One x One 𝕿𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝕯𝖊𝖆𝖙𝖍 「c h a r a c t e r s」

[The Witch Son]

*Nuri FC: Aaron Bernards
Cromwell FC: Louis Garrel
Mercidea FC: Ellie Fanning
Nyme FC: Merve Bolugur
Veora FC: Selma Ergec
*Meera FC: Feyza Sevil Gungor
*Brutus FC: Austin Butler
Agora FC: Jaime Murray




Herma are more than religiously important proofs of Theren reincarnation spirituality, they are recruited by the temple order to be trained first as monks, and then pushed to become Shamanic figures. This training includes ritualistic medical support in the form of medicine that helps facilitate the traits of the gender they will go on to live as, though results tend to vary heavily depending upon when a person begins taking this medicine. Nuri began before puberty and so his body developed to look almost indistinguishable from a man’s, in height included. He has also been a strict vegetarian since he was a child, and as such his blood is considered more “pure” (important for rituals like drug induced ancestor consulting or acts of devotion like copying sucras in ink mixed with blood).

Growing up Nuri had religious responsibilities and expectations placed upon him. This and his duties as a Prince took up much of his time. He never thought of himself as a spare or in his sister’s shadow so much as someone with a different role to play in society. His influence was spiritual, hers was political, and though the two overlapped heavily they each could stand on equal ground and stood at the top in their respective arenas.
In particular, Agora enjoys much fame and public trust in having produced both an heir to the throne and a future religious leader. She's seen as someone who did her duty and then some.

Religious figures are not barred from marriage, and it was always expected that Nuri would marry Brutus. This was seen as a good match and Nuri was good at placating Brutus’s “habits”. (nothing changed there)

Nuri had fought and won two victories against Dorelith (alongside Brutus) before the war between Beleth and Theren. He mostly fought alongside his father but commanded and won two battles against Beleth on his own accord - and lost his third against Avery’s forces and was captured as a prisoner while retreating (again, alongside Brutus). He did not meet Avery during his imprisonment as Avery was busy. A month later the war was won by Beleth, and King Gaius was no more. Nuri and Brutus were released upon negotiations.

Soon after Brutus was kicked out of the capitol by Cromwell. As it was planned that Nuri would take Meera’s place in marriage to Avery. Nuri volunteered for this, claiming that he consulted the ancestors and was told that this was his path (a drug induced “consultation” that involved two paths, and he chose to be a future King in a foreign land instead of an unhappy puppet there in Theren. This is more of a selfish move than not.) and everyone agreed.

His dowry included the forty men that traveled with them to Redhill, the three noble ladies who would be married into Belethan court to help facilitate unity (mercy, veora, and nyme are the same), and a considerable lump sum of gold. No livestock was offered due to widespread famine caused by the war.

During travel to Beleth
Vee and Em learned that Shaman do not eat meat, self discipline over denying oneself worldly pleasures is part of the many tests the Monks go through to reach Shaman status. And Nuri hasn't eaten meat since he was a child. Thus he doesn't accept the game hunted for him, but thanks them for the effort.

Crowds do follow them out of Theren, but Nuri complies with Avery’s wish to keep him in the carriage. In Nuri’s mind he doesn't really serve them anymore and doesn't have a way to explain to them that he's leaving them because it's more personally advantageous to do so. Sure he's making a personal sacrifice but according to what he's chosen it'll work out for him in the end better than if he stayed in Theren.

He chooses to fight during the attack on the road, and against Avery’s wishes (because it takes more time) holds a last rite for all the deceased - enemies included. This is something Nuri did during any battle he fought, the deceased deserve that as fellow people in his mind. No matter their “side” or affiliation. Last rite is not really religion specific but rather a blessing towards your next journey, wherever or whatever that may be.
Something along the lines of, “None but my husband to be, the King, commands me Captain Vee. If you were ordered to safely deliver me to him them you will have to wait until I am done.”

Reya the faithful steed is alive! He wasn't riding her when the carriage was attacked, he was in the carriage.

Cromwell still gets a family killed and a boy orphaned, though the boy is managed by Avery and not taken in by Nuri beyond initial comforting, which Nuri manages to do because he's very good at interacting with common people, especially ones that are grieving. So Veora does not adopt him as a ward. And this is probably the first time we see Nuri really show much in the way of his social skills, as he's been pretty quiet even in the face of Emerson's attempts to engage. He probably seemed withdrawn, shy, and in his own head - and not necessarily like someone who's ever commanded men in battle before.

Finding out Captain Vee is King Avery
Nothing besides a fake apology for his willfulness during the journey, maybe a lil passive aggressive in delivery though. This wasn't really a conflict and Nuri moved past it quickly.

Their wedding confinement was nice and quiet when it wasn't talking business. Nuri was very unconcerned with the matter of consummation. Sometimes Nuri asked about Beleth, once he asked about a tactic Avery used against him during the war. But Avery seemed uncomfortable about it and Nuri didn't bring it up again. (it's really quite impressive how two people can not talk one bit about consummation during an entire honeymoon.)

Nuri insists that Avery need not sleep on the floor, as the bed is perfectly big enough for them both. Nuri teases him over his fastidiousness until he complies.

He gets along well with Grace, likening her to the younger sibling he never had. She tells him whatever is on her mind and he gets advice on how to deal with the nobles from her. I imagine they can be similarly sly people, though Nuri doesn't have the benefit of being nearly as well-liked as Graceling.

He respects Lady Roysa as an elder familial figure, but if Roysa ever brings up the topic of consummation or pregnancy Nuri’s tactic is to claim that it isn't an auspicious date for that. With a lack of explanation on what that means, he lets her assume it's something to do with his religious beliefs.

The Hunting Festival
The masks were Nuri’s idea, and they do add more fun. The festival, according to the court, is a success.

The festival, according to Nuri and Avery, is a very big misunderstanding wherein Mercy informs Nuri that Emerson and Avery are lovers. She goes on to describe what was actually Emerson massaging ointment into old scars, but neither of them at this point know that.

Nuri does not confront Emerson, but he does write to his mother. His sentiments are the same, unsure if he is pleasing to the King, unsure of where to even begin in hoping to please him physically, and lost in isolation amongst the nobility in Beleth.

He mopes, wondering if his visions mislead him or if he read them wrong, and then decides to fast for a week in preparation to attempt to consult the ancestors again. But in the middle of his fasting he ends up asking Avery in a moment of weakness if he is especially attached to Emerson. Which is when Avery tells him about the identical scars on their hands and their meaning. Which prompts him to ask why Emerson is not given a formal place as a concubine, why the secrecy?

The “evidence” Nuri has gets brought forth much quicker, he's much less fiery about how he argues but no less angry, the massage explanation is not taken at face value and so the sequence of events from there go very similarly. Nuri is still confused about how sex is supposed to go, and still goes through the revelation that Brutus was a bigger brute than ever thought. Though I'd like to add that the reason he definitely skirted the subject so much before was because he wasn't looking forward to more of the Brutus treatment and rather enjoyed not having to do that for a while.

Nuri comes to the definitive conclusion that Avery is a much better man than he or anyone from Theren gave him credit for. He begins falling for him at this point. Quietly.

Tax Reform
I don't think this Nuri has the skill in handling nobility that the previous Nuri had. Nix the parts that deal with Nuri talking about the nobility and focus on commerce. His goal is less to reign the nobles in and more to encourage and prop up trade. He's confident the math checks out, though is probably met with the same skepticism of negotiation numbers he acquiesces easily as the specifics of that don't matter so long as they can get varying participation that encourages competitive living standards of the commons. Which would fuel consumerism.

Posts 60-65 thusly probably only loosely happened and were less dramatic and more hum drum than the argument arc it was in actuality.

Post #67, the flashback, stands as a great summation of things and is one of my fav posts. Just thought you should know.

Agora’s Letter
Nuri doesn't show Avery the letter, in fact he burns it after reading it, before glibly reporting that his sister is probably pregnant and that they are invited to Meera’s rushed wedding.

Nuri has to explain the way future prospective Kings not born to the role have to take time to prove themselves worthy and that Basilius did not. And what that all implies.

I truly can not tell if it's part of the treaty or not that Meera isn't supposed to be producing any children??? But I'm gonna go with implied.

Posts #69-73 are much the same in content, Nyme still pulls her stunt.

Delphi Arc
Here's where changes get interesting because I don't think they are at the stage where they're familiar with kissing. In fact I think Avery has every reason to think Nuri dislikes him still, like before, but perhaps tenfold because this iteration of Nuri can be so much more difficult to read? And isn't as confident in his role as other Nuri was.

I do think they still bathe/swim together in the room though, and this Nuri sees that as real progress. Perhaps they get more vulnerable or open here.





Personality
Very good at following the rules while not following the rules. Very good at getting what he wants using convention rather than fighting against it. Doesn't feel very strongly about convention one way another beyond that, at least not on moral grounds. Is very open and cooperative to Belethan conventions and is trying to find ways to adopt and use them. With varying degrees of success. He likes to pretend to be pliable.

Still views himself as a Shaman, though a useless one at that, as Beleth has no need for his brand of spiritual guidance.

Talented at commerce/economic and mathematical problem solving. Logically minded and quick on the uptake. More obedient than you might think but if he decides he's doing what he wants to do instead he's the type to ask forgiveness later rather than permission.

Calm rather than impulsive, and takes the rule “better to shut your mouth when unsure than to open it and look a fool.” very seriously.

