Crisis in Espen - Neutral Characters

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Neutral Characters will be playing a major role in the political events within Espen.


Specifically, player characters will have their relationships with each neutral character documented in the back end.

 

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Notes on People, these will be expanded later.


Noble Family of Espen


Duke Adelar Wendrake II - The Duke of Espen


Duchess Ariana - The Duchess (Consort) of Espen

Marquis Hamen Wendrake III

- Eldest Son and Heir (still a teenager) to the Duke, Honorary Marquis of the Steldward March - Age 15



Lady Arecel Wendrake

- Eldest Daughter - Age 12



Lord Gabrin



Wendrake

- Youngest Son - Age 10



Lady Kailyn Wendrake

- Youngest Daughter - Age 8


Some Important Advising People of the Court


Enzo Guismar, Master of Whispers - The chief adviser of the Duke, Spymaster for the Court

Adri - Assistant to Enzo, reliable and studious monk

Leon Westson - Court Wizard, Abjurer and Magical Bodyguard for the Duke


Sir Kagnar the Stout (or the Beloved) - Captain of the Duke's Personal Guard, Vice Commander of the Duke's Forces, Paladin


Sir Davis the Redflower - Military Adviser of the Duke


Lady Larissa Summervale - Lord Treasurer of Espen


Duchess's Court


Aya the Farseer - Duchess Ariana's personal adviser (part-time nanny for kids) and Divine Oracle


Dame Karine the Smiling - Loyal Knight, Bodyguard, and Captain of the Duchess' Guard, Paladin

 

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Some more Neutral Characters, these will probably be moved further down once the other bios are expanded.


Tyeis - Squire of Dame Karine the Smiling - Strategic and calm, Tyeis is a plain-face Paladin squire serving Duchess Ariana and training under Dame Karine. Surviving several years under Dame Karine's tutorship, Tyeis is on the cusp of becoming a full-fledge Knight and has fought in several battles before. Similar to his master knight, Tyeis has become known for his plain-face expressions when facing a stranger or an enemy. However in the presence of those he knows (such as Farmek, Karine, Kagnar or Hamen) he is quite jovial and is known for his wise-crack remarks. Lined up to be Marquis Hamen's personal knight (as opposed to Farmek), he is good friends with the young Lord and acts similar to an older brother figure. Loyal above all else, Tyeis is willingly to perform perilous tasks for both his Marquis, his Duchess or Dame Karine.


Farmek - Squire of Sir Kagnar the Stout - Similar in stature to the knight he trains under, Farmek is a strong and courageous Hill Dwarf. Young in terms of a dwarf, he has been Kagnar's Squire for almost a decade and likes carnal pleasures as much as his master knight. Regarded by some to be hot-headed, Farmek can be easily goaded into duels and can cause minor property damage when angered. That being said, Farmek is still a paladin in training and is honest and dutiful to those he serves and protects. Similar to Kagnar (but with less social-tact), he will intervene in situations where he feels someone is being disrespected or treated poorly and he will not stand idle when evil actions or misdeeds are performed near him.


Sister Olivia Belsant - Chief Justiciar - Pious Cleric that is attached to the ideas of Law and Peace. Described to be merciful by some, she is most concerned with those who would violate the principle of the law or do purposeful wrong-doing onto others. Particularly leinent towards poor commoners and the uneducated. Strict to those who violate oaths.


Sylvain the Softquill - Chancellor - A lifetime scribe who is remarkably efficient at bureaucracy. Performed a lifetime in his profession, he was trained since he was first abandoned on the monastery door as an orphan (probably of noble lineage). Known as "Syl" by other Scribes, he gained his nickname for being able to dictate so quietly and subtly that most do not notice he is taking notes within the Court. This skill makes him particularly useful, speaking he has a habit of recording dialogue.


Marcel Orbil - Officer of Duke's Arms (Chief Herald) - Huntsman wise in nature/geograhpy but perhaps the fastest man on horseback (he won a competition to get his job). Has a tendency to collect objects on his travels but there is no specific category of items that he adds to his collection. Has an amulet that lets him speak particularly loud which is handed down between Chief Heralds.


Norwin Woodmont - Land Steward - Strict businessman who maintains the Duke's Summer Palace and employs its servants. Comes from a non-aristocratic but wealthy family, he is known for his fine dress and desire to be something beyond "just a commoner servant." He is sensitive to what might be slights or insults against his honor.


Madame Lucie - Elderly Tutor of the Duke's Children - Extremely educated and trained in particular magics. She is considered by some to be the Duchess' Court Wizard, even though her magical abilities are somewhat limited and many trained wizards would consider her nothing more than a hedge witch. She is strong in illusions, nature magics and potions. Known for her loyalty to the Duchess and protective of Children.

