The first and only son of King Aloroth I and Queen Amelia I. Conceived while Amelia was still human, the new queen birthed her son after her demonic nadir, (name) arriving into a kingdom that was going through a great upheaval. Aloroth and Amelia were immediately popular amongst the immediate court and through a combination of charm, magic and savvy politicking, they secured their position before (name) matured. As such, he lived a very comfortable life and was doted on by his parents.
Aloroth encouraged the young man's worst habits and Amelia was no better, personally bedding her son on his sixteenth nameday and taking his chastity. The following years saw what nobility and peasantry alike referred to as 'the Dark Tide', with King Aloroth and Prince (name) fathering more bastards than the kingdom could account for. The coming of a dark-haired and dark-eyed babe would often be met with a sack of gold and the immediate family simply said the babe had 'come in on the tide'.
(Name) was courted by many eligible young women, who were well placed to become his future queen. However it was noted he relished his bachelor lifestyle and the privilege that came with being the crown prince too much. It became difficult to make (name) settle on a particular consort long enough to arrange any matrimonials. (Name) would often inform his parents that he was 'in love' every other week, switching between young noblewomen, local milk maids from the nearby village, or just pretty serving girls who worked at the castle. Eventually this came to an end when he met (name), who became his future wife and helped to tame his worst instincts to some degree.
(Name) came into his crown when Amelia and Aloroth felt that their kingdom was secure, the pair returning to Hell under the proviso they would not directly interfere with their old kingdom, lest face the wrath of Heaven. As king, (name) continued to maintain the peace his parents fought hard to build. Some argue that he in fact made many poor decisions, and created potential future enemies unnecessarily. The most egregious act was granting the request of his bastard half-brother, born from Aloroth's relationship with the queen mother, Victoria. (Name) announced to the kingdom that his three half-siblings were in fact the children of King Galien, therefore not a bastards, instead making them officially his aunt and uncles. He also granted them lands and titles to pass onto their descendants, further legitimising them and granting them power outside of the crown's influence.
Now in his late sixties, most agree that King (name) is not long for the world. Despite this, he still delights in throwing lavish feasts and tourneys, always hosting the increasingly large royal family. His ever-loyal wife tolerates the fact that occasionally a babe washes in on the tide, as even in his advanced age, (name) is still at times the young teenage prince who bedded every pretty thing he saw. His current favourites are (Name) and (Name), the twin granddaughters of his 'cousin' Balduin, via the latter's second wife.
Name: Calder Varenthiel
Role: Prince and Count of Galecrest
Race: Human (quarter-blood)
Age: 49
Height: 6'6"
Family: name tbd (wife), name tdb (daughter), Malik (son), Suhair (child)
The second child and firstborn son of King (name) and Queen (name), Calder had many expectations placed upon him from birth. The throne had passed to Queen Amelia upon the death of King Galien with more than a modicum of discontent amongst the lords of the kingdom. Aloroth and Amelia managed to soothe those who grew rebellious, but the murmurs began again when the first the child of (name) was revealed to be a girl. As he grew up, Calder became tired of the many times some lord or lady would approach him with half-veiled talks of seeing a man upon the throne. He at first learned to politely feign ignorance but as the talks continued, he grew increasingly weary of the backstabbing, and began to withdraw from courtly life.
Despite his seemingly loyalty to the idea of his older sister's succession, Calder did not demonstrate a strong love for his immediate family and seemed tired of court in general. He was always a jovial man, his laughter ringing through the halls, but many said his smile often did not touch his eyes. Thankfully his father was ever-doting, and as with other members of the royal house, he was willing to grant almost any boon to his blood that they asked of him. As such, Calder requested leave to abandon his duties as prince and instead explore distant shores. The King agreed against all other advice, and so Calder vanished from the kingdom. He returned many years later, a more mature and seasoned man, with treasures and stories of far off lands. However, he also shocked the court by introducing his new wife and their children, the bride being of foreign blood.
Calder is not a fool and he knows the impact his wife and children had on the court. That doesn't stop him being annoyed by the attitude his bride receives from other nobles. The family spend most of their time on their estate and avoid the royal court where possible. Calder has tried to arrange marriages to eligible young nobles for his children, but he has so far only received polite declines. Due to his absence from court he was only granted a county upon his return and so has less standing than his siblings and some cousins.
Name: Landis Varenthiel
Role: Prince and Duke of Thornridge
Race: Human (quarter-blood)
Age: 48
Height: 6'5"
Family: name tbd (wife), Joan (daughter), name tbd (daughter), Jared (son)
Born the third child and second son of King (name) and Queen (name), Landis did not have great expectations when it came to what he would inherit. It was said that in his youth, various forces competed for his attention. The military and the new Aetheric Church courted him, along with some who felt he might be a more pliable figurehead, to help supplant his older sister, after Calder made it clear he wouldn't involve himself in such conspiracies. Landis however, took more direct action against these conspirators than his older brother. He silenced them forever in his late teens, personally duelling and killing another nobleman who had tried to woo him into a half-baked plot to oust his sister and make him heir to the throne. Nobody dared broach the subject with Landis from that day onwards.
The military quickly became his vocation and Landis practiced day and night in his youth until he was seen as one of the greatest warriors of his time. As skilled in tactics as he was with the blade, he departed in his twenties to crusade against dissenters of the new church his grandparents had brought about. He never seemed staunchly faithful himself but instead seemed to relish the chance to prove himself in all matters of war. His loyalty to the royal house only grew more fervent and he was quickly seen to be one of his older sister's most staunch supporters, harshly silencing critics and cutting off any idea that a woman should not inherit the throne once again, as Queen Amelia did before.
Now an old man, Landis does not ride off into battle anymore, at least not as much as he would like. His father favours peace after all. He made sure to instead organise good matches for his children, and being that his first two children were daughters, they arranged marriages to powerful men from equally powerful houses. His daughters had mixed feelings about this, given their husbands were much older than them but Landis was iron-willed in all aspects of his life and brooked no dissention.
It is very clear that Landis much preferrs his third child and only son, spending much more time with Jared, teaching him archery, something to which the boy excells. He even allowed Jared to pick his own bride, choosing a magically skilled and beautiful young woman from a minor house, whose dark hair and status as a sorceress led many to believe she had come in on the tide. Although this was never confirmed by her parents or any member of the royal family.
Name: Radagon (working name) Costayne
Role: Prince Consort and Count of Emberwild
Race: Human
Age: 37
Height: 5'3"
Family: name tbd (wife), Aloroth II (son), Theron (son), name tbd (daughter)
Born the first son of House Costayne of Emberwild, Radagon was obviously expected to make a good match in a bride. Fate took an interesting twist when during a tourney he caught the eye of (name), granddaughter of the king and future queen. Radagon was not a physically imposing man, handsome but short in stature and fair of face, rather than more rugged men who tried to woo the future queen. Radagon proved himself skilled with a blade and lance however and won the tourney, finding himself in the bed of the princess that night, an unexpected prize for the tourney champion. It became clear to all the pair were in love and fortunately House Costayne were well placed and considered a logical match. Despite his stature, most agreed that the crimson-haired young nobleman would make a fine future king-consort.
Radagon had many expectations thrust upon him as he joined the royal house of Varenthiel. However, life at court was not immediately to his liking. The debauchery that King Aloroth and Queen Amelia had brought to the kingdom were well known of course, but hearing about it and witnessing acts during brief visits to court were one thing. Living amongst it was another matter entirely. Radagon was not a prude by any means, immediately going about producing heirs with his beautiful new wife. However he was loathe about taking other lovers and professed he did not wish his bride to do the same. What vexed him further was the casual manner in which the royal family approached the act of incest. On one occasion he caught his wife abed with their son once he was of age, and grew quite furious, attempting to ban any further such acts.
Radagon only became more influenced by the sinful air about the royal court, eventually succumbing and becoming fully hypocritical. Since her sixteenth name day, Radagon has been sleeping with his daughter, keeping it a secret from his wife, and jealously tries to keep his daughter from beginning her sorcerous studies. Radagon is aware that as a magically talented woman, his daughter will be taught how to summon, bind and tame a shadow demon, that she can ride as a mount, and the acts she will have to perform to sate the desires of this demon.
Currently it is assumed that Emberwild will remain within the family when Radagon and (wife) eventually take the throne. The crownlands will pass to Aloroth II and Emberwild will pass to Theron as the second son.
Name: Aloroth Varenthiel
Role: Prince
Race: Human (demon-blooded but heavily diluted)
Age: 18
Height: 6'0"
Family: Radagon (father), name tbd (mother), Theron (brother), name tbd (sister)
As the future king, Aloroth was named for his demonic great great grandfather. As if the name conducted destiny, Aloroth II is ever the lascivious prince that his namesake was. Possessed with the desires of a demon, Aloroth has already contributed to the dark tide in his own way. A cocksure and bratty young man, he wears the crimson hair of his father but already towers over the man. Something the courtiers have seen clearly irritates Count Radagon.
