Character Form:
Name:
Occupation/Title:
Family:
Age:
Appearance (Use a face claim if you wish):
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world:
Temperament:
Pros:
Cons:
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
Where are they in relation to the Ball? (Do they live in the castle, have they already arrived, are they almost there or far away, etc.):
Existing Characters (Ranked by Title, Deceased
The Title-Holders & Nobles
Wife of the King and mother to a young son and daughter (thus unnamed and unclaimed), Queen Adrienne is a slender woman in her thirties. She has long, dark hair which flows all the way down her back, but is usually done up in some form of ornate braid with bejeweled hair ornaments. Adrienne is known for her lavish gowns, and she is seen as somewhat of a trend-setter for the noblewomen of her time. She has warm, greenish hazel eyes and bright olive skin. She has knowledge of several world languages and can play several instruments, her favorites being stringed instruments such as the lyre or the harp. Adrienne is kind, generous and welcoming to outsiders, essentially the opposite of her husband, the King, who is much less social and tends to hide away during the social events that she throws. However, her personality also has a bite: she has high expectations of those around her, including her servants and the merchants that she often interacts with. She sometimes comes across as being overbearing or condescending, though she does not mean to be. Adrienne is intelligent, has a strong drive to lead, intense perseverance, and a desire to help those who are beneath her. She occasionally can lose her temper, has trouble unwinding and getting a restful sleep, and sometimes rushes into the improper decisions.
Adrienne became Queen of Hadria in her twenties, and prior to this had a relatively easy, privileged life. Though it was arranged, she does love her husband and their children, and appreciates the fact that their kingdoms were united due to their union. She has been known to put her people before herself on most locations, and for the most part, the peasantry holds Adrienne in high esteem while her husband is seen as more of a passive figure - a good king who does not meddle in the common people's business.
At the time of the ball, Adrienne is fully prepared to welcome all of her guests from around the world, when she receives word from a member of the royal guard: half the guests may not arrive due to a breaking blizzard that spans for miles around the castle. She is confused, concerned and devastated. What will happen now?
Adrienne became Queen of Hadria in her twenties, and prior to this had a relatively easy, privileged life. Though it was arranged, she does love her husband and their children, and appreciates the fact that their kingdoms were united due to their union. She has been known to put her people before herself on most locations, and for the most part, the peasantry holds Adrienne in high esteem while her husband is seen as more of a passive figure - a good king who does not meddle in the common people's business.
At the time of the ball, Adrienne is fully prepared to welcome all of her guests from around the world, when she receives word from a member of the royal guard: half the guests may not arrive due to a breaking blizzard that spans for miles around the castle. She is confused, concerned and devastated. What will happen now?
Owen the Third of Hadria
Prince of Hadria, Heir to the Throne
Aged 10
Owen III is of average height, but he surrounds himself with older playmates and sons of nobles, making him seem shorter than he really is. His expression is often detached and difficult to read, though his eyes betray curiosity and intense concentration at certain moments. He dresses in clothing that is perhaps too big for him but never ostentatious, probably to hide a thin, delicate body. He eschews jewels of any kind in his normal attire and shows no interest in wearing his crown or thin clothing, opting instead for a practical, somewhat soldierly style. Far from wearing it to play at knights, he has been known to appreciate the protective qualities of such wrappings, which some find worrying.
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world:
As the prince and first in line to the throne, Owen is being raised and educated to rule. His knowledge of Hadria´s history and geography is considerable for a child his age even among princes. He has also developed a commanding, unflappable presence that impresses those he meets, and which coupled with his generosity and kindness has earned him the loyalty of his young entourage: more than two dozen playmates, commoners and sons of nobles, which the castle staff and its visitors have taken to calling "The Little Court". As a consequence, he is used to giving orders and expects them to be obeyed, though those orders are always reasonable, giving little grounds to refuse his royal authority, small as it may be in comparison to that of his parents.
As well as the not-unimpressive ability of managing a small group of young, loud and boisterous noble and commoner boys, Owen is also a surprisingly able falconer. He is the owner of two such birds, a black falcon and a golden falcon, whose care he entrusts to those of the Little Court that he favors. Some joke, rather tastelessly, that the young Prince has taken after his falcons more than after his own parents. The birds were, in fact, a gift from them, but few people are so senseless as to compare the Prince and the birds without investing some subtlety and praise in the effort.
Temperament:
The Prince is curious like any child, and enjoys trying new activities, meeting guests from exotic lands, and examining every detail of a gift. However, he does not smile often and keeps his opinions and thoughts to himself, which can lead to awkwardly long periods of silence when he stops to think before politely answering a question or comment. This can unnerve guests and makes it difficult for some to tell if he is pleased or not. He bottles up his emotions both good or bad, and releases them later through physical or intellectual effort, or gifts chosen with surprising thoughtfulness and delivered with his compliments. As a result, it takes a long, long time, and some open-mindedness, to truly get close to the Prince. Even the King and Queen have a less solid grasp on his character than his playmates.
Pros: Owen is kind, thoughtful, very generous and introspective. He seems to have a solid grasp of just how much authority he possesses and exercises it firmly and without hesitation only for the good of others, and after careful consideration.
Cons: The Prince does not often show his emotions, keeps a distance from those he does not know, and usually evaluates challenges without ever realizing he can ask for input from others. His current playmates are likely to be his friends for life, and very few others will ever get to know him that well.
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?
The King and Queen suspect that the reason Owen´s behaviour is seemingly mature but cold was an incident three years ago, when the King, the Prince and their companions found a small group of poachers in the King´s hunting grounds. A young boy gutted a beast, but was torn apart in turn by the animal, and they found him by his prey, dying in his father´s arms. Owen was shaken by the sight, and came out of the incident quiet and melancholic, though somehow still strong enough to beg his father to forgive the boy´s father his crime.
Owen was daring, reckless and demanding before then, only interested in war and war stories, like any other prince. Now, he is cautious, quiet, demands what is already expected and reasonable, and shows a broader interest in the world. Some have compared him to a dim flame, recognizing that while seemingly difficult to reach, he still has a core to him.
Where are they in relation to the Ball?
Owen finds himself at a tavern on the road, together with a few of his young friends and the knights assigned to protect him. The storm caught them outside on their way home, after the Prince was allowed to visit a local temple for reasons that are a mystery to his parents. The temple was close enough that there was no apparent harm in it, but now...
Family: Eldest son of the Emir of Mazamri, Saric has three younger sisters. He had one older brother who tragically passed at a young age.
Age: 23
Appearance:
Saric stands at just below six feet tall, and his presence is definitely difficult to ignore. The tan and handsome dark-haired man is usually draped in either white or garments in warm oranges, yellows and reds, resembling the warm climate from which he hails. His attire tends to be the flowy clothing typical of hot, desert nations. The jewelry of choice for Saric tends to be gold. He has a few scars along his arms for training with swords and games as a child.
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: Saric is an expert navigator, able to steer a ship in the right direction as well as any sea captain could. In love with exotic flavors and places, he has studied many foreign fruit and flowers and has thorough knowledge of herbs and how they factor into medicines. Although the young prince is a major pacifist, he enjoys sword fighting for sport and has undergone extensive training for the purposes of self defense. He also knows how to follow an animal in the wild without being detected. In his spare time, he enjoys creating extremely detailed geometrical drawings, and he is also very talented with calligraphy, often writing his dearest friends handwritten notes or letters.
Temperament: Loud, boisterous (especially when drunk), full of humor with the tendency to break out into song when he is happy, Saric also has the ability to concentrate intently when seeking a solution. On the day to day, he flies from topic to topic and has a short attention span. He tends to wear his emotions on his face, despite the pressures to appear strong, but also pushes his deepest emotions down until they break. He is extremely outgoing and social, and a bit of a flirt.
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
As previously mentioned, Saric’s older brother tragically passed away at the age of fifteen, when Saric was just ten years old. This incident has affected the prince’s life in more ways that one – much of the low nobility is somewhat distrusting of the man, as they suspect he had something to do in the death of the heir. These days, Saric does not let their opinions bring him down – he is a close friend of the Queen, whom he enjoys having long, extensive conversations with.
Understandably, with Saric coming of age there was much conversation and pressure in his life for him to find a wife. While he does enjoy romance, he is not looking to settle down any time soon, especially while his father is still well and in good health. As the journey to the ball takes several days from Mazamri, Saric has been the only attendant, as his nation’s leadership is not well-equipped to handle the Emir’s absence for an extended period of time.
Where are they in relation to the Ball? (Do they live in the castle, have they already arrived, are they almost there or far away, etc.):
Saric arrived by ship to a nearly frozen harbor, and is currently attempting to make his way to the castle. He wonders how he will return to Mazamri in a timely fashion. He is wearing something like this:
Age: 23
Appearance:
Saric stands at just below six feet tall, and his presence is definitely difficult to ignore. The tan and handsome dark-haired man is usually draped in either white or garments in warm oranges, yellows and reds, resembling the warm climate from which he hails. His attire tends to be the flowy clothing typical of hot, desert nations. The jewelry of choice for Saric tends to be gold. He has a few scars along his arms for training with swords and games as a child.
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: Saric is an expert navigator, able to steer a ship in the right direction as well as any sea captain could. In love with exotic flavors and places, he has studied many foreign fruit and flowers and has thorough knowledge of herbs and how they factor into medicines. Although the young prince is a major pacifist, he enjoys sword fighting for sport and has undergone extensive training for the purposes of self defense. He also knows how to follow an animal in the wild without being detected. In his spare time, he enjoys creating extremely detailed geometrical drawings, and he is also very talented with calligraphy, often writing his dearest friends handwritten notes or letters.
