[CHAR] ✢ Affairs of the Court ✢

[Congee]

Theodoro Corelli, King of Vertiron

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Name: Theodoro Corelli
Title/Occupation: King of the Vertiron Kingdom
Nationality: Vertiron
Age: 25
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Heterosexual, Biromantic

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Appearance: A lot of people get so amazed at how very much Theodoro resembles the late king Vincento. His dark hair, olive skin, his distinctly strong facial features and a stare that can send chills up the spine. And like his father Theo has the gait of a haughty man, as one would have typically expect from a man born in the highest status. Standing at 6 foot three with a sculpted build, and clothing of quality, Theodoro expectedly fits the image of a young king that sets him apart from the lower nobilities. He does care for his appearance accordingly if only he is asked to by her mother for the sake of social appearances.

Interests:
- Sports; Horse racing, Cricket
- Winning debates
- Chess; but hates losing
- Whittling; making miniature horses
- Music; playing the piano

Personality: Theodoro is a man mysterious, intimidating to those who do not know him personally. Reserved, formal and down to earth, very much like his own father, are the usual qualities he maintains when inside the court. He carries himself with a confident and gentlemanly air, basically, the usual and ideal qualities of an earnest King. But when not in the court's rigid atmosphere, the king is not really what he seems to be. Theo, in person, is shy, good natured and gentle a contrast from his cold, kingly image. The pressures of the throne at just a very young age had sacrificed most of his childhood, but has thought him to adapt to the expectations of the people and his own mother, which all through out Theo thinks he had not entirely enjoyed and fulfilled his life for that reason.

To some of his very few friends, Theo is a naively fun loving to their own surprise, and compassionate towards those who he care so much about. Of all his father's qualities he acquired, his ill temperedness was one that stood out. He is easily angered only when things don't go the way he intend it to, such as losing a game or an argument and is used to being always right, an attitude which could've been the effect of excessively being spoiled. Usually he lashes out and or walks away from it. That being said it is also quite difficult to ask an apology for him, as his soaring pride wont let him even though he feels strong guilt for what he's done, letting it eat him away instead for quite a time than actually saying sorry.


History:

Theodoro Corelli, only son of the late King Vincento and his Queen Theresa, was born and raised in Vertiron's royal castle at the dawn of a wintery evening. When Theo was a young child, he was very shy and clingy almost never leaving his mother's side wherever she goes. As the first heir to the throne, he had been stictly trained and educated capable enough to rule the kingdom one day. Although he dont fully remember his father well, since he was merely a young child the time he died, and was also the same time he had taken his place on the throne, he knew stories of him from his mother. The way she tells them filled with love and respect for him that still remained with her after all these years. That time young Theo had little understanding of what was going on, only that he had knew his father had died and it was his turn to sit on the big chair now. Alone in the chair, with the sound of trumpets and the sea of strangers had scared the young boy. That night of his grand coronation, Theo was crying all throughout.

When he got older he was trained on the art of statesmanship, a critical skill for a king even though his mother handles most of the courtly affairs but he knows there will be a time that Theo has to do things on his own, therefore he tries to be the best that he could. And with time he had proven himself to a level of managing affairs on his own. He became more active in the courts and meetings with the other kingdoms, and more recently with the Lygarthiens who did not receive the Vertiron hospitality too well, still have not forgotten the broken promise. The tensions arose to the point of threats of a war that will come to them, but all the while Theo remained collected on the critical issue, doing all he could to lessen the tension. Regardless, he had his officials and spies keep an eye on them, preparing for a war that might ensue at anytime.

Theodoro had been a regular participant in the seasons, a process he's all too familiar of and with slight disdain for the event. For years he had been strictly searching and courting but in the eyes of the court not one have been deemed worthy to marry the King of Vertiron. They consider this a critical task since the wife he chooses will greatly affect the future both their kingdoms, if he ends up marrying from another kingdom. Right now his goal is to look for someone that will mostly of benefit to the kingdom, notwithstanding his own personal happiness. But will he be willing to go against the court's wishes if he finally finds something that truly matters to him?

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[Congee]

Dame Florence Raibert of Astaria

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Name: Jean Florence Raibert
Title/Occupation: Astarian Dame, Mathematician
Nationality: Bridgmont born, Astarian raised
Age: 23
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Bisexual, Female leaning.

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Appearance: With fashion, Florence has two qualities to live by; exuberant yet practical. Her clothing and style is somehow influenced by her personality, a good balance between practicality and quirkiness. Her outfit is mainly composed of blouses and suits, a long skirt though she has a preference for trousers, to have more room to move especially that she rides a bicycle to work. _reference

Florence has the typical appearance of a Bridgemont native (that's because she is), and the first thing that strikes people is her bright red hair which she cut short. In her defence, it was taking her too long to manage and like the practical, stubborn woman she is, cut it off to save her more time in managing. Aside from that, her facial structure is also a dead give away, having softer, more youthful features typical of a Bridgemont born.

Interests:
-Math and Sciences. Mainly Astronomy, Geometry, exploring/inventing various computing algorithms, you know the usual.
-Folklore; mythology and fairytales, brings her nostalgia of her childhood hometown
-Wide open spaces; the seas and plains
-Traveling to different places, exploring different cultures.

Personality: A few words that best describe Florence would be Eccentric, Passionate and Intelligent. She is a fast learner, having the gift to come up with complex ideas, and if you allow her to express them, her eyes would light up with passion that can be both endearing and contagious but to some it may be draining. Despite her brilliant mind she is slow to figure out social cues, that at certain times she may not be aware that she's being too much, directly offending and or even misunderstanding what people intend to say.

With her passion for numbers, coupled by her impressive brightness and education that further honed her gifts Florence earned her way to a career in mathematics, a career most commonly practiced by boring old men, but that's just how she loves it.

Florence is the very definition of a liberated and adventurous soul. She does not care what other people think of her and most of the time they lack anything good. While visiting a small town at the fringes of Bridgemont, she was once accused of being a witch by simply introducing them to the magic of pure simple science. She always keeps an open mind on everything and always remember to perceive things rather than judge without context like a true logician.

History: Jean Florence Raibert, one of the daughters of wealthy Bridgemont land owners Angus and Felicity Raibert. The child second to the youngest of eight children, five girls and three boys. Living all her life in the cities of Astaria, Florence vaguely remembers some part of her early childhood. Bridgemont's lush orange fields and forests during the fall, the town's colorful streamers hanging from one post to the other, the small town's upcoming autumn festival. She remembers the carriege ride on the long path to her home. Those are the few fondes memories that Florence kept with her after she moved to Banford, the capital of Astaria with her Aunt. At times if she can, Florence would visit her Bridgmont for the seasonal festivities, enjoying her hometown's lovely culture.

Without children of her own, Aunt Geraldine, an elderly pledged spinster, had taken her in when she was thirteen years old, helping her around the mansion. During one of her aunts private soirees, she met Douglas Smith, an intelligent unmarried, older gentleman and a close friend of her aunt took an interest in the bright young Florence, as she did make a quirky impression on him. Seeing her potential, he proposed to his dear friend Geraldine the prospect of taking her under his wing, as he was just in the look out for an assistant himself.

Florence developed the love for numbers. At 17 she assisted her mentor in developing one of their biggest projects yet, one that could enter the world into a new age science; the recognition and development of an actual "computing machine". An ambitious goal but technologically possible, and Douglas was very much up for the challenge. Unfortunately, Douglas choked on a chicken bone one evening and met his untimely demise in the midst of it's development.

The project is now left in the hands of the young Florence. As a promise she dedicated her life on it, day and night til a few years of hard work the project reached it's full success. The moment she had a breakthrough that very next day, she immediately packed her things and rode her bicycle way to the prestigious University of Banford, and faced the board. Her intelligence and passion on the subject had wowed and convinced convinced them. For that service alone, she was recognised by the Astarian court and gained the title of Dame, along with a profession in Mathematics at one of Astaria's prestigious Universities.

[Avanhelsing]

William, Lord Carnsbury

Name:
William Ignatius Marius is his birthname. Now he goes by William Guthrie to hide his past.

Nicknames:
His Crew calls him: "Billy", and "The Little Lord"

Title/Occupation:
5th Marquis of Carnsbury
"Merchant" in St Claudia's Island

Nationality:
Astaria

Age:
21

Gender:
Male

Sexuality:
Bisexual but leans towards Men

Appearance:
William has spent a good deal of his life at sea and it shows. He has the build of a swimmer or of someone who cares for himself. William was taught from a young age that his body was just as important as his brain. William stands at a respectable six foot four inches tall, but he is not skinny or frail looking. Despite his mostly good looks, William bares a burn scar on his right bicep. The burn mark seems to be older, but William does his best to hide the scar from sight. His light brown eyes seem to always be calculating something and his hair is always neat. William always seems to be wearing the clothes of a proper gentleman.

Interests:

William is an oddity to say the least. His interests are bizarre at times and most them are very ungentlemanly to say the least. Where most lords are content to sit around playing cards, William is always on the move. One moment, he is reading about ship designs and the next he is learning another language. However, his favorite thing is to make investments to strengthen his funds. His plan requires money and money requires his entire focus. Money is his true passion, but he manages to hide that fact. A noble gentleman would not usually make monetary dealings, so he must be silent about it.

William also seems to enjoy the art of fighting. The pirates taught him a more brutal form of sword fighting that usually is frowned upon in high society. William never cared to learn the way of the more noble fighting. He dies enjoy dancing since it is regimented, and he prefers that kind of thing. William dies often seen to be just in the right spot to spread the right gossip or overhear something scandalous. He seems to always be up to something.

Personality:
William seems to have different personalities for different situations. At one moment, he could be the nicest man in the world and the next he is ruining someone’s life. It all depends on what the Marquis needs to do. At his core, William is a man on a mission of revenge against those who killed his family. Towards that goal, he will do any say anything if it means his enemies suffer. William is a genuinely good person despite his desire for revenge. He is the type to help his peasants regardless if they can pay him back. His care for them would seem almost odd if it was not for his charisma. The Marquis is the type to draw the eyes with his charm and grace in social situations. One of his mentors taught him how to draw the eyes of the room wherever he needs them to be.

William has molded his Marquis persona. The Marquis of Carnsbury is a playable type who never seems to have a brain in his hair. However, it is all an act and William waits for the right moment to strike. He uses the bon vivant nature of his alter ego to hide who he really is. That truly is the question. If William has spent years making himself look like a different person, who is he? That is the question.

History:

Every night, this image fills William’s dreams:

Six-year-old William, hiding in the wheat field from the soldiers and the screams. He watched as flames were on the hillside. The Blood of his family is in the streams.
As he stares his whole world burns around him. A woman tells him to run away as she is cut down. Then William wakes up from the nightmare.

His mind keeps showing him that horrible night as if to help him remember what he lost that night. William was the youngest son of the Marquis of Carnsbury and had no chance of inheriting the title over his brothers. The issue was that his father had many enemies and three of them decided that it was time to remove the upstart Marquis by removing his family and act like bandits had done it. The three conspirators struck one cold winters night. Their plan might have succeeded had William not been playing in the snow instead of in his bed. That small act of rebellion saved his life since it bought William time to be spirited away by a faithful servant. As they fled, William promised he would someday take his revenge on the men who had wronged him.

