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Not unlike his wife, Qianqiu held a cold and unreadable personality, solemn and regal in expression and manners. He was one to fear, if through his words or his skill with the blade, or simply his presence, as powerful and oppressive as it could be. He was known to command a room just with presence, and in rumors, to anger him was to bring about years of pain and suffering upon yourself, and even your family, even if that was only ever enacted against Xiuying's and her former fiancé. In truth he was a kind and gentle soul that had been hardened throughout the years and experience that came with being a prince and soon king, though these sides of him began to resurface after his son's near death.

He was the second born of the Feng family, and though he was not heir to the throne, his parents still watched him carefully, considered him for the position constantly, for their firstborn had grown to be a greedy, egotistical, and lazy man, only worsening as the years went on. Qianqiu, however, was capable, regal, and outperformed his elder brother in all different ways. When his brother finally came of age to begin his path to the crown, the king and queen decided to remove it from his hands and place it in Qianqiu's instead. This won the rage and hatred of his brother, though he had long since grown used to the other man's horrendous personality and wasn't phased by this in the slightest.

Teachings and lessons to gain his position as the heir and eventually crowned king of Guanyin enveloped his life, though he found relief and enjoyment out of visiting the local opera house during downtime, soon becoming enamored with one of the performers within its halls: Xiuying. He would often come to see her when she was set to sing, and when news came of her engagement to one of the noblemen for three measly bags of gold, he acted immediately. Meeting her family, it was easy for him to read through their farce, so with ease he stole away their daughter, and much of their livelihood in punishment. The same for her fiancé, who may as well have found bed with pigs by the end.

Their home wasn't an overly warm and loving one in the beginning, both far too busy and struggling with their own selves to seek much in terms of romance and love, but they eventually gave life to a son. Their lifestyle and home environment continued for some years, but eventually after a reality check from Xiaoli's near death, his gentle loving side came to light once more.

This change was, unfortunately, dashed away as he died with his wife by Ivelda's hand, left with nothing but anguish, regret.

Huang is the definition of greed, gluttony, and vanity. Never happy, never satisfied, constantly wanting more and more to add to his gaudy, overfilled halls and rooms, to line his every pocket and teeth. He demands feasts every meal, even though he doesn't finish half of it and it goes to waste. A new outfit for every occasion, every day, every night. Women in his arms and in his beds, serving and feeding him. Jewelry, the most expensive he can find. Paintings and sculptures of himself, songs dedicated to him, plays written over his "greatness." An unending supply of gold that he doesn't even need to use, given he demands whatever finds his fancy. He's a despicable person, and should he be left the reign Guanyin for the future unending, the land may as well rot and die now.

The firstborn of the Feng family and the rightful heir to the throne, Huang had everything fed to him in a silver spoon the moment he was born. Though his parents were careful and did their best to keep him disciplined and well-mannered as any prince should be, he found other ways to take advantage of his status and his parents' wealth. Gambling, overspending, intimidating, and so much more were used to please his every whim and want, and he found joy in that. Slowly his ways became known to the people, and the family turned to trying to keep him within the palace and its grounds, but not even that they could manage.

His true loss of his parents favor came when he assaulted a noble family's daughter that had turned away his proposal, a rejection that his parents had accepted after his behavior. Only his name and position had saved him from a stay in their prison, and "begging for forgiveness" in front of his parents and the girl's family. He was, of course, far from genuine, but the damage was done, and he found his promise of the crown stolen away and given to his despicable little brother while he was locked away in the north wing of the palace for the rest of his life. When birth of their son came, he began his plotting, and the night of his nephew's eighth birthday, he attempted to kill the boy, nearly succeeding too, but ultimately seeing his efforts go up in flames as his cousin landed a near vital blow that slowed him enough for his brother and sister-in-law to arrive and stop him. Instead of a blow to his family, he found himself thrown into the deepest prisons of Guanyin to rot and die.

The prisons were unkind, the guards crueler with no restraint given Huang's own deeds against their treasured prince, and he found himself truly suffering, sleeping on stone floors and eating half rotted food. His angel came in the form of Ivelda, who freed him from the prison and gave him the position and power he always sought over his rightful land and people.

Elegance, love, and venom. Rosén was known for her beauty, her grace, and for being something of a "snake," though she only acted so for the betterment of her kingdom and family. She was wonderful working in the background behind her husband, and knew well how to play the game of nobles and men that thought they could outwit her simply because of her status as a woman. Those who tried to fool her, take advantage, often saw their ends in her pit of vipers, metaphorically or literally, especially men, as she found herself with a growing distaste for them, especially in her later years. For all the mystery and fearsome rumors she may have had, though, she was a kind and loving mother and wife, and as queen, she excelled, a powerhouse even on her own.

The daughter of a common family, she was born a simple life and pursuit, to follow after her parents' ways and do her best to succeed as a subject of Brimmix's royal family. As she grew older, however, her ambitions only grew, and she sought more than her humble living as a future servant to her royal family. At least let her reach a noble status, perhaps even become a lady in waiting for one of the princesses that may have roamed the halls of the royal palace in the future. Anything but a maid for the rest of her life, lost in the history of the land as a no name woman.

Her strength, beauty, perseverance and cunning were key to her battle for status and recognition, it seemed, as she slowly rose the ranks. A simple servant to a maid, then head maid, all moved so quickly that rumors began to pick up, naming her a "snake," a "viper," a detestable woman that would do anything to rise above the rest. Foolish of them to use their godly Basilisk's family as cruel names, Rosén found joy in it. Eventually, she caught the notice of the prince, and soon he took her to be his wife against all odds and expectations. From head maid to princess, soon queen, was far from her expectations, but she took it all the same, entering a romantic and loving relationship with the man, a king.

Their family began with Rhea, a small girl who took her mother's beauty, or so they could see from the moment she was born. They adored her, spoiled her, and praised everything she did as she excelled through their expectations and lessons. She was the perfect daughter for their perfect family, and Rosén would be forever content to let her take her place as queen one day. She would have easily filled the position, she was sure, had her life continued as it was, but Ivelda had other plans. For as resolute and strong as the queen of Brimmix was, she was unable to take down Ivelda alongside the other kings and queens, and found her death on the night of what should have been a celebration of life and love.

Lennox was, for all intents and purposes, not the typical king. Less care for appearance, gentler in his workings, more forgiving and patient, he was more of a loving father entirely with both his people and family, than a king over people. For what he lacked in sternness and a mind of power, his wife usually made up for, so it wasn't as if it harmed their lands. He was one of pacifism, hoping to solve matters through words more than violence, and took to do his best to find as much time as he could for his own family, his precious daughter whom he spoiled and adored with the entirety of his heart. Lennox was well loved by his people, and left his mark with them enough that his death brought about their rage and unending rebellion.

He was the first and only prince of the Louverno royal family, and from the moment his pieces of personality began showing, his parents knew he would not fit the typical mould for a king. This however, was not something that made them feel as if he weren't still capable. To them, he would be a "people's king," and they were happy with what that sort of idea would entail. They nourished and warmed these traits of his, to the point that they became part of his nature, and how he looked and lived for the world. Of course, with his personality, it was important that he found someone to balance it too, so as to be sure he wasn't too lenient or soft in times when he couldn't be.

Rosén, though not of noble blood and a maid, was someone their parents grew to like, and soon Lennox would feel the same as he interacted with her more. Her personality to him was endearing, comforting and awe-inspiring, and he was quick to try and show his romantic interest in her when it budded as well. She returned it with ease, not just out of desire to rank up, but from genuine endearment, and the two were wedded shortly after, beginning their love and family life with beautiful colors. It wasn't terribly long after that they bore their first child, a darling girl who would eventually take their positions in the throne with the one she loved, just as they had.