Temperament: Loud, boisterous (especially when drunk), full of humor with the tendency to break out into song when he is happy, Saric also has the ability to concentrate intently when seeking a solution. On the day to day, he flies from topic to topic and has a short attention span. He tends to wear his emotions on his face, despite the pressures to appear strong, but also pushes his deepest emotions down until they break. He is extremely outgoing and social, and a bit of a flirt.
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
As previously mentioned, Saric’s older brother tragically passed away at the age of fifteen, when Saric was just ten years old. This incident has affected the prince’s life in more ways that one – much of the low nobility is somewhat distrusting of the man, as they suspect he had something to do in the death of the heir. These days, Saric does not let their opinions bring him down – he is a close friend of the Queen, whom he enjoys having long, extensive conversations with.
Understandably, with Saric coming of age there was much conversation and pressure in his life for him to find a wife. While he does enjoy romance, he is not looking to settle down any time soon, especially while his father is still well and in good health. As the journey to the ball takes several days from Mazamri, Saric has been the only attendant, as his nation’s leadership is not well-equipped to handle the Emir’s absence for an extended period of time.
Where are they in relation to the Ball? (Do they live in the castle, have they already arrived, are they almost there or far away, etc.):
Saric arrived by ship to a nearly frozen harbor, and is currently attempting to make his way to the castle. He wonders how he will return to Mazamri in a timely fashion. He is wearing something like this:
Family: The King of Westfalia, her older brother is the Prince of Westfalia, and her mother is deceased.
Age: 21 years old
Appearance:
In her normal dress Adelina appears as a young, somewhat ordinary-looking woman, but on special occasions such as the ball, she transforms into a radiant and eye-catching figure. She stands just above 5'6" with long brown hair that when undone is slightly wavy as it is so often worn in braids. Her eyes are a cool, deep pure blue, and tend to gleam with a hint of mischief when she is feeling her best. Ever since she was a child, the princess enjoyed harmless games and stirring up trouble - she was regarded as devilish and wild, though her brother is the one with the true evil nature. Adelina's disobedient and rebellious nature could be considered a con to some, especially her older brother and father, who seem to be keen on finding her a suitor as soon as possible. In order to release some of her pent up energy, Adelina took up archery and fencing lessons (she would never be entrusted to fight with an actual sword). At home, she passes her time with studying precious ores and gemstones, and creating cheeky embroidery by the pond. She has met several potential suitors over the past four years, all of which she has enthusiastically rejected. She has a fear of marriage, as many of her female predecessors, including her mother, passed away during childbirth. Adelina has a deep resentment of her older brother, with whom she used to be very close to as a child. The young man seems to regard his sibling as a threat, and the older the two of them became, the more he seemed to wish to torment her. There are suspicions that the prince is not the true heir to the throne, but each time this is mentioned in conversation, the King and Prince are so offended that the topic is immediately forgotten about. Adelina fears that if her brother becomes king, she will be in deep trouble - this is the only motivator for her to either marry into a kinder family, or surrender her title and run away.
Adelina's carriage has just reached the gates of the castle, and she dreads being trapped in a young, fancy social event with her brother and father, who will be expecting her to do some mingling with her fellow nobles. She hopes that Prince Saric will be in attendance - they have a mutual love of adventure and no desire to marry anyone.
Age: 21 years old
Appearance:
In her normal dress Adelina appears as a young, somewhat ordinary-looking woman, but on special occasions such as the ball, she transforms into a radiant and eye-catching figure. She stands just above 5'6" with long brown hair that when undone is slightly wavy as it is so often worn in braids. Her eyes are a cool, deep pure blue, and tend to gleam with a hint of mischief when she is feeling her best. Ever since she was a child, the princess enjoyed harmless games and stirring up trouble - she was regarded as devilish and wild, though her brother is the one with the true evil nature. Adelina's disobedient and rebellious nature could be considered a con to some, especially her older brother and father, who seem to be keen on finding her a suitor as soon as possible. In order to release some of her pent up energy, Adelina took up archery and fencing lessons (she would never be entrusted to fight with an actual sword). At home, she passes her time with studying precious ores and gemstones, and creating cheeky embroidery by the pond. She has met several potential suitors over the past four years, all of which she has enthusiastically rejected. She has a fear of marriage, as many of her female predecessors, including her mother, passed away during childbirth. Adelina has a deep resentment of her older brother, with whom she used to be very close to as a child. The young man seems to regard his sibling as a threat, and the older the two of them became, the more he seemed to wish to torment her. There are suspicions that the prince is not the true heir to the throne, but each time this is mentioned in conversation, the King and Prince are so offended that the topic is immediately forgotten about. Adelina fears that if her brother becomes king, she will be in deep trouble - this is the only motivator for her to either marry into a kinder family, or surrender her title and run away.
Adelina's carriage has just reached the gates of the castle, and she dreads being trapped in a young, fancy social event with her brother and father, who will be expecting her to do some mingling with her fellow nobles. She hopes that Prince Saric will be in attendance - they have a mutual love of adventure and no desire to marry anyone.
𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞: 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐲
𝐎𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧/𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐚
𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲:
❥ 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐲 (𝟒𝟖)
❥ 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐲 (𝟒𝟕)
❥ 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧 (𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝟐𝟓)
❥ 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 (𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝟐𝟑)
𝐀𝐠𝐞: 𝟐𝟎
𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝:
𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦, 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲. 𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥.
𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲. 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥. 𝐎𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞, 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲. 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬.
𝐀 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬. 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞-𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡, 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭-𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.
𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬:
❥ 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝: 𝐢𝐟 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭.
❥ 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧. 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐭.
❥ 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐲, 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫: 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐮𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠.
❥ 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥-𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝: 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬:
❥ 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞: 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐧. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫.
❥ 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧: 𝐈𝐟 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐭, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭. 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝, 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬.
❥ 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝: 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.
𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭?:
𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐲 𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐲 𝟑 𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬, 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡. 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞. 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐲, 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤.
𝐀 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐨 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥. 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬. 𝐎𝐫, 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬. 𝐈𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭. 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚, 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐝 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧.
𝐀𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞. 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧. 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬. 𝐇𝐞 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐢𝐟 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨𝐛 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐇𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦.
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥?: 𝐒𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲.
Name: Rile Ivera of the Calcavian Kingdom
View attachment 789756
Occupation/Title: The 2nd prince of King Manatori and Queen Ivari
Temperament:
Prince Rile comes off as a respectable young man who acts pretty much how you’d think a royal would act. Though he is not one to begin a conversation, unless one is due, he can be very charismatic and charming. Oh, but it is pretty much just an act to get the best gossip and blackmail that would get him further in life. Many wonder what he is like beneath the mask?
Family:
Rile’s family currently consists of the King Manatori Ivera and Queen Ivari Lettiro. His older brother and eldest child is the 1st prince of the Calcavian Kingdom, Prince Ante Ivera. Price Ante Ivera has recently fallen ill to the point of bedside.[/TD]
Pros:
Strategic
Knows something about everyone
Knows how to wield a sword
Charming and charismatic
Age: 25 years
Cons:
Silent and conniving
Will resort to blackmail or worse
Too ambitious and determined to get what he wants
Will partake and create gossip out of spite
Appearance (Use a face claim if you wish):
Prince Rile is an average sized man standing to about 5’ 7” in height. His body is more lanky than lean though there are still echoes of muscle on his arms and legs. His skin is a dark bronze hue, his hair a smoky black, and his eyes are a rich and deep brown. There is always a smile or smirk plastered on his face that many cannot decipher. He wears a light blue undershirt with a royal blue waistcoat and jacket over it. His slacks are also a royal blue that fades into black near the ankle hem where it clings closer to his skin. Draped on his right shoulder is capelet made of a navy blue velvet trimmed with silver. He seems to either really like the color blue or it means something very important in his country.[/TD]
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
We’ll all just have to find out.
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world:
He knows the average amount of swordplay and manners that any royal would know.
He knows that there are other lands in the world not yet discovered by man and dreams of exploring the world and conquering them for his kingdom.
He knows that there is always a game to be played and he plans to win as many as possible.
He knows many flora and their meanings.
He’s (or at least should be) very charismatic.
Where are they in relation to the Ball?:
Prince Rile was one of the early guests to arrive at the Ball before the storm stranded everyone. He’s mostly been sitting by the fireplace sipping some wine while taking in all the juicy whispers that echo through the halls.
View attachment 789756
Occupation/Title: The 2nd prince of King Manatori and Queen Ivari
Temperament:
Prince Rile comes off as a respectable young man who acts pretty much how you’d think a royal would act. Though he is not one to begin a conversation, unless one is due, he can be very charismatic and charming. Oh, but it is pretty much just an act to get the best gossip and blackmail that would get him further in life. Many wonder what he is like beneath the mask?
