Edge of Darkness Wiki - User contributions [en]

Ventrue

2025-12-07T06:25:13Z

DamoclesImpaled:

<noinclude>{{header|vtr}}[[Category:RAW]][[Category:Glossary]]{{Vampire/Index}}
{{Quote|Among the Kindred we are the masters. Understand this, resign yourself to it. It is as true now as it was when the world was young and it shall be so until the stars burn out. We are the Lords of all.|#800000}}</noinclude>

The will to power drives every Ventrue from the moment of their Embrace until the final death. Pride is the besetting sin of every member of the Clan. In every city, every domain, in every covenant, you will find Ventrue among the leaders. They are the movers and shakers, the driving force behind almost every political activity among the Kindred. Often a member of another clan will attempt to rise to a position of power only to discover that all her plots and plans have been anticipated, manipulated and, ultimately countered by a rival Ventrue. The Ventrue are born to win at all costs.
* [[Clan]] [[Disciplines]] are '''[[Affinity::Dominate]]''', [[Affinity::Resilience]], and either [[Affinity::Animalism]] or [[Affinity::Vigor]]
* Favored Attribute is Presence or Resolve
* The [[Priscus]] of [[Clan]] [[{{PAGENAME}}]] is {{#ask: [[Clan::Ventrue]] [[Character Status::Active]] [[Clan Title::Priscus]] }} [[Otto Schneider]]
* The [[Whip]] of [[Clan]] [[{{PAGENAME}}]] is {{#ask: [[Clan::Ventrue]] [[Character Status::Active]] [[Clan Title::Whip]] }}

{{VHR|[[Ventrue]] may optionally replace [[Animalism]] with [[Vigor]] as an in-Clan [[Discipline]]. Please notify the Vampire Storytellers at character creation if this option is exercised.}}

===Weakness===
Power corrupts, and among the Ventrue, even the thirst for power can corrode an ambitious Kindred’s moral bearings. Over time, some Ventrue grow paranoid, ever more wary of rivals’ desires (real or imagined) for their own holdings. Others become willing to do whatever it takes to acquire the smallest iota of additional power. Still others turn inward, delude themselves as to their ability and importance, or trouble their minds with other maladies. Ventrue Kindred suffer a -2 penalty to [[Humanity]] rolls to avoid acquiring [[Derangements]] after a failed degeneration roll.

{{Askpc/Clan|Ventrue}}

{{links|Ventrue|Scenes}}{{clear}}{{Footer|vtr}}

Lancea Sanctum Titles

2024-08-31T19:46:05Z

DamoclesImpaled: /* Priest (•+) */

{{header|vtr}}{{Vampire/LS}}

The Lancea Sanctum stringently adheres to matters of role, responsibility, and chain of command--one might say they observe them religiously. There are two primary sub-divisions: clergy and laity, and authority doesn't necessarily translate between them, at least with regards to the lower ranks.

===Clerical Hierarchy===
====Cardinal (•••••+)====
Cardinal is a rare and antiquated office, sometimes claimed by an overextended Kindred acting as both Archbishop and Bishop of a very large domain. The position is often short-lived and occupied by zealots calling for sweeping change in doctrine or course of action.
:''Responibilities'': In addition to their responsibilities as Archbishop and Bishop, Cardinals are often associated with broad policy changes. Examples might include massive recruitment drives, vetting out heresies/heretics, or declaring a blood hunt crusade against a rival faction, domain, or even denomination.
* '''Present:'''
* '''Past:'''
'''Variant Names''': Vicar, Pontiff, Pontifex

====Archbishop (••••+)====
Typically, if a member of the Lancea Sanctum ascends to Prince within a domain, he will take the title Archbishop as opposed to its secular counterpart. Most Archbishops are Elders, and many domains do not have one.
:''Responsibilities'': The covenant's movement within a domain. Principally, an Archbishop monitors the the offices beneath him, delegating tasks to the council of Bishops beneath him. Few Archbishops are willing to perform menial tasks for the covenant.
* '''Present:'''
* '''Past:'''
'''Variant Names''': Episkopos, Exarch, Father/Mother Superior