Their lives were peaceful, comfortable, and filled with joy for all he could hope, fulfilling in the way he'd always dreamed. With Rosén by his side, he never felt overwhelmed or alone in his work, and with Rhea and her to return home too after long days, he always found his strength to keep pressing on with his responsibilities and work. They were everything to him, and he would die before he saw them fall under the way of harm. It was exactly how he went, too, in the end. Ivelda's threat had spurred him into action immediately, in an attempt to protect his wife who was by his side, and his daughter who was just rooms away with the rest of the children, but in the end he was unable to stop her hand.

A sadist at heart, Lithera enjoys to see the suffering of others, especially at her own hand. A fascination for blood and gore, a love for violent entertainment, she has found herself right at home within Brimmix and its forest's life, learning how to use it for her own enjoyment, often enacting her horrifying, depraved fantasies on the rebels who face her for judgement by using the animals, poisons, or other things at her disposal in present. She's happy with her current position as overseer, and is quite keen on keeping it for as long as she can. It would have to be torn from her cold, dead hands before she would ever willingly give it up.

A woman who traveled all different kingdoms throughout her life, Lithera learned and knew plenty from a young age. Culture, life, food and festivals, survival tactics, more than enough forms of battle to keep her alive no matter the situation. She was undefeatable, seemingly, whether it was words or blades being crossed. Lithera liked it this way, of course. All would kneel to her for all she cared, beg for her forgiveness or mercy in the end before she ended their miserable little lives in her own wretchedly beautiful way, figuratively or literally. This way of acting won her a fearsome reputation, but just rumors and nicknames were far from enough to satisfy her.

She found an attachment to the land of Brimmix once she made it there during her travels. A breathtakingly monstrous land, and if you looked in the right places, the horrors it held were simply awe-inspiring. They got her mind running with thoughts, ideas, and plans, and the longer she wandered its heavily forested darkness, the more she grew to understand and love it. Beasts and poisons, unforgiving lands and mind breaking terrors. She could have lived by herself there for years if she hadn't felt the need to enact her ever growing fantasies on others. Soon enough, she became the ringmaster of her nightmarish circus, luring out unsuspecting people to her show, with them as the main entertainment. Eventually however, she became careless, and as more brutalized corpses began piling Brimmix's lands, her trail became far too easy to follow.

Being apprehended and imprisoned halted her exploration and activities entirely, and nearly drove her insane with her thirst to continue the show for herself. She was practically buried alive in their muddy, dark prisons, and for all she knew she would rot down there until their Basilisk awoke, and she followed the rest of the detestable criminals to be its first meals. But her end never came, not when Ivelda arrived to free her from her captors, and in what she could have never seen happening, she became someone of power within Brimmix, one of Ivelda's trusted, loyal right hands.

Still young and still full of fight, Cassia isn't someone to underestimate. She's always been on her own, only able to count on her own self to survive, and that's given her a stronger independence and self-sustainability than most. She can hold her own just fine, whether it's in word or in fight, and is more than capable of putting even the best soldiers on their rears if they aren't careful enough around her. Landing as a leader of rebellion wasn't quite what she expected for her lifetime, and especially not so soon, but she does her best to make sure none of her comrades and friends will be disappointed with the work she does guiding them along the path of retribution for their people.

Born into an overly poor family and losing her parents to the subzero elements at eight, her entire life she's had to fight to survive, to fight to get what she wants and what she needs. Always the struggle to find an empty home that some other gang of orphans hadn't already holed up in, to find food that wasn't rotten or too frozen to eat, to avoid getting into trouble with soldiers and guards when they were caught stealing. Orphanages were an option, but something about them always drove Cassia away, whether it was the staff complaining about the children, or the already established cliques that would bully her out. So she stuck to the streets, where at least she only had to worry about herself.

Until she was nine, and met Valken, the prince of the Aphelion family in the middle of the mild summer. He'd been out exploring like she'd heard rumors of, getting into trouble, playing with the kids his age. In a sudden turn of events she found herself on the ground with a stolen loaf of bread, him staring down at her with his piercing blue eyes. For a moment she'd wondered if it was the end for her, that the prince of all people would drag her off to be killed, but instead he'd helped her up, invited her to come along with him to play a game the others had going, sword fighting. She'd agreed, to watch anyway.

Through the short time she knew the other boy, he did teach her to fight with a sword, passing along techniques he'd been taught by the best instructors in Typhcrest, making her a wooden sword to practice with herself, and with every visit he brought her enough food to practically last a week. Attachment grew, and when his family was killed and she learned news of him falling to Ivelda's control, it was straight to join the nearest rebellion for her. Too young to do much, she was often assigned to moving and stocking supplies, assisting the medics in treating wounds, but she'd always desired more, and as she grew older and continued to practice everything the prince had taught her, she found herself jumping through the ranks until she landed as head of the rebellion at twenty-two, leading the movement to further success than ever before.

Originally the captain of the royal guard, Artezia is quite the serious person, rarely one to crack jokes or relax and ignore the duties she's had for years. To lay around is to waste precious time, and that is not something she tolerates. She was extremely strict in her time within the ranks, as their "boss," but even if she tended to wear people to the bone, they all looked to her for inspiration and guidance. She helped further the military strength of the kingdom beyond her predecessor's attempts, and even if others look down on her due to age or gender, she simply doesn't give them the time of day, and is more than happy to prove them wrong in a "friendly" spar.

The child of a knight and maidservant, Artezia treaded into the best of both those worlds, learning how to serve the royal family and tend to the halls of the palace with her father, while her mother showed her how to wield a blade, a bow, anything she wished to try. From a young age she knew she wanted to follow after her mother's footsteps, eagerly finding her way to the royal guard's training grounds to watch, study, and then try again later with a wooden or real sword, whatever was at her disposal when they all made way back to the barracks to rest.

As she grew older, it was clear she was following the path of a knight, and once she was old enough her mother helped her join the classes and trainings she needed to begin the process of achieving her dreams. Within those lessons, and the grueling trainings, she found friends and support all the same, expanding her circle of connections, which would only assist her further in climbing the ranks as she moved along. First, just a simple soldier, a number among the hundreds, thousands that were available for the royal family's whims should they ever have them. Then, a captain of a small fleet of soldiers, a general of several, more and more until suddenly she was just below the head of all royal guard operations, following along her mentor as she lead the knights. When she retired, Artezia was more than ready to take her place, and at twenty-five she took hold of the position and refused to let it go.

War came at the deaths of her precious royal family, the very ones she served. The prince and princess were still alive, she caught wind of, but their king and queen had perished. In the heat of rage she gathered together Typhcrest's army, the only goal to take down the woman who had stolen away their beloved leaders, but in the end she couldn't. The plans for her were to rest within the palace, keep it guarded from intruders and invaders inside of a barrier. Her mother had taken to leading the army to fight, and with the agony of having to stay behind for the good of all of them, Artezia fell into her eternal sleep.

Noble and proper, Li Mei has always held a refined air about herself, a constant image of grace and maturity. From a child of a prostitute within the red light district to a famed singer of the opera house that the Feng family themselves attended, and now a leader of the Guanyin rebellion in the shadows, she isn't a woman short on ambition and dedication, having to climb her way up from the near bottom rung of society. She is not someone easily upset or thrown off, stone faced and level-headed, and makes an incredible leader in the way that even the worst turns in situation will not faze her.

