#crhs.intro

[ghazvla]

ADITI RAO HYDARI, 29, SHAHBANU GHAZALA. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the SHAHBANU GHAZALA, from the DELHI SULTANATE. they are at their best AFFECTIONATE, and at their worst VITRIOLIC. whilst abroad, their ambition is to FORM NEW ALLEGIANCES IN THE NAME OF PERSIA TO ESTABLISH HER PLACE IN THE PERSIAN COURT AS A WOMAN OF TRUE INFLUENCE AND POWER & GATHER SUPPORTERS TO POSSIBLY RETAKE HER RIGHTFUL PLACE AS SULTANA OF THE DELHI SULTANATE. SHE seems to remind everyone of ADITI RAO HYDARI & THE WARMTH OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT AGAINST YOUR SKIN, THE RUSTLING OF A SNAKE IN THE SAND AT NIGHT, A GOLDEN TEAR DRIPPING DOWN YOUR CHEEK. ❞

♕ { c l i c k   h e r e  f o r   m o r e } ♕

❝ ⤚⟶ INTRODUCTION

What current conflicts does your character face?

It’s only been a couple years since Ghazala found herself betrayed out of Delhi Sultanate and into Persian territory. She’s still a relatively new addition to court, and her status as an outsider is still evident from the distrust most people feel towards her; especially since her engagement and consequent marriage to the Shah proved to be a swift one, and her natural charm has secured herself as his (new) favourite.

Accepting his marriage proposal was not something she had to think about twice — not only would it be considered rude to deny such an honor, it would also be foolish, from a political point of view. No matter how much royal blood flows in her veins, she was still exiled, stripped of any actual power; and power, oh, that’s something Ghazala quite enjoys.

So, while that honor restored her to a similar paragon of power, prestige and respect, it also proved to be a double-edged sword: Consort Firouzeh and all her allies have proved to be formidable foes, harder to persuade than the Shah ever was.

To put it plainly, Ghazala feels lost and out of place; not something you’d figure given the way she portrays herself, but behind closed doors, it’s getting harder and harder to deal with. She’s not used to doting on other people, instead being doted on, so she’s still trying to find her place at court.

She is also struggling with the desire for revenge and the feeling of inaction; her enemies may think they’ve won the war, but, to her, she has merely lost a battle, and she will, one day, sooner or later, reclaim what is rightfully hers.

What are some potential plotlines you are interested in pursuing?

To play off her short-term goals, I am eager to explore Ghazala’s relationship with the rest of the Persian entourage. She’s used to being disliked (see: the many battles she’s had to fight throughout her entire life to secure her rule and ensure her survival in her own home country), but she is also, to put it plainly, tired. She’s in a vulnerable place now more than ever and while she’s very good at guarding that and not showing it, unless you’re someone she trusts deeply (at this moment, Abuzar), I would love for her to have more trusted advisors.

She’s not particularly interested in the animosity coming from Firozeh and her supporters, even if she understands why it exists. I think they’ve all seen a face of her that is conciliatory, as she tries to play her game and come off as more humble than she feels, hoping that will warm their hearts, but that can easily change in both/whatever directions!

I am also extremely interested in exploring a bit of subterfuge as she tries to gather allies to her own cause. She’s playing her own long game trying to find the best way to regain her rightful place at the Delhi throne and avenge all who have wronged her.

I don’t think she has any true loyalties towards the Persian Empire as of yet; I say ‘true’ because the ones she does have right now are all based on political strategy, even if she does care for the Shah, and, as a consequence, for Persia. She would never do anything to undermine his rule or Persia, so no ‘double-agent’ kind of plots, but I am eager to explore her relationship to her newfound home and more eager to get her in over her head trying to burker some deals with other nations to try and prove herself, once and for all, as more than a ‘pretty face’, a ‘foreigner’ or ‘the shah’s second wife’.

❝ ⤚⟶ BULLET-POINTS.

Ghazala was born during the golden age of the Delhi Sultanate. The third-born and first and only legitimate daughter of the Sultan, History dictated that she would go down in obscurity, nothing but a footnote (married off to further her father’s interests elsewhere, eclipsed into nothingness); but Fate had other plans. Her father was known for his kindness and progressive ideals, and so, despite being born a woman, she enjoyed the same privileges as her brothers: an education in leading armies and ruling a kingdom. There was no real intention in Ghazala ever being heir, but Father believed in equality above all else and, as it stands, she became the best choice. After the death of her oldest brother, the one truly groomed to succeed as Sultan, there were only spineless, lazy princes to choose from… or Ghazala.

Quick-witted, keen of mind and ideals, hardworking and knowledgeable of the inner workings of court politics, it was with great displeasure by the nobility that the Sultan named her as his heir. A woman Sultan was something hard to get past of, no matter how skilled she proved herself to be; when her father died, her ascension to the throne split the sultanate into a civil war that would last for three years, before she finally managed to squash it; that still didn’t prove final when, all her brothers gone, the nobility found a new way to depose her and establish a new dynasty. With no real support to lay claim and continue to fight, she managed to escape the treacherous homeland that saw her be born and grow. Heartbroken and with a fiery desire for revenge, she found refuge in the neighbouring Persian Empire, where life continues to be an uphill battle.

Ghazala was a brash and bold child growing up, always grasping at the littlest bit of freedom she could find; defying the purdah tradition and her nurses patience, there was a glint of defiance in her eyes that persists to this day. It’s a kind of fire that, no matter what happens, doesn’t seem to be put down — in fact, given the history she’s had to endure in recent years, it has grown only wilder; but, with age comes maturity and she’s no longer the obstinate child she once was. 

In her home country, she quickly gathered a reputation for her “difficult temperament”, something that displeased the ladies at court, who considered her attitude to be less than lady-like. She was painfully aware of her standing as daughter of the Sultan, and used to be presumptuous (and naive) about that position, thinking herself untouchable. That has changed with age; she now understands the power that lies in being a woman, despite all the many cons. She adapted, preferring instead to act from the shadows than to be seen as a particularly loud presence (especially in her newfound home in the persian empire).

At her best, she is a truly affectionate person: with a special liking towards children, she’s always dreamed of being a mother, but the dream hasn’t proven possible (thus far). She has, however, that special quality — tactful, gentle and meek around those she deems ‘weaker’ (not in a derogatory way; perhaps, in a naive way, as a weakness). There’s a special kind of freedom in being shahbanu that she hadn’t experienced before, and she’s learning to take advantage of it by dedicating her attention to things she didn’t in the past, like the cultures and the arts (something that may be a point of further strain between her and Consort Firouzeh). However, it’s impossible to deny her keen interest in all matters of the state, and her growing influence with her husband can’t be underestimated.

Personality: [+] articulate, captivating, caring, charismatic, clever, courageous, generous, loyal, persuasive, playful, protective, shrewd, sociable, ambitious; [-] competitive, dominating, stubborn, argumentative, careless, disobedient, domineering, impatient, impulsive, naive, presumptuous, vengeful, resentful, secretive.

[sultanaesma]

DENIZ BAYSAL, 24, ESMA SULTAN. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. THANKS IS GIVEN BY THE SULTANA , ESME SULTAN FROM OTTOMAN EMPIRE. THEY ARE AT BEST AMIABLE, AND AT THEIR WORST WEAK-WILLED. WHILST ABROAD, THEIR AMBITION IS TO INTEGRATE INTO EUROPEAN CULTURE. SHE SEEM/S TO REMIND EVERYONE OF DENIZ BAYSAL & CAREFUL CLEASING OF THE HANDS AND FEET IN PREPARATION FOR PRAYER, GLIMMERS OF GEMS WITHIN MIDNIGHT-DARK HAIR, ELABORATE ARABIC SCRIPT WRITTEN IN GRACEFUL PENMANSHIP. ❞

FULL NAME : esma sultan of the ottoman empire

TITLES :  sultana

BIRTHPLACE : constantinople, anatolia

AGE : 24

LANGUAGES :

native : arabic, ottoman turkish

high proficiency : persian

intermediate : latin, french

learning : german

DYNASTY / HOUSE: osman

MOTHER & FATHER : sultan iskender and haseki sultan nehir

SPOUSE : n/a

ISSUE : n/a

SIBLINGS : murad, mihrimah, hiranur’s daughter (half), branimira’s son (half)

OTHER : engaged to the prince of austria

ZODIAC : cancer

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION : muslim

ORIENTATION : biromantic

PERSONALITY TYPE : infp

VICES : sloth, pride

VIRTUES : patience, charity

FACECLAIM : deniz baysal

HEIGHT : 5'7

RECOGNISABLE FEATURES : wide smile, strong brow

REPUTATION IN FLORENCE : graceful, witty and kind, a person who easily extends the hand of friendship to others and is known for their sweet and patient countenance

WANTED CONNECTIONS : female friendships of all kinds and creeds, relationships with other characters with a high degree of piety, regardless of their faith, perhaps somebody who doesn’t like her to explore how she would react to this happening, relationships with somebody politically inclined who can take advantage of her naivety.

App Bits

Esma knows too much, and that has long been her problem in life. She knows much, but says nothing, keeping her mouth occupied with pretty smiles and honeyed words rather than speaking her mind. This passive countenance has led to two situations that she isn't entirely pleased with, the first being her elder brother's claim. Whilst Esma does not scorn or dislike Murad, she is aware of the instability that comes with a position in the Ottoman court - especially the most prestigious of all, that of the sultan. She worries for him, should he ever succeed their father, believing his ailments render him unsuitable for the role, unable to see the snakes in the grass, and more than that, worries that he will be unable to maintain the glorious victories their father has achieved over the years. The second is a far more personal matter. Esma is truly dedicated to the Ottoman Empire, willing to serve however she can, however, she isn't certain that renouncing her faith in order to take her place in the Holy Roman Empire is the best way to do so. A devout woman, she greatly fears the day she will have to wed, and does not want any children she bears to grow up outside of the Islamic religion. She isn't used to speaking her mind, keeping her opinions veiled behind what she thinks others want to hear, but time is rapidly running out, and with the walls closing in, she must find her tongue or else lose her chance to shape her own destiny. 