The servant took the boy to the coast in a desperate bid to get him far far away from this life. Despite his best efforts, the servant lost his charge in the commotion of the port town. William wandered through the town until he stumbled into a small tavern frequented by less than reputable men. It was with one of these men that the young man met the crew of Blackbird. The “privateers” were impressed with the lad’s lack of fear and his inquisitive mind. Instead of ignoring him, the Capitan chose to take the boy on as a cabin boy. They needed someone, and the young orphaned nobleman fit the build. The work was painful, but it taught William valuable lessons about hard work.

William spent three years on The Blackbird learning the ropes of being a pirate. He enjoyed that life but eventually fate decreed that there was more for him to do. While docked in St. Claudia’s Island, William met the merchant John Guthrie. Master Guthrie’s business was to buy stolen cargo from the pirates and then trade the ill-gotten cargo for a profit. Again, William impressed Master Guthrie by the very nature of being literate. Since that was rare among pirates, Guthrie chose to take the boy in as his ward. His wife had always wanted a child and the “import export” business would need an heir. So, the Guthries set about teaching him about the delicate art of being a fence. It was not noble work, but it was lucrative.

William stayed for almost a decade before he felt restless. He could have forgotten his revenge and spend his days in luxury on the island. However, he knew he had to do this or it would haunt him for the rest of his days. With the approval of his adoptive parents, William went back home. Along the way, he grabbed a few pirates to act as his servants since he knew he could trust them to not backstab him if the money was good. William went to his family’s old estate, which had been repaired over the years, and managed to get the title from the current owner. The man had been a drunkard so it had not been difficult to buy the title. That was how the Marquis of Carnsbury was made. On the outside, he looks like a merchant buying his way to high society when the title was his by birthright. Regardless, he is now set to take his vengeance at any cost.

[bloonewb]

Finn Son of Rinney

Name: Finn "the Lank", Son of Rinney
Title/Occupation: Count (Chief) of Namara
Nationality: Bridgemont
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Straight

Appearance: As his name suggests, Finn is as tall as he is skinny, and is plenty of both. He shoots up from the ground like the trees of his homeland, his arms bony as their branches and his legs sturdy as their roots. Hanging from his head is a mop of fiery hair, oftentimes tangled and messy. His eyes are a glittering green, focused always on someone or another in awed reverence. Freckles dot his face with such intensity as to appear as if an army of them are threatening to take over his face. Plastered on his face is a wide and easy grin, one that seems to the world genuine and kind, because that is exactly what it is.

Interests: Finn's primary interest is people. He is fascinated by the stories of those around him, and would often try to press them for personal stories, which he would eat up like beans. When visiting foreign lands, can be found most frequently in their libraries, paging through legends and annals. He loves telling them almost as much as hearing them, and could weave tales prominently featuring the fairy people and elements of the supernatural.

Personality: Finn is many things, none of them harsh or demanding. He's easy-going, head-in-the-clouds, and endlessly romantic. He believes that he could discern the perfect woman for him just by looking into her eyes and letting the magic of love do its work. He likes to make friends and smile, and cannot withstand the lashing of tongue or blade for very long. Barring his tall tales, most of the things that Finn says are genuine in spirit, and he tries if possible to abstain from sarcasm.

History: Bridgemont is a centralized kingdom only in name. While the "Ducolenn", king of Bridgemont, represents the face of the nation, feudalism is still very much alive within his kingdom, and he has little say in the matters of his dukes, commonly referred to by the locals as "kinlords". It is to one of these kinlords, Rinney "the Serene" son of Seelic, that Finn is born. His mother was a concubine, quickly set aside by his father and forgotten about, but Finn was heir.

He was raised under the watchful eye of his father, who wanted to mold the perfect warrior for an heir. Finn was trained in the swordsmanship of the gentleman, and by his early teens, could hold his own well enough with both rapier and saber. Then, he was sent to battle. Kinlord Rinney was settling a feud with the Chief of Namara, and it was the responsibility of Finn to strike the killing blow. The campaign was an unsettling thing, and tested Finn's will with every man struck down by his blade. By the time he reached the fort, he had enough of battle, and decided come what may, he would walk right into that fort and handle things diplomatically, at the risk of his own neck. The fort surrendered the next day, and Kinlord Rinney raised his son up as chief of the new domains.

From there, it was off to tour the world. Rinney planned a course with a landing in every major port in the known world, and tasked Finn with returning betrothed. He was shipped off, with little say of his own, complete with a retinue of warriors, diplomats, and bagpipes, the newly made Chief of Namara who never got a chance to rule his chiefdom.

[Erklings25]

Sigfast Ogmundsson

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Sigfast Ogmundsson

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Name
Sigfast Ogmundsson

Title/Occupation
Prince of Grimmrheimr clan

Nationality
Lygarthien

Age
25

Gender
Male

Sexuality
Heterosexual

Appearance
Sigfast is around average height for a Lygarthien man, standing at 6'5", however he has come to notice that most foreigners are much shorter than him. Pale skinned, broad shouldered and muscled, he is the prime specimen of how a Lygarthian should look. His hair is light blonde, which he usually keeps well groomed. His eyes are a pale shade of blue, and on his chin is a small beard that he grooms with painstaking effort. Though a skilled warrior, he can't seem to control his limbs off the battle field and is not graceful in the slightest, making him appear somewhat like a colt taking its first steps. Scars are a common blight on his people, and Sigfast is no different, bearing many battle scars on his arms, torso and midriff.

Interests
Sigfast, being the son of a chief, is a trained warrior. From a young age he was taught swordplay, however his favourite weapon was always the axe. Nonetheless, he became skilled with both, and endeavors to practice both whenever possible. Though not he most academically gifted, he is a strategist at heart. Sigfast enjoys playing strategic games with people, anything from card games to chess, which a merchant from Astaria once taught him. Storytelling is a tradition in his community, and he has memorized many ancient sagas of famous battles, both spoken word and musical. He also harbours a secret love of animals.

Personality
Sigfast is said to be the ideal chief for the Grimmrheimr tribe. Being the eldest child of cheif Ogmund, and only son, he was drilled to be so from a young age. Stoic and level-headed, he is perfect for ruling a warrior tribe, more so than being in a refined social setting. His life as an evolved hunter-gatherer type alienated his social skills, thus he can come across as unpleasant. He tries to avoid this by not talking much, deciding that actions speak louder than words.

He is gruff and cynical, believing that most high-society people are selfish and corruption is rife in most 'diplomatic' and 'civlised' societies. This has lead him to have some contempt for most sophisticated societies, and the members of them who look down on his people as being unrefined and barbaric. However, he harbours great respect for those who treat him and his clan as equals, not barbarians that need to be taught how to act. He is intelligent in his way, a strategic master who considers every outcome before making a decision, not an academic.

To his family and subordinates, especially his little sisters, he is incredibly affectionate. The people who get close to him are the only ones allowed to see that beneath the cynical exterior is a romantic, and a soft-hearted family man. When his loved ones are in danger his cool, level-headed nature fades and he becomes violent and angry, often making dangerous decisions to help them.

History
Born to Ogmund Kuntsson, chief of the Grimmrheimr, and his wife, Thora Sturladottir, Sigfast was the closest thing you could get to royalty in his country. Grimmrheimr was one of the most influential clans in Lygathien. Thus, he had to be a worthy ruler as first in line to the title of chief. From age 6 he was trained rigorously to become the perfect chief.

He thrived under the rigorous training, morphing into a leader by the time he was 10. He had three sisters by then, all of whom he roger on. In front of his tribe he was serious and unflappable, but with his family he was attentive and genial. But his tribe's peaceful existence. Under the suggestion of Vertiron, Lygarthien fought against Euhijan. It was when he was 16, some solider from Euhjian attacked his tribe when they weren't ready. Whilst he was engaged in a fight with a lone solider, his oldest sister, Jodis, tried to help him. The Euhijan solider killed her without a second thought. Sigfast's blood boiled. That skirmish lead to a massacre, led by an enraged Sigfast.

He was rewarded by Vertiron, but that didn't help him. He felt ashamed that he put his people in danger solely because he was angry. He felt terrible that his actions cost innocent men their lives. That's where his cynicism came from. He believed almost everyone could be a monster if they wanted to be. His hatred for Vertiron arose then, how could they reward him for such a horrible deed? He spent years trying to redeem himself, doting on his family even more than before, training even harder. It was when he turned 25 that he found an opportunity to get back at the country that indulged his cruelty, and abused his people. He requested that he be allowed to travel to Vertiron, and find some way to make them pay for how they treated the Lygarthiens. His request approved, he traveled south, prepared to get, borrow, steal, and seduce to get his way. Even if he's not very good at it.

[eclecticwitch]

Princess Pari

Name:
Vanya Parinaaz Myra
Called:
Pari
Title/Occupation:
The First Princess of the Third Wife Consort Saanvi
Nationality:
Usamolia
Age:
21
Gender:
Female
Sexuality:
Pansexual

Appearance:

The first thing, which would be the biggest difference between herself and her siblings, is that while they are towering and elven - she is small and fey-like. (She stands at about 4'11" due to a genetic disorder in Saanvi's family.) In all other aspects, she appears as the rest of her people should. Her skin is bronzed, her hair thick and wavy and dark. She has the slender hands which can speak stories as they move. Her eyes, on a well structured and high boned face, are almond shaped and the golden brown of burnt honey. Her clothing comes in a wide range of styles and colors, never settling for just one type or color.

Interests:

She is wild. She would rather spend a day flitting about the garden, running barefoot through grass fields, falconry, and riding horses than spend another day doing needlepoint and making small talk at court. She loves to feel the wind in her hair and the dirt between her toes. Dancing around a fire, drinking, and carnal delights are her preferred form of celebration. Climbing trees and getting dirty are second nature to her. Her existence was never well watched, save by her mother who did not mind her gathering all the skills she could, which allowed her to grow as a woman of the earth.

However, it is not to be said that she dislikes all aspects of court and learning. She is a skilled mathematician, running numbers through her head quickly and accurately. She can dance in the proper way of the world as well as the traditional dances of her people and recite poetry with guarded, but deep emotion. Pari can speak and charm in the royal style expected of her, though she may find it droll. Pari is not one to read fiction and prefers novels discussing the lives of past heroes and kings. She also has a keen interest in politics and the careful way one must step in such a dangerous atmosphere. It is like dancing with a wolf or charming a viper.

Personality:

Pari is a vivacious and outgoing individual. When it comes to those she knows well she will speak her mind, but knows better than to act out in any sort of court setting. She has strong opinions and a strong sense of self-control to go with them. She understands her place and knows how to slip little snakes here and there to make her ideas seem like someone else's. While she may smile, and flirt, and act as the silly daughter of the king she is not a fool. She listens and is more than willing to use any information to strike out against those who would be her enemy. Or to give support to those she deems worthy of her friendship. When to feed honey and when to twist the knife.

Outside of a court setting she is more relaxed and may behave somewhat childlike. She has a grand wonder of the world and each day is a new experience. Pari laughs easily, loves dancing, and can be found planting alongside the gardeners. She wishes to know many things, feel many emotions, and to visit every part of the world. Despite her twenty-one years, one might think she had not lived a single day in the world. Alas, as the tiny sixth child of the King she can expect little more than to be married off for an alliance's sake. She hopes to marry a stupid husband, at least then she could do something more than adorning a man's arm with fancy clothes and pretty smiles.

History:

She was born a cherished child. One of two princesses at this time. Not as valuable as princes, to be sure, but a princess was a grand bargaining chip. However, as she grew it became apparent that she did not gain her height as she should. It became somewhat of a scandal. Had the Third Consort slept outside of the King's chambers? The Fourth Consort began to whisper poisons in the ears of the court. Was Pari another man's daughter? It was during this time, for about two months during Pari's fourth year of life that she was let free to roam the palace as an unwanted and savage child.