Born to a prostitute within Guanyin capital's red light district, Li Mei was not one who started out with a silver spoon. If anything, she started out with no spoon, being expected to follow in her dying mother's footsteps and sell her body just as she had for years now. She refused to give in to such a fate, however, and took to finding work other than giving herself up to men with twisted and insatiable desires, only further protected by her mother who couldn't stand the idea of her precious daughter being harmed as she had been. This dedication and pursuit of comfort and safety for her and her mother lead to her seeking out opera houses, and soon enough, she became a woman of the very one the Feng family often visited, the very one Xiuying attended herself. The two were friends in their youth, even if they grew apart when she left for the palace.

Her peaceful, happy life and flow of money that allowed her to support herself and her mother didn't last forever, though. Ivelda's newly acquired title as the queen of Rhindeval fell upon the land, and with her returned the detested, exiled son of the Feng family: Huang. With full power over the people as he'd always wanted, he began something of a revenge against them in his actions, and she soon found herself victim to it. The man had become known for taking whatever woman he wanted from the streets, homes, and halls, and on the evening of a festival's annual performance, he decided he wanted her for the night. A trauma she could never quell the pain from, being assaulted by a man over a decade older than her when she was just barely twenty, and as she struggled through the agony and confusion of her emotions, she found that she was far from alone. In the comfort of other women, young girls who had been at the man's mercy and whim, she found her strength again, and as she did, her gaze turned towards rebellion.

At twenty-one, Li Mei began her own rebellion with the rest of the women who had been wronged, with others who wished to see his reign of fear and pain come to an end. With the front of her opera house, perfected inner workings and operations, and countless followers, Li Mei seeks after one goal: regain Guanyin and destroy the man who wears a false crown.

Well-mannered, easy to get along with, a people person. If Yuxuan weren't a cousin, and his father had been the crowned king of Guanyin, he would have made a well-loved king. Working as his cousin's advisor once the man reached of age was more than enough for him, however; despite his upbringing and position, he's never been a man to seek power. So long as the people were happy, he would be content in whatever position Qianqiu or Xiuying felt was best for him. Despite the pain of loss with their passing as well, Yuxuan only seeks to act as proxy for them for as long as the land needs, and for as long as Xiaoli desires, should he return to their kingdom and desire the throne his father and mother once held again.

A cousin to Qianqiu and Huang, Yuxuan's upbringing was one that should have filled him with greed and desire, if at the very least thanks to his parents. His father wanted nothing more than the throne, and his mother wanted nothing more than the wealth her brother and sister-in-law had free reign over. Perhaps because of the way he saw their insatiable lust for power destroy them slowly, Yuxuan wanted nothing to do with it. He would be happy living without a fight for the throne, and despite his parents' relationship with the ruling Feng's, he got along quite well with them, particularly Qianqiu, who was only two years his junior. This relationship gave him pull and power in its own way, and once his cousin ascended the throne, he found himself immediately promoted to his advisor, to a man of the courts.

Despite his cousin and wife's struggle with parenting, he instead found a parental love for the small Xiaoli, acting as something of a father figure for the boy, and enjoying the kind and doting relationship he grew with him. A relationship nearly destroyed with death and pain, had he not been passing by Xiaoli's room the night Huang attempted to kill him. In a desperate fight to save his life, he lost his right eye, leaving him half blind for the years to come. This, however, was not something that would stop him. If anything, he was proud of the scars and wounds, a wide array of trophies to show for his devotion to his family, their lives. A clear message that he wouldn't stop fighting for them until the attackers stole away his very last breath.

Yet he couldn't stop Ivelda from taking them away from him. The agony of losing his cousin, his queen, and their precious son all in one night while he rested in their palace tore him to pieces, and had he not been placed as their proxy, as the watcher of the palace, he would have very well made way for Lostein to end the miserable woman's life himself, or died in the process. For now he sleeps, patiently awaiting the day to enact retribution for his lost family.

Dedicated, resolute, righteous. Thanks to Arhen's upbringings, the positive and admirable influences in his life throughout all these years, he has a steady moral code, a strong desire for justice and fairness in his world that has seemingly lost all over the years, under Ivelda's watchful, merciless eye. He's grown skilled in leadership and battle in the past decade, having taken on his parents' roles himself when Lithera inevitably caught them. Seeing his parents' and siblings' deaths firsthand and sustaining a fair amount of trauma from the woman and her followers has left a deep seed of vengeance in his heart.

Born to the noble household Langrange, Arhen was raised to their expectations and hopes, following after his parents and siblings in mind and manner quite easily. Their little sparrow, as the youngest of their family he was considered precious beyond all the rest, and his parents and older brother and sister took to being rather overprotective of him, to keep him safe from the true nature of the land and world they lived in. Even with the overarching peace they enjoyed thanks to their fae queen Eowyn, no wars certainly didn't mean no pain or harm. So in his little bubble with his family he stayed, up until he was four, upon which the royal family requested him for their daughter's playmate.

Growing close with the other girl, he was constantly by her side, and for the most part they could be mistaken as siblings in relationship. This peaceful life and new friend lasted for a mere five years, however, when Ivelda took over Rhindeval and he never saw his treasured friend, his kingdom's treasured princess again. Life after that grew dark, bleak and full of despair, but only a year or two later when he reached the age of eleven did the hiding in his home come to an end. His parents revealed to him and his siblings that they were leading rebellion within Brimmix, and without hesitation their children joined them. Too young to do much, Arhen instead learned their trades: the arts of battle, leadership, how to keep from falling into the hands of the enemy, how to lie.

The familial and subject rebellion came to a halt, however, when Arhen and the rest of his family were discovered and taken captive by Lithera and her forces. One by one he watched his family suffer in agony, die painful, slow deaths. Already a victim of her abuses and experiments in the form of scarring over his face, neck, the rest of his body, he finally snapped in the middle of transportation to Lostein, where they had planned to leave him with the queen's inquisitor until he gave up names of the others his family lead. At fifteen after an agonizing recovery, Arhen took to leading the others, filling his parents' now lost roles.

Something of a wildcard, though perhaps toned down and under control after years with the Louverno's care and teachings, Riften still retains lifestyle and behavior from living on his own in the thick of Brimmix's jungles. He knows when to put on the formalities and regality expected of someone within the halls of the kingdom's palace and courts, and he knows how to put down drinks and fight at the local taverns. He's much more lax than a typical knight might be considered, but most of their army was in general; no need for formalities and appearances when they relied on guerrilla warfare, after all. Despite his oddities and quirks, Riften is reliable, more than capable of filling in the position of king should it become necessary.

He was abandoned as a child in the bogs of the jungle, left most certainly to die, whether he drown, become prey, or simply wither away. No mother or father could have expected that their unwanted son, so easily forgotten and left behind, would end up in their kingdom's revered basilisk's care. His cries had drawn in predators who viewed the helpless child as an easy meal for their night, but before they could even begin to make for their feast, the rumbling underfoot, the sharp hiss in the air, had driven them away in fear for their own lives instead. As the massive snake emerged from the overgrowth of the forest and into the bog, it had settled around the small baby before its size and body shifted, disappeared, and in its wake left the form of a human woman.

Life with the basilisk - who often remained in her more human-like form while around her tiny human child - was far from easy. He was raised and guided by her with the gentleness of a mother, but surviving in the forest of predator and prey, he had to learn to survive too, and not always in the gentlest of ways. Often made to hunt his own food, fight off his own attackers, and more, he grew to be a predator himself, adding to the top of the food chain with his "mother." Staying with her didn't last forever, though, and when he turned fifteen, he found his way to the human city: Brimmix's capital. Along with the basilisk, he made way for the palace, and after being welcomed in so warmly, found himself soon being made to stay by the woman-snake, in the care of the royals with warm faces.

As years passed, Riften grew used to the life of a regular human being, beginning to retain his own behaviors that were more human than predator or snake, behaviors that could be considered desired for one of his role: a knight of the kingdom, the queen's right hand. Despite expectations and disdain he knew he received from many of his colleagues, Riften flourished in his role, and when the time comes for his dormancy to end, he'll be more than ready to fulfill his role.

