A collection of all NPCs for ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court
OP
The Church of the All-force
Potentate Brinyar Heavy-handed
41 | He/him | Human
Description: Brinyar has served the Church all his life. He was picked up by one of the priests when he was an urchin off the streets. Due to his bigger bulk, prowess with a sword, and knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, he rose steadily through the ranks. Until, at the untimely departure of the frail Potentate of the Church, he was asked to assume the position of the new Potentate, the new head of the Church.
Potentate Brinyar Heavy-handed is not just a leader within the Church, but a figure of influence in the province of Arrowfell. He oversees the distribution of priests and knights, ensuring the Church's presence is felt throughout the land. As the head of the Council of the Church, he makes crucial decisions that shape the future of the Church and Arrowfell. He is the face of the Church to the nobility, including the esteemed Wizard Queen, and maintains personal relationships with the Church's donors, valuing their input.
The metal halo hovering over his head is a sign of his status, and is an artifact of the Church, handed down from one Potentate to the next for generations. It has survived the bloody history of the province of Arrowfell, and is a symbol of hope for the people.
Heavy-handed wasn’t always Brinyar’s last name, but it stuck. No one knows what his real last name is.
Magic/Seed:
x The Golden Halo - This artifact has been in the Church for generations, and is enchanted to float atop a person’s head. It offers weak protection against the denizens of Dremora’s Shade, ensuring attacks don’t hit as hard.
x The Blade of the Church - A blade recently made with a seed embedded in the guard. This seed allows the wielder to sprout wings made of light and enable the ability to fly.
x Spells:
xx Blade of the White Flame - Coats the caster’s blade in a flame made of white magic, which is extra potent against Dremoras.
xx Blade of the Truthseer - Coats the caster’s blade in an aura of gold, which leaves cuts that are cursed upon the deceitful. Damage taken from this magical blade takes high-level healing to undo, and even then, the pain that’s inflicted is like the blade cuts a thousand times in the same area.
xx White Shield - Casts a dome of protection wherever the caster wishes, which protects from Dremoras.
OP
The Wizard Queen’s Court
Advisor Vulluin Urimyar
35 (appears mid 20s) | He/him | Elf
Description: Once a viscount of Aethera, Vullian was always dissatisfied with a human on the throne. You see, Aethera had a problem. After the civil wars, and King Ludwig II brought peace to the land, Aethera sacrificed power for peace. Due to their distance from Hathforth, they had less influence on the day-to-day affairs of running the province. They needed someone of their influence to see if Aethera could remain a powerful voice, instead of being the whisper on the wind it had been reduced to.
Vullian moved to Hathforth to see if he could influence the court. Aethera finally had a designated, full-time representative, but alas, most of his suggestions fell on deaf ears. The king wasn't interested in Aetherian technology that took hundreds of years to produce results. Humans didn't have that kind of time to wait. So, Aethera continued to play in the background, much to Vullian’s dismay.
So, he plotted. When he heard there was a half-elf preparing to overthrow the king, he provided needed intel to ensure her ascension was as smooth as possible. He became invaluable, and pledged his services to the half-elf after her coronation. He soon found himself an advisor to the Wizard Queen, with enough power to pull strings in the court as much as he would like. Aethera once again was a prominent player in the province of Arrowfell.
Magic/Seed:
x Earrings of Enrapture - A seed split into two halves and embedded into a set of earrings. These seed halves have the ability to cause one or another effect in people: The feeling of euphoria, comfort, and happiness. Or the feeling of fear, dread, and impending doom.
x Restoration Dome - A golden-colored aura that appears around a small area. Anything within it begins to be automatically healed from cuts, bruises, and wounds. Anything outside it struggles to get in. It takes several swipes of a sword, or several high-powered magical attacks to break the barrier.
x Camoflauge - Vullian has the ability to blend into his environment. He is nearly indistinguishable from the background he mimics. However, there’s a catch. He must remain perfectly still when camouflaged, otherwise the spell copies the background at a delayed rate, giving away his position to the careful eye.
x Ice Blast - A stream of ice and frost flies from his hand, causing frostbite and chilling the target to the bone.
X Ice Storm - A full-on blizzard forms at his will, affecting a location with biting winds, snow, ice, low visibility, and the ability to cause hypothermia if one remains in the storm for too long.
Violetta Aliz
30 | She/her | Human
Description: Serving as a soldier in King Ludwig II's army, Violetta could only watch as the previous generals were publicly executed. None of the influential members of the previous king's court could survive, of course. Of course, that left a power vacuum.
Promotions went out in the army, now under management of the Wizard Queen. Violetta didn't want it, but word of her talents reached the queen's ears. After several refused invitations, Violetta was eventually pinned between a rock and a hard place: accept the promotion, or be thrown in jail.
She accepted. It meant more work, more burden, and more likelihood of finding herself with a much, much shorter lifespan in case things went awry. But she recognized another power when she saw it - the Queen. Violetta might not have liked the bloody ascension of the Queen, but she's nothing if not loyal to power.
So, after a few more demonstrations, Violetta found herself as one of the top generals in the Queen's army. She also leads a special branch of the military, designed to contain and neutralize any threats surrounding the Glasic Fields. This means the ‘monsters’ within, and ‘monsters’ with their eyes on Hathforth's treasures.
This special branch of the military is called the Crossguards, and contains captains of the army that, when called into wartime duty, work under Violetta with their own battalions. They are denoted by their symbol: a skull with wings.
Magic/Seed:
x Glasgow Entrapment - Casts a large net made of green spectral light that acts as super glue to anything it touches, ensnaring a victim further the more they struggle.
x Quicksand - A small patch of ground becomes liquefied, acting much like quicksand as it slowly swallows up anything unfortunate enough to be standing in it.
x Paralyzing Mist - Casts a veil of mist over an area that, if enough is inhaled, causes the body to initially lose feeling, then lose motor functions, until eventually a person is paralyzed on the ground. Violetta is immune to her own spell, but cannot identify friends from foe with this spell.
x Summon Whip - Can create a spectral whip endowed with electrical affinities. If anyone is touched or wrapped up with this whip, they'll feel varying levels of electric shock, depending on how high Violetta ramps it up.
x Angler Light - Placing a specific rune on the ground that creates a singular floating orb of light over it. Anyone that comes close to this light will receive a burst of electric shock that can knock out most people. The rune then dissolves after this.