 

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Some political actors to note and who will be expanded on:


Emperor Wymon IV - Asor (Emperor) of the Inland - Emperor Wymon is one of the four prospective heirs to the Urian throne and is currently fighting for power in the War of the Four Emperors. He controls the central and north-eastern portions of Uria, including the Duchy of Espen, the Half-lands (Halfling territory) and a small portion of the Hill Dwarf provinces. His territorial boundaries are met by Emperor Gawyn III in the South and East, Empress Eloisa on the West, the Mithral Mountains on the North East, and the Elven State of Silvalari to the North. Son of the previous Emperor by his first wife, Emperor Wymon believes that the throne of Uria rightfully belongs to him and that the other claimiants are mere usurpers taking advantage of the feudal system. A clever fighter, Wymon gained the loyalty of the Duke because of his favorable treatment of the region as a Crown Prince.


Three years ago, Emperor Wymon's attention was aimed at trying to remove Empress Eloisa from her seat in the West. However because of Emperor Gawyn's actions at taking Wymon's southern coastline, the previous two years have been focused solely on removing or pushing back Gawyn. Fighting though has taken a brutal turn and according to some, it is only getting worse.


Emperor Wymon's side is best known for their military strength and honorable cavalry. This is because Wymon's territory are the lands that in ancient times most often fought one another and in recent history, resisted Asor's conquests the longest. However with Wymon having to fight on two sides, he has been utilizing the aid of magic and other strategies to taken down at least Gawyn's forces.


Emperor Gawyn III - Asor (Emperor) of the Border - Emperor Gawyn III is another one of the four prospective heirs within the War of the Four Emperors. Gawyn is a younger cousin to Wymon and controls territory in the South-Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Uria. His territory is bordered by Wymon in the North, the Mithral and Thunder Mountains to the East, the Principality of Olain to his West and Emperor Asordin VIII to the South. As an emperor, he is the newcomer to politics and the youngest of Imperial claimants. Controlling the rich Hill Dwarf territories in the East, Gawyn is known for his cozening up to Dwarven nobility and - after Wymon's military assaults on his lands - his use of an ancient Hill Dwarf fortress as his prime base.


Two years ago, Emperor Gawyn III attacked Wymon while the other's forces were entangled with Eloisa. While the strategy worked in Eloisa's favor, that was purely coincidental as Gawyn desired to cut off Wymon's access to the Principality of Olain. This has caused Wymon and Gawyn to fight on and off as main combatants.


Emperor Gawyn's side is best known for their defensive fortifications and ability to seige a given territory. This is because Gawyn has the supposed loyalty of many Dwarf nobles and his ability to trade actively with the Mountain Dwarfs for munitions.


Prince Kaegan Asordin - Prince of Sorsa - Prince Kaegan, also known as the "Rebel Prince", is the current leader of "Kaegan's Rebellion" against Emperor Wymon IV. Considered to be honorable and heroic, Prince Kaegan's defection from Wymon's side was a surprise to many in the Empire. However - as the Prince explains - the decision did not come lightly and the motivation to rebel came from Wymon's tactics against Emperor Gawyn III. According to the Prince and other military leaders loyal to him (who also defected), the Emperor not only raided and destroyed innocent towns but used the civilians for horrific magical rituals to gain an upper-hand in battle. Believing that Wymon is evil and has abandoned his principles, he has sworn to Asor to remove Wymon if he does not denounce his claimant to the throne.


However some have taken his Kaegan's words with a grain of salt, as there is no evidence of these horrors beyond rumors. Likewise his rebellion has given advantage to the other three claimants (who would notably give him benefits for his aid if they win the war) and, if won, the rebellion would give him a chance to replace Wymon as an Imperial claimant.


Prince Raemor - Prince of Otrus - Nephew of the Emperor Wymon IV, Prince Raemor is a fierce commander under Emperor Wymon's banner. Rumored to be brutal to those who refuse to talk, negotiate or surrender when he offers, Raemor has been fighting Prince Kaegan on behalf of his uncle. He is personally disgusted with Prince Kaegan's betrayal but treads lightly in terms of language to those who have defected to Kaegan's side. Since his entry into combat against Kaegan, the Rebel Prince's victories have been slowed. Though it is fair to say that the two princes are at a draw for now, with Kaegan securing new territory but Raemor cutting off Kaegan's support-lines with Emperor Gawyn in the South.


Side notes -

• Emperors, much like in Roman time with the word "Caesar", sometimes go by the title "Asor"
  
• Prince/Princess refers to any member of the Urian House who is of Noble birth. There are dozens of "Princes" in Uria, none of whom are directly related to the previous Emperor.