The model of an Ottoman princess, Esma is beautiful, and known to be a kind and popular figure. The grace she exudes does not come naturally to her, though, but is the result of years of careful work and tutoring to cultivate her outer façade - though she does not see this as an act on her part, rather than a deep desire to better herself. A selfless woman, everything she does is in service of her father's rule, and her devotion to her faith, the two most important things in her life. Academic and intelligent, her wit quickly earns the friendship of others, though her inherent sweetness helps to maintain those friendships, and she never uses her humour against others. However, Esma is a coward, unable to voice her true feelings for fear of having others think ill of her. She can flawlessly speak what she believes others want to hear from her, but bites her tongue when it comes to her own opinions - particularly if those opinions are set to rock the boat. Indecisive, and perhaps a little shallow, she can easily be won over by well-placed words and pretty things, and can be a little naïve to the machinations of others, leaving her vulnerable to be used as a pawn by other's scheming. Though she is aware of such plots occurring, she is not as bright as she believes she is, and struggles to see such things when aimed at her, or when coming from somebody she has already put her easily-earned trust in.

Esma has often dreamed of being married since childhood, idealising the view of her future husband in her head. As a young girl, she could often be found playing with dolls, imagining the day when they would be replaced by her own sweet babes in her arms. As she’s grown older, the desire for matrimony and motherhood has only intensified, but Esma never imagined she would be marrying into a European country. In her mind, the only option was ever a Muslim prince, or at worst, a worthy man from her own country. The idea of conversion is terrifying to the young Sultana, who despite her vast knowledge of the world, knows little of Catholicism, and fears what awaits her in the afterlife should she turn her back on the religion she has devoted her life to. Similarly, the idea of raising her children in a different faith fills her with revulsion. She does not see the path ahead of her, as consort to an Austrian Prince, as anything but a tool from which the sultan can expand his power, and whilst she is usually more than eager to aid in bettering the empire by however she can, she sees this move less as betterment and more as a means of control by European factions. Thus, she quietly works to convince her family to support her in ending the relationship as subtly as she can for fear of worsening international relations.

  Esma is a gifted writer and meticulous diary keeper. As a woman who keeps so much hidden away inside, locked away for herself and herself alone, she finds writing her thoughts and feelings down to be the sole way in which she can fully express herself, a therapeutic endeavour that helps her maintain her placid countenance. She fears what would happen if anybody were to find and read her writings, especially with so much weighing on her mind. Recently, she has taken to developing her own code, so that anybody who stumbles across her diaries would find nothing they could possibly hope to decipher, and the thoughts within her mind remain as private as possible

[bloodwrittcn]

LUKE PASQUALINO, 35, CESARE NICOLÒ SFORZA. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the COUNT OF PAVIA, THE MILANESE AMBASSADOR CESARE NICOLÒ SFORZA, from MILAN. they are at best VALIANT, and at their worst INDULGENT. whilst abroad, their ambition is to CLAIM WHAT SHOULD BE RIGHTFULLY HIS, TO REIGN AND GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS A WARRIOR AND DIPLOMAT. HE seems to remind everyone of LUKE PASQUALINO & A BRAVE FLAME WITHSTANDING EVERYTHING, A DEVIOUS GRIN & WINE AND BLOOD STAINS ON A WHITE SHIRT. ❞

FULL NAME : Cesare Nicolò Sforza TITLES : Ambassador of Milan Leader of the Milanese military Count of Pavia BIRTHPLACE : Milan, Italy AGE : 35 LANGUAGES : Latin, English, Italian DYNASTY / HOUSE: Sforza MOTHER & FATHER : Francesco Sforza & Maria Visconti SPOUSE : unmarried ISSUE : child name TBA (with Caterina de Medici) SIBLINGS : Alessandro Sforza OTHER : Duchess regent of Milan (sister-in-law), unnamed son (nephew), Lady Isabella Sforza (niece) ZODIAC : Leo RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION : Roman Catholic ORIENTATION : Heterosexual

PERSONALITY TYPE :

He’s heroic, charming, yet spoiled, selfish and arrogant at times. He’s never really cared for humility and never understood the idea of accepting less of what one could get. He’s an all or nothing kind of guy, always seeking the most out of everything, may it be relationships, events or situations. While he absolutely doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty or playing dirty in a diplomatic sense, Cesare has a fickle heart, which still despises all sorts of negativity and criticism about who he is and what he deserves.

VICES : pride, lust, greed, envy, wrath VIRTUES : temperance, diligence FACECLAIM : Luke Pasqualino HEIGHT : 6 ft 2 (190 cm) RECOGNISABLE FEATURES : various battle scars including one on his throat and lower chin, rather tall, broad shoulders REPUTATION IN FLORENCE :  close to the Medicis, is definitely on a friendly basis with them

WANTED CONNECTIONS :

Platonic

- a best friend. He needs someone by his side to keep him company, someone who supports him no matter what. (open)

- alliances of any kind. This can be explored in various ways. As someone who desires to be on the top one has to align himself with loyal and powerful people from all kingdoms. This would only strengthen his claim.(open)

- (foreign) drinking buddies. He‘s always traveling to various countries and has made friends all over the world. Of course this would open certain doors for him and make Cesare somewhat of an expert in various customs and booze. (open)

- diplomatic allies. People he supports and who support him back. (open)

- friends of the family (open)

Romantic

- Former flings (open)

- any other ideas? Feel free to contact me! ♥

Antagonistic

- Supporters of his sister-in-law, the Duchess regent of Milan. (open)

- people who have fought against him, who he has met before and couldn‘t agree with (he can take things really personal so—) (open)

STORY

Cesare could’ve asked for the world and his mother would’ve been glad to make it happen in no time. A spoiled, little boy -- the second son, the spare. His education wasn’t as intense at his brother’s, but, luckily, he wasn’t dumb and soaked up everything like a sponge. From politics to trivial facts -- little Cesare asked for more, and more he should get. His father sent him off to private tutors for years to come, hoping he’d become a trusted adviser to the duke of Milan, his brother. He spent most of his teenage years demanding the attention and respect he used to get from his mother. To not live in his brother’s shadow, to be valuable on his own -- he finally realized his mistake in demanding respect instead of proving his worth after hearing gossip at court, describing him as unbearable at times. Should he answer with punishment or change his ways? He responded to rumors like a stubborn child, kicking and screaming, changing, demanding respect and acknowledgement by choosing a militaristic path rather than a diplomatic one. This way they wouldn’t be able to question him and while they all wondered about his real intentions and if he actually fit into a world of blood and hard work, Cesare grew into a handsome young man with a talent for swordfighting, hunting and shooting with bows. Once his brother got sick Cesare remained at court to be seen as the next regent of Milan. Alas, one night, his brother tasked him with a mission only he could master. Months passed, he returned to Milan with not much information and someone new in charge. Anger and disgust has energized him in the last few months, anger that hasn’t subsided yet.

Besides that he has a really complicated relationship with Caterina de Medici, the mother of his child. What first started as a harmonious, much needed relationship based on desire turned into a dark fairytale. His desire to take over has somewhat damaged their relationship. After Caterina’s depression and her trying to overcome Marius’ betrayal Cesare pretty much tried his best to be there for her, to be a good father and to be supportive of her changes. In fact he welcomes them considering she’s grown into an intelligent young woman. Exactly what he needs by his side, however their rocky relationship doesn’t come without its own personal drama. While it isn’t exactly a back and forth between them, Cesare knows their relationship has always been fickle and he tries to help Caterina in creating a new reputation for herself.

[prince-wen]

SONG JIYANG, NINETEEN, ZHU WEN. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the PRINCE OF THE THIRD RANK, ZHU WEN, from CHINA. they are at best HARD WORKING, and at their worst RECLUSIVE. whilst abroad, their ambition is to ENSURE LIJUAN FINDS A KIND HUSBAND, AND MEDIATE BETWEEN HIS WARRING BROTHERS. HE seems to remind everyone of SONG JIYANG & WARM EYES CAST SHYLY DOWN, FINGERTIPS BLOODIED BY OVER-PRACTICE, AND THE POWDERY SMELL OF A INKSTICK RUBBED AGAINST INKSTONE. ❞

What current conflicts does your character face?

The most apparent conflict in Wen’s life is the disagreement between Xianmin and Zhao. He has listened in fear and awe as his father tells tales of his childhood, and that is not a world he wants for himself and his siblings, nor for their children when that time comes. Wen prefers not to get involved, and that is because he knows he ought to side with Zhao, as his full brother, but it is his belief that Xianmin has the right to the throne. He is the firstborn, as simple as that. Military glory isn’t everything, and as Zhao so ardently seeks it, Wen’s fear grows that he may do something foolish in order to secure his place upon the throne. He does not desire strife between his half siblings -- Wen sees them all as one family, united by their father. He even admires Jingfei, despite the fact that she is in many ways a rival to his mother. The Empress works hard and carries herself with such regality; she has done nothing to earn his dislike, and Wen prefers to offer kindness to everyone, unless they give him good reason not too.

He is also conflicted about his twin’s potential marriage, which I’ve explored a little more in the connection section below. In theory he supports Lijuan marrying, and perhaps helping China secure its place in the West. Wen is a prince, and understands that his duty is, first and foremost, to his country. That means supporting any move that will benefit China. But, there is still a little boy in his heart that wants to weep at the thought of losing his twin, who has been with him every day of his life. He has also seen how unhappy Yichen is in her marriage, and that is not something he would wish on Lijuan.

Expand on this character’s connections with two other roles.

LIJUAN: His sister, his twin, his best friend. Wherever Lijuan goes, Wen is sure to follow. He loves all of his family (half siblings included) but naturally when it comes to twins, the bond between these two is something different. He trusts her implicitly, and would never make a decision without passing it by her first, and he hopes she would do the same for him. Some might even describe him as dependent, and in that vein one of his greatest fears right now is her impending betrothal. There are no specific suitors as of yet, but he knows that once Lijuan is married she will have other responsibilities, and it will bring about the end of an era. Of course that time was going to come sooner or later, and he knows it is childish to cling to such dreams, but his happiest memories are with his sister, playing in the garden, happily naive to the unrest that would soon come over matters of inheritance.

EHUANG: To put it lightly, Wen is a mama’s boy. He thinks the world of her, and learned all he knows from her too. It is Ehuang’s influence over Wen that has him so reticent to get involved in the ongoing battle between Zhao and Xianmin -- he sees how she worries over Zhao’s ambition and agrees that now is a poor time for such arguments. As China is still quite new to the West, he thinks the most important thing is to show a unified, strong front, and not a squabbling family. Wen is always eager to try and please his mother; he knows that as a prince of the third rank he is not so valuable as his brothers, but he always tries to connect with Ehuang in any way he can. A particular passion of his is calligraphy, and he loves to share his work with his mother to hear her thoughts.

three bullet-points.

