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Background
Lady Emilia Cassomir is the youngest of the Cassomir siblings. The only survivor of the fall of Ironhold Castle and known to have been left 'touched' by the Thorn attack. She is quiet and has several odd mannerisms about her, including a habit of just appearing, or disappearing from seemingly nowhere. With her renowned brother now King, Emilia herself, remains something of an enigma to the Court, in spite of their increased interest and curiosity.
Lady Emilia Taryn Cassomir is the youngest child and daughter of Baron Aric and Baroness Mathilda Cassomir, and in truth something of a 'surprise' for them, even if a happy one at that. With the great age gaps that existed between herself and her elder brothers, Emilia never truly got to know them well beyond what stories or tales of their exploits would be told or reach home about them. They often seemed more like visiting heroes in some fashion then her brothers. Her father was not much different, for while she adored him, time was always short with the matters of war that kept he and those older siblings away.
It was her mother that thusly Emilia was closest to, unsurprising as a daughter and Lady of the House. Especially with Emilia’s elder sister Raelyn often taken off by her Aunt Renee for lessons with Raelyn slated to be the next Mistress of the Hunt. Though once she was old enough Emilia would often tag along in those same lessons, learning those ways of archery and tracking, of moving amongst the forest unseen. It never bothered her that she was not pressed in the same fashion as her elder sister in those areas. Perhaps because she had her own special bond and place with her mother, Emilia did not feel that need to compete with her sister, nor with her brothers, who were in ways often more heroic tales off storybook pages at times. Though over time, she would come to receive additional lessons in matters of managing a household and courtly refinement, or least the beginnings on with the thought towards what match might be made in her future, even with being a seventh born it might not be 'required', but Mathilda would not see her daughter lacking, and with a world that was thrust into war, it was not entirely out of the realm of possibility that a need for marrying the youngest child would come to be needed.
With the age gap that existed between her and her siblings, especially that elder pack of brothers, Emilia's playmates ended up being more the young children of the staff and visitors to Ironhold Castle more often than not. This was not to say that she did not have a good relationship with her sister Raelyn yet, but with her sister’s added years there were lessons and responsibilities that pulled upon her sister sooner than they did upon Emilia. And there were young visitors, such as Alysande Tracano, that chose Raelyn and her brother as suitable playmates and companions but would yet leave the young Emilia behind in their outings.
It was never a thing Emilia laid blame for upon her sibling, for when it was just them, they never seemed to put aside and leave out their little sister. Nor to think her unworthy to join in their excursions. Even if really, it was just Raelyn and her one brother this pertained to, for Emilia really never much saw her elder brothers. But especially with Raelyn, there was never a thought her sister was simply not doing as the guest desired, for they were taught duty above all. And as sisters, they would come to have many adventures inside and outside of their lessons and training together.
But the repeated sting that would come as the Tracano would steal away Emilia's siblings time and again, for she and her father would often come to Ironhold with the close relationship that existed between their fathers (and for the refuge found there during the Succession War), was not a thing that would be forgotten, but would be the foundation to Emilia's thoughts and feelings of the one day Rose Queen. Yet being left behind was softened some as Emilia found a friend proper, a girl named Bria. A child to one of the knights that server House Cassomir, a friendship that was allowed given the girl's family history in serving House Cassomir as well as Emilia's age and likely future, nevermind Cassomir's history of being close to their smallfolk.
And it was a friendship that did blossom, as Emilia showed Bria the secrets and wonders of the forests of Ironhold as only a Cassomir could, imparting pieces of her own lessons. Even if it was truly more about the girls having their own turns of adventures about what lessons were had, for even at such an age, Emilia already knew that duty came first, for this was one of those lessons that was instilled early and often within the young Cassomir. Even if perhaps, her only duties at that age were to tend to her lessons and learn them as best she could.
Even if Raelyn was to become the Mistress of the Hunt, Emilia took to the lessons with a bow with some energy, never trying to be as good as her sister or truly compete with her. But to be what she could be, and to perhaps get some bit of praise about how she was progressing. And she did seem to have a certain aptitude for noticing small details and being able to move within the shadows. A promise that was there, even if she was not destined to be a Huntress, she was the 'just in case' option should something befall Raelyn and training was a thing pursued.
And in time it was something she threw herself into more to take her mind away from what she considered the worst day of her life, least up until that point in her rather young life. The day that Bria left to become a squire. There were tears and promises to write, a thing she did quite often. It was then she took greater interest in the painting she had only dabbled in before, if only so she could occasionally include some piece with her letters to her bestie. Reminders of their favorite places, of things that had amused her and she had wish to share with Bria that words alone could not do justice to. Letters from her friend would help brighten her days, especially with the tensions and war that existed in their world, the worry that she had for her friend in turn. Better though were the times her friend might chance to return home, a possibility as Bria was squired along to her own aunt. And thus the girls might sneak off as they once did, in order to catch up and share what had passed in their separation. Sometimes there were small celebrations in order to mark some accomplishments or progression in their training, especially Bria's in her squirehood and path to one day earn her spurs.
With the Succession War coming upon the heels of the Thirty Years war, little seemed to change in the way of life, save the danger became closer to home. A thing that became even more of a truth when Thorn forces descended upon Ironhold, an event that would leave her home in ashes, many of her family members dead and herself nearly dead. It is an event that Emilia is still recovering from upon many levels, and truthfully may never fully recover from. The vibrant and outgoing girl with her casual aloofness, has become far more solemn and silent since then. True smiles are seldom seen, and laughter is a rare thing heard from her.
NOTE: The following is ICly known to very few people. If you haven't heard it from someone who knows, please RP accordingly. Also if you don't want spoilers STOP reading NOW! Even beyond this section of Emilia's Background, there are a fair number of things that are only known to a rare handful of people, and should not be considered IC Knowledge unless gained through RP.
There is a secret Emilia holds, or in some ways, is. It was not Thorn that came to Ironhold Castle, but something much worse. They called the Butcher a monster, but this was a true monster. For when the Thorn forces made their descent upon Ironhold, it was by their actions the Widow of the Wood became not just some legend, some tale told to children, but a reality in Emilia’s world. Those days would come to be the worst of Emilia’s life. The effects were devastating upon all, Thorn and Cassomir forces alike as the banshee saw to unleashing her malice and anger after being imprisoned for so long and seeking to sate its unending hunger. Even if Emilia would not know the full extent of the damage wrought til later, what she witnessed firsthand was more than enough for her to face and deal with.
When the attack came, and the sounds of the banshee wail joined with screams of agony and fear as it drained away the life of those about the castle, her brother Randall had seen to getting her and her mother to a place of safety. In the end, it became their prison when banshee came through the stone wall and found them within that chamber.
The sight of the creature with her long, unkept hair and black, almondine eyes blazing with fury and madness, the sound of her wail immobilizing them all with terror. A deep fear that would remain for the days that they would come to be trapped in what should have been a safe place, as Emilia suffered to watch the creature feed upon her brother and mother, the agony it caused them. To listen to their screams, as she had listened to the screams of so many others before the banshee had come for them. To watch them age a life time in days and become nothing more then desiccated corpses. To see and know that such was to be her fate as well, and there was nothing she could do about it. Even to know, the agony when her turn came and the thing sought to feed upon her was unimaginable. Worse, she knew it would not be quick, she had witnessed what it had done to her brother and mother over the days prior. And that it seemed to go slower yet for her mother then it had for Randall. Perhaps it had been in her mind? Days that had felt like a never-ending eternity.
Yet it was not to be her time, the One would intervene. When Emilia saw her brother Jaren in that doorway, she wanted to scream for him to run, anything to not have him endure the fate she had seen come to their mother and brother, that which was falling upon her at that moment. Yet she could do nothing but continue the screams of anguish that the Banshee’s touch brought from her as it fed upon her, and had surely helped her brother find her within the depths of the castle. In those moments, she was certain it was to be her end and soon after the Banshee would claim yet another of her brothers. Though he would again prove to be the extraordinary Knight he had shown himself to be time and again, in that moment becoming her 'hero' as he not only successfully distracted the banshee causing it to cease making a meal out of Emilia, but would over the course of days stand against the creature long enough til the right help could arrive to see the banshee rebound within a circle of iron once more.
It was in watching her brother battle the creature that Emilia was able to overcome the fear that had held her in that chamber for those days, the fear that had been the death of her brother and mother, so many others. As Jaren yelled for her to retreat, some measure of strength was found to crawl and stumble from that room and go in search of help. Though what help could there exist against /that/? It was outside the castle that what little strength had been found failed her. Collapsing there, alone and without hope amongst a sea of desiccated corpses. That is until the Archbishop Sirrah Lancella and her entourage found her there. Whatever she managed to babble, incoherently as it surely was, it was to the right person. Help had arrived, finally. No more of her family would be lost, but something else would yet be lost. The Banshee would be rebound at the price of her home, their home.
