Iron Keep but also had an earthen wall built around Redstone Village, often referred to as Charmion the Repentant, provided King Erasmus III with a constant source of inspiration before she drank from a poisoned chalice intended for her charge

-Lycus Koralia: Third Lord Protector of Altranor and Charmion's son, probably the most easily overlooked member of the Koralia family since he accomplished little during his time as Royal Protector, created the first draft of the extensive training regimen used by all subsequent Royal Protectors, died protecting King Erasmus the Fourth and his children from a group of Soven assassins

-Agathon Koralia: Fourth Lord Protector of Altranor and Lycus' only child, known for being the first member of the Koralia family to suggest the idea of having people outside the bloodline take on the Royal Protector's duties, believed there should always be someone ready to take on the task of protecting Altranor's king, served both the ailing King Erasmus the Fifth and his son, died during a brutal naval conflict between Altranor's forces and the Soven armada

-Galene Koralia-Petrides: Second Lady Protector of Altranor and wife of Agathon, called Galene the Widow since she assumed the role of Royal Protector following her husband's death, spent a great deal of time learning how to be a better guardian than those who came before her, substantially improved the training system created by Lycus Koralia, devoted to King Erasmus the Sixth, Galene was slain by a coalition of several bandit clans during a routine patrol outside of Altranor's capital

-Riven Koralia: Third Lady Protector of Altranor and daughter of Agathon and Galene, current Royal Protector, called "The Smiling Death" due to her habit of singing or joking while slaying her adversaries, a close friend of King Erasmus the Sixth, achieved notoriety during conflicts such as Lord Decimus' Folly, the Battle of the Eurotas Mere, and the Sons of Altranor revolt