Family:
Rile’s family currently consists of the King Manatori Ivera and Queen Ivari Lettiro. His older brother and eldest child is the 1st prince of the Calcavian Kingdom, Prince Ante Ivera. Price Ante Ivera has recently fallen ill to the point of bedside.[/TD]
Pros:
Strategic
Knows something about everyone
Knows how to wield a sword
Charming and charismatic
Age: 25 years
Cons:
Silent and conniving
Will resort to blackmail or worse
Too ambitious and determined to get what he wants
Will partake and create gossip out of spite
Appearance (Use a face claim if you wish):
Prince Rile is an average sized man standing to about 5’ 7” in height. His body is more lanky than lean though there are still echoes of muscle on his arms and legs. His skin is a dark bronze hue, his hair a smoky black, and his eyes are a rich and deep brown. There is always a smile or smirk plastered on his face that many cannot decipher. He wears a light blue undershirt with a royal blue waistcoat and jacket over it. His slacks are also a royal blue that fades into black near the ankle hem where it clings closer to his skin. Draped on his right shoulder is capelet made of a navy blue velvet trimmed with silver. He seems to either really like the color blue or it means something very important in his country.[/TD]
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
We’ll all just have to find out.
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world:
He knows the average amount of swordplay and manners that any royal would know.
He knows that there are other lands in the world not yet discovered by man and dreams of exploring the world and conquering them for his kingdom.
He knows that there is always a game to be played and he plans to win as many as possible.
He knows many flora and their meanings.
He’s (or at least should be) very charismatic.
Where are they in relation to the Ball?:
Prince Rile was one of the early guests to arrive at the Ball before the storm stranded everyone. He’s mostly been sitting by the fireplace sipping some wine while taking in all the juicy whispers that echo through the halls.
Name: Elizabeth Beaumont
Duchess of Beaumont
Family: Elizabeth is the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Beaumont. She has an older brother aged 22.
Age: 20
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: Although she doesn't have much knowledge of the outside world, Elizabeth has been educated in the ways of court, which allows her to navigate it with grace and elegance. The good name of Duchy Beaumont has allowed her to get respect throughout the court.
Temperament: Elizabeth is compassionate and determined to do whatever it takes to help her family. She is also fiercely protective of her dutchy and its people.
Pros: Elizabeth is very diplomatic and intelligent, which can allow her to form connections with people in court.
Cons: Her desperation for a solution to her duchy's problems could lead her to be too trusting of those who seem like they may offer her help.
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
Growing up in a large and prosperous duchy, Elizabeth was raised and educated to be a lady of the nobility.
However, unbeknownst to the rest of the court, Duchy Beaumont has been threatened by a neighboring Duchy from another kingdom in the past years. Unable to muster the funds or strength to end the threat themselves, the Duke and Duchess of Beaumont sent Elizabeth to the Queen's Ball in the hope that she would be able to secure an alliance or marriage with a high ranking noble, thus providing Duchy Beaumont with the extra funds and protection needed to end the threat to their lands.
Where are they in relation to the Ball? (Do they live in the castle, have they already arrived, are they almost there or far away, etc.):
Wanting her to arrive early to the ball, so that she would have additional time to make necessary connections, Elizabeth's parents sent her on her way to the castle a day earlier than necessary. Although the beginning of the storm slowed her journey down, she arrived unharmed to the ball a few hours ahead of time.
Occupation: Minor Lord (ruler of small principality)
Temperment: Quiet, contemplative, bookish
Family: Father and Mother, Much younger sister
Age: 24
Looks:
The labor of his land have left him a fairly well built but spritely young man
Skills: General Farm Knowledge, General Landed Stewardship, tracking in nature, moving through woods quietly
Pros: moderate piety, smart, content, enjoys the outdoors, compassion, enjoys music, riding horses, solitude, sitting on a porch chair drinking tea
Cons: Few friends, limited social skills (much more comfortable talking to farmer about the wheat harvest than a noble about silk prices), wary of trends/wealthy habits, can be a penny pincher, not the most knowlagable, quiet and reserved, not prone to loud leadership, dislikes crowds, distrusts magic
Backstory:
Born to a small landed family in the far reaches of the kingdom, Walter never had much need to see the majestic courts and cities of the kingdom. Born to a family much poorer than most nobles, Walter watched as his family strove to improve their lands making them just wealthy enough to be considered an average noble. Despite the family's success, Walter has always understood the value of hard work and the appreciation for the simple things in life. He enjoys, reading, working his family's land, and helping his supplicants with their issues. Despite having a limited education, Walter always enjoyed learning and is excited to hear about the new ideas sweeping across Europe and finds himself in agreement with many of its views. However, Walter has always been a simple lad going to Mass on Sundays, enjoying the beautiful music and architecture, and generally keeping out of the more radical views, of which he is generally sequestered from due to his families far out holdings. This has also meant that he is wary of those seeking to radically change things. He also is suspicious of the wealthy and those who live in more prosperous regions as he has seen some of them take advantage of his father in the past. He also dislikes obtuse and grandiose displays of wealth seeking to save or to reinvest into ones holdings.
Ball:
As the oldest son of his family and the most apparent heir, it was important for Walter to begin making inroads to court politics in the capital. Despite his majority age coming and going, no major event required his presence until now when all the major and minor lords were called to the Queen's Ball. Walter had just last year taken over ruling the polity now that his father had passed the age where it was possible to rule and so Walter was sent off, much to his begrugement to the ball. In general, Walter doesn't expect to have much fun, in fact he is dreading the event. The last time a noble interacted with him personally was 5 years ago when his father was paying off the last of some minor debts to finance some new roads. The noble had looked at walter and sneered at the young boy. Now, he is quite confidant that other nobles will have similar amounts of disdain so he hopes to get the whole thing done with in minimal time with minimal fuss.
To remain unnoticed and hopefully not cause any major incidents, he tried to leave early enough so as to be just a tad early (his father insisted he be there early keeping to his general upbringing of hitting the dirt running at the crack of dawn). This left Walter in the castle when the appointed time to begin came as he wondered where the rest of the nobles were leaving him feeling awkward as there was really no large crowd to blend into.
Temperment: Quiet, contemplative, bookish
Family: Father and Mother, Much younger sister
Age: 24
Looks:
The labor of his land have left him a fairly well built but spritely young man
Skills: General Farm Knowledge, General Landed Stewardship, tracking in nature, moving through woods quietly
Pros: moderate piety, smart, content, enjoys the outdoors, compassion, enjoys music, riding horses, solitude, sitting on a porch chair drinking tea
Cons: Few friends, limited social skills (much more comfortable talking to farmer about the wheat harvest than a noble about silk prices), wary of trends/wealthy habits, can be a penny pincher, not the most knowlagable, quiet and reserved, not prone to loud leadership, dislikes crowds, distrusts magic
Backstory:
Born to a small landed family in the far reaches of the kingdom, Walter never had much need to see the majestic courts and cities of the kingdom. Born to a family much poorer than most nobles, Walter watched as his family strove to improve their lands making them just wealthy enough to be considered an average noble. Despite the family's success, Walter has always understood the value of hard work and the appreciation for the simple things in life. He enjoys, reading, working his family's land, and helping his supplicants with their issues. Despite having a limited education, Walter always enjoyed learning and is excited to hear about the new ideas sweeping across Europe and finds himself in agreement with many of its views. However, Walter has always been a simple lad going to Mass on Sundays, enjoying the beautiful music and architecture, and generally keeping out of the more radical views, of which he is generally sequestered from due to his families far out holdings. This has also meant that he is wary of those seeking to radically change things. He also is suspicious of the wealthy and those who live in more prosperous regions as he has seen some of them take advantage of his father in the past. He also dislikes obtuse and grandiose displays of wealth seeking to save or to reinvest into ones holdings.
Ball:
As the oldest son of his family and the most apparent heir, it was important for Walter to begin making inroads to court politics in the capital. Despite his majority age coming and going, no major event required his presence until now when all the major and minor lords were called to the Queen's Ball. Walter had just last year taken over ruling the polity now that his father had passed the age where it was possible to rule and so Walter was sent off, much to his begrugement to the ball. In general, Walter doesn't expect to have much fun, in fact he is dreading the event. The last time a noble interacted with him personally was 5 years ago when his father was paying off the last of some minor debts to finance some new roads. The noble had looked at walter and sneered at the young boy. Now, he is quite confidant that other nobles will have similar amounts of disdain so he hopes to get the whole thing done with in minimal time with minimal fuss.
To remain unnoticed and hopefully not cause any major incidents, he tried to leave early enough so as to be just a tad early (his father insisted he be there early keeping to his general upbringing of hitting the dirt running at the crack of dawn). This left Walter in the castle when the appointed time to begin came as he wondered where the rest of the nobles were leaving him feeling awkward as there was really no large crowd to blend into.
The Church & Clergy
Occupation/Title: Cardinal of the Lokhen Church, Emissary of Whilden
Family: An elderly mother who's in the care of his Sister, who also serves the Way of Whilder. His brother works as a ship Captain in the Seaside Trading Company.
Age: 30
Appearance:
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: The Lokhen Church's focus on knowledge and learning can be felt within every one of its high-ranking members, Cardinal Leopold is no different. From a young age his growing position within the Church itself allowed him access to more and more materials with which to further his knowledge under the will of Lokh. As such, not only is his understanding of foreign affairs and world history vast, but his studies in the arts and sciences are nothing to sneeze at. Having occasionally trained with Lokhen Knights in order to bond with them, he does have some skill with wielding his staff as a weapon. Though not his focus, he is capable of performing medical practices and trade negotiations, but will always prefer the unyielding study of history in all its informative glory. As such, he's the High Lady's go to whenever she needs an Emissary for foreign affairs. Leopold has made several treacherous journeys in order to maintain or forge Whilden's relations with outside forces, this one is merely the latest.