Good with children. Good with people in general when he considers them worth his time/under his perview. Which nobles have not been up until now. So he's still navigating how to deal with them with anything other than aloofness, bitchiness, or outright awkwardness. He's used to fighting with them for the temple’s interest, not working with them as their Prince. This deficit in skill has left him feeling very isolated in Redhill. And hasn't gotten better since their journey to Theren, where he's reminded the nobility there were not his audience either. They were Meera’s.

Better than average at combat but no great talent or mastery - is especially talented at battle strategy, though relatively inexperienced at it with only one war under his belt and a handful of skirmishes with Dorelith from before. His creativity shines in matters of economics and battle strategy, which he insists are very similar.

Can be an aloof bitch, especially to other nobles. Truth be told, in his specific upbringing, he's had more interaction with commoners than nobility despite being a royal. His exposure to the downright gluttony of “pleasures” nobility displayed as he grew up conflicted with his training as a monk and he has a prejudice now concerning nobility. He considers Emerson nobility and treated him with aloofness until the visit to Theren, where he actually needed him for something, and in turn protected him against his mother.

Can be passive aggressive as FUCK when angry. In like a really sassy and ridiculous way.

Loves a good gossip session. Is a lot more funny when relaxed and amongst those he knows.

Though is decidedly not a fashionista unfortunately, and lets other people handle that.

Monks do manual labor! And he was no different. He's scrubbed floors, fished, towed the field, bathed the sick, and mended clothes before. He has some small talent in medicines and midwifery himself, though nothing like a professional's repertoire.

An avid reader, art enjoyer and artist himself, and likes music but isn't very interested in dancing - though he learned to as all nobles do.

Good at embroidery, and has been embroidering Avery's clothes here and there.

Very good at math, and likens most things to mathematics, even art.

 

[jones573]

Basics

Name: Averett of the Roan Lineage, King Averett. Also referred to as ‘Vee’ or ‘Captain Vee’ by the men who serve him, or as ‘Avery’ or ‘Ave’ by friends and family.

Age: 26 years old

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Bisexual. (Same-sex relationships in Beleth are not taboo, but are not formally recognized among the upper class due to the importance of providing heirs for the family line. It is generally seen as something young people do, and will eventually lose interest in.)

Social Status: Royalty- Prince, various military positions and now King.

Country of Origin: Beleth.


Appearance

Eye Color: Brown

Hair: Dark Brown, Wavy. Usually kept about shoulder-length, with different hairstyles depending on the occasion

Height: 6' 0"

Face Cast: eehhhhh Avan Jogia’s got some nice blood-splattered face screenshots from Tut BUT I prefer the costuming of Luke Pasqualino in Three Musketeers sooo we’ll see which way I decide to go

Averett’s build is somewhat slimmer than the average soldier might be, though this isn’t to say he isn’t muscular- He’s just not comically bulky. He can grow facial hair, but does not always have it. He prefers to be clean-shaven, but such things aren’t exactly a priority when he’s been actively fighting a war. He’s also aware that he appears much younger without any facial hair, which both he and his aunt agree is probably not the best look for him as an inexperienced king.

Personality

Averett’s true personality is a bit of a mystery, even to himself- Especially since he has become king. As a boy, he was light hearted and always looking for something to do, occasionally finding trouble despite his best efforts to be well behaved. He was perhaps a bit spoiled, but he knew he had wealth and privilege not enjoyed by others, and was generally quite kind. His early years of military service suited him well- Always something to do, and plenty of new faces to make friends with.

These days, Averett has a much harder time relating to people, no matter their status. He is unsure what people expect from him, and even more unsure of how to give it to him, and he can come across as somewhat cold. He is best among his troops, where he is comfortable giving orders and among old friends who feel at ease giving him grief, and though he can give a rousing speech or stand at the head of a table during a meeting with his nobility, his illusion of confidence is really no more than that. In small groups or one-on-one, his small talk is atrocious and he relies heavily on his Aunt Roysa and his friend Emerson to take care of any gladhanding that needs to be done, and to carry the conversation for him unless his opinion is truly needed.

He enjoys being out at sea or deep in the woods, as the continuous tasks of labor and survival in these situations helps him quiet his mind enough to relax. It is much easier to concentrate on raising a sail or getting a fire started, than contemplating how the tiniest of his actions might affect the future of his country and all the people that live in it and depend on him.

Though Averett is quite clever in many aspects, he does not consider himself to be well-learned or as educated as a king should be, and is always embarrassed if he has to privately ask one of his advisors to clarify some unknown phrase he heard earlier in the day. Growing up, he imagined that he would support his brother Elion in anything that required action and his brother Novius would support him in anything that required thinking- A king must rule with his heart, his head, and his hands, and Averett worries his strength is only in the last one.


Likes: His family – sailing – being outdoors – hot meals, even when somewhat tasteless – getting up early – sparring with friends or troops – wood carving, usually small trinkets for his sister or friends


Dislikes: Having authority and responsibility over others – having that authority/responsibility openly challenged – dishonesty from those he trusts – being fussed over or pitied – hunting for sport – dancing and music, especially if it is a tune he finds irritating


Vices: Impatient – seen as rash or impulsive, which is not entirely inaccurate – stubborn – prideful – insecure, though he does his best not to be seen as such


Virtues: quick and creative thinker – respected, willing to work to earn the trust and loyalty of others – hard working (sometimes to the point of stubbornness) – respectful and polite to others (his time in the military made him much more self sufficient than other nobles, so while he may not have to shine his own boots anymore, he at least tries not to get them dirty carelessly) – reliable, as once he commits to something, he sees it through




Biography

Spoiler: The Biography Stuff

When he was born to King Garrot’s second wife, Averett was fourth in line for the throne of Beleth, but the third eldest child, as the first wife and Queen of Beleth was also with child. Though it has become increasingly rare in modern times, the male royalty of Beleth have been known to take multiple wives at once, though only one wife filled the political role of Queen (usually the first), and the order of succession corresponded to order of marriages- The sons of the first wife and then her daughters, the sons of the second wife and then her daughters, and so on.

That King Garrot had two wives at once was seen as somewhat salacious despite the ancient practice, but the second marriage had been part of a series of political negotiations to settle unrest in the northern reaches of Beleth, so it was not quite the scandal in might have been.

Averett’s younger brother Novius was born only a few months after him, and they spent most of their childhood together as an inseparable pair. The Crown Prince Elion was three years older than them, and had an even more rigorous routine of lessons that they were both glad they did not have to sit through. The eldest child, Princess Roisa, was five years older than Averett and Novius and like most older sisters, had no interest in spending any more time with her kid brothers than was absolutely necessary.

Both the Queen and Averett’s mother had multiple pregnancies during Averett’s childhood, all of which ended in miscarriage or stillbirth. Averett knew this to be ‘sad’, but as a child, the concept of death was still something he did not quite understand, especially for someone he had not yet met. The Queen’s health began to deteriorate and though she lived for many more years, she ceeded the position and its responsibilities to Averett’s mother.

As the boys grew older, it became clear they had different strengths and by the time they were ten, their futures began to take distinct shapes. Novius enjoyed his studies and had an excellent head for number, though he preferred to read histories and poets rather than balance numbers. He would stay in the capital and perhaps one day serve as the Minister of Finance or some other advisory role to his older brother Elion, and be married strategically to a second daughter of a key ally- Someone important enough for the second in line to the throne, but not so important that Novius would need to change his life to fit hers, instead of the other way around.

Averett was a decent enough student, dutifully learning the languages of the surrounding regions, and forcing himself to pay attention while his brother animatedly discussed possible ways of increasing crop yield in the south by utilizing irrigation channels or some other tangent Novius always managed to get excited about- But, it was clear he did not have the head or the heart for these things the way his younger brother did. He tried not to be jealous as Novius and Elion grew closer, but he had enough to stay busy with himself.

Averett would join the Beleth military instead- He excelled in the physical arts where his brother did not, and was clearly comfortable in the outdoors and with making quick decisions. He would apprentice under one of the great generals until he was old enough to officially be enlisted at fourteen, and he would serve in a wide range of lower-ranking roles across both the navy, the army and the other divisions until he was given a command of his own in whatever area was determined to suit him best.

Though Averett could have be given any rank in the military based off his status of prince alone, that is not the way things are done in Beleth- If Averett were to be the royal family’s primary representation in the military, he needed to actually understand how the forces functioned, and to earn the respect of the troops as a peer first. As a noble- and a prince- he certainly had more flexibility and leeway in working his way up the chain of command than most, but Averett’s own pride would not allow him to take anything he had felt he had not earned even if it had been encouraged.

One day, it was presumed, he would be his oldest brother’s most trusted general, or eventual Minister of War. Averett would likely be married to a noble girl from within Beleth to reassure any of the houses who were concerned that the royal family was abandoning their own when it came to marriage alliances- Princess Roisa had been engaged at age 17 to a second prince from one of the continental countries and would become ineligible for the Beleth throne once she was married, and King Garrot was reluctant to make firm matches for either Elion or Novius.


----


Averett was only 12 when he was engaged to the 11 year old Lady Gilda, the second daughter of the Baron of Merid Isle, a large island near the opening of the gulf. The historically island serves as an outpost for ships from both Theren and Beleth to patrol the gulf’s opening in an attempt to turn away any pirates wishing to prey on trade vessels within the area, and while loyal to Beleth for the last several generations, was occasionally fought over by the two countries (and other parties) in centuries past. The engagement of Averett and Gilda was largely orchestrated by Averett’s mother, and would be her last significant act as Queen.