Court Jester Jax Britesong
35 | She/her | Human
Description: Jax was there as a young jester when there was a fall of a king in a faraway kingdom. She only escaped with her life due to Evelyn's spells, and is now honoring a life debt with her. She followed alongside for ten years, learning about Hathforth.
She created distractions to disarm the soldiers, allowing Evelyn to take the throne of Hathforth much easier. And now she play an unassuming role in the Wizard Queen's court, creating an atmosphere of awe in the Queen's presence, and keeping an ear open to nobles with loose mouths. She's also a close friend of the Concord and Lady Haliel.
Magic/Seed:
x Minor illusion - Jax is able to create illusions that enrapt the mind, taking the form of spectral entities. These are low-energy, monotone illusions, and don't need a lot of effort from her. A few examples are spectral butterflies and birds. These can be dispelled by magic quite easily.
x Major illusion - Jax is able to create life-like illusions in a small area. For example, creating an object that doesn't actually exist, or a person walking and talking. These require a lot of mana and concentration, and can still be dispelled by magic easily.
OP
The College of Hathforth
Headmaster Caveus Ashan
70 | He/him | Human
Description: An old man who's been in the pursuit of knowledge for years. His ambitions helped uncover forgotten artifacts, tinkering with how they worked and unlocking strange and wonderful magic for the College and the crown. He was the one who helped unravel how seeds work, and has theories behind them that are still used to this day.
Caveus still enjoys a good field trip to the Fey River, but is now more interested in what his aspiring students have to offer the College and Hathforth at large.
Magic/Seed:
x The Recordium - A blue tome, an artifact of the College that has stood the test of time, and holds the collective knowledge of the College's vast libraries, second only to the libraries in Odonfield. A person only has to hold it, and the Recordium will share information on anything the holder is thinking about.
x Flames - A weak fire spell cast from the hand.
x Ice Cloak - This spell covers the caster in a cloak of ice, causing frostbite and chills for anyone too close.
x Flame Cloak - Similar to Ice Cloak, this spell covers the caster in a cloak of fire, causing burns, heat, and pain for anyone too close.
x Conjure Familiar - Any type of animal can be conjured, appearing as a spectral entity, and can help fight for a short time.
x Conjure Dremora - Any type of Dremora, or monster can be conjured. This is not a real Dremora, more like a figment of the imagination. The caster would have had to have seen the Dremora in person to be able to conjure it.
x Enshroudment - A miasma of grey smoke covers an area, impenetrable to magic discernment and the naked eye.
x Blue Flames - Tiny blue flames hover around the caster in multitudes, controlled by the mind and able to deliver fire damage in torrential floods.
x Hover - The ability to levitate small objects.
OP
The Orphan’s Matron
Viscounts Asteria & Mene Skybound
13 | She/her, He/him | Human
Description: Losing their mother at a young age due to sickness, and their father in the civil war, the Skybound siblings had it tough. Lost and buffered by the winds of noble politics, they heard of an opportunity that could help them. The Orphan's Matron, where the Wizard Queen would ease their affairs in exchange for them to enact her will.
For the twins, having a motherly figure again was well worth the sacrifice of doing some questionable things. And they've been serving gratefully for the past year.
Magic/Seed:
x Rings of Providence - A seed split in two and embedded into two rings that the twins wear. It increases the chance of luck for the bearer when they have a destination or goal in mind. For example, if there was a cookie jar in a locked pantry, the ring would make it so someone forgot to lock the door during the one night someone is craving cookies. It works with luck and probability - if there's no way for something to happen, the ring can't make it happen.
Baroness Anabel Furino
11 | She/her | Human
Description: A baron's family never had a lot of power in the grand hierarchy of court, but House Furino was undoubtedly known for its trademark pride. They were proud of their status and what they did. This pride is likely what caused the downfall of Anabel’s parents.
When the Wizard Queen completed her ascension, she gathered all the houses in Hathforth, House Furino included. When the Wizard Queen demanded the houses bend the knee, House Furino, among other few houses, refused. Her whole house refused, her parents, her older sister, her younger brother. It was only she that cowered in that moment, afraid of death.
So she abandoned her family, and bent the knee, refusing to watch as they were executed on the spot.
She was raised up from where she stood, and the newly-made baroness was inducted into the Orphan's Matron almost immediately, working on behalf of the Wizard Queen.
Anabel wouldn't have it any other way.
Magic/Seed:
x The Illuminating Quartz - A rose-colored seed that hangs from a flower hair pin. A gift from the Wizard Queen to Anabel on becoming such a young baroness. It allows Anabel to enter the mind of a person, and scan their thoughts for information. This is a forceful entry, where the victim must either lower their guard and not resist, or there will be a battle of wills between Anabel and the victim. The victim will be very aware of Anabel’s presence in their mind, unless they are unconcious. Beating the victim senselessly before Anabel scans their mind is also an effective method of gaining entry.
OP
The Wizard Queen’s Family
Princess Azalea Keove
14 | She/her | Mermaid
Description: A year and a half ago, something curious washed up on shore, stuck in a net. Local fishermen, hoping to earn some coin, placed it in a glass tank and brought it before the Wizard Queen.
It was unlike anything anyone present had seen before, including the Wizard Queen. A real mermaid!
The fishermen got a bit ahead of themselves, saying how the mermaid would make for a good experiment, how it could unravel untold magics of the sea. They had no knowledge of which they spoke up, but their sentiment flared up feelings the Wizard Queen had never experienced before.
The fishermen were paid a bit of coin and told to leave. The Wizard Queen then asked one of her guards to open the glass box. The mermaid, now standing on two feet instead of a tail, trembled in front of the Queen.
“Have ease, no harm will come to you today, daughter of mine.” the Wizard Queen said simply.
Ever since, Princess Azalea has been treated like a daughter in the Hathforth Castle, being groomed as a potential heir.