However, her mother was clever and would not allow her name to be tarnished. Saanvi was a shrewd woman. She had not spent a night with another man and so it would only be a matter of time before she could figure out a way to prove that her daughter was a legitimate heir. It came in the form of a birthmark. In the flurry of emotions and accusations, it was forgotten that a child of the King often bore the same mark. It existed as a sun-like mark on the lower back. And Pari's was very distinct. Saanvi also took this time to accuse her accuser, the Fourth Consort, of cheating - for her son did not bear the mark.

The Fourth Consort was cast out, leaving a 'bastard' son behind. He was 10 years older than Pari at the time (14). He would never be more than perhaps a guard to one of his brothers or sisters. He and Pari became close and he indulged her wildness - teaching her how to hunt with the falcon and to ride horses like a man. For Pari was not much better than he, treated lowly due to her small stature. An oddity to be shown off but never taken seriously. But her mother helped her develop a sharp mind. No child of Saanvi would settle for second best. She was determined her girl would excel in all aspects of life. Even going so far as to feed her daughter low doses of poisons to build up an immunity. And though Pari found it boring, and the nights she would be sick horrible, she appreciated that her mother hoped to protect her and give her the skills she needed to live her life among vipers.

Sir Honeycutt

Name:
Eileen Hamdyn
Alias:
Marsden Honeycutt
Title/Occupation:
Knight and Merchant
Nationality:
St Claudia's Island, associates with Usamolia
Age:
43
Gender:
Female but living as a man
Sexuality:
Homosexual

Appearance:

Mars is an extremely tall individual, standing at about 6'6". He has a thin, willowy figure that hides strong muscle. His blonde hair is worn long and sometimes braided. His eyes are an icy blue. His face is made of strong, chiseled lines with a hint of the feminine to them and his flesh is a near moonlit pale. He is ethereally graceful, movements that one would not expect from a man capable of beating another to death. He prefers dark colored clothes to accentuate his very pale skin. He has a scar over his chest taken from a gunshot wound, which has also removed what little breast he had to begin with.

Interests:

Fine parties, fancy meals, and dance. He loves to be out in society and visiting the men's clubs where he can converse deeply about political affairs or philosophy. He did not start out as a man of knowledge but has found an insatiable thirst for it. He is also a great fan of sport, owning his own hound dogs for hunting. He has a keen eye for horseflesh and an even better one for a good deal. He is a shrewd and masterful man of sale. He also enjoys flirting with women and giving them pleasure - though he claims a battle injury for never removing his own clothes.

Personality:

He is a calm and charming man. Warm, gentle, and with the sweetness of a perfectly ripened fruit. He carries the maturity of his years as well as his time spent on the battlefield. Mars often wears a gentle smile and is quick to give compliments. He is known as a rake, charming merchant's daughters but never settling himself. He is adamant about always paying his debts but also to never allow himself into the red. While he is happy to spend money on the ladies on which he dotes, he is truly a frugal man and does not spend more than is necessary.

History:

Eileen was born a poor girl on the streets. Her mother was a woman of the night who died when Eileen was 8. The girl supported herself by selling flowers until, as luck would have it on one fortuitous night, a young man died in front of her. She was 14 at the time and was curled up in a doorway outside of a tavern. The man was merely a few years older than she, obviously a man of wealth, and with a face and build similar to her own. Perhaps a half brother? She never knew. He died, addicted to the drink (or perhaps stronger stuff) long before his time, and she saw her chance to step out of the streets.

Eileen became Marsden, stealing his clothes and his identity. At his 'home', Mars found that his 'mother' had a serious illness which leads her to drink copious amounts of morphine. Or perhaps the morphine gave her a very serious illness. He also found that the estates were in shambles due to the stupid young son's habits of drinking (or other addicitve habits) and gambling. While there was much of the world the new Mars did not understand, he knew about money. He had watched countless transactions, been on the wharves for the arrival of goods, and snooped plenty in his time to begin repairing the estate. This took two years of penny-pinching and careful planning. Though just a youngling he had grown to be quite a prosperous businessman. He only planned to grow it more.

Then, Mars decided to go to war for Usamolia where he earned the name 'The White War Elephant'. It was a chance to prove himself and perhaps earn a title to go along with his burgeoning wealth. He became an infamous marksman on the battlefield and ruthless in his pursuance of the enemy. He rose in rank and was eventually knighted by the Usamolian court for his valor in the field. He had taken a gunshot wound to the chest and continued to fight, eventually beating an enemy general's head in with the butt of a rifle. He was 23 when the war finally ended and he went back home. Mars found his mother had passed while he was away and the servants had kept up the place. He had also found that his investments, cleverly done, had quadrupled since joining in the fight. Mars was a very rich man indeed. He lived his life, only occasionally having nightmares of his time in the field. No longer poor and starving. Happy.

[Silent Whispers]

Theresa, Queen Regent

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_{{"History is written by the survivors."}}

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ᴛ ɪ ᴛ ʟ ᴇ

_{Queen Regent of House Cornelli; Theresa, Queen Regent of Vertiron; Queen Theresa; Queen Mother.}

ᴏ ᴄ ᴄ ᴜ ᴘ ᴀ ᴛ ɪ ᴏ ɴ

_{Even though her son is ruling the Kingdom at the moment, she still holds a little bit might power than him in certain affairs regarding the Kingdom.}

ɴ ᴀ ᴛ ɪ ᴏ ɴ ᴀ ʟ ɪ ᴛ ʏ

_Vertiron.

ᴀ ɢ ᴇ

_Fifty.

ɢ ᴇ ɴ ᴅ ᴇ ʀ

_Female.

s ᴇ x ᴜ ᴀ ʟ ɪ ᴛ ʏ

_{Ever since her husband's passing, she has been able to love another man. She still likes men though and sometimes even shares her chamber with a female, every now and then.}

ᴀ ᴘ ᴘ ᴇ ᴀ ʀ ᴀ ɴ ᴄ ᴇ

_{Theresa is the Queen Regent of the Kingdom Vertiron so her appearance is always kept up. She is relatively a small and short woman though, standing about five foot six. Theresa weighs about one-hundred and thirty-two pounds. She is petite and her frame is very slender. She has smooth skin on her face, due to a mask she wears to bed and her skin complexion is fair along with smooth, as well. Theresa's locks of hair take on a dirty blonde tone as she usually has it tied in a bun or a ponytail that drapes over her shoulder. She has hazel colored eyes that are rounded perfectly. If you see Theresa around the Kingdom or castle, she's always dressed up in her Queenly garments as she cannot just be seen in anything.}

ɪ ɴ ᴛ ᴇ ʀ ᴇ s ᴛ s

_{• Horseback riding
• Manipulating people
• Gardens
• Children
• Celebrations
• Adventure
• Stargazing}

ᴘ ᴇ ʀ s ᴏ ɴ ᴀ ʟ ɪ ᴛ ʏ

_{• Strong • Straightforward • Overprotective • Quick Witted •}

_{Theresa is strong-willed, well-educated woman. Theresa is not really the person to mess with especially when it comes to her son. She is very overprotective of her family along with many other people within the Kingdom of Vertiron as it shows whenever she is out and about with them. She is very motherly towards her family, letting them know that whatever they need, she will always be there for them. Even though their relationship is a little bit rocky right about now. Theresa is also very strong and she kind of has no choice but to be strong. When it comes to anyone close to her, she is very dangerous especially if someone is messing with them. She will become a whole different person towards anyone that messes with her or her family. She isn't one to beat around the bush with anyone. She will say whatever she needs to say and will not hold back anything when it comes to words. Though she knows her boundaries and respect level when it comes to certain people. Overall, Theresa is the best person to be around if you need a strong ally in your corner then she is your girl.}

ʜ ɪ s ᴛ ᴏ ʀ ʏ

<sub>Theresa is the product of Lord Harold Lancaster II and Lady Marigold Lancaster. She was practically their pride and joy and it showed by the way they raised her. Growing up, she was close to both parents equally though her mother always had her at her side. Just so she could raise her up to be a proper young lady, one that will be fit for a king. Theresa honestly did like being pampered and catered to but her handmaidens were much more friendly to her than anything, which she did not mind.

It was not until she was about eight years of age that her mother grew gravely ill after a plague swept throughout the castle. She stayed by her mother's bedside with tear-filled eyes. Her father escorted her out of the room and knelt down to be eye level with her as he wiped her tears away before letting her know that everything was going to be okay. Unfortunately, it wasn't. Her mother passed away a day later and she was now being raised by her father with the help of some other Ladies in the kingdom. For about a week, she did not speak to anyone and she rarely ate anything. She missed her mother dearly and would've done literally anything to have had her resurrected or something.

A few years passed now and she was becoming a mature young lady. Nothing really happened to her majorly since her mother's death but another plague did sweep through the castle again. Luckily, she along with her father weren't in the kingdom at that time so they managed to miss it this time around. Her father continued to raise her with the best of ability as he also thought that it was time for her to take on a suitor. Theresa pleaded her case that she was still too young but her father insisted because he had someone, a someone she did not like, lined up for her already. The guy had the charm but did not have the intelligence and that was something desired most in a man.

While her father tried his best to set up with male after male, she fell in love with the Prince Vincento. Her father quickly met with the current king and queen at the time and the marriage had been arranged. Theresa was shocked that she was now betrothed to the Prince. She did not ever expect herself to be a queen one day, to be honest, but now that she was close to that happening, she had no choice.

A few years have passed now and she was twenty-five years of age while Vicento was thirty. Her and Vincento had married and had a son, an heir that Vicento was really, really proud of. She was relieved that she had a son because she has seen what happens whenever women bore a daughter. Theresa and Vincento raised their son together but of course, Vincento wanted him to be tough and strong. She liked having a son around because she absolutely adored children. Theresa was happy to announce that someday, he'd be king of the kingdom. A war raged around this time as her father had to go and fight along with Vincento. It was months before Vincento came back alone and informed her that her father passed away in battle. Theresa was sad, yes but did not show any emotion because she knew her father died honorably. That night though, she cried heavily in her chambers.

But as the time passed and herself along with Vincento grew older, she knew that they had to keep themselves up and looking younger but Vincento did not believe so. Theresa constantly teased him about growing old and just really looking any kind of way. A few days later, she was at Vincento's bedside as he had caught a bad case of pneumonia. It was literally deja vu for her and she had tear-filled eyes again. She did not want to lose her king, her love nor did she want to rule the kingdom alone until the council figured out what to do with the empty throne. Vincento passed away that night in his sleep and she was highly upset with emotions.

It was two days before they decided that she'd become Queen Regent while her son, Theodoro, would ascend to the throne and become king after some slight pressure from her. Theresa did not have any qualms with the decision. Even if she did, there was nothing she could've did about it anyway. She still rules over the kingdom as her title has now changed. Theresa stays much closer to Theodoro's side now though, whether he likes it or not because she doesn't have time for things to go to hell in a handbasket on his watch.

The dust has settled and now it was the social season again. Theresa loves the social season because she gets to see people from other kingdoms and people that she has not seen in quite some time. Cheateu de Monfort has reopened its doors for the season and she could not be happier, honestly. She is more than ready to chat amongst others and meet new people.</sub>

[Sierra]

Samantha Meredith Whitmore, Baroness

Daughter of James and Chelsea Whitmore of Astaria

[[ 19 || Bi-curious ]]

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Interested in:

• Adventure
• Travel
• Duelling
• The color red

Hates:

• Jewelry
• Nobility
• Controlling parents
• Fish

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Attire
Nontraditional. Masculine.