Even with the attentive care of the Archbishop herself, it took months for Emilia to physically recover from the attack, though it was a good year before she could do much without growing quickly fatigued. After Emilia was physically recovered, Archbishop Sirrah sought to try and aid Emilia’s mental recovery through the use of a faegate, hoping that perhaps the gate would help ‘cleanse’ the darkness from the young girl’s mind, to help restore her soul from the damage that was wrought by the Banshee. For while her body was recovered, her mind was still often lost to nightmares and rambling gibberish. There had been signs though that Emilia was yet there, times of clarity when one of her siblings were there, or her friend Bria visited. And it was perhaps for that reason alone that the decision was made to try something more, to not simply write off the young Cassomir as ‘lost’. It was not a decision that was made lightly, but then even for the Vigilant veteran, Emilia’s situation was not something Sirrah had quite dealt with before.
With the uncertainty and not wanting to risk her more than needed, a low ranked gate was used, especially with the gate sickness that would result afterward. Uncertain of many things, Jaren insisted he be the one to take Emilia through, quite literally, for he carried his little sister through the gate himself. Not a difficult task for the knight all considering. Outwardly, the experiment seemed to have no impact and in truth it did not, though Emilia did perhaps come to cling more tightly to Jaren upon exiting the gate, chalked up to the impacts of the onset of the mild gate sickness that hit in those moments. Yet it was in those moments that in some corner of Emilia’s mind a realization hit, she was not sick as she should be. But there was an instinct that drove her to act otherwise. And then the realization and moment was lost again. Something she would not give thought and consideration to again til later.
It was Jaren that saved her life, and Sirrah who saw her body restored, but it would be by Emilia’s pure strength of will that saw her win the battle for her mind. Slowly the nightmares seemed to lessen and she seemed to be more ‘there’. Even if understandable changed, not the Emilia she had been before, but then there were few left who perhaps recalled that Emilia….hard though upon those who recalled that Emilia. Perhaps the greatest help seemed to come from the suggestion that came from Bria, a reminder of the once loved hobby of art, having brought a sketchbook and some paints in hopes of distracting Emilia a little some. It proved instead to be an escape and therapy both for Emilia. With the time that was put into it, her skills improved greatly. But at the same time, with the dark and terrifying results that came as she sought to get the images from her minds, there were long stretches where pieces were not allowed to be seen by any others and immediately destroyed. And even today there are pieces that find such ends. In a hurry. But there are still huge murals that end up upon her room walls for visitors to see, or small pieces gifted along to friends or family at times. Thus, it is not really publically known that Emilia paints, let alone the skill she has achieved.
It was only after the attack with Jaren becoming Baron of Ironhold that Emilia began to know her brother, a brother who had become a hero and had really only been known to her more through such stories and short visits home. If it could quite have been called that at the start, with her recovery…him being buried under all the new duties that he now bore upon his shoulder, including that of now being the caretaker and protector to her more than brother. And she was surely more a burden, a potential risk that must be watched, the she could be a sister to him. Truths..and yet there was a bond that had been formed in the monster they had both faced. It was this that would help bring them together. Especially when that first bad storm rolled through and Emilia heard the wails within the winds, felt the pull of the banshee calling to her. And it was Jaren who eventually managed to find her where she had fled and hide (no small task after she’d ran away screaming), and there had been the confession the he too was affected, even if not so deeply as she. It soon became a ritual for them to weather the storms together, talking and distracting each other, even if Jaren doing more so for her more than Emilia for him. Especially in those earlier years.
As Emilia made her way back, she did try to pick up helping with things. Even if it was truly a good year from the attack before she was doing much beyond getting out of bed or painting. Though amongst the first things that she did ease into (if one calls it easing), was attending lessons again, namely with the steward that had been lent from House Tracano to aid Jaren. Though some certainly questioned this particularly direction given the girl’s ‘touched’ nature, for while she did look outwardly fine, there were quirks that had surfaced as she had recovered. Her speech was off, there were odd little habits that formed, such as the stacking of grapes. And the aptitude for moving silently only seemed to grow, a growing ability in moving amongst the shadows and slipping from a room without notice.
While Raelyn was always supportive of her sister, in her recovery, as Emilia began to spend more time out of her room and was doing a little more with lessons, Raelyn also started to encourage Emilia to again pick up her bow again to come on rides. Not that many would agree with putting a bow in the hands of the ‘touched’ girl! But who was going to argue with the Mistress of the Hunt? It did take Emilia awhile before she would truly venture out full with the Huntresses, but slowly under the continued encouragement of her sister, Emilia did again step fully into the training once more. In part, driven by duty to do so.
Though part of the reason Emilia had been reluctant to venture out into the forest, was she was left feeling as if a piece of herself was missing after the attack, and sometimes found herself near the ruins drawn in someway. In search of what was taken or called by the Banshee who wants to finish the rest of her meal? Often fearing it was the later, for the pull seems strongest on the stormiest of nights when the winds carry the wails the furthest. And yet she was also certain she sometimes would hear the Banshee calling to her, or whispering within her very thoughts. Such things she dared not speak of, not with life moving on. Certainly not during the many visits when the Archbishop would come to check upon her, no matter how many questions Sirrah would ask her.
It was Emilia’s burden to bear, and what would they do? How could her siblings help her? How could she burden them further, when they already had so much of a burden to shoulder already, including her? No, this was hers to face and deal with, and so Emilia remained silent about these whispers, these Voices. The daily battles to not give into Them, or the other oddities, such the pull to the ruins. Worse, that she felt at peace there, the calmness in her mind when she was there (and thus that she did indeed sneak away to spend time there), and she knew that it was far different for others when they approached the ruins, that which was imprisoned there. Later she would come to realize, her ability to see the Widow within her prison was also not normal. That any who wished to actually see her could only do so on stormy nights, and then…well..who was really going to visit then? And that matter with the faegates, while it would be some time before Emilia traveled again through one but she had recalled before then Sirrah’s attempt to help her with one and the lack of sickness that came. Knowing that it would only raise more questions if it had not just been some fluke, which it proved not, Emilia has since then faked gate sickness every time there has been need to travel. There is not a soul she has spoken to (yet) about how she no longer gets gate sick, and there has been a time or two, while everyone is supposed to be resting up and recovering from the gate sickness, she has snuck on along to scope out a new area, or in the case of Sunsreach….
Emilia is all too aware of what the Court thinks of her. Not that she needs to hide in the shadows to discover that. For they will oft talk about her as if she isn’t even there, thinking her dimwitted enough in her ‘touched’ condition to not realize this. But Emilia is far from dimwitted and simply remains quiet, allowing them to think what they wish. Neither clearing up the rumors or misconceptions, leaving far more of a mystery about her than anything. Emilia is fully conscious of her ‘condition’, and thus of how people now look upon her. It has been easier to keep to Ironhold, particularly Roseguard being easiest to deal with guests and visitors at home, seeing to duties and slipping away when she has done what is required of her. Often though when she traveled away from Roseguard, Emilia did seem to only do so within the company of one of her older siblings.
Such sightings did start to occur more frequently in the past year, particularly as Emilia did tend to venture more in attending the various tournaments to watch as her family or other knights of the House who might be competing. For Emilia it was rough to watch either of her brothers compete, but also to see Bria compete as she neared earning her spurs. Though there was some whisper that Emilia herself competed in one of the archery contests and showed surprising skill alongside her sister Raelyn.
Though with the Barony of Ironhold raised to a County in Mai of 1865, and Jaren accompanying the ArchDuchesses Alyanna Gerrell on diplomatic ventures to the north, it was actually Emilia who took to dealing with the added responsibilities of Ironhold becoming a County in her brother’s absence from Rivana. Additionally, Raelyn and her other brother were away from Ironhold to assist in some banditry matters during this time. Even if outwardly, most would not likely believe this and assume the Master Steward long lent from House Tracano began the needed work for this great boon. Locally, there may have been a rumor or two about some petitioners being told to “Go eat a Grape” amongst other interesting responses, when bringing rather petty grievances and issues. Though all told, the newly expanded County ran rather smoothly, Emilia having driven herself to the task to do her duty to House. Even if Jaren had given small tasks over to her in times before and left things in her hands on smaller trips, given he (and the Master Steward) knew just how she had progressed within those lessons they both had been given to…His faith in her had been tested and proven, perhaps even better than he could have hoped for even.