Located in the far reaches of Rhindeval's mountain ranges, the kingdom of Guanyin rests peacefully along the high elevations. While having a chillier environment, they aren't as cold as Typhcrest, and enjoy all four of the seasons rather than just one like them. Weather for them is mild in temperature for the most part at least, however with the strong winds and the chill that brings, it can make it feel worse than it really is, especially for those not used to it. This results in cultivation for plants being more difficult than others, however their root crops do just fine, and make for great trading materials along with lumber from their sturdiest trees that have braved the climate and environment. They have a nearby bamboo forest that they often take advantage of, with its constant regrowth and sturdy builds that make for great and quick access building material. Lumber and root crops aren't all they specialize in, however, and even if their mining isn't as strong as their competitors in Typhcrest, they do have high sources of iron and even small pockets of steel that give them just a little extra trade in the business. They don't take to livestock very often, as with their cliffs and high altitude it seems to create less than ideal living for the animals, however they occasionally take in small amounts, mainly for their royal family's meals, and less for trade and money.

While they may not produce the best weapons and foods, they are happy to know that their building materials and their arts are of high tier when compared to many of the other kingdoms. Lumber and bamboo are their best trades, and make them the greatest money, but that isn't to say they don't use it for themselves. Guanyin is known for its elegant and appealing architecture, not unlike earth's ancient Chinese forms, the "wuxia" genre of ideals and cultivation. Large, elegant buildings, curved rooftops, intricate windows and other decorative pieces of work, so much more. Walking through their lands is like taking a trip through sect mountain's homes, and it's complete with plenty of bright and cheerful stalls, tea houses, the well renowned palace that homes the royal family, emperor and empress, or king and queen by Rhindeval's terms. They're known for their festivals as well, celebrating the new year, a lantern festival, times in the year to visit their local shrines, a celebration of children, food centered, more for dance and the arts, it brings light and life to their homeland, joy to its inhabitants; it's what keeps them alive.

Art is of extreme importance in Guanyin, whether in dance, painting, pottery, calligraphy, charcoal, the list could go on forever. They're rich in culture and life, plenty of written stories and poetry, more than enough interpretive dances, operas and theatrical plays, paintings and pottery, music in the voice and instruments. They pass down their lives and lessons with their art, and many who perform or take part in these pieces do it with a respect for their ancestors and others who have passed on, that have given them the ability to enjoy what they once did. Their art and performance bleeds into their fighting and war-related fields as well. For many who have trained under their teachers and masters to learn the sword, spear, bow, whatever it may be, their styles have turned into something more of a dance in its form, flowing, smooth, light stepped and without waste. Beautiful, eye catching, and unseen in most other kingdom's warriors. It's become something so ingrained in their history and lifestyles, that "sword dancing" is another form of art that many learn and use during festivals for performances as well. The perfected form of all of these is passed down through the Bellecourt family, as a royal heirloom, and performed by their heirs at each festival, used in their own battles as well.

While there's not much in terms of war in Rhindeval's history thanks to Queen Eowyn, Guanyin has found reassurance and safety in its land and environment. Those who live within the kingdom's territories are accustomed to its high altitude, weather, and conditions, while most others are not. Hiking is easy for them, apart of life, and they've adapted by using light armors or mild protections while relying on their own experience and abilities to outfight their opponents, take to higher grounds or exhaust them by continuously forcing them into uphill battles. The air quality, as thin as it is, certainly helps with wearing down the others as well, to the point of passing out if they aren't careful enough. Weather in and of itself is something that typically drives away their pursuers too, given storms are much harsher the higher up one is. Bad rains that can cause flash flooding, strong winds that may just blow someone right over the edge of the mountain's face, deep snows that may very well bury the unprepared, or trigger avalanches to those who just aren't careful enough. Under their king and queen, and general's commands, they're quite confident in their ability to thwart invasions and attacks enough to minimize damage and losses, and all out war.

Unfortunately for them, Ivelda did not spare their lands with her takeover. They put up the best fight they could, but in the end it wasn't enough to go against her armies without their king and queen, their prince. Conquered and quelled by her reign, they submitted to her rule to save the lives of their people in the end, and did their best to continue their lives despite new rules and rulers, reignite happiness through their continued efforts at the arts and festivals. Their overseer hasn't made life easy either, the uncle that had sought after the throne tooth and nail and gone so far as to try and wipe his own nephew out of the picture. There was a reason he wasn't allowed to take the throne despite being the oldest, after all, as his greed, quick temper, and ego slowly drains the lands of its life and prosperity, the vibrancy of the people and their land, but he doesn't seem overly keen on changing his way of "ruling" anytime soon, so long as Ivelda continues to allow him do as he likes.

Along the western edge of Rhindeval lies the kingdom of Brimmix, filled with lush jungles and large sources of water, hilly and difficult terrain to traverse. Their territories extend to the furthest reaches of the rainforest itself, along the large river's mainstream that surrounds the entirety of the land and helps to bring the life that is within the thick forestry and undergrowths, the sprawling and sky reaching trees. While most of their land has a freshwater source thanks to the rivers' and streams' flow, they aren't far off of their saltwater neighbor, the sea, either. The beaches that rest along the edge of their territory provide a way of transport and shipment to other ports of the kingdom's in Rhindeval, as well as access to the ocean's source of food. Shrimp, crab, mollusks, lobster...even roe and other somewhat more difficult to harvest delicacies as those. They've come to harvest salt from the sea as well, assisting in seasoning their foods and preserving them, whether it's for transportation or storage. If they aren't fishing in their access of the ocean, they're hunting and gathering in the forests, filled with hundreds of different species and all different rare plant and meat foods. While farming is a bit difficult due to the lack of nutrient-rich soils, they do still manage to grow a fair amount of crops, and through centuries of cultivating the lands to become more proper for crops, they do have a fair few plots of land that can grow just about anything. Those that cannot are often used as pastures for animals, a source of meat and other products.

While many might think that they'd use lumber as their main source of trade thanks to the jungle's extensive availability, Brimmix believes in doing as little damage to their homeland as possible, letting the plants and trees that have been there longer than themselves, that hold spirits older than their oldest ancestors, continue to thrive and nurture their own lands. Only using what's necessary for their own survival, for progression in their lifestyles and cultures, such as natural herbs and the like for medicines, for one. They only cut down wood enough for their homes and livelihoods, and for each they take down, they're sure to replant double, triple as many to take its place with new life. While the kingdom is keen on festivals and celebrations that include feasts, they make sure to pay proper respects to the lives that may have been taken by their hands to provide meals, and are conscious about being sure every bit of the animal has been used, whether in food, tools, decoration, or even fertilizer to assist with farming for the parts deemed entirely unusable. Slash and burn for natural plant life is not a concept they take part in either, refusing to prepare their farmlands that way, as to burn the forest is to burn its bridge of kindness to them, and the last thing they'd like to do is sever nature's ties, and bring about their unstoppable wrath.