Magic/Seed:
x Mermaid Transformation - Depending on if she is in water or standing on land, she has the ability to breathe either air or water, and her bottom half is either legs and feet, or silver-blue fish tail.
x Hypnotic Voice - Blessed with a Voice of the Sea, Azalea has the ability to induce a hypnotic state, slowly washing away a person’s will the longer they listen. In that hypnotic state, she can suggest a number of things to them, and they’ll be more likely to do it.
OP
The Hands of Iron
Description: John is a tall figure, clad from head to toe in black clothing. Not much is known of him, even his appearance is one only a few have ever seen, this includes the Captain himself and the vice-captain. John is responsible for recon and espionage; his magic uniquely suits this task.
John and the Captain seem to share a common history, although few know what it is.
Magic/Seed:
x Shadowblend: A magic that allows the user to blend in with the shadows.
x Shadowleap: A small-distance teleportation spell that only works when teleporting into a shadow
x Shadowmerge: Allows the user to become one with a shadow, blending in perfectly
x Shadowstrike: Forces a shadow to lash out violently towards a targeted direction.
OP
The Tearmoon Coven
Description: A Dremora who governs over the concept of time and space. The combination of being territorial yet peaceful makes for a reclusive entity, Kronos cares not for the material plane with its bickering mortals and their mortal problems, and in relation, it too disdains its envious brethren, always craving to consume the light of the All-Force. It does not and will not understand, all it wishes is to be left alone... until a vexatious feyling forcibly dragged Kronos out of its peaceful Shade and into another being's body, and the rest is history.
Though it has learned to tolerate its new lot in life, Kronos remains a cynical and callous entity, it's slow to forget and even slower to forgive. If it sees an orphaned urchin begging for scraps of food, it'd assume some kind of ruse is at play. If it's given a gift, it'd immediately try to deduce what the giver expects in return. In its mind, no good deed goes unpunished. Clearly, it distrusts everyone by default and so far, only its host, Melisande, has managed to foster what can be discerned as affection from it.
Assorted Powers (Spells, Seed, Skills, Artifacts, etc.):
❖ United Souls: Kronos is Melisande and Melisande is Kronos, distinct yet united. They share each other's powers and skills.
❖ Distinct Minds: Melisande is Kronos and Kronos is Melisande, united yet distinct. Mind-affecting conditions that afflict one of them do not automatically beset the other. They're considered as two separate entities for this purpose.
❖ Consciousness Substitution: Kronos can control Melisande's body or Gemini clone as if it were its own, becoming the primary consciousness of the vessel.
❖ Distinct Minds: Melisande is Kronos and Kronos is Melisande, united yet distinct. Mind-affecting conditions that afflict one of them do not automatically beset the other. They're considered as two separate entities for this purpose.
❖ Consciousness Substitution: Kronos can control Melisande's body or Gemini clone as if it were its own, becoming the primary consciousness of the vessel.
Description: The reigning Matriach of the Tearmoon Coven and Melisande's mother. Though she may initially appear like the spitting image of her daughter, their similarities are merely skin-deep. Behind the cordial and unassuming persona lies an ambitious woman of many schemes. She firmly believes that her people are the most suited to unlock the true potential of the Seeds, yet the Wizard Queen unwisely squanders their potential by favoring those incompetent simpletons in the Royal Gardeners instead of her coven. No matter, whether under the sanctions of the Wizard Queen or the Duke of Rhineclfif, Tearmoon will be the exclusive custodian of the Glasic Fields. She’ll see to it.
Aside from being a coven leader, Jezebel is an accomplished magus and scholar in her own right. She's routinely invited to conduct lectures at the College of Hathforth, in fact, she's a good friend of Caveus Ashan the headmaster. In relation, though Jezebel won't hesitate to curry favors and pull strings in order to ensure Melisande's enrollment into the prestigious academy, she doesn't need to do so as her eldest daughter is talented enough to qualify for the scholarship anyway.
Assorted Powers (Spells, Seed, Skills, Artifacts, etc.):
❖ Arcane Appraisal: Through the combination of vast knowledge, experience, and shrewdness, Jezebel is able to instinctively detect when a magical spell in being cast within her vicinity, analyze its methods, and then given time, eventually unravel its purpose. This ability only concerns the appraisal and identification of spells, whether she can replicate the spell or not is another matter entirely.
❖ Counterspell: Disrupts a target's casting process, causing the spell to prematurely fizzle if the target fails to resist. This technique can only be performed to a single target once every few minutes.
❖ Magic Missiles: Conjures and launches a hail of solid magical projectiles to one or several targets, said projectiles possess extraordinary homing capabilities, in other words, they're exponentially harder to dodge than block.
❖ Power Word: Obey: Utters a command laced with powerful enchantment to compel a target's body to perform a single action. It can be resisted through sufficient willpower, resisting targets will instead be paralyzed in place for a brief moment as their mind struggles to regain control of their body. Each target can only be affected by this spell once per day.
❖ Defy Death: The caster engraves a crest upon the target which essentially functions like a dormant healing spell. The mark activates if the host is dying, healing their wounds enough to stabilize them. The crest is invisible to the naked eye and lasts for a week or until triggered, whichever is shorter.
❖ Counterspell: Disrupts a target's casting process, causing the spell to prematurely fizzle if the target fails to resist. This technique can only be performed to a single target once every few minutes.
❖ Magic Missiles: Conjures and launches a hail of solid magical projectiles to one or several targets, said projectiles possess extraordinary homing capabilities, in other words, they're exponentially harder to dodge than block.
❖ Power Word: Obey: Utters a command laced with powerful enchantment to compel a target's body to perform a single action. It can be resisted through sufficient willpower, resisting targets will instead be paralyzed in place for a brief moment as their mind struggles to regain control of their body. Each target can only be affected by this spell once per day.
❖ Defy Death: The caster engraves a crest upon the target which essentially functions like a dormant healing spell. The mark activates if the host is dying, healing their wounds enough to stabilize them. The crest is invisible to the naked eye and lasts for a week or until triggered, whichever is shorter.