====Bishop (•••+)====
While Archbishops have more central authority, Bishops tend to have more personal power. This is, in large part, due to the Bishop's actual contact with matters and persons, as delegated by the Archbishop. They interact directly with Priests who perform ceremonies, and they often become the face of the covenant in their domains due to their level of exposure. Generally, a city has between one and three bishops, though in larger cities where the Lancea Sanctum is dominant, there may be up to five. The council of Bishops in a city is called a Synod. Most Bishops are Ancillae or Elders, and almost all are Annointed.
:''Responsibilities'': Bishops receive directives from Archbishops, are directly responsible for the affairs of the priests in their parish, and advise their Archbishop about decisions with regard to the state of the streets and the covenant therein.
* '''Present:''' {{#ask: [[Concept:Active Vampires]] [[Lancea Sanctum Title::Bishop]] }}
* '''Past:''' {{#ask: [[Concept:Inactive Vampires]] [[Covenant Position::Bishop]] }}
'''Variant Names''': Monsignor, Shepherd, Presbyter

====Inquisitor (•+)====
Those chosen to become Inquisitors are highly trusted, given the secret-police quality of their assignment, and may be commissioned without the knowledge, even, of members of Sanctum leadership. Inquisitors tend to be intimidating and self-righteous loners, ones more concerned with "rightness" than having friends. They are also often well-rounded: tacticians, detectives, and fighters--as failure does not promote an image of the covenant's strength. Although sometimes, all these patterns as subverted, merely for the fact that a Kindred would not be suspected of an inquisition.
:''Responsibilities'': An Inquisitor is assigned to roust out turncoats and heretics within the Sanctified community. Depending on circumstances, this may be a temporary or permanent position.
* '''Present:''' {{#ask: [[Concept:Active Vampires]] [[Covenant Position::Inquisitor]]}}
* '''Past:''' {{#ask: [[Concept:Inactive Vampires]] [[Covenant Position::Inquisitor]] }}

====Priest (•+)====
The position of Priest varies from one to another, as one's specific duties varies. In smaller domains, with fewer Sanctified, one Priest might assume many responsibilities, where in a larger domain populated with Sanctified, a Priest's duties might be single-faceted. Generally there are two priests in a parish or domain per Bishop. Some Priests, prefer the position for its contact with actual Kindred, and never seek ascension in rank, though sometimes their preferences are overridden. Most Priests are Ancillae, though exceptional Neonates are sometimes ordained. Priest vows and attire vary from creed to creed, domain to domain.
:''Responsibilities'': Where a Archbishop or Bishop's position is of grand leadership, a priest's duties remain at the ground level, to the devotion of individual Kindred and Coteries. They perform rituals and ceremonies, deliver sermons, offer spiritual advice, receive confession, and make recommendations if Sanctified to fill Sanctum offices.
* '''Present:''' {{#ask: [[Concept:Active Vampires]] [[Covenant Position::Priest]] }}
* '''Past:''' {{#ask: [[Concept:Inactive Vampires]] [[Covenant Position::Priest]] }}
'''Variant Names''': Rabbi, Imam, Pastor, Father/Mother, Predicant

===Laity Offices===
====Saint (••••+)====
Saint is an unofficial honorific, considered to be one of the holiest and significant roles in the covenant. They are almost always Elders who exhibit perfection in piety. Saints often have days of special observation. The position may be awarded posthumously. Some see the office as political backscratching while others see Saints as exemplars.
:''Responsibilities'': Saints dictate their own courses based on their preference and circumstance. Some may chose to rule, others to wander and teach.
* '''Present:'''
* '''Past:'''

====Legate(••+)====
Legate is impermanent office with its purpose outside the domain.
:''Responsibilities'': The Legate is tasked to travel outside the domain to deliver information, messages, items, and even Kindred. They may be required to be messengers, diplomats, traders, or spies. They may need to find someone who escaped blood hunt, perform a ritual, be the voice of a Cardinal, or deliver or receive a gift or message. Basically, they go outside the city to perform any number of tasks which they're assigned.
* '''Present:'''
* '''Past:'''