For all that Brimmix is careful with gluttony and greed, they are also happy to experiment with food. With high amounts of resources, seasonings, and spices, Brimmix has become a central place to try all sorts of delicacies and luxury meals, ranging from entirely strange to unforgettably lovely, tastes and presentations from the heavens itself. They could be considered something of a "food central" in Rhindeval, a passion for creation and the joy that food seems to bring, and an impressive arsenal of ingredients, supplies, and tools at all their subjects disposal. Skilled chefs and bakers are riddled throughout the land, and can create practically anything that's requested of them given they receive enough time and ingredients to do so. This has attracted travelers as well, whether seeking to simply eat their share of food or to learn from the best within their kitchens. This love of and the culture surrounding the food has also made it near impossible for anyone there to go without meals, for even those that may not be able to afford it, for neighbors, chefs, taverns and restaurants are more than happy to give out free meals three times a day, and the many street markets, festivals, and the like are more than happy to give their fair share of free food to the less fortunate. In Brimmix all the same, poverty and financial instability are practically non-existent thanks to their kings and queens throughout the years. Careful handling of funds, job opportunities, education and more has allowed for their lands to flourish without any trampling on those that may be considered "beneath" in terms of social class. They have always looked down upon the idea of letting their subjects suffer and starve, struggle through life, and so are more than happy to rid that entirely of their lands, to the best of their abilities.

In terms of war and battle, Brimmix has often relied on that of the guerrilla type, alongside their formal army. Taking advantage of the difficult to navigate, exhausting and often dangerous land they have at their disposal, they aren't afraid to use underhanded tactics and unexpected sneak attacks to keep their own people. Hiding in the trees, in the underbrush, even half underwater in their swamps and bogs that spot over the land, they're like shadows that can't be seen until they're right in the face of the enemy, and by then it's too late. The heat and humidity of the land helps bogging down their opponents, and often if they do not get to the enemies first, nature will. Violent beasts, poisonous snakes, swarms of bugs and ravenous birds all line the trees and grounds, and to those unfamiliar on how to handle them, or what territories not to place foot in, they're practically prey in a field of starving predators. The basilisk, as massive snake who awakens every few years to feast, considered something of a god at this point really, has also been a helpful "ally" for the people of Brimmix in the past, devouring those who are stupid enough to not offer it the respect and reverence it deserves.

Life came to a halt for some time when Ivelda took control, placed her overseer with them. The forest is seemingly quiet in these years, lack of festivals and celebrations as they struggle to return to normalcy after their precious royal family's deaths, though they may do their best. While rebels run rampant in their lands, the people hope that after years perhaps their Basilisk protector will make its appearance once more, and turn the tides for their fight.

The Kingdom of Typhcrest, the northernmost territories of Rhindeval within the snowy regions of mountains, meadows, and forests. The seasons that lay over the land are almost entirely winter in nature with blizzards and bitter cold, though for two or three months of the year the land is gifted a mild, spring-like season that lasts through June, July, and a handful of years even August. Their climate renders the land nearly infertile and barren besides the vast amount evergreen trees and shrubs that populate the forest, thus making it impossible to farm or produce their own food beyond foraging and hunting native plants and animals. This has left their kingdom relying heavily on trade with others, however for all their land lacks in production and life, it thrives in precious stones and metals. Mining is their main source of trade, with an extensive number of rich caves they send their servants to dive into to bring back the precious materials buried and hidden within. Diamond, garnet, jade, jasper, sapphire, turquoise, emerald, ruby, amethyst...the list goes on for ages. For all the decorative, less useful stones they have access to, they're never short on precious metals either: copper, iron, silver and gold, even the raw materials for steel are available. This has helped in producing metalworkings, giving an extensive amount of jobs to blacksmiths, metalsmith, and those similar. Their weaponry and defenses have always been further advanced than others, and though the frozen "wasteland" has never been a major target of border skirmishes or territory disputes, their arsenal of supplies and the capabilities of their army has certainly kept most of those considering starting war with them at bay throughout history.

The availability of such high quality metals and materials at their disposal and ability to stay one step ahead in terms of physical weapon and tool quality has given Typhcrest their reputation for having a powerful military, despite the living conditions many would expect to hinder them. Highly skilled and well funded smiths and forges give way to incredibly high quality supplies: blades that take ages to break, don't require sharpening and repairs so often as the average might, that slice through anything that stands in its way with ease. Bows reinforced with metals to keep from breaking or wearing from overuse yet still keeping their flexibility, and arrows that pierce through the freezing air and armor alike. Armors that don't weigh down their wearers and hinder them like many others do, but are just as protective. All of these things only help to add to the already well disciplined and reputable ranks that Typhcrest holds in their hands, with a fierce loyalty to their beloved royal family that burns brighter than any flame that touches their lands. It's a miracle the entirety of them weren't wiped out by Ivelda when she arrived, though many of those who remain can be found as part of the present rebellions, unable to let go of that unwavering loyalty and thirst for revenge even years later.

Typhcrest's royal family takes on the coat of arms of something akin to two wolves, a shield and sword. The symbols originate from the long history of wolves within the royal family's bloodline and the beliefs surrounding them that they hold. The kingdom's royal family has long believed their ancestors who have passed on can return to their sides in the form of wolves, communicating through dreams to guide them, offer their wisdom and sometimes even words of warning, though whether or not those they reach take what's been offered to them is up for debate in the end. The beliefs and practices don't simply end with dreams however, as a form of magic grew from the oddity, giving way to a transformative attribute those born to the royal bloodline could obtain. While anyone with the Aphelion blood can achieve a more basic transformation and take on some characteristics and traits of wolves, only those blessed with the status of "heir" can achieve a full shift to direwolf. This form mimics the appearance of the native wolves of Rhindeval, however they boast a far greater size and strength in comparison.

These wolven dreams and abilities are locked entirely into the Aphelion bloodline, therefore leaving out those married into the family even as their own offspring received it. This didn't stop Laedrus from seeking some form of connection with the animal that seemed so central to the kingdom however, and the man took to taming and bonding with a trio of white wolves soon after marrying into the royal family. He raised them from birth, and the three wolves were often seen following him around the halls of his home and out in the fields to defend it as well, gaining him the title White Wolf of Typhcrest. Had it not been for Ivelda, taming wolves would have cemented itself as a new tradition passed down along the family, but unfortunately it was destroyed the moment she stole the lives of the king and queen and the memories of their son and daughter.

Despite their cold environment and what many would expect to be a depressing, bitter atmosphere along with it, Typhcrest's people are happy, finding their own unique ways of celebrating the life they have there. Children are treasured, new life to the cold lands that add a sense of warmth to all homes. Festivals for all different occasions: the solstices, the day of the kingdom's founding, the royal family's birthdays, the day of the wolf. When the rare, mild months of warmth and sun is granted to the land, there's practically one every week. Singing, food, dancing and games, the people find their own ways to celebrate and to make joy out of their home and lives, and it keeps them all happy.

Those festivities have died out almost entirely at present. News of their treasured king and queen perishing by the hands of Ivelda only to be followed by word of their precious prince and princess being held hostage may as well have started a war with the people of Typhecrest against Ivelda and whatever forces she commanded. Their fight, though fought hard and true, proved to be in vain as she tore through them and in time gained control of the kingdom's territories to enforce her rule. The cold environment has long since reached their hearts now, and the people are not so much the same as they were under Laedrus and Katal's rule. They continue to mourn the loss of their kind and conscious rulers, though for fear of Ivelda bringing further grief to their lands and lives they keep it quiet, hidden away, or disguised. The people simply hope that one day their prince and princess will return and free them from the oppressive forces of Ivelda, and in turn return them to the lives and happiness they shared all those years ago.