Description: The Tearmoon Coven's (self-proclaimed) Alchemist Primus. Hubris aside, the fact remains that Suzanna "Suzy" Tearmoon is one of the best alchemists ever to grace the Province of Arrowfell. Eccentric, insufferable, and yet unquestionably brilliant, she's a walking definition of a 'genius savant'. It's not difficult to see that she isn't right in the head, for good or ill.
Furthermore, in a society where its Lilim members are encouraged to have a husband, preferably multiple husbands, Suzy is a shamelessly asexual rebel. She has zero interest in any sort of romantic relationships as anything and everything that distracts her from her work is simply not worth her time, romance included.
Between that and her unabashed delusions of grandeur, no covenmates in their right mind would vote her to be the next Matriarch, resulting in her niece - Jezebel Tearmoon - to take the throne. Not that Suzanna could care any less, her place is in her workshop with her ingredients, tools, and potions.
Assorted Powers (Spells, Seed, Skills, Artifacts, etc.):
❖ Alchemical Master: Potions, tonics, elixirs, salves, all manner of products produced through glorious alchemy, brewed at a quality matched only by a scant few. The Tearmoon Coven may host many alchemists, but there's only one Alchemist Primus.
❖ Substance Analysis: Through various methods from examining them to outright ingesting the product herself, Suzy can discern the properties of a specific alchemical product, then eventually replicate it.
❖ Drug Tolerance: Being insane enough to imbibe various unidentified solution over many decades, Suzy's metabolism has adapted to her risky lifestyle. She's able to endure the adverse effects of consumables far better than a common person can.
❖ "Begone, Harlot!": The Lilim has no time, nor desire to engage in promiscuity. Suzy is completely immune to any charm effects, magical and mundane.
❖ Substance Analysis: Through various methods from examining them to outright ingesting the product herself, Suzy can discern the properties of a specific alchemical product, then eventually replicate it.
❖ Drug Tolerance: Being insane enough to imbibe various unidentified solution over many decades, Suzy's metabolism has adapted to her risky lifestyle. She's able to endure the adverse effects of consumables far better than a common person can.
❖ "Begone, Harlot!": The Lilim has no time, nor desire to engage in promiscuity. Suzy is completely immune to any charm effects, magical and mundane.
Description: Mèlisande's half-sister on their maternal side of the family. Like Mèlisande, Fidél was born from Jezebel's womb, but unlike her, she was sired by a different father, specifically by the Matriarch's second husband.
In an almost intentional twist of fate, Fidélicia was designated to be a walking contrast to her older half-sister. To start: she inherited her father's looks more than Jezebel's, she was born perfectly fine with no complications, and most frustratingly of all, she's a completely average person as far as her kin goes. Her magical talents are... decent, she has no learning difficulties, yet has no particular talents in any specific school either. While she's a good mage for Arrowfell's standards, that much is to be expected from an individual of a race who practically breathe magic.
All of these combined dooms her to live under Mèlisande's shadow, and yet... she's fine with it. Yes, she's not as unique, or talented, or beautiful as her sister, but thanks to all of that, no one placed any expectations on her. Like an heir ranked fifth in the line of succession, she's essentially free to live however she wants to. After all, for each boon Mèlly possesses, another weight is added onto her shoulders, and Fidél knows their mother enough to realize being her 'favorite daughter' is actually more of a curse than a blessing.
As things stand, Fidélicia is content to be a simple covenmate, a happy-go-lucky Lilim who helps around the Glade here and there with whatever assorted tasks her people need. Her great-aunt - Suzanna - often asks her to forage for various ingredients, and she's also good friends with Nitta Kochimei, a catgirl courier working for the duke of that walled city to the South.
Assorted Powers (Spells, Seed, Skills, Artifacts, etc.):
❖ Aeromancy: Fidél is quite skilled at utilizing spells associated with the wind element; from flying, directing air currents, summoning a miniature tornado, etc. It's quite a handy and utilitarian element if she can say so herself.
❖ Foraging: Honed by experience of gathering ingredients for Suzanna, the young Lilim can be relied on to locate, identify, and collect various herbs, mushrooms, and other materials.
❖ Robust Health: For some reason, Fidél rarely falls ill and even if she does, she'll recover quicker than most others with little to no assistance from medicine or healing magic. Maybe the myth about idiots being immune to the cold has some merit after all...
❖ Foraging: Honed by experience of gathering ingredients for Suzanna, the young Lilim can be relied on to locate, identify, and collect various herbs, mushrooms, and other materials.
❖ Robust Health: For some reason, Fidél rarely falls ill and even if she does, she'll recover quicker than most others with little to no assistance from medicine or healing magic. Maybe the myth about idiots being immune to the cold has some merit after all...
OP
The City of Agrovia
Sawyer Hayworth
68 | Human, ♂ | 6'1 ft, 225 lbs
"Sir Hayworth may be past his prime, but don't underestimate him. He's got fight in him yet."
Description:
The chief advisor of Duchess Bastille, and her second-in-command, Sir Hayworth also carries the title of "Teacher," having instructed Duchess Bastille (in secret) in the ways of the sword. Contrasting their current status in Agrovia, the Hayworth family was not always an aristocratic family, coming into prominence only after the coronation of Duchess Bastille. Sir Hayworth began as a commoner, tending to the lands of Agrovia, before joining its military once the money he earned from farm labor proved insufficient to sustain himself and his family. He proved his loyalty to Agrovia through his bladework, and eventually, he was scouted by the late Duke of Agrovia to serve as a trusted retainer. The duke did not know it then, but this very act would lead to his undoing.
Within the spacious confines of the duke's estate, Sir Hayworth would meet young Altina Freya Bastille. Frequently, he spied her swinging a blade in the dead of night, risking punishment should her father catch wind of it. Worried for the girl's safety (as Agrovia's forests were usually teeming with monsters of all sorts), he followed the girl wherever she went. One day, after weeks of bearing witness to her practices, he would approach her. "Your swordplay lacks refinement," he commented with a gruff voice, startling the hard-at-work Altina. Losing all composure, Altina felt her blade slip from her fingers, and it began to sail towards Sir Hayworth. Clang. But there was no need to worry. Sir Hayworth drew his own blade in time to deflect it, stunning Altina into further silence. "Such quickness!" The girl would finally exclaim. "I would have you be my teacher." Pfft. Sir Hayworth had burst into a fit of laughter. How confident this girl was to order him around. Still, he couldn't stand to watch her pitiful display any longer. And so, he agreed to train her.