In stark contrast to his brother Zhao, Wen is a gentle soul. He prefers to settle things with diplomacy, if there must be conflict at all, but even that is best avoided. As many third borns, he has struggled to find his place in life -- Xianmin will take the throne, and if not, then Zhao. The chances of it falling to Wen are almost zero, and as such he feels somewhat adrift. He admires his uncle, the Prince of Han, for making such a name for himself despite being a ‘spare’ (even if his uncle is not the most well liked person around court), but Wen has not been able to emulate him. He startles too easily to be a military man, and diplomacy is closed to him as he is a poor public speaker, having struggled with a stutter through most of his childhood. It has been trained out of him now, but still appears in times of particular stress. At his heart, Wen is a shy soul that is happiest when he is alone, writing or painting or simply thinking. Having relied so heavily on Lijuan, he never truly learned to socialise with his peers, and at times he does feel lonely, but does not know how to reach out to people; particularly now they have travelled West, where everyone is so foreign.

In childhood, Wen excelled at staying out from underfoot. He studied hard with his tutors and was well-behaved, but he was rarely called on. Much of Wen’s time was spent alone, when he wasn’t able to be with Lijuan, and he felt guilty for his simple crime of being born so low down in the order. He was always quick to please, all the way from asking to show the Emperor something he had learned, to helping the servants in the kitchen. The latter was frowned upon, but he enjoyed the conversation and the smell of food. There was one occasion when he had asked to help prepare the tea, and was allowed to stir the hot water as it came to a boil -- but he slipped, and pulled the pot down on him. He was a very small nine year old, and burns covered much of his body. It took months to recover, and he grew sick with infection, and he still bears the scars across much of his torso -- a fact that he is quite self conscious over. However, the worst scar he bears from that incident is the guilt over the knowledge that the servant that had allowed him into the kitchen lost their job. He knows the servant would likely have never worked again, and probably didn’t live much longer.

Wen often feels that he should not have been born into the imperial family at all, seeing himself as ill-suited to even the minor role he bears. However, despite his frequent flights of fancy he knows when to be realistic, and he fully accepts that whether he likes it or not, he was born into the imperial family. To that end, it is his ambition to be an ideal royal son. He seeks out a great deal of extra training in everything from archery to dictation, hoping to make up for his lack of skill with endless practice. He wants to make his mother proud, even if he will never be the son that Zhao is.

[ofsessa]

ANNABELLE WALLIS, 30, PETRA VON ERBACH. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the 𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀, 𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐀 𝐕𝐎𝐍 𝐄𝐑𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐇, from 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐙. they are at best 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐒, and at their worst 𝐃𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐓𝐅𝐔𝐋. whilst abroad, their ambition is to 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐓𝐘. SHE seem/s to remind everyone of annabelle wallis & hushed whispers in darkened hallways, a a saccharine smile masking hidden intent & ocean blue eyes burning in ardent wonderment. ❞  

hello  lovely  people !!  admin  loucifer  here  with  my  second  prin,  bellow  you’ll  find  my  lazy  ass  bio  ( i  will  get  something  better  up  next  week  after  uni  has  finished ) but this  shall  do  for  now !!  i  can’t  wait  to  write  with  you all  !! 

𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒.

Petra’s Achilles heel is undoubtedly her mysterious past. She adopted the name of her patron, to mask her less than humble origins and infiltrated Apollonia’s (and later Alfonso’s) court with the pretence of a pedigree. It was the first lie of many that would see her climb as a courtier within the Holy Roman Empire and yet, as an almost obsessive believer in the fates, Petra knows better than most that as high as fortunes wheel will take you, she will also take you to the deepest depths. She’s come this far and she would hate to see it all go to waste, especially now that she has a true position in Castile and dare she dream, true influence. Yet she is still tethered to this mysterious “Father” whom she so rarely speaks of and to explore that dynamic, plus the potential threat it causes would help her development as a character.

Her patron is an avid supporter of the Archduke’s claim to the throne, he thinks Apollonia to be akin to the great whore of Babylon and actively plots her demise and that of her family. He expects Petra to participate in this coup d’état (when it eventually comes to be) and for her part, she has done everything that was asked of her and more; she has spied, lied, seduced and betrayed without a moment’s hesitation. Things are different for her now and I would like to explore how her sentiments might change towards the ‘ultimate goal’ over the course of the rp, especially now that she is away from her patron and has some autonomy and ambitions of her own.

𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐒.

There is a portion of Petra’s life that is a complete mystery to her. She knows only what she has been told by the Bishop von Erbach; that her family were peasants and they died during gods great purge some twenty years ago. The only thing that spared her the same fate as her parents and siblings was the bishop’s mercy and he has made certain that she never forgets to whom she owes her life – first him and then to god. She was raised in the Bishops palace at Mainz, but until she had proved herself worthy of luxury, she lived a spartan life. Her days were endless, filled with chores, lessons and offering devotions to god and yet she felt thankful to the bishop for he had saved her from pestilence and now bestowed unto her a plethora of opportunities. Her education was befitting a prince, and her tutelage into the art of courtship befitting a princess. At sixteen she was introduced into Mainz society, introduced as the Bishop’s niece, she charmed and flattered, all the while keeping one ear pressed to the ground as she collated gossip and intrigue.  

Within time she had proved herself enough to the bishop, so much so that he had secured a place for her in the court of the Holy Roman Empress, serving as a Lady and companion to the Princess Magdalena. Before parting, however, he divulged their true objective – to work towards the fall of the Empress. Petra knew what was expected of her, she would use her skills of observation to report everything back to him and she would do all that was instructed of her. Including accompanying the princess to Castile upon her marriage and to find herself a suitable husband, one who might bring her ever closer to the Castilian royal family. It did not take long, her impressive dowry and demure looks appealed to the Duke of Sessa and they wed some months after Magdalena became queen. In the previous years, she gave birth to a child, a son named Julius and she with that something new materialised within Petra, love. His birth has also made rise to self-determination and self-ambition; although her loyalty is still to the bishop, she does have other interests now, namely surrounding her own ambitions within the Castilian court.  

 Saccharine is often the first adjective used to describe Petra; her smile is sweet; her gaze is gentle and she seemingly embodies the warmth of the sun. Naturally somewhat reserved, she is not usually one to draw attention to herself unless it is something acquired of her. Around court she is known for her engaging and sensible conversation, her intelligence recognised and often praised, though seldom without the word “sensible” prefixed to it. Essentially, she does not flaunt it or use it to emasculate. Like a chess master she is patient and subtle, but above all, she is calculating and meticulous. Where once the smiles and warmth felt hollow, motherhood has made them less so, as to with the gentleness. A deeply pious woman, she is a staunch supporter of the catholic faith and somewhat loathes Castile’s coercion with Córdoba. Yet her view of religion is also somewhat skewed, it is self-serving in a way and whilst her piety is admirable, she is not opposed getting her hands dirty.

[xizcng]

HU GE, 45, ZHU XIZONG. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1459. thanks is given by the EMPEROR OF CHINA, ZHU XIZONG, from CHINA. they are at best BENEVOLENT, and at their worst ACQUISITIVE. whilst abroad, their ambition is to EXPAND CHINA’S BORDERS AND CREATE LASTING TIES WITH EUROPEAN NATIONS. HE seem/s to remind everyone of HU GE & THE SPIRIT OF A SCHOLAR AS LOFTY AS BAMBOO, THE GNARLED PINE TREE, HEAVENLY BENEFICENCE WITHIN THE DRAGON’S EYES.  ❞ penned by DANJI.

hello my good friends !! i know xizong has been a long awaited character ... and i hope my humble interpretation does not disappoint, bc i’m very excited to play him. my introduction is extensive, so here’s the sparknotes version:

sent into exile as a young boy. his mom liked to cause #drama as his father’s concubine, and there was always murder and danger afoot in the emperor’s imperial court. 

took a sweet lil concubine when he was 14, and his mother was regent. they had a daughter, but his promise to be monogamous to said consort caused high-ranking officials, presumably in the pockets of the dowager, to consolidate their power against her; tw: suicide, she dies, and their daughter is sent into exile. 

his grief is eventually broken by jingfei, who he takes as his empress. they have xianmin, the crown prince, together soon thereafter. 

dedicated, honourable, and benevolent ruler and father. very open and empathetic to european trade and negotiations! slow to anger, has incredible patience, and is overall just tryna’ establish peace in his empire.

his ideal modern verse is one in which he has no kids and can read overrated white man books written in the 20th century in taiwan while sipping overpriced coffee with little foam decorations in it ... don’t get me wrong, he loves his babies, but y’all are HANDFULS. 

LINK TO COMPLETE INTRODUCTION.

[hurremx]

MERYEM UZERLI, 41, HURREM SULTAN. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1459. THANKS IS GIVEN BY THE CONSORT OF CORDOBA, HURREM SULTAN FROM THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE. THEY ARE AT BEST HIGHLY EDUCATED, AND AT THEIR WORST MENACING. WHILST ABROAD, THEIR AMBITION IS TO DEFEND CORDOBA’S POSITION AND GAIN ALLIES. SHE SEEMS TO REMIND EVERYONE OF MERYEM UZERLI & A LIONESS LYING IN WAIT, DISTANT DRUMS OF WAR & THE UNRAVELLING OF A GRAND SAIL. ❞ PENNED BY BEE; GMT, SHE/HER, 25.

as a child hurrem truly lived up to her given name, she was her father’s joy and always presented herself as a truly energetic young girl within the harem. growing up she enjoyed her studies greatly but none more so than those which taught her of her ancestors. she would dream of the sultans and sultanas who came before her, admiring her mother for the strong-minded woman she was, whilst also remaining close to her brother with the firm belief that he was soon to be great just as they were. she has always been extremely family-oriented though she has been known in the past to be distant to her half-siblings, heavily favouring iskender over them and still continues to do so to this day.

when the time came for hurrem to leave the harem and enter married life she felt extremely ready. it was what she had been raised for, a fact which her mother would make certain she was aware, and being in the harem to witness the hierarchy of women and the actions of her mother as valide sultan certainly prepared her for such a task. she has since been a fierce and loyal wife, both in the home and upon the world stage where she has proven herself to be of a strong, political mind but also a force of nature when threatened. in her many years of marriage and between battles and war, god has gifted hurrem with five pregnancies; two came to an end before birth, one caught a sickness at a young age and two have flourished to become her pride and joys in this cruel world. in many ways she fears becoming as cold and calculated as her mother but, in truth, she also thinks that may be what she needs to do in order to save those she loves most.

when the time came to travel to portugal, hurrem was residing with her family in the ottoman empire and filled with joy after celebrating the marriage of her niece, now she travels to france with hesitance in her heart after distance from those she loves most. she contines to feel great reluctance to enter into such foolishness after the way the events in florence came to a head, but she will play along. an alliance with catholic nations is surely the last piece cordoba needs to hold a secure future for its people, to allow them to thrive without fear of yet another ruler being overthrown, but hurrem holds no illusions that it will be easy or that she will be well received. not only is she an ottoman and a muslim, but her husband being a conqueror is certain to have rubbed many the wrong way and for this she doesn’t expect to make friends easily. if at all.

wanted connections / potential plots:

friendships or rivalries formed through various interactions in the past, especially at the meetings in florence and portugal!

political intrigue !!!

potential betrothals for her children, even if she will never believe anyone will be good enough for them.

basically anything, LOVE US!