Located in the far reaches of Rhindeval's northeast mountain ranges, the kingdom of Guanyin rests peacefully within elevations much higher than the other kingdoms throughout the land. While the territories tend to hold a moderate chill in the air, they aren't nearly as cold as Typhcrest and enjoy all four seasons rather than singularly winter like them. Weather for them is largely mild in temperature, though with strong winds and the chill that brings it can make it feel worse than it really is, especially for those not used to it. This results in cultivation for plants proving particularly difficult and limiting their farming options, however their root crops do just fine and make for great trading materials along with lumber from their sturdiest trees that have braved the climate and environment of the mountains. Alongside regular wood, Guanyin also has a several bamboo forests scattered throughout the territories that they often take advantage of. With its constant regrowth and durability, the bamboo makes for reliable, quick access building material that can be seen actively used in the buildings and architecture throughout the entirety of the kingdom. Alongside lumber and root crops as their trade specialties, the kingdom also holds a small part in the mining trade with high sources of iron that can be found in the cliffsides and several mines they hold the rights to, though it doesn't quite compare to the neighboring kingdom Typhcrest's resources and business in mining. Guanyin doesn't have much of a hand in livestock as their cliffs and high altitude bring about a difficult environment to rear and raise animals in, but on rare occasions they take in small amounts, mainly with the intent to be used in their royal family's meals and sometimes for trade and money.

While they may not produce the best weapons and foods, they are happy to know that their building materials and their arts are of high tier when compared to many other kingdoms. Lumber and bamboo are their strongest trades and make them the greatest money, but that isn't to say they don't use the materials for themselves. Guanyin is widely known for its elegant and appealing architecture, not unlike earth's ancient Chinese style. Large, elegant buildings, curved rooftops, intricate windows, statues, other decorative pieces of work, and so much more. Walking through their lands is like taking a trip through sect mountain homes, and it's complete with plenty of bright and cheerful stalls, tea and opera houses, outdoor storytelling stages for performers, and the well renowned palace that houses the royal family: the emperor and empress, or king and queen by Rhindeval's terms, and any children or extended family that may remain within the estate as well. Guanyin is known for their festivals as well, large and vibrant enough to gather a large amount of visitors and travelers willing to make the trip to the kingdom's center to experience them. It ranges from all sorts of experiences, such as celebrating the new year, a lantern festival, visiting and celebrating their local shrines, a celebration of children, food centered festivities, others that focus entirely on dance and the arts, all of these bring light and life to their homeland and joy to its inhabitants; it's what keeps them alive.

Art is of extreme importance in Guanyin, whether in dance, painting, pottery, sculpture, calligraphy, charcoal, the list could go on forever. They're rich in culture and life with plenty of written stories and poetry, more than enough interpretive dances, operas and theatrical plays, paintings and pottery that often tell their own stories, and music in both voice and instruments. They pass down their lives and lessons with their art, and many who perform or take part in these pieces do it with a respect for their ancestors and others who have passed on that have given them the ability to continue to enjoy what they once did all those years ago. Guanyin's art and performance bleeds into aspects of their fighting and war-related fields as well. For many who have trained under their teachers and masters to learn whatever weapon it may be, their styles have turned into something more of a dance in form: flowing, smooth, light stepped and without waste. The movements and style of fighters in Guanyin have been described as beautiful, eye catching, and entirely unseen in warriors outside of the kingdom. It's become something so ingrained in their history and lifestyles that "sword dancing" is another form of art that many learn and use during festivals for performances as well. The perfected form of the phoenix style of sword dance is passed down through the Feng family as something of a royal heirloom, and performed by the family heirs at each festival once they come of age.

While there's not much in terms of war in Rhindeval's history thanks to Queen Eowyn, Guanyin has found reassurance and safety in its land and environment. Those who live within the kingdom's territories are accustomed to its high altitude, weather, and conditions, while most others are not. Hiking is easy for them as something that's a daily part of their lives, and they've adapted to these strenuous terrains by using light armors and protections while relying on their own experience and abilities to outmatch their opponents. This comes in several strategies, such as taking enemies to higher grounds with thinner air and sheerer cliffs, or exhausting them by continuously forcing them into uphill battles. The air quality being as thin as it is is certainly helpful in wearing down invaders unaccustomed or unacclimated to their elevations, and can even lead them to the point of passing out if they aren't careful enough. Weather in and of itself is something that typically drives away their pursuers too, given storms are much harsher the higher up one is. Bad rains can cause flash flooding, strong winds that may just blow someone right over the edge of the mountain's face, and at its peak, deep snows that may very well bury the unprepared and careless. When under their king and queen and general's commands, the people of Guanyin are quite confident in their ability to thwart invasions and attacks enough to minimize damage and casualties, and avoid all out war.

Unfortunately for them, Ivelda did not spare their lands with her takeover. They put up the best fight they could, but in the end it wasn't enough to go against her armies without their king and queen at the helm to guide them. Conquered and quelled by her reign, they submitted to her rule to save the lives of their people in the end and did their best to continue their lives despite new rules and rulers, reigniting happiness through their continued efforts at the arts and festivals. Unfortunately their overseer hasn't made life easy on them, being the uncle that had sought after the throne tooth and nail and even go so far as to try and wipe his own nephew out of the picture to sate his hunger for power. There was a reason he wasn't allowed to take the throne despite being the oldest after all, as his greed, quick temper, and ego slowly drains the lands of its life and prosperity and steals away the vibrancy and joy of the people, but he doesn't seem overly keen on changing his way of "ruling" anytime soon so long as Ivelda continues to allow him do as he likes.

Along the western edge of Rhindeval's lands lies the kingdom of Brimmix, filled with lush jungles, large sources of water, and difficult terrain to traverse. Their territories extend to the furthest reaches of the rainforest itself, an environment that growths thickly in every inch of every mile, holding such a variety of life that even to this day those who travel the area can stumble upon an undiscovered species of plant or animal if they pay attention. Of course with a rainforest comes the need for water, and Brimmix is no stranger to that. While the weather is extremely humid and rain and thunder storms are frequent, the territories also border the ocean for salt water and house a fair amount of rivers for fresh water. The land also contains a spattering of marshes and swamps, though most familiar with survival and living off the land know that water from such places are often stagnant, thus leading them to house a large amount of parasite and diseases, and should never be used to drink or bathe with. All the same, these sources of water are what brings lush greenery and life to the land and the people have come to respect the waters as something of a spiritual being or god, knowing that without them both they and the plants and animals they live alongside and use as resources of food would not survive.

With the western edge of Brimmix being hugged by the shoreline of the ocean, the kingdom often uses this easy access to the seaway to house their ports for transport and shipment, whether they are sending off their own ships or receiving ships from other kingdoms on their own trading voyages. These ports have allowed Brimmix to become something of a trading hotspot, and as such the kingdom finds itself being able to sell off their own local specialties with ease, leading to a steady and healthy economy that has never seen the signs of collapse. Of their specialities, the territories boast a large hand in the trade of many food based trades, both what could be considered familiar and exotic to the people of Rhindeval. In seafood, they often hold a large amount in the way of trapping and fishing with shrimp, crab, mollusks, and lobster, and tuna, marlin, halibut, and salmon being just a handful of the many delicacies they manage to bring in. With the ocean, Brimmix has also found ways to harvest salt from the waters, using it to both season their foods, but also to preserve them for general storage or transportation in trading. When not working in the ocean, they often turn to hunting and gathering in the forests, lush and full of all sorts of edible animals and plants. Spices and herbs are also a common export from Brimmix, allowing other regions to liven up their dishes and delicacies as much as the people of the rainforest region do too. While farming tends to be a bit difficult due to lack of nutrient-rich soils of the forest, they still manage to grow a fair amount of crops in the right spots, and through centuries of cultivating certain areas to house crops, they do have a fair few plots of land that can grow just about anything. Those that cannot are often used as pastures for livestock, which they use as a source of meat for food, and use for other products as well, such as fetilizer, hides, and other varities of tools.