However, the added pressure of trying to run a County and need to step up and out more for such an extended time also ends up taking a toll upon Emilia that was not obvious outwardly. Not with the stoic solemnity that always was shown. Inwardly, her daily battles become more difficult as the Voices become bolder and more persistent. She is not able to get in time to sort her thoughts, nor slip off to the ruins to find the odd peace and recovery she found there, the quieting of Them that came. And it all came to a head in Juin.
Having agreed to accompany Raelyn to the tournament banquet in Pacitta, talked into it for that need to get out and have some fun. Even if for Emilia, it would be far from fun, it was a party amongst nobles after all! But she could but upon the front and appearance expected of her and be her sister’s ‘date’ for the evening, and unfortunately it also meant she could not simply slip away into the shadows after putting in an appearance, but have to stay the entire evening. To make it through the evening, a fair bit of wine was imbibed, something Emilia rarely did. For even when Emilia drinks wine, it is usually fairly watered down, never wishing to risk any more ‘fuzzyness’ to her mind then she already deals with. But the wine was not watered at the banquet and it was some of the finest Pacitta could offer. By the time they departed the banquet, Emilia was truly struggling. Emilia slipped from the Durante manse they were staying at to go for a walk in hopes that some air and solitude would help clear her head some.
A few moments of solitude are indeed gotten at first, but in the end it becomes interrupted by a pair of returning form their own tournament celebrations. Finding the pretty young woman alone and not entirely sober herself, they decide she would make a fine way to end their evening. For the first time, Emilia would lose control of…to…‘the Voices’ when the men overpowered her tried to make her their sport. Then they got something else, something they did not bargain for as ‘Emilia’ turned upon them, biting and chewing at their faces, clawing and in the end..well she was the only one who walked away as the men ended up in the canals of Pacitta. As Emilia fought to regain control, she fled the city, afraid of herself.. for her family, her friends, of what she might come to do to them if she could not regain control…or if she did..what if she lost it again? For while she had once feared, and perhaps even realized the whispers weren’t whispers and been in denial about it…But Emilia could no longer deny it…The Voices were real and separate, not of herself.
The timing allowed Emilia to escape what would come to be known as the Great Raid upon Pacitta, though it would also cause more than a fair bit of worry to her siblings when Emilia could not be found. With the time it takes Emilia to reach home, she is able to regain herself and also see word sent back to Pacitta, though it takes longer for the word to reach her siblings to ease their worry. With Emilia going through her own spiral of emotions to hear news of the raid upon Pacitta. Upon Raelyn and Jaren’s return to Ironhold, Emilia is given added security to keep watch over her. Though beyond mention of the men attacking her and some vague notion of her ‘thoughts having gone’ wrong, they are not given the full truth (horror) of what sent Emilia fleeing from Pacitta.
During the month of Aout with the many changes that have been coming about, the Barony becoming a County, Jaren ends up coming to an important decision. He pulls Raelyn and Emilia aside and reveals to them his part within the Vigilant and the secret side that exists. This side of it does not come as a surprise to Emilia, always having felt, sensed she was watched with the added presence, all the questions by those the Church who would ‘pass’ through. Part of the purpose is to recruit Raelyn into the Order as a Knight, as there is need to investigate an incident within one of the newest areas of the new County. Emilia is named a Brethren of the Order. It is just the start of would be quite the month.
After the incident in Pacitta, and the growing sense by Emilia that she needs to do more some how to help her family, her House. An offer previously gotten from a priest of the One Faith to aid her with the ‘trauma’ that still plagued her is finally accepted. Though only after the approval of the ArchBishop Sirrah is received to proceed. Under the watchful eye of Raelyn, the priest began what was billed to be a series of meditations to help Emilia. But in truth was a form of hypnotism, that had been successful in helping victims and knights of the wars dealings with things they had seen. If only Emilia’s traumatization was that simple. The ‘treatment’ caused Emilia to again lose control to ‘Them’ and if not for Raelyn’s presence and quick actions to restrain Emilia, the priest would have paid dearly. But the damage was done, Raelyn had seen the monster within Emilia now…The secret, the burden she had so long kept was revealed.
After Emilia had regained control of herself, an easier feat this time. Raelyn saw a promise of silence extracted from the priest, and Emilia was seen confined within the walls of Roseguard and put under watch by no less than four Huntresses, though some were not sure that was even enough if Emilia had truly wished to leave, until Jaren and Sirrah could arrive to Roseguard. As Jaren was currently in the North fetching a wayward Tristan. In truth, on some level Emilia was certain she would end up locked away now the truth would be known. And yet, that would not be her fate when she came to speak with Jaren and later Sirrah about the whispers, her ‘Voices’, and for once, answering every question that came (and there were a lot of them!) and not hitting a point where she would simply say she was done, as she had sometimes done before. Revealing finally the full truth of why she had fled from Pacitta to Jaren as well. In the end, Jaren would see the added restrictions lifted with Emilia promising to come to him if she felt her control slipping again. And Sirrah leaving with thoughts on areas to research further with this new information.
In addition, Emilia was not able to accompany Raelyn when she departed to continue the investigation into a family that had been killed. And from information Jaren had received, there was reason to suspect that a Changeling was involved. It is a trip that cost several Huntresses their lives, and almost Raelyn as well. The tale that she brought back confirmed the involvement of Changelings in the deaths. But it also spoke of one of them coming to their aid to kill his own son, and to help heal her and the others afterwards, one known as Lon the Elder and is one who knew the Widow when she was alive. This news is met with some curiosity on Emilia’s part, and outrage by ‘Them’. But it marks the beginning of Raelyn’s association with Lon, as he had agreed she could return later to speak with him. Outwardly, the incident is passed off as the party having had a run in with a rabid bear.
With Raelyn having taken such injury recently, rather than going by faegate with her still recovering from some of the injuries, the Cassomirs travel along by land to Sunsreach for the wedding of Martyn Tracano. This does allow for some added discussion amongst the three siblings as well as some of the Huntresses newly brought into the Vigilant. Additional and interesting tidbits are learned along the way, including information about Anton Tracano and the Chaos stone.
Sunsreach is not a place one might say Emilia is ever eager to head towards, but it was a duty as a member of House Cassomir to attend the wedding. It is during the reception that Emilia notices Clara Tracano lingering along the edges of the crowds, much like herself. And while the ‘new’ Tracano has been met a few times before at, they have not really become much acquainted. However in having heard similarities in the whispering of the Court, and perhaps seeing something of herself in the way the other young woman was keeping to the shadows, Emilia did something that was quite uncharacteristic for her - she reaches out to her. It makes the evening a little easier upon them both and in the end an invitation is extended to the Tracano to visit the Cassomir Manse in Sunsreach should she wish a bit of an escape. An invitation that is taken up and ends up being an escape both young women need, an adventure in tree climbing and being pixies as they have an afternoon of being a bit of themselves and forgetting the world a bit , and is a start to an unexpected friendship.
While Raelyn and Jaren remain in Sunsreach to deal with various business, Emilia returns to Ironhold to deal with daily matters of the County. And also ends up having to also deal with several “bandit” matters within Ironhold. Coming to end up ‘slightly’ injured during one encounter while helping fend them off of some of the Queen’s herds that were migrating through part of Ironhold. There are indications the ‘bandits’ are more than they seem and reports are sent on to her brother with the findings.
When Raelyn returns from Sunsreach, she informs Emilia that there will soon be a visitor coming to Roseguard who is interested in meeting her. Which puzzles Emilia greatly. Who in the Edge would actually want to meet /her/? A mystery that is solved the next time that Emilia slips out to the ruins of Ironhold Castle to visit the Widow for the visitor is awaiting her there, Lon the Elder. He had chosen to await her there in case he needed to kill her, a thing he declares is not needed, for she is not what he expected. Given her difficulties in the previous months, Emilia does question this, but does agree it was likely best to meet away from everyone if there had been a need, even if Raelyn will likely not be pleased to learn she will not get to do the introductions. Emilia learns a number of tidbits about the Widow and herself in turn in this first meeting. Most surprising to Emilia is the offer extended by Lon to try and help her with her beast, her Voices. It is an offer that Emilia accepts, for it is her best hope in her never ending battle even if he states he does not know if will help and she acknowledges this, but notes it is her duty to try. There is something that sticks with Emilia as well from this meeting, the reaction the Widow has to Lon…rage..but also fear, a thing Emilia has never seen before in the Banshee.
Emilia does inform her sister of the meeting, likewise when Jaren returns, he is informed of the lessons, though Emilia does not tell them all the tidbits she has learned about herself in that initial meeting. Though it seems Jaren has news to share with them upon his return to Roseguard as well, that he is betrothed to Alysande and will becoming King, something that will not be announced publicly til after the wedding of Lord Thaddeus in late Octobre. While everyone seems to welcome this news, knowing the two had long cared for one another, and Emilia does her best to least outwardly be supportive (as duty requires), she cannot deny that inwardly she is less than thrilled at the announcement and tends to avoid all talk about the topic as much as is politely possible. No doubt, a fact that is likely not entirely lost upon her siblings.