More than a decade after Averett’s birth, his mother became pregnant again. Her age and history of failed pregnancies did not bode well for either mother or child, and when she died shortly after giving birth to a sickly baby girl, it was expected the daughter would follow. With around the clock care, however, the infant Grace improved and eventually flourished, and was doted upon by nearly everyone.

Averett was hurt by the loss of his mother, but considered his baby sister and his engagement to Gilda to be her final gift to him, and made a personal vow to protect them both. Though he was journeying across Beleth on the whims of whichever general he was currently serving and had become busier than he had ever expected he could be, Averett sent weekly letters to Gilda and included questions about his sister in his missives to his father and aunt.

At sixteen, Averett was officially enlisted in the Beleth military and became a foot-soldier, though after his daily duties were finished, he was still expected to tail after his commanding officer to be quizzed on strategy or to attend additional meeting and trainings a regular soldier would not have needed to worry about. He was always grateful when travels brought him back home to court where he could be reunited with his siblings for the week, and especially enthusiastic about any assignment which would take him within a few hours of Merid Isle, as Gilda might be able to take dinner with him if their schedules allowed.

They got on quite well- Averett thought she was beautiful and clever and kind, and his brothers both teased him when they heard he had begun putting regular effort into his appearance and even more when he once asked them to read a very heartfelt but terrible poem he had attempted to compose. (Gilda never saw the poem, which was likely for the best, and Averett came up with different ways to impress her.)


-----


When he was eighteen, Averett was granted permission by the captain he’d been serving with to take a small boat out across the channel between the Beleth coast and Merid Isle to visit the Baron and his family for half the week- Neither he nor the man he’d taken with him returned.

They’d never even made it there, apparently. They’d been spotted taking the boat around the far side of the island into more dangerous waters, and a storm had hit.

A missing prince and his men were the least of the Beleth nobility’s concerns, though. A summer sickness had made its way to the castle where summer court was often held, and claimed the lives of both Novius and King Garrot’s most recent wife and unborn child. The quarantine measures meant that the ransom note for Prince Averett was severely delayed in reaching his father, and by the time King Garrot could consider if he should pay for his son’s life or mount a force to track down the pirates who had supposedly taken him, the deadline had already passed. Averett would have been executed, his body lost to sea.

With only Elion (21) and Grace (6) as his remaining eligible heirs, Garrot could no longer delay on finding a suitable partner for his successor to marry. A daughter from one of the more powerful Beleth houses was quickly chosen- Not the prettiest of girls, but well liked by the common folk and known for having helped her household secure several trade deals. They were married within the year, and the mood within Beleth was somber. One prince married, yes, but two more lost. The king showed markedly less interest in the going-on’s of his country, but also showed no sign he might step back and allow Elion to become more involved.

Of course, Averett had not been executed by the pirates that had kidnapped him and his men. He and his friend Emerson had been kept alive out of hope that there would be word on a potential ransom, and then been taken captive with the rest of the crew when the ship was attacked by a larger pirate vessel. It took nearly two years, but Averett and his friend managed to eventually lead a mutiny and secure the loyalty of enough men to crew a ship to them back across the ocean and towards Beleth again.

Two unknown ships sporting makeshift Beleth flags were received hesitantly at Merid Isle, but Averett’s demands to meet with the Baron and his younger daughter were finally arranged, and both nobles verified his identity once they got over their shock. The news reached the capital faster than Averett could, and the celebration was in full swing by the time he arrived.


----


It was odd- To have come home, and find it to be not like home at all. He had changed quite a bit while he had been gone, in ways he did not quite wish to examine, but the court had changed even more. His best friend and closest brother Novius had died, his father had become a strange, bitter shadow of the king he’d been, Grace did not recognize him at first, and Elion was struggling to lead a country from behind the throne of a man who seemed to have little interest in power but no intent to give it up.

At least, he still had Gilda- He had still written to her whenever he’d been able to acquire paper, and had come to the conclusion that he genuinely loved her. He’d even admitted it to her in the letters he hadn’t been able to send, though without the beautiful, poetic phrasing he thought she deserved. He’d given her the whole stack all at once and then run off, flustered and a little scared, though she later assured him he’d had no need to be. What an idiot he was, she smiled at him, to worry she might not feel the same way, or to think his ‘death’ and subsequent return would change their plans. They had been engaged since before they were teenagers, and if she hadn’t broken it off when he’d accidentally shot at her cat when trying to impress her with his marksmanship, she wasn’t going to do so now.

Averett threw himself back into military life as soon as he was able, and found that instead of being mocked for having been captured in the first place, most of the soldiers and sailors he worked with respected him for having survived among the pirates, and were willing to hear his ideas on how the Beleth military could improve based on what he’d seen out on the open sea. He was jokingly called ‘the Pirate Prince’ by those who were more comfortable with him, a ribbing he put up with. There were some detractors to his interest in developing new strategies, of course, but Elion supported his younger brother and the two began a closer relationship than they’d previously had.

Elion had ideas about the sort of country Beleth could be, and though the Crown Prince wasn’t overly keen on violence, he knew a strong military could be vital in supporting a strong nation. They met whenever Averett was in the capital, though family dinners had become… Uncomfortable.

King Garrot delegated his responsibilities out to his ministers and advisors with little oversight, and no longer seemed concerned about maintaining positive relationships with foreign nations, even important trading partners. He was becoming increasingly hostile in both his political and personal lives, and not even his sister or his son could always mitigate the effects. The relationship with Theren, already strained due to the countries’ long history of antagonism, became particularly sour.


-----


Neither Elion nor Averett were at the father’s side when the war broke out- If they had been, perhaps they could have prevented it. King Garrot was not the healthy soldier he had been in his youth, though it was true that the war effort seemed to give him back the spark of enthusiasm he had lacking the last few years. The glint in his eye had a malicious hint to it now, and the country suffered.

Averett was engaged in combat up north, when Merid Isle was attacked by pirates hoping to take advantage of the war between the two countries to fill their own coffers. King Garrot refused to reassign Averett, and sent troops not to retake the island but just to make sure the pirates did not attempt to raid the coast as well.

Averett had just turned 23 and was conducting raids along Theren’s coast when he got word from his brother- Their father’s heart had given out, and Elion was to be crowned King of Beleth. Averett was to take command of the troops near Merid Isle and retake the island, and return to the capital at once after the pirates had been driven off.

Averett had killed before, and had been satisfied to do so in that it was a job well done, but killing the men who had taken Gilda and her younger sisters captive was the first time he felt true pleasure in ending a life. It wasn’t a lasting pleasure, though. Gilda had refused to reveal the entrances to the caverns within the island where her older sister and the islanders had hidden themselves and their valuables in, and had fought against them whenever she’d had the slightest chance, even after they had killed her father.

When the healer came to examine her injuries- mostly, the multitude of breaks in her legs- he concluded that if they could manage to stave off any infections in the bone, she might live. But she would probably never walk again.

When Averett admitted his father was dead and Elion was King of Beleth now, Gilda observed that made Averett his brother’s heir. She politely told him their engagement was off, and asked him to leave. He had to get back to their King, after all.

Elion was a very different king than Garrot had been, which was obvious even within the first couple of months of his rule. The war effort continued, but not with the callous haphazard orchestration Garrot had been conducting. King Elion focused mostly on defense efforts, to protect crop supplies, trade routes and the more exposed towns and cities. Averett traveled, reporting on the actions and needs of the commanding officers to his brother, and always willing to swing his sword when needed.

There was even good news, and Averett smiled broadly when he learned his sister-in-law had given birth to a healthy boy. He returned to the capitol to celebrate the occasion, feeling somewhat hopeful for the first time in months. He knew Elion wanted to end the war if at all possible, and now he had his own heir…

Gilda had only replied to one of his letters, to say she was not a suitable wife and that she would no longer be corresponding with him, and would not read any letters he tried to send her. But. If Elion had children of his own to inherit the throne, then Averett’s marriage was no longer such an important political opportunity. And once the war ended, Averett would no longer be needed in every far corner of the country, and they could all talk about this like reasonable adults-

But when he met his new nephew and was able to speak with his brother in person, he realized they had a very different vision for the future. Elion did not want to end the war with Theren- He wanted to end any potential war to come, to prevent ancient grudges from becoming future hostilities. His plan was still in the very earliest of stages, and he’d spoken of it with a few of his closest advisors, but would Averett be willing?

Princess Meera was said to be quite beautiful, and certainly had the political charm and niceties that Averett himself sometimes struggled with. They could be a good match, Elion reassured his brother. She was only a bit younger than him, and she had been working towards making education more accessible for her whole country, which Elion thought was wonderful, something he’d like to do here in Beleth. And they’d be brother kings and brother countries, and the gulf’s future would be in a united people. Their sons and daughters could grow up in an era of peace and prosperity, Elion said, cradling his new son to his chest. Would Averett consider it, please?

How could he have refused?

But such things were not to be.

King Elion of Beleth, his wife, and their infant child were found murdered in their bedchamber.

---

Averett was crowned King of Beleth in a somber ceremony, while the country mourned- And rioted. Even those who had been vocal opponents of the war wanted there to be a swift and violent retribution. Assassinated while they slept! Theren had to pay.