[ofasturias]

SIBYLLA DEEN, 27, CÉCILE DE GUISE. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1459. thanks is given by the PRINCESS CÉCILE OF ASTURIAS, from FRANCE. they are at best COURTEOUS, CONFIDENT AND EXUBERANT, and at their worst TEMPERAMENTAL, SELF-SERVING AND PETTY. whilst abroad, their ambition is to AID HER HUSBAND RECLAIM THE KINGDOM OF ARAGON AND ESTABLISH HIMSELF AS THE RIGHTFUL MONARCH. SHE/HER seems to remind everyone of SIBYLLA DEEN & KNOWING HALF-SMILES, DARK CURLS AGAINST WHITE LINEN AND THE FIRST NOTES OF A SONNET. ❞ penned by LIA; GMT+2, SHE/HER, 27.

FULL NAME

ANNE CÉCILE DE GUISE

TITLES

LADY CÉCILE DE GUISE, PRINCESS OF ASTURIAS

PRINCESS OF ARAGON, QUEEN OF ARAGON

BIRTHPLACE

MONTPENSIER, FRANCE (b. 1432)

AGE

27

LANGUAGES

FRENCH, LATIN, SPANISH, GREEK, ENGLISH

DYNASTY / HOUSE

HOUSE OF ANJOU (MATERNAL) HOUSE OF GUISE (PATERNAL) HOUSE OF TRASTÁMARA

PARENTAGE

RENÉ, DUKE OF GUISE THERESE D’ ANJOU,  PRINCESS OF FRANCE, DUCHESS OF GUISE †

SPOUSE(S)

PRINCE OF ASTURIAS (m. 1455)

ISSUE

CATALINA OF ASTURIAS (b. 1444 - ADOPTED) FRANCISCO OF ASTURIAS (b. 1456)

SIBLINGS

JEHAN DE GUISE † (b. 1432, d. 1433) LORD {TBD} DE GUISE, FUTURE DUKE OF GUISE LORD {TBD} DE GUISE

OTHER

KING OF FRANCE, TSARINA OF RUSSIA, DUKE OF LORRAINE, PRINCESS OF SARDINIA , DUKE OF  BEAUJOLAIS (1ST COUSINS) KING FERRANT OF FRANCE †, QUEEN OF SARDINIA † , PRINCE REGENT OF FRANCE, QUEEN DOWAGER OF SWEDEN (UNCLES, AUNTS) QUEEN MOTHER OF FRANCE (GRANDMOTHER)

PRINCES OF VIANA (NEPHEWS-IN-LAW) QUEEN OF FRANCE (NIECE-IN-LAW)

ZODIAC

AQUARIUS

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION

ROMAN CATHOLICISM

ORIENTATION

HETEROSEXUAL BIROMANTIC

PERSONALITY TYPE

ENFJ

VICES

VANITY, ENVY

VIRTUES

VIVACITY, PERSISTENCE

FACECLAIM

SIBYLLA DEEN

HEIGHT

1.70M

RECOGNISABLE FEATURES

LONG DARK BROWN HAIR

REPUTATION

AT FRENCH COURT SHE IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS ACCOMPLISHED, FULL OF LIFE WITH A SHARP MIND AND QUICK WIT BUT AT THE SAME TIME SELF-CENTERED AND SOMEWHAT ENTITLED. TO THE REST OF EUROPE HER REPUTATION GOES HAND IN HAND WITH THAT OF HER HUSBAND’S. 

WANTED CONNECTIONS

TBD

[joannaofportugal]

❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1459. thanks is given by the INFANTA JOANNA BRAGANZA, from PORTUGAL. they are at best HEADSTRONG, and at their worst OVER-BURDENING. whilst abroad, their ambition is to SECURE HER FUTURE WITH THE ARCHDUKE OF AUSTRIA. SHE seems to remind everyone of ISOLDA DYCHAUK & THE SEA FOAM RISING AS THE SUN SETS, THE CALL OF A CANARY FLUSHING IT’S WINGS AGAINST A GOLDEN CAGE & THE CRY OF AN INFANT THAT BEGINS TO FALL AS A FATHER TAKES IT INTO HIS ARMS.. ❞

no YOu have six muses

STATS.

full name  —                   joanna (greek Ἰωάννα - “god is gracious”)                   braganza (portuguese - a province called braga, where a clan called the brachae lived, meaning trousers, leggings or breeches) titles  —                   infanta of portugal (from birth)                   archduchess of austria (soon-to-be, by marriage) birthplace  —   castle of são jorge, portugal (1435) age  — three and twenty (23) languages  —                   fluent: portuguese (mother-tongue), spanish                   moderate: latin,                   beginner: french, italian  dynasty  — house braganza

father  — king cristiano of portugal

mother  — queen crara of portugal

spouse betrothed  —  archduke of austria

issue  — n/a

siblings  — older : crown princess of portugal younger : infanta carolina of portugal

other  — aunt : queen lianor of england 🕇 cousin : harry plantagenet, prince of wales cousin : beatrice plantagenet, dowager duchess of burgundy cousin : prince beira cousin : duke braganza aunt : constanza trastamara, queen of aragon  🕇  cousin : prince of viana cousin : alexandrina trastamara, queen of france cousin: prince of viana

zodiac/element — gemini religious affiliation — roman catholic face claim — isolda dychauk height  — 5′3″ recognisable features — here striking red hair that coils down her back like a veil of her own. 

TIMELINE.

1435 — JOANNA is born in the royal chambers, her sex was expected to be male, alas, it seems that peace still rules the sapphire waves 1436 — CAROLINA is born, joanna and carolina first meet that very same day 1456 — joanna attends the FLORENTINE SUMMIT, along with her mother and sisters. the meeting ends with disaster, though joanna had her portrait taken by various influential artists of that time 1458 — as the second world summit goes to lisbon, the king sends his two younger daughters to a nunnery in fear of disaster and riot - much to the disgust of joanna 1459 — she travels to paris, france, with her sister carolina, both to meet her betrothed and to practise a life worth living with people her own age

HEADCANNONS.

THE SIREN

joanna had been born on a clear and sunny day much to the taste of her mother the queen, perhaps this is why joanna takes pleasure in roaming the seas around portugal’s coastlines. ever since she was allowed she swam in the waters, taking great glee in tossing to and fro with the sean foam sticking to her pale skin. her hair thrived in the salt-licked waters, leaving her to only seem like some exotic creature than a girl who dipped between the waves. it is said that between the years of 1453 and 1458, joanna spent most of her time in the ocean - taking out little boats with her ladies maids (and in turn, her sister carolina). she was out there so much that there was a local rumour around the lisbon docks that a flame-haired siren awaited the unfortunate sailors with her singing voice, dragging them to their deaths beneath the jagged rocks. joanna loves this story, fancying herself a some greek mythic creature that all should fear in case of her temper. 

CONFLICTS

joanna has lived an easy life, with troubles only arisen by her own hand. As a child, Joanna would often cause conflicts with the various children of court (or the ugly women Joanna would bully before the queen herself). She would steal her mother’s priceless jewels, hiding them in her dresses! she would kiss the squires and boys who would tend to her father, often leaving them flushed and amiss when it came to their work. Even when the summit went to Portugal, Joanna found herself mixed in with a temper that’d call upon all mythical beings when herself and her sister were sent to a nunnery in case of danger and uncontrolled hands. But, the biggest conflict so far is her ambitious engagement to the Archduke of Austria! Marrying into a Habsburg line would surely awaken the ambition and wanton need of this young Infanta, and though this has indeed occurred, she finds herself torn in two. Though she has always hungered over power and the (potential) cushion of a throne, Joanna dares not think about leaving her younger sister who is more a twin than anything else. Can she leave her in Portugal? Will her father sort out an equally ambitious marriage? With her heart pounding upon her chest, Joanna enters a new dawn - to choose family, her own soul or a higher power that has lead her to this moment.

FASHION

though her passion was only found in the belly of the sea, fashion and singing has always lead her forth. in manner of fashions that became popular in portugal, joanna would always wear something a little different and weird when compared to the usual dresses. she tends to wear high, elaborate embroidered and jeweled headdresses, tended to with sheer veils. her dresses were made of high quality velvets (red, blue, green), with gold details, lined with ermine furs and laces that tie together the front opening

BETROTHAL TO THE ARCHDUKE OF AUSTRIA

joanna always dreamed of marrying big, a dream stemmed from her envious eyes once laid upon her oldest sister who was dreamed to become the sole leader of portugal itself. though joanna, of flamed hair and raging confidence, was only the second born her goals were beyond her reach; her ambition not knowing it’s limit. when it was announced that a betrothal was to be taken place, joanna jumped in the air and called to her younger sister (who was more twin than a normal sibling) to help her write a string of love-letters, introducing herself as the jewel of portugal. they have yet to meet face to face, and though her excitement boils over almost everything, there in lies a fear of her own. she cannot face to leave her sister carolina,  after all, the two were only left with a mere months before they met. 

INFLUENCES

History/Mythology:

Aisha Qandisha (morrocan folklore, a jinn) Durga (Hindu) Sekhmet (Egyptian) Hedy Lamarr (Hollywood) Paris (Greek) Alexander the Great (Greco-Macedonian) Heracles (Greek) Queen Christina of Sweden (Swedish)

Fiction: 

Dandelion (the Witcher) Baby Doll (Sucker Punch) Jessie (the Neon Demon) Sansa Stark (ASOIAF) Serena van der Woodsen (Gossip Girl) Lily (Black Swan) Princess Ana Karenina (Ana Karenina) Godmother (Fleabag)

WANTED CONNECTIONS

confidantes, friends, girl friends, boys who she can try to woo, frenemies, political intrigue or someone who can help her improve her dialects !! someone to be childish with, someone to paint her, love and romance, seduction and temptation !!!! 