====Deacon(•+)====
{{main|Deacon}}
Deacons are lay members of the Lancea Sanctum given special authority for the performance of appointed tasks by Archbishops, Bishops, or Priests. The exact nature of the position varies from domain to domain, appointment to appointment. Some Deacons are glorified lackeys, where others may serve as Primogen in domains dominated by the Lancea Sanctum.
:''Responsibilities'': The deacons responsibilities are dictated by the clergy member they serve upon appointment.
* '''Present:''' {{#ask: [[Concept:Active Vampires]] [[Covenant Position::Deacon]]}}
* '''Past:''' {{#ask: [[Covenant Position::Deacon]] [[Character Status::!Active]]}}

====Crusader (•+)====
Crusaders are not leaders, neither are they mere soldiers. They are elite warriors, often over-indoctrinated fanatics, serving as assassins, combatants, and killers. Many, even within the Sanctum, view the office as bullish and outdated, but nevertheless fear the Crusader's enthusiasm to perform any task for the sake of the Sanctum, to include meeting their final deaths.
:''Responsibilities'': The Crusader is not a Kindred; he is a weapon, expected to maintain his edge until the moment he is required to kills targets he doesn't decide upon for reasons unknown to him. He asks no questions and has no qualm.
* '''Present:'''
* '''Past:'''

====Paladin(•+)====
Paladins are different than Crusaders in that they are members of the laity. They swear oaths of loyalty to clergy members or travelling Legates, specializing in combat and self-defense techniques. The position holds prestige according to the position of the person they're sworn to. It is common practice for Paladins sworn to Archbishops and Bishops to serve in other city capacities, such as Sheriff or Reeve.
:''Responsibilities'': Paladins most often serve strictly as bodyguards, but sometimes, in service to the clergy member their sworn to, they serve in other positions as well.
* '''Present:''' {{#ask: [[Concept:Active Vampires]] [[Covenant Position::Paladin]]}}
* '''Past:''' {{#ask: [[Concept:Inactive Vampires]] [[Covenant Position::Paladin]]}}

====Lay Priest (•+)====
Lay Priests are Sanctified who study Sanctum theology and perform minor rites in the absence of an ordained priest or en route to greater service. They have no more actual authority than an exemplar citizen, are punished severely if they overstep. Bishops and Archbishops often recruit Priests and Deacons from the ranks of Lay Priests.
:''Responsibilities'': Lay Priests study Sanctum theology and perform minor rites.
* '''Present:'''
* '''Past:'''

====Ostiary (No status required)====
Also known as "Keepers of the Door," the Ostiary position is a martial one--almost exclusively when the Lancea Sanctum is the predominant covenant in the domain--working in a defensive capacity. Mainly, the Ostiary keeps watch over ingress routes into the city: airports, train yards, bus stations, reporting directly to the Bishop or Sheriff. Usually the office is held by young promising Ancillae.
:''Responsibilities'': The Ostuary deters entrants who would threaten the covenant's hold on the domain from entering by whatever means necessary.
* '''Present:''' {{#ask: [[Concept:Active Vampires]] [[Covenant Position::Ostiary]]}}
* '''Past:''' {{#ask: [[Concept:Inactive Vampires]] [[Covenant Position::Ostiary]]}}

====Parish Archivist (No status Required)====
Few Parish Archivists are technological enough to convert original documents into data stores, or to facilitate information sharing between domains. Thus, the Lancea Sanctum loses historical information at an alarming rate from source degredation alone.
:''Responsibilities'': The Parish Archivist manages the preservation of information, secreting away things like rules, doctrines, original texts, and concordats. They are also research specialists, and go-tos for Sanctum information. Some Parish Archivists also serve as secretaries, local historians, and record keepers, and are thus present to chronicle significant occasions.
* '''Present:'''
* '''Past:'''

{{links|Lancea Sanctum|Scenes}}{{footer|vtr}}

Otto Schneider

2024-08-31T19:41:09Z

DamoclesImpaled:

{{Char
|threadid=47284
|Avatar=Joseph Fiennes
|Quote=To be Damned is not to be lost, it is to finally find purpose.
}}

