Irradiant

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Uh oh... The kids made an oopsie. They're gonna be in for a scolding later...

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Duchess Altina Freya Bastille, The "Valkyrie"

At Hathforth Castle, Throne Room, The Hearthfire Gala, on 14th Hearthfire, 1402

---

II: Opening Moves

@Estylwen @Donut Look Now

A lighthearted provocation from the Wizard Queen. Perhaps she'd read Altina right, after all. The power of ambiguity: to masquerade ill intent with goodwill, and at times, vice-versa. It was a power Altina wielded just as proficiently as her greatsword, and her weapon of choice when it came to any sort of politicking. Altina herself had not yet made up her mind on the Wizard Queen. But all the same, she would let the monarch know — albeit subtly — of the possibilities: of loyalty, and of betrayal.

She burst in a fit of laughter, realizing the truth behind the Wizard Queen's words. "You are right there, Your Majesty. Though, I daresay, susceptible to magic they may be, the dwarves are among the most valiant warriors in all of Arrowfell."

Altina steeled her gaze. "I have sparred with many of Rockhold's generals, and even with the weight of my sword bearing down on them, they stare it down fearlessly, enchanted by magic or not."

Her seriousness faded quickly, and in its place was that familiar smile again, gentle but unrevealing. "An admirable quality, wouldn't we all agree?"

She would turn to Advisor Urimyar next, his reprimands still fresh in her mind. "Apologies for my conduct earlier, Sir Vulluin. You know I mean no disrespect towards Her Majesty the Wizard Queen."

She excitedly clasped her hands together before spreading them apart in a sweeping motion, as if to gesture at the excess around her. "Why, with an atmosphere such as this, I found myself simply intoxicated by the festive mood!"

Then, she bowed — and deeply, this time — to make up for her offense. "My greatest compliments to you, Your Majesty." Now her offering was in the hands of Sir Vulluin.

Unexpectedly, Duke Rhinecliff and Lady Safina shortly joined them. While Lady Safina whispered what were likely secrets in Sir Vulluin's ears, Duke Rhinecliff approached both herself and Duchess Agustria, planting a kiss on their hands.

"Duke Rhinecliff," Altina cooed. "I am glad you've spared some time to make merry with us." She leaned in closer, noticing the clamor of the party starting to drown her out. "By the by, I appreciate that shipment of wine you've sent my way. It was my uncle's birthday, you see, and we were in dire need of good ale."

Stepping back, "You absolutely must allow me to repay you for your kindness in the future!"

This would be the extent of their conversation, however, as further exchanges would be cut short by the arrival of the court jester, in all her performative glory. She would hand Altina a pearl necklace, which Altina accepted graciously.

And it wasn't just the jester who would arrive — various personages would soon pour into the castle's halls. One of them in particular was someone Altina knew well: the duke of Rockhold, Dadraek Grimhand. He was a kindred spirit, and someone who shared Altina's penchant for battle.

Altina shifted her gaze towards him. "Ah, well if it isn't my favorite duke!" She exclaimed teasingly. "And of course! You need only ask the Wizard Queen herself. A decoration most worthy of her gallery, that blade is."

"You seem to be in good health, Duke Dadraek. From that, I can only assume all is well in your realm?"

A dangerous glint would flash in her eyes. "We have much to catch up on."

"But before that..." Swish. She would serve the duke a glass of Gold-touch wine, which she spun between her fingers. "We must celebrate first! What is a party if not for celebration?"

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

LMAO. Poor Earl. Hopefully no one here has the same name...

Also, did a bit of googling, and apparently earl = count!

An earl is the nobility ranking that lies between a marquis and a viscount. It is the English equivalent of the European title "count" and has rich associations with British royalty.

Reading the most recent posts, it's looking like Mirie is firmly in the duke's court. The fact she knew Nyx was impersonating the duke also lends some credence to that. Are the both of them cooking up some plan behind the scenes? Dut, dut, dun.

I initially planned on having Altina side with the duke as well, but hm... now, I dunno... The Wizard Queen might end up getting dog-piled if this keeps up, so I'm reconsidering... I left her allegiances up in the air in my initial post to give myself some leeway. Decisions, decisions...

“Did you know, dear duchess…” Her tone was soft, almost melodic, “That dwarves are more susceptible to magic and darkness?”

More susceptible to me.