Aloroth is often found skipping out on his required classes, although he favours sword practice and avoids this less than his actual studies. When not where he should be, Aloroth is often found abed with whatever serving girl caught his eye that morning, or the daughters of visiting courtiers. The rumours he has already fathered over a dozen bastards with peasants has made it harder for his parents to make a match for him, despite being the future king. However his parents are sure it will become easier as Aloroth matures and he tames his instincts. Not that there is any sign of that stopping any time soon.
Aloroth has been denied such intimacy with his sister, Count Radagon keeping them apart mostly. His younger brother Theron is often picked on by Aloroth, although now Theron is old enough to hit back, the two princes have instead fallen into a more sullen rivalry, with verbal sparring than actual physical altercations. It doesn't help that Aloroth is clearly more proficient with both sword and in the bedroom, something he often reminds Theron of.
Name: Theron Varenthiel
Role: Prince
Race: Human (demon-blooded but heavily diluted)
Age: 17
Height: 5'11"
Family: Radagon (father), name tbd (mother), Aloroth II (brother), name tbd (sister)
As the second son of Radagon and (name), Theron has grown up in the shadow of his older brother, Aloroth. For most of his youth, Theron has had to tolerate his cocksure brother besting him at everything. Theron does not despise his brother, but Aloroth outshines him in almost every respect. He stands a hair taller than Theron. Aloroth is better with a sword, and when Theron made the mistake of confessing to his older brother he was harbouring feelings for a young noblewoman who had been visiting the court, she was later discovered in Aloroth's bed that very night.
Theron is fully expectant that Aloroth will inherit the throne and he will live a more humble life with a good bride as Count of Emberwild, perhaps with expanded lands due to his royal status. Theron is not unhandsome but is often compared to his brother and it has been decided it would be unbecoming for Theron to be married before Aloroth. Theron has occasionally indulged his status and is not without his charms, but he keeps his desires in check for the most part, unlike his older brother.
Theron embarrassingly enjoys the favour of his mother and grandmother the most. Aloroth would continuously tease Theron for this but it isn't as if his older brother avoids their mother's attention any less. Since their father found about this, Theron has been forced to spend less time alone with his mother, and any sessions together are often done in secret or when Radagon is away from the court.
Name: Malik Varenthiel
Role: none
Race: Human (demon-blooded but heavily diluted)
Age: 18
Height: 5'7"
Family: Calder (father), name tbd (mother), name tdb (sister), Suhair (sibling)
Malik was born in a land considered foreign to the one he spent most of his life. He is the first son of Prince Calder and his bride from across the sea. The couple found one another, and found love, while Calder was off exploring, returning with his new foreign bride, and Malik wrapped in swaddling cloth. Malik cannot claim he had a hard life. If he had been born a peasant, he knows the prejudice he faces would be much more pronounced. Instead he is allowed to bear the name of the royal family and so instead has to endure venomous whispers instead of stones.
Because of the attitude towards their family, Malik has spent a lot of time within his parents estate in Galecrest. Calder spent large sums of gold ensuring his children could grow up away from the court, with everything they could want. Calder have his son a name that means 'king' in the homeland of his wife's people. Some took this as a sign that Calder intended for his bronze-skinned son to vie for the throne one day, but Malik suspects his father was just playing a joke on the royal family and the court.
Despite their 'half-blood' status, Malik has grown into an undeniably handsome young man, popular with the young ladies who live around their families estate. Or at least those who are not forbidden from going near him by their fathers. He has been trained to fight with a blade but abhors tourneys and other such events for the most part. Thanks to the gold his father spent, Malik instead learnt to fence from men brought overseas from his mother's homeland. He speaks both languages, writes poetry and dances with the aura of an incubus.
Name: Suhair Varenthiel
Role: none
Race: Human (demon-blooded but heavily diluted)
Age: 16
Height: 5'2"
Family: Calder (father), name tbd (mother), name tdb (sister), Malik (sibling)
In the language of their mother's people, Suhair means 'morning star'. The youngest amongst their parents many children to have reached maturity, Suhair has enjoyed the life of luxury their parents have gifted them. Like their siblings, Suhair understands their own people look down on them for being born from the foreign bride their father brought home from his journeys overseas. However nobody can deny that Suhair shines like the star they are named for, beautiful and handsome in every way.
Because of their parents love and desire to shield them from prejudice, when Suhair matured they felt comfortable informing their parents that they felt no affinity with the label of masculinity they had been given from birth. This was not wholly suprirsing, as Suhair did not take easily to many of the activities that Malik or their father took part in. They confessed they felt no affinity for either masculinity or femininity. Calder and (mother) were understanding but Suhair was informed that one day they would be expected to take a bride and father children. Suhair has avoided the topic ever since.
Like their brother, Suhair is handsome and popular with ladies around the family estate. They have also caught the eye of several young men who mistook Suhair for a woman. Not all abandoned their pursuit upon learning the truth, which has only further confused things for the young Suhair. They spend most of their time in recreation, dancing, poetry, painting, and it is said that while Malik can seduce with his dancing, Suhair was gifted the voice of an angel, their singing always causing large gatherings.
Name: Leonid Andrik
Role: Count of Southshield
Race: Human
Age: 60
Height: 5'11"
Family: Joan (wife)
Leonid was a widower twice over before married into the royal House of Varenthiel. Despite being over twice her age, he was found to be a good match for Joan, daughter of Prince Landis. Southield is a powerful county, able to provide strong men-at-arms in times of war, and Leonid himself was a proven commander in battle, clearly something Prince Landis viewed as a good quality in a worthy match for his children.
As daughters of the king's third child, it was important that the girls secure suitable husbands, ones who would help support them, as they would not be expected to inherit much themselves, if anything. Leonid's other wives had died from clear and tragic accidents or natural causes, and so he was above suspicion. In fact, he was known as a noble man, a proud warrior and virtuous man. Unfortunately his wives had not lived long enough to grant him sons and so he had resigned himself to the idea his cousins would claim Southshield after he was gone. Instead he suddenly found himself granted a young and beautiful bride of royal blood.
Joan proved to be a fearsome young woman, ever her father's child, choosing armour over dresses when she could and even went toe to toe with her new husband with a blade. Despite this, Leonid found that his new bride seemed earnest in her desire to be a good bride. Unfortunately time had made things difficult and so he failed to perform to her liking on most occasions. The couple were however blessed with a son, Leonid doting on the boy and now assured that his line with continue. Due to this, he has all but given up on trying to impress his wife and turns a blind eye to whatever Joan must do to satisfy herself. He also is aware that as a woman of royal blood, she was tutored on how to bind and sate shadow demons, knowing what a woman must do to earn and keep the loyalty of such creatures.
As an old man, Leonid still keeps to the old ways of the church but knows it is best not to cause upset in his disdain for the new Aetheric Church and their joint worship of gods and demons together. It is for that reason he insisted that Joan not practice demon summoning while she was his bride. Fortunately the kingdom has not been at war the entirety of Joan's life and so there has been no need for her to ride into battle atop a shadow steed. Leonid preys he will cold in the ground before such a need arises.
Name: Lothair Webber
Role: Count of Coldmoat
Race: Human
Age: 55
Height: 6'1"
Family: name tbd (wife)
The second man to find himself granted a bride of royal blood, young enough to be his granddaughter. Leonid took a very different approach to his new wife than Lord Leonid. Lothair, like Leonid, was chosen due to his county's military strength, along with his proven ability as a warrior, and leader of men. He had fought with Prince Landis and after a less than loving wedding night, Lothair immediately began trying to shape his young bride into a wife he saw as suitable. Unfortunately she had other ideas.
It irks Lothair that many of the efforts he makes to punish his wife for her rebellious attitude are either ignored, avoided or even enjoyed it seems in some cases. Lothair insists his wife joins him in bed at his request, and the times she has been unable to avoid these frosty couplings have bore them a son, something that helped to make Lothair less angry with his often absent bride.
Lothair is not a fool and knows that his wife sneaks away often but he doesn't have a full picture of exactly what she gets up to. He also suspects that despite there being no military need for such a thing, she still practices the binding of shadow demons for purely recreational purposes. However he hasn't been able to prove this.
Name: Jared Varenthiel
Role: none
Race: Human (demon-blooded but heavily diluted)
Age: 20
Height: 6'3"
Family: name tbd (wife)
Born the third child and only son of Prince Landis and his wife (name), Jared earned a great deal more affection from his father. It became clear that although Landis was not unkind to his two daughters, he clearly always wanted a son. As such, Jared enjoyed a great deal more time and attention from his father, than his sisters did, something the ladies noticed and caused a good deal of friction between them. Joan and (name) were allowed to study with a blade but only after a lot of badgering their parents. Jared meanwhile had the best tutors money could buy and from a young age he became a renowned archer.
When he came of age, evidence of his father's favour came again, when unlike his sisters, Jared was allowed to choose his own bride. He selected a beautiful dark-haired woman from a minor noble house, having become quite smitten with the girl who was a few years his senior. Together they bore a son just two years ago and unlike his sister's husbands, Jared made no attempt to stop his wife practicing sorcery, and everything that came with. They keep such things mostly private, but there rumours that the couple frequently summons aetheric bedmates for the pleasure of both husband and wife.
