Noblewoman and Agricultural Advisor
I can feel my heart beating out of my chest. This cellar reminds me of my father's magic workshop. He was one of King Dethrix Drakath I's Court Mages, tasked with researching forbidden spells and rituals.
Father
My father was Lord Reignolds, a loyal supporter of the tyrant King Alteon overthrew. He and the other Court Mages practiced forbidden magic and rituals. I was only a child when King Dethrix I was overthrown, so I didn't know much about what my father and his colleagues were doing. When King Alteon rescued me, he took all of my father's research, and hid it away.
Court Mages
The Court Mages that served King Dethrix I included my father, Lord Ryder, Magus Bligh, Lord Fitzroy, Magus Mitford, Lady Noelle, and Lord Taylor. Their research into forbidden magic was what allowed King Dethrix to dabble in Chaos. Three died during a ritual, but three were banished by King Alteon. With Lady Noelle gone…Queen Victoria will likely seek Lord Taylor. He was a kind man blackmailed into helping King Dethrix I.
Vessel
During King Alteon's reign, the Court Mages' research was stored away here in Balemorale. I was able to do some reading, and my hazy memories became clearer. Father was tasked with finding a way to get in contact with a sealed entity. That turned out to be the Queen of Monsters, and she wanted a Champion with a direct connection to her. To create that person…they needed to make a vessel to call a fragment of herself into.
After completing the 'Double Fianchetto' quest:
Noblewoman and Agricultural Advisor
We haven't had a war against another nation since the Drakaths lost power. The army will be fed by the crops we grow, the nobles will seek to take lands and riches for themselves, and Victoria will be known as the Queen of Victory if she wins. Is that what she really wants? I…I'll concentrate on making sure Greenguard's subjects won't starve, and keeping the rest of the court from discovering the Chaos in the cellar.
Father
My father was Lord Reignolds, a loyal supporter of the tyrant King Alteon overthrew. He and the other Court Mages practiced forbidden magic and rituals. I was only a child when King Dethrix I was overthrown, so I didn't know much about what my father and his colleagues were doing. When King Alteon rescued me, he took all of my father's research, and hid it away.
Court Mages
The Court Mages that served King Dethrix I included my father, Lord Ryder, Magus Bligh, Lord Fitzroy, Magus Mitford, Lady Noelle, and Lord Taylor. Their research into forbidden magic was what allowed King Dethrix to dabble in Chaos. Three died during a ritual, but three were banished by King Alteon. With Lady Noelle gone…Queen Victoria will likely seek Lord Taylor. He was a kind man blackmailed into helping King Dethrix I.
Vessel
During King Alteon's reign, the Court Mages' research was stored away here in Balemorale. I was able to do some reading, and my hazy memories became clearer. Father was tasked with finding a way to get in contact with a sealed entity. That turned out to be the Queen of Monsters, and she wanted a Champion with a direct connection to her. To create that person…they needed to make a vessel to call a fragment of herself into.
Noble Fugitive
Prince Drakath? If you’re here, does that mean we’re going to die? Papa’s been going crazy looking all over for you. He got in trouble with the new King and thinks finding you will save us. Well, maybe just him. Papa is practicing on me with a spell he plans to use on you. It makes my head hurt and my nose bleed. I keep hearing voices that sound like my mama too. But it can’t be. Papa had to bury my mama during the rebellion.
Family
Why isn’t King Alteon coming to rescue us? He was the only one who noticed the bruises on my arms, and told me that he’d help me. I thought that meant the King was going to make papa healthy in the head again. Instead, the King sent people to snoop around our house. Papa said that they were going to take me away from him. That’s why we went to hide here, in our old Summer home.
Magic
I’m not as smart as Papa. I need stuff explained at least three times before I get it. Papa can memorize an entire book in a day! He likes fancy flowers so he created spells that keep bouquets fresh for years. King Dethrix found out about it and said he could become a powerful necro-something. Instead of that, Papa got invited to study secret arts for your father. Secret. Forbidden. They mean the same, right?
Conspiracy
Papa told me to hide here because of all the scary noises. It’s scarier in the cellar…This is where Papa tries to figure out what was happening in Dreadhaven. There used to be other mages Papa took over for when they disappeared. It has something to do with the ‘Prince from nowhere.’ You, I think? And a container for a piece of Q-O-M. Whatever that was, Papa said it was hard to keep it alive.
After completing the 'Any Means Necessary' quest:
Noble Fugitive
Did Papa leave me behind? I had a feeling this would happen one day…I wonder if King Alteon will come to visit like he promised. Or maybe he’ll punish me since Papa ran away. I wouldn’t mind having to go to the dungeons. There’s nowhere else for me to go. What will you do, Prince Drakath? Do you have a home to return to?
Family
Why isn’t King Alteon coming to rescue us? He was the only one who noticed the bruises on my arms, and told me that he’d help me. I thought that meant the King was going to make papa healthy in the head again. Instead, the King sent people to snoop around our house. Papa said that they were going to take me away from him. That’s why we went to hide here, in our old Summer home.
Magic
I’m not as smart as Papa. I need stuff explained at least three times before I get it. Papa can memorize an entire book in a day! He likes fancy flowers so he created spells that keep bouquets fresh for years. King Dethrix found out about it and said he could become a powerful necro-something. Instead of that, Papa got invited to study secret arts for your father. Secret. Forbidden. They mean the same, right?
Conspiracy
Papa told me to hide here because of all the scary noises. It’s scarier in the cellar…This is where Papa tries to figure out what was happening in Dreadhaven. There used to be other mages Papa took over for when they disappeared. It has something to do with the ‘Prince from nowhere.’ You, I think? And a container for a piece of Q-O-M. Whatever that was, Papa said it was hard to keep it alive.
Noblewoman and Agricultural Advisor
Did you want to look at the view? Sorry about all the clutter here! These specimens are candidates for next year's crops, and I'm waiting to get an audience with the royal family to show them off. They need sunlight and -sorry again! I should introduce myself and curtsy. I am Lady Marigold Reignolds of Surewood, and an agricultural researcher. My duty is to prevent Greenguard from experiencing famine.
Agriculture
Greenguard's lands are vast and varied. Wheat could thrive in one area, but another would need to rely on potatoes. With the right know-how and royal support, our people would never go hungry. Not long ago, the people did experience famine because the previous dynasty hoarded resources to bolster their armies. People were forced into becoming warriors, practically kidnapped by the old royalty.
Reignolds
Ah, my family's history…The Reignolds supported the old tyrant King until the rebellion succeeded. Not only that, but Pa-ehem! My father was one of King Dethrix's Court Mages. King Alteon showed him mercy, but would discover that father's crimes were far more heinous than he imagined. My father died while on the run, and King Alteon saved my life. I owe much to the royal family.
Nobility
Admittedly, I have my nose stuck in books, so I'm not popular among the nobles. I'm not even allowed in Lady Granville's Salon. Conversing with the daughter of a criminal might put her under scrutiny. The Cavendishes have always been kind though. Laidronette studied magic with me! But I did see Lord Vaughn nearby. He's not allowed to participate in wars, but he's frighteningly strong…