Temperament: Like many followers of Lokh, Leopold is a scholar first and foremost. As curiosity and a thirst for knowledge is a boon granted by Lokh, he seeks to expand his knowledge of the world in any way possible. His position allows him to do such a thing regularly, giving him a sense of fulfillment which others practically feel radiating off of him. Leopold is nothing if not a pleased individual, seeing any and all scenarios as an excuse to learn as Lokh intended. Because of this he seems almost humored in the face of the dangers his many Foreign treks present to him. Many who encounter the Cardinal will find he's a rather social fellow, constantly curious and undoubtedly interested to learn of others whenever her can.
Pros: Learned Scholar in Numerous Fields, Professional Emissary, Sociable Curiosity
Cons: Can be quite intrusive to some, Lokhen Fanaticism
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?
Born to a Priest of the Lokhen Church, Leopold's life was practically on the fast track to a similar position. What helped was his own natural curiosity, enamored by the world around him even before he was old enough to interpret the Church's views. By the time he was considered an adult, he'd already exceeded his father's position through sheer passionate hunger to expand his knowledge and encourage as many people as possible to do the same. He found the old stories of Saint Whilder inspiring, becoming more and more grateful for Lokh's gift of knowledge to mankind. But his thirst for knowledge went beyond the scope of the Lokhen Church, with him beginning to look to other lands more and more.
It was this stark difference between him and many members of the Church that had the High Lady considering him for foreign relations. What followed was several years of Leopold being one of the most consistent emissaries to lands beyond Whilden. He traveled so often that he gained something of a reputation for it, as his presence in foreign courts became fairly regular. Coupled with the favor gained from the High Lady and his rise to Cardinal, Leopold's become a figurehead of Whilden and the Lokhen Church for some time now. Despite this, he never stopped his foreign duties, his title of Cardinal only allowing him more range when it came to interacting with the international community.
Where are they in relation to the Ball?
: Everything was going well until the Blizzard rolled in, soon after most of his entourage was separated from him amidst a horrible avalanche. Only he and one of the Church's finest Paladins were left to complete the rest of their journey, only for their carriage to finally buckle right when they'd just gotten sight of the castle in the distance. Now utilizing their carriage horses to complete the trek before the blizzard worsens, the Cardinal still maintains his optimism that he'll be able to celebrate history in the making with Whilden's international neighbor.
Family: An elderly mother who's in the care of his Sister, who also serves the Way of Whilder. His brother works as a ship Captain in the Seaside Trading Company.
Age: 30
Appearance:
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: The Lokhen Church's focus on knowledge and learning can be felt within every one of its high-ranking members, Cardinal Leopold is no different. From a young age his growing position within the Church itself allowed him access to more and more materials with which to further his knowledge under the will of Lokh. As such, not only is his understanding of foreign affairs and world history vast, but his studies in the arts and sciences are nothing to sneeze at. Having occasionally trained with Lokhen Knights in order to bond with them, he does have some skill with wielding his staff as a weapon. Though not his focus, he is capable of performing medical practices and trade negotiations, but will always prefer the unyielding study of history in all its informative glory. As such, he's the High Lady's go to whenever she needs an Emissary for foreign affairs. Leopold has made several treacherous journeys in order to maintain or forge Whilden's relations with outside forces, this one is merely the latest.
Temperament: Like many followers of Lokh, Leopold is a scholar first and foremost. As curiosity and a thirst for knowledge is a boon granted by Lokh, he seeks to expand his knowledge of the world in any way possible. His position allows him to do such a thing regularly, giving him a sense of fulfillment which others practically feel radiating off of him. Leopold is nothing if not a pleased individual, seeing any and all scenarios as an excuse to learn as Lokh intended. Because of this he seems almost humored in the face of the dangers his many Foreign treks present to him. Many who encounter the Cardinal will find he's a rather social fellow, constantly curious and undoubtedly interested to learn of others whenever her can.
Pros: Learned Scholar in Numerous Fields, Professional Emissary, Sociable Curiosity
Cons: Can be quite intrusive to some, Lokhen Fanaticism
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?
Born to a Priest of the Lokhen Church, Leopold's life was practically on the fast track to a similar position. What helped was his own natural curiosity, enamored by the world around him even before he was old enough to interpret the Church's views. By the time he was considered an adult, he'd already exceeded his father's position through sheer passionate hunger to expand his knowledge and encourage as many people as possible to do the same. He found the old stories of Saint Whilder inspiring, becoming more and more grateful for Lokh's gift of knowledge to mankind. But his thirst for knowledge went beyond the scope of the Lokhen Church, with him beginning to look to other lands more and more.
It was this stark difference between him and many members of the Church that had the High Lady considering him for foreign relations. What followed was several years of Leopold being one of the most consistent emissaries to lands beyond Whilden. He traveled so often that he gained something of a reputation for it, as his presence in foreign courts became fairly regular. Coupled with the favor gained from the High Lady and his rise to Cardinal, Leopold's become a figurehead of Whilden and the Lokhen Church for some time now. Despite this, he never stopped his foreign duties, his title of Cardinal only allowing him more range when it came to interacting with the international community.
Where are they in relation to the Ball?
: Everything was going well until the Blizzard rolled in, soon after most of his entourage was separated from him amidst a horrible avalanche. Only he and one of the Church's finest Paladins were left to complete the rest of their journey, only for their carriage to finally buckle right when they'd just gotten sight of the castle in the distance. Now utilizing their carriage horses to complete the trek before the blizzard worsens, the Cardinal still maintains his optimism that he'll be able to celebrate history in the making with Whilden's international neighbor.
Occupation/Title: Paladin of the Lokhen Church
Family: None
Age: 26
Appearance :
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: The Lokhen Knights may be considered Whilden's cautious and stalwart Overseers, but the Lokhen Paladins are undisputedly the Church's most devout warriors. Having lived his youth as an orphaned thief, Skalden Cray became an expert at breaking into places before he was saved by the Church. Having found new purpose defending Lokh's will and servants from all that may endanger them, Skalden's been trained in the ways of the sword. As was standard for the Church's warriors, he was not exempt from the push to learn just because of his rough childhood. Despite his position, he had to learn to read and write as well, but it was alchemy that really drew his attention. In order to even the odds against more... unnatural foes, Skalden has learned to brew a number of poultices and poisons that he has used in combat multiple times prior. Having weathered battles before, one would assume an escort mission wouldn't require much effort from a warrior such as he. They would be wrong, a true Paladin of the Church never falters from their efforts to aid Lokh's servants.
Temperament: Skalden Cray is a weathered soul, both in the positive and negative connotations. Cautious and prone to bouts of anger, his devotion to the Lokhen Church is the only thing which keeps him grounded. As such, he doesn't take threats to the Church lightly, so much so that he'll often have to be talked down by his own charges. As a follower of Lokh, he's more than willing to support the endless quest for knowledge, a drive that is one of the few things able to push through his cautious aggression.
Pros: Passionate Defender, Combat Veteran, Encourages the pursuit of Knowledge.
Cons: Generally Suspicious of those outside of the Church, Prone to Anger
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?: Skalden was a nothing, a nobody without guidance who had to survive through his own willpower in the backdrop of Whilden. Sneaking aboard caravans and ships to get around, stealing and robbing to sustain himself, he had nothing prior to the Church. But during a procession in Whilden's capital city, a crowd had formed to see the High Lady. Skalden saw this assembly as an opportunity, and began pickpocketing the assembled masses. Inevitably, the Lokhen Knights took note of his attempts and he was eventually cornered and captured.
Instead of being thrown in prison and working to atone for his crimes, a local Deacon took pity on Skalden and ended up becoming his guardian. Through him, Skalden came to realize that he did have a purpose beyond his own survival. To learn from the Crays was an experience that changed his life forever, and soon he would be accepted into their family as his desire to prove himself grew. It was that desire that led him to joining the Lokhen Knights, to give back to those who had given his life new meaning. But with the Knights he found the other side of that gratitude, punishing those that would seek to undermine that which had saved him.
Though the reading and writing was nice, it was the skills in combat that really drew him closer to the Church than ever. Learning everything from brawling to the ways of the sword and claymore, Skalden Cray was practically a model Knight among the ranks. But it was his dabbling in alchemy that led him to become a true knight, his desire to even the odds against more powerful foes and utilizing Lokh's gift in order to do it was too powerful a cause to overlook. Eventually, he would be entrusted with guarding the most precious servants, holdings and possessions of the Lokhen Church.
Where are they in relation to the Ball?: Everything was going well until that Blizzard came in. The other Knights and Paladins that were supposed to be helping him guard the Cardinal got separated by a grueling avalanche, and their own carriage had been driven off the road with the castle only just having been within view in the distance. Having anticipated this, they refitted the horses with saddles and are making the rest of the trek using them. Skalden is the only one left to defend and escort the Cardinal right now, but he's still eager to fulfill his mission. Despite that, he's not against finding out what happened to other Knights and Paladins that they got separated from in the Blizzard.