Averett’s first few days as king blurred together, endless meetings with ministers and advisors, watching the interrogation of the killers that had been caught and watching over his sister Grace as she slept to be sure her breathe did not cease, people pulling him aside with important updates and urgent messages, his aunt steadfastly at his side taking notes and occasionally holding him up by his elbow to make it through the next hour-

What had been referred to as ‘the war’ previously was really just a series of skirmishes, compared to the battles that followed in the next year and a half. Trapped in his throne room with advisors dogging his steps, Averett could only watch angrily as Theren’s troops beat his forces, on both the attack and the defense. The people were angry as well- Where was their vengeance? Their justice?

Ignoring the council of most of his advisors, Averett decided to join the fighting himself, rather than stay holed up in his castle. At the very least he should be on the ground with his forces, he insisted, to strategize. He wouldn’t necessarily don his full armor and go out there with his sword himself, he lied easily.

Averett also called in some favors. He was not really a ‘Pirate Prince’, but he was a prince –or King, now- who happened to know quite a few pirates. Pirates who were all to happy to help him out with his suggestion, regardless if they felt any genuine affection for him. An open invitation into the gulf, to patrol the coast of Theren and take any ship that attempted to supply them with goods? Several of his old ‘friends’ were quite eager to assist.

Even the most anxious of Averrett’s ministers had to admit- The war was going much more smoothly, with Averett wearing his helmet instead of his crown. He was an excellent strategist, and not afraid to change tactics on the fly when needed. His troops loved him, and Beleth went from ‘maybe losing’ the war to ‘probably winning’ within the year.

And then Averett had faced King Gaius directly, and they had both drawn their swords- It had been one king against another, but in the moment, Averett had felt like a boy again.

He’d been the one to walk away alive though, and Averett supposed he really ought to get used to thinking of himself as King of Beleth.



More Recently:

After that battle, Averett declared a cessation of hostilities. He told the Theren forces they could retreat with their injured and dead and not fear of being attacked from behind, but that he would be sending messengers to began peace negotiations.

This was not an overly popular move with the people of Beleth, noble or common. Though most of his advisors knew that Averett wished to end the war, the public perception was that Averett was going to raze Theren to the ground. He could have continued his advance and taken the capitol by force- That what one does, when one is winning the war. But there was really no need, as far as Averett was concerned. He had won, and everyone knew it. There was nothing to be gained by continuing the carnage- There was nothing he might demand from the nobility of Theren after another thousand deaths that he could not get them to agree to now.

It was more difficult to get his own nobility to agree on the specifics of the treaty arrangements, he found out over several headaches. Especially when he informed them that he intended to marry Princess Meera. Even his advisors who had been supportive of more lenient measures bulked at that.

In the end, no one was happy. Theren would be taxed heavily on the goods they traded, but not on crops and livestock. Theren nobility could keep their titles and land- Pending review of their loyalty. Beleth troops would stay on Theren lands for a time to enforce the peace, but their upkeep would be paid for from the Beleth treasury.

In the longs months of negotiations, Averett has discovered that being a king in peacetime may be more difficult than being a king during the war. During the war, he was a hero. He still is, of course- Except now he is a hero that people have no problem bringing their complaints to. The landowners and the nobility and the common folk and the merchants and all the advisors and ministers and diplomats- He is almost excited to be married, since he knows no one will bother him with anything more demanding than clothing choices during the festivities.

Or at least, he prays to the gods they won’t.

Family & Friends

King Garrot- Averett’s father and father to his siblings. Deceased, heart attack. Succeeded by King Elion.

Lady Roysa- King Garrot’s younger sister, aunt to Averett and his siblings. Married to a second son of an important Beleth noble house, since has been widowed. Is technically not a princess anymore because the crown is no longer within her generation, but would become Queen if both Averett and his sister were to die before having any of their own heirs. Old? Oldish? Maybe in her fifties or sixties?

Queen Unnamed the First- First wife of Garrot, mother of Roisa, Elion and Novius. Succeeded by Queen Unnamed the Second, before her death due to declining health over the long term.

Queen Unnamed the Second- Second wife of Garrot, mother of Averett and Grace. Deceased, died in childbirth having Grace.

Queen the Third- Married to King Garrot after the other wives had passed away. Deceased, disease.

Princess Roisa- The eldest of Garrot’s children, currently 31 years old and living in an unnamed continental country as a wife to a second prince. Ceeded her eligibility to the Beleth throne when married because her husband outranked her. Probably has children of her own at this point? She and Averett aren’t super close. Named for her aunt.

King Elion- Eldest son of Garrot and previous crown prince. Ruled for less than a year. Deceased, killed. Preceeded by King Garrot, succeeded by King Averett.

Prince Novius- Fourth child of King Garrot, but initially second in line for the throne after Elion. Deceased, disease.

Princess Grace- Averett’s younger sister. 15 years old. Fairly sheltered.

Emerson- Bastard son of a Beleth Duke and friend of Averett. 24 years old, bright red hair and very outgoing personality. Since surviving the capture by pirates ordeal, probably Averett’s closest friend despite their very different personalities.

Lady Gilda- Engaged to Averett when they were both young, shortly before Grace was born. Though they had genuine feelings for each other, Gilda broke the arrangement after the attack on Merid Isle because she felt that she had changed too much, as had the needs for Averett’s potential bride, and that they were no longer compatible. After their father’s death, Gilda keeps mostly to Merid and supports her sister, the new Baroness of the region.


More To Follow

Expanded thoughts on the culture, geography, society of Beleth- It's fairly multi-cultural due the trade along the coast and the two large rivers that lead further into the continent, and while people not-native to Beleth are able to advance through money, marriages, and what have you, it is generally expected that they will conform to the more rigid norms of the upper class and nobility.

• Women can inherit from their fathers, though only after any sons of their mother. Women can and do work outside the home, though within the upper class, managing the home itself is seen as respected 'work'. There is a common adage that essentially says, 'A man can earn money, but a woman should spend it', that refers to the fact that wives/mothers are more familiar with the costs necessary to run a household and how to budget. Women who chose to work as merchants or traders are seen as highly respected. Women can and do serve in military positions, but it is not very common.
• A married couple's position in society is generally determined by whichever of the couple has a higher rank- If a Baroness married a second son of some lord, he would be promoted to Baron instead of her being demoted, if that makes sense. Usually, the lower ranking member of the couple forfeits their right of inheritance in favor of their spouses.
• The buying and selling of slaves is illegal in Beleth, but the owning is not. Most Beleth people, common and noble, are uncomfortable with slaves though, and traders from places where slavery is common have learned they do better business in Beleth without their slaves at their side.
  • This is not some particularly enlightened, humanist stance from Beleth- It is just as dishonest and unfair, to profit off another's work in such a blatant and exploitive way.
• I got thoughts on the geography and the most common religious practices and the structure of the nobility BUT I gotta go to bed soon, so I will let you know when I get around to adding more

 

[The Witch Son]

Lord Chancellor Cromwell

Basics
Name: Sebastian Cromwell, he has many names at court, most of them unkindly describing him as sly, a snake, but the Queen fondly calls him her 'Lord Blackbird' which is a great deal softer a name while still recognizing who he is as a shadowy dark figure. It's caught on somewhat, especially with the Queen's ladies. a thing which he refuses to admit to anyone, especially himself, that it warms his cold hard heart.

Age: 30 years old

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Bisexual, though very few doubt he has any sexuality at all as he is very private in his personal affairs. Does he have a heart at all? Is he even capable of feeling pleasure? Playful rumors sometimes circulate about how he desperately needs to get laid by someone to improve his mood.

Social Status: Lord Chancellor

Country of Origin: Theren

Appearance
Eye Color: Brown

Hair: Dark Black, Curly, cropped short in older male Theren fashion

Height: 6' 2"

Face Cast: Luis Garrel

The tall black shroud looming over the Queen's shoulder is none other than the Lord Chancellor himself, Cromwell. He's a dark and intimidating figure, rarely betrays emotion on his sharp features, and doesn't seem to be aware that there are other colors one can wear besides the color black. He exudes maturity and calm, and his hair is cropped short in the fashion of a man older than her actually is, perhaps to be taken more seriously. His choice of dress is unusual for men in Theren, who typically wear beiges, oranges, light greens, blues and whites, altogether brighter colors. But it has always been Cromwell's prerogative to appear as dour as possible, it helps with his intimidating reputation. The Chancellor is rarely seen without work in his hands, but occasionally he can be observed holding a book that is entirely for the pleasure of simple reading when he takes one of his rare breaks. His stride is usually quick and people generally get the hell out of his way when he stalks the halls from one meeting to another.

Personality
Likes: Riding | Swordplay(a well kept secret) | Hounds | Books | (Soft)Music | Work | Swimming | Good Food

Dislikes: Don't touch his desk | like ever he hates that please don't touch his desk | Celebrations | wearing colors besides black apparently | incompetence | Games | Bards

Vices: Ruthless | Cold | Ambitious

Virtues: Efficient | Intelligent | Hard Working

Ambitious, cunning, ruthless, just a few of the words used to describe the Lord Chancellor Cromwell. He is young for his station at age 30 and in fact acquired it at 27, impressive, especially since he was born so low and had to climb so high. But however high he has risen, Lord Cromwell’s last name gives him away, it is unmistakably of common origin. It derives from the new tongue, which names like Rivers, Lochstein and Whitehall alike come from, new names, not old. And there is nothing the Theren nobles value more than the age of lineage, the longer the lineage can be traced back the more valuable and "noble". To have a new name and a poor account of family history makes you low and unworthy, and given Cromwell’s orphan status his line starts with him and him alone. This fact which he has no control over has made him enemies in the court and any friends he has made despite it were hard earned.