Through his budding relationship with the young Altina, Sir Hayworth would come to realize the societal ills of his homeland. Worse, they would continue to be perpetuated by its current duke. "To each, a role to play. To the nobility, the privilege of leadership. To the common folk, the responsibility of servitude." The words of the duke rang clearly in his ears. Mere platitudes intended to serve the already-fortunate, he thought. Should the hard work of the commoner not also be rewarded with riches and privilege?
Thus, when Altina would confide in him plans of ousting her father, he would be the one to follow through with it. As the duke's most trusted retainer, there was no suspicion to be had with Sir Hayworth. That night, Sir Hayworth would serve the man his last drink. His victim, the duke, was none the wiser.
Within the spacious confines of the duke's estate, Sir Hayworth would meet young Altina Freya Bastille. Frequently, he spied her swinging a blade in the dead of night, risking punishment should her father catch wind of it. Worried for the girl's safety (as Agrovia's forests were usually teeming with monsters of all sorts), he followed the girl wherever she went. One day, after weeks of bearing witness to her practices, he would approach her. "Your swordplay lacks refinement," he commented with a gruff voice, startling the hard-at-work Altina. Losing all composure, Altina felt her blade slip from her fingers, and it began to sail towards Sir Hayworth. Clang. But there was no need to worry. Sir Hayworth drew his own blade in time to deflect it, stunning Altina into further silence. "Such quickness!" The girl would finally exclaim. "I would have you be my teacher." Pfft. Sir Hayworth had burst into a fit of laughter. How confident this girl was to order him around. Still, he couldn't stand to watch her pitiful display any longer. And so, he agreed to train her.
Through his budding relationship with the young Altina, Sir Hayworth would come to realize the societal ills of his homeland. Worse, they would continue to be perpetuated by its current duke. "To each, a role to play. To the nobility, the privilege of leadership. To the common folk, the responsibility of servitude." The words of the duke rang clearly in his ears. Mere platitudes intended to serve the already-fortunate, he thought. Should the hard work of the commoner not also be rewarded with riches and privilege?
Thus, when Altina would confide in him plans of ousting her father, he would be the one to follow through with it. As the duke's most trusted retainer, there was no suspicion to be had with Sir Hayworth. That night, Sir Hayworth would serve the man his last drink. His victim, the duke, was none the wiser.
Magic:
- Shatterblade: A concentrated projection of magical energy, delivered through a simple slash.
- Bladestorm: By entering a state of brief but intense focus, the good Sir Hayworth can dilate time around him, allowing him to perform multiple actions in a window of mere seconds, if that. Slash after slash, seemingly in an instant: provided there is enough distance, he can outright inundate his enemies with relentless blasts of mana, all without fearing retaliation. That said, the technique requires him to remain still, and if someone were to invade his space while he is attempting to focus, the time-dilation effect wears off.
OP
The Cities of Arrowfell
Duchess Nephinae Ilijor
90 | She/her | Elf
Description: ‘Duchess’ being a poor translation to an elven leader, Nephinnae considers herself so much more than just a simple duchess. Do duchesses levy the opinions of the elderly when making even the smallest decisions for the community?
Someone might ask why an elder nearing a thousand years isn't ruling Aethera. The answer is simple: They do. But the Council of Aethera is complex, maybe even more complex than the goings of the Wizard Queen's own court. This is why decisions can sometimes take years to make. Nephinae is the only daughter of the previous ‘leader’, and has since taken on that role.
Alas, their history isn't the prettiest. Nephinae's mother passed away in the conflicts ensued by King Ludwig II. Nephinae was always dissatisfied, if not coldly hostile to the king's ruling. But, with a half-elf now on the throne, Nephinae, the Council, and her people are far more relaxed with being subjegated by Hathforth.
Nephinae is close with Vulluin Urimyar, a noble of Aethera.
Magic/Seed:
x Currently unknown.
Duke Dadraek Grimhand
175 | He/him | Dwarf
Description: The Duke of Rockhold, a proud people living around and inside the Torna Mountains. The duke heralds from a long line of warrior leaders, never afraid to put their axe where their mouth is.
The duke was in power during the waring era, when cities were isolated and fought with each other to expand their territories. The duke was also there when King Ludwig II began to unite the cities. He was stubborn, but eventually fell in line like all the rest.
At this moment, he's content to wait and see if Arrowfell accepts their new Queen or not.
He ensures strong trade relations are maintained with Agrovia.
Like all residents of Rockhold, he speaks the ancestral dwarvish language.
Magic/Seed:
x Currently unknown.
Duke Sev Willowsteel
37 | He/him | Human
Description: Sev is the Duke of Nordor, a people abrasive to magic and races other than humans. Sev is known for liking Gold-touch Wine a bit too much, but has a fierce heart when it comes to protecting the rights of his people.
It was this fierce heart that has prevented Sev from being a close friend of the Wizard Queen and her court, always trying to find fault and complain about the taxes and policies of the Queen. Alas, because Sev lacks men interested in magical proficiency, and trusting the sword over magic, Sev has no fire power to back up his complaints.
Magic/Seed: N/A.
OP
The Clandestine
Valor Teardrop of the Clandestine
30 | She/her | Human
Description: Valor Teardrop operates out of Hathforth, running the Clandestine, a mysterious group of sword and magic-wielders. She's been in the area for twelve years, picking up scraps of secrets drifting down from the Hathforth castle through illicit means - bribery, eavesdropping, and sometimes forceful interrogation.
It appears Valor and her group have an outside sponsor - they are never hurt for cash despite never taking on typical mercenary work in the city. It’s this unknown sponsor that allows them the freedom to dedicate the whole of their time to unraveling the secrets of Hathforth Castle.
They make note of everything. Who comes, who goes. Who's in favour with the Wizard Queen, who isn't. Everything is carefully recorded, not a detail is misplaced. What their end goal could be, however, remains a mystery.
Magic/Seed: Currently unknown.