Family: None
Age: 26
Appearance :
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: The Lokhen Knights may be considered Whilden's cautious and stalwart Overseers, but the Lokhen Paladins are undisputedly the Church's most devout warriors. Having lived his youth as an orphaned thief, Skalden Cray became an expert at breaking into places before he was saved by the Church. Having found new purpose defending Lokh's will and servants from all that may endanger them, Skalden's been trained in the ways of the sword. As was standard for the Church's warriors, he was not exempt from the push to learn just because of his rough childhood. Despite his position, he had to learn to read and write as well, but it was alchemy that really drew his attention. In order to even the odds against more... unnatural foes, Skalden has learned to brew a number of poultices and poisons that he has used in combat multiple times prior. Having weathered battles before, one would assume an escort mission wouldn't require much effort from a warrior such as he. They would be wrong, a true Paladin of the Church never falters from their efforts to aid Lokh's servants.
Temperament: Skalden Cray is a weathered soul, both in the positive and negative connotations. Cautious and prone to bouts of anger, his devotion to the Lokhen Church is the only thing which keeps him grounded. As such, he doesn't take threats to the Church lightly, so much so that he'll often have to be talked down by his own charges. As a follower of Lokh, he's more than willing to support the endless quest for knowledge, a drive that is one of the few things able to push through his cautious aggression.
Pros: Passionate Defender, Combat Veteran, Encourages the pursuit of Knowledge.
Cons: Generally Suspicious of those outside of the Church, Prone to Anger
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?: Skalden was a nothing, a nobody without guidance who had to survive through his own willpower in the backdrop of Whilden. Sneaking aboard caravans and ships to get around, stealing and robbing to sustain himself, he had nothing prior to the Church. But during a procession in Whilden's capital city, a crowd had formed to see the High Lady. Skalden saw this assembly as an opportunity, and began pickpocketing the assembled masses. Inevitably, the Lokhen Knights took note of his attempts and he was eventually cornered and captured.
Instead of being thrown in prison and working to atone for his crimes, a local Deacon took pity on Skalden and ended up becoming his guardian. Through him, Skalden came to realize that he did have a purpose beyond his own survival. To learn from the Crays was an experience that changed his life forever, and soon he would be accepted into their family as his desire to prove himself grew. It was that desire that led him to joining the Lokhen Knights, to give back to those who had given his life new meaning. But with the Knights he found the other side of that gratitude, punishing those that would seek to undermine that which had saved him.
Though the reading and writing was nice, it was the skills in combat that really drew him closer to the Church than ever. Learning everything from brawling to the ways of the sword and claymore, Skalden Cray was practically a model Knight among the ranks. But it was his dabbling in alchemy that led him to become a true knight, his desire to even the odds against more powerful foes and utilizing Lokh's gift in order to do it was too powerful a cause to overlook. Eventually, he would be entrusted with guarding the most precious servants, holdings and possessions of the Lokhen Church.
Where are they in relation to the Ball?: Everything was going well until that Blizzard came in. The other Knights and Paladins that were supposed to be helping him guard the Cardinal got separated by a grueling avalanche, and their own carriage had been driven off the road with the castle only just having been within view in the distance. Having anticipated this, they refitted the horses with saddles and are making the rest of the trek using them. Skalden is the only one left to defend and escort the Cardinal right now, but he's still eager to fulfill his mission. Despite that, he's not against finding out what happened to other Knights and Paladins that they got separated from in the Blizzard.
Hired Muscle, Entourage & Guards
Name: Sir Wymond of Hadria
Occupation/Title: Head of the Queen’s Guard
Family: Twin brother (Not identical) who is a priest, and both their parents are deceased (died of the plague)
Age: 25
Appearance (Use a face claim if you wish):
Wymond stands at a height of 6’3”, towering over most in a room. He keeps his hair cropped short as he is often wearing a helmet to protect his head and face from blows. He can almost always be seen dressed head to toe in armor. The man has almost permanent dark circles beneath his pale blue, nearly grey eyes – when he is not perfectly well rested, the stress he undergoes reveals itself on his face. A small scar points upwards from the left side of his upper lip.
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: Wymond has nearly a decade of military and combat experience, having joined the Royal Infantry at the mere age of fifteen after the death of both of his parents. His brother, a pacifist who could not bring himself to kill to save his own life, chose to join the church for food and shelter instead. Wymond was not content with trudging through the mud in exchange for basic necessities, and so he clawed his way up to the top, the last official position he had earned being the understudy of the former Head of the Guard. When his former mentor was killed in a horse-related accident three years prior, Wymond, though he was young, was selected to become his replacement. One of his first ever assignments as a member of the Guard was to protect the young Prince and Princess, and so, he has quite a good relationship with the two young royals. Their trust is certainly not misplaced – Wymond would never act selfishly and put those who he was guarding in danger, always putting his own safety last if it ever came to a rescue situation.
Temperament: Wymond is quiet and calm on a normal day, but when he is placed in the position to lead, he shines. Barking orders at his fellow guards and directing missions in an assertive manner are his greatest moments. He is very talented when it comes to creating a difficult strategy, and throws himself into challenging situations enthusiastically. He does not fear hardship and pain – from coming from such a destitute peasant background, to bleeding and sweating for the crown, there is little that scares the hardened young man. His troubled, difficult history sometimes torments him with flashbacks and nightmares, but he is perseverant nonetheless.
Where are they in relation to the Ball? (Do they live in the castle, have they already arrived, are they almost there or far away, etc.):
Wymond is overseeing security operations at the ball when he is called to assist with leading a patrol to rescue stranded nobles.
Occupation/Title: Head of the Queen’s Guard
Family: Twin brother (Not identical) who is a priest, and both their parents are deceased (died of the plague)
Age: 25
Appearance (Use a face claim if you wish):
Wymond stands at a height of 6’3”, towering over most in a room. He keeps his hair cropped short as he is often wearing a helmet to protect his head and face from blows. He can almost always be seen dressed head to toe in armor. The man has almost permanent dark circles beneath his pale blue, nearly grey eyes – when he is not perfectly well rested, the stress he undergoes reveals itself on his face. A small scar points upwards from the left side of his upper lip.
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: Wymond has nearly a decade of military and combat experience, having joined the Royal Infantry at the mere age of fifteen after the death of both of his parents. His brother, a pacifist who could not bring himself to kill to save his own life, chose to join the church for food and shelter instead. Wymond was not content with trudging through the mud in exchange for basic necessities, and so he clawed his way up to the top, the last official position he had earned being the understudy of the former Head of the Guard. When his former mentor was killed in a horse-related accident three years prior, Wymond, though he was young, was selected to become his replacement. One of his first ever assignments as a member of the Guard was to protect the young Prince and Princess, and so, he has quite a good relationship with the two young royals. Their trust is certainly not misplaced – Wymond would never act selfishly and put those who he was guarding in danger, always putting his own safety last if it ever came to a rescue situation.
Temperament: Wymond is quiet and calm on a normal day, but when he is placed in the position to lead, he shines. Barking orders at his fellow guards and directing missions in an assertive manner are his greatest moments. He is very talented when it comes to creating a difficult strategy, and throws himself into challenging situations enthusiastically. He does not fear hardship and pain – from coming from such a destitute peasant background, to bleeding and sweating for the crown, there is little that scares the hardened young man. His troubled, difficult history sometimes torments him with flashbacks and nightmares, but he is perseverant nonetheless.
Where are they in relation to the Ball? (Do they live in the castle, have they already arrived, are they almost there or far away, etc.):
Wymond is overseeing security operations at the ball when he is called to assist with leading a patrol to rescue stranded nobles.
Alexander Stingray
Royal Guard Captain, Valet of the Prince
Family
Mother and father - Deceased.
Younger sister - Estranged, last seen months ago.
Age
48
Appearance
With his hard mouth, hooked nose, and a face lined with the marks of a life dedicated to war, Alexander would be a difficult man to approach if it weren't for his golden eyes, always aglow with laughter and mischief. The Captain of Mazamri's Royal Guard is a tower of a man, standing comfortably at about six and a half feet. Alexander is a practical man: when his broad frame is not covered by his armor or the uniforms his station require, he favors plain, comfortable clothing, usually in brown and grey tones. In his ring finger shines a simple band of platinum, which he never takes out.
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world
After a long life traveling the world in several campaigns, Alexander has picked up a number of skills and talents. His love of philosophy is well known in the court of the Emir, and he delights in both teaching and learning it. He is also an accomplished linguist, though more out of necessity than actual taste for it. Both those skills have made him a good public speaker.
Alexander is, as expected from a man in his position, an excellent leader, military strategist, and a fearsome swordsman. He is a competent rider but has never really taken a shine to it and prefers to move on foot, when possible.
Temperament
A quiet, gentle man with a surprisingly sharp sense of humor. Happy with his lot in life, he is devoted to those he protects and would lay his life for them. However, sometimes melancholy overcomes him, and he finds himself bitter and cold. Has a soft spot for young children.
When on duty, he is firm and authoritative, but listens to his subordinates and treats them with respect. This has earned him a reputation for stern fairness.
Pros
- Loyal and brave, he is prepared to do whatever it takes to protect his charges.
- Cunning, he hides a surprising intellect under his rough appearance.
- Fair, he judges people for their actions, not their title or family.
Cons
- Stubborn, once he forms an opinion, it's almost impossible to make him change his mind.
- Melancholic, he tries to keep it in check, but he has suffered a lot through his life and it shows.
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?
Born to a family of merchants, Alexander Stingray spent his early years on the road, traveling with Dahlia and James, his parents, and Julianne, his younger sister. This birthed in him a love for adventure, and when he was sixteen, he left the caravan to join a mercenary company, against the wishes of his family.