The Wizard Queen pretended to shrug this off, her own smile matching the duchess’ exactly. “Alas, their physical strength leaves their defenses leaving something to be desired.”

@Estylwen

Ooh, spicy. Altina would probably be good friends with the Wizard Queen if it weren't for the circumstances. She has an affinity for fiery people. That said, maybe it's not too late? Maybe that potential friendship is still in the books? Who knows?

Meanwhile, Vulluin is off in his corner, sulking, "This disrespectful bitch..."

Vulluin, his face a stony mask, held his hands out for the art piece in the duchess’ hands, “I would be happy to accept this wondrous gift. Her Grace the Duchess has surpassed herself.”

@Estylwen

I totally just didn't forget to have Altina bow in my post, nope, no sirree.

Unrelated but the bit with Safina was hilarious. Her pulling out a frickin' ledger, all ready and prepared, only to have the "duke" finesse his way out of her grasp — major "oof." I guess power dynamics would prevent her from forcibly keeping him there anyways.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Duchess Altina Freya Bastille, The "Valkyrie"

At Hathforth Castle, Throne Room, The Hearthfire Gala, on 14th Hearthfire, 1402

---

I: Parade of Precursors

The neighing of horses, followed shortly by the swinging open of the carriage door, marked Altina's arrival at the Hearthfire Gala. "Your Grace, we are here," spoke one of her retainers, the white-haired man of advanced age, to be exact. "Thank you, Sawyer." Altina would acknowledge him with a nod before descending the carriage's steps. Click. Click. Click.

"Oh, how I have longed to partake in another party. And one hosted by the Wizard Queen herself, no less. What an auspicious day today is!"

The duchess twirled in her dress, partly to revel in its construction. The visual stimulation of wind blowing creases into its seams, the slight bounce of the dress as it rides the air — some may think it strange, but Altina had always derived an odd, if not childish, satisfaction from such things.

"My compliments to seamstress Eleanor for her work. Truly an ensemble fit for a monarch, this."

Made of layered fabrics, the dress itself was indeed intricately constructed, a product of hours of meticulous labor. It was purple, and tight at the bottom, which admittedly made it hard to move in, as it forced her legs close together at all times. Still, Altina remained undeterred in wearing it. She'd had it specifically tailored for her figure, after all. This was a challenge, if nothing else, and a mild inconvenience at most.

A distinguishing part of the dress was its train, which hung loosely at the hips. It was translucent as well, to allow full view of the floral, vine-like patterns that were sown into the rest of the dress. Of course, it would not do if she did not wear any armor. She was a socialite second, and the "Valkyrie" first. And so, at her behest, a breastplate was fashioned into a corset. Now the raiment truly captured Altina's essence. With all the elegance of a noble, and all the stoutness of a warrior, she strutted into the castle hall, her steps punctuated by a light but firm tapping.

"Oh, enough of that Lady Justitia. You must have more confidence in yourself. Despite the years, even the curse of age has not dimmed the radiance of your beauty!"

"Suave and polite. For that, you may lay your lips on my hand, Sir Raymond."

Like a fish to water, Altina wasted no time in fraternizing with her fellow nobles, some of whom she had not seen in a while. Lady Justitia was one such individual, and it had been nearly a decade since they'd spoken last, what with the lady's predisposition to illness. As far as her memories could take her, Altina could recall Lady Justitia's presence during her ascension at the latest. Lady Justitia proved to be one of Altina's most ardent supporters then. But obviously, that was long ago. Much too long. Perhaps if the Lady were in better health, there would have been more opportunities for the two of them to keep contact. Regardless, this was the first gala that she had attended since Lady Evelyn's coronation. And Altina would relish in it for as long as she could.

Her son, Sir Raymond, also accompanied the lady. He was like a dog, the lad, always following his mother around. Given her condition, Altina could understand why. If she were to hazard a guess, Sir Raymond was likely opposed to his mother's attendance to the gala. But alas, the lady was stubborn, her spirit as unbending as tempered steel. It is only her body that fails her.

Despite old habits, the little Raymond that Altina teased in the past had undoubtedly grown up. He'd gotten taller, and the fuzz of hair aloft his chin had manifested into a well-combed beard. That said, to bend on one knee to offer her a kiss on the hand... He was still a rascal. This was a truth time did not change.

