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Background
The Queen of Couviere, Cynthia l’Valdan is a pious woman possessed of great fortitude and dignity, and a knack for inspiring trust.
Upon her birth, few would have imagined the heights that young Cynthia Marianne Lancella would rise to. Born the youngest daughter of a nearly-impoverished cadet branch of the Lancella family of Sanctum, Cynthia's early years were seemingly-plagued with sickness and frailty. She did, however, reveal a true talent for song from an early age, and eagerly absorbed the lessons of the Church of the One God, committing to memory the passages of holy texts that the Priests and Bishops and Archbishops spoke. Her faith was first tested when she was but eleven years old, when her beloved older brother Edmund Lancella, who had joined the Holy Order of the Templars, perished while fighting in the North. Cynthia had adored her older brother, and his death was a great blow to her.
Still, many believed that poor, frail Cynthia would not survive long enough to truly join the Church. Indeed, such was her illness that her parents, who were a loving family despite their financial state, sent her to live with her Cousins in the main branch of the Lancella line, hoping that their physicians could better care for her. This delayed her entry into the schools of the Faith (fortuitously so, as it would happen). Cynthia was well-liked among her foster family, and also came to the acquaintance of the Bishop (later Archbishop) Sirrah Lancella, who encouraged her study of the faith even if it remained a technically informal one. Unfortunately, for a couple of years, it seemed as though her illnesses grew worse, and she became possessed of the shaking sickness, often suffering from seizures. Still, Cynthia did not allow her circumstance to embitter her, and her faith in the One remained unbroken. If it was his will that she should be taken into his fold young, then so be it, but each day she strove to live as fully as she could in the company of friends and family, even as her health seemed to deteriorate. Cynthia's family prepared for the worst…
Instead, they received a Miracle.
Cynthia was struck with her worst seizure yet. To her family, they thought that surely it would spell the end of her. Yet while her family watched in agony, Cynthia knew only bliss. She had a vision, and though no mortal could look upon the glory of the One directly, she knew that she was in his presence, and heard his words. A simple command, only two words, but in a voice that reverberated to the depths of her soul, unquestionably made part of her forevermore. The command given?
"Be strong."
When Cynthia recovered from her seizure, she was of course placed in bed and under a physician's care, but over the next several weeks, she grew progressively more strong. No more of her shaking fits occurred. No more of the small illnesses and frailties seemed to affect her. After several weeks, she was as healthy and lively as any of her kin, and her family both marveled and rejoiced. While Cynthia was quick to agree with their assessment of a miracle having occurred, she did not relay the story of her vision to others, save for her "Aunt" Sirrah, who only smiled knowingly, kissed her on the forehead, and told her she was truly blessed.
Still, despite her newfound health and vigor, Cynthia was kept by her family for another year and a half, just to be certain that her illness was well and truly cured. Eventually though, both her parents and her foster family agreed that it was time for her to formally join the Faith. While her education would lag behind others, Cynthia was content that she might become a member of the Lay Clergy, perhaps a choir leader. Or even a member of the High Priest's Choir. Of course, as it would turn out, the One apparently had other plans.
When the Crown Prince Maris l’Valdan came calling to House Lancella while searching for a bride, Cynthia gave it little thought, and her family did not present her to him, as it had already seemingly been decided that she would join the Faith. Cynthia took no offense at the exclusion, having never given overmuch thought to marriage. Oh, she had had the typical romantic dreams of youth, but as she had been convinced that no man would want her for her frailty, such prospects had seemed thin, and even with her newfound vigor her mindset had not healed so quickly as her body.
Cynthia never knew what kept her awake that night. In hindsight she would again attribute it to the One's divine hand, but for whatever reason, Lady Cynthia could not sleep. As she often did when her thoughts were troubled and she sought to sooth them, Cynthia walked to the courtyard gardens, and sat on the edge of the fountain there, lifting her voice in song. And that's when she saw him.