When not bedding his sorceress wife, Jared spends most of his time riding, hunting, practicing his archery, and he has even taken to forming bands of local militiamen and hunting down local bandits. It is clear to anyone that Jared longs for the kinds of conflicts that his father enjoyed in his youth and wishes to prove himself.
The Royal Guard are seven warriors of great renown. An order that was only created recently in the reign of Aloroth and Amelia. The couple wished for a group of the greatest and most loyal knights to protect their son. These knights replaced the position formerly held by the royal marshal.
Sir Gallard - knight of pride, lord commander of the guard, tasked with overseeing the other members and ensuring the honour of the throne and guard are not besmirched.
Sir Tibalt - knight of wrath, tasked with drilling young royals in the art of war and swordsmanship.
Sir Luther - knight of greed, tasked with overseeing the guard of the royal treasury.
Sir Aldous - knight of sloth, tasked with the night watch and guardianship of the throne while others are abed.
Sir Adequin - knight of lust, tasked with preserving the chastity of female royals, also overseeing their sex lessons.
Sir Gerontius - knight of gluttony, tasked with tasting the king's food and guardianship of feasts and other celebrations.
Sir Baynard - knight of envy, the role assigned to the youngest member of the guard, a more general role.
A group that report directly to the ruling monarch and fill various roles.
Chancellor Thoumassin - chief administrative officer and advisor to the monarch. Not the most coveted role, given the excesses of King (name).
Steward Hamelin - responsible for the administration and management of the royal residence and its staff. A role often enjoyed, as the person in question gets to personally interview new serving staff, ensuring they have what it takes to reside in the castle.
Chaplain Omari - a role that has changed much in the time since Aloroth and Amelia took the throne. The Chaplain now shares responsibility of faith, representing the gods while their counterpart speaks for demonkind. They must speak for the authority of the old church while understanding the royal family often greatly favour the influence of Hell.
Name: Baldurin Fitzregum
Role: Duke of Elderstone
Race: Human (quarter-blooded)
Age: 51
Height: 5'10"
Family: name tbd fighter (daughter), name tbd nun (daughter), name tbd sorceress (daughter), Haines (son), Archenhaud (son)
Balduin was born the first son of King Aloroth via the queen mother, Victoria. Most within the royal court at the time knew that the demon-king enjoyed the affection of both Amelia and Victoria. So, when Victoria was found to be with child around the same time as her daughter, there was much discussion about how the child would fit into the royal family. During the reign of King (name), the doting monarch granted legitimacy to his half-brothers and sister, declaring them the lawful children of the former King Galien, thereby making them by his uncles and aunt.
Balduin knows the truth. He knows his father was a demon-blooded bastard born from King Aloroth. He plays along of course, using the authority granted to them by King (name). His father sadly passed away a few years ago and so Balduin inherited the duchy they were handed and became the head of the cadet royal house of Fitzregum. Death has unfortunately followed Balduin in much of his life. His first wife suffered a terrible accident, shortly after giving birth to a third daugher, giving Balduin no sons. He swiftly remarried and the fact his second wife gave birth to a son only a short while after his third daughter was born, cast doubt on just how faithful Balduin had been. It didn't help that after bearing him two sons, his second wife tragically died also. Balduin now enjoys his third wife, a woman many years his junior and how has already bore him an infant daughter in the past year.
Balduin grew up spending a lot of time at court. He argued constantly with his cousin Calder, who relished teasing and riling up the more straight-laced Balduin. He never forgot the insults he suffered and delights in returning barbs about Calder's 'exotic' wife and their children. He hides it but Balduin is a wicked man who covets the throne. He has yet to vie for it openly but a plot is forming and Balduin believes he may be able to not only discredit the Varenthiel claim but enrich himself in the process.
Name: Haines Fitzregum
Role: Sorcerer
Race: Human (demon-blooded but heavily diluted)
Age: 32
Height: 5'5"
Family: name tbd (wife) Balduin (father) tbd fighter (half-sister), name tbd nun (half-sister), name tbd sorceress (half-sister), Archenhaud (brother)
Haines is the first born son of Duke Balduin, his fourth child but the first from his second wife. With three older half-sisters, Haines had a lot of expectations thrust upon him by his father, who had not made it a secret he desired a male heir. His first wife had only bore him daughters, before the terrible accident that took her life. Haines is not a fool and obviously suspects that his mother, Balduin's second wife met the same fate, and possibly simply because his father desired a younger and prettier wife.
Haines was not the strong and noble son that Duke Balduin desired. He was bookish and withdrawn as a boy, preferring to focus on his studies over learning to fight or hunt. Balduin grew increasingly frustrated until Haines began to cultivate magical ability. The trait was rare in males, with women demonstrating magical talent more often than not. Balduin immediately enrolled Haines in the brand new sorcerous academy that had been built and Haines eventually graduated, serving as the magical advisor to House Fitzregum, along with the equally magically talented woman who was chosen to be his wife.
The pair have had several children together although only their firstborn daughters are of age, a pair of twin girls. Presently both the twins are the favourites of the king and Haines tolerates the monarch's indiscretion in bedding both his daughters. He also suspects that one of them has become closer than is sensible with his own father, but if such a relationship does exist, then they are keeping it a better secret than the king does.
Name: Archenhaud Fitzregum
Role: Count of Mournshade
Race: Human (demon-blooded but heavily diluted)
Age: 30
Height: 5'5"
Family: name tbd (wife) Balduin (father) tbd fighter (half-sister), name tbd nun (half-sister), name tbd sorceress (half-sister), Haines (brother)
Archenhaud is every bit the son that Duke Balduin wished Haines would be. Dark of hair like many with the blood of King Aloroth, Archenhaud is a gaunt and rugged man. Unlike his bookish brother, he took to military matters like a duck to water. Archenhaud is a capable fighter, horseman and hunter. Due to having the greater favour of his father, Archenhaud was also granted lands within the duchy of Elderstone and the title of count. This obvious favouritism has caused no end of bad blood between the brothers. Although it is some kind of irony that Archenhaud is the brother who took the tragic death of their mother more to heart, even if he is too blinded by his father's favour to suspect foul play on Balduin's part.
His wife is a few years his junior and according to custom the pair married when his bride was old enough. Archenhaud has immediately gotten about producing heirs and enjoys the company of his bride, even if the pair share very little in common. So far she has bore him three children, the oldest of whom recently turned 6. However it seems the supposed blessing/curse of the demon-blood has manifested in Archenhaud, as so far his wife has only born him daughters, despite his want for a son like most men.
Name: Cedric Belgrave
Role: Count of Silverwind
Race: Human
Age: 30
Height: 5'3"
Family: name tbd (wife) Balduin (father-in-law)
Cedric is something of an anomaly within the house of Fitzregum. He married into the family by wedding Balduin's first daughter. The match was not a happy one but House Belgrave was wealthy and well connected. Unfortunately the union has not been a happy one. Cedric's bride wishes to be a warrior and sorceress. Although her husband seems quite happy for her to pursue these ventures, rumours say this is not out of affection, but instead because Cedric has no interest in women.
Cedric is a kind man despite all this, well-read and much prefers reading histories and administering to their domain than activities of other men his age. He does his best to maintain a cordial relationship with his wife, and avoids questions from others about the lack of a child even after being married for many years.
Name: Alvertos Aurelius
Role: Count of Holyhill
Race: Human
Age: 40
Height: 5'6"
Family: name tbd (wife) Balduin (father-in-law)
The realm knows Alvertos of House Aurelius as the most devout knight in the land. House Aurelius always had close ties to the church and so were foremost in supporting rebellion agains the Reformation that was brought about by King Aloroth and Queen Amelia. Unfortunately the rebellions were defeated or pious priests converted by the temptation of the succubus queen. So House Aurelius fell in standing, instead biding their time and quietly holding to the old ways and honouring the gods, instead of the joint Aetheric Church brought about from the Reformation.
Alvertos styles himself a paladin. He is ever the image of handsome, noble lord, bearing with himself with an air of humility that hides the sinful pride beneath. It surprised many when the couple named their eldest daughter Amelia, the first of any royal blood to take the name. The couple state it is to honour the succubus queen but privately Alvertos wishes to raise a pure and devout daughter, to reclaim the name in the name of the divine and wipe away the stain Queen Amelia left upon their holy kingdom.
Name: Henley Farwynd
Role: Headmaster of the Royal Academy of Sorcery
Race: Human
Age: 47
Height: 5'9"
Family: name tbd (wife) Balduin (father-in-law)
Despite being his father-in-law, Henley grew up with Duke Balduin, the pair being friends in their youth. The relationship meant that when his first wife sadly passed, Henley was granted the hand of Balduin's third daughter by his first wife. Henley considers himself quite fortunate in that regard, not only because his beautiful demon-blooded wife is 15 years his junior, but also because she is a talented sorceress.