"It is nice to see the both of you again," she expressed with a genuine smile. However, from the corner of her eye, she could glimpse the Wizard Queen on her throne, along with her advisor and the court mage. Suddenly, the state of euphoria she found herself lost in was broken, sobering her back to reality.

"I'm afraid I must excuse myself."

And so, Altina marched on towards her objective, a smile still tugging at her face.

"Well, that certainly makes two of us, Duchess Agustria!"

As Altina was within earshot, she heard the black-haired woman's comment loud and clear. Seeing a chance to interject, she did just that. "With libations aplenty, it would be a waste to not indulge, even if just a tiny bit, no?" Her lips curled into the slightest smirk at the mention of alcohol.

She unbuckled the blade latched onto her hip. "Since we seem to have all had the same idea, allow me to offer you my gift as well, your Highness." Freeing the blade from its scabbard would reveal its wooden composition. Altina would run a finger through its length. "Crafted only from the most durable of Hickory trees in my garden. Wonderful, is it not, your Highness?"

While the blade was raised up high, sunlight would reflect from its silver trimming. "Calligraphy. Art in its purest form. My servants spent many a sleepless night to perfect this design, you know."

She lowered her head briefly before leveling her gaze at the Wizard Queen. "Though I suppose I cannot assume full credit. I also have Rockhold to thank for providing us with the requisite metals."

A different smile was now plastered on her face, wider than the last. "You can consider this blade a gift from them as well."

One might ask, "Did Altina reference the city of Rockhold as a subtle threat of usurpation?" With the unexpected appearance of Duke Rhinecliff, it would only be rightful, after all. And timely. It is definitely a possibility, of that one can be certain. However, it is also a perspective that is mired in bias.

One could also say she is attempting to proffer up a partnership. Considering Agrovia's ties with the dwarven city, an alliance with Agrovia could also mean an alliance with Rockhold. And having more allies would certainly only benefit the Wizard Queen's cause.

Ultimately, Altina's visage would betray neither.

Friendships wrapped in deception, truth embalmed in the sweetest of lies — such is the nature of the game the aristocracy plays in an attempt to gain power.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

... It’s always been awkward disguising as men for Nyx with all the extra bits and pieces hanging about, but this is why she had spent so many nights in the Duke’s bedchambers recently.

@Donut Look Now

A-a-ayo?

In any case, hang in there Nyx! Yes, hang like those "extra bits and pieces" you've suddenly gained, hehe.

---

I'm also getting started with my post! Just had to read through the current ones to get a feel for where I can have Altina interject. Wizard Queen gift part 2, mayhaps?

Here's a small spoiler for anyone interested...

TOP SECRET

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

<Snipped quote by Irradiant>

Great, I've added it to the map in the first post! Lemme know if it looks alright.

@Estylwen

Affirmative! That's the perfect spot for it.

Whaddya mean? He clearly committed suicide due to grief. 😏

@Izurich

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Duchess Altina Freya Bastille, The "Valkyrie"

Duchess Altina Freya Bastille, The "Valkyrie"

38 | Human, ♀ | 6'5 ft, 204 lbs

"Don't let that gentle gaze fool you. There's a devil lurking beneath those eyes."

---

Goal:

An individualist with hedonistic tendencies, Altina makes no effort to veil her disdain towards any authority wishing to force her duchy under a system of unilateral rule. Be it for peace or for plain tyranny, she cares not for the ends that such governance would achieve. Thus, out of principle, she opposes the Wizard Queen, just as she opposed Ludwig II, despite ultimately bowing her head.

"To live is to be free: free to be strong; to be weak; to be slothful; to be ambitious. The Wizard Queen spits on this very tenet. Which means she is no friend of mine. That said, are you?"

— Altina, in a letter addressed to Duke Rhinecliff, the leader of the rebellion.

History:

From a young age, Altina always felt like a bird trapped in a cage. To marry, to bear children, to serve her husband and family faithfully — the strict traditions of House Bastille kept her confined to a singular, predetermined destiny, one she believed she was powerless to rebel against. At least, at first. Altina was the first-born of Duke Alfred Sigurd Bastille. Typically, the rites of succession dictate that the first-born male would rise to the post of Duke when the time comes. However, as Altina was a woman and considered unfit to lead, she did not qualify. Thus did the status of "heir" fall to her brother, Altair Sigmund Bastille.