With ever more changes coming to House Cassomir in the future, Raelyn decides that it is time for Emilia to be named a Huntress properly. Given Emilia knows what true fear and terror, and with her skills not in question, her Harrowing is more an initiation into the sisterhood then a true testing of her skills. Something that could not have come at a better time, as no sooner has the Mistress of the Hunt seen to increasing Emilia’s duties does news reach Roseguard about Goldhallow having been seized. However, given the word of Thorn involvement, it is decided that Emilia will remain at Roseguard with Jaren and continue learning her new taskings as a Huntress. This also allows her to start up her lessons with Lon, which prove to be helpful in an unexpected way when advice given within one of the first sessions leads Emilia to have an overdue heart to heart conversation with Jaren.
Upon Raelyn’s return to Roseguard, she requests that Emilia join her and one Lord Stephen Greycen in going to Sunsreach to further investigate to the ongoing troubles with slowed to stopped trade. Emilia acquiesces, putting duty above continuing her lessons with the Changeling, tough there is time to get in a quick celebration of Bria having earned her spurs for her efforts both at the Great Raid and now at Goldhallow. Even if brief, Emilia could not be happier for her friend. Once in Sunsreach, Emilia ends accompanying Raelyn to a number of talks and investigations including ones with Lord Tristan and representatives of the merchant House Abara. While success is limited, it does help to begin mitigating the effects that the trade disruptions had been causing upon the Kingdom of Rivana. It also leaves Emilia with quite the impression of House Abara.
With the news that Alphard Haldis, the Butcher, quite alive and the one of those leading the attacks upon upon the East, under the banner of the Grey Prince, Emilia is bidden to remain in Sunsreach. Especially with the additional forces that Jaren is gathering to pull from Ironhold, fearing that if she were to return to Roseguard she would not be as safe there. It is a move that would end up in turn delivering her into the the Grey Prince and Gerrell’s hands. For when the palace was being breached, a secondary force had been sent to round up the young Cassomir from the Cassomir manse and fetch her along to the palace to join them there. A mildly easier task that breaching the palace, but still no small task and one that left Emilia delivered a bit battered. A fact that did not perhaps please either the Victor Tracano nor ArchDuchess Alyanna, even if the Cassomir was placed along in the dungeon, for the time being with Clara and Alysande.
For what purpose Emilia had been scooped up was not made clear until later, when Victor himself had Emilia brought to a personal meeting with him. And quite the meeting it was, with quite the proposition. Or was it a decree? She was to become his wife, his Queen. That he would need to have Jaren’s permission for this, is simply waved off, when noted by Emilia. What seemed like a rather surreal meeting between some version, of her ‘touched’ self…went downhill rather quickly when Victor decided he might like to try out his future wife. And Victor got far more than he bargained for, and at what couldn’t have been worse timing, for while this meeting was occurring, Raelyn and the Huntresses had seen the gates of Sunsreach opened. Emilia (nor her Beast) was, needless to say, not entirely agreeable to this turn, and while the tussle that followed left Emilia knocked out…it also left an injured, and surprised to be actually be injured, (especially by a slip of a girl like Emilia!) Victor stumbling away to be found by none other than Jaren himself. While Emilia’s brief interactions with Victor are not known to but a few, at best, Jaren and Alysande’s encounter, least the results are certainly known..since Victor Tracano does not survive.
With need to recover from the encounter, Emilia remains in Sunsreach for a time. She is also mildly tight lipped about her time with Victor and the particulars about that whole matter. The phrase ‘I don’t want to talk about it’ might be heard more than once when questioned about it, even by Jaren.
While she does retire to Roseguard in time, it is not before receiving a visit from Sirrah as response to Emilia having reach out to the ArchBishop early over the information she had learned from Lon and some concerns had. It comes to be a fruitful meeting in ways, for Emilia shares with Sirrah much of what has been learned concerning the Widow and the connection to herself, though some pieces and parts are yet left out. And when pressed, Emilia does divulge the source of the information, also agreeing to see if Lon would be opening to meeting with Sirrah at some point. Sirrah in turn shares with Emilia some information she had found in her research, confirming what was long suspected, that the Banshee had left something within Emilia, but purposefully, in attempt to change Emila into her child and that Jaren had face a similar creature earlier in the year. But that he is yet unaware of this potential connection, even if indirect, to Emilia. It is news that is taken with mixed emotions by Emilia, ones that do not get sorted until she ‘confronts’ the Widow upon her return to Ironhold and some sense of understanding is perhaps gained.
It is a thing that does happen not long after Sirrah’s visit. With Raelyn and Jaren heading into Couviere to give aid with the ‘troubles’ there, Emilia is soon returning to Roseguard to tend over the County, and more importantly (for Emilia’s sanity) a return to the lessons that had been put on hold as well as share the information gained to see if it might mean anything to Lon. With sparks of hope found, it has given Emilia renewed energy within her daily struggles. Perhaps she shall always have to gone on this way, a thing she thought would be the case. Even if that is so, she knows she does not have to do it alone anymore.
On the Grid
- Overview
- Physical Description
- Quirks and Personality
- Possessions
- Paintings
- Destrian's Sketches
- ♫Soundtrack♫
“People often believed they were safer in the light, thinking monsters only came out at night. But safety – like light – is a façade.”
― C.J. Roberts
""Into the night I must go, it calls to me. The promise of the fireflies, the twilight twinkle of the stars above seek to guide me along. To lead me to the darkness that whispers sweet nothings to tempt me. Into the night I go, the comfort it promises. The beckoning of what awaits me within."
A young woman with long dark brown hair. The shade is dark enough that sometimes the long locks are thought to be black. Dark brown eyes watch the world over the the smooth turn of her nose, her fine features have a gentle smoothness to them, that edge of youth yet. She is pretty in her own way, pleasant enough to look upon. Her movements contain an almost ethereal air to them, a elegant gracefulness that seems just upon the edge of unearthly. A thing that gives a presence about her when she is in motion, some might even call her beautiful then.
Most days her hair is in a single braid and she is in the simple leathers of a Huntress, other times she might be found in a well tailored dress. It all depends upon the day and occasion and what duty may require of her.
The dress worn for her brother Jaren's Wedding
The gown is predominantly Cassomir blue and within a fashionable styling. A thin edging of red traces the neckline and the gentle off shoulder stylings of the gown. A similar edging found along the billow ends to the long sleeves. The slightly corseted waist aids in showing off the gentle curves and womanly form that are most often lost beneath Huntress garb. A sliver of red sets off the bottom of the corseting and travels round to fade beneath the bow that the red lacings that end within after criss crossing down her back before ending in that bow just under the small of her back. The skirts of the dress billow out around her legs, a slight train existing with red embroidery with a hint of gold in the thread forming an elegant scroll pattern. The gown accented by the simple choice of jewelry; small teardrop rubies that hang from her ears and a slightly larger one that rest about her neck. Similar glints of red can be seen upon the gold pins that hold her dark brown hair within the elegant style.
Personality
The Emilia that was…..
Those few who knew the youngest Cassomir prior to the attack upon Ironhold Castle, could recall the vibrancy and life that existed within Emilia. The joy she found often in the small things of life, the first bloom of spring or the color of the leaves in fall. A girl who smiled easily and laughed often in the company of her family or close friends, but was every bit what was expected of a Cassomir to the world with that stoic edge to her. A girl that had hopes and dreams, a girl with a future and paths to chose from. And then everything changed….
The Emilia that is…..
when Ironhold Castle burned, when she witnessed the deaths of those of her family that had been there with her, when Emilia became a victim and a survivor. Much time passed in the after before any outside of her immediate family and caregivers even saw her. And when she again emerged about the new halls of Roseguard, the stoic bent that those of House Cassomir are known for has taken over in full, but with a solemn bent. True smiles are rare to come, more often what smiles are seen do not touch her eyes, but have that edge of someone smiling because they know that to smile is what is expected of them. Forced to her lips. Laughter from Emilia is nearly unheard of. She tries to play the role expected of her as a noble and as a Cassomir. But unlike her other siblings, rare is it to see her having 'fun', even during those festivals and celebrations that her House is known to host a few times a year, when her other siblings might do so. More often than not, when there are more than a few about, Emilia falls into silence and it is common enough that she will simply fade into the background if not into the shadows themselves and slip away without notice. Sometimes prone to the stray off into rather odd 'babble', most often not directed to anyone. But it is commonly accepted that the girl is simply 'touched in the head' now, a thing that is only driven home by the odd speech patterns that she speaks within.