Sebastian is an educated man who attended a University outside of Theren by the patronage of a wealthy man he saved back in his days as a footsoldier. He often thinks back to that moment as his defining one, he never did anything so lucky and brave as save that man. It made all his fortunes. Once educated he returned to Theren and took the court by storm. From his quiet days as a clerk all the way unto his station and current title. Thus far he has made himself indispensable to the crown, and has worked hard to maintain his station, often working well into the night. His station while deserved did not come to him without some measure of scheming. He clawed his way up by any means necessary, and sometimes those means were bloody. It is not at all well known that Cromwell is a skilled blademaster and soldier that could put most to shame in tournaments or duels if he so chose. Most assume him to be singularly a scholar given that he was from a university. He prefers to keep it that way, and to keep some of his skills under wraps, to save away for a moment when the element of surprise makes all the difference. In truth much of his character is like that, mysterious and secretive, intriguing.

He had the favor of the King for his competence and work ethic, and now the Queen for the advice he gives and experience he offers. He knows a chance when he sees it, and didn't take issue with using the fledgling Queen's fragile state of grief and fear to both become closer to her and convince her to accept certain policies and treaties. This includes the treaty with Beleth. And while all of this is ambitious and more than a little manipulative, Sebastion should not be mistaken for a selfish traitor. People doubt his intentions, but he always makes them clear, he is a loyalist through and through. He is devoted to his role and thrives in it, he genuinely loves his country and wishes to see it prosper. He just believes that his ideas are what's best for it, meanwhile having ambitions of his own. Just because he loves his country does not mean he does not wish for himself to rise, to prove every noble who ever scoffed at him dead wrong and to make them all beholden to him. The two desires are rarely mutually exclusive.

Cromwell has a network of informants and spies that reach farther than some would care to know, and as such can keep the crown better informed. Normally his job would keep him in Theren, but he is traveling to Beleth to accompany the Prince while he is situated in her new home. He is to offer advice and help him sort out affairs between Beleth and Theren. But he may have a few agendas of his own while there.


Extras
Pinterest Board

Playlist
Faith || Ghost
Starboy || The Weeknd
Slow Dancing in The Dark || Joji

code by RI.a

 

[The Witch Son]

Lady Nyme

Basics
Name: Lady Nyme of House Corinth

Age: 22 years old

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Bisexual, though leans more towards men

Social Status: Lady in Waiting to the Queen

Country of Origin: Theren

Appearance
Eye Color: Brown

Hair: Black, long and wavy

Height: 5'4"

Face Cast: Merve Boluğur

Personality
Likes: Riding | Swordplay | Poetry | Dancing | Swimming | Music | Games | Fortune Telling(with tarot cards)

Dislikes: people looking down on her | sour men | old men | boredom | incompetence | hunting | rain

Vices: Deceitful | Arrogant | Ambitious

Virtues: Cunning | Intelligent | Resourceful

Synopsis
Lady Nyme is a very intelligent wit who enjoys showing off her talented mind, be it at cards, games, or even the secrets tasks given to her by her Queen. The Queen has always trusted her ladies to be her eyes and ears and go where she can not go, Lady Nyme in particular is very talented at discerning gossip and moving in secret. She hears things people would rather not have her hear and takes delight in wearing the different masks of whomsoever she need to in order to get what she wants. She's an ambitious one, and wishes to attain an advantageous marriage while in Beleth. Is the younger sister to Lady Veora.

The Queen Meera of Theren sent her along with others to help support Prince Nuri thrive in Belethan court.

Extras
Pinterest Board

code by RI.a

 

[The Witch Son]

Lady Mercidea

Basics
Name: Lady Mercidea of House Argos, but everyone just calls her Mercy

Age: 17 years old

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Social Status: Lady in Waiting to the Queen

Country of Origin: Theren

Appearance
Eye Color: Blue

Hair: Blonde, wavy and long

Height: 5'6"

Face Cast: Elle Fanning

Personality
Likes: Dancing | Goats | Hounds | Rabbits | Cats (big animal lover this one) | The Outdoors | Swimming | Good Food | Summer | Flowers

Dislikes: Winter | Factual Books | Being Courted | Anyone talking shit about her friends | Being underestimated | Her Father

Vices: Gullible | Naive | Unfocused

Virtues: Warm | Strong | Good Friend

Synopsis
Lady Mercy is one of the youngest ladies that serve the Queen, she is naive but not stupid. She enjoys having fun through games and dancing, though isn't as competitive as say Lady Nyme. Most people underestimate her but she is a steadfast and loyal individual who will work hard when she puts her mind to it, it's just that she doesn't often have real reason to put her mind to it. While most expect her to be quiet and demure she takes no issue in speaking up, especially if it is in defense of her friends. She quite likes the privileges that come with being a Lady to the Queen and enjoys that she doesn't have to follow the rules other ladies do. She considers herself very lucky in that regard and takes every opportunity to take advantage of her freedom. People underestimate her but she can be surprising.

The Queen Meera of Theren sent her along with others to help support Prince Nuri thrive in Belethan court.

Extras
Pinterest Board

code by RI.a

 

[The Witch Son]

Lady Veora

Basics
Name: Lady Veora of House Corinth

Age: 25 years old

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Homosexual, though resigned to marry if a suitable match is found

Social Status: Lady in Waiting to the Queen

Country of Origin: Theren

Appearance
Eye Color: Brown

Hair: Chocolate Brown, wavy and long, usually tied back

Height: 5' 10"

Face Cast: Selma Ergeç

Personality
Likes: Riding | Archery | Rain | Books | (Soft)Music | Winter | Swimming | Good Food |Children | Cats

Dislikes: Men | Loud Celebrations | Summer | Hunting | Rudeness | pretty tolerant of a lot of things

Vices: Stubborn | Indecisive | Brooding

Virtues: Patient | Intuitive | Dignified

Synopsis
The eldest of the Queen's Ladies is Veora, she seems like a very calm and mature person, but she can be stubborn as a mule. Her family has tried to get her to marry several times and she is well past the age where it is considered appropriate. However Lady Veora has managed to put it off all this time, leveraging her station as a Lady in Waiting, claiming that the Queen simply can not spare her. In truth Veora is being stubborn about the issue because she has no interest in men whatsoever. She's tried liking them, truly, but she finds them charmless as romantic partners. She supposes that the most she can hope for is someone she doesn't hate and can call a friend, perhaps a man in a similar situation to her, who does not like women. She hopes that distance from her family will help with the stress of their constant pushiness. In any case, perhaps in Beleth a suitable match will appear. She isn't exactly holding her breath for it.

Lady Veora is very skilled in manners and etiquette. She's a generally well liked individual and has acted as a go-between for the Queen and others before. She's less rambunctious than the other ladies but she loves them all fiercely and enjoys spending her days with them. She often reads aloud to everyone when things are calm and they're just lazing about. It is notable that of all the Queen's ladies, it is undoubtedly Lady Veora who has the best hand in Archery, both in aim and speed.

The Queen Meera of Theren sent her along with others to help support Prince Nuri thrive in Belethan court.

Extras
Pinterest Board

code by RI.a

 

[The Witch Son]

The Lore of Theren
​

Theren’s flag is the flag of the Royal House of Delphi, a blood orange Theren silk backdrop, with a white Paradise Bird that appears similar in form to a phoenix or peacock, it is usually in flight, with the neck and tail swooping in a circle.


Noble houses are determined by land ownership, and that family are left to manage that land for the kingdom, and so the noble houses take the last name (said ‘of house’) of the land they are in charge of. For instance the royal family is of the House Delphi, and Delphi is the capital of Theren. Mismanagement of said land such as rebellion, extreme poverty and thus lack of ability to pay taxes and thrive as a market, or mass cases of ‘injustice’. Are all grounds for the removal of a noble title and that land. However this is something that has not been done in over a century for multiple political reasons, including the necessity for the King’s council to judge and approve the decision. What does not have to be approved by the council however is the removal of a head of household, especially if there is evidence of a crime to back it up. So there are ways around customs that have been exercised in the past and present.


Religion is Theren is based upon the honoring and prayer to the ‘spirits’, who are comprised of the dead. Specifically the spirits that one prays to and honors are one’s own ancestors, who are supposed to help you through life and who you join once you die. Shrines and altars are built to honor the spirits of your ancestors and things like candles, flowers, figurines of a deceased person’s likeness made from wood, and other tokens are placed in and around these shrines. The concept of a hell exists to punish those who have done wrong in their life, for a length of time which is judged by hell’s gatekeepers. These keepers are visualized and entirely cloaked individuals, dark in color and shrouded in shadow. Everyone else becomes ‘at peace’ and either sleeps, communes with nature, or watches over the living. In the royal family’s castle there is a room with a tall wall where members of the royal family are all represented, their small figurines cast in gold. It is the most sacred room in the castle and as big as a ballroom.


The people of Theren, men included, are not at all afraid of wearing bright colors, and in fact the most common color to wear is white as the poor can easily afford it and it keeps one cool in the sunlight. The richer an individual is the more likely you are to see them in more vibrant colors. Thinly woven cotton is a very common cloth, but Theren is most famous for its silk. Theren silk is soft and vibrant and beautiful, it is easily its most expensive export. The nobles and wealthy of Theren can be seen wearing it. Clothing tends to be drapey and loose, though cinched at the waist. Inspiration for their style is derived through Grecian, Roman, and Indian clothing styles. The people of Theren are not at all shy about showing skin.