Savant “Savy” Fullmoon
18 | He/him | Human
Description: Through a cruel twist of fate, Savant was captured by the Clandestine when he was a wee child. Fabeled as a child with a superior gift, it was quickly confirmed he was, in fact, the child of the rumours, and to which those rumors were true.
So he's followed the Clandesine as a bound prisoner, allowed his wrists free when they saw he wouldn't run. There is, however, always a guard assigned to him to assure he won't run off. Savant has forgotten his home and his homeland, following the Clandestine across borders to achieve their goal.
He often points them in the right direction, though he can never say more than a vague word through his gift. These cryptic messages have taken getting used to, but the Clandestine endeavor to care for him, as one would for a special tool. He is hopeful that his cooperation will one day lead to his release, and he'll finally be able to return home.
Magic/Seed:
x Vis Circumdabit - A special ability where he can think or envision someone he's seen, and he can determine their desire at any given moment. This isn't restricted to distance - it doesn't matter how near or far the person envisioned is. However, this magic is a bit vague. He could, for example, envision someone and determine that they're desiring food, but would be unable to tell which type of food.
Spirit Teardrop of the Clandestine
31 | He/him | Human
Description: Spirit is the older brother of Valor, and the Right Hand of the Clandestine. Whenever a little muscle is needed, or a little pressure, he is the one best sent for the job.
Learning magic meant to tremble the soul, his very presence causes the soul to shiver. He is ruthless under his initial decorum, usually going to outrageous lengths to complete his mission.
He is wholly loyal to his younger sister, whom he holds no contempt for as his leader. He is also wholly loyal to the employer of the Clandestine, the Ghost King of Ravenfell.
Magic/Seed:
Daze - Produces a powerful shock that dates and numbs a target.
Slow - Slows down a target.
Curse - A magic attack that causes physical cuts to appear wherever it touches.
Deshell (Remove magic resistance) - Makes magic attacks hurt more and hit harder.
Deprotect (Removes physical resistance) - Makes physical attacks hurt more and strike harder.
Aura - Causes intimidation to trigger through hallucinations that prey on an opponent's fears.
Faith Lancaster
38 | He/him | Human
Description: A long supporter of King Lamont DuFairre, even before he was a king. Faith was a battle mage who advised the black sheep House Marceilles before they took in the lone DuFairre. He was just a young sprout at the time.
Having refused to raise the taxes, tensions ran high between House Marceilles and the False King DuRant. But Faith inspired House Marceillies to wait, as they had the key to win the rebellion and restore order to Ravenfell. They had the last true heir to the throne.
Seasons passed, as more support leaned towards House Marceilles. Lamont grew into a young man under the watchful gaze of Faith. Faith had taught him how to grip his sword, how to cast a spell, and how to navigate the battlefield.
Finally, it was time. Lamont, House Marceilles, Faith, and a small battalion rode on their horses to the castle gates, and overturned Arthroyeaux, eventually finding the False King DuRant, and executing him.
Faith continued to watch with satisfaction as Ravenfell became peaceful under King DuFairre's reign, despite a few high-class members of DuRant's court escaping. Faith was soon made a part of the Clandestine to sniff out the remains of DuRant's court. Thus, his journeys have led him to Arrowfell.
Magic/Seed:
x Unknown.
OP
The Province of Ravenfell
Lamont DuFairre
40 | He/him | Spectral Human
Description: Lamont DuFairre, the King of Ravenfell. He reigns over the northern lands beyond the borders of Arrowfell. His ascension is a tale fraught with woe and bloodshed, and directly relates to the Wizard Queen of Arrowfell.
When the Wizard Queen was naught but a court mage in the false king's court in Ravenfell, it was Lamont who rallied the people as the last surviving heir to the throne. He succeeded in freeing the people from the clutches of the false king, but many of the false king's supporters fled, including Evelyn.
To protect his nation from any outside threats, he turned himself and the rest of them into spectral beings. Free of thirst, of hunger, and the pain of a blade. Essentially turned immortal, but unable to feel the warmth of life, the King and his people soon fell into cold apathy, much like the snowy regions of Ravenfell.
Now, the King's eyes have returned to Arrowfell, where he is aware a certain traitor to the Ravenfell throne is playing royalty in the Arrowfell courts…
Magic/Seed: Unknown.
OP
Deceased Characters
Arthur Willowsteel
61 | He/him | Human
Description: The noble Willowsteel, steadfast and devout. He was the father of Sev Willowsteel, and ruled Nordor with fairness and uprightness. Even in the dark days of the feudal kingdoms, with cities fighting for control, Arthur never dishonored himself or his fellow duke or duchess. He would often find ways to move forward that decreased bloodshed, and that meant a lot of peace talks.
It was through these peace talks that he became fast friends with Duke Rhinecliff of Odonfield. When King Ludwig II united the cities, Arthur was hesitant at first, but it was Duke Rhinecliff's advice that sold Arthur on the idea that following this particular king would prove beneficial. And it had. Nordor thrived under the king's rule, and Arthur died a peaceful death due to sickness, thus transferring rule to his only heir, Sev Willowsteel.
Magic/Seed: N/A.
Nathan Corrin
32 | Male | Human but with Elven Ancestry
Description: The current Duke of Vaili and the older brother of Roland Corrin. Nathan, like his brother, grieved over the death of their older sister, Elizabeth Corrin. While both agree that she must be avenged and seek an end to the Wizard Queen. Nathan prefers to be subtle about it, meaning that, on the surface, he seems loyal and content. He secretly supports his brother's efforts and hides his brother's rebellious actions when needed. While running the duchy and spending time with his wife, who he loves, he is happily expecting a child after years of trying.
In a mysterious event, they and the rest of the Corrin Household were murdered, stabbed to death.
Magic/Seed:
Lighting Bolt - Nathan is able to summon a lightning bolt in his hands and throw it at a target.
Need a Hand - Nathan is able to summon a second pair of hands that levitate off the ground that he can control and use for various actions.
Dragon Breath - Nathan is able to blow fire from his mouth and into targets in front of him.
Fire Fists - Nathan is able to surround his fists with fire and make his punches more deadly than normal.