{{Has Merit|Boxing|1}}
{{Has Merit|Herd|2}}
{{Has Merit|Resources|3}}
{{Has Merit|Status|1
|Sphere=Religious Groups
}}

==The Mortal Man==
Everyone knows the Great Depression, but not nearly as many people will recognize Black Monday. For Mr. Schneider, it was the end of his life. Growing up in a White, middle-class family in New York City during the 50s, he lived a pretty easy life. The worst he had it was the occasional dirty look or insult for being born to German immigrants. Beyond that, there wasn't much to tell; stable home, married his high-school sweetheart, went to college, got a degree in finance, his life's story was remarkably unremarkable. Once he became a stockbroker, something clicked. He was really, ''really'' good at handling other people's money. The rush of what was, essentially, gambling on somebody else's behalf was intoxicating. And all it took to convince them to trust him with their finances was a smile and a handshake. Having a talent for aggressively growing clients' accounts certainly helped.

Life was good for a while. He was a rising star at his firm, he made enough money to actual own instead of rent property in the city, he had the envy of all his friends and relatives, he wanted for nothing. But then in October of 1987 came Black Monday. There is still some discussion on what actually caused the sudden and massive market decline, and it certainly can't be pinned to any one, specific factor; economic trends of this scale are rarely simple things. Mr. Schneider knew, even before the exchange opened, that there was a palpable tension. During the previous week there had been a downward trend, pressure to sell, bad signs to be sure but not necessarily enough to lead to doom-saying on the trade floor. But on the morning of the 19th it came to a head, due in part to a build-up of tension from nervous buyers over the weekend. "Sell", was all anyone heard. "Sell!", the cry came louder. "SELL!!", the exchange was a frenzy of activity as nearly every call was followed by an order to dump stock, tanking the value across the board and seeing fortunes fall apart. There were even some who feared it would lead to a second Great Depression.

By the end of the week, he was practically broke. Everything he had earned over the last decade was in shambles, he had been forced to sell his own stocks at a fraction of their value just to preserve enough money to survive another month. The house would have to be mortgaged or sold outright, his reputation would never recover as clients blamed him for their losses, he was left with nothing. He had actually considered ending it all and perhaps would have done so if he hadn't been approached by an admirer amongst the Kindred.

==Becoming a Lord==
Countess Catherine Holstein of the Invictus saw potential in him. She had actually been one of his clients, but unlike most of them she took the long view on matters of finance and didn't blame him for the decline in her fortunes. In fact, she was impressed by how much he had managed to grow them in the first place. She saw potential in him and offered a place in the Danse Macabre, and with it a new identity. Having been despondent at his losses and now seeing a glimmer of hope, he accepted. Catherine taught her Childe the finer points of Kindred culture, as well as the Ventrue practice of taking new names. Taking the name 'Otto' for himself, and knowing little else of the eternal struggle of their kind, he served the Unconquered. Trained to serve as a Commissioner, managing the finances and investments of more powerful Kindred, Otto initially took to his role quite well.

His Sire was respected, ambitious, and knew talent when she saw it. It was her hope to establish a dynasty, and she often promised Otto that he would have a place in the upper echelons of the Invictus if he continued to serve. For a few years he was content with this, but over time he became disillusioned with the covenant. He had enjoyed finance as a mortal man because it seemed like the simplest way to be happy. Now he knew that a world of darkness existed beyond mortal eyes, that magic was real and human life was just another form of currency. Especially considering that he would (potentially) live for eternity, what was the point in making money? When mortal billionaires were apparently just pawns of ancient monsters who could cause nations to crumble with a glance and some magic words, it made everything feel so... insignificant.

The Invictus's first tenet was utterly uncomforting for him; The Purpose of Power is Power, they said. He simply didn't believe it. His Sire grew increasingly annoyed at his moping and suggested that he sit in on a Lancea sermon for an evening to see if that might alleviate his ennui. It was not uncommon in that Domain for members of the Invictus to show interest (feigned or real) in the words of the Sanctified due to the covenants' ancient ties and the fact that their focuses on temporal and spiritual matter respectively meant that some Kindred saw them as directly compatible. Unfortunately for the Countess, this would prove to backfire dramatically for her.