Henley demonstrated magical talent himself and so was tutored in the art, a rare thing as magic manifested more in the women of royal blood. When he was an adult and a practicing sorcerer, Henley was granted further favour, and chosen to become headmaster of the Royal Academy of Sorcery, a new institution created by royal charter from the demon king and queen. It had become evident that multiple children brought on the dark tide were manifesting magical talent, royal and lowborn alike. Henley takes his job very seriously, although he works closely with Balduin to ensure that those of particular talent are swayed towards House Fitzregum.
He and his wife have recently had a daughter come of age but sadly she has yet to inherit her parents magical talents and they are looking to simply marry the girl off.
Born as the sole daughter of House Damysell of Dronia, Elara quickly became known as “The Rose of Dronia”. As the sole daughter of her house, she was raised with the duty and expectation that her sole purpose was to marry a suitor fitting of her house’s status. Her parented doted upon her, but her father had high expectations for his daughter and had pushed for her to become the very imagine of femininity from a young age. She was taught to be graceful, sweet, obedient, and clever in order to attract more potential suitors when she reached of age as the pressure to ensure she only married the best had been pushed upon her since she was as young as seven years old. Her father and seemingly had ambition to strengthen his house through his only daughter.
A fate her brothers were seemingly spared from as their father only encouraged them in the arts of swordsmanship while his daughter was forbade from picking up anything sharper than a sewing needle.
As she blossomed into a woman, she’d become a radiant beauty that immediately captured the attention of the other houses. Word spread quickly of Elara’s beauty and the lessons her father instilled upon her were successful. Any man who was graced by her presence weren’t just stunned by her beauty, but had fallen for her tenderness and capability to hold stimulating conversation.
She was more clever than her potential suitors were allowed to see as her father instilled in her that she should be intelligent, but she should never be smarter than her husband. More often than not, she had to pretend that she didn’t know a subject as throughly as she did and as such, she was often unimpressed with her suitors. After spending years being trained in the arts of being the very ideal of what a woman and a wife should be, Elara often found herself disappointed when the suitors that approached her didn’t match what her expectations and left her feeling underwhelmed with her choices. Ultimately, it wasn’t up to her who she was to marry. That choice was left to her father. As all her choices had been.
However, her father came to her one day with entirely new ambitions…
The crown prince (NAME), the son of King Aloroth and Queen Amelia, had officially reached his marrying age and no longer had her father wanted his daughter to keep her sights amongst the men of other houses, but now directed her to turn all her attention to the crown prince instead.
A tourney was set to celebrate the crown prince reaching his 16th birthday and her father saw no better time to catch the young prince’s eyes. He had heard of the more…lustful inclinations of the royal family. He’d even hear of the rumors that the queen herself was the first to bed the young prince the very moment midnight had struck. Whether the rumors were true or not didn’t seem to matter to her power hungry father. Instead, he’d take all his lessons of elegance and poise and throw them aside for a new strategy.
Upon the day of the tourney, Elara arrived in a dress that could’ve been taken directly from Queen Amelia’s own wardrobe. Elara never experienced the power of a woman’s sexuality more than that day. While her goal was to attract the eyes of the prince, Elara admittedly had more fun than she should when men of all ranks tried to have a moment of her time. They’d spend a majority of the attention she would give them showing off to her like male birds dancing for a female’s approval. After spending years only seeing the most mediocre side of her suitors, it became a thrill to her to see how men suddenly wanted to put their best foot forward for her hand. All because she’d show some cleavage and just the right amount of curves. There was a sense of power she hadn't felt before and she found herself longing for more. She didn’t know just how much of her father’s ambition she’d have locked within her until that day.
Knights fought in her honor, bards sang their undying love to her, and even the King himself seemed to take notice of her. She’d watch as he’d lean into the Queen’s ear and within the hour, she’d be invited to the royal family’s booth that loomed just over the most violent and depraved of the tourney games.
She’d spend the afternoon alongside them and much to her father’s delight. It was her chance to catch the prince’s gaze and from the moment he’d set eyes on her, it didn’t seem all too hard for her to keep his gaze on her. While the prince tended to fall in love with a new woman every few days, there was something about Elara that had her stick in his head the longest amongst them.
Perhaps, it was the way she could keep up with the discussions amongst the royals and how they could appreciate a woman with a mind as sharp as hers. Perhaps, it was how sweetly she’d giggle at his teasing remarks no matter how crude or boyish they were. Or perhaps, it was how she didn’t shrink away when the prince wanted to slip his hands around her breasts and grope them in full view of his subjects and his parents despite how red and flustered it made her. Maybe it was that glimmer of hunger for more in her eyes that rivaled the look her father often gazed upon her with her entire life. Part of her even had to wonder if the king or queen had a say in why the prince seemed to favor her. Queen Amelia had been especially vocal about her approval of Elara and may have influenced her son’s wondering heart and eyes. After all, the crown prince seemed to be especially close to his mother.
Whether it’d be these reasons or more, she wouldn’t know for certain. All she did know was that she’d receive a letter that declared that she’d was the bride the crown prince longed to be at his side. Her father couldn’t have been more proud of his daughter for finally fulfilling her purpose and she was sure to thank him by not once speaking to him again and wouldn’t allow him to have a single coin from her coffers after she exchanged her vows…
Though, Elara’s marriage had been a turbulent one. Her husband had been a very attentive and vigorous lover for the first year of their marriage and it wouldn’t be long before she was already pregnant with her first child. Her motherhood only seemed to arouse him more, but even then, even that wasn’t enough to keep her husband’s eyes on her alone.
Despite being married to Elara, her husband’s old habits never died. She’d catch him flirting, groping, and even bedding a new woman every few weeks. After spending a month within the castle walls, she’d see first hand have depraved the royal family and their habits were, but there was some poor naive side of her that thought she might’ve been enough to sate her husband’s wild appetites. Wild arguments could be heard all through the castle halls for the first few months. The new princess was livid at her husband’s promiscuity, but with a child on the way and her addiction to the power of her new position in place…she had to learn to live with it.
Years made her cold and bitter towards her husband despite her efforts to still try to love him. Her husband’s lusts already hardened her heart, but it was his reign as king that solidified her distaste of the man she married. In her eyes, she had done her duty as a wife and bore her husband three legitimate children and no longer had a reason to sleep with the man she’s grown to despise. Instead, she’d spend her days enjoying the power her position held and after spending some time with the queen personally, she’d even grow to enjoy some of the royal family’s habits. If her husband was free to be as disloyal as possible, then she’d have her share of fun too…
Despite being older than her husband, she remained relatively healthy and maintained an appearance of beauty despite her age. She had grown quite happy with her life, despite the man she’d marry. She adored her children and the parents of her husband. She’d love her subjects and even grew to love the depravity and sins of a family influenced by demons. Yet, every day made her a little more hopeful. Her husband’s state was getting worse by the day and there were talks that he won’t be long before he’d be gone from this world. As her twin granddaughters took up to sitting on his lap more then any other chair, Elara silently drinks in peace amongst the rest of her colorful family with the pleasure of knowing she just might outlive her husband.
The first child and sole daughter of King (NAME) and Queen Elara. As the only daughter of her loving parents, Olivette was doted upon by her parents. Though, her father perhaps doted upon her too much as she’d grow to inherit her mother’s near divine beauty.
Elara wouldn’t make the same mistake her father had done to her and raised Olivette to understand the power she held for being born a woman. She’d raise Olivette to embrace her femininity, but also to be entirely independent. She’d instill in her daughter that her father will use her for political gain, but to not let that define who she was. Elara prioritized that Olivette be educated both in the arts of politics for a majority of her life and then later in the arts of seduction when she’d become the proper age. The queen had discovered that these two schools were the only ones that truly mattered in the matters of royalty and she refused to let her daughter’s potential go to waste.
When she turned sixteen, Elara knew her husband would try to bed his own daughter as her beauty had been as irresistible as Elara’s had been during the peak of her youth. Just to spite her husband for his endless open affairs, Elara would go to the now former King Aloroth to take her daughter instead.
At this point of her life, Olivette had fully embraced her sexuality as she saw it as her greatest advantage in the political world. When she was presented to her grandfather, she’d embrace the night before her as a the moment that’d set her up to be the woman she is today.
Olivette would marry not long after her virginity had already been taken. Usually, it might’ve been an issue for a woman to find any suitors who’d marry someone who had already been deflowered, but Olivette had no shortage of potential husbands. Because of how her mother raised her, Olivette knew marrying for love was out of the question. She knew what her purpose was for marriage and sought after the most tolerable out of all her suitors.
The man she chose ended up being a sweet and caring man who doted upon the spoiled princess, which came as a unexpected surprise to Olivette. Elara assured her that no matter what man she chose to marry, he would eventually have his share of affairs no matter how much he’d love her in the beginning, but her husband made her question those words.
He’d tend her to every desire, every need, every request with the gratitude and worship of a man who married a goddess. However, he was no push over either. He’d draw his sword upon any man who’d speak ill of his beloved wife. He knew full well she was capable of defending herself both with words and the magical gifts she’d inherit from her grandmother Queen Ameila, but refused to stand by when his wife’s happiness and peace was threatened. For a time, Olivette could feel this man chip away at her cold heart. Perhaps, she could’ve grown to genuinely love this man.