Gwyneth Corrin
31 | Female | Human
Description: The Duchess of Vaili and married to Nathan Corrin. Hailing from a neighboring province and apart of the House of Tregear. Gwyneth is a bit of an eccentric, even in her own family. An alchemist at heart who loves to experiment and create new potions. Gaining herself a reputation for her skill with alchemy within certian circles. Still, she is a kind and thoughtful person that people tend to like and while her marriage to Nathan was arranged. The two had grown to love each other and are expecting their first child after years of trying. Though only recently made aware of her husband and brother in laws plans despite Nathan not wanting to get her involved. She is loyal to her husband and is willing to keep their affair a secret.
In a mysterious event, they and the rest of the Corrin Household were murdered, stabbed to death.
Magic/Seed:
Revigorator - Gwyneth is able to reinvigorate a living thing with a touch. Granting them newfound energy and strength.
Green Wrath - Gwyneth is able to control nearby plants and use them for various uses.
Ignite - Gwyneth is able to ignite a fire on a surface that is within a certain distance of her. Not on a living being or animal.
Glow in the Dark - Gwyneth is able to summon a ball of light that she can control and act as a light source.
OP
The Sparrows of Tarin
Islara Yelren
26 | Female | Half-Elf
Description: The defacto leader of the Sparrows. Islara was always an odd one, even since coming to the service of the former king. No one knows where she came from or why she entered into the service of the former king. Only that she served him faithfully as one of his royal assassins and had even developed a rapport with some of the other servants of the king. She was away from the Hathforth when the Wizard Queen stormed it and took control of the kingdom. Now, left with nothing and a desire for revenge, she has gained in touch with the former royal guard and friend Roland Corrin, and the two are working together to grow his spy network and help him in any way that she can.
In a mysterious event, they and the rest of the Corrin Household appeared to have been murdered, stabbed to death. However, Islara managed to evade death, and escape with her life.
Magic/Seed:
Lie Detector - Islara is able to sense if a person is lying to her or not.
Night Vision - Islara is able to see in the dark for as long as he can sustain the spell.
Levitate Objects - Islara is able to levitate and control up to five objects and fire them at a target.
Sharpness - Islara is able to increase the sharpness of her weapons to the point of piercing most armor but heavy armor, and it cannot cut through other blades.
Shadowwalk - Islara is able to travel by shadow and can walk from shadow to shadow.
Raiden Asher
32 | He/him | Human
Description: Raiden grew up on the roads of Arrowfell, traveling with the ambassador of Tarin as they visited the cities, Hathforth especially. His mother and father were situated in Hathforth, his father as a city watch, and his mother as a servant in the kitchen.
Through the bloody ascension of the Wizard Queen, his parents sadly lost their lives, and he lost his ambassador. His ambassador's last instructions were to travel to Tarin, and the Corrin estate, where Raiden would be part of the rebellion against the Queen.
Armed with the ambassador’s signet ring, Raiden quickly found that the ambassador had actually been a part of a covert organization known as the Sparrows, run by none other than Sir Roland Corrin. With proof of the ambassador’s ring, Raiden was quickly assimilated into the ranks of the organization, his years on the road and deflective battle style making him a great fit to continue on his ambassador’s work as a spy.
Raiden is usually seen with his pet wolf that fights alongside him in battles.
Magic/Seed:
x Animal Tongue - Raiden is able to speak to and understand animals, allowing him to form close bonds with the fauna he meets on the road. This is how he got his pet wolf, Kai.
x Invisible touch - Raiden is able to turn swords and other small objects invisible, making it harder to deflect and anticipate.
x Spin Step - Any twist or turn his hands or feet make, due to runes tattooed on his hands and feet, are three times faster than the fastest sword thrust, making him harder to dodge, and easier to parry his enemies’ hits. This is where he gets his signature deflect style from.
Jikoryss
50 | He/him | Dragon
Description: Jikoryss was in illegal fantastical fighting rings for the majority of his life, all throughout his juvenile years and some of his adult years. He acquired many scars from these brutal fights against unicorns, centaurs, griffins and other exotic creatures. However, he often found himself as the winner, ensuring he outlived the other, less fortunate creatures.
A certain barmaid overheard one of her tables talking about a particular green dragon set to fight again that night. Raiden was able to glean that secret from her with some… charm and charisma. He was then able to infiltrate the fighting ring and free the dragon.
Jikoryss, feeling in debt to Raiden for his rescue, has agreed to help Raiden for a few years, until the debt is repaid.
Magic/Seed: Jikoryss is able to breathe electrical fire. He can fly. He also has physically and magically-resistant scales, allowing him to withstand weak-to-mid attacks.
OP
The Domain of House Rhinecliff
Edwin Tiller
Mid-20s | Male | Human (?)
Description: A farmer. He has a wife and three year old son. They are expecting another child.
He owns some land north of Odonfield, where he raises sheep, shearing them, milking them, and occasionally killing them. It's honest work, and on occasion, gives him reason to travel.
A carriage comes by at times. The visitor is an older gentleman. On those days, the small house that the Tiller family lives is cleaned up. Tea and mutton are served, while blue smoke fills the space. Both visitor and host are satisfied by the time they part ways.
Magic:
He does not practice magic as would be recognized by the colleges.
Henrietta Elkenisle
Early-40s | Female | Human
Description: A famed artisan and a businesswoman. A tools-witch and a spinster.
The owner of Arias, a prestigious workshop for beauty products, Henrietta transforms the flora within Odonfield's domain into perfumes, creams, and powders that cost a hefty sum but would make anyone desirable...within reason. The woman herself is proof, possessing flawless, youthful, glowing skin despite often traipsing through the surrounding forests and missing out on sleep for days.
She can confidently concoct anything, so long as it lies within her area of expertise. Twenty or so years ago, her workshop got its first boost of prestige when the Duke of Odonfield came in to sample her products.
He still sends his servants down to her workshop every once in a while, no doubt seeking to maintain his dapper looks even as he begins to push towards his 60s.
Magic:
Henrietta is a tools-witch, capable of imbuing arcane effects into the make-up products that she creates. Though they're not so blatant as the effects of illusion magic, the subtlety itself is charming. You don't need a complete facelift to become attractive, after all. It's just a matter of masking your flaws and enhancing your charm points.