The battlefield was Altina's calling, and from the first time she swung a sword, she knew immediately that to master the blade was her true lot in life, something to set her apart from others. Unlike her peers, Altina possessed a strong body, and as she grew, she began to tower above even most of her suitors in height. But alas, despite all of her pleading, she was expressly forbidden from joining the military, with her father insisting it was not appropriate for a lady of House Bastille to sully her hands with calluses.

"And so, Altina resigned herself to the whims of her father, locking away her innermost desires, practicing etiquette, and patiently waiting for the man with whom she would spend the rest of her life."

If Altina were so spineless, then perhaps the strings hanging taut upon her limbs would have never been cut. And perhaps the future that her father had designed for her would have come true. It would have been easy to simply perform her part; to recite lines timeless and traditional. Easy. And boring. Therefore, behind her father's back, underneath the clandestine glow of moonlight, she studied the art of swordsmanship, modeling her stance and each of her strikes after her younger brother, who she could observe every morning swinging his blade from her bedroom window.

Although no amount of pleading could change his mind, the Duke did not reject every request Altina threw his way. One request he did honor, and to Altina's mild surprise, was her enrollment into a magical academy. With practiced words, Altina convinced her father that magic would serve as a means for her to protect herself. Of course, realizing her father's protective nature, she knew he would seriously consider it. Eventually, he relented, and she was off on a carriage to the most prestigious magical academy in all of the Arrowfell Province. There, she would become a proficient user of levitation and earth magic.

An exploration of the world at large further assured Altina of her views: that she was missing out; that she was truly akin to a bird in a cage. The cage would only begin to show cracks following the untimely death of her younger brother. "An expedition gone awry," she heard from the rumors. Working up the courage to ask her father, she ultimately discovered that Altair had perished fighting a fearsome monster that had been terrorizing their lands for some time. She had never seen her father in such a state before: so broken; so vulnerable. But instead of sympathy, Altina felt a different emotion welling up in her chest, one born from a warped sense of morality. Chink. The next morning, the Duke was found dead in his chambers, a teacup on his bedside table, along with berries as black as obsidian. To most, it was unmistakable what had taken place. "Stricken with grief over the death of his first-born son, the duke killed himself, unable to cope with the loss."

Altina was quick to fill the power vacuum left by her father, though it was certainly not without its trials. Now able to freely join the military, she rose the ranks with breakneck pace, establishing rapport with the people through leading various excursions against the monsters that lay outside Agrovia's walls. In particular, she felled the very monster that even her late brother, in all of his ability, could not fell. With that, she had proven her worth in the eyes of Agrovian people. A woman they saw not, but a protector, strong and capable. Still, there would be factions within Agrovia that would resist her claim to the duchy. Some acted out in the open, waging outright war against her, while others took to the cover of night to assassinate her. None of them would succeed. Altina would stamp out each faction herself, one by one, playing the role of judge, jury, and executioner.

At the end of it all, a crown would make its home atop her head.

Seed:

The Convictus Lavalliere.

"Conviction so steadfast that not even the supernatural can sway it. That is what is contained within the Seed."

— Altina, describing the Convictus Lavalliere's power.

A fanciful necklace upon which dangles a shimmering diamond. It protects the bearer from all mental-based magic. It also nullifies any magic that attempts to take control of its bearer, or otherwise compromise their agency.

Magic:

• [Levitation Magic] Gravitas Armament: The spell that earned Altina the moniker of "The Valkyrie," it involves the application of fine levitation magic to achieve an effect. In Altina's case, she makes both her armor and weapons levitate ever so slightly, maximizing her mobility and allowing her to move as if she is unencumbered by the weight of her gear. In essence, most of the heavy-lifting is done by her magic.

• [Levitation Magic] Sterling Cerberus: A feat of magical endurance, Altina can passively float 3 greatswords without much exertion. These blades form a defensive perimeter around her, ready to strike at a moment's notice. Altina can also treat her blades like projectiles, hurling them with worrying speed towards her foes.

• [Earth Magic] Scaleskin: Altina can siphon any mineral within the immediate area to reinforce herself or others, providing an extra layer of protection. Once made a target of Altina's siphoning, steel and other metals will inevitably lose their integrity. Likewise, earth that has been stripped of its lifeblood will also start to turn to mush.