Until, he had died…
Olivette mourned her husband with a heavy heart. His death had been sudden and unexpected as he was struck by an illness he couldn’t recover from. She’d bare her husband a beautiful daughter and mourned the fact she wouldn’t be able to give him the second child they planned for.
Any hope that Olivette could experience pure love died the day her husband died. She’d discover upon his death that she had grown to love her husband more then she ever planned to and decided from then on that she’d refuse to get married again. Her father pushed her to marry a new man for more power and trade, but she’d stand firm against him. She will never marry again and experience this heartbreak again or be thrown into the arms of some man who treated her as cruelly as her father treated his mother.
Though, her father hadn’t respected his daughter’s wishes and relentlessly sent suitors to Olivette in hopes she’d find one she fancied. Yet, Olivette stuck to her word. She’d never marry again and instead took upon the joys of toying with her suitors upon seeking advice on how to handle the matter from the former Queen Amelia herself. Once again, Olivette would discover the joys of being a woman in a world that seemed so against them. Her pride in her womanhood and sexuality would become more obvious as she’d grow a sadistic grin at every man she’d sample and toss aside once she grew bored of them.
Despite being the first born amongst her siblings, she knew the throne will be hers to inherit, but until that day arrived, she was perfectly content with her lavish lifestyle. Despite being raised to handle her way through political games and conversations, she had no interest in becoming a queen. For the time being, she uses her knowledge to toy with the hearts of her suitors and any man she sought to spend her evenings. She’d especially took pleasure in toying with the ones who were quite vocal about their displeasure at the thought a woman might inherit the throne with no husband or male heir to accompany her. Her tolerance with men is limited as she faced this criticism ever since the day she wished to never be married again, but she’ll surely enjoy showing them personally how to bow to their future queen. She’d rule the men around her with an iron fist to show them how her lack of a cock of her own didn’t diminish her worth to the throne and made them give her the respect they should’ve always had for her.
Though, she’d quickly come to discover that an iron fist from a woman like herself seemed to stir a craving amongst many of the men she was forced to share a space with. Many would come back to her and beg for more once they had a taste of what she was capable of…
After the loss of her husband and providing her family with a healthy and beautiful addition to their ranks, she saw her new purpose was to be a active voice within political meetings and events with her evenings spent sampling wines and enjoying whatever toy she decided to play with that day until it was her to sit upon the throne.
Now, she spends her days enjoying her status, her future, and her life as a woman with plentiful suitors who still pined for her and her sweet wrath despite her old age. They knew her time for children was done, but they still longed for just one night with the sultry princess. If she was feeling generous or if they played her games well enough to be entertaining to her, she just might give it to them…
Name: Marika Varenthiel
Role: Princess
Race: Human (demon-blooded, but heavily diluted)
Age: 34
Height: 5’6’’
Family:
Olivette (Mother)
Radagon (Husband)
Aloroth II (Son)
Theron (Son)
Faylen (Daughter)
Marika is the sole heir of Princess Olivette and her deceased husband. She is set to be next in line for the throne when her mother came to pass.
When Marika was born, she was precious to Oilvette as she was the sole result of the love between Oilvette and her lost lover and as such, Olivette set to ensure her daughter would become someone that could thrive in a system that’d be set against her. Olivette was greatly inspired by the methods of how her own mother had raised her and sought it fitting that her own daughter be raised similarly.
As heir to the throne, Olivette knew personally just how difficult court life will be for her daughter. Despite Queen Amelia being the first woman to claim her right to the throne now three generations ago, the men of the court still hadn’t grown comfortable with the concept of a woman inheriting the throne by brith right. Marika wouldn’t be easily accepted amongst them for this and Olivette feared her daughter would have many challengers or obstacles set in her way for the day she’d take the throne. It became critical that she’d raise her daughter to be as clever as her mother and grandmother before her to prove her place was upon that very throne and within the very war rooms that women were once banned from being present in.
However, Marika wouldn’t just learn many tricks and trades from proper education either. The young princess would learn from her mother’s example of just how a woman’s body could be just as effective as her intelligence. Perhaps, even more so.
Oilvette being a woman who embraced her sexuality and womanhood wouldn’t have any shame in letting her daughter witness how she played her role in a court. Men still ruled the court by the majority, but Marika would see it didn’t matter how many men there were, they’d all be weak to the charms of a beautiful woman.
Marika would witness first hand from a young age how her mother had the men around her wrapped around her finger. Each one was willing to do anything for even a scrap of her attention, despite her obvious distain for any man who hadn’t been her deceased husband. She’d witness how men would bend the knee to her mother and seemingly pine for her despite her obvious dislike of them. These sights paired with the obstacles of their vocal distaste of a woman being the heir to the throne would led Marika to become fascinated with the minds of men.
The court and many other positions of power were still heavily dominated by men and having a strong understanding of them just might help her understand how to navigate through the treacherous world of politics. Luckily for her, she’d certainly have her advantages to such curiosities.
As Marika became of age, it became clear that she had inherited the former Queen Amelia’s many…assets. Her mother didn’t inherit the all of same traits of Amelia’s likeness, but somehow, Marika had. Some would even called attention to the fact that Marika had a striking resemblance to the former queen and such constant comparisons had Marika become stricken with inspiration towards the very woman she was so often compared to. As her mother opted to use her sexuality to make men crumple to her feet and show her proper respect with a firm hand, Marika would adapt a new strategy. One that Queen Amelia had perfected when she was just about Marika’s age…
Marika would use her unconventional gifts to win over the hearts of the men who’d speak against her and discovered rather quickly just how effective of a method it would be. Not only had the men of the court been affected by her methods, but practically every man who shared her space regardless of their position or relation to her. She’d realize just how widely her methods appealed to and only encouraged her to experiment with this path further to tap into its fullest potential.
She’d take what she learned both from her mother and from the history of Queen Amelia’s rise to power to create a powerful combination that’d change the course of Marika’s path to glory. It wouldn’t take long before the very men who once criticized or questioned her right to the throne had suddenly seemed quite content with the princess’s eventual rise to power.
It’d begin with changing her manner of dress as she’d take inspiration with Queen Amelia’s wardrobe and allowed herself to show off her gifts to any and all. She’d then take on Amelia’s primary method of appearing sweet and as unthreatening as possible to the men she’d speak to in order to get close to them and perhaps learn a thing or two while they believed her to be too sweet and innocent to ever turn this information against them. She’d earn their trust with both pretty words and allowing them tastes of her body both by sight and subtle touch. Once their guard was lowered, she’d learned she could get the most value out of a man by using the very same sexual fierceness of her mother. After spending a night with her, Marika would have a new supporter who’s heart softened to her and her ideas, so long as she kept their balls drained.
The two methods were combined into a more powerful and unique strategy that quickly had Marika win many favors amongst the court and even within the royal family. There were plenty of men through out the branches of power who still speak against her, but it’d only be a matter of time before her charms and sexual powress will eventually come to them and she’d make them love her as the others had…
And, while Marika could thank a majority of her success to the brilliance of Queen Amelia and Princess Oilvette, she’d also have to greatly thank her grandfather, the King (NAME) himself, for training her in the arts of pleasure that’d help her persuade even the most stubborn of men to support her eventual rule. As well as for awakening a genuine love within her for her new strategy for his teachings had her become just as fascinated with men’s bodies as she had with their strange minds.
Despite how active Marika’s bed was in her efforts to win the hearts of the court, there would be a man who’d genuinely catch her eye…
The tourney was the perfect opportunity for any young man to attempt to woo the princess. However, rumors of how she treated the men within the castle walls managed to spread to those who lived outside of it and Marika was faced with potential suitors who assumed she’d be easy to please. While she didn’t dislike their attention and their attempts to capture hers, none of them managed to impress her as they assumed words alone would be enough to win a night with her. Perhaps, it could’ve been true, but none were quite so clever enough to convince her or impress her enough to be swayed by words alone. However, there was one man amongst them who would capture her like no other man had before.
Radagon showed his skills with a blade and a lance so effectively that he’d make the young princess’s heart race. His flaming red hair captured her attention and his skills ensure that the princess wouldn’t be able to take her eyes off of him. As he became the tourney's champion, Marika couldn’t resist the urges that overcame her. Even upon the discovery that their champion actually ended up being quite a bit shorter than she was, it wouldn’t be enough to quell the hunger he’d stir within her. After spending countless days with dull men or ones who assumed her to be a whore that’d fuck anything that moved, Radagon had been an exciting and enticing change from her usual company. Radagon would be the first man outside of the royal family that’d she’d sleep with without any favor or political gain in return. And, soon…it became clear that she had fallen for the man and he had fallen for her.
However, her marriage to Radagon faced many challenges…
Radagon wasn’t in favor of the royal family’s activities and behaviors. The debaucheries of King Aloroth and Queen Amelia had instilled in them had been well known, but it became clear that Radagon wasn’t prepared for what the royal family’s practices were. This issue would become a main source of conflict between the pair. Radagon proved to her how he was no prude with how vigorously he set to giving her children, but when he’d discover that Marika hadn’t given up her habit of sleeping with others outside of their marriage, it’d become a frequent argument between them. The worst of them happened when her husband would discover his wife in bed with their very own son and he’d try to out right ban her from engaging in such habits.