==Damnation==
The Bishop of Staten Island gave a sermon that touched Otto's soul in a way he hadn't expected. He had never been particularly religious in life, though his parents were both devoutly Lutheran. So he had not expected to find "purpose" that night, at most he figured there would be a chance to meet new Kindred, get new perspectives, and move on. Instead he was drawn to the stories of the Centurion and the Monachus, the idea that there was a distinct mission for those of the Blood. With trepidation, at the end of services, he approached the Bishop and introduced himself, half-expecting a follow-up lecture about how he had committed some moral failing by serving the Unconquered instead of the Almighty. To his surprise, the Bishop gave him a smile and a handshake, thanking Otto for showing interest in the message of the Damned. This led to a long friendship and further attendance of sermons.

Countess Catherine grew increasingly concerned with her Childe's interest in the Sanctified, believing that it was affecting his duties. Eventually she delivered an ultimatum and demanded that he stop associating with them entirely. However, she greatly over-estimated the hold she had over the neonate and when she tried to force the issue at Court, she found herself greatly embarrassed by the local Archbishop's insistence that Otto be permitted to follow his own path and the lack of backing from any of her own covenant. Thus Otto broke ties with the Invictus and, for the benefit of continuing covenant relations in New York, moved to a domain in New Jersey.

==Hell on Earth: Newark, NJ==
The parish in Newark was of a more severe bent than he was used to, but Otto thrived as a Lay Priest in the congregation and dreamed of one day joining the ranks of the priesthood proper. While the Sanctum is perfectly willing to accept converts, allowing them to join the ranks of the Anointed is a different matter. Given his relative youth as well, it was a pipe dream unless he were to distinguish himself in a spectacular fashion. Around 2011, he would get the perfect opportunity.

Over the years there was a growing concern that roving packs of [[Belials Brood|Belial's Brood]] were becoming too aggressive and even presenting a serious threat of exposing Kindred society to mortal scrutiny. Believing that "nip it in the bud" applied equally to gardening and threats to domain stability, the Archbishop of Newark declared a Crusade. Other covenants took a dim view of this extreme measure, but did not take any measure to stop Sanctified from waging their holy war; if zealots wanted to risk Final Death fighting satanists, they were welcome to it.

Otto eagerly volunteered to assist in rooting out the Sanctum's enemies, but he severely underestimated the strain the effort would put on his soul. It was well and good to preach about the teachings of Monachus and that his disciples must not shirk from violence and cruelty to serve god. It was quite a different experience to be ordered to destroy other Kindred, and to even stake them on a church roof so that the met the final judgment of the sun. Still, he obeyed. Though the campaign to destroy their enemies dragged on for over a year, Otto distinguished himself as both a competent soldier and devout enough to push his feelings aside to complete any task.

There was no lavish reward or triumphant procession in his honor, merely a quiet acknowledgement from the Archbishop that he had proven his worth and any doubts about his devotion had been put to rest. It would take several years for this to manifest in any meaningful way, but eventually, almost a decade later in early 2024, the Archbishop of Newark declared that there was great concern for the spiritual wellbeing of the Damned of Sacramento and that the Sanctum needed to reinforce its hold on that distant city. In recognition of his dutiful service, Otto Schneider was Anointed as a [[Covenant Position::Priest]] and tasked with maintaining a parish of his own.


{{Bibliography}}{{Vampire Character}}

File:Otto Schneider.jpg

2024-08-30T02:17:08Z

DamoclesImpaled:

Svelte Sven

2024-08-29T21:27:15Z

DamoclesImpaled: /* A Fairy Tale */

{{Char
|threadid=47197
|Avatar=Bill Skarsgård
|pic2=No
|Quote=I don't start rumors, I just repeat what I hear. Trust me.
}}

{{Has Merit|Barfly|1}}
{{Has Merit|Dual Kith|3}}
{{Has Merit|New Identity|1
|Description=Devon Edwards
}}
{{Has Merit|Socially Small|2}}
{{Has Merit|Rigid Mask|2}}
{{Has Merit|Mantle|1}}

==A Fairy Tale==
This story is true, in a manner of speaking. There once was a King whose kingdom was slowly falling to ruin. Despite having a loving family, he could not accept that he no longer had the glory and riches of his ancestors. He insisted that his family attend lavish feasts in foreign realms so that he could still maintain ties to with other, wealthier monarchs and attract suitable matched for his heirs. His youngest child despised these charades and would often sneak away from the parties.