[glcsterdux]

TOM HARDY, 44, EDMUND PLANTAGENET. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, EDMUND PLANTAGENET, from ENGLAND. they are at best ENTERPRISING, and at their worst MACHIAVELLIAN. whilst abroad, their ambition is to SECURE FOREIGN FAVOR FOR THE FUTURE ASCENSION OF HIS NEPHEW, THE PRINCE OF WALES. HE seems to remind everyone of TOM HARDY & THE RASP OF A QUILL PEN WRITING ON PARCHMENT, THE COLD STONE OF A WELSH BORDER CASTLE, and THE HAUNTING TIMBRE OF A CATHEDRAL CHOIR. ❞ penned by WALTER; EST, HE/HIM, 26.

FULL NAME : Edmund Plantagenet TITLES :  Duke of Gloucester BIRTHPLACE :  Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales. AGE : 44 (b. Sep. 1413) LANGUAGES :  English; limited Welsh, French; currently studying Russian. DYNASTY / HOUSE :  Plantagenet

SPOUSE : [TBD], Duchess of Gloucester

ISSUE : [TBD]

SIBLINGS   ♛ Edward Plantagenet, King of England (brother) + Isabel, Queen of England (sister-in-law)

OTHER ♛ Arthur, Prince of England (nephew, deceased)  ♛ Henry, Prince of Wales (nephew) + Katherine, Princess of Wales (niece by law) + Mary, Princess of England and Wales (great-niece)    ♔ Beatrice, Dowager Empress of Burgundy (niece)    ♛ Thomas, Prince of England (nephew)    ♛ Richard, Earl of Richmond (nephew) + Elizabeth Beauchamp, Countess of Richmond (niece by law) + Edmund Howard-Fitzroy (great-nephew)    ♔ Anne, Lady of York (niece) ♔ Cecily, Princess of England (niece)

ZODIAC : Virgo ELEMENT : Earth

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION : Roman Catholic

PERSONALITY TYPE : ESTJ; the executive — “representatives of tradition and order, utilizing their understanding of what is right, wrong and socially acceptable.”

VICES : opportunistic, shrewd, heavy-handed

VIRTUES : pragmatic, faithful, sober

FACECLAIM : Tom Hardy

HEIGHT : 5′10″

RECOGNIZABLE FEATURES : deepset eyes, gentle creases of age about the corners; greying of dark brown hair at the temples; angular jaw narrowing sharply at the chin.

FAMILY ♖ Duchess of Gloucester — as devout to the Catholic faith as her husband; a political marriage that evolved into a love-match.  ♜ Lords & Ladies of Gloucester — children of the Duke and Duchess, likely in their very late teens to early-to-mid twenties. 

PLATONIC ♗ Advisor — one who assists with managing the affairs of the duchy in the Duke’s absence, as well as a source of counsel when present in Gloucester; most likely a clergyman. ♘ Compatriots — trusted members of the Duke’s household, regardless of gender; compatriots of campaigns against Welsh rebels; fellow supporters of Henry’s claim to the throne. ♙ Saboteur — a handsomely paid spy employed to keep close watch upon the goings on of the Neville family. 

FAMILY

“He cost me much, but I wish he had lived to cost me more.” The words had once been spoken by Henry II upon the death of his eldest son, a cry of mourning that followed so many years of strife and familial turmoil. Such is the way in which Edmund thinks of his elder brother, his deep fraternal love for Edward so often at odds with what he sees as a series of disastrous personal choices that have turned the English monarchy on its very head. 

So many of his own traits contrast sharply with those of his brother — though being second-born, he supposes that it is his very nature to view his own reflection through the skewed mirror of Edward’s existence. Pragmatic even to a fault, Edmund has desperately attempted to advise the King in a more traditional, conservative manner, watching helplessly as time and again Edward has stumbled headlong into speculation and peril, much to the excitement of his loyal subjects. 

Yet no one could ever accuse Edmund of being cowed by his King; even as children, his quiet, almost dour demeanor could easily slip and give way to the fabled Plantagenet temper, voice raised in thunderous support of his own traditional ideals. He tends to his nephew with a softer, more manageable hand, feeling a unique kinship Henry ever since the passing of his mother. He’s watched the boy slowly be pushed to the wayside of his father’s affections to make room for the brood he sired with his mistress, a string of empathy joining forgotten nephew and overlooked uncle. 

His favor of Henry does not temper his fondness for his newest brood of nieces and nephews. No child wishes to be born a bastard — that misfortune was the sole fault of their parents. But familial warmth will not distract him from his greater purpose of maintaining peace in England and thwarting any future succession crisis that may come from his brother’s infidelity. The kinship he feels with Edward’s other children extends only as far as their refusal to rise above their station and place the stability of the kingdom in jeopardy.

FAITH

Of Edmund’s deepest convictions, his religious piety is perhaps his most cherished. His original intentions of becoming a priest and withdrawing to a quiet life of service to the Church were laid aside when it became apparent to him that his brother’s impulsive nature may bring about untold harm to both himself and their family. It is this same spiritual conviction that caused him to balk at how openly his brother had entertained a mistress while casting his lawful wife aside to anguish and indignity, a mistake that he hopes he can impress upon Henry never to make. As Duke of Gloucester, he has become a prolific patron of Gloucester Cathedral, commissioning numerous expansions of the church as well as much-needed renovations to the original structure. He plans to commission a new stained glass window in the Cathedral to commemorate the coronation of Prince Henry, when the day finally comes.

FIDELITY

He has developed a penchant for heavy-handed and at times brutal enforcement of the King’s laws; Gloucester’s border with Wales, ever the kingdom’s most troublesome territory, has caused to be beset by all manner of outlaws and dissidents, whose presence in his lands he refuses to abide. He will as well accompany the Prince of Wales on his tours of the kingdom’s Welsh lands and the imposing border fortresses built and defended by one of the many past Plantagenet warlords.

FORTUNE

Edmund’s lands and residence in Gloucester have greatly shaped his perspective of both foreign and domestic affairs. The duchy’s comfortable hold on the River Severn and its meandering path out to the Bristol Channel are, in his mind, criminally underused as a trading port in a world that is rapidly embracing a robust market of foreign commerce. It vexes him that his brother courts the distant Tsar of Russia yet ignores the affluent merchant families of the Italian peninsula, a course that he hopes can be reversed by Henry.

FACULTIES

With age has come compilations of the mind — plagued by persistent migraines that are often nauseating and debilitating, he is occasionally beset by dramatic shifts in mood that have only become even harder to restrain as the years have passed and more difficult yet to keep hidden from the rest of the court.

[queenofpcrtugal]

 ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the QUEEN OF PORTUGAL, CRARA BRAGANZA, from PORTUGAL. they are at best GENEROUS, and at their worst VINDICTIVE. whilst abroad, their ambition is to STRENGHTEN THE POSITION OF HER COUNTRY BY CREATING ALLIANCES, AVENGE HER SISTER. SHE seems to remind everyone of LENA HEADEY & SCENT OF MUSK AND AMBER, PEARLS SCATTERED ON THE MARBLE FLOOR,SILENCE AFTER ASKING AN UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTION❞ penned by LUX, GMT + 2, SHE/HER, 23.

Hello to all of you !! I’m Lux, and here’s my cersei’s & catherine de medici inspired baby, Crara; come to me for plotting, just don’t cry if she bites you :3 

FULL NAME : CRARA MARIA BRAGANZA (NEE HENRIQUEZ)

TITLES ( FROM BIRTH UNTIL PRESENT ) :  

Duchess of Valencia

Queen of Portugal

BIRTHPLACE : Valencia, Portugal AGE : 45 LANGUAGES : Portuguese, Spanish, Catalan, Latin, Arabic, English

DYNASTY / HOUSE:

MOTHER & FATHER: Teresa de Silva & Pedro Henriquez, descendant of the first King of Portugal of House of Burgundy

SPOUSE: Cristiano Braganza, King of Portugal

ISSUE : Crown Princess, Francisca 2nd  Princess of Portugal  3rd  Princess of Portugal 

SIBLINGS : Duke of Valencia Costanza of Viana (Queen of Aragon)   (†)

OTHER :  Brother in law, Ferrando of Viana (King of Aragon)  (†) Sister in Law, Lianor Braganza of England  (†) Nephew, Arthur, Prince of Wales (†) Nephew,  Harry, Prince of wales Niece, Beatrice, dowager duchess of Burgundy  

ZODIAC : Scorpio RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION : Roman catholic ORIENTATION : Heterosexual PERSONALITY TYPE : ENTJ: The Commander (Extraverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging) VICES :   vengeful, manipulative, proud VIRTUES :  generous, open-minded, loyal FACECLAIM : Lena Headey HEIGHT : 5,54 ft RECOGNISABLE FEATURES :  Long, wavy golden hair, green eyes. REPUTATION : To the people of Lisbon she is the extension of her father - a loyal advisor, always at the feet of the king’s throne, always ready to help. To other royals she is a cut-throat negotiator. A viper ready to strike. Above all else - a pious and devoted catholic (at least that’s what she wants people to believe) , generous hostess, a connoisseur of art.

WANTED CONNECTIONS :

Lover / s.

Though Crara and Cristiano have heirs, she still hopes to give him a son, and ensure the safety of their lineage on the throne. Or rather - her lineage. Restoring Henriquez' royal bloodline was her father's dream, and it is still hers... embedded in her, just like his lessons. She feels history gazing down at her. The amount of hours she spent praying for a son is countless, and the ocean of tears, every time she was sure she might be pregnant again, but wasn't - bottomless. But maybe God is merciful after all - if He made Sarah pregnant with Abraham's son at old age, maybe there is still a glimmer of hope for Crara ? She's desperate enough to take a lover who might bless her with what her husband couldn't, despite their mutual agreement that this is the last boundary they shouldn't cross.

Brother, Duke of Valencia

They are the last descendants of the great House of Burgundy, the last Henriquez children who count. She would die for him without asking twice, and she’s afraid that he could die for her - or, at least, wants to die foolishly, by the hand of their enemies. Like a devil on her shoulder, Duke of Valencia wants her to wage war against the Emirate of Cordóba, and she loves him enough to give in.