Tall and fair and dressed in some of the finest clothing she had ever seen, he rounded the fountain and stepped into the moonlight. His blue eyes were oceans she thought she would drown in. Many would not have judged him overly handsome, but something in those sharp features pulled at her. She had already surmised his identity when he introduced himself, and she returned the gesture…and then they spent the rest of the night talking, sharing their triumphs and sorrows. Much to her surprise, she found herself speaking of her brother's death for the first time in years. By the time the sun came up, Cynthia already knew her life had taken a sharp turn from where it had been headed, but she had no regrets. Despite a significant difference in age, the connection between Prince Maris and Lady Cynthia was quick in the forging.
Cynthia's foster family was more than happy to arrange for a suitable dowry for her, as by marrying a Lady of one of the cadet branches it left their daughters available to parley into other alliances. And so Cynthia and Maris were wed in her 16th year. At first, there were difficulties in conceiving an heir, which led to concerns about Cynthia's fertility, but in her 18th year she gave birth to her and Maris' first son, Jean-Paul. Over the course of the next decade and a half she would give him several more healthy and (reasonably) happy children.
Of course, Cynthia was right beside Maris when he ascended the throne of Couviere, and while she remained quietly supportive of her husband in public, she often provided wise and patient counsel when away from prying eyes and ears, and in all things became her Husband's strongest and most true partner. She also (of course) saw to the raising and education of their many children, many of whom would go on to successful endeavors, whether for Kingdom, Church, or the Militant Orders.
It was Cynthia that brokered the marriage between her son Jean-Paul and Lady Louisa l’Corren, helping to bind that house more strongly to their rulers, and seemed to bring much peace to her son, who had become something of a hot-tempered firebrand. Cynthia also helped her Husband through the trying hours that ended the Thirty Years' War, and quietly used her influence to help reinforce the rebuilding and reinforcing that came afterwards.
Of course, it was also during this time that Maris and Cynthia met the then-Archbishop (later Cardinal) Lucien Ramius. Ramius proved to be a fast friend, and before long was assigned as the Queen's personal confessor. Cardinal Ramius provided another source of counsel to her husband in the trying years following the conclusion of the Thirty Years' War. She found him a valuable ally in convincing Maris not to attempt to invade Rivana while their Succession War raged (not that Maris took all that much convincing). Over time, the Cardinal would grow to be one of the Queen's dearest friends and confidants.
Indeed, the Queen would find herself in need of friends as her beloved husband began to suffer from the effects of his age, and his mind began to grow "soft." While thus far he has never failed to recognize her and seems soothed by her songs even in his least-lucid moments, she deeply fears the day that he might not. Still, she has never forgotten the words of the One, and has held them as dearly as anything else in her life. She has been strong, and she will continue to be strong, to whatever end the One has ordained for her.
On the Grid
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Queen Cynthia l’Valdan is a woman who has been blessed with keeping a good deal of her youthful beauty despite the onset of her middle years, a fact that is only enhanced by her regal bearing. She is of average height, a bit over five-and-a-half feet tall, and her head is crowned with golden hair, often arranged in elaborate styles, and only showing the barest hints of grey. Her blue eyes are sharp and warm all at once, and while there are a few lines upon her features, she could likely pass for a woman of younger age without great difficulty. Aside from her hair, she largely eschews cosmetics, with only the barest hint of powders and blushes applied to a face that quite frankly has little need of such adornment. When it is shown, the Queen's smile is positively radiant, though lines of worry have started to appear at her forehead, indicating she may not smile quite so often as she once did. Queen Cynthia moves with all the grace and dignity that one would expect of the Queen of one of the Edge's great nations, her posture straight-backed and proud, and yet somehow managing to avoid slipping into outright arrogance.
Queen Cynthia is outwardly a calm, quiet woman who rarely raises her voice except in song, and generally maintains a serious-but-pleasant demeanor when granting audience, even to those that might be considered her enemies. In private…she is much the same, however this should not be taken to mean she is any sort of wilting flower. If she disagrees with her husband (or anyone, really) she will simply say it, and elucidate as to why. She has found far more success describing matters in a calm and measured fashion than others usually enjoy with hysterics and bluster. She is steadfast in her principles and beliefs and not even her deep and abiding love for her husband and family can make her turn away from them.