Men when they are young keep their hair long, even as long as past their shoulders, leaving it loose or braided or half tied up. But older men crop their hair short. Cutting their hair is seen as a sign of maturity and is usually done after becoming a father or after reaching a certain age of distinction. Women keep the standard of long hair and wear it in a variety of ways involving braids for working women, and usually looser if they are of the upper class. Women warriors, called shieldmaidens, have been known to crop their hair short on occasion, though this tends not to go without ridicule or teasing of being an ‘old man’. This is perhaps because while special focus is paid culturally to one’s looks and hygiene whether you are man or woman in Theren, shieldmaidens tend to be more practical minded and certainly are not afraid to go against the grain.

Herma are a subset of people in Theren who are considered reincarnations of a spirit that was once the opposite gender in a previous life. The people of Theren do believe in reincarnation but the existence of the Herma is solid proof of it in their eyes. Thus the Herma are considered especially spiritually important individuals. Their pronouns and how they dress are often accepted without much question.

 

[jones573]

Roysa of Beleth

Name: Lady Roysa

Age: in her early fifties

Gender: female

Sexuality: lesbian

Social Status: Royal blood, daughter/sister/aunt of the King of Beleth. Can be called 'Princess Roysa' but does not insist on it and is more comfortable with Lady, or Minister when she has held such a position

Country of Origin: Beleth

Appearance

Eye Color: Light blue

Hair: Dark Brown, mostly straight

Height: 5'6"

Face Cast: Maria Doyle Kennedy

Roysa is not an unattractive woman, but she rarely smiles or laughs in a genuine fashion. She dresses to show off her wealth and not her beauty or her body, and has done so since she was much younger than she is now.

Personality

Likes:
Fine and well made things
Dogs
Being right, getting her way

Dislikes:
Small Children (or anyone who is particularly needy, really)
Bugs, the general unpleasantness of being outdoors
Horses and horseback riding

Vices:
Manipulative
Cold & unaffectionate
Vain

Virtues:
Loyal
Clever
Dutiful

Roysa rarely shows her emotions, though those close to her can often decipher her unusual ways of expressing affection. She is a very demanding woman, and accustomed to having her way, regardless of the effort needed to get it. She can be very blunt and straightforward- Someone like Emerson might dance around an idea until you think it was your idea in the first place, whereas Roysa will tell you the idea, why it is what's best for you, and the timeline on which she expects you to achieve it.

Biography

Roysa is the younger half sister of King Garrot (deceased), and was married in her youth to a second son of the Duke of Irin, one of the larger and more prestigious noble households. Though the two got on well enough, it was not a particularly happy marriage- The union had been intended to strengthen the ties the Irin family had with the royals, but it eventually became clear that the couple was unable to conceive.

Roysa's continued preference for women was not quite the secret she would have liked it to have been, and persistent rumors that her childless state was due to her own unwillingness to share her bed with her husband particularly affected her. Her husband, after all, had his own preferences which he indulged quite often, and none of his female lovers ever bore him children either. It wasn't her fault she had no children, but not everyone shared that view, and she became paranoid that any whisper might be about her.

A skilled cartographer, Roysa's husband was often not at court with her, out on mapping expeditions and after a few years of marriage, he began to spend his time 'while home' not with Roysa but at the Irin estate. This suited Roysa fine, as her brother Garrot was now king and relied increasingly on her for support, especially in areas of trade and finance, and her responsibilities at court kept her quite busy.

Roysa's husband passed away sometime before Averett's childhood, having come down ill while out in the wilderness and never fully recovering. At various points, Roysa served as both Minister of Trade and as Principle Adviser to the Crown. She was also against Garrot's marriage to Averett's mother, and would later convince him out of a third concurrent wife, though the argument and what it revealed about how Garrot wanted to conduct his private life (namely, that he was more than willing to put his personal desires above the public good) caused a strain in their relationship that was never fully mended. Roysa became more involved in the lives of her nieces and nephews, wanting to ensure that their father's influence did not encourage the same sort of selfish entitlement in the children.

These days, Roysa is one of the most powerful people in Beleth. Her lack of children and other family obligations meant she could devote all of her time and energy to the country and its needs, and she has a great depth and breadth of knowledge when it comes to the business of running a nation. She is particularly well versed in matters regarding trade, especially domestic, and in navigating the politics of the noble families.

The very people who once looked down on her now must seek her approval to advance their agendas, an irony of which she is very aware and finds smug satisfaction in. Roysa has become a respected institution of the Beleth court, a stone wall and gate that can allow -or deny- access to the power of the throne, and most nobility do what they can to stay on her good side. The common people like her well enough- She lacks the warmth of Princess Grace or the inspiration of King Averett and is not very good at public speaking, but she has overturned a few unpopular and overly harsh policies promoted by other nobles, and is known to be a fair judge when holding open court for public petitioners.

Images: Grace & Roysa

code by @Goldieloxx

 

[jones573]

(everything in this post is subject to heavy revision)


Pronunciation & Names-

Most 'b' sounds, especially at the front of words are pronounced very softly, almost in a way that could be misheard as 'Veleth' or even 'Peleth' or 'Meleth' depending on the accent of the speaker and the ear of the listener.

'Averett' is pronounced 'Ah-vur-ett', with soft vowels on the first two syllables. His nickname 'Avery' is 'Ah-vree'- The further nickname 'Vee' developed because his little sister dropped the first syllable and couldn't pronounce her 'R's very well.

Many people in Beleth, especially among the upper classes, have shortened (or in some cases, lengthened) versions of their name that are used by those who have been invited to. Because titling conventions in Beleth are malleable (as are titles themselves), use of the non-given name indicates a level of familiarity between the speaker and the person they are referring to in the way leaving out a title might.

You would never use someone's nickname unless they invited you to use it, either explicitly or by introducing themselves with it, even if other people in the conversation use it. (This is a very poor example because Avery is royal, but if they were a normal family- Grace might tell her friends her that her brother Avery was joining them for lunch and call him Vee while talking with him once they were seated across the table, but her friends would call him Averett both to his face and in reference to him.)


Religion

Like the Greeks or Romans, people in Beleth worship a variety of gods and goddess from a pantheon. A god or goddess might oversee a concept such as mercy, or represent a location such as a specific river, or have a specific responsibility over natural phenomena like rain. The popularity of a deity depends on the region, and the mythology about the gods also varies by location. Beleth's multiculture nature means its pantheon is always growing- A group of traders or migrants might set up their own temples to worship, and over time the 'outsider' gods have influenced the mythology and been retroactively included in folklore.

Most stories about the 'old times' begin with some variation on the sentiment of 'in the days when the gods and goddesses walked among us', as it is believed that for the most part, the deities keep to the immortal realm and influence the world more indirectly than in the past, though of course the favor of a god is still highly valued.

Generally speaking, it is the Great Goddess who keeps the barrier between the mortal and immortal realms, though the reasoning depends on the area and the sentiment of the times. The other gods were jealous of her creation, humanity, and so she locked them away. Humanity sought to destroy the gods, so she locked them away. The gods were satisfied with what they had done, and so retreated to let things play out- But may still yet come back.

Most people will attend festivals or celebrations related to the Great Goddess or any other deity who is well known and respected in their area, and also pay tribute to a patron god, usually related to their professional or personal interests. The style of tribute depends on the deity in question and what it is thought that they will most enjoy. Tributes of food are most common, but are usually meant to be 'shared' with the god- The first slice of bread for the altar, the rest for the family; the heart of the slaughtered animal instead of the whole roasted boar. Exceptions may be made for special events or circumstances, and the nobility like to flaunt their wealth in their tributes by showing off how much they can waste.

The first unpayable debt was made by Belmys, the first ruler of Beleth and who the country is named for, to the people and in the name of the Great Goddess.


The Unpayable Debt

A serious and sacred pact that binds people together in the eyes of the gods, taken to acknowledge the debtee's influence on the debtor OR to promise the safety and well being of the debtee by the debtor. It can be one sided or reciprocal and usually is made in the name of both individual's patron gods, as well as the Great Goddess.

It can be performed privately or in a ceremonial fashion performed by a priest or priestess. The individuals involved inscribe a small scar on the back of the left hand (usually between the thumb and index finger), a different design for the debtor and the debtee.

• Men may pledge the debt to anyone
• Women may pledge the debt to other women and to men they are related to. They cannot pledge the debt to men who outrank them, the thinking being that a man with two levels of power over a woman might take advantage. A woman could pledge the debt to a man of equal or lesser status than herself, but it isn't commonly done
• The debt cannot be pledged by slaves
• Once pledged, the debt cannot be broken

Though the debt features in some of the mythology and folk stories of Beleth, it is considered a bit of an old fashioned practice.

The exception might be among the elderly and ill. It is believed that in death, the gods weigh the influence one has had on others against the influence of others on the deceased. If it is found that the deceased reaped benefits they did not pass forward, it does not bode well for them. The pledging of the debt is a way to acknowledge that inequity and signal to the gods that you are aware it cannot be repaid. Since the unpayable debt is also a mechanism of inheritance and putting things right with the gods, it is naturally more popular among those close to the end of their life.

It is not something to be undertaken lightly, and cannot be broken even in death.