Of course, that doesn't make her a tools-witch.
The ability to animate and give precise commands to objects is.
Nitta Kochimei
Adolescent | Female | Demihuman (Cat)
Description: An armed courier serving House Rhinecliff...is what she should be, but Nitta thinks that she only got her job because her parents were relatively high-ranked individuals within Rhinecliff's army. In most cases, she just carries letters back and forth...which feels kind of pointless when the Duke himself has the ability to create magical flying letters to begin with.
She saw him, after all! She knows he can do that!
Which just means that it's a pity job she got, probably because her mom mentioned how her eldest daughter couldn't hold a proper position in the city and wasn't smart enough to get anywhere in school.
Most of her work entails carrying letters across the various townships within Odonfield's sphere of influence. Occasionally, she's sent off to the Tearmoon Glade to drop off small packages. Nitta likes the latter job the most, because she gets to make some extra coin from all the jilted lovers sending scathing letters to their former soulmates.
Magic:
When she was ten years old, which feels like forever ago but her parents claim it was just yesterday, Nitta learned the magic for summoning a Familiar at a college she snuck into.
Of course, she did it, hoping to get a cat (her parents were against keeping pets, especially cats, because it felt awkward with their lineage). She got what looked like a puffed up 'octopus' instead, which was cute in its own way but definitely slimy and immobile.
A couple of the professors got involved afterwards and there was some commotion amongst the adults that she didn't really understand, but in the end, it was decided that it wasn't that big of a problem. Nitta got to keep her pet, Ogo, who ended up occasionally being a reliable source of navigation when she got lost.
It didn't eat or poop too, so at least Ogo's better than a cat in that way.
Sir Markus Brightman
Late-20s | Male | Human
Description: One of the knights under Duke Rhinecliff's employ. Too young to have experienced any true war and too old to have gotten over a desire for glory in battle, Sir Markus Brightman is a chivalrous oaf who remains unmarried despite having charmed any number of ladies from decent households and families.
The himbo believes in true love, but clearly, he only has eyes for princesses or duchesses.
At least his efforts to endear himself to Duke Rhinecliff seems to come more from an admiration towards the older gentleman rather than any desire for social climbing. And Sir Markus makes for a good face amongst the knights of Rhinecliff too, handsome with fair features and an almost-comedically large chest.
Truly, the face of peace is founded in knights in shining armor, bearing neither physical nor mental scars, whose only claim to fame was that one time where they vaulted off their own lance during a jousting tournament.
Despite beliefs in true love, Markus of course still needs to take care of his manly needs, and has frequently been seen retreating into the more clandestine smoking parlors around Odonfield, where fine tobacco made up only one half of the services provided.
Magic:
Sir Markus Brightman possesses the usual amount of magical training that a knight would be expected to have: ranged arcane attacks, physical and mental enhancements, and defensive shields for body and mind. He was noted to be talented in the ways of the arcane by the instructors there, but clearly he did not apply himself fully during classes.
Wasting talent is also, perhaps, a sign of an era of peace.
Elfriede
Early-30s | Female | Human
Description: A dour, uninviting woman. She is being prepared to take on the position of Head Librarian once the current one retires, placing her in a position to manage what books are brought to fill the shelves of Odonfield's grand libraries. Accordingly, she is housed in the Rhinecliff Estate.
Duke Rhinecliff tolerates her brusque manner; she's a well-read individual and a fascinating conversationalist, just with an unpalatable tongue. Five years ago, there were rumors in the domain that spread about how she was the Duke's most favoured woman.
Elfriede personally crushed those rumors.
She holds herself as a rational and mundane woman. Her personal studies center on the topic of humanity and society, of psychology and anatomy. She owns a pet bird that cannot fly, and favors the estate's courtyard during spring, where butterflies fill the air and the children of the servants are allowed to amuse themselves by catching them.
Magic:
She does not practice anything truly magical.
OP
The Changeling’s Crows
Rose Torehahk
143 | Female | Dwarf
Description: Rose decided that she would run a tavern and inn when she first encountered one and met an interesting changeling. Nyx and Rose quickly became friends after trying to drink each other under the table and the dwarven lady decided that if running a similar establishment could lead to more friendships such as theirs, it would be a worth endeavor.
It was by pure coincidence that the bubbly and stout Rose chose the location of Hathforth but it felt like fate when her and Nyx crossed paths again. As someone who’s always felt like she’s had a heart too big for the world, she vowed to help the changeling in their plight for revenge on the Wizard Queen.
When she’s not serving alcohol and food to the citizens of Hathforth or setting them up with a room at the Rose Inn, she’s helping Nyx maintain her spy network by recruiting others to the cause or smuggling information that might prove useful.
While she has a knack for reading people that some might call ‘magical’ but she swears it’s just her intuition. She knows what signs to look for when someone is lying and has carefully developed this skill over time. She does not possess magic or a seed.
OP
The Underwater City of Athius
Ingens
??? | He/him | Leviathan Beast
Description: A terror in the watery depths.
Measured at a length of 5,000 meters, or 5 kilometers, Ingens is the largest leviathan recorded to call the waters of Arrowfell home. His skin and muscle is mainly transparent, allowing onlookers to see the spine, bone and organs that make up his body. His head is wreathed in a mane of tentacles, each about 300 meters long. Ingens has six yellow eyes, three on each side of his head, and a maw that sports teeth twice the height of a man. Bioluminescent spots trail the edges of his tentacles and body.
Though his eyes may not be able to pick out finer details, his sense of smell is exceptionally good, able to recognize scents and differentiate from a pool of scents with ease. This sense of smell is why the residents of Athius, save for one, have never been able to escape their home in one piece.
Due to his sheer immense size, typical damage is like a paper cut to him. It takes high-powered spells to even get his attention. He is resistant to physical attacks with his thick skin. However, he does have a slight weakness to electricity. Though it could never kill him, he can be stunned.
Ingens has intelligence similar to a human, however he is driven by stronger impulses and is ruled by cruelty. His one weakness is the leviathan-slaying sword, now rechristened Shadesbane.
Magic/Seed: N/A.
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