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.
Your support makes Blue Moon possible (Patreon)