The idealized idea he had of that trade banished as soon as he bloodied his sword for the first time. A bandit, sure, and he had a bounty on his head, but still a life extinguished by his hand. Still, he kept at it, because he was good, and the pay high.
Soon after his twenty-fourth birthday, a letter arrived from his sister. He was needed home. He took a leave from his company, and returned to his family, only to find that he no longer had a mother. Bandits on the roads, they said, a lost arrow to the neck. His father was but a husk, and Julianne looked at the world with hard, pained eyes. He resolved to stay, and he did, for a few months, but it didn't last.
James, overcome by grief, soon took the belladonna nectar and followed his late wife onto the other side. Both siblings tore at each other in rage and guilt. Alexander left the next morning, banished by his sister, and started throwing himself at whatever mission he could find, hoping to meet death. But he succeeded over and over again, growing in fame until he was hired by a prince of Mazamri, and through his ambitions and ideals, returned hope to Alexander, tempered by age and experience but with a will to live returned.
The Prince became Emir, and the sellsword his loyal captain, ready to fight for his friend and lord, and all of his kin.
Being a foreigner has definitely earned him opposition in court, but his lack of interest in politics and his courteous demeanor keep him relatively safe.
Where are they in relation to the Ball? (Do they live in the castle, have they already arrived, are they almost there or far away, etc.)
He arrived at a frozen harbor with his prince and is trying to help him reach the castle.
Royal Guard Captain, Valet of the Prince
Family
Mother and father - Deceased.
Younger sister - Estranged, last seen months ago.
Age
48
Appearance
With his hard mouth, hooked nose, and a face lined with the marks of a life dedicated to war, Alexander would be a difficult man to approach if it weren't for his golden eyes, always aglow with laughter and mischief. The Captain of Mazamri's Royal Guard is a tower of a man, standing comfortably at about six and a half feet. Alexander is a practical man: when his broad frame is not covered by his armor or the uniforms his station require, he favors plain, comfortable clothing, usually in brown and grey tones. In his ring finger shines a simple band of platinum, which he never takes out.
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world
After a long life traveling the world in several campaigns, Alexander has picked up a number of skills and talents. His love of philosophy is well known in the court of the Emir, and he delights in both teaching and learning it. He is also an accomplished linguist, though more out of necessity than actual taste for it. Both those skills have made him a good public speaker.
Alexander is, as expected from a man in his position, an excellent leader, military strategist, and a fearsome swordsman. He is a competent rider but has never really taken a shine to it and prefers to move on foot, when possible.
Temperament
A quiet, gentle man with a surprisingly sharp sense of humor. Happy with his lot in life, he is devoted to those he protects and would lay his life for them. However, sometimes melancholy overcomes him, and he finds himself bitter and cold. Has a soft spot for young children.
When on duty, he is firm and authoritative, but listens to his subordinates and treats them with respect. This has earned him a reputation for stern fairness.
Pros
- Loyal and brave, he is prepared to do whatever it takes to protect his charges.
- Cunning, he hides a surprising intellect under his rough appearance.
- Fair, he judges people for their actions, not their title or family.
Cons
- Stubborn, once he forms an opinion, it's almost impossible to make him change his mind.
- Melancholic, he tries to keep it in check, but he has suffered a lot through his life and it shows.
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?
Born to a family of merchants, Alexander Stingray spent his early years on the road, traveling with Dahlia and James, his parents, and Julianne, his younger sister. This birthed in him a love for adventure, and when he was sixteen, he left the caravan to join a mercenary company, against the wishes of his family.
The idealized idea he had of that trade banished as soon as he bloodied his sword for the first time. A bandit, sure, and he had a bounty on his head, but still a life extinguished by his hand. Still, he kept at it, because he was good, and the pay high.
Soon after his twenty-fourth birthday, a letter arrived from his sister. He was needed home. He took a leave from his company, and returned to his family, only to find that he no longer had a mother. Bandits on the roads, they said, a lost arrow to the neck. His father was but a husk, and Julianne looked at the world with hard, pained eyes. He resolved to stay, and he did, for a few months, but it didn't last.
James, overcome by grief, soon took the belladonna nectar and followed his late wife onto the other side. Both siblings tore at each other in rage and guilt. Alexander left the next morning, banished by his sister, and started throwing himself at whatever mission he could find, hoping to meet death. But he succeeded over and over again, growing in fame until he was hired by a prince of Mazamri, and through his ambitions and ideals, returned hope to Alexander, tempered by age and experience but with a will to live returned.
The Prince became Emir, and the sellsword his loyal captain, ready to fight for his friend and lord, and all of his kin.
Being a foreigner has definitely earned him opposition in court, but his lack of interest in politics and his courteous demeanor keep him relatively safe.
Where are they in relation to the Ball? (Do they live in the castle, have they already arrived, are they almost there or far away, etc.)
He arrived at a frozen harbor with his prince and is trying to help him reach the castle.
Name: Maris Halloran
Occupation/Title: Knight, Dame/Lady
Family: Currently living immediate family is her father Adrien, her elder brother Bradach, and her elder sister Alana Blanc.
Age: 24
Appearance: Tall with a lean muscled build, and has the stance and posture of a trained soldier. Her long, wavy auburn hair is usually kept tied back in a tail or bun, she also has light brown eyes, and her pale skin is scattered with small scars.
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: After years of vigorous training she’s quick on her feet in most terrain and possesses strength and stamina enough to travel and fight for long stretches in full plate. Prefers, and is best with a longsword, and she’s also a skilled rider and hunter. As a noble and knight she is well educated and has a grasp of a few languages more than her native tongue.
Temperament: Driven, resilient, reserved, compassionate, and curious.
Pros: Dependable, you can trust she’ll get most any task assigned her completed efficiently. Adaptable, she can roll with changes in plans and can handle most social situations. Fiercely protective and always willing to help others when she can.
Cons: Sometimes sets too high of expectations for herself and others which can make her come off as arrogant and demanding. Her decisiveness can make her reckless and jump into situations before thinking it through, a rare occurrence but she’s been lucky so far that this has worked in her favor. Her stubborn determination can also cause her problems as she feels she always has to prove herself which again plays into her recklessness.
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?: Born to the lesser noble family of Isenmont Fief who earned their lands and holdings through knight-service, it's unsurprising that she has a lot of family pride to bear and maintain. She chose to follow her father and brother’s footsteps and became a knight herself in the hopes of adventure and travel. Unfortunately during her time as a squire her elder brother forsook his oaths to the crown to pursue his own interests in the east, this made a sizeable dent in her family’s reputation and made things all the harder on her becoming a knight. Her brother’s actions hurt her deeply and she is still bitter towards him for it. This among other instances has made it harder for her to trust people quickly but she didn’t let it hold her down for long. She is loyal to the crown and is proud to serve her homeland as a knight. Has currently been a full knight for 4 years now and garnered a small amount of respect for her efforts within and without her family’s fiefdom.
Where are they in relation to the Ball?: Her father decided to forego the ball in favor of staying with her sister and her husband on his estate as she’s due to give birth any day now and he wishes to remain at her side. Maris however felt obligated to make an appearance and went in his stead, she arrived there weeks ahead of time to turn in some general reports and assist with castle security preparations. She’s at the castle, made it just as the storm front hit. Even with the harvesting well under way she’s worried about the damage this unnatural storm will have caused to the farming communities and the coming winter. She’s also concerned for the guests who’ve yet to arrive and will likely believe that enlisting a small party to aid any stranded partygoers is worth the risk.
Occupation/Title: "Esquire"
Family: estranged mother and father, plus a deceased uncle who was responsible for her military upbringing.
Age: 24
Appearance: [ignore the elvish ear - this is artwork a friend did of one of my D&D characters!]
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world:
- Skilled combatant, particularly with swordsmanship and use of a bow and arrow; notably weaker in unarmed melees and fist fighting, though more proficient than the average individual.
- Gifted in communications thanks to her love of literature, languages and her bookish background.
Temperament: Reserved to the point where it may come across as shy to strangers; after initial meet-and-greets, opinionated and bold.
Pros:
- Boundless loyalty, courage, honour. An intense love for nature and the beauty of 'simple' things - the feel of the breeze, the smell of grass, the sound of bubbling water.
- Fascination with 'underdog' stories: always cheering for the little man over the bigger one; sympathy for the poorer folk.
Cons:
- Determination can quickly become stubbornness; cynical, self-righteous and occasionally bitter towards men thanks to her outsider background.
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
Lowly common folk who tried as they might, Cassandra's parents struggled for years to bear a child and create a family of their own. When they were eventually blessed with the news of an unexpected pregnancy, the couple put all of their emotions and hopes into the little baby that was due to be born: a boy, they were certain, who was bred to be raised and trained by his uncle, a successful military general. His knighthood would secure his parents' suffering was not in vain, and he would bring them pride, wealth and comfort.
The disappointment of producing a girl after such a stressful pregnancy was too much for Cassandra's parents to bear, and so, wracked with grief, they abandoned her mere hours after she was brought into the world. Cassandra was left outside her uncle's door, swaddled in dirty linen without so much of a cry to warn him of her arrival; after hours left outside, she nearly froze to death in the chill morning air before he finally stumbled across her form and took her in.
He made good on his promise to her kin either way, and brought her up the same way he would any nephew or son. Cassandra loved the excitement at first, but as she grew older and mingled with other boys, she soon learned that she was that of a black sheep - girls read books, sewed and practiced linguistics. Girls didn't play with swords.