 

[jones573]

emerson

Name: Emerson

Title: Strictly speaking, he is not currently eligible to inherit titles/noble status/money/land through his noble mother, or unknown father. This would require a petition of eligibility from his family head (his maternal uncle, the current Duke of Freland), which would need to be approved by a monarch or regent- Even then, he would be behind all of his other siblings, regardless of gender, age or order of spouses, in inheritance.

Servants usually address him as 'sir' or announce him as Lord Emerson, and ‘Lord Emerson’ has become the standard of address for him since becoming Avery’s friend. However, many nobles sneer over the ‘Lord’ part.

He is a lieutenant in military ranks, though in Beleth military titles are rarely used by anyone except for the troops currently serving under the officer in question, and for the rare common-born general.

Around Freland, he is sometimes referred to as ‘the Red Bastard’, with varying degrees of fondness.

Age: 25 years old

Gender: Male

Sexuality: A lord once snidely commented that 'Emerson would hump anything that stayed still long enough to express an interest', to which Emerson retorted that unlike the lord, he had actually put effort into expanding his repertoire beyond just rutting. But if the lord was so interested in learning- which was of course, very commendable of him, it's is always difficult to admit to one's shortcomings, and Emerson had heard the lady of the house was... bored- perhaps Emerson could arrange a time and place to teach him?

This netted Emerson little more than scowl and the silent treatment, which suited him fine. The next time he was at a function with dancing where the lord and his family in attendance, though, some many months later, Emerson made sure he treated the lord's wife and older daughter to several particularly polished turns around the floor, returning them to their lord with flushed cheeks and bright smiles and with many compliments for Emerson's great dancing skills.



Social Status: Bastard of a greater noble family (Freland), friend of the King of Beleth



Country of Origin: Beleth, though he has traveled the ‘Wider Sea’, as the ocean beyond the gulf is called


Appearance:


Eye Color: Hazel

Hair: Bright red-orange, with some natural wave to it. Currently long enough to hang in his face if he doesn’t tie it back, but not so long that all of it stays back when tied.

Height: 6’2”. He occasionally seems taller than he is because his frame is narrow, but he is more ‘lean’ now than ‘lanky’, so it’s not so unusual as it was before he developed enough muscle to not look so silly.

He is generally considered attractive (but perhaps a bit more confident in that than is really good for him), though some might say he is more 'pretty' than truly handsome. This does not bother him, and he often takes it as an invitation to flirt, or at least wink in a highly suggestive manner. It happens less these days, perhaps because his face has matured, or because he is more respected due to his friendship with Avery. Or maybe people got uncomfortable with the winking.

He can grow an impressive amount of gingery-blonde facial hair, but is usually clean-shaven- He finds it makes him look younger and therefore more likely to be underestimated. Plus, informal surveys from lovers have indicated a stubble-free face is preferred. He aims to please.



History:

Spoiler: Biography stuff

As a young child, Emerson tried to behave. Really, he did. But only his mother ever praised him for doing well. His tutors seemed to pity him for any potential he showed, and even as a boy he learned to listen in on the gossip of his family courtiers. Anything he earned in life would be seen as just a favor from his uncle, and he was constantly being compared to his siblings and cousins. If he failed where they excelled, it was an opportunity to be reminded of his scandalous origins, to be mocked for daring to think he might be as good as a genuine noble. And if he succeeded where they struggled, it was almost worse- His own personal achievement wasn't celebrated, but was used instead to shame them for not being as good as a bastard.


By the time he was ten, Emerson had figured out that he could get more attention by getting into trouble than sitting still and doing what he was told, and has generally been a nuisance ever since. In more recent years, he has paired that nuisance with enough charm that he is usually forgiven for his antics, though some members of the Beleth court know how to hold a grudge. Such folks should learn to lighten up.

Like Avery, Emerson joined the Beleth military at 16, though his extended family had already decided this for him several years prior. It would remove him and his destructive nature from Freland, and if he truly wished to make something of himself- Well, men with far fewer resources had enjoyed very successful military careers. If they could do it, then why not the well-connected Red Bastard?

Truth be told, Emerson just didn’t have the ambition. He was more interested in flirting than fighting, and probably would have gotten discharged from the service in his first year if it wasn’t for his noble connections.

He didn’t like Prince Averett much, when they first met. The Prince was stuffy and proper, and had a very different definition than ‘fun’. Emerson was one of the men that taunted the Prince into taking the shorter route to the Baron’s home on Merid Isle, even though it was more dangerous waters and there was a storm coming.

Emerson was one of the few men taken alive with the Prince after the storm and the subsequent attack, and he listened in horror as Averett described what was likely to happen- Most likely, their captors were enemies of Beleth, and would torture Avery for everything he knew about his father’s military. Avery promised he would do what he could to ensure the other’s safety, but the best he could reasonably hope for was that one of them would be kept alive and safe to deliver any threats, messages, and/or the Prince’s severed head to the king.

So Emerson did a very, very stupid thing and when their captors returned below deck to speak with the Prince- Emerson stepped forward first, and announced that he was Averett of Beleth. It was very foolish, but the real Averett was also impressed by how foolishly brave it was.

Of course, this ended up having disastrous consequences- The pirates who had captured them were enemies of Beleth, but they wanted money instead of information. They needed their 'prince' in mostly working order, and had little use for his men. So Emerson had to get creative. And then things only got more complicated when that ship fell to another crew.


Emerson still has nightmares, about the things he saw and did during those two years on the Wider Sea. Beyond the basic explanation, neither he nor Avery discuss it with others. They rarely discuss it between themselves these days, either. Emerson is careful with Avery’s left shoulder and his back in general, haunted by the guilt that Avery was flogged and beaten when it should have been him. Avery is careful with Emerson’s occasional tempers and sour mood swings, knowing exactly what Emerson is upset about but unable to do anything more than provide enough wine to lull his friend into a drunken stupor and make sure he takes his boots off before he falls asleep.

But the experience has bound them together in a unique way, and despite their very different personalities, they have a great deal of respect for the other. It was Avery who pledged the unpayable debt first- He believed himself to be dying, and wished for the gods to know and to acknowledge Emerson’s contribution on his life. Emerson has never been particularly in touch with any religious culture, but was familiar enough with the tradition to point out it could be reciprocal. Averett had saved his life just as many times over, hadn’t he? Avery pointed out that this was really not what the debt was about, but Emerson got his way and now they both have two small scars on the back of their left hands, one to indicate their status as a debtor and one as debtee.

If he's really being honest- which is rare- he might not have pledged the debt, if he'd known Avery was going to live. If he'd know Avery was going to be King... Well. He might not have allowed Avery to make it either.

But they're stuck together now, which Avery had to remind Emerson of several times after they first returned to Beleth. Usually after finding Emerson high or drunk or both and paying his tab to the barkeep or bookkeeper or brothel manager, or when Emerson's manservant would come to Avery in a panic, unsure of what to do with his volatile master.

He's doing better now- Really, he is. The clashes with Theren started and Avery was needed, which meant Avery needed Emerson, and everything went so much smoother when Emerson was needed, when he had a role to play. But it's fine line to walk sometimes. Emerson the fool still drinks and gambles and laughs too loudly, and the courtiers all underestimate him and write him off. Emerson the friend watches over the rim of his heavily watered cup and remembers every detail the Lady Roysa might use to advance her nephew's agenda, and in the bottom of his cup he sees the future he might have had if he didn't serve Avery as well as the future he might have had if Avery didn't serve him. So. It's tiring, to hold up the heavy mask of his persona when it smells so much like his addictions.

Maybe someday in the future, the region will be stable and Avery will have a strong queen and dozens of dependable supporters, and Emerson's family will stop using him to try and access the throne will simultaneously finding every possible way to degrade him. But it's going to be a while before that day arrives.

Skills:
-Swordsmanship/Dueling. Emerson is good with a weapon, though he is ultimately more style than substance. Perhaps if he dispensed with the unnecessary flourishes and fancy footwork and treated training like a fight instead of a dance, his tutors would actually be pleased with him, instead of lamenting his early talent and lack of substantial progress in the past few years.

-Words, words, words. Fluent in multiple languages, Emerson is also fluent at the tricky art of saying enough of the wrong thing to get a reaction, but also enough of the right thing to avoid getting in trouble deep enough he can't get out. He's good at soothing out feathers, even though he's often the one ruffling them in the first place. He's an engaging storyteller and Emerson has recently demonstrated a talent for impromptu oration when needed.

-Memory. Emerson has a knack for details, and can recall information fairly easily. Historically, he has used this talent for being a little shit and sneaking out, memorizing schedules and passageways. He has been putting that knowledge to better use these days, investigating matters of all sorts for Lady Roysa.





Weaknesses:
-Sincerity. Sometimes even Emerson can't distinguish who he is from the persona he cultivates, and his relationships can suffer for it. Sure, people seek him out for a good time, but he doesn't have many actual friends besides Avery and his attempts at kindness are often seen as suspicious, or just aren't noticed at all.

-Long range weaponry. Emerson may have skill with blades, but he's an awful shot. He has been working secretly to improve his aim with a quarrel and crossbow, but he puts up with the teasing he gets for begging off a hunt.

-Curiosity. One of these days, Emerson is going to regret poking around in things he should have left well enough alone.

-Vices of the traditional sort. Emerson has an addictive personality and he's grateful to Avery for helping him realize that, but sometimes he wished he hadn't.


Favorite things:

-Dancing. Em is an excellent dancer and learns new routines easily, and enjoys being able to show off. He will dance with pretty much everyone and anyone, and makes it a point to dance with older widows and young girls, and folks who might otherwise not be asked. This has made him popular with grandmothers, but he has on occasion peeved off a young lady or two who was hoping to hog him for the evening to make her current suitor jealous.