While many might think that they'd use lumber as their main source of trade thanks to the jungle's extensive availability, Brimmix believes in doing as little damage to their homeland as possible, feeling as though the life of the land holds something of a spiritual nature. They tend to be a rather superstitious people, and as such do not take kindly to anyone, natives or outsiders, harming the land more than necessary. They only cut down wood enough for their homes - whether building or warming them - and general livelihoods, and for each they take down, they're sure to replant double if not triple as many to take its place with new life. While the kingdom is keen on festivals and celebrations that include things like feasts, they make sure to pay proper respects to the lives that may have been taken by their hands to provide meals, and are conscious about being sure every bit of the animal has been used, whether in food, tools, decoration, or even fertilizer to assist with farming for the parts deemed entirely unusable. Slash and burn for natural plant life is not a concept they take part in either with an absolute refusal to prepare their farmlands that way, as to burn the forest is to burn its bridge of kindness that has been provided to them for millennia, and the last thing they'd risk is severing their ties with nature and bring about its unstoppable wrath.

For all that Brimmix is careful with gluttony and greed, they are also happy to experiment with food. With high amounts of resources, seasonings, and spices, Brimmix has become a central place to try all sorts of delicacies and luxury meals, ranging from entirely strange to unforgettably lovely, tastes and presentations from the heavens itself. They could be considered something of a "food central" in Rhindeval with a passion for creation and the joy that food seems to bring, and an impressive arsenal of ingredients, supplies, and tools at all their subjects disposal. Skilled chefs and bakers are riddled throughout the land, and with their skills can create practically anything that's requested of them given they receive enough time and ingredients to do so. This has attracted travelers as well, whether seeking to simply eat their share of food or to learn from the best within their kitchens. This love and culture surrounding food has also made it near impossible for anyone there to go without meals, even for those that may not be able to afford it. Neighbors, chefs, taverns and restaurants are more than happy to give out free meals three times a day, and the many street markets, festivals, and similar are more than happy to give their fair share of free food to the less fortunate. In Brimmix all the same, poverty and financial instability are practically non-existent thanks to their kings and queens throughout the years. Careful handling of funds, job opportunities, education and more has allowed for their lands to flourish without trampling on those that may be considered "beneath" in terms of social class. They have always looked down upon the idea of letting their subjects suffer and starve or struggle through life, and as such are more than happy to rid that entirely of their lands to the best of their abilities.

In terms of war and battle, Brimmix has often relied on that of the guerrilla type, alongside their formal army. Taking advantage of the difficult to navigate, exhausting and often dangerous land they have at their disposal, they aren't afraid to use underhanded tactics and unexpected sneak attacks to keep their own people safe. Hiding in the trees, in the underbrush, or even half underwater in their swamps and bogs that spot over the land, they're like shadows that can't be seen until they're right in the face of the enemy, and by then it's too late. The heat and humidity of the land helps in bogging down their opponents too, and often if they do not get to the enemies first, nature will. Violent beasts, poisonous snakes, swarms of bugs and ravenous birds all line the trees and grounds, and to those unfamiliar on how to handle them or what territories not to place foot in, they're practically prey in a field of starving predators. The basilisk, a massive serpent who wakes every few years to feast and has always been considered something of a god, has also been a helpful ally to the people of Brimmix in the past, devouring those who are stupid enough to not offer her the respect and reverence she deserves when she rises from her dormant state.

Life came to a halt for some time after Ivelda took control and placed her overseer with them. The forest is seemingly quiet in these years, lack of festivals and celebrations as they struggle to return to normalcy after their precious royal family's deaths, though they do their best. While rebels run rampant in their lands, the people hold a silent prayer for a return of hope, and currently that lays with their basilisk protector waking and wreaking havoc on the ones that have disrespected her home and people.

A self-sufficient and powerful woman who thrived in her position as a queen, even if it ultimately lead to her own demise alongside her husband. She held a presence in any room she stood, one that could quiet a crowd on entry and left those around her listening intently to any word that left her lips. Elegance, grace, she held it all even with her intense aura, a beauty with perfect etiquette and behavior while still holding her ground, never letting herself be pushed around by the men of the courts. At times it did leave her disliked by those she interacted with, largely just a handful of nobles holding views and "traditions" she felt were meant to be left in the past and moved on from, but in the end her actions and personality seemed to work in her favor, gaining a strong respect and admiration from most others like a wildfire once she took her place at the throne.

Katal was born into nobility as the first daughter of the royal family in power at the time. Her parents, the king and queen, were perfect fits for their positions and the work and responsibilities that came with it, and she desired to be the same as them once they relinquished their positions and she was given the throne. At twelve, Katal had already began receiving marriage proposals, all of which were directed to her parents to handle. The process was expected; marriage proposals for nobles usually started young, and deals were often sealed before the two children were even old enough to be wedded, resulting in years long engagements until they came of age. At the very least her parents were willing to let her weigh in on the offers herself too, letting her pick through and narrow down the names to the one she felt she would be happiest with. In the end she took to Laedrus's courting, not much of a surprise to anyone. He was one of her childhood friends after all, and their history gave way to a swiftly sparking romance within their new relationship. They were married at sixteen.

It wasn't long after that her parents were killed. Anias Spalwick. The Puppeteer. A man with thirst for blood as intense as a beast starving in the woods. Katal had found her parents hanging in their throne room by an infinite amount of strings, dead. The sight had nearly broken her, very well would have if their killer wasn't still in the room admiring his work. The desire to avenge them was satisfied near instantaneously as she tore through his defenses and deflected his attacks, weakened by bites and marks of claws she knew only a wolf could leave - her father. Eventually she landed a final blow that was enough to finally take him down, a writhing, miserable man who cursed her for not allowing him to complete his "art," silenced by her husband when he'd had him dragged away and did his best to comfort Katal and take her away from the scene that would burn in her memories forever.

In the end she had acted judge, a trial that had been agony to get through, full of hate and anger for a man who showed no remorse for the murders of his king and queen, nor for any of the other innocents he had taken early. She had no issue in giving the final sentence: an endless stay in their prison for the rest of his miserable life, however long it lasted. A fate worse than death. He had been locked away into a deep, frozen cell, bitterly cold and devastatingly isolating, just as he deserved. For all she cared, he would rot down there, never to see the light of day again.

Her and Laedrus took the throne when they were sixteen, young but more than ready to handle what came with the position after years of lessons and preparation. Though there were difficulties initially with the courts, approval, and getting her parents' work back on track, Katal and her husband eventually managed to get their feet back under themselves and regained Typhcrest's stability after the shock it had suffered from losing both its king and queen in one night.

Two years after taking power she and Laedrus conceived their first child, Valken. A healthy and strong boy with a rebellious streak and signs of a predisposition to aggression and even violence, but under their care and guidance it was kept under control, and they were confident it would never become something dangerous, that he would one day grow into a capable and beloved king to the people when Katal and Laedrus stepped down. Several years later their second, Euphemia, a much more mild mannered, though perhaps timid girl with bright eyes and an insatiable curiosity that left her often reading, exploring the gardens, or following after her parents on the days she could. Both were deeply cherished, precious children of the king and queen. While they did occasionally spoil and perhaps even coddle the two a bit, they were careful not to take it too far with hopes of raising them into upstanding adults, and eventually beloved leaders, filling Katal and Laedrus's positions one day if they desired when they were ready.

Somehow it felt damning in its own way, and Katal found herself facing death even younger than her parents had. Ivelda held no mercy when facing them, and as she watched Laedrus die, Katal found herself half losing her mind to grief and fear of her children just in the other room being taken from her too. Not even the strength of a direwolf was enough to take down the woman, and soon enough Katal found herself laying at her husband's side, a final grasp of his cold hand the only comfort she had before succumbing to her wounds and dying herself.