Traditionally male apparel makes up nearly half her wardrobe and is incorporated into almost every outfit in some form. Feminine elegance is not her prefered style, ruling out virtually all traditional women’s fashion. Knee-high leather boots are worn with everything. Dresses and skirts are often paired with a mens-style top or coat. She never sits still to let her hair be braided and decorated.

Personality
Reckless. Tomboyish. Independent.

She’s oft’ viewed as intense, hyper, sometimes overbearing. She is no simple lady who can be won over with simple romantic gestures. She is a handful to be around on her good days. Her energy is seemingly boundless, giving that bubbly, “hyper” appearance.

Upbringing
Rigid. Unyielding.

The daughter of a Baron is expected to be the perfect lady: the curse of nobility. The name Whitmore was ubiquitous in every port in Astaria, being only the largest mercantile company in the country. That certainly didn’t put any pressure on her. Her hand in marriage was expected to ensure amicable relations with whichever of the other noble families’ sons she tolerated the best. From a young age she was supposed to be groomed to be at the arm of a man as well off as her ... and she had absolutely none of it. All the money in the world couldn’t buy what she really wanted: freedom, adventure, independence.

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[cerozer0]

Pike

|| Pɪᴋᴇ || "Bᴀʀᴏɴ" || Vᴇʀᴛɪʀᴏɴ ||
|| 26 || Mᴀʟᴇ || Bɪsᴇxᴜᴀʟ ||

ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴀɴᴄᴇ
▔▔▔▔▔▔ ☾

Pike considers himself to be attractive. If others don't agree well, that their problem, right? With his high features, perfected posture, and well-maintained hair, Pike finds it absolutely impossible that anyone would not be ever the slightest bit attracted to him. Perhaps his narcissism is unfounded. Perhaps that is for others to decide.

Pike is a slender silhouette, standing at a decent 5'11", and he dresses to show off his angles and height. His skin is a warm brown, and freckles stand out on the bridge of his nose and his shoulders in the right light. Elven features and conniving brown eyes make his resting expressions out to be much more focused than he usually is. A quick growing beard is often trimmed daily to ensure it remains neat and tidy-looking. His hair hangs down to his lower back and is often pleated in intricate braids or held together in a low ponytail. When let loose it is wild and wavy and often manages to get everywhere.

Being neat and tidy is one of Pike's specialties, as is his ability to accessorize. He dresses wonderfully when given the chance, always wishing to look impressive when surrounded by the glamour and glitz of courts and ballrooms. He leans towards darker colors, usually blues or greens, and he often accents those colors with silver and gold hair beads, eyeshadow, and jewelry. Beneath all his fancy layers is a body built from years of hard work. He is lean, built for speed instead of strength, and he works out to maintain this status whenever given a moment to breathe. Besides that, he has an intricate tattoo on his back, and a few piercings not many have had the chance to see.

ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇsᴛs
▔▔▔▔▔▔ ☾

Pike has a proclivity for all things hedonistic. He is a fan of drinking, flirting, smoking, sleeping, eating—— basically if you can imagine a cat would like it Pike would as well. He likes to feel things, be it happiness or pain, and will go out of his way to do brash and exciting things so long as it does not hinder his work. He has been known to be a bit of a daredevil due to this, and may often show off to sirs and ladies alike if an exciting opportunity presents itself.

In order to do all these strange and exciting things, though, one must come into quite a bit of coin, and Pike knows this better than anyone around. He enjoys doing work in order to garner some money, and in turn he is known to be rather generous with what he pays for. To call earning money an "interest" may be rather dull, but to Pike it is an integral part of his life and personality. He would do countless things for money because he is quite interested in offering the people he cares for a comfortable life in the future.

His other interests are occult in nature. Pike is a rather talented fortune teller, and he has a way with cards and stones. He collects items most might find to be unnerving, such as tarot decks, runic stones that may or may not have been stolen from Lygarthien, animal bones, and natural herbs. He grew up surrounded by the idea of magic and fate, and as such he practices his upbringing to remain closer to his heritage.

ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ
▔▔▔▔▔▔ ☾

Brave men stand up for what they believe in. Kind men help those in need even if they are in pain themselves. Intelligent men know how to manipulate the others into doing what they all desire. Pike likes to consider himself to be an intelligent man—— someone who takes in the ideals and wishes of others and uses them to his advantage if need be. Perhaps this is why he is so talented at his given profession; he is aware of what to say and do in order to garner favor or information. Pike is best described as "observant". He oversees the people around him and works out their personalities with as much knowledge as he can collect. With this skill in mind, Pike has taught himself to be an eccentric extrovert with an obvious love of conversation and riddles. He can speak for hours on end, jabbering about nonsense, and by the end of the conversation he will have hopefully pieced together the fabric of information he has gained from his partner.

Without people he would perhaps be useless, as people truly make up the foundation of himself. Pike does not do well in tight, quiet places. He finds such things to be frightening. If a room is silent he will work his way around, trying to make as much noise as he can, and if a room is small he will throw open all the windows just to let in the slightest bit of air. Pike has worked hard to find these open areas, surrounded by wines and people and food that is far too rich for his meager tastes, and he wishes to keep his (albeit fake) status no matter the cost. Due to this, he is rather morally gray and has no issue following the orders of someone higher up so long as it allows him to remain content.

Despite his self-interest, Pike very easily finds himself attracted to others, It is truly the hedonist in him that seeks out the warm pleasures of another body. Attraction and love are two very different things, though. He tries to avoid "The L-Word" at all costs, though it is hard when he is a hopeless romantic at heart. Perhaps he gained it form his mother, the poor widow, who read him stories of daring adventurers and true love. Pike always wanted to be a dashing rogue or sparkling knight, rescuing the damsel in distress, but Mother Fate presented him with a life of dark deeds and secrets. He is fine with it. Fate works in mysterious ways, after all, and he trusts his cards more than his own gut sometimes.

ʜɪsᴛᴏʀʏ
▔▔▔▔▔▔ ☾

Pike only truly remembers his mother and sister when he recounts his childhood. Edith was a strong but lovely lady, and most of her free time was spent caring for her two children while juggling her failing bakery and odd jobs. When Alexander was born, he was often looked after by his elder sister Emma. She was a mere five years older than him, but she quickly grew accustomed to stopping his cries and helping mom change him when Edith requested. Alex wasn't always well fed, or warm, or content, but he was happy with his small family. Even if they were poor, at least they had their cards and their prayers to Lady Fate. He never asked about his father, as he never had a reason to, but some nights he used to stay up wondering if he even had one or if his mother was just cursed with two lonely pregnancies by Fate herself.

Alexander grew up quicker than most simply because he had to. His family was often reliant on doing odd jobs and menial labor for money, and so he quickly took it upon himself to find the most well-paying work that also suited his need for being the center of attention. From the ages fifteen onward he worked as a fortune teller, a cryer, and a messanger for the capital of Vertiron. It was the final job that garnered him attention from one of the highest eyes in the land. His days of trafficking letters to and from the palace eventually came to an end on the eve of his twenty-first birthday, as he was gifted with an unsigned letter instructing him to meet in the lower gardens of the palace.

It was that fateful night he met the Queen Regent Theresa. Surrounded by the thick perfume of spring flora, the Queen Mother confessed to admiring him from afar and offered him work at her side as a spy and confidant. Alexander, even back then, was a well-versed businessman at heart, and this opportunity laid itself bare with coin and a comfortable future for his family. He would only agree to her terms if his family was paid handsomely for his work, and he was given a surname to masquerade as a noble among the court. Terms were eventually agreed upon, and Alex left that night with a new name; Pike. Alexander Pike, a "baron" of the court of Vertiron.

Needless to say, the next five years of his life were a whirlwind of change. He quickly adopted the mannerisms of the elite class and worked to not only redo his exterior but his interior as well. His plucky confidence bloomed into a suave and almost charming narcissism, and his natural way with words earned his keep as Queen Theresa's newest secret.

Qiu

|| Qɪᴜ || Cᴏᴜɴᴛᴇss || Eᴜʜᴊɪᴀɴ ||
|| 25 || Fᴇᴍᴀʟᴇ || Bɪsᴇxᴜᴀʟ ||

ᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴀɴᴄᴇ
▔▔▔▔▔▔ ✾

Qiu is not one of renowned beauty; in fact, she considers herself to be quite plain. Not one for caring much about the usual artistry of makeup and fine clothing, she often relies on the helpful hands of friends or family to aid in her extensive dressing up, and by the end of it all she is usually too exhausted to consider herself anything more than "average". Qiu is not an intimidating figure, standing at a mere 5'2" and weighing just over 120 pounds, though to be fair she is often swallowed by thick and vibrantly colored garments. Her skin is smooth and peachy, though quickly tans if she is present in the sun for more than a day.

Makeup is Qiu's biggest enemy, and at the same time she would never be caught dead without it. She often annunciates her usually thin brows and small lips, and after that leaves the rest of her face to fate as she quickly finishes up whatever is left to cover. Despite this, she rarely looks horrible, just perhaps a little messier than other ladies of the court. The only thing she does truly love about her appearance is her hair. Jet black and hanging lower enough to brush the back of her thighs, it is Qiu's pride and joy. She often puts it up in intricate knots and buns, decorating her locks with gorgeous hair pieces and pins.

If she happens to care about her clothing, it usually thick in layers and bright in color. Her favorite color is red, and she often accents it with golds and pinks. Beneath all those layers, though, Qiu is lithe and full of restless energy. She often runs in the early morning and used to exercise along with her brother, back when he was able to. Due to this she has a well-built body and is able to hold her own in single combat if so needed. She works best with a shortsword in hand and an arena that allows her to breathe.

ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴇsᴛs
▔▔▔▔▔▔ ✾

In a world of vices and virtues, Qiu favors the former. She is perhaps built on vices, and she loves to indulge in them at any chance she can. Her favorites include drinking and smoking, and boy can you tell. If she isn't even a little tipsy she can be rather hard to deal with, and sweet or sour smokey smells seem to follow her around no matter how much perfume she tries to use to cover it. To generalize, Qiu likes to have fun and enjoy herself, but she will also let her title get in the way if it so suits what needs to be done.

Qiu, besides the smoking and the alcohol, also enjoys exercise. It gets her energy out and aids in her wish to grow stronger not only of body but of mind as well. She often practices swordplay in an effort to garner some attention that is not only singled around her title. Besides that, Qiu partakes in games like xiangqi and shogi, liking the mental elements of it. Despite this, Qiu dislikes anything that involves reading and arithmetic. Her other hobbies include gossiping, gardening, calligraphy (which she is quite good at), and bird watching.

ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ
▔▔▔▔▔▔ ✾

Qiu is a woman restrained. She lives in a society built around titles, built around boxes, and she just can't stand that. If not for her brother Que she would be running through the streets, wild and free. In the end, Qiu can't really fight for anything more than what she's been given. Sometimes she appears fine, content even, to sit with her title and wait for the next exciting thing to happen. She knows how to act prim and proper when need be, and she uses it to her advantage.

When comfortable enough around a certain person, she really lets loose. She relaxes, enjoys some casual touching and flirting, and gossips about whatever rumors are spreading throughout the lands. She can be quite sweet to her friends and has a strong overprotective quality about herself that can be seen especially when she is with her brother. However, as of late, the two have been on tense terms.