• Shatterblade: With each swing of the sword, Altina projects magical energy outwards to extend her effective range. Intending to imbalance her foes, or simply repel bombardments coming from a distance, if she is given enough time to concentrate magical energy on her sword, Altina can even uproot trees in one strike, like a hurricane ripping through a forest.

• [Earth Magic] Cortège of the Einherjar: "To split the ground into intricate slabs, and then put them together, architecting the visage of the human form and imbuing it with human-like sentience." Such a painstaking process prefaces the activation of this spell. However, in spite of the time it takes to cast, its benefits far outweigh its costs. In short, the spell manifests an army of humanoid golems numbering to the dozen, equipped with weapons made of enchanted stone. What makes Altina's creations particularly fearsome is their ability to regenerate from the ground or nearby rocks, or even by re-attaching the severed parts. Conversely, the spell can become rather taxing to maintain the more her creations are injured. She will be forced to dispel it if its magical expenditure reaches heights she cannot effectively manage.

Skills: Swordsmanship, martial arts, military strategy, leadership, magical expertise, sewing, tea-making.

Faction: Altina is both the figurehead of her duchy, as well as the chief commander of its military. Often, she takes to the front lines herself, with her golem army in tow. Though she is secretly aligned with the rebel faction, on the surface, she pretends to pledge her allegiance to the Wizard Queen. It is an obvious facade that she puts on, but she knows that as long as she capitulates to the Wizard Queen's demands and more, the Wizard Queen will likely not act against her. After all, showings of goodwill met with sudden betrayal would foment the brewing rebellion that the Wizard Queen fears so much. Towing the line between loyalty and disloyalty puts Altina in an admittedly precarious situation, but it is only a matter of time before her mask falls, revealing her true colors.

City / Assets:

Altina presides over the duchy of Agrovia, known for its bountiful farmlands, horticultural goods, and imposing walls. Though, the latter part was not always so. Situated to the north, ever since its inception, Agrovia has been plagued time and again by beasts of the forest. At first, escape was the only means of "defense" for the fledgling city, if one could call it that. Perhaps "preservation" would be the more apt term. Regardless, fearing for their lives, the denizens of the agricultural city began to build catacombs hidden deep in the earth, to which they would retreat during monster attacks. These catacombs would prove effective in keeping the people safe, but up above, one could not say the same for their crops. Untended to and therefore left unprotected, they were all but trampled afoot by the rampaging monsters. "Such a way of life is not sustainable." This would soon dawn on the Agrovian people. Realizing their plight, the early leaders of Agrovia started to form alliances with the nearby cities, the most notable of which was with Rockhold. A union that has endured for generations, the partnership between Agrovia and Rockhold was one where both cities stood to gain: the people of Rockhold would be hard-pressed to ever go hungry, while the people of Agrovia now possessed weapons with which they could beat back their adversaries.

Owing much to the city of Rockhold, Agrovia benefited greatly from their exports of silver and iron. For the first time, the people of Agrovia no longer cowered in their caves during monster attacks. Instead, they fought. And fight tooth and nail they did, even retaking land that the monsters had occupied for so long in the process. To keep out the monsters for good, the Agrovian people also erected sweeping walls around their city, which are collectively called the "Bastille," a name in honor of the ruling family.

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

<Snipped quote by Irradiant>

Hello! Very impressive CS! I like the connection with Rockhold going on. Would you be willing to point out where on the map you would like your city? Or I can approximate it.

I don't have any issue with your spells, as long as they use life-energy/mana accordingly. Please feel free to drop them over at the Character Tab. :)

@Estylwen

Sure thing! I was thinking maybe here? Pic below.

Circled Map

Well now. That makes two dukes that met their untimely end at the hands of their daughter.

@Click This

Regicide is all the rage in Arrowfell, apparently...

ArrowFell: The Wizard Queen's Court

Throwing my hat in with a character sheet! Straight out the air-fryer. I cooked. Somewhat...

A bit of a wildcard but consider her part of the duke's entourage! For now.

Duchess Altina Freya Bastille, The "Valkyrie"

Duchess Altina Freya Bastille, The "Valkyrie"

38 | Human, ♀ | 6'5 ft, 204 lbs

"Don't let that gentle gaze fool you. There's a devil lurking beneath those eyes."