The Emilia that will be…
Unknown….but with the talk of a cure becoming more than talk and a true possibility instead of a mere hope….it may soon be discovered.
Quirks
- Duty Bound - Born and raised a Cassomir, Emilia was taught duty first and foremost to House and Kingdom. While her place in House Cassomir has long not put her in position or path to often answer or serve directly to their liege House, nor likely would it with her ‘affliction’, Emilia does all she can, to the best of her ability for her House and family. There is no pain or sacrifice of self that is too great for her House or those who yet remain in her immediate family.
- Stoic - The reserved and solemn nature often found in those of House Cassomir can be found in spades within Emilia. To even see a smile is rare least one that does not have a forced edge to it. And truthfully, most ‘smiles’ from Emilia are a mere tugging at the corners of her lips. Any humor is quite deadpan in the way Cassomirs are known for. But like smiles, it is rare to see her cut loose, even at those festivals and celebrations her House are known to put on a few times a year.
- Strong-Willed - While not outwardly courageous and forthright as many a Cassomir is, that Emilia yet lives and is not a complete gibbering lunatic, nor prone to trying to chew the faces off people (to often) is a testament to the strength of will that she does possess. With some of what she has been truly dealing with becoming known to those closest to her in the past year, just how strong willed Emilia is ever more apparent.
- Perceptive - Emilia has always been a bit perceptive of the things about her, it was something that had helped her in her training as a Huntress, especially in picking up how and when to move about. It is something that might surprise those of the Court, for she is not as clueless as they think she is.
- Stealthy - Emilia is exceedingly stealthy, while she always had a knack for moving well and silently. It was a skill that blossomed in full since the ordeal that claimed most of her family. She moves amongst the shadows as if she was one, and often times without even thinking about it. Her sister even admits, Emilia is the best amongst the Huntresses, including herself, at moving unseen.
- Enigma - Most people, least in Rivana, know the ‘story’ of Emilia Cassomir, the youngest of the Cassomir siblings who ended up ‘touched’ for having witnessed the end of so many, for having endured unknown torments by the Thorns, during the final grasps of the Succession war. Kept sheltered from the public eye as she recovered, and then rather quiet once she did again appear in public, people know ever little about Emilia herself. Content to let her siblings continue to be the center of attention, not hard when your brother is /the/ Jaren Cassomir. Emilia’s ethereal turn of grace and her way of simply appearing and vanishing seems to just add to the aura of mystery about her. With her brother soon to be King, there has been more political interest in Emilia though that hasn’t meant there is any more information to be turned up about her. Some small tales of fine service to her House as Huntress or serving in Jaren’s stead in his absence, but some question these given the young woman’s ‘touched’ status. And while she is appearing more in public (as duty requires), most often with one sibling or another, she is most often quiet. And Emilia herself, seems to see no need to clarify matters for the pesky, gossiping busybodies of the Court.
- Survivor :The Fall of Ironhold Castle - To most of the outside world : Emilia is the sole survivor of those who were present in Ironhold Castle that fateful day when the Thorn attacked and not only finally broke into Ironhold defenses but wrought such devastation. The experience is known to have left the young Cassomir ‘touched’ for what was witnessed and experienced by the then 13 yr old, for that she is pitied more than revered. But this too adds to the Enigma that is Emilia, for many do wonder just what torments and tortures she witnessed and herself endured at the hands of the Thorns…though many can imagine given the things the Butcher and others did to many during those days. To the few who know the truth of the events : Knowing what true horrors the young Emilia experienced, there is perhaps even more pity for her, but also more regard for the strength to endure what she did in those days and still to have as much of her mind as she does. But there is no doubt that she bears psychological scars from the ordeal and occasionally still has nightmares because of the incident.
- Chaos-Touched - It’s Complicated. Emilia is Banshee Touched, marked by the one commonly known as the Widow of the Woods. Quite literally, for Emilia bears the mark of the Widow just over her heart. It was thought that Jaren interrupted the banshee from feeding upon Emilia. And thus for the longest time, it was thought that something was taken from Emilia, some piece of her soul, of herself was missing. What was first noise in her mind became whispers, and then developed into Voices, Them. A force that Emilia struggles against within herself on a daily basis. A struggle that she kept silent upon until recently, and it is in breaking that silence that the darker truth is being unearth of what was truly being done to her that day, that the banshee was trying to turn Emilia into her child. Something was not taken from her but left within. A fact that is known to exceedingly few currently. One notable side effect of being ‘part banshee spawn’, Emilia does not suffer from Gate Sickness, this however is a thing no one is aware of (yet), for Emilia fakes her Gate Sickness…completely and utterly.
Outward Manifestations of Emilia’s being 'touched' :
- Grapes!- For most meals, Emilia will see about having a small bowl of grapes near. Most notably, she tends to rarely actually eat them, but spends most of the meal absently stacking and making grape pyramids. And re-stacking them, as the case may be. Beware the squished grapes.
- Of Speech - While the 'touched' Cassomir looks outwardly fine by alights, the ethereal grace aside, the moment Emilia opens her mouth all bets are off. As the most noticeable thing that marks the youngest Cassomir sibling as 'touched' is the odd way she speaks, with the odd turn that has extra 'ofs' appearing in her spoken word. A thing that many find difficult to follow. It is not something that seems to reflect within her written word.
- Sidhe Smell - This is obviously not something people will notice in the least, but is noticeable to things like Changlings and….Catlords. Being creations of the Sidhe as well, even if no catlord alive has smelt/seen a Sidhe, Emilia will smell rather different to them and not in a bad way. They probably tend to like her well enough. And warm up to her faster than most people, but Catlords are as fickle and individualistic as their creators were, so it really will vary from Catlord to Catlord. (Note : This is just a potential RP opening/hook for those with Catlords.)
Skill Quirks Added After Chargen
- Unbreakable - Emilia has long proven to be unflappable, the traditional Cassomir stoicism proven through and through in this one. As Iron as her father. Especially in all that she has faced in her short years, many would have long ago broken and shattered. That she has endured and retains as much sanity as she does, surprises even some of the most ancient of beings.
- Renowned : Artist - It caught many by surprise when Emilia first entered a painting into a tournament competition and actually won. No one knew where her ability had come from, or just how long the 'touched' Cassomir had even been painting. That she could even paint, let alone well took all but those closest to her by utter surprise. It was written off as a fluke, a one time occurrence. How could the 'touched' one be that talented and no one have known about it? After six tournament wins, Emilia's talent has been confirmed as not some random one time occurrence, her name is will known amongst the artist community as is her talent. Not that knowing she is talents has seemed to answer much else concerning the 'touched' and enigmatic Cassomir.
- Wealthy - With each tournament win, the bids on Emilia's works increased. And continues to increase with the win in Ostvor reaching 500 crowns. With her artistic reputation having spread, commission requests have continued to increase and existing pieces easily going for 200-250 crowns. Though, it is mostly family and close friends who may benefits, for that is where many of her paintings went to as gifts until after that first tournament contest entry was made.
As a member of House Cassomir and Huntress, Emilia has the many sets of leather armor as one might expect a Huntress to have : Combat leathers, riding leathers and leather jerkin. And while she may not be as well-equipped as her elder siblings, Emilia does have a fair number of weapons to make use of as she needs to see to her duties as a huntress. In the regular course of duties, as well as hunting and mounted combat, she makes use of a shortbow and keeps a pair of daggers with her. She also has a longbow, and short sword.
Art Prize Money from Rovilon: In taking first prize for the art division of Coronation Tournament for King Jea-Paul, 1866, Emilia received a purse of gold coins (100 crowns).
Art Prize Money from Pacitta: In taking first prize for the art division of the Pacitta Tournament, 1866, Emilia received a purse of gold coins (50 crowns). She received an additional 50 crowns for selling the painting.
Archery Prize Money from Pacitta: In taking first prize for the archery contest at the Pacitta Tournament, 1866, Emilia received a purse of gold coins (100 crowns).
Art Prize Money from Sunsreach: In taking first prize for the art division of the Sunsreach Tournament, 1866, Emilia received a purse of gold coins (100 crowns). She received an additional 60 crowns for selling the painting.
Archery Prize from Sunsreach: For winning the archery contest at the Sunsreach Tournament, 1866, Emilia received - A fine longbow with a finely made quiver (leather with golden thread embroidery) filled with top-quality arrows fletched with green and golden feathers, and a set of well-made combat leathers, decorated lightly with golden thread embroidery.
Art Prize from Venderos: For winning the Venderos Tournament art division Emilia received some brushes and exotic inks. She received an additional 80 gold for selling the painting to Tristan.