Despite her love for her husband, the fact he tried to ban her from a family tradition that had become scared amongst the royals had her furious and she’d begin to feel resentment towards her husband. She dealt with the disapproval of men her entire life and had hoped her husband would’ve been different. She’d start to see her husband as any other man she had to sleep with for political advantages and to this day, she could feel her love for him being tested as she refuses to obey her husband no matter how he’d demand of it from her. Part of her longs to save her marriage and not fall under the curse of royal women being married to men who made them miserable, but until Radagon accepted her family and its traditions, it would be difficult to have what they once had.
Until then, she refuses to let her husband dictate what she can and couldn’t do. More often then not, she is often seen alongside her sons and is often spotted leaving their bedrooms in the early morning. She’d remain unaware of her husband’s own secret visits to their beloved daughter despite his active voice against such practices, but she’d see the subtle signs of change within her husband. As if perhaps…he just may come to understand and accept the family he had married into. She dared to hope that perhaps their marriage could return to being a happy one after all.
Name: Faylen Varenthiel
Role: Princess
Race: Human (demon-blooded, but heavily diluted)
Age: 16
Height: 5’5”
Family:
Radagon (Father)
Marika (Mother)
Aloroth II (Older Brother)
Theron (Older Brother)
Faylen is the third child and only daughter of Princess Marika and the Prince-Consort Radagon.
From a young age, Faylen has shown promise in the realm of magic that every Varenthiel woman tended to inherit. Her capabilities to learn and master complex within speeds that’d even make Queen Amelia proud was a testament to her capabilities of becoming a great sorceress.
However, her father, Radagon sought to prevent his daughter from being officially taken into her sorceress studies. For what reason, Faylen couldn’t understand. No matter how much she’d argue with her father over the matter, he’d remain adamant and refused to allow her to delve deeper into her potential as a sorceress or perhaps, even a shadow rider.
However, she’d refuse to let her father rob her of all of her magical joys. Faylen followed in Queen Amelia’s footsteps and would practice her magic in secret with the hopes of one day proving to her father that her talents were too great to be ignored.
Despite having two older brothers, Faylen would barely know them. Her father wasn’t just controlling over her magical studies, but seemed strangely against Faylen growing too close to her brothers. She wouldn’t know much about Aloroth or Theon beyond her relation to them and part of her was wildly curious about them. She had always been a curious and stubborn girl, but her father was determined to keep her time with her brothers as limited as possible for reasons she wouldn’t get to know.
Her relationship with her mother seemed to suffer as a result of her father’s determination to keep her isolated. Marika doted upon her brothers and while Faylen didn’t question whether or not her mother loved her, it did often feel as if Marika had greatly favored her brothers over her. This would lead her to seek affection from her father more despite her frustrations with him as he seemed to be the one person she’d could turn to for safety and affection. As difficult as it could be to tolerate his need to seemingly control every aspect of her life, she’d love him more then anyone else.
That’s why when her father came to her one night not terribly long after she came of age, she’d be thankful it was him who’d take her virginity. Despite how angry she could be with him, she couldn’t of asked for a better man to be her first. The tradition of a family member taking her virginity hadn’t been new or unexpected to her as her father couldn’t protect her from the traditions and habits the Varenthiels in their entirety. Part of her expected it might have been one of her brothers who’d have the honor, but it was her father who sought her despite how they’d often talk of his dislike of the tradition.
This act brought her closer to her father and her love for him deepened as she’d experience pleasure, intimacy, and genuine connection for the very first time. While the girl refuses to give up on her destiny in the art of magic, her love for her father undoubtedly grows with every night they’d share together. Though, she still often wonders of her brothers and longs to one day know them. Perhaps, even as well as she knew her father.
Vespera Prykkett was born in the land of Sotiasia, one of the neighboring counties to the country the Varentheil royal family inhabited.
Sotiasia was a country primarily dominated by scorching hot deserts with the few major cities within its land being fruitful oases that amidst the brutal and unforgiving desolate lands. Sotiasia relied on trade with its allied countries for certain resources that the desert wouldn’t allow them to produce, but became famous for its many spices, teas, scented oils, rare metals, and exotic fruits. Sotisasia quickly became a country many would seek alliances with, primarily for their wide array of spices and for rare metals of their land. It’s believed metal and steel from Sotiasia grounds crafted the finest and strongest weapons and their economy thrived on such beliefs. As such, blacksmithing became a very lucrative trade amongst the Sotiasian people.
While Sotiasia did have a thriving community with a regal family to guide their people into prosperity despite the challenges of their lands, Vespera would not be amongst these royals. Despite what her late husband, Prince Calder would later tell his fellow royal Varentheil family members, Vespera wouldn’t be of noble or royal blood. Instead, she was the humble daughter of the most famous blacksmith amongst the Sotiasian people in the heart of their capital.
There were rumors that perhaps the Varentheil prince had visited this famed blacksmith in search of a new sword that would outdo any sword from his homeland and this was how he came across the blacksmith’s beautiful daughter. Vespera had been girl who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and hadn’t seemed particularly impressed or threatened by Calder’s status as a prince from a foreign land. She had become quite acquainted with many people of royal or noble blood due to her father’s name driving them all to gaze upon his work, so Prince Calder was just another potential customer to help her father’s business thrive.
Vespera didn’t seek to become a blacksmith herself as she saw herself unwilling to endure the dangers of her father’s work, but instead found her talents in running her father’s business and securing lucrative deals. There hardly be a soul who’d enter their shop and didn’t leave with a new weapon in hand or ordered an entire shipment of them. Perhaps, it was these talents and her lack of intimidation towards Prince Calder that drew his eye to her despite her lack of royal blood.
Whatever the reason may be, Vespera found herself in Prince Calder’s company more than she had expected. Over time, she found herself growing fond of the prince and often made time for his visits despite how often she’d spend managing her father’s business. When the day Prince Calder asked for her hand arrive, it hardly came as a surprise to her and she’d gladly accept, especially after her father showed approval for the distant prince despite his foreign origins. It wouldn’t be long before the two were married and a even shorter time before she had expected her first child. However, there had been one issue with their marriage.
One day, Prince Calder expressed a desire to return to his home, but Vespera worried about her status and how that could affect their children alongside the state of her father’s business without her. It’d be Prince Calder’s idea that they claim that Vespera was a princess from Sotiasia and assured her that her family wouldn’t become curious enough to dig into her history to uncover their lie. They’d hide her peasant origins, especially when she’d come with an assumed alliance with Sotiasia and the promise that they’d receive shipments of Sotiasian swords, lances, arrows, and maces to arm their soldiers twice a year. She felt uneasy leaving her father and his business behind, but he assured her that he could manage his business just find alongside his wife who learned from their daughter’s business savvy methods. To solidify her decision, he’d promise to write to her often about the state of his business and in return hoped to hear of her and his grandchildren as they thrived in another kingdom. Under these terms, Vespera finally agreed to join her husband to return to his homeland, even if her heart remained torn.
Today, no one within the castle seemingly questioned or suspected that Vespera wasn’t of royal blood. Her beauty was unquestionable and her fertility apparent as she’d already given birth to Prince Calder’s heirs. She also managed to impress and satisfy his family of her facade as she learned from her business how to have conversation with nobles and royals. She'll even prove to be a rather valuable voice when it came to the kingdom’s finances, even if her voice and opinions weren't appreciated within the court.
Though, she wouldn’t be completely warmly welcomed either. Despite her eloquent speech, her beauty, and her intelligence, many within this new land rejected Vespera purely because of the darkness of her skin. Her foreign origin was immediately noticed and despite the many benefits of her presence, many chose to be rude and cruel when speaking to her. This came as quite a shock to Vespera, at first, but over the years has learned that there was nothing she could do to sway their ignorant minds. As a whole, she was accepted by some of the royal family, but rejected by many more. Despite the many strange and depraved habits of the Varenthiel family that she'd later come to accept and even take part in with more ease then most newcomers. Her origins as a peasant came in handy for this aspect of her life since she was rarely spared from seeing the lusts of others from the many brothels of her homeland. Regardless of these habits, she felt loved by both her husband and their beautiful children as they spent a majority of their time away from a court that would not welcome them within the comforts of their estate. That was all Vespera would need to feel content and satisfied, even if she’ll never be completely accepted in this new land.
Name: Thalia Varenthiel
Role: None
Race: Human (demon-blooded, but heavily diluted)
Age: 20
Height: 5’6’’
Family:
Calder (Father)
Vespera (Mother)
Malik (Younger Brother)
Suhair (Younger Brother)
Thalia Varenthiel is the first born and only daughter of Prince Calder and Princess Consort Vespera.
It would be immediately apparent who her mother was amongst the many royal family members and very few were welcoming of her presence despite her status as a princess.