 Allies (  new, different betrothals to her daughters )

Though her daughters are engaged, that doesn't mean they are wed. She wishes to influence and change some of those decisions to create international alliances and secure the position of Portugal in Europe. And everyone who sees the Emirate of Córdoba as an enemy - might be a potential ally.

Enemies

Crara wishes to know the truth. She loved her sister, her Costanza, too much to let the memory of her go down with the ship, and rest at the bottom of the sea. Sitting alone in the dark she thought of many possibilities of what could have happened, but one of it stood out the most : wasn't that too convenient? They had a chance to reclaim Aragon at last, with the help of France, and the murder of Muslim ambassador... She wishes to face the men who might have given the order and decide, what is it going to be : war or peace between them. She's equally willing to give them both, though her brother wants her to choose the first option and encourages her fiercely to do so. There wasn't a better opportunity to investigate, than having a potential murderer of her sister under her own roof. She spoke with wolves in the wolves' den, so she's used to facing enemies on the grounds far less pleasant than her own home.

HER-STORY.

Pedro Henriquez, late duke of Valencia, was a descendant of the first king of Portugal, Afonso I, member of the Capetian House of Burgundy, also known as Afonso Henriques or Afonso the Conqueror. He conquered Santarém and Lisbon from the Muslims (1147), secured Portuguese independence from Leon (1139), and established a dynasty who ruled for over two hundred years. However, in the mid XIV century house of Burgundy was overthrown as a result of economical decay and schemes of other, power-hungry Portuguese noble houses. The power struggle ended with a Braganza's rise to power. However, the house of previous kings did not disappear, on the contrary - they still stood close to the throne, waiting patiently for Braganza's mistake and opportunity to reclaim power.

Pedro, father of Crara, Costanza and duke of Valencia, knew very well that being a ruler doesn't necessarily mean sitting on a throne, but, sometimes - standing behind it, pulling the strings. He would whisper in the ear of the old king, and then the next one - Cristiano, while always making careful steps and creating a never-ending web of connections.

With Pedro as the head of Henriquez family their return to power seemed to be closer than ever with Crara by the side of the king of Portugal, and Costanza - as the wife of king of Aragon. Many speculated that Crara would be a great fit for the throne... if only she was a man.

Her father began to arrange her marriage with a man who was most likely to succeed the late king of Portugal when she was sixteen. Though it was carefully mastered plan, she did love him. Their love became the example of marriage in the whole Christiendom, but nowadays things are not as bright behind closed doors, especially since Crara, during her almost thirty-year of reign did not provide a male heir.

1458.

                        𝐵𝒾𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇                                     𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯                                               𝐵𝓇𝑜𝓀𝑒𝓃.

How can one live only on love ? Her husband, no - her King's love was, for so many years, the beginning and the end for her - the base for her position on court, the core of the respect of others in his palace... Until she grew up and became a woman she was always meant to be. Not only a wife. An advisor. A ruler. Many called their marriage legendary, but if so, then her jealousy was legendary as we, at least for the majority of their marriage.

She grew bitter and cynical as well. Her eyes have seen all the pitiful and ugly faces of politics, and she now can only shake her head in awe when she sees people being lead so easily by their rulers' pledges. 𝒫𝒶𝓃𝑒𝓂 𝑒𝓉 𝒸𝒾𝓇𝒸𝑒𝓃𝓈𝑒𝓈 , once could say, but there were so many nuances in between. The trick, as her father used to say, is to rule over people well enough that they wouldn't feel they are ruled.

 Crara doesn't give second chances too often. She may forgive but never forgets. She always wanted to be better than her sister and if she was offered to bring her back to life, she would refuse. The world without Costanza felt empty, but that was an emptiness she felt inside her too, every time she would compare herself to her pious, beloved sister, who at least was not a failure of a woman - she had a son, after all. Crara is unloved, because she can hardly love herself, knowing what she became, and she hates it. But she loves power too much to change it, and the state of self-loathing is quite comfortable at times.

[kingcfnaples]

 ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by KING FERDINAND TRASTAMARA, from NAPLES. they are at best FEARLESS, and at their worst PARANOID . whilst abroad, their ambition is to SECURE THE FUTURE OF HIS KINGDOM. HE seems to remind everyone of GEORGE MACKAY & FEASTS FULL TO THE BRIM WITH NOBLES AND WINE, THE SPLASH OF AN OAR THAT MOVES THE ROYAL BARGE THROUGH THE RIVER, THE LAUGHTER OF WOMEN TRAILING BEHIND THE YOUNG KING & A SHADOW LINGERING BEHIND AT ALL TIMES .❞

STATS.

full name  — ferdinand trastamara titles  — prince of naples, king of naples birthplace  —   palazzo reale, naples age  — five and twenty years languages  — italian (neopolitan, other dialects, mother-tongue), french, spanish, german dynasty  — house trastámara

father  — ferrante trastámara ii  🕇

mother  — innocenza trastámara

spouse  — n/a

issue  — n/a

siblings  — older : seraphina de medici (nee  trastámara), grand duchess of florence

other  — cousin : king ferrando trastamara of aragon, prince of viana  🕇 cousin : prince of asturias, deposed prince of aragon cousin : prince of viana, deposed prince of aragon cousin : prince of viana, deposed prince of aragon cousin : queen alexandrina of france, princess of viana cousin : lord of castilnovo, illegitimate son of ferrando trastamara

zodiac/element — virgo  religious affiliation — roman catholic face claim — george mackay height  — 6′0″ recognisable features — a scar against his shoulder from an attack as a child, bright eyes, 

TIMELINE.

1432 — on january 7, SERAPHINA is the first child born between the king and queen of naples 1433 — on august 29, FERDINAND is the second born child between the king and queen of naples, making him the heir presumptive of the kingdom. as the plague reaches it’s peak, the queen and the children are sent to the family villa in the countryside 1440 — the plague refusing to die to die down, the king moves from the city to join his family in the countryside, there is begins his personal mentoring of his son who has grown soft and unaware of what responsibilities await him 1443 — in a bid to show his son just what is waiting him, the king escorts him to the city where they pay their respects to the dead and see first hand what the plague has done to the city alone. for a short time afterwards, ferdinand becomes inseparable from the church in fear of seeing the rotting bodies, the ill people and the needy nature of the poor - he swears that in turn of stopping the plague, ferdinand will give his life to naples  1444 — aragon is invaded by emir cordoba, the king of naples decides not to involve himself in the conflict, leaving his cousins to the mercy of portugal 1446 — ferdinand finds himself attacked by roaming bandits who seek the jewels and coffers that lie within the country-villa. with his family gone to mass, he had tried to defend his post, but was left with a deep, bloody cut as a token of his failure.. to this day, it remains purple and sensitive.. it is a constant reminder of what he had done wrong, and often finds himself transported back to that time in manner of dreams, drunkenness or simply being alone. the same year, he is moved to the duke of montalto where his sister has been educated, where he hopes to learn what it takes to be a rightful ruler and man  1448 — a betrothal is announced for seraphina and the GRAND DUKE OF FLORENCE 1450 — ferdinand attends the wedding between seraphina and the grand duke in florence 1455 — the plague seemingly comes to an end, leaving the family to finally move back into the city. the same year, a summit is announced in florence to celebrate the anointment of pope callixtus, ferdinand is forbidden to go and stays in naples to continue his education. whilst apart from his parents and watchful eyes, he gets involved in a manner of hedonistic hobbies.. women, men, drink, music, missing mass.  1456 — on january 6, during the epiphany pageant, florence erupts in riots. with the deaths of many (nobles, royals and poor alike), the summit disperses.. ferdinand watches from the border, unaware of what potential danger his sister is in 1457 — the king of naples dies, ferdinand is brought to the throne and swears to put his country first above all else, he leaves behind his hobbies of sinful values and looks ahead to what may come of naples and it’s fellow states within the italian league. within his first few months, he sets up plans to bring together the states underneath his banner as the kingdom of italy. he is styled as KING FERDINAND I OF NAPLES 1458 — the pope summons many countries after the assassination of the aragonese monarchs, to convene in portugal to seek peace and clarity. ferdinand faces the realisation that their blood is on his hands, and hopes to use the summit to strengthen naples entirely 

WANTED CONNECTIONS.

friends, hunting partners, italian bois, boys he can check out, boys/girls he can touch, girls he may fall in love with but can never be apart off, potential wives, a WIFE, a betrothal, enemies who seek his head due to rumour or the legacy left behind by his father

INFLUENCES.

patroclus (greek mythology) odysseus (greek mythology) sigurd (norse mythology) beowulf (english epic lore) titan saturn (the divine comedy) prince caspian (prince caspian) osiris (egyptian mythology) hamlet (hamlet) lord tennyson (poetry) sir gawain (king arthur, english lore)

[zmairinarurik]

JENNA LOUISE COLEMAN, THIRTY, IRINA RURIK. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the GRAND DUCHESS, IRINA RURIK, from RUSSIA. they are at best DEDICATED, and at their worst ENVIOUS. whilst abroad, their ambition is to BE INDISPENSABLE TO HER BROTHERS & FAMILY AND TO MAKE RUSSIA STRONGER. SHE seem/s to remind everyone of JENNA LOUISE COLEMAN & AN ARROW RIPPING THROUGH THE COLD WINTER BREEZE, STRING OF PEARLS, SOFT HUMMING OF LULLABY . ❞

FULL NAME : Maria Irina Zinovia Rurik TITLES :  ( FROM BIRTH UNTIL PRESENT )

Grand duchess of Russia (by birth) Princess of Sweden, Dowager duchess of Värmland (by marriage)

BIRTHPLACE : Russian Kremlin, Moscow AGE : 30 years old LANGUAGES : Russian, Swedish, French, Latin, Spanish, English  DYNASTY / HOUSE: 

Rurik (by birth) Valdemarsson (by marriage)

MOTHER & FATHER : Dmitri Rurik & Vasilia Palaiologina  SPOUSE : ( IF ANY ) Prince Magnus of Sweden, duke of Värmland ISSUE : 

Sveinn Kristoff Magnusson ( 6 years old ) Astrid ekaterina Magnusdottir ( 4 years old ) Kjell Olaf Nikolai Magnusson ( 3 year old )

SIBLINGS :

Ivan, Tsar of Russia Konstantin, Crown prince of Russia Nikita, Grand duke of Russia Katrinka katherine, Grand duchess of Russia, Princess of Wales Youngest Grand duchess of Russia

OTHER : ( NIECES / NEPHEWS, BETROTHALS, ETC )

Vasilia, ( niece ) daughter of Ivan & Adalsinda Mary, ( niece ) daughter of Katrinka/Katherine & Harry of Wales Eudoxia, Crown princess of Russia ( in-law ) Adalisnda d’Anjou, Tsarina of Russia ( in-law ) Harry Plantagenet, Prince of Wales ( in-law )

ZODIAC : Gemina ( May 19, 1428 ) RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION :

Orthodox ( my birth ) Roman Catholic ( after marriage )

ORIENTATION : Heterosexual with very slight biromantic tendencies but she loves dick too much im sorry VICES : envious, impatient, scheming, cynical, mistrusting VIRTUES : dedicated, loyal, eloquent, independent  FACECLAIM : Jenna Louise Coleman HEIGHT : 5′2″ ft / 157 cm RECOGNISABLE FEATURES : dark brown hair, high nose, big round brown eyes. REPUTATION : 

she is not a force to be reckoned with. in russia, she is known for her assertiveness and sharp wit. She often makes appearances in her brothers councils and serves as an advisor. She has eyes and ears all over russian court and is known to be a spitting image of her mother, always by her side. Irina will do whatever it takes ensure the safety of her brother’s rule. 