Art Prize from Normont: For winning the Normont art division, Emilia received - An Easel of Ironwood - the work of a renowned local Normont artisan - with depictions of greathawks worked in between the ornamental patterns, and two medium-sized bags of fresh almonds, a local specialty of Normont said to be good for the mind, according to common belief. The piece was gifted to Tiadora.
Art Prize from Osvtor: For winning the Osvtor art division, Emilia received 200 crowns. She received an additional 500 crowns in selling the painting to Manfred l'Faust.
Onyie | Naois |
---|---|
Onyie is Emilia's light-charger and the horse she uses for most riding outings. He is a stallion and perhaps to much horse for the young woman. But some how they work. | Naois is Emilia's pet ferret. Found by one of the huntresses, injured. Emilia helped take care of him and raised him, training him as her pet. He is often with her about Roseguard, and has a chair of his own (ferret sized) at the family table |
Ever part of Emilia's recovery included diving deeper into her painting, it was a skill that long remained hidden from the rest of the world. Thus when she recently (1886) came to enter into the art contests at tournament and won it came as quite the surprise and shock to most. Having won every contest she has since entered, Emilia's talent no longer remains hidden as she becomes something of a name in the art world…though this seems to have not helped but simply added to the enigma that surrounds the 'touched' Cassomir. What follows are some of the paintings she has done since hitting the grid. Some may be widely seen depending on the reason and purpose, others may not. Everything here is presented for OOC information, though if your character might have chance or reason to have seen any of the works…
The following painting was created and gifted to Lon the Elder before Emilia departed for Sunsreach with her sister to help look into why trade had stalled in 1865.
The parchment was folded from the corners so that they met in the middle, with the top left overlapping the others just a little. A single blue silk ribbon had been carefully wrapped about and tied to a bow to secure and hold the corners down rather then using wax to seal the piece closed as was custom with a letter. Once the ribbon was released and the folded corners pulled back, the reason would become apparent on why. For instead of writing, it is a small masterful painting the resides upon the parchment.
Gentle flowing brush strokes have born the paint across the surface carrying and blending each color into the next. Light shades of blue make up the sky with the occasional wisp of white clouds. A gentle breeze stirs the grasses of the meadows and the colorful blooms of wild flowers. Oranges, purples, whites, and yellows dance and sway amongst the greens and tans of the meadow grasses. Though it is what goes on beneath the petals and swaying leaves that is likely to draw the eye. For a whole hidden world can be found at play.
Racing about the stems of the flowers is a tiny green and blue dragon, a shimmer dancing off of its wings as it dodges around the sway of a leaf. A pair of dragonflies bob and dance as they chase after the small beast trying to catch up. Though a closer look shows that there is a small rock set within the dragon's mouth. And small pixies peek out from behind larger rocks or from within the safe confines of curled leaves. A game of keep away in play captured within this secret world under the petals.
The small brush strokes draw out all the tiny details from the scales upon the dragon, to the veins in the delicate wings of the dragon flies and the gentle curves of the grasses themselves as they bend. Time has been put into the piece, even for such a small thing that it is, with ever more details to be found the longer the piece is studied. Such as the red ladybug with its black spots crawling up the one stalk of grass, the small butterfly that rests within the one yellow flower taking a drink, and the worm that peeks up through the dirt just off to the side of the one rock. With all the colors used, it appears the only true black used within the piece is that which creates the small 'EC' in the lower left corner.
The following painting was created and gifted to Sir Raymund in 1865. The delivery perhaps a bit on the quiet side, but his niece only sought to bring him a bit of color in the dark days that were filling most of their lives at the time. What has become of the piece in his death is an unknown.
The parchment was folded from the corners, with one just barely holding the others down and in place. When the corners are separated, the parchment revealed was not touched by ink creating words but paint having been carried across the surface with fluids strokes of a paintbrush.
A long green stalk rises out of the ground, standing above the grasses around it. Small stalks of green split away from the main stalk before flattening out and spreading into wide leaves. Each leave quickly broadens out to several inches before coming back into a fine point. Up the main stalk goes before it ends in a brilliant blossom of yellow. A dark brown center with a hint of yellow, what will soon become seeds, are surrounded by a seemingly endless number of slim yellow petals. Settled upon the center of the sunflower is a butterfly. The blue within its wings offering a contrast to the dark center of the flower, while the dark body and near black edging to the wings help to show the brown tones in the seeds.
While small, there is still a fair amount of time that has gone into the piece as evident in the details within the piece. Such as the texture within the sunflower stalk, the veins within the leaves, the fine lines within the petals and the detailing within the delicate wings of the butterfly down to the tiny white dots that appear within the dark band of color upon the wings' edges.
The more time taken to look upon the piece allows for more to be noticed. The small beetle that rests upon a rock nestled within the grass. The distant outline of a pair of birds passing before one of the wisps of clouds that dot the pale blue sky. There is a small face that peers out from behind one of the leaves of sunflower, the hint of a small pixie in hiding. And on go the tiny bits and secrets to be found within the piece. While there are turns of dark paint used within the painting for the center of the sunflower and to create shaded and contrast, the only true black within the piece is used in the rather small 'EC' that exists in the lower left corner.
This painting was created and entered in the Artistic competition for the Coronation Tournament for King Jean-Paul. It was the winning painting of the art division. The piece was gifted to a friend upon her return to Rivana.
With its glossy dark plumes, the bird perches upon the single stalk of wheat upon the fields edge. The splash of red upon its shoulder with the line of yellow beneath. Dark eyes keep watch over the slender beak. Attentive and alert, the bird keeps to its swaying perch over the field of wheat. The golden stalks dancing in small waves to the light breezes. The hues of gold and honey stretching back until the distant forest, touched only by the occasional splash of color as a butterfly dances over the tops.
Deep greens move through the forest beyond the field with turns of brown. A dash of white draws the eyes amongst the turn swaths of green. A snowy owl perched upon a branch keeping watch out over the field. A silent sentinel on guard over the other bird as well as the smaller creatures to be found hidden within the wheat.
With all the hues of colors used, it appears the only true black used within the piece is that which creates the small 'EC' in the lower left corner.
The piece has been framed within natural cherry wood. The frame itself is well crafted, finely carved with a simple elegance to it to compliment the piece within. The quality of craftsmanship between the painting and frame, the piece could be worthy of any noble home, if the tastes and fashions were in agreement.
The following painting was created and entered in the Artistic Competition for the Pacitta Tournament of 1886. It was announced as the winning piece in the Art Category. The piece was bought by Lady Alina l'Saigner
~*~ Reflections within the Waves ~*~
Smooth flowing strokes draw the many colors of paint across the canvas. A very light blue serves as a subtle backdrop to the deep canary yellow and apricot coloring of the sun's light. The colors radiating out fading and mixing to mauve, coral, burgundy, vermilion, and saffron with touches of varying shades as the rays of light reach outwards. Silvery pearl tendrils fading into the light blue making it difficult to determine where sky and sun truly end and begin. The colorful display reflecting across the water with the addition of aquamarine, cerulean, and hints of jade within the rippling water. As the water rolls inwards, the waves combine into larger swells causing an ivory boil to form along the tops that threatens to tumble as it travels. The whitecaps finally caving as each wave reaches the shoreline, breaking and tumbling into the sand and rolling across the tiny grains keeping them smooth and glistening under the warmth of the sun. There is a tranquil pattern to the waves as they form and grow before tumbling into the sands, the mystical waters hiding the many creatures of the sea beneath the watery swells. As the light that touches the painting shifts, for a few brief moments these very creatures can be seen. The turning and play of a pair of sleek dolphins, schools of silvery fish turning at some unseen movement, colorful fish darting along the delicate coral reefs, and the slow crawl of starfish and lobster along the sandy bottom. And with a flicker all is again hidden beneath the rolling waves leaving them once more to their secretive lives. The longer one studies the painting the more tiny details can be found. The hint of a face within the blending lines of the sun, the form of a galloping horse within the rolling wave, the turn of tiny water faries dancing amongst the many creatures hidden beneath the waves. The seashore coming alive under the guidance of the skillful hand has drawn the paint upon the canvas. The vast array of colors and tones used within the piece, the way they mix and dance with each other to form the mysteriously peaceful and yet alluringly seductive scene hint to the gray area between genius and insanity where the creative mind behind the piece resides. The only hint of true black within the piece are used to create the tiny letters 'EC' in the lower left corner.
The following painting was gifted to Jaren and Alysande as Emilia's wedding gift to them. Gifted on 11/14/1866. Even if a wedding gift, it was wrapped and not publicly presented. The painting has been hung in the King and Queen's private parlor area, so few have likely seen the piece.