Her father, Prince Calder, had the foresight to raise his children away from the court in their private estate and it'd prove to be a wise decision. Thalia learned from a young age that she will never be accepted within the court and had long abandoned any aspirations one of day inheriting the throne. She knew convincing the court to support her would be near impossible for her and she’d refused to rule for a kingdom that wouldn’t accept her. Thankfully, her father seemed to point his attentions towards his eldest son for any potential role as a ruler for their kingdom. Any future of their family upon the throne would be his burden to bear and she’d give her sympathies to him for it. However, she would have her share of burden as well.
As the sole daughter of Prince Calder, her parents would see to arranging her with a husband the day she reached her marriage age. Their daughter’s beauty was unmatched and her father’s ways of raising her within their estate with endless coin to fund her interests led her to become a notable artist. Her voice was as angelic as youngest brother’s had been and she’d take to playing the harp that could lull any weary heart into a sense of ease and peace. Yet, despite these qualities, Thalia would struggle to find a husband.
It seemed that not many men of notable status wanted to align themselves with a bride of her origins regardless of her status as a princess. Being of Sotiasia decent came with the risk of their house or name being valued less if they were to take her as a bride and thus she struggled to find suitors, even if the very same men who denied her as a bride would freely gawk at her and admire her beauty. It became clear that these men wouldn't have hesitated to have her had she been a whore in their brothel, but wanted nothing of her as a bride. Though, it wouldn’t stop them from suggesting that she didn’t have to marry them in order to enjoy them either. It seemed to be far easier for her to find men willing to bed her than it was to find a worthy man to marry her.
Despite this, her parents would continue to try to find her a fitting suitor despite this. Yet, with every potential suitor they’d bring to meet her, all it took was one gaze upon her and any offer would be withdrawn immediately. No noble would open their house to her. There'd be no knight to ask for her favor during any tourney. The journey to become a bride had utterly exhausted her and her spirits.
Despite her parents best efforts, Thalia had long given up any hope that'd she'd ever find a husband. Instead, she'd begin to fear that the lack of suitors would mean her parents would force her to face a worse fate. What if her parents married her off to a man she’d loathe and find disgusting in their desperation to marry their daughter off to the first man who’d agree to her? Would she be forced to lay beneath a fat pig and bare his unholy children? The fear became so instilled in the young princess that any discussion of potential suitors would be met with hostility and resentment for her parent's ceaseless efforts. Thalia would grow quite distrustful of those outside of her immediate family, but tension between her parents and her grew with each failed arrangement for her hand.
In the end, Thalia felt as though she could only truly her younger brothers, Malik and Suhair, as they seem to be her sole source of comfort during these uncertain times. She'd often watched and supported Malik during his fencing matches and end his eventful days with a peaceful melody from her harp to help soothe the most combatively skilled amongst the siblings. Though, she often feels the closest to Suhair. They had an unexpectedly similarly troubled minds when it came to the concepts for marriages and both seemed to bond over their worries for the future ahead of them. Thalia was also the only one who seemingly accepts Suhair’s views on their lack of affinity with either masculinity or femininity traits as well. Often, she leant herself to be a listening ear to whatever was on their mind or offered her harp to soothe them as she soothed their brother when words weren’t enough.
Though, a part of her does harbor some jealousy towards her brothers despite how much she cares for them…
It seemed like her brothers didn’t face her struggles to find a suitable marriage partner as both Malik and Suhair had their share of interested parties. Mailk options had some limitations as some of the women weren’t allowed to pursue him, but Suhair in particular seemed popular amongst both women and men, even after they’d discover the truth of their biological sex. Yet, Thalia was left with only suggestive invitations rather than any real prepositions for marriage. It seemed to be that this jealousy and growing frustration with her situation was beginning to make Thalia tap into the Varenthiel half of her blood line…
As of late, Thalia has been rumored to be spotted leaving the brothels and smoke dens late at night without her parent’s knowledge. Now, it was beginning to be questioned if their girl was even still intact or if she began to embrace the numerous offers of male company after all. More devious rumors had begun to spread of her too as she’s been increasingly seen holding her brother’s arms with more affection then a sister should show her brothers…
Aranel was the eldest daughter of House Waithmer and has always been seen as the most cunning of amongst the members of her house.
From a young age, Aranel had a startling knack for strategy. By the time she was thirteen, she could beat her mentors in any game of strategy they’d challenge her to. However, despite her talents, she’d never see the inside of a war room. She’d never be the one mapping the battlefield and coming up with ways to defeat their enemies. She’d never sail or be allowed to hold a sword in battle. She’d be forced to a fate all women were subjected to. Her talents will go wasted as she’d be subjected to a life as a wife and a bearer of her husband’s heirs. Despite her ambitions and lusts to put her talents to use, her fate had been sealed when she was born a girl.
However, her husband Landis, would prove to be a seemingly great match for her.
When she was young and promised to Prince Landis, she’d hold her head high with the honor for being a bride to a prince after she begrudgingly accepted her fate as a woman. A husband with such status was hard not to feel some sort of satisfaction for her ambition for something more. After all, she was married into royalty, even if he was the third child of the heirs, there was a bit of hope in the back of her mind that perhaps he could sill be upon the throne some day. After all, death happened every day and with the true heir to the throne being a woman and the next in line so uninterested that he’d run away to a foreign land, it seemed entirely possible that her husband would actually inherit the throne. Nothing could’ve made her happier than to become queen and finally put her talents to use by directing their kingdom to a new era of prosperity.
When she learned that her husband-to-be was a fierce warrior with a admirable military background, she’d become even more thrilled about her prospects of marrying Prince Landis. It seemed all too fitting for a warrior of his caliber to marry a woman as cunning as she was. She learned of his history on the battlefield and took to quickly ensuring his blood line was secured for any of his future ambitions she would secretly hope for for. She thought the two would make a pair unlike any this kingdom has seen before. Perhaps, even outdoing the great King Aloroth and Queen Amelia themselves. However, her hopes waned when she discovered Prince Landis’s undying loyalty to his eldest sister and heir to the throne, Olivette…
Landis was swift to cut down any man who dared to threaten his older sister’s position. His loyalty and dedication to her was so intense and staggering that any plan Aranel had to convince her husband to take the throne was immediately put on hold for she feared how her husband might react to her attempts. Yet, Aranel also began to have her suspicions of her husband’s relationship to his sister...
When she’d discover just have depraved the royal family was when she first married him, it seemed entirely possible that her husband had fallen for his own sister long before he met Aranel. Of course, she had no real proof against her husband for this, but she seems entirely convinced her husband settled for her purely because he was expected to marry and father children outside of the family. She’d even begin to wonder if Olivette’s sole child even belonged to her deceased husband or if Landis had been the father all along. Her theory only seemed to be supported by the fact Olivette would never marry again and seemed to sleep with anything that moved. Why would her own brother be off limits to her in his depraved family that openly practiced such things?
The lack of any proper way to stimulate her strategic mind seemed to make the woman grow more paranoid over the years. She began to question her husband and even grow resentful of him for crimes she had no proof he committed. His lack of ambition to seize the throne that was his for the taking also hadn’t sat well with her and tainted her image of him. She couldn’t doubt his manhood as he’d gladly show his blade to any one who dared challenge him or posed a threat to his sister, but she certainly saw him as a disappointment given how powerful they could be together.
Yet, part of her hadn’t given up hope completely. Loyalty as undying as his was hard to shake, but Aranel was certain she could one day convince Landis to take the throne either as a act of mercy upon his sister or because of some betrayal against him. Aranel spent many years trying to form such a plan, but she had to be careful or else her husband would read her intentions as heresy against his sister. And, Aranel couldn’t say for certain if Landis would hesitate against such crimes, even if she had been his wife. It became clear to her that Landis loved his sister more then he’d ever love her and now only saw him as a means to become queen someday.
However, Aranel had another plan should her attempts with Landis bear no fruit. She had a son. One that Landis favored far more noticeably than his daughters. Jared had received many attributes from his father thanks to his overabundant attention and favors. While he wasn’t as skilled with a blade as his father had been, his archery was nothing short of impressive as her husband ensured that Jared had the best mentors that’d make him into a fine solider. Aranel saw potential in the boy and if her husband was blinded by his loyalty to his sister, then perhaps Aranel could instill a sense of loyalty to his mother with similar methods…
Name: Joan Varenthiel
Role: None
Race: Human (demon-blooded, but heavily diluted)
Age: 24
Height: 5’9’’
Family:
Landis (Father)
Aranel (Mother)
Lyra (Younger Sister)
Jared (Younger Brother)
Leonid (Husband)
Joan Varenthiel is the first born and first daughter of Prince Landis and Princess Consort Aranel.
The disappointment from her father that Joan hadn’t been born a boy was felt almost immediately. The first time that Joan could actually remember it happened when she was seven. She watched her father practice his sword fighting with the eyes of a girl who too wished to wield a sword as she sat upon her mother’s lap. Her mother tried to warn her that girls didn’t carry swords, they sewed or learned a musical instrument, but Joan wouldn’t listen. She’d pick up a toy wooden sword meant to train young boys and tried to swing it with all her might, hoping her father would see her, and mentor her in the arts he knew best. What she’d get was a man who’d look at her with fury and disappointment in his gaze.