This enraged the King and eventually a mysterious governess came to visit him. She promised that she could straighten out the boy and make him just as obedient and charming as the King's other children. The King was happy to be free of the troublesome lad, but the Queen was more reluctant. The governess assuaged her fears by insisting it would mend the rift between father and son and that she had done the same service for other nobles before. Eventually the Queen conceded and the young boy was entrusted to the governess.

Once a year and a day had passed, the governess returned with a young man who certainly looked like the King's son, but was handsome and warm, courageous and smiling, and above all, obedient. The King delighted at his son's newfound manners and the Queen was pleased to see her family healed. However, a chill ran down her spine as she felt eyes fixed on her from some shadow corner of their ancient hold. But as she drew closer, ignored by her husband and son, she saw that there was a sullen boy dressed in servant's clothes looking at her. "Who are you, lost child?" She asked. The boy remained silent. "This is my newest footman, Sven. Pay him no heed, he will attend me as I away from your estate." For years to come the Queen could not shake the thought that the sullen boy, Sven, had looked so very much like the son who had returned with the governess.

==Durance==
Sven's Keeper loved fancy parties. Galas, balls, salons, any manner of fancy party was being thrown at a given time in the Fae's Realm. She would even invite other Lords of Arcadia for special occasions, though they rarely accepted. The only thing she loved better than the parties was the gossip and storytelling from guests at these gatherings. However, what the Fae failed to understand, or perhaps did not care to understand, was that when all of her guests were slaves who knew no life outside of Arcadia, there wasn't anything to meaningfully discuss. If your life consists of nothing but attending parties at the same place with the same guests for all eternity, your supply of anecdotes and humor eventually runs dry.

Because of this, there was more or less a writer's room of Changelings whose task was to come up with interesting stories to be surreptitiously spread amongst the partygoers.


{{Bibliography}}{{Changeling Character}}

Svelte Sven

2024-08-29T21:26:51Z

DamoclesImpaled:

{{Char
|threadid=47197
|Avatar=Bill Skarsgård
|pic2=No
|Quote=I don't start rumors, I just repeat what I hear. Trust me.
}}

{{Has Merit|Barfly|1}}
{{Has Merit|Dual Kith|3}}
{{Has Merit|New Identity|1
|Description=Devon Edwards
}}
{{Has Merit|Socially Small|2}}
{{Has Merit|Rigid Mask|2}}
{{Has Merit|Mantle|1}}

==A Fairy Tale==
This story is true, in a manner of speaking. There once was a King whose kingdom was slowly falling to ruin. Despite having a loving family, he could not accept that he no longer had the glory and riches of his ancestors. He insisted that his family attend lavish feasts in foreign realms so that he could still maintain ties to with other, wealthier monarchs and attract suitable matched for his heirs. His youngest child despised these charades and would often sneak away from the parties.

This enraged the King, and eventually a mysterious governess came to visit him. She promised that she could straighten out the boy and make him just as obedient and charming as the King's other children. The King was happy to be free of the troublesome lad, but the Queen was more reluctant. The governess assuaged her fears by insisting it would mend the rift between father and son and that she had done the same service for other nobles before. Eventually the Queen conceded and the young boy was entrusted to the governess.

Once a year and a day had passed, the governess returned with a young man who certainly looked like the King's son, but was handsome and warm, courageous and smiling, and above all, obedient. The King delighted at his son's newfound manners and the Queen was pleased to see her family healed. However, a chill ran down her spine as she felt eyes fixed on her from some shadow corner of their ancient hold. But as she drew closer, ignored by her husband and son, she saw that there was a sullen boy dressed in servant's clothes looking at her. "Who are you, lost child?" She asked. The boy remained silent. "This is my newest footman, Sven. Pay him no heed, he will attend me as I away from your estate." For years to come the Queen could not shake the thought that the sullen boy, Sven, had looked so very much like the son who had returned with the governess.