The leaves of the trees flutter lightly causing hints of silvery green to be spied along with the deep and light greens that give way to the waterfall glade. Flowing blue waters tumbles down over a cliff into a small pond, creating a white boil within the pond and a light mist before the water settles into a calm and smooth surface once it reaches the grassy shores that contain it.
Standing along one edge of the pond is the brown haired Devlin, a carefree smile on his face, though there is a wary glance cast towards the water. Perhaps for good reason with his sister Raelyn clapping her hand upon his maile covered shoulder, a mischievous glint existing within the Mistress of the Hunt’s amber eyes.
Standing further around the water’s, Matias’s dark eyes glimmer with his lips cast into an impish smile as Randall raises an eyebrow at his brother with what current plot his younger brother has hatched and is trying to talk him into. As by the shake of Darren’s head, he is already forming his counter to the idea that has been proposed. Even if there is a mild turn of a smile upon his stoic features.
Upon the opposite side of the pond stand an older trio to keep watch. The Iron Baron’s arm as slipped around the waist of Mathilda, a rare smile upon his face and warmth in his eyes. Mathilda smiles easily, a hint of merriment in her eyes as a wisp of honey brown hair is batted about by that breeze. Both seeming to be giving agreement to Arturo, his hand resting on Aric’s shoulder companionly in the moment, a charismatic and bright smile upon his face. A smile that reflects within the blue eyes of the Rose.
While watch is had upon all, the true focus appears to be is upon the couple just slightly off center within the piece. Tall and lean, Jaren’s often intense gaze has softened with the love had for the woman at his side. A look that is reflected in Alysande’s eyes as the Rose Queen returns her Champions gaze, their hand held with fingers twined.
Color and warmth flow through the painting as the impossible moment of those past and present is captured of the twined family, bonded together through friendship of the fathers and truly joined by the love and marriage of their children. Time has truly been put into the piece with all the details to be found, from the details that draw our each person within the piece, the features that marks each individual to the flow of the water, the bark and leaves of the trees, the hints of color that speak of flowers amongst the dresses. There is a true warmth to the piece with even the shadows being but turns of greys with the only true black of the painting found in the lower left corner where small initials can be found - ‘EC’.
The following painting was created and entered in the Artistic Competition for the Wedding/Sunsreach Tournament of 1886. It was announced as the winning piece in the Art Category. The piece was bought by Princess Clara Tracano through a third part. Thus Emilia is not aware of the true purchaser (at this time).
~*~ A Misty Morning ~*~
Stillness reigns within the early morning hour. The leaves of the tall trees perfectly still, the grasses only rustling when some small unseen creature darts through. The browns of the tree bark, the deep green of the leafs, the light silvery green of the leaf undersides, all muted within the dim of twilight that has barely begun. A misty fog hangs between the trees, floating no higher than the lower branches of the dark trees, as if these very branches hold the mist down against the earthly soil and grasses. The sun has only begun to rise, giving the soft twilight glow of the morning. The beginning rays of light causing the clouds to put on a show of colors. Vermillion, scarlet, and maroon dance around the plums, violets, and periwinkles with shades of orange and yellow before mixing into shades of indigo, turquoise, teal, and cerulean. So many shades within the reds, yellows, and blues and the colors in between making up the splendor that is the morning sky with the sun beginning to rise. While the artist has given the painting a peaceful and serene aura with the soft tones and smooth curves, some may still find a slight eeriness within the wisps of fog that dances between the forest trees and blankets over the meadow grasses.
The longer one spends looking at the piece the more the smaller details put into the piece might be found, from the fawn peeking out from behind a tree to the pair of doves perched upon a low tree branch. Or the moth fluttering around the base of a tree and the faint silhouette the fog seems to create of a girl dancing. And with all the shades of color to be found within the piece, it appears the only true black used is that which creates the small 'EC' in the lower left corner.
The following painting was gifted to Raelyn and Stephen after their wedding in 1886. It was gifted along with a peregrine falcon to partner with her sister Raelyn's falcon Zeus.
Wisps of white drift about the warm and soft blues of the sky that hang over the green tree tops. Trees that a pair of blue-gray falcons soar in tandem. Long, pointed wings stretching out as they glide through the air. The blue-gray feathers of the wings and long tail ruffled slightly with the passage through the air. The barring on the legs and the markings of the sideburns show that one of the pair is Zeus, Raelyn’s Peregrine falcon. While the other is slightly larger indicating it to be a female, her own markings slightly different making her distinct in her own ways.
Even while a small piece, a fair bit of time has been put into it to bring out the coloring and markings within the falcons. Fine details found from the barbs of the feather to the leaves that make up the trees they fly over. And on to those more hidden details that can be found the longer one might look at the piece, the small squirrel tucked away at the top of one tree, the butterfly just below one of the leaves, or the tiny face that seems to be peering out from behind a branch. With all the colors used within the piece, it appears the only true black used within the piece is that which creates the small 'EC' in the lower left corner.
The following painting was created and entered in the Artistic Competition for the Venderos Tournament of 1867. It was announced as the winning piece in the Art Category. It was purchased by Prince Tristan.
«*» Flight of Peaceful Mystery Painting «*»
A white flurry of activity rises up over the canvas. White wings spread wide as a flock of doves take to the air. The peaceful birds are great in number as their presence fills every measure of the painting. Their wings spread wide, necks arching with golden beaks as they begin to soar. Their black eyes glossy as they propel themselves upwards. Wings and tail feathers over lapping, each line serving as edge to at least two of the avian creatures. Lines sometimes blurring making it uncertain where one ends and the other begins. Light grays and hues of blue touch within the white providing depth and dimension to the great movement. The touch of the light causes the painting to shimmer and the birds to truly seem alive and within flight. As the eyes linger upon the piece, the shimmering movement slowly revealing more within the piece. A pair of depthless black eyes appear within the flurry of activity, long misty hair caught up within the winds the birds wings create in their flight. Slender and delicate, the woman seems but a breathless whisper to be found within the protection of the tranquil flight. With a simple blink of the eyes and the focus is gone, the ethereal image lost as quickly as it coalesced making it seem but a figment of the mind. Each wispy brush stroke having been placed with artistic purpose. With the light hues in the piece, there is only a small bit of true black, that which make up the small letters of 'EC' in the lower left.
The following painting was created and entered in the Artistic Competition for the Normont Tournament of 1867. It was announced as the winning piece in the Art Category. The piece was gifted to Tiadora Gerrel after her friend showed interest in it.
~<+>~ Amber Waves ~<+>~
Amber waves of grain stretch across the massive field. The gentle breezes sending various sections and putting on display the many tones of gold and tan as well as the shadows to be found within the depths of the field. Shifting puffs of white dot the pale blue sky that hangs over the field and the woman walking within the right edge of the field. Long dark hair flows down her back as she walks away, her face unseen. The occasional breeze shifting the wavy locks along with the stalks of grain. The deep green of her simple gown with its golden belt, standing out against the amber grain. Her fingertips reaching out and lightly dancing over the tops of the stalks as she goes.
If one studies the painting long enough the smaller details hidden within the piece start to come out and can be found. From the small field mouse perched upon a rock to the tiny pixie peeking out from under a stray leaf and the pair of dragonflies that rest upon the womans shoulder. What some may notice in the way of hidden details is that within the shifting colors within the field create words and eventually form a small prayer when put together.
Enlighten what's dark in me, Strengthen what's weak in me
Mend what's broken in me, Bind what's bruised in me
Heal what's Sick in me, And lastly…
Revive whatever peace and love has died in me.
As with other pieces by this particular artist, the only true black to be found within the painting is the small EC found tucked away in the lower left corner.
The following painting was created and entered in the Artistic Competition for the Ostvor Tournament of 1867. It was announced as the winning piece in the Art Category. The piece was purchased by Manfred l'Faust.
~*~ Standing Strong ~*~
Angry storm clouds fill the sky, blending into one another the edges and turns of grey ever shifting as they sail swiftly upon the fierce storm winds. Powerful waves are buoyed further by the winds as they crash in against the dark sands of the ragged shore line, battering the rocks that dare to exist a short ways out into the dangerous churning sea waters.
A single ray of light breaks through the clouds and shines down upon one of the rocks, illuminating the small tree that has taken root and grows upon it. Small green leaves cling desperately to its thin branches as the storm tries to rip them away with each burst of wind and rain. A show of strength against the brutal attempts of the elements to rip them away. The small tree standing firm in defiance to the harsh world around it, the raging storm and pounding waves.
The longer the painting is studied, the more details there are to be found. The time taken in defining the roots and leaves of the tree, the foam and churn that show within the crashing waves, but also more hidden details. The pair of birds that soar upon the storm winds, nearly lost within the dark of one of the storm clouds, the sea stars and valves clinging to the leeside of the rocks, and the turn of faces of hidden sea nymphs playing within the waves.