Laedeus is a difficult to read, but steady person. Intimidating, regal, without flaw. The White Wolf of Typhcrest. Laedrus had been called many things, all of which he accepted with ease or took in stride. He'd always been a careful and unshakeable person, difficult to shock and draw a reaction out of or to sway, and to some he was considered the calm to his wife's storm. When compared to her, Laedrus held more of a quiet intensity, less abrupt and in your face, not quite so drowning or overwhelming but still present. He'd always kept himself a man of few words who took to letting Katal hold more control and power than him in the end, finding her far more deserving of it than himself. Of course, he was a more than capable king, and while his wife took more of the spotlight, he was content with working behind the scenes to ensure their home and lives were kept safe and comfortable, and that the subjects who looked to them for guidance, safety, and care wouldn't ever go without for as long as they lived.

He was born into a lesser noble family, the fourth son the the Havendael family. For years it felt as if he would forever stay in his brothers' shadows, the eldest no doubt being prepared to take over as head of the family once he was old enough, and second clearly set on being his right hand. The third born already had his hand in trade and business, and with an engagement already made between him and a noble girl in Guanyin, his path was already set. Perhaps his parents were tired after raising three other boys, or maybe they just forgot Laedrus existed; the Havendael family was far from warm and ideal, after all. So for all Laedrus knew, he would wander the halls of his family's estate like a ghost for years until something came his way and he could be free of them and perhaps build his own family.

His breakthrough came in the form of the princess of Typhcrest, a girl who he swiftly became friendly with after shared dinners and meetings with the royal family that his own family had month to month. With no ulterior motives like his brothers held - a desire for a political contract or even a marriage despite the rather large age gap - Katal found ease in letting him in and the first seed of trust was gently planted as the two enjoyed one another's company. Their friendship grew stronger over the years, inseparable when their families would meet together.

It was when he was twelve that his parents opened the idea to take their Laedrus and Katal's established friendship and offer a proposal, confident that their king and queen would find it worthwhile for their daughter. Despite Laedrus's apprehension over how things might be taken by Katal- a fear that she might believe she had been taken advantage of or manipulated by him - his parents' proposal was accepted and Laedrus was set to marry Katal once he reached sixteen, moving into the Aphelion's palace to remain with them and learn the ways of Typhcrest royalty until their wedding day. What their parents saw as a political boost, however, he simply saw as his chance to stay with the girl who he had long since grown to love. One that he would cherish for as long as she would allow him to stay at her side.

His marriage into the family was well timed if nothing else. Katal's parents passed shortly after their wedding, murdered by a man who had been terrorizing the kingdom's cities for several years at that point. He succeeded the throne with his wife at sixteen, a terrifying, overwhelming period in his life, but despite everything they both came to settle well into their positions and eventually they started their own family as well, a boy and a girl who he adored more than he could ever express.

While Laedrus himself was locked out of the Aphelion bloodline's history of wolfish abilities, he still held a desire to find his own way to bridge the lack of connection to the kingdom's animal, leading him to taking on two wolf pups that had been orphaned recently. Giving them the names Raulus and Vue, the two wolves became precious companions to Laedrus, a fearsome pair that always traveled at his sides regardless of where he went. The only time he left them behind was on the fateful night of his death, and the two now rest in the palace.

Their warm home and happy lives came to a bloody end with Ivelda. His fight was a desperate one, an unending barrage of attacks that never seem to do enough. The hopelessness of the situation dug its nails into him far too quickly, and with a single misstep he left himself open to retaliation from the woman. A fatal blow. To his knees, and then to the floor, he collapsed into a pool of his own blood, warm while his body went cold. For all he fought for Katal's and their children's lives, he failed, in the his final moments all he could do was watch Ivelda put Katal's life to an end alongside his before succumbing to the all encompassing darkness.

Anias has always been known as a monster. A demon. Sick and twisted and detestable, even in his youth. In all truth, he has no redeeming qualities. He's cruel, manipulative, a sadist with a particular preference to play with his prey until they bore him too much, and then stringing their bodies into what he considers works of creativity. He has no pattern in targets, simply enjoying the taste of a kill and the sight of his work once he's finished hanging their bodies. Under Ivelda's control he can't simply run rampant as he may like, as he did before the detestable Katal stopped his bloodied path, though he's found that rebels are quite lovely victims and practically free reign to make examples of, to twist and cut and hang into the beautiful pieces of art that he so adores. He's simply not one to cross at this point, unless you wish to join his gruesome kill count.

Family is something he never quite understood. He was born into a perfectly fine family with perfectly normal siblings and parents in a perfectly nice home, but he never quite fit into the perfect idea that they would have expected him to. He was nearly rejected from the moment of his birth, parents and siblings alike looking at him with fear and disgust whenever he showed his face, always umkempt and messy from running in the woods or around the village. Even the other villagers and their children avoided him, though looking back on that, he supposes it only makes sense that they would after someone had discovered the little stash of dead animals, all the missing village pets he'd kept in a box along the forest's border. Of course they would run from him, the one responsible for the death of all of their own or their friends' pets' disappearances and deaths. No parent in their right mind would want someone like him around their children either, a violent and evil influence, so they used him as an example instead. Someone to avoid as best as possible, to run from, to never become. This never bothered Anias, though. He was perfectly happy on his own, as it had always been.

His parents had told him that his mind had been twisted the moment he was conceived, that he was a demon from the depths of Hell that had taken the place of the son they should have had. He supposed they were probably right, but he felt like he would have more memories of this so-called "Hell" if that was his origin. A place that they would describe in words so vividly when berating him, one that most would fear, but to him it sounded like home all the same. If that was where he rightfully belonged, why would he not want to return there? Even if he held no memories of the place, why shouldn't he feel the pull to find it, to reclaim his rightful place in the depths of it?

While most would have been tortured and left in pain and hurt over their words, they never particularly bothered him. He killed them all anyway, his first victims to a list that never ends. It wasn't as if he could help it; the gods had given him an ability that was just so perfect for his deepest desires, why would he waste it? Strings that produced from his fingertips, almost like a spider's silk but stronger: metallic and sharp. He had left his family's bodies tangled from the home's ceilings for the village guard to find when it began to reek, rot. All mangled and broken, some even dismembered to help achieve the exact pose he'd been envisioning for months before then. Anais was twelve.

He stayed homeless for some time, taking refuge from the cold in caves, sometimes overnight in homes of his victims while their bodies lay dead in some other room, reeking of something akin to rust - blood - a scent he quite liked the longer he carried on. No matter where he went, he left a trail of death and rot all tangled in the webs of his art. All scenes were so similar, all so simple to link together, and he gained his nicknames. The puppeteer. The puppet master. Marionettist. They brought him joy, joy he thrived off of knowing that he left enough of a mark in people's hearts and minds to receive a name. A name that could follow him forever, wherever he went, even if it was hell if that wasn't already where he was, snow and walls painted in red, faces of the damned and tormented staring back at him when he finished he work.

It finally became permanent, uttered in terrified whispers and the exchange of gossip when he stole the lives of his king and queen. They had certainly tried their best to fight him off, and it was a miracle he'd managed to defend against the king and his wolfish form, but in the end they had ended up another piece of his expansive art collection in their own throne room. He had barely had time to admire it; if only their daughter hadn't overpowered him, he would have added her to his perfect piece in the space, a lovely finishing touch to his little royal family portrait. What a shame that he was never able to complete it.

In the depths of the prison they threw him into his mind only festered further, the isolation driving him into darker depths and insanity, endlessly envisioning new pieces of art, the way he would pose the guard that sometimes stood outside the cell door, or the way he'd position Laedrus and Katal, their two children, endless and bloodier and more depraved, but the torment didn't last forever. Eventually Ivelda freed him from the cage, and with ease he swore the blood oath to his savior, to the woman who placed him into a position of power over Typhcrest where he can continue his work, at least against those who wrong his queen.