Cynthia is also an excellent listener, and while not in any way naive or innocent as to the ills of the world, feels deep sympathy for those that are truly aggrieved. While she is proud of the nation she rules with her husband, and loyal to it, she despises war and all the death and pain that it brings along with it. This is not the soft-hearted distaste of one who cannot stand the sight of blood…given cause, Cynthia would readily take up arms to defend her family, even with little training in such things, but rather the disdain of one whose vision is broad enough to realize the long-term detriments of war. While her view is no doubt colored by the exceptionally long war between Couviere and Rivana that dominated so much of her life, she has become a strong proponent of building stronger ties between the nations, and often counsels her husband away from courses that could be seen as unnecessarily belligerent. Defend your kingdom, home, and family? Absolutely. Attack those of others unwarranted? Unconscionable.
Surprisingly despite the fact that she may well be one of the Edge's most effective diplomats, Cynthia has been so low-key about it that few even consider the great contributions she has made. Likewise, the Queen is seen as so pleasant and inoffensive that many believe she must surely be ignorant of the dirty realities of courtly politics. Nothing could be further from the truth. Cynthia knows well how cutthroat political games can be…she simply chooses to avoid dirtying her hands with such matters unless absolutely necessary. Above all, Cynthia is keenly aware of precisely how much influence and power she has, and very disciplined in how she chooses to use it. To her mind, her position and her family are blessings from The One, and such blessings should never be squandered lightly.
Quirks
Personality Quirks
Devout - Cynthia is deeply devoted to the Church of the One, and a strict practitioner of its' tenets. Her faith is absolute and unshakeable. There is good reason for this, as she has truly been touched by The One. To what purpose remains unclear, but unlike many who are told "He has a purpose for you" in Cynthia's case she absolutely knows it to be true.
Compassionate - Cynthia has a talent for mentally "putting herself in someone else's shoes." This makes her a natural diplomat and tends to make people trust her more easily. She is an excellent listener and has a comforting manner.
Strong-Willed - Cynthia's resolve is nigh-unshakeable. She has weathered even the most difficult of emotional storms with dignity and grace.
Skill Quirks
Religious Education - Much of Cynthia's early life was spent preparing her for a life in the Church. She has a greater knowledge of religious matters than most as a result.
Gifted Singer - Cynthia has been described as having a voice that surely must have been a gift from the One God. She has perfect pitch and has been known to bring listeners to tears from the beauty of her singing.
Social Quirks
Good Reputation - Cynthia is viewed as a bastion of good manners, dignity, devotion, and quiet wisdom within Couviere and to a lesser extent beyond. She is highly respected by those that praise such virtues, and more begrudgingly so by those that don't. There are very few that would not at least listen to what she has to say, and her voice carries great weight, most especially within Couviere, even if she is now quite conscious of using it to support her son's reign.
Spy Network - Queen Cynthia has a rather wide web of information-gatherers reporting to her, both through her position as Knight-Captain of the Vigil for Couviere and through her "songbirds", a collection of current and former ladies-in-waiting that act as passive (and for her more trusted Songbirds outright active) spies for her, keeping tabs on odd and unusual happenings in the Kingdom, often veiled as simple gossip. She's not quite as well-informed as the Royal Spymaster, but there have been more than a few times where she has been alerted to certain matters before he has (and obviously vice-versa), and they complement each other well.
True Love - Cynthia loved her King deeply, and his loss has unquestionably left a void in her life. While outwardly there is little change, those closest to her can tell that while duty to and love of her family keeps her here, and while she would never be so rash as to take her own life, in many ways she is just biding her time until she can be with Maris again….
Logs and Sundry
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(alexandra alina alivia amara ariane cesare clarke cynthia darren dawn devlin drusilla elaida elrick emilia esyld evelyn event gabriel gastogne joffrey jonathan leander lero log manfred mina orion quentyn raelyn raimond samuel thaddeus tiadora tristan vorian)
(alaric alexandra alina alivia amara ariane cesare clara clarke cynthia darren drusilla elaida elrick emilia evelyn event gabriel gastogne joffrey jonathan leander lero log manfred mina odilia orion raelyn raimond samuel thaddeus tristan vorian)