Even with all the dark shades of blue and green, the deep greys at play within the painting, the only true black used is that which make up the small letter of ‘EC’ in the lower left.
The following piece was gifted to Jaren and Alysande for the birth of their son Arturo in Aout of 1887. Given the personal nature of the piece, it is not likely they have it displayed where many will see it (if it is even on display anywhere).
~*~ Quiet Meeting ~*~
Tapestries cover the majority of the stone within the nursery, their muted colors adding cheer and warmth to the room. Such is the backdrop to the bassinet just off center within the room containing a small baby boy swaddled within it. His tiny arms have seemed to gained freedom, his stubby, small fingers reaching towards the hand of the man standing beside his bassinet.
A finger is left out for the babe to try and grab hold of, the man smiling warmly as the little fingers of the baby just about take hold of it. The blue eyes of the elder Arturo taking in his grandson and namesake as he looks down upon him, and the young Arturo looks up at his grandfather in the play of contrasts.
Time has been put into the painting to draw out colors within the piece, to give that faint translucence to the elder Arturo and the emotion that plays upon his face, to the simple emotion and softness to the baby Arturo.
Down within the left hand corner of the piece was the mark of the artist 'EC’ created with the only true black used within the painting.
The following painting was gifted to Lonar by Emilia in Septembre of 1867. The piece is on display in his personal quarters along with several other pieces Emilia has gifted him.
~*~ Forest Run ~*~
Soft shadows play across the forest floor as sunlight passes through the shifting breaks of the forest's canopy. A few birds rest within the branches, as others take to flight giving warning as the large wolf lopes through the forest.
Deep silver-grey fur shifts with the winds as the she-wolf runs at the easy pace that carries her through the warm, sun-dappled forest. Her powerful muscles shifting beneath the healthy pelt within the effortless movements. The faint patterns within her coat, the darker greys and the lighter silvers creating the unique markings by which her pack would identify her by.
The beast was something lost to mortal memories, but similar enough that most mortal minds would not think anything of it. The length of its stride, how high upon the trees its height could be marked and the keen intelligence hidden within the warm brown eyes that watched the forest and all within it as the beast strode past. Each giving subtle indication to the differences between this wolf and those known in modern times.
There was time put into the piece, evident in the fine details to be found within it. Down to the the bark of the trees and the mosses and grasses of the forest floor. And the more hidden details such as the small sprite tucked away under a fallen leaf or the tiny frog partaking of the few remaining dewdrops upon a piece of moss.
Like many of the artist’s other pieces the only true black is to be found within the lower left corner creating her mark - EC.
//The following painting, Emilia sent to the Pacitta Tournament of 1867 to be entered into the art competitions. While its technical merit was there, it lacked much of the soul and emotion that has long shown through in her pieces. With the plague sweeping the Edge at the time, it has been of little found to be suspect about this. The painting did not place, and was donated to be used to aid those impacted by the plague in Pacitta. //
The soft turn of twilight falls over the small cottage along the edges of the forest meadow. The gentle diffused light yet giving some illumination to the opening, even as the fireflies begin to appear and dot the opening with their own fuzzy points of light. The smooth brush strokes drawing the colors over the canvas to give life to that time of day where it is neither light nor dark.
Like many of the artist’s other pieces the only true black is to be found within the lower left corner creating her mark - EC.
The paintings in this section are Emilia's private paintings, those that are never seen by another set of eyes save her own. And more often then not these pieces end up destroyed to ensure that remains the case. If for some reason you think your char might have some how seen one, feel free to contact Emilia. Cause seriously…no one ever see's her work like this.
The canvas is covered with swirls of red and black that sometimes flow together, sometimes alone within their movement over the surface. The black that of the darkness deep within the forest upon a starless night. The deep, red crimson is a near perfect match to the color of blood. Within the swirls, a form of a woman can slowly be made out within the center of the piece. More of the red used to draw out the innocent trapped within the piece. An expression of fright and terror, of bewilderment and confusion upon her face as her dark hair flows free about her features. The wind of swirls carrying her hair wildly as she clutches to a single piece of cloth to cover her fragile and slender form as she cowers from the outlaying darkness. At first the blacker swirls seem to only be a chaotic mess with how the black and hints of crimson mix and flow over each other, the stray deep grey adding more depth movement of the paint as they mix. A longer look begins to reveal the shapes hidden in the darkness. The looming figure of a woman with features to long, eyes black upon black; a large bat-like beast with blood dripping from its fangs hovering, waiting; a small fawn being attacked and torn apart by an over large wolf filled with bloodlust. Even with the darkness and horror displayed within the piece, there is hint to the talent of the artist, though no markings are found upon it to determine just whom that may be.
The smooth, brushed markings on the canvas mix and turn from harsh blacks to light grays forming the seemingly simple painting. The flowing river that separates the far field and its choppy looking grasses from the magnificent horse that rears back in triumph. It is a close look that reveals the true nature of the scene. The shadowing of blacks and grays creating a putrid stagnation within the water as faint touches of creamy gray and faded red bring to life the horrific nature of what floats within the ghastly waters. Light shadowing is used within the paints to show the sleek and tones muscles of the equine as the artist brings out the tense and nervous nature within the proud beast. Terror and fright found within the animal's eyes as its nostrils flare out with ears laid back, showing the fear that is the true cause of the rearing motion the beast has been caught within. Shadows play over the field beyond dancing over harsher lines that depict the burnt and charred ruins hiding within the grasses. Further proof to the carnage that befell upon the now desolate and bleak area. The closer study of the painting shows the horrific truth hiding beneath the surface of the piece; the faces of death within the water, those of hatred and malice that lurk within the shadows. Talent shows within the details worked into the piece, as horrific as they are, but there is no marking to be found to give hint to the actual artist.
Some of the sketches that that Emilia's Foster brother Destrian has done of Emilia….
Artist - Song | Lyrics |
---|---|
Bastille - Flaws | There's a hole in my soul, I can't fill it I can't fill it, There's a hole in my soul , Can you fill it? Can you fill it? , You have always worn your flaws upon your sleeve, And I have always buried them deep beneath the ground, Dig them up; let's finish what we've started , Dig them up, so nothing's left unturned |
Megan & Jaclyn Davies - The Monster/Wake Me Up (Acoustic Mashup) | Feeling my way through the darkness…Life will pass me by if I don't open my eyes. But that's fine by me. So wake me up when it's over. Get along with the voices inside of my head. You're trying to save me. Stop holding your breathe. Didn't know I was lost. You think I'm crazy. Well that's not fair. I'm friends with the monsters. I didn't know I was lost. |
Avril Lavigne - Nobody Home | Her feelings she hides, Her dreams she can't find, She's losing her mind, She's falling behind, She can't find her place, She's losing her faith, She's falling from grace, She's all over the place yeah, She wants to go home, But nobody's home, That's where she lies, Broken inside, With no place to go, No place to go to, Dry her eyes, Broken inside, She's lost inside lost inside |
Logs and Sundry
"In of the moonlit shadows I was of finding a most unexpected of surprise. Something I was never of thinking I would of find, of have. And yet even of now, I am not of certain it was not all of a dream. Them and Their hatred of it all, is of assuring me it was of not a dream."
― Emilia Cassomir
(adrienne aidric alaric alexandra alina amara antonia ariane artos clara clarke conrad corvin devlin dora elaida emilia esyld evelyn event gabriel james jonathan leander log lorelei lucas philippe quentyn raimond symon thaddeus the-last tiadora tristan vorian)
- 1868-01-28: Missing Piece
- 1868-01-10: Shouldn't Have
- 1867-12-02: A Letter and Cookies
- 1867-11-19: Letters from Pacitta
- 1867-10-31: Hope and Shadows
- 1867-10-08: Together
- 1867-09-18: Someone Like Me
- 1867-09-11: As If It Never Was
- 1867-09-10: Veiled Decisions
- 1867-09-10: A Gift Given
- 1867-08-05: Of Stubborn
- 1867-07-13: Moving Forward
- 1867-07-09: Just A Misunderstanding
- 1867-06-22: Finding the Color
- 1867-06-18: The Final Countdown
- 1867-05-22: A Lucky Opening
- 1867-04-23: A Moment of Reflection
- 1867-04-14: A Plan Forms
- 1867-04-11: Only Questions
- 1867-03-25: Not Listening
Relationships
Couviere
Rivana
Others
The Last (Sidhe) / Tall Man / Goblyn King (Staff NPC) : It's Complicated. In all the ways knowing a Sidhe are certain to be. |