| Queen Lillian | Erik Kell | King Goddard | Lydavia | The Orchid |
| Cowan Faol | Queen Ennea | Shalimar Vielle | Kassim |
When Queen Lillian made Aranor ready for settling and waged war against the reign of King Goddard, she began a process even she might have been unaware of - a renaissance which has broken down class barriers, and allowed new prosperity to sweep over the lands. Under her reign women have enjoyed new privileges and the common folk have been presented with an atmosphere where opportunity is available to all.
Still, strange rumors abound concerning Lillian, the primary one being that she is of demonic birth. If so, she would have to be a Caradorian Demon or an Incarnation of some sort, for she surely does not feed upon humans. It is also said that her consort, Cairon, is of Eldritch blood. If not, he is undoubtedly Maelmuirian, which, along with Lillian's appointment of Storm, the former Princess of Maelmuire, as her regent, would make for interesting political ties, seeing as Maelmuire fought Aranor during the War for Aranor.
What is known of Lillian is that she is a captivating woman, possessing a fair degree of beauty, an exotic look, and her signature black hair with white streaks. (This trait has sparked more than one hair-dying fashion). She is also a renowned majae, wielding power nearly equal to that of the great mage, Cowan Faol.
Queen Lillian is currently on good terms with most of the provincial rulers, as well as others of the people mentioned here, including Erik Kell and Cowan Faol. ***
Perhaps the world's most powerful mage, Cowan is also incredibly young, measuring his years at only twenty-two. He is said to be gifted in nearly all arenas, for he is not only handsome, but good humored, sharp of mind and memory, and skilled in swordplay, alchemy, harping, and building.
He is most famous for his 'reshaping' of Selarum, for the city was originally built as a stronghold, and retained its stark buildings and linear streets. That is, until Queen Ennea requested that Cowan use his magics to change and shape the city into a more beautiful port. He worked for nearly a year on the project, and Selarum has much to show for it.
Cowan has also created a reputation for himself with the ladies, for he is said to be a terrible rogue, quite indiscreet about his various love affairs. Indeed, much is rumored about his romance with Queen Ennea.
He is said to mark an unimposing figure, being lithe bodied, of middling height, with rakish beauty and long reddish hair. He, along with Queen Lillian, forms the primary defense for Aranor and the Old World in general. ***
The most famous mercenary of all time, Erik Kell is a large man, well muscled, with long dark hair and intelligent eyes. He is most known for his exploits in various provinces, where he hired his services, toward the end of his career, to lords and ladies of high standing, charging upwards of 10,000 silver or more for even a simple hire. He is said to have never failed in accomplishing a goal, though he has admitted to me that this is a falsity concocted by his admirers.
He is most remarkable in that he utilizes no magic in his work, and manages to compete with mercenaries who do utilize magical skills or items to accomplish their goals. His philosophy is that the whole of the world is connected, and that if one needs something, such as information, it can be gained just as easily through research or talking to people as it can by using magical means.
His exploits make for some of the most thrilling of tales, and his stories are oft heard in taverns or around campfires. ***
The "Pure Queen", Queen Ennea is of common birth, but was appointed Regent of Selarum by Queen Lillian upon the beginning of Lillian's rule. She has kept the city well, and it continues to prosper under her care.
Ennea is most famous for her beauty. She is the fairest of beauties, with long golden hair, bright blue eyes, and a flawless complexion. Indeed, most say that no greater beauty exists but in Kaelum.
She thus far has taken no king, and few suppose she will do so any time soon, for it is said that her heart is Lord Faol's alone; but that does little to prevent an endless string of suitors.
A lesser-known fact is that she is a master swordswoman. ***
The last King Goddard, Devinor by name, had the unfortunate fate of being transformed into a glass statue by Queen Lillian at the start of the War for Aranor. He was a strict man, quick to temper, and was, more than any Goddard before him, famous for defining rigid class boundaries and making things easier for the upper classes, usually at the expense of the common class, which he considered to be "fodder that we should try to find some good use for."
He is more famous now, after his defeat, and his name serves to define the times before Queen Lillian's Renaissance - times when magic was outlawed, women were not allowed to wear or use weapons, and taxes were high. His wife, Queen Jobina, still lives north of Selarum in a small allotment given her and her followers by Queen Lillian. ***
The legendary Shalimar is the world's most famous courtesan. She hails from Lantrielle, but has traveled over most of the known lands, entertaining the highest of royalty. With exquisite beauty paired with a rich voice and talents which span from playing to acting to cooking, she is among the world's most desired of women. It is said that she has collected marriage proposals from nobility in provinces as diverse as Jedda, Japura, and Moraithe.
As is typical of the Lantrielle, she is fair skinned and haired, with vivid aquamarine eyes and a form that few men can forget. She is the subject, as well, of many paintings and sculptures. ***
The Lady Lydavia of Neraha has done much to define the role of women in the new renaissance. Even before the fall of Goddard, she was famous for being a woman of wealth and power who was undeniably self-made. Unmarried, she moved in circles that were forbidden to women, by the grace of her personality, and made a name for herself not only with wines, of which she vints three varieties, but horses. Lydavian steeds, of course, are considered the most exquisite of mounts.
Lydavia herself lives in a fine manor home, is of perhaps fifty years of age, and quite lovely with her long red hair and bright, lively green eyes. ***
Kassim lives on in the tales of children, though his adventures all take place over a hundred years past. A pirate of great renown, he made the profession romantic with his exploits of daring, brazen courage, and good humor. While the reality of pirating is rather brutal, he served to remind us that definitions need not apply to all, and he will doubtless be remembered for many, many generations.
A rakish fellow with long dark hair, deep olive skin, and flashing chestnut eyes, paintings of his likeness still make the ladies swoon. ***
The Orchid is gaining fame primarily because she represents, in many minds, all that is right - or all that is wrong - with the new renaissance.
Her true name is a mystery, but she is well known as the owner of the most infamous establishment in Aranor -- a restaurant by the same name -- The Orchid. The Orchid (restaurant) is well known for a number of unusual traits, such as the fact that it serves traditional Japuran food (since Japura is a closed port, it is not known how she gets her ingredients), has a number of Japuran employees, and has rooms upstairs for private parties where oddities, such as Japuran drugs, can be purchased. The establishment is furthermore the province of the wealthy only, and charges a hundred silver just to get through the door.
The establishment, however, pales next to its mistress.
It has been said that no female form could possibly be imagined that would more stir desire in the hearts of men. Her proportions are almost too curved to be real, and her full lips are set under exotically alluring eyes. Platinum hair cascades down her back, and she makes no effort to hide the smoothness of her flesh, but tends to wear fitted and rather revealing clothing. Many suggest that her beauty is too desirous to be human, and that she must possess the blood of nymph or succubus.
No woman save Queen Lillian and Queen Ennea enjoys quite as much recognition of her name, and sculptures of her likeness sell for forty thousand silver or more. She is also the subject of innumerable paintings. It is said that she is no older than eighteen, and yet she owns her own businesses and enjoys more wealth than most nobility.
Her reputation is mixed, however, for it is well known that on occasion, she auctions a night to the highest bidder at the Orchid, and thus she has gained the loathing of many who consider her nothing but a glorified twylah who represents the promiscuous and overly liberal attitudes allowed by Queen Lillian. ***
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