Qiu is quite excitable and has a fascination with relationships just because she has never really experienced one before. In love she can be quiet and a bit unorthodox, but this is because she really doesn't have much of a basis for it. Romance stories bored her as a child, and her mother was always a stronger individual, so talk of the birds and the bees never really came up. In the end, Qiu is simply useless with pink-colored emotions, and for now she's okay with that.

Qiu is hard to manage under casual circumstances, but she can quickly switch to being an unseen member of the courts if in the right mood. If not, she is known to be rather rebellious and sneaky. She will often slink off to smoke hand-rolled cigarettes if given a chance, and she has been known to challenge men and women alike to duels over petty matters. She is a lady, yes, but underneath it all she is selfish, sweet, and just a little high strung.

ʜɪsᴛᴏʀʏ
▔▔▔▔▔▔ ✾

Qiu was born one chilly autumn night a few minutes before her brother, wailing and bloody and being praised for her luck of being the first half of a pair of twins. Her mother did not hold her that night, as she was rather busy working out the second half of a pair, so Qiu's first view of the world was from the arms of a frantic nursemaid, backlit by the flickering light of hooded lanterns. The first words she heard were, "Lady Fen has been blessed with lucky twins. They are destined to be great."

Oh, how wrong that woman was.

Qiu was a spoiled child, gifted treasures and secrets from her rather distant parents and all too close nannies and maids. She spent countless days buried in silk dresses she could not fit in to yet, ignoring the books she was left to leaf through in favor of sitting in the gardens and watching the sparrows and swallows dip and dive through the air above her. Some days, she would watch Que exercise and train his body, gearing towards becoming a soldier like their father. Other days she would catch mom away from work, smoking a long cigarette and sighing as she combed through her zen gardens, and Qiu would walk silently at her side and admire her regal beauty endlessly.

As she grew older, her boredom with the courts grew to dramatic heights. Learning her manners and her duties dragged her once quiet days into droning, white-noise filled hellscapes she dreaded. While her brother went off to battles and treks to defend the border, Qiu was trapped in history and etiquette lessons. Her only reprise came during her afternoon tea breaks, where she taught herself how to beat one of her closer servants at chess and learned how to hand-roll her own tobacco cigarettes.

Que would often tell Qiu of his various times away, but he was often vaue about their outcomes. Perhaps he did not want to infect her with the thought of death or, maybe, he was keeping the fun to himself. She didn't care enough to ask for more details.

By her eighteenth year she was groomed enough to sit beside her mother's side in complete silence and aid in bills and letter writing. Early in the morning and late at night she would join her brother uproariously in sword training and exercise. This was the time when they were closest, until the accident which took Que's future out from under him.

Depression and injury claimed her time with him, and Qiu grew bitter with abandonment or, perhaps, guilt. Guilt that she can't help him. Guilt that she wasn't there to stop it. She has been cold to him ever since.

When their father retired, Que gained his title of Marquis, and mother granted Qiu the title of Countess as the time to gather in Vertiron grew closer. Her mission now was simple: marry into riches and power. A life without men or women courting her left her at a disadvantage, and with Que at her side she imagines she won't get many askers, but Qiu was finally free form her usual duties and released in to a new land with a romantic seed in her heart. Perhaps something exciting would come out of this. Or, perhaps, she will return home with nothing gained.

[murdoc]

Gui Que

|| Qᴜᴇ || Mᴀʀǫᴜɪs Qᴜᴇ ᴏꜰ Lᴇɪxᴜ || Eᴜʜɪᴊᴀɴ ||
|| 25 || Mᴀʟᴇ || Bɪsᴇxᴜᴀʟ ||

A P P E A R A N C E

Que stands at a middling height for his people, perhaps a hair off 5’8”, with a lean physique built for dexterity rather than strength, so it’s safe to say that he doesn’t cut the most intimidating of figures. However, a lifetime of lessons on royal etiquette and swordplay has taught him how to best carry oneself – back straight, shoulders back, chin up. Some think he’s compensating for something with all this posturing, which would, in fact, be a rather astute observation. After an unfortunate accident a few years back, Que has started walking with a limp. Oftentimes, he can be seen carrying a walking stick made of polished lychee wood, the handle sculpted into the likeness of a falcon.

Even at 25, he’s got something of a baby-face. Unlike the harsh, rugged features of his father, Que’s countenance is based on soft, sweeping curves; though unless he’s completely comfortable in his surroundings, he usually remains unsmiling. As of late, his usual tan complexion has gained a somewhat anaemic tinge to it, courtesy of all that time spent cooped up in his chambers. His black hair is trimmed short – in a style contrary to the Euhijan courts – simply because it requires less effort to take care of. Wherever he goes, the smoky perfume of tobacco, orchids and agarwood follows.

Que favours clothing that’s easy to move around in. He eschews the tight, embroidered doublets considered fashionable in Vertiron, though that doesn’t mean he dresses like a slob. Like his sister, he has a fondness for bright colours. Many of his tunics are inlaid with blue and gold, tucked into fencing breeches more suited to a knight than marquis. In more private settings, he returns to the long, layered robes of his homeland, though they’re often less elaborate than his sister’s. Over his left leg, he wears a brace made of leather and brass, the joints fortified with steel. The brace stretches from mid-thigh all the way down to the ankle, with clasps on each side to attach to his shoes. On his right hand, he always wears a golden ring, a square of malachite set in the center.

I N T E R E S T S

Que is a son of Euhijan as much as his father’s. While he may not look it, he used to be an excellent swordsman, capable of defeating some of the most distinguished warriors in the kingdom. Though he can still wield a sword after the accident – one never really forgets how – he’s no longer as proficient as he used to be. Most days, however, he practices alone, well away from prying eyes.

Not only that, Que is also quite fond of games like xiangqi and chess. They’re one of the few interests he and his sister have in common — apart from smoking and swordplay, that is. As children, the two would play round after round against each other in an effort to pass the time, something their father encouraged. After all, the mind is merely a different kind of blade, one to be kept sharp through various means.

An avid falconer, Que keeps a menagerie of predatory birds that he uses for hunting. In fact, he finds tending to the creatures quite calming as well, so he often relieves his servants of their duties in favour of handling it himself.

P E R S O N A L I T Y

Que has always been a wallflower, ever since he was a child. While his peers ran around hitting each other with wooden swords, he’d always just sit aside and watch. That was something he did a lot – watch. People, animals, even the clouds drifting across the sky. As long as it moved, his gaze was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. He would follow every movement, every sound, until he eventually lost interest. This penchant for observing would prove useful in the art of swordplay. What he lacked in raw strength, he made up for in speed and finesse. For many years, Que’s endeavour to become the best swordsman in Euhijan consumed a huge part of his life, leaving time for little else. This intense fixation with being the best extends to any of his endeavours. He’s very often obsessive about the things he does, and the people he cares about.

Nonetheless, he’s always been friendly in a polite, detached sort of way. When he speaks, he does so softly, with a cadence that can best be described as monotonous. There is rarely an occasion where he sees the need to raise his voice, and even then, he finds that tranquility is a more effective deterrent than rage. His sense of humour tends to lean towards dry and sardonic, and he often takes the role of “sidekick” in interpersonal relationships, especially when he’s in the presence of his sister, Qiu. It must also be noted that he does not subconsciously yearn to be in the spotlight, but is instead comfortable in a supporting role. Likewise, his observant nature comes in handy whenever he meets someone new. He is an excellent judge of character, and is often able to accurately surmise a person’s motivations.

In the aftermath of the accident, Que has lately become prone to fits of depression, some of them lasting for days at a time. Used to getting his way for most of his younger years, he finds it hard to let go of anything once he has a grasp on it, and his martial pursuits are at the very top of that list. It’s more than a little frustrating when he finds himself unable to perform the same feats he used to. There’s no mistaking that Que is a proud man, a trait he’d inherited from his father. He cares a lot about his reputation, and hates appearing weak in front of anyone.

H I S T O R Y

In Euhijan culture, twins are seen as an auspicious omen, especially when one is a girl, and the other a boy. The former symbolises the phoenix, while the latter symbolises the dragon. Many believe that children born under these conditions were destined for greatness, though Que has lived long enough to doubt the veracity of that claim.

On a cold Autumn night, Que was brought into the world a mere eight minutes after his sister, and whisked away in the arms of a nursemaid before the mother even had the chance to set her eyes on them. Their father served a general under the King of Euhijan, awarded with vast tracts of land and the title of Marquis after leading his battalion to numerous victories over its foes. Their mother, on the other hand, was a distant scion of the royal family, renowned for both her beauty and intelligence.

Their marriage was one of convenience, designed to further their standing in social strata. Neither of them really wanted children, though it was necessary to ensure that their lineage endured. And so, the twins were often left in the care of servants, with only each other for company once their most rudimentary needs had been taken care of.

In a somewhat misguided attempt at pleasing his parents, he began his military training at an early age. His father always thought he was too soft, too much of a pushover to make anything out of himself, but alas, he was his only son. Perhaps seeing his potential, his father’s second-in-command, a man known only to Que as Yi, took him under his wing. In fact, it was he who first taught Que the proper way to wield a sword, and how to best come up with a plan to counter the enemy’s. Under Yi’s careful tutelage, he grew to become one of the finest swordsmen in Euhijan. He’d always had a predilection for observing, of seeking out patterns in things, and this habit of his served him well when it came to battle. Sometimes, Qiu would even join him as he trained. She always did seem more interested in fighting than the lessons in etiquette they were both required to take.

Aged sixteen, and straddling the cusp of adulthood, Que rode into battle alongside his father for the first time. What started as a small border dispute devolved into an all-out brawl when neither party wanted to concede to the other’s demands. That day, Que was taught a valuable lesson on what it meant to be a soldier, to put one’s life on the line for the good of the nation.

Amidst the chaos, he found himself facing down a boy around his age, if not younger, the wild look in his eyes reminiscent of a cornered animal. It felt like a lifetime, but in reality, the whole thing was over all too quickly. With one swift movement, Que was able to disarm his opponent, and a second later, he had his own weapon buried within the boy’s chest. He didn’t even flinch when a scream pierced his eardrums, just gritted his teeth and drove the blade deeper and deeper through the boy’s ribs until finally, his shaking hands grew slick with blood.

This wouldn’t be the last time Que followed his father into battle. In time, he became used to the stink of death. About two years ago, however, a terrible accident befell him. As he attempted to charge the enemy down, his mount was startled by the sound of cannon fire. Tossed from his horse’s back, Que’s left foot caught in the stirrup as he fell, pulling the beast on top of him, and crushing his leg in the process.

Que made it out alive, spirited away by one of his father’s men while the enemy was distracted, though sometimes he wishes they’d left him there. It took him months to recover from the ordeal, and longer still until he was able to stand up on his own feet again. The King of Euhijan, hearing about the incident, sent a small team of engineers down to the Gui estate. In the end, all they could come up with was a brace that lessened the strain on his leg, though he still required a cane to walk around. That was when Que began to distance himself from his sister, not wishing to appear before her in such a state.

The Gui patriarch retired from his position a year later, left weakened by a persistent dampness in the lungs. He never quite accepted the ascension of the young King Liu to the throne – a sentiment he passed down to his children – though he knew better than to say otherwise in polite company. And so, Que was left to take up the mantle of Marquis. Along with the title came a bevy of responsibilities, and much to his chagrin, he soon found himself compelled to attend the courts of Vertiron alongside Qiu in hopes of forging new alliances with Euhijan’s long-standing enemies. But while Que has problems of his own to deal with, he still feels as if he has to take it upon himself to ensure his sister’s future.