==Durance==
Sven's Keeper loved fancy parties. Galas, balls, salons, any manner of fancy party was being thrown at a given time in the Fae's Realm. She would even invite other Lords of Arcadia for special occasions, though they rarely accepted. The only thing she loved better than the parties was the gossip and storytelling from guests at these gatherings. However, what the Fae failed to understand, or perhaps did not care to understand, was that when all of her guests were slaves who knew no life outside of Arcadia, there wasn't anything to meaningfully discuss. If your life consists of nothing but attending parties at the same place with the same guests for all eternity, your supply of anecdotes and humor eventually runs dry.

Because of this, there was more or less a writer's room of Changelings whose task was to come up with interesting stories to be surreptitiously spread amongst the partygoers.


{{Bibliography}}{{Changeling Character}}

Svelte Sven

2024-08-29T21:25:54Z

DamoclesImpaled:

{{Char
|threadid=47197
|Avatar=Bill Skarsgård
|pic2=No
|Quote=I don't start rumors, I just repeat what I hear. Trust me.
}}

{{Has Merit|Barfly|1}}
{{Has Merit|Dual Kith|3}}
{{Has Merit|New Identity|1
|Description=Devon Edwards
}}
{{Has Merit|Socially Small|2}}
{{Has Merit|Rigid Mask|2}}
{{Has Merit|Mantle|1}}

==A Fairy Tale==
This story is true, in a manner of speaking. There once was a King whose kingdom was slowly falling to ruin. Despite having a loving family, he could not accept that he no longer had the glory and riches of his ancestors. He insisted that his family attend lavish feasts in foreign realms so that he could still maintain ties to with other, wealthier monarchs and attract suitable matched for his heirs. His youngest child despised these charades and would often sneak away from the parties.

This enraged the King, and eventually a mysterious governess came to visit him. She promised that she could straighten out the boy and make him just as obedient and charming as the King's other children. The King was happy to be free of the troublesome lad, but the Queen was more reluctant. The governess assuaged her fears by insisting it would mend the rift between father and son and that she had done the same service for other nobles before. Eventually the Queen conceded and the young boy was entrusted to the governess.

Once a year and a day had passed, the governess returned with a young man who certainly looked like the King's son, but was handsome and warm, courageous and smiling, and above all, obedient. The King delighted at his son's newfound manners and the Queen was pleased to see her family healed. However, a chill ran down her spine as she felt eyes fixed on her from some shadow corner of their ancient hold. But as she drew closer, ignored by her husband and son, she saw that there was a sullen boy dressed in servant's clothes looking at her. "Who are you, lost child?" She asked. The boy remained silent. "This is my newest footman, Sven. Pay him no heed, he will attend me as I away from your estate." For years to come the Queen could not shake the thought that the sullen boy, Sven, had looked so very much like the son who had returned with the governess.

==Durance==
Sven's Keeper loved fancy parties. Galas, balls, salons, any manner of fancy party was being thrown at a given time in the Fae's Realm. She would even invite other Lords of Arcadia for special occasions, though they rarely accepted. The only thing she loved better than the parties was the gossip and storytelling from guests at these gatherings. However, what the Fae failed to understand, or perhaps did not care to understand, was that when all of her guests were slaves who knew no life outside of Arcadia, there wasn't anything to meaningfully discuss. If your life consists of nothing but attending parties at the same place with the same guests for all eternity, your supply of anecdotes and humor eventually runs dry.

Because of this, there was more or less a writer's room of Changelings whose task was to come up with interesting stories to be surreptitiously spread amongst the partygoers.