WANTED CONNECTIONS :

spies in english court - shes sus about it over there and wants to ensure her sister’s position

lovers - she’s basically a free woman now. irina knows she has done her duties to her family and to her husband so she’s chilling and living her best life

enemies - those who oppose russia 

friends - shes doesnt have very many lol but id like for her to have some in lisbon 

coughs husband number 2 maybe?

⇢TIMELINE

1428 - birth of the 3rd rurik child, Ma. Irina Zinovia Rurik, Grand duchess of Russia 1450 - Marriage to Prince Magnus of Sweden 1452 - Birth of eldest son Sveinn 1454 - Birth of daughter Astrid 1455 - Birth of Kjell   1456 - Death of Prince Magnus of Sweden & return to Russian court 1458 - Lisbon Summit

What current conflicts does your character face?

As a young girl, Irina didn’t understand why her brothers were always put first other than the fact that they were older.  She was just as smart, just as strong, and just as intuitive as they were. They were siblings were they not? Then why does she often get told to sit down and watch or embroider some flowers? How was this fair? These were beneath her, the grand duchess wailed, refusing to be treated as such and would not stop her cries until she got what she wanted which was to have the same education as her brothers. She truly was her mother’s daughter people whispered seeing how ambitious and assertive the grand duchess was. Her chin was always held high and knew exactly what she wanted which people saw as intimidating. Irina felt like she needed to put this façade up to be taken seriously even with in her family. It becomes a conflict because at one point it gets tiring. It’s exhausting to put such a cold and hard front but she knows she has to in order for her to survive her in brother’s court— or anywhere for that matter. She had to be strong in Swedish court, establish that she is more than just the youngest prince’s wife. Now that he has passed, Irina continues to fight for her place but now back in Russian court, proving herself to be important but because she’s female and a woman, it makes it a little a harder. She has dreams for herself and for her beloved Russia, which her family has helped build and fortify. Sometimes she wonders is it all worth it? This is what she asks herself continuously.

What are some potential plotlines you are interested in pursuing?

It was always about family for Irina. The things she does, the things she wants to achieve is all for the Rurik family name. Despite her pride, she knew that a marriage outside of Russia was her destiny to which she gracefully accepted to keep Russia’s neighbor, Sweden, as an ally. It pained her greatly to be away from her family but she did it with no complains. Now a widow, she knows that her place is to be a mother to her children and guardian to her eldest son who will inherit his father’s lands however there is still that itch, a desire to more than that, a desire for power. Which was only soothed when her mother called her back to Russian court shortly after his death. She aides her brothers as a councilor, representative, and as a mediator— heavens know what they’ll do to each other. The grand duchess knows that the tsarina is still getting to know the Russian court and by the order of her mother, she helps the French woman assimilate into Russian customs despite of her not so subtle ways. She helps the queen mother oversee and run the court and household. Now in Lisbon, her one goal is to see her youngest sister married. Irina wants to help oversee her betrothal and make sure it’s as powerful as hers to both make Russia stronger but to toughen up her sister as well. In short, Irina finds ways to become indispensible to her brothers, make them see that they need her. She cannot be their equal; She can never be tsarina, no, but she vows to see to it that a Rurik will always be on the Russian throne no matter what.

three bullet-points.

Nobody needed to tell Irina that the Russian court was initially mildly disappointed that the 3rd Rurik child was female. She could see it in their eyes that they had hoped she was a boy. The grand duchess was just as disappointed as they were too. Why must she have to wail and fight for her right to be as educated and skilled as her older brothers? It was not becoming of a grand duchess to learn such masculine activities such riding and archery, they said. But Irina simply did not take no for an answer. She learned these skills, along with languages, politics, and literature, wanting only to be taught the same things as her brothers. Why was she not allowed to have the same education? She was never going to be tsarina anyway, a young Irina argued. Although her brothers were still prioritized, she made sure she excelled to prove to everyone that she was just as capable as them. Deep down the eldest grand duchess envied her brothers; she envied how everything was much easier for them whilst she had to throw a tantrum before being heard.

Assertive and astute, these were attributes she learned from her mother that, to this day, has been engraved into her psyche. Her pride is her strength but it can easily be turned into hubris, which will one day either be the cause of her success or her ruination. If she wants something, she must fight for it. That’s what she has been doing all her life, fighting for what she thinks she deserves. This, in turn, has somehow made her as cold as the snow that falls on Russia, her personality forming around the ideology of being a fighter. She hides the fact that she grows tired of it and wishes things were different. It was a heavy burden to bear and there was no one to blame for it but herself.

Prince Magnus of Sweden, duke of värmland was the youngest brother of the-then King of Sweden. His marriage to Irina kept the Swedish at bay from invading Russia’s territories. The grand duchess wouldn’t say she was exactly thrilled with the match but she didn’t oppose it either. It was commanded and she simply had to comply; she didn’t have much of a choice anyway. She was prepared for her new life away from Russia and performed her duties as a wife, bearing the prince 3 children namely: Sveinn, Astrid, and Kjell. However, the prince died in battle shortly after the birth of their 3rd child. They were only married for 6 years. His death devastated Irina greatly. Though since she bore him children, they get to keep their father’s lands. The 1st year she spent in Sweden after her husband’s passing was very difficult. When her mother called her back to Russia, she hesitated at first but later came home, bringing her children with her. She found strength being in her homeland, and oddly enough, renewed vigour and a newfound purpose.

[ladyseymouryork]

Marion Neville❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the DUCHESS OF YORK, MARION NEVILLE, from ENGLAND. they are at best VISIONARY, and at their worst DISTRUSTFUL. whilst abroad, their ambition is to FURTHER THE INTEREST OF HER FAMILY & REPUTATION VIA PATRONIZATION OF THE CHURCH & ARTS. She seems to remind everyone of REBECCA FERGUSON & The eternal gaze of saints carved from stone, A poisoned cup lifted to laughing lips, & Sunlight spilling through stained glass windows. ❞ penned by Ellen; EST, She/Her, 25.

» the duchess of york is a seymour by birth and the daughter of the earl of somerset. a noted beauty at court, intelligent and on the make, she was once as close as sisters with the queen, fastened to her hip during her rise to the top. but, at her husband’s behest, she took the king to bed to stay his wavering interests. her kinship with the queen has soured since, though her courtly leverage, and indeed total standing, has improved a thousandfold.

FULL NAME : Marion Christiana (nee’ Seymour) Neville

TITLES :  Lady of York, Lady of Seymour

( FROM BIRTH UNTIL PRESENT )

BIRTHPLACE : Somerset, England

AGE : 35 yrs

LANGUAGES : English, French, Latin (read)

DYNASTY / HOUSE: Seymour/Neville

MOTHER & FATHER : Drusilla & Jacob Seymour

SPOUSE : John Neville

ISSUE : -

SIBLINGS : Hugo - Eldest, Deceased Simon - 2nd, Alive Adelard 3rd, Alive Christover, 4th, Deceased Arthur, 5th, Deceased Isaac, 6th, Alive

OTHER : -

ZODIAC : Sagittarius

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION : Catholic

ORIENTATION : Cis/Hetero

PERSONALITY TYPE : INFP

VICES : Manipulative, Suspicious, Guilt Ridden

VIRTUES : Perceptive, Passionate, Visionary

FACECLAIM : Rebecca Ferguson

HEIGHT : 5'2"

RECOGNISABLE FEATURES : Small nose, bright blue eyes, long blonde hair

REPUTATION : She has a reputation for intelligence amongst women, although her husband’s reputation often precedes her. Her own reputation is tied closely to her devout patronage of the church, and largely keeps her above repute, despite her indulgences in the finer things court has to offer.

WANTED CONNECTIONS : -

History: The Seymour house was ruled by James Seymour, a cruel and powerful man who encouraged his children to compete with one another, not only for his love, but for their right to bear his name. The youngest of six brothers, only three of which would live to see adulthood, Marion quickly learned that survival was that of the fittest. Alliances were made and broken over afternoon tea, and duels declared over dinner. Attempts on her parent’s lives by brother’s eager for their inheritance were not uncommon, and were mostly met with encouragement to do better in future when thwarted.

Her mother’s baby in every sense of the word, Marion found refuge in her arms until her eleventh birthday when she succumbed to a fever. It was at that point that her father decided the pretty young girl was as powerful a weapon as he had yet possessed. Drunken business partners and overfed cardinals tended to ignore the flaxen haired child in the corner, and their loosened lips and belts left her with every chance to glean the information, or documents, that her father required.

It was thus that she didn’t arrive at court until the late age of twenty, when her usefulness as doe eyed innocent had expired. Thoroughly exhausted of her father’s demands, and ill prepared for the demands of court, she attached herself to the first kind maternal figure to offer themselves to survive the new and unfamiliar landscape.

Personality:

- Perceptive: As a child her tutors feared at first she might be dull, for her placid stare and silent acquiescence belied no greater understanding of her lessons than what she repeated back to them. Yet it was this same cool demeanor that she wore when her eldest brother first attempted to kill her father. It was only in the aftermath that the notebook carefully written in her hand, detailing their father’s daily schedule, was found amongst his possessions. Marion has always seen everything about her, careful observance and understanding placed above intervention. There will always be those willing to act, but those who watch are seldom in as much danger, and frequently advantaged.