Her relationship with her occupation was hot and cold during her adolescence and into adulthood, but following her uncle's death a few years prior to the current events, new determination and a sense of acceptance engulfed her.
Where are they in relation to the Ball? (Do they live in the castle, have they already arrived, are they almost there or far away, etc.): She arrived at the castle mere minutes before the storm reached its peak. Though she is not a formal attendee, Cassandra came on horseback bearing a message of absence from the princess of Meridia.
Family: estranged mother and father, plus a deceased uncle who was responsible for her military upbringing.
Age: 24
Appearance: [ignore the elvish ear - this is artwork a friend did of one of my D&D characters!]
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world:
- Skilled combatant, particularly with swordsmanship and use of a bow and arrow; notably weaker in unarmed melees and fist fighting, though more proficient than the average individual.
- Gifted in communications thanks to her love of literature, languages and her bookish background.
Temperament: Reserved to the point where it may come across as shy to strangers; after initial meet-and-greets, opinionated and bold.
Pros:
- Boundless loyalty, courage, honour. An intense love for nature and the beauty of 'simple' things - the feel of the breeze, the smell of grass, the sound of bubbling water.
- Fascination with 'underdog' stories: always cheering for the little man over the bigger one; sympathy for the poorer folk.
Cons:
- Determination can quickly become stubbornness; cynical, self-righteous and occasionally bitter towards men thanks to her outsider background.
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
Lowly common folk who tried as they might, Cassandra's parents struggled for years to bear a child and create a family of their own. When they were eventually blessed with the news of an unexpected pregnancy, the couple put all of their emotions and hopes into the little baby that was due to be born: a boy, they were certain, who was bred to be raised and trained by his uncle, a successful military general. His knighthood would secure his parents' suffering was not in vain, and he would bring them pride, wealth and comfort.
The disappointment of producing a girl after such a stressful pregnancy was too much for Cassandra's parents to bear, and so, wracked with grief, they abandoned her mere hours after she was brought into the world. Cassandra was left outside her uncle's door, swaddled in dirty linen without so much of a cry to warn him of her arrival; after hours left outside, she nearly froze to death in the chill morning air before he finally stumbled across her form and took her in.
He made good on his promise to her kin either way, and brought her up the same way he would any nephew or son. Cassandra loved the excitement at first, but as she grew older and mingled with other boys, she soon learned that she was that of a black sheep - girls read books, sewed and practiced linguistics. Girls didn't play with swords.
Her relationship with her occupation was hot and cold during her adolescence and into adulthood, but following her uncle's death a few years prior to the current events, new determination and a sense of acceptance engulfed her.
Where are they in relation to the Ball? (Do they live in the castle, have they already arrived, are they almost there or far away, etc.): She arrived at the castle mere minutes before the storm reached its peak. Though she is not a formal attendee, Cassandra came on horseback bearing a message of absence from the princess of Meridia.
"And before you ask, no, I don't have a tail... at least, not in this form."
Vincent Hawthorne
(Color Hex Code 3A9F26)
Occupation
Mercenary / Bounty Hunter
Family
Mother & Father, fates unknown
Age
26
Appearance
He is notably stronger than his somewhat thin built would portray. He also has a small shield-shaped pin on the breast of his coat depicting his group's insignia.
Special Skills or Knowledge of the World
- Combat expertise with two-handed swords and stealth
- Lycanthropy, able to change into a black-furred feral wolf at will
- Extensive knowledge of the fauna of the land
- Quite agile in both forms
- Heightened senses
Temperament
Being one of the very, very few lycans in the castle town where he was raised has led Vincent to be a bit distrusting of new acquaintances, unless they can manage to warm his otherwise somewhat cold demeanor and earn his trust. He has a notable hatred towards werewolves (and yes, as he would tell you, there is very much a difference between lycans and werewolves). As a mercenary, he naturally seeks to fulfill his contracts however possible, though that's not to say he's some tin soldier with no morals of his own.
Pros
- Loyal to those he respects
- Sometimes wise beyond his years
- Willing to stand up for what he believes in
- Hard worker
- Has a soft spot for animals
Cons
- Though he has control over his shapeshifting, managing to anger Vincent may cause him to temporarily lose that control
- Hard to befriend at times
- Harbors a slight grudge against humans
- Sometimes a picky eater, and prefers meat
- No real friends aside from his fellow mercenaries
Backstory
Born to a middle-class family in the castle town, Vincent led a fairly normal life-- or at least, as normal as a lycan could get. His mother, the lycan of his parents, taught Vincent about his lycanthropy, how to use it, and how to control it, mostly in secret. His father, meanwhile, was a blacksmith, and would go on to forge the sword that Vincent would use in combat when he would get older. Growing up, Vincent didn't have too many friends on account of other children being terrified of his lycanthropy during the times it accidentally slipped out, and so Vincent would play indoors on his own. In this way, his father would set up makeshift dummies for Vincent to fight against and occupy himself while his father worked. Once Vincent was old enough, his parents saw his love of combat and enlisted him in a mercenary company as a means of earning money. As Vincent was the first inhuman member of the group, the others distrusted him, claiming he would probably rip their throats open while they slept, that he should be be given a pet bed instead of a human bed, and other such absurdities. It was after Vincent proved his strength and efficiency in carrying out contracts faster than even the burliest members of the group that their tune changed, but Vincent was not so quick to be forgiving. In the span of a few years, he had gone from the butt of far too many wolf jokes to one of the most reliable fighters that even the long-standing veterans looked up to (and kind of respectfully feared).
Starting Position
Once the Black Lions Mercenary Group received a request to provide protection at the Queen's Ball, Vincent was sent to take on the mission alone. Not only had he proven himself skilled enough to handle the task alone, but the Queen already had her Royal Guard keeping security details by themselves. Not only was it frankly an honor to even be able to attend the Ball, but it felt like a privilege in and of itself to be entering Adrienne's castle as a whole. As such, Vincent arrived a bit early to acquaint himself with the castle's layout, and to scout the area around to look for potential places for assassins to sneak in and gatecrash the Ball. Along the way, he had also met a few members of the Guard. With the blizzard acting as an impetus towards the other Ball guests, Vincent ponders to himself if something should be done out of concern.
Healers, Psychics, & Magicians
Name: Melusine Dobrovina
Occupation/Title: Clairvoyant - Royal Advisor
Family: Unknown
Age: 29
Appearance (Use a face claim if you wish):
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world:
- Clairvoyance; extrasensory perception
- Well-educated regarding foreign lands, customs, languages and cultures
Temperament: A well-balanced, quiet and calculating individual, Melusine is capable of winning the hearts of most people she meets with her effortless grace, decorum and silver tongue. Her charisma is the only tool she had relied upon to lift her through the ranks in life, though few people have questioned whether or not something more sinister lurks beneath her elegant demeanour without ever reaching a solid conclusion.
Pros: Gracious, wise beyond her years, amicable exterior
Cons: Impatience, can be controlling, hubris - arguably shallow at times
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
Born to a peasant family in a shoddy village in the far east, Melusine took part in many a pilgrimage with the church in her youth (it is assumed that this is when she obtained the distinctive scar over her eye, although the exact cause has never been shared), which is what eventually lead her towards Hadria where she ultimately settled. She captivated the attention of many a church elder with her spirituality during her travels from country to country, and formed various links with many social leaders; this was the start of her climbing the social ladder.
In her early twenties, Melusine became a recognised figure in society, known for her 'gift' in clairvoyance and wisdom concerning the mystic arts - she managed to weasel her way into the royal court of Hadria thanks to her meticulously constructed and prolific background before she reached twenty-five, and has been an acting advisor to the royal family for the past three years.
Somewhat of a divisive figure in the court, she is viewed by some as nothing but a prophet who serves the queen and oversees the country; however, others see her as a religious charlatan looking to make a quick buck. While money isn't the first thing on Melusine's mind, she is far more attracted to the concept of broadening her influence and powers in court, with hopes of one day being appointed as Grand Mistress to the throne.
Where are they in relation to the Ball?:
Melusine's constant place of residence is within the castle grounds, and as such she has been floating around since the initial preparations for the ball started coming underway.
Occupation/Title: Clairvoyant - Royal Advisor
Family: Unknown
Age: 29
Appearance (Use a face claim if you wish):
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world:
- Clairvoyance; extrasensory perception
- Well-educated regarding foreign lands, customs, languages and cultures
Temperament: A well-balanced, quiet and calculating individual, Melusine is capable of winning the hearts of most people she meets with her effortless grace, decorum and silver tongue. Her charisma is the only tool she had relied upon to lift her through the ranks in life, though few people have questioned whether or not something more sinister lurks beneath her elegant demeanour without ever reaching a solid conclusion.
Pros: Gracious, wise beyond her years, amicable exterior
Cons: Impatience, can be controlling, hubris - arguably shallow at times
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
Born to a peasant family in a shoddy village in the far east, Melusine took part in many a pilgrimage with the church in her youth (it is assumed that this is when she obtained the distinctive scar over her eye, although the exact cause has never been shared), which is what eventually lead her towards Hadria where she ultimately settled. She captivated the attention of many a church elder with her spirituality during her travels from country to country, and formed various links with many social leaders; this was the start of her climbing the social ladder.