{{Bibliography}}{{Changeling Character}}

File:Svelte Sven.jpg

2024-08-29T21:09:20Z

DamoclesImpaled:

Svelte Sven

2024-08-29T02:28:17Z

DamoclesImpaled:

{{Char
|threadid=47197
|Avatar=Bill Skarsgård
|pic2=No
|Quote=I don't start rumors, I just repeat what I hear. Trust me.
}}

{{Has Merit|Barfly|1}}
{{Has Merit|Dual Kith|3}}
{{Has Merit|New Identity|1
|Description=Devon Edwards
}}
{{Has Merit|Socially Small|2}}
{{Has Merit|Rigid Mask|2}}
{{Has Merit|Mantle|1}}

==A Fairy Tale==
This story is true, in a manner of speaking. There once was a King whose fortunes were turning sour. The King was proud of all his dynasty had accomplished, having descended from much wiser, more powerful kings than himself. It was his greatest wish to restore his realm to glory, but he didn't have the wisdom or power than his ancestors did. What he did have was a dwindling treasury, a loving Queen, and three children. Those children were the Dutiful Heir, the Beautiful Princess, and the Sullen Boy.

Even after consulting with nobles, seers, madmen, and priests, the King could not find a way to restore his kingdom. In the meantime, he had to find a way to keep the coffers filled. Though he thought it below him, he often visited neighboring monarchs and begged for their favor. Whenever he visited these foreign sovereigns he brought the Heir, the Princess, and the Boy. The Princess was the darling of any court, and to the King's delight his hosts often showered her in gifts. The Heir had a silent dignity about him, and many of his hosts' own children were drawn to the Heir. This delighted the King as well and he hoped the Heir might attract a bride with a sizable dowry.

However, the Boy hated the visits to foreign kingdoms. His father would always parade him and his siblings around and he would be forced to smile and speak to strangers. Whenever he could he would hide and sneak away from the balls and feasts. This angered the King and he would often chide the Boy for his disobedience. The Queen would try to assuage her husband's wrath and appeal to the Boy's love for his family, but alas, the two continued to quarrel.

A year before the boy would come off age, a wealthy Governess visited the King. He was distraught that his younger son had attracted no betrothals or offers to squire from foreign kingdoms. The Governess smiled promised that if the King would entrust the Boy to her, she would shape him into a proper gentleman. The King was eager to be rid of the problem child and had heard of the Governess from other monarchs who praised her ability to instruct willful heirs. The Queen was more reluctant to part with her son as he begged her not send him away, but she was convinced by the Governess that her instruction would help heal the rift between the Boy and the King.

After a year and a day, the King and Queen were astonished by the Boy's transformation into a Studious Cavalier. Now he was obedient, cheerful, and brave. The King fawned over him and the Queen wept at seeing her son and husband reunited. But the next time the King left with their children to cavort with other nobles, the Queen was awoken in the night by pitiful sobbing. In the dimly lit hall outside her bedchamber, she spied a young boy. When she drew closer and held a candle towards him, she realized that it was not a boy, but a boy's Shadow. It sobbed and wailed pitifully in a voice that was strangely familiar. "You threw me away!", he cried. Startled, she called the guards but by the time the arrived the Shadow was gone. For years to come, however, her dreams were haunted by the Shadow's sobbing and she could never bring herself to love the Studious Cavalier.

==Durance==
Sven's Keeper loved fancy parties. Galas, balls, salons, any manner of fancy party was being thrown at a given time in the Fae's Realm. She would even invite other Lords of Arcadia for special occasions, though they rarely accepted. The only thing she loved better than the parties was the gossip and storytelling from guests at these gatherings. However, what the Fae failed to understand, or perhaps did not care to understand, was that when all of her guests were slaves who knew no life outside of Arcadia, there wasn't anything to meaningfully discuss. If your life consists of nothing but attending parties at the same place with the same guests for all eternity, your supply of anecdotes and humor eventually runs dry.

Because of this, there was more or less a writer's room of Changelings whose task was to come up with interesting stories to be surreptitiously spread amongst the partygoers.


{{Bibliography}}{{Changeling Character}}

Otto Schneider

2024-08-29T00:41:03Z

DamoclesImpaled: /* The Mortal Man */

Otto Schneider

2024-08-29T00:40:22Z

DamoclesImpaled: Creation of page for new VtR character

Svelte Sven

2024-08-29T00:04:24Z

DamoclesImpaled: Creation of character page for new Changeling Character