[DELETED32084]

Crown Prince Abd ar-Rahman III of Usamolia

Name: Abd ar-Rahman III
Title: Crown Prince of Usamolia
Nationality: Usamolian
Age: 43
Gender: Male

Appearance: To look upon Abd ar-Rahman III is to look upon a predator coiled and ready to spring. Though not unique in height or weight among his people, he has trained to the extreme of reducing his body fat to an almost non-existent level. Even among his people he is considered dark skinned, his mother having hailed from a tribe in the Southern Desert, an exotic prize born home to the Caliph, a prize that bore him a single son, but the eldest among his children. Eyes as black as night regard the world with a sense of hostility and distrust that is well earned. Scarred from head to toe, there is something to fascinate everyone when they meet the Heir to Usamolia. As quick as a Caracal, as cunning as a Desert Fox, and as deadly as a Yellow Viper, he is known for his battle prowess, military education and little else.

Interests: Some men love women, others love to hunt or fish, others to count their coins, but to Abd ar-Rahman III there is no greater love than battle. To take the life of another, to reign supreme in the ultimate test of strength and fury, that is what drives him day to day. At sixteen he became the first Usamolia General to defeat a Euhijan army in the field in some time, inflicting a crushing defeat that earned him grudging respect from all sides. He is a man who leads from the front, sword in hand, a warrior, a leader, a King. He of course enjoys the company of women and finds pleasure in the flesh, but this is secondary to drive for conquest.

When he is not waging war he takes an intense interest in engineering and the development of new weapons. He has shown little interest in ruling after his father dies and there is hope that if he finds a bride she will serve to temper him and perhaps guide his hand in the ruling of Usamolia.

Personality: He is an intense man. His gaze is frank and open, his speech blunt and straightforward. He is a soldier in thought, speech, and mannerisms. Like many Usamolia men he cares very little for anyone elses taste in partner, but certainly looks down on those whom he considers to flamboyant and weak. He can be charming in a rough sort of way, is clumsy in his compliments, and sincere in what little flattery he offers. Even his private palace reflects his feelings, serving as an architectural marvel well suffering only a fraction of the luxury found elsewhere in the Kingdom.

History: Abd ar-Rahman III, one day to be the third in a line of Caliphs to bear the name, the son of a man crippled in the war with Euhijan Empire, and grandson to a man killed in the Vertiron Wars. His line of succession has known nothing but war as successive Caliphs sought to push their borders further than anyone had ever imagined.

Born the eldest of all of his fathers children, to a woman who had come a Southern Kingdom whose marriage had been political. Abd ar-Rahman III was not interested in his parents relationship, a Caliph might have a thousand consorts and while he might have his favourites, few were "loved". Raised as one might expect a Prince to be raised, he received the finest tutors in education, languages, combat, horsemanship, and more. All through his childhood the war with neighbours raged and by the age of twelve he was riding to battle at his fathers side. By fourteen he was adapting his own learning and quick mind to small unit tactics that proved increasingly clever as he recognized the advent of gunpowder and the advantage it gave.

At sixteen he led his own army against the Euhijan at the Saliad River and humbled the Eastern Armies, leading his own bodyguard in a legendary charge that broke the enemy line. Abd ar-Rahman III himself killed the Euhijan General and took the mans wife as his first consort. Among the treasures captured in the aftermath were several newer Euhijan guns that Abd ar-Rahman III dragged home and ordered copied, and then distributed to his soldiers. The next four years saw him, alongside allied troops, push the Euhijan back into their original territory. He liberated tens of thousands of captured Usamolian citizens and restored to the Crown a dozen major cities and countless smaller towns and villages. He became a legend.

When peace came Abd ar-Rahman III found himself suddenly adrift in a world he did not understand. He tried for a short time to immerse himself in court life but came to hate the pom, the ceremony, and the lies that swirled about the throne. Thankfully, there was always one more war to fight and, against his fathers wishes, he headed South to combat tribal warriors striking over the border.

For the next twenty years he fought, killed, bled, and savaged his way through the Southern regions, adding more lands to the Empire even as his father continued to promise peace with their neighbours. All good things must come to an end however and Abd ar-Rahman III is well aware of his fathers failing health. His own age is advancing and he has not yet married, though he has a number of children from women in his harem, and thus no legitimate heir.

Well he loves the smell of battle, the fury and the glory, he has slowly begun to see that he might secure even greater victories with a smart marriage and so he rides to Cheateu de Monfort, perhaps to seek a bride, or perhaps to make new allies to join him in striking out at Usamolia's oldest foes.

[Brei]

Prince Nicolai of Astaria

Image:
Name: Nicolai Augustine Montfort
Title/Occupation: Crown Prince of Astaria
Nationality: Astarian
Age: 22
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Homosexual (Unknown)

Appearance:

Of subtly lacking height Nicolai is far from exceptionally tall. In fact his lean and lithe form gives the impression he would rather spend his days reading than doing typical princely things. His fair skin shows no signs of stress or labor, perfectly smooth and well cared for. Golden blonde hair is kept at just below ear level and well groomed, there is also a subtle scent of citrus that follows him its main source being those golden waves. His eyes are a rich blue, mimicking the waves of the sea in color. His movements are always those of someone who is graceful and confident yet unwilling to make a show of things.

Interests:

Nicolai enjoys studying things, mainly things like medical theory, science and inventing. Most would call his interests anti-social saying he prefers books to people. That's not true, he likes studying people just as much and having them think he is merely a bookworm gives him an excellent way to observe them. However there is one pastime Nicolai enjoys above even his studies. Dancing. Rumor has it that the court of Astaria has erupted into fights over who gets to dance with the graceful prince. His talent in dance transfers to a natural sort of grace in his movements that he just cannot seem to hide.

Personality:

Calm, composed and mostly practical, Nicolai can be described by all these words. He tends to have an air of serenity about him, a calm that seems unwavering....until he gets passionate or excited about something. And he is passionate, about knowledge and about the arts of music and dancing. As far as social relations go he is more reserved, some would say shy but really he just has trouble socializing with people rather than just studying them as is his habit. He is also notoriously soft hearted, eager to help where he can while still understanding that its best to give people ways to aid themselves rather than outright charity. However there is another side to this coin, he cannot stand the idea of people being oppressed by others for what they believe or want. It will bring out a fiery rage that most would not assume he even has in him.

History:

Nicolai was born as the first son, Heir, and Crown Prince of Astaria. He grew up with the best teachers and those teachers were then swapped out for new ones as the young prince learned and grew. He had a burning desire to know how things worked, mainly in relation to life and the world around him. Medicine and science were studied eagerly and then he began to dabble in making various gadgets as he learned to apply what he knew to inventing. His social skills however seemed to lack at first but slowly he began to grow more acustomed to such, though he was never truly a socialite more of an observer.

He liked to watch people, see how they worked if they had problems or woes he would try and discretely find a way to fix them with no one ever knowing he was involved. Over the years as he grew up he managed to subtly put quite a few couples together, yet he found no interest in such himself. He researched the matter extensively, wondering if he was broken but when he found nothing he resigned himself to a political marriage without feeling as he wasn't sure he was capable of feeling that way. The truth was he was always looking at ladies to figure this out and never even considered to try looking the other way. Because for all his smarts Nicolai could sometimes overlook the obvious quite well.

One exception to his lack of social ability was dancing, Nicolai took dancing lessons from an early age and even learned to play the violin. His skill on the dancefloor, the fluid grace with which he moved not only gave him peace and confidence but drew the attention of those around him as well. Yet no matter how many women vied for his attention he remained polite and calm yet strangely unaffected. Finally his father got fed up, and his son was all but ordered to attend the newly opening season in hopes of finding a partner.

Countess Sorcha Ebonwood

Image:
Name: Sorcha Ebonwood
Title/Occupation: Countess of Ebonwood
Nationality: Vertiron
Age: 20
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Bisexual

Appearance:

Sorcha is what one might call a dark beauty. Pale skin is like marble flawless and smooth. Waist length ebony curls are soft to the touch and her eyes are a brown so black its like staring into the abyss. Its no wonder the eeriely beautiful yet cold looking woman draws attention so easily, just as its no wonder people whisper that she is a witch behind her back.

Interests:

Sorcha's main interests can be summed up into two words, power and wealth. She enjoys being able to use her mind to improve things on her land, especially since she knows how it irks the other nobles who fear or think ill of her family. However she maintains several other lesser interests. Flower arranging allows her to send subtle messages with the aid of the language of flowers. Riding horseback is another interest of hers as is archery. She also enjoys having tea with her fellow ladies and gaining information from them. She has an extreme fondness for snakes which terrifies most people, to her well hidden delight. She is also extremely religious though she takes care not to worship publicly, as her family is by all rights proud of their pagan and some might say barbarian roots.

Personality:

Calculating, calm and unfailingly polite, Sorcha is the sort of woman to sip tea and smile softly while her guests are screaming bloody murder at the snake coiled around her wrist. She is a bit cruel but its hidden well beneath a facade that is one of a perfect politician. However dispite her cruelty and her devious nature Ebonwood loyalty runs strong in her. Her family rarely fights among themselves and when they do its done so quietly no one ever notices. Friends are rewarded and kept close and protected like family, because Sorcha knows the value of someone who feels indebted to her and also because she isn't stupid enough to think she can rule her lands by fear. Intimidation has a place but fear alone only inspires rebellion.
History:

The County of Ebonwood has been a thorn in the side of the country of Vertiron for a long while now. Those that live there are rumored to be witches and pagans and while that is true its only true because whenever a pagan family is uncovered if they don't happen to die they make their way to Ebonwood where work programs have been set up for those moving in. Ebonwood is a county of open minds. Yes they are pagan and they protect their own from outsiders quite viciously.

Sorcha is the latest Countess of this suspiciously regarded family. Beautiful but some would say quite creepy as well the newly made ruler of Ebonwood stepped into power two years ago when her mother died of a fever that also took her uncle. Rumors abound that the uncle poisoned the former countess but like all Ebonwood inner struggles nothing was ever mentioned or proven.

After two years of nearly doubling the families wealth Sorcha had made the county of Ebonwood almost as rich as the entire duchy they served. She decided then it was time to branch out, to seek power to accompany that wealth. And so much to the dismay of the rest of Vertiron's nobility she decided to attend the upcoming court season.

[ayzrules]

King of Euhijan

N A M E
Liu Wang

T I T L E / O C C U P A T I O N
King of Euhijan

N A T I O N A L I T Y
Euhijanian

A G E
30

G E N D E R
Male

S E X U A L I T Y
Homosexual

A P P E A R A N C E
With his slender frame and full lips and long eyelashes, Liu should not have been overly intimidating. His rather feminine features are, however, balanced out by his cool, impassive gaze and the arrogant up-tilt of his chin. Liu holds himself with a natural aristocratic grace, and he is extremely good at affecting the proud, arrogant, and slightly disdainful I'm-too-good-for-you aristocrat demeanor. Although his elegant fingers and fine-boned wrists seem too slender and delicate to even touch a sword, Liu's upper body is covered in lean, sinewy muscle; evidence that he is, in fact, a swordsman.

Liu dresses in a very severe manner, favoring dark fabrics and little ornamentation and/or decoration, although all of his clothing is of very high quality (and very expensive, too). He never wears any form of jewelry, nor bright colors. His long, lean figure is all sharp edges and clean lines, and the only hint of softness in his features comes in the form of his full lips, though more often than not, they are pressed together in a tight, thin line.