- Manipulative: It developed as a necessity, a function of survival in her spider’s web of a home. Yet she was aware even then that she was good at it. With her mother it meant widening her eyes and letting the light pool in them with innocence apparent. With her father it meant promising that whatever he gave her would come back to him twofold. She was good at discerning what people wanted her to be, and so she learned to promise them that was exactly what she was.

- Passionate: Her weakness has always been the great extent to which she felt every emotion. Whether it was the fever with which she resented, or the terrible ache with which she loved, or the vehemence with which she professed her heart. Her mother’s “little fury” she kept all things hidden inside her, and there they became brightly burning fire in her breast.

Court Life/Goals: Upon taking the name Neville, Marion gladly took allegiance to her new family with it. To no longer be Lady Seymour meant freedom from her father’s seemingly depthless greed. Yet the name Seymour opened doors within the Vatican, contacts that she carefully maintains to this day. It certainly helps her husband’s rather rough reputation that she is a paragon of piety and culture. Much of her time is spent in artistic circles, and she happily moves amongst them, patron to the artists faithful to the church, and listener to the minds moving both for and against the theologians writing and railing into the ever changing winds of time.

Her status at court has never been better, and the smiles openly offered to her with invitations into private salons and parties are certainly not unwelcome. It grows harder to observe without making moves of her own, yet even as the difficulty of remaining in the shadows increases she begins to wonder, was it so comfortable there against the wall? And is John not correct? Perhaps she would do well to wear a crown.

[mihrimahsultan]

❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the SULTANA MIHRIMAH SULTAN, from THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE. they are at best POLISHED, and at their worst FORCEFUL. whilst abroad, their ambition is to SUPPORT HER OLDER BROTHER AND SEEK A POSITION WORTHY OF HER STATUS AMONGST HER FATHER’S PLANS. SHE seems to remind everyone of BESTE KÖKDEMIR & THE SENSATION OF SILK AGAINST BARE SKIN, THE ROCK OF THE OCEAN SPLASHING AGAINST THE UNDERBELLY OF A SHIP & THE FLUSH OF FEATHERS BEATING AGAINST A GILDED CAGE.❞

and finally… (for now) i offer you the beautiful mihrimah !!

STATS.

full name  — mihrimah (persian - ”light of the moon”) sultan (child of the sultan) titles  — sultana of the ottoman empire (imperial princess) birthplace  —   edirne, eastern thrace, ottoman territory age  — twenty (20) languages  — ottoman turkish (mother-tongue), arabic (fluent), persian (few dialects), ottoman sign language (fluent), english (learning), french (learning), greek (few dialects) dynasty  — osman

mother  — haseki sultan nehir

father  — sultan iskender

spouse  — n/a

issue  — n/a

siblings  — older : unnamed son 🕇 older : melek sultan older : sezhade of the ottoman empire, heir presumptive older : sultana of the ottoman empire younger : ilaldi sultan younger : ayse sultan younger : hafsa sultan younger : emine sultan younger : sittisah sultan younger : beyhan sultan younger : sirin sultan younger : sehzade kasim younger : unborn sultan

other  —  grandmother : valide sultan mahidevran aunt : hurrem al-barracin consort to iskender : consort hiranur sultan consort to iskender : consort branimira of croatia brother-in-law : grand vizier rondulu selim pasha courtier - potential suitor : second vizier yazid ibrahim basturk pasha harem chief officer : chief steward of the imperial harem courtier : vadim, wallachian boyar of braila

zodiac — gemini religious affiliation — islam face claim — beste kokdemir height  — 5′10″ recognisable features — raven locks that fall way past her shoulders, normally covered by a sheer veil but if you see her hair with your naked eye count yourself blessed. 

HEADCANNONS

LIFE IN THE HAREM  —  it is all she has ever known, to be surrounded by love and women who filled her with an inflated ego, a currency known for her beauty and the dulcet tones fit for a woman of her standing. Due to such an upbringing she did not grow up to hate the woman who tore her father’s attention away from herself and her mother, but loyalty was wedged in deep between muscle and bone! The loyalty she upholds for her mother and older brother know no bounds, and may someday be her undoing if the next Sultan does not carry her true blood. 

EDUCATION  —  Educated well, Mihrimah may have made a good Sultan if she had been born a boy. Nonetheless,  she used her feminine whims to her advantage. Though, it is perhaps childish to flaunt such beauty in the eyes of men who see it as all they want. With dance and music, she expresses herself - long, delicate fingers playing to the tune to all who dare to listen. Such culture is praised amongst the women of the palace and the Osman dynasty, but Mihrimah plans to use such skills on many unsuspecting men - to wean out the weak from the strong, to unveil the ones who plan to betray her older brother or her father. She is, in her eyes even, a grand piece to the Sultan’s chessboard - if only he plans to use her more often. Her education has provided her with the gumption to take the reigns of an already crowded steps to the throne, but she does not desire such responsibility as of yet. Instead, she seeks to use her tongue (trained in many a language, that may leave the educated advisers of the Western realms at unease). She plans to take to Portugal as an envoy, to act as her father’s spy if needs will it. Though perhaps a spy is far too generous a word since she is not a coy woman and often boasts of her powers and natural features as if there was not an eye to see it. 

MUSIC & DANCE — Though music and dance is a passion well-loved by the Sultana, Mihrimah has always found time and obsession with weaving. Her talent is famous amongst the noble ladies of the Ottoman Empire, and often she will display her woven beauties to the visitors and courtiers who peek with nosey eyes. Back within the palace she rarely took a toe outside, the Sultana has her own rooms lined with her art. She is known for it, but some may whisper that she is doomed to spend her life weaving rather than living - such cruel rumours are only laughed off by the Sultana, even if the question of her future hangs heavy around her neck. 

LOYALTY — The loyalty she ties to her older brother is immovable. Such trust was born when the two children grew together, sharing tutors and governesses as they ran through the various halls of various estates. To say she loves him is misunderstood, she adores him. To her, he is her Sultan - above their father, and above their mother. But with such love comes danger; if she is to choose between the two men, who should she lay her allegiance with? 

WANTED CONNECTIONS.

friends overseas (pen-pals, frenemies, bffs, the lot!), enemies she may sulk around, boys she commands for her own use, allegiances made for her brother the sehzade, allies she may count on to spread her own influence, and perhaps someone who can take her from simple daughter to wife and consort of the utmost importance. 

INFLUENCES.

catherine howard (english history) bathsheba (the bible) sirens (folklore) aphrodite (greek mythology) grimhild (norse mythology) ramses (the prince of egypt) amy (young man with a horn) the comforters (rudyard kipling) rachel green (friends) oberyn martell (game of thrones) joan holloway (mad men) amy march (little women) gabrielle solis (desperate housewives) jackie burkhart (that 70s show) buffy summers (buffy the vampire slayer) lady (lady and the tramp) tahani al-jamil (the good place) nala (the lion king) elizabeth swann (pirates of the caribbean) daisy buchanan (the great gatsby) scarlet o’hara (gone with the wind) lydia bennet (pride and prejudice) princess jasmine (aladdin) marie (the aristrocats) madison li (fallout 3) blanche (a streetcar named desire) paula (the winter’s tale, shakespeare) mihrimah sultan (daughter of suleiman i, history)

[ofcxterina]

CAITLIN STASEY, 26, CATERINA D’ANJOU. ❝ ⤚⟶ EUROPE, 1458. thanks is given by the FORMER PRINCESS OF FRANCE, CATERINA D’ANJOU NEE DE’ MEDICI, from ITALY. they are at best CAPTIVATING, and at their worst INDULGENT. whilst aroad, their ambition is to ANNUL HER MARRIAGE AND PROVE HER DIPLOMATIC WORTH. SHE seems to remind everyone of CAITLYN STASEY & BUBBLY CHAMPAGNE IN GOLD GLASSES, A FORGOTTEN WHITE GLOVE STARK AGAINST THE MUD, A GAMBLER’S QUICK SHUFFLE OF THE CARDS. ❞ penned by NEHA; EST, SHE/HER, 21. 

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stats -- wcs

Caterina cuts quite a tragic figure in the eyes of much of Europe — the unwanted wife left behind when a traitor fled, and much of the past couple of years have been spent fearing for her life, either from assassins from the French court, or from the Holy Roman Empire that her husband now resides in. This is precisely why she chose her home country of Italy to reside in, where she could be more protected. Of course, Florence was too obvious so she chose Milan, and eventually settled into life there, almost forgetting about her previous one.

But being a princess is not something one can easily escape, and Caterina is haunted by her previous life, though she tries hard to forget it. See, Caterina, to the shock of her whole family, had liked the court of France. Had she been an outsider? Of course, but in due time she had learned the politics of the court and adapted to it like a fish in water. She was a Medici after all, and a gift the whole family shared was their cunning nature that allowed them to weave their way into the closest of societies. 

But all that hard work Caterina had put in with her silver tongue to get into the good wishes of the French court had fallen to dust, and all that is left now is shame, anger, and the tucked away desire to be part of the beautiful court again, a dream that will never happen. There is also the slight problem of her lover, and the illegitimate child she bore. Again, she finds herself attached to a man that wanted power and didn’t get it — warning signs of a similar pattern are starting to ring in her head. The most pressing issue at the time is her annulment, something she wishes for with every cell in her body.

There might have been a time where she’d willed herself to try and like, maybe even love, Prince Marius, and it’s painful now to think about how young and naive she’d been. As a girl, she’d been surrounded by the shining, intelligent people of her family, always striving and conniving for the common goal of being the premier family in Florence. She’d brought that same energy to France, ready, willing, and able to help her husband, her new family secure and keep power. In France though, things were much different and it was fairly evident early on that she was just a shiny new plaything. To this day, she struggles against the yoke of that label, a little too ambitious for France and a little too placated for Florence.

Now, she’s in the middle of a battle for herself, torn between two countries, neither which can fully accept her. To France, she’s a foreigner at best, a possible traitor to the crown at worst (though thanks to her previous maneuvering at court, she can count King Phillip among her side). To Florence, she’s a broken bird who has been away for too long, and forgotten how to be a true Medici. The truth is somewhere tangled up in it all, a woman who has been through hell but is trying to stumble back into good standing. Who knows if anyone in Europe could ever trust a traitor’s wife though.