-Knowing things. Emerson loves knowledge for the sake of knowledge, whether factual and historical trivia he learns from other sources, or observations and connections he makes on his own. He shows off a bit when he's being a smart ass, but often has to keep his more interesting observations to himself, which can be difficult. He contents himself with believing himself to be the smartest person in the room, which in actuality is rarely the case.

-Good food. Unlike some soldiers, Emerson has a developed enough palette that he prefers actual flavor over just temperature.



Least favorite things:

-Worms. They're just... Gross. They look weird, and smell worse. He hates when it rains and the outdoors smells like worms. And he's not keen on the outdoors, either now that he thinks about it. He has a nice, soft, warm bed. Why is he not there right now? Why is he sleeping on the ground. It smells like worms.

-Uncooked fish. Again, Emerson is sensitive to smells, but in this case his known aversion to the sight or smell of raw fish is a bit of a ruse. On occasion, he has business to attend to that requires subtlety, and no one would ever suspect him of slipping away into the marine markets.

-Lessons. Despite his love of reading and learning, Emerson never did well with traditionally rigid lesson structures, and irritated many tutors in his younger years. Especially once he realized that how he did in his lessons didn't particularly matter, he had to be bribed into sitting still.

-People using their position, size, gender, etc to intimidate, manipulate or take advantage of others. Emerson is certainly guilty of this, so he's either comfortable with his own double standard or he believes his own actions are justified because they are 'for the right reasons'.

code by @Goldieloxx

 

[jones573]

grace of beleth

Name: Princess Graceling of Beleth

Age: just turned 16

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Probably bisexual, but she hasn't really considered it much? She knows she will likely be asked to marry some high ranking gentleman for political purposes and is mostly fine with that- She hasn't had any major crushes or secret loves that might have caused her to question that. (She's still young, though, so there's time!)

Social Status: Princess of Beleth, younger sister and current heir to King Averett. She will be his heir until he has his own child or until he names another heir that is approved of by the noble houses of Beleth.

Country of Origin: Beleth


Appearance

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Brown, long with slight wave

Height: 5'4"

Face cast: Marina Moschen



Personality

Likes: Horses, cats, and most animals - clothing and fashion - sweets
Dislikes: Bad weather - not getting her way - being bored

Vices: Spoiled and a bit entitled - Can be careless and inconsiderate - impatient and easily bored
Virtues: Generous - enthusiastic - quick and excited learner

Grace's naivety makes her vulnerable in court since she doesn't necessarily comprehend how underhanded politics can be, but it also protects her because people don't want to disappoint her by revealing their unpleasant motivations. When a 'witnessing ritual' was suggested for the upcoming wedding of Avery and Meera, for example, Grace was horrified. She pointed out how uncomfortable and humiliating it would be, especially for Meera, and how it might make the new queen feel she should expect no privacy or respect in her new home... And no one wanted to admit to Princess Grace that was exactly their aim. So the witnessing ritual was not brought up again.

(It's possible that Grace knows exactly what she's doing when she pulls stuff like this, or at least that she is becoming more aware of how to leverage it. But Avery is our primary perspective character and he thinks of her as his idealistic baby sister, so that's also how we will see her for the time being.)

Biography

Younger than most of her siblings by nearly a decade, Grace is every bit the baby sister of the family, and of the entire court. She was kept relatively sheltered from the politics of growing up at court, and from her father's increasingly erratic behavior in his later life. She can be a bit naive, and is generally willing to think the best of people.

Grace is fond of her brother and her aunt, though she thinks they are both much too serious about everything. This is more or less expected from Roysa, but she wishes Avery would lighten up a bit. They became closer after he returned from sea, and she misses spending time with him since he has become king.

Grace is neither a scholar nor a warrior, but she has a voracious appetite for learning to do things. She does excellent needlework and other handcrafts, and has recently begun training with a sword, which she enjoys quite a bit. The idea of adventure is very appealing to Grace, though it is probably for the best that she has had very few.


Images: Grace & Roysa

code by @Goldieloxx

 

[The Witch Son]

Queen Regent Agora

Basics
Name: Queen Regent Agora of House Delphi

Age: 45 years old

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Pansexual, though she and her husband enjoyed partners together she has never been with any man besides her husband (pre-death)

Social Status: Queen Regent

Country of Origin: Ruhar

Appearance
Eye Color: Brown

Hair: Black, Curly, worn in various fashions, she's also not opposed to wigs of different colors

Height: 5' 7"

Face Cast: Jaime Murray

The Queen of fashion herself is considered the standard by which Theren starts and ends its trends. She wears her hair a certain way, and other must naturally follow, she drapes her silk like this, and naturally the next day all of the court ladies must follow. She's well dressed and always has a knowing smile on her face, taking hardship with ease and grace that few seem to posses and turning a phrase as beautifully as might a poet. It really isn't any wonder she raised a successful heir. Much of what her children know is in fact from their mother, who is strong, intelligent, and artful in her ways. There's a certain cat-like allure to Agora that seems to carry into Nuri more than it does into the gentle Meera, a darkness to her gaze, and a sense of authority in a mere tilt of her head that few can only hope to posses. Agora is a true Queen through and through, and she's seen to Theren's health and management since she came to the country as an eighteen year old girl. Gaius and Agora ruled side by side but really it was Agora who has been the brains of the operation.

Although flexible and easy going, she isn't really someone you deny things. If you've never seen a smile look terrifying you need only defy her.

Ruhar did not have the concept of the Herma people, and though she did her utmost to embrace all things Theren, there is a bit of a contentious wedge between herself and her second child, Prince Nuri. She found the concept of her child's gender difficult to accept, still does, as religiously she is still very much entrenched in Ruhar's ways. Ironically, they are more alike than Meera and Agora are but it is with Meera that Agora is closest.

Personality
Likes: lounging | fashion | books | Music | Poetry | Swimming | Good Food | Festivals

Dislikes: Disobedience | Beleth | King Averett | The treaty with Beleth | do you see where I'm going with this | she's pissed | ugly clothes | the cold

Vices: Vindictive | Manipulative | Can be cold

Virtues: Laid Back | Intelligent | Flexible

code by RI.a

 

[The Witch Son]

Lord Brutus

Basics
Name: Lord Brutus of House Vergina

Age: 29 years old

Gender: Male

Sexuality: Bisexual and promiscuous (though has never considered men in the romantic sense... with one half exception)

Social Status: Lord of Vergina, also considered a wartime General

Country of Origin: Theren

Appearance
Eye Color: Brown

Hair: Light brown, straight, worn shoulder length

Height: 6' 4"

Face Cast: Wim De Klerk

Personality
Likes: Sex | Hunting | Dancing | Music | Wine | Swimming | Good Food | Swordfighting | Riding | Beauty | dominating

Dislikes: Beleth | King Averett | The treaty with Beleth | do you see where I'm going with this | he's pissed | ugly people | feeling emasculated | the cold | Scholarly Pursuits

Vices: Prideful | Domineering | Selfish

Virtues: Honorable | Charismatic | Perceptive

Synopsis
Lord Brutus was previously betrothed to the Prince Nuri, later King in Beleth, and the breaking of said proposal did not go over well. Ultimately, after his refusal to leave his Prince's side, Lord Chancellor Cromwell had to have the guards forcibly remove him from the castle’s premises, and bar him from re-entry until such a time that the Prince left for Beleth to marry.

Brutus made his displeasure widely and loudly known. Not only was he losing the love of his life, but also his chance, and what he saw now as his right, to be a Prince of Theren. He’d become quite comfortable and high minded with the idea, and to have it stripped from him was a hefty blow. His heart suffered, and so did his pride. His marriage was essentially perfect. His ideal life laid out, married to someone he quite loved, allowed to fuck around on the side, and made a Prince himself. He was promised the opportunity to have his cake and eat it too. And then it was snatched from him.

His medicine of choice was drinking, whoring, brawling, and in general making an ass of himself. He began to lose track of time and the days seemed to blur together with the nights. He eventually accepted he would be no King until palace guards found him passed out at a brothel one evening, and brought him to the Queen Regent Agora’s feet…

*note about his relationship with Cromwell: Brutus often fucks men. He claims to have a preference for women but this isn't necessarily true. And it's partially why he likes Nuri so much. All the thrill of a man, but the parts that will give his house heirs.

But he wasn't known to kiss and cuddle men the way he did women. He was careful to keep the way he'd sleep with women different from the exciting rough way he'd take men. With two exceptions, but starting with Cromwell. The dark and brooding Sebastian caught his interest in a way men before him did not. Sebastian made him woo him almost, and Brutus was so used to simply getting whomever he wanted. He ended up enjoying unraveling the man and having him in secret. Even kissing him and holding him like he would a woman. For a time.

After a while the effort Brutus put in to his developing relationship with Cromwell went down, as he became enraptured with a new target. The Prince Nuri, who offered the allure of a man but the acceptable social status and role of child baring. Throughout his whirlwind romance with the Prince Brutus continued to sleep with Cromwell, even calling him his royal mistress in private. He did this with Nuri's knowledge and permission and sometimes, with enough drink in Nuri and Cromwell, the three of them would end up in bed together. But on Cromwell’s end the fire snuffed out soon after Brutus made his priority clear.

And now there are definitely feelings of resentment on Brutus's end from Cromwell's hand in his undoing.

code by RI.a