In her early twenties, Melusine became a recognised figure in society, known for her 'gift' in clairvoyance and wisdom concerning the mystic arts - she managed to weasel her way into the royal court of Hadria thanks to her meticulously constructed and prolific background before she reached twenty-five, and has been an acting advisor to the royal family for the past three years.
Somewhat of a divisive figure in the court, she is viewed by some as nothing but a prophet who serves the queen and oversees the country; however, others see her as a religious charlatan looking to make a quick buck. While money isn't the first thing on Melusine's mind, she is far more attracted to the concept of broadening her influence and powers in court, with hopes of one day being appointed as Grand Mistress to the throne.
Where are they in relation to the Ball?:
Melusine's constant place of residence is within the castle grounds, and as such she has been floating around since the initial preparations for the ball started coming underway.
Name: Marcel Granveris
Occupation/Title: Healer
Family: Jean Granveris (adopted motherly figure)
Age: 22
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: Marcel is very knowledgeable in the field of medicine, having practiced it ever since he was a child. He is able to distinguish between different plants and their effects, both helpful and harmful. In addition to this, he has a good entrepreneurial sense, recognizing when a product appeals to a large audience and how to best market it. Even the most skeptical of potential customers may find their defenses melted away by his warm and inviting persona. Marcel is also quite skilled at spinning tales when necessary, putting on an impressive variety of masks that he uses for his own ends.
Temperament: Marcel has one dream and one dream only: amassing as large a fortune as possible. Having once been a child of the streets, he can still vividly remember the feeling of hustling day to day just to get a solid meal in one's stomach, and is determined to never have to repeat the experience again. In his eyes, most nobles and upper class people are just snobs and elitists who deserve to get fleeced out of their money, especially given that most of them were simply born into wealth rather than earning it. He will stop at nothing to get ahead in life, even if it means engaging in morally dubious business practices. Marcel can squirm his way in and out of the wildest situations with only a winning smile and some sleight of hand, ready to take on the world.
When it comes to people in hard financial situations, however, Marcel finds himself being much more tender and sympathetic. He is willing to provide care for them in exchange for whatever they are able to pay with in return, even if it means doing the job for free. If he can, he will take on young street kids as assistants, always remembering his humble background.
Thanks to his time growing up on the streets, Marcel also possesses some basic proficiency with fist fighting.
Pros: Bold, Tenacious, Charismatic
Cons: Self-serving, Duplicitous, Arrogant
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
Marcel was originally a homeless child in the town of Sacre-Bois, challenging passerby to rigged games and collecting the monetary rewards from the bets. One day, an old woman volunteered to play a game of ball-and-cup with him, surprising Marcel when she pointed at his sleeve to reveal where the ball had been hidden. Impressed by the boy's cleverness, the old woman took pity on him and adopted him as an apprentice. She turned out to be Jean Granveris, a healer who worked on the outskirts of town.
Marcel was taught how to prepare various balms and elixirs, brought out into the woods to gather useful herbs and learn how to avoid the dangerous ones, and instructed in dressing and binding wounds. Over time, Marcel's reputation among the townspeople changed from that of a cheating scoundrel to an asset to the community, allowing some of his cynicism to fade as he grew to appreciate his neighbors. However, the boy saw potential in being a healer beyond just helping out a few villagers in exchange for a basket of eggs or a loaf of bread. When Jean eventually died, leaving him to inherit the enterprise, he began packaging ointments and tonics and labeling his business as "Granveris General Health Practitioners", traveling outwards to different cities to sell them. He began hiring people in his own town to help produce these products on a larger scale and to spread word about them, creating jobs and helping his local economy.
The main target demographic for the "Granveris" line of health products were upper class citizens. Marcel posed as a professional doctor who graduated from a prestigious academy in Hadria, even going so far as to fabricate a diploma. He would also claim that his elixirs contained rare ingredients in order to justify driving up the prices on these "luxury" items. In reality, things like "Granveris's Best Beautifying Cream (supplemented with ground elephant tusk!)" might help improve one's complexion, but was really just a concoction of ordinary exfoliating herbs mixed with a liberal amount of the placebo effect.
Where are they in relation to the Ball? (Do they live in the castle, have they already arrived, are they almost there or far away, etc.): Marcel gained the trust of a minor lord of Sacre-Bois after providing him with his "first-rate treatment". Since the lord was bedridden. Marcel convinced him to hand the invitation over so he could represent the lord at the ball himself. He plans to use the event as a major networking opportunity, hoping to sucker in as many gullible nobles as possible. Currently, he finds his carriage stalled in a small village a few miles away from the castle. Perhaps he will try to find refuge in a nearby inn or tavern...
Commoners
Name: James Mercier/'The Honourable Jacques Marseilles'
Occupation/Title: Vagabond turned con-artist
Family: Mother, deceased, and an unknown father
Age: 26
Appearance (Use a face claim if you wish):
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: Having had a somewhat modest upbringing on the castle grounds by working as a servant-boy when he was a child, James is all-too familiar with the inside and outside of the castle as well as the inner mechanisms and goings-on concerning Hadria's elite despite leaving the scene some time ago, even possessing such knowledge of noble affairs that he isn't really supposed to have.
As a weathered con-man and due to his roguish nature, James is highly intelligent and sharp-witted when it comes to dealing with other people, particularly regarding deception. There are few secrets and scandals he does not know, and his outward disposition paints him as a person worthy of trust and friendship.
Temperament: Sarcastic, cunning and sly, with a hint of an arrogant streak; yet underneath his carefully constructed and manicured exterior, there are hints of a considerate, understanding and kind-hearted gentleman hidden at his core, covered by his cynicism and selfishness.
Pros: Charismatic, charming, intelligent
Cons: Conniving, manipulative, egotistical
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
James was employed in the castle from an extremely young age thanks to the passing of his mother (also a castle maid, as far as he knows), but he opted to leave behind the life of servitude once he reached his pre-teens. From then on, he learned to take care of himself amongst the ruthless on the streets of Hadria where the paupers lived their daily lives, fighting to stay alive with nothing but his wits and getting mixed up with what some people would describe as "the wrong" type of people - and he loved it.
His experiences shaped him into a street-wise, urban young man with worldly knowledge under his belt, and he turned his childish pranks and games into a skilful craft in his adulthood, becoming an established yet unidentified scam-artist who lives to con the more fortunate out of their riches.
Tired of the mundane routine of his every-day exploits, James has set his sights back on the castle as his environment of choice, with the royal court as his chosen prey. With the ball in place and even more nobility due to arrive, James is hoping to make this one his most daring and rewarding scams yet.
Where are they in relation to the Ball?:
Thankfully, as he wasn't travelling from a foreign land, James was close enough to the venue to make it within good time to the ball - or so he thought. With his costume and props prepared to perfection, his efforts all seem to have been in vain thanks to the unexpected blizzard. With his carriage trapped in a snowdrift, he now makes his way to the castle on foot - no hassle for him, but an unforgivable inconvenience to the character he will be masquerading as - the court will most certainly be hearing about it.
His current get-up looks something like this, if a little more embellished:
Occupation/Title: Vagabond turned con-artist
Family: Mother, deceased, and an unknown father
Age: 26
Appearance (Use a face claim if you wish):
Special Skills or Knowledge of the world: Having had a somewhat modest upbringing on the castle grounds by working as a servant-boy when he was a child, James is all-too familiar with the inside and outside of the castle as well as the inner mechanisms and goings-on concerning Hadria's elite despite leaving the scene some time ago, even possessing such knowledge of noble affairs that he isn't really supposed to have.
As a weathered con-man and due to his roguish nature, James is highly intelligent and sharp-witted when it comes to dealing with other people, particularly regarding deception. There are few secrets and scandals he does not know, and his outward disposition paints him as a person worthy of trust and friendship.
Temperament: Sarcastic, cunning and sly, with a hint of an arrogant streak; yet underneath his carefully constructed and manicured exterior, there are hints of a considerate, understanding and kind-hearted gentleman hidden at his core, covered by his cynicism and selfishness.
Pros: Charismatic, charming, intelligent
Cons: Conniving, manipulative, egotistical
Any details you wish to share about their life or their past?:
James was employed in the castle from an extremely young age thanks to the passing of his mother (also a castle maid, as far as he knows), but he opted to leave behind the life of servitude once he reached his pre-teens. From then on, he learned to take care of himself amongst the ruthless on the streets of Hadria where the paupers lived their daily lives, fighting to stay alive with nothing but his wits and getting mixed up with what some people would describe as "the wrong" type of people - and he loved it.
His experiences shaped him into a street-wise, urban young man with worldly knowledge under his belt, and he turned his childish pranks and games into a skilful craft in his adulthood, becoming an established yet unidentified scam-artist who lives to con the more fortunate out of their riches.
Tired of the mundane routine of his every-day exploits, James has set his sights back on the castle as his environment of choice, with the royal court as his chosen prey. With the ball in place and even more nobility due to arrive, James is hoping to make this one his most daring and rewarding scams yet.
Where are they in relation to the Ball?:
Thankfully, as he wasn't travelling from a foreign land, James was close enough to the venue to make it within good time to the ball - or so he thought. With his costume and props prepared to perfection, his efforts all seem to have been in vain thanks to the unexpected blizzard. With his carriage trapped in a snowdrift, he now makes his way to the castle on foot - no hassle for him, but an unforgivable inconvenience to the character he will be masquerading as - the court will most certainly be hearing about it.
His current get-up looks something like this, if a little more embellished:
[/SPOILER]
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