She learned that day that just how disappointed her father was that she wasn’t a boy and her sex deterred him from allowing his daughter to indulge in such boyish interests. She’d be forced to learn the arts all girls were forced to know, but when no one was looking, Joan snuck a practice sword and swung it against training dummies for as long as she could get away with it. She’d steal books within the library that discussed sword fighting and the values of a knight, ignoring the utter lack of any woman within these books. She watch the men spar or battle with training dummies, trying to learn and understand their methods and how they trained the younger ones with no teacher of her own to show her the way. She had foolish hopes that maybe one day she could show her father that she was meant to ride alongside him in the battlefield, but the day that her younger sister Lyra was born served as a painful reminder of his sheer disappointment of his daughters. She never thought she’d see her father’s eyes look so distraught when he’d have another daughter…
The birth of her sister seemed to only drive Joan to become the son he always wanted. Her attempts to practice in secret became more frequent and she’d almost be caught several times, but one day, she would be caught by her mother Aranel. Aranel looked upon her daughter with more disappointment and warned her of what could happen if she was caught disobeying her father wishes, but Joan could also see the weight of her mother’s wasted potential in her eyes. How she’d look upon her daughter with a shared understanding and sadness that’d never be spoken between them. Joan learned that day that she wasn’t the only daughter to suffer for what she had been born as.
Yet, the birth of her brother came as a crushing blow to young Joan as it’d be the first time she’d ever see her father look genuinely happy at his child.
Jared becoming the favorite the moment he was born was felt across both sisters, but Joan took it the hardest. She fought so hard for her father’s attention and approval in her desperate attempts to be the son he always wanted, but now he had a son, all her efforts seemed to be for nothing. His attention had been completely and totally on Jared as if his daughters never existed. For that…Joan began to resent her baby brother and saw him as a rival she’d was determined to defeat.
The one good thing that came from her brother’s birth was that her father finally allowed his daughters to learn what their brother would get to learn without any persuasion. Joan finally had her own teacher to teach her how to become the knight she always longed to be, but she knew even her teacher had little faith that this princess would ever become a real knight despite her talents with a sword. Yet, it didn’t matter how impressive she was, her father still didn’t look at her as much as he had at Jared and soon, he’d see to it that her role as a woman would be fulfilled…
When it was time for Joan to marry, she already became more bold in her beliefs. The woman was seen in armor more then dresses and she had completely abandoned any of her feminine trades like sewing and singing and dedicated herself to swordsmanship, archery, and horseback riding. To the others, she was already more man than woman despite her feminine beauty, even as she donned her armor. She may not have become a knight in a traditional sense, but became a Shadow Rider and managed to tame her own demon to become her draconic mount without the aid of magic. She’d be one of the only Shadow Riders who hadn’t learned magic beyond a few basic and helpful spells to achieve this as she much preferred her sword to any spell. She had become everything she hoped to be, even if her father contiuned to ignore her for her younger brother. She had found satisfaction in her life…up until her father approached her and told her she was to be married to a man known as Leonid Andrik.
Despite Joan’s beliefs, the one feminine trait she would maintain was a desire to be a wife. When she was told tales of knights slaying dragons, the one thing that reminded her that she was still a woman was when her heart would melt to stories of romance as well. She longed for a husband who’d love her for both her feminine and masculine traits and she wouldn’t meet the news of her engagement with despair, but looked at it with hope and even glee that she’d perhaps be married to a man who’d see her talents and love her more for them. She was a foolish girl…
Her wedding day would be the one day she’d wear a dress in years and despite the massive gap between her age and her new husband’s age, she tried to be hopeful that she’d love her husband. She just needed to give him a chance. He had to be warned before hand that Joan wouldn’t be intact when he’d bed her as her method for taming a shadow mount required a ritual she willingly took part in, but hadn’t slept with a man before him. However, part of her wished she had been married before bedding a demon for her husband on their wedding night and any night afterwards would be…disappointing.
Joan tried to stay positive and even tried to improve their sex life with what she knew as a Vantheriel, but…her husband would fail to satisfy her again and again. She didn’t think she’d be the type of woman to value such things so highly, but she couldn’t feel herself fall for her husband because of it. He wouldn’t dismiss her love for swordsmanship and would even spar with her, but she’d be disappointed once more when her husband would lose to her without giving her much challenge. Joan tried to stay faithful and tried to be a loving wife, but Leonid failed to attract her in almost every field.
When she did become pregnant, it’d be the one thing she’d love her husband for. He’d give her a strong son that she adored, but failed in every other sense as a husband in her eyes.
She fought to stay pure to him, but Joan was a Varenthiel and her needs were far more potent than any other woman. She’d cave to her Varenthiel desires and sleep with others outside of her marriage, silently begging for her husband’s forgiveness as another man or being gave her pleasure and the release he never could. She felt shame for every lay she’d have without him and felt like a failure of a wife for not falling for him and lacked any satisfaction for him.
However, one day, he’d take all that guilt she’d have for hurting him and made it far more bearable the day he’d insist she no longer bond with her shadow mount. The very thing that made her a Shadow Rider. While their kingdom wasn’t at war and she prayed it never will be in her lifetime, she never felt so insulted that her husband could ask her of such a thing after he knew how important it was to her to be a Shadow Rider.
That day, Joan knew she’d never love her husband and felt less guilt when she’d seek the company of other men, but a part of her will never be guilt free or without a sense of sorrow that her marriage will never be what she’d hoped it’d be.
Name: Lyra Varenthiel
Role: None
Race: Human (demon-blooded, but heavily diluted)
Age: 22
Height: 5’7’’
Family:
Landis (Father)
Aranel (Mother)
Joan (Older Sister)
Jared (Younger Brother)
Lothair (Husband)
The second child and youngest daughter of Prince Landis and Princess Consort Aranel.
Unlike her elder sister, Joan, Lyra never had much of a heart for combat or the ways of knighthood. She was much more drawn to the talents of magic within every Varenthiel woman, though she wouldn’t use it for combat entirely. She’d learn the same feminine trades her sister had with less resistance, but often found herself bored of things like sewing or playing music. No, Lyra wanted to dazzle with magic and took to her magic lessons with much more gusto. However, the one thing she did share with her sister, was their mutual desire to impress the father who never wanted daughters.
Lyra would run up to her father and tug at his cloak to show him the latest spell she’d learn from her teacher. Whether it be a spark of light or a small fireball in the palm of her hand, she had been so excited to show all her newest tricks to him. Only for her father to look at it and seem unimpressed with what his daughter was learning about. It’d drive her desire to become better and stronger as a mage similarly to her sister and her knighthood, but just like with her sister, her father wouldn’t give her much interest, especially after Jared had been born. Lyra too would grow to resent her brother, but she wouldn’t have the same knightly values that her sister had. No, she let Jared know that she didn’t like him.
Without her father’s love and care, Lyra became mischievous to grab his fleeting attention and hadn’t been afraid to speak her mind. She’d become a blight upon the castle as the girl took to thieving and using her magic to pull off her mischief. She’d pull pranks on her siblings like turning Joan’s sword into rubber during her practices or swiping her brother’s sweets since he’d get them more often than his sisters did.
She had been particularly relentless on her brother with her pranks and Lyra felt more sympathy towards her sister given she knew Joan was just as desperate for their father’s attention as she had been, but she wouldn’t be particularly soft towards her either.
She would eventually become a Shadow Rider herself, but merely for the fun of it rather then any sense of duty as the thought of having a shadow mount at her side was too appealing to the young princess, but she’d do what she must to pretend to be an authentic Shadow Rider to avoid being dismissed from it and lose the shadow mount she’s grown quite fond of.
Eventually, Lyra too would be forced to take a husband, but unlike her sister Joan, Lyra had no intention of being a proper wife. She’d be married to Lothair Webber, a fine man in her father’s eyes who’d have a similar age gap that Joan would have to suffer with in her own husband. Their wedding and the night to follow had been a disaster as Lyra did her best to let it be known how she wanted nothing to do with this man that was forced upon her. He managed to consummate their marriage, but Lyra made it no easy feat and had been quite vocal on his unsatisfying performance. when he’d try his hand at shaping her up to be a more proper wife, Lyra only rebelled harder against him as she gained an entirely new reason to hate her new husband.
Lyra now dedicates herself to becoming the wife of every man’s nightmares. He’d rarely see her as she’d do everything in her power to avoid him and instead filled her time with the company of other men. Rather she run about the castle and enjoyed the pleasures of those close to home or escaped in the middle of the night to enjoy as many men as she could at once within the local taverns, she’d cheat on her husband endlessly and without a shame or guilt for doing so. Any love she could’ve had for him died the moment he tried to “tame” her and now she shamelessly drinks and sleeps with anyone who isn’t her husband.
It came as no surprise when she’d become pregnant not long after she was married and bore a son, but she takes great satisfaction in knowing that her son is most likely not of her husband’s blood. She does not know who the father is and doesn’t care either so long as he hadn’t belonged to Lothair. And, Lyra would show her son the love and care that her husband will never get to feel for himself…
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