---

Goal:

An individualist with hedonistic tendencies, Altina makes no effort to veil her disdain towards any authority wishing to force her duchy under a system of unilateral rule. Be it for peace or for plain tyranny, she cares not for the ends that such governance would achieve. Thus, out of principle, she opposes the Wizard Queen, just as she opposed Ludwig II, despite ultimately bowing her head.

"To live is to be free: free to be strong; to be weak; to be slothful; to be ambitious. The Wizard Queen spits on this very tenet. Which means she is no friend of mine. That said, are you?"

— Altina, in a letter addressed to Duke Rhinecliff, the leader of the rebellion.

History:

From a young age, Altina always felt like a bird trapped in a cage. To marry, to bear children, to serve her husband and family faithfully — the strict traditions of House Bastille kept her confined to a singular, predetermined destiny, one she believed she was powerless to rebel against. At least, at first. Altina was the first-born of Duke Alfred Sigurd Bastille. Typically, the rites of succession dictate that the first-born male would rise to the post of Duke when the time comes. However, as Altina was a woman and considered unfit to lead, she did not qualify. Thus did the status of "heir" fall to her brother, Altair Sigmund Bastille.

The battlefield was Altina's calling, and from the first time she swung a sword, she knew immediately that to master the blade was her true lot in life, something to set her apart from others. Unlike her peers, Altina possessed a strong body, and as she grew, she began to tower above even most of her suitors in height. But alas, despite all of her pleading, she was expressly forbidden from joining the military, with her father insisting it was not appropriate for a lady of House Bastille to sully her hands with calluses.

"And so, Altina resigned herself to the whims of her father, locking away her innermost desires, practicing etiquette, and patiently waiting for the man with whom she would spend the rest of her life."

If Altina were so spineless, then perhaps the strings hanging taut upon her limbs would have never been cut. And perhaps the future that her father had designed for her would have come true. It would have been easy to simply perform her part; to recite lines timeless and traditional. Easy. And boring. Therefore, behind her father's back, underneath the clandestine glow of moonlight, she studied the art of swordsmanship, modeling her stance and each of her strikes after her younger brother, who she could observe every morning swinging his blade from her bedroom window.

Although no amount of pleading could change his mind, the Duke did not reject every request Altina threw his way. One request he did honor, and to Altina's mild surprise, was her enrollment into a magical academy. With practiced words, Altina convinced her father that magic would serve as a means for her to protect herself. Of course, realizing her father's protective nature, she knew he would seriously consider it. Eventually, he relented, and she was off on a carriage to the most prestigious magical academy in all of the Arrowfell Province. There, she would become a proficient user of levitation and earth magic.

An exploration of the world at large further assured Altina of her views: that she was missing out; that she was truly akin to a bird in a cage. The cage would only begin to show cracks following the untimely death of her older brother. "An expedition gone awry," she heard from the rumors. Working up the courage to ask her father, she ultimately discovered that Altair had perished fighting a fearsome monster that had been terrorizing their lands for some time. She had never seen her father in such a state before: so broken; so vulnerable. But instead of sympathy, Altina felt a different emotion welling up in her chest, one born from a warped sense of morality. Chink. The next morning, the Duke was found dead in his chambers, a teacup on his bedside table, along with berries as black as obsidian. To most, it was unmistakable what had taken place. "Stricken with grief over the death of his first-born son, the duke killed himself, unable to cope with the loss."

Altina was quick to fill the power vacuum left by her father, though it was certainly not without its trials. Now able to freely join the military, she rose the ranks with breakneck pace, establishing rapport with the people through leading various excursions against the monsters that lay outside Agrovia's walls. In particular, she felled the very monster that even her late brother, in all of his ability, could not fell. With that, she had proven her worth in the eyes of Agrovian people. A woman they saw not, but a protector, strong and capable. Still, there would be factions within Agrovia that would resist her claim to the duchy. Some acted out in the open, waging outright war against her, while others took to the cover of night to assassinate her. None of them would succeed. Altina would stamp out each faction herself, one by one, playing the role of judge, jury, and executioner.

At the end of it all, a crown would make its home atop her head.

Seed:

The Convictus Lavalliere.

"Conviction so steadfast that not even the supernatural can sway it. That is what is contained within the Seed."

— Altina, describing the Convictus Lavalliere's power.