Liu's brown eyes are cold and stony and shrewd, and his face is, for the most part, impassively disdainful. There is always a certain rigidity, a certain tension about him, and everything about his outward appearance is perfectly controlled, from his ramrod-straight posture to his neatly styled black hair. Liu hates showing skin, even in the middle of summer, and he tends to walk in a very brusque manner, his steps sharp and clear.

I N T E R E S T S
As a child, Liu was very bookish, and he is a very prolific reader. He's fond of history, and although it's not his favorite thing to do, Liu has perfected a deadly style of sword-fighting that suits his lean frame and his strategic nature. In addition, Liu has always enjoyed the company of horses, and he's quite good at riding-he's outridden most everyone he's met, barring his brother (the times that his brother let him win don't count!).

Liu likes to stroll through gardens and courtyards and such, sometimes; he's always been fond of flowers and trees and the outdoors. He is a fast learner and is near-fluent in a number of languages.

P E R S O N A L I T Y
Sly and shrewd and cunning, Liu is-to put it quite plainly-one of the biggest snakes that you'll ever meet. Observant, perceptive, and analytical, Liu is politically astute and can actually be quite charismatic, if he wants to be. Liu is not charismatic in the sense that everybody naturally gravitates to him or even likes him, but he is able to inspire loyalty in his men through his willingness to work alongside them and his commitment and diligence.

Guarded and wary and intensely private, Liu is scathingly sarcastic and can be just plain mean. He has a veritable arsenal of elegant phrases and bitchy remarks up his sleeve at all times, no matter the language, and he is very good at not showing any emotion when he does not want to. Liu is always tense and rather reserved, and very, very manipulative. He hates being seen as weak or vulnerable, and he holds no qualms about using his ability to "read" people to his advantage.

Liu holds everyone at arms' length, even those that he trusts. He hates feeling like he's not in control, and has a very hard time just letting go. He has a mind for details, and never misses a thing. Liu is annoyingly flippant and irreverent when he wants to be, though he is always thinking, always turning every single possibility over in his head.

Cold and aloof, Liu carries himself with a cool arrogance and an infuriatingly calm demeanor. He can watch literally anything with a bored expression on his face (and a mild quip here and there), no matter how gruesome or disgusting it is. Although Liu is notoriously cunning, he never, ever goes back on his word. He's good at picking out weaknesses just from talking to or observing someone, and he really, really hates it when people invade his personal space, touch him without permission, or get too close to him for no reason. He hates relying on people or being forced to rely on others/ask for help; Liu would rather handle everything himself. He is calm and collected in even the most trying of circumstances, and he is meticulous and thorough with everything he does. Unruffled and unflappable and (seemingly) unfeeling, Liu is a complete piece of shit when he wants to be-his tongue is perhaps his most potent weapon, and outsiders are usually shocked by the bloodless violence that characterize tense exchanges with Liu.

At the core, though, Liu is rather lonely, and he forced himself to grow up very, very fast after his brother was killed. As a child, he was very sweet and considerate and rather bookish, and he has retained a semblance of the person he used to be, although his random acts of kindness and/or softness are often very subtle. However, Liu is by no means a "people person"-he draws clear lines in between him and others, and he does not intend on letting go of this habit anytime soon. Liu has been double-crossed and betrayed and taken advantage of, and after he finally ascended the throne, he promised himself that nobody would ever, ever do that to him again.

H I S T O R Y
Liu was ten when his world shattered.

He was only seven when King Vincento and the forces of three kingdoms rode into Euhijan. He was only seven when King Vincento died on Euhijanian soil.

But he was ten when everything fell apart.

In a single decisive battle, both his older brother, the golden crown prince of Euhijan, and his father, the bloodthirsty emperor, were killed. His brother on the battlefield, his father by a stray arrow to the throat.

His brother, Anzhou, had only been seventeen-such an achingly short life!-and his brother had been everything that Liu had.

In the confusion that followed, one of his father's advisers was instated as the Regent of Euhijan until Liu came of age at twenty-one. Jiang-li Zhang was calm, mild, reasonable (at least, he came off as that way)-the other kingdoms could find no fault in him. Jiang-li surrendered after the loss of two beloved leaders, and the treaty was signed, and Liu went home to an empty palace.

His mother had died the year before, of an illness. His father and Anzhou were gone too, now. Liu remembers what his ten-year-old self had said to Jiang-li, sometimes- "please don't leave me here all alone, uncle, I don't want to be alone"- and his gut starts to twist, and his vision starts to blur, and he has to force the memories away just to stay standing.

He found out how his mother died, ten years later, right before Jiang-li was executed. His mother had discovered Jiangli's preference for young boys, and then Jiangli had her poisoned in her sleep.

He found out that Jiang-li had hired an archer to kill his father. He found out that Jiangli had purposefully manipulated Anzhou into going out to the front lines, where he was sure to be overwhelmed.

But before that came eleven years of political maneuvering and threats thinly disguised as compliments. Before that came three years of being not understanding why Jiang-li's way of "comforting" him hurt so much, and eight years of hiding his humiliation. Before that came eleven years of Jiang-li isolating him from any allies; eleven years of Jiang-li pretending to be a calm, reasonable man who wanted nothing but the best for his charge.

Eleven years of not being good enough, because it was Anzhou that was supposed to be king one day, not Liu. Eleven years of being reminded of that fact, daily, because Liu didn't have Anzhou's charisma and he wasn't a fierce warrior and he just wasn't his goddamn brother.

Anzhou had been the perfect prince, in so many ways. He was brave and honorable and friendly; he could inspire loyalty in his men simply by existing. When he walked into the room, his very presence demanded your attention, and when that presence was all fixated on you-well, it was the best feeling in the world.

Anzhou was an accomplished fighter, too, and there was nobody who could beat him in a duel. And nobody-nobody-could outride him (when the two of them raced, his brother always let him win, of course. It took Liu until he was nine to figure that out).

Simply put, everybody loved Anzhou. Including Liu himself.

Liu knows what they would whisper, back then- he's nothing like his brother, or he's a spoiled palace prince who's never seen a drop of blood in his life, or Prince Anzhou would have made a better king, and Liu wants to tell them that he knows that, thank you very much, and that they can all fuck themselves and go to hell, or something along those lines.

When Liu turned twenty, it was becoming very obvious to him that Jiang-li had no intention of giving up the throne. And so they reached the final stages of the game that began when Liu was ten, and in the power struggle that ensued, Liu managed to out-maneuver Jiang-li Zhang and reveal all that his father's former adviser had done.

After the execution, Liu was crowned King of Euhijan, and the country grew accustomed to their slender king with his too-long lashes and too-full lips and deadly grace; their king who was not a warrior but a thinker, a politician, and although he wasn't a war-hero, he inspired loyalty all the same. Known for his intense hatred of Vertiron especially, Liu has garnered the support of other like-minded Euhijanians-people whose villages were burned down as the armies marched through; people whose families were torn apart by years and years of war and bloodshed. He's not the king that his brother would have been, no, but he's a good king nonetheless; perhaps a better one than his brother would have been, even.

Liu is thirty, now, and still unmarried. His advisers want him to find a bride, to get married and have children. But for reasons that Liu will never, ever admit to the public, Liu doesn't particularly want to.

Still. He knows that he must marry, if only for the sake of continuing his line, and so he will. His first choice would have been Lady Mai, the Duchess of Mei'an, if not for her father; Liu is no fool. He knows that her father wants the throne, that her father is only pressuring him to marry her so that he can make himself king.

And Liu certainly doesn't plan on giving up his throne anytime soon, thank you very much.

Aesthetic Stuff (wooohoo)

Duchess of Mei'an, Euhijan

N A M E
Mai Mei

T I T L E / O C C U P A T I O N
Duchess of Mei'an (a wealthy region along Euhijan's eastern seaboard, near the capital)

N A T I O N A L I T Y
Euhijanian

A G E
27

G E N D E R
Female

S E X U A L I T Y
Asexual

A P P E A R A N C E
Mai is taller than average, standing at five feet and eight inches. She is about 125 pounds, giving her a rather slender figure. Mai has thick, wavy, midnight-black hair that goes down to her waist, and relatively pale skin. Her eyes are a chocolate brown color, framed with a set of eyelashes that she makes longer using cosmetics, of course. She has a heart-shaped face and long, thin fingers. Mai has rosebud lips that are usually painted a deep red color. She has a sort of delicate and dainty look to her, despite the fact that she is quite tall. Mai likes dressing up and takes great pride in her appearance.

Her preferred color scheme is red, black, and gold, although she does like to experiment every now and then. Mai absolutely adores traditional fans and parasols. In terms of cosmetics, Mai is an avid fan powders, lip tints, rogues, et cetera. You name it, and Mai has probably tried it.

Most people who see Mai describe her as elegant, alluring, and in some cases, doll-like (thanks to the layers of cosmetics she wears, most likely). She moves with a practiced and fluid grace, each step and each movement measured and precise. Her features are usually carefully arranged in an expression of polite interest, and pleasant smiles fall easily across her lips, though those who are more keen will notice that they rarely ever reach her eyes- they remain as sharp as ever, even when she laughs.

I N T E R E S T S
Mai is a dab hand at traditional Euhijanian calligraphy, and she finds it very calming. She adores accessories that are both beautiful and deadly (bladed fans and parasols, dagger-like hairpins, and the like) and doesn't go anywhere without at least one of them hidden somewhere on her person. Mai has a soft spot for poetry, though she just likes to read it in her spare time, and maybe lightly discuss it-she's never been one to spout off pretentious rhetoric about how the color white symbolizes the author's sorrow and longing because of an obscure reference to a mourning dove, or something like that.

When she has spare time, Mai likes trying out new cosmetics and hairstyles, though whether or not she would be seen in public after her experiments is a whole different matter. In addition, Mai thinks that tea is one of the best things under the sun, aside from pretty silks and lip tints, of course.

P E R S O N A L I T Y
Mai has always been a people person. There is something about her that seems to draw others to her-whether it's her carefree laugh, her twinkling eyes, or her bright smiles, no one can say. She can be a sultry, intoxicating temptress, capable of charming the secrets right out of others with a coy glance and a flutter of her long eyelashes, or an innocent, demure young lady who has absolutely nothing to hide but plenty of gossip to share. She thinks with her heart when she needs to, but uses her brain at the same time.

Behind brown eyes sparkling with mirth and delicate lips curved up in a half-flirtatious, half-demure smile is a woman made of steel who is keenly aware of her surroundings. Mai processes vast amounts of information all at once, taking in people's actions, words, and emotions at the same time and forming a conclusion based on what she sees and what she knows. She's always been especially good at reading people like an open book. Sharply observant, perceptive, and brutally analytical, Mai is able to detect even the most subtle shifts of emotion, assess entire situations with one inconspicuous sweep of her wide brown eyes, and kill a man in a dozen different ways while dancing the waltz. Mai is constantly listening, though she’ll rarely tell the world what she's thinking.

Enigmatically charismatic and exuding an air of elegant refinement, Mai puts up a playful and coquettish front all while maintaining a certain air of mystery that makes her that much more attractive. Depending on the people around her, Mai is either a charming, polite young lady of considerable wealth and status or a deadly and alluring seductress of equally considerable wealth and status. Mai is not “smart” in the traditional sense of the word-complicated mathematics and the latest developments in technological advancements all go straight over her head, though she is able to hold her own in conversations about a wide variety of “sophisticated” topics. When around others, Mai hides her true nature behind expensive gowns and lip tints, pretending that she is nothing more than another pretty face. She has mastered the right combination of sugary sweetness and sharp wit to detract attention from her real intentions as she shrewdly advances her own agenda.