A fanciful necklace upon which dangles a shimmering diamond. It protects the bearer from all mental-based magic. It also nullifies any magic that attempts to take control of its bearer, or otherwise compromise their agency.

Magic:

• [Levitation Magic] Gravitas Armament: The spell that earned Altina the moniker of "The Valkyrie," it involves the application of fine levitation magic to achieve an effect. In Altina's case, she makes both her armor and weapons levitate ever so slightly, maximizing her mobility and allowing her to move as if she is unencumbered by the weight of her gear. In essence, most of the heavy-lifting is done by her magic.

• [Levitation Magic] Sterling Cerberus: A feat of magical endurance, Altina can passively float 3 greatswords without much exertion. These blades form a defensive perimeter around her, ready to strike at a moment's notice. Altina can also treat her blades like projectiles, hurling them with worrying speed towards her foes.

• [Earth Magic] Scaleskin: Altina can siphon any mineral within the immediate area to reinforce herself or others, providing an extra layer of protection. Once made a target of Altina's siphoning, steel and other metals will inevitably lose their integrity. Likewise, earth that has been stripped of its lifeblood will also start to turn to mush.

• Shatterblade: With each swing of the sword, Altina projects magical energy outwards to extend her effective range. Intending to imbalance her foes, or simply repel bombardments coming from a distance, if she is given enough time to concentrate magical energy on her sword, Altina can even uproot trees in one strike, like a hurricane ripping through a forest.

• [Earth Magic] Cortège of the Einherjar: "To split the ground into intricate slabs, and then put them together, architecting the visage of the human form and imbuing it with human-like sentience." Such a painstaking process prefaces the activation of this spell. However, in spite of the time it takes to cast, its benefits far outweigh its costs. In short, the spell manifests an army of humanoid golems numbering to the dozen, equipped with weapons made of enchanted stone. What makes Altina's creations particularly fearsome is their ability to regenerate from the ground or nearby rocks, or even by re-attaching the severed parts. Conversely, the spell can become rather taxing to maintain the more her creations are injured. She will be forced to dispel it if its magical expenditure reaches heights she cannot effectively manage.

Skills: Swordsmanship, martial arts, military strategy, leadership, magical expertise, sewing, tea-making.

Faction: Altina is both the figurehead of her duchy, as well as the chief commander of its military. Often, she takes to the front lines herself, with her golem army in tow. Though she is secretly aligned with the rebel faction, on the surface, she pretends to pledge her allegiance to the Wizard Queen. It is an obvious facade that she puts on, but she knows that as long as she capitulates to the Wizard Queen's demands and more, the Wizard Queen will likely not act against her. After all, showings of goodwill met with sudden betrayal would foment the brewing rebellion that the Wizard Queen fears so much. Towing the line between loyalty and disloyalty puts Altina in an admittedly precarious situation, but it is only a matter of time before her mask falls, revealing her true colors.

City / Assets:

Altina presides over the duchy of Agrovia, known for its bountiful farmlands, horticultural goods, and imposing walls. Though, the latter part was not always so. Situated to the north, ever since its inception, Agrovia has been plagued time and again by beasts of the forest. At first, escape was the only means of "defense" for the fledgling city, if one could call it that. Perhaps "preservation" would be the more apt term. Regardless, fearing for their lives, the denizens of the agricultural city began to build catacombs hidden deep in the earth, to which they would retreat during monster attacks. These catacombs would prove effective in keeping the people safe, but up above, one could not say the same for their crops. Untended to and therefore left unprotected, they were all but trampled afoot by the rampaging monsters. "Such a way of life is not sustainable." This would soon dawn on the Agrovian people. Realizing their plight, the early leaders of Agrovia started to form alliances with the nearby cities, the most notable of which was with Rockhold. A union that has endured for generations, the partnership between Agrovia and Rockhold was one where both cities stood to gain: the people of Rockhold would be hard-pressed to ever go hungry, while the people of Agrovia now possessed weapons with which they could beat back their adversaries.

Owing much to the city of Rockhold, Agrovia benefited greatly from their exports of silver and iron. For the first time, the people of Agrovia no longer cowered in their caves during monster attacks. Instead, they fought. And fight tooth and nail they did, even retaking land that the monsters had occupied for so long in the process. To keep out the monsters for good, the Agrovian people also erected sweeping walls around their city, which are collectively called the "Bastille," a name in honor of the ruling family.