Mai is scarily manipulative, and she isn’t afraid of resorting to less savory methods to achieve her goals. Mai is calm and collected in times of crisis, and she rarely allows herself to panic. She is truly afraid of very, very few people, and she holds no qualms against playing others like a violin to get what she wants, all while smiling prettily and sipping tea from a dainty porcelain tea cup. Sly, shrewd, and cunning, Mai is an ice queen dressed in silk and lace.

If one is able to see past the many, many layers and intricacies of Mai Mei, one would come face-to-face with an intensely driven yet extremely insecure woman who has been bottling up her emotions for much too long. Mai may be willing to sacrifice everything for her ambitions, but she doesn’t know what it is that she truly wants, after she finally gets there.

H I S T O R Y
Lady Mai Mei, the Rose of Euhijan-

Her father's favorite. His pride and joy.

Polite. Pristine. Perfect.

Charming and beautiful, sweet and soft-spoken. Dainty and demure, graceful and svelte.

Don't let Mai’s outward appearance fool you, though-she is the Rose, and all roses have thorns.

Mai was given the upbringing that was expected of a lady of her station, and then plus some. Pretty dresses, expensive jewelry, all the love and praise and adoration that every child seeks from their parents; Mai had it all. But somehow, Mai could see that her father only cared about her for her pretty face and the marriage she would bring.

Call it intuition, call it intelligence or perceptiveness, call it dumb luck-whatever it was, Mai knew that her father would not be so doting, so adoring, if Mai wasn’t pretty.

She obeyed her father despite it all, of course. In this day and age, daughters couldn't be seen openly disrespecting their fathers, especially not the daughter of a powerful regional lord. What would that say about their family? It would be the scandal of the century. No, Mai may not care for her father, but she will remain loyal to her home. So she does as her father says...or pretends to, anyway.

Mai embroiders, like a proper young lady, and her stitches are so neat and straight and tiny that they're almost invisible. She dances beautifully and has a voice that will break your heart. She can recite every country’s genealogy by heart, and her paintings of vapid landscapes are impeccable. Most of all, Mai excels when it comes to people; charming and charismatic and witty, Mai always seems to know just the right thing to say.

Her brother and the heir to her father's lands, Zhou, was given the most lovely steel swords as soon as he learned to fight. Why couldn't Mai do the same? Why couldn't she inherit the lands and learn how to fight with steel and fire?

No matter, though. Mai's going to be more powerful than anyone in her family someday.

Mai made sure that everything she did was absolutely perfect, because her father expected no less from her. Perfect manners. Perfect smile. Perfect gown. Perfect everything.

But for all her dreams of grandeur and for all her talent in the political arena, Mai is merely a pawn in her father's grand plan to steal the throne. Ever since she was officially considered fit to be wedded and bedded by some lord or the other, her father has been looking for a suitable husband. One suitor after another came and went, and Mai was paraded before them like a horse at an auction, albeit a very valuable horse. Her brother was the heir to the family estate, while Mai was to be sold to some stranger like the aforementioned horse, to be ridden whenever her new owner liked, beaten whenever he liked, and cast aside in time for a younger filly. Zhou's future was glory and wealth and power, while Mai's was childbirth and moonblood and obedience.

Heavens above, how she hated it all. She taught herself how to use her precious little stiletto daggers, and she is quite dangerous with her bladed fans, but that's not enough. It will never be enough.

Her father was always finding someone for Mai to marry. There were so many men, Mai can't even remember half of them. She always found some obscure fault in them, of course, and explained to her father why they would be bad husbands-this lord is as dumb as a brick. That lord can't even control the commoners living on his land, this lord has a history of legitimizing his bastards, that lord would turn on their family in a heartbeat.

There was one, though, that he insisted Mai marry, no matter what. He was more powerful than her father; you see-he was a duke, and he held vast, prosperous lands. He was also so very charming-everyone liked him, from Mai's lady mother, the chambermaids, even the Regent of Euhijan himself…

They all said that Lord Ming Mei and Mai would be a perfect match. Mai was seventeen, and Lord Ming twenty-seven, so the age gap wasn't horrible, but still-he was cruel, so cruel, and he hid it behind bright smiles and good-natured grins.

Mai can still feel his fingers pinching and twisting her skin so hard that she woke up with bruises decorating her upper arms and abdomen, his lecherous leer, his rough hands, his wide lips and sloppy kisses-

In time, Mai gave birth to her first child-a girl. And Mai loved her daughter more than anything in the world, and the daughter made her husband's hot temper and coarse hands a little more bearable.

And then, the Regent of Euhijan, in a cruel, twisted game of politics, told the duke to kill his daughter to "prove his loyalty". And so Mai's husband did just that.

Mai said nothing. She watched, and waited.

Lord Ming Mei, the Duke of Mei'an, ended up dying in a hunting accident a couple months later. He was drunk, they said. Nobody thought to look for Mai, who had brought him half a dozen casks of the finest wine in his cellars that very morning.

Now, Mai is going to seduce King Liu so that her father can seize the throne-his version of the plan, of course. Mai was game until she heard that her father would take the throne, and then she was furious, but nevertheless, she will play along-for now. Aye, she'll marry the king and be his queen, and she'll tell him all of her father's plans, and oh, how utterly powerless her father will be to stop it all! Mai would like that. Her father should be the powerless one, for a change.

And King Liu himself? Please. Mai will have him wrapped around her little finger when she's done with him. He's only a man, after all.

Aesthetic-y Stuff

anachronism ftw

[Lionhearted]

Lady Alice Allaire

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N A M E

Lady Alice Allaire

T I T L E

'Shield-maiden of Vertiron' // Knight // Commander

N A T I O N A L I T Y

Vertiron

A G E

27

G E N D E R

Female

S E X U A L I T Y

Heterosexual

A P P E A R A N C E

Alice is broad, containing masculine features, but still having a curvy, feminine figure. She is tall, standing at 5'10 with long, thick hair showing different shades of blonde through each straggly strand. With fair skin and a clear complexion, she sports a very different look than the majority of the descendants of her culture. While she retained the many recessive genes that made her appearance light, her stature is that of her people. Alice's expression is generally the same regardless of what she's feeling, showing little to no emotion through her face. Her mannerisms, on the other hand, are different depending on the situation. A ball calls for noble and feminine mannerisms, delicate and elegant, while the battlefield calls for more barbaric mannerisms. Being a participant in fair amount of battles, Alice is marked with scars on various parts of her body. None of them show any great damage, the majority of them being mere cuts from a blade. She has a small scar along her cheek that is incredibly subtle and often covered with makeup.

Alice's attire ranges from plate armor to beautiful gowns, resulting in a very diverse wardrobe. Neither of which she favors more than her regular townswoman clothes that she'll wear whenever the situation calls for it. Although, being a more famed lady of Vertiron requires a very presentable look, calling for noble gowns regardless of the discomfort, and thus leaving her favored outfit unworn. Alice's makeup fluctuates from heavy to light, depending on her mood. Her version of heavy only consists of heavier eye makeup opposed to the overly-powdered face makeup that many noble woman fashion.

I N T E R E S T S

- Weaponry
- Dueling
- Strategizing
- Battle
- Horseback Riding
- Sunsets
- Nature
- Art

P E R S O N A L I T Y

Alice is a strong-willed, fearless, opinionated, and demanding individual, usually expressing respect only when she's respected. She is a big dweller of the past and holds grudges over people, choosing to not forget the faces of her enemies, especially those that cross her or humiliate her. Alice will relive moments in which she's embarrassed, humiliated, powerless, or weak and turn it into motivation, resulting in a strong, restless desire to improve to avoid such feelings. Along the lines of remembering actions of rage, she also remembers acts of generosity and makes it certain that she expresses her gratitude properly. Alice becomes uneasy when she's faced with situations that confuse her, resulting in loss of sleep until she unravels the truth.

Alice is also very defensive of those that she cares about, valuing the protection of others in and out of the battlefield, but also finding difficulty in making decisions requiring sacrifices. While Alice does have a very hard-headed nature, she is a very generous person, enjoying the feeling of giving to those in need and being honored for it in return. Being a protector to the people of Virtiron, she shows no fear to a threatening enemy, regardless of their intimidating stature or title. She holds a different kind of respect for those that are beneath her than those that are of or above her level, or rank, being kinder to those that are lower and being more stern with those that are equal or better.

H I S T O R Y

Alice grew up as the daughter of Virtiron's greatest military strategist, Sebastian Allaire. Her mother, being a respected lady of the kingdom attempted to raise her as a typical lady within her footsteps. With much failure, Alice walked in the path of her father for as long as she could. Being a kid, the freedom to dream and become who you want was encouraged, but also taken away once the child reached the primitive age to become who they're born to be. For Alice, it was planned for her to be a stunning young woman with typical talents of a lady, but that lifestyle was never meant for her. It was strange for a girl child to be so fascinated with war and military politics, but Alice proved to many that she was different in this aspect.

It would be safe to assume that Alice's only interest was the work of her father, but her child-like nature would find it's way out and the enjoyment of other children was much appreciated. Although, one in particular was always enjoyed more than others. The Prince Theodoro, charming and handsome to Alice ever since she laid eyes on him, the one boy that would make Alice feel as if she were a normal girl. It wasn't just his appearance and his mannerisms that would draw Alice in, but the respect that he had was something to admire, especially with how awkward and different Alice was. She did everything in her power to be near to him, but there came a time in which, not just them, but all children were required to grow up to become the succeeding generation of noble men and woman. Alice would sneak out to see him when they reached their teenage years, not to fancy him or seduce him, but to enjoy his company and laugh as if they were still children. Those days eventually dwindled until they merely passed each other in the halls of the court, or dealt with political matters.

Aside from love interests, growing up for Alice involved the hilt of a blade in one hand and the handle of a buckler in the other, her loving father unable to take this strange hobby from her. This hobby became stronger which eventually turned into a dream to become the next military strategist for Vertiron, regardless of the gender boundaries that morality brought. At this point, Alice had no interest in learning the mannerisms of becoming a lady, but as soon as she began her teenage years, her lack of knowledge for proper woman etiquette became apparent and disrespectful. Thus, she was limited to the war room and was forced to wear the uncomfortable dresses that she loathed, but her father never stopped training her.

During Alice's late teenage years, she was back in the war room and only eying the King Theodoro from a distance. It wasn't long before her father became ill and the war officers were in distress to find a replacement. As many heroic tales would go, Alice would be the assumed successor for the role, but the sexism that existed strongly in this era casted that dream aside, though she was still welcomed to the table for strategic input. Instead of one person making the calls, it worked more like a democracy where the war officers voted on what actions were best, but Alice's talent with strategy became incredibly useful and her persuading words often lead to the better decisions, resulting in many victories. During these years, Alice finally partook in battle and even lead a legion of men once she became comfortable with the harshness of war and killing. It was kept quiet among the nobles since her victorious actions and her incredible battle prowess were seen as unladylike, but the rumors of the people spread and now she claims her title as "Virtiron's Battle-maiden".

As of late, Alice is cooped up in the kingdom since a new military general was welcomed into the war room and Alice was ruled out of the military. It was a rough time being casted away from something she was so successful at, but she now tries to enjoy a somewhat noble life. The only positive part of becoming a full-time noblewoman is being closer to King Theodoro, a childhood love interest whom still holds Alice's heart. Her beautifully crafted battle equipment lays unused in the corner of her chambers, and the noble gowns that were carefully sewn are now making an appearance. With a change in lifestyle, Alice hopes to find balance and enjoyment